A/N: Let's consider this a bonus track from The Season of Light universe.

Summary: It's Family Sleep night!


Moonlight filtered in through the sheer curtains covering the bedroom windows, it's dim beam joining light from a lamp on the bedside table to illuminate the cozy room. Rick leaned back against the headboard, attempting to keep tears at bay as he gazed down at their latest blessing, the beautiful baby boy laying across his outstretched legs.

"Your Mama's gonna love walkin' back in here and seein' you covered in Daddy's tears," Rick said, smiling down at his sleeping boy. "Again."

The newest Grimes was swaddled snuggly in an impossibly fluffy wrap, one of many Michonne had knitted when the boredom of forced late-pregnancy bedrest had made her intolerably restless.

They'd all spent the three months since his arrival in utter bliss. Grateful for yet another life to shepherd through this new world. As the living began to once again rule the world, children were no longer considered dangerous burdens, but beloved opportunities to raise decent, brave souls that would return society not only to its former glory, but build an even better civilization.

Rick sat spellbound as he watched his son arch his tiny back and let out a long, noisy yawn, one far louder than would be expected from an infant. Chuckling through his tears, he leaned down to kiss the wondrously soft, downy curls covering every bit of the darling boy's head. He inhaled the sweet aroma and smiled. He'd nearly forgotten the glorious scent only a baby could emit. It was heavenly.

As he lifted his son to his chest and prepared to put him back in his crib, water from the sink in their adjoining bathroom stopped running, signaling Michonne had finished brushing her teeth and would return to their bedroom shortly.

Rocking the baby slowly, he eagerly awaited her appearance, watching as the bathroom door slowly opened. As soon as her silhouette filled the doorway, his heart began to flutter. After all this time, the first glance of her after even 5 minutes apart still brought a giddy excitement like nothing else could. He took in her radiate smile from across the room, knowing how much she loved watching him with their son in his arms.

"You were right," Rick whispered, shimmering tears obscuring his view of her. "His name suits him perfectly."

Michonne gazed adoringly at Rick, her smile broadening as she watched him bend his head and plant another kiss on the top of his head.

She inhaled deeply, her emotions overflowing as she took in the sight. Their tiny warrior. The unexpected blessing that had finally completed their family.

"You had doubts?" she teased, dropping a hand to her hip as she made her way to their bed.

"Never," Rick retorted, peering up into her magnificently rich, dark eyes as she moved to her side of the bed. "Just statin' facts is all."

She snorted at his cheeky reply, quickly clasping her hand over her mouth to avoid waking their sleeping boy. Rick beckoned to her as he lay back onto his pillow. Michonne pulled off her t-shirt – technically one she'd stolen from him – opting for just a tank top since it would make nighttime feeding easier. Slipping beneath the covers, her eyes never left Rick and their baby boy.

"It's been three months and you're still boo-hooing?" Michonne teased, catching the telltale red eyes and damp lashes as Rick cradled the baby and turned on his side to face her.

"What can I say?" Rick shrugged, his rough-skinned thumb reaching out to stroke the apples of her cheeks. "I'm a sentimental fool. I still can't believe that we ma–. We made this Michonne."

"He is something," she said, letting her hands skim over the length of his tiny body. "I never thought so either… Too much to dream of, let alone hope for. I didn't–"

She quieted her heart, fully aware of how close she was to actual tears. She released a shaky sob as Rick turned slightly, their baby boy between them, and pulled her into the soothing warmth of his arms.

She looked down at their son, a perfect blend of both of them and exactly as she had always imagined. Rick's soft, tightly coiled curls and bowed legs; her sloped nose and inky brown eyes.

"Now let's get this one into his crib," she said, taking the baby from Rick's arms as she began rising from their bed. "If he starts getting used to sleeping with us now, we'll never get him out of our bed."

Rick chucked at the image. He didn't really want to let him go, but he did see her point.

"You're right, as usual. I guess he's gotta learn sometime."

She laughed as she walked over to the crib on her side of the bed. Placing him down gently, she leaned in to rub his belly and leave several soft kiss on his head, taking in a deep breath to absorb his intoxicating fragrance. Hearing Rick rise from the bed and walk towards them, she turned around to face him. Rick pulled her into his arms, walking them backwards until the back of his legs hit the bed. He captured her lips in a searing kiss as he reclined onto the bed, bringing her down on top of him.

Rick ran his hands down her sides and across her back, landing both on her backside, which he palmed and gave a firm yet gentle squeeze. She deepened their kiss, dragging his bottom lip between her teeth, and drawing a throaty moan out of Rick.

With three young children to care for, their usually frequent intimacy had taken a backseat to feeding and caring for their brood. But with the house now quiet and the baby sleeping, they hurriedly claimed each other, knowing an interruption would be inevitable and a quickly would have to suffice.

The soft yet impatient knock on their bedroom door caused an entirely different kind of groan to cross Rick's lips. It proved to be the first indication things would not go as Rick had hoped. Refusing to acknowledge defeat just yet, he continued his ministrations, licking the side of Michonne's neck as he pressed his steely erection against her center.

"If we're really quiet, they'll go away," he reasoned, holding onto her more tightly as he felt her begin to pull away.

"And when has that strategy ever worked Rick?" she chuckled, forcing him to gently release his hold as she slowing pulled away and began rising from the bed. "If we're lucky, it's a bad dream and I can get her back to bed in ten minutes. Then we can pick up where we left off."

Rick scoffed before opening his eyes to find slight frustration, but obvious mirth in Michonne's eyes as she slipped from his arms. He had his doubts. She turned to wink at him, before making her way to the door.

Expecting to find only one, her hopes were dashed when she opened the door to find two little girls looking up at her with big, expectant eyes.

"What's the matter ladies?" Michonne began, bending down to make eye contact with the beautiful and strong-willed girls in the middle of the Grimes birth order.

As their self-designated spokesperson, Judith began,

"She got scared Mama and wanted us to come see if we could sleep in your room."

Michonne looked over at Judith's shadow, the sweet child with the dark brown curls and her father's soft, light brown eyes.

"Is that true sweetie," Michonne quietly asked, pulling the little one into her arms.

Clutching her big sister's hand in her own, while her other hand tightly gripped her favorite teddy bear, the youngest Grimes girl nodded.

"See Mama, I wasn't telling a tale," Judith griped, insulted by Michonne's insinuation.

"Well, lucky for both of you, we've got plenty of room," Michonne said, tugging both girls under her arms as she turned to make her way back to bed.

She looked up to find a less-than-thrilled Rick, propped up against the headboard, his arms crossed. He let out a dramatic sigh when Michonne gave him a look. Not tonight.

"Yeah girls, c'mon," he said, wearily lifting the blankets to make room in the bed.

As the girls prepared to settle into bed, the bedroom door creaked open.

"Hey!" Carl called out, sticking his head into the room. "How come no one told me it was family sleep tonight?"

Michonne laughed, already guessing the look on Rick's face as their eldest made his way into the room, couch cushions and a blanket tucked under his arms.

"Not sure why we have three bedrooms if we only use one," Rick grumbled, sinking back onto his pillow.

Carl shrugged his shoulders, smirking as he walked to the bed. As was the ritual, he arranged the cushions on the floor next to Rick's side of the bed, before laying down and pulling the blankets over his head.

Family sleep, as Carl had named it, was born out of necessity. They'd wanted to conserve energy during the cold, dark winters when the solar panels powering Alexandria were most taxed. They'd tell stories, laugh, and cuddle for warmth. While Rick really wanted alone time with Michonne, this was one of his fondest memories, so he tried his best not to mind too much.

As Michonne turned to meet Rick's gaze, they both started laughing upon hearing soft snores emanating from the floor. 30 seconds. Carl might have set a record.

"How can that kid already be asleep?" Rick marveled, dropping a kiss on Michonne's shoulder as he hugged her from behind.

"Your guess is as good as mine," she giggled, Rick's warm breath tickling the back of her neck. "I'm pretty sure it's before his head even hits the pillow."

"Our boy does have a gift," Rick chuckled quietly, his calloused hands running up and down her arms.

"He does indeed," she whispered.

Rick smiled, reveling at his good fortune. Happiness cloaked the room and warmed his heart. Somehow, some way, in all this chaos, he'd met the love of his life. The woman who had shown him the way. The woman who taught him how to be the man she deserved. The woman he loved.

"You ready for tomorrow?" she whispered, her eyes drooping as she let out a long yawn.

"I've been ready," he replied, kissing her shoulder once more. "I love you Mrs. Grimes.

"I love you too Mr. Grimes," she murmured, closing her eyes.