A Hard Man To Love

Drama

**WARNING: Merle's overdose is in this chapter**

Over the few months between when you eloped with Merle and when your actual wedding was set to take place Lori had her baby, Rick found out about his wife's affair, Andrea still hadn't taken a paternity test, and creepy crawly Mayor Phil was trying his best to force Merle's hand. Maybe he thought Andrea having his baby (because you were convinced it was the Mayor's child) wouldn't be good for his gubernatorial run. You still weren't sure what was in it for him. He just didn't strike you as the type who'd want another man claiming his child. Or anything of his for that matter. You knew what Andrea wanted, something to tie Merle to her, because she'd been obsessed with him for more than a decade by that point.

The wedding was pure formality because unbeknownst to anyone else except Hershel you were already Mrs. Dixon. After your small quiet ceremony in front of the Justice of the Peace first thing in the morning after your first night in the bed and breakfast you went straight to the Social Security office to change your name then the Department of Motor Vehicles to update your drivers' license. Those two things were done out of town and everything else was waiting until after your formal ceremony. You knew if you changed your name at the hospital or anywhere in your little town before the wedding that someone would catch wind of it and family and friends would be upset. The two of you had to tell Hershel so he knew why he wasn't signing a formal marriage license. He understood and even made up a marriage certificate for you that he would sign after your wedding so if your parents wanted pictures it would look official.

Andrea was pushing her eighth month of pregnancy when your actual wedding day came around. Despite the fact that they weren't invited you were fully expecting Andrea and creepy crawly Phil to show up. That wasn't the only drama you were anticipating. Lori and Rick were estranged and she and the baby, Judith, were staying with Shane. Paternity tests hadn't been done there yet either. They had been invited to the wedding, though originally it had been Rick and Lori as a couple. Shane hadn't been invited. He wasn't your friend, neither was he Merle's, but you expected Lori would bring him anyway.

In the days leading up to the wedding you were feeling especially nervous and you just couldn't place why. The drama wasn't going to ruin anything important. Merle was already your husband but you'd been moody and nauseated anticipating all of the what ifs. You'd declined all of the normal night before the wedding traditions and parties choosing instead to have a quiet night with Merle at your own house since he'd also declined the same traditions and parties. He grilled chicken and pineapple along with skewered vegetables on the outdoor grille for dinner which you ate on paper plates sitting at the edge of the creek behind your house with your feet in the water. You leaned your head on your husband's broad shoulder while you ate and enjoyed the time alone. When you were both done eating he took your plates and empty coke cans back in the house to the trash and cleaned up the grille and kitchen.

When he made his way back outside half an hour later he found you lying in the hammock where he'd asked you to marry him. Looking down at you he frowned as your eyes met his and you reached out your hand to thread your fingers with his. "Angel, what's wrong?"

You smiled at him, "Nothing's actually wrong Merle. I'm just excited and dreading tomorrow at the same time."

Tucking his chin to his chest he pulled the corner of his bottom lip between his teeth then motioned you to move over and hold on while he climbed into the hammock with you. When he was settled you rolled toward him and laid your hand over his heart so you could feel the steady thump thump of his heartbeat. He wrapped his arms around you and held you tightly to him then kissed the top of your head. "Guess I can be pretty sure I'm not the reason yer dreadin' tomorrow."

You giggled, "You can be absolutely sure of that. You're the reason I'm excited about tomorrow. It's Andrea, Mayor Creepy, Lori, Rick, and Shane that are making me apprehensive about tomorrow."