DixieDavenport

After Lori and Luke were done before the equipment was put it turned it to a live Kareokee night as someone suggested that Luke and Dixie sing one. Dixie hadn't made it to Nashville, hadn't tried. But, she often sang with Luke on nights like this at the Boar's Nest. When they were teens Jeb Duke had a band and often seeked help on songs with a lot of bass in it before his voice got deeper. This is how Dixie had so many opportunities to sneak sips of Luke's beer that she was holding for him. The crowd was loving. It seemed as everyone in Hazzard had sung something. When someone asked Luke or Dixie to sing. On nights like these it ususally wasn't hard to get them out of their chairs. Dixie felt that she couldn't hold a candle to Lori but the crowd was insisting. When she got up she asked the table what they wanted to hear. The answer had been a song that Luke wrote for her years ago but the song was never sang until after they were married. Dixie smiled. It was time for a little revenge! When she went up to the band she told them the song. SHe knew Luke would know it before his cue to come in. The music began: Luke started the song off perfectly: Your mama used to worry about that big muddy river Honey do your remember? You let the screen door slam when you stepped off the front porch Then your mama calling don't be late And I'd hear your daddy holler "Son she's my only daughter" You'd stick your nose in the honeysuckle down by the gate I could still hear your mama calling "don't go near the water" We fell right in Went over our head But we didn't go near the water Nothing beats the young and sweet And the nights got hotter and hotter We were sure enough getting our feet wet mama But we didn't go near the water We'd hear the rocking chair squeaking As you sneaked up the back stairs Mama waiting like a grizzly bear Had to get the honeysuckle out of your hair But in the morning light You'd look her right in the eye It wasn't a lie We didn't go near the water We fell right in Went over our head But we didn't go near the water Nothing beats the young and sweet And the nights got hotter and hotter We were sure enough getting our feet wet mama But we didn't go near the water Your mama used to worry about that big muddy river She should've worried about me 'Cause we were sure enough getting our feet wet mama But we didn't go near the water Didn't go near the water Didn't go near the water yeah ******* The crowd were crazy and wanted them to do more. Dixie declined gracefully. "Luke it's getting late. I was on my way to tell you I was heading home when they wanted us to sing. I'm just a bit tired. You know the drill. Guess you can expect that for a couple months anyway huh?" Luke replied, "Ah, ....... yeah, ...... I'm sorry bout you feeling tired. Let's talk in the morning before we spring this on everyone." Dixie replied, "My tougths exactly. But, I know Uncle Jesse and Daisy know or at least think they do." Luke replied, "Yeah they are good at that. I'll catch Bo home. Take my truck." He gently kissed his wife as she left for home. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie really didn't want to leave but she was tired. She didnt' know which worse being tired or being sick, but she was lucky with Jesse Allen and only got sick a handfull of times. She went out to Luke's king cab truck and started for home. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke returned to the table. Cooter asked, "Where did Dixie get off too?" Luke replied, "She went home. Said she was tired." Beth heard bells ringing loudly. Dixie drank Diet Cokes and was tired. She had also thougth she'd heard her in the bathroom a couple times sick. 'Oh, Lord!' she thought. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back at the Duke farm, Uncle Jesse looked to Little Luke, "Son, sometimes two people just can't get along well enough to live together no matter how much they love their children. I'm sure with your Mother's last show being tonight that they will both help you understand more about why they ain't together. But, I will tell you this, I know they both love you. Ok?" "K", said a sleepy little Duke. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *******This was actually a Sammy Kershaw hit but for the story purposes, Luke wrote it.

Cooter suggested, "Let's grab a table fore this whole place fills up." Dixie, Luke, Bo and Beth, along with Cooter's date, Alma,headed towards a back table. Daisy came over to the table. She had supposed to have had the night off but was asked to help out for a bit, "Ok, new I shouldn't have come in here! What can I get ya'll a round of beers?" Everyone at the table nodded, 'yes' except for Dixie. Dixie replied, "I'll take a Diet coke and you can keep the ice." Daisy looked at her friend with a questioning look, then to Luke with the same look. Luke's response was a look that suggested, 'Not now.' Daisy replied, "Diet Coke, no ice, sure thing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori's band had set up some basic equipment. And Lori began to sing.......

Dixie had watch Luke watch Lori more than she had watched the show. At first she thought he was giving her attention becasue of Little Luke, but he had barely looked at either boys duing the show. As everyone was standing up, Dasiy whispered for only Dixie to hear, "Easy, there your horns are showing." Dixie replied, "I know they are. I hate it but they are." Daisy again whispered, "But he's going home with you." "I know." Dixie replied, "I'm being sillly aren't I?" Daisy looked at Luke, "Ah, ..... no, ....... Sugar, ......... you aren't." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Once everything was pretty settled, Cooter asked the group, "So, are we all going to the Boar's Nest?" Dixie and Lori immediately looked to the little ones. Cooter's grin changed to a sadden look. Things had changed in Hazzard after all. Jesse spoke up, "Well, these two fellows look like they'd like a 'famous Uncle Jesse' snack and a bedtime story." Jesse's snacks usually consisted of homemade cookies and milk. Little Luke begged, "Can I Mommy? Pleaseeeeeee?"

Luke brought him back to where the large group was setting. He felt many Hazzard eyes on him when he put Little Luke in the chair with Little Jesse. They were both Luke Duke, Sr. made over. The fact that both boys were dressed in nearly they same manner only brought this out more. The boys were now wedged in between Dixie and Luke to insure no more escapes. Dixie too felt the stares they were all getting as the boys talked amoung themselves about important five year old stuff like bikes and toys. Jesse saw how Luke had been acting since Lori showed up. He felt that he needed a heart to heart with that boy soon! Because if what Jesse thought was going on with him and Dixie there was another Duke on the way. Jesse was seeing how Luke was watching Lori. This could only be trouble, especially of Dixie was pregnant as he suspected.

Dixie enjoyed getting ready with Daisy and Lori for the concert. It was a good memory from their school days. Even thought she and Lori had usually always competed for Luke's attention they had done it friendly in those days. Now, Dixie was his wife of five years, the mother of his second son with another due she figured in about another 5-6 months. They had both expected the test results to be positive, but had put off going for them. They both had wanted more children but would have preferred to wait for another year of so. Luke had insisted paying child support for Jesse Lucas even though Lori hadn't needed it or wanted it. Dixie knew he was doing it out of pride and honor but sometimes when their budget was really tight the added money would have helped and she knew Lori didn't need it but she had for the most part supported Luke in this decision. Dixie had chosen her 'faorite dress' which happened to be her favorite blue jeans and boots with a white low cut blouse and deniem vest that tied in front. After Jesse's birth she returned pretty much to her normal figure with only slighty wider hips and a bit larger bust size. The vest accented these points favorably. When she walked out seeing that Bo and Luke had enjoyed getting both boys ready she had to laugh. It looked like twins standing their with Luke. Before she could say anything though she caught Luke look at Lori dress, maybe it was insecurity maybe it was the hormones from the pregnancy but, Dixie didn't like the look. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Little Luke had to tell Lori what he'd learned in his short time in Hazzard. "Mommy, his name is Jesse too and he's five years old too." Luke shrugged and nodded, 'no'. Then looked to both boys, "You know boys talk." Bo was about to laugh until he saw the look on Dixie's face that had obviously been missed by Luke. He'd have to tryto talk to Luke before all he-- brok loose again. Bo decided to hopefully rescue his cousin, "So if everyone's ready let's get going."

Dixie had left town just in time to beat Luke home. She came out on the porch with Jesse Allen changed into play clothes. "Lori I'll call Bo, Jr.and he can help keep an eye on the boys if you'd like to discuss exactly how to explain all this." Lori replied, "Bo, Jr's too young to watch them." Dixie smiled, "You've been gone awhile." A tall blonde teenager walked out of the barn. Dixie pointed, "He's almost thirteen now." Lori didn't want this conversation but would have to agree it was best to get one story than 4 or 5 different versions. "OK, you can go play Luke vbut don't get dirty." Both Lukes rolled their eyes at her statement. This was seen by Lori, Jesse and Dixie who had to fight to keep from laughing at the two make the same expression. Luke watched his son go to the other boys, "On a farm? Don't get dirty? Lori you should know better." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lori squealed the car to a hault and looked to her son, her eyes wide as she said, "That is something you'll have to be older to understand, OK?" Little Luke shook his head, 'no'. Lori told her son, "Even if I explained everything to you, you would still be confused. Honey, I lived it and it still confusses me. Now, when we get out here I want you to be on your best behavior. Remember to say 'please' and 'thank you' and don't get dirty. I still have a show to do tonight." "Ok, Mommy." he replied. Lori pulled out dreading this. She hoped that Little Luke didn't ask a lot of embarassing questions.

Luke looked down to Little Luke, "Well, Let's just say you have a lot more relatives in Hazzard than you knew about." Lue looked to Lori who had let the 'cat' outta the bag when she said, 'he's your son too.' "Lori woud you like to come out to the farm too? Jesse and everyone would love to see you too?" Lori replied...............

Luke looked to Jesse Lukas and then to Lori saying, "Well, son." Which burned Lori a new one, "I'll be more than glad to tell you, just as soon as your Mothers' ready to let you hear it." Lucas looked to Lori, "Mom?"

Luke knelt down beside him as little Lukas asked him a question, "Why do you look so much like me?" Luke replied, "Becase we are related, Lucas." "We are?" asked the child that seemed much older than the 5 years his father knew him to be. Luke continued, "Before your Mom leaves, maybe we'll explain how we are related. OK? It's sort of complicated, but you seem like a smart young fella." Lori walked up in time to hear Luke say tha tbefore Lori left they may explain things to Lucas.

Luke fully expectd what would happen at the doctors office. He wasn't disappointed. As Doc came out and smiled with what he thought was good news, "Congratulations! Luke, you can tell Jesse he has another Duke on the way." Luke couldn't contain his prideful smile. He sai djust a bit more quieter than he planned, "Yeah, thanks Doc." Doc smiled, "Dixie, I'll call you in some vitamins and see ya in about a month?" Dixie sighed. She had known what she'd hear but wished they had planned teir timing better. "Thanks Doc." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dixie grinned at Lori's comment about keeping up with her, and said, "Sure Cousin. We'll be there." Luke asked, "Last Show?" Lori announced, "One of my sponsors is Bush, so they'll have a beer truck there." she said for more Bo, Luke and Cooter's benefit. Dixie said as she took her Jesse's hand, "Guess that's good for the guys, but I'll have ta pass. Luke I got to get to that appointment." "Ah, yeah. Appointment. You want me ta come?" he asked. She had at first said no, but with Lori being in town, Dixie shot him a look that nearly begged. Luke said to Cooter, "Shouldn't take long. Be back soon."

Luke said, "Ah, sorry Bo! Ya ok?" Bo would live, "Yeah, Luke." What Luke, Bo, Cooter, and Dixie saw was the closest thing to a twin that Luke and Dixie's son, Jesse Allen Duke would ever have. But, they all knew this child wasn't his twin.

Three weeks after Lori left, Dixie came into the farmhouse. She looked at Luke with tears in her eyes. Happy / sad he wasn't sure. He was handed a slip of paper from Dixie as she exited the room almost as fast as she came in. He heard her deathly ill in the bathroom. Luke looked at the paper which he quickly glanced at three words jumped at him. Pregnancy Test: Positive. Luke had already talked to payroll. He saw a lot of overtime in his future. He was glad he liked his job.

After a long while, Luke looked at Dixie, "If you want to stay we can. I know you haven't seen most of your family in years. But, I'd like to spend some time with you too before I have to go back to work. Course these days I only go in when I'm called but I'll be on call after tomorrow." Luke was the Sr. Smokejumper based out of Atlanta. Dixie had waited since she was 16 for this chance. She nodded 'yes'. Luke took her hand and they slipped out unnoticed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke drove to the lake, where he and Dixie were first together. He said, "Dixie, I am so sorry that we weren't together that night. I was trying to make Lori happy, not hurt you......" Dixie put her finger to his mouth, shushing him. She reached behind her and undid her bra, then pulled off her top, "Luke I have waited for you since I as 16 to be with you." Luke gave her a look of surprise. "There HAS been no one else, and there NEVER will be IF you'll have me." Dixie said. Luke was still more than shell shocked from finding out he was going to father a child. "Dix....." "I know, Luke, but I ain't going no where." Dixie said. Luke knew that IF he turned her down, she'd think he loved Lori and he didn't WANT to turn her down! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter sipped larger amounts of coffee trying to find his head as he could hear every curse word uttered by Lori who was packing, echo into the room where he was nursing a bad hangover. She said as planned. But, Cooter thought it was more because Luke ad Dixie had disappeared last night without telling anyone. Cooter groaned to himself as he heard the General Lee roar into the driveway. Luke and Dixie had left in him last night. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was only a second before Cooter heard something break in her room. Them she appeared with her bags ready to leave with Luther as Luke and Dixie came in the house. They could have denied it to their dying day but everyone who was there knew what they had been doing since they left last night. Cooter swore silently. He had hoped Lori would be gone by now. He knew Luke and He knew Dixie......

Dixie saw that Lori had some what calmed down, she went to her older cousin and said, "Lori, I know how much pain this reunion has caused but we'd all like us all to be able to go have a good time for a short while before we all go our separate ways. Cousin, I'm sorry for all the pain I helped cause you." Dixie paused, "You have something with Luke that I may never have -- a child. I don't know if I'll ever see him or you after this weekend. Can we all plaes bury the hatchet and be civil for the rest of the weekend?" Luke was a bit puzzled by Dixie's comments to Lori, but figured they'd talk later, at least he hoped they would. Lori................ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ya know, Dix, I was gonna suggest we go grab a beer at the Boar's Nest but that suddenly seems a bad idea." Luke sighed, "I thought you had her for a second there, Cooter." "She took MY truck!" he exclaimed surprised at Lori's actions. Suddenly everyone was looking to Luke, who said, "Oh, but no. I'm the LAST person on several Earth's that she'll listen too. But, I agree with Cooter, she doesn't need to be operating that wrecker." Dixie rolled her eyes, "She's pregnant guys not DEAD. You hook up a chain and pull a couple levers."

Cooter looked to her and said, "Lori, I'll take you to get Midnight. A man's truck is his castle, besides you shouldn't be doing things, ..... ah, ..... like that, .....in your condition." He said but kept getting quieter and quieter. Every eye in the place went from Cooter to Lori to Luke to Dixie waiting for a reaction. Luke just held his breath waiting for the explosion! Dixie swore. She would have liked one night with Luke before all he-- broke loose! Cooter ducked. Lori............. BL couldn't help but...........

BL said, "Just noticed that you're kinda dressed up, Cousin." Dixie replied, "I am not." Everyone heard the General Lee pull up to the garage without even looking they all new that sound. Luke figured it was about time to face the 'music' and the Davenport clan. He walked out of the courthouse, watched Lori take off with her friend Mylinda, then he walked slowly across town square to the garage. He'd have like a good stiff drink of shine first but he ws just glad to be out of jail, or at least he thought he was glad.

Rosco walked down about the time all this commotion was going on. Sheriff Little looked at him, handed him the keys and said, "Open her cell Coltrane." Rosco did. Little stepped into the cell, placed Lori over his shoulder and proceeded to carry her upstairs to the 'holding' cell. He sat her on her feet and locked the door as she cursed and ranted................. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Down stairs, Luke told Rosco, "Tell Sheriff Little thanks! Here's her shoes but I wouldnt' give them to her anytime soon." They could still hear her downstairs! And at the garage, maybe at the Boar's Nest! Rosco was still wondering what had set her off. He'd have to ask Little once she calmed down where they could hear and got the mess cleaned up. Luke looked at Rosco, "Give me a mop and I'll get this while ya'll deal with her." He said with a slight smirk on his face.

Dixie looked at the ring for a minute, "I've never taken it off, if you haven't noticed, I may have had it on a chain, but always worn it. Besides, it was Luke's mother's and IF he ever wants it back he will ask for it." Dixie said confidently. She was feeling better after she talked to Luke. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke sat quietly on the bunk before he said, "That's why I offered to leave. I don't want to hurt you by not being there, but I don't want to hurt you more by being there either." Lori just said, "I don't want to talk about it." She turned over to get some sleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just after breakfast the next morning, there was a visitor for Ms. Davenport. It was Doc. Pedicord. "Sheriff Little can I talk to Ms. Davenport for a minute?" Sheriff Little opened the gate to let Doc into the cell area, "Sure Doc." Luke didn't like the looks of this. He was silently holding a breath and praying it was good news, but he didn't think so.

Cooter was happy that his sister was feeling better, but he had to know why. He walked over to her and headed her outside, "Dixie?" Dixie tried to look inocent and failed miserably, "Yes?" Cooter replied, "Out with it?" She sighed, "Ok, Little gave me a letter from Luke. I was able to get to see him for a few minutes. It wasn't Lori wanting me at all, but Luke. It may not make any sense to you, but Luke doesn't want to hurt either Lori or me. I'm as much to blame by being seen at the Boar's Nest with Ernie as Luke is for acting on it. And ya can't leave Miss Innocent out of it either, she's wanted what she got for years." Dixie paused, she had wanted this to be something just between her and Luke but figured Cooter should know. It might help to keep the rest of the Davenport clan off Luke, so she opted to tell Cooter. "Cooter ya know when Luke and me were in the backseat of the General Lee all those years ago? I know it has likely been talked about more this week than it has since I left, but I need to tell you a couple things about that." She turned a bit red in the face thought she knew she could talk to Cooter about anything. He would also pass along what was absolutely neccessary to the others, "It was MY idea. But of course I had no idea the the age difference would get him into trouble. It was my 'first time'." She saw Cooter looking a bit surpised at both those facts, but knew this would get him, "Cooter, Luke is the ONLY man ever to make love to me." Cooter was more than surprised now he was a little shocked but thought she may have been splitting hairs, "Honey I know there's a difference in 'making love' and 'having sex' but, ah, ....." Dixie shook her head, 'no', "Not in my book. But, I'll spell it out. Luke is the ONLY man I've ever been with and it was when I was 16. AND, if you tell him that I'll kill you! That's for me to tell him. I don't want to 'use' that to get him. If he wants me, " she looked at her ring. Which Cooter just saw. "And, he just told me he did, then he'll find out. If something happens we don't get together," she shrugged her shoulders, "Then he'll never need to know." Cooter nodded in agreement, "Ok, I understand a lot more now. I'll keep your secret about that. Now, can we all please go in here and have a beer or two without any murders?" "Hey, I'm game, now." Dixie said as they walked into the crowded garage. Cooter handed a beaming Dixie a beer. It was when she took the top off it that the small diamond caught BL's attention for the first time................... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke looked at Lori and sighed tiredly, "Lori I thought you were going to let me talk to Jesse and you would stay at the farm. I told ya I'd leave. I'll get 'something' from Hogg." He was referring to renting a place to stay. "That way I can be close to the farm to help you until the baby is born, but I wouldn't be there 24 / 7 if that would make you incomfortable. Then after it's born if you want you can go or stay as close by as you like. You could be as big a part of its life as you'd want. But, like I said earlier, you seem to think I'd not want to be around my child, well, your wrong there." Lori ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dixie figured that this was her 'ticket' outta the garage without questions, "Thanks, cuz." She got up and walked in the general direction of the jail, though she had no intention of going to see Lori or Luke for that matter. Luke looked at Lori a few minutes later. He had heard what Little had told the garage, "She's not coming." "Huh?" Lori asked. "I said she's not coming. Little told her you wanted to see her. I doubt if she'd have come if he said I wanted her." Luke stretched back out on the bunk. He planned to follow his original plan that he had before telling Lori that he'd raise the baby. He'd wait for Lori to doze off then he'd write Dixie a letter that told her exactly how he felt. He knew there was no way he could do that with Lori, the possible mother to his child listening to every word. Sheriff Little was relieved to see them both settle down and turned the lights down to dim maybe it would be a little peaceful tonight. Luke found that he had dozed off too when he remembered the paper and pen Enos had given him earlier. He sat up quietly and began to write: Dixie, Please just read this letter. First off I'm sorry for everything. I was stupid. I let Ernie convience me to doubt you and I jumped into something without thinking it through. Like I was telling everyone tonight, if Lori is pregnant I will take care of the child but I have loved you, Dixie, for too long of time to loose you now. I truly hope she isn't, but you saw her. Jesse took one look and knew she likely is. I know that it will hurt you just as much if she isn't because you'll always know that we were together. I don't want to jump into anything, but when I get outta here, I'd like us to talk. Really talk and see what we have. I felt the first night you were back in town like you had never left. If you will have me and we feel the same way we used to I'd still love for you to be my wife. Just your being her and still wearing my ring tells me that you were thinking along the same lines until I, well. Dix, I'm as sorry as I can be that I've hurt you and I'll understand if you won't come talk to me before I get home. I wouldn't want to try to say this things in front of Lori it would only hurt her. I really hate hurting people. Especially people I care about, but Darlin' I love you as much tonight as I did whenI had Jesse give you that ring. I told you that one day I'd come looking for you and you can count on me doing just that. Will you at least talk to me? Love Ya, Luke Luke sealed the envelope addressed to Dixie. He asked quietly, "Sheriff can you put this in the mail?" Little picked up the envelope and nodded 'yes'. He had to laugh when he saw who it was addressed to. He was sure glad it was that Duke boy in the middle of those women instead of him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie walked around town a bit when Enos drove by her. He stopped. "Miss Dixie, can I give you a ride?" Thinking about it, Dixie figured that the rest of teh bunch would be at the garage or the Boar's Nest late, "Sure Enos. Thanks. Can you drop me off at Cooter's house?" "No problem. " Enos said. Dixie was going home and take a hot shower and get some sleep tonight.

Luke looked to her and said, "I was going to say," He wished he could talk to Dixie about this before he said it and wished he knew if she really was pregnant, but here he went, "That if you are and wanted to stay at the farm I'll talk to Jesse. I'll leave if that would make you feel better and if you don't my help raising the child and you don't think I'll be there for it, then I'd raise him or her myself." Both Enos and Little couldn't help but hear that and both their eyes opened wide as Boss's dinner plates. Lori............

Except for Dixie who had sat plopped down on a bumper outside in the darkness to think. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sheriff Little came back down stairs carrying four cups of coffee. Enos let him back in the gate. Little walked over to the bars, "Here Duke, thought this might help." Then said, "Miss, I've got one for you too, but if he wears it I primise you'll not be happy." This was by far the only kindness Sheriff Little had shown anyone ever while on duty. he handed the last cup to Enos. Luke gladly accepted the coffee, "Thanks Sheriff, ah, ..... Could I get some paper and a pen?" Lori ...............