A/N
Hello fans and followers, *high five*!
I think maybe two more chapters; I would really like to finish this before New Year's Eve as we'll be traveling. Another shout out for reviewing Prettyprincess45, Alex311, Siancore and kimyso – thank you, seriously, thank you!
So the song and dance number, it was a tossup between 'Santa Baby' and 'All I Want for Christmas' love both songs and a very hard decision so, I did an 'eeny meeny miny moe.'
I don't own nor am I affiliated with TWD – nor the Christmas song in the story.
Forgive me for the grammatical errors, tenses, run-ons and other issues with this chapter.
Let me know what you think. Enjoy- CodeName-M.e
'After Dinner'
While everyone, almost everyone chip in to help clear the dishes in the Greene house Herschel with his chest board in hand motion to Merle so he could see it.
"You're going down." Merle says to Herschel.
Shane scoffs softly, "what the hell is going on here. Merle? Playing chest, that's crazy he says to himself as he watch them set up in the living room. He watches Carl play a game of checkers with Sophia. Then looks up to see Rick leave the room, Shane been itching to speak with Rick since they arrive, tell him the truth, everything about him and Lori but he just couldn't do it. He looks around the room and let his eyes rest on Lori, she had this look on her face, almost peaceful as she rubs her pregnant belly, God she is so beautiful, he's tempted to just walk up to her and kiss me.
Shane looks around the room "Where is that damn mistletoe?"
He heard someone giggle behind him, "Oh Shane? I didn't know you had wanted to give me a kiss?"
Shane groans inwardly and turns around and gave Carol one his best smiles, "Well I don't know, I can't seem to find mistletoe?" Shane raises a brow and smirks, "Do you want to be swept off your feet?"
"It just so happens," Carol lifts up her hand, "I have one right here. Found it on the kitchen counter."
Shane adjusts the collar to his dress shirt, "Are you ready for this because it's going to happen."
Carol had a teasing smile on her face as she raise the flower above her head, "I'm waiting."
Shane leans in and holds Carol face with both hands and softly plant one on her right cheek.
"I feel…So faint, oh Shane!" Carol exclaim in a teasing sing song voice.
The room burst into laughter.
Andrea takes a hold of Shane arm, "Come on lover boy."
She had notice Shane looking at Lori and was slightly annoyed by it all. Something didn't feel right with those two for quite some time. Something was also wrong with Rick and Lori too; they barely spoke to one another even in Greene home as well. She even mentioned it to Shane with him shrugging it off as a lovers' quarrel. That wasn't enough of a response for Andrea, Shane then promise to talk to Rick about it but that's been weeks ago.
"You want to tell me what that was all about?" Shane asks Andrea as they all walk out the living room.
They had reached their bedroom door.
"Oh, just a bit of fun Shane. You look so serious so Carol wanted to loosen you up."
"I can think of plenty things to loosen me up."
Taking the hint Andrea pause, her back to the door as she takes a hold of his shirt, "You know, Maggie has directed everyone to all meet in the Barn in two hour." Shane reach behind her to open it, "Don't say another word." He said and gently pushes her in.
Rick must be on a mission, as she listens to the hard sound of his heel on the porch floor. Michonne frown and pull her coat tightly around her dress as he stops a few inches from her. He's frowns and doesn't say a word.
Not looking at him but at the massive tree she greets him, "Hello Rick."
Rick ignores the greeting, "You're a hard woman to find."
She sighs, "Am I?"
"Yes, been looking for you last night and I tried speaking to you before we sat down to dinner too and then next thing I know, you…Vanished."
Michonne chuckles, "vanish?" She reach for the snifter glass on the porch railing and place it to her lip and takes a sip. "Sure, if you want to call it that. I am trying to avoid you."
Rick moves closer to her and watches her take a step back, "You're avoiding me?"
Nodding her head she takes another sip. "Remember, be on your best behavior Michonne." Doing her best to mock him as she reminds them both of the conversation they had a week ago in her office.
Rick sighs in frustration.
"So that's what I am doing, being on my best behavior and you should too, pretend this don't exist."
Pretending intimate moments and stolen kisses for months never happen is a lot of work. Even in this moment being serious, Rick oozes sexy with a capital S in every way possible. From his thick wavy dark brown hair, that was in need of a haircut all the way down to the tip of his boots and that frustrates her the most. What she really want to do that very moment was to have him wrap his arm around her
Rick took another step towards her only to have her take another step back, he frowns. "Would you stop doing that?"
"Stop doing what Rick? This?" She step back again, "Or this" and took another step back.
Rick shakes his head and marches up to her and pulls the glass from her hand and finish the rest for her. He pulls her to him, looking intensely in her eyes, "Yes, I did say we must be on our best behavior but you are too beautiful to be ignored."
Her heart beating a mile a minute, Michonne closes her and inhale deeply before exhaling. She opens them and whispers softly, "What do you want from me Rick?"
His fingers reaches up and caress her cheeks, his face inches from her, "I want you Michonne, I always want you." He kisses her.
'Christmas pageant'
One by one they met at the barn; decorated with Christmas lights, and the wreaths and mini Christmas trees they had arrive with the day before yesterday. Heaters were place around the barn for warmth; bales of hay were place around a small stage set up towards the back of the barn for seating. Andrea took it all in, and smile with excitement. Daryl, Merle and Tyrese were at the desert table filling their plate with mini treats. She may as well take a peek at it.
"Grab a seat for us, going to check out the dessert." She said to Shane and made her way to the table.
"Maggie and Beth sure have out down themselves." Tyrese said
Andrea nod then glances over the choices of assortment of teas or hot chocolate. Pouring hot water in her cup and picking up a peppermint tea bag and made some hot chocolate for Shane.
"Five minutes till curtain call!" Carol bellows out as she hands out a green and red card.
She takes the card and glance over it, a mini program. Along with two sugar cookies all decorated in red sprinkles and may her way over to where Shane was seating, next to Lori with Rick to her left. Amy a part of the festivities at the front had wave to Andrea, she waves back and sat down.
Hershel made his way to a makeshift podium and spoke out to the small crowd, "Now I know some of you aren't Christians or what not so if you don't want to be here for the first half, it would really hurt my girls feeling if you leave, but if you want to leave, you may."
No one left
"Great." He says and pulls out a set of index card front his back pocket; "This is the story of the first Christmas - the night Jesus was born. We all celebrate this, to remember the hope and joy this baby brought to the world on that extraordinary night in Bethlehem."
They watch as Glenn and Maggie in costume walk up to the stage and sat down. Amy and Karen soon follow dressed all in white with wings straps to their shoulders and they took turn speaking to Glenn playing the role of Joseph and Maggie the role of Mary
Merle leans over to Daryl, "Amy sure is one hot number."
Sasha with her coat still on and Tyrese sitting on a bale behind them, Daryl worried they heard Merle sloppy attempt of a whisper and nudges him off of him, "Shush man."
Facing to the stage again he watches the pageant in silence. Sophia, Carl and Beth playing the role of the three wise men, Hershel and Carol took turns as narrators also helped out with props as well. It turns out really well and claps with everyone else. After the show Merle stood off to the side, he could not wait for the song and dance part of the show , taking a quick swig from his decanter then caps it back on as he sat down again. He watches everyone around him, Hershel in a conversation with Maggie, Beth, Rick and Glen. Beth saw him and motions him over but Merle shook his head he rather observe everyone. First with Daryl off in the corner of the barn talking to Sasha away from everyone else, that's more times than many today and wonders if his baby brother has a thing for her. Seriously not his cup of tea or whatever the hell you call it but Andrea sure was, she stood next to Shane and Tyrese, laughing at something Tyrese said. Merle licks his lips as he thought about the things he would like to do to her and smiles to himself, he should call Jessie; his favorite piece of ass later let her know when they head back home and get some have her dress up in something festive too.
'Song and Dance'
"Five minutes till curtain call!" Beth said to everyone as she and Karen made their way to the stage to join Maggie, Sasha and Michonne. They were all dress identically, in a red dress with a white trim, a Santa's hat and red boots. They stood there for a moment waiting for the song intro to begin.
Beth first hums and then sang out the first two stanzas really soft and low.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree.
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas
Is you, you yeah.
She picks up the pace and they all join in, clapping their hands and give a little shoulder actions.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
And I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree.
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day.
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby.
They then form a line, wrapping their arms around each other as they sang in unison.
Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
And I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe.
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click.
Damn, she looks hot, maybe I will find that mistletoe and kiss her, on the lips, Daryl thought as he watch Sasha.
This got Merle going and it was worth the wait, taking in all the red and white, the sweet, sweet, extremely hot outfits and stood up and sang along with them, not caring if he makes a damn fool of himself. That is fine by Tyrese and Glenn they are standing up too singing along just as badly.
Sophia want to know what the big deal is, Hershel chuckle and shrugs his shoulder, Carol leans over and tells her she'll understand when she is older. Carl knows and stares on at Beth, and staring at legs in red boots.
Beth broke away from the line and stood out further from them and sways to the music and sings as they hum behind her.
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do?
Baby all I want for Christmas is you,
You Baby.
Oh, all the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air.
Beth moves back in the line again, arms wrapped around each other as they sang in unison.
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need?
Won't you please bring my baby to me?
Rick stood up too; he couldn't take his eyes off Michonne looking sinfully in her outfit. Lori sitting next to him looks up at him and scowls. She wants to say something to him 'like, 'stop being so obvious especially next to me.'
Shane had resort to whistling next to Andrea and Amy laughs and claps, enjoying the show.
Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door.
Oh, I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You, You baby.
The music end and Beth went acapella, all soft and low, she laughs along with everyone on the stage as she finishes the song.
All I want for Christmas is you, baby
All I want for Christmas is you, baby
"Maggie turns to face Beth, "Amazing!"
They all applaud, Sasha winks at Daryl, Michonne smirks at Rick to Lori chagrin. Shane's whistle and howls, Tyrese, Glenn and Merle shouting bravo, encore. They stood back all smiles, bowing and thank them all.