Field Day
Her kisses were like a drug for me. Slowly, I found myself fixated on the taste of her soft plump lips. The gear was digging into my side but I couldn't let that stop me from getting my fill. When my tongue tied with hers I felt her moan vibrate against my lips. But all too soon she pulled away, finding her breath and leaving me to find my own.
"We're not about to do this in the clinics parking lot, Rick." She mentioned fixing my tie then she started working on rubbing the smeared lipstick off my lips.
"I'm not sure I know what you're talking about?" I played coy. But she smirked pointing to the gear denting my side.
"So you weren't trying to climb over to get to me? Besides I'm not going to represent myself in a public indecency case." I looked around the parking look, noticing a densely tinted van. It wasn't odd for a vehicle by a clinic to have an emergency vehicle on hand but a black one was unusual.
I ignored my skepticism and helped Michonne with her bag, despite her trying to fend off my efforts she soon gave in. I had no idea what she carried around in her purse but it was an extra weight I didn't need her worrying about.
Maggie was all smiles when she ushered Michonne on the bed. "How are we doing today?" She asked brightly, fixing a few things in the area with ease before grabbing a clipboard.
"I'm doing fine, a lot of back pain every now and then but it's nothing I can't handle." Maggie nodded.
"It's common for pregnant women to have back pain, but if it gets too much, or it's something you can't handle go to the hospital immediately." She advised. "And what about you, Mr. Grimes, sent on any late runs?"
I blushed with a smile on my face. "It's nothing that I can't handle."
"Now before we get down and dirty how is the little guy?"
"Still kicking like a maniac." Michonne, laughed putting a hand on her stomach. It made me smile, just thinking about my son having a mother that already cared so much for him. It wasn't hard to notice, the love she abhorred for him was written on her face, and it was in her actions, the way she spoke about him.
"Yeah, well he gets that from you." I injected, earning a hard look from Michonne.
"That's great, I know it can be a pain but that much activity is always a good sign. It means he's exercising which is good for his development." After scribbling a few words down, Maggie slipped on a pair of gloves and instructed Michonne to lift the hem of her shirt. "Now like last time this is going to feel a little cold."
A small smile played on Michonne's lips as Maggie smoothed the gel over her stomach. It didn't take long for her to find our sons growing form.
"There he is," Maggie said pointing to a grey area on the screen. He was a lot bigger than the last time Michonne did an ultrasound. "That's his head, in due time he'll start turning around but for now I think he's real cozy where he is now."
I watch him wiggle about and my heart squeezed. A few years ago I couldn't imagine ever feeling this kind of love. It was a welcoming warmness that I never wanted to give up. I guess I understood the look Michonne had whenever she felt her stomach.
I listened in when they began discussing his development and everything we should expect. "You're nearly 17 weeks," Maggie said printing still images from the session. "You should expect some strange cravings which is normal, you'll also gain weight which is also normal. In fact, I encourage expecting mothers to consume a lot of healthy food during the second trimester."
Michonne smoothed her shirt over the swell in her stomach. Reaching for my hand I helped her sit up. "Oh, those cravings have already gotten to me." She said with a huff, smoothing her hand down her shirt.
Maggie laughed with a smile. "Just be happy you're not craving spicy tacos. IT did quite a number on me." I winced. "So Glenn and I were planning a little grill, friends, and family and I know you two are close and I'd love for you both to join us." With a quirked eyebrow, I looked to Michonne for an answer.
"Really? I'd love to but he never mentioned it."
"It's more of a surprise party. His results are coming any minute now and I want to throw him a party. So that's a yes?"
"Of course, if you want us to pitch in on anything just let us know." Michonne answered but I was stuck on that two letter word. Us. It was growing on me but I knew of a word that sounded even better.
"So I'll let you know a date and I'll see you two in two weeks," she laid a gentle tap on Michonne's stomach, "I can't forget the little guy either."
….
"So you're thinking for me now?" I asked Michonne as she ordered vitamins from the clinics mini pharmacy. I paid no mind to the amount of people crowding the waiting area, though it was another unusual detail.
Her lips twisted downwards and she pulled her wallet out prompting me to get my own. "Damn, I'm sorry for assuming you wanted to go." I could almost hear the heat creeping into her voice.
"I didn't mean it that way." I turned to the old woman at the window, her red hair was curled high and she regarded me with an annoyed look. "How much is it?" I asked.
"Oh, so you're just going to pay? I could handle it, Rick." I had to close my eyes for a second. I just needed to remind myself that it was just the hormones. She was just warm and happy a moment ago.
"Look, sir, I already told you the price." The woman emphasized, with each word slower than the last.
"Can you repeat it, please?"
"Rick, I already said I'd handle it on my own." Shaking my head I unsnapped the latch of my wallet, slipped out four twenties and slid it over the counter. The woman glanced down at the bills and scoffed.
"I already told you the price." She repeated. Maintaining a mask of control was a useful tool in court. But that mask was slipping. I was starting to hear the noise around us, the bickers, murmuring in the little lobby. Felt those stares. We were the center of attention. All those cases I've won, they had its toll.
"Bitch."
I shook the distant voice off and took a calming breath. There was a hand on my shoulder, it was soft and I felt the heat through my suit. I relaxed.
"The bill was one twenty." Michonne says as her hand fell off my shoulder, her wallet now tucked in her bag. Pinching the bridge of my nose I added another forty on the counter.
"That'll be all for you? If you have a medical card I can take the forty off but I'll have to verify your card number with the-"
"No, that's all." Michonne supplied grabbing the brown bag. She gave a look that said we were having a little talk later. I had to wonder what that meant. Turning around I noticed a few women staring us. Their thumbs were rapidly moving over the phones in their hand. I even noticed a camera pointed in our direction.
I opened the clinic's door and immediately froze. Even in broad daylight, the flashes were indistinguishable. The quick snap of the lens were almost louder than the group of people chanting behind them.
"You're a fucking cunt!" A latino woman with stringy hair spat in our direction. It took me a while to piece it together. With those freshly printed images of Dean and Baker and a sign with the slogan "Only Rapists support Rapists. Only killer's support killers", it didn't take long for me to know exactly who they were referring to.
Michonne latched onto my hand like a vice. It was a strong grip but I felt the small tremors in her hand. I pulled her closer to me. We only needed to make it back to the car.
Another woman got closer, her hoodie almost covered the array of tattoo's crawling up her neck. "You're supporting murderer! You're not a real woman!'' She shouted at us. I was taught to never lay my hands on a woman. But I was dangerously close neglecting all those lessons. I just held her closer, praying she was blocking out their words.
We were almost there but the car felt so far.
Shane has always said paparazzi were scum.
"Do you have anything to say on the Dean and Baker case?" They nudged their small mics at Michonne. "Are you covering for them? You know the public knows their guilty?" We walked a little faster. "Do you know women on twitter hate you?" I gritted my teeth.
Shane was right about this one thing.
"They deserve to die! They deserve to die!" The chants grew louder and their words got even more vicious with each step.
"Are you going to kill your baby like baker killed that girl?!" A heavy man shouted. We were already there. I just needed to ignore the banter, get in and drive away. But no, fuck no.
My chest tightened and my lips were already curled in sheer anger but I didn't realize my legs were moving until Michonne stopped me in my tracks.
"Don't." Was all she had to say but it wasn't enough.
"Are you going to answer any questio-" I slapped the camera out of my face. I was tired of the questions.
"Rick!" That voice demanded, no, commanded that I stop. I turned and faced the most beautiful brown eyes marred with a cloud of unshed tears.
"You were right." She said.
…
"I'm glad you weren't too busy." Jessie murmured nervously as I sat across the table from her. I looked around noticing the absence of a stroller. "It's Pete's day off so he's playing the mother." She explained flicking her blonde hair off her shoulder.
"Even if I was busy I couldn't break an appointment with you," I tell her as I opened up my briefcase and handed her a few documents.
"I don't mean to pry but you seem a little off today." She observes taking the paper from my hand. Jessie was a keen woman.
"Just a usual workday, nothing exciting." Her face fell at my response.
"Well, I was hoping your day went a little better than mine." I waited as she quickly read over the sheets in front of her.
"Those are official documents stating that I am your lawyer," I explained hoping she read a little faster. After the field day at the clinic, I was positive Michonne meant the opposite of what she said about being, "okay." I wanted to be there by her side, but she insisted that I do what I'm paid to do.
Words will never physically hurt you but it can take a toll. It worried me that she might be throwing herself in work, trying to forget.
"So I wanted to show you few of the texts Gregory sent me when it all started." Jessie quickly signed her name and pulled out another phone from her purse. "I never deleted anything, everything is just there, what you see is what you get." She passed it on to me and I scrolled through the text.
G – It's very important that we get this work out of the way
I understand but should I run this by Ms. Peletier?
G – Absolutely not. She only slows things down
Jessie leaned over the phone. "That was the first time he approached me about staying late. If you go further down, it gets interesting."
So I scrolled down and stumbled on some image files. "The image doesn't have a preview?" I asked, I may not be tech savvy but that had to be a basic necessity. Jessie shook her head.
"You should read the messages before viewing that." She advised.
G – We should've stayed in late a little sooner. ;)
G – We got a lot of work done sugar
G – Are you going to respond?
Do I need to stay in late again?
G – Why? That greedy cunt wants more?
G – Attached image file
I don't want to do this anymore, it's not right.
G – This is the only way you'll get that job and that big office I see you staring at
Gregory was a sick man. Against my better judgment, I opened those images and was met with Gregory's shriveled manhood. He took a few in what looked like a bathroom mirror. A full body shot including the face. In short, he was a fucking idiot.
We already won.
Jessie looked at me fanning her eyes. "This brings back unwanted memories. I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. If you want to end this early I'd understand." Jessie shook head and breathed.
"No, no need for that. I'll just go upstairs for a coffee." She rubbed her palms down her jeans. I nodded acknowledging her departure.
We already had enough evidence to get Gregory in Prison for a long time. It'll be even better if a few more women from the company came forward and went public. Though I couldn't disclose any information from the case in China, what I already knew of Gregory was enough.
"Well, well, Ricky Dicky Grimes in the flesh. You know what? I'm starting to think you like coming here."
Hesitantly, I looked up at Negan. "Don't get excited, I'm only here for work."
He smiled widely, "May I sit?" He motioned to the seat Jessie once occupied yet didn't wait for my response. "Ah, these chairs are comfy as shit." He unzipped his leather jacket and threw his booted foot on the table.
I regarded him tiredly. Negan only ever approached me if he had an issue that needed to be dealt with, it was never for friendly chatter.
"So are you going to say something or do you find me appealing?" His lips quirked upward.
"No, Rick. I think one boyfriend his enough for you," I tilt my head. "And that boyfriend has his head all the way up shits creek."
"Shane," I muttered, even when I have nothing to do with him I have something to do with him. "Whatever deal he's in with you don't get me involved. Like I said-
"You want no part of it." He finished for me. "I get it, Rick. You have a nice job, starting a new family." My nose flared.
"I didn't have to look for that. Shane spills a lot of shit." Negan picked lint off his suede boot before giving me a tight-lipped smile. "All that info he gets from my team ain't free, Rick." Their entire defense was built on illegally obtained information. It was something I already knew and this was solely Shane's fault. What happened earlier was on him too. He knew the repercussions from the very beginning and Michonne… Michonne was a woman with ambition chasing a dream. But the devil was leading her. There aren't enough rocks being thrown at Shane to make up for the slander she went through.
I leaned back in my seat. "That's not my problem, Negan. You're a man; you don't need a third party to run with messages."
"Shit, balls of steel, Rick, balls of steel." There was a quiet moment. "I've only got one message for you to relay." Looking over Negan's shoulder I could see Jessie approaching.
Negan follows my gaze and smiles. "Tell Shane he's a dead man." He chuckled loudly as Jessie neared. "It was so very nice catching up with you, Rick." He turned to Jessie. "Rick here is such a standup guy, you two enjoy your day."
Jessie smiled. "Wow, he seems like a great guy."
I sigh. "Where were we?"