Chapter Seventeen
Michonne and Sasha had gotten themselves a hotel room last night in King County to be closer for their commencement. Maggie had offered for them to stay at her place but they had so much to tote they didn't want to further clutter her space. They had managed to convince their parents into renting their own hotel rooms as well.
Michonne's parents had expressed how proud of her accomplishment of not only graduating but becoming valedictorian when she spent some time with them last night. Her mom had made reservations for them all to go to an early dinner after along with Sasha's parents back in Atlanta. But the whole gang was coming, Rosita, Tara and Abe. Maggie would be there of course, since her friends were graduating. Glenn would be on the dais as an instructor and her father would be bestowing the certificates as well.
Deep down Michonne had to admit that she wished Rick could come to dinner too. If all went well she'd like to have him present at any future milestones in her life. But she had to just get through this ceremony first.
Her and Sasha had arrived earlier than necessary that morning at the academy. The recruits slowly poured in and those who hadn't come dressed began to put on their dress uniform, a dresser version of the normal uniform used only for special occasions. Everyone laughed at the shiny patent leather shoes they all had to wear, reminding them of the 90's fashion trend. Light makeup was allowed so the women applied lashes, some bb cream and nude lip shades.
Since Michonne and Sasha were so early, they were prepared before others and they decided to do a little snooping in the backstage of the auditorium. The entrance to the stage where the design staff had been coming in to set up was on the opposite side of where they hid.
"Girl, I'm so happy you made me do this." Sasha spoke in a hushed tone.
"Sasha, I'm so happy you did this with me. It may have felt like I was pulling you along but you were really keeping me present through these past months." Michonne looked to Sasha sincerely then smirked.
"But I want you to remember what you just said when you are out walking the beat in the winter."
They both muffled laughs and creep further backstage to catch a peek at the grandeur from behind the curtain. They caught glimpses of a full auditorium of families making their way to seats with balloons and flowers ready to distribute. The dais was set with ribbons and sashes across the seats for the instructors and honored guests. Michonne was buzzing already, allowing the excitement to wash over her.
"Recruits!" they jumped at the sound of Lt Payton's voice.
"Or should I say Deputies?" He snickered.
"Sorry, we just wanted to…" Sasha tried to explain.
"It's a grand day for all but please take your places as we will be commencing post haste." they looked at each other and scurried away.
"Has he always spoken that way?" Michonne scrunched up her face.
"I'm not sure but the crowd is in for a treat with him as masters of ceremony." Sasha mused.
The pair made their way back to the staging area were they left all the other recruits preparing for this prestigious day.
Michonne heard the audience being hushed and words being uttered but couldn't make them out from her spot in line. Someone near the front turned back to tell them the members of the dais were entering. She looked around at her fellow classmates seeing pensive looks on more than one of their faces. Oddly enough, she was calm and ready to get this show on the road.
Next thing Michonne knew they were marching in single rows down the two aisles. A band which included bagpipes played 'Pomp and Circumstance' for them to march in to. They stood in front of their seats in the first rows of the auditorium.
When the color guard and band stopped performing they were allowed to shift to at ease from attention. A Captain they had only just meet that morning was in charge of giving them signals for their required actions. She slowly lowered her hand notifying them they were able to be seated.
Some people's family members ran down the aisles to take pictures even though asked not to. Michonne bit her lip to not laugh at the actions you usually only observed at a high school or college graduation.
Michonne looked up at the stage to see all the instructors plus Hershel and Deputy Chief Jones seated on platform. Most of her attention was focused on Rick in his full uniform blouse sitting in the front row. He was giving her flashbacks of calling him Captain while he drove into her. While he kissed her shoulders and truly possessed her.
Whoa she needed to cool down.
Apparently, Lt. Payton was droning on about something and everyone in the audience laughed. That's when Rick and her eyes locked and her breathing increased. There was still a play on his lips even though the joke had passed. It was a secret smile just for her and she had to fight the urge to run up on the stage.
They reluctantly broke contact when a chorus of clapping began as someone new came up to the podium to give a speech. Michonne was getting antsy to get to the end of this so she could speak directly to him and let him know she was so wrong and needed a second chance.
"You nervous about your speech?" Sasha whispered to her.
"Oh no, I just…"
Sasha followed Michonne's eyes to Rick. "Oh."
Michonne couldn't help but blush but Sasha turned back to listen to the speaker on the stage.
There were a few more speeches from the white shirts and a song was sung before Lt. Payton called her up for her valediction.
"On this fine day, we are here to commend all of our recruits! But I must request your attention to a truly exceptional fair maiden. Please welcome to the stage our Valedictorian, Michonne Hawthorne!"
Her heart pounded as she made her way to the stage. Her palms were sweaty but the white gloves she wore absorbed it. The audience clapped and the recruits cheered as she stood at the podium. After a moment they quieted and before Michonne began she took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.
"Good afternoon, recruits, families, and esteemed members of the King County Police Department. I want to welcome and thank you for not only attending but celebrating the academy class of 2005."
The recruits hooted and people clapped and whistled. Michonne continued with the designated speech supplied by the department but when she got to what should have been the wrap up she went off script. She took another deep breath and proceeded.
"I learned new things about myself while undergoing this experience. Ones that I didn't expect, ones that inspired a revolution of healing and growth."
The dais members including Rick looked confused and the Masters of Ceremony, Lt. Payton was on the verge of coming off his seat toward her.
"After the death of my son…" her eyes welled up and everyone hushed so you could hear a pin drop.
"I was lost and I knew I needed to give my life purpose so a career in service was the right step. While I studied and prepared what was necessary to become a deputy, I also discovered life's lessons weren't done with me yet."
Michonne snuck a look back at Rick who was transfixed on her. "I was scared to relinquish that pain for what I really desired; confidence, protection, hope…" she looked to Rosita, Sasha and Maggie. They all smiled back at her, Rosita blew a kiss. Michonne dapped at her eye so a tear couldn't escape.
"Love." She looked to Rick again and his eyes as well as others were glassy.
"I just want everyone to remember to share their heart with people even if it's been broken. I intend to do that fully with no hesitation from here on out. Thank you Mom and Dad and all my extended family. Thank you King County for welcoming me. I am proud to be your 2005 valedictorian."
Lt. Payton made his way over and saluted her as the crowd stood to clap and cheer for her. Once Michonne exited the stage, the recruits praised her as she made her way back to her seat. Sasha tightly hugged her before wiping away her own tears.
Everyone sat as Lt. Payton announced the conferring of the plaques was next with Chief Greene distributing them and Lt. Cahill calling the names.
While Michonne waited in a slow progressing line for her name to be called she allowed herself to take quick glimpses at the stage. Even though Rick and the other instructors had moved into the background to prepare for the recruits to walk across the stage he would find her. Their short meaningful looks quieted all the nerves she had about his acceptance of her truth.
"Deputy Michonne Hawthorne is not only our valedictorian but she is also the recipient of the physical training certificate." Announced Lt Cahill.
Again there was an increase in applause as she walked across the stage to Chief Greene. Michonne had to remind herself to stay on task when Rick openly smiled and clapped for her.
"I'm proud of you Michonne." Hershel stated to her when he shook her hand and passed her the certificate.
"Thank you." She hastily responded before she made her way back to her seat.
Michonne had displayed her feelings in the most discreet yet public way to Rick. Now, she anticipated his response. Was he still willing to be a part of her future now that he knew her past?
Families flocked outside and meet their newly appointed deputies. There were hugs and kisses being dispersed, flowers, balloons and teddy bears for others. Michonne's and Sasha's parents had gotten through the crowd and embraced them both before headed off to get the cars. They'd wait in the front for everyone before they drove to the restaurant back in Atlanta.
Abraham, Tara and Rosita were next to make it through the crowd to them. They all took turns embracing the graduates. After Abe finished kissing on Sasha he came over to Michonne.
"I'm damn near floored that you or anybody else would have the cojones to make a speech like that. By that brave act, I have come to realize that things will work out pretty damn well for all of us." Michonne smiled at Abe and put her in an almost suffocating bear hug.
"Michonne!" a child was screaming her name. Michonne turned to look after Abe released her to see an almost bowl cut come into view.
"Carl!" he ran up to her and hugged her tightly around her middle.
"Congratulations!"
"What are you doing here?"
Maggie was pushing her way through the crowd looking exacerbated after running after Carl. "I'm supposed to be watching him."
"It's my dad's first graduation at the academy so I had to come! Maggie told me you and Sasha were out here." He was so excited.
"I'm so happy to see you." Michonne ruffled Carl's hair and he beamed.
"Oh, these are for you two." He took two bouquets from Maggie and handed them over.
"Thank you Carl." Sasha and Michonne said.
"They're from me and my Dad." Carl pointed to the side of her.
"I hope you like em." Michonne's body started to tingle when she heard his voice.
She turned to see Rick standing so close to her. He looked as though he wanted to hug her but held back.
"They are beautiful." She replied to Rick.
The group slowly pulled Carl away but not without Tara and Rosita making kissy faces behind Rick's back. Michonne eyes opened wide to admonish them. Her and Rick stood in silence while the horde dispersed.
"I just wanted to say Congrats and-"
"Rick, I'm so sorry." She cut him off.
"For what?" Michonne offered him to walk to the side of the building where a garden was setup and they could have some privacy.
She looked him in the eye. "For saying it wasn't real."
"I know, I know now what you were going through. What you've been through."
"But it still was wrong to hurt you like that and I'm sorry."
There was a bench nearby and Rick ushered them to it.
After they sat Rick took her gloved hand. "I'm sorry about your son."
"Andre." Michonne smiled.
"Andre." Rick grinned back at her.
"He had an undiagnosed atrial septal defect." She looked to the sky. "Congenital heart disease."
Michonne looked back at Rick. "He was two. He thought I was funny. He loved to jump and dance."
"And sometimes I think I'll wake to his little fingers prying my eyes open from a nap." She took a deep breath and Rick rubbed his thumb across her hand to provide her support.
"I bet he was smart like his mother." She smiled with her teeth showing.
"He was. Smarter even."
Rick looked Michonne in her eyes. "I was scared, I thought I lost you not because of what he said but because of what I didn't."
Michonne looked at him intensely.
"I thought I had a couple more days, I would've liked that, time to get my words together. I thought I couldn't be surprised but then I meet you. I didn't know whether I was coming or going, literally." They both chuckled.
"But the two of us, you and me reordering things in our lives together. I want that… if it's something you wanted." Rick removed her glove and kissed her hand.
"So much has happened Rick, so much that we shouldn't have lived through. But we are still here, the two of us."
"And I'm done taking breaks." Michonne caressed his cheek.
"Michonne, I love you."
"I love you too, Rick." Rick stood up and pulled Michonne to him.
They stared into each other's eyes, letting their souls reconnect. Rick leaned in and their lips brushed softly. The rush of that initial jolt was still there and it coursed through them. Rick was inundated with the coconut scent that he so desired to inhale. He took his time and finally kissed her bottom lip. Michonne retuned the kiss while running her fingers into his curls. Rick sighed into her mouth and deepened the kiss.
They savored the taste of each other's mouths as their tongues gently danced. Rick's hands made their way under her jacket and he caressed her lower back. Michonne relaxed into the kiss taking her time to enjoy every second of what she had been missing.
She ran a hand down his torso as they kissed and Rick hissed. Michonne pulled back to look at him.
"Sore?"
Rick bounced his head sideways and grinned. "Just a little bit."
"Hmm… just a little bit." Michonne smirked.
"I didn't except you to be there for that. That wasn't something I wanted you to witness."
"It's okay Rick." Michonne bit her lip and looked him up and down. "It was kind of hot."
Rick chuckled. "Was it?" Michonne nodded.
"Savage Rick is sexy as fuck." She stepped closer pulling his mouth to hers, kissed him more aggressively this time. Rick squeezed her plump ass nearly lifting her off her toes as their tongues wrestled.
Once they separated, Rick looked around the garden. "You know I could look for someone around here to beat up. I may get in trouble but I'm willing to risk it if that's the kind of response I'm going to get." Michonne burst out laughing.
Rick didn't realize until then how much he missed that sound. He pulled Michonne to him, pressing her soft body to his.
"How about instead of doing that, you and Carl come to dinner with the whole crew. Only thing is… my parents will be there." Michonne clamped her teeth together in anticipation of his answer.
"Of course." Rick smiled at her.
"You sure?" she eyed him.
"Are you sure? Because I've been known to be downright charming. Your parents may want to trade you in for me." Rick simpered.
"Is that right?" Michonne playfully rolled her eyes.
"That's right." Rick tickled her and she started laughing again. Michonne pulled away from him and Rick took her hand in his.
"Anyways. Let's go." They turned to walk side by side towards the front of the building. To their friends, to their family.
Rick knew could trust his decisions again and Michonne would support him.
Michonne would have her heart protected this time so she could open it up to him.
They both knew this was the start of a new future neither had anticipated but welcomed.
They were both fighters and they'd never give up.
A/N *** Wow, I did it! When I was younger I never completed my WIP's (face palm) lol But, I wrote this multi chapter story and you all stuck with me! I'm amazed at all of the support I've received from everyone! The shares, retweets, follows, favs and reviews was more than I hoped for. *Muah*
There's still an epilogue to be posted by this weekend to make that amazing cover art by ringleader1010 come to life. This story will continue since we still have some unanswered questions so stay tuned.
I just posted the first chapter of my new multi chapter story but I'm also working frantically on three others to keep Richonne Alive! Thank you again!