Author's Note: I never meant to take so long to post the last chapter so apologies :(

Honestly, it's been difficult imagining a happy ending for Richonne right now. They're so far apart in canon given what happened. Even though I don't watch the show just knowing what went down is rough. I wish we had confirmation there will be a reunion and they will get their happy ending, but siiiighhhhh…who knows. Anyway, enough rambling, here is the final chapter. Please enjoy!

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10 – To the Moon & Back

July 2004 – Alamo, Georgia

As the town of Alamo slept, Rick drove home at dawn. He was coming off a tiring twelve-hour shift. Some fools in Dullard decided they wanted to rob a liquor store and the ordeal required all hands-on deck from Wheeler County. The deputies on night duty responded immediately. Luckily no one got hurt and the fools found themselves handcuffed in the back of squad cars.

Now, Rick was ready to rest. He wanted nothing more than to relax for the next couple of days with those he loved most.

Parking outside the garage, Pine Lake was quiet. The small neighborhood evolved over the last three years. When she moved away, Deanna washed her hands of Pine Lake and sold her properties. New families bought and renovated both homes. He still remembered it as it was when it was Michonne's, glancing across the lake. This early, she used to sit on the porch with coffee and her .44.

His lips curved thinking about how they had first gotten to know each other. Fixing the floorboards in her house and her stubborn reluctance to let him had only been the beginning. His smile spread at his old nickname for her and how she used to roll her eyes and emit that little strangled growl he liked. Then he full-on chuckled recalling their first date, where he learned .44 put him to shame with her markswoman skills.

At the front door, he stuck the key in the lock and turned the knob to their home. That too was silent until he reached the second floor and came upon Carl's door. His father's snores rumbled like a motorized engine and Rick shook his head. His father fell asleep at the drop of a hat these days, often cutting himself off mid-sentence. Location and time of day be damned, his father sounded like a bear in hibernation every time.

Next was Lil' Bit's room. Rick stopped outside her door and cracked it open to check on her. The seven-year-old lay twisted amid the chaos that were her sheets and blankets. She held her plush unicorn in the crook of her arm, the poor stuffed animal looking strangled from where he stood. He staved off a chuckle and drew the door to a close.

The end of the hall arrived and his gaze landed on the last door. He gently eased it open, certain what he'd find. He hung in the doorway to his and Michonne's bedroom and a tired smile emerged on his bearded face. After his latest feed, Michonne and R.J. had fallen asleep in the rocking chair by the window. The pale morning light peeked into the room and framed them in a subtle glow as if by design. He couldn't move for the longest, tired but in love with the beautiful sight.

Rick gathered the month-old baby from Michonne's arms with utmost care. He studied his dozing face, marveling his puckered pink lips and wisp of black curls, and he carried him to his bassinet to lay him down. R.J. noticed nothing, too well-fed and deep in dreamland to wake yet. He'd never get tired of looking at his baby boy, the newest blessing in his life.

Michonne stirred with a breathy sigh and he glanced over his shoulder to find her sleepy smile. She looked gorgeous like that, in between sleep and consciousness, both serene but delighted to wake and see him home. He walked over and guided her to her feet, righting her robe and kissing her. In the past four weeks, it wasn't uncommon to find her asleep in the rocking chair or for him to escort her back to bed.

"How'd the night watch go?" she asked sleepily.

He grinned. "Good. No bullet wounds or loss of limbs."

"Rick."

"Kidding. Lay down." He kissed her cheek and helped her slide under the covers. "R.J. eat alright?"

"Mhm. He has his father's appetite."

"Doesn't surprise me." Rick began untucking his shirt and kicking off his shoes. The shower called his name and so did the bed. "I'm gonna hop in the shower. You go back to sleep."

"Breakfast…"

"It's Sunday. No rush. Go back to sleep." He repeated himself, tickled by Michonne fighting the sleep desperate to claim her. She gave in at last, curled against her pillow. He looked forward to joining her as soon as he indulged in a hot shower.

Last night's robbery showed him how precious small moments like lying in bed on a Sunday morning could be. At no point had he been in the direct line of fire, but he took a minute after each shift to thank his luck he made it home safely. That his family waited for him every time he walked through the door. They each meant the world to him, holding a separate piece of his heart.

It's why it was important to protect them. To make Alamo a better place. He wanted the town to be somewhere his children could play freely in the park or skip on their way to school. He wanted to make Alamo into what it wasn't when he lost Carl. Everything he did still traced back to his son, and how he would honor him earning his silver badge.

His father said he looked like a spinning image of him from decades ago, fresh rookie on the job. Only less hairspray and flared pants. It was in jest, but also with proud truth as his father told him one day, he'd be Sheriff just like him. He'd undo the long-lasting damage done by Negan and his cronies. He liked to think he would, too.

Even with Negan and Fuller serving time, the corruption took time to expunge. The entire Wheeler County sheriff's department was revamped with new deputies and new leadership. Things weren't yet perfect, but they were better. They were headed in the right direction. Rick would see to it that it stayed that way.

Maybe eventually with Michonne by his side professionally. Another joke of Carl's was that Michonne would be Alamo Mayor. She breezed through her college courses with the eventual goal of a law degree. Carl said they needed new blood running the town. With how popular and well-liked she'd become over her years in Alamo, why shouldn't it be her?

Rick enjoyed the idea too, often teasing her about it. She awed him with her intelligence and cleverness that he welcomed his wife being Madame Mayor. Her potential was limitless. Again and again she had proven so throughout her life.

The soft pad of footsteps on the bathroom tile caught his attention over the shower's streaming water. He wiped the glass free of steam and his heart thudded in delight. Michonne slipped off her robe, ready to join him. He took her hand and carefully helped her step into the slick shower.

"Room for one more?" she mumbled with the kind of giggle that caused him to automatically laugh.

He did, grinning ear-to-ear, arms slung on her hips. "Always when it's you."

Their kisses were soft and tender, little playful declarations of affection passed between them. In the aftermath of a physically taxing pregnancy and childbirth, their love for one another had evolved. The life they created together ushered in a deeper intimacy than they ever imagined. It ran deeper than physical and emotional to something inexplicable. Something he had never felt for another person out of the billion-odd walking the earth. Michonne was his person.

The other half of him as his wife and love of his life. Now the mother of their child. They fought so hard to be together that no other kind of happiness felt more earned than theirs. She had found him as he floundered his way out of the darkest phase in his life. He had found her as she escaped the darkest period of hers. Outside forces tried to part them, but they saw the light at the end of the tunnel—the light they found in each other.

"I expected you to be knocked out by now," he said as they lathered up.

She snuck a smile. "No reason why I couldn't wait 'til after a quick shower."

"So, what you're saying is you missed having me in the bed?"

"The bed's not the same with your space empty, no. Don't let it go to your head." Her warning came with a finger wag too funny he chuckled. She rolled her eyes and squeezed a dollop of shampoo into the palm of her hands. "Here's hoping R.J. doesn't inherit your cockiness."

"That's my boy if he does. Look at Judy."

"It's cute on her. She's the greatest doctor, talk show host, gourmet chef, unicorn hunter, ballerina-twirling detective in the world. Who's going to argue?"

"Damn sure won't be me. She got mad at me last time I told her unicorns ain't real."

"Don't even talk. Carl told me about you and dragons."

Rick's entire neck reddened. "Hey, those were real! Saw one when I was six out in the woods."

Michonne snorted a laugh as she let the water cascade down her back and length of her locs.

"It's dangerous how close you two are," said Rick, narrowing his eyes. "Conspiring against me."

"Your father's a sweetheart."

"True. He's a big ol' softie."

Michonne's fond smile pleased Rick. Over the past few years the father and daughter-in-law had cultivated a strong relationship. Carl fussed over Michonne each day of her pregnancy, ensuring she took it easy around the house. Rick didn't know what they'd do without him. His father helped with Lil' Bit and he ran the hardware store alongside Glenn. He often pitched in and cooked dinner when Rick worked odd shifts and R.J. fatigued Michonne. In many ways, Carl was the reliable support that kept the Grimes household running like clockwork.

"That felt amazing," Michonne said as she dialed down the shower knobs.

Rick grabbed two fresh towels and handed her one. "Yanno what's gonna feel even more amazing? Our bed."

"Mhm. For the next few hours. Or until R.J. wakes up."

The couple laughed, towels wrapped on their bodies, and arms hooked around each other. They changed into light clothes and slipped under the cool sheets. Rick gave Michonne a kiss that served as a good night—or good morning considering time of day—and he exhaled an elated breath to be home with those he belonged with most. His family.

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July afternoons in Alamo were scorchers. Dogs laid lazily in backyards with tongues hung out the sides of their mouths and the ice cream parlor on main street saw more customers than any other time of year. Children and teens everywhere ran through sprinklers or canon balled into pools. Others like Judy dedicated time to pedaling bicycles or gliding on roller skates.

"Mommy Ne, Mommy Ne! Look at me!"

Michonne smiled wide watching from the patio. Judy pedaled in circles on her yellow bike, complete with wicker basket adorned on the front. The seven-year-old had recently gained the confidence to go sans training wheels and though she'd fallen a couple times, she always got right back up. She gave her a thumbs up with her free hand. Her other cradled R.J. close to her chest, where the infant liked to be most.

Rick and Carl were grilling franks and patties for dinner. The father and son activity had become a ritual on Sunday afternoons. They grilled meats and talked about sheriff stuff and hardware things and made up for the lost bonding years ago. Michonne liked to give them that time alone, even if she served as a faraway voyeur. Neither had admitted it aloud, but it was clear the father-son time meant a lot to both.

Carl had become something of a father figure to her, too. It took time for the pair to grow close. After the ordeal with Terry, they started off slow. They built trust in each other. She discovered Carl was an interesting man who had great advice and words of wisdom to give. He found out how genuine and warm-hearted she could be. On the day of their wedding, he walked her down the aisle as a father would, telling her she was truly like a daughter in his eyes.

The sentiment made her cry. She'd gone so long without the guidance of a parental figure that she hadn't realized the void until Carl began to fill it. Mom and Dad had left her alone in the world at different times in her life, and she accepted that they never loved her enough to stay. But having Carl as a firm, fatherly shoulder to lean on helped heal that trauma. Dad contacted her when the Mike and Terry scandal made the rounds in the media and she was named as the wife of a former NFL Quarterback. Suddenly, he wanted to be in her life again.

Michonne sussed out the intention. That if she had married an NFL Quarterback, she likely had NFL Quarterback money. His con ways didn't fool her for a second. She never answered his letter or returned his calls. As far as she was concerned, she was better off without Mom and Dad. They failed her and hurt her and they didn't get to breeze into her life now and reap the benefits of her hard-earned happiness.

The family she found in the Grimes was all she needed. Everything that she wanted.

Now she worked toward her bachelor's degree in political science. After she planned to go on for a law degree. She hadn't yet made up her mind on what she planned to do with her education, but like Rick, she wanted to make a difference in Alamo. The small town was her home and she wanted to better the community.

"You alright?"

Michonne held onto R.J. and turned to see Rick coming up the porch steps. Her attraction to him was innate so that he caught her off guard in moments like these. His deep ocean eyes already on her as he walked up the steps, her heart fluttered at the sight of him. How he looked in his button-down shirt with sleeves rolled to the elbow and with his denim fitting his lean build just right. Though they'd gotten creative in the bedroom in the weeks post-partum, she counted the days until they could fully make love again.

"Mhm," she answered with a small smile. "You? How's grilling with papa bear?"

"'Course he's talking 'bout breaking out some steaks. I told him we're a family of five. Not ten. Who's gonna eat everything?"

"We can always invite Maggie and Glenn over."

"Aren't they busy wedding planning?"

Michonne giggled, glancing down at R.J.'s curious face. "That's true. I forgot Maggie's in meltdown mode right now."

"Glenn too. Last time I walked into the store he had a catalogue of wedding cakes out. Wedding cakes."

Rick and Michonne snickered some more at the visual. Their best friends had fallen in love and were probably the most adorable couple in Alamo.

"Hey, little guy. Want papa to hold you for a bit?" Rick asked seconds later.

R.J.'s eyes lit up at the sound of his husky voice, recognizing the familiar noise. He squirmed slightly in Michonne's arms, the teeny tiny bundle like a living doll in size. Still he clung closely to Michonne's breasts as it was his safe space and Rick's head tilted with laughter.

"You wanna stick to Mama's bosom, huh? I don't blame you. I would too if I could."

"Rick!" Michonne shrieked, flushing deep.

"What? I mean…c'mon. Look at those things." Rick wiggled his eyebrows and lowered his gaze to her ample cleavage, and she could only laugh in response. He finished his lighthearted ribbing with a kiss to her cheek and then he gently plucked R.J. into his arms. The newborn curled up on his hard chest like the tiny ball he was and gave a long, shuddering yawn. This time they both laughed. "Am I boring you already? Guess I'm not as soft and cuddly as Mama."

Michonne's laugh died down for the endeared softness in her expression. She loved watching Rick with his kids. The hard-shell he wore in his sheriff's uniform and his gritty confidence that exuded from him at any given second, were covers for the tender father underneath. His interactions with his children tugged at anyone's heartstrings. That attraction that abruptly consumed her earlier spiked standing there, watching him cuddle R.J.

"I have a surprise for you later," she purred.

That got Rick's attention. He looked up with the astonished glee of someone told they won the lottery. "Yeah…what kinda surprise?"

"You'll find out tonight. 'Til then you just have to be patient," she teased.

His ears brightened tomato red. "What time is it now?"

The tone in his voice was in jest, but she knew his question was serious. Rick could scarcely keep his hands off her most days and nights in some fashion or the other. When she was swollen with his child, he loved touching her. Whether it was a simple back rub or quick snuggle or more, he loved every part of her body. She appreciated the adoration as sometimes she felt out-of-tune from her own body during pregnancy. Post-partum was little better, but she understood it took time to adjust and heal.

Tonight, she wanted to surprise him with a new piece of lingerie she bought when out shopping with Maggie. The slinky sheer fabric would give him a near-heart attack and they could spend some much-needed husband-wife alone time. Carl had already agreed to watch the kids downstairs.

"Ricky!" Carl called proudly. He stood at the grill with his apron on, surrounded by the sizzling smoke. "Guess what I decided to break out?"

Rick huffed a sigh and rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me? The steaks."

Michonne remained on the patio as Rick left to go help his father at the grill. She sat down on a patio chair and played with R.J.'s stubby fingers to his gummy smiles. Throughout her pregnancy she worried about being a good mother. The thought she would fail her baby in some way kept her up at night and she read countless books on motherhood to prepare.

It was true that motherhood was not easy. It was not glamorous or without mistake. But it was beautiful and natural and her love for R.J. was limitless. That alone meant that as a mother she was enough.

"Hi baby brother!" Judy chirped breathlessly. The seven-year-old had tired of her bike and dashed toward the patio to greet R.J.

Initially, when Rick and Michonne sat down to discuss the pregnancy with Judy, the six-year-old had been hesitant. She tried to act excited, but her apprehension had been clear. Judy heard she would be a big sister again and her mind automatically shot toward her ill treatment at Lori's house. The little girl worried about becoming second fiddle in her Daddy's home much the same way she had in her Mommy's, where she said she felt invisible most weekends.

The adults vowed to prove otherwise to her. Rick and Michonne worked to include her in raising R.J. She helped Michonne with bath time and read story books to R.J. in his bassinet. They told her how crucial she was to their family and how much R.J. needed a big sister like her. Now she loved the baby boy to pieces, regularly checking on him.

Again, R.J. recognized the squeaky voice and he gurgled through his puckered lips his own hello.

Judy beamed happily. "I can't wait 'til he can talk!"

"He's trying to talk now. His little sounds? It's his language."

"How cool." Judy eyes widened in fascination of the infant. "Did I do that when I was baby?"

"I'm sure you did," Michonne answered. "Your dad says you liked to be sang to."

"Oh, yeah. Probably. I don't really remember being a baby. But maybe I can sing to R.J."

Michonne reached out and caressed Judy's golden tresses. "He'd like that."

"I'm thirsty. Is it okay if I run to the kitchen and pour some juice?"

"Sure. Just be careful. The pitcher is full and it's heavy."

"Do you want any juice, Mommy Ne?"

"That's okay, but thanks for asking." The little girl gave her a kiss on the cheek and then skipped inside. Michonne had come to love the girl as her own and cherished their close relationship. Often, she saw shades of herself as a kid in Judy, with how rambunctious and energetic she could be. She wanted to cultivate that in the girl. Let her know her curiosity and confidence were strengths, not weaknesses. Do for Judy what her parents had failed to do for her.

The Grimes family sat on the patio and ate dinner. Michonne nursed R.J. separately and then set him down in his bouncer for another nap. Rick and Judy ventured onto the lawn. Judy practiced some more on her bike and Rick guided her whenever she wobbled or headed toward disaster. The father and daughter laughed loudly as he helped her steer. Carl lounged on a patio chair with Michonne and snuck a glance at her. His blue eyes glinted with humor.

"Before we know it, R.J.'ll be out there wobbling on his bike," he observed.

"And Rick will be chasing after him too."

Carl nodded along. "By that point he'll probably hurt his back. Lord knows I did."

"You? You still keep up with Judy," Michonne teased.

"Then I take my pain killers and rub on my bengay in private."

His joke was met with a shake of Michonne's head. Leave it to Carl to always grouse about his age. Just another lovable trait of his that she appreciated.

"How 'bout a game of Texas Hold 'em? I believe we've got a couple packs of cookies to wager."

Michonne's brows lifted. "Oh, so you mean you're ready to lose again?"

"Not this time. I'm gonna take home the championship belt. Just watch."

Rick and Judy joined them at the table on the patio. Stacks of cookies and glasses of milk rounded the table along with the deck of cards. Michonne posed as dealer as she usually did, expertly shuffling the cards to their amazement. Most times she took it easy on them, her skill level at poker well beyond theirs.

She dealt the cards and appraised her hand and tossed her bid to the pot. Next to bid was Rick. Her husband sat with a furrowed brow in clear confusion. He shot her a glance and she returned his with a smirk on her lips. Eyes on the man she loved to the moon and back, she playfully bantered, "Your bid. I'm waiting."

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Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this last chapter, and that it's a bright spot in what was a dark story. This Richonne really went through it, so it's only fair they get to be ridiculously happy for their rest of their lives. :)

Please drop me a review. Those are always appreciated. So is your readership. Thank you for sticking with me!

Want to join me on another Richonne adventure? Then check out Lawless. It's my next story I'm working on and excited to share. It's a bit different from my last few stories, but I'm having fun with it so far so that's always a good thing in my book. See you there!