A/N: So . . . clearly you're hear for the mess in my brain. Although the characters are real people, all story lines are fiction. Please anti's stay out y'all feelings lol . Okay here we go. If you're against real-life shipping this ain't for you boo. Just stop reading now.

PART I

Andy spent the last two years of his marriage trying to hold on as tight as he could, but it was Gael that flew in to town to surprise him in the middle of work to serve him divorce papers.

Ten years gone from his life. Ten years spent in something that wasn't even going to last.

Andy couldn't believe it. He took the flight several times to go back home in between shooting and knew it was about an eight hour flight. That means that during that eight hours Gael was on a mission to divorce him, she probably did not even think twice about it. Within those hours she could have easily decided that their marriage was worth fighting for, but there was no doubt in his mind that Gael had enough with him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now approaching Cape Town, South Africa where the local time is 6:15 p.m..."

Andy began buckling his seatbelt preparing for the descent of the plane. He initially thought he would get some rest at some point throughout twenty hour flight, but his mind was reeling. He tortured himself replaying every argument he could remember. Considering what he could have said or done to prevent this. Needless to say, he only grew more frustrated with himself, his head beginning to pound with an impending headache.

Before he left, he'd made a promise to his mother that he would not spend the majority of his trip in bed, as Cape Town was a beautiful town that opened up into the South Atlantic Ocean. She recommended him that he stay near the mountains, knowing that hiking was something that Andy loved to do in his spare time and it would be therapeutic for him. His mother loved South Africa, she had spent many years living there herself and endorsed it as the best place for Andy to go clear his mind after the horrendous dissipation of his marriage.

'I should've listened to mum, when she tried to talk me out of marrying Gael so fast,' Andy thought as he sat on the outside deck of the ocean front restaurant. The shrimp on his plate beyond exquisite, yet no amount of red wine seemed to wash away the sour taste in his mouth that Gael left.

She had the nerve to request full custody from the judges. 'I was the only one working and providing for the family, yet she was making an argument that she'd be a better fit for a home for our children. Ridiculous. She thinks just 'cause she came from money that she's better than me. She always thought that way and I chose to ignore it.'

His waitress knew her customer was on the cusp of not being able to drive home but she could not help offering more wine as a buffer to ask her embarrassing question.

"Excuse me sir," the young waitress said, interrupting Andy in the middle of his self-dialogue. She chewed on her bottom lip before continuing, "Would you happen to be the guy who plays Rick Grimes on television?"

Andy sighed. Usually he would not mind fans of the show coming up to him, but he was currently a hot mess. He did not want his ex-wife to see him drunk and by his lonesome halfway across the globe from home. He could not give her the satisfaction that he was even bothered.

"Yea, that's me. Do want a selfie?" Andy released his knife and fork onto the white tablecloth in front of him.

"Oh sir, yes if it's not too much. I'm so sorry to bother you during your dinner," the waitress apologized.

"No, it's okay. Really." Andy waved her to come pose near him so that they were both in the frame of her phone's camera. He was able to conjure up his signature goofy face and point, aware that the picture would be all over social media within the next couple of minutes.

'I don't look out of the normal. Black shirt, jeans, my lucky cougar hat, typical Andy,' he thought once more, taking a quick glance at himself.

He was fortunate enough to have his divorce completed without it becoming public and that is how he wanted to keep it. Sure, celebrities got divorced all the time, but to him it was an embarrassment. He once prided himself on having a marriage that withstood the pressures of Hollywood, but his ex-wife was not making things easy. She hated his job.

When they first got together he was a young up-and-coming actor with barely any big projects to his name. Actually acting roles were far and few between, so when they met he took a stable job as a director of a tv show. His agent called one day and persuaded him to go for the lead role of a new series and now he was a star all over the globe. Practically everyone knew of his work. Gael couldn't stand it. The more famous he got, the more time he had to spend away from home, but he thought he was doing his part. Turning down interviews here, missing speaking engagements here. All so he could spend time with his family. The last years of his marriage, Gael did not even come to stay with him overseas the months that he filmed the show. That selfish bitch.

Thankfully, before the end of his meal, the waitress came back to his table to help him get an Uber back to his hotel suite. Andy stumbled down into the luxurious bedroom and plopped face first onto the bed. He normally would not spend the money on something so lavish, but figured he deserved it after the year he had. It honestly would've been cheaper to rent an apartment for his month stay, yet he was jubilant in the idea of being pampered by someone else. His ex-wife had certainly dropped the ball on that.

Their last five months, they had stopped having sex and the time before that was a cringe-worthy attempt at having a romantic Valentine's day, but that day for the past four years had easily shifted into a shower of arguments. Not only was Gael struggling to conjure up any emotional feelings for him that day, she also struggled with her husband being completely enamored with another woman - Danai Gurira.

Valentine's Day was Danai's birthday and every year since they met, Andy would give her a call to wish her happy birthday, which usually ended up in giggles and a giant smile on his face. This made Gael jealous beyond measure. He stopped smiling like that at her after the birth of their second child. But there was something about Danai, they just instantly connected.

Andy's phone vibrated violently on the bedside table. He almost dared not to look at it but he figured it would be his best friend Norman calling to check on him.

Sorry, I'm just now getting to my phone. I am finishing an edit of my speech.

It was Danai. He had asked her earlier that morning what she was doing. He had hoped that she would distract him from his thoughts during his long flight. However, he was thrilled that she took the time to answer anyway, even with it being closer to 9:00 p.m.

A speech? Danai, you work too hard. When's the last time you've been on vacation?

A true vacation? . . . maybe, 3 years ago on my birthday. But you know I travel all the time for work. So that sorta counts.

Lol no it doesn't.

Hey, you don't get to judge me. You work just as hard.

Hence, why I'm on vacation now.

Well speaking of vacation, how's Cape Town?

I haven't gotten to sight-see much. I got in around 6 pm. All I wanted to do was eat and go to bed.

Yea, I saw your goofy picture with your waitress. And sorry if I'm keeping you up. It's noon here but I know that means it's gotta be around 9 p.m. there.

Are you keeping tabs on me? And no you're not keeping me up.

Technically she was keeping him up, but he wasn't going to tell her that. He enjoyed her company too much, to squander it for a few measly hours of sleep that he eventually would get to anyway.

Don't flatter yourself Andy lol. And good, did you talk to the kids today?

Yea, this morning. I thought they would make me feel guilty about going on this trip, but they're so mature. They wanted me to go. My son said 'Dad go relax! You deserve it.'

Aww he's so sweet. I know that made you feel good.

It did. I'm also glad that you checked in on me.

Talking to you is never a chore Andy, now get some rest.

His cheeks flushed red.

Ok, goodnight Danai.

Goodnight.

Andy placed the phone back onto the table and toed off each shoe. He pulled his body closer to the head of the bed and began rearranging his pillows when his phone began to ring. Couldn't have been Danai again. He leaned over and saw Norman's picture of him kissing Andy's cheek appear. It'll have to wait until morning. He was ready to make up for those hours of sleep he missed on the plane.