A/N I appreciate the love, interest and support you've given this story. We are at the conclusion, and I sincerely hope the ending meets your expectations.

She'd been home a month. She and Rick were doing so well. The trust had come back, the love that had always been there had blossomed again. They were enjoying one another in every way.

They were going to their therapy, they both felt fully committed, and they were beyond excited about the baby coming.

There was just the one huge problem. Carl wasn't happy.

It wasn't that he seemed angry, or that he was disrespectful. It was that he was cold. Ice cold.

She'd almost rather have some fire, rage, yelling and screaming. Tantrum throwing. Anything other than cold, unfeeling, unfriendly respect.

Rick had started out being concerned. Now he was getting pissed. He just wanted Carl to knock it off. Get with the program. Didn't he want to be part of a happy family?

Beth tried to calm him. "He's just having trouble adjusting to everything Rick. We need to give him time."

It was Daryl that gave them their "come to Jesus" moment.

He'd stopped by to bring them some deer steaks. And although Carl was his usual friendly and pleasant self with his Uncle Daryl, he was definitely cold and standoffish with them.

When Carl went to his room Rick apologized to his friend. "Sorry man, he's been being kind of a brat. I don't know if it's teenage hormones or what. He seems pretty young for that. But it's like he doesn't have a friendly word for us. Beth has bent over backwards being nice to him. He's cold as ice. It's hurtful.

I take him for Sunday pancakes he doesn't even talk to me. He just eats his meal and says, 'thanks, can we go now?' I'm about ready to tear my hair out."

Daryl was rubbing that chin like he does, thoughtful. "Huh, well is that so. Tell me this. When y'all decided ta move back in together, ya know, after puttin' the boy through a whole shitload a fuckin' miserable crap, did ya sit down with him, together, ya know the three of ya? Did you an Beth talk ta him a little 'bout what went wrong, how you was able ta work it out? Did ya let him know ya loved him? Did ya tell him that no matter what, and even if a new baby was comin', he was still yer boy and his happiness meant everythin'? Tell him how important he is to ya? Did ya tell him that no matter what happened between the two of ya, neither of ya is ever gonna abandon him? Did ya do any a that, tell him any a that shit?"

Rick was stunned. Beth was stunned. It was a knife to the heart.

Sure, they both loved Carl. They both wanted him to be happy. Rick always put Carl's physical well being first. Made sure he was fed, warm, cared for, safe.

But they'd been so focused on themselves, and then on each other and their marriage, even the baby. They knew Daryl was right they hadn't handled things right with Carl.

They looked at each other and a deep sadness filled their eyes.

"Well I gotta go. I'ma just say goodbye ta Carl an I'll see y'all later."

"Thanks Daryl, really, thanks so much. Where did you learn all this psychology?"

"pfftt, Some a that shit I lived and wished I had someone around who gave a fuck. The rest of it, well I got a woman friend, I been keepin' close with her for a while now. Family therapist. I gotta get home ta that woman right now n let her know what a fuckin' genius she is. Shit, I bet she'll even give me a reward for bein' such a good student. See all y'all later."

Rick couldn't help but smile. Who knew? Damn those still waters really do run deep.

They went to their room and they sat on the edge of the bed holding hands. They talked softly so as not to be overheard. Even though Carl was listening to music, they weren't taking chances.

"I feel so terrible Rick. I ran away and at the time I was just thinking about the fact I was running away from you. Yes I missed Carl, I missed being a Mom to him. I missed the fun and the love we shared. But I blamed you for all that. I just didn't even stop to think about that whatever happened between you and I, Carl deserved my attention, my love. Oh my God. I feel so awful, so selfish and so guilty."

"Shit Beth, I'm worse. I was walking around like a damn zombie for the first few weeks you were gone. I took care of his necessities, but I didn't take care of him emotionally. Hell I couldn't even take care of myself. But that's no excuse, I'm his father, I should have taken better care with him.

Then I put myself in therapy without even thinking he needed help getting through all that bullshit too. Ah man.

Daryl's right, we got back together and just because we've found our happiness again, we decide he ought to be happy. Everything should just go back the way it was. Man, I've got to take care of this, take care of my son."

Sunday after pancakes he drove out south of town with Carl. "C'mon son, let's take a walk."

Carl was less than enthusiastic but he went along.

"You're getting grown up son but I haven't been treating you that way, not at all. I've made a terrible mistake not putting my faith in you and your ability to handle the situation, handle the truth.

I don't think I'll ever be able to apologize enough for the way I emotionally excluded you. Now I've got to try and fix the mistakes I've made.

Beth and I love you. We want you to be part of our lives, and just as importantly, we want you to want to be part of our lives.

Can we try? Would you be willing if Beth and I both work hard too, to try and work on forgiving us for our mistakes with you? Can we work together to be a happy family again?"

"Yeah, okay Dad."

That was the most Rick could hope for, a start.

The first thing Monday morning Rick was on the phone with Carl's old therapist, and he was there right after school to drive his son to that appointment.

Right after Carl's appointment they had a family session.

Carl hadn't held back on what he'd been holding in. And after just those two sessions it seemed things were already getting better.

Afterward they went for pizza, and they actually had a three way conversation. Even if it was just casual chatting, it was a huge step forward.

It became their Monday and Thursday routine. Carl in therapy, Rick, Beth and Carl in therapy together, followed by either a casual dinner out or simple fare at home.

The rewards meant everything. Friendly conversations, participation in family activities, and the biggest reward of all, a hug and an "I love you too."

Two Months Later

They'd made so much progress. The therapist had told them she felt all they needed was a once a week family counseling session, and they all agreed. Their family was back on track.

It wasn't perfect, but what family is? What it was, was warm, and loving, and caring, with moments of drama, and humor, and disagreements, and occasional bad attitudes. In other words, it was life.

And they were all happy to be living it. Together.

It wouldn't be long now and the baby would arrive.

They'd taken Carl with them to help pick out the baby furniture. He didn't really care what they got it just felt good to be asked to participate.

The nursery was ready. It was all soft greens and yellows with little teddy bears on the quilt and changing table pad. Everything was chosen to be gender neutral, because they'd all agreed they wanted Baby Grimes to surprise them.

They'd gone over every name in every baby book. They'd exhausted the search up their family trees. Finally they'd all agreed on a boy's name and a girl's name they felt reflected this little journey their family had been on.

Rick and Carl were in on the surprise, Beth had no idea when they went to the farm after church Sunday, there would be a little party.

Beth was a shy woman by nature, she'd never quite "fit in" in high school and didn't have any longtime friends.

So it was a small group, her family, Erma and of course there was Rosita, and Shawn's girl Amy.

She was embarrassed, grateful and teary eyed. "This is so sweet and so special, thank you all so much."

Mama and Daddy gave them a fancy stroller, the kind they loved and wished they could get, but that they hadn't bought one, it was just so expensive. They were both stunned and oh so happy.

Erma had made a dozen little receiving blankets and a beautiful scrapbook just ready for pictures.

Maggie couldn't take the cuteness of baby clothes. She'd bought them in every size and enough to last a year. Sleepers, gowns, onsies, booties, sweaters and hats, and more.

Amy had gotten the baby a walker. And Rosita gave them an adorable little must-have called a Baby Bouncer.

And there was a gift signed Uncle Daryl. Mama said he'd come by with it the day before. It was a camo onsie, with a matching bib and sleeper. Perfect.

All the way home she couldn't stop talking about how sweet everyone had been and all the wonderful gifts they'd received. She was wound up and Carl and Rick were just smiling to themselves listening to her go on.

That night when he got in bed with her she couldn't wait to wrap her arms around him. She started to kiss him and it started getting hot in a hurry in that master bedroom.

"I'm so happy you didn't give up on me, on us Rick, and I'm so happy I moved back home. I love you."

Two Weeks Later

Rick had left for work and was dropping Carl off at school.

She was so close to her due date and she just didn't feel comfortable with the idea of driving. Plus it seemed like everything she did took twice as much effort.

It was annoying and embarrassing and uncomfortable as could be. She had to have Rick or Carl help her get her own shoes on for gosh sakes. She was feeling as helpless as a baby herself.

She'd quit work for good the month before. She planned to be a stay at home Mom. It's what she and Rick both wanted, and surprisingly, Carl had chimed in on that one, saying he wished she would stay home with him and his new brother or sister. Decision made with no regrets.

She was standing there in the bathroom doing her best to dry herself off from her shower, and she muttered, "Gosh I'll be glad when this baby decides to come." And just as if the little person heard her, her water broke.

She laid her towel down trying to wipe up the mess, surprised at just how hot that water was. No wonder babies come out red and wrinkled. When she almost slipped she decided to just leave the mess.

She got herself dressed first, even fixed her hair a little, and then she sent her husband the text they'd agreed on, the one that would let him know, "Baby."

He told the crew and he was out the door. On his way home he called Daryl to pick Carl up at school, and Dale and Erma to give them the news.

He couldn't get into that house fast enough. The first thing he did was hug her close, "I love you so much Sweetie. Okay, this is it! Did you call the doctor?"

She giggled softly, "Rick you're more excited than me. Yes, I called the doctor, I called Mama and Daddy, and I assume you called Daryl. My bag and the diaper bag are next to the front door, like they have been for two weeks. I've been timing the contractions, and I'd say it's time to go."

And just as the words left her mouth, there came another one. As soon as it passed he got her and the bags in the car. They were on their way.

They were in a couples room, the same room where she would have the baby and they'd spend the night. He'd taken the classes with her, and he had planned to be right there unless she didn't want him.

Her Mama and Daddy came in, hugged her, told her they loved her and said they'd be right downstairs in the cafeteria, just waiting for word.

Daryl and Carl even came by, but just for a fat minute. Daryl may be the most badass hunter they knew, but man he was squeamish about this.

And Carl was equally afraid he'd see a baby get born, or Beth's body parts, and both ideas were a little horrifying to him.

They had a brief few minutes alone and Rick quickly lay down next to her on the bed. They embraced and he rubbed her stomach and low back, telling her how much he loved her.

The nurse came in, smiled and said, "You're as sweet as sugar sheriff, but I simply can't allow that."

Rick just smiled and slid back off the bed, "Sorry."

Beth was laying on her side and he continued to rub her low back. Every time a contraction started he'd grip her hand, but it wasn't nearly as hard as her grip on his.

It was tough to see her in pain, and he could see the tears in her eyes after each very hard contraction. But she didn't complain, and she didn't yell at him, or blame him. She'd just get a tired smile on her face when one passed and say, "Dang, that was a good one."

When the moment finally arrived they were both exhausted, and excited, and relieved and in love with a red and wrinkled little screamer. Baby Grimes was a loud and healthy little girl.

They named her Faith.

A/N Thank you for reading. Please check out my NEW Rick and Beth Story The Marshall and the Officer. If you're not following me here, you can find my blog on tumblr bethylmethbrick. I post all story links and updates there. I appreciate all of you so much and I have enjoyed reading your comments and reviews each chapter. I hope you finished up the story with a smile, I did. xo