Something New – Chapter 11
When the Tribunal resumed two days later after Lori's scandalous outburst, the atmosphere in the room was different. Very different. No one said anything to the other. Rick and the other guys sat together and Maggie and the ladies sat together.
Lori was notably absent and it was a silent relief for everyone. Andrea sat a couple of seats away from the others whilst Michonne and Desmond took their places besides their parents. Grand Elder Harim addressed everyone.
"I want to thank everyone for returning. Because of what was disclosed recently, at the end of this today's proceedings, an interim ruling will be made pending the outcome of the ordered paternity result that is scheduled to be down in the next two months. I expect that my ruling will be obeyed by all parties involved."
The Grand Elder looked specifically at Michonne and Desmond who nodded their agreement. He called Rick forward.
"You were the last person testifying."
He turned towards King Emeke and his wife.
"Do you have any more questions for him?"
King Emeke swallowed hard. He was still licking his wounds from Rick calling his son a narcissist and all the testimony given by the others. He thinks that the best way to savage this situation, Desmond's relationship with Michonne and his family's pride is for Desmond to testify and throw himself at the Michonne's mercy and hopes that she forgives him.
"No. I don't have any more questions for him."
"But I do!" King Emeke looked at his wife shocked and the look he saw in her eyes fill him with dread. This will be ugly.
"What are you doing?" he murmured desperately to his wife. Queen Chioma ignored him and stared pointedly at Rick.
"You and Desmond were best friends before you even met Michonne."
Rick looked at the Queen confused as to what is the point of the statement and she saw his confusion and smiled.
"I was wondering why you chose to tell her about my son's actions."
"Because she deserved to know what he was doing behind her back!"
"Your other friends knew but they didn't tell her. You did. Why is that?"
"She's my friend!"
"Wrong! Desmond was YOUR friend and Michonne was HIS fiancée. He should have been the one to explain things to her."
"I gave him that choice! I told him to end his affairs."
"Right! You told him to end it but you didn't give him a chance to. Instead you told Michonne he was having an affair. Why?! What could you possibly gain from doing that?"
"Oh shit…" Rosita whispered to Sasha.
"I really hope she's not going where I think she's going with this line of questioning." Sasha whispered back
"She is going there and it's about to go down." Maggie added.
The ladies looked at Shane, Glen and the others and from their faces, they could tell that they were all thinking the same thing.
"Unless…" Queen Chioma added.
"Unless what?"
Queen Chioma deliberately remained quiet and it was getting to Rick…her desired effect.
"I had to sit here, as a mother and listen to people who called themselves my son's friends pass judgement and condemnation on him for a mistake he made. My son loves Michonne and he made a mistake…a mistake he made because he had to wait on the woman he loved. He made a mistake because he's a young man with needs who was denied being with the woman he loved for years."
Michonne opened her mouth to protest but her father gently tapped her on her shoulder. Queen Chioma continued her rant.
"Michonne has been forever hailed as the crown jewel of the African nations because she's comes from a long line of pure blood royal and that's she's so good and kind but she's not perfect. SHE'S NOT! Nobody is! Everyone is making Desmond look like a monster but do we know what she was doing when she was away from him?"
Rick's jaw along with everyone else's dropped open.
"What are you trying to say?"
Michonne's voice trembled as she spoke.
"I loved Desmond and have always been faithful to him. I have never been with anyone else! Ever!"
"What is your relationship with Mr Grimes?"
"We are just friends!" Rick barked out.
"There is no relationship!" Michonne
"We don't know that for sure! He had everything to gain tearing you and Desmond apart!"
"That is not true! Rick was in a relationship."
"A relationship which is now also destroyed! How convenient for him and how convenient for you."
"I had nothing to gain from Rick's break up with Lori!"
Michonne and Rick didn't see the rage building up in King Obena as they bantered with the Queen. However, Rosita, Abe and the others saw his jaw tightened. Morgan nudged Daryl and the girls interlocked their hands tightly. Despite doing this, they still wasn't prepared.
"ENOUGHHHHHHH!"
The boom in King Obena's voice frightened everyone. It was an angry lion's roar. Even the Grand Elder was stunned. He had sat quietly during the tribunal not indicating or sharing his thoughts and feeling on the matter at hand. He realized that from the beginning, instead of dealing with the issue at hand it had slowly turned in the issue of Michonne must forgiving Desmond for his transgressions. Now he has had enough.
Michonne looked at her father shell shocked. She had never seen her father this angry…ever. His face was contorted with obvious rage and it was clear that he was not having it. She looked at Rick who had turned white as a sheet from fright and then over to Sasha and the others who were blinking wildly. Some were looking at the floor as if they were scolded children.
"I will not stand here and watch my daughter be humiliated further by the actions of her former fiancée and his family. This tribunal was called to discuss the obscene actions of a vain, immature, egotistical, foolish young man who pledged to love my daughter till death do them part. My daughter has kept her word despite finding out that she was lied to and emotionally abused. To answer your question Queen Chioma…yes. Michonne is the crown jewel of the African Nations. She is my pride and joy and that of all of us. She is smart beautiful, educated, untouched and untainted. She is young but she can stand toe to toe with any world leader domestic and foreign. How dare you cast cryptic aspersions on her person and on her character because Desmond can't keep his sniveling cock in his pants?"
Everyone was dumbfounded by King Obena's sharp words and sure and hell no-one was even breathing.
"Michonne loved Desmond since she was 16 years old. We all know that and she thought he loved her too. He broke her heart and my family's trust. My daughter deserves someone who loves, honours, respects and cherishes her. She will have that. I will make sure of it. Regardless of what is decided at the end of this tribunal Desmond is NO SON-IN-LAW OF MINE!"
The temperature in the room went from a fiery 1000C to a -2000C with King Obena's last statement. The finality of his statement made Rick's heart almost jumped out of his chest. He was elated to hear that not only Michonne wanted her engagement to end but her father has publicly stated on record that the Okeke royal family does not want the engagement either. The last hurdle is Grand Elder Harim's official ruling.
"This is an official warning to you Queen Chioma and by extension to you King Emeke and Prince Desmond. If you ever try to smear my daughter's name or even hint that she is at fault for this fiasco in public or in private I will destroy you! I will your household. I will wield my economic power and status in ways that will send your family back in time. I am the bread basket of our economy and Michonne is the future of it. I will rally all the other African leaders against you. There will be no trades domestically or internationally. Without trade you will have to lean on your people, increase taxes and tariffs. They will turn against you and civil unrest will be your daily quota. I will be stripped you of the very thing that you crave the most…wealth and status. King Emeke, you know me. I don't play games…especially with my family. DO…NOT….TEST…ME!"
King Obena bowed to Grand Elder Harim.
"Grand Elder."
"King Obena."
King Obena went to Michonne and hugged her tightly. He left the room. Grand Elder Harim addressed the stunned members in the room.
"As per custom of all Tribunals, I will give my final ruling one month from today. However, I will give an interim ruling. Prince Desmond will not have any further contact with Princess Michonne unless it is through an official royal meeting. All official meeting must be attended by the parties and their parents and must be requested by official letter. Is that understood?"
The Grand Elder looked at both Desmond and Michonne. Michonne couldn't hide her relief and contentment. She smiled broadly.
"Yes Grand Elder."
"Yes Grand Elder." Desmond mumbled.
He addressed the others.
"I want to thank you all for your testimony."
They all nodded in unison. Grand Elder left the room, followed by King Emeke, Queen Chioma and Desmond. Michonne was the last to leave the room and she was smiling. She glanced at Rick and looked away quickly but not before that moment was seen by Rosita and the others. Shane leaned in to Daryl.
"I think we are looking at the future King and Queen of Ghana."
"Yes we are."~*~*~*~*~*
When Michonne arrived in arrived in her room, she let out a loud scream.
"I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
She jumped up and down on her bed but had to get back up immediately because of eager knocking on the door. She opened it and the girls came rushing in hugging her. They let out a collective scream.
"Is it over?"
"My father has put it down on official public record that my family will not accept Desmond. There is nothing else he and his parents can do! Grand Elder Harim just needs to report to the other Grand Elders on the council and make it official in a writ. It's over. It's really over."
The girl grabbed unto each other and screamed again.~*~*~*~*~*
Lori sat in her room. It was dark as the curtains were pulled tightly. She heard the faint screaming at the end of the hall. It was screams of joy. She guess the Tribunal is over and a ruling was made in Michonne's favour. She rubbed her belly. Rick may not love her anymore and Desmond may have used her but one of them will be attached to her for life. It was the only small victory she could get from this fiasco.
"You are my only hope now." She whispered in the dark.~*~*~*~*~*
When Rick and the other guys entered his bedroom, they blew a collective sigh of relief.
"King Obena almost gave me a heart attack when he spoke out. Jesus!"
"I hope your ready man."
"Ready for what?"
"For your new father-in-law."
"It's not official yet."
"Are you being serious right now?! He said it plainly that Desmond is not welcomed in his family. That engagement is over. Michonne is free."
Rick took reached into the fridge. He was looking sombre.
"Did you hear what I just said?"
"He heard you Shane."
"So why the long face?"
"Michonne's free but he's not."
It took a split second for the realization to dawn on him.
"F*ck…."~*~*~*~*~*
Later that night….
Rick found himself sitting at the counter in the private mini bar. He didn't see when King Obena entered and walked up behind him. They sat next to each other, saying nothing for a full ten minutes.
"If that baby is mine I will lose her." Rick closed his eyes. "I will lose Michonne."
"If this baby is yours, he or she must be your first responsibility. You cannot be halfway around the world away from your child."
"But I do not love Lori."
"You may not love Lori. You may not want to be near her but you will have to…for the sake of that child. You will have to tolerate and be cordial with her for the sake of that child. I do not believe in a child suffering because of the actions of their parents no matter what it cost them."
Rick shook his head. How he wished he had used a condom at all times with Lori but he trusted her. But why wouldn't he? He did love her and eventually they would have gotten married and she would have been the mother of his kids but that has now changed. She has changed and because of her actions, he has met and fallen in love with someone else. He can't be with anyone else other than Michonne, he will not entertain that thought.
"The lineage of my family and that of my wife's family have not been tainted with scandals of any kind. If this child is yours and you and Michonne do get married and you eventually become King, that child will be a bastard. Your bastard. Lori can make things very difficult for you and for Michonne. I know some of my other fellow Kings have bastards but I have maintained and my father have maintained and his father before him have maintain the tradition that the first born son of a King must be with his legal wife. In that way succession cannot be challenged by outside forces."
King Obena rose from his seat.
"Despite all what I have said, the decision is ultimately up to Michonne. Will she accept you even if you are the father of Lori's child? Are both of you prepared for what comes with it?"
Rick looked thoughtful of what he was being told.
"So what do I do?"
"Talk to Michonne."~*~*~*~*~*
Prince Desmond sat in his parents quarters, eyes downcast. Not one word has been spoken since the tribunal ended half an hour ago.
"There must be something we could so!"
"It's over mom! You heard what King Obena said!"
Queen Chioma walked over to her son and slapped him hard.
"This is all your fault! What have we not given you?! You have wealth, position, status! All we asked is that you give us a pure born heir to cement our family's name! You had that and you threw it all away!"
Desmond collect two more stinging slaps. His father finally intervened.
"Why are you angry Chioma? You are to blame for this! You pamper and spoil him rotten! Never letting him face the consequences of his actions when he was growing up! You always solved his problems and now you finally have a problem that you cannot solve! Congratulations!"
Queen Chioma turned on her husband.
"How dare you say those things to me?! After everything I have done to ensure the survival of this family. You criticize me as a mother but what about you as a father? You were never around! I raised Desmond on my own!"
Desmond quietly slipped out his parents' room back to his own without them even noticing. They were fighting because of him. He ruined everything. He would have had the perfect life with Michonne. He laid down on the bed, pulled the curtains and soaked in his misery.~*~*~*~*~*
Four days later…
Everyone was back in their homes and they all due back out to school in one week's time. Michonne spoke to her mother constantly since the tribunal ended and they were both glad that it was finally over. She was at the airport with her father when her mother asked about Rick. She realized that they had been discussing her. He was talking to Atiba and she stepped away from them.
"What did he tell you?"
"That Rick comforted you and was there when you needed him the most."
"That's all?"
There was a pause before her mother answered.
"Yes"
She knew her mother was lying but wouldn't dare accuse her outright. She had seen her father and Rick talk several times since the tribunal ended and she hasn't said one word to her about what they discussed. As for her and Rick, her feelings for him has grown and threatens to overwhelm her. She caught him several times looking up at her balcony when she and girls were out there chatting. He smiled at her more, with a new found confidence and she will admit that she liked it.
"They have been talking a lot."
"They have a lot to discuss."
"Like what?"
"You should know."
Michonne said nothing. She didn't want to speculate on what is going on between them. She saw when an attendant walked to her father and whispered. Then he looked over at her.
"I have to go mom. Dad is ready to board."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
She hung up.
"How is your mother?"
"She's good. She asked about Rick."
"Hmmmm."
"What have you been telling her?"
"Nothing. Just keeping her update on current affairs."
"And Rick's current affairs?"
"Yes."
"I see."
They embraced in a tight hug.
"Give everyone my love. Tell those little rascals I call siblings that I love them and I'm looking forward for a visit from them soon."
"I will."
She watched her father walked through the gate and disappeared. She walked to the car where Atiba was waiting for her.
"Let's go home."~*~*~*~*~*
Lori drove into the courtyard of the huge mansion. She parked and was shown inside to the tastefully entertainment area. Waiting there was Queen Chioma. She took a seat opposite her.
"I'll just get straight to the point. I am aware of the scheduled paternity test for your baby."
Lori could feel the disdain in the Queen's voice. It sounded just like her father when she told him about her pregnancy. At first he was disappointed that she and Rick weren't careful and asked when will they be getting married.
However, when she revealed that there was a possibility that Desmond could be the father, he was downright livid. The way he looked at her hurt more than if he had screamed and shouted obscenities at her.
He hasn't spoken to her since. Her mother was also upset but she saw an opportunity that could have soften the blow of the situation and maybe the family could reap some sort of benefit.
When Queen Chioma send official word for a meeting, her mother encouraged her to go. She initially offered to accompany her but Lori declined. This is something that she has to do on her own.
"Make your demands." Was the advice her mother gave her.
"My baby? You do know that this child could also be your Desmond's? Your grandchild?"
She tried to sound as forceful and confident as the Queen but she was struggling.
"Yes but it could also be Rick's as well." The Queen chuckled. "I do admire your tactics. You get pregnant with the option of two very suitable and eligible fathers. You are not as dumb as you look."
"Don't insult me!"
"So what are we going to do about the situation?"
"We?! Situation?!" Lori eyed Queen Chioma. "We are not going to do anything and this isn't a situation! When I have the test and the father is revealed then I will make whatever decisions need to be made in the interest of me and my baby."
She leaned back in the sofa feeling more confident when she saw the Queen raised an eyebrow. She finally had her attention and she felt good being in control.
"And if this baby is Desmond's, he will have to own it and claim it."
Queen Chioma scoffed.
"A bastard? You want Desmond, me and this family to just accept your bastard child?!"
The Queen laughed and Lori felt like she was losing control of the situation.
"Yes! He will claim our child. He has too! And he has to claim me! If he marries me, the child will not be a bastard!"
"AND THERE IT IS!" Queen Chioma shouted loudly. "I was wondering how long you were going to say it."
The Queen stared at her pitifully.
"So that is what you and your family were hoping for if this baby is my son's! That Desmond would marry you and you will become Princess Lori and your family will become part of the royal family. My royal family."
She laughed again.
"Oh foolish, foolish little girl! Haven't you heard? You were just a free piece of cunt my son was using until he got the main prize!"
Queen Chioma smiled seeing the light die in Lori's eyes.
"Sweetheart! My son never loved you! He will NEVER marry you. You and your family may have money but that means nothing to us. That does nothing for us. Even if Desmond marries you what guarantee do we have that any other children that you have will be his. You cheated on Rick! You will cheat on Desmond!"
Lori's heart was pounding in her chest and she had trouble breathing. She saw black and the last thing she remember hearing is the Queen calling for her guards.~*~*~*~*~*
The night before they were due to resume their classes, Michonne decided to have a small get together at her new home since she will not be staying at Desmond's any longer. The cottage where she stayed during her initial month long separation from Desmond before the tribunal was too far away for her to commute to and from the university.
She invited Maggie, Rick and all the others. It was a tastefully furnished four bedroom apartment on the seventh floor of the Nixon Towers. Security was minimum but tight. Atiba lived next across the hall from her. His son Afe was due to start college in the US in two months so he's staying with his father.
Michonne was glad that he was here, so that Atiba would have less time to spy on her to report to her parents. The gathering was in full swing and Rick was the last to arrive. Daryl greeted him at the door and he was carrying two large Pyrex dishes. Daryl reached for it and he pulled away.
"This is not for you." He glanced Michonne making her way into the kitchen. "It's a special delivery."
Daryl shook his head as Rick followed Michonne.~*~*~*~*~*
Michonne was in the kitchen counter counting out the number of sandwiches she needed to take out to her guests when she caught the whiff of one of her favourite foods. She turned around and Rick was standing there smiling.
"Hi."
"Hi."
They both blushed.
"My mom sent this for you."
Michonne eagerly reached for him.
"Thanks." She looked out into the living room. "I'm not sharing this." She said softly. She hid the two dishes in the back of her fridge.
"How are you?"
"I'm good. I'm great actually. Everything is almost over."
"Yes." He cleared his throat and he suddenly turned red.
"Are you ok?"
"There is…there is something I want to tell you."
She stepped closer.
"Yes…."
"Michonne I….."
His phone rang but he ignored it. She looked at him. His mouth was dry and he couldn't find the right words.
"Yes…"
"I l…"
His phone rang again.
"I think you should get that. It could be important."
His face sunk with disappointment as he answered his phone.
"Hey mom."
Michonne took the platter of sandwiches and went out into the living room. As she served them out she cast an occasional glance in Rick's direction. His face turned contorted with anger as he spoke into the phone. After a minute he hung up and walked out into the living room. Glenn was the first to pick up Rick's mood.
"Hey. What's wrong?"
Rick looked briefly at Michonne before answering.
"It's Lori. She's in the hospital."
The room fell silent and a couple of them looked at Michonne covertly.
"Is it the baby?"
"Yes."
The next obvious question hung quietly in the air.
"Did she?"
"I don't know. I need to go to the hospital."
"We'll come with you."
Rick turned to Michonne but she said nothing. He left with a heavy heart.~*~*~*~*~*
Everyone left with Rick to go to the hospital except Glen, Rosita and Sasha. The party was officially over and despite Michonne's pleas, they stayed back with her to clean up. As she washed the dishes, the others focused on the living room and talked in hushed tones.
"Is this how it will be? Rick will be at Lori's beckon call if this baby is his."
"I know Rick loves Michonne but he can't put this burden on her. She will be running a whole country someday. That is stressful enough without having your husband and King needing to fly out of the country couple times a year to see his kid which is not yours."
"And where would that leave Michonne if they have kids?"
"This is so messed up."
A text came through to Glenn's phone . It was Maggie.~*~*~*~*~*
It was aggravating having to be in the hospital. He prayed that the baby will be okay. It is an innocent life that was created out of pure selfishness and greed. He almost didn't recognized Desmond as he slipped in a couple seats away from Rick and the others. He was dressed in jeans and shirt with a cap pulled low over his face. The other saw him too but no-one was in the mood.
"Mr Grimes and Mr Umaze."
Rick and Desmond stood to their feet but none of them wanted to be first move forward. Rick took the lead. In the room, Lori lay on the bed and her mother was at her side. The nurse left.
"I hope the both of you are here to support her! She is going to be the mother of one of your baby! She needs love and support from the both of you!"
"Mom…please. They came. Isn't that enough? They didn't have to be here."
"Damn straight." Desmond murmured. Lori's mother head snapped to him.
"And you! Your mother did this to Lori! She stressed her out! Thank god the baby is alright." She kissed Lori's forehead. "I can't wait to meet my grandchild and I'm sure Rick or Desmond can't wait to meet their son or daughter."~*~*~*~*~*
Glenn read the text.
"The baby's alright."
"That's good to hear."
Everyone turned around and Michonne was standing behind them. They didn't know how long she was standing there or how much of the previous conversation she had heard and they were afraid to ask.
"Are you ok?"
Michonne returned to the kitchen without responding.~*~*~*~*~*
