"Dad, I'm starving," Carl mumbled as he walked into the kitchen. He looked around and realized his dad had successfully managed to make a huge mess just for some spaghetti. He missed Michonne even more in that moment.
"It's nearly done," Rick grumbled. "Why don't you take your sister and go wash up. I'll set some plates out." Rick watched his son and daughter walk upstairs and sighed heavily. He was exhausted. After patrolling the walls early in the morning, he had met all afternoon with Maggie, Daryl, and Abraham to find more ways to secure the walls. Even though they hadn't had an incident in quite some time, Rick wanted them to be ready for the Spring when people and walkers were more likely to attack.
Now he had to cook dinner too. As much as he enjoyed spending time with his kids, Rick couldn't help but think how Michonne's vegetable stew would have made a better meal.
Michonne. These days, everything seemed to remind him of her. She, Glenn, and Heath had only been gone a few days but Rick already missed being around her presence. If he was being honest with himself, he missed her even when she was physically there. That was his fault though. He had screwed everything up.
He thought back to when the herd was threatening the Safe Zone. He was terrified back then. How could he lead hundreds of walkers away, fight off the Wolves, and keep his family safe? Thankfully he had his capable group he could rely on. He had Michonne's calming presence guiding him as he led the others. Carol and Morgan made sure the walls could stand as long as possible. Maggie and Rosita started training the residents. In the end though, it wasn't enough.
Rick could recall with chilling detail how he saw Sam getting eaten alive, and how loud the sound of his machete meeting bone was as he chopped Jessie's arm when she wouldn't let go of Carl. Her screams as the walkers tore into her rang throughout the neighborhood. A shiver went through Rick's body when he recalled how he turned to see Ron holding a gun to him and how Carl jumped in front of his father to protect him. He saw how his son fell down, and how shocked Michonne looked, as she had to kill the teenager in return.
His mind went blank after that. All he remembered was running to the infirmary, begging Denise to save his son, and then ran out and killed as many walkers as he could to quench his rage. He looked to his right and saw Michonne right there with him, even though she was terrified. "Please, I know it's dangerous… just… help me please," he had begged her.
A couple hundred dead walkers later, Rick remembered how distraught he was sitting by Carl's bedside. It was the second time he had seen his son laying on a hospital bed, fighting for his life. This time from a bullet that took out his eye and grazed his brain. He wasn't sure if Carl would make it, and it took everything in Rick not to completely fall apart. As Michonne placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, he held on to it for dear life. She was the strength he and Carl needed. He gave her hand a gentle kiss and cried.
During Carl's weeks of recovery, Michonne became a spout of comfort for Rick. She was patient and kind even when Carl was frustrated and would throw things because he had a hard time remembering and adjusting. She cooked and took care of Judith, even when she had better things to do. Everywhere Rick turned, there she was helping him or comforting him, and he was grateful for it all. Anytime he was near her, he felt calmer and more at peace. It was her presence that got him through those hard times. And he couldn't help but think how it was his fault she was no longer there with him now.
I really needed you today thought Rick. God, I hope you get home soon.
Thanks so much for all your reviews, follows, and favorites. I really hope you all are enjoying the story. I hope I made it clear that Rick is going to have to jump through some hoops to be with Michonne. I'll reveal a couple chapters later what all went down between these two. Richonne on lovelies!