The skies parted and the angels sang. Rick and Michonne became a couple. During the whole experience one thought going through Michonne's mind, well other than, here comes another orgasm was not Carl.
That is not entirely true either. Her first thought on the couch was Oh, shit. They taste the same.
When Carl heard via Jesus, that I am waiting for your mom and dad. He frowned because surely this pretty homeless looking dude had to be mistaken.
Mere seconds later, the cavalry came in with guns ablazing, emerged topless in his drawers and Michonne was right behind in all her glory- dreads in high ponytail in a tight tank and boy shorts and surprisingly long bow legs. He had never seen that much of her before. That was awesome for all of one second. Next second, he smirked at her for the simple fact he was right about her feelings for his father and he wanted her to know. His smugness lasted until she turned away. Then his father's eyes met his, who looked at his son sheepishly and said, "Carl."
"Hey?" For the first time in his life he knew what it meant to be jealous. My God, it was an ugly feeling but he felt it. Hard core.
Then his mind turned back to that night in the infirmary and what she said to him. Jealousy and anger forged together and made a hurt baby.
Jesus saw the look on the boy's face and almost wanted to apologize. He was nothing if not an astute judge of character. He their dynamic figured out in seconds.
Rick said, "You said we need to talk. . ."
As the adults went downstairs, retreated back into his room. He went into his closet. Found a hollow spot in the wall and punched it several times. He pulled his hand back and saw it was bleeding a little. He did not care. He took a series of deep breaths. And just stood there for a while.
The sharp, acridly putrid stitch of shit wafted into his nose. He stepped out and saw Judith on the potty pooping with all her baby might.
He laughed a little when he saw her.
When she saw him towering over her, she threw her tiny hand up and declared, "Don't look, Budder." She could not pronounce brother.
He turned his head.
"Around," she managed to say. She wanted to see the back of his head.
Four more minutes of her grunting passed before she said, "Wipe me."
He shook his head in dread but went and got the wipes. Truth be told, he loved the responsibility. She was his to take care of. It had been that way since forever at least until, "Momma." Judith said.
Be wiped her hard. He always tried to get it all one clean swipe.
"Better?" He asked wiping again and seeing it clean.
She nodded.
He tried to put a pull-up on her but she ran for the open door.
"I want Momma, Budder."
Getting as close to her level as he could, Carl begged, "Please, Judy, just go to sleep. I am begging you just go to sleep. Don't make me go down there right now."
"I want Momma, budder." She snuggled her face into his chest.
Knowing, Michonne was her momma, he took a deep breath and brought her downstairs.
They were side by side at the table looking every bit a couple. He literally threw up in his mouth a little bit.
He took a deep breath. With his southern manners in full tact, he said, "Excuse me."
It went unacknowledged.
So, he cleared his throat and said with all the teenaged indignance he could summon, he said, "I said excuse me."
"What is it, Carl?" Rick asked a little annoyed.
"Judith said she wanted Momma. So, I figured either she was talking about Michonne or I really need to cut my hair," he said passing the baby to Abraham to give to her. He did not want to chance touching her.
Jesus laughed.
"Kid's funny," he said.
Carl went back upstairs. He took the potty and put in his dad's room and closed the door. He knew it was immature and dumbass thing to do but it made him feel better. The smell of shit is enough to kill anyone's libido. He also went into Michonne's room and took her lotion.
He returned to his room, closed his door and went under his bed and pulled his duffle bag. One time in the woods, he found an unopen bottle of Marker's Mark. Every once in a while, when he could not sleep, he take a couple swigs and pass out. He had it for two months. He drank at least half a pint before he put it back.
He laid in bed and stared at the ceiling. His mind went back to how fit and just unadulterated fine she looked. He could not help it even though he wanted to. He grabbed the lotion. His hand travelled between his legs as it often did this time of night. He closed his eye and soft moans passed his lips as hands did their work.
During the fifteen minutes, he remembered the feel of her breast, her ass and bare skin of her back, the way she tasted, her smell, well the lotion helped with that. The sounds and soft sighs she made when they touched- he had it bad and he knew it. He felt anger behind all this.
After having the world's angriest orgasm, cleaned himself up and fumed. He left the white towel on the nightstand beside him.
If Rick and Michonne had hooked up hell, six months before he would have took it in stride. He almost would not have cared. But, this was different. He had tasted those lips first, grabbed that ass first. He knew his father deserved to be happy just not with her.
"Why me?" He asked out loud. He knew maybe he was being a little irrational. It is not like she promised him anything. She downright told him no. But, that was not the point. But as long as she was single, there was hope.
He turned on his side and tried to go to sleep.
Thirty minutes passed. He had very nearly succeeded when he heard his door open. He knew who it was without turning around.
"I hoping I would be asleep before you waltzed in here," he groaned.
She sat on the foot of his bed with her back to him with a sleeping Judith in her ams.
"Carl, I, you weren't supposed to find out like this. Tonight was the first time-"
"This may come to you as a shock but I really don't want to hear about you giving my dad some pussy."
Michonne's mouth flew open.
"Don't talk to me like that. You do not have the right."
"You want to talk about rights? You know how I feel and you do this. I had no idea you were so fucking selfish and callous. Live and learn, huh? All the swinging dicks here, you choose the one attached to my dad."
"We did not plan it. It just happened."
"That happens a lot with you, huh?"
Accusatory, she said, "No, you planned that night. You put olive oil on your mouth because Judith ate your chapstick. Why you think I commented on it?"
"So, what if I did? You always on my mind. Unlike you. You do not think very much of me at all. My dad is a hero, I get it. And he has his whole face."
"Carl, you are still handsome-"
"Spare me the pep talk. You know what. Most decent people would have let the other person stew in peace because they would have the, what's that word. You used it the other day talking about what a mouthy dick Abraham can be some times."
"Propriety," she said drolly.
"If you had left me alone, by morning I would have calmed down enough to pretend I am okay with it. I am raw right now. I don't want to talk to you or him."
Michonne knew there was not a whole lot she could say. After all if the tables were turned she would feel the same way.
"Carl, I am so sorry. But-"
Laughing mirthlessly, he said, "Really. Sorry? Why apologize?"
"I feel badly," she said.
"Aww. Is that before or after you came?" He said caustically.
"Carl," she said.
"Quit saying my name. I know my goddamned name. You are not sorry. You got what you wanted. How special does that make you? I never get what I want. Ever. What makes you so fucking special?"
"I am not," she said.
"Yes, you are. I was sport for you, I get it. An ego boost. It hurts very much but I was never what you wanted. I just want to go to bed. Go away. Wait. I lied," he said.
"About?" She noticed her lotion and put two and two together.
"I did get what I wanted once. When I thought Judith was dead, only thing I wanted was her alive again. Three months later there she was. So give her to me and leave."
She got up and leaned over him to give him the toddler. She smelled the whiskey on his breath.
"You have been drinking?"
"What? I got secrets. You are going to tell my dad? That would be the cherry on this cake of despair."
"I am not going to tell on you."
"Please go. I am begging you," he sounded more sad than angry.
"I never promised you anything. I told you that you and I can't happen. I thought you accepted that."
"Clearly, you were mistaken. Go away. You are not my mom. You are not anything to me right now. Go be in your boyfriend's face and fuck off," he wanted to call her a bitch but he could not bring himself to demean her like that out loud. However, you best believe he call her a bushel barrel of bitches in his head.
"I deserve that," she said walking away.
"Glad you approve," he said.
She gingerly picked up his come towel and put in the hamper on way her out. Last thing she wanted was Judith to get hold of it.
Michonne had never felt so monstrous about being happy. But, damn it, she was happy. She knew the elder Grimes was the right choice just from a logistical standpoint. She could be seen with him and not be judged harshly. She had never been confronted by this situation before. She had never been in love with two men or had them be in love with her.
She returned downstairs and was greeted with a big smile from Rick. She smiled back shyly and took her place beside him.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Carl was lying on his right side weeping rather loudly. The salty tears quickly wet his bandage causing his eye socket to burn. He did not care.
His sister woke up.
"I want Momma," she said rubbing her eyes.
"So, do I. That is the problem," he said.
Morning came.
He woke up feeling a little groggy. His sister had been awake for awhile staring at him. He ran his hand over his face and realized his bandage was off. He had been terrified of anyone seeing him like that.
"Budder, you have a booboo," she said before standing up on the bed and kissing it before he could stop her. She accepted him as he was.
"All better," she grinned. He always kissed her booboos.
Touched, he swept her up and hugged her tightly.
"I love you so much."
"I love you, too."
"Come on. Let's get ready to enter the Thunderdome," he said.
He let her help him put the bandage on. He changed her clothes. Put her in the playpen and got changed in the bathroom.
Soon, they were downstairs.
His father, Michonne, Jesus and a couple others were talking. He could tell they had just woken up themselves.
He put her in her high chair and made her some farina a quarter of a banana. She could feed herself. Mostly.
The only open seat was naturally beside Michonne. He pulled out the chair and sat down.
She had been watching him on the sly trying to feel him out.
He smirked and gave her the side eye. Basically calling her a whore without words. She turned away. The shame was palpable.
Overnight, his attitude had not so much changed as it had evolved.
He waited about thirty minutes and pulled her aside.
"Look, last night I was out of line. I am sorry," he said.
"It is okay. Not really. I took credit for the potty. That was foul," she said.
"I was pissed."
"You aren't now?"
"I did not say that. I, uh, just understand. I guess. And I meant everything I said. I was not drunk. Still, I know this must be hard for you. I guess. But, if you want me to tell you not to feel rotten about it, that isn't happening."
"This is officially worst non apology ever."
"I am sorry I used blue language and that is honestly about it. So, yeah."
Michonne said with exasperation, "It would be a lot easier if you and I could come to an understanding."
"We did. You chose him. End of discussion. I will play nice but do not expect me to be happy for you. That is asking entirely too much of me," he said before turning away from her refraining from rolling his eye.
As much as she did not want it to, him being so angry with her really disturbed her. She cared about his feelings but even she had to admit her feelings for Rick meant she a little bit more.
Not too long after encountering Michonne, he came across his father. Lying to him was much simpler because he had not the faintest idea of what had transpired between them. He knew Rick was not out to hurt him. Just get laid. He was not admit his dad was in love with her too.