A/N Thanks everyone. Let's see if our couple can reach an agreement that makes them both happy.

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Beth's determined not to let her own sadness overshadow Amy's happiness. She wraps her arms around her friend and says, "Amy, I'm so happy for you, and don't you ever say you don't deserve to be treated special and to have a nice wedding, of course you do!" Beth's words are sweet and sincere but her eyes are tear-filled. Amy and Merle think they're happy tears, only Daryl knows the real reason his wife is crying.

Merle cuts in, "That's right little sister, I told her over n over, there ain't no one gonna blame Amy for puttin' the cart before the horse, they'll all know it's my fault."

That's when Daryl jumps in, "Yeah, so what the hell happened brother? Ever since I's 12 year's old I had ta listen to you lecture me about protectin' myself. I guess ya don't practice what ya preach, huh?"

"Well sir, as a rule I always have, but when Amy said 'yes' I quit thinkin', besides, I didn't have time ta get to a drugstore."

Merle may be snorting a laugh, but Amy's face is on fire. She's embarrassed and not at all amused, "You watch yourself Merle Dixon."

Merle sits up straight and answers, "Yes Ma'am," but he's grinning from ear to ear as he shoves a bite of roast beef in his mouth.

It's then that Amy turns to Beth and suggests, "Bethie, you and Daryl should try and...you know...get in the family way too. We could be having our babies at almost the same time. It would be so fun raising our children together, wouldn't it?"

Beth manages to choke out the words, "Yes, that would be so fun, but I can't," the tears start to fall again and Daryl feels like the biggest asshole in all creation. The toughest part about watching and listening to all of this is the part he hasn't admitted to anyone. He wants to have a child as much as she does, but he's afraid. He's not used to being scared of anything, and dammit, this fear of his isn't just uncomfortable for him, he's causing the woman he loves so much pain he hates himself.

Merle's brow is furrowed when he asks, "Why's that little sister? Ya ain't sick are ya?"

Amy scolds, "Merle!"

"What? What'd I do? I's just askin' a question."

Daryl is a wreck but he manages to snarl, "It ain't your business Merle."

No. Beth is not letting him take the easy way out. As time goes on and there are no children, everyone in town is going to start wondering what's wrong, and half of them will be asking her. It might as well come out in the open now. "Daryl doesn't want to have children. He doesn't want me to get pregnant."

Amy's eyes open wide and she asks, "But why?"

Beth looks at Daryl and sees her husband squirm, but she's so hurt and angry she's not worried about his comfort. She just looks at him, tears still rolling from her eyes and says, "Tell them Daryl."

Amy's feeling queasy and Merle has laid down his knife and fork, "What the hell's wrong little brother?" He thinks he might know but he wants to hear the words from his brother.

"I don't wanna say much in front a Amy. It don't seem right, her bein' pregnant n all, but if ya wanna chew my ass brother, we can go out back," then he looks at Beth and says, "You can come too, beat me up all ya want."

Beth shakes her head, "That's not what I want at all and you know that."

Merle's on his feet, "Let's do it little brother. C'mon."

As soon as the backdoor shuts behind them Amy asks, "What in the world is going on Beth? You and Daryl always seem so happy and so in love, I've never heard an angry word between you. And for heaven sake, why doesn't he want a baby?"

Beth reaches for her friend's hand and they're both crying now, she sniffles and says, "It's…well you know Daryl was married before, his first wife, Janie, passed away."

Amy nods, "I heard that and it's very sad."

"I know, it's terribly sad and I won't go into all the details, but it happened when she was having Teddy. That's his reason, he says he won't risk it again and that's that. His mind is made up Amy and I don't think it's going to change."

"Oh Bethie, I'm so sorry. Maybe Merle can get through to him."

"That would be wonderful if he could. Dale and Erma talked to him yesterday. They didn't try to persuade him, but they convinced him to at least discuss it with me because at first it was just 'no' and that was that. I've been crying all weekend Amy."

Amy hugs her friend and says, "I'm so, so sorry Beth."

Beth catches herself then, "Oh my gosh Amy, all we're doing is talking about me and Daryl, we should be talking about you and that sweet baby that's coming. So tell me, when are you due?"

Amy smiles, "We've got a while, I'm just three months along. I swear Beth, I knew the minute I got pregnant. I could just tell. Then I missed my first cycle I was positive it was true. When I missed the second I went to the doctor. Please don't misunderstand me, I'm excited to marry Merle, and I'm excited about the pregnancy and thrilled to have a baby, Merle is too. What bothers me is...well gosh, I never thought something like this would happen to me, I'm not easy, I hope you know that. I never went further than second base with anyone, and then Merle came along and...well one night it just happen. It's not that I regret it, I guess I just never expected I would be a person who had to get married. I can't believe I am now."

"Don't say that Amy, sometimes love makes us do things we never could have imagined we would, that doesn't make it wrong. You and Merle love each other, and you don't HAVE to get married, you WANT to get married. That's different. It's going to be wonderful. We'll have a little wedding, I could do it right here. Yes! Let's. Fall hasn't taken all the green from the yard, it still looks so pretty. If it's too chilly to eat outside I'll set card tables up in the living room. Mama has plenty and all the white tablecloths we could need." For the time being Beth's mind is off her sadness and she continues with her ideas, "Gosh, and it's going to be so much fun because the people we're inviting are all people who love you and want to share your happiness. Not a bunch of mean-spirited gossips."

Amy's smiling now, "You're right Beth, it will be beautiful, but are you sure you want to take on the work of hosting a big party?"

"Of course I want to Amy, you're my best friend. I would consider it a privilege to host your wedding. You know what else? I can't wait to help you get your things settled in at your new house, helping you make it yours is going to be fun too." Then Beth takes her friends hand and suggests, "If you want, my Daddy could be the officiant and we'll keep it all in our little family circle."

"Thank you Beth, I was so ashamed and embarrassed, but you've managed to get me feeling happy and excited and now I can't wait."

Out in the backyard the brother's talk isn't quite so sweet.

Merle demands, "What the fuck kid? What the hell's goin' on?"

Daryl's defensive, "Nuthins goin' on, besides, my business ain't your business."

"The fuck it ain't, when little sister is in there cryin' n you look like someone killed yer dog, it's my business. So again, what the fuck?"

Daryl wouldn't be talking at all if it were anyone besides Merle, but Merle already knows how bad things were. He saw it for months, he knows what Janie went through when she was pregnant, and he knows what it was like those few hours before she died. Most of all he knows how tough it was on his brother. Daryl feels the need to get some things out in the open, and then hopefully he can figure out how to settle this shit between him and Beth. He needs to talk about what's eating him, "Shit Merle, you were there. You seen what Janie went through. It took you n me both ta hold her up long enough ta get through the weddin' ceremony. She was so worn out after that she couldn't even sit up in the car, I had ta lay her down in the back seat for the drive home."

Merle doesn't miss the tear that rolls down his brother's cheek as he continues, "It was miserable for Janie an there was nuthin I could do ta help her. No way I could make shit better for her. When I come home that day n found her, everythin' in that bathroom was covered in blood. I knew right then, I's gonna lose her for good. I been on the battlefield an I've held a buddy while he died, but I never seen anyone bleed like she did. I thought the baby was already dead. Shit Merle, it was the worst fuckin' day a my life. I can't let what happened ta Janie happen ta Beth. Why can't all of ya just understand that?"

Merle takes in a deep breath and responds, "I can't make that memory go away for ya little brother. It was awful, terrible, but maybe it'd help if ya tried ta think about the good stuff. Janie knew better'n all of us what was likely ta happen, I know she did, but what she got in the end was exactly what she wanted, a healthy baby. We both know she lived a certain kind of way that maybe alotta folks would look down on, n she felt kinda bad about herself. That made her determined that when she left this world she'd leave sumthin' good behind. She left Teddy and he's as good as it gets."

"How come everyone knew what was gonna happen but me?'

"Cuz she didn't want ya ta know. Ya needed ta just be there for her Daryl, that's what she wanted. Whether ya realized it or not, Janie loved ya, an you loved her. Maybe ya wasn't in love, but ya had love. She didn't want ya thinkin' all the time about her dyin', she wanted ya ta just be with her. She wanted ya ta be there takin' care of her, n she knew you'd take care a Teddy just the same."

"Fuck."

"Yeah well what ya gotta think about now is makin' Beth happy. It's a natural thing for her ta want a baby Daryl. Yeah ya got Teddy, an I seen her with that little guy, she couldn't be a better Mama ta that boy, but that don't mean she don't want a her own. It's like a cravin' women have deep inside a them, they wanna be someone's Mama. Amy's doc had a word, le's see, oh yeah, it was nurture, it's a woman's instinct ta nurture. If ya love her like ya say ya do, then ya gotta give her that chance. Quit bein' such a selfish little asshole."

"Shit Merle, but what about if what happened ta Janie happens ta Beth?"

"Damn boy, do I gotta do all yer thinkin' for ya? Take her ta see that ladies Doc this week, Amy has his name. I'll cover the shop for ya. Have the doc check her over n make sure she's healthy enough ta have a baby, I'll bet he says she is. Then you can quite bein' scared n quit bein' an asshole, throw them love gloves away and give her the baby she wants."

"Shit, I dunno. I gotta think."

"Yeah, well while you're doin' all this thinkin' n shit, how bout ya think about actin' happy about the weddin' n the baby n all that. Amy deserves ta have that. Maybe you could even try'n be happy for me for once. This is sumthin' I never thought I'd have, just like you never expected ta find someone like Beth n get married. Now I got this beautiful woman who swears she loves me n we're gonna have a baby. Ya think I'm not scared? Fuck yeah I'm scared, can I be a good husband, can I be a good daddy, will she still love me in another few years. I worry about all that shit, but I ain't gonna let bein' scared rob me of bein' happy. I can't even believe how damn lucky I am, I wanna howl at the moon, n yer being nuthin' but a fuckin' sourpuss."

Daryl gets angry and beady eyed at first, "Fuck you Merle." Then he softens, "You're right, I'm bein' a selfish prick. I am happy for you an Amy, I really am. I'll be sure Amy knows that."

"Good, that's a start. I'll also expect ya ta take me out for one last night of drinkin' in a bar, Friday night would be good. It's the least you can do."

That actually makes Daryl chuckle, "Yeah, well if Beth goes along with the idea then I just might do it."

He gets serious again and asks, "Speakin' a watchin' the shop, is there any way you can watch it for me tomorrow? Teddy's up at the farm n I want him home. Beth's folks said they'd bring him, but I don't want them ta have ta drive all the way here n then back. It sounds like we're havin' a weddin' Saturday and they'll wanna drive down then. That's enough."

"Yeah, I can cover ya. I got Jerry ta run my crew and my guys are already lined out for tomorrow. I'll do the easy jobs for ya at the shop, the tire changin', the oil changin' an the minor tune-ups, but I'm savin' the complicated shit for you."

"That'll be fine and I appreciate the help. As for the other we talked about, I dunno what I'ma do, but thanks Merle, and I am happy for ya brother. Ya really have pulled yourself up out of that dark place. You deserve your happiness."

"Thanks brother. All right, enuff a this sweet talk, let's get back in there n finish eatin' so Amy n me can get outta yer hair. Oh, n I forgot ta ask, will ya stand with me?"

"A course, me n Teddy will."

"Yeah, I gotta have my man Teddy by my side."

As they walk toward the kitchen door Merle claps his brother's back and says one last thing, "Ya can't let bein' scared ruin your life."

The men walk back in the kitchen and neither woman asks them a thing about what they were doing outside, or what they were talking about. They're sure they already know.

Merle's all smiles when he announces, "I gotta get ta eatin' so I can get my bride ta be home ta rest, n I gotta make some telephone calls tonight ahead a work tomorrow." Amy glances over at him curiously, Merle's no one to rush away from a gathering. He must want to give Beth and Daryl some time to talk, and she wants to do that too.

Maybe she should have asked Daryl before offering to give a party at their home, but it's done now and Beth makes her announcement, "I hope you're both agreeable to this, we're going to have the wedding here on Saturday. Amy and I have already been making the plans." She's still making party plans in her head.

Merle responds, "That's real nice little sister, but it's a lotta work. Are ya sure ya wanna take that on?"

"Yes, I'm very sure Merle. You and Amy are our family, we'd be honored to host your wedding, wouldn't we Daryl?"

He remembers his brother's words, "Yeah, it's gonna be great. Merle's a lucky man Amy, and I'm real happy for ya both. I'm lookin' forward ta bein' an uncle too. Can't wait."

Amy smiles, "Thanks you two, we appreciate it so much." They all begin eating again and then she thinks of it, "Beth, will you stand with me Saturday?"

"Oh my goodness, well yes, yes of course I will." Then Beth's brow wrinkles and she asks, "But what about your sister, don't you want her to?"

"Andrea? No. You're much more of a sister to me than she is Beth."

"Oh my, that's…well thank you Amy. Now I'm even more excited."

Daryl changes the subject then, "Merle's gonna watch the shop for me tomorrow so I can go get Teddy n save yer folks the drive. Yer comin' with me, ain't ya?"

"Yes, of course I want to go. Let's leave early. I'll get the biscuits started for Jim tonight, and I have those quick breads for him too, we can drop them off on our way out of town."

Once again Daryl and Beth feel it, they're in that strange place where everything is normal, and yet nothing is normal at all.

When Amy and Merle leave Beth says, "I'd better call Mama right now. I know she'll be disappointed Teddy's leaving so soon, but I want him home as much as you do. It just doesn't feel right when he's gone."

Beth dials the number and tells her Mama the news about Teddy, then she tells her the other news, "We're hosting a wedding on Saturday Mama, Merle and Amy are getting married, isn't that exciting?"

Mama has a smile in her voice, "My goodness yes, and such a sudden decision, just like you and Daryl. It must be the Dixon way."

Beth tries not to let her Mama hear the sadness in her voice, "Well Mama, this is a little different. I might as well tell you now, it's going to be obvious pretty soon anyway, Amy's going to have a baby."

Mama has seen a lot of life, and although she's a bit stunned she won't judge, "Oh my, well these things do happen, we shouldn't let a little mistake stop us from celebrating their joy. Amy and Merle seem to be very much in love and I'm going to pray this new family is happy and healthy."

"Me too Mama, and I believe they will be. Since Daryl and I are going to be hosting the wedding I was hoping I could borrow some card tables, folding chairs and white tablecloths from you."

"Oh yes, of course. That will be a nice way for me to help. I'll bring a dish to share too."

"Thank you Mama, oh, and tell Daddy, they would like him to officiate. We can talk more when we see you tomorrow, we should be there about 11."

"Your Daddy will love the idea, I'm sure. I'll have an early lunch ready when you get here, and you two can take home the leftovers. You won't have to worry about cooking when you get home."

"Thank you again Mama, I love you."

The phone call has been made, the kitchen is clean, and Beth's biscuit dough is made and is carefully stored in the refrigerator, when Daryl says, "Let's go in the front room like we were, sit on the couch n stuff."

He reaches for her hand and they walk that way and take their seats on the couch. He's still clasping her hand in his when he begins, "We ain't had a chance ta talk yet an I think we need to cuz this shit between us is makin' me miserable. I think it's probably doin' the same ta you."

"It is, and I do want to talk if that's what we really do, talk about it, instead of you just making a declaration about how things are going to be."

He heaves a heavy sigh and agrees, "I know, I's wrong ta push my weight around that way. I never wanna be like that with you Beth. It ain't right or fair, and I been wrong from the start. We shoulda done our talkin' a long time ago, but we're here now, doin' it now. All right?"

"Yes, all right, and just so you know Daryl, I take responsibility too. I didn't tell you I wanted children, I just assumed we felt the same about that. I shouldn't have."

He purses his lips, nodding his head while he puts his thoughts into words, "It ain't that I don't wanna have a baby with you Beth. I know you'd be the best Mama in the world, ya already are ta Teddy." He pauses a moment and continues, "I didn't even know until I had Teddy how much I'd like bein' a Daddy. None a that is the trouble, it's that I just can't get over the idea that sumthin' bad might happen ta you."

Beth softly chews on her top lip as she gives thought to her response, "I know and I understand. From everything I've heard Janie had a terrible time, and I know it must have been unbelievably hard for you to watch someone you love suffer like Janie did. It had to break your heart."

He attempts to correct her, "I wasn't in love with Janie, Beth, I ain't ever been in love with anyone but you."

"I believe you Daryl. I didn't say you were in love with Janie, but you loved her as a friend, and as a person, and as the mother of your baby. I'm not jealous of that Daryl. I'm proud to be married to a man who didn't hesitate to take responsibility, you did everything you could for Janie, and you made a commitment to her and your baby. When she was gone you didn't take the easy way out that you were offered, you brought Teddy home with you and you've raised a wonderful little boy. You're the finest man I know Daryl Dixon."

He wasn't expecting anything like that, and he's not one to receive praise and compliments well, all he knows to do is twine his fingers through hers, lean in, kiss her cheek and say, "Thanks for sayin' all that Beth." Then he says, "Merle had an idea, I think it's a pretty good one."

She can't imagine, "What Daryl?"

"Maybe you call that kind of Doc that ladies go to and ya make an appointment for a checkup, ya know, ta see if you're healthy and strong enough an all a that, ta have a baby. How bout we start with that?"

She smiles at him and agrees, "As soon as we get home from Mama and Daddy's tomorrow I'll call for an appointment."

Later, when they slip into bed together he does what he's been longing to do. He reaches for her in that way that tells her he wants to make love to her and she doesn't reject him, not at all. She's been wanting this as much as he has, she isn't even too disappointed when he reaches for the condom because at least now there's hope, and that hope brings happiness.

Monday morning they're up early as Beth finishes a little baking for Jim and they load the pickup. It won't be as smooth a ride as the sedan, but it will hold all the card tables and chairs they plan to bring back with them. As they drive down the highway the mood in the pickup cab is pleasant, they're both excited to see Teddy and bring him back home. It's only been two nights but it feels like two months, and even though they know he's safe and having a good time with his Grandma and Grandpa, they miss him so much. Things just don't feel right when their little boy isn't home.

Beth helps her Mama put the meal on the table, and while the two women are in the kitchen alone Mama asks her daughter, "Did you and Daryl talk?"

"We did Mama, he's softened a little. I think I have you and Daddy, Erma and Dale and Merle to thank for that. When we get home this afternoon I'm calling the doctor to make an appointment for a physical. We're going to see if there's a reason I shouldn't have a baby."

"Well I'd say that's a very good place to start."

In the meantime Daryl and Daddy are loading card tables and folding chairs in the bed of the pickup, when out of the blue Daddy places his hand on Daryl's shoulder and says, "You know son, when Annette and I got married I was already what most would consider an old man. She had a son, Shawn, and I had a daughter, Maggie, and we had a plan to raise them together as our own, none of that step this, and step that. They were our children. We'd only been married a few weeks when Annette said she wanted us to have a child. I argued that I was too old. I was scared to death Daryl. I was afraid we'd have a child and I'd die and leave her to raise the baby on her own. She didn't give up though and eventually, as scared as I was, I gave in. I can't imagine my life without Beth, and you can thank Annette and her persistence that you have Beth in your life."

Daryl smiles, "Thanks for sharin' that with me sir."

They make it home at four and the first thing Beth does is run in the house and telephone the doctor's office. She can't believe her luck when the receptionist says, "You've phoned at exactly the right time Mrs. Dixon, I just had a patient cancel an appointment for Wednesday morning at 10 am. Would you be able to make that?"

She answers, "Yes, yes, I'll be there," hoping Erma and Dale will be able to watch Teddy.

Daryl and Teddy have been putting the tables in the garage and when they walk in the kitchen door she lets him know, "I made an appointment with the doctor, I go Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.."

Daryl smiles, "Ya ain't wastin' any time are ya?" Of course she didn't dummy, she wants this too much.

Before she can answer Teddy's in front of her, hugging her leg and asking in a sad little voice, "Are ya sick Mama?"

She rubs her hand over his soft hair and says, "No, don't worry sweetheart, I'm not sick at all. It's just a regular check up like when I take you."

Daryl's watching the scene play out and he scolds himself, Merle's right, he's an asshole. How can he deny this woman? She deserves to have the child she wants, "I'll take ya, lemme give Erma a call real quick n see if she'll watch Teddy. Then I gotta call Merle n see if he'll watch the shop."

She tells him, "You don't have to do all that Daryl. It's just a checkup, I can take myself."

He states it firmly, "Yeah, well, I'm takin' ya." Shit, he wasn't going to do that anymore; be so bossy like that. He changes his tone, "I'd like ta take ya, okay?"

"Yes, okay, I'd like that too."

Daryl and Beth are both feeling their nerves when they drop Teddy off at Erma and Dale's on their way to the doctor's office. Beth fills out paperwork the receptionist gave her and then they wait, not too long, before she's called in for her exam. Daryl's a mess, getting up to pace every few minutes, looking at his watch, and wondering what the hell is taking so long. Finally a nurse comes out and says, "The doctor would like to see you in his office Mister Dixon."

Daryl's heart is in his throat, shit, is something wrong?

He walks in the office and sees Beth sitting across the big oak desk from the doctor, who immediately gets to his feet, extends his hand to shake Daryl's and says, "Hello Mister Dixon, I'm Harlan Carson, it's very nice to meet you."

"Yeah, um, nice ta meet you too Doc. Um, is everythin' okay?"

"Why don't you have a seat next to your wife and the three of us can talk." Daryl nods, sits in the chair next to Beth's and takes her hand, then glances warily at the doctor as the man begins to speak, "Mister Dixon, Missus Dixon tells me you have some concerns about having a child. I understand you've seen things go very badly."

"I have. I lost my first wife, I don't plan ta lose Beth that way."

"No, and I can't blame you for that sir, but I also understand your wife wants to have a child so, let's talk about what we know. I have given Beth a thorough examination and she appears to be a very strong and healthy young woman. I did do a blood test and I won't have those results for a few days, but I'm not expecting any trouble there." He smiles and adds, "If you two agree that you want to have a baby, I see no reason why you shouldn't. That's both my professional and my personal opinion."

"Yeah?"

Dr. Carson smiles, "Yeah."

Daryl holds the door while Beth gets in the car, and as he's walking to the driver's side it hits him. It's a feeling that washes over him like a wave and his decision is made.

He gets in the car, looks over at Beth and suggests, "Let's go by the house a minute before we get Teddy."

"All right." She assumes he wants to change back to his work clothes, but when he opens the kitchen door and they walk through he pushes it shut and turns the lock, then takes her hand and leads her to their bedroom. She was already sure she knew why, and when he pulls the covers back on the bed she simply smiles. They stand silently gazing into each other's eyes, he tucks a wayward curl behind her ear and she softly brushes the hair off his forehead, and when they begin to kiss things quickly turn feverish. He unbuttons her dress, and she unbuttons his pants, and soon they're both standing naked. He startles her when he picks her up in his arms like a new bride and carries her to their bed, gently laying her down before joining her there.

This feels right, like that awful tension between them has lifted and they can be themselves, fully enjoying each other's touch. Then something happens, or maybe it's that something doesn't happen. Daryl doesn't reach for a condom, he nuzzles his face into the soft curve of her neck, whispers, "I'm done bein' scared," and enters her.

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A/N: I would say we've made big progress. Please leave a comment. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please have a look. I'll be back next week with the next chapter of Love at the Solo Café and I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee