A/N Thank you all so much. Our sweet couple... Can they work this out?

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Beth isn't even aware her tears are falling until Daryl makes a move to brush them away with the back of his thumb. She instinctively moves her face away from him. The hurt is too fresh. She struggles to get her question out, a single word, "Why?" And although Daryl's hand is now squeezing hers so tightly it's almost painful, he can't bring himself to look at her.

He's chewing furiously at his bottom lip while his head shakes almost imperceptibly from side to side. He doesn't want to talk about it, shit, he never wanted to think about it, but then, how stupid could he have been to think they would just get married and go through life together, and that Beth would never want something more. Did he really believe she'd never want a child of her own? Now she's put him on the spot and he doesn't know how to answer her. "I just don't want that Beth, besides isn't Teddy enough? We don't need more kids."

She can't believe what's happening. My God, people get married, they have kids, it's the natural progression of things. And Daryl, he's such a good and devoted father, how can he be so adamant about not wanting another child. Beth has news for him, she's not ready to give up. Her high level of emotion, combined with an equally high level of anger, have her demanding an answer, "Does what I want even matter to you? My whole life I've dreamed of being a mom. That's what I wanted and that's how I saw myself, as a Mom. You know I couldn't possibly love Teddy any more than I do, but that doesn't mean I don't want more children. For gosh sake Daryl, I thought you and me would be having at least two or three more. We'd be creating little lives together. How can you be against that?"

Now he's defensive and his tone quite harsh, "I dunno Beth, maybe I'm just an asshole, but I don't want kids. Maybe we…yeah, we definitely shoulda talked about all this before we ever got married. That's on me. I coulda told ya, no babies. Shit, I wish ya woulda asked me or that I woulda thought ta say sumthin'."

She's hurt, frustrated and angry, "So that's just that, huh? No discussion, we're not taking my feelings or what I want into consideration? You just unilaterally decide that what I want doesn't matter. The only feelings and desires that matter are yours?"

"Nah, now you're just puttin' words in my mouth. I never said that stuff. All I said is I don't want no babies. That's it, that's all there is to it. I'd give ya anythin' else in the world Beth, anythin' ya wanted, I'd figure out a way ta get it for ya, but I ain't gonna have more children. No babies."

"So, you're the king and you've spoken and I can just be miserable and that's too bad for me?"

"Nah, I don't want ya ta be miserable, shit Beth, I love ya. Quit sayin' shit ya know ain't true."

There was a time in his life when he wasn't scared of anything. He experienced terrible abuse as a kid, then he went off to war, still just a kid, 16 years old. He saw unspeakable horrors he could never have imagined. He felt the terrible pain of loss when a fellow soldier was killed, but he never felt scared. Not for himself. Things are different now; he's got her and he's got Teddy and they're his life. They're everything to him. He isn't taking a chance with either one of them. But shit, the way she's looking at him now, like he's lower than dirt, and fuck, he sees it in her eyes, in this moment he's sure she hates him. Still, he can't tell her, he just can't talk about it. Shit, this is killing him worse than it's hurting her, but he just can't.

She gets to her feet and when the words come out of her mouth it sets him back, never has she sounded so angry at him, and she's never used a tone so bitter as the tone of her voice when she says, "I can't even stand to look at you right now. I'm going for a walk."

Shit. She's still crying, and dammit, fifteen minutes ago they were happy and now he's sure she hates him. He doesn't blame her, he's the son of a bitch who's taking her dream away. But there's nothing else he can do. This is how it has to be. He's not sure what to do next, does he get up and follow her, run to her and wrap her in his arms and tell her how sorry he is, and that he loves her more than anything but she can't have a baby. She'd probably tell him to go to hell. He probably deserves that.

He doesn't get up and follow her, maybe when she has some time to think this through she'll start to understand and get over it. Yeah, fat chance of that.

Beth walks quickly away; she needs to put some distance between herself and her husband and get some of the adrenaline of anger out of her system. Finally she stops, sits on a smooth boulder with her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands, her tears falling hard while her mind spins.

How can this be happening? Dear God please, let it be some kind of terrible nightmare she'll wake up from. No, that's not going to happen. Her husband was right when he said they should have talked about this before they got married, she would have known then how he feels about children. Maybe she would have married him anyway, but it would have been different, she would have had time to think about this, maybe grow to understand and accept how he feels. Possibly not, but at least she would have known what she was getting herself into.

Now what's she going to do? What's the solution? Divorce him and find some other man to marry just so she can have children? No. Never. But my God, Daryl won't even talk to her about this. How can that be fair? Her thoughts are so scrambled she can't settle on just one of them to focus on.

There's someone she needs to talk to, Mama. She needs Mama.

After a few more minutes of heavy crying Beth gets to her feet. She walks back to where they laid the blanket down, wondering if he'll still be there. He is and he quickly rises to his feet, walks towards her, but stops short of taking her in his arms. He settles for a whispered, "I'm sorry."

She looks up at him and it's there in her eyes, a look he hasn't seen in a long time. One he had hoped he'd never see again. He noticed it the very first time the pretty blonde waitress looked at him. There was no smile or cheerful greeting that could mask the deep sadness in her soft blue eyes then, and there's none now. It's been so long he almost forgot about it, and this time he's the one who caused it. All of this is his fault.

He takes a chance and reaches for her, relieved when she doesn't push him away. He holds her close and whispers the words again, "I'm sorry, Beth. So sorry," and they both begin to cry. It's comforting to hold each other so close and to feel the familiar warmth of each other's body, but as good as that is, each of them knows their hearts are miles apart and despite the warmth, it feels like a coldness has settled between them.

They get back to the farmhouse, walk through the kitchen door and Mama is standing at the counter rolling out cookie dough. It only takes one look in their direction for Mama to realize, there's trouble. Trouble that's so bad they've both been crying, and she could swear she feels a sudden chill in the air.

What could possibly have happened?

The look in her daughter's eyes tells her just how bad this is. Mama hasn't seen that dark sadness in a long time. She has to talk to Beth, now, "Daryl, Hershel was hoping when you got back you could help him with something in the barn."

Daryl's relief is palpable. He needs to get out of here and away from everything, and he needs to be busy doing something, "Yes Ma'am, I'll get right out there."

As soon as he's out the kitchen door Beth's shoulders slump, the tears start to fall again, and Mama clasps her hands on her daughter's shoulders and insists, "Talk to me Beth. What's happened? Tell me."

Beth collapses onto the kitchen chair and in the saddest voice she chokes out, "Mama."

Annette wraps an arm across her shoulders and asks again, "What? Tell me Bethie, what's wrong?"

Beth's voice seems so weak Mama pulls her chair up as close as she can possibly get just to hear, "Remember we talked today and I said I was going to ask Daryl about having a baby?"

"Yes, of course I remember." Mama's been thinking about it all day. She's anxious for another grandchild.

Beth's voice has gotten shakier and her shoulders tremble from the tears as she tells her Mama the story, "He said he doesn't want children, I mean, more children. Not now and not ever. He says Teddy's enough. He won't even talk about it, it's like he's the boss and that's that and…what do I do Mama?"

Mama's a bit confused by something, "He seemed as upset as you are, so this couldn't be some offhand decision. What did he say exactly?"

"No, you're right, it wasn't offhand at all. Apparently, he knew exactly how he felt even before we got married. I guess we shouldn't have rushed into things like we did, we should have talked more about everything and what we wanted for our future." She takes in a shaky breath and repeats his words, "He said, 'I don't want no babies. That's it, that's all there is to it. I'd give ya anythin' else in the world Beth, anythin' ya wanted, I'd figure out a way ta get it for ya, but I ain't gonna do that. No babies.' That makes everything clear, doesn't it Mama? My feelings about this don't matter at all. Daryl's mind is made up."

The initial shock has subsided and now Mama thinks she has a pretty good idea why the man wouldn't want Beth to get pregnant. He's had a dreadful experience with pregnancy and childbirth, and there are very real dangers. She understands why he wouldn't want to risk Beth, and she appreciates him for that, but he's got to at least discuss this with Beth. They have to try and come to an agreement. If they don't, the love they have will turn cold and bitter, the marriage won't survive.

Then Beth stuns her Mother, "I don't want to go home with Daryl and Teddy, Mama. I want to stay here with you and Daddy for a while. I need time by myself, time to think."

Mama wants to take her daughter in loving arms and say to her, "Yes, stay with me and Daddy, we'll take care of you," but she knows that's not the right thing. Beth would fall into that trap again, so would she, and this time, who knows if Beth would ever come out of it.

Annette does and says what she thinks is truly the best thing for her daughter, "No. You can't stay here Beth. If I thought Daryl was a threat to you I'd say yes and send him away, but I know the man loves you and would never physically hurt you. Right now, what the two of you need is time together, not apart. You need to talk, you need to fight for your love, for your marriage and for your family, and that includes the little boy sleeping upstairs." Mama's jaw is set, her mind made up, "In fact, I want you to go now. You go upstairs and pack your and your husband's things. I'll put some dinner together for you to take. Teddy can stay right here on the farm with me and Daddy until you're ready for us to bring him home. He'll think he's on vacation."

"But Mama…"

Annette's dying inside, she's heartbroken for her daughter and for herself, but Mama's tone is no-nonsense, "No. 'No but Mama,' I am not going to let you fall back into the trap you were in, and I am not going to stand back and watch your marriage falter. You two figure it out. Go on now, get your things."

Annette Greene is the sweetest woman God ever created, but Beth knows when Mama's mind is made up, Mama's mind is made up. And although she hates to admit it to herself, Beth knows her Mama is right.

She's still got tears in her eyes, but replies, "Yes Mama."

Annette's aching to take her daughter in her arms and say, "You just stay right here with Mama, I'll take care of you honey." That wouldn't do anyone any good, so instead Mama says, "I'll go tell Daryl."

Daddy could swear his son in law has been crying, but that doesn't seem like Daryl at all. Hershel doesn't ask, maybe the young man will volunteer something while they work at getting this winch working a little more smoothly. They've made great progress when Annette walks through the big barn door and announces, "Daryl, Teddy's going to stay here with me and his grandpa for a few days, while you and Beth go home and work through whatever it is you need to work through. She's getting your things together now, and I'm going to pack you up some dinner to take. When things are settled between the two of you, you give us a call. We'll bring Teddy home."

Hershel Greene has no idea what in the hell could possibly be going on, but the look on his wife's face tells him he'd better just go along with this, so he says, "You go on son, I can finish up here."

Daryl tries to protest, "But…no ma'am…"

Mama cuts him off, "I'm telling you the same thing I just told your wife, the two of you need to talk. You need to fight for your love Daryl Dixon, fight for your marriage and fight for your family. Whatever is bothering you, you get it out and you work it out. Go on now."

Daryl's too stunned to speak, he just does what he's told. He turns and starts walking toward the big farmhouse and when he's out of earshot Hershel starts to ask, "Annette?"

She cuts him off too, "I'll tell you everything, later. Right now, I'm going to go pack them a meal to take." Wisely, Hershel lets it go at that.

Mama's putting dinner in Beth's picnic basket when Daryl comes down the stairs and into the kitchen with their suitcase. He sets it down and tells her, "Ma'am, I just want ya ta know I love Beth, I wanna make her happy, but there's some things I…I just can't do Ma'am."

Mama simply nods. As much as she'd like to put in her two cents, she won't. This is between her daughter and son-in-law, and what she plans to do is pray hard that they can resolve their differences. "No matter what your disagreement may be about, the person you have to talk to about the feelings you're having is Beth. You're not alone Daryl, she's your partner in life. Put your faith and trust in your her, no one loves you more. Tell her what you feel and why, let her help you carry that." Annette smiles as she places a hand on his cheek, "It's what real love is all about Son."

"Yes ma'am."

He hears Teddy upstairs and Daryl's so grateful his little boy is awake so he can give him a proper goodbye. He doesn't really want to leave his son here on the farm, but he gets it. Her Mama is trying to make it easier for him and Beth to talk and work this out, and Teddy doesn't need to be overhearing what they're going to be talking about.

A few minutes later, as they say their goodbyes, Daryl does his best to act like all is well. He turns to her Mama and nods, "Ma'am," then runs a hand over Teddy's hair and kisses the top of his head, "You help Grandma now Teddy, Daddy'll see ya in a couple days." He shakes her Father's hand, "Sir, thanks for havin' us. It was real nice n the fishin' was great."

Teddy seems unsure. He may be just a little boy, but he feels the tension in the air. He makes a grab for his Daddy's leg, hugs it hard and says, "Yes Daddy, gamma needs me."

"I know she does, but me n Mama need ya too, so it's just gonna be for a couple days, k? If Grandma n Grandpa don't wanna drive all that way, I'll come get ya. I ain't leavin' ya for long Teddy."

He helps Beth in the car, loads their case and the picnic basket in the trunk, waves once more to the people on the porch, and takes a deep breath before getting behind the wheel. He looks over at Beth and asks, "Ready?"

She shrugs, "I don't know Daryl, I don't want to leave, but I guess we have to."

"I don't wanna leave Teddy, but your Mama's right, we gotta try'n…I dunno…make up?" And with that he puts the car in gear and they're on their way.

There's no radio reception and there's no talking. It's the quietest drive they've ever had. About an hour in he says, "We better eat. Kinda dark out though, we could just sit in the car, if that's okay."

"Yes, I'd rather. It's chilly out." And he thinks to himself that even with the heater blasting, it's as chilly in the car as it is outside.

He pulls over into a wide spot just off the road, gets out and gets in the trunk for the basket. It's the first time in hours he smiles, Mama packed enough for six people. He carries the basket to the back seat, reaches in and gets Beth a small roast beef sandwich, he sees her Mama has made a bunch of them on dinner rolls. He asks, "One enuff?"

"Yes, at least to start. I'll see how full I get."

"K, and here, ya better have a jar a lemonade too."

"Oh, yes, I love Mama's lemonade."

He's not trying to be a sweet talker, but it's just true, "It's good, but I like yours better."

She smiles and even though it's fleeting he's grateful to see it. He grabs more of the small sandwiches, four of them, from the basket and hands them to Beth to set on the front seat between them, then another jar of lemonade. She's got the glove box open, using the door of it like a tray to hold their drinks. Then he hands her two half-pint jars and two forks, saying, "Cole slaw. There's fruit, some a her homemade cheeses, banana bread and some cookies. Your Mama don't want anyone goin' hungry. For now, I think what we got is a good start. Let's eat."

He gets back up front, turns the ignition off and the dome light on. They unwrap the sandwiches and Beth smiles when she says, "My lemonade might be a tiny bit better, but no one can wrap things in wax paper as good as my Mama can."

"Yeah, n fast, I've watched her." Then he changes the subject, "Now that we're on our way, I just wanna get home. Can we get ta dessert an all that when we get there?"

"Yes, I want that too."

Fifteen minutes later they're back on the road and it's quiet the rest of the way home.

As they walk in their kitchen door it strikes her, she spent most of her life on the farm, but this little house where she's only lived for six months feels more like home. That thought brings another tear, but she's determined, she's done crying tonight. At least that's what she hopes.

Daryl sets the picnic basket on the kitchen counter and while Beth puts the food away he carries the suitcase to their room and turns the furnace on.

He strolls back to the kitchen, nervous about what might happen next. He wants to avoid a fight with her, dammit, he never wanted to fight with her to begin with, not ever. Busy. He's gotta keep busy. He grabs the telephone receiver and says, "I promised ta call Dale n Erma as soon as we got home. I better do that before it gets any later."

Beth is putting the sandwiches in the refrigerator when she glances over her shoulder and nods his way. Even though he knows Horvath's number by heart, it's just habit, he glances at the list of numbers by the phone. Man, Beth sure changed the look of that. She got a nice frame and she painted the words, "Telephone Numbers" on the top in pretty writing, fancy. The frame holds a sheet of paper, and she used that real fancy writing to make a list of all the names and telephone numbers on it. She painted small flowers, birds, and butterflies around the edges of the paper and hung the thing there by the telephone. It makes him smile every time he looks at it. It looks like her.

"Hey Dale, hope it's not too late ta call. I'm just lettin' ya know Beth n me are home, we came back a little early. Yeah, um, Teddy had a great time, caught himself six fish. Yeah, we ate em and he was so proud, I'm sure he'll tell ya all about it when he sees ya, probably at least a million times. Um no, he's not here right now, we let him stay with his grandma and grandpa. Yeah, he'll be home in a couple days, I can't be away from him too long. Um, yeah, um, lemme just check with Beth, hang on."

He clamps his hand over the mouthpiece and whispers, "They're askin' us ta go ta church with em tomorrow n have Sunday dinner after. Merle n Amy ain't around, they went ta get sumthin' in Atlanta this weekend, and Carol n Jim are visitin' her daughter. Whaddya want me ta say?"

She doesn't want to go anywhere and she doesn't want to see anyone, but Beth has had her troubles in the past and she's had those old uncomfortable feelings all afternoon and evening. She knows if she lets herself stay in and stay away from people, things will get worse. Like Mama said, she doesn't want to fall in that old trap, "Yes, and please tell Dale thank you."

When Daryl hangs up the receiver she says, "First thing in the morning I can make some quick breads to take with us. They're fast and easy and I have everything to make cranberry orange and a date nut. I'll make enough to take to the café Monday morning too. Oh, and we better call Mama and Daddy and let them know we're home. Will you do that Daryl?"

"Yeah, yeah sure." Shit, everything seems as normal as could be, except they both know it's not normal at all. They're being very polite to one another, and what they're discussing is just everyday stuff, yet somehow the words sound so cold and biting.

He dials the number and her Daddy answers, "Hello sir, I hope I'm not callin ya too late, I just wanted ta let ya know Beth n me made it home just fine. Yeah, we're here now. How's Teddy? Ah, that's nice, thanks, yeah, I'll tell her. Yeah, y'all have a good evenin' n please tell Teddy I'll call him in the mornin'."

Beth's looking at him expectantly and he tells her, "Teddy and your Daddy made a fort with Lincoln Logs and they got it all set up with them cowboy n Indian figures that used ta be your brother's. Sounds fun, maybe I better get some a them."

"They have them at the dime store, I can pick some up this week." This is awful, she can't stand the tension and coldness between them, it's breaking her heart and she knows her husband well enough to know, it's breaking his heart too. She tells him, "I feel cold, I think I'll take a hot shower."

The only time his wife has ever showered was that weekend they got married, she prefers a bath, but he just says, "Yeah, okay."

She fights it, but as she's taking her clothes off the tears start to fall again. Not the profound crying she experienced earlier in the day, these are warm, quiet tears that simply roll down her cheeks. She turns the handle in the shower to get the water heated before stepping in, but still shivers when the water hits her. Daryl's in the bedroom unbuttoning his shirt while thinking he's the one who needs the shower, and that gets him thinking again about that shower they had together. He mumbles under his breath, "fuck it," walks to the bathroom, quietly opening the door and then striping down before stepping in with his wife.

She's startled at first, and he's grateful she doesn't tell him to get out. It's like they've never been together in this way, never seen each other's bodies. They're so nervous and unsure. Maybe that's what fighting and discord do to a couple.

He reaches for the soap and a washcloth and says, "Turn around, I'll get yer back." She closes her eyes enjoying the warm feel of her husband being so close and softly rubbing the soapy cloth over her back, and when his hand glides down to her bottom she doesn't ask him to stop. Then suddenly she turns in his arms and those sad eyes look into his when she asks him once again, "Why Daryl?"

He takes his wife in his arms as he remembers the words her Mama said to him. Faith and trust. Yes, that's what's needed now, "I seen what that does to a woman Beth. I watched Janie suffer n die. I can't take that kinda chance with you. I love ya too much. If sumthin' happened ta you I'd never be all right again. Don't ya see? I can't lose ya Beth."

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A/N A shower together and Daryl's honesty, at least it feels like a start. 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 a new chapter of Love at the Solo Café and I hope you'll be back too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee