This is a AU Richonne story.
Chapter one
"You got your list of everything that you need? Cleats, gloves, bat?" Rick Grimes asked his son Carl as they pulled up to the mall entrance. Not receiving an answer, he looked over to the occupant of the passenger side of his car. Carl was staring out of the half-way rolled down window, the wind blowing his hair. "Carl? You hear me?'
"Yeah Dad. I heard you. It's just…" the younger Grimes took a deep breath. "It's just that I wish you were coming to help me pick out my gear. This is the first time we aren't getting my baseball stuff together. It feels weird." Carl looked at his dad, a hint of sadness in his eyes.
Putting the car in park, Rick turned to face his son. He rubbed his hand over his face and let put a small sigh. "You know I would love to be there with you son but I HAVE take this class today. It is the last time they offer it this year and I don't have this certificate of completion, I am on desk duty at work. You don't want a boring dad that sits behind a desk do ya?" Rick said lightly punching Carl in the arm. "AND if I remember correctly, when I was supposed to take it a few months ago, you had conveniently volunteered me to take all you and all your friends to the amusement park. So I have to take it now."
Carl grinned, remembering the fun he had with his friends Duane, Ron, and a few others at Adventure World. They had played all the games, riding the rollercoasters and water rides multiple times. And his dad had been right there with them every step of the way, refusing to take it easy on them because they were kids. It had been a perfect day.
"Yeah. I guess I am partially to blame but I wouldn't trade that day for anything! We had so much fun dad." Carl looked down at his hands shyly, before glancing back up at Rick. "I guess that means you trust me if you are letting me go shopping alone."
Rick placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "I always trust you Carl. You have never done anything to make me NOT trust you. You are 15 and growing up to be a fine young man. I couldn't be prouder." Reaching into his wallet and pulling out his credit card, Rick grinned "Well, actually you could make me prouder, by not buying the most expensive equipment out there and saving your old man some money!"
Carl laughed as he grabbed the card. "No promises!" He said laughing.
"Your mom will pick you up when she gets out of work. I will pick you up from her house the day after tomorrow, okay? Make sure you call me tonight and let me know what you got. I will be out of class in about 3 hours or so."
'Okay dad. I love you."
"Love you too kiddo" replied Rick, ruffling his son's hair. Laughing he added "Get a hair cut while you are at it."
"NO WAY!" Carl exclaimed getting out of the car. "Bye dad. Good luck at your class."
"Later Carl" Rick said watching his son walk into the mall before driving away. He smiled to himself, thinking how much his boy had grown up over night.