A/N Thank you all so much. I know you're angry with Merle, let's see if he can turn this thing around. That's going to be our only real focus this chapter, can the marriage be saved?

He jumped up from his knees, "Beth, oh my God Beth, I know ya didn't want a baby right now, oh Darlin' I'm so sorry. I can't fix this, I can only tell ya I'ma do whatever I gotta do ta help ya through this, ta be right here for ya, for the baby, help in any way I can. Darlin', I know ya can't forgive me. I accept that, I don't deserve yer forgiveness, yer right ta hate me." She was crying now, and he instinctively reached out to hug her, and she let him. And he told her, "I love ya Beth, I'm so sorry Darlin'."

And she said, "Please Merle, please just go out to the apartment. I just don't want to see you right now."

And he got a few things, and he did as she asked.

Daryl returned shortly after. He didn't see Merle or Beth, but he could hear her, he knew she was back in their bedroom, crying softly.

He took the children first into Suzy's room, where he got her changed and ready for bed. And then Tommy's room, where he helped Tommy in his pajamas, although the little guy could pretty much handle it himself. "Yer gettin' all grown up ain't ya Tommy? Good man, you'll be able ta help yer Mama a lot," and he smiled at the little boy and tousled his hair.

He read them a story, tucked Tommy in bed, and took Suzy in her room and rocked her a while. It made him miss Ben even more.

Beth came in, "I'm sorry Daryl, thank you so much for helping with the children. You've been wonderful to us today. I appreciate everything you've done."

"Ain't no problem Beth. Where's Merle at?" He was afraid he may have gone to the roadhouse.

"I've told him he has to stay in the apartment. I'm sorry Daryl, I'm just not ready to forgive him, I don't know that I can," She had tears in her eyes.

"Don't apologize Beth, none a this is yer fault. I know Merle knows it too. I'ma go out ta the apartment and talk ta my brother." He stood and handed her the sleeping baby.

"The bed in Tommy's room is made up, I'll see you in the morning Daryl." She laid the baby down, and he headed out to the apartment.

Merle was sitting on the small couch head in hands. "What happened Brother?" Daryl asked him.

"I fucked up even worse than I thought I did Little Brother, damn, I wasn't careful with her, I was an asshole, I got her pregnant Daryl," he hung his head.

"Y'all didn't want no more babies?" Daryl didn't know.

"I don't know if we was gonna have some later or not, I just know she said she didn't even wanna think about it 'til Suzy was at least two and a half, maybe three. I agreed with that, was my job ta make sure we didn't have no accidents. When I was being such an asshole, I wasn't bein' careful like I promised, now she's pregnant. You know, an I know, ain't me that's gonna pay the price for this, gonna be her. Not just the pregnancy and the childbirth parts, gonna be another full time job caring for the little one. Shit Daryl the girl ain't even 21 years old." Again he hung his head, and shook it side to side.

"Fuck Brother, ya done this up didn't ya? I don't know what ta tell ya 'cept all ya can do is work hard at tryin' ta convince her yer sorry and it ain't ever happenin' again, ain't words gonna do that, gonna be action. Ya better do what ya can Brother. I feel bad all around, you n Beth, you two belong together. I hope ya can make it up, and I hope she can see her way ta forgive ya. In the meantime. I'ma leave y'all ta work it out. I'm anxious ta get home ta my own wife and son. I'll take Beth ta get the car and her things tomorrow, then I'ma go on. For tonight, well she's got the extra bed made up for me, but it's probably best I just stay here on the couch."

"Nah Little Brother, you go on up there, I feel better knowing yer looking out for my family. And I thank you for bringin' my family home ta me, helpin' me ta at least have a chance at makin' it up."

Daryl didn't know what to say to his brother, what could he say? He just nodded his head and went back up to the house.

And Merle thought about things.

He didn't know how in the hell he could ever make this right. How could he convince her to give him one more chance to prove he could be a good man? He wasn't sure, but he was gonna try.

First thing in the morning he was up at the house. He walked in the kitchen door and there she was cooking breakfast. He went to the cupboard above the fridge and got down two bottles of whiskey. He dumped the brown liquid down the sink and threw the bottles in the trash, mumbled to himself, "Ain't gonna be no more a that in this house, just adds ta the misery."

Then he went to Tommy, got down in front of the boy and said, "Daddy ain't been bein' a good man Tommy. I'm real sorry about that son. I'ma do right from now on, be a good Daddy to you and yer Baby Sister. I'ma treat Mama right. I hope ya can give me another chance." And he gave the little boy a hug, and he could not have been more relieved when his son hugged him back.

Then he picked up Suzy and he held the little girl to him and whispered to her, "Daddy loves ya Little Girl, gonna be a good Daddy to ya from now on, I promise ya that."

And Beth felt her heart soften just a little, and she asked, "Will you have breakfast with us Merle? I think the children would like that."

And he looked at her, and he knew he didn't deserve this, but he replied, "If you'll have me, I'd be proud."

And Daryl just watched it all unfold, and he was relieved, and all he wanted was for this to work, that, and he wanted to go home to his own wife and son.

"Daryl's gonna drive ya ta get the car and yer things Beth, then he wants ta go on home to his own family. I know ya probably don't want me goin' with ya, but I ain't comfortable with ya drivin' back by yerself. Wouldya let Tara come with ya? Maybe Edith could keep the children. Would that work alright?"

"That would be fine Merle. Thank you Daryl. I can be ready whenever you want to leave," She was feeling overwhelmed and at odds with her feelings. She loved Merle so much, but it hurt her to even have to look at him. The pain of what he'd done just ran so deep.

He insisted he'd do the dishes, and she took the children to get them washed up. Edith came in the kitchen door, "Is Mrs. Beth home Mr. Merle?"

"Yes Edith, she is, thank God, home safe, her and the children," and he smiled. Then he said, "Edith, I'd like ya start comin' every day, Monday through Friday, can ya do that?"

"Yes sir Mr. Merle, thank you." And Edith she was smart enough to know there was a lot going on here she didn't know about, she was sure Mrs. Beth hadn't been at Mr. Daryl's and Mrs. Michonne's, but wherever she'd been, and whatever had happened, she was glad the woman had seen her way fit to come home.

Merle got to the shop and he called Axel and Tara in his office. "We got the business back on its feet, we ain't completely well, but if everythin' keeps goin' along the way it has, I don't see no problem. I know ya both know, ya ain't stupid, I had bad trouble at home. It's all my fault, ain't no way 'round that, and I'ma be workin' my ass off ta try ta make that better, that's where I need y'all ta help. From now on I ain't gonna be comin' in 'til nine in the mornin's, and I'ma be leavin' right at five. Gonna need ya ta make sure everythin' runs smooth when I'm not here, I know ya can do that, ya showed me many times. I gotta make this right at home, ain't gonna come easy."

And Axel and Tara knew, they'd seen him, seen the physical wreck he'd become, smelled the stale alcohol on him for weeks, and knew they'd help however they could.

He asked Tara about riding with Beth and she readily agreed.

xxxx

Merle started coming to the house every morning, having breakfast with his family, doing the breakfast dishes, taking time with Suzy, taking Tommy out to throw the football or the baseball before he went to work.

He got home by 5:15 in the evenings and he'd have Tommy helping him in the garden, with the yard, or they'd play catch or even play with Tommy's trucks. Merle had never really had the opportunity to just "play" as a child, so he was learning right along with his son and daughter.

The garden had never look better and was producing abundantly.

Merle was looking like his old self again, strong and healthy.

He was in the home with them for breakfast and supper. He was always polite and grateful, always did the dishes, and he hadn't pressured her in any way for more.

It had been a month, Beth knew he was doing everything he could think of to try and prove to her that he was the man she married, better than the man she married. She knew he felt guilty and ashamed, and she knew he loved her. She knew he loved the kids and they loved him. But she just wasn't ready to let him back in the house, and definitely not the bed.

xxxx

She'd put off going to the doctor, and although Merle felt she should go right away, he didn't feel he had the right to say anything. The day had come for the first appointment and she asked him at breakfast if he wanted to go. Of course he said yes.

The doctor could tell something wasn't right immediately. This couple had been so loving with one another. Now Mr. Dixon seemed almost too quiet. He still showed great concern for his wife, but it was like there was a wall between them.

Mrs. Dixon seemed nervous, and maybe even a little angry. The doctor knew she'd wanted to wait before making the decision to have more children, and he thought perhaps that was the cause for their behavior.

And so he asked, "Mrs. Dixon, you seem on edge, maybe a little unhappy or angry. Is there something concerning you?"

And she started to cry, not a little, this was profound crying.

Merle was up from his chair immediately. He tried to put an arm around her, but she told him to just leave her alone.

And Merle began pacing the floor.

"Obviously there's a problem, now I think you should share with me, your health and the health of your unborn child are my primary concern. So, what exactly is the situation here?" The doctor was perplexed.

Merle spoke, "It's all my fault Doc. I ain't been a good man, ain't been a good husband. I hurt her deep and now she's gonna have a baby she don't want and it's all my fault. I think it best if I just leave her alone. She don't want me no more, I'm just makin' her life more miserable by being around. I'll just go on out ta the waitin' room. Beth, I'll give ya a ride home, get my things, and then I'll gone for good."

He put his hand out to the doctor to shake, and then he left the room.

And Beth started crying harder. The doctor asked, "Is it another woman?" And Beth shook her head "No." "Has he hit you?" And she shook her head "No."

"Mrs. Dixon, I want you to take a deep breath, try to calm yourself, and tell me what in the world is going on." The doctor just had no idea.

And so she did, and she told him everything, and the doctor just listened.

Then he asked, "So you want to divorce your husband, is that right?"

And Beth was shocked and she said, "Oh no, I love Merle."

"Mrs. Dixon, your husband just said he was going to move out, leave you alone. It seems he loves you and thinks it's best for you if he leaves for good. It sounded like the end to me. Now is that what you want?" The doctor waited for her answer.

"I haven't known what to do. I love Merle, I want Merle to be back in the house with me, but I'm afraid, I'm afraid we'll get so close, like we were before, and then he'll hurt me again."

He buzzed the nurse and asked her to send Mr. Dixon back in the office.

Merle walked in the room looking decidedly uneasy. The doctor said to him, "Mrs. Dixon has explained the situation to me, told me the current arrangement. I'd like very much to hear what you have to say Mr. Dixon."

And Merle told the doctor, "I was hoping she'd make me pay for what I done, I wanted ta pay, I deserved ta pay, I was the worst man walkin' this earth. I had it all, a beautiful wife, beautiful children and I totally let them down. I can't forgive myself, I sure as hell don't expect them ta forgive me. Why would they? Beth, she could have her pick a men, but I's lucky enough she picked me, and then I threw it all away cuz I couldn't handle a little trouble at work. Couldn't just be a man about it. Couldn't just discuss it with her. I know she don't want me no more, and all I want is for her to be happy, so I'll go."

And the doctor looked at them both, and then spoke, "Marriage is not always easy, people make mistakes, people lose their way. The most important thing is to learn from our mistakes, to vow to not repeat those mistakes. There are no guarantees we won't be hurt, that's part of the gamble we take when we agree to join our lives with another," The doctor paused and looked at them both. Then he spoke to Beth.

"Mrs. Dixon, from what you've said, it seems Mr. Dixon has done everything you've asked him to do. You say he's tried hard to earn your forgiveness, that's he's been wonderful with the children, helpful in the home, that he hasn't put any pressure on you to allow him to move back in the home, or to have relations with you. So, what more can he do? If he's done everything you've asked, there are no more options for him. Either you're willing to give him a chance, by allowing him back in the home and back in the bedroom, or he's right, he needs to move on and you can both seek happiness somewhere else."

And that got to Merle, and he spoke, "Nah doc ain't gonna ever be no other woman for me. Beth was it. I had the best woman in the world and I turned her against me. Ain't gonna look to no one else."

And Beth stood and she went to her husband and put her arms around him, "Come home Merle, come home to me and the children."

A/N Seriously, you all know I love Merle, did you really think I'd make him suffer any more? And Daryl, he's the best. And where have all the family doctors gone? Thank you for reading, I hope you're able to forgive Merle, and that you enjoyed it, please review xo