CHAPTER TWO-
'Home'
Come down off your throne
And leave your body alone
Somebody must change
He rolled his shoulders back slowly as he clenched down on his jaw, his temper quickly building as he listened to the community leader giving him the same meaningless lecture that she had given many times before. Rick huffed as he peered down at Deanna Monroe his irritant's now on full display as he stood in her and her husband's Reg's dining room.
"We have built this community on helping others…being a beacon of bringing in new life, a new-found hope… to allow our community to flourish-to grow to the amazing sanctuary that I know that we can be" she reasoned through a gentle smile
Rick rolled his eyes in response as he placed his hands on his waist defiantly, "Why would you want to risk your people's safe-"
"-our" she corrected sweetly
He let out an exasperated sigh as he bit out, "our people's safety. You remember what happened the last time we allowed newcomers in? -those assholes came in here… slaughtered entire families and drained us of almost all of our resources. So, I don't know about you but I don't take risk anymore…I don't take chances anymore. My family's safety is my priority anything else is impermissible"
"You are intriguing constable..." she smiled out as she studied him curiously before continuing "…we need people Rick, we need more hands, maybe even another constable or two. We need others" she shrugged out warmly
Rick ran his fingers through his ear length curls roughly as he adjusted his weight between his feet, "This is not how it works" he huffed out through hooded eyes
"This is how we work" she soothed out through a warm smile
Rick threw his hands up in frustration, shaking his head furiously in disagreement. The fact that she was so hell bent on putting her communities lives at risk to be some type of savior for the new world pissed him off. A real leader would understand that this world could bring out the worst in a person, you can't blindly trust any tom-dick or harry that showed up begging for a place to lay their head. It didn't work that way in the old world and it damn sure wouldn't work that way in the new one. Rick was preparing to plead his case again when the front door to Deanna's suddenly opened, Maggie appeared bearing a bright smile.
"Well hello Mrs. Rhee" Deanna greeted warmly
"Afternoon mam-" Maggie beamed out as her eyes shifted between the community leader and her childhood friend, Rick. The deep scowl on his face proved that he was in no mood for anything trivial at the moment; all she could do was hope that she wouldn't be the next to get their head chewed off. She cleared her throat quickly, "I hope I wasn't imposing" she responded as she glanced at Rick and then Deanna
"Oh no-me and Constable Grimes were just having a little chat about some things but I believe that we have worked them out now-Haven't we constable?" she asked as she shifted her gaze over to Rick
He huffed loudly before responding, "Yeah" he bit out as he glared at the woman
"Well alright..." Maggie smiled out before continuing, "…the others are back. Glenn and Abraham just arrived but- they're not alone" she drew out.
Rick snapped his head into her direction, "Excuse me?" he bit out, leaning closer to ensure he heard Maggie correctly
"You heard me right the first-time Rick" she responded back sharply
"Oh wonderful..." Deanna exclaimed as she clasped her hands together, "…let's go welcome them. We could have them interviewed and settled into a home before nightfall" she beamed out as she began standing up from the table
"I can't believe this shit" Rick belted out through a deep scowl as he stormed out of Deanna's dining room and home, heading in the direction of the front gates; leaving the two women speechless inside.
As soon as Glenn caught sight of Rick, he rushed towards him, "Rick before you say any-"
"What is this?" Rick spat angrily, cutting off his friend mid-sentence
"I need you to talk to them" Glenn responded urgently
"NO-I said no new people" he hissed back
"Rick I know what happened with the last group but-"
"BUT nothing…we do not allow stragglers inside of these walls" he nearly growled out uncooperatively as he peered at his friend
Glenn shook his head forcefully, "STOP and look at them…just look at her Rick" Glenn pleaded as he glanced towards Michonne, who's back was turned to them as she canvased the area. Rick could hear the conviction coming from the man he looked to as a brother, he knew that this had to be something for Glenn to fight so hard for it, for him to be so defiant about. Without saying another word, he stalked forward-his brown cowboy boots clanking loudly against the gravel as he strutted towards the iron bars.
You are the reason
I've been waiting so long
Somebody holds the key
"I ain't sure what ya'll are looking for but it ain't he-" he stopped abruptly as the woman turned to look at him. His world seemed to slow as his breathing began to hitch, the only thing he could hear was the sound of his heavily beating heart. Rick stood there dumbfounded as the woman he deemed the love of his life years prior stared back at him. The scowl once worn, now replaced with a look of astonishment as he took her in. Her long locs were pulled up into a high ponytail as they cascaded down her gorgeous shoulders and back- a brown, black and blue tribal print head wrap secured them in place. A white camisole was tucked under a brown leather vest that hit right at her midriff, she sinfully filled out a pair of black skinny jeans as a black studded belt accessorized her waist and black combat boots adorned her feet. She was still as gorgeous as he remembered; it was evident that this world of turmoil hadn't taken its toll on her just yet. An overpowering need to be closer washed over him, he slowly made his way outside of the gates and towards her.
Michonne's heart pounded in her chest as her breathing began to labor, her eyes quickly darting between the man who was now coming towards her and her son that stood firmly beside her. She couldn't believe that he was here, that Rick Grimes was right here in the flesh-she had been going over this scenario in her head for years now and she still was at a loss on how to handle it. How in the hell after thirteen long years could she possibly tell this man that they had a kid together? What was she supposed to say? What was she supposed to do? Michonne was ready to face a lot of things in this world but this was not one of them. She quickly straightened up her posture, rolling her shoulders back to ease the nervousness that was gnawing at her gut savagely. This was it… there was no turning back now.
Rick stopped a short distance in front of her, his gawking eyes still locked on her keenly. He cocked his head to the side, still unsure if this was reality or a mere dream. He reached out to her, grazing her wrist softly, the warmth from her skin causing him to exhale sharply. Rick closed his eyes relishing in her feel as tears began welling up. He opened his tear-filled eyes as he seized her wrist again, this time pulling her against his chest as he urgently wrapped his arms around her body; embracing her.
"I can't believe you're real…that you're here" he rasped out in almost a whisper against her ear
Michonne closed her eyes, their embrace unlocking memories of them that she had locked away years ago: their first meeting at the park, their first handhold, their first hug, their first kiss, the first time that they had made love- everything came flooding back to her; hitting her like a ton of bricks. She clung to him desperately as her own tears finally came to a head, this man before her was more than her best friend…he was her first love-her first everything and him standing in the middle of the road with his arms splayed around her, cocooning her in an unwavering love was something unfathomable at that moment.
"Mom?" Andre interjected loudly as he looked between the two crying adults, bewildered
Michonne's glanced at her son before quickly pulling away from Rick, she used the back of her hands to wipe away her tears as she turned towards the confused boy, "I'm sorry baby" she breathed out as she tried to calm the fire of emotion that was burning inside of her
"Who is he?" Andre asked through a scowl as he watched the man approach slowly
"H-He is someone that I have known for a long time. My best friend-my..." she cleared her throat, trying to find the right words to say; not wanting to air all of her business out to the crowd of onlookers that had filled the entrance, "…he is someone that means a lot to me-to us." she informed softly as she gazed down at her son.
Andre jerked his head back as he stared at the cleanly shaven man perplexed, he quickly took notice of the light weight black bomber jacket with a security badge and Commonwealth of Virginia Law Enforcement patches on each shoulder- the grey and black uniform shirt and tie worn under, his rugged straight leg black jeans and brown cowboy boots that looked like they had been through a war themselves.
"Who's this?" Rick questioned as he glanced at Michonne and then back at the leering teenager in front of him
"This is Andre-Anthony…my son" she responded softly as she bit down on her lip, anxiously
Rick nodded slowly as he stared at Andre, wondering how old the boy was exactly. His height and muscular build proved that he was embarking on the journey of new found manhood but his face-his soft, stoic face showed that he had to be around his son's age. Carl was only eleven and had not gone through his growth spurt yet but he could still tell that they were close in age. Rick looked a little closer at the striking young man-taking in his caramel brown skin that glistened like fine gold under the sun's rays, thick dark chocolate locs fell down his shoulders-stopping at his chest like a mane, his high cheek bones, strong jaw line, pronounced grecian-esque nose and thick pink lips were a thing of perfection but it was his eyes, his soul-piercing blue eyes that bore into Rick's soul, taking him back a little because the only time he had ever seen eyes that pristine were on himself and Carl. His attention dropped down to the boy's outfit next: he wore a white sleeveless t-shirt with a pair of black skinny jeans with knee rips on the legs, a black hoodie was tied around his waist as black leather straps crossed his shoulders and back-encasing two Wakizashi swords…black timberland boots completed the look. There was no doubt in his mind that any child that Michonne created would be beautiful but this young man before him was something of magic… pure unadulterated magic.
"It's nice to meet you Andre…I'm Rick-Rick Grimes" he finally drew out as he extended his hand towards the teenager
Andre frowned in response, his eyes darting between the man's extended hand and now flushed face. He could feel his mother burning holes into him; he was honestly not in the mood to be scolded by her for being rude…so he swallowed his pride and took the man's hand into his own, "I'm Andre-it's nice to meet you too" he mumbled out before quickly releasing Rick's hand and casting his eyes down.
Rick smiled softly at Andre and then Michonne before walking over to Noah who stood stupefied at everything that had just transpired, "Rick Grimes" he introduced with an extended hand
Noah quickly shook his hand, "Noah…" he smiled out before continuing, "…thanks for allowing us to come here. We really needed it" he breathed out before releasing from the handhold
Rick nodded lowly as his eyes traveled over to Michonne, who was now leaned forward-reprimanded her son about what he assumed was for his abrasive response to him. A gentle smile tugged at his lips as he took her in; motherhood was something that she wore very well. Rick could feel his hard-exterior crumbling every time he looked at her: he wasn't the man that she knew before. He was far too gone to be but a part of him hoped that he could one day be half of the man that he used to be.
When I'm near the end
And I just ain't got the time
And I'm wasted
And I can't find my way home
The community leader suddenly appeared through the crowd, approaching the new comers hastily, "Well hello there-My name is Deanna Monroe-founder of The Alexandria Safe-Zone" she beamed out through a warm smile
"Hello-I'm Michonne- this is my son Andre and my brother Noah" she introduced softly as she studied the woman.
Rick huffed, rolling his eyes in response as he watched Deanna greet Michonne and her family, he needed to handle this not her-Michonne was HIS family after all.
Deanna watched them intently before speaking, "I would like to interview you all-individually. I have a feeling that you and your family would be a nice fit for our community. Since you already know our constable Rick here-it should be an easy process" she smiled
"Of course," Michonne agreed without hesitation
"Alright- constable Grimes please collect their weapons..." she instructed Rick before looking back towards Michonne, "this is just protocol. You will have them back once interviews are finished" she informed as she watched Rick begin collection their weapons, starting with Noah
"We can't give these people are weapons" Andre hissed as he looked towards his mother with a furrowed brow
"Andre-we have to. It's only for a few…we will talk to her and then get our weapons right back. We need this baby…so I need you to work with Mommy. I need you to be my backbone on this-Alright?" Michonne urged as she locked eyes with her son, silently pleading with him to trust her; she had gotten them this far after all.
Andre searched his mother's warm brown eyes, he knew that she would never leave him astray…that she would never do anything to hurt him or put his life in danger. She was his mother-a damn good mother at that. She was all that he had in this world and she was all that he would ever need. "Okay" he breathed out as he began to remove his shoulder harness, heading towards Rick who was now collecting Michonne's katana. He stopped in front of the man and extended his weapons to him with a frown.
Rick smirked as he collected the items from the teenager, "I'll take good care of these" he drew out as he watched the boy roll his eyes in response before going back to stand next to his mother.
"Since that is out of the way-it's time to come inside your new home" Deanna beamed out as she gestured for them to follow. They did so, leaving Rick to stagger behind still trying to come down from his Michonne high. He walked through the opened gates, wrapping his free hand around the iron bars he pulled it closed and locked it before trailing behind them towards the Monroe's house.
"Here we are…" Deanna turned to the new arrivals with a smile, "If it's okay with you Michonne. I would like to interview Andre first"
Michonne left out a shaky breath, the idea of her son being taken into a strange woman's home without her freaked her out a bit. Deanna took in Michonne's look of reluctance, "You can stand outside the door if it makes it easier"
"No-it's fine" she huffed out as she looked towards her son, "Go ahead and mind your manners" she reminded through clenched teeth
"Alright…" he drew out before following the petite woman inside.
It had been ten minutes since he entered the woman's home, he was directed into the study and left there for what seemed like an eternity to the impatient teen
"Do you mind if I film this?" Deanna asked in a soft tone as she watched the young man peer outside of the window
"What? Why do you need to film this?" he drew out as he turned around, watching her under eyed from the corner
"I'm about transparency here" she chimed out
Andre rolled his eyes, "Yeah" he rasped out as he watched the woman turn on the video recorder
"Thank you…please sit" she smiled out as she took a seat on the sofa, her eyes never leaving the fascinating young man as he sat in the wooden chair across the room from her. "So, has it always been you, your mother and your uncle?" she began
"…it was others" he responded as he rested his back against the chair, his eyes locked on her
"Hmm-was one your father?" she trudged lightly, not knowing how the teen would respond
"Does it matter?" Andre questioned harshly as he looked around the room
"It matters" she smiled
"What is this place?" he quickly changed the subject, his eyes locked back on her
"This is the start of sustainability- at least that's what the brochures said when we found it" she chuckled out
"So, you just stumbled across it?" he questioned in disbelief
"Well yes"
"Who built it?" he questioned as darted his eyes towards the window
"Oh, the wall? My husband Reg did-he was a professor of architecture, who he was before-who he still is to me and our boys...matters"
Andre scoffed in response, "So you all were behind these walls this entire time?"
"Yes, but we need more people that have lived it-that have experienced being out there. I have found that everyone's experience differs but it all comes back to one thing: survival"
Andre stood up, heading back to the window that he had loitered around early, he watched as his mother and the constable chatted outside. He curled his lip up at the man, "You should keep your gates closed"
"Why?" she questioned curiously
"-Because that's all that it is about, survival at any cost-by any means necessary. People measure you, gauging what they can take-how they can use you and leave you dry. That ain't life but it's the cold-cruel world that we live in now" he looked back towards Deanna
She exhaled, a wide smile forming against her lips, "You are inquisitive…intelligent beyond your young years. The last time I heard something of that nature was when I brought Rick and his people in a few months back. You are more alike than you know…"
"I'm nothing like him" Andre spat
Deanna chuckled, her intuition proving to be right, "I am exceptionally good at reading people so trust me when I say… tu es filius tuus patris tuii" she smiled out warmly
Andre stared at her for a moment before furrowing his brow, "Are we done here?"
"Yes we are-thank you for your time"
Andre walked briskly out of the living room and down the hall, he flung the door open and stomped down the stairs, heading towards his mother and Uncle.
Michonne watched as her son approached with a pensive expression on his face, "What's wrong" she questioned, her eyes locked on the boy
"Nothing" he mumbled out
"Are you sure?" she questioned as she tilted her head
"I'm sure ma" he responded as he finally looked towards his mother
"Okay" she responded softly as she cradled him into her arms
"Michonne?" Deanna called out to her from the porch, "Your next" she smiled out
Michonne looked towards her, nodding in response as her arms fell back down to her waist, "I'll be back" she assured her son and then Noah. They both nodded in response as they watched her climb the stairs and head inside The Monroe's home.
Rick strolled up to Andre, handing him his weapons that he had collected earlier, "Here" he rasped out as his eyes lingered on him
"Thanks" Andre responded softly as he took the weapons from the man and headed towards his uncle, who was now chatting happily with Glenn.
Come down on your own
And leave your body alone
Somebody must change
Michonne lingered by the book case that was nestled against the back wall of the study, her fingers running across the thick material on the books that it encased. Her eyes landing on a dark green hard covered novel, a giddy smile crossed her face as she pulled it from its place and studied the cover, "One Hundred Years of Solitude" she breathed out in awe
"That's a fabulous book…Michonne" Deanna enlightened as she made her way towards the sofa
"It's one of my favorites" Michonne breathed out as she looked towards the leader
"It's yours-" she smiled out, "…let's get started" she continued warmly as she nudged towards the vacant wooden chair. Michonne followed her gaze, responding with a nod as she walked over to the chair and took a seat.
"How long were you out there?" Deanna inquired as she crossed her legs
"Since the beginning" she responded softly
"Where their others?"
"A few-but they didn't make it" Michonne responded as she clasped the book from the bookshelf in her hands
Deanna smiled, watching how graceful the woman before her was, "Who were you before?" she questioned
"A lawyer" she revealed as she adjusted her gaze
She nodded, "I was a congressperson, Ohio…15th district" she smiled out before continuing, "-a lawyer? I figured as such"
Michonne studied the ceiling, musing over her own question, "Did you all build this or was it found this way?"
"This community was planned- with its own solar grids, cisterns, ego based sewage filtration system-we found it…me and my family were trying to get back to Ohio, so that I could help my district manager manage the crisis-the army stopped us on a back road and directed us here. They were supposed to come later-they didn't"
She nodded in response, "Did you put up the wall?"
"There was this huge shopping mall being built nearby and my husband Reg, who's a professor of architecture built it from the ground up with our sons. Soon more people arrived and we had help…we had a community"
"-remarkable" she breathed out in awe as she listened intently to Deanna: this place was somewhere she could raise her family, where she could raise Andre, hopefully with Rick; it was the foundation that they so desperately needed.
"I want you to help lead us-to help Rick guide us to where we need to be. It's something about you Michonne, something that forces him to listen. I've noticed it already-your power over him."
Michonne chuckled to herself, the woman was perceptive for sure. In another lifetime, she would have made one hell of a poker player.
"Will you help me… Michonne?" she leaned forward ensuring that she made direct eye contact, she needed the woman to know just how serious she was
"Yes-yes I will" Michonne agreed as she locked eyes with the woman: who sat with a proud smile on her face.
Michonne walked down the steps, her brother Noah meeting her at the bottom of the concrete pathway, "You and Dre go get settled in... I'm going to knock out this interview and then go talk to Aaron. He's a recruiter and I think it's something I would be good at, Glenn was telling me about it...it's worth a shot. I want to pull my weight around here" he smiled out
"Okay just don't be too long. " she responded, a sense of pride washing over her as she studied the young man before her. Even though Noah was the youngest he always did everything in his power to protect her and take care of them-before and after. He was a good soul- a genuinely good man, something she believed he inherited from their Grandfather Novul. Deep down she thanked the high heavens above that he was nothing like their father Jarrod-that he wasn't a monster.
"Okay..." he beamed out as his sister pulled him into a warm embrace, once parted she watched him ascend the stairs and disappear into the home.
You're the reason
I've been waiting all these years
Somebody holds the key
When I'm near the end
Rick strolled up to Michonne, a content smile on his face as he handed her back her sword, she smiled brightly at him before securing it across her back. "Let me show y'all your new home" he rasped out as he took notice of Andre moving closer to his mother
"Okay" she breathed out before turning towards Dre, "come on baby" she prompted the young man as her, Rick and Andre began heading east on McKnight Dr. Michonne and Rick walked in a comfortable silence, stealing childlike glances from the other as they continued to their destination…Andre boringly kicked at rocks and gravel as he walked behind the adults-purposely maintaining a safe but short distance from his mother.
"He's very protective of you" Rick drew out as he looked over to her
"Yeah-he's always been like that. Ever since he was little...he wasn't clingy just very safeguarding and gallant-he's a good kid…always has been" she responded softly as she looked back at Dre and then towards Rick
" Makes sense-" he rasped out has he squinted his eyes in her direction. It was so many questions he wanted to ask-so many things he wanted to know about her journey to motherhood and how it came about. Apart of him couldn't shake the feeling that he could be connected to the boy in one way or another.
A high-pitched voice pulled him from his thoughts, "Hey Rick!" the person greeted from across the street with a wave
"Hey Jessie" he responded with a head nod as the woman smiled brightly at him, when she took notice of the gorgeous woman and older child next to him, she hurriedly headed inside of her garage.
"Looks like you have some fans" she smirked out as she cut her eyes in his direction
He scoffed as he shook his head in disagreement, "Ain't nothing I want any parts of...plus I don't think I'm much finished with the past yet" he revealed softly as they neared the home
Michonne smiled to herself, the thought of possibly being able to pick up where they had left off made her giddy; it was something she always dreamed of-being able to come back to this…to him…to them but reality was that it would never be just them again, they had a son and that truth needed to be unearthed sooner rather than later.
"Here it is" he drew as he stopped in front of a quaint one story home on the corner of Monroe
Andre and Michonne looked at another with bright eyes as they marveled at the cool green + pure white colonial styled home. Andre stepped around his mother, walking towards the beautiful pink azalea bushes that enclosed the property, he touched one of the flower petals-glancing back at his mother with a cheesy grin. She chuckled softly as she looked towards Rick, "He has a green thumb" she informed sweetly
Rick nodded slowly, "Alright…" he drew out as he took in the happy teenager. This was the first time he saw the boy smile since they arrived a few hours prior, he admired the boy's strength tremendously but he was still a kid no matter what he had to do to keep him and his family going and it warmed his heart that he had a hand in this joy that was currently being displayed. "…It has three bedrooms, two full baths' and a half-the master has a full and the other full and half bath is in the hallway. Nice sized kitchen and bedrooms- I would show ya'll around but I want to give ya'll your privacy. I'll drop some food off for the night from mine a little later and then have someone bring ya'll a bigger inventory in the morning-I'll check on you then" he rasped out as he gazed softly towards her
"Okay…" she breathed out as she searched his eyes, "…thank you for this Rick" she obliged through a warm smile
"It's no problem Michonne…I'm just happy that you're here" he murmured out as he took ahold of her wrist once more, caressing her smooth skin with his fingertips. Michonne caught his fingers into her own, interlocking them as they gazed lovingly at another for a brief moment before parting. "See you soon?" he rasped out
"See you soon" she breathed out with a small smile as they shared another glance before she watched Rick saunter in the direction of what she assumed was his home. Her eyes lingered on him until he was no longer in her line of vision…she walked up to Andre-placing a gentle hand on his back. "Let's head inside" she informed warmly. Andre looked towards her a bright smile still plastered on his face as he nodded in agreeance, he stood from his crouched position and turned towards his mother. Michonne draped her arm around his shoulder contently as they walked side by side up the pathway and stairs…heading into the house that would soon become the home where they belonged.
And I've done nothing wrong
But I can't find my way home
-SD
Song credit/lyrics: Blind Faith 'Can't Find My Way Home'
