Nantes, France, June 5, 2000

Dearest Rick,

I've tried reaching you by phone, leaving messages that have obviously didn't reach you, it is for this reason I will try writing to you instead. However, I am not naive enough to believe that this letter will reach you where my calls have been unsuccessful but I must try.

I would give anything to be with you right now because my heart's breaking, to lose you right after losing my Nana is beyond anything I can compare. I miss your comforting arms around me, your soothing voice, and the strength I feel when I'm with you. I love you babe and to be separated now when I need you most is the most cruel thing of all.

Our separation has been extremely difficult it feels like I'm no longer the whole person I once was because for as long as I can remember you've been a part of my life. Darling, if I had to relive the last month the only thing I would do differently is remembering to set the damn alarm so that we would have had a heads up as to my mother's untimely return.

Rick, I regret nothing between us… ok maybe the slap after our first kiss. But you must admit, I didn't see it coming. Did you?

Daddy abandoned us in Barcelona because he had to return to the New York office. I truly hope my mother comes to her senses soon and we stop our random gallivanting throughout Europe; it's not as if I can even appreciate the beauty of this trip because my heart is breaking plus this is not the way I was supposed to be experiencing Europe… not without you.

I pray that we'll be home in time for your birthday. I have an extra special surprise for you.

Love you forever,

Michonne

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kings County, GA, June 10, 2000

My love,

First of all, I want to apologize for what happened between us. I know I couldn't control the fact your mother turned up when she did but I still feel guilty that had I not stayed over you wouldn't be God know's where right now.

I know this probably won't reach you anyway but I'm gonna try.

I'm truly sorry for your loss and wish that I could hold you in my arms and comfort you. I know how much Nana meant to you but Sweetheart you're strong, smart and beautiful and you'll get through this. I just wish I could be with you when you need me most but wherever you are… know that I love you and will forever be your rock.

I love you Michonne and I will wait for you. I know your mom freaked out because what we did in her eyes was wrong. Honestly, I want you to know even though I wanted it to be our first act as man and wife in my heart, we're already that. I've never wanted anyone else because you complete me, but I have this foreboding sense though that the longer she keeps you away this Summer, it will change us. I hope I'm wrong but just so you know, our trip to Europe was to end in Paris with me proposing to you. I wanted to wait for your eighteenth birthday so that I could ask your dad for your hand in marriage but I wanted you to know now… so that whatever your mother tells you now that she has succeeded in separating us that you'll know the truth of my bond to you.

Michonne you were my first and hopefully my last. I am yours if you'll have me. I meant every word I said to you in those five days before all hell broke loose.

Babe, I can't remember a time when we weren't together or been able to communicate with one another so you've got to know that this is hell right?

Your one and only,

Rick

xxxxxxxxx

London, UK, August 15, 2000

My dearest Rick,

Sweetheart, I have the most dreadful news… this is not how it's supposed to be between us… oceans apart with no means of communication, the latter is not for a lack of trying though. I know in my heart of hearts you like me have tried but the force that have galvanized to keep us a part is daunting.

I've even enlisted Daddy's secretary, Mrs. Pelletier in Atlanta to send messages to you and I'm told your family's number has since changed but the letters were not returned to sender. I've resort to calling the Sheriff 's Department but your dad is never available so I know my mother have gotten to both of your parents. I don't believe my father is aware of the conspiracy but how do I just tell him part of the story, where does one begin? I don't want to disappoint him. After all, he believes me to be his Princess, albeit an unconventional one at that.

Please sit down for what I have to tell you will knock the wind out of your sails. Rick, darling… I recently discovered that despite our precautions I became pregnant but I miscarried, it was a rather painful ordeal and not one to be written about since I'm still dealing with the emotions from it. I know it wasn't a part of our plan at least not at this stage in our lives but it is our loss all the same; while I am crestfallen at the loss, I remain thankful that it was at least not the result of another of my mother's many decisions regarding my life.

As if life wasn't already difficult as it is, mother has convinced Daddy to enrol me into boarding school here in London, in exchange she'd join him in New York City. Somehow I wished my father didn't love her as much as he did or he'd see through her like I do.

I miss you so much sweetheart. Since I've last laid eyes on you I feel like I've been doing nothing but merely surviving. This has been the Summer of loses and I can't do this any more. I missed your birthday and I know you didn't receive your card nor could I reach you. Rick, I need you to make me feel safe again.

Forever yours,

Michonne

xxxxxxxxxxx

Atlanta, GA, August 20, 2000

My Love,

I hope this letter if it does get to you finds you in good health. Words can't express how deep a loss I am feeling at this time. It's inexplicable really but I just sense that something is totally off… you know not quite right. It's not just the fact that I'm missing you but something more. It really makes no sense at all but recently I woke in the middle of the night with night sweats and the most horrific stomach pains feeling as though like I'm being kicked in the gut over and over. I was doubled over in pain like I was dying and all I could think of was whether I would see you again. It's been a few weeks now and I'm feeling much better physically but not quite the same emotionally.

This Summer has been pure hell. I've worked three jobs just to keep my mind off you but it hasn't work. The physical fatigue does nothing to numb the ache in my heart. I'm not the man you left behind. I feel hollow. Michonne, I need you to complete me. I can't shake the feeling that the Universe is conspiring to keep us apart but to what end?

I know your family went away to cope with your recent loss but I can't help but feel that I'm the one losing the most from this impromptu vacation. I know I'm being selfish Michonne but God knows I'm suffering too, not being in contact with you, not seeing you or hearing you laugh you can't imagine… I came down to Atlanta in July and remained here just to avoid all the memories of us back in Kings County; plus, it being Summer everyone's either working or travelling with their folks. My folks went to Savannah and I really didn't want to go there for there are memories of us there too. This was the Summer we were supposed to spend in New York City, do you remember? I feel like I'm running away from you when in truth I'd rather be running towards you.

Where are you babe? I hope wherever you are that you're coming back to me and soon too. I don't know how much more of this I can take.

I'm at least thankful the Summer is coming to a close and I look forward to seeing you again at school, albeit our last year at Kings County High until you join me again at College.

Your one and only,

Rick