Author's note: This story takes place five years after the events of my previous story 'Us and Them (the third story in the Bargaining Chip Saga)'. If you haven't read the other three stories in this series, 'Bargaining Chip', 'Rite of Passage', or 'Us and Them', I would suggest reading them before continuing so you know the backstory of some of the new characters, but you can also just read from this story too. I hope you enjoy, and please review and let me know what you think about this beginning chapter!
It had been five years since the Walker People's attack on the Hilltop. Five years since the birth of Rick and Michonne's son Mhare, and Carl and Enid's daughter Carla. After many of the Hilltop's residents were slaughtered by the Walker People, the Kingdom and Alexandria stepped in, helping to restore order and peace. Many residents from the other communities had moved in to the Hilltop, increasing the population once again. The alliance between the three communities were as strong as ever. Jesus had died during the Walker People attack, and Carl had taken a temporary leadership role at the Hilltop until elections could be held for a permanent leader. Although Carl had no intention of remaining leader at Hilltop, he had been nominated along with three other candidates. When he found out, he asked for Rick and Michonne's advice and they had encouraged him to go through with campaigning. Carl reluctantly accepted the nomination, and after a month of campaigning, debates, and tough town hall meetings, Carl was voted in as the official leader of the Hilltop.
Judith's tenth birthday was rapidly approaching, and Rick wanted to do something special for his daughter's milestone. He, Carl, and two more people from Hilltop's defense team, had left on a run the week before to bring back some much-needed supplies for both Alexandria and the Hilltop, but also to bring back something special for Judy. At first, when Michonne and Enid had heard of Rick and Carl's idea, and where they would be going, they both were immediately against it. The women felt that a trip of that magnitude was too much of a risk, but Rick and Carl's insistence on doing this for Judy wore Michonne down. She reluctantly agreed to the trip, even though she knew she'd be a mess, worrying about both her husband and her son. When Michonne consented, Enid reluctantly did as well, knowing how much this trip would mean to Carl's little sister.
While the men in her life were away, Michonne was holding down the fort and planning for Judy's birthday party that would happen that weekend. She hoped that the men would be back in time and not miss Judy's party, but being on the road was unpredictable, and it was already Thursday, the day the men were expected to return. Judy had no idea why her father had gone on the run, but she was already upset that Rick wasn't back yet, and Michonne had to constantly ease her fears that her daddy wouldn't be at her birthday party. Michonne knew that if there was any way for Rick and Carl to be back on time, they would be.
Michonne had just gotten out of a meeting with Glenn and four other members of Alexandria's defense team. They had noticed some rusting and cracks while doing a sweep of the community's wall, and they wanted it mentioned to the construction crew so they could do repairs. Michonne hurried from the meeting to pick up Judy and Joy who were at school, held in the community's church. As she approached, she could hear the loud noises of children talking and laughing inside, and the sounds made her smile. She opened the door and entered, taking in the scene of children of various ages excitedly talking and playing, while parents showed up little by little to take their children home. Michonne made her way down the church's main aisle to look for her daughters, when she heard her name being called. She turned to see Sherry, calling her. Michonne had met Sherry when she had been taken hostage by Negan years ago. While Michonne was kept in Negan's compound, Sherry who had been one of Negan's wives had taken care of Michonne, and the two of them had become good friends over the years. Sherry was one of Alexandria's two teachers, and had taught both Judith and Joy, and would eventually teach Rick and Michonne's son Mhare when he became old enough.
"Michonne, I need to talk to you for a moment" Sherry said, pulling her over to a corner of the church sanctuary. She lowered her voice so the other children and parents who had come to pick up their children wouldn't hear the conversation. "Uh, Judy had a little argument today with Darien. I had to break 'em up, and both of 'em were put in the corner until they cooled down."
Michonne looked at Sherry in surprise. "Judy? What were they arguing about?" she asked, searching the room until she noticed Judy sitting on one of the pews in the front of the church by herself.
"I don't know how it started, all I heard was 'em yellin' at each other, and then Judy screamed 'my mom's gonna kill you!'"
Michonne's mouth dropped open and her head snapped to look at Judy, who had been stealthily watching the conversation between her mother and her teacher. When Judy saw Michonne look in her direction she quickly faced forward in her pew, pretending to be fascinated by the stained glass windows in the front of the church. "She said that?" Michonne asked Sherry.
Sherry nodded. "It's very unlike her. I'm not sure what's gotten into her, but I think you need to talk to her."
Michonne nodded her head. "Thanks Sherry" she replied, making her way over to Judy. The nine year old was sitting in her pew, staring straight ahead. Michonne slowly approached and sat down next to her daughter.
"What happened Judy? I know you saw Ms. Sherry and I talking" Michonne said, cutting to the chase. Judy looked around at the other people still gathered in the church.
"Mommy, can I tell you later?" Judy asked, surprising Michonne with her mature request. Michonne glanced over at her daughter as the girl continued to look straight ahead.
"Yea, ok" Michonne agreed. "Let's get Joy and Mhare, we'll go home, and then we'll talk."
"Joy's in the rectory. They're painting in there. Want me to get her?" Judy asked.
"Go ahead" Michonne agreed, and Judith quickly left to get Joy. She was back a minute later with her sister in tow.
"Hey mommy!" Joy said happily, wrapping her arms around Michonne's waist.
"Hey Joyjoy, what were you painting back there?" Michonne asked, ruffling the girl's curly hair.
Joy proudly held up a wildly realistic painting of nine people, who Michonne promptly recognized as her family. Joy had always been a natural artist, and her painting skills were far beyond the average eight year old. Joy had painted Rick holding Mhare as the five year old's arms reached up to the sky. Joy was a detailed artist, and had taken the time to include flecks of white in Rick's beard, and Mhare's scar on his right leg. Next to Rick and Mhare, she had painted herself, Michonne, and Judith smiling happily as they sat in the grass picking flowers. She was careful to paint herself with her hair braided, her favorite hairstyle, while Michonne's hair was pulled up into a ponytail, a style that Michonne rarely wore. Judith had on a long, flowing sundress which was nothing like the jeans that they all usually wore. Carl, Enid, Carla, and Tommy were also in the background, holding hands. Michonne was overwhelmed by the detail and care put into the painting.
"This is beautiful Joyjoy. Wow!" Michonne gasped. "How long did it take you to do all this?"
"A few hours. My class voted it the best painting."
"I can see why. It's amazing honey. I'm so proud of you" Michonne said, squeezing Joy to her. "Wait until your dad sees it."
"Look Judy, you like it?" Joy asked, showing the painting to her sister.
Judy studied the painting closely, looking over the details. "It's really nice Joyjoy. You did a good job" Judy confirmed, and Joy beamed at her sister's praise. Michonne could tell something was bothering Judy, but she was putting on a polite face for her sister's benefit.
"Mommy, can I put it up over the mantle?" Joy asked proudly.
"Definitely. C'mon let's get Mhare and go home."
The three of them trekked over to Lisa's house, a woman in her late twenties who babysat the younger children who weren't yet in school. Ms. Ellie, the previous town babysitter had passed away as did many of the older Alexandrians. Despite this, their population was slowly growing as more and more people had babies, now that things were more stable and had been for years.
When Michonne opened the door to Lisa's house Mhare greeted her with a loud "Mommy!"
"C'mere peanut" Michonne called, opening her arms. The bushy haired boy ran to his mother, leaping into her arms. Although he had fair skin that favored Rick, all of his features were Michonne's, down to his large beautiful brown eyes, his brown hair, full nose and lips, and his pout when he didn't get his way.
"What did you do with Ms. Lisa today?" she asked, cuddling her little boy.
"We played duck duck duck" Mhare said, fiddling with one of Michonne's waist length locs. She let out a chuckle.
"You mean duck duck goose?" she asked.
"No mommy. Duck duck duck! Quack quack quack!" he said, laughing.
"Come on you silly boy" she said, tickling his belly, "let's go home."
"Mommy, I wanna hold Judy's hand" Mhare insisted, wiggling from her arms. She couldn't help but smirk as Mhare raced over to Judy and grasped her hand, eliciting a small smile from his sister's lips. Judy loved her little brother, and she was his favorite person.
Joy held Michonne's hand as they walked back to their house. "Mommy will we see Carl soon? I want him to see my picture" Joy said.
"Yes, he's coming here with Enid, Tommy, and Carla for Judy's birthday party on Saturday."
"He is?" Judy asked, word of her older brother snapping her out of her sour mood.
"Of course he is, you know he wouldn't miss your birthday" Michonne said.
Judy smiled a little more as they finally reached the house. Michonne unlocked the door and the three children ran inside, instantly going in three different directions.
"Wait a minute Judy!". Michonne called the girl who was about to sprint up the steps to her room. Judy slowly turned around with a pout on her face, her long brown hair swinging behind her.
"We need to talk" Michonne said, gesturing with her head for Judy to sit with her on the couch. Judy sighed and walked over to the couch slowly, dragging her feet.
"Ms. Sherry said you got into an argument today" Michonne said, turning to her daughter who was looking down at her hands. Judy didn't respond. "You wanna tell me what you were arguing about?" Michonne asked. Judy continued to stare at her hands and Michonne patiently waited. She knew the girl would speak eventually, when she was ready. After a minute and a half of silence, Judy let out a deep sigh, and Michonne watched as the girl physically crumbled in on herself as tears welled up in her eyes. Michonne reached out and wrapped an arm around Judy and she came apart, sobbing into Michonne's shoulder.
Michonne rubbed Judy's back as she cried. "What happened Judy? What is it?" she asked.
"I got 100 on my spelling test, and Darien was mad that I got higher than him. Darien said I was weird because I don't look like anyone else in the family. He said Joy and Mhare look like you, and Carl looks like daddy, but I don't look like anybody. He said his dad heard that my mom died because of me. He said I killed her. He called me 'mom killer'."
Michonne couldn't hide the rage that sparked within her at the thought of this little boy telling her daughter that she killed her mother.
"He shouldn't've said that" Michonne said, stroking Judy's hair. "It was very mean of him."
"Is it true?" Judy asked, pulling away from Michonne's shoulder to look her in the eye. "Did Lori die because of me?"
"No Judy. No. Of course not. There are some things that your father and I need to talk to you about. Some things you deserve to know, about how your mom Lori died. We were waiting until you were old enough and mature enough to understand, but I think you're able to understand now. When your dad gets home we'll talk to you together, but I want you to know that Lori did not die because of you."
Judy wiped her eye with the back of her hand.
"There's something else I want to talk to you about. Ms. Sherry said you told that little boy, Darien, that I was going to kill him?" Michonne asked.
Judy looked down at her hands again. "I was so mad. He kept calling me 'mom killer' and I just wanted him to stop, so I told him you would kill him, to make him shut up."
"Do you want me to?" Michonne asked, raising one eyebrow.
Judy's eyes widened and she stared at her mother. "No mommy! I don't want you to kill him" Judy said, looking horrified.
Michonne smirked. "I know you don't, Judy. I know you were angry, but you can't threaten people just because they make you mad. Even if they are really annoying. A threat is very serious now-a-days, and you never threaten to kill someone unless you intend to go through with it."
"Can I threaten to punch him in the face instead?" Judy mumbled.
'If he calls you 'mom killer' one more time, Ijust might' Michonne thought.
"If he puts his hands on you, you can defend yourself, but you don't hit anyone unless you're defending yourself from an attack. You know that" Michonne said, "but you can tell Darien that if he keeps calling you 'mom killer', I'm going to talk to his dad."
I'm gonna talk to his loudmouth dad anyway. How dare he gossip about my daughter. He needs to keep my child's business out of his mouth Michonne thought.
"Okay, I will. But are you going to tell daddy?" Judy asked softly.
"Yes, I will. And both of us will talk to you together when he gets home. He and Carl and everyone else should be here by Friday at least."
Judy sighed. "Do you think I'll get in trouble?"
Michonne chuckled to herself. Between she and Rick, she was the disciplinarian. Rick was more likely to praise Judy for not punching the boy for calling her 'mom killer'.
"We'll see if there will be a punishment. For now, go wash your hands and then come help me make dinner."
"Okay" Judy said, hopping up and skipping to the bathroom.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx
After dinner, Michonne put Mhare to bed. His room was Judy's old bedroom, and although it was small, he loved having his own room. Various art projects that he'd done at Ms. Lisa's house, or at home, were stuck to the walls. He had a bookshelf with various children's books that he loved, and several kindergarten workbooks that Rick had found at an abandoned Barnes and Nobles. Michonne's favorite thing in Mhare's room was a picture he'd drawn of his family. Everyone in the picture were indistinguishable blobs, but the blob that was supposed to be hers had a long sword, and Rick's had a semi-recognizable gun that was supposed to be his Colt Python.
Michonne supervised as her son brushed his teeth and put on his pajamas in preparation for bed. As she watched him, she couldn't help but think back to how tiny he was when he was born. He was born prematurely after Michonne was stabbed in the abdomen by Alpha, leader of a group called Walker People, during the attack on the Hilltop. Judy had amazingly kept both Michonne and Mhare alive by having the wherewithal to press down on her wound. It was amazing, as Judy was only five years old at the time and there were no other adults around to help her. Mhare was ripped from Michonne's abdomen via emergency C-section by Enid, who saved both of their lives, but Enid had to do the surgery on Michonne without anesthesia or any medical guidance, as Dr. Carson was killed in the attack. Mhare had survived against all the odds, the only reminder of his near-death experience was a long scar on his right thigh, left by the knife that almost killed him before he was born. Mhare was special to Rick, the only one of his children that he'd named. His name meant 'warrior' in Shona, the language Michonne's family spoke.
Michonne helped Mhare into bed and sat on the side of it. "Do you want me to read you a story? Or sing?" Michonne asked him.
"I want you to sing mommy" Mhare said, settling into his sheets. She could tell he was tired and would be asleep soon.
"Ok, but after I finish the song you have to go to bed ok? No water, no bathroom breaks, no fooling around" Michonne warned. She was well aware of the tactics Mhare would use to get out of bedtime.
"Okay" he agreed.
Michonne placed her hand on the boy's head and gently stroked his hair as she sang him the same lullaby her mother would sing her every night. "A child, a holy child, fast asleep beneath a winter sky, is warm at rest at His mother's breast, as she sings her lullaby. The lambs, the cattle too, are sleeping in a bed of hay, and all around there's no other sound than lullaby, lullay. Lullaby, lullay, sleep well, my precious one, lullaby my love, my only son, new life has now begun. So, the story goes, once upon a winter morn, a tiny boy bringing love and joy, the Prince of Peace was born."
Mhare let out a yawn as soon as Michonne finished. "Goodnight Mhare" Michonne said, leaning over and pressing a kiss to his forehead.
"Mommy, can you sing it again?" Mhare asked, trying to stall for a few more minutes.
"Nope. Good try though" Michonne said with a chuckle, "goodnight my little warrior".
Mhare let out another yawn. "Goodnight mommy" he said. Michonne stood up and closed the door in slightly, but left it open knowing Mhare wanted the light from the hallway to shine into his room until he fell asleep.
She headed to the room that Joy and Judy shared. It had previously been Carl's room before he moved to the Hilltop with Enid. The girls weren't very happy about having to share a room, especially when Mhare got his own. Judy complained, but Michonne didn't want Mhare and Joy to share, as the two of them were young, and would constantly fight and bicker if left on their own. To satisfy Judy, they agreed that when she turned ten, she could move to the empty downstairs bedroom that Michonne used to sleep in when they first moved to Alexandria. Rick was nervous about his daughter sleeping on the first floor by herself. He and Michonne had had many discussions on the issue, and she knew all of Rick's excuses. "What about an attack? What if Walkers get in the gates?". Michonne finally convinced Rick that he had to give Judy space to grow. She was getting older and deserved more freedom, and so they agreed that after her party, Judy would sleep in her own bedroom. Her belongings were already moved to the other bedroom, and she was excited about finally getting her own space.
"Okay, who's turn is it to pick the story?" Michonne asked as she opened the door to her daughters' bedroom. Every night, Michonne, Rick, or both of them together would tell the girls a story, or read one before they went to bed. The girls alternated who got to pick. "It's my turn" Judy said, "but Joyjoy can pick tonight."
Michonne paused. Judy had never before given up her night to pick a story. Even Joy turned to her sister in surprise. "You sure?" Michonne asked, studying her daughter closely. Judy nodded her head silently. "Ok, can you read more of the Goosebumps book mommy?" Joy asked, quickly taking advantage of her sister's generosity.
Michonne picked up the Goosebumps book that she had raided from a library while on a run. They had stopped on chapter 5, and Michonne read two more chapters to the girls as they listened. Chapter 7 ended on a cliffhanger and the girls groaned when Michonne ended her story time with "to be continued…"
"Oh, come on, you can't just end like that" Joy complained.
"Well you have two options, my love. You can wait until tomorrow night to find out what happens, or, you can read it yourself when you wake up" Michonne said, kissing Joy on the forehead. Joy rolled her eyes at her mother and pouted. Michonne ignored her grumpy daughter and kissed Judy on the forehead as well.
"Mommy, will daddy and Carl be back tomorrow? They were supposed to be back today" Judy asked, and Michonne understood what was troubling her.
"I'm sure they'll be here tomorrow if they can. Maybe they just had some car trouble and had to find another one. Don't worry honey. You know daddy will run back here just to be here for your party on Saturday."
Judy nodded, and Michonne turned off the light in the girls' bedroom before whispering "goodnight" and closing the door. She headed back to her bedroom with a sigh. Michonne was worried about Rick and Carl as well. She stripped her clothes off and dumped them in the hamper, and then took a warm shower, trying to ease her fears about where Rick and Carl could be. When she finally crawled into bed it was 12 a.m. and she was exhausted. They'll be back tomorrow she thought, before she drifted off to sleep.
A muffled thump coming from downstairs, startled Michonne from her sleep. Her eyes shot open and she sat up straight in her bed to listen. There was silence for a few seconds, and then she could clearly hear someone walking around downstairs. It sounded like they were walking softly to stay quiet.
Like a cat, Michonne leaped out of bed on the balls of her feet, carefully not to creak any of the floorboards and give herself away. She grabbed her katana which was on the table next to her side of the bed, and crept to her bedroom door wearing a t-shirt and a pair of panties. The noises from downstairs were getting closer, and whoever it was, was only a few feet away from the base of the stairs. Michonne pushed her door open slightly so that she could see anyone who tried to sneak up the steps. She and Rick's room was the first room that an intruder would have to pass, and when they first moved to Alexandria Rick had picked this room for a reason. Anyone trying to hurt his family would have to get through him first, and Michonne had the same sentiment. She could hear heavy creaking as the person made their way upstairs, their booted feet pounding the stairs. Michonne slowly lowered her katana and rolled her eyes. She knew those footsteps too well.
The intruder made it up the steps and paused in front of her door. Michonne silently moved behind the door and held her breath. The door let out a creak as the person slowly pushed it open and took a step into the room. Michonne pressed her back against the wall as a figure gradually crept towards the bed. Michonne tiptoed behind the prowler, and with cat-like reflexes she simultaneously dropped her katana and leaped on his back, covering his eyes with her hands.
"Ahhh!" Rick screamed in surprise, totally taken off guard. Michonne wrapped her legs around his waist, still attached to his back. "That's what you get for creeping around my house at 2 a.m" she whispered into his ear.
Rick let out a chuckle. "Your house?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I didn't stutter" Michonne declared.
"Well I'm sorry for creepin' around your house at 2 a.m, but I just got back. Uh… you gonna get off my back any time soon?" Rick asked with a chuckle.
"Why should I?" Michonne asked in a sultry voice, squeezing her legs even more tightly around Rick's waist.
"'Cuz I wanna show you how much I've missed you" Rick replied, reaching behind himself and firmly smacking Michonne's rear end.
Michonne giggled and unlocked her legs from around Rick, removing her hands from his eyes. He reached out to wrap his arms around her but she deftly dodged him.
"You're late" she said accusingly, narrowing her eyes at him.
"I know, we had a few setbacks, but everyone is ok, and I'm home" Rick explained, moving towards her like a predator.
"Where's Carl?" Michonne asked, backing away from him elusively.
"Dropped him off at Hilltop. He and the family are coming later today" Rick said, reaching his arms towards Michonne's waist.
"What'd you find?" Michonne asked, unable to hide her giggle as Rick swiped for her and missed.
"I'm not telling you anything else until you come here" Rick warned, narrowing his eyes.
"And if I don't?" Michonne asked, teasingly running her hand up and down her belly, underneath her shirt.
"Must you be difficult, woman?" Rick asked, unbuttoning his jeans. "I haven't seen you in over a week. I've been out there with three other men, one of them being our son, killing walkers, driving long distances, and scavenging in dark, dirty, rotten houses, and all I want is to feel up my drop dead gorgeous wife, maybe get lucky if I'm lucky, and go to sleep for a few hours. Can I have that?".
Michonne smiled at Rick. "I'm drop dead gorgeous?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.
"You're an eleven out of ten" Rick said, stepping out of his jeans and letting them drop to the floor. "You're a fifteen, a twenty, a thirty! Can I get a kiss now?"
Michonne rolled her eyes the same way Joy had earlier, and reached out her arms to Rick, who crashed into her and lifted her off the floor.
"Mmmmm" he moaned as he held her tight, "you smell so good"
"And you smell like Walkers" Michonne joked, kissing the side of Rick's face.
"Fine" Rick said, promptly turning with Michonne in his arms and marching towards the bathroom.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Michonne asked as she tried to wiggle out of Rick's arms.
"You said I stink, so we're taking a shower" Rick said, unceremoniously dumping Michonne into the shower with him.
"Hey, I don't stink…" Michonne began, but Rick interrupted her with his lips on hers, taking her breath away. He cornered her up against a wall of the shower, placing his arms on either side of her to pin her there. He then stealthily reached for the knob, turning the shower on and wetting them both.
"Rick!" Michonne squealed, trying to pull her lips away from his, "Wait! Wait! You're getting me wet!"
"Just the way I like you" Rick growled, devouring her again.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
At six a.m, the couple was awoken by a small yet insistent knock at the door.
"Yea?" Michonne called groggily.
"Mommy, I'm hungry" Mhare called from the other side of the door. Michonne lay with her head resting on Rick's chest for a few seconds, too tired to move. "Your son's hungry" she mumbled to him.
"I thought he was ours" Rick replied with his eyes still closed.
"When it's before 6:30, he's yours" Michonne joked.
Rick chuckled and swiped his hands across his eyes, wiping the crust away. He let out a yawn as he stretched, sitting up and causing Michonne's head to roll off his chest. Michonne stretched as well, splaying her arms and legs across the bed until her back cracked.
"Mommy!" Mhare called.
"Okay, daddy's coming" Michonne called.
"Daddy's here?" Mhare screamed excitedly. She could hear him bouncing around outside of the door. "Judy, Joy, daddy's here!" he called to his sisters.
"Well, there's no way I'm getting any more sleep with the ruckus that's about to go down, so I suppose we're making breakfast together today" Michonne replied, swinging her legs from the bed.
Rick pulled on a pair of boxers, and Michonne settled for a robe when the sounds outside of their bedroom door grew, as Judy and Joy bolted from their room and pounded down the hallway.
"Daddy? Where? Are you making that up?" Judy asked Mhare.
"Mommy said daddy's here!" Mhare yelled defensively.
"Where? I don't see him" Joy said skeptically.
"I'm right here guys, give me a second!" Rick called, slipping his feet into his slippers. When he opened the door, he was practically tackled by his children. "Daddy!" they yelled, clinging to him.
"Daddy, come look at the picture I made in art class!"
"Did you bring me a present?"
"I knew you'd come back for my party!"
The three children were speaking so quickly and loudly it sounded like a roar of excited words and giggles.
"I've missed you" Rick said, giving each of them a squeeze. "I would love to look at the picture after we eat breakfast, yes I did get you a present, and of course I'd be back here for my girl's party" Rick said, answering all three children.
Michonne smiled as her children climbed all over their father. Not wanting to break up the reunion, she squeezed past them on her way downstairs, to take out the ingredients so that she and Rick could make everyone breakfast.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
"Rick, we need to talk to Judy" Michonne said. The two of them had dropped Joy and Judy off at the church for school, and Mhare was at Ms. Lisa's house, but Michonne didn't have a guard duty shift on the wall until later in the day. They were walking back to their home, hand in hand.
"About what?" Rick asked.
"She had an argument in school yesterday. Darien told her that she killed her mom, and he was taunting her. She told him that I would kill him."
"He told her what?" Rick asked loudly, spinning around like he was about to march back to the church.
Michonne grabbed his arm to calm him down. "He overheard his father talking about Judy. I don't know how his father knows any of our business, but that's a separate issue."
"Did that boy get in trouble?" Rick asked, tilting his head as he spoke.
"Both of them were put in time out, but Judy was understandably upset. She asked me if Lori died because of her."
Rick sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
"I told her of course not, but that you and I were going to talk to her about how her mom died."
Rick rubbed his eyes with his hands. "I knew I'd have to talk to her one day, but I didn't expect to do it so soon. I… I don't know what to say. I don't know how to explain that to a nine year old."
"Ten. She's gonna be ten. Not much younger than Carl was when he helped deliver her. And she was there when I almost died with Mhare. She was the one who saved me long enough for Enid to get there. I think she's old enough to understand, Rick."
Rick turned back towards their home and began to walk, Michonne following his lead. "I know. I know she is. It's just… she's growin' up so fast. I want her to hold on to some of her innocence, y'know? This world is brutal enough, without her knowing her mom died giving birth to her."
Michonne reached out and wrapped one of her arms around Rick's shoulder. "I know. But be thankful that she's growing up. It means we did good. She's okay, and she's happy, and she's growing. All the kids are. We're good parents."
Rick turned to Michonne and smiled. "We are. And you're a great mom. But uh… can you do most of the talking on this one? You always know the right thing to say. I'm afraid I might screw it up, like that sex talk I had with Carl."
Michonne bust out laughing. "You mean the one when he told you he already knew about safe sex, and that we were having sex too loudly?"
"Yea, I think it's best for everyone if you take the lead on this one" Rick admitted.
"Wimp" Michonne teased.
"I won't dispute that title" Rick said, grinning.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
That night, after dinner, Rick showed the family the gifts that he'd picked out for them whilst on his run. Mhare was thrilled when Rick brought back a stuffed Batman doll for him, with matching Batman sheets, a couple of Batman t-shirts, socks, and even Batman underwear. Mhare was so excited, he begged Michonne if he could put on the t-shirt, socks, and underwear and wear it to bed. She declined, but said he could wear it to Judy's party the next day. Joy got new clothing as well, two books, and a doll. When it was time for Judy to get her gift, Rick and Michonne asked the other children to go upstairs. They wanted to speak to Judy privately, before she got the gift that Rick had gone on the run to pick up in the first place. They asked Judy to sit on the couch, and Michonne sat down next to her, as Rick stood in front of them both.
"Mommy told me about the argument you had" Rick said softly.
Judy just looked down with her hands in her lap.
"She told me that someone was saying some very mean things to you. Things that aren't true, about your mom, Lori."
"Yea" Judy said, continuing to look down at her hands.
"I told you that Lori died when you were very young, and that was true. But I never told you how exactly she died."
Judy looked up, Rick had grabbed her attention. She leaned forwards slightly.
"I loved your mom, Judy. I was married to her for a long time, and we loved each other, and Carl. And she loved you too. In fact, she loved you so much, that she did something very brave for you. When she started to go into labor with you, there were a lot of things going on. Someone was attacking us, and we were all in different places. She, Carl, and Auntie Maggie were together, when she started to go into labor."
"Like when mommy had Mhare?" Judy asked.
"Yes" Michonne cut in, "just like when I had Mhare."
Rick continued, "when Lori began to give birth to you, there was a problem, and you couldn't be born. There were no doctors around, and no one knew how to get you out of her, and if you didn't come out of her, you would die and she would die. We didn't have anyone like Enid, who could help. Your mom made a brave choice Judy, she was so brave. She decided that she wanted you to live, no matter what happened to her. She loved you so much, and she only wanted you to live. So, we got you out of her before she died."
"How did you get me out?" Judy asked Rick.
"Auntie Maggie had to cut you out of her, just like how Mhare was cut out of mommy" Rick explained.
"So, I killed her? She… she did die because of me?" Judy asked, her eyes filling up with tears.
Michonne placed her hands on Judy's. "No Judy. No. She would've died no matter what. She knew it. She made the decision that you didn't have to, too. Remember when I told Enid to save Mhare, no matter what?"
Judy nodded her head, she remembered Michonne saying that to Enid, but she didn't know what that meant at the time.
"Just like I was going to make sure Mhare lived, no matter what, Lori wanted to make sure that you lived. If I had died that night, would it have been Mhare's fault?" Michonne asked.
"No, I guess not. He was just a little baby"
"Exactly, and so were you, when Lori died. It wasn't your fault. She loved you, and she gave you the only thing she could, the gift of life."
"But… but why couldn't she just live? Why did she have to die? It's not fair! I didn't get to meet her and see what she looks like. I didn't get to know her. Carl got to, but I didn't get to. Carl told me that I look like her, but I'm never going to get to see her" Judy said, tears making a trail down her face.
"Yea, I know. I know honey" Rick said, kneeling down in front of her on the couch, "I know it's not fair, but I believe that Lori knows what's going on with you. I believe that she checks in on you and Carl from time to time, to make sure you're ok. She loved you so much, and I'm sure she knows that you're grateful for what she did for you, now that you're old enough to understand."
Rick reached into his pocket and pulled out a rectangle shaped paper. "Carl and I, we wanted to get you something special for your birthday. Something that we knew would mean a lot to you. That trip that we went on, I know I told you we went to find supplies, and we did. But we also went to get something that belonged to you."
Rick handed Judy the piece of paper which seemed to be slightly singed on the ends, as if it had been in a fire. She flipped it over to reveal a picture. She recognized her father in the picture. He looked very young, and his face was very smooth, smoother than Judy had ever seen him. Carl was in the picture too, it must've been his birthday, because they were sitting in front of a cake with candles. Carl was about the same age that Judy was now. And then, Judy eyed the beautiful woman who had her arm wrapped around Carl. She had long dark brown hair that flowed down her shoulders, and dark brown eyes. Judy recognized those eyes, it was the same that stared back at her whenever she looked in the mirror. Judy couldn't tear herself away from the woman's face. It was her, Lori. Her mother.
As Judy stared, Rick spoke. "Carl risked his life twice to save this picture for you. He wanted you to know what your mom looked like. It was his idea to go all the way back to Georgia to see if it was still in the prison where you were born. When we got there, almost everything was destroyed, or picked over by looters. I thought it was a lost cause, we were about to leave… but Carl, he looked under an overturned mattress, and he found this, again."
Judy finally tore her eyes away from the picture, and looked up at her father. Her eyes were wet and shiny from tears. "It was like a sign, Judy. It was like Lori had saved this picture from getting burned. Almost everything else in the cell had been on fire, but the picture barely got singed."
"She looks like me" Judy sniffed.
Rick smiled. "Yes… yes, you look like her. Now you don't have to wonder what she looked like. And she would be so proud of the girl that you've grown into."
Judy wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, and launched herself into Rick's arms. Rick picked her up off the ground and held her, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Michonne looked over at them as tears streamed down her face. After a few moments, Rick slowly put Judy back down on the ground.
"Thanks daddy", she managed. Rick smiled. "This is just a preview of the presents that we got for you, but don't thank me for this one. It was all Carl's idea. Thank your brother when he gets here, and he should be here soon."
Judy nodded and picked the picture up off the couch. "Can I go show Joy and Mhare?" Judy asked. "Yea, sure, go ahead" Rick agreed, and Judy turned and scurried upstairs to show her siblings the picture of her mother.
Michonne was still wiping away tears as Rick collapsed on the couch next to her. "So that went better than I expected" he said with a sigh.
"See? And you barely needed my help" Michonne said, causing Rick to snicker. "I needed your support" he said, "you being there helped me think of what to say."
They sat on the couch in a comfortable silence for a few moments, when Rick said "Oh, that's not all we found. I got something for you."
Michonne angled her head towards Rick with a smile. "More toothpaste?" she asked hopefully.
"No, even better" Rick said as he leaped off the couch, and ran to the spare bedroom to retrieve his gift. He was back in a few minutes, hiding something behind his back. Michonne stared at him curiously.
"I found this, and it was just too damn beautiful for me to leave behind" he said, before pulling out her multicolored cat statue. Michonne's mouth dropped open and she jumped off the couch in surprise.
"No way!" she said loudly, as she stared at it. The cat looked like it had gone through so much. The tail end had been melted in the fire that consumed the prison, and it was missing one of its ears, but in certain areas the brightly colored paint was still visible, and with a little cleaning and possibly repainting, it could get somewhat close to its former glory.
"Oh my God, I can't believe it was still there" Michonne said, shaking her head. Rick handed the cat to Michonne who took it from him gently as if she were afraid it might break. "I didn't even know you noticed that I had it. Honestly, I thought Carl was the only one who knew I had it. I used to hide it under my bed."
"I know" Rick laughed, "you used to keep it a secret, but I watched you a lot. I knew you liked to look at it from time to time. I figured you had a fun side, even though you tried to act tough."
"Hey, I was… am… tough", Michonne smiled.
"I know, but I figured a woman who liked brightly colored cats had to be a sweetheart on the inside. And I was right. I found it right where you left it, under your bed."
Michonne smiled and hugged her husband. "Thank you, Rick". She then lowered her voice to a whisper, "You are so gonna get laid tonight".
He moved forward and softly kissed her neck. "Why wait?" he asked, but his sentence was interrupted by a knock on the front door.
Michonne unwrapped Rick's arms from around her and looked out the window. A smile spread across her face as she yelled "Carl, Enid, and the kids are here!"