A/N Thank you everyone! So far, things seem to be moving right along. Let's check back in at the farm.

Enjoy!

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Mama and Teddy are walking in the kitchen door at the same time Daddy and Daryl are walking out the office door.

Teddy is so happy with his work, and when he sees Beth at the kitchen sink he calls out excitedly, "Miss Bet! I getted da eggs, lotsa eggs, look, look!"

Although Mama appears to be letting Teddy carry the heavy basket, she's smart enough to keep a good grip on it as well. "Teddy did so good Beth," those words are just being said as Daryl and Daddy come through the kitchen doorway from the living room looking quite serious. Mama is certain she knows what they've been discussing, but as much as she wants to hear all the news right now, she wants Teddy to have the opportunity to share his excitement, "go on Teddy, tell everyone all about how you met the chickens and gathered their eggs."

Mama helps Teddy carefully set the basket full of freshly gathered eggs on the floor where he can squat down and admire his work. Teddy retrieves one, holding it out to his Daddy, "See Daddy, be careful, dat's poop, and dat's a tiny fedder."

As anxious as Daryl is to just get everything said and done, then get the hell out of there, he drops to his knees, getting on Teddy's level as he looks at the eggs. Running a hand over Teddy's curls, the little boy's Daddy smiles and says, "I wanna hear all about how ya got them eggs." Just having said the word poop has the little guy giggling, and his Daddy laughs right along with him, "And thanks for warning me about the poop, Ted."

They carefully exam the eggs together, and even Hershel can't help smiling, or noting to himself that this man who wants to marry his daughter, he's a good man.

Beth is so anxious to hear what her Daddy said she's ready to burst. The waiting is killing her. Daryl is just as impatient, he wants to tell her everything he and her Dad discussed. Hershel told him they'd all talk about things together, and possibly make their plans, but that his wife had a say in all of this too, "She thinks I don't realize what's going on, but I know she pretty much rules the roost Daryl. Nothing happens around here without her seal of approval. I'd wager things will work out the same with you and Beth."

Daryl nodded in agreement. Yeah, it probably will go that way, but for some reason knowing that doesn't really bother him. For now, he's just waiting to wrap this thing up and it looks like Mama Greene will be the one to get them all sitting and talking.

Thank goodness for all concerned, Mama's as anxious as they are, "Come, let's all sit in the front room, wait now Teddy, let me get your poopie little hands washed first."

The little boy can't stop giggling and saying "poopie hands" as Annette instructs, "Come stand up here on the kitchen stool, I'll wash those little hands just like I used to wash Miss Beth's after she gathered the eggs." She gets them extra soapy and bubbly and Teddy looks up to her still giggling when he declares, "Poopie hands are all gone."

Mama and Beth are sitting on the sofa, while Daryl and Daddy have each taken a chair. Beth reaches her arms out to Teddy and he crawls up on the sofa between the two women. Beth can see by his eyes how tired he is, it's already been such a big day for him. She strokes his head and invites, "Why don't you put your head in my lap Teddy, you can rest while the grownups are talking." He doesn't hesitate for a minute, doing just as she suggested. As she softly runs her hand over his hair he falls sound asleep.

Mama looks over at Daryl and in a quiet voice says, "You have such a sweet little fella here. I had a lot of fun showing him how to gather eggs, and he was an excellent helper, and so polite."

Like any parent would be, Daryl's happy and relieved to know his child was well-behaved, "Thank you Ma'am. He ain't ever been much trouble except when he was gettin' his teeth. That got a little rough."

Mama agrees, "Boy do I know how that can be. Beth had a terrible time, and then years later, when her 12 year molars came in, oh my goodness, it was miserable for her and me both."

All that talk breaks the ice for the real conversation to begin, and it's Daddy who takes the lead, "Annette, Beth, today Daryl asked me for my blessing. He wants to marry you Beth. I've granted that blessing on two conditions. Those conditions are that you, daughter, want to accept his proposal. And that you, Annette, give your blessing."

All eyes are on Beth, and her eyes are on Daryl. She looks first to her Mother, and then her Father and says, "Yes, I want to marry Daryl more than anything."

He wasn't even aware he'd been holding his breath, but when she answers he immediately let out a sigh of relief, then turns to look at her Mama.

Annette is more thoughtful in her reply, her words go a little deeper, "Daryl, I won't deny that you are very different than the suitor we imagined for Beth, but I have seen from the moment we first met you, you're a good man. A morally strong man with a good heart, that's clear in the way you treat Teddy. I'm going to give my blessing under the condition that you allow Beth be a Mommy to Teddy in all ways. Not just a caregiver."

He nods, "Yes Ma'am. If Beth wants ta be Teddy's mama, well look at the two of em. I don't think my boy has any objection to that, and I sure don't."

Then Mama catches them all off balance when she asks, "What about Teddy's Mother? I know you will always hold her in your heart, you share a past and a child with her. The question is, will you be able to fully let go of the love you felt for her and give all your love to Beth without comparisons."

Daryl takes a minute with that question, and the room is silent while they wait. He hadn't planned to tell her folks anything beyond the fact that Teddy's Mama had passed, but now he sees they deserve to know more. It's time for him to lay it all out on the table, and he does what he's been doing all day, he speaks the truth. "Ma'am, I'ma be honest with you people, I ain't always been a good man. I stumbled bad with Teddy's Mama. Me n her, we had fun together, we had a fondness for each other, but it wasn't love. Me and Janie were kids, we'd both had a hard time in life and we drank together, we comforted each other, and we got ourselves into trouble. When it happened I wasn't gonna just leave her to handle things alone. I asked her to marry me so we could give the child a name and I promised to take care a her and the baby as long as I lived. I meant it."

He takes a breath, swallows hard and says, "She had a real hard time with bein' in the family way. She...oh man, it was rough. Then when Teddy came, he was a little early and she called me at work, I got home and it was…well…it was sumthin' no one would ever wanna see. I rushed her to the hospital, and they tried, I know they tried, but when it was done, she was gone and it was just me and Teddy." Mama's eyes have filled with tears, and so have her daughter's.

"I thought that was it for me with all that men and women stuff. I was sure it was gonna be just me n Teddy from then on. I moved ta Smithton, started my business, and bought my place on the G.I. bill. Then Beth came along and I knew the minute I seen her, she…she just has that certain sumthin' and I think I loved her right away. I never knew love before, and I ain't ever gonna love anyone but her. That's all I can tell ya Ma'am."

Annette smiles at him and thinks, no wonder my daughter loves this man, "That's all I need to hear Daryl. You and Beth have my blessing."

Beth practically squeals the words, "Thank you Mama. Thank you Daddy. I'm so happy!"

Daddy's on his feet and as he approaches Daryl the younger man stands too. Hershel extends a hand to him, Daryl takes it and they shake, and Daddy says, "I don't think you have any idea how good a man you are Daryl, but I think my daughter knows and that's what matters today."

Mama's on her feet too, and she goes to Daryl and hugs him, "I'm so happy to have you in the family, and Teddy, oh my goodness Hershel, you and I are going to be grandparents!" She looks to Beth and asks, "And when were you planning to have the wedding, or have you even discussed that?"

"Yes Mama, we have. We want to get married right here on the farm, next Saturday."

"What?! Oh my goodness, we're going to have to be quick about this. Come, lay Teddy's little head on the sofa, and let's go upstairs."

Beth carefully slides out from under Teddy, while Mama covers him with the afghan from the sofa back. She takes Beth's hand as they scurry up the stairs, and Beth turns and smiles down at Daryl and he's smiling right back.

Daddy invites, "Would you like to go out and take a look around Daryl?"

"I would, but is it okay ta just leave Teddy here?"

"He appears to be sound asleep. We won't be gone long, and Annette will be flying down those stairs if he lets out the slightest peep."

"All right, as long as we don't go too far."

Hershel smiles, "You're a bit of a worrier, aren't you Daryl?"

"When it comes to my boy I am. I'm all he's got."

Hershel claps him on the shoulder and reminds him, "Well that won't be the case for long. Soon he'll have a Mommy too."

Daryl nods and admits, "Yeah, and then I'll be worrying about her and him. I'ma be busy, ain't I?"

"Yes you are, but I've got a feeling you're going to enjoy it."

They have one foot out the door when the little voice calls out, "Daddy!"

Daryl hurries to the child, who's now sitting upright on the sofa, "Yeah son, ya okay? Did ya have a bad dream?"

"No, I needa pee pee."

Daryl grabs him up and mutters, "Well thank God ya woke up for that. C'mon, I'll help ya."

When they're out of the bathroom Hershel Greene suggests, "Why don't the three of us walk down to that place by the pond…" he catches himself then, the boy doesn't yet know, "the spot Beth told you about."

"Yeah, yeah, that would be great." He looks down at the little boy and says, "You keep hold a my hand Teddy, there's water."

"Yes Daddy."

Daryl looks to Hershel and shrugs, "He's been learnin' ta swim, but he's just startin' ta get the hang of it." Hershel just smiles, yep, a worrier.

Upstairs in Mama's room, Mama shuts the door and asks, "So, since it is such a short time until the big day, did you want to look at the dress I wore when I married your Daddy?"

"Yes Mama please, that's exactly what I want. I hope it fits."

"Don't worry about that, your Mama can make it fit."

Beth smiles, "I should have known that."

The dress is stored in a box on the highest shelf of the closet. "Not you Mama, let me get on the chair and get it down." She hands the box to her Mother who sets it on the bed, and they share a look and a smile as Mama lifts the lid.

"Oh thank goodness, I was afraid it might have yellowed, but it's just as white as it was the day I wore it."

Beth tries it on and Mama stands behind her as the two women admire the sight in the mirror. "What do you think Bethie? Would you be happy with this dress."

"Oh my goodness yes Mama, it's perfect. I spent a lot of time over the years staring at yours and Daddy's wedding picture. I always hoped someday I'd make as beautiful a bride as you."

"Oh my daughter, what a lovely thing to say. I never knew."

Yes, it's a little too baggy up top, big at the waist, and too long, but Mama smiles, "This will be no work at all. I can get it done tomorrow after church." She takes her daughter's hand and says, "Let's go to the sewing room so I can pin it up."

As Mama's pinning she suggests, "We could make it a little different, just something to make it yours. I have some pink satin from a dress I made years ago, I could add a little sash around the waist. What do you think?"

"Oh yes Mama, please, that would be so pretty."

By the time the women are done upstairs, the men are returning from the pond. Daryl smiles up as Beth and her Mama are descending the stairs and says, "I seen the spot, yeah, it's just right."

Teddy's little forehead wrinkles and he asks, "What spot Daddy?"

Mama smiles and says, "Hershel, I'm going to need your help with something on the back porch." The older couple smile and nod as they leave Daryl and Beth to chat with Teddy.

They sit on the sofa, Teddy in the middle, and the little boy thinks something must be wrong. He asks, "What Daddy? Was I bad?"

His Daddy pulls him into a one arm hug and says, "No Teddy, ya didn't do nuthin' wrong. Miss Beth and me, we got sumthin' ta tell you about. We think it's sumthin' good and you'll be happy about it."

"Cherdee pie?"

His Daddy and Beth both chuckle, "No, but maybe there's a slice a that left for ya later. For now, it's a different kind of news. It's about me and Miss Beth." Daryl's suddenly feeling emotional, he takes the little boy's hand, "Me and Beth are gonna get married Teddy. She's gonna move in our house and be my wife and your Mama. How does that sound?"

Teddy turns to Beth, excitement in his eyes and his smile when he says, "You can seep in mine room Miss Bet!"

She hugs the little boy, "That is such a kind offer Teddy. I think your Daddy's going to talk about that with you." She kisses the top of his head and adds, "And Miss Annette and Mister Hershel are going to be your grandma and grandpa."

He claps, "Really, Missus is so nice," he giggles, "She telled me about the poop."

Daryl looks to Beth and smiles, "I got a feelin' that's gonna be the new favorite word around here for a while." Then he asks Teddy, "Are ya happy son?"

"Yes, cuz I love Miz Bet and she cooks good Daddy."

They all sit around the dining table as Teddy enjoys a little slice of cherry pie, and the adults go over the wedding guest list. The more Mama sees the interaction between Daryl and her daughter, and both of them with Teddy, the more excited she's becoming about this wedding. Her daughter is so happy, and in her heart she knows, this rough man with the beautiful heart is a gift from God, the answer to her prayers for her daughter's happiness. Teddy is the sweet bonus.

They talk of Daddy being the officiant, right after he walks his daughter to the little site by the pond. They work out the details and even decide on a menu. They split up the list, deciding who will telephone who with an invitation. There's simply no time for mail. It will have to be done by phone and personal visits.

By the time they have it all worked out Daryl's head is spinning, and so is Beth's. Not Mama, Mama has planned many a church social, hosted bridal showers, baby showers, graduation parties and everything in between, but never has she looked forward to any gathering more than this wedding.

Daryl and Beth are happy, excited and a little exhausted on the drive home. This has been a big day for them, a good day. Daryl proclaimed it, "The best day."

They agree they'll tell the Horvath's everything after church tomorrow, and his Daddy instructs Teddy, "You keep the secret til we sit down ta Sunday dinner. Then you can be the one ta tell em. K?"

Teddy likes that idea, "Yes Daddy! I'ma telt them!"

Daryl asks her, "Ya wanna come by your new house for a while? Merle's stayin' over this weekend so he'll be able ta watch Teddy when I run ya home later."

"Oh. Yes, that would be nice. I want to see my house again," she's smiling but also red faced when she adds, "I haven't even seen it all yet. I haven't seen all the bedrooms."

He's a little red-faced himself, "Well ya seen Teddy's, there's just one other."

"Yes I know, and I'm curious."

Teddy's exhausted by the time they get home. Daryl makes a decision, "We'll get ya a shower in the mornin' before church. Right now, ya need ta hit the hay. C'mon, we'll get them pajamas on and Beth and me will tuck ya in."

Alone on the sofa, with the TV on for background noise, they talk about all the plans that were made and how fast all this is going, and he gets a little nervous, anxious sounding when he asks, "Ya still wanna don't ya? Ya ain't changed your mind have ya?"

"Of course I haven't. However, I am getting pretty darn tired of waiting around all day for a kiss."

"Sorry Ma'am, lemme get busy with that right now." She might have giggled at his response if there had been time, but his arms quickly wrap around her and his lips are on hers. It's like they've been starving for each other all day, and now all they want to do is feast. Things between them are getting hot in a hurry.

They're startled, practically jumping apart when the front door flies open and he walks in, making the announcement, "Ladies and Gentleman, it's official. I do believe that I, Merle Dixon, have fallen in love."

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A/N What a day! Please leave a comment. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick. Please have a look. I'll be back next Thursday with a new chapter of Love at the Solo Cafe, I hope you'll be back too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee