Chapter 2: "Two"
It has been a blessed 2yrs standing in Michonne's circle. Alexandria is striving, the citizens contented. Eugene's amno factory has been in operation for almost a year now...well 9mths to be exact. The first couple of mths was spent searching for the right materials to make the bullets. Six mths ago he and Abe met a slippery character named Jesus and now they are trading with his community the Hilltop. That community is now their secondary food basket and in exchange Alexandria train their people in defences as well as give them weapons.
Judith began walking one year ago to everyone's delight and Maggie and Glen welcomed their daughter Elsa 6mths ago. It's Friday night and Rick's family has made it a tradition to have dinner together once a week. As Rick leaned back on the counter, he observed the chatting brood. Abe was rubbing his new wife Sasha's belly as she sat on his lap. She was eight mths pregnant.
Rosita was also sitting on Daryl's lap..she just found out that she was 3mths pregnant. She and Carol chatting away happily about her and Daryl's wedding plans. Eugene was also there with his girlfriend Vicki, one of the Alexandrians. She has blended in nicely with their group.
Carol's boyfriend Tobin wasn't feeling well so he decided to skip dinner. He too was slowly becoming a part of Rick's tight knit family. Carl was over at his girlfriend's Enid's house for the night. Suddenly, there was a squeal that caught his attention. It was Michonne and Judith on the floor. Both were laughing and giggling.
He vividly remember when Judith called Michonne 'mama' for the first time. Michonne bursted into tears and fled the room. Rick had followed her. She was overwhelmed with joy and also sorrow as she too remembered when Andre first utter those words. She had confessed that she still thinks about Andre even when holding Judith.
He assured her that its was OK, that she was not suppose to forget him...ever. That it wasn't a negative reflection on her. More squeals pulled him back from his memories.
"Ok young lady. It's time for bedtime."
Knowing this tone, Judith ran over to Rick and held on to his leg.
"Dada."
"It seems you want to put me in trouble with your mother. Nice try sweetheart."
Judith held on tighter, refusing to let go. Michonne was about to pick her up when Glen spoke.
"Hmmm…" Baby Elsa has just puked all over Glen's shirt. Rick looked at Michonne.
"I got this" as he picked up Judith in his arms to take her to bed.
"Here..I'll take Elsa while you go clean up." She took Elsa from Glen.
"Thanks Mich.."
Maggie headed home to get Glen a clean shirt while glen went to the bathroom. Michonne playfully nuzzled with the baby. Ten minutes later Rick came back downstairs after getting Judith asleep. Maggie was at the table chatting with the others while Glen and Daryl was drinking beer on the sofa.
"Where's Michonne?"
"She's on the back porch with Elsa."
Rick followed. There he saw Michonne sitting with Elsa cradled in her lap. He was about to approach them when Michonne began to speak to the baby.
"I had a baby once you know. His name was Andre and he was kind and sweet and gentle..maybe too gentle for this cruel world. He's not here. I was a good mother I think. I just made a terrible mistake and now he's gone. I miss him so much. You remind me of him."
Since Michonne's confession to him 2yrs ago about Andre, they never discussed it again but he know that Andre is never too far away from her thoughts. Since that day Michonne had whimpered his name in her sleep..unconsciously crying a couple of times.
He would just pull her close and she would nestle against him. He looked at his wedding ring. Michonne made him the happiest man alive when she said 'I do' to him one year ago but their family is still not complete. They needed a baby..SHE needed a baby. It was then and there that Rick decided….he was going to give Michonne a baby.
It's been 2wks since Rick made that promise to himself but he has been struggling to bring up the topic to Michonne. So he decided to ask the one person who knows her as well as he does.
"Hey. You got a minutes?"
Carl was in the armoury.
"Yes." Rick frowned.
"How will you feel about expanding our family?" Carl's eyes narrowed at first then widen with excitement.
"She's pregnant?! Mom's pregnant?!"
"Slow down Carl and keep your voice down! And no..she's not pregnant."
Carl was disappointed.
"I'm sorry."
"It's OK...but you guys are thinking about it right?!"
"Well..I am. Don't know how your mom will feel about it."
"You haven't talked yet?"
"You know this is difficult for her, especially since Elsa was born and Sasha is about to pop soon. Plus Rosita will be due is a couple of mths as well."
"Well talk to her dad."
Rick looked at his 16yr old son..who has grown so much in maturity. Michonne can take credit for that.
"Are you going on the supply run with Heath later this evening?" Rick nodded. "Don't. I'll take your place. Talk to mom..today." Carl turned to leave. "I hope to hear some good news when I come back."
Later that evening….
"Are you doing anything right now?"
"Was just about to pick up Judith from Maggie's. Why?"
"Come...let's go for a walk."
Rick took her hand. They strolled through the well maintained streets of the community for about ten minutes in. The evening was cool and breezy. As they walked passed Ms Celia's house, Rick picked four of her daisies and gave them to Michonne.
"You're scaring me Rick. What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
His hand reached for around her waist and pulled her into him as they walked. They reached the small community park. Rick was glad there was no one there. Another ten mins passed and Michonne couldn't take the silence anymore.
"Jesus Christ Rick!" She turned to face him. "Spit it out! What's wrong?!"
Its all or nothing he thought.
"I think we should have a baby…"
Michonne was taken aback at first..then she made an attempt to speak. Rick stopped her..putting his finger on her lips.
"Before you get upset or say no, just hear me out OK. Despite what happened to Andre..how you feel about yourself..you ARE a good mother. You raised Carl and Judith as your own and I see the way you dote on Elsa. You are a good mother…"
"Rick…"
Rick cut her off.
"Wait..please! I want this and I know you want this too. The world is not ideal..I know that but that doesn't mean we stop living. We have Alexandria..this is our home. We are already raising a family and there is room to add more. There is room, love and support for another baby.."
"Rick..listen.."
Rick ignored her.
"You wouldn't be alone! I am here, Carl is here, Abe is here, Daryl is here...we are all here. We are living babe..we are living despite what the world is now. I want a child that is part you and part me! I want you to have a child of your own!"
Rick was now kneeling in front of her, his hands caressing her hands...his eyes pleading with her eyes. He then buried his face in her bosom.
"I know this is painful for you and I'll understand if you can't but I just wanted you to know how I feel. I want this as much...if you want this too."
Michonne ran her fingers through his perfect brown curls. She loved Rick with all her heart and she does see Carl and Judith as her own. Losing Andre was the lowest point in her life and it almost destroyed her. The pain was so deep. Rick and Carl and Judith pulled her back from hell but she knows she wouldnt survive if she lost another child. She raised Rick's face to hers and kissed him.
"If you had let me finished earlier you would have gotten your answer mins ago." She kissed him again. "You are right..I am not alone anymore and this is our home...let's do it..let's have a baby."
Rick waited impatiently as Denise set up the sonogram machine the Hilltop gave them. "It seems you guys need it more than us." Dr Bryce had chuckled 3days earlier.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes!" Rick shouted
"Calm down baby..calm down."
Denise began the examination. It has been a busy four months. They made love everywhere..in the shower, the kitchen, in the park in the dead of night, on supply runs..everywhere! Rick proudly gave his stack of condons to Eugene.'I don't need them anymore..' He boasted. The first mth Michonne was late Rick wanted to see Denise right away, but fearing disappointment Michonne wanted to wait. Three mths have now passed and now here they are.
"You guys hear that?"
It was strong..the heartbeat. Rick never felt so overwhelmed in his life. He squeezed Michonne's hand as a quiet joyful sob escaped her lips.
"We don't want to know the sex." Rick and Michonne had made the decision to be surprised. He kissed Michonne.
"We're having a baby!" Michonne cried.
Denise turned to them.
"I think you misunderstand. Listen to this again." They did. "That's not one heartbeat..it's two."