Author's Note: Do you hate me? I'm sorry for the drama but it will get better. They always come out of it together so don't you worry your pretty little head. Also about our girl Michonne I've written her as having endured a lot of trauma in this story. I believe that some of the most compassionate, and selfless people have the saddest stories and broken hearts. I love Michonne and I love Rick but they are by no means perfect. Especially in this story lol Anywaaaays here we go :)


The car ride back home was quiet.

Carl kept his headphones in and stared anywhere but at his father.

Rick knew that Carl was upset they didn't go with Michonne and Andre. And even Rick announcing they would be leaving that night didn't ease his anger.

"Carl." Rick rasped as they cruised on the highway. He tapped his arm and Carl yanked out one earbud. "Let's talk."

Carl stopped his music and pulled out his other earbud.

"Are you going to tell me exactly what happened?" Carl asked and Rick clenched the steering wheel tighter.

"As much as I can, yes."

Carl waited patiently to explain how this week went haywire so quickly.

He and Ezekiel had concocted a plan days ago for him and Andre to spend some time away from their parents. He was hoping that time alone would propel their relationship even further, there was no use in delaying the Inevitable.

He had seen his grandmother's ring in his father's sock drawer while he was raiding for a pair.

He knew it was just a matter of time.

So he needed to know what the hell happened.

"We got in a fight."

"Yeah no shit dad." Carl snapped back and Rick's eye twitched.

He would allow the anger… for now.

"We both said something's we probably wish we didn't," Rick explained and Carl rolled his eyes.

"Just tell me how you fucked this one up?" Carl hissed fully irritated with his father and the situation.

Rick roughly pulled the car over to the shoulder throwing the hazards on.

"No. You can be mad about this, mad about your mother and you can certainly still be mad about the shooting. But you will not disrespect me. I am still your father." Rick hissed and Carl folded his arms over his chest and he took a deep breath.

Rick stared at the side of Carl's face as cars flew by them. Finally Carl looked over apologetically.

"This is just not how I thought this vacation was going to go. I thought you and Michonne would be married at the end of it- at the very least engaged.

Rick's eyes widened at the admission, Carl certainly wasn't some naive boy.

"You would have been okay with that?"

"What? Of course. Mom had Shane before she died, it's what she wanted. Why aren't you allowed to have what you want?"

It was a good question. Rick let out a laugh and rubbed at his eyes. God this was a tiring day.

"She said no. When I asked her." Rick admitted and Carl frowned.

"She did? You asked her with the ring and everything?"

Rick smiled at the fact that Carl had seen the ring. There was no keeping a secret with Him

"No I didn't ask with the ring. And if we want to get real technical I didn't exactly ask her to marry me."

"Huh?"

"I asked if she ever would want to marry me," Rick explained and Carl let out a long sigh.

"That's a dumb question dad."

Yeah he knew that now.

"We shouldn't waste any more time. Even if she doesn't want to see us we should still be there."

Rick smiled and carefully pulled back onto the highway. He had such an emotionally intelligent son and he was glad to have Carl's voice of reason.

When they were a little further down the road Carl spoke again.

"She'll say yes. If you ask again- and ask right. She'll say yes." Carl promised and Rick sincerely hoped so.

They sat alone with their thoughts for a moment until their song, What Makes You Beautiful, came on and Rick turned it up to an obnoxious level.

He and Carl sang without shame until a call from Glenn cut into the Bluetooth.

"Hey Glenn." Rick greeted with a smile glad to hear from his friend.

"Rick," Glenn mumbled and Rick was immediately on alert, "There was an accident. Maggie-."

"Glenn?" Rick whispered horrified of what he would say next.

"They have to deliver the baby now. And I know you guys are on vacation but."

"We're on our way back now." Rick quickly explained, wanting nothing more but to be with his family in that instant.

"Okay. I-I've got to go. The Doctor is coming to talk to us." Glenn stammered nervously before disconnecting the call.

Rick drove a little more urgently.

They had two reasons to get home now.


True to her word Anita had a car waiting for Michonne and Andre as soon as they landed. Michonne noticed she had a few messages from Rick and Andrea but she ignored them as she climbed into the backseat of the car with Andre.

"Mama we're home?" Andre asked as he nestled himself into her chest.

Michonne sighed and held him a little closer.

"Almost baby. We have to… we have to go see your dad." Michonne tried to explain and referring to Mike as his father felt so foreign.

"Carl.." he pouted sadly and Michonne rubbed his back.

"I know baby."

It was a thirty-minute drive from the airport to the hospital in Buckhead. The driver made good time and the traffic was unusually light for a weekday.

Anita met them in the hospital lobby and tried to reach for Andre instantly. He shied away from her touch and Michonne smiled secretly.

Andre knew who his real grandmas were.

"Alright then." Anita swallowed bitterly and she guided them back to where Mike was.

He looked small laying there in the bed. Most of his body was bandaged and he was completely dependent on the machines to live.

Michonne stood at the doorway and held Andre tighter.

"Go on then," Anita demanded a little impatiently and Michonne took a hesitant step forward.

She willed herself to keep walking until she stood over him. He was so powerless laying there. She faintly wondered if this is how he felt over her all those years.

"Mama." Andre whimpered put off by his father appearance.

"I can't do this," Michonne mumbled as she began to back away but Anita was there in an instant.

"You have to say something. It's the least he deserves." Anita insisted and Michonne shook her head disbelievingly.

"I shouldn't have come here," Michonne whispered to herself as she tried to back away.

"You will give him the respect he deserves," Anita demanded as her bony hand took hold of Michonne's arm.

Michonne just looked down at her hand and then up at Anita with a dark frown.

Without losing her hold on Andre she shoved Anita away from her and onto the ground.

"Don't," Michonne warned when it looked like Anita was going to take a go at her. "I only brought Andre here because I wanted to give him a chance to say goodbye." She felt Andre's tears on her shoulder and her rage burned. "No use in saying goodbye to a stranger, right?"

"Still his father," Anita mumbled and Michonne glowered down at her.

"This will be the last time you ever see my son," Michonne advised her and Anita pulled herself up, dusting off herself before she stood in front of Michonne.

"You were never good enough for him," Anita said as she looked at Michonne with disdain.

"Probably not Anita. But I will not let you make me feel inferior anymore. I know my worth, as a mother and as a woman. You raised a horrible man. He loved money and drugs. He loved sleeping with other women… and men."

Anita flinched and Michonne knew she hit a nerve.

Men named Michael Freeman were never known for their fidelity.

"And he loved beating me. He loved making me feel weak. I just thank God he's not around to do it again to some other poor soul."

"Get out," Anita growled and Michonne did so happily. "And don't expect to see another dime from us."

Michonne turned and smiled at her.

"We don't need it. And Anita? Pull the damn plug and let them have his organs. Don't let his death be completely in vain."

She left the room and officially began to put the whole Freeman family behind her.

Michonne realized at that moment she wanted to be with her real family desperately. She wanted to be near her father and her mom. She wanted to be near Andrea and Maggie and Glenn. Hell she even missed her idiot stepbrothers.

"Rick," Michonne whispered reaching into her pocket for her phone. She saw that she had three missed calls and voicemails from Rick and 2 from Andrea.

She continued out of the waiting room before she decided to listen to the voicemails.

It was probably best to see what he had to say before she called, he might not even want her to call.

Rick's voice filled the speaker and Michonne instantly felt at ease, she wondered if Andre could hear because he settled down as well.

Hi. I'm not sure why I called. Maybe it was just to hear your voice. You and Andre left a little while ago with Ezekiel.

There's a pause and Michonne heard him take a breath.

Carl is upset. We're at different corners of the cabin not talking with one another. Or at least he's not talking to me. If you were here you would have our asses straight that's for sure.

He laughs and Michonne smiles.

I'm sorry.

The voicemail ends and Michonne immediately plays the next.

We're coming. Me and Carl packed up and we're coming home. It didn't feel right without you guys. Nothing feels right without you. I never should have let you go by yourself. I never should have stopped you from going. So we're on our way. I love you Michonne.

I just hope we're not too late.

She played the next one.

Michonne it's Maggie.

She immediately stopped the message and dialed Rick. Straight to voicemail. She tried Carl and then Glenn with no avail. She stood up and collected her and Andre's bags.

She was ready to order an Uber when Andrea called.

"Michonne we've been trying to get a hold of you," Andrea said in a rushed breath and Michonne felt like she was going to be sick.

She would never forgive herself if something happened and she wasn't there.

"Your friend Maggie got into some sort of accident. They have to deliver the baby now."

"Rick and Carl?"

"I helped them get plane tickets. They're in the air now. Michonne what happened?" Andrea asked and Michonne cringed.

"Later. Send the address to the hospital."

"Done. And Michonne, hurry."


Glenn came out into the waiting room with a tired smile and his hands clasped in front of him.

"Well it's a boy! But of course you all knew that… he's breathing on his own now and Maggie is resting. We're all out of the woodworks." He announced and their small family celebrated. Glenn's mother and father stood up to hug him followed by Hershal and Maggie's mother, Annette.

Beth hugged Aaron and Michonne watched with a quiet smile.

Her and Delilah had been sitting with each other and Andre had quickly fallen asleep in Delilah's arms.

Michonne was glad Delilah didn't ask too many questions about why she wasn't with Rick. She just accepted her as she always did and let her sit quietly.

Stubborn little Maggie wanted to hang one last thing in the nursery without the presence or help of Glenn. She had fallen off of the step stool and had broken her wrist in two places, the pain-induced and early labor.

Poor Glenn rallied the troops as he was so afraid that the accident would leave him without a by or wife. But the Rhee and Greenelast name had some history and strength behind it too. Both Maggie and baby Parker pulled through beautifully.

"Uh I figured grandparents could come in first and then.. maybe we go in shifts?" Glenn suggested and everyone readily agreed.

Glenn left with his and Maggie's parents and everyone remaining in the waiting room talked amongst themselves.

"I'm gonna go get some fresh air," Michonne announced and Delilah smiled at her as she continued to rock Andre.

"Ok honey."

Michonne stood up and passed the waiting room, touching Andre and Delilah's shoulders as she did.

She had hoped to get a hold of Rick but figured some air couldn't hurt.

She dialed him but like before the call went straight to voicemail. She didn't think they were still on the plane. It was about a three and a half hour flight from Bozeman Airport to Hartfield, and Andrea sent her their Itineraries. They should be here by now, right?

Michonne decided to try again if only just to hear Rick's voicemail message and her heart jumped when he answered.

"Rick." She breathed into the receiver glad that he answered.

"I'm glad to see you." He answered and Michonne frowned. "Behind you."

Michonne turned around and smiled.

Her boys.

Carl stepped in first, wrapping his arms around Michonne.

"Didn't get to finish all the comic books but I tried."

Michonne pulled back and kissed his forehead.

"Andre nearly died without you," Michonne informed him and Carl rolled his eyes although Michonne could tell he was flattered to know Andre missed him...

"It's only been a couple of hours." Carl reminded her and Michonne shrugged.

"But we all know that's years for Andre." Carl smiled and looked over to where his dad stood apprehensively.

"I'm gonna go in." He announced although he was sure they didn't hear him.

Once they were alone Michonne decided that they were too far apart. She walked towards him until they were only a breath apart.

They both stared at each other until Rick leaned in to kiss her cheek. He just needed to touch her- feel that she was still with him.

As he did Michonne held her hand on his cheek and light pushed him away.

She looked in his eyes and when she saw dejection, and silent resignation her heart broke.

He thought she was rejecting him.

She just gave him a small smile before redirecting his lips to hers.

With each second they kissed they said what they should have said earlier.

I'm sorry

I love you

I'm scared.

But when they pulled back and Rick rested his forehead against hers. He could only say one thing.

"Thank you."

Michonne rested her head on his chest- just above his heart and listened for a while.

"I got your messages." She whispered and Rick nodded. "I shouldn't have left without you."

Rick pulled away from her and frowned. "I shouldn't have asked you not to."

They were quiet for a moment, just holding each other. Glad to be in each other's presence.

"I want you to ask again." Michonne requested quietly and Rick's brows pressed together in confusion. "Rick ask me again."

As realization hit him, his first smile of the night graced his lips.

"Will you marry me?"

He pressed the Saphire ring into her palm and she looked down at it. It was simple, elegant and well-loved. It would be the most beautiful thing she ever owned.

"Yes."


Author's Note:

Richonne is endgame duh. This story is coming to its end no doubt but I still have some happy endings to write don't worry. Michonne was tripping when she said she didn't want to marry Rick, all that bullshit with Mike had her thinking she wasn't right for marriage. Let the record show Michonne is a great wife lol. Anyways next chapter is engagement news (not to overshadow the birth of Parke Rhee lol) and some other good fluffy happiness.

Lord knows we all need it.

Stay safe and Happy Easter! :)