Dear Reader,

I'm trying something new and I hope you will like it. This is a blend of two shows that I love(d) very much since the powers that be have cancelled Chicago Justice. I loved Peter's character and I thought I'd pay homage to him in this Fic. First and foremost this is a Richonne story so please be patient. Instead of Andrea being Michonne's best friend Peter will be her bestie.

This story is from a prompt I received from a friend. The synopsis is to have Michonne and Rick come together to co-parent a child they have together from a mix up which occurred at a fertility clinic. Rick had a cryopreservation done prior to undergoing cancer treatments. In the process of co-parenting these two will eventually fall in love.

I have taken a little creative license with the above prompt but I hope you like it.

CQ

...

Christmas at the Williamses

Michonne woke up bright and early on the morning of the December twenty-fourth. She was not looking forward to the drive to her parent's estate in Buckhead for the family's annual Christmas dinner. Today, of all days she wished she could have just stayed in bed. Personally, she felt great, five days prior she gave herself the ultimate Christmas gift, one which if she was lucky would come to fruition in September.

Her thirty-second birthday was a month away; according to her life's plan she should have been married with at least one child and another on the way. Professionally speaking, she was on track as Assistant District Attorney, granted her pay scale and advancement was slower than if she went to work for her dad, Clint Williams a prominent Defence Attorney. She chose to serve her city by taking the undesirables off the streets whereas her father chose to put them back into society. Their ideology was at war professionally.

In the last eight years, it seemed every choice she made professionally and personally was at odds with the construct of the path her parents had carved for her. Christmas dinner will just serve to widen the divide.

…

The Williams clan gathered for supper with their offspring. Her older brother and her father's right hand man Tyrese, his wife Karen and their sons Noah, six and Jonathan, four. Present as well was her younger sister Sasha together with her husband Daryl and their four kids: twins Cody and Carl who were seven, five year old Carol and three year old Merle who made up the Dixon family.

Christmas was like any other traditional holiday at the Williamses where the conversation was dictated by the matron of the house, Donna Williams. But for the silver in her hair she could be Michonne's twin if she were to process her hair like her mother had done.

Both Michonne and her mother were beautiful black women with petite body types. Their skin, the colour of a rich dark roast coffee bean, which glistened as though kissed by the morning dew. They had an oval face with almond shaped chocolate eyes, striking cheekbones and pillowy heart shaped lips. Their bodies had feminine curves in all the right places and well toned arms and legs. The differences stopped there. Donna's hair was a shoulder length bob that was relaxed and sprinkled with silver threads. Michonne's dreads were almost waist length. It was one of the first things that her mother disapproved of. Her siblings all took after their father, they were light skinned with loose curly hair something her mother approved of.

…

Later that evening, as the group engaged in casual talk about their various milestones Sasha announced that she and Daryl were expecting again. There was a pregnant pause as Michonne felt their eyes redirected towards her; ten, nine, eight, seven… Michonne counts down the seconds in her head before it happened.

"Chonne darlin, next month you're going to be thirty-two, do you think I'll be able to have a grandchild before I leave the face of this earth? I know you're single but I know the perfect fellow, I've already vetted him. You'd be perfect for one another. He works at the firm with daddy and his name is Theodore Douglas. It's a nice strong name don't you think?"

And there it was… Her mother was a good ole Andy Cohen, ready to ensure she had a love connection just to sire her another grandchild.

"Mom, I don't need help with my love life. I don't need a man to validate me. I am going to have a child next year, god willing." She watched as the heads snapped in her direction. It was as though they were watching a match at Wimbledon. She had their attention now, their curiosity was peaked. Usually, there was no retort to her mother's interrogation. However, it wasn't common knowledge that her civil status had changed so inquiring minds wanted to know. Her mother most of all waited with bated breath, to think that something happened in one of her children's life and she was the last to know about it almost killed her.

"How are you going to do that and lawd child, please don't say Tinder. I don't want a grandchild you get from swiping."

Michonne was shocked that her mother even knew what Tinder was. "In this day and age mother science has made it possible for those who want to become parents but couldn't do so the ordinary way."

"Yes, that is true dear but there ain't nothing wrong with you Michonne. Your only problem is that you run yourself into the ground working with nothing to show for it. You leave yourself no time to meet a nice young man." As the gravity of what Michonne said dawned on her, Donna replied, "Dear lawd child, you're not seriously thinking of getting turkey basted, are you? What is it with you kids today? Y'all never want to put in the time to do things right, y'all just want express gratification. A child deserve to have loving parents not some drive-thru order at your local clinic."

"Ma," Michonne said in a sing songy voice which signalled her growing frustration with her mother. "I chose public service not because I didn't have options. Even if I was the worse attorney out there I could always have a job in the family business. I chose it as my way of giving back. I can at least sleep at night knowing that I've made a difference. I don't have to watch the scum I put away hurt others but often, I no sooner put them away when others put them right back on the streets again."

Michonne's last comment had hit its mark on her father and brother. She knew it would but she didn't care. Both men physically reacted to her comment but neither challenged her, they were content to let the matron do their bidding. She was tired of feeling that she didn't measure up in this family just because she didn't live the cookie cutter life that was designed for her. It didn't surprise her that her mother felt so strongly about IVF. Donna Williams was very old fashioned in the matters of the heart.

"It's good to know where you stand mom, really. I guess, if I'm blessed in nine months when my turkey's cooked, I know I can't count on you to love him or her. I went through the drive-thru and according to Donna Williams my turkey is not worthy of his or her grandparents love. Not everyone can be like Sasha, ma. I didn't choose to get knocked up by the first guy with dollar signs next to his name."

Sasha was a spitfire unlike their brother Ty who was very laid back like their dad. That said, she wasn't about to let Michonne get away with the insinuation that she married for money and privilege. "Woah sis, just 'cause you chose to let your Mr. Right walk away because you were holding out for someone else don't imply that my marriage is anything less than what it is. I love my husband and he loves me plenty. Had you chosen Peter, your big house would be filled with kids right now. The man was hopelessly in love with you and still is."

Michonne was surprised by what Sasha said but she kept her poker face in place. "Ma, I didn't choose to give up my career like you and Karen did to raise a family. I get Karen because her kids are still young but ma, what kept you at home after Sasha went to school? Personally, I choose to have both a career and a family. Yeah, it's not lost on me that Mr. Right is missing right now, but I'm gonna have what I want and I won't have to bitch about compromising for anything less than I deserve nor will I be casting judgement on others. Merry Christmas y'all!"

Michonne folded her napkin and placed it on her plate, pushed her chair away from the table, got up and stormed out of the room leaving behind family members who were shocked at her behaviour. Her little niece and nephews were upset that their favourite aunt left before game time.

…

Michonne was so upset she didn't even feel the chill of the December night as she left her parents house and walked to her parked vehicle. She got into her BMW and just sat there. She knew she was too upset to drive at that moment so she practiced some relaxing exercises. Meanwhile, her phone in her purse was vibrating incessantly. She ignored the distraction as she tried to calm herself.

Arriving home, her phone was ringing yet again. It had been ringing ever since she got into her car and all the way home. She knew she had several text messages too but she just wanted to be alone. Retrieving her phone from her purse, she saw it was Peter calling so she answered.

"Peter?" She was confused as to why he was calling her. He and Valdez were supposed to be in Chicago where he would be going through a dinner not unlike the one she just left. Doing her best to sound upbeat she continued, "To what do I owe the pleasure? Merry Christmas by the way!"

"Michonne don't pull that shit with me. I've been trying to reach you for the last twenty minutes. Both Sasha and Ty called. I thought you weren't going to say anything until you knew for sure."

"Did she now? Did she also tell you that she started this shit by announcing they were expecting again? Naturally the target shifted to me as to when and the how I was going to give them a grandchild. Mom even had the who lined up for me too. Did you even know that Sasha knew about us?" There was a silence on the line that gave her the answer.

"Michonne it's not what you think. I was about twenty-three and she was what... twenty-one, that night she got real drunk and she needed a lift. She tried calling both you and Ty but no one answered so she called me. I was living with y'all back then it made sense. I went to pick her up and brought Grimes with me. He drove her car and she rode with me. She tried kissing me but I stopped her. I told her I wasn't interested and she got upset. She then told me of course I wasn't because she saw the way I looked at you. I didn't realize it was that obvious because back then you were with Zeke. I'm sorry I never told you." He sighed.

"Look I'm really tired Peter but other than that I'm okay. Thanks for checking up on me. Good night!"

…

The Baby Daddy

Michonne was laying on the couch in her office reading over a brief. The office was quiet and she could actually hear herself think for a change. It was Thursday evening and she had declined joining the others for dinner. She had her twenty week scan the next morning so she was putting in the hours the night before. There was a knock on the glass pane of her office door. She looked up to see Rick Grimes on the other side. She looked at her watch to verify the time and had a perplexed look on her face as she sat up, straightened her clothes and went to open the door. "It's after hours here. Can I help you Grimes?"

"Can I come in?" he asked shuffling his weight from one foot to the other. As Michonne thought about it, her wayward mind was already assessing just how fine his Armani suit looked on him with the blue shirt which punched up the sapphire of his eyes. Seeming to remember what the question was she stepped aside allowing him to cross the threshold into her office.

"Seriously Grimes, we really have to stop meeting like this. I wouldn't want people to get the wrong idea about us."

Rick waited for Michonne to be seated before taking a seat even though she didn't invite him to do so. He raised his eyebrow at her and gave her an incredulous look, "And what might that be Michonne because I'm confused." Michonne not following his line of thought countered.

"Grimes, I'm sorry… were you expecting dinner and a movie first? Do you offer that same courtesy to the women you pick up and dispose of? I'm tired and have this brief to finish before I leave, so if you don't mind, please let yourself out."

"I figured as much, you need to get yourself on a schedule Michonne, you need to eat better and get proper rest. As a matter of fact, I came by to invite you to dinner. Michonne, you can't continue the way you've been going. Ordinarily, I wouldn't care but since you haven't gotten back to me regarding my request to be apart of this pregnancy, I decided to be pro-active in this matter." He watched her as the shock registered on her face.

Michonne's eyes opened wide, her breath caught, she didn't know what to say. As the shock wore off, she stood up and walked around and sat on the edge of her desk. "What did you just say? What do you mean? I slept with you one night and you presume that you've got supersperm enough to knock me up from a one night encounter. As if I'd be stupid enough for that. Grimes get over yourself, please!"

"Calm down Michonne, don't freak out... you don't want to stress the baby. I take it from your reaction you haven't opened my letter. I was at the clinic the same day you were when they told me that my sperm that I had frozen was used by accident. I was really upset I walked out of the meeting and left my lawyer behind. I was sitting in my car out front when fifteen minutes later I saw you come out of the clinic and you were definitely upset. I put two and two together and figured you had to have been the recipient; and knowing you, it made sense that you went all the way to Savannah to keep it private."

"Are you telling me that you knew I was already carrying your child when I took you home three weeks ago? And you still went home with me... knowing I would never have done that if I had known about it. You're a real ass Grimes."

Rick stood up raising both hands surrendering. "Guilty as charged, I was a jerk but Michonne there has always been something between us especially after that kiss, we just never did anything about it before.

Michonne looked at Rick with murderous intent. She couldn't believe he was bringing up that kiss, now. Especially after the jackass left her high and dry without even an explanation as to why he pulled a Houdini and vanished.

Unaware as to why she was reacting the way she was, Rick continued, "Three weeks ago, the minute you walked into the restaurant I knew it was going to happen. I don't know how, I just felt something was going to happen between us. It was in the look you gave me. Plus, for the record, if all you want is a booty call, so be it. I'll happily volunteer to service you because I don't want any strange men up close and personal with my unborn child." He said with a lopsided grin.

Michonne took the crystal vase from the top of her secure cabinet and threw it at him.

Rick anticipated her next move and ducked. The vase narrowly missed him, crashing to the floor it shattered spilling the water, the flowers were strewn all over the floor.

"GET OUT!"

…

The next morning Michonne arrived at work just before lunch to find her office transformed into a flower shop. She had no sooner sat down before Peter was closing her office door behind him and seating himself across from her desk. Her appearance gave him reason to pause. The look of concern was plastered all over his face. He was almost afraid to ask the question.

"Is the baby is healthy?" He was saying a silent prayer for her… for them. "Michonne?"

"Yes, the baby is fine. I'm fine too, Peter." Peter was picking up all kinds of red flags off her it was like a minefield he didn't know where to thread without having her explode right there in the office. He still needed to know what the hell happened last night because of the state her office was in when the cleaners came in.

"Look, I spoke with Jeffries, you and me, we're going to do a drive-by but first we're grabbing lunch. Grab your coat!"

Sitting across from one another in the restaurant he asked, "Michonne what happened last night?"

Michonne's mood was anything but her usual chipper self. Looking at her colleague and friend she confessed. "Shit happened. The baby's daddy came for a visit."

Peter choked on the sip of water he swallowed, using his napkin he dabbed the excess off his suit he looked at Michonne.

"So when exactly did you contact him?" He asked waiting patiently for her response. They were best friends and it wasn't like Michonne to keep secrets from him.

"I didn't, he was outside the clinic when I left. He saw me upset and put two and two together. I had not contacted him so he decided to contact me instead. Peter, I made it even worse, I slept with him after I found out about the screw up at the clinic not knowing he was the father. I never opened his letter; it's still in my drawer at work."

"So I guess y'all had a repeat performance because it looks like he emptied the florist shop this morning. Who's the lucky guy and when do I get to meet him?"

"There's no lucky guy Peter; the baby's daddy is Grimes." Michonne was visibly upset.

Peter choked a second time on his water. The news was certainly a shocker as it appears his best friend was capable of keeping secrets after all.

"Well, that certainly explains the broken vase and flowers on the floor. Michonne you know that you don't have a choice you'll will have to co-parent that child. I get it's not ideal but you'll have to hear him out because he has rights too. If y'all can do it like grown-ups it'll be better for everyone involved because going to court will make an already tense situation so much worse. Just remember it's not about you or him it's about the child."

She knew what Peter was saying was true but for right now she just wanted to spend time alone with her baby before having to share him or her with Grimes. "Peter, I'm not feeling well can you just drop me home? We'll do the drive-by tomorrow. By the way, can you have them remove all that shit from my office? I appreciate it. Thanks."