A/N I thank you all again for reading my tale of Merle and Beth, you're all fabulous people :-) Thank you to the guest reviewer for the Beth prompt, I'll work that in soon. Let's see what kind of fluffiness is happening in the Dixon world.

Things had definitely taken a turn for the better in their home. Tommy was almost completely back to his former energy level. They'd been so scared, it was a true gift not to feel that fear and sadness weighing heavy on their hearts.

Now they all looked forward to the baby's arrival, just six weeks away.

Beth still seemed a little too slim, but her belly was large and round. She thought she looked awkward and fat, but he loved the way his wife looked carrying their child. She would always be the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

They'd put Tommy to bed and he was looking at the Reader's Digest while she was looking at Life Magazine.

"What do you think of Merle?" she asked.

"What? I don't get ya Darlin'," he looked up from his magazine.

"If the baby's a boy, we should name him Merle for you," she smiled.

"Nah Darlin', I can't say yes ta that, wouldn't do that ta Tommy. A man's first born son is the one named for him, Tommy's my firstborn and I wouldn't ever want my boy ta think any different. I'm firm on that Darlin'," he smiled at her, but she knew he was serious.

She loved that he would think of Tommy's feelings that way. It still amazed her how fully and completely he had accepted Tommy as his own. "Well, if it is a boy, is there a name you like?" she smiled at her husband.

"I do like the name Roy, and I like the name Charles," he smiled back.

"Charles is a nice name, he could be called Charlie when he's little. What about girl's names, any ideas?" She asked him.

"Well sure, we could name her Beth for you," he grinned ear to ear.

"Oh no Merle, I just don't think so. I want her to have a different name than me," she looked to him.

"Well Darlin' what names do ya like?" He was gonna let her pick the girls' name, he'd already decided that.

"I've always liked the name Suzanne, and I'd call her Suzy. I think it's a sweet name. The other one I like is Katherine and I'd call her Katie. What do you think?" She was hoping he liked those names.

"Darlin' I think both them are real good names. I think you should pick out the one ya like best, I'ma be happy either way," he got up and went to her, helped her to her feet and hugged her close. "I want ya Darlin', ya think that'd be okay?" he smiled at his pretty wife.

"Are you sure Merle? I think I look so unattractive," she looked down at her stomach.

He answered by putting his hands to her hair and taking out the clip and the pins that held it up. He ran his fingers through the loosened hair and kissed her hard on the mouth.

He stepped back and said to her, "I think yer the most beautiful woman God ever made, let me prove that to ya," And he pulled up the back of her dress to place his hands on her bottom, pulling her to him while continuing to kiss her hard and deep.

He leaned back, smiled and said, "I do think its best ya be on top though."

"Oh Merle," her cheeks turned a bright pink, but she firmly grabbed his backside and kissed him back with a new kind of want. He didn't know what had come over her, but he liked it.

He surprised her by picking her up and carrying her to their bed.

He loved to undress her and she loved to let him.

He took his time, stopping often to kiss, lick, and nibble. When he got to her bra he grinned, expertly popped the hooks, and had it off before she knew what happened. Her breasts were extra sensitive because of her pregnancy and he took turns sucking and lightly nibbling on one, while he lightly pinched and squeezed the other. She was moaning and her hips were lifting from the bed with need, she gasped, "Please Merle, please."

"What Lil Darlin', what do ya want yer husband ta do?" he whispered to her.

"I…I need you Merle, please," she was whimpering now, and he slid his hand in her panties and skillfully removed them.

She was wet, she was ready and she was the best thing he'd ever seen. He moved himself beneath her, while lifting her hips up, he guided himself into her and she gasped. He paused, "Ya okay Darlin'," he wasn't going to take chances with her.

"Oh yes Merle, it feels good," She whispered to him.

He'd never seen her quite like this, and her sweet innocence mixed with this obvious desire she had, well it thrilled and excited him.

She was moving on top of him and he had one hand clasped tightly on her bottom while the other continued to tease her breast. He knew he was close, and knew she was too, he coaxed her, leaning up to take a breast in his mouth and nibbling at her erect nipple, he spoke to her in a low raspy voice, "Come for me Darlin', come for yer husband. She came with a cry and he could hold back no longer.

As they cuddled and he stroked her hair he told her, "Darlin' you was a little excited tonight, ya make your husband a very happy man. I Love ya Beth."

She was both a little embarrassed and a little thrilled, "I love you Merle, and you make me feel so good when you make love to me."

And Merle didn't think anything had ever sounded better than that.

xxxx

There had been much debate in their home; Beth had been insistent all along. She didn't want to give birth in a hospital, she wanted to have her baby at home in her own bed with her husband close.

"Merle if I have the baby in the hospital they're not going to let you anywhere near me until long after the baby comes. I don't want us separated that. The worst is, I'll have to stay in the hospital 10 to 14 days. They won't let Tommy come to visit, they won't let you come more than an hour or two a day; and they'll barely let me care for the baby. I want to be home with you, with Tommy." And then she smiled and said, "I'm firm on this Merle."

He couldn't help but let out a small laugh at that, and even though he wasn't so sure this was a good idea, he had to admit, she knew more about havin' babies than he did. And he didn't want her and the baby away from him and Tommy for two weeks, and so he said, "Alright Darlin', but first sign of any problems I'ma be loadin' ya up in that car and drivin' ya to the hospital, we agreed?"

"Yes Merle, we're agreed. I'll be so much happier here with you and Tommy," she gave him that pretty smile.

xxxx

It was two days before her due date. She'd gone to bed exhausted, it seemed to be a pretty constant feeling for her this past week. She woke just before dawn to a wet bed. She knew right away what it meant. She shook his shoulder, "Merle, it's the baby."

He immediately jumped from the bed and got dressed. He went quickly to the phone and called the mid-wife, and then the doctor, they were both on their way.

He left a message with Edith's Aunt to please ask her to come as soon as possible. Finally he called Daryl and Michonne, then Rick.

Merle helped her clean herself, get in a fresh nightie, and got her in the chair.

He quickly pulled the wet bedding off the bed, and was grateful they'd put that rubber sheet under the mattress pad just in case something like this should happen. He quickly remade the bed with fresh bedding, and as he was helping her back to it she smiled, "I never knew you could make a bed so nice."

He smiled, "Well I did have ta care for myself for a long time Darlin', now I'm proud ta take care a you a little bit."

There was a knock at the door and he quickly went to answer, it was the mid-wife, Mrs. Camp. He showed her to their room and left her there to check on his wife, while he went to check on Tommy.

The boy was sound asleep, it was still just 5:30 in the morning and the little fella generally slept until at least six. Merle went to the kitchen and got the coffee going. He figured they were in for a long day.

There came another knock at the door and it was the doctor, but Merle also noticed Edith's husband dropping her off at the curb.

The man had her door open and was helping her from the car. Merle excused himself from the doctor and went to meet he man.

He held his hand out to him, "You must be Mr. Campbell, name's Merle Dixon."

"Yessir, Mr. Dixon, George Campbell," the man seemed just a bit uncomfortable.

"I just wanna say my wife and I appreciate Edith here helpin' us out so much. There's been a lotta times didn't know what we'd do without her, just wanted ta let ya know that," Merle dipped his head slightly toward the man.

Mr. Campbell replied, "Yessir, she's a good woman, don' know what I'd do without her myself," and he smiled.

Edith looked to both of them and said, "You two go on n stand out here all mornin' if ya like, I got ta go in and tend ta Tommy and Mrs. Beth," and off she went.

Merle and George just smiled and nodded their heads.

Back in the house the doctor and the midwife were both with Beth, and Edith was already busying herself in the kitchen getting breakfast started for Mister Merle and Tommy.

Merle went in Tommy's room when he heard him stir. "Guess what son, gonna be a little brother or sister come for ya taday. Ain't that excitin'?"

The boy smiled and nodded sleepily and Merle reached for him and hugged him close. "Don't ya worry now son, yer always gonna be the big brother. It's just like I'm the big brother to yer Uncle Daryl. Yer baby brother or sister always gonna be yer closest friend in life. Now let's get ya dressed. Edith's here and she's got some breakfast for us."

He dressed the little boy in a t-shirt and bib overalls and they went to the kitchen. "G'morning Miss Edith," the little boy greeted her.

"G'mornin' to you Tommy, I got yer favorite breakfast here, grits, a egg, n one piece a crispy fried bacon," She smiled broadly as she set the food in front of the child.

"Thank you mam," the boy smiled back.

Merle just watched, appreciating how his wife had taught the boy such good manners. That alone could take a man far in this life.

At 7:00 Merle called the shop and talked to Tara, then Axel, he promised to give them any news and told them to be sure and call if they needed anything from him.

The doctor came down the hall from their bedroom and Merle stood and went to him. The doctor assured him, "Everything is going just as it should Mr. Dixon. Mrs. Dixon is not in any distress, of course there is the labor, but her vital signs are good and she's just fine. Mrs. Camp seems to have the situation well in hand, and I'll be by later today to check on your wife again. You have my number, if there are any concerns please don't hesitate to call me."

"Thanks doctor, I think I'ma just go on back there and stay with my wife a while, if that's okay," Merle looked to the man.

"Absolutely, that's the benefit of not being in the hospital." Merle thanked the doctor and showed him to the door.

He let Edith know he was going to spend time with his wife, she smiled and told him to go on ahead, her and Tommy were going to be busy.

When he entered the room the mid wife excused herself to "freshen up" and get a cup of coffee.

"Beth, how ya doin' Lil Darlin'," he said as he went to her and knelt beside the bed taking her hand.

"I'm doing real good Merle the pains aren't too bad yet. They're getting a little closer and a little stronger, but we still have a ways to go. Edith told me the second should come faster than Tommy, we'll see," she smiled at her husband.

"Love ya so much Darlin', don't like ta think of ya bein' in any kinda pain," and he thought to himself he'd do this for her if he could.

She just smiled at him and said, "I know Merle, I don't like the idea of the pain much myself, but just think, there'll be a baby when it's over. Our baby."

"That's the truth right there. This is a day that's gonna change our lives forever. Gonna be even better Darlin', even better," he leaned in and kissed her softly. "Ya want me ta bring Tommy in before the pains get worse?"

"Oh please Merle, I miss him already."

He went to the kitchen and got Edith and the boy. He held Tommy's hand as they walked back to the room. "C'mon son, Daddy'll hold ya up so you can give yer Mama a kiss g'mornin'."

Beth smiled at the little boy, "Thank you for being a good boy today for Daddy and Edith, Mama's going to get you a new baby, alright?"

The little boy touched her hair softly as he said, "Yes Mama."

Merle swore his heart was swollen with the love, he never would have guessed having a family could be something so wonderful. The way he and Daryl had come up, family was a scary thing you tried to keep away from.

Lori and Rick came by about 10:00 in the morning. Lori asked Edith if there was anything she needed her to pick up at the store or anything she could do to help. She would have taken Tommy home with her, but Merle and Beth wanted him there when the baby was born.

Rick and Merle went to the backyard for a little fresh air and Rick clapped Merle on the shoulder. "I'm happy for ya Merle. You and Beth deserve this happiness coming to ya today. I can't wait to meet the newest Dixon."

"Thanks Rick, Beth and me appreciate everythin' you and Lori done for us, especially when Tommy was so sick. We couldn't ask for no better friends," he held his hand out to Rick and they shook.

By 2:00 she was getting her pains more and more frequently and they were more intense. Merle sat in the chair by the bed holding her hand. Every time she had a pain it hurt him, he knew it was normal, but still his heart ached for her.

And then they didn't seem to stop but for a few seconds. His wife gripped his hand more tightly through the pains, and when they eased, she just smiled softly and said, "That was a good one Merle, we're getting closer."

It was then the midwife said, "The baby's going to be coming in just a very few minutes. Do you want your husband to stay in the room Beth? I don't usually allow it, but he seems calm enough."

His wife looked at him and said, "I'd like you to stay and hold my hand if you would Merle."

"Whatever ya want Darlin', I'm right here. Just gonna look at yer pretty face and hold yer pretty little hand," and he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

He'd expected the baby to cry right away, and he almost panicked when it didn't, but he saw Beth and the midwife were calm, then he heard the little scream.

He felt the tears in his eyes when the midwife said, "Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, you have a healthy new baby girl."

She looked so pale and spent, he didn't know what to do but hug her, "Darlin' ya doin' okay?"

She smiled weakly, "Merle, we have a baby girl."

"Ain't that the best news Beth? She's a beauty, just like her Mama. Did ya pick yer name ya like? We got us a Katie or a Suzy?" He was joy filled.

"I decided Suzy, is that okay Merle? Suzy?" Her voice was low.

"Darlin', whatever ya want in this world is what I want, ya know that," he leaned over and kissed her again, "Ya rest now Beth, ya rest. Yer husband loves ya."

The midwife had watched the exchange with a smile on her face. It brought her pleasure to think this new baby would be with such a loving couple.

Merle went out to the kitchen with Tommy while Edith and the midwife tended to cleaning Beth, the baby and the bed up.

Merle looked to the boy and placed his hands on the little one's shoulders, "Ya got ya a little sister son, gonna take ya in ta meet her and see yer Mama in just a minute now. Her name's Suzy, she's real pretty like yer Mama, and she's a tiny little thing, yer much bigger. You and Daddy, we're gonna have ta watch over her real good, just like we do with Mama, K son?"

A/N Suzy! I hope you enjoyed the fluffiness of it all. I've just posted on new Bethyl AU, Hittin' the Highway. Thank you for reading, please review xo