Parallel Hearts (Chapter 13)
A/N: Thanks for the continued support. I promised the next update wouldn't be as long and I'm glad I was able to come through. Hope is on the horizon for our group.
Michonne wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and drops onto her folded legs to look at him. "I….I'm pregnant."
Rick holds up the blue pack of morning after pills and asks, "Are you?"
"Look at the pack, Rick. I haven't touched it. I haven't taken anything," she assures him.
"But you were thinking about it? You thought about taking them in hopes of….getting rid of….the baby?" He barely gets the words out, hoping and praying that he is wrong.
"I don't know what to do. Look around. We aren't exactly in the best circumstances to bring a baby into this world," she states.
He drops his head and nods sadly. "So that's what you're telling me? You're telling me you'd rather….not have my baby?"
"I'm telling you I'm scared to have your baby. I'm scared of the unknown, what could happen to me, to the baby, to you." She sighs. "But most of all…I'm telling you that I could never hurt you that way. I know what this means to you and regardless of my feelings and my fears, I wouldn't be that selfish."
He lets out a breath that ends with a slight whistle, then grabs the white bottle of pills and reads, "Prenatal vitamins." He holds the bottle up. "So, this is our choice?"
"Are you ready to be a father?" She asks.
He swallows nervously, tears welling in his eyes. "More than anythang. Are you ready to be a mother?"
She gives him a slight smile. "Not at all, but I guess I've got a little time to try and prepare myself."
"We have a little time to try and prepare ourselves." He drops the bottle into the backpack and crawls over to her, taking her face into his hands. "Thank you."
She looks into his eyes and says, "Just promise me something…please."
"Anythang."
"Don't dream that we're having twins, ok?" She requests with a smile.
He smiles with her then moves in for a kiss but she turns her head.
"Rick, I just threw up."
"And I could care less," he says as he pulls her toward him and kisses her soundly.
They remain by the lake for another half hour discussing their impending parenthood and whether or not they are going to share the news with the others. They opt to wait, hoping they can find a place within the next month or two or even sooner. Neither of them can voice it, but they both wonder about the likelihood of the baby's survival.
They walk back to the camp, hand in hand, unaware that Shane is watching them curiously and closely.
Later that week, Rick is standing by one of the vehicles with a map of the area spread out on the hood. He looks to Daryl, Tyreese, and Shane as they try to organize their next move and what direction to travel in.
Shane seems a bit distracted as he watches Michonne and Sasha walk towards the lake. He slowly brings his attention back to the task at hand and gives a nervous laugh as he notices Daryl was watching him watch Sasha and Michonne. "Hey man, I didn't mean anything by it. You see a couple of beautiful women, you look, right?"
Daryl remains silent as Rick looks between the two and they all return their attention to the map.
Several moments later, Rick is moving towards the entrance to check in with T-Dog, Glenn, and Noah who are on watch duty when Shane detains him.
"Can I talk to you for a second?" He asks.
Rick agrees with a nod.
"I don't mean to pry or anything, but I thought you were married…..to a white chick," Shane relays.
Rick sighs as he remembers he and Shane got along pretty well during their careers, but the guy could be a little insensitive from time to time. "I was married. Her name was Lori and she died because she got scratched by a walker. Anything else?"
"Hey, listen…I'm sorry. I just see you with Michonne and it makes me wonder…..." Shane trails off as if in deep thought.
Rick tries not to get agitated but he can't help it. He places his hands at his waist and looks Shane directly in the eyes. "Makes you wonder what exactly?"
"I'm not trying to disrespect you. It's just that….I lost someone too. You probably don't remember. Her name was Andrea. We were together for almost 3 years. She didn't make it." Shane sighs. "I just….she was it for me, you know. I thought we were gonna get married and have kids and then this shit happened and she's not here anymore. I look at you with Michonne and you look at her like there was never anyone else in your life. I just wonder if I'll find someone like that again."
Rick immediately feels like a heel for thinking he was gonna have to punch Shane for talking about Michonne and for the fact that he has no idea what to say to him. He still ponders pinching himself awake because he never thought he'd love someone like he loves Michonne. That love makes him feel guilty that he can't provide her with a home or that he doesn't even know how or where their baby will be born. He shakes his head as he doesn't want to dwell on any of that. She wouldn't want me to.
"Shane, I'm sorry about Andrea. I know how hard that can be and I can't tell you how to feel or that it gets easier because I just don't know. Give yourself some more time and….maybe try to think of something else right now," Rick suggests as he cringes inwardly, feeling like that was the worst advice ever.
Shane gives him a slight smile and offers his hand for a handshake when several shots ring out at the entrance of the campgrounds. The two of them take off running in that direction only to find T-Dog, Glenn, and Noah shooting at walkers making their way out of the woods and towards the entrance.
Rick surmises right then and there that they should pack up and leave. The small group of walkers could be handled, but why waste the ammo when the gunshots would only draw more of them. He pulls his python and fires off two shots, ending two walkers as he races to Glenn's side. "Try to hold them off. I'll gather everybody so we can get the hell out of here."
Glenn nods as he instructs T-Dog and Noah to keep shooting. Shane stays to help them while Rick runs back to the others.
Relief washes through Rick as he sees everyone working together to get their things loaded and the vehicles ready for travel. He shakes his head as the panic really had a hold of him and he simply forgot that everyone knows the routine. He searches for Michonne and frowns when he sees her racing towards the entrance, holding her sword out in front of her.
"Where are you going?" He shouts.
"They need help, I…."
Rick cuts her off. "No! Go to the truck and meet me at the entrance." His head jerks up with the sound of more gunfire coming from the rear of the camp. His intent was to go back and help the others in front but realizes they just need to leave as quickly as possible.
Daryl is firing his crossbow as Sasha is firing her rifle at walkers entering the camp from the surrounding wooded area in the back. Luckily, there is a slight incline and majority of the walkers are clumsily falling down and breaking a limb which makes them immobile and a minimal threat.
"Everyone! Get to the vehicles now!" Rick instructs as he places a hand at Michonne's elbow and propels them toward the Suburban.
"We can take care of them. We don't have to rush off again," Michonne relays to Rick. "I'm tired of running."
Rick sighs heavily. "Babe, I know but we just can't take any chances right now."
They arrive at the vehicle and Michonne is silent as Rick opens the passenger door and ushers her inside before taking the driver's seat. Beth, Herschel, and Maggie arrive and climb in quickly.
Daryl, Sasha, Karen, and Jacqui pull off in another vehicle while Tyreese and Donna follow behind them in the cargo van retrieving Glenn, Shane, Noah, and T-Dog.
More walkers had arrived and they couldn't avoid connecting with some of them on their way out, blood and fragments coating the vehicles.
That night, they parked on the side of the road while one person in each vehicle kept watch and the others slept. The next day, they were traveling again, siphoning supplies and gas from any and every abandoned vehicle they happened upon. That wasn't many so they knew they would have to find something sooner rather than later.
Tyreese notices the rusted silos and surmises there might be a farm and a house nearby so he veers off the road to have a look. The others follow accordingly and they soon come upon a burnt shell of what looked like a spacious home.
Herschel instructs Rick to drive back to the silos as there could be something of use stored in them and maybe even room enough for them to sleep in safely for the night. Rick does as he is told, the others falling in line behind him.
They branch off into groups to clear the silos and keep watch by the vehicles, dispatching only four or five walkers at most. Of course, the silos were almost bare but there was plenty of hay in one of them and T-Dog found a half full gas can.
Tyreese, Sasha, and Daryl decide to take first watch while the others spread out and try to get some sleep.
Glenn assists Rick in getting a bale of hay up to the second level of the silo where he and Michonne spread it out and throw blankets on top for a makeshift bed for the night. The former and Maggie do the same in a corner of the silo on the lower level sharing that space with Beth and Herschel.
T-Dog, Shane, Karen, Jacqui, Noah, and Donna spread out in the silo next door and everyone is accommodated if only for a while.
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Michonne moans in her sleep as a sensation hits her making her gasp as her eyes pop open.
"Shhh…you can't be too loud," Rick whispers by her ear.
They fell asleep in a spoon position, her back to his chest and now his hand is down the front of her pants, fingering her gently as his other arm cradles her head.
She purses her lips together in an effort to keep as quiet as possible, then moves her hand to his forearm as she starts to rock and rotate her hips. She can feel him harden against her and closes her eyes, allowing him to take her away if only for a moment.
Her body responds to his touch in record time as she covers her mouth with one hand and clutches his arm with the other, continuing to move against his hand rhythmically. Time seems to stand still as she experiences the glorious release of orgasm, tiny sparks shooting through her pulsating and throbbing core.
Rick smiles as he splays his hand against her and rubs gently, allowing her to come down softly and easily. He kisses her neck, tonguing her flesh and closes his eyes as her hand comes up to caress his head.
Michonne drops her other hand from her mouth. "I didn't realize how much I needed that. Oh, that was so good." She stretches then turns to face him, missing his hand immediately but satisfied when he rests it against her bottom.
He searches her eyes, proud of the starry look he put there. "Glad I could be of service."
"Now tell me how to service you, my love," she whispers before kissing him lightly.
"We should really get some sleep," Rick reminds her.
"We will….afterwards," she says as she starts to nuzzle his neck.
Rick smiles as her hand travels down to his already swollen member and caresses him accordingly.
The next morning, Michonne is up early and decides to allow Rick to continue resting. She smiles as she recalls how explosive his release was and how he drifted right off to sleep. He needs this she surmises as she looks down on him with love shining in her eyes. Her hand rests on her stomach for just a moment and then she makes her way down to the lower level, greeting Herschel, Beth, and Maggie.
"Glenn on watch already?" She asks Maggie.
"Yeah, he's with T-Dog and Noah," Maggie answers as she and Beth step in with Michonne and follow her outside.
It appears the women of the group have the same idea as they meet Jacqui, Karen, and Donna and venture off to a secluded spot, all wanting and needing to relieve themselves and complete some form of morning hygiene. Michonne remembers Sasha had watch duty last night and assumes she and Daryl are still sleeping.
Half of them keep watch while the others branch off and take care of business, then the roles are reversed and everyone is relieved and as fresh as their supplies allow. They make their way back safely and partake of breakfast with the others. Maggie takes food to Glenn, T-Dog, and Noah. Michonne was just about to do the same for Rick when she notices him making his way to her with a smile. He accepts the bowl and leads her outside.
"Where are we going?" She asks.
Rick smiles. "Nowhere. I just want to prolong our alone time. Last night was incredible to say we were still fully dressed."
Michonne blushes as she looks around to ensure no one could hear their conversation. "Incredible is a pretty good description as I put you to sleep just like a newborn baby."
He blushes with her and is basically rendered speechless with her truthfulness.
She watches intently as he sets the bowl down on the hood of one of the vehicles, utilizing a bottle of water to wash his face and brush his teeth. Her smile is all knowing as he pulls her to him and plants his mouth on hers. She can taste the mint from the toothpaste which only drives her to want more.
He lifts his head after a few seconds and looks around cautiously. "I sure did need that. Now, I can get my day started." He retrieves the bowl and offers it to her. When she declines, he reminds her that she needs to eat more.
"I'm fine, Rick. You have to take care of yourself too so eat…please." She smiles as he obeys readily and asks if she thinks they can make the silos work for one more night before moving on. They converse smoothly and quietly, deciding to remain where they are unless circumstances deemed otherwise.
Rick finishes his breakfast and kisses her one last time as they part ways. He goes to check in with Glenn, T-Dog, and Noah while Michonne joins the others.
Duties have been decided for the day. Rick, Tyreese, Daryl, and Shane will hunt for tonight's dinner, Glenn, T-Dog, and Noah will continue watch duty, Maggie, Jacqui, Beth and Donna will stay at the silos and inventory the supplies, and Herschel, Michonne, Sasha, and Karen will scout the nearby woods for some natural remedies Herschel would like to procure. Rick is not happy with that but relents. He knows if he protests too much, others will notice and it will upset Michonne. Above all, he wants to keep her as calm as possible.
They all branch off and plan to return within two or three hours, maybe less. Herschel is excited to share that he learned Jacqui was going to nursing school. He believes between the two of them they could handle any medical emergencies that might arise for the group. The hope and prayer is that knowledge won't have to be utilized but it's good to know they have some experience if needed. Michonne can't help thinking both of them will be valuable to her and Rick in the coming months.
The surrounding woods are quiet and damp but they make their way cautiously, hoping they will find something of use.
Meanwhile, Rick, Tyreese, Daryl, and Shane have had a little luck with hunting. Daryl carries some squirrels while Shane carries a couple of rabbits, all of them conversing about their next destination. They come upon some train tracks and attempt to cross over only to realize they are on a hill which drops down to a creek. They all gaze out over the spread before them and can't believe their eyes. It's a prison, fenced in completely and possibly secure if not for the walkers ambling inside.
"What a waste," Daryl offers.
"If only we had a place like that. The fences could keep the walkers out," Tyreese shares.
Rick is quiet as he takes in the scene below them. He canvasses the prison slowly, calculating the possibilities of them eliminating the walkers and making this place their new sanctuary. He looks to Shane. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Shane nods slowly. "There's no telling what type of supplies we could find in that place if we get inside."
"Are you two serious? Look at all those walkers. Do we even have the ammo to clear them out?" Tyreese asks.
"Only one way to find out. We do inventory and see if we can find more," Rick suggests. He turns to look at each of them. "I think it's doable."
"Let's take it back to the others. We gotta do something. We can't keep moving out here like this. Winter's coming," Shane states.
Rick can't help but feel a little excitement and maybe even hope. A prison would have a cafeteria which might result in food, an infirmary which could result in medicine, a car pool and maybe some gasoline. There's no telling what else they might find. "This could be a gold mine. We can't let this go to waste."
A little over an hour later, they have the vehicles packed and ready to go. Rick, Daryl, Tyreese, and Shane tell the others in detail what they found and what they think it could mean for the group. The others don't see the need in arguing or asking a lot of questions. They all know they need a place and they need it right now. Shane took the time to map out a direct path to the prison, so they all pile into the vehicles and start another venture into the unknown.