A/N Thanks so much everyone! What brought Mama and Daddy around to Dirty Dixon's? Let's find out.

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Friday evening after dinner, while his wife clears the table and washes the dishes, Hershel Greene retires to the living room. He makes himself comfortable in his big wing chair where he intends to sit and read his bible until he gets too sleepy to continue, then he's off to bed.

He's just beginning to doze off when his wife walks into the room. Annette's hands are on her hips and she has a decidedly irritated air about her, and the look in her eye seems far less than loving. Herschel barely has time to ask, "What's wrong Dear?" Before Annette gives him a Come-to-Jesus talking-to that startles him, and brings him shame.

It's not like his wife to get so riled, in fact, he's never seen her this angry. So, at first he plays it smart and stays quiet while she tells him what's got her so upset.

He sits straight up, hands clasping the arms of his chair as if he needs support, while his wife let's him know, in no uncertain terms, just how angry she is with him. She tells him how unfair he's been to keep her separated from her child, "You've put me in the uncomfortable position of having to sneak around behind your back, like I'm some kind of criminal or something, just so I can talk on the phone."

Herschel's eyes grow wide, "Sneak around? "

"Yes, exactly. I have to wait until I know you'll be out of the house for a while just so I can have a few minutes of conversation with my daughter."

He foolishly interrupts, not even realizing what he's about to say will not sit well, "I beg to differ my dear, I'd say this entire situation is Elizabeth's fault. I don't know what came over her in the short time we were in Michigan, but it sure didn't take her long to become an easy woman, I can hardly believe my own child is living with that biker trash."

He's just bought himself a whole new kind of trouble. His normally sweet-natured and quiet wife is practically spitting her angry words, "Watch yourself Hershel Greene. Don't you dare call yourself a good Christian man and talk about our girl that way! My God, we almost lost her! She went through a horrifying ordeal and all you can focus on is that she's no longer a virgin and her boyfriend rides a motorcycle. Don't you think instead of judging her and that young man, you should be thanking God for putting Daryl Dixon in her way? If not for the man you call trash we wouldn't even have our precious girl."

Annette Greene is just getting started, "Maybe your trouble is you've forgotten just how precious she is. Do you remember how you cried when I told you we were going to have a child? Do you recall falling to your knees the night she was born, how you thanked God for blessing us with her, and how you promised Him that no matter what, you would love her and care for her always?"

She's chipping away at his armor and now he's mad and on the defense, "I didn't expect her to take up with a man like Dixon. For all we know he's a drunk or some kind of pill popper, or worse. He runs a bar Annette; can you imagine the kind of low life riff raff our daughter is exposed to every day?"

He just opened another door and his sweet wife walks through it, with guns a' blazing, "You'd better climb down off that high horse Herschel Greene. Have you conveniently forgotten the kind of low life riff raff you once were? Have you forgotten how the bottle consumed you? I'll never forget, and I'm sure neither Shawn or Maggie will ever forget. Beth is your second chance at a lot of things, including being a good, strong and loving father to special gift from God."

Annette's still not done, "And how do you know Daryl is such a terrible person? Because of his hair? Or is it the scruff? His tattoos? His motorcycle? How do you think God feels about you casting judgement on your fellow man?"

He'd like to think the tongue lashing he's taking is finally over, but Annette continues, "I'll tell you what I know about the man, because, of course, I took the time to ask questions. It might interest you to know, Daryl is a very successful businessman who is currently in the process of remodeling the bar into something so much more, an eatery and he asked your daughter to be the manager."

Finally, some ammunition. Herschel's on his feet, he's loud and his tone is angry, "There it is, it's not enough that he's got our daughter in his bed, no. Even though she already has a perfectly good job with a nice salary, he's got her doing double duty. He's put her to work for him and I bet he doesn't pay her."

"Shame on you! Honest to God Herschel, you can be such a cantankerous old goat, always assuming the absolute worst, and what you're thinking is not the case at all. Let me tell you what happened with the job Beth had, and how she wound up living at Daryl's house. You remember her boss, we met him at the Christmas party, Spencer Monroe, and you thought he was just the most wonderful fellow. You even encouraged Beth to subtly pursue him. Doe's any of that ring a bell?"

From there Annette tells him everything she knows about their daughter's current situation, and everything that lead up to it, including the story behind Beth's firing by Spencer Monroe, "That's when Daryl offered to have her move in his home and take a job working for him. Do I think part of that offer was motivated by his desire to have her in his bed full time? Of course I do, I wasn't born yesterday, but that doesn't mean he devised some evil plot. Your daughter knew exactly what she was getting herself into Herschel. That doesn't make her evil either. They're just young, they're in love and they're building a life in their own way."

Herschel has softened but there's still a snarl on his face when he mutters, "He's not that young."

She hides a smile, "No, no he's not, and yet, Beth is the first serious girlfriend he's ever had. That's interesting, isn't it? Anyway, you can ask him about everything you want to know, tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? What's tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow is Saturday and I've made a decision. I've already got a pie made, and I'll be putting a roast in the oven extra early tomorrow morning. While it's cooking I'll be making all the trimmings. It's going to be a Sunday dinner for Saturday. When everything's ready you and I are going to ride over to this roadhouse place and we're going to have a meal with, and make peace with Daryl Dixon and our daughter, if it's the last thing you ever do Hershel Greene."

"You're not the boss around here Annette."

"That's true, most of the time I'm not, and I don't mind letting you think you're running this whole outfit by yourself, most of the time, but not this time. I have prayed on this until my knees are nearly bleeding, and I know now, I need to be the boss when it comes to this situation."

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Beth notices the look on Daryl's face, oh no, not only have her parents seen the scars, but her Dad seems to know who his Dad is. She's not sure what to do except go to his side, wrap her arm through his and whisper, "I'm sorry."

That snaps him out of a bad memory and back to the current situation, "Ya got nuthin' ta be sorry about Baby."

Everything caught him by surprise but he's thinking on his feet. He expects her Dad to be on the attack, and knowing that Herschel Greene knows Will Dixon is his father, well that only gives her Dad more ammunition against him. Daryl stands a little taller, looks at her Daddy and says, "Yeah, to what Merle said. Our old man was nuthin' but bad, a real…" he stops, looks at Annette Greene and rethinks his words, "He was a real piece of work, but he's gone now and you can say what ya want about him. I ain't him and my brother ain't him either."

Hershel steps up then, "Please. I'm sorry to bust in on you like we did, and I assure you, I didn't come here to fight or to judge. I came here to try and make peace with you, to apologize to you and to my daughter for the way I behaved. I'm hoping that, even if you can't forgive me for what I said, you'll at least be able to accept that. Maybe we can start all over, at the beginning, maybe we can all get to know each other, and most of all, maybe we can work this out."

Beth looks between Daryl and her parents, she's hopeful for a reconciliation, she's willing to try. She wants to see her Mama regularly, she wants peace, but she'll leave this up to Daryl. Even though her Daddy aimed his harsh words at her, somehow, she feels that Daryl is more the injured party.

Mama always has the answer, and the answer always seems to be that everyone should break bread together, "I brought a lovely dinner, it's all packed up staying just right in coolers out in the trunk of the car. Maybe we could go to your home and talk about all of this over a meal."

Daryl responds, "That's nice of ya Ma'am, but I'm right in then middle a gettin' these appliances installed…"

Merle's been hanging back but now he steps in. He cuts Daryl off right there. He knows about the trouble and he knows there's a price being paid, it's time to get this shit worked out, "That's okay son, you go on n have your meal. I'll get Jesus in here ta help me finish up."

Mama is very confused, "Jesus?"

Merle smiles, "Not the one ya know, this is just biker Jesus."

"Oh, oh, I see," but she doesn't see at all until Merle introduces her to the long haired man.

Daryl explains, "We're on foot but y'all can follow us in your car, it's just a few hundred yards up in them trees." Daryl and Beth hold hands as they walk up the familiar trail, followed by her parents driving slow in their old Pontiac.

The heaviness he's feeling is relieved when Beth jokes, "That car of Daddy's is the last of a breed," it's true, but it's also in remarkably good condition. Beth explains, "He's getting his money's worth for sure." Then she squeezes his hand and assures him, "I want you to know that no matter what happens today Daryl, I love you and I'll still be sleeping in your bed tonight."

He smiles down at her, "Hope so, and it's our bed Baby."

Daryl gives her Mama a hand getting out of the car, and then leads the group to the front door, Beth at his side. As he slips the key in the lock Beth says two quick prayers. One of gratitude for the fact she cleaned the house last night while Daryl was at work, the other a plea that everything will go smoothly and they can all get along.

Mama is always gracious and true to that, they're barely in the door when she comments, "My, this is so nice, what a lovely home."

Beth kind of wants to tease her Mama, sure, the room is big, it's spacious, but it could not be any plainer or simpler. She hasn't had a chance to add even a little bit of décor. It's Daryl who says, "Thank you Ma'am. You can see I ain't mucha one for decorations, but as soon as we get that kitchen and dining area built at the bar, Beth will have more time ta fix it up like she wants it."

Mama asks, "You don't mind if she puts her touch on your home?"

"The house is Beth's as much as mine, and I ain't the smartest guy ta ever come down the pike but I do know, if Beth's happy I'ma be happy too."

Hershel Greene can't keep from chuckling at that, while Beth smiles at Daryl and teases, "I'll remember you said that when I'm hanging flowered curtains."

He smiles back, "Fair," then looks to her Dad and offers, "if ya give me the keys ta your car I'll carry them coolers in while Beth gives ya the 50 cent tour of the place."

Mama worries, "Oh I don't know Daryl, you might have to get help. We had to ask the farmhand to lift the bigger cooler in the car for us."

Daryl smiles at her, "I appreciate that Ma'am, if it's too heavy I'll get Merle up here to help." He and Beth just give each other a knowing look, it's not going to be too heavy for Daryl.

As they enter Daryl's office Daddy remarks, "I see Daryl's a hunter, that's good to know. A man who can hunt will always be able to provide for his family." Beth knows this is tough on him. Her Daddy is opposed to couples living together even if they aren't his own children, she appreciates that he swallowed his pride and came here to apologize, and he's being so positive.

Daryl is filled with dread as he grabs the cooler out of the trunk and carries it to the kitchen counter. Fuck yeah, everything is all sweetness and light right now, but when's the other shoe going to drop? When's Beth's old man going to start talking about Daryl's old man, and fuck, it isn't going to be pretty. There's not much good to say about Will Dixon.

Fuck him, he walks down the hall to find the group in what was once the plain old spare room, but is all Beth's now. It reminds him of a damn flower garden, but he meant it when he told her she could do whatever she wanted in there, and if he's being honest the room makes him smile, it's all her.

Mama turns when she hears him coming, "Did you do okay getting those heavy things inside?"

He's not going to tell her it was no big deal, "Yes Ma'am, they're settin' on the kitchen counter 'til ya tell me what ya want me ta do with em next."

That's when Beth's Daddy says, "Well before we start on our meal, I'm wondering, Daryl, could you and I maybe step out on the porch? I'd like to have a talk with you."

Oh fuck me, "Yeah, sure, no problem."

Beth's heart just froze but she manages to say, "Well at least have a look at the rest of the house first, then go have your talk while Mama and I set the table and get the food put out."

Daryl's expecting nothing short of the worst. He just hopes it doesn't drag on, that the old man gets whatever he has to say off his chest quickly. Yeah? And after this big blow up, then what? Are they all going to sit around the kitchen table and try and have a meal together? This is so fucked up.

For now Daryl and Hershel sit on the front porch bench and Daryl comes close to smiling. This is the first time he's noticed that Beth put one of her flowered throws across it. Shit, it doesn't look bad. Kind of cheerful even. He's probably going to need some cheer after whatever's coming next.

Her Daddy's face is so serious and Daryl's just waiting for the axe to fall when the old man begins, "You know son, I…well I saw your scars, and I saw your brother's scars, and it was then I put two and two together and realized you're Will Dixon's boys."

Daryl is ready to defend himself, "Yeah, but like I told ya, I ain't him."

"I know, I know. Let me finish. Back in my drinking days, and yessir, I used to be a drinker. A full-blown alcoholic. Anyway, back in those days, I knew your Daddy, Will. Not that we were good friends or anything, but every once in a while he'd show up at a bar I frequented, a little joint called the Carriage Inn. We'd have a drink or ten together and talk about all the nonsense two drunks talk about when they're in the bottle."

He shrugs, "I heard the rumors from time to time, stories about how he roughed up his wife and his kids, but I didn't think about it much, I was too deep into my own sickness. Then your Mama died in that house fire, and not long after that, your brother went to jail. And it was also about then that I sobered up. I didn't think about Will Dixon much after that, not until I saw your back today. My wife would tell me I didn't behave like a good Christian man, or a good man period. I should have looked you up, I should have checked in and made sure you were okay. I apologize for that.""

Daryl's chewing on the side of his thumb, "S'okay, it's over, done."

Hershel Greene is looking distraught, "No, it's not okay. I wish I would have been man enough to do something Daryl. I wish I would have gone to the authorities and tried to shake them up, but I didn't. "I'd found my new life and I didn't want any trouble from my old life messing things up."

"It's all right sir, it wasn't your job ta try fix things."

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong son, it was absolutely my responsibility. Like I'm trying to explain, my wife not so gently pointed out to me last night, I call myself a Christian, but to be a true Christian I can't just think about my own comfort. I apologize to you, Merle and your Mama that I didn't step up and do the right thing."

Daryl appreciates it, he really does, but he's so fucking uncomfortable talking about this shit. And how could this old man have any real understanding of what life was like for him, Merle and Mama. Then Herschel Greene answers that question, "I had my own experience with that kind of thing, no one knows better than me just how you were all living. My own Daddy was an abusive drunk who beat me just like your Daddy beat you. He's been dead a long time, but I was long gone before that ever happened. I left home at 15."

About that time Beth's voice calls from somewhere in the house, "Are you two ready for dinner, me and Mama about have it on the table."

Hershel nods at Daryl, "Best not keep the ladies waiting," and they stand. Hershel extends his hand and says, "You seem like a fine man Daryl, if you'd give me another chance I'd like us to make a fresh start on getting to know each other."

"Yeah, same. I'd like ta get ta know you too Sir."

Daryl and Beth haven't sat down to a nice meal together in a while, and Mama's cooking is always something special. Beth never fully realized that until she moved away from home. She sure appreciates it today, and Daryl's loving it too. There's roast and green beans with bacon, mashed potatoes, gravy and dinner rolls. The smaller cooler held a Jello salad, and there's cherry pie for dessert.

The conversation stays on simple topics at first. What's been happening with the crops, the trouble Daddy's been having with the generator, and Daryl offers, "When I get done with this place I'll run up there n see if I can get that runnin' right for ya. I'm kinda handy with stuff like that."

They talk about everything they have planned for the roadhouse and Daryl even retrieves the blueprints from his office, spreads them out on the counter and Mama and Daddy study them. That also gives Beth's parents an opening they'd hoped for. Now they can ask him about how he came to own the roadhouse, and a little something about his life before that.

Daryl doesn't mind the questions, why wouldn't they want to know something about the man their daughter is living with? Besides, he can tell by her smile how happy Beth is and that makes him happy. But he's also anxious. He wants to get back to the bar, check the progress and work on the place some more. Maybe he can get some stuff finished before his shift starts.

He helps to clear the table, and Mama offers, "We'll leave the leftovers for you two, then you won't have to cook tomorrow. I know you're very busy."

They thank her and then Daryl says, "I hate ta cut out on you folks, and I sure do appreciate the delicious meal Ma'am, but I feel like I oughta get back ta the bar and get back ta work."

He shakes her Daddy's hand and says sincerely, "I'm glad ya came by, glad we had a chance ta talk."

Hershel nods in agreement, "Me too son, I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot, but I think we're on solid ground now."

Daryl gives Beth a hug, but it's nothing like the hug and kiss he'd give her if they were alone, that's okay, he already has a plan to make up for that later.

He's not sure what's he should do about her Mama, shaking her hand doesn't seem quite right, then she reaches out to him for a hug and he responds, giving her a quick hug while he says, "Thanks again Ma'am. That was real, real good and I appreciate ya bringin' it to us."

They step apart and she smiles pleasantly and responds, "I'm so happy you enjoyed it son. I sure enjoyed hearing all about your construction business and how you came about owning the roadhouse. Good for you for taking your life in your own hands that way and making your business a success, and I just know all this work you and Beth are doing is going to pay off. I can't wait to come have a meal myself. But I do have one question."

He's feeling so upbeat, what a day, and her Mama is about the sweetest lady he's ever known, "What's that Ma'am?"

She looks in his eyes and in such a kind and loving voice she asks, "When are you going to marry my daughter?"

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A/N Hmm, now what? I hope you'll leave a comment. There's a chapter photo on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, I hope you'll have a look. I'll be back next week with more of The Accidental Christmas, I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee