Time was a strange thing. It seemed so constant and unwavering, and almost as if it should be a straight line. But it wasn't. It was changing and at times flew so fast that you wanted to press the stop button.
Like in this moment as she walked towards him, seeing all those she loved most in the world standing there waiting for her and watching her take those cautious steps.
Life couldn't have been better as she walked towards Rick with Carl on her other hand. It was just her family there. Nothing over the top and fancy. Just them, on their backyard as the sun shined. She hated to be the center of the attention and soon as Rick asked her to be his wife of course she said yes without hesitation, but in her mind it was something as simple as Father Gabriel stopping by with a few words from the good book. Carl had insisted with the help of Maggie and Sasha that they would celebrate properly. She needed to wear a dress and Rick needed to change from those jeans. Judith needed to see her parents get married.
So there she was. Wearing a simple white dress that was long, but tight enough to showcase her gorgeous figure since Carol insisted on altering it to be perfect. Sasha pinned her locks on a low bun and Maggie took care of her glowy makeup. It felt overwhelming and out of character for her, but she knew if there was any time to get dolled up this was probably it. This was her first and only wedding after all.
She smiled, she was happy, she really was, but then she felt a twinge of sadness so sharp, it almost made her pause and catch her breath. She and Mike never got there. It tore her apart to even allow her mind to think about him and her little one. Andre would have adored Rick. Andre would have adored everyone. She had a good cry before stepping out to walk towards her future. She knew her baby boy was there. He would always be there like Rick had said to her when he proposed.
Judith was captured in a sweet smile with cookie stains on her cheek as she clapped on Carols lap.
God, she adored that tiny being. Before her and losing Andre she had sworn to herself children were another thing that made a person vulnerable. Something that could tear a person's soul to shreds when they died as it did hers. Funnily enough they were also the cure. Judith had managed to fix her broken heart, not entirely, but enough.
Her life passed in a sweep of interconnecting lines, and at that beautiful, brilliant moment, she felt like she had nothing but a lifetime of time to live. There was Rick and that was where her happiness began. Her other half who looked deliciously handsome in his suit jacket, jean shirt and black trousers. She wanted to laugh out loud soon as she noticed his cowboy boots. Of course he wore them.
Carl kissed her cheek and then placed her hand in his dads, smiling so wide it made them both emotional. He stepped on his dads side and nodded towards them.
"Perfect." Was the only word out of Rick's mouth.
Everybody stared at them, smiling at the joy of the moment. Maggie was wiping away tears already as she bounced little Hershel on her arms. It was one of the hardest things to witness for a widow.
Smiling at the couple standing before him, Father Gabriel began, "Family and friends, we come together today to celebrate the union of Rick and Michonne."
Hands interlaced, both took a deep breath to calm the nerves that suddenly appeared.
"God has blessed them to find each other during this journey and we as their people are thankful," Father Gabriel spoke, "Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship and most importantly family."
She promised herself she wouldn't cry, but she noticed Carl wiping his eyes and got misty eyed because she knew how happy he was.
"Before we exchange the rings we will hear their vows they have prepared for each other." Gabriel looked at him, "Rick, please."
"When I first met you, I knew we had a special connection. Something was always there, you have always been there for me and my children, defending us, protecting us, loving us, honouring us, and I want to do the same for you now. I want to defend you, protect you, love you, honour you. The way you deserve to be honoured."
Her heart threatened to jump right out of her chest. She was wiping away tears now, she was happy, so happy. Everyone seemed to be sniffling and batting away tears, even Daryl who hid his face behind his long hair.
He swallowed, "I want to be that person for you. I will give you my heart, my body and my soul and I promise to be there as a husband to you for the rest of our days." Rick smiled and wiped away her tears, "I love you 'Chonne."
She was left speechless, "What am I going to do with you?" She wondered out loud and caused everyone to laugh.
Michonne gathered her thoughts and grasped his hand stronger, "When I found you I found a meaning for my life again. When I found you I found my safe heaven. You gave me Judith and Carl," Her voice cracked with emotion and she had to look up at the sky for a moment before looking at him again. He had tears in his eyes as well which didn't help at all.
"We will always belong to each other, and we will always find each other again, in every world, in every life. You are my soul from this life into the next. I love you Rick Grimes."
He kissed her delicate hand and smiled happily. Carol brought Judith to Michonne who settled on her hip and Carl stepped closer to his dad so they were truely side by side. He handed him her ring.
Gabriel turned to Rick and began to speak again.
"Do you, Rick, take Michonne as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
He smiled wide as he could as he responded, "I do."
Michonne whispered into Judiths ear who handed her Ricks ring which she had been holding tightly for her mom during the ceremony. She kissed the little girls head as a thank you.
Gabriel turned to her next, repeating the same words he'd said to him.
"Do you, Michonne, take Rick as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
She smiled contently as she breathed, "I do."
Rick quietly released the breath he'd been holding, unsure why he was so relieved she'd spoken the two words he'd been waiting to hear.
He carefully slid the ring onto her left ring finger for the final, time in his life. Looking up from the beautiful band on her finger he whispered, "You're stuck with us now."
Michonne let out a soft laugh as she took his hand in hers and slowly slid the ring onto his left ring finger. She let her thumb graze over his wedding band before meeting his eyes. "I wouldn't have it any other way." she whispered.
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Carl took his little sister from Michonne's arms and hugged her close.
"You may kiss the bride." Father Gabriel announced.
Rick smirked at his wife as he leaned in, closing his eyes as his lips tasted the sweetness of her mouth. She leaned into him, tilting her head to the side as she brought her hand up to rest on his cheek. Every other kiss they had ever shared seemed to meld together into this very one; an aching, perfect, delicate whisper. She had never seen his eyes look more beautiful then at that moment when he seconds later finally released her. Cries of happiness matched the intensity of the moment. Everybody was cheering and whistling.
Michonne pulled Carl and Judith in for a tight hug, giving them both big kisses.
He looked at her and their children, gazing lovingly still not believing his luck. There was something out there stronger then death. Stronger than pain. She was proof of that.
Rick sneaked his arm around her, his voice barely a whisper in her ear, "You gonna stay a little while?
She leaned into him, "Just a little while."
Premiere approaches dont mind me in my Grimes family bubble...