Note: Thanks to Abelina for helping me iron out Daryl's voice, and co-writing the Rick and Daryl porch scene ^_^ If you want spot-on Daryl and amazing Bethyl, then look no further!

PILLOW TALK

Michonne lay with her head on Rick's bare chest, ear to his heart. "Could lay like this forever," she murmured quietly, smiling to herself. Rick had one hand at her back, long fingers making invisible patterns on her skin. His free hand reached for hers, interlocking their fingers.

"It is comfortable," Rick chuckled. "Wonderful," he amended. "Peaceful," we whispered. He realized in that moment that he had a sense of calm that he hadn't felt in a long while. "Life's strange, isn't it?"

"Feels a bit lovely at the moment," she replied.

"I meant...I've never felt so connected to anyone. Never. I loved my wife. Loved her with everything. But if I'm honest...if the world hadn't gone the way it did, we probably would have divorced in five years. Or stuck it out till Carl graduated. We weren't happy. I wanted us to be, but we weren't. Do you think we would have met if things had stayed the same?"

She shrugged, but her body had tensed. "I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not."

"I think we would have. I knew the first time I saw you that...Like I'd been waiting for you."

She relaxed at that, exhaling a breath. "Feels like I was waiting for you, too."

"I wonder where and when. If...we wouldn't have Judith. There is that."

She trembled at that. "No. But we'd have had Andre."

"Who's..." Rick frowned as the warmth of tears fell on his chest. "Michonne? Hey, hey now." He held her tighter. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"You'd have liked him, Rick. My son. He was so full of life. That smile could make anything better."

Rick brought her hand to his mouth, kissing it. "How old was he?"

"Three. He was..."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"It's why I didn't stay at the prison, at first. I wanted to be there. With you. With Carl. But hearing Judith...I couldn't bear it. But Beth had me hold her and I just...I just held her to me and cried. Just held her close."

Rick pulled her upward, her face in the crook of his neck, his arms wrapped tight around her torso. She was quiet, but a few more tears were shed. Rick just held on.

He wasn't letting go.

BACK FROM A RUN

"Denise! Someone get me the Doc! Hey Rick!" Daryl yelled, running down the streets of Alexandria, carrying a limp Michonne in his arms.

"Take her to Denise. I'll get Rick," Abraham said gruffly before sprinting to the Grimes' house.

In spite of the hot sun beating down on him, Daryl put everything he had in him as he sprinted to Denise and Tara's. "Denise!" he yelled as he trudged up the steps. Denise flung the door opened as he made it to the last step.

"Why didn't you take her to the infirmary?" she asked.

"You weren't there, were ya?" Daryl snarked.

"What happened?" she asked, opening the door wide for them.

"I dunno. We were out, came across a few walkers. She was fine-kickin' ass. Then outta nowhere she just puked, man. Like, went total Exorcist all over them walkers... Woulda been funny if she weren't about to get eaten." Daryl laid her gently on the couch.

Denise put the back of her hand on Michonne's forehead. "She's probably dehydrated. Get some water from the kitchen," she commanded. Daryl backed away, eyes on Michonne for a moment, before turning away.

Denise held Michonne's wrist, timing her pulse. "You're gonna be okay," she murmured.

Slowly, Michonne came to. Rick was sitting at her bedside, holding her hand. He had been crying. "Rick," she called softly. His head snapped up at the sound of her voice.

"Hey," he said hoarsely.

"What happened?"

"You passed out. Daryl and Abraham brought you back. Denise is running tests. It um...it might be a flu."

"What?" Michonne asked, incredulous, sitting up. "That's crazy. I feel fine."

"You do?"

"Yeah. I think the heat just got to be too much. And the flu...if I did have it, why are you in here?"

"Do you really have to ask?" he said with a tilt of his head and a sad smile.

The sound of knocking made them both turn to the door.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Denise said from the doorway.

"No, it's fine," Rick said.

"Glad to see you up, Michonne," Denise said with a lopsided grin. "Anyway, I finished my tests. It isn't the flu."

"What is it then?" Rick asked. Michonne remained quiet, staring at she and Rick's joined hands. He squeezed a bit tighter as he waited for Denise's reply.

"It's so simple, really. Michonne, you're pregnant."

"A baby, huh?" Daryl grinned, glancing sideways at Rick.

Rick couldn't keep the prideful smile off his face. "We're having a baby, yeah. I can't tell you how relieved I was that that was what was wrong with her. Not wrong, just...you know what I mean."

"Mmhm." Daryl's lip twitched almost like a smile before he turned to look back out over the railing.

"I never gave much thought to having more children. Okay, I didn't give any thought to having more children, but..." Rick shook his head, leaning against the rail, staring at Michonne and Carl through the porch window. They were laughing on the couch, reading a comic together.

Daryl took a swig of his beer, and was silent for a breath or two before he followed the path of Rick's eyes. "But you're happy."

"I am. Didn't think I'd get here. Didn't think *we'd* get here. Can't help but wait for that other shoe to drop." Rick took Daryl's can, taking a healthy swig.

At that comment, something darkened in Daryl's eyes a moment before fading quickly away. He waved off the return of the can and instead reached for a cigarette. "Ain't gonna happen." His lighter flicked and he lit the smoke, taking a deep drag and holding it in. "Ain't gonna let it," he said, words and smoke pouring out together in a rumbling whisper.

Rick brought the can to his lips, finishing the rest of the beer in one go. "We got a good thing going, here. Finally able to settle down." Rick glanced at Daryl. "Do you ever think about that?"

Daryl's snort fell short of the humor he was probably trying for, and he let his gaze drift back out into the dark beyond the railing and stood there, smoking in silence, chewing at his lip between deep drags.

"Daryl. This could be it for us. Outside of runs here and there, our wandering days are officially over. We somehow found that reset button." Rick sighed, shaking his head. "Sorry, I'm just...trying to make myself fully believe it. I'm happy beyond belief. But I'm terrified."

Daryl glanced back, looking at Rick now through a screen of hair. "Yeah," he said, the word half grunted. For a moment he looked like he was going to say more, but he gave his head a shake and took another drag.

Rick shrugged, seemingly shrugging off his concerns. "Speaking of runs, I need to go on one tomorrow. You up for that?"

"Yeah, 'course," Daryl said, pulling his shoulders up straighter as he turned to look at Rick straight on. "Baby shit, or somethin'?"

Rick put the empty can on the rail, then looked at Michonne, his smile now mirroring hers. "No. Well, if we stumble upon some stuff, great, but...I need to find a ring."

Daryl didn't smile, not really, but that rebellious left corner of his mouth lifted just slightly, like even he couldn't help it. "Might be quicker takin' one off a walker."

Rick laughed, patting Daryl on the back, getting a true chuckle out of him. Rick stood up, heading inside. Just as Rick opened the door, Daryl called out, "Rick—"

Rick turned, looking at him from across the porch.

"It's good. You know. The baby. Good for both of you."

Rick nodded at him. "Thanks, brother. You coming in?"

"In a little bit. Can't be smokin' in the house."

Rick let the screen door gently close behind him, and locked eyes with Michonne. He let the love and certainty in her eyes wash over him, and felt that sense of peace once more.

UNDER THE WEEPING WILLOW

"Your hair came out really nice," Maggie said, admiring the curled tendrils in the afternoon sun as Sasha walked ahead down the pathway that lead under the weeping willow. "You look lovely, really."

Michonne's dress was simple-off-white, thin straps, and billowy.

"Thank you," Michonne said with a teary smile. "These hormones...seems like all I do is cry."

"Stop, or I'll start crying too," Maggie said, wiping at her eyes.

"Can't do that. It's your turn."

Maggie nodded, heading down the path of petals.

Michonne clutched at the bundle of pale blue flowers and sprigs of mulberry with one hand, and held her marginally round belly with the other. "This is it."

She took a deep breath and started to walk. All of Alexandria was out-the town's first wedding. She knew Father Gabriel had wanted her to have it in the church, but there had been something about this massive tree. Michonne loved what it stood for and couldn't see any other place where she would care to exchange vows with the man that she loved. She looked at him then. He had shaved for the occasion, and for her. In lieu of a tux, he wore a dark blue button down and black slacks. He mouthed the words "I love you" as she approached. Rick truly made her soul sing.

There was no one she'd rather spend the rest of her days with.

As Michonne's belly grew, her affinity for wearing Rick's shirts did as well. She'd roll up the sleeves and wear a tank top underneath, something that Rick found incredibly appealing. She was leaning on the porch rail, watching Carl play blanket run with Judith on the lawn. The wind billowed the denim shirt open, exposing the life that was growing within her. Rick strolled up behind her, wrapping his arms around her fullness, kissing her neck. She leaned into him, giving a womanly laugh. She placed her hands on top of his. The sunlight caught her ring, creating a spectrum of light on the porch ceiling.

Rick was certain there wasn't anything more beautiful in the whole wide world than what he had at home.

Note: I know I didn't get to it, because it wouldn't have fit, but on Rick and Daryl's run for that ring, they run into Neegan. He starts talking all crazy, bringing out his Lucille, blah blah blah, and Rick and Daryl shoot him in unison, just like they did that walker.

Yep.

Anyway, if you liked this, please check out some of my original work here [particularly my second novel, THE GOOD SOLDIER. Check my Author Bio for links/address, or search Amazon for Jill Robi].