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Chapter

Nine

RICK

By the time I reclaim Michonne's lips with mine, her response is avid—deep, revealing. Side by side, in between her cool, linen, white sheets, my own need sends my blood coursing through every vein of my body. As I cup her head encouraging her to turn into my embrace, her fingers caress my neck and travel lower to the center of my bare torso. She slips her arms under mine, curling around to my back and draws me again on top of her. I pause, bracing on my forearms as we exchange a peaceful smile with each other. The understanding that this is more than just physical, is unuttered but present. More than dipping into the sea of desire, this is us submerging in life-altering need made genuine due to implicit trust.

I kiss her again slowly. My tongue prods and encourages her with gentle, yet firm strokes to widen the opening of her mouth. Michonne cradles my hips between her thighs, and my mouth moves towards her slender neck. Nibbling and teasing, as my hands explore, grope, fondle and enjoy her enticing physique. Her tender whispers in my ear signal she wants more. I hear her, but what I want is to take my time. She lifts her back, pushing against my chest.

In response, I gently nudge her down. "Wait."

"Nooo," she groans.

Her impatience elicits a rumbling chuckle. "What's the rush? We got time."

"You wanna make me happy?"

My head tilts. "Of course."

"Then get in there and stop driving me crazy."

I grin even wider. Yes, I wasted no time with removing all barriers of clothing between us, but hell she's ruining my plans to make love to her all night. "Bossy much."

"Sometimes a girl's gotta take charge." Her finger traces a seductive line along my lower lip. "Particularly when she's in-love."

Damn. Right to the heart. "You play dirty." She snickers. "Alright, you ready?" I hook my hand under her knee. Lifting her leg, I place light kisses and tender bites along her inner thighs. I could feel the tremors roll through her body as I don't hesitate, and hold nothing back. Eager, she circles her hips to meet my movements, the sensation of gaining deeper access is electrical. Fingertips massage my shoulders before finding their way through my hair. Due to the anticipation and foreplay, it doesn't take long for me to push her to her breaking point. As a matter of fact, I'm not far behind.

My mouth once again caresses the side of her face, her neck, and her chest as she rides out the wave before I finally collapse next to her.

"How was that?"

That was…" she pants, "... I can't even... catch my breath. That's how it was."

I give her a breathless laugh, allowing my fingers to intertwine with hers. "Yeah, same. Amazing." Intrinsically satisfying.

"Seriously." She turns into me and snuggles against my side. My arm readily encases her warm body, reclaiming this gem of a woman.

"Promise me it'll always be like this. That we'll always have this," she whispers after awhile.

By this, she means the comforting closeness, the fierce attachment.

It's a promise I am ready and willing to make.

"Come over to my house for dinner tomorrow," I say. "I'll get you a bottle of wine, and Carl would love to go a few rounds of darts afterwards."

"Oh... so sorry. But I don't play darts." Her body vibrates with giggles.

"You don't or you can't?"

She pinches my hip.

"Hey," I laugh, twisting my body away from her sharp grip, "no shame in not being exceptional at everything."

"Mmhmm."

"Don't worry, I'm a very good teacher. My knee won't be a problem."

She lifts her head to meet my gaze, resting her chin on top of my chest. Despite the shadows cloaking the room, there is a hesitant solemnity behind her eyes.

"What?" I ask. "What's wrong?"

"That time after your injury... you know you didn't have to lie."

For a moment I am speechless. My rib cage becomes weighted with her words, struck by their bluntness. I swallow hard, pressing my finger and thumb against my eyelids before I give her the just-as-honest answer she deserves. "Yeah I… I know that. Was a stupid, selfish kid back then with my head straight up my ass. I swear to god that was me at my lowest. For a long time, Michonne, I was so ashamed. But even after everything with us, I knew that you'd be there. Like you always had. That's why I called my best friend. I—I didn't want anyone else to see me like that. I lied to you because I needed only you. But that's no excuse, I know. Everything was a mistake."

Michonne looks at me thoughtfully, trying to understand my reasoning. She'd mentioned once how I'd even turned mean afterwards. Why? That question ran through my mind a million different times whenever I thought back to the countless phone calls, and texts she'd sent reaching out to me. Checking up on me. But I was cold and distant. It would be years before I could acknowledge that my behavior was a result of my feeling acutely embarrassed. I shouldn't have allowed my life, my actions to come to such a low point. To have Michonne compromise her integrity on my behalf.

"Trust me," I say, "I'm gonna do all that I can to earn your forgiveness."

"Well…" she smirks, "More of this is a start."

My hand slides from her waist to her hip. "You'll think of other ways?"

She giggles, covers her mouth with the sheet. "Lots." She inches up my chest and plants a firm kiss on my mouth. "I was young and stupid too. I've made mistakes too. Should've been honest about how I felt a long time before then." Still, a look of concern descends upon her features. "Did marrying Lori help you to get through it?" she asks, after a moment of reserved uncertainty.

I glimpse away. Under her scrutinizing gaze, the temptation to dismiss this topic of discussion for another time, another place, is overwhelming.

Michonne senses my discomfort and lightly taps my chin for my attention. "Embrace our past—All of it. You said that."

I nod.

"So… help me out. I'm just trying to make sense of who you are."

I sigh deeply, staring at her face, thinking how pretty her eyes look under the dim lighting. Appreciating the honesty of her interest. Despite my flaws, despite the disappointments, Michonne still trusts me. Still makes me feel that I'm worth a damn. Not like my father who left me to fend for himself, not like Lori who'd expected me to live up to her idea of a perfect husband. Again, it's not an excuse to mess up, no, far from... but it's been a long time since I've had this gift—this freedom to just be the best version of myself. And not bend and twist to fit the perception of what others think.

"Marrying Lori was a business arrangement. Lori's father was old money, you remember? Him and my dad, and even their dads, go way back. That's part of why Lori and I usually got back together—to keep up appearances. That's the advantage. When I lost my scholarship, Dad and I were on the outs, so Lori got her old man to pay my tuition. His one stipulation was us following through on tradition. Means to an end. That's how we got engaged. Love and a contract. I had hoped to have both with Lori."

She sits upright, props her elbow on her knee with her fist pressed against her cheek. "You didn't?"

"For a while, yeah, I thought I did. I earnestly tried to. But none of that would have happened if I had you. But we can't know that now, can we?"

"No, we can't," she says quietly. "I was scared, unprepared. I never expected for you to really feel the same way about me. It was like…" she chuckles, more to herself, "…like waiting for a star to fall."

"I love you Michonne. Always. I've loved you for a lifetime. I promise I'm gonna love you forever." My hand strokes her hair. "Do you still love me?"

A sly smile curls her lips. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Then okay."

"That's it?" she laughs, "Just okay?"

I shrug.

"Then, okay... I still love you too."

My arm hauls her back to my chest. "Good. Now how soon are you gonna move back into my house?"

MICHONNE

11 months later.

If Mom and Rick's mom had their way, we'd be standing at the altar of First Ministry Baptist Church today for our wedding ceremony. Despite our mothers' well-meaning protests, my fiancé and I have opted to gather with our family and friends outside on the lush green landscape beside Lake Woodson. Situated under a wooden arch adorned with luscious hydrangeas, eucalyptus, and white lilies, Rick and I are gifted with a spectacular sky filled with sunshine glittering off the gently lapping waves of the water. The perfect setting for our new beginning.

Suddenly, a warm breeze with whispers of a hot summer just ahead, brushes the nape of my neck and rustles the skirt of my lace, floor length wedding dress. My hand shoots up to secure the gardenias Fatima arranged in my hair, whilst managing to maintain my poise.

Right now Pastor Gabriel Stokes is giving a beautiful sermon. Well... I'm sure he is. But hell I can hardly hear a word he says. Rick is so devastatingly handsome in that crisp grey suit, with his tie and pocket square matching the hue of my sheath, champagne-colored gown. My heart soars as I stare at my future husband. And although we haven't said 'I do' as yet, I feel my spirit is already linked to this man's. It's all surreal. Standing here, I never would've imagined my life coming to this moment. But I'm glad that it has.

As a matter of fact, I can't stop grinning.

Trying my best not to so much as fidget, both of my hands grip my bouquet in an effort to control the waves in my stomach. Carl, on the other hand, who's positioned between us with the rings, hasn't been able to keep his narrow pooch quiet. Not for a single second since the ceremony started. His constant wiggling is a distraction. Poor thing. He really can't stand wearing a full three-piece suit. But his father, who is cool as a cucumber, promised the teen he could peel away the layers once our pictures have been taken.

For a moment, I dare to peek across at the intimate gathering of our loved ones; sitting in attendance on folding garden chairs, their faces reflect what's in my heart—pure, unadulterated joy. It nearly brings me to tears. This love is a gift to be celebrated.

Someone nudges my elbow. It's Pastor Stokes.

"And now," he says, "we'll hear from the lovely couple their written vows."

Oh, that's my cue. Right. Here we go. Rick's face turns red.

I take a deep breath, and I say, "Exchanging personal vows at first seemed to be a great idea, but it turned out to be a lot harder than I thought and I got stuck. I didn't know what exactly I wanted to say. So, Pastor Stokes asked me how did I know that this was genuine love, and well this is what I came up with."

I pause.

Just breathe Michonne.

"Rick, growing up I was always unsettled—With school, with my family, my friends—and for a long time I never felt at ease even in my own skin. The day that I met you was the day that I fell for you." Blushing, I look out to our chuckling guests. "Yes, embarrassing, but it's true." I look back at Rick. "But knowing that I was in-love with you happened after some time. When I suddenly realized I no longer had that unsettling feeling, gnawing in the pit of my stomach. I don't know how but... I was just happy. And content and calm and… you weren't mine but I treasured the way you brought peace to my heart."

Someone is sniffling in the crowd.

I clutch my bouquet tighter. Oh god, please don't let me start crying. This make-up took too damn long and cost too much money to ruin before my pictures. I collect myself, clear my throat, and continue. "Just your smile alone in my dreams, and I'd wake up happy. It's the same now. And it's the best way to start the day. Because of everything we've been through, Rick sweetie, I understand you. I understand your sins, I understand your heart, and I love you."

Now Rick wells up with tears. He leans in and kisses me.

Gabriel yanks him back. "Hey! Hold on now. We haven't gotten to that part just yet."

More laughs and a hoot and a whistle erupt from our beautiful, beaming guests.

"Well, if that's not love," Gabriel says, "then what is? That was beautiful Michonne. Now let's hear from the groom."

Rick takes a moment, and lowers his head. After thumbing away the water from the corner of his eyes, he begins. "Love… is supposed to make you better, not worse. To have real love... you gotta fight for it. But still be kind, yeah?"

With a knowing giggle, I nod.

"Having real love, well to me it means showing your strength on behalf of those for whom you care about and not using it against them. To build them up and not to tear them down. Love means acceptance." He squeezes my hand. "I accept you, Michonne. I accept my responsibilities to you—as a man, as a husband, and as a friend."

"Hallelujah!" someone shouts out. Is that Rachael? It sure sounded like Rachael. A few 'Amens' follow and I am grinning so hard my cheeks hurt.

Rick gives me a nervous smile. He looks a little lost. I mouth 'Go on,' for him to finish up.

He clears his throat. "To help you deal with the pressures and the doubts you're certain to face along the way, would be my honor babe. And I would do so, not begrudgingly, but earnestly, and with insurmountable pride because I want to make you happy. I want to give you the world. Thank you for marrying me, for saying yes. I'm so happy to have you as my wife."

Pastor Stokes raises his hands in the air. "Can I get an Amen?"

"Amen!" Comes the automatic response from our people. They are eating this up. I half expected a few to break out in applause too soon.

With Carl's help, Rick and I then exchange rings as we make heartfelt promises to remain united til death do us part.

"By the power vested in me…" Before Stokes has a chance to complete his pronouncement, Rick's arms are hooked around my waist.

"... by God and man…"

His hands are snaking up my back.

"... and by the State of Georgia…"

Drawing me close to seal his mouth against mine in a searing kiss.

"... I hereby pronounce you husband and wife."

With camera flashes and a standing ovation, one by one our guests hug us, congratulate us, telling us they're so proud that we've made it. But the truth is, with Rick's hand protectively covering our secret in my tummy, we've only just begun.

THE

END.

A/N: That's it for me folks. Thanks once again, for spending time with this story. I hope you were entertained. Enjoy Season 9 as much as possible despite the impending loss of our leading man. This is the best Fandom and I am so glad to have been a part of it. Thank you.