I do not own anything TWD or Love Actually related in any way, shape or form.

Trust me

This was inspired after watching 'Love Actually' during my holiday break and saw Andrew Lincoln play such an adorable but sad and shy character. He was in love with his best friend's new wife and never said anything, just loved her from far and in silence. Of course, the passionate Richonne shipper that I am wanted to used that for this story. Oh, and… Well some of it was also inspired by true (personal) events.

The following is in Rick's POV.

_0_

The Best Man…

How did I let them talk me into this? Why me? Of all the guys, why me? I should stop rubbing my forehead, but I can't. I'm just frustrated. Besides, I also have to write this damn best man's speech. What am I going to say? That I want them to be happy together, even though I don't? I know he is the best man for her…When I should be… Shit! Look at the time. Daryl will be picking me up any time soon to go to that stupid rehearsal and then the dinner. Oh come on! Why did I say yes? I know why… Because I did it for her. I would do anything for her. Anything…

OK, let's see. Uhm…OK, I'll just write it down, whatever comes to mind. Lord, knows I don't have much time. Here goes.

I am so happy to be here to see this loving couple before me, before me…

Yeah, who am I kidding? OK, let me just run a line over that and try again. Here goes, again.

As the best man I know that… I know that Mike is the luckiest man on earth to be marrying such an angel. A woman that could make a man happy with a simple smile and make him feel complete with her sheer presence. She is everything to me and has always been, but I could never tell her and I don't know why. I have known her for so long, but could never tell her what I truly feel. Why was it so hard? I knew her before Mike did, shit, I introduced them basically, but didn't stop it. I never stopped it as much as I wanted to. I wanted to tell her I love her more than she will ever know. I want to tell her that even if the years pass and I might become just a distant memory for her, she will always be fresh in my heart. I want to tell her that my heart will always be hers to govern even if I have to move forward to allow her to love another and make her life as she wants. That when she repeats her vows and promises before God and man, my eyes will close and think of happier times when we were together, in order to lessen the blow, But I know that as much as I will try to protect my heart, it will still break. You see, I was wrongly chosen as the best man for this wedding, I should have chosen at the best man for your heart.

Yeah… Rick, you know that is not going to happen. You never had it in you to say what you felt and you'll never get the chance. Let me just write some stupid generic speech on the next page and get it done.

*Knock… Knock*

What time is it? Oh… That's Daryl. Let me, let him in quick.

"Hey man, ya ready or what?" Ask Daryl as he gives me that stare and smirk. He knows I don't want to go.

"Yeah, just finishing this speech. Andrea said to bring it, to practice at the rehearsal."

"Why ya accepted anyway? I know ya not happy she's marryin' Mike." Oh how Daryl knows me so well.

"I know brother, I know, but she's happy and right now that's all that matters. Let's go."

I look for my keys in haste. With all on my mind I can't remember where I left them. Then Daryl's rushing me. So I rip out the speech, fold it as quick as I can and I put in my pocket.

"Let's go then." I say to Daryl as we exit.

"Yeah." Is his simple response.

XXXXXXXX

"Now you stand here and you here… Oh well it's about time, don't you think?" Ask an annoyed Andrea. She became Michonne's wedding planner. I don't really think Michonne even asked her to, but Andrea took charge anyway.

"Yeah, yeah, we're here. Don't get your panties in a bunch." Replies Daryl as he walks by her without care and stands across from Sasha, his partner in the wedding party.

They are already lined up. Glen and Maggie, Daryl and Sasha, Beth and Noah and Mike's sister Veronica. She was suppose to stand with Terry, but him and Mike are late.

"So, you're the best man, then stand next to the priest Rick." Says a very visibly frustrated Andrea.

I do as told and there she is. She looks so beautiful in her flowery summer dress, talking to father Gabriel. I can hear her asking Gabriel to give her a little more time due to Mike's tardiness, but he can't.

"So, why don't we use him. It's just a rehearsal anyway. I don't think it will be so hard for Mike to follow when the time comes." Says Andrea as she stares my direction. I instinctively look to my right and then my left. Andrea points to me to get closer and I point at myself, now I am really confused.

"Rick, just get over here. Lord, please give me patience!" Andrea shouts as she looks up to the ceiling of the church.

"How can I help?" I ask as I take a quick glance at Michonne standing so beautifully next to me.

"We need you to stand in for Mike. He won't make it to the rehearsal." Says Andrea.

"You want me to…Wait…What?" I heard her, but I can't believe what she was asking. I can't do this. That's crazy and being the best man was enough. This is killing me as it is. Andrea can kiss my ass twice. I am not going to do this. Hell no!

"If you don't mind?" Ask Michonne as she gently touches my right arm.

"Sure, no problem." I answer. Why? Let me just take some deep breathes and here we go.

Michonne puts her arm under mine and holds me tight as Gabriel goes over everything that will be said tomorrow. The bridesmaids and groomsmen follow everything Andrea tells them and all I can think about is how wonderful it felt being here with her. Mike is truly lucky. I only get to rehears what he will do tomorrow for real. Why?…

XXXXXXX

We go to the restaurant and chat, laugh and eat. I'm not laughing much, but, I go with the flow, I guess. I really do not have much to say. I get up to stretch my legs and make the excuse that I need to go to the restroom. I actually make a bee line to the exit. I just need some air. The air is nice against my skin and I close my eyes for a few minutes. It is so peaceful. I open my eyes when I hear two people talking.

"Where were you?" It is Michonne asking Mike why he couldn't make it to the rehearsal.

"Babe, I had to do some things with Terry. But I'm here now, right?" Mike answers as he tries to caress her arms. Michonne is visibly annoyed. I wish I could do something, but it is none of my business. Besides, they will be married tomorrow. They are probably having some pre-marital nerves. But I hate to see her that way… I really do.

Michonne turns from Mike. He decides to leave her outside and walks back into the restaurant. She is just there with her head down and her arms crossed. I want to walk over and hold her or something and… Oh shit, she looked up! She saw me aaaannd, now she is coming over.

"Hey, getting some air?" She asks as she comes over. I need to play it cool. Damn, even when she is sad and upset, her walk is sexy.

"Yeah, it was a little stuffy inside. Uhm, you OK?" I needed to ask. I wanted to ask.

"Yeah, I'm fine. And thanks, about earlier."

"Oh, that was nothing, anything for you… For a friend." I needed to fix that quick.

"Rick, you're always there for me, no matter what. Thank you." She suddenly kisses me on the cheek and looks at me. I can't take my eyes off hers. I notice that she is still staring at me and I am lost, lost in her beautiful brown eyes. You know, maybe all isn't lost, maybe there's still a chance. I have to say something.

"Michonne…"

"Hey, they are serving desert and you just missed Glen's stupid speech." Yells Andrea from the restaurant door.

Michonne looks over at Andrea and then at me. " Rick, you were going to say something?"

"…Uhm, well, that… You are also a great friend and let's get some desert." Yeah, I'm an asshole. She gives me a slight smile with a nod and then walks slowly back to the restaurant. I wanted to tell her that I love her, but I didn't… Why?

"Hey, talking about speeches, where's yours? You couldn't practice it at the church. I want to make sure it's well written." Andrea asks me as I am at the door. She won't let me in until I search and finally give her the folded paper.

"You, know, you're not the one getting married." I had to tell her something. She was getting on my last nerve.

She looked at me and sighed deeply. "You know what Rick? You're right. I'll give it to Michonne. Let her read this crap." She took the paper and handed it to Michonne.

I had enough of the night. I need to leave. Daryl didn't want desert and he is not the social type anyway. Sasha convinced him to be a groomsman on the count of his friendship with Michonne and that Sasha did not want to be paired up with Terry.

XXXXXXX

Yes, home. One tough day down. The worst is yet to come. Tomorrow. I need to check my stupid tux. Oh, it has a small spot on the collar. What can I use to get rid of it. I know I have something in this drawer here, wait! My pad, on the desk. My speech? I took the wrong speech out of the pad and took it with me. I gave Andrea the wrong speech and she was going to give it to…. Oh Shit! I have to call Andrea quick.

*Knock… Knock*

Daryl? Did I forget something in the car? Let me dial Andrea while I open the door.

"Oh man, you won't believe… Michonne?!" She is standing in my doorway with my speech unfolded in her hand.

_0_

Yeah, she read it. It was hard for Rick to talk, but his Best man's speech said it all.

I could definitely relate. This was also inspired by personal events. I had a very good friend that saw me as a little sister, but I saw him differently, but never said anything. I was asked to be a bridesmaid in his wedding. Needless to say it was hard, but I did it, for him, I guess, and she was nice too. That night was hard and when the vows were said it was painful to hear, but at least the meatballs served at the reception were amazing, LOL.

I remember my mother telling me that is was a young girl's crush and that it would go away before I knew it. Despite my heart being young, I knew it was broken, and it was for a while. Later, I moved went to college and some years after that I met the person that made my life complete and I am truly happy. I was older, I guess wiser and I was finally able to say what my heart truly felt.

Thanks for reading

Alex