A/N I thank you all so much for reading my story. This is our last chapter. sniff sniff, but I think we have almost told our story. I have greatly appreciated all of your comments / reviews as the story unfolded. I hate to say goodbye to Merle, Beth, all the people of the mountain and our flatlanders. But I do think it's time.

There was great rejoicing on the mountain when Merle and Mrs. Beth had a boy child. There was an heir. No one wanted to think what life would be like for them without Merle Dixon.

Now there was a young Merle Dixon to follow in his Daddy's footsteps.

And the younger Dixon brother, well he was about to become a Daddy too. The people prayed that he would also have a boy child, so that young Merle would always have that right hand man. Just like his Daddy had always had Daryl.

It seemed to her that every day, first thing in the morning, Dickie Lee would come to their kitchen door. He'd knock softly, and in his hand would be a gift from someone on the mountain. Be it a gift of food, a carved toy for their son, or clothing for the child.

She could not believe the sweetness and the generosity of the mountain people. A people who had so little and yet they shared what they had and were happy and proud to do it.

And her own sweet husband who had insisted that Mrs. Johnson would now be coming all day Monday through Friday so that she could devote her time to caring for their son.

xxxx

He knew it was mean, shit, he just couldn't help himself. Every once in a while that big brother in him just wanted to pull one over on little brother.

So when his brother had asked him, in that innocent and nervous way of his, chewing on his thumb and looking down, "What was it like, watchin' yer baby come, was it awful, bloody n disgustin' like folks tell it is?"

And he had looked his brother dead in the eye, and he had lied a mighty lie, "Nah Little Brother, weren't nuthin' to it. Water off a duck's back. If ya wanna be in on it with Billie Jo, or she wants ya too, well there just ain't no doubt in my mind. You can be there Little Brother. Won't bother ya a bit. Ain't near as bad as guttin' an animal."

And Little Brother felt real good hearing that news. When he made his way home to her that night after work, why he proudly announced that he would be present for the birth of his child.

"Are ya feelin' sure 'bout this Daryl? Ain't sumthin' most men are prepared ta see."

And he told her, "Billie Jo, yer my wife an I love ya girl, don't want ya goin' through this alone. Merle said it weren't too bad at all."

And she was a might puzzled by that because her recollection was that the experience had been a little hard on Big Brother. But she didn't argue because she knew it was important to her man.

So two weeks later, when Robert Earl come a rushing into town to tell Daryl that his baby was coming, Daryl he was ready to be there.

It so happened Merle was at the shop at that time, going over the books with Jim.

Now when Merle went home to tell his own sweet wife the news, she insisted he take her to Billie Jo. He tried to reason, pointing out that their own child was barely a month old and perhaps she and the baby should not be going.

And she gave him a look, it was a look he knew, a look that would not and could not be argued with. Oh and you must know, Mrs. Johnson was doing everything within her power not to laugh, or even smile, about the exchange.

But the woman could not resist all temptation that was present and she said, "Why I'd be more than happy ta accompany y'all an help care for the boy."

Merle Dixon was an intelligent man, he knew this was a fight he would never win.

Besides, truth was, he wanted to be the one to help his brother up off the floor when he fainted.

They arrived at the home of his brother bearing gifts of food. Mrs. Johnson took Junior while Mrs. Beth went to Billie Jo.

Daryl was lying on the bed with his wife, arm around her with her head laying on him, and he was holding her hand, refusing to move. Billie Jo did not mind in the least, happy to have her man with her, but wondering to herself if he would really stay.

The mid wife had given up hope of ever changing his mind and had decided she would have to just work around him. She did scold him just a little when she told him, "Daryl Dixon you have always been a stubborn boy. I tended ta yer Mama when ya was born. Why you was stubborn as could be about enterin' this world, givin' yer Mama such a hard time. Although she did hold yer ornery little self ta her heart when ya finally came, said ya was a precious gift. But boy, ya ain't actin' precious right now!"

Now Daryl, well the boy just said, "Ain't bein' stubborn, just ain't movin' is all."

Beth sat to the other side of the bed holding Billie Joe's hand, and Billie Jo's Mama sat next to Beth, just keeping an eye on her girl and working on her knitting.

A few hours later, when it got close, Daryl surprised all the women by saying if his wife needed to be held, by God, he would be the one to hold her up, hold her steady.

And that's what he did. And he didn't turn away from the scene. What it was to Daryl, well it was simply amazing, he was mesmerized, fascinated by it all. Never had he known what all went on when a baby came into the world.

For her part Billie Jo had seen so many babies get birthed, well she just knew when the time had come, and she give that final push and she delivered into this world another Dixon boy.

Ah and a fine looking lad he was. Strong, healthy and loud. And his Mama cried with happiness, and his Daddy did the same, and so did his Auntie Beth and his Grandma.

And the mid-wife she smiled and said, "Delivered Daddy and delivered his son. Let's hope this one ain't as stubborn as his Daddy."

Daryl just gave her his squinty eyed look and said, "Ain't stubborn."

And Billie Jo had told him from the start, if it was a boy child he could name the boy, she would name a girl child.

And he'd told her all along the name he liked, and he had shared with her the story Merle had told him when he was just a little fella. The story of the great American frontiersman, Daniel Boone.

And the baby was to be named for him. Boone Dixon.

Two Months Later

The Christening was to be held on the mountain in the tradition of Merle and Daryl's people. Beth had no objection.

The newest Dixons, Merle, Jr. and Boone, were to receive their blessing together. Giving the people of the mountain a chance to celebrate both of the new lives.

Merle had insisted, had told Dickie Lee, and Clem and Robert Earl to let the people know that they were not to bring the food, and no gifts were to be brought. They had done enough. The Dixon family would host this gathering.

He had hired four flatlander ladies from Mama's church to prepare the food, do the decorating and the cleaning up. He had instructed the ladies they were to serve the finest cuts of meat. And he wanted an abundance of foods to accompany the meats, the foods the people liked. Soup beans, grits, potatoes, corn, greens in bacon grease, pea salad and sweet gelatin salads, biscuits and cornbread, such as that. And enough should be prepared that some may be taken home by his guests.

He asked them to please be certain there were plenty of special treats that the children of the mountain would enjoy. "All children love sweets, but there's sumthin' about the people on the mountain, they just can't get enough confection."

And his wife, true to her stubborn nature, a nature he was quite fond of, had insisted she would make the cakes. Yes two. She told him each child should have a cake.

Of course he and Daryl would supply the shine, and the musicians were to be well paid.

Maggie and Pete traveled over from Atlanta, they'd be staying with him and Beth.

Merle had given Mama an automobile, because he knew Daddy would likely get prideful and wouldn't take the gift. They'd be coming to the gathering in that car with Otis and Patricia.

And Merle and Daryl had taken a day the week before, loaded up the mule with supplies and they'd ridden up the mountain. They'd extended an invitation to Malcolm and Jolee, and Mason and Maribel and their children to please attend.

"My wife wants so much ta meet her only Auntie, and ta meet her Uncle an her cousins. And Annie's other daughter will be there, Maggie, and the boy Shawn, and his wife Heather Rose, and their child Annie Mae.

It'll be a chance for ya ta be with yer family, at least this once. Malcolm, I know ya don't care for socializin', but maybe one time y'all could do this."

The blessing was to take place promptly at noon. And just as it was about to begin Malcolm and Jolee, Mason and Maribel and the children came walking out of those tall trees.

That's when Mama knew this truly was a blessed event, and a bit of a miracle.

It just took a few minutes. Neither Merle nor Daryl was going to let anyone dunk their boys in water, this would have to do.

The food was delicious and abundant. The music was festive and lively, and the shine flowed freely.

It wasn't long before the people were dancing, and Mama and Daddy took Junior and Annie Mae, while Billie Jo's Mama took Boone, and everyone else commenced to dancing.

It was just over three years since he'd moved to that little house on the farm. It was surprising to think how much had changed for him in such a short time.

Five Years Later

So much had changed, and yet some things were constant.

Their love was strong and true, and that may be the only reason they'd survived what they would always call their Greatest Sadness.

Six months after Junior was born Daddy had a terrible accident on the farm. He'd fallen from the loft in the barn, landed hard on his right leg on the packed earth below.

Doc tried but the leg was shattered in so many places it wasn't long before the gangrene set in, and the only choice left was amputation. They'd almost lost him twice before he began a long road to recovery.

Daddy refused a wheelchair, said he would learn to get around in a standing position, and he did. With the help of crutches he became able to get around again.

When the accident occurred, Maggie and Pete had moved from the city and into the farmhouse with Mama and Daddy.

Merle's garage business had been so successful he'd had Pete set up a branch of the business over in Spicerville. It had filled a need and quickly became another business success.

Maggie and Pete had welcomed a set of twins, a boy and a girl, and the farmhouse had been transformed to a lively and happy home.

Shawn and Heather Rose were now the parents of three, another girl and the baby, a little boy. Shawn had honed his mechanic skills and become quite good. Merle had made him head mechanic at the garage in Spicerville. With Pete running the operation and Shawn doing the mechanics, it was another successful venture.

With modern automobiles Pete and Shawn had just a 45 minute commute each way.

Merle had insisted Robert Earl needed to learn a trade, and he'd put him to work with Daryl. They were good pals anyway and Robert Earl learned quickly under Daryl's tutelage.

Robert Earl became a top notch mechanic. He married a young girl from the mountain and they were expecting their first child.

Daryl and Billie Jo had been blessed with two more boys and Daryl had helped deliver both the younger lads, Crockett and Huck. He'd added another room onto the cabin, because a fourth child was on the way.

Merle suggested that it may be time for Daryl to take a break from making babies, at least for a while. But Daryl had just told him, "Me an Billie Jo we like makin' babies an we like havin' babies, and we like raisin' 'em too."

Big Brother just had to laugh at that one, there was no real argument to be made.

Their little cabin was loud and wild and full of love. They were a happy family.

Clem and Dickie Lee were doing a fine job of running the Moonshine business. Prohibition remained the law of the land and business was busy and highly profitable.

But two years after Junior was born the Great Sadness fell on the home of Merle Dixon. A sadness that he feared would never ease its grip.

The pregnancy had seemed to go perfectly. She was so happy, so excited to be having another child. And Merle was every bit as thrilled. Junior had been a light in their life and they were anxious to welcome their second child.

But this child never drew a breath. This child was stillborn.

His sweet wife fell into the depths of a deep depression from which she could not seem to emerge. His own heart was broken but his concern for her outweighed his own heartache.

Billie Jo and Heather Rose tried, Mama and Maggie tried, Mrs. Johnson and Patricia tried. Even Doc and the Preacher tried.

But her sadness could not be lifted, her heart could not be mended. She'd taken to her bed and it was there she stayed.

Four months after the loss of the child, Mama could no longer abide her daughter's suffering, or the dark cloud that hung over her home and her family.

Mama came to see son in law, and they sat in the parlor and they had a little glass of shine.

Mama reminded him of the story of Jolee and the twins. Of Malcolm's slide into hell, and how they all came back.

And two days later Mama and Merle lead a horse behind them and they rode up that mountain. Merle talked to Malcolm, plead his case. And Mama talked to Jolee, crying and asking for her sister's help.

And Jolee rode back down that mountain with them.

She told Mama to go on home to her own house, and she told Merle it would be a good idea for him to stay in Junior's room for a night or two.

Jolee moved into that bedroom with Beth. She spent the first day telling her the story of her own babies. How excited she'd been when she knew she was going to have a child with Malcolm. How special it was to then give birth to two children. And she told her niece how much she wanted those children with that man she loved so much.

And then she told her about the loss of her babies, of how that felt, of the special hell she'd gone through.

And the women held tight to one another and together they cried for their lost babies. Time may ease the pain, but the truth was, it was a wound that would never heal.

Her Auntie went on to tell her that when the babies didn't survive, her husband was not there with her. They didn't grieve together, they didn't comfort each other. They didn't try to mend each others hearts or draw strength from one another.

"And what about you niece? Have you told your husband how your heart breaks for him? Do you think you're the only one who has suffered this great loss? Do you feel his sadness? Does it occur to you that your husband needs you now?

Or have you just allowed him to try and bring you peace and comfort while you bring him nothing but more sorrow, more weight on his heart?

You may be here with him in this big ol' house, but you're as gone as my Malcolm was.

You have said you love this man, that this man loves you. Maybe you should consider acting like that's the truth.

Maybe by trying to ease your husband's sorrows, comfort his mind and his heart, you'll ease some of your own suffering.

And what about that sweet little fella that you do have? That precious child whose Mama has been gone from him. Have you showed that sweet child just how much he means to you? Have you tended to him and to his needs, or have you let that fall to someone else?

No matter how hard it is girl, you have got to pick yourself up and take care of your life that is here with you now. Your man and your child.

I'm not telling you it will be easy, I'm telling you it needs to be done. Don't wallow so long you lose yourself and you lose them."

And her Auntie made her get out of her bed, and she gave her a bath and washed her hair and helped her to dress.

And they cleaned her room, and they changed the sheets and her Auntie gave her a stern look, but there was much love behind that look, because they were women who shared a bond, the Greatest Sadness.

And her Auntie put her arms around her and told her, "Tonight welcome your husband to your bed, let him know there is no greater love than the love you have for him. Together your hearts will begin to heal."

And it had been hard, but together Merle and Beth had walked through their heartache, and they'd held tight to one another and to their son.

And Beth knew her Aunt Jolee had been right. Together made so much more sense than alone.

And just 12 months later they were blessed with a healthy girl child and she was called Jolee.

Sweet Little Miss Jolee had Daddy wrapped around her finger from the moment she arrived. And Daddy already felt a little sorry for the man who ever tried to take her from his home.

xxxx

Now in October of 1929 a crash occurred on Wall Street that reverberated around the world.

The stock market had fallen and men had lost their life savings and more. And some had jumped from windows to the streets below. And some had stood long hours in endless lines to try and get their money from the bank.

But the money was gone. And the country and the western world fell into a deep financial depression.

People were hungry and bread lines formed, businesses closed and work was non-existent.

But all those many, many years Merle Dixon had been keeping the bulk of his money, and there was a lot of that money, safely tucked away in the Secret Bank of Merle Dixon.

And although it seemed there was no money anywhere, men still seemed to scrape together enough to buy shine. A little something to help them forget the darkness of the times.

And Merle was able to care for his family, and Merle was able to keep his businesses open. And the man let good folks pay off a repair or a new tire on time. Or in trade for some small thing they might have.

The people of the mountain had always lived in a sort of poverty they didn't even know was poverty. But they did feel a new sting when they could not sell their skins, or their carvings or their quilts or their lacework.

But like he always did, Merle Dixon saw to the people of the mountain, his people. And there was never a family that went hungry, a child that went without milk, or a pair of shoes, or a warm coat. And every child received a little something on a birthday and on Christmas.

And that's why the people of the mountain had always revered and respected, and even grown to love Merle Dixon. Merle Dixon cared for his people.

I thank you again this story has been a real labor of love for me and I appreciate you reading along.

And a very special thank you to my friend texasbelle91. A year ago I approached her with this story idea and I asked her to write it. She let me bounce my ideas off of her, and she shared her thoughts and her ideas. And then she told me to write it myself. And I was reluctant, thinking I wouldn't be able to do it any justice. She pretty much told me to knock that off and just do it. Thanks Texas!

And thanks so much to all of you. I have appreciated your love of the story and the kindness of your reviews. I hope you'll consider reading my new Merle and Beth story, Deputy Dixon and the Sketch Artist. Quite a departure from Moonshine Romance. Love to all of you! xo