A/N: Chapter 12 picks up right where this chapter drops off. I promise everything will tie in next update.

Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Sophia

It was her favorite part of the morning, there was nothing to distract her from doing one of her secret favorite things. It was her absolute guilty pleasure watching her man sleep. She leaned on her elbow as she adjusted herself on the pillow to get a better view of the man next to her. She could hear his even breaths as the peace of his sleep sealed his body like a blanket.

Her fingers reached for a lock of his hair, it always felt like silk and she stroked him lightly enough that he wouldn't wake up.

Her eyes rested upon his closed ones and she pictured the depth of his piercing blues looking at her, sometimes they had entire conversations with one glance.

It was as if Rick's eyes spoke the language in her head. He understood her in a way that made her feel complete.

She studied his long frame, most nights he ended up sleeping on his belly. His face smashed into the pillow. His head was angled in her direction and she was able to take in the shape of his face.

She even held back a smile at the few dots of freckles that lined his nose and cheek. It wasn't something you would notice off the bat but having been privy to all the intimate details that made up Rick Grimes she considered herself an expert.

She combed through his unruly curls and pressed a light kiss to his forehead. He smelled like clean linen combined with his deodorant, it stirred her deeply.

She felt him groan lightly as he stirred, one blue eye peeking up at her, the other eye made them a pair as he faced her slowly.

"Good morning" his voice was sleep soaked as his eyes adjusted to the light and the fact that she was propped up just staring at him.

He was waking up to a physical manifestation of his dreams.

"Good morning" She rubbed his bare chest, the planes of it hard from the demands of his job and his strict fitness regime.

"You're doin' my job" he said as his body naturally gravitated towards hers, his hands roaming the contours of her silhouette.

The room was not quite bright yet, which created an intimate setting for the pair who couldn't keep their hands and eyes off each other, even when at rest.

"Staring at you? You stare at me while I sleep?" She was amused and curious at his statement and she waited patiently for him to elaborate.

"I've done it a few times, stare at you when you sleep..." He loved looking at her when she was unguarded, even in sleep her beauty was alive to him.

He looked at the time on his phone and was relieved that it was only five after six. He had taken the day off for her birthday so there was no haste to get to their morning routine which he always dragged out, in no rush to leave her presence. He was usually right on time for work even though he didn't have regular hours.

"I know today is a special day….I just can't quite place my mind on what it is." He was teasing her and she knew it.

She straddled him in two seconds and he adjusted his position to accommodate her. His hands finding her thighs and rubbing on them for warmth and some form of physical contact.

"It's my birthday silly!" She laughed joyously knowing the day ahead could only bring more goodness to her life.

Her smile was brighter than any sunrise he had ever seen.

It wasn't just another birthday, it was a birthday she was eager to celebrate with Rick. They had planned a big party for later, everyone had been invited including Eli and Rosita and she was looking forward to meeting her half sister.

She wasn't too eager to have both her parents in the same room but she refused to let their current unresolved issues ruin another birthday.

"Does that mean you should get a present? Cause it's your birthday?" He squinted slightly acting the confused part perfectly.

She nodded slowly, ready to play whatever game he was engaging her in. She knew they pay off would certainly make her the winner.

"Nah. You know what I think I want for your birthday?" His eyes were pure seduction and her belly trembled with the promise his darkening eyes held. He toyed with the thin strap of her black vest as he spoke.

"What's that?" It was a breathy whisper that got released when her chest heaved.

"Cake." His hand strolled to the top of her matching black, V-cut panty and she watched his vanilla hand clash against her burnt umber skin. His fingers slid against her slit and he confirmed what he already knew, she was wet for him.

She bit her lip and closed her eyes as he rubbed her bliss button, pleasure already floating through her middle.

Rick raised up with her still in his lap, "Lie down for me babe" He demanded as he switched their positions smoothly. He stationed himself between her legs and tugged her underwear off.

Her glistening heat beckoning him to her urgently. He felt himself stiffen at the sight, his dick clouding his judgement, demanding attention but all he wanted to do right now was make his woman feel good, that in itself always brought him pleasure.

He flicked her node, just to watch her hiss, her legs widening in response.

He placed a firm hand on her belly as he descended intentionally on her bud, licking it at first.

Then he inched lower and flicked his tongue in her tunnel a few times and worked his way back to her nub, the scent of her arousal invading his nostrils.

Michonne clutched the bed sheets as the fire in her core intensified with Rick's welcomed assault on her flesh. She needed an anchor and the olive green sheets she was clutching like a designer dress on sale at Macy's wasn't enough.

She let go and her hands dived for his curls. She buckled into him and he was glad he had a hand on her tummy. She needed to be held down a bit.

His hands soon found her bottom and he lifted her to his mouth, to better have his cake.

Rick heard Michonne moan and knew her head was thrashing on the pillow.

He paused his devoted ministrations momentarily, "You can make all the noise you want baby. It's your birthday."

He delved back in, picking up exactly where he left off, not missing a pleasurable beat.

Her head felt like she was a balloon, floating in the air with no particular place to go.

Her lower regions were in a different state, she was a volcano on the verge of eruption and she didn't want to control it for anything.

"Yesss Rick. That feels so good! I wanna come for you so bad." Her tone was desperate, she knew she didn't have long again, experiencing the euphoria from his sucking coming to a climax.

"You gonna come for me baby? You gonna give me some of that good stuff?" He knew she loved it when he talked back to her when she was drunk from his loving.

He lapped at her with ardour and she felt herself drip on his lips.

"Yeah baby, it's right there….just a little harder." She thrusted against his mouth, the tidal wave of her apogee building in her core.

"Harder? like this Michonne?" His loving intensified and sent her spiraling into a frenzy. "Is this what you want baby girl?"

Baby girl was her catalyst, it catapulted her into a violent spasm, so strong she felt her juices shootout.

Her eyes remained shut until her body could get under control. Her breath was raspy, her body lax. She felt the bed lighten when he moved off it and still she couldn't quite open her eyes yet. By the time she landed back to earth and opened her eyes finally, he was at her side pulling her into him.

"Happy Birthday." He kissed her cheek.

"Happy birthday indeed." She felt his steely rod at her ass and wiggled herself on him. She was greedy for more.

"I think you're feeding my addiction." He was always giving towards her and it was making her an epicure.

"I'm not feeding your addiction. I'm feeding mine." That's what the potency of his love for her felt like. Her essence was addictive in nature, she would always be his fixation.

"We're gonna have a good day today?" She asked as she felt him slip off his boxers.

"Oh yeah." He proceeded to show her much of a good day it was going to be.

"So you've been friend zoned by Daryl. Can you blame him?" Michonne threw the question to Sasha, guilt stepping in her conscience when she realized how sad her friend looked. The man in question was busy helping Rick with the final touches for her highly anticipated birthday bash. At the moment they were both struggling to carry a large speaker box from the large living room. She hoped they didn't break anything in their haste. Rick had been doing a lot of work most of the day in preparation for tonight. He was bringing out all the stops ensuring sure she had a memorable birthday.

Sasha hung her head in remorse. Being pregnant and uncertain about the fatherhood of said baby had her down in the dumps.

When the news was broken by Monica she had no choice but to let the cat out of the bag. Abraham was self assured and most confident that the baby was his, boasting that he was a straight shooter. Daryl however had reverted to his introverted self and had relegated Sasha to just friends for now.

Love triangles were nothing like what it looked like on TV.

Seeing the solemn look on both her friends faces, it was an easy tell, they were both heartbroken.

"The friend zone doesn't have to be as grave as you're making it sound" Andrea said ready to dish out her alleged judicious advice.

"Please explain, Oh Wise One." Maggie said arms folded in wait.

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee was playing softly from the radio. The boom from the speaker was much needed especially when all the other guests arrived.

"Well...is there valet parking in this proverbial friend zone?" Her voice was suggestive, her eyes mischievous.

"Ohmygod!" Sasha sighed.

"What? There isn't anything wrong with having some fun."

"Andi! Unlike you I didn't set out to hurt anybody"

"And I did?" Her tone was defensive as she took a sip of her eggnog.

"You slept with someone while with Shane. Now he doesn't know his ass from his elbow and look at you, your shining bright." Sasha knew she was probably a bit jealous of Andrea's composure and she knew she was in no position to judge anyone's decisions but sometimes Andrea's moral compass needed a compass of its own.

"Eduardo and I aren't serious. It was a one time thing. One thing lead to the other and before I knew it he was showing me all kinds of different...poses." she sipped her eggnog greedily now, letting out a truth she had been holding for a bit.

"Wait! Hold on. You slept with Eduardo? Our Yoga instructor Eduardo?" Maggie sounded beyond surprised, although this was Andrea and nothing she did should really shock her so severely anymore.

Andrea nodded proudly.

"Man bun Eduardo?" Sasha asked for clarification. "Gosh he is so hott"

"I was having a little fun! And let me tell you! He knows how to stretch a woman!"

"A little fun?" Michonne shook her head as she made her way to the dinner table setting out trays of hors d oeuvres.

"What about Shane?" Maggie asked.

"What about him? He isn't my husband and why is this all about me? Listen! Every girl should have a chapter of I don't care in their lives. "

"You're doin' a trilogy right now though..." Michonne teased her, she was the most qualified to do so.

"These country boys aren't into flings Andrea." Maggie had a deeper appreciation for her growing relationship with Glenn. They both knew what they wanted and that was each other.

"He got fooled and thought she was a good girl." Michonne added knowing Andrea's tolerance for being teased was high. She also gave as good as she got.

"Little does he know that good girls are just bad girls that never got caught." Her arms were folded when she spoke.

"Welcome to Andrealand. Population of one. We've got your flings on the left and your broken hearts on the right. Buckle up folks it's going to be one heck of a ride." Sasha mimicked an announcer, fisting her hand like a mic and gesturing with her free hand.

It came across quite comical and the girls were unable to stifle their laughs much to Andrea's annoyance.

She leaned on the counter, her hands bracing the edges as she gave them time to let the laughter die down.

"First things first. I'm a realist. Monogamy isn't for everyone." She pointed at Sasha as an example. Sasha threw several marshmallows at her feeling highly insulted.

"Secondly, don't expect because you two have been bitten by the monogamy bug that y'all are gonna infect me. Eduardo had a bad boy vibe. You know that's what I'm attracted to." She felt as though she was in Court, having to argue and justify her case in front of a jury.

"You know what's better than a bad boy? A big man with his life together." Sasha meant the words for Andrea but somehow they had flung back and kicked her in her butt.

Ironically Shane walked in the front door, a red Santa hat resting on his head. His determined gait pushing him to the kitchen where they all stood around the long granite counter.

"Happy Christmas, Merry Birthday Michonne." He kissed Michonne's cheek but his eyes never left Andrea, who was trying her best to avert his gaze. It didn't work, Shane had a way of allowing his almost black eyes bore holes into his targets and seeing through them. It was what made him a good cop.

"Ladies. Y'all lookin mighty classy this fine Christmas Eve. Where them fellas at?" He enquired, now ignoring Andrea fully who looked prematurely for some eye contact.

"They're probably out back trying to set up the speakers. You may want to go help Shane." Michonne knew Rick wouldn't admit they were probably stuck and needed a third hand.

Shane nodded and left the quartet.

All eyes shot to Andrea who was pouring wine into a wine glass. The drinks would be flowing tonight.

"Look Andi, Shane is Santa….maybe he's looking for a Ho Ho Ho!"

"Glad you got jokes Mags." Sasha and Michonne couldn't help themselves they laughed their way into coughing fits.

Her parents were yet to arrive but Chester and Eden came bearing lots of gifts. She loved being doted on by Rick's folks, they were not shy with their affection for her and it made her feel so special and loved.

Abraham walked in late and loud a few minutes before Glenn had arrived. The burly man had made his way to the kitchen after grabbing a glass for a drink.

He pulled the fridge door open expecting rocks for his drink but was disappointed when he found the freezer devoid of ice.

"Bitch nuts! Am I supposed to throw this drink back hot Grimes?" The large man didn't have to raise his voice to be heard. Rick stood from where he was with Daryl and Shane trying to work out the electricals for the malfunctioning speaker.

"Forgot to get that today. Lemme go grab two bags."

Michonne saw the tiredness on his face. After their lavish breakfast he made her that morning, he dived right into the preparations for the day, which involved several trips to the supermarket and a last minute trip to the mall to pick up a pair of shoes she just needed to have with her new dress.

"No babe. You stay. I'll go."

"Nah Michonne. I'll go." He insisted already looking for his keys.

"Babe. I'll go. I'll even take your truck." She grabbed her bag and took his key of the key holder.

He saw the determination in her eyes and he resigned himself that he needed the speaker working. Michonne was capable of grabbing some ice.

"No speeding." He preferred when she drove his truck, often complaining that her foot was a bit too heavy on the gas pedal of her beamer.

"Yeah. Yeah." She appeased him.

"You want me to come with you?" Maggie asked like the sweet friend she was.

"No. I need you here as a buffer between my mom and Eli when they come." She wanted to be prepared for anything, even in her absence.

"Ok. Fine. Hurry back." Maggie looked at the darkness outside, it was Christmas Eve. She needed her family indoors.

"I'm going to Shiva's. The store is probably closed but the bar is opened."

Shiva's was a bar owned by Carol and Ezekiel King, a friendly couple who was recently married. They had recently adopted an eleven year old boy named Henry.

The bar was opened every day except Christmas.

"See you guys in a bit." Rick watched her walk outside, he looked at his watch committing the time she left to memory.

"I won't be too long." She shouted to him from the driveway as she reversed his truck out onto the road.

She hoped her parents would be here soon. She was eager to meet Rosita and hoped they found some common ground to start a friendship.

Michonne entered Shiva's, surprised by the amount of patrons utilizing the bar services on Christmas Eve. Carol decorated the bar with minimal Christmas fanfare, but it looked festive enough.

She wanted to get the ice and head home, already missing the warmth and love there.

A familiar figure stood out to her as she made her way to the bar.

"Mike?" The somber looking man turned to her slightly a glass of whisky in his hand.

"You ok?" Mike didn't look his usual chipper, cocky self and she would've lied to herself if she said she wasn't concerned.

Zeke approached them from behind the bar, wiping freshly washed glasses.

"Michonne, to what do we owe the honor of your presence?" The theatrical man was a bit much sometimes but he had a heart of gold and Michonne took to him right away. He helped Carol run the bar efficiently and people came just to hear the ex Broadway star speak.

She nodded her head to Mike who returned to the safety of his glass.

Zeke shrugged in return indicating with his fingers that their lonely customer was on his second glass.

Michonne touched his shoulder in concern, it was Christmas Eve and nobody should be alone on Christmas Eve, not even Mike Johnson.

"What's wrong?" She took a seat next to him, unable to leave. She glimpsed at her watch, she told Rick she wasn't going to be long.

"Why do you wanna know? So you can throw it in my face?" Ok, so maybe Mike was still Mike but she was trying anyways. She understood that the way she lived her life didn't need to be dictated by the men who had hurt her.

"Because it's Christmas Eve and a bar is no place for a man like you who's got family at home. So spill it." he heard the authority in her voice and he felt like it was the first time he was noticing it.

She sounded powerful and strong. Hindsight slapped him across his face having totally missed this part of her.

"Why are you here? Your cowboy know you left the house?"

"I'm here for ice. He threw a big party for my birthday and we're all out." Her tone was prideful and a tad bit petty. She wanted Mike to know she had the best man out there.

"Monica left me. There. I said it." Her eyebrows rose in shock. The admission unexpected, but not too much when you really thought about it.

"I'm sorry. I hope you two can work it out." She was proud that she meant it.

He nursed his drink again like it was a dying patient, slowly and with care.

"I doubt. But thanks."

"Zeke, can I get two bags of ice please?" A rowdy bunch of truckers had come in and she had to raise her voice to be heard over the road soaked men and Elvis singing he'd have a blue Christmas over the speakers.

"You mind if you go out back to get it Princess? Carol is helping Henry get settled so I'm alone tonight." He asked pouring out the requested drinks from his rambunctious customers.

"Yeah. No sweat." She pulled out a five dollar bill from her cross body bag and left it in the corner. Grabbing the key for the ice chiller she made her way out back.

Before she could walk out the door Mike called out, "Michonne!" She turned to face him.

"Happy Birthday!" She smiled at him and pushed the door. She briefly remembered the Mike she knew in College and hoped that maybe a small piece of him was in there somewhere.

The back of the bar was actually the carpark for Carol and Zeke's Convenient store which they both took turns running. The car park wasn't full, so she made haste in getting to the chiller. The street lights shed their bright light on the area.

The breeze was cold and she tightened her jacket for warmth.

As she got the large door opened she felt the cold steel of a blunt object dig info her hip. The chill she felt in her body was different to the blast from the cooler. She couldn't decipher if it was a gun or not.

"Nice and slow. Just give me the purse." The assailants voice was deep and mentally she was doing a trace for familiarity, but came up empty. She didn't know his voice.

She hoped he wouldn't feel the petrification that was beginning to hold her body at ransom.

These kind of guys fed on fear and acted foolishly when confronted with it.

She didn't have anything worth taking in her purse so she knew she was going to give him what he wanted and prayed he left her alone.

Before she could maneuver herself to face the thief she felt him hook her by her neck, his elbow digging into her breast.

Fear so strong overtook her she tasted in her mouth. She bit her lip and felt blood.

Rick said Fight or Flight was what made people freeze or react when confronted with danger.

She remembered he showed her how to SING, so she did. The object didn't feel like a gun butt and she thought to chance it.

Everything took place in seconds, her reaction time had to be swift.

With her back turned she launched her elbow in his stomach and stabbed his instep with her foot. She heard him lose his breath and she took the opportunity to kick her foot hard into his groin, she was so glad she opted for boots.

"Now why did you do that!?" He said as he launched at her. He fisted her in the head, her locks wasn't enough to soften the blow and her body slipped to the ground as her head throbbed sharply. The pain taking her almost to the point of madness, dizziness grabbed her in fistfuls.

Not feeling like he'd won he plunged her side with his knife, the blade cutting her deep. She felt like she had been pierced with a telephone pole and she cried out loudly.

The man in all black grabbed her purse and ran off. She was unable to form a word as the blood flowed from her body.

Her head felt disjointed and everything went black.

Mike walked out the back door seconds later, curious as to why Michonne was taking so long to grab some ice.

He saw her unconscious, bleeding body on the ground and he raced to her.

"Oh shit! Michonne!" He said as he checked her pulse. It was faint.

That's when he saw the movement from his peripheral, the robber was running hurriedly down the end of the long carpark.

He checked her wound and decided she needed a hospital urgently. She was bleeding profusely.

"C'mon Chonne! Stay with me girl."

He took his jacket off and ripped his shirt underneath quickly placing it on the gaping wound and adding pressure.

Michonne was unresponsive but her heart was still beating and he was grateful for that.

He assumed there was a tussle and she was probably hit in the head.

Her phone rang loudly in her pocket, he snatched it quickly Rick's face on the screen staring back at him. He slide the green key, his heart beating a mile a minute.

"Michonne….baby where are-?"

"Rick! It's Mike man, Michonne was just mugged. She's been stabbed and I have to take her to the hospital. Meet me at Alexandria Memorial." He ended the call, knowing he was sharp and short but he knew Rick would get the message.

Right now his priority was getting Michonne some help. He winced at the amount of blood now on his pants. He shouted to the top of his lungs for Zeke as he lifted her body off the cold ground.

This was no way to end a birthday.