Hey there, if there is still someone checking for this story lmao. Well at least there is this one who sent me a lovely, message and for that thank you ! You too Richonne4Life, here's your new chapter ahahaha. Anyway thank you to those who are still there, still reading, posting a review. Following, favoriting. Rebloging, liking OK I STOP. Thank you to my beta thewinterscorpion the best of the best ! Let me just warn that from this chapter, everything is about to go south.
BAD AND BOUJEE
Chapter 10 : The devil on your shoulder
I cannot explain the things I feel for you
But girl, you know it's true
"I missed you!" Mike said breaking the tense silence. "You're so beautiful Michonne."
Anger made the surface of Rick's skin itch when he heard and recognized Mike's voice. He turned the key in the ignition.
"Don't hang up, I'm on my way." Rick announced praying he wouldn't get caught in any bad traffic.
"You're not going to invite me in?" Mike asked, peering over Michonne's shoulder to see if she was alone. He didn't want to be attacked by her crazy roommates a second time. His eyes back on Michonne, he noticed that she looked thicker than the last time he saw her at Philip's party. He had wanted to speak with her that night, but lucky for her, Terry made him change his mind. He saw the way she was dancing with Rick and knew in his heart that countrified cowboy jerk couldn't handle her. Trying to keep up with her like he was dancing to some sort of RnB honkytonk. As usual, she took Mike's breath away, sexy in her red and black shorts.
"I swear, I just want to talk." He affirmed, lifting his hands.
"I thought you were tired of talking?" Michonne inquired, the phone resting on her shoulder.
"Listen, I need to apologise for the last time." Mike massaged the back of his neck. Michonne narrowed her eyes. Mike was a good damn liar, a flaw that helped him a lot in his business. "I said things I shouldn't have said, I'm very sorry Michonne."
Michonne nodded her head but still remained silent. Once again, meaningless apologies coming from him, each time he improved changing one word or two but the feeling she got from them was always the same: anger. She could hear Rick breathing heavily at the other end of the phone.
"Come in. Be brief, I have things to do. " Michonne commanded. She put her phone on the island, knowing damn well if she refused to let him in he would have banged on the door and made a fuss in the hallway, bothering her neighbors. Mike closed the door with a satisfied smile, following Michonne in the kitchen. He took a quick look of his surroundings. He'd only been inside her apartment once before, not really a fan of the small space and even less of her roommates.
"Ok, I have a funny story for you, " he started, a dry chuckle left his lips. "Do you want to hear it, maybe? "
"Lord, Mike, can you–"
"So. Yesterday I was in the studio. As you know I'm working on my new album. And while I was writing a line for my second song, which is about you by the way," he paced in front of an irritated Michonne. She couldn't believe she really dated this man. He was like a cockroach; disgusting, and unwilling to just die, always scurrying back when least expected. "Guess who came to visit me? Philip. With some news for me. I was very intrigued, I told him, 'brother I'm all ears tell me.' He said it was about you. And this is when it gets interesting Chonnie. You want to know why?"
She huffed, just wishing for Rick to get there "No. I don't," she replied tersely.
"Let me tell you, I insist, " he said with his signature shiteating smile. "He announced to me that you were pregnant. Imagine my fucking surprise. I had to ask him if he was sure. He said yes, Andrea told him. That woman has a big mouth Michy! You should be more careful with your friends. Anyway, can you see why I found this so fucking amusing?"
Michonne crossed her arms over her chest, determined to not reply at his provocation.
"Because I know damn well it's my child and your redneck cowboy thinks it's. It's so funny, hilarious even, I would say."
"Oh Hell no!" Michonne shouted, her face reddened. Of all the things she'd heard from Mike, this was, by far, the worst of them. If she wasn't pregnant she would have jumped on him to make him regret all the pain he had caused her. Instead she tried to calm the seething rage inside her and said, "I'm seven weeks pregnant. How could it be your child Mike? I knew you had several faults but I didn't think basic mathematics was one of them."
"And how you can be so sure this is Rick's baby?" He asked starting to get agitated. His finger pointed at her still flat belly. "You want it to be his so bad that you won't even consider the possibility, huh?"
"Because it's common sense," Michonne answered, already over this ridiculous conversation, "We broke up four months ago and even before that, I knew for damn sure to protect myself from the very possibility of carrying anything of yours in my body. Don't do this, please, don't!"
Mike chuckled, his hand in his pocket to retrieve a little purple velvet box, he put it on the island in front of Michonne. She stared at the box but refused to touch it, "Open it." he requested.
"I know what's in there, " Michonne replied, she took it and tossed it with force at him. The box hit his chest before it fell to the floor with a muted thud. The diamond encrusted ring fell out of the box, its jewels picking up the light in its surroundings and sparkled on the floor.
"I don't want anything from you. No baby, no ring. Move on. Forget me, don't write a song about me, don't follow me, talk about me with Philip or Andrea. I'm not yours, this baby damn sure isn't. "
Mike didn't utter a word or move from his position. His brown eyes locked on Michonne, as if he didn't hear the words coming out of her beautiful mouth. He refused to accept the end of their relationship, especially now that she was pregnant.
"Do you remember the time I took you to Drake's concert? " He asked and Michonne's shoulders dropped.
She did remember, she had dreamed about meeting the rapper for so long, that she couldn't believe it when he took her to his concert to meet him in the flesh. She was so starstruck, and swore she made a fool of herself in front of him . It was in those moments when she thought she could fall for Mike, but he was always on his best behavior after a fight he caused.
"When he sang 'Best I've ever had', I looked at you and told you that from now on it was our song. Because it was exactly how I felt about you. You are and stay the best woman I've ever had Michy. I mean it."
Michonne blew a relieved breath when Rick opened the door. His eyes burning from the anger that rose in him from the second he had heard Mike. He was internally fighting to keep the gates holding his fury from bursting wide.
"Did you forget what I told you? " He quizzed cocking his head on the side.
"I don't take orders from you Ricky. " Mike replied, his hands on his hips after he unbuttoned his jacket. His eyes disdainfully roamed over Rick's Grimes had nothing on him, and he couldn't understand what Michonne saw in him. He was a better man than Rick, prettier, taller, stronger. He could take a better care of Michonne and be a better father to her child.
"What do you want Mike?" Rick asked tersely, his intense gaze surveying Mike who was walking towards him, "You want to screw my wife? Have my child, my child, call you daddy? Is that what you want huh? Let me get it straight for you, since you're a fuckin' idiot. Over my dead body Mike, you hear me? You stay away from Michonne, and you stay away from my baby."
Michonne put herself in front of Rick before the situation escalated beyond control between the two men. Mike halted his movements as his gaze fell on her, a mask of incomprehension and pain covering his face. Why was she acting like he was dangerous? Couldn't she see how much he loved her! He searched for answers in her beautiful eyes. But he only saw fear and disgust and that look in her eyes broke his already damaged heart.
"This is how it is now? Really Michonne?"
"Hey, hey," Rick called standing behind Michonne, a protective hand resting on her waist. "You don't talk to her, you don't say her name. Take your shit and leave now!"
Rick's loud order made Michonne jump slightly. She had never seen him so angry. She could see the muscles of his back tensing against his white t-shirt. All set to tear Mike apart, as rage pulsed through his veins.
Mike huffed, shook his head and started marching to the door. Michonne watched him leave, letting out a relieved breath, naively hopeful that she would never see Michael Taylor again. That he was gone once and for all from her life. But all her hopes crumbled when, Mike turned to Rick and connected his fist to his face. It would be a cold day in hell before he backed down from a fight. Mike took advantage of the surprise attack to try get in a second sucker punch but unfortunately for him, Rick managed to dodge it. Rick didn't pay attention to the pain in his nose and landed his fist in Mike's one. It was followed by a second blow to his jaw, making Mike's body fall on the floor.
Rick saw red. He was in pain, tired after dealing with that scumbag Philip, Mike's attack only added fuel to the fire that lay dormant inside him. For too long he had let Mike push him to his limit. Disrespecting his girlfriend, sending her message after message until she had to change her number. Today was the last straw for Rick. He heard his knuckles crack but kept delivering blow after devastating blow to Mike's increasingly destroyed face. He barely felt her touch but the soft plea that came from her voice begging him to stop was the force that halted his bloodied fists.
His name coming from her so urgently, snapped him out of his rage. Her eyes were glossed with unshed tears. He could feel her shaking hands squeezing his large shoulders, and it made him angrier to see her in this state.
Rick looked at his swollen and bloody knuckles, mirroring the face of the man under him. His damped curls obstructed his view. Mike pushed Rick off him, and struggled to his feet. They stood glaring at each other with the same level of hatred blazing in their eyes. Their fists ready for a second round, with no care in the world that their bodies were in pain.
"Leave!" Michonne yelled, clutching Mike's ruined blue suit as she tried to drag his much stronger and taller body out of the apartment.
Finally, he moved to leave but not without sending daggers to Rick, watching Michonne with the look of a man determined to get back what he claimed was his. After Mike's departure a tense silence fell in the room. Rick sighed heavily, turning from her to move sluggishly to the turned on the faucet and put his hand under while his mind filled with dark thoughts. They were so loud that he didn't hear Michonne getting close. Her jasmine, lavender scent engulfed him, and worked to calm his seething wrath. She turned off the faucet and took his injured hands into her tiny delicate ones.
"He got what he deserved." Rick said matter of factly.
"I know, " Michonne draw circles around his knuckles, making Rick wince through his gritted teeth.
"I'm not gonna apologise. " He added,his eyes on the top of Michonne's head while she continued her perusal of his knuckles as if she was waiting for them to respond to questions nobody had answers for.
"I know. " she repeated this time looking at him, with a heated gaze. But the fire inhabiting her eyes was not caused by anger, her body yearned for her man. Michonne placed a gentle kiss on his knuckles, then his neck and his lips but before he could kiss her back she pulled away. Rick was confused until she got on her knees, trying to get rid of his belt.
"You don't have to do that Michonne, " he informed, his voice hitching in his throat.
Michonne smiled and fluttered her long eyelashes up to him, her voice taking on a low seductive tone, "I know, but I want to make you feel good, like you make me."
"Rosita and Sasha might come back, " Rick responded, lust taking over his body. His loins stirred in his slacks, even as he tried his hardest not to conjure up thoughts of Michonne sucking him off.
"You should only worry about what this mouth is about to do to you. What about that, husband? "
Hearing Michonne use that word made Rick burn with need and desire.
"Damn woman, " he whispered, he let his slacks slide down to the floor, his pink dick stiff and pointing, mere centimeters from her face.
"Since you want it so bad... Open your mouth for me, Michonne. "
Michonne took hold of his thick veiny length, her touch made Rick growl. She brushed her thumb along his glistening crown before raising her hand and licking his precum off of the digit with a sultry smile, her panties were soaking and sticking to her aching pussy.
"Fuck," He said, his eyes hooded with lust.
Rick trembled, his eyes rolling shut as she engulfed all of him in her warm, wet mouth. She swallowed his dick to the root, her lips closing around the base before she licked her way back up the shaft. Her low moans spurred him on, letting him know that she enjoyed her ministrations as much as he did. Michonne was proud to be the one driving him crazy, she knew he took the same pleasure in making her wild too.
"Shit… your mouth feels so good."
He released a strangled noise through his teeth . Rick's head fell back, the intense, familiar sensation of an impending orgasm building in his burning body. His girlfriend ministrations taking him closer to the edge as her skilled tongue swirled around his sensitive tip. Her chilled hands wrapped around his shaft, twisting and pumping up and down in that special rhythm she knew he liked.
He was close, Michonne could feel his cock twitching, desperate for relief, his breaths growing shorter, and his chest rising and falling rapidly. He blindly grasped for her and landed a firm hold on her bobbing head.
"Stop… or I'm gonna come in… your mouth."
Michonne paused her rhythmic assault on his cock to look up at him, "Come in my mouth, daddy. " she replied, licking her damp lips.
"That's what you want?" his voice raspy and thick with need.
Michonne nodded, her mouth back on his sex, she tightened her hold on him, her mouth worked overtime on the head of his dick.
"Have it then. "
Rick cried her name out as his jerking member filled her mouth with his cream. Michonne swallowed, smiling as she licked along her swollen lips, determined not to miss a drop of his offering.
"God Michonne, you're so perfect, " he said lifting her body to him. He kissed her roughly and she kissed him back with the same intensity. "Thank you. "
"For what Rick? "
"For everything you did, everything you're doing, for you."
Michonne beamed, tears forming in her eyes, "Let's go home Rick. We can start searching for the house and plan for your future perfect proposal."
"I love you, " he answered. How he got so lucky finding her was beyond him.
Michonne smiled, her hands stroking his bearded face, "I love you more."
###############
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Mike hissed, he cringed at the pain in his swollen eyes.
"I came to see you, my friend," Philip replied surprised by the cold greeting. "Hello Terry."
Terry looked at Phillip dead in the eyes with no reply. He had never been a fan of The Governor. Terry always thought Phillip was bad news. He knew that Phillip was not to be trusted. Knew that he was the kind of bad news that could hide behind his pale privilege that allowed men like him to get away with everything while the others would pay the price. Terry never pretended to be sinless, but Philip was worse than him and Mike combined.
The duo were taking a pause from Mike's studio session, right after he came back from Michonne's apartment. He needed something to calm his anger, and rap had always been his outlet but the entertainer had a hard time focusing on his music. Philip's unwanted surprise visit wouldn't help.
"Always a pleasure to see you," Philip added, sarcasm and disdain dripping in his calm tone, "I heard about what happened."
"No shit ! I heard about what happened too, and even better I saw it. You are all over the internet! Everybody is talking about how The Governor lost his shit. Don't you forget your name is attached to mine, what the fuck were you thinking?"
"And you, don't you forget that all you have is because of me," Philip countered, his voice becoming dangerously low, "You should probably change your tone and your attitude...swiftly. Maybe that works with one of your puppets but not me."
"Call me a fucking puppet one more time!" Terry warned from the black sofa he was seated in.
"How about we all chill the fuck out?" Mike requested. "How about that?" He had no time or energy to deal with the petty tension between his partner and brother.
"I agree." Philip said, plastering a fake smile on his frightening friendly face. "We all had a very bad day, and we all know who's responsible for that. This is the reason I came here. To talk and try to find a solution."
"A solution about what?" Mike asked, his eyes narrowed at Philip.
"Rick Grimes." Philip replied causing Mike to roll his eyes, "He's a problem for both of us, right?"
"How sway? He's a problem for you. Personally, I think you deserved what happened to you?" Terry finished, shrugging, " Just sayin'"
"What solution are you talking about here? Rick is a tough motherfucker, he came from money and you know damn well we can't do jack shit against money." Mike said, even if he was down for anything involving Rick being hurt.
"Money doesn't protect from death," Philip replied matter of factly. He knew he had piqued his business partner's interest the second he saw the younger man's eyes light up.
"Get the fuck out of here," Terry exclaimed , he chuckled thinking for a second that Philip was joking, until he saw Mike's blank face, actively considering the deadly suggestion. "Mike please brotha, don't tell me you're listening to this crap."
"I'm just proposing a solution. Rick Grimes has been a pain in your ass Michael. He stole Michonne from you. While you two were together. I mean, you're Mike, you have a reputation and this man is wandering all over Atlanta with Michonne, and your baby. He's playing daddy to the both of them, while it should be you. You should be the one with Michonne right now, not him. And we all know it. "
Terry abandoned his seat on the sofa to sit next to his best friend. He needed to reason him and quick. Philip knew what he was doing, manipulating him into his sick plan, with a subject close to his heart.
"Mike, Mike! You need to think straight here. Move on, let this shit go. Michonne doesn't want you! She's told you that how many times now? There are so many chicks out there for you to waste your time with. You need to stop this madness right now. Don't you see, that Philip is the devil on your shoulder. "
"I'm the devil because I'm stating the truth?" Philip asked, feigning innocence as his eyes glinted with excitement. "He doesn't have to get involved. I know people who will do it. Michonne will be devastated, alone, she will need comforting–"
"He wants to do this to serve his own interests." Terry said, his tense body leaning closer to Mike. "I have the number of Amber. Remember that girl you wanted before Michonne? Well she's single and ready to mingle. "
"You're right." Mike finally uttered, keeping his eyes focused on the mixing board with all the switches and buttons that he had at his disposal. Staring at the one thing he had control over that assisted him in the creation of the only other love in his life, his music. It was impossible to know who he was talking to. Terry held his breath hopeful that his friend would listen to him.
"You're right, that mofo needs to die."
A satisfaction, as if he completed a successful transaction; was expressed by the slightest curve at Philip's mouth corner. While Terry's face went white,he could feel a soft panic growing inside. He thought, for a second, that he had misheard his best friend. But he knew deep down that he had heard him crystal and clear.
"No, no you can't do that Mike," Terry pleaded. He tried to conjure all the arguments he could find to convince Mike of the stupidity of this idea. "Think about your mother. Ok, ok,we beat people, very hard, but we've never killed anyone and let's not start today Mike. Not for this!"
"You don't get it Terry, you don't!" Mike's breaking voice shouted . A desperation that Terry had never seen in him, enveloping his face. Tears of desperation at the corner of his eye.
"She was mine. She is mine. I never knew what love was before I met Michonne. That woman is perfection, and you know that because I know you have a crush on her and Philip too. You bought her favorite restaurant to see her everyday until she found out. Yeah, all talking about moving on because you don't know what it is to have her in your arms. I know I fucked up, but I'm gonna redeem myself and if Rick is not there, she's gonna see my worth again."
He nodded his head, trying to convince himself of the truth of his words. He was convinced since the moment she left that she would come back to him where she truly belonged. Being together was their fate, and he was impatient for her to understand and accept that simple fact. Rick was the one blinding her from the love she still had for him.
"By killing her boyfriend? You're lost if you think this way, she's gonna hate you." Disgust and disdain dripped from the truth of Terry's words.
"She will never know it's me. Never," Mike interjected, his obsession with Michonne crushing all chances to reason him. He needed Rick to be gone, like the air filling his lungs. He should have been rid of that hillbilly cowboy wannabe a long time ago. "You with me on this brother?"
"I love you, I would die for you. You're my brother Mike... but on this, you're too far gone. If you listen to this man, it's over for you. You're going to jail or worse!"
"Do you want me to call Negan?" Philip asked cutting into their endless and boring conversation. He looked like a chess player, who was about to win the game. He just had to place the good player on the good case to be sure the cheikh would die*.
Terry rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe he found himself being party to the take down of Rick Grimes. He felt powerless against the deadly combination of the dangerous and creepy Negan, Philip, the man who could make the devil jealous, and his brother who lost his damn mind over a woman. Terry could barely recognise the man this brother had become, so blinded by love and his desire for revenge, that he couldn't see how things would surely end bad for him.
Terry didn't know where was Rick or what he was doing but he knew that the poor guy was clueless that he about to be a dead man.
####################
Michonne considered herself to be a woman of words. She knew how to use them, try to find the meaning behind them in a book, how to write them. But at that moment, laid on the cold, plastic lined exam table of her OBGYN's office, and hearing what looked like a horse race, she was at a loss for words. She clutched Rick's hand so hard that it became red.
She'd read stories about the sound of the baby's heartbeat to know what to expect. Yet any words used by those strangers did not fully prepare her for the waves of emotions crushing through her or for Rick's eyes welling up while he was recording the screen and her with his phone. He was always about the memories. Every rapid beat made her crave the deepest love in her heart. Deep enough to welcome the one submerging her right now. But those words were right about one thing, all the pain she suffered those last weeks was worth it.
"We made this," Rick whispered in her ear, before kissing her forehead. He watched Denise, continue her exploration on Michonne's belly, her professional eyes peering at the screen and explaining everything she was doing to them. Rick was glad that Michonne chose her. Denise was a jovial woman and they were less nervous being in her presence. She replied to every question Michonne had noted in her notebook. Was it normal to bleed a little? Why I'm feeling that bad in the morning? When does the craving part start?
"I didn't expect it to be that small, and to look like this," Michonne said. She was smiling so hard that her jaw was sore, but she didn't care in the slightest, her happiness was just too strong.
"About the size of a prune, actually" Denise explained, a little smirk accompanied her following sentence, " Or should I say, they are. "
"They?" Michonne repeated, her eyes immediately began to water and her breath shortened, hearing the simple pronoun.
Michonne turned her still shining eyes, full of fat teardrops to Rick, her face transformed into a wondrous grin.
Rick went quiet for a few moments as he stared at the screen, the camera stood frozen in his other hand. Hearing Michonne sniffle, he looked down, those blue eyes of his trying to blink away moisture. He was overcome with happiness - they both were. Their wildest dreams couldn't have prepared them for the feeling that came with finding out they were having twins.
"Yes. You're pregnant with twins, " Denise affirmed pointing her finger at the screen, "Here we have two placentas, which mean that they are not identical twins. Twin pregnancies are a little different from a single birth. That can explain the bleeding you told me about, and get used to my face because you will see me often. I guess you have twins in your family or perhaps in the father's one? "
"I had twins brothers, " Michonne replied, trying to gather her thoughts. For a fraction of a second she was back in the cold hospital hallway of her childhood, but Rick pulled her out of it with a caress on her cheek, before she could drown under the heaviness of her first and last painful meeting with her brothers.
Michonne's use of the past gave Denise all the information she needed. So she didn't insist and try to lightning the mood, by changing the topic.
"Do you have questions Michonne?" she asked, and lifted her head to look at Rick, he was still stroking Michonne's cheek, in seventh heaven. " Or you Rick?"
They both shook their heads, " No,thank you,I just need to…" Michonne answered. She was on the verge of crying of happiness, her whole body on the verge of bursting of joy. Remember to breathe, she had to remind herself.
"I totally understand. You need time to process," Denise finished for her, while wiping the cold blue gel off her belly."Which is totally normal, Michonne. I will give you my personal number if you have any questions, doubts you can call me or leave a message, alright?"
"Thank you, Denise. " The couple responded in unison.
#######
"Are you nervous for tonight ? " Rick asked watching Michonne as she drove his beloved truck out of the parking lot.
Michonne breathed out a heavy sigh. She tried to avoid any negative thoughts about her meeting with Rick's parents all day. After weeks of discussion, they finally found a day fitting everybody's busy schedules. Now that her first appointment with her OBGYN was behind them, and she knew everything was fine with her babies, she had only one thing left to be worried about: his parents.
It had been the most nerve-wracking week of her life. Since the ordeal with Mike, Rick had been more suspicious, and had a hard time letting her go alone anywhere. The paranoid thoughts of Mike appearing anywhere near her at any moment guided all of Rick's emotions. Michonne on the other hand was more worried about Philip's threats. Rick didn't take them seriously, scoffing that they were just empty threats from an empty asshole. Nothing new for her boyfriend.
Negativity was a curse, as Maggie said to her when Michonne had broke the news to her crew, and negativity would make it hard to truly enjoy their God gifted children, until today.
"Of course I am," she replied, "Everything is happening at the same time. I'm so anxious Rick, I mean what if your parents don't like me–"
"Why wouldn't my parents like you?"
"Rick, please," she rolled her eyes, before taking the right side of the road. "Just because you love me doesn't mean that everybody else will. What if they discovered that I used to be a stripper, or if I'm not good enough for you… or your family."
"It should be illegal to not love you." Rick stroked her cheek with his fingers. "I would gladly arrest anyone who would break that law. Every day I would put posters of you on every street of Atlanta, forcing everyone to fling bouquets of Big Kats at your feet. "
She laughed, "Even your own parents?"
"Yes, of course, " Rick responded, but grew serious "I don't want you to worry Michonne. You're a great woman and if my parents can't see past your past as a stripper, then that's their loss. And no matter what happens with them, nothing will change between us. "
"How do you do that?" she asked, her eyes welling up.
"Loving you is the easiest thing I have to do," he simply replied.
######################
"You are so gorgeous," Cindy gushed over Michonne's white long jumpsuit. An outfit strategically chosen as it was flowy enough to hide her growing baby bump.
Cincy had been the one to greet them when they arrived. The stately home was like something straight out of a movie, with shiny marble floors polished to a reflective finish under a hanging chandelier while the two sided staircase that commanded the majority of the foyer's attention. Floor to ceiling windows showed the beautifully landscaped backyard - complete with a state-of-the-art swimming pool. Michonne let out a little 'wow' at the sight of the big, cavernous lounge.
Before Cindy could imprison Michonne's body with her tight hug, Rick put himself in front of her. The smile on his sister face disappeared, replaced by a scold.
" Move, you moron!"
"What did I do to you," he asked trying to pull her tiny body to him, "What kind of greeting is that for your favorite brother."
"Exist," Cindy tried to shove Rick's hard body off her, " Oh so we can't hug your girlfriend anymore, only brother."
"You are not hugging Cindy," He replied, holding in his laughter,"You are crushing people's body. I am stunned no one hasn't already died because of them."
Michonne smacked him on his shoulder, "Stop Rick, let her be. Thank you babe, you look gorgeous too. I love your dress."
Cindy gave them a full flourishing spin, proudly showcasing her pink sleeveless silk dress, the hue complimented her skin tone well . She was effortlessly beautiful and had a strong sense of fashion, that seemed to have miss Rick from birth.
"Thank you Mimi," Cindy said. She tried to hit Rick who was making fun of her, but he took hold of her hands, tightening his grasp on them. She panted, twirling her wrist to escape him. "I swear to God I'll kill you and dance on your grave, Richard Grimes. "
Michonne giggled. She watched them with an ounce of jealousy, and a pound of wistful sorrow. It was one of the things her brothers' death had taken away from her, playful arguments between them. Since her visit to the doctor, she couldn't help but think about Jordan and Andre with an unbidden sliver of fear creeping inside her that her twins babies would have the same fate.
Nonetheless she smiled lovingly when Rick kissed Cindy and finally let go of her. Cindy wiped her cheek, sending daggers at his cheerful face.
"Where are mom and dad?" Rick asked, his hand encircling Michonne's waist. He caught himself before caressing her tummy.
"They're in the living room," Cindy said as she turned to Michonne, her eyes full of genuinely wordiness. She felt bad and slightly embarrassed that a great and caring woman like Michonne, was about to meet her mother. She deserved better, they all did. "Are you ready?"
Michonne nodded her head, "Yeah, I guess. "
"I'm sure my father will love you." Cindy reassured her. They started walking with their arms linked, Rick behind them, to join their parents in the living room.
"And even if they don't, we do." Cindy added.
"I love you too. " Michonne replied, grateful that Cindy found the right words to make her feel better. It wasn't their father who was the reason of her nervousness. Even if she wasn't a big fan of the man because of his absenteeism in Rick's life, but from what she had gleaned from Rick and Cindy's few stories, Sonia Grimes was the ruler of this particular roost and she ruled with a iron fist in a designer glove.
Michonne's eyes widened when they reached the living room. What may have been a standard living room in any other house was a grand showing of wealth. It was obvious that the place followed a classic French style when it came to decorating.
Looking like it was straight out of Versaille, soft, heavy dark drapes hung from the tall windows on top of translucent white curtains. The walls were trimmed in golden designs - the hand drawn work of a spectacular artist. The paintings that adorned on the walls looked like they should have been housed in a museum - as did the large, luxurious furniture that outfitted every corner of the room.
In the middle of all that opulence, here she was, the infamous Sonia Van Graan-Grimes, in the flesh. She stood up from the sofa and walked towards Michonne to greet her. The only sound Michonne could hear was her own heartbeat. The knot in her stomach tightened and she took a deep, long, breath to calm her nerves.
When Sonia's green emerald eyes met Michonne's brown ones, her painted luscious red lips lifted with her brightest and friendliest smile. Rick's mother gave her a once-over,taking in Michonne stunning appearance, her gaze mainly focused on her belly, where she could swear saw the hint of bump. But she shook the thought, blaming it on Michonne's wide romper making her imagine things.
Sonia was breathtakingly gorgeous with refined features. `She had porcelain white skin, contrasting against her dark hair that was lifted above her head in an impeccable bun. She looked like a famous actress from the 50's, with a quiet aura of superiority and grace. Her elegant pink skirt suit was beautifully clinging against her petite frame her and her white stilettos completed the elegantly impressive look. Every inch of this woman reeked of opulence and class.
"Welcome to our humble demeure, Michonne." Sonia gave her a half hug, patting her back and rocking her body back and forth.
The pair of siblings rolled their eyes at their mother's acting skills. They knew it was only the first act of the play she was about to deliver. She loved to pretend that she was the hearty woman, taking advantage of her pleasant appearance. Every Grimes present in that room knew the ebony beauty was far from the woman Sonia Van Graan-Grimes had pictured her son's life partner to be.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Van Graan-Grimes." Michonne replied once they pulled apart, trying to force another bright smile despite her nervousness.
Sonia waved a dismissive hand at her, "Don't be silly dear, call me Sonia. I have to say, you sure are a sight for sore eyes, Michonne."
"Oh, wow," Michonne answered, blushing. "Thank you, you are very beautiful too. I can understand why your kids look like they do."
She even laughed in the most elegant way Michonne thought, not too high and not too down. Controlled, like her whole demeanor.
Sonia turned her attention to Rick, she placed a peck on his right cheek, "Rick, son, how are you?"
"Good, " He replied through a fake smile, when deep down he just wanted to take Michonne back to the safety of their home. "What about you, mother?"
"Now that you are here," Sonia wiped the red lipstick from his cheek, " I'm feeling better."
Sonia gestured to the back of the living room, before she said, "Please Michonne, make yourself at home. I'd like to have a word with my children."
Michonne nodded her head, a quizzical look marring her features. She left them alone, and start wandering around the spacious room. Michonne tried not to drool looking at the Grimes's pieces of art adorning the wall . She was so absorbed by the details of the frames, that she didn't hear the man breathing near her .
Feeling a presence by her side, she pivoted her head, and gasped. Her surprise was quickly replaced by astonishment, taken aback at how much Rick was a carbon copy of him. She was looking at an older version of her boyfriend. He was as charismatic as his son, a little bit smaller than Rick with white and grey covering his hair. His presence commanded respect, while still holding a hint of amiability. Michonne's eyes roamed to his two piece grey suit, before ascending to his kind sky blue eyes.
"Are you an art lover?" he asked, a flute of champagne half-empty in his left hand.
Michonne cleared her throat, trying to regain composure, " Yes. I love the work of George Pemba." Her eyes back on the work of the South African painter.
"I see that my son brought a connoisseur, " His face lit up, already impressed by Michonne.
His interest for her grew," Do you paint, Michonne? "
She smiled outright, " No. I wish I was gifted with this talent. "
"I'm sure God gifted you with many others, " he said, feeling at ease with Michonne, she made for lovely company. " One of them being your beauty. Pictures don't do you justice, Michonne. You sure are an enticing woman. "
Wayne's compliment made her blush, she was fortunate that her dark complexion hid her reddened face from her future father-in-law.
"Isn't she?" Sonia asked coming out of nowhere. She was sporting a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Her words full of something Michonne couldn't pinpoint. She stole a glance at Rick who sighed and shook his head, making Michonne understand that Sonia was about to show her claws. Michonne wondered what their private conversation had entailed.
She tried to keep her face content, " Thank you Mr. Grimes."
"Wayne," He offered her his firm hand in introduction, that Michonne shook shyly. "Since, I'm sure we are going to see each other more often. "
Sonia let out a little scoff, "Let's not talk about things that may not happen. "
"Mom," Rick's stern voice called. It was a warning. He needed his mother to climb down off of whatever pedestal she had put herself up on and respect the woman who was the love his life and he needed her to do that with the quickness. He pinched the bridge of his nose, attempting to calm himself.
Michonne approached him and took his hand from his face, her touch instantly bringing quietude to him. She looked at him with a little grin, silently communicating that she got this.
"What's the matter son, " Sonia asked, feigning innocence, "It is true, how can we be sure Michonne will be here for a long time? Can someone read the cards and be sure about it? "
"I can't see the future in the stars" Michonne replied. Her face not betraying the sour effect Sonia's words had on her, "But rest assured that I'm here to stay, Sonia. "
Cindy felt a deep pleasure as she heard Michonne put her mother back in her lane, with a grace she only witnessed in the same woman who had thrown the first barb of hostility. Perhaps for the first time was about to fight a fight, she would surely lose. Cindy glanced at Rick who hung his head low, refraining a big proud smile.
"Michonne," Wayne broke the thick silence, causing Michonne to look away from his wife's icy stare towards him. She reminded him of Sonia, back in the day when they met, she was as fascinating as Michonne. A sharp mind mixed with a sharp tongue. Neither were damsels in distress, but Sonia was too willful to see above her assumptions about Michonne to give her a chance to prove herself.
"You must be hungry, shouldn't we proceed to the dining room? "
Sonia clasped her hands together, her cheerful mood suddenly back. " You're right, honey. My apologies Michonne. "
Michonne confused, just nodded her head. She had no idea how to be in Sonia's presence. She felt Rick's hand behind her back, and started following them through the never ending living room to an equally gorgeous and cavernous dining room.
A large dining room table sat in the middle with twelve high-backed white upholstered chairs had clean white upholstery, with black and gold embellishments swirling on the sides. The black-topped table was set beautifully, with folded napkins and carefully placed utensils. It may have been beautiful but the color palette of whites and creams and golds made the space feel untouchable and otherworldly.
Michonne took a seat beside Rick who had Cindy on his other side. Sonia decided to be in front of Michonne, while Wayne was at the end of the table.
Sonia watched Michonne from across the table, her smile never leaving her. But it wasn't friendly anymore, it was what Michonne would describe, as a defiant smile. She was trying to intimidate her. Yet Michonne didn't back down. Her chin up, her matching noncompliant gaze holding hers. Whatever wicked game Sonia wanted to play, Michonne was loaded and ready.
She heard Rick sigh as he ran his hand through his now unkempt curls. She had brushed and wrangled them into tameness herself before they left all the while reprimanding him for not taking care of his beautiful hair like he should. But tamed they would not remain it would seem. Rick had warned her about his parents, in particular his mother. Still, the young man had hoped that Sonia tiny good side would show up this night. He knew he was wrong the minute she displayed her whole counterfeit attitude. So his hair paid the price from the nervous twitch of his hands.
"Rick told us you lived in France," Sonia started, her champagne flute gripped in her hand like a weapon ready to fly, " So, I took the liberty to ask the chef to prepare a coq au vin just for you. "
Michonne blinked. Why on Earth would Sonia have thought about making her something special before her arrival only to be coldly dismissive of her once she was here? But Michonne remembered that even bad people do good things thinking that it was enough, and they always felt the need to remind you of them everyday. Mike used to emotionally manipulate her that way.
Michonne forced the smile on her face, "You should not have bothered yourself, I could eat anything. "
"Don't be silly sweetheart, " Sonia waved her hand dismissively ."Fine people deserve fine things. "
"Thank you." was Michonne could muster in reply.
Everyone in the room had their eyes on their awkward exchange. Cindy regretted leaving her cellphone in her room. It was her shield against tense family dinners. She could feel the heat radiating from Rick and admired his restrain to not lash out on their mother. It was only because her knew Michonne was more than capable of handling herself in any situation. Still it was eating him inside to not jump in. Surprisingly their father didn't take any passing glances at his phone once. His whole attention on what was going on.
"So, Michonne," Wayne said before his wife could speak again, "I do hope you are more talkative than my son."
"Yes, I am. " Michonne replied laughing, it seemed that Rick had a different personality around his parents, because she would have never describe him that way. Rick never shied away from a conversation with her, talking about his day, dreams, ideas. Everything going through his brilliant mind.
"I was wondering, " His father continued while the workers were serving the French themed appetizers onto their plates and filling their glasses with red wine. " How the two of you meet."
Cindy giggled, "Their story is straight out of a book, dad."
"Well, one morning I was running late for class, " Michonne glanced at her plate filled with gastronomic amuses bouches. She was aware she would not score any points, with the reveal of her embarrassing meeting with their son. "I was driving too fast, and your son pulled me over. "
"What a reckless behavior." Sonia reprimanded, shaking her head as if the simple thought was causing her physical pain, "I would have expected better from you, Michonne. "
"Actually that was my first ever speeding ticket. My first any kind of ticket, " Michonne was a second away to roll her eyes at Sonia. Her last sentence was uncalled for, her hypocrisy slowly but surely wearing Michonne out. "I like to think of it as my ticket of fate since it brought me to Rick. I have no plans of going over the speed limit again."
"Weren't you fortunate it was my son and not someone else? " Sonia asked, condescendingly.
Michonne had to recognize that even if Sonia was horrendous, her poker face was impressive. She could keep her visage kindly and welcoming while her words weren't. No wonder she was such a talented business woman and skilled politician.
Michonne took Rick's hand and smiled adoringly at him, "Very fortunate. "
Rick kissed her hand, and returned her smile. He could never forget that fateful day his path crossed with Michonne. This day he was doing his usual round around the Downtown area, bored and irritated because of Shane comments on his love life, or more inexistent one.
When he saw the gorgeous woman behind the wheels, his bad mood was long forgotten. He didn't know what caused him to flirt unabashedly with her, her mesmerizing face made him forget how to breath, for a second. But it was her smile that stole his heart,he thought about it all day long.
He tried to reason himself, the chance to meet her again were close to none, so he blew a harsh breath and continued with his day. He wasn't even supposed to go to the bakery, it was a last minute decision after his friend Jesus had to cancel their plans because of his work.
He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw her, standing in line, she was more gorgeous than in his souvenirs. Her questions didn't bother him, they were justified. Rick quietly chuckled to himself coming back to the present, where his mother was still talking.
"From what I recall from the little Rick has told me, you are a student. Am I correct?" Sonia asked once she finished chewing her food.
"Yes. I'm majoring English Literature at the university."
"What do you want to do?" It was Wayne's turn to ask her questions.
"I want to be a teacher." Wayne was growing on her. He spoke to her without any condescension in his tone. He sounded genuinely interested in her.
Sonia scoffed as if she was offended by Michonne's words, "A simple teacher?"
Michonne furrowed her brows, "Yes. A simple teacher. " She tried to not sound disrespectful, but she had decided then and there that she hated Sonia Van Graan- Grimes. She understood no matter what she said or done, she would never find grace in Rick's mother eyes. Michonne wondered how her children turned out so great being raised by such a spiteful woman.
"Is there something wrong with that? " Rick asked, speaking for the first time since they were seated. He couldn't keep his mouth shut anymore. He cocked his head at the side, his exasperated gaze bored into his mother.
"I think that teaching is honorable work," Cindy interjected.
"I have no problem with your aspirations to be a teacher, " Sonia corrected, lifting her finger. "I was just wondering why a smart woman like you, Michonne, wouldn't try to aim for something higher?"
Michonne's forehead creased, it was becoming more and more difficult to keep her tone calm. "Being a teacher is a big thing, it's one of the most important jobs in the world. Without them we wouldn't know how to read, write and so many other things."
"Don't get me wrong Michonne. I utterly agree with your statements. I wasn't implying that it was a meaningless job. But why not politics? Why not owning a groundbreaking company? Or something that will give you a good salary–"
"I have no interest in being a politician. Not anybody can do what you are doing with the mayor. "
"Did. I am not working with her, anymore. "
"Since when did you quit? " Wayne asked dumbfounded.
"Two days ago, I want to go back to the hôtellerie."
"And you didn't think about telling us? " Rick inquired, just as disturbed than his father. Yet, it was so typical of his mother. It was always all about her and her desires, the others were just there to obey and follow whether they liked it or not.
"Well, now you know," Sonia shrugged. "The business needs me, your father did a fine job, but–"
"Do you have an issue with the way I handle things, Sonia? "
Sonia rolled her eyes, as if she had just heard the stupidest question ever uttered, "Wayne, stop making a fuss. You know many of your decisions have affected my family's legacy. "
"Which decisions?"
"We can leave the both of you alone." Rick announced, grabbing the opportunity to leave.
"No!" she said, her voice rising. Sonia cleared her throat trying to gather herself and returned to her honeyed calm voice, "No one is leaving. Your father will stop his tantrum right now, am I clear?"
If looks could kill Wayne would surely have been dead. Sonia's green eyes were burning with anger, making Michonne feel ill at ease. She took a look at Cindy who looked unfazed by all of this as she continued with her meal, gracing her mother with a blasé smile. She was used to it. Wayne bowed his head, defeated and Michonne felt sorry for him.
"Please excuse my behavior, Michonne. " Wayne said, shameful that Michonne witnessed their argument.
"Of course. " Michonne replied uneasy.
A heavy, eerie silence hung in the air, punctuated only by the entrance of the two servants, dressed in white tunics moving wordlessly around as they served the coq au vin, and refilling the empty glasses. Michonne licked her lips. The tasty smell engulfed the room, making her belly growl. She started to dig enthusiastically into the beautiful dish with her golden fork, fighting to keep her moans of appreciation on lock. At her side, Rick barely touched his food, disgusted by his parent's behavior which made him lose his appetite.
"This coq au vin is delicious." Michonne complimented, the silence becoming too unbearable. "My compliments to the chef." She addressed those words to Wayne. A tiny smile breaking into his doleful face.
"I'll be sure to convey them," Wayne responded, feeling a bit better. He decided to continue to discover more about the woman of the night, "When was the last time you visited France? I love that country. Not just for the excellent cuisine but I've also think has the most intriguing people. "
"It truly is a beautiful country. The last time I was there was about ten years ago," she replied, the smile on her face slipping, "The last spring I spent with my mother. She was 6 months pregnant at the time, I think, and she wanted to travel before she couldn't anymore."
"My condolences," Sonia said. For the first time since Michonne arrived, she felt sincerity in her words. "I also know what is like to lose a mother. "
"Me too." Cindy added out of nowhere. All of them knowing she was talking about the state of her non existent relationship with Sonia.
Another thick silence followed Cindy's words. Each of them reflecting on what had been said. Rick and Michonne shared a comforting look, he leaned to her and kissed her cheek,shutting everything around them, in their own bubble unaware that they had an audience. Sonia pressed her red lips together and narrowed her eyes, the public spectacle of affection aggravating her more than she wanted to admit… until she noticed another more bothering detail: Michonne's wine glass was still full.
"Do you have an issue with the wine, Michonne?"
Michonne raised her head from her almost empty plate. She froze, caught off guard by the question. She prayed that no one would notice,or at least not ask any questions about it. Michonne could have lied and pretended she didn't drink alcohol, but it was too late, her hesitation gave her away when she saw comprehension dawn on Sonia face.
Sonia closed her eyes and her blood ran cold at the implications of her next statement, "You're pregnant."
She mentally put all the pieces of the puzzle together the slight bump on Michonne's belly and the fact that her wine remained untouched.
Michonne's shoulders sagged as she leaned into her chair, and caressed her tummy beaming with joy. " We are expecting twins."
No sooner had she announced the news, that Cindy rose from her seat with a scream and rushed towards her to hug her ecstatically.
"Oh my God," she exclaimed, tears forming in her eyes. "Two babies! Really? I'm gonna be an aunt. Oh my God! Dad do you hear that? Oh my God!"
Rick nodded his head in agreement, excited by his sister's jovial response. He was happy that the babies diffused the bad mood surrounding them since the start of the night. Wayne joined their little celebration as he stood to give Rick a fatherly pat on the back, a tiny smile plastered on his face.
"Congratulations, son. Wayne approached Michonne who had stood up to face him. His hesitation to hug her amused Michonne who made the first step and opened her arms to him. He had observed the way Rick had changed since Michonne stepped into his life and the way he watched her like he thought she hung the moon and the stars.
Wayne knew he hadn't been the best father to his children, too absent to fulfill his role. At this moment, he considered Michonne's pregnancy to be a chance to redeem himself. Build a new, strong and loving bond with his extended family. Avoid the same mistakes with his grandchild, hope pouring through him, he offered Michonne a wide smile. She would be a breath of much needed fresh air for his family.
"We're going to be grandparents of two babies," he said to Sonia as if she had been absent when the news broke. She struggled to keep her face neutral, while she could feel her heart rate increased and every inch of her muscles tensing. Everyone was looking at her, waiting for her to say something. Sonia drank her wine to get rid of the dry sensation in her mouth. Finally she spoke, but even her smile couldn't pretend anymore. It looked more like a grimace.
"I'm pleased."
*A little explanation for this sentence : When someone play chess and wins he/she/they always say at the end " checkmate " , well this expression came from the Arab :" El Cheikh mawt " literally meaning the old man is dead.