The first therapy session was a bust. They met with a woman named Ann Jadis who had a dated bowl cut and spoke in weird hyperbole's that had Carl begging to leave and had both Rick and Lori looking for the door. Rick decided he owed it to everyone involved to try harder.

Pastor Gabriel had offered too, but Rick remembered how his sermons put both him and Carl to sleep and declined his offer.

It was another month before Carl came to his parents with the idea of attending Ms. Gavins' Wednesday Meetings. Rick tried to act like he didn't remember exactly who Michonne Gavins was but his flushed cheeks gave him away almost immediately.

Carl explained that his friend Enid had been attending them and had been asking him to come many times. Since waking up Carl had no interaction with anybody outside of the family and doctors. That didn't stop Enid Hale from attempting to contact Carl every week since he woke up. Sometimes she would call the house and ask for him, or would leave a small gift like a comic book, at the door. She never pushed Carl too far but it was obvious she was missing her friend.

It made sense. The two had been friends since preschool.

Seeing Carl's genuine interest in going and reuniting with his friend was enough to schedule everyone for the next meeting.

There was a buzz of anticipation that day for the meeting. Carl was excited to finally see his friend after months of going between being home and at the hospital and although Rick would never admit it, he was excited to see Ms Gavins again.

Rick drummed his hands on the steering wheel and smiled as he approached the house. Today was going to be good.

And it was good until two hours before the meeting when Lori called coughing into the phone.

"Lori no. This is bullshit and you know it!" Rick growled into the phone as he unbuckled himself from his truck.

He had just gotten off of a 13 hour shift and couldn't deal with Lori's weak excuse as to why she couldn't come tonight.

"Rick my morning sickness has gotten so much worse." Lori moaned and Rick glared into the phone like she was there in front of him.

"Then get some ginger ale or something- some crackers, but we promised Carl we would do this together." Rick said through gritted teeth and he heard someone mumbling on the other line.

His blood boiled when he recognized the voice as Shane Walsh's.

"Listen Rick, Lori can't make it and you're gonna have to be okay with that." Shane said and Rick pulled the phone away from his ear as he took some calming breaths.

"Shane I would appreciate it if you would stay the fuck out of this. This is between me and Lori, my family. Now please-."

"My family now too brother." Shane chuckled and Rick could see the smirk on his face.

Rick hung up and smashed his fist into the warn door of his truck.

He cursed quietly when he noticed his neighbor Carol had seen the whole exchange.

"Well good evening sunshine." She greeted as she stood up from her garden bed.

Carol was a petite woman with short grey hair, blue eyes, and a smile that held a bit of fire that only a few people knew about.

"Hey Carol." Rick sighed as he met her at the sidewalk. She patted his arm and he gave her a weak smile.

"Want me to kick her ass?" Carol offered seriously and Rick snorted in laughter.

"I'm not sure offering to beat someone up in the presence of law enforcement is wise Carol."

Carol clutched her pearls in a dramatic fashion and smiled slyly at Rick.

"I'm kidding of course, Officer Grimes." She insisted though she winked telling Rick she was quite serious.

Rick looked down at his watch and let out another sigh. Two hours was still too early to be getting ready but now that Lori had flaked he started to second guess going at all.

"Come by for some cookies later, okay?" Carol said as she backed away from the conversation.

Rick nodded and looked back at the house and where he could see through the blinds Carl sitting on his bed.

"You have to keep trying Rick. For you and for him." Carol said as she moved to kneel back down before her flowers. She smiled up at him and he nodded his head as he took a breath and braced himself for whatever tonight entailed.

"Shit!" Carl yelled as he dropped the hairbrush into the sink. His head began to ache with an impending migraine and he shut his eyes tightly.

Having heard Carl from the kitchen Rick took two steps at a time and was in the bathroom doorway in an instant.

"What's going on?" He asked cautiously, taking in the scene before him.

"I was trying to brush my hair and then," Carl explained his voice low as he raised his hand to show his father his shaking hand, "C-can't do anything." He mumbled and Rick shook his head sympathetically.

He hadn't heard Carl stumble over his words in a little over a month, it usually only happened when he was particularly upset.

"Why are you trying to brush your hair now? You haven't done it in months?" Rick said with a teasing smile and Carl fought hard to keep his frown.

"Not funny dad." Carl snapped and Rick held his hands up defensively. "I just need to look-." Carl paused and took a breath.

Rick stepped into the bathroom completely and really looked at Carl. He had his bandage unwrapped and his eye was exposed.

Rick was sure he'd never get used to the sight of Carl's injury, but his reaction to seeing it had gotten much better.

Carl has also gotten much more self sufficient when it came to cleaning and caring for his wound.

"I j-just need to look normal." He rolled his eye and let out a sad breath. "As normal as I can look."

Rick thought about this for a moment before moving into action.

Rick had changed out of his uniform and showered since coming home and was downstairs watching baseball highlights when he heard Carl.

He only hoped his idea to help wasn't too ridiculous.

Rick came back into the bathroom and Carl was sitting on the edge of the tub with his head bowed. Rick hated to see his only son so dejected and it took him a moment to gather himself before smiled down at him.

"You used to like wearing this when you were younger." Rick said softly as he ran his hands along his brown Stetson. The gold star on the front caught the light in the bathroom and Carl looked up at him.

"I'm not five anymore." Carl reminded him and Rick let out a laugh.

"I know that. Just," he pulled Carl to stand in front of the mirror, "humor me." He said as he pulled Carl's hair forward.

His hair was long. Too damn long if you asked Rick. But his long hair seemed to give some self confidence back to Carl so nobody bothered him about it much.

They both stopped and stared in the mirror for a moment. Carl came right at Rick's shoulders now and it wouldn't be long until they were eye to eye.

They both seemed to be staring at the injury for too long so Rick spoke up.

"We can finally say to your mom that you not getting a haircut was a good thing." Rick said as a little bit of hair fell over Carl's face. Rick gently pushed the hat down onto his head and stepped back.

"I dunno I kinda like it." Rick said with a goofy grin. He tried to hide from Carl the tears that sprung up at seeing him wear his hat after so many years.

"I kinda look like you." Carl whispered and Rick nodded in agreement. "Not that's a good thing." Carl threw in and Rick clutched his chest dramatically.

"Ouch son that really hurts." Rick laughed and he hoped this meant Carl was feeling better.

Carl closed his eyes and frowned his brows creasing together.

"why couldn't mom come again?" He asked and Rick shifted on his feet uncomfortably.

"Morning sickness. She's got it real bad tonight" Rick explained again and Carl nodded.

"It's night time?" Carl mumbled and Rick let out a humorless laugh. Disappointment from Lori was something they both had grown accustomed to.

"Babies can't tell time." Rick offered and Carl almost smiled.

"I like the hat. But the hoodie has got to go. Try a

flannel." Rick suggested as he left the bathroom and Carl let out a genuine laugh.

"Then I'll look like you and mom." Carl shivered at the thought then continued getting ready.

They were sitting in the car. They had been sitting outside Ms. Gavins' apartment for almost an hour past the scheduled meeting time and Rick was currently debating on going back home.

Carl would get as far as taking his seat belt off before shaking his hand and sinking into the seat.

A disappointing text from Enid saying she wouldn't be able to make it instantly put Carl in a sour mood. Between Lori and Enid not coming Carl suddenly wasn't so interested in going out.

Seeing how hurt Carl was about this made Rick want to turn home and just order a pizza from Rhee's, sit on the couch with Carl, and never talk about this night again.

Both Grime boys got excited about tonight. They both showered and brushed their rapidly growing hair. Rick had even trimmed his beard for the occasion.

And the air in the car was thick with Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue. Both Rick and Carl had snuck a few spirits, Carl had done it to impress Enid and Rick- well, he wasn't sure who he was trying to impress (a lie).

Rick realized that he would wait all night for Carl to be okay. He'd sit in this car for another 4 days if it meant Carl would be okay.

"We don't have to do this." Rick insisted and Carl shook his head. The light sniffle that came from the passenger seat made Rick realize that Carl was crying.

"No dad I do have to do this." Carl said as he wiped at his face. He smiled miserably and Rick nodded looking ahead and up at the apartments.

He didn't even know there were apartments that looked this nice in King County. Rick wondered if they were even in King County anymore.

"Whenever you're ready." Rick said and he meant it.

Michonne Gavins was disappointed. It was nearing the usual time of her weekly student and parent support group but it looked like no one was coming. Three of her usual families had already called saying they wouldn't be coming to the meeting tonight.

She knew that healing for everyone came at a different rate, she knew that. Some days her two bedroom apartment was packed with parents and students eating, talking, and healing around her dinner table. And some days it was just her and Andre (and on the rare occasion Mike) eating the meal she prepared.

Tonight it looked like it would just be her and her peanut.

She smiled at her brilliant boy sitting cross legged on the couch completely enthralled with Animal Planet's beautiful narration of a young penguin's life.

"You doing okay baby?" Michonne called from her spot in the kitchen Andre gave her a wide smile.

"Yes mama." He answered before turning his attention back to the television. Michonne stared at him for a moment more before turning back into the kitchen, her mouth salivating at the smell of their dinner cooking.

She hoped that someone would come and she secretly hoped that it would be the Grimes family. The father, Rick, had called months ago inquiring about her meetings.

He exasperatingly explained that he and his family had tried other therapy options to no avail. He stammered over his words as he thanked Michonne and scheduled him and his family for the next meeting.

They didn't show.

Michonne was half tempted to call Rick back and inquire about him-them, but she quickly realized how inappropriate that would have been.

The Grimes family were quite the scandal of the small Georgia town. Michonne tried to ignore the gossip out of respect for the family but she had heard some things.

An affair.

A broken friendship.

A baby.

She empathized with Rick and worried about Carl.

She had never met Carl formally but knew quite a bit about him from Enid. She told Michonne stories from preschool and felt like she knew the boy personally.

She wondered if Carl's absence had anything to do with the Hale family being out of town.

She was sure she couldn't change everything in one night with some dinner, but she had hoped the family would at least show. She waited for them every week since the day he called.

But again she knew these things took time.

She peeled back the foil on her latest culinary creation and grinned. At least Andre would appreciate her efforts.

Rick knocked gently on the door and waited. He shifted a plate of Carol's famous cookies in his hand and looked over his shoulder to Carl who stood quietly behind him, his eyes fitted down onto his new cellphone, a gift from his "Uncle Shane" that Rick despised.

He knew he had no business feeling this way but Rick was excited to see Michonne again. She had a warmth that radiated within her and just a moment in her presence and Rick felt renewed.

Rick felt foolish feeling so excited about seeing a woman that he'd only talked to for fifteen minutes on the phone and maybe five in person.

But she was kind, and gracious and she looked at him with respect instead of pity like most people these days.

But the longer they stood at the door the more Rick began to doubt himself .

What were they doing here?

Rick wasn't so sure anymore and was pulling away when the door swung open and revealed a grinning Michonne with a beautiful toddler in her arms.

"Welcome! Say hi Andre!" Michonne greeted with such a big smile Rick forgot to breathe for a moment. The little boy on her side smiled before burying his face into her neck making everyone, even Carl smile.

Today he noticed she was dressed much more casually than when he first saw her. Her hair was down and he realized it was much longer than he initially thought, falling just above the small of her back. She wore a white short-sleeve shirt with slim fitting blue jeans and her feet were bare. Despite her casual outfits she still managed to somehow look ethereal.

Rick then looked at the small boy attached to her hip. He was a few shades lighter than Michonne and had a head full of dense, brown curls. He was surely his mother's son and besides their skin difference, the two were twins. The tot regarded Rick and Carl with a kind curiosity and Rick raised his hand to wave at him.

"Uh actually," Rick drawled as he scratched at his brow, "We were thinking about leaving. I'm kind of tired from- Work…" Rick admitted ashamed and Michonne shook her head vehemently.

"No please stay! I made enough food for a lot of people! But as you can see," Michonne said with her brilliant smile as she motioned behind her into the empty apartment, "It's just us, my regulars called to say they couldn't come. It will just be more for the four of us." She adjusted the curious toddler higher on her hip. The little boy had not stopped staring at Rick since they opened the door. His stare was unwavering but never unkind, just- curious. He had such a kind face, something the boy surely inherited from his mother.
Rick was just about to decline her offer one more time when his stomach let out a betraying groan. He blushed fiercely and Michone smirked and walked into the apartment, knowing that Rick and Carl would follow.

He followed her inside and instantly felt welcomed in the spacious apartment that was decorated very modern.

"Please excuse the mess. Living with two guys has proven to be a struggle." Michonne said as she pinched at her son's stomach. He squealed with laughter and wiggled in her arms.

Rick's cheeks burned at Michonne's definition of a mess. He thought of his pizza box and beer bottle ridden kitchen.

"Carl put your phone away." Rick mumbled and Carl bit back a response before stuffing his phone into his back pocket.

"Hello Carl. I'm not sure we've formally met. Nice hat " Michonne greeted and she winked at Rick before she held her hand out to Carl. Both Carl and Rick's skin burned in response to Michonne's praise. Carl looked down at her arm and then looked up at her in surprise.

"Is that a spider man tattoo?" He asked recognizing the symbol instantly and Michonne smiled and tucked her hair behind her ears.

"Of course. Only the best hero in the MCU." She said proudly and Carl smiled slightly at her.

"Spiderman is definitely not the best hero in MCU. Everybody knows it's-."

"If you say Captain America…" Michonne said with an eye roll and Carl laughed as he shook his head. Rick smiled at the exchange and felt any anxiousness he had about the night begin to dissipate.

"You just know that he is the best." Carl said and Rick smiled at Andre who was pulling at a loc of Michonne's hair near her ear.

"Mama, Iron man is the best!" Andre said and Michonne laughed at her son.

"And there you have it- Iron man is the best." Michonne said as she bent down to place him on the floor.

As she bent down her shirt rode up just a little. Ricks eyes traveled up to the bit of skin that peaked from under her top and Rick grew warm for a whole other reason. He blushed even harder when he noticed that Carl had been watching him the whole time.

What was he doing? Staring at this kind woman who was just trying to do her job- especially while Carl was standing right there.

"I made Paella!" Michonne announced giddily as she motioned Carl and Rick into the kitchen. She pulled back the foil on the pan revealing a tantalizing meal of arborio rice, tomatoes, chorizo, and other seafoods. Michonne bounced on the balls of her feet excitedly as she stared down at her masterpiece.

"New recipe," Michonne explained as she took a heaping spoonful of the food with a wooden spoon, "So you two are my guinea pigs." She held the spoon up to Rick's mouth and he looked down at the food and then up at her before taking a big bite.

His eyes closed and he almost moaned. This was infinitely better than any pizza Glenn could ever make.

His eyes popped open and he cleared his throat as he nodded his head.

"This is great Michonne," Rick cringed at the slip up, "Ms. Gavins."

Michonne rolled her eyes and waved her hand at him dismissively.

"Please don't call me Ms. Gavins." Michonne begged dramatically and Rick smiled as he nodded his head.

"Alright.." he mumbled ringing out his hands, he was aware that Carl was still watching them from across the kitchen.

Rick suddenly remembered the cookies in his hands and smiled shyly.

"I know you said not to bring anything but I made," Carl coughed loudly and Rick blushed, "I mean I got these cookies for us."

Michonne smiled and took the plate from his hand. She placed the cookies on the counter and turned back towards the food stirring it around. "Looks great. Andre we have cookies for dessert!"

If Andre heard Michonne no one would know as he barely blinked an eye, still very much into his movie.

"Carl!" Michonne called from over her shoulder and Carl stood up straighter awaiting Michonne's next words.

"Set the table for us will ya? Then I may or may not have some vintage comics I want you to look at." Michonne ordered with a wink and Carl nodded his head and grabbed the plates from off the counter.

"Wow," Rick said genuinely impressed, "Wish I could get him to listen to me like that at home."

"I'm sure you can. You're just not speaking his language." Michonne offered with a smile and Rick shrugged.

"This is a beautiful place." Rick said not know what else to say. What he really wanted to say was beautiful would be much more inappropriate.

"Thank you. Mike designed most of it. His architecture company actually designed all of these apartments ." She replied with a sigh and Rick nodded as he looked around.

"Much more modern than the old apartment Lori and I used to live in." Rick said and he cringed at the old, happier memories of him and Lori.

"Speaking of," Michonne said as she moved into the living room with Rick quick behind her, "where is Lori?"

Rick bit back his anger and nodded softly before answering

"Morning sickness."

Michonne considered this for a moment and stared at Rick. She could tell that he was very upset by her absence.

"That's too bad. I can remember-," Michonne paused and her face lit up as she moved back into the kitchen and opened the fridge, "Homemade ginger tea. Saved me while pregnant Andre.." She said with a smile as she produced a pitcher of light brown tea.

"Give this to Lori next time you see her."

Rick took the pitcher from her and frowned. Lori didn't deserve the kindness of this woman, especially if she couldn't show up for a few hours for her own son.

"This is really nice, but I can't take this whole thing. Lori probably wouldn't even drink it all." Rick said and Michonne smile grew even brighter.

"Trust me she'll love it. I use a bit of Maruca honey and-."

"She doesn't deserve it." Rick said and even he was thrown off by the edge in his tone. Michonne's smile faltered before she stepped forward and took the tea from his hands.

"I'll just give her the recipe later ." Michonne amended and Rick nodded curtly.

Great. Now he's made her uncomfortable.

"How's it going Carl?" Michonne asked and the teen looked down at the table satisfied with his place settings.

"Done." He announced and Michonne smiled as she rubbed her hands.

"Let's eat!"

The food was so good that there wasn't a lot of talking going on. Carl who was usually a picky eater dug right into the food and Rick had hardly seen his head move up from his plate.

"Mama." Andre murmured from his high chair as he pointed at Carl and Rick's heart stopped.

He forgot about the curiosity of a small child and never factored in Andre's reaction to Carl's bandage.

Michonne kept eating and didn't seem to notice that Andre was now openly staring at Carl.

Having sensed Andre's attention Carl shifted in his seat and began to eat much slower.

"Mama." Andre said much more insistent and Michonne took a drink of her water before regarding the tot.

"Yes baby." She said with a small smile and the little boy pointed at Carl again. She frowned and looked over at Carl then quickly to Rick.

"His hat." Andre finally explained and there was a collective breath let out. "Mama I really like it." Andre said with wonder and his eyes sparkled as he stared at the brown hat.

Rick and Michonne look over at Carl and they could have sworn they saw a smile beneath the brim of the hat.

The desert was eaten over light conversation and jokes. Carl and Michonne debated over the superiority of superheroes in an argument so heated that both Carl and Michonne were laughing at the ridiculousness when it was over.

Rick managed to entertain Andre with silly faces and asking about his favorite shows. Michonne had remembered some vanilla ice cream at the back of the freezer and served the cookies with a heaping scoop of ice cream. With everyone's tummy's full and with Andre rubbing at his eyes, the boys were excused to the living room as Michonne and Rick stayed back to do the dishes.

Rick glanced back at Carl and Andre who were sitting side by side on the couch a comic book between them. Carl read to Andre animatedly and Andre hung onto his every word staring at Carl like he was a superhero himself.

"He's good with kids." Michonne said as she scrubbed at the dishes and Rick nodded his head as he returned to her side. She handed him a plate to dry and Rick's stomach felt light at the familiarity of this all.

"Yeah. I'm glad he's going to have a sibling." Rick said and he meant it.

They're quite for a moment.

Washing and then drying, washing and then drying. Then Rick piled the plates and turned to face her.

"You know, this isn't exactly what I expected from a group therapy session." He admitted and Michonne let out a slight laugh.

"You were expecting something a bit more clinical? Maybe a couch and some more, 'and how does that make you feel?''s"

Rick smiled and shrugged. The last therapy session left a bad taste in his mouth.

"And how does that make you feel?" Michonne asked and Rick let out a genuine laugh.

"I appreciate this, I appreciate you. If nothing else comes of the night, I want to thank you for getting Carl out of the house. You made him smile, even if it was over something as trivial as superheroes." Rick said sincerely and Michonne bowed her head gracefully.

"It's what I do," Michonne said with a shrug and rick knew it was much more than that. "But if you do want something a bit more, formal- you have my number. And I have an office."

Rick was about to reply when the front door unlocked and two men stumbled into the apartment.

The mood shifted instantly and having picked up on Michonne's sudden shift in demeanor Rick became on alert.

"Oh hey baaby." One of the men who Rick presumed to be Mike, crooned as he stumbled into the kitchen.

He went in for a kiss which Michonne easily dodged and the tall man cleared his throat.

"Hey baby I'm sorry nobody came to your thing." The man said as he peeled back the lid of the leftovers. "What is this?" He asked sourly as he scrunched up his nose.

"Mike this is Rick Grimes and his son over there is Carl." Michonne said as she dug her hand into Mike's arm. They exchanged a look which must have switched something in Mike because he suddenly didn't seem so drunk, or high or whatever was wrong with him.

He smoothed his hands down his chest to straighten out his wrinkled clothes before offering a hand to Rick.

"My bad man." The two shook hands and Michonne suddenly wished Mike had been later coming home.

"Don't even mind us. I'm just here to change clothes then me and the boys are going to get drinks. Finally got that Macon contract." Mike said with a toothy grin and Michonne smiled in response. A smile that didn't match any of her other smiles from that night and didn't quite reach her eyes.

"That's great."She whispered and Mike clapped a hand on her shoulder. He moved in and kissed her soundly and Michonne moved out of the embrace and pushed her hand through her hair.

Mike moved past her and into their bedroom shutting the door loudly behind him.

Rick noticed that Michonne's shoulder seemed up to her ears ever since Mike and his friend entered the apartment.

"Michonne I think Carl and I should go." Rick said quietly and Michonne nodded slightly before giving him a small smile.

"Good. I think so too. It's getting late." Michonne said her voice small and Rick tilted his head.

"Are you okay?" He asked and Michonne raised a brow to him with a slight smirk.

"Look at you, trying to therapize at your own therapy session." Michonne voice was distant and her smile was sad and that worried Rick even more.

He reached out and grabbed her elbow but immediately pulled back. He didn't want to overstep.

"I'll walk you guys out." Michonne offered as she wrapped her arms around herself.

Michonne announced that Carl and Rick we're leaving much to Andre's dismay.

Michonne scooped him up in her arms and quickly grabbed her keys as she escorted everyone out of the apartment.

Andre rested his head on Michonne's shoulder as they rode down the elevator in silence. She closed her eyes and held Andre even tighter- something that wasn't missed by Rick.

"You're not wearing any show Ms Gavin." Carl pointed out and Michonne smiled but kept her eyes closed.

"It's no problem- me and peanut are just gonna take a ride around the block." She explained as she opened her eyes to look at Carl.

Everyone got off the elevator and headed towards the parking lot. Michonne unlocked a black BMW SUV and turned to face Carl and Rick.

"Thank you for coming." She smiled and Andre lifted his head to address Carl.

"Thank you." He echoed and everyone laughed.

"T-thank y-you Ms Gavins. B-bye An-Andre." Carl said through a frustrated breath and Rick could tell Carl was tired and had enough for tonight.

"Thank you." Rick said meeting Michonne's eyes. They stared at each other for a moment. Or a few moments neither could really tell, but when Carl and Andre started voicing their complaints they looked away.

"Remember you can call me. Both of you." She reminded them as Carl and Rick walked towards their own car.

Rick turned behind him to see Michonne climbing into the front seat with Andre still in her arms. He watched as she put the seat back and relaxed in the seat with her boy still in her arms.

He understood that.

There were times when work was bad and Lori was even worse when Rick would take Carl in the car and ride around the block just to be with him.

And there were other times he would just sit in the car holding his only son close to him.

He saw Michonne.

And as he drove back home that night he wondered if she saw him.

So funny story. This chapter was actually written on my phone last night. Both my front tires on my car blew out while I was driving through the country of Southwestern Michigan and I was on the side of the road for four hours!

Next chapter should be out soon!