In Another Lifetime (Chapter 25)
A/N: So, Carolina-bleus received an ask on Tumblr and her answer was so profound and truly resonated with me as I feel the same way about Rick and Michonne. I truly consider them soulmates. That ask inspired me to write this. I hope you enjoy it.
Michonne can't help but smile as she stares into the gleaming eyes of her four year old son. His little body is teeming with excitement as they make their way inside to take a seat. They are attending the circus for the first time as a family. She and Mike decided to surprise him and the look of wonder on his face when they pulled up and he recognized the huge tent was well worth the effort to keep quiet about it.
Other patrons are arriving as well and the tent is soon buzzing with activity. The seats are filling up quickly and just for a moment Michonne rethinks their decision as a strong scent of animal excrement fills the air. She shares a look with Mike as she pinches her nose.
"Did the elephants go to the bathroom?" Andre asks, holding his nose to the air like he is actually enjoying the scent, his little eyes starting to water.
"Maybe it was the tigers or even the horses," Mike supplies with a laugh.
"It smells like all of them," Michonne adds.
They are in luck as the smell soon dissipates and Michonne prays it doesn't return.
A huge spotlight appears in the center of the ring as the house lights are brought down and dimmed. A booming voice is heard loud and clear throughout the tent and the ringleader steps into the luminosity with his arms spread wide. Andre is at full attention, his eyes riveted to the tall man in the top hat and coattails.
A small car comes tearing into the ring, circling the ringleader several times before coming to a stop. A door opens and clown after clown starts to file out. They are dressed in an array of colors, puffy colored hair, huge red noses and matching red shoes. Michonne watches as Andre smiles brightly and claps his hands.
Soon, the next act is being introduced and Michonne is surprised when she is approached by a gentleman and asked if she'd like to participate in the show. She is about to decline when Mike urges her on, letting her know how much fun it would be for Andre to see her in the ring. She agrees against her better judgment, handing Mike her purse as she follows the gentleman to another section of the audience.
She watches as the gentleman seems to search the crowd before approaching a dark haired beauty who appears to be sitting with her son and husband. She jumps as there is collective cheering from the crowd and she looks into the ring to see what is going on. When she brings her attention back to the audience, she is again joined by the gentleman and surprisingly the husband, not the wife. The husband smiles at her and she smiles back as their eyes lock for a split second. He gestures for her to step in front of him as they follow the assumed circus employee.
Their escort leads them to a room in the back and introduces himself as Eric. They are soon joined by two other circus employees and two other couples. Eric explains what they were chosen for and asks them if they are ready to make their kids happy tonight. Not one parent can decline. Jonathan, another circus employee, lets them know they'd be up in about 15 minutes and he lets them to know to become as acquainted as possible with the person standing next to them as that would be their partner for the upcoming event.
Michonne quickly looks to the blue eyed gentleman at her side and smiles shyly. "Guess we should've asked some questions first."
He laughs lightly and offers her his hand. "I'm Rick."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Michonne." She accepts his offer, noticing how smooth and warm his hand feels. She looks up at him with a nervous smile, wondering at her reaction.
He seems to forget for just a moment that their hands are still clasped as he gazes into her eyes. Eric and Jonathan start to ask more questions, this time about their children and Rick quickly relinquishes his hand.
Thirty minutes later, the three couples are in the center of the ring being introduced. The spotlight is placed on each of their children and Michonne can't help laughing as both Carl and Andre jump up and down with excitement and happiness.
Rick and Michonne are in a competition with the other parents. The coveted prize is a horse ride for the winners' children.
"These are high stakes," Rick jokes as he looks to Michonne. "You ready?"
"We got this," she returns. "Have you done this before?"
"When I was 7," he supplies.
Michonne laughs. "I think I was 9."
Minutes later, they are geared up, her left leg tied to his right leg as they prepare to execute a three legged race. They link hands and share a look before they hear the pop of the starter gun and start to run in as organized a fashion as they are capable. They fall right at the half way mark, but get up quickly as they laugh at themselves and try their best to finish the race.
Unfortunately, another couple beat them to the finish line, but Rick and Michonne are too entertained to be upset about it. They untie their legs and shake hands, preparing to return to their families. The ringleader announces the winners but concludes that all the parents are winners so their kids will all get horseback rides during the last act of the show. Rick and Michonne are so surprised and happy that they hug each other before they even consider it.
Rick can't help noticing how good she smells….something light and flowery. He pulls back and shares yet another smile with her, wondering who this woman truly is.
Michonne is equally affected by the closeness to this man and she doesn't understand why. It makes her want to know more about him and run back to Mike and Andre at the same time.
They are allowed to return to their families to enjoy the rest of the show and right before the last act is set to start, the families are escorted behind the curtains once again and the children are prepped for a horseback ride.
Rick's wife takes it upon herself to make the introductions between the two families, telling Michonne how she and Rick ran so well together. Mike agrees, beyond happy that Andre's first experience with the circus has been so exciting. Their sons only have about a three year age difference and they talk in anticipation of riding a horse. Carl has experience while Andre relays that he has only ridden a pony before. The older boy assures the younger one that everything will be fine and proceeds to give him instructions.
After the last act is completed, the families are given circus memorabilia and prepare to exit the huge tent, a fun-filled night coming to an end.
Mike and Rick shake hands as Lori and Michonne bid each other good night. Their boys wave at each other as the two families part ways.
For some reason, Michonne has an overwhelming sensation to take one last look at Rick. She smiles at Mike and Andre as they talk excitedly about the night's events and turns back slowly only to connect with those piercing blue eyes staring right back at her. He nods to her and she gives him a slight smile, both wondering if they will ever see each other again and what would happen if they did.