A/N: Written for an Anon Ask on Tumblr: Headcanon about Rick finding out he has a son.
The gates of the Alexandria Safe-Zone look more or less the same as they did when Rick was last there. Six fucking years ago. Held prisoner and indentured because he was used as a pawn to grant another passage to a community he didn't even ask to be taken to. Paying off a debt because he was given treatment for his injuries. Locked away when he tried to leave. Locked away for six long years.
But all of that is behind him now. And what stands in front of him presently is the gates of his home. Behind the gates is his family. Judith and Michonne. He wonders if they will know it's him despite his long hair and unruly beard. He wonders if he will even recognize his daughter since so much time has passed. He wonders how Michonne has changed. He wonders if Michonne is alright. If she is...
No. No. He pushes that thought from his mind. She has to be there. She has to. It has taken him this long to return home and he won't lose her again. He can't lose her again. He swallows the lump forming in his throat as a wave of emotions hits him.
"Get your hands up where I can see 'em!" someone he doesn't know yells from their vantage point atop the wall. "What do you want?"
"Michonne," he says, his voice hoarse from thirst and disuse. "Michonne. Is she here?"
"Who's askin'?" the person replies.
"Rick Grimes," he says, feeling hopeful. "Her husband."
The message that comes through from the gate feels like a cruel joke and a dream all rolled into one. Michonne rushes from her home, with her children in tow. She tells Judith to stand back and watch her brother as she climbs the steps to peer over the wall. Her legs feel heavy. Her heart beats rapidly in her chest. She has to see. She has to see if it was really him. If he is really there. She reaches the top and stops. She stills herself a beat, closes her eyes, and inhales deeply before peering down from her perch on the wall.
There she sees a man, with both hands raised and his head lowered. He could be anyone. He could be a stranger trying to gain entry by fooling the person on sentry duty. He could be anyone. She trails her eyes quickly over the man. His hair and beard are unkempt, but then, his bow-legged gait is recognizable.
"Rick?" she says, and he raises his gaze to meet hers.
When she sees the piercing blue of his eyes, there's no mistaking him for anyone else but the man she loves; the man she has mourned; the father of her children; the love of her life. Below, a wide smile spreads across his face and she knows that he is home. Rick is home.
"Open the gates," they both say at the same time as he rushes forward, and she descends the steps.
They cling to one another, laughing and crying and not wanting to let go. Even when the hard ground under their knees begins to cause discomfort. He stokes her face and kisses her lips and everything around them fades into a haze as onlookers watch them with disbelief. It really is Rick. He really is back.
Michonne pulls away slightly so that she can look upon his tear-stained face once more.
"I can't believe it's really you," she whispers, stroking his beard. "I can't believe you're here."
"Nothin' was gonna keep me from my girls," he says, as a realization comes to him. "Judith?"
He glances around and sees her standing off to the side holding hands with a small boy. She is wearing Carl's hat.
"Judith," he says loudly, and she drops R.J.'s hand to rush to her father.
The little girl crashes into him as he holds her tightly with more tears coming. He stands and lifts Judith into an embrace, swaying slightly with her as Michonne gets to her feet and then turns to look at R.J. The little boy is standing back watching the reunion in front of him, not full grasping the importance of what is unfolding before his eyes.
Michonne gives R.J. a gentle smile and reaches her hand out to him. He is hesitant at first until she proffers a reassuring, "It's okay, baby."
It is then that Rick opens his eyes and looks at the small boy shyly approaching Michonne. The boy has a soft mess of curls atop his head, curious brown eyes, and a beauty spot in the same place that Rick does. Save for his light brown complexion, he looks exactly the same as Rick's brother, Jeffrey. He looks like Rick's granddaddy. He looks like Rick. He – he can't be.
The child leans in to Michonne's side and half-buries his face against her. Rick is awestruck in the moment as he drops to his knees once more and tears his gaze away from the beautiful little boy to look up at Michonne. She gives him a tearful but happy smile.
"Is he?" Rick manages as he glances back at the child.
"Yes," Michonne replies as her voice catches in her throat. "He's our son, Rick."