Author's note: So Friday is close to Thursday right? I fully intended to get this out by Thursday but family emergencies called me 3 hours out of town. Got home after midnight. Anyways please accept my humble offering :)
What do 16 year old boys even like?
Rick asked himself that over and over as he stood in the declaration aisle of the grocery store. Holding a pack of spaceship napkins in one hand and princess cups in the other he knew that this was definitely not it.
He sighed and pinched the space between his eyes suddenly very overwhelmed with this surprise party he had taken upon himself to plan.
He was about a minute away from saying, "screw it" and just giving Carl an irresponsible amount of money. He did know that everyone likes money
"Having a party?"
Rick looked up to see Michonne and Andre standing down the aisle both toting smiles.
There is a God.
"Uh, that's the plan." Rick said with a timid smile as he held his hand up at Andre in greeting who waved back enthusiastically .
"Is this party for a.. toddler?" Michonne teased as she looked down at the party favors in Rick's basket.
"Carl's birthday is this Saturday. I wanted to do something nice for him." Rick explained and Michonne's smile grew wider.
"Sixteen right?"
Rick nodded as Michonne plucked the decorations from the basket. "Maybe no dinosaurs." She offered and Rick shrugged.
"He liked them at one time." Rick said feeling absolutely hopeless and Michonne began to put the things in Rick's cart back in their place.
"My party planning fees don't come cheap. My peanut and I demand at least 2 soft pretzels, extra cheese too!" Michonne said quite seriously and Rick smirked down at her.
"Who said I was askin for your help?" Rick said in a low voice that made Andre giggle and Michonne gave him a bright smile with a shrug..
"You need me." She answered simply and he shifted his weight from one foot to another.
He really did.
"Alright. I'll get you your payment and ya'll will help me?" Rick conceded and Michonne looked at Andre who was watching the two adults curiously.
"What do you say Andre? Wanna help Carl's daddy?"
At the mention of Carl Andre's eyes twinkled.
"Oh yes please!"
And with Andre's okay, they abandoned the decorations and began to plan a real party for Carl.
Rick followed Michonne back to her apartment so she could drop off her car and they all could ride together. Rick quickly hopped out of the driver seat to help Michonne get Andre's car seat situated into the backseat of his truck. He was a little out of practice with car seats but Michonne still appreciated the help.
Andre was absolutely giddy to be helping with Carl's party. During the car ride to the mall he rambled off things he thought Carl would like (a puppy,
spaceship, and race car being at the top of the list).
"Have you thought about it?" Michonne asked and Rick turned to look at her.
"What a puppy? Naah I'm allergic."
"No a car. Might be nice for him to have some freedom."
Rick pulled to a stop and frowned. He had thought about getting Carl a car since he was very young but since the shooting he honestly hadn't thought about it at all. He wasn't even sure if driving was still a possibility.
"I'm not sure he can even drive with one eye." Rick mumbled at the risk of sounding ignorant.
"There's no law in Georgia stating that he can't. So long as his vision in his remaining eye is passable. His physical therapy has been going well?" Michonne asked and Rick nodded thoughtfully.
"Been going great. Denise is something of a miracle worker." Rick praised the timid and awkward doctor and Michonne smiled.
"Something to think about."
They fell into a comfortable silence before a familiar song came on the radio.
"This is my song!" Michonne cheered as she reached to turn up Lauryn Hill's Doo Wop (That Thing). "Guuuuys you know you better watch out some giiiirls some girls are only about. That thing that thing that thiiiiiing!" Michonne sang loudly and Rick burst out laughing.
Her singing was loud, off key and absolutely glorious. Rick looked in the rear view mirror at Andre who gave him a tired smile as if to say, yeah that's my mom.
"Oh you don't even know Rick! When Ms Lauryn released this album it was like it was made for me." Michonne explained giddily as she closed her eyes with a reminiscent smile.
"Oh I remember when this album came out. Ex Factor was my song." Rick said coolly fully expecting Michonne's surprised reaction.
"No way! Definitely pegged you as more of a Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks man." Michonne said with a heavy and exaggerated southern accent and Rick shook his head with a grin.
"Naah not Garth. Do like the man in black though- but Lauryn.." He let out a low whistle and Michonne raised a brow.
"Oh so brown skin and locs did it for you back then?" Michonne teased and Rick could have sworn he heard a bit of flirtation in her voice. Brown skin and locs sure did it for him now.
"I think she did it for everyone back then. It was her talent that did it though. She had that voice and could out rap everyone else that was on the radio."
"I'm impressed Officer. I really wouldn't have thought." Michonne said with a light laugh. "I bet you were pretty cool back in the day then, huh?"
"Back in the day? Oh I'm still very cool, ain't that right Andre?!" Rick called over his shoulder and Andre clapped in agreeance.
"Anyways," Michonne said with a playful eye roll, "How about a BBQ? It's laid back and mature. Good food, good company." She suggested and Rick instantly liked the idea.
"I could pick up some burgers, maybe even some steaks. My mom could make some sides." Rick said growing more and more excited.
"Carol can do the cake. Just tell me the flavor." Michonne said as she took out her phone and began typing away.
"I was thinking about getting him some clothes… he has been growing out of everything lately." Rick added and Michonne shook her head no quickly.
"No. No clothes. It's too personal and if he doesn't like it you'll just have to return it."
"Alright.. how about some video games?" Rick asked and Michonne nodded.
"Better. But try and think about creating an experience more than providing material things." Michonne suggested and Rick smiled.
"I saw an ad for one of those giant inflatable movie screens. Carl always said he wanted a movie night under the stars."
Michonne punched Rick's arm playfully and grinned. "There you go! That's a great idea. We've got the making of a great party if I do say so myself."
Rick stared at the her for a moment, the sun shining down on her face and again he felt lucky to be sharing even just a moment with her.
How did he get so lucky as to have met her?
"I think we've got a plan Rick."
"Yeah we're gonna do a little somethin on Saturday. Just some family and friends." Rick said over the speaker in his car. He was picking Carl up from Lori's apartment and was just putting on some finishing touches for Carl's party. Currently he was convincing Glenn to get his mother to make some of her famous short ribs.
"I dunno Rick my mom doesn't make those for just anyone." Glenn said and Rick smiled as he pulled into the apartment complex.
"It's not just anyone. You know your mom loves Carl. He's her wangjanim." Rick reminded Glenn of his mother's Korean nickname for Carl and Rick heard Maggie laughing on the other end.
"Oh my gosh I almost forgot about that! He was her little prince! She loved Carl the moment she met him. Don't worry Rick, we'll have two trays of ribs on Saturday for you." Maggie assured Rick and he was grateful for all the support and help he had around him.
"Hey I'll talk to you guys later, picking Carl up now." They said their goodbyes and Rick headed up to the apartment.
After a few knocks a groggy looking Shane opened the door.
"Rick." Shane grumbled and Rick narrowed his eyes at his former partner.
They stared one another down like they were preparing for a duel, Rick's fist itched to connect with Shane's face and if Carl hadn't moved past Shane it probably would have .
"Hey son. Ready to go?" Rick asked and Carl nodded wordlessly wanting very much to leave the tense situation.
"Actually Rick I was needing to talk to you." Shane said gruffly and Rick raised his brow.
"Alright. Uh, Carl go wait for me in the car." Rick instructed as he handed Carl the keys to the car.
Carl eagerly took the keys and made a quick exit from the growing tension between the two men. When they were sure that Carl was gone Rick stepped into the apartment closing the door behind him.
He noticed there were boxes littering the living room and bags of baby clothes and toys on the couch. He must have been staring at the baby clothes too long because Shane clearing his throat brought him back to earth.
"So for Carl's birthday. Lori and I were thinking about taking him to Florida. For a few weeks. Maybe Disney World." Shane said and Rick surprised them both with laughing loudly. The sound was almost disjointing but Rick couldn't help himself. Shit was funny.
"You and Lori huh?" He asked while scratching at his brow. He laughed even harder when he realized hearing Shane refer to him and Lori as a unit didn't revolt him anymore.
"Yeah me and Lori. You have a problem with that?" Shane challenged and Rick's laughter died down. His smile dropped and his stare became quite deadly.
"'Nah, I guess I don't. Do whatever you want, spend the money I know you don't have for a trip that no one will enjoy. I doubt Carl would want to go to Disney World with his 'uncle Shane' anyways." Rick's smile reappeared at the look of insecurity that appeared on Shane's face.
"You can ignore the fact that me and Lori are together- that we are a family. But I'm here brother. I ain't going anywhere."
Rick wondered how Shane could still call him his brother after everything and not immediately burst into flames. The betrayal from his friend made his heart ache and his blood boil. But after a while that ache dulled and he learned that there were more important things to worry about. Specifically Carl and his well-being. Biting the bullet and decided to be the bigger person Rick reminded himself that he needed to talk to Shane too.
"By the way I'm having a small barbecue, a get together really. On Saturday for Carl's birthday. You and Lori are welcome to come." Rick said as evenly as he could surprising both Shane and himself with his calmness. There was no use in denying that he and Lori will never be together again him and him and Shane would never be friends again. But there would always be Carl, another day for them to try for his sake. Rick decided to try
"Uh yeah we'll be there." Shane said after a moment still surprised by his ex best friend's cordiality.
Rick nodded once and headed towards the door. He thought he heard Lori come out of the bedroom but he only looked forward.
He closed the door as he left and as he did a text message rang through his phone.
It was a text from Michonne that she had picked up the cake and the last of the decorations. He sent her some emojis back (something she had to teach him) with a smile.
Yeah he was trying. And it seemed it was finally paying off.
The night before the BBQ Carl retired to bed early. He still had his good days and bad days and that day was particularly bad. He had a migraine all during his tutoring session and was struggling to grasp some of his new calculus work. He still had the fear that he may have to repeat his sophomore year despite his tutor and teachers insisting that if he continued with summer school he would be on track for junior year. He stomped up the stairs to bed without a word to Rick.
Rick understood the attitude but intended on talking with him about respect at another time.
Around 10 that night Rick quietly let Michonne, Daryl, and Maggie into the backyard. It was a warm starry night and Rick only hoped they would be blessed with the same weather tomorrow night.
Michonne began to unravel some string lights while Rick ripped open the dark blue napkins they picked out a few days earlier.
"How was work?" Rick asked as he began unrolling the tablecloth onto the large rectangular table he borrowed from Carol.
"Good. Eventful which I suppose is good. How was your day?" She asked as she bent down to plug the lights into the extension cord.
Rick was gobsmacked as the string lights lit up in her hands and illuminated her beautiful face in the darkness.
"They work." She said quietly with a smile and Rick nodded trying to bring himself out of his stupor.
"It was a good day I guess. Uneventful though- I'm still on desk duty so." He said wit a shrug and Michonne hummed.
"But you'd rather be behind the wheel. The front lines." Michonne concludes as she held one end of the lights out for Rick to take. He nodded with a smirk. Was he that transparent?
From across the backyard Daryl and Maggie set up the cornhole game. Daryl kept looking over his shoulder to where Rick and Michonne stood talking quietly.
"Oh. I can see what's happening." Maggie said as she rubbed her belly fondly.
"What?" Daryl mumbled as he bit at the side of his thumb and Maggie grinned even wider.
"And they don't have a clue."
"Huh, who?" Daryl said growing irritated with his pregnant friend.
"They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line.. our trio's down to two." Maggie sang and Daryl folded his arms trying to figure out what the hell Maggie was talking about. When it clicked Daryl rolled his eyes with a grunt.
" Maggie The Lion King? Really?" Daryl laughed despite himself and Maggie doubled over in laughter. "You're definitely ready for this baby because you've got that terrible mom sense of humor down."
"Oh c'mon just look at those two. I can't be the only one that sees this." Maggie pouted as she motioned over to Michonne and Rick. Just as Daryl looked back over there Michonne tilted her head back in laughter at something Rick had said to her.
Both Maggie and Daryl knew Rick Grimes was not that funny.
"Okay so maybe there is somethin there. But what do you expect is goin to happen? Rick is still dealing with all that Lori shit and Chonne has got her own stuff."
"I'm not sayin they need to marry each other.. but there are some other ways they can connect." Maggie said while wiggling her brows and Daryl snorted.
"You're a real horn dog during this pregnancy you know that?" Daryl said and Maggie smiled.
"Caaan you feeeel the love tonight." Maggie sang as Daryl walked away from her with a wave of his hand.
Maggie watched as Rick handed Michonne a fold-able chair, his hand lingering a smidge too long.
"Oh yeah there's something there." She said confidently to her son as she patted her tummy.
After the initial decorations were put up and the night grew later Maggie left and Daryl followed soon after her.
Only Rick and Michonne remained awake staring up at the giant movie screen that had finally finished inflating.
"This was a great idea Rick. If Carl doesn't love this you can't blame me this was all you." Michonne said with a wink and Rick smiled.
"It is pretty cool." Rick agreed as he stared up at the stars. "I don't think I ever said thank you." Rick said after a moment and Michonne shook her head.
"It's nothing." Michonne insisted and Rick nudged her shoulder. She really need to work on taking praise.
"Would you do this for just anyone?" Rick asked and Michonne's brow furrowed.
"Maybe not.. but for you guys? Of course. But guess I should thank you too. You, Daryl, Maggie, and Glenn have been nothing but kind to me since I moved out here. It was hard at first.. I didn't have anyone but you guys embraced me. It's not good to be alone out here alone you know?" Michonne whispered and Rick agreed silently.
"I thought I'd lost my son but you helped bring him back," When Michonne began to object Rick grabbed her hand, "You did. And I am forever grateful."
Michonne felt the embarrassing burn of tears in her eyes and she quickly turned away from Rick.
He placed his hand on his cheek and turned her attention back to him.
She stared at him with wide, watery eyes and gave him a sad smile. Rick vowed she would never cry in his presence again, not unless they were tears of joy.
He caught one of her rouge tears on his thumb and leaned forward to press a kiss to each of his eye lids. He didn't miss the hitch in her breath after each kiss and when he pulled back her eyes flickering down to his own lips was almost all the go ahead he needed. He still needed...
"Please kiss me." She begged and Rick obliged immediately. And then the earth moved.
The kiss lifted them high above the clouds and set them among the stars. The kiss felt like a flower blooming in spring after a harsh winter. It was beautiful, curious and new.
And as Michonne's phone rang into the night air the kiss was also entirely too short.
Michonne was first to pull away with her fingers on her lips. Rick shook his head as If pleading with her to stay with him up above the earth.
"I think it's m-my mom. Could be Andre." She reasoned and Rick looked down at the ground with a sigh.
He understood. Their sons should always come first.
"Hey mom," Michonne said with a shaky breath as she held her hand over her wildly beating heart, "Yes I'm fine. Just finishing up over here. Give Andre a kiss for me." Michonne said softly before disconnecting the call.
Rick didn't dare look back up at her in fear that she would realize what they had just done. He didn't want her to regret it because he knew he would never dream of regretting it.
"I don't." Michonne said and Rick looked up at her with hopeful eyes. "Regret it. Not at all." Michonne smiled and Rick's heart soared. She took his hand and pressed a kiss to his palm before standing up from her chair.
"Michonne I-."
"Tomorrow. We'll talk tomorrow but for now let's just let this be what it is."
"And what is it?" Rick asked as he stood up as well.
"It's an amazing night." Michonne said with so much certanty Rick had no choice but to believe her. Rick stared down at her wishing they had more time to discover.. whatever this was becoming.
"Tomorrow." Rick promised as he guided Michonne through the house and to her car.
When she was all settled into her car Rick leaned into the drivers side. He reached over to "check" Michonne's seat belt much to her amusement.
"So me and Andre will be here around 3?" Michonne clarified and Rick nodded the affirmative. Neither wanted to say goodbye, neither wanted to blink or look away from this start of something glorious.
"Tomorrow then." Rick said as he leaned in to give Michonne a quick kiss.
God it felt like they had been doing that for years.
Rick watched her drive away until he couldn't see her car and even then he raised his hand goodbye to her as she rounded the corner.
Under the streetlight the gold on his wedding band caught his eye. He lowered his hand and stared at the ring.
Not in anger, not in sadness but in resolution.
That night as he went to bed he went to sleep with hope in his heart, Michonne on his mind and his wedding band tucked into his nightstand.
Aww aren't our babies cute! So the next chapter is Carl's party which of course I can't let happen without a little extra drama! :) i won't put a time on the next chapter but hopefully by Saturday! (I put a time on it right after I said I wasn't gonna lmao)
