A/N: Written for RichonneFics' Richonne Rom Com Fanfiction Challenge: Day 1 - The Nanny- When juggling personal and professional responsibilities proves overwhelming, this busy single parent decides to hire a nanny to help out at home. What happens when the nanny turns out to be everything they need in matters of the home…and of the heart?
I toyed with this prompt a little; I hope you, Dear Readers, still enjoy it. This will be told in 3 parts.
PART 1
"Congrats on the promotion, Buddy," said Shane Walsh as he stood at the doorway of Rick Grimes' apartment. "If anyone deserves it, it's you."
Both men were police officers, and Rick had just been given the news that, upon passing the detective's exam, he would be getting the promotion he had always longed for. The promotion that would mean he and his children could move to a home with more living space and a yard.
"Thanks, man," Rick replied, as he hurriedly grabbed his six year old daughter's new backpack from the coat rack and searched his pocket for his ten year old son's lunch money.
"Carl! Judith!" he called out. "Let's get a move on."
Carl ambled out slowly, with his sister behind him; he gave Shane a fist-bump and Judith gave Shane a hug.
"Here, honey," Rick said, squatting down to her. "Put this on."
"No, Daddy! I don't want this stupid one. I want My Lil' Ponies! Daddy! I want My Lil' Ponies!" she squealed, stamping her feet and crossing her arms.
"Your Lil' Ponies backpack has a broken strap, you know that, sweetheart," Rick explained. "You said you liked the Trolls one at the store…"
"I don't want the Trolls. I want My Ponies!" the little girl screeched, much more loudly this time.
"Come on, Judy," Carl pleaded, as their neighbors started stepping out into the corridor on their way to school and work.
"Shut up, Carl!" she said.
"You shut up!" Carl replied. "Stop bein' a brat."
"Both of y'all knock it off," Rick interjected. "Judy, honey, take the bag and let's go."
"Come on, Judy," Shane offered.
"No," she replied.
Just then, the Grimes' neighbor from across the hall stopped and greeted Carl.
"Hey, what's goin' on?" asked Michonne Harris, as she took in the display. Rick looked flustered and Judith looked upset.
"Judy…"
"No! I don't want it!"
"Judith Maree Grimes," Rick said sternly. "I don't have time for this. Now take this backpack and let's go."
"No!"
"Yes," he said, lower, but still sternly.
"No, Daddy!" she yelled, as she swatted the bag out of his hands, causing it to fall to the floor; he sighed loudly, and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Hi, Rick," said Michonne as she stepped over. "Hi, Judy."
Rick stood up and ran his fingers through his hair, "Hey, Michonne."
Judith said nothing as she stood there with her arms folded across her front. Rick gave the pretty neighbor an apologetic smile, though he had done nothing wrong.
"Ooh, that's a really nice new backpack," said Michonne, as she raised her eyebrows; she squatted down low so she was at eye level with the small girl. "Is it yours, Judy?"
The girl shrugged, "Yeah, but I like My Lil' Ponies better."
"Well, where's your Lil' Ponies bag, then? Why aren't you takin' that to school?" asked Michonne as she picked up the Trolls backpack; Rick, Carl, and Shane watched on silently.
"It's broken," Judith said, a little calmer than when she was speaking to her father.
"I see," replied Michonne. "That's not good, is it?"
"Nope," Judith said sadly.
"We can't really use things the same way when they're broken as we did when they were good, can we?" Michonne queried.
"But I want to use My Ponies," Judith insisted, her voice getting higher again.
"I know," said Michonne, caringly. "But if it's broken, how will you be able to carry all of your stuff?"
She shrugged again, "Not real good."
"Yeah," Michonne replied, nodding hr head in understanding. "Not real good at all."
Rick's lips turned up in a little smile.
"But look at this beautiful Trolls bag. Wow. It's really great," said Michonne, turning it over in her hands. "You've got this awesome pocket in the front where you can put your treasures…"
"Treasures?" Judith asked, with wide eyes.
"Yeah," Michonne answered. "Treasures. Any kinds of treasures you find in the playground or on your travels. And look! There's a spot here for your water bottle. We need our water bottles, don't we?"
"Yup," said Judith, hanging on Michonne's every word.
"And wow! Look at all the space you have inside," said Michonne as she opened the backpack; Judith stepped closer and peered in. "You've got enough room for your lunchbox, and skipping rope, and fidget spinner and…well, would you look at this: There's even enough room for all of the beautiful artwork that you can bring home."
"There is?" asked Judith with a smile.
"There sure is," said Michonne, as she beamed at the little girl. "And since this lovely Trolls bag isn't broken, you'll be able to carry all of your stuff and keep it all safe and sound."
Judith nodded her head slowly.
"You wanna try it on?" asked Michonne, while holding the bag up.
"Okay," Judith replied, as she let the woman fix the bag to her back.
"Wow, Judy," said Michonne. "That looks really smart on you. Doesn't it look smart, guys?"
"Oh, yeah," replied Shane.
"Looks awesome," said Carl.
"Looks great," said Rick as his eyes darted from his daughter to his neighbor.
Michonne stood up and smiled down at the little girl; she then smiled at the girl's father.
"Looks like you're ready to go," she said to Judith.
"Yep," Judith replied as she took hold of Rick's hand. "Come on, Daddy!"
"Finally," said Carl as he thanked their neighbor and walked down the hallway, followed by Shane.
Rick, still standing there, turned to Michonne and went to say something, but Judith cut in. "Daddy, I'm gonna draw you the bestest picture today at school and it'll be safe in my Trolls backpack all day…"
Judith kept speaking while she waited impatiently for Rick to lock their door; she then dragged him along by the hand before she glanced back at Michonne and waved, "Bye, 'Chonne!"
"Bye, bye, Judy," Michonne waved back. "Have a good day.
Rick turned back to Michonne and mouthed a sincere thank you; she shot him a grin and a wink.
xXxXx
Shane pulled the squad car up out the front of Rick's building, so that his partner could get out with his children. They said their goodbyes, Carl asked his father for the front door key, and both Grimes children raced inside. Out of the corner of his eye, Rick saw Michonne walking along; she had headphones on and did not notice him right away. He hung back, and waited for her to see him. She gave him a friendly smile, which he returned, and then removed her headphones.
"Hi, Rick," she offered.
"Hey," he replied. The two of them strolled towards the main entrance of the building.
"Thanks for this morning," Rick said.
She gave him a questioning look before realizing what he was talking about, "Oh, right. The backpack. It's no trouble at all."
"You're a superhero," he said as they walked side-by-side into their building. She glanced sideways at him and smiled.
"I don't know about that. So, how was your day?" she asked as they stepped into the elevator; they both reached for the button to signal their floor at the same time; his hand brushed against hers and they both let out a coy, somewhat nervous laugh as the doors closed.
"Was good," he answered, looking over at her while admiring her profile. "Yours?"
"Busy," she offered. "Can't wait to get off my feet. Chasing around after energetic three and four year olds is murder on the feet."
"Like I said, superhero," Rick said light-heartedly.
"Hey, you're the one who keeps the streets safe," she said, nudging his arm playfully. "And a little birdy told me you got a promotion."
"Which little birdy?" he asked. "Miss Audrey?"
"Of course," Michonne replied.
"That woman's like a bucket with a hole in it," he said, as they both chortled.
"But you got the promotion, right?" Michonne then asked.
"Yeah," he said, somewhat shyly.
"Nicely done, Detective Grimes," said Michonne while holding her hand out for Rick to high-five it. He slapped his palm against hers; their fingers lingering longer than they meant to.
Ding
The elevator doors slid open, and Judith Maree Grimes was standing there waiting for her father, and looking rather annoyed.
"Daddy!" she called. "Carl won't let me watch the TV."
Rick gave Michonne a look that said sorry, and followed along behind his daughter.
…..
The large nightshirt that read Slumber Party was three sizes too big for Michonne, but it was comfortable. She pulled it over her head and then found her favorite silk scarf to wrap her hair. Suddenly, there was a knocking at her door. She walked over and peered through the peephole: It was Rick Grimes. She tossed her scarf to the side, patted her hair back, and then looked down at her attire.
"Who is it?" she called out, in an effort to stall while she found another top to change into.
"It's Rick Grimes," he answered, while she dug through her laundry basket quickly.
"Just a minute!" she implored. After ripping off the nightshirt, she pulled on a dark blue tank, smoothed her hair down, and walked hurriedly to the door.
"Hey, Rick," she smiled. "What's up?"
"Sorry to bother you," he said. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor?"
"Sure," she answered.
"Judith's got a bit of a fever, and I need to run to the drugstore; could you come over and watch the kids 'til I get back?"
"Of course," she replied before grabbing her keys and following Rick into the corridor.
…..
"Thanks, again," said Rick as he and Michonne stood at his door; he tried to think of something else to say so that she could stay a while longer.
"Don't mention it," she replied, wishing she had something else to say so she did not have to leave.
"It's hard…"
"You must be…"
They both said at once, before sharing a little laugh.
"Go on," said Michonne.
"I was gonna say, it's hard raisin' two kids on my own, so I appreciate the help," he said sincerely.
"I don't mind helping at all," she said with a smile. "You're an amazing dad, Rick. You're doing a great job with them."
He smiled widely at her kind words, "Thank you. That means a lot to me. I just wanna do right by them. This promotion means I'll be able to afford a bigger place for us…"
Michonne felt her stomach drop at the thought of the handsome widower and his children moving away.
"…And I know I'm gonna be working longer hours and more overtime. But it's all for them," he explained. "So if you know of anyone who's lookin' for some work as a nanny?"
Michonne contemplated his question a moment, before she spoke once more.
"You're in luck, Rick," she offered sweetly. "I think I might know someone."
