Chapter 14: Going to the Chapel

Exhausted. That is the only term Michonne can come up with to describe how she's feeling. What started off as pure bliss and excitement has turned into a full-time job, that unfortunately she's been having to deal with a bulk of on her own. Since their engagement announcement in July, they've been full steam ahead to plan the "wedding of the century" in 10 months. On top of planning the wedding and all that comes with it, Michonne has also been preparing for her citizenship exam, and when she's not participating in either one of those activities, she's working alongside her staff and the Queen's staff to decide what her official roles will entail as she steps into the role of a Senior Working Royal family member. The two camps decided that Michonne's focus would be on education, and women's rights as they are both causes, she is already heavily involved in. Working on her mission statement, the organizations she'll be working with, and all of the logistics have actually been the highlights of her days.

She didn't expect this process to be easy, she knew some days would be harder than others. What she didn't expect however, was to be going through all of this by herself. Rick has been away on an already scheduled Commonwealth tour that is annual for him and will soon be a part of her life as well. Though he travels back home whenever he can, it hasn't lasted more than a day or two and then he's back to traveling to another country. She can't be too upset; this is his life and will soon be hers. She just didn't realize that even when she moved to London, they would still be spending so much time apart.

Rick isn't oblivious to her somberness when he is home and tries to assure her that when they are married and she shares the title of vice-president of the Commonwealth alongside of him it will be easier, they'll be able to take these tours together. But, that's also the reason she moved to London, for them to be together, for no more barriers to keep them apart.

In the meantime, she has been surrounded by her family in the recent weeks. Her mother has been in London more full-time since the announcement of their engagement to help Michonne plan the wedding as much as she could. Sasha has even started to call herself a dual citizen with how much she's between London and the States. And Maggie is here this weekend so that she Michonne and Angela can fly to Paris for the weekend to meet with Clare Waight Keller to see the final sketch of her wedding gown before the fashion house begins the construction of the dress that will go down in history alongside many other royals. She's decided to wear two dresses for the big day, with her ceremony dress being more conservative yet timeless and a reception dress to show off more of her fun adventurous style when it comes to fashion. The special task of picking her reception dress was a job Maggie placed upon herself as a wedding gift to her very best friend. All Michonne knows is that she will be stepping into her reception in a gown by Stella McCartney.

She left Rick and Papi early this morning to their own devices. With a quick kiss and a see you soon, Michonne was off to the private airstrip heading to Paris.

"What are you over there pouting about? We are on our way to see your dress; this is the most exciting part!" Maggie declares, having noted that her usually chipper best friend has been pretty seldom since her arrival.

"I'm excited," Michonne retorts looking at both her mother and best friend knowing glances "I am!"

"Come on Chonne, spill it. You've been in your head all week long" Angela chimes in, knowing her daughter won't be okay until she verbalizes what is happening in that brilliant head of hers.

"It's just, the one weekend Rick is home, is the one weekend I'm out of town. I'm just a little stressed out trying to plan the wedding, and obtain my citizenship, and get our foundations up and running. It's, well it's more than I thought it would be and I'm just struggling to find the balance without him."

"Are you having second thoughts?" Maggie asks, not wanting to stir up any issues, but wanting to ensure that her best friend isn't letting the stress drastically get to her.

"God no! No, I love Rick with my whole entire being, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that he is who I am meant to spend the rest of my life with. I just didn't realize that the 'together' part wouldn't start until we were actually married."

"Honey, have you told Rick about how you are feeling?" Angela asks having firsthand witnessed her daughter struggle with her new busy schedule over the past few weeks since the announcement of their engagement.

"I haven't had the time. He's so busy, and when he's home, I don't want to spend our time complaining about him not being home. I just have to get adjusted that's all."

"Chonne. That's not how marriage works. You don't get to wait for the perfect moment to express how you are feeling. Especially in a relationship like yours. I foresee a lot of times unfortunately because of who you both are, being a part. You have to open the lines of communication now and strengthen them. I know I give him a hard time, but we know Rick would do whatever he could to take some of the stress off of your plate, that includes missing some of his engagements." Maggie affirms.

"I-I just don't want to come off like a burden. I don't want to come off as too needy or spoiled."

"Michonne, I'm only going to say this to you once and I need you to receive it. Rick is not Mike, and Rick is not your father. He loves you. So, no more putting unnecessary doubt in him. We are going to enjoy this weekend, and when you get back home you talk to him. You hear me?" Angela states with authority.

"Yes ma'am."

"Good, now can we please commence our celebratory weekend. We are only doing this dress thing once young lady and I plan to enjoy every second of it." Angela smirks as she reaches across the aisle of the private jet to join hands with her daughter giving her an assuring squeeze.

Paris

"Michonne! It's an absolute pleasure to finally meet you" Clare states as she shakes Michonne's hand.

"Clare, the pleasure is all mine. Thank you so much for taking the time out to meet with us today." Michonne responds in kind. "This is my mother Angela, and my best friend Maggie."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both, please let's head into my studio my team is all set and ready to begin." Clare states as she leads the three to her in home studio right on the outskirts of the Paris fashion district. The meeting today is top secret as many anxiously anticipate what fashion house will have the honor of designing Michonne's iconic gown.

"I have to tell you Michonne, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be chosen to design your gown, it has truly been an honor reading over our conversations and bringing your vision to life."

"Clare, your preliminary designs just spoke to me. You brought the idea of timeless, classic, elegance to life. And the fact that you are the first female artistic director of Givenchy, it was honestly the easiest decision I've been able to make throughout this entire process."

"I'm glad to hear it. Let's go ahead and get started with the presentation. When you reached out to the different design houses, you told us you wanted a dress that was timeless, minimal elegance. Which is honestly the foundation of Givenchy. It was important that we stuck to those characteristics, but also added details that would make the gown unique. As you can see, the gown will be made from a double bonded silk to help with the rounded sculptural look especially for the bateau neckline and ¾ length sleeves. Seeing as to how you have never married, we want to keep the gown pure white, which I believe will also pop with your skin tone. The dress will feature small details such as the classic buttons on the sleeves and down the back of the gown adding to the timeless elegance. The real stunner, however, will be the veil, which has been my personal project. It will be 16 ½ feet of silk tulle embroidered with flowers from the 53 countries of the commonwealth all around the edge. I've also found placement for pieces of the blue dress you sent me to be added into the flowers."

"Blue dress?" Maggie asks as she comes out of her fashion reverie

"On our fake first date, I wore a blue dress. The date didn't…well it didn't happen, but it's also the first time we met, and the beginning of our story, so I thought it would be cute to include that as my something blue." Michonne blushes as she recalls the small detail.

"Michonne, when you sent me the dress along with the story I was absolutely smitten. Your dress will be iconic because of what it represents. This is a dress formulated with love in mind, while also paying homage to the people you will represent. I've never in my years come across such a selfless bride, and it has truly been an honor working on this not only for you but alongside of you." Clare states.

"Thank you, Clare! Seeing the design here in front of me, is making it all so real." Michonne gushes.

"Mom, what do you think?" Michonne asks Angela.

"It's absolutely stunning. You are going to look gorgeous and Rick is going to absolutely love it." Angela states peeling her eyes away from the design canvas in front of them.

"Alright ladies, we just need to get your measurements, and you will be on your way."

It's in the moment of seeing Michonne on the dais getting her measurements taken that Maggie is able to get a good look at Angela. As a mom herself, Maggie can only imagine the day that she'll have to give her baby girl up to the man of her dreams. She reaches for the hand of the woman who is the epitome of a strong mother, the woman who instilled so much not only to Michonne but to Maggie and holds on tight.

"I'm okay Maggie" Angela states with a smile as she squeezes Maggie's hand in return not taking her eyes off of her baby.

"Oh, I know you are, just wanted to borrow some of your strength." Maggie chuckles.

"Don't you worry, I got you, I got both of you. Always."

Back to London

It was a fantastic girl's weekend. Following Michonne's appointment with Clare, the three headed to Oscar de la Renta to surprise Angela with her custom fitting wedding ensemble. She will give her daughter away come May, in a soft green matching dress and overcoat ensemble with ivory accessories.

From there they traveled to the private residence Rick has rented as a surprise for Michonne for her weekend travels. They were able to order food, drink wine and catch up, just like old times when Michonne and Maggie would come home to visit from college. They were able to get more details about the wedding, help Michonne finalize invitation design, fangirl over some of the guest list, Maggie was able to show them her custom designed wedding ensemble being designed by Di Carlo, and Angela dropped the bomb that she would be bringing Morgan as her plus one to the wedding festivities, when Michonne prompted that her mother could invite whomever she wanted.

After the shock wore off, Angela was able to explain that Morgan has taken it upon himself to check in with her over the years and keep Angela up to date on what was going on with Michonne. It wasn't until Angela was in London more frequently that Morgan then took it upon himself to show Angela around, invite her over for dinner, and introduce her to some of his friends. Before either of them knew it, they were talking on the phone regularly, and having dinner dates at least once every time Angela was in the country. As Michonne watched her mother tell her about how she and Morgan came to be, Michonne nor Maggie could help but smile at how genuinely happy Angela seemed to be.

The weekend came and went as it usually does when you are having an amazing time surrounded by those you love. When they arrived back in London this morning, Maggie headed straight to Heathrow to reunite with Glenn and their kids, with a promise to be back in time for Michonne's first fitting. Michonne and Angela shared a private car which dropped Angela back off at her home in downtown on the way to Frogmore. It wasn't until this moment as they pull into the gates of her home, that Michonne realizes that she is about to enter into an empty home. She and Rick spoke throughout the weekend sharing about their days, with him also giving updates on Papi, but it's not quite the same as her being able to come home and him be there.

The lights are on and she assumes that Rosita came by to ensure that the house was ready for her return and to watch over Papi until she arrived.

"Rosita? I'm back! Thanks for hanging out with Papi until I got here," Michonne states as she tiredly drops her bags by the front door and removes her cardigan, "are you cooking? It smells amazing in here!" Michonne states as she walks down the corridor, wondering where her usually welcoming dog is and why he didn't greet her at the door.

"Rosita?" she calls out with slight concern wondering why she hasn't received a response. She rounds the corner into the main area of her house and gasps.

"Welcome home baby" Rick says with a Cheshire grin like the cat who caught the canary, as he holds a content Papi in his arms. The usually overtly excited pup must've truly enjoyed his weekend with his daddy.

"Hi" Michonne finally says as she catches her breath of the fact that Rick is still home.

"Hi" he says walking over to her to receive a proper greeting and needing her to be enfolded in his arms.

"Wh-what are you still doing home?"

"Well if you must know, I've missed you more than I can imagine. You, being away from home while I was still here hit me a little differently. And while I sat here catching up on some much-needed bonding with Papi, I realized that this is how you've probably felt since moving here. And then I spoke on the phone with you and it made me miss you more, but it also made me realize how much you miss me too. Baby, I'm sorry for being away so much. My grandmother and I had tea yesterday and when she told me about all the planning that's been going on in my absence, I was appalled at myself for not recognizing how much was on your plate and for me to not be here to support you is simply unacceptable."

"Rick…I have missed you, more than you can possibly imagine. And it has been tough doing it all on my own, I planned to speak with you about it when I got home."

"Well we can speak now, come 'ere and tell daddy what's wrong" they both chuckle at his silly nature as they walk to the large sectional in the middle of their living room.

"I know I can't be selfish with you; I know you've spoiled me absolutely rotten with the time we've gotten to spend together and you taking off time to come and visit me while I was still in the States. I'm trying to be a big girl about this and not be greedy, but it has been difficult with all of the planning while you are away. I hate to say this Rick, but this weekend was the most fun I've had since we've announced us getting married…"

He's holding her hand and nodding his head taking in what she's saying. He had an inkling of a feeling that she's been holding back her feelings and stress from him, but now that she's confirming it, he can't help but feel disappointed in himself for thrusting her into this role with no life preserve.

"I don't…I dunno. We are in a tough spot and I can't just ask you to stop doing your job because I'm lonely, it's just that I haven't missed you this much in a long time."

"Hey, come here," Rick says as he lifts her to sit in his lap wanting her as close as possible, "you don't ever have to hide how you are feeling from me Chonne. Maybe I haven't made it clear enough for you, but baby if you ever need me, I'll be there. Nothing would ever stand in the way of that. You are my priority. I know this life is a lot, I know it comes with a lot of rules and regulations, and I know you will step into your new title and role with poise and elegance, but none of that is as important as your happiness. It was my mistake to not see how much needed to be done in so little time while also still trying to do this tour" he states soothingly.

"I guess both of us made some mistakes, huh?" Michonne whispers as she leans into his strong body while running her fingers along his scalp.

"Yeah, I guess so. But I promise to do better and be more available to you not only through this process but throughout our marriage, deal?" he lifts his pinky finger to seal the promise.

"Deal" she links her pinky with his, "and I promise to communicate with you when I'm feeling overwhelmed"

"Deal."

The pair seals the deal with a kiss. Over dinner, Michonne tells Rick about her weekend, and as he tries to get details about her dress, Michonne won't give him any details. She wants it to be a surprise for him and cannot wait to see his face when she walks through those chapel doors in May.

"Well baby, you've got me home for the rest of the month and then I have two more visits before I'm home until after our honeymoon. Is there anything we can get started on tonight?"

"Well, we need to finalize our guestlist so we can get the final approval from your grandmother, this will also include what press will be allowed inside the chapel, and…OH!" she exclaims, as she leaves the kitchen table and heads to the fridge, "there is something we can do tonight". Pulling a large box from the fridge she heads back to the kitchen table, while Rick tops off their wine glasses. "Rosita texted me that this arrived earlier today and put it in the fridge for when I got home. This is a big deal babe, and I was going to hate to have to make this decision without you. You, deciding to stay home couldn't come at a more crucial time," she affirms with as much seriousness as she can.

"What's in the box Chonne?" Rick asks playing along with her charade, noting the glint in her eyes as she tries to be serious.

"Well, if you must know, this box holds the key to the success of our wedding…"

Rick bursts with laughter no longer being able to contain it as Michonne opens the box to reveal a number of cake samples with labels from different bakeries.

"Oh, don't you laugh sir. This is a big deal. You see, plenty of people will see my dress and want to recreate it, hell I've already seen replica designs of my ring, they'll try to get our similar flower arrangements, the ceremonial music, but the one thing that cannot be replicated, is the sigh of satisfaction as our guests bite into our wedding cake." She smiles at her speech as she lays out the samples.

Rick regulates his laughter as she brings about valid points. Unless people use the same baker, the cake will be the one thing about their wedding that stands apart from any replication.

"Baby, there's got to be like 20 different sample slices here."

"I know, I went a little overboard. More should be arriving tomorrow."

"Well, then I guess we better get started," Rick says forking off a piece of double dark chocolate cake with a vanilla bean icing lifting the decadent dessert to Michonne's lips, "you know, for the success of our wedding."

A/N: This chapter was so much fun. I didn't think it was going to take me so long to get to this point, but we are finally here. More wedding fun to come before we get to the big day!