Chapter Ten: The Birthday Boy

The next time they were all together it was the morning of Carl's birthday.

Rick, Michonne and their sons visited an animal shelter outside Alexandria. Rick initially planned on merely purchasing a dog from a pet store, but Michonne enlightened him on why adopting was the surest way to go. They would be saving a life and giving a dog a second chance at a family as she did with her own pet.

"I definitely want this one," Carl called to his father as he scratched the the vivacious midnight colored Labrador mix behind his ear. "I love him."

"Me too," André agreed moving to the other side of the happy dog, to get his share of petting in.

The volunteer leading their tour of the kennel presented them a leash and collar and allowed them time to spend with their potential future pet when Carl showed interest in one particular dog. He told them it would help for them to see if he was a good fit for their family. It filled Rick with a certain longing when they were referred to as a family. Especially when Michonne simply smiled, without correcting Gareth, the shelter's overly friendly adoption representative.

Carl and André took an immediate liking to the seven-month-old Bear as he walked —more like ran —them around outside the shelter.

"You sure?" Rick asked, turning his attention to the boys. "There are more you can try out. Take 'em for a walk. See if you like 'em."

"I'm sure. This is the one Dad," Carl declared as the floppy eared dog bounced around, wagging his tail, enjoying the attention from his two new friends.

"He is pretty cute," Michonne agreed as she linked her arm with Rick's. Bear's dark brown eyes found the pair as if he knew he was the topic of the conversation. "Friendly little guy too. I like him."

Rick glanced at the woman on his arm smiling at how lucky he was. "Well it sounds like we have a consensus. Welcome to the family Bear."

Gareth had them complete the necessary paper work and suggested they try fostering first as a trial run and if they took a liking to the dog, they can make the necessary steps to a full adoption. Their application would have to be reviewed and pet rescue workers will need to do a home visit to ensure Bear's long-term safety.

By the end of the short application process Rick was itching to leave the animal shelter and chatty Gareth behind. Somewhere in their discussion of the appropriate care and safety measures for Bear, Gareth brought up his distaste for animal meat, the tragic death of his childhood pet goldfish and gave a lengthy diatribe about his ex-girlfriend's tumultuous past as an exotic animal smuggler.

He was nearing the point of oversharing.

"So, I'll see you all and Bear in about a week, if all goes well," Gareth said, clapping his hands together as his eyes bounced between the four of them and the dog. "Bear is a wonderful dog, I'm sure you'll love him, but in case it doesn't work out we have many others in need of a good home. So, don't hesitate to let us know how you feel. We're here to help you complete your family with a perfect new addition."

"We'll call if we have any questions," Michonne assured him, as they began inching away. She chose her words carefully, worried that she may inspire another unwanted anecdote from the man who's eyes she thought seemed almost slightly crazed. Though hearing his graphic description of poaching didn't help in forming an overall favorable view of him.

"And you said you have lots of space for him to run around, so I'm sure he'll love that."

"Yeah, it's a huge farm, there' lots of space." Rick gave him a small wave, placing his hand on the small of Michonne's back as he began ushering her and the boys to the exit.

"Great! Well you're all good to go. It was so nice helping you select your new addition. Bye family!"

"Bye Gareth!" Carl and André waved as they led Bear past Rick who was still waving at the man.

"He's like Apple store employee friendly but with a hint of overzealous barista," Michonne laughed, once they were out of earshot. "The enthusiasm is nice though. But I feel kind of bad his ex-girlfriend scammed his family like that. I didn't need all the gory details, but poor guy."

Rick shrugged noncommittally. "He talks too much."

"Sweet! I finally got a dog." Carl held up his hand and André jumped to slap his palm against the older boy's hand to complete their high-five.

"Yay! You can bring him over to our house to play with Snoopy." André looked up to his mother as they approached the car with their new four-legged friend in tow and she nodded her head in affirmation of his statement.

Laughter and animated chatter from the backseat filled the car on the drive back to the farm.

"How's the new guy doing so far?" Michonne asked, referring to his new farm hand. "He warmed up to you yet?"

"Daryl's actually alright. Still doesn't say much though. He should still be there when we get home."

"You should invite him to dinner. And you're not exactly a chatterbox yourself," she pointed out with a wink. "Except when you're with me."

"Yeah, but he grunts and he mumbles," Rick countered in his own defense. "I at least use full sentences and don't over talk like Jerry back there."

"It's Gareth." The pair shared a laugh at Daryl and Gareth's speaking habits and Rick proceeded to share the status of his home improvement projects. When they arrived at the farm, the children and Bear, were practically bouncing with excitement.

"Come on, I'll show you the horses!" Carl told André as they led Bear out of the car. "Bear should meet them too. Then I'll give you both a real tour. My new room is awesome!"

Rick smiled as the two boys and the dog ran off toward the barn. "Don't stay over there too long," Rick called at them, as he and Michonne strolled toward the house. Carl had always wanted to a sibling and having André around brought out the big brotherly tendency in him.

"Daryl." Rick waved as the shaggy-haired man emerged from around the corner, crates in hand.

"Hey," he greeted, with a nod of acknowledgement in Michonne's direction.

"How's it going with the barn?"

"Alright," he shrugged. "Should be finished Monday."

"Great. Headed out soon?"

Daryl nodded, shifting his hair from his face. "My brother's in town for the weekend. Gotta make sure he doesn't trash my place."

"Alright, well see you Monday."

Daryl's response was barely audible as he returned to his task, leaving Rick and Michonne to their own devices. "He doesn't mumble that much. You're exaggerating," she whispered conspiratorially as they walked toward the house.

"How was any of that not considered mumbling?" He pointed his thumb in the man's direction, not caring if he was looking or not.

"Maybe he's just shy. Some people take long before they get comfortable around new people. The two of you might be good friends by the end of the month for all you know," she suggested with a shrug as they entered the kitchen. "Carl seems to be enjoying his birthday so far." She was happy when Michael was more than agreeable to her keeping André for the weekend. "Why was he so against a party?"

"Birthdays were his mama's thing," Rick said, as he opened the fridge to take out the ingredients for their small familial celebration. "Plus, he's been having a tough time making friends around here. He doesn't tell me much, but there's some kind of rivalry between him and one of the Anderson boys."

"Jessie's kids?" She almost called her cupcake lady again.

"Yeah. The older boy can be a little…rough. Carl won't admit it though, but a father knows these things."

"Hmm. I thought they were friends." She leaned against the counter watching as he neatly lined everything out the way she usually did. "You're a fast learner Mr. Grimes. You over there lookin' like a pro."

"I am," he responded with a smirk. "So, prepare to be impressed. This will be mind-blowing. You might never want to cook again."

"I'd hold off on telling Carl until after he tastes it. I still don't think he completely trusts you to not accidentally poison him," she laughed, thinking of the boy's declarations of a complete lack of trust in his father's developing cooking skills.

He spun around, pulling her to him. "Good thing I have somebody he trusts in my corner."

"Do you?"

"Mmhmm." His lips moved against hers in a deep slow kiss as he leaned against the countertop with his arms hanging around her waist.

"You trying to get us caught again?" she asked, in a breathless voice when they pulled away for air and his lips moved to her neck. "I feel like we end up like this whenever we get in a kitchen."

Rick met her eyes and his were filled with mischief. "Well, it's not like they don't already know. We're two people who really, really like each other. It's a given."

Explaining their relationship to André was a lot different than with telling an older child like Carl. Michonne scoured the internet in search of advice on how to explain dating to children, particularly after a divorce. Things with Rick were getting serious and their relationship certainly wasn't casual, but the last thing she wanted to do was confuse him, so she decided to keep it simple and share more as things progressed.

He noticed how she averted his gaze as she slipped out of his arms, returning to their task. "Yeah…but we really should focus on actually starting to cook. We'll have our fun later. When's your sister-in-law getting here?"

"In a couple of hours."

"She knows, right? Me being here won't be weird or anything?" she asked popping a cherry tomato in her mouth.

"She knows and she'll be expecting to see you here. No trying to escape."

"Just making sure." She gave him a quick peck on the lips before redirecting him once gain to the task at hand.

As they worked side by side, he thought of Carol and her seemingly positive reaction to the news that he was dating again and he would be introducing her to his girlfriend. It felt like an odd word to use since it didn't accurately define Michonne in his mind, however it was the closest he could think of to verbalize their relationship to another.

Carol loved her sister, but even she knew that Lori was in the wrong and she held no ill will for neither her adopted sister nor her brother-in-law after their falling out. She didn't think it was her place to pass judgement on the messy intimate dealing of their lives.

He remembered the day Lori first left and the conflicting emotions that plagued him. It wasn't long after Carl's eighth birthday party.

…

That particular day was the first time he thoroughly reflected on the irreparable state of his marriage. He had arrived home to find her in their living room seated in her favorite Lawson chair. She stared blankly at the wall, giving no acknowledgement of his presence.

That was how they operated in their home.

He remembered the flat emotionless voice she spoke in when she broke their most recent 24-hour stretch of silence. "This isn't working, is it? I think we're done."

He frustratingly ran a hand through his dark curls when he finally took in the packed suitcases by the stairs. "So, what? You're leaving?"

"You know, you don't even look at me anymore." Her eyes shifted to meet his. "You can't. We're strangers in our own home because you just can't let go of what happened."

"And where're you going?" he asked, ignoring her rant of self-pity. The problems between them were no fault of his and he to allow to her the satisfaction that would come from guilt on his part.

Lori shut her eyes, her own frustration was building. "I just need some time away."

Rick stared impassively at the woman he was once able to call his wife without feelings of bitterness and disdain. He should have felt something upon seeing her ready to walk away from him, but instead he felt almost relieved. "Fine. Go, but just know you're not taking Carl anywhere."

"He's still at my sister's."

"I'll pick him up later."

"Rick — " Lori began, the pain she had so skillfully hid was clear in her voice.

"Enjoy your time off." He didn't wait for a response from her. He spun on his heel, bypassing her bags as he ascended the stairs, drowning out her pleas for him to listen.

He had grown tired of listening.

When he had reemerged from their considerably barer bedroom an hour later that day, she was gone. Simply removed from his life after years together. He was surprised by the relief that overtook him.

As he drove to her Carol's house, he found himself reflecting on the past year of his marriage. As a husband and father, he tried his best to do everything right, but somehow it wasn't enough. While he was playing perfect family, his wife had her eyes set elsewhere, namely on his friend and coworker.

Following his discovery of the affair, there were tears, pleas for forgiveness and weak explanations. He verbally expressed forgiveness, but his actions said different.

Rick grimes profoundly resented his wife.

He resented her and refused to admit it to himself. He wanted to forgive her, especially one she revealed she was expecting their second child, but forgiveness isn't an emotion a person can force. Every time he saw her, he thought of them together.

He thought of their betrayal.

So, he just stopped thinking.

They moved through their like cold distant strangers holding routine mundane conversations when necessary while studiously averting their eyes from one another. While resentment kept his eyes and mind away, guilt kept her eyes trained to the floor.

When Lori ultimately miscarried, they stopped speaking as well.

He remembered seeing the pity in Carol's eyes when he arrived to pick up his son that evening. She received a call from Lori earlier that evening informing her of her sudden departure. While she knew of the struggle within their marriage she was unaware of the extent of the damage.

"Where's mom?" Carl had asked when they returned home to a house that was even more silent than usual.

Rick looked at his son, wishing, for his sake, that things had turned out differently. "She had to go away for a little while."

"Because she's sad?"

Of course, he noticed. They tried to maintain a sense of normalcy for Carl, but neither one was particularly good at acting. "Something like that."

"Is she going to come back?"

Would she?

"Yeah," he remembered saying, despite not truly knowing the answer. "She'll only be gone for a while."

She did return.

Three months later.

She was met with newly drafted divorce papers. In Rick's eyes, it was not negotiable.

~TFW~

Once Carol arrived and they were properly introduced, Michonne grew more at ease. Carl was happy to see his aunt, especially as she came bearing gifts and his cousin Sophia.

"Westbrook?" Carol asked looking up from her plate once the five of them were gathered around the dinner table in casual chatter. "You wouldn't happen to have any relation to Senator David Westbrook?"

Michonne shifted her weight, attempting to remain composed. Her family wasn't a subject she often discussed. She's be content if nobody outside of immediate family knew of the relation. "Yeah, he's my father."

"Small world," the silver-haired woman said with a small smile. She had taken a liking to the bohemian woman and her mesmerizing 70s inspired fashion. Michonne was not what she was expecting when Rick said he was seeing someone new. The woman was so unlike what she assumed his type to be. "I heard about his heart attack. I hope he's doing better. He's running for office again, right?"

"He's much better actually." Michonne's mother wasn't wrong when she called her husband a fighter. "So, you know him."

"Heard of him on the news," Carol corrected, her curious gaze taking in the other woman's every move. She wondered if Rick was going through some kind of crisis. Michonne was charming and warm, but Carol definitely didn't see her as his type. "So, what is it you do Michonne?"

"I paint and I plan weddings." She took of sip of her water, keeping her answer short.

"Oh wow," Carol said, still somewhat mystified. "It sounds like you lead an interesting life."

"I'm happy and I love what I do."

Carol glanced between Rick and Michonne, wearing a small smile of contemplation. Her nephew clearly adored this woman and Rick appeared happier than she had seen him in a while, possibly ever.

Dinner continued smoothly and transitioned to the living room where Carl had the opportunity to open his gifts. The adults were delighted with the excitement of the children, particularly with how enthralled they were with Bear. The happiness of children had a way of brightening a room and bringing ease to interactions.

"Alright everybody." Michonne emerged from the kitchen carrying the double chocolate cake Carl requested, with its ten lit candles on top. "It's time to sing to the birthday boy."

"Cake!" André exclaimed happily clapping his hands together in excitement.

"Haaa-ppy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday dear Caaa-rrrl. Happy birthday to you!"

"Make a wish."

Carl shut his eyes tight as his brow furrowed in concentration as he sorted out the thing he wanted most in the world. He wanted to get the wish right. After all, birthdays and wishes only came around once a year. He finally leaned forward, eyes still shut, and let out one powerful blow, extinguishing all ten candles at once.

"Happy birthday!"

"What did you wish for Carl?" André asked, tapping his new friend on his shoulder.

"Can't tell." He glanced at his Dad. "It won't come true if I tell, but I'll let you know as soon as it does."

"Aww I have to wait?" André looked up at his mother, the smartest person he knew, for confirmation of the accuracy of Carl's statement.

"Those are the birthday rules," Michonne confirmed.

"It's true," Sophia added, nodding her head vigorously. "I told my wish one time and it didn't come true." She pouted regretfully. "I really wanted that pony."

André was bouncing with excitement. "I hope your wish comes true really fast Carl."

"You and me both André."

While Carol began dishing out slices of birthday cake to the high-spirited bunch, Rick quietly slipped out of the house settling on the front steps. Lately, found himself in frequent moments of self-reflection, something that he avoided for some time. He supposed living in an even more isolated countryside than he grew up in was serving a useful purpose.

Rick heard the door swing open behind him and he didn't have to turn around to see who it was. He felt her warm presence and was instantly grateful to have her near.

She didn't break the silence with needless chatter. Being able to offer meaningful companionship in comfortable silence was a rare and beautiful thing, they seemed to have mastered. From their very first night together their interactions were effortless and uncomplicated.

She moved almost noiselessly as she sat down next to him.

"I never really planned on coming out here." He broke the silence as he gazed out at the vast expanse of land he now called his own. "I wanted to sell it and keep it moving, but then I started thinking. I spent so much time just going through the motions back home, it was like I wasn't really living."

Michonne scooted closer to him, resting her head against his shoulder and he wrapped an arm around her waist puling her closer until she was almost in his lap. "I'm glad you decided to come."

"Me too," he sighed. "I'm happier and I've found someone amazing."

She took a deep breath, shifting her head to get a look at his face. She decided to respond with humor, which always works for them. "Who is this someone? It's not Daryl, is it?"

"No, someone far prettier than him."

"Pretty? Is that the criteria?" she asked teasingly.

"Amongst other things." He pulled her into his lap, pulling her body impossibly closer to his own. He leaned in to kiss her, his hand slipping up her skirt, gathering the fabric and moving it upwards as his fingers lightly grazed her thigh. She trembled in response as he tilted his head, trailing kisses over her neck and collarbone.

Her hands found his hair as he undid the first few buttons of her blouse. "Is this part of the other things?" She asked breathlessly as she gazed down into his blue orbs. The intensity she saw there made her heart jump. She was bursting with need and from the look on his face waiting wasn't an option for him either.

Faint boyish laughter emanated from the door behind Rick filling the cool dark night. She laughed softly, her eyes brightening in the moonlight. "It's so easy to forget where we are sometimes."

He shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes still burning into her and he slipped his hand between them palming her breast. "We can move."

"I don't think we can make it upstairs unnoticed," she pointed out.

"Who said anything about goin' in the house?" He hastily got to his feet, pulling her with him as he led her, laughing like teenaged lovers, into the darkness towards his truck.

Let me know what you think. I love reading your reviews!

Also, I will be posting a Holiday one-shot in a few days.