Disclaimer: It ain't mine. Just borrowing.

The sharp autumn air wafted enticingly through Rick's nostrils as he shifted Judith's weight onto his opposite hip. He glanced down at his baby girl as she clumsily prodded her father's graying beard with pudgy fingers. She laughed happily, continuing her assault as he peered through the crowd gathered in his living room. His friends and family conversed amiably sipping their drinks and nibbling on the appetizers set carefully throughout the house.

It was all through Michonne's carefully detailed planning that this party was taking place. Rick was the next on the list to host the seasonal weekend party for the neighborhood and grudgingly accepted the influx of people into his home.

He didn't mind sharing his space with the people who gathered there that evening, in fact he enjoyed these get togethers. Between being the deputy sheriff of his town and taking care of his family he wasn't able to allot most of his time for socializing. It was nice to catch up with his friends.

In all honesty, it was the party planning that was a pain in his ass. Rick was all to keen to supply his guests with simple cold beer and a couple of plain cheese pizza's and call it a day. However, Michonne's gentle chiding had him serving craft beers and curated wine and cheese pairings, which led to some ribbing on Daryl's end as he huffed at the selection laid out when he entered Rick's home.

Lost in thought, Rick rubbed a free hand over his forehead. He walked over to said cheese plate and dipped his finger through the buttery mystery cheese spread and shoved it into his mouth. He cocked his head at the surprisingly appealing taste and sucked his forefinger, removing the remaining traces of the creamy treat.

Judith stirred in his arms as she recognized the voice of the latest guest to arrive. He followed her gaze to find it focused on Michonne, his girlfriend, or rather ex-girlfriend.

Rick sighed and attempted to readjust his squirming daughter but thought better of it and put her down, only to have her stumble off into the direction of his stunning ex.

Of course Judith abandoned her father in favor of Michonne, who wouldn't? Of course Michonne bent down and scooped the toddler into her welcoming arms. He watched in awe as Michonne blew raspberry's into Judith's neck whilst wiggling her elegant long fingers into her belly.

His two best girls were soon joined by Sasha and Maggie as they greeted Michonne and joined in on the tickle fest with Judith. Rick knew he couldn't sulk at his own party and had to summon his good ole southern boy manners and offer Michonne a "Hello." And just as he was summoning up enough courage he watched Maggie relieve Michonne of her coat and reveal the outfit underneath it.

Rick hung his head and let out a small mirthless laugh. Of course after not seeing each other for a month she casually walks into his home bewitches his friends and daughter and does so in 'The Dress'. The kinda white halter thing dress that was somewhat inappropriate attire for the time of year, that was solely created for the purpose of inflicting Rick Grimes with a case of dumb stupid lust.

The dress that he insisted she wear when he brought up their (at the time what he thought) inevitable wedding. She simple smiled waved a hand at Rick, reminding him that it was bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding. She also reminded him that she didn't need a piece of paper to reinforce her commitment to him. All things Rick knew, but he was also convinced that he could sway her mind. They would probably arguing about taking his last name but he was all to willing to compromise on that issue. As long as he could put his ring on her finger.

Alas, none of these things came to fruition and here they were in Rick's living room. Michonne engrossed with baby girl in her arms and Rick picturing himself freeing her from that dress. Untying the knot at the base of her neck and watching it slip and pool along the lithe length of her waist. His mouthing watering at the thought of her full breasts announcing themselves from the soft material and pebbling nipples forming into tight warm peaks enticing Ricks tongue into lapping at them in short and long flicks.

Rick exhaled and shifted his stance while trying to ignore his stiff cock throbbing urgently through his jeans. There was no use in trying to calm his excitement, it was all the handy work of Michonne, just being in her alluring presence was enough to turn him into an overeager teenage boy. At least he didn't have to make the awkward trip through the living room to say hi, she was currently making the trip for him.

The slinky material of the dress whispered between those luscious thighs of hers as she came to stand in front of him, Judith in tow. Rick took a deep breath and nodded, "Hey." he said softly.

"Glad to see you." Michonne responded with a gentle smile.

"Glad to see you too."

They stood that way for a moment, just taking in each others presence, reacquainting in silence as they checked each other out.

Rick took a step forward and curled his arm around her waist and drew her to his chest. His eyes flitted from her's to her chest and bent slowly to press a kiss to her cheek. Michonne accepted it and threaded her fingers through the long tuff of curls at the nape of his neck, prolonging their touch.

"Mee-Shown!" Judith exclaimed, interrupting their reunion and connection. Always fighting to be the center of attention, she resumed her erratic prodding of her father's face to break the two apart.

"Hey Miss Judith!" Michonne took a step back and bounced the tike on her hip. "I honestly thought she would've forgotten me after all this time." She said somberly. The separation was hard on her he could tell. It was a hard adjustment going from spending every possible moment with each other and his children to complete radio silence. Rick was still in awe that she decided to come to the party. The party she happily planned for his community.

"How could she?" Rick tilted his head and pursed his lips as he spoke. Michonne was unforgettable. Her absence was quantifiable from his home, but her presence remained in his thoughts. He licked his lips, not quite over the fact that she was standing there back in his home.

"Stay?" Rick blurted out. His overeager nature betrayed him, as it always did around her. He quickly added, "After the party?"

Michonne breathed in deeply. She glanced down at Judith and continued her rocking movements with the oblivious giggling girl, back and forth she went while assessing his request. Nothing good could come from this. They agreed the best way to move on from their fast and heavy relationship was distance and complete end of all communication.

However here Michonne was. Standing in his living room and uncharacteristically peeking out at him from underneath her curled lashes, no doubt mentally weighing the pros and cons. There had to be a reason other than her obsessive attention to detail where the party was concerned, and an obligation to ensure Rick didn't mangle the plating of the charcuterie.

"I'll stay awhile." she answered, drawing her attention back to Judith the poor unknowing buffer.

Rick let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and nodded.

"Alright then."