Along A Long Road


Home. This place existed in the new world that the survivors carved out for themselves. It wasn't the same as before but it was close enough. Alexandria was the right place to become acclimated from where they had come. The government run underground shelter wasn't close to having a real home. A house that stood tall and new in the sunlight. Real sunlight. This was different.

"Kids are ready," Mike whispered into his wife's ear.

"Okay," Michonne responded quietly.

"Are you all right?"

"Huh?" Michonne realized she needed to focus.

"Are you alright?" Mike was genuinely concerned.

Mike pressed his body into his wife. He pulled her from the bathroom counter where she stood staring into the abyss, her reflection not mirroring back until his voice caressed her ear, pulled her from her thoughts. Michonne was present. She smiled. His arms encased her. The wary eyes peered into hers, masking the truth with a half smile hoping to produce a glint while the other was trying to glean if this was the beginning of the end.

"Yeah. I'm good." Michonne responded trying to relax her body to lean into his as he stood close behind her. She patted his hand as a sign to let her go after a moment of just standing there. At any moment her heart was subject to betray her.

Mike stepped back and away. His hand still on her waist causing Michonne to turn away from the mirror to face him. He took his wife in. Her hair was pulled up, and the summer dress she wore and the color was a beautiful choice for the family picnic. A celebration for the new families that have arrived.

"You look like summer," Mike remarked.

"Summer?"

"I would say hot, but you would say-"

Michonne laughed, "How old are you?"

"You are beautiful, Michonne," Mike said seriously.

The compliment was surprising. It had been a long time since Michonne had received a compliment from her husband. Michonne wasn't sure exactly when her husband had stopped telling her she was pretty or that he found her attractive but to hear it now caused her to realize that it was odd coming from him. There was a time she fished for it, yearned for it and soon forgotten how important it was to feel desirable or pleasing.