A/N Thank you all so much! Daryl told the rest of the story and Beth needs time to mull it over. No one got much sleep, but Beth got a good-bye kiss and an I love you. I would not complain. Let's see what happens next.
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No one makes a surprise entrance on Merle Dixon. His head comes up off the sofa the second Daryl begins to approach the front door, and when Daryl walks in the first thing he sees is his brother with that big shit eating grin on his face. He already knows what's coming, and he barks, "Don't start shit with me Merle. I gotta get ready for work and get Teddy up."
"Now c'mon little brother, is that any way ta start the day off. Cranky like that? I was just gonna inquire if ya got any sleep last night, ya know, I was bein' polite n all."
"Uh huh." Daryl's already peeling his shirt off as he heads to his room. Merle just snickers to himself and gets some coffee going. The brothers have time to sit for a quick cup before Daryl has to wake Teddy, and as he takes a sip from the mug he shakes his head a little and remarks, "Shit, I'm tired man. This is gonna be one long ass day."
Merle's not being suggestive, or even trying to get Daryl riled up when he asks, "Was it worth it?"
"I dunno. I guess it was good cuz I told her everythin', and now I don't have ta feel guilty about keeping shit from her. But there was a lot of it I know she didn't like," he sighs deeply and takes another drink from the cup, sounding completely defeated when he shrugs and says, "so, ya know, she might be done with me."
Merle doesn't see it like that, "She don't seem like the type. You were honest, a woman oughta appreciate that. Shit, alotta men aren't. Besides, you ain't livin' like that anymore, you just went off the rails for a couple days is all." He claps Daryl's shoulder and says, "Let her stew on it a day or two, she'll come around."
"I hope you're right."
Merle shrugs, "I'm right every once in a while, and I think I'm right this time. Now, as for you bein' tired. I called my lead man last night and told him what I expected them boys ta get done today. I said I wouldn't be in until late mornin', but hell, I can call him back, say I ain't comin' at all. I'll stay here n help ya out kid. I can head back later this afternoon."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, why not? Give me a chance ta spend a little more time with Teddy. I kinda like that guy, and who knows, maybe I'll catch a glimpse of that pretty little Amy."
"You stay away from that woman Merle, she's a sweet girl and she's Beth's friend. She don't need you breakin' her heart."
Merle chuckles, "Ya really think she might give me a chance ta break it?" He laughs and declares, "Shit, if I had a little honey like her I might turn over a new leaf."
"Yeah, sure, and what about the woman who lives next door to ya, the one who made you dinner? I thought ya kinda liked her. I thought you said she kinda likes you."
"Well yeah, but the trouble is, she don't really care ta stick with one man for long. I expect she'll be showin' me the door here pretty quick."
Daryl doesn't want to laugh, he just can't help himself, "I'm sorry brother, but man, you got a crazy life."
"I know. That's why I gotta settle myself down with a sweet little gal like Amy, so I can become an upright man. I'm gettin' too old for all this shit."
Daryl's tone is serious when he warns, "I'm not kiddin' Merle, you hurt that girl and it'll be a race ta see who kills ya first, me, Beth or Jim."
That conversation ends when a sleepy little boy comes walking in the kitchen rubbing tired eyes and sounding kind of pitiful, "I'n hungry."
Beth can still feel Daryl's kiss on her lips, and his words of love have her feeling warm all over. She tells herself to stop, she can't be thinking about him and all the things he told her. Not right now. She's tired and out of sorts, she needs to get her sleepy brain clear and get ready for work.
It doesn't matter how hard she tries not to, Daryl and the things he told her are all she can think about. Oh my gosh, the two of them snuggling on her bed was so warm and perfect. His strong arms around her felt protective and loving, and gosh, romantic. If his stories weren't so awful she could just focus on the love. But there's no ignoring the truth. Daryl's a criminal. In one weekend he broke the law several times.
Illegal card games, false identification, bribing law enforcement officers, and beating up a defenseless man. An honest to God criminal. What she can't understand is why she's not more angry, and more disappointed in him. When he admitted those things why didn't she tell him to get out and leave her alone? Why doesn't she feel like she never wants to have anything to do with him again?
All she can reason is, it's because at the heart of him she knows, Daryl is a good man and she feels love for him. Strong love.
That thought leads her to another truth. Everything he did, he did for her. If she hadn't told him about losing the money he would not have felt the need to go to Atlanta and try to get it back for her. He would have never heard of Randall, much less thought to seek him out in jail. And he would not have bribed a guard just so he could hurt the man who hurt her.
Those are the facts behind all of this. Daryl wasn't trying to do bad, he was trying to help her and get vengeance for her. Oh my gosh, they need to talk about this. If they're going to get more serious he would have to understand, she appreciates that he did those things for her, but he can't be engaging in those sorts of behaviors again. She just couldn't live with thinking the police might show up at any time and take him away.
Wait though, can she tell a grown man how to live his life? Is it fair?
While her mind is racing with all those thoughts, her body seems to be going in slow motion. She's got to quit thinking about all that stuff and get on with her day, but she just feels so heavy and slow as she tries to get ready for work. She spent so much time laying in bed after he left, thinking about him. Now, she doesn't even have enough time to bathe and has to settle for a birdbath. She gets herself dressed, gets her hair in a ponytail, and makes a quick cup of tea and a slice of toast. She doesn't feel much like eating, but she knows if she tries going to work on an empty tummy she'll really be a mess.
She looks longingly at the bed as she's eating her toast. Gosh, if she laid back down she would be asleep in an instant. She has to be responsible though, not only is it her nature, but she would never let Jim down. He's so much more than just a boss, he's proven what a good friend he is to her.
She walks in the backdoor of the café, ties her apron on and goes right to the kitchen. Jim gives her a knowing look, and that look embarrasses her to no end. She sees it in his eyes, Jim's aware Daryl was at her place all night. Of course he knows. He was probably with Carol, and no doubt he saw Daryl's car when he came down to work. She feels the urge to explain to him that nothing happened between her and Daryl, that they just talked until thy fell asleep. No, she can't do that. That would be even more embarrassing. Maybe saying nothing is the best choice.
Jim lays a hand on her arm and says, "You look so tired Beth, are you gonna be okay? I can handle the place alone if ya need to go back up and rest."
Despite wanting very much to take him up on his offer, she insists, "No Jim, thank you but I'll be just fine."
He doesn't look convinced, but changes the subject, "Did ya eat sumthin'?"
"Yes, I had toast and tea."
He scoffs, "That ain't enough. After the breakfast rush you sit down and I'll fix ya a real breakfast." She smiles and nods, she knows better than to argue with him. He's such an old mother hen, but she feels blessed he cares so much.
As soon as the front door is unlocked folks start streaming in the café, and it's not long before there's a good crowd at the counter. Beth's glad about that. Being busy helps the time go by a little faster, and she already has a plan. If she can get started on her baking before the lunch rush begins, she should be able to finish up and be out of here and home by 3:30 at the latest. She'll have a nice warm bath and go straight to bed. She can't wait.
She's just set a plate of pancakes and eggs in front of Eugene, when she looks up and sees them coming down the street. It's Merle and Daryl on either side of Teddy, and each of the brothers is holding one of his little hands. The sight makes her smile, and for a minute she forgets how tired she is. She also forgets her resolve about asking Daryl if he's willing to make promises of change.
The Dixons sit down at the counter and Beth is right there with their waters, "Good morning gentleman, can I get you some coffee?" She looks at Teddy, and asks, "and maybe some juice for you Teddy?"
Teddy smiles, "Yes peez Miz Bet."
Merle smiles down at the little boy and says, "Well ain't you the fine gentleman. Ya know, if that juice makes a guy grow big and strong like you, I think I might hafta have a glass myself." He smiles at Beth, "I'll have what he's havin', please."
Daryl shakes his head but he's smiling, then he stares right in Beth's eyes and although he looks as tired as she feels, his look is so warm and loving it captures her heart. He almost takes her hand when he says, "Not sure I can get enough coffee today. I better have a big mug, please. Thanks Beth." Her heart is beating faster, she feels the red flush on her cheeks, and all she wants is for him to hold her. She scolds herself; she can't be having those thoughts, especially not here. She hurries to get the coffees and juice.
If the woman at the end of the counter hadn't spoken out everything probably would have gone differently, but Daryl's remark has Andrea Smith laughing loudly, "I heard your car was parked out here in the alley all night Daryl. I wonder why? Oh yes, that's right, Beth lives right upstairs. Whatever it was you two were doing, you must be exhausted this morning."
Beth hurries back to the kitchen as if she there's an emergency, while Jim's about to come out of the kitchen to tell Andrea it's time for her to go. Daryl's half up off his stool, and that's when Merle takes control. He looks at his brother and asks, "Is that the one?" Daryl nods yes, and Merle puts a hand on Daryl's shoulder and a palm out to Jim, "I'll take care a this." The cafe is deathly quiet, no one's even chewing as they wait to see what happens next.
Merle spotted Andrea the minute him, his brother, and nephew walked in the door of the Solo. He knows a lot about her, a lot of secrets he's sure she doesn't want any one in town to find out about. He's not mean in that way, he can keep his trap shut. Shit, he's done things he doesn't want anyone to know about either. So, he played it cool. He didn't even look her way, why would he? What she does is not his business, but then she went and made it his business.
Merle and Daryl discussed the gossip problem over the weekend, what never occurred to Merle was that the woman, Andrea, and the gossiping bitch that wouldn't quit hounding his brother, are one in the same, and when the woman spoke out, trying to embarrass little brother and his girl. Merle was done being nice.
Merle's off his stool and on his way over to where she sits, and that's when Andrea gets a good look at him. She panics, oh no, it can't be, but it is. It's him, and she knows he knows plenty about her weekly visits to Atlanta. Please, oh God no, please.
As Merle approaches she's quietly pleading, "Please, please don't say anything, please, my husband, my…"
Merle's just smiling, "C'mon, let's you n me step outside and have us a little chat, whaddya say?"
"Yes, yes, of course, outside."
She's off her stool and he takes her elbow, leading her to the door as heads turn and eyes follow, and silence still hangs over the café. There isn't anyone there who doesn't wish they could hear whatever is about to be said.
Once the pair are outside and several feet from the door, that big grin spreads across his face, and he asks, "You know what I know, don't ya girl?" She only nods, and he goes on, "I been perfectly happy keepin' all that nonsense ta myself, until now. Now you've gone and upset me cuz you upset my little brother and his girl. I can't be havin' that, now can I?"
"No, no of course not."
He nods, "Good, you do understand. I like it that way. No quarreling. So, I'd bet ya don't want anyone here in town ta find out what ya been up to, and I'd guess by the weddin' ring there's someone you for sure don't want knowin'. Is that right?"
"Yes, please don't say anything."
"There's nuthin' I'd like more than ta go back in that café and announce it to all of em, but I ain't gonna. I know who your old man is, and I know he'd beat you senseless if he found out. I can't stomach the idea of a man beatin' a woman, so I'm willin' to keep a lid on it, just like I been doing, as long as you stay away from my brother and stay away from Beth. And you gotta knock off the gossipin', girl with what you got goin' on ya can't be spreadin' dirt about anyone else. For fuck sake, quit tryin' ta stir up trouble." She nods again and he orders, "Now, you go on in there, settle up your bill, and find some other place ta eat from now on."
They walk back in as if nothing happened, Merle takes his seat and Andrea settles her bill and quickly leaves.
After Beth rings up Andrea, she walks over to the Dixons and smiles, "I don't know what you did Merle, but thank you. Oh, and Teddy ordered blueberry pancakes for breakfast, he said you'd want the same as him."
He'd been thinking ham and eggs, but he answers, "Heck yeah, I sure do. Me n Teddy, we're a lot a like, ain't we Ted?"
"Yep Uncle Merdle. We're like." Daddy's just hoping they're not too much alike.
00
After they drop Teddy off at Erma and Dale's place, and they're at least a block down the road, Daryl asks the question that's been front and center on his mind since Andrea paid her bill and practically ran out of the Solo Café, "What the hell did you say to her Merle?"
Merle snorts a laugh, "Damn brother, that woman is outta control. It's been goin' on a while. Ya know that job me and the boys been workin', the motel expansion? Ground up job, they're adding another twenty rooms. Two stories. I lucked out when I won that bid."
"Yeah, sure I know the one. The Lamplighter Motel, ain't it?"
Merle's nodding and smiling as he continues, "They got a pool there. Man that's a pretty sight. There's been plenty a times I'da liked ta jump in that thing. Anyway, that gal, Andrea, she's down there at that motel every Tuesday, hanging out at the pool, and she ain't alone. Tuesday is her boyfriend's day off, he's there with her."
Daryl's confused, "Her boyfriend? Don't ya mean her husband?'
"No. I mean her boyfriend. It's the sheriff's deputy from up here in Smithton, that peckerhead Shane Walsh.'
"Nah, you're kiddin'."
"Nah, I ain't. They mess around and tease each other out there by the pool, and they put on quite a show for me n the boys, then they slip into room number six. That must be their favorite cuz it's always room number six. They don't come out for a couple hours. Then she walks out, gets in her car and drives off. He waits an hour or so and leaves in his car. I s'pose they don't wanna be seen following each other back ta town. That'd be a dead giveaway, wouldn't it? A course, I can't say for sure, but I don't think there in there discussin' Einstein's theory."
He chuckles at his own joke, then says"One Tuesday, before he left, he n I got ta talkin'. He introduced hisself and asked me a few questions about the motel job. He ain't much of a gentleman about his affairs, he talked like it was no big shakes, a course her husband wasn't around either. I took it for him doin' a little braggin'. Anyway, when I had my chat with Andrea I reminded her about all that, and how she probably didn't want the hubby findin' out."
Daryl's brows are raised, "Shit Merle, her ol' man is a mean S.O.B. he'll kill her and the deputy both if he finds out."
Merle shrugs, "Well then, they shouldn't oughta be doin' that shit, should they? Anyway, I really don't personally give a flyin' fuck what either one a them assholes do. I just told her ta lay offa you n your sweet little girlfriend, or I might have ta start spreadin' the news."
00
After the morning crowd has dwindled, Beth eats the meal Jim prepared, nothing too heavy, like he told her, "It'll get ya goin'." It's a soft-cooked egg, a dish of peaches and a slice of ham. Then he sets a coke in front of her, "This'll give ya a jolt of caffeine and sugar, that should help."
It does help. She's still tired, but now she feels like she might survive. She's also feeling very grateful about something. She has no idea what Merle might have said to Andrea, but whatever it was he got the woman out of the café and that's a blessing.
Before lunch she gets a start on her baking, like she'd been hoping to do, and halfway through the lunch hour, Daryl, Teddy and Merle show up for a slice of pie. It's fun and they all chat, and when it's time for them to leave and get back to work. Daryl mentions, "Merle's going home."
"Oh gosh, well gee Merle. It was sure nice to meet you. Thank you, and I hope you'll come back and see us again soon."
"I'm sure I will. I'ma try n see if I can get that sweet little Amy ta give me a chance."
Beth smiles, but she has nothing to say to that. Jim heard what Merle said though, and he cautions, "Don't you be givin' any a my girls a reason to cry Merle Dixon."
"No sir Jim, I will not."
In the meantime Daryl has taken hold of Beth's hand, and he asks her, "Ya wanna come over n have dinner with me n Teddy tonight?"
As if by a miracle, suddenly Beth's forgotten how tired she is, "Yes, that sounds nice."
"Good then. I'll be by ta get ya."
As soon as they leave Jim's smiling and teasing her, "I'll take care of the counter, you better get back in the kitchen and get to baking pies, cherdee pies. Take one for your little buddy Teddy, and leave one here."
Outside Merle's clapping his brother's shoulder and teasing, "What're ya try'n ta do brother, poison the girl? You best pick sumthin' up from the Chinese joint."
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A/N I don't think Andrea's going to be gossiping anymore. Please leave a comment. As always, the chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please have a look. I'll be back next Thursday for dinner at Daryl's, I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large xo gneebee