The First Responder

Chapter 10

A/N: Thank you for your continued support. Your every favourite, follow and or review is greatly appreciated. I love hearing from y'all.

Summary: in the last chapter, both Michonne and Rick finally talked about just about everythang. They're now on the same page. There was a call from home, the County's party line is running rampant. They are the talk of the town... they barely walked in the front door and the phone is ringing off the hook. Eyes are everywhere in the County. Can their love survive the scrutiny of a small town?

"Dad, it seems like we have guests," ma says and proceeds to retrieve plates and cutlery from the cupboards and drawers to set the formal dining table.

"It was only a matter of time. I'm more surprised that they even allowed us any privacy at all."

Shane was in the lead followed closely by T-Dog and Glenn. I love Shane like a brother and for the better part of my life we have been there for one another, supporting each other but I haven't forgotten his remarks when Michonne was laid up. I get that my crew are like family to me and they only had my best interests in mind but I'm at a place in my life where I might have to choose between the woman I love over my brother and my closest friends. It's not a fun position to be in. I haven't been upfront with them regarding who I was dating and whenever I was with Michonne and they reached out I ignored them. It was as if I had to keep what we had safe. I didn't want the naysayers around us. I wasn't prepared for my worlds to become one so soon but shit happens and here we are.

I was shocked at the speed our news was spreading. We barely made it through the front door and the phone was ringing off the hook. It went unanswered but by the time lunch was over half of Rick's crew pulled into the driveway. His mom turns to me after announcing their presence. She was concerned for me.

"Dear, I'm so sorry, Richard should have warned you that the moment the news got out his friends would turn up here sooner or later; been that way since they were kids. News travels fast in this sleepy little town of ours but don't you worry you're family now. Are you feeling up for this? If not... you can always go lay down and I'll tell them they can catch up later."

I didn't have a chance to answer before the gang started piling into the kitchen having gained access from the back door, which led directly into the kitchen. They came bearing cases of beer and bags of groceries. It appears they intended to stay a while.

In the meantime, ma, yes, ma during lunch she decided that would be her name because Mrs. Grimes was for outsiders. The Sheriff was pretty laid back about it all because his best title to date was grandpa-in-waiting. He couldn't wait to be called that by the twins. So, ma and me got busy setting the formal table in the dining room to accommodate the group.

"Hey, Sheriff and Mrs. G! We hear our boy is back and have some news of his own. Congratulations to you both!" Shane greeted as he made his way into the kitchen.

The quiet calm from before was instantly replaced by the bubbling energy of the boisterous men as they talked amongst themselves. However, when I followed ma into the kitchen a short while later you could hear a pin drop from the silence which descended on the room. The four men exchanged a look which was lost on me and my boyfriend's parents.

As I stood next to my boyfriend his hand immediately snaked its way around my waist and pulled me closer to him. I didn't understand what was happening. I sensed the tension in his body as we touched but he wore a smile on his face, one which didn't reach his eyes. I knew these people were like family to him so I couldn't understand why he suddenly went into protector mode. Then it finally clicked, they must remember me because a collective hush seemed to have befallen them as ma and me walked into the kitchen and I took my place beside him. They knew he had a girlfriend they just never knew who.

The tall dark macho dude was no doubt Rick's surrogate brother, Shane but there seemed to be something askew between the two. The moment Shane's eyes rested on me I felt Rick's fingers dig into my side.

"Shane." The latter ignored the previous awkward moment and hugs him even though Rick was half attached to me. It was awkward. I tried breaking out of his grasp to allow them their brother bonding moment but he wasn't having it… so I remained in this non-embrace embrace.

"You fuckin did it! Oh, I beg you pardon Ms. G, Ma'am, Sheriff..."

As if on cue, the other three males Glenn, T-Dog and Daryl pushed Shane aside and came towards us. They each shook hands and did the bro hug thing that men do as they congratulated him on the good news. The men waited for Rick to introduce me.

"Thanks, man. Glenn, T-Dog, Daryl... this is my girlfriend Michonne. Babe, the dumbass over there is Shane."

"Nice to meet you, Michonne," they chimed in unison. They had this smug smile on their collective faces as though they shared some private joke.

Shane scratched his head and nod in my direction. "Pleasure making your acquaintance, Michonne."

The back door opened once again, this time, the women crew members came into the now fairly crowded kitchen bringing a variety of desserts, salads and paper bags.

The three women seemed to be in sync as they moved silently through the room, placing their offerings on the countertop, then hugged and greeted everyone. It was interesting to watch the dynamics between them. My boyfriend seemed much more at ease when the women showed up which made me wonder just what the hell was going on between the men. To date, I knew of his crew but obviously not everything about them. There was something definitely afoot and I need to know what.

After introductions Carol, Sasha and Tara somehow managed to pry me away from Rick who accompanied the men outdoors. Being late February, it was still a little on the cool side but it didn't stop the men from firing up the grill. It fascinated me the way they just seemed to take over the place; it was as if they just came home from months away at college and a block party was in full swing Chez Rick's.

At this point, the Sheriff cut his prolonged lunch hour short placing a quick peck on both ma's and my cheek adding that he'd see us at dinner. Ma then found some made up excuse to leave us to ourselves. She was going to take a plate of food over to her shut-in friend, Mrs. Neudermeyer.

The women and me sat around the smaller kitchen table. They cracked open a bottle of wine which seemed to materialize out of thin air. We made polite conversation but as the drinks started to flow their tongues got looser. I learned more about them. Carol was a former EMT who switched jobs to become a firefighter. She was the first female firefighter in the County. Sasha and Tara signed up together. The guys were younger than Carol but older than Sasha and Tara and they all signed up together. At the onset, they all worked on different crews but eventually ended up on the same crew. They have been together for the last five years with the exception of younger women who signed up two years ago.

They polished off the first bottle of wine and opened a second while I was still nursing a glass of the sparkling cider which I found in the fridge. It seems ma had planned for us to be here today after all. The women asked about how Rick and I found each other again so I told them about Christmas Eve. Apparently, I was the woman, the exotic beauty who Olivia talked about New Year's Eve. They were somehow confused because they said Rick claimed it was not that kinda date. I agreed it wasn't a date. I just met him for coffee to talk about the accident. That night was then I learned he saved my life.

They then surmised the reason why my boyfriend pulled a vanishing act on New Year's Eve. They asked about the baby and how far along I was. I corrected them that it was babies as in twins and we were six weeks along. It was all falling neatly into place for them. Having figured that I shared enough, it was my turn to ask questions.

"Ladies, I know this might be forward of me being as though we just met but can you tell me what's going on with your male crew members? I mean I can't be the only one to notice that Rick seems more comfortable with y'all being here than he is with the men."

It didn't surprise me that Carol was the one to speak. So far this afternoon she's been the mouthpiece. "Michonne, we might as well tell you because you're in this for the long haul." She indicated pointing to my belly. "By now you must know that man of yours ain't about to walk away from you. I figure a month or so before we'll all be celebrating your nuptials."

Her remarks surprised me. We haven't even broached the subject. We were just getting accustomed to the fact of being expecting parents not looking at what it might mean beyond that. I guess the surprise registered on my face because the three women appraised my reaction and cackled. I felt like the butt of an inside joke. "Y'all mind telling me what's so funny."

The women tried to stop laughing but each time they looked at me they burst out laughing even harder. Sasha and Tara had tears streaming down their faces and their hands holding their bellies. It was starting to piss me off. Whatever the joke was, I'd like to be laughing too but this wasn't one of those times where we were laughing together, they were plainly laughing at me so I got up and left them alone.

Some ten minutes later, the women eventually found me lying on the sofa in the family room. They apologized profusely for being insensitive. They explained, the reason why they were laughing is that I seemed to be the only one in the County who doesn't know that being knocked up by Rick could only end one way and that is walking down the aisle. They informed me that Rick was not into dating for the sake of dating. He was a nester and we essentially just built our nest. This piece of information brought me back to our earlier discussion that morning. I just hadn't had time to think about the meaning behind his words.

After clearing the air, Carol explained that Shane wasn't the most articulate person but his heart was in the right place. She then filled me in on the conversation that Rick overheard. On that day, they were banned from discussing him and his personal life. Shane's point of view had hurt him a great deal. It left a fissure in their relationship; especially, since the subject of that conversation was now alive and well and currently a huge part of his life.

A couple hours later once the men were bringing the grilled meats inside the smell caught me off guard. I meant to take a pill before but got sidetracked. I quickly excused myself and disappeared upstairs to the bathroom.

Shortly after, Rick found me. He brought me my purse and a glass of water to take the pill. I brushed my teeth and took the pill and went to his room to recoup. "Are you okay?" He asked I nod my head as he sat on the bed beside me.

"I'll be fine in a bit. I just forgot to take the pill but my stomach will eventually settle down." He pushed me further into the bed to make room for himself as he spooned me. "What are you doing?" I asked him. "You have a houseful of people downstairs."

"I never asked them to come over. I'm spending time with my family."

"They are your family too and you need to forgive Shane." I felt his body stiffen at my words so I turned my head to the side and spoke, "Babe, I saw your reaction earlier. I get what he said hurt you but he loves you like a brother. He was only trying to protect you. What if I hadn't woke up? You would have allowed yourself to be open to so much pain." I turned my body completely towards him taking his face into my hands, "I'm here now… it's okay to let go. I don't want to be the person who breaks you two apart. He doesn't know what you do about us. If you can forgive me for leaving you… then you can forgive Shane for trying to protect you."

I heard what my girlfriend was saying to me but Shane crossed the line that day. I know it seems petty because he's said a great many dumbass thangs before but nothang he said before ever hurt as much as what he said that day. Granted the words were never meant for me to hear but he said them in my home. I don't know if it was the fact he said them or when given the opportunity to correct himself, he basically equated Michonne to a 'random chick' his advice was to bang any random chick and be over it. I would never say shit like that to him.

I watched my boyfriend's eyes as he listened to me. I could see him trying to equate my actions to the hurtful words from his brother, his forehead creased and he shook his head. "Babe, how is what he did any different? I left you because I was trying to protect myself from being hurt. I just didn't know I couldn't leave you. The whole time I spent apart from you I was hurting the way you are now for not opening myself up to you. I suffered and so did you. He's your best friend and has been long before you met me. He's your brother; please don't break that relationship over a few words. Promise me you'll at least think about it."

"I promise. Now relax a bit and come join us once your stomach settles. I love you."

"I love you too."

He kissed my forehead as I settled back onto his pillow. I heard my cell ring downstairs and he tells me to rest.

I just stepped out of the shower when I heard the doorbell ring. The person was insistent because they laid on the buzzer for a longer period. I managed to dry myself a bit, wrap my hair and pulled on Rick's robe. He would have to settle for using bath towels since I have to get the door.

I was beginning to understand why we stayed at the cottage on previous visits. There we had total privacy. His parents didn't interfere and his friends didn't just drop in. I finally opened the door to find a brunette with her hand poised to knock. Her hazel eyes registered surprise. "Hello?"

"Hi, I'm looking for Rick. I saw his car out front."

The shock of seeing me was still registered on her face. I knew she had to be Lori even though no one ever bothered to give me a description of her. It was as if she thought eyeing me like she was would cause me to shrink into oblivion. Showing up on Rick's doorstep at seven thirty in the morning she was expecting something else… she was not expecting a woman opening his door wearing his robe.

"Michonne, babe what's keeping you? Ma will be calling soon."

It was still fairly early in the morning and his parents were expecting us for breakfast. I didn't understand how that worked exactly, we're ten minutes away and they insist on eating together. It explains why the fridge was pretty much bare in this place. I don't think he eats his meals here.

"It's for you," I called back opening the door for Lori to come in. I walked into the kitchen and start the coffee machine; this was going to take some time. I excused myself to change. "I'll be right back."

Both Rick and I returned to the kitchen to find Lori on the stool where I left her. She had made herself a cup of coffee. I honestly didn't expect her to be there when we got back. Especially since my boyfriend decided it might be the perfect time to make out. I quickly kiboshed that idea because making her jealous was not a smart thing to do. We needed to talk like grown-ups and then move on.

"Sorry, for taking so long," I said as we walked into the kitchen. I looked at Rick who seemed to grunt. His face wasn't friendly. The loving carefree person he was hours earlier and minutes before all disappeared the moment he stepped into the kitchen and saw Lori.

"Hi, Rick," she said almost immediately, ignoring me. It was obvious that despite whatever rumours were on the party line and the fact I was standing right here in the kitchen passing my man a cup of coffee, Lori believed she still had a chance with him.

"Lori, what are you doing here? I asked you to call me weeks ago which you never did."

"Well, I was kinda busy… you don't call and I drop whatever I'm doing. I'm not at your beck and call." She looked directly at me as if to say you may be knocked up but he still calls me.

"Well, you shouldn't have come here. I just wanted to make sure you knew we're done because I heard you came looking for me on New Year's day."

He crossed the floor and stood beside me as I sipped my coffee. His arm found it's way around my waist and pulled me to him. "I know you already know what's going on so don't pretend you don't. I'm with Michonne now and I would appreciate it if you would just move on with your life."

"Rick, I get it… it's payback. You're doing to me what I did to you with Simon, it's okay. People like them don't keep folks like us around long. You'll see… you're nothing but an experiment for her. She'll find someone younger and more eager in a few years and you'll be standing right back here in this kitchen begging me to take you back. You always do Rick. It's the one constant thing about you. We've been doing this dance forever. We know how it ends."

I was insulted. I was standing right here and the bitch was talking about me as if I wasn't. I promised myself that this was between them but it wasn't, it hadn't been the moment she interfered with our lives and started shit.

"Lori, what we have isn't for you to say. I'm gonna need you to butt the fuck out of our lives pronto. You took the news that was ours to share and delivered it just to get a reaction. The truth is I'm the one he wants. I didn't have to manipulate him into a relationship nor did I try to trap him. I got pregnant that is true but unlike you, I offered him to walk away, but guess what? He wants them. He wants us! I'm his partner now so it's time for you to move on."

I watched Lori's face as she tried to decipher what just happened. Her mouth fell open looking at Rick in disbelief. He was having twins with the stranger... an outsider. Her hand trembled as she placed her coffee mug back onto the breakfast nook. I waited for her comeback but there was none. She still wouldn't acknowledge my presence but I didn't care she heard me. She got up, grabbed her purse and keys turned and left slamming the door behind her.

I hear my phone ring yet again but was too late to catch the call which went straight to voicemail. I realized Andrea had been trying to reach me so I called her back.

"It's a little early even for you. What the hell is 9-1-1? I don't follow... what's so important?"

"Are you fucking kidding me Michonne? You're asking me what's up? Did you not read your texts? Are you that cut off from reality you have no clue what's going on around you? I have been getting calls to comment on Prince Rick and his Sleeping Beauty piece that they are about to run in that backwards town paper. Is it true?"

"We've been kinda busy putting out fires here. Yeah, it's true... we found out at my appointment. My IUD was recalled but I didn't know. Apparently, my husband took messages but failed to tell me anything. I was with Spencer at the time. Drea, I can't work with him anymore. I need you to fire him. If he was willing to do that on a personal level, where will he draw the line professionally? He needs to go Drea. He's a liability waiting to happen. Oh, Drea, you can't mean that... you love the cottage. Wow, I'm so flattered, at least we're Royalty. Did you comment?"

"You know if you weren't like a sister to me and I wasn't about to get a huge promotion, I would quit on you right? Spencer's a damn weasel… I don't know what you found so attractive about him. The press gives him way too much credit. The Spencer I know is a damn idiot. He always has an angle. It would give me tremendous pleasure to get rid of him but we have to be careful about how we go about it because his mother has power in this city."

"Use his mother against him. He's afraid of her wrath that's why I can't understand why he would do something so reckless."

"I'll deal with him but there's another little matter that can become problematic. Jessie tells me Karen came by to see you and she had a baby with her. She also said that meeting left you rather upset. Karen has been calling your office non-stop and Jessie doesn't know what to do. I told her I'd handle it. What do you want me to do?"

"I'm so sorry you're caught up in all of this. Can you get a hold of Aaron for me? Tell him to meet us at the cottage for dinner on Friday. You can also come out for the weekend."

"Michonne it's cold up there and what the hell do you want me to do up there? It's not like you can even have your one glass of wine."

"No, I can't but there are plenty of others that can. Come on out. You might as well meet the family as you are my only family."

We were late arriving at my parents place it seems my girlfriend doesn't get the concept that her cellular phone meant she could take the call on the go. I can't even get mad at her because while I was waiting around for her, I was able to calm down from the earlier Lori debacle. I never thought of hurting a woman before but I was close to strangling her. However, since I've had time to reflect I realized it was hugely my fault for constantly going back to her so I swallowed my medicine.

The good news was with my Ex out the way, it seems like I won't have to deal with Michonne's Ex in the workplace for much longer and I'm happy about that. It also seems like there'll soon be a plan to deal with Karen too. I also have my ideas on how to deal with her if she becomes a problem, none that Michonne would approve of no doubt but I'll keep them as a last resort.

The whole day Thursday we cleaned the cottage. The fridge was well stocked and I was giddy with excitement. I want this weekend to be fun. It had been a hell of a week and I need Rick to mend fences with his friends. The women folk accepted me without reservations so, I want to return the favour to help two pigheaded males see that their friendship was important enough to save. The parents were having dinner with us tonight but they didn't plan on being around for the rest of the weekend when the gang would literally move in. I told them it couldn't get out of hand because they all had to work but they said, we're young and we should enjoy ourselves without parents hanging around.

Friday afternoon, Shane arrived first and he and Rick grabbed a beer and went walking. Carol, Sasha and Tara brought Glenn, Tara and T-Dog's girlfriends Maggie, Denise and Jacqui along with them.

Glenn, T-Dog and Daryl eventually arrived bringing a tall red-headed giant, named Abraham along for the ride. It wasn't long before I noticed sparks flying between him and Sasha. Daryl was a strange one, I had no idea where he fits into the mix. I kinda thought he liked Sasha but obviously, I was wrong.

The men busied themselves getting the grill going while waiting for their buddies to return. I don't know what Rick and Shane found to talk about but when they turned up so did Tobin. That was interesting to say the very least. I then noticed that he and Carol disappeared for a spell.

Finally, the meats were grilled and Andrea and Aaron turned up just in time to eat.

It was a really nice evening. We discovered that Maggie was also an attorney which fit perfectly since we were going to be looking to fill Spencer's position real soon.

Sometime during the evening, I saw my boyfriend in a private discussion with Abraham. I wondered what that was about. I asked Maggie if he too was a firefighter and was told that he's a Private Detective whose services she used in her practice. Immediately red flags started going off in my head. I made a mental note to talk to him. This was too delicate a matter to mess with. I need my hands to be clean and by extension his too.

After dinner, it seems Andrea's earlier contempt for being in the woods in the middle of winter was thawing. Mr. December was chipping away at her frosty exterior. He was melting away what little willpower she had which wasn't much on any given day especially when it came to studs. She and Shane eventually took off on their own.

I was feeling somewhat neglected and went looking for my boyfriend who had been MIA for most of the evening when I discovered something which blew my mind. At the far end of the porch was Aaron locking lips with Daryl. I was shocked not from what they were doing but the fact I thought my friend was in a committed relationship.

I just couldn't get over the fact that the City was claiming the County or vice-versa. It's no wonder the parents didn't want to be around.