A/N: Hi there, Richonners! I have another installment for you. First, I have to say thank you for the birthday wishes! I had a great day! Second, thank you for all the follows, favorites, shares, and reviews! It seriously makes my day every time I read one. Keep them coming! I'm glad you all are invested in what happens with our lovelies. I know there are several new/original characters being introduced in this story. To help you keep track, I'll be posting something similar to a family tree on my tumblr within the next few days. I'll update as the story progresses. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Trigger warning: brief mention of racial violence.

Without further ado…


Chapter 4: Forward

Following Rick and Lori's uncomfortable dining experience with Negan and Sherry, they went home and called it an early night, both exhausted from the events of the day. Lori made her way to the master bedroom, while Rick retired to the guestroom. It was the next morning and despite the sun's rays shining bright through the sheer curtains on the bedroom window, Rick remained deep in his slumber. He lay comfortably on the firm mattress, his head resting on the soft pillow as he sank further into his dream…

"Michie, wait for me," a six-year-old Rick said as he and four-year-old Michonne ran through the freshly cut grass in the Jameson's backyard after their church services. Michonne's thick pigtails bounced as she quickened her pace in her white Mary Jane's, trying to dodge her friend's attempts to tag her.

"You can't catch me!" she shouted, looking back at the boy in his navy-blue short set and brown penny loafers, with rosy cheeks, dark curls, and eyes the color of the ocean.

He ran faster, finally reaching her. He stretched his fingertips out in front of him and gently tapped the back of her yellow, ruffle-sleeve dress. "Gotcha!" he beamed.

The two children broke out in laughter, amused by the excitement of their impromptu game of tag.

"Hey, you wanna play hide-and-seek?" Michonne asked.

"Sure, I'll count while you hide," Rick suggested.

"Okay, go over there and close your eyes," Michonne said, pointing to a wicker chair on the back patio. "Count to twenty and no cheating."

"Okay, you better hurry up," Rick warned her, as he walked to the chair. He sat down, closed his eyes, and began counting…one, two, three…"

Michonne quietly snuck off in search of a good hiding place, quickly realizing she didn't have many options. The yard was basically a large space of grass and trees. She could try hiding in the shed but was afraid to be alone in the dark. Besides her father had warned her of playing in places she didn't belong. Her eyes scanned the area and she decided on a large oak tree with a trunk almost as wide as she was tall. She looked back to see Rick still counting with his eyes closed and swiftly pressed her body against the tree, careful to make sure her clothing wasn't visible.

Finally, Rick reached twenty and opened his eyes. He looked around the yard and didn't see Michonne. "Ready or not, here I come!" he yelled. He got up from the chair and walked by a bed of pretty pink peonies. He stopped in front of the flowers and carefully picked one from the patch of soil. He then continued in his quest to find his friend, searching near the shed, and behind the numerous trees in the yard. When he made it to the thick oak tree, he slowly peeked his head around it. There she was, smiling back at him.

"Too easy," he chuckled, causing her to laugh, too. "This is for you," he said, handing her the flower.

"Thank you," she smiled. "It's so pretty!"

Rick returned her smile and gently placed his lips to her cheek.

~~~

Lori walked into the bedroom to find Rick smiling in his sleep. "Rick," she called. "Rick, wake up."

Rick's eyes fluttered open as he slowly sat up in the bed, straining a bit from the brightness in the room. "Oh, good mornin'," he said as he focused on Lori, standing by the bed wearing a white nightgown, her long hair swept over her shoulder.

"I thought you'd be up by now. Breakfast is ready," she informed him. "You should come down and eat before it gets cold."

"Yeah, I'll be down in a minute," he replied. Lori nodded and walked out of the room.

He sighed and rested his head back on the pillow. Closing his eyes, he pictured his encounter with Michonne the previous evening. He recalled how beautiful she looked, how soft her hair was as he stroked it, her flowery scent, and the way her smooth skin felt under his fingertips as he cupped her chin and pressed his lips to her cheek. She was really something.

"Rick…are you coming?" Lori yelled from downstairs.

"Yeah, I'm coming right now," he answered. He exhaled and sat up in bed, feeling guilty for thinking of Michonne in that way, especially since she was a grieving widow, and he was a man whose marriage was hanging on by a thread. If he wasn't careful, this fascination could complicate things for them both. He stood up, pulled on a white t-shirt and traipsed down to the kitchen. He sat down at the table, where Lori placed a plate of toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, and a mug of hot coffee in front of him.

"Looks good, thank you," he commented, beginning to spread strawberry jam on his buttered toast.

"You're welcome," she replied, taking the seat across from him.

They quietly ate their meal, neither knowing where to begin the pivotal conversation they'd been putting off since the prior evening.

After a short while, Lori decided to ease into it. "I came across something interesting while visiting my parents yesterday."

Rick looked up from his breakfast, "Oh yeah, what was that?"

"My mother was going through an old photo album, and she had a picture of herself, my dad, and your mom when they were younger."

"That's not exactly Earth shattering," Rick joked.

"No, but there was also a young Negro couple in the photo. I'm sure the woman was Anna Jameson, which makes sense given your mother knew her when they were younger, but I'm not sure who the man is. I asked Dottie and she had the weirdest reaction. She refused to tell me anything when I questioned his identity."

Rick raised his eyebrow in confusion. "That is a bit strange, but I'm guessing the man could be Mrs. Jameson's late husband, Lawrence. If you recall, my parents knew both of them."

"Yes, that's true, and my mother mentioned meeting Anna when they were younger, but why would Dottie be so secretive about that?"

"I don't know, but I wouldn't put too much thought into it," Rick shrugged, taking a bite of toast.

Lori nodded in agreement. She grew quiet once more, thinking about the day she, Rick, and Eleanore had run into Mrs. Jameson and her daughter at the church. She noticed then the way Rick looked at Michonne but decided to let it go. When he looked at the woman the same way while she served them at the diner, she didn't quite know what to make of it.

"Michonne seems nice," she carefully stated, before sipping her hot coffee.

Rick paused eating his meal and looked at his wife, surprised to hear her mention Michonne's name. "She is," he confirmed.

"Did she move here all alone with a young child? I wonder where the boy's father is?" Lori continued.

Rick cleared his throat before answering, "Michonne's husband died recently. That's the reason she moved back to King County. She needed her mother's support."

Her face twisted in curiosity, as she wondered exactly how he had become aware of that information.

Reading her mind, he provided an explanation, "I spoke with her at the diner. She told me about her husband's passing. My heart goes out to her and Andre. It seems like she could use some help getting back on her feet," he speculated.

Lori scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Good ole' Rick Grimes. Always trying to save people."

Rick frowned, sitting back in his chair, and folding his arms across his broad chest. "I could say the same about you. You've been pretty helpful where Philip Blake is concerned."

"And I'll continue to be helpful to him. He's a good man," she shot back.

"Hmm, I'm sure he's grateful," Rick sneered. "Is that it? You just want to help with the campaign or is there something more?" he asked pointedly.

Lori was growing increasingly frustrated with the conversation. "What the hell are you asking me, Rick? Just go ahead and say it…you think I'm sleeping with him!"

"Are you?" he responded flatly.

She glared at him, noticing his eyes had taken on a stormy shade of blue. She thought back to the kiss she and Philip shared in the church office. That's as far as they had ever gone, and Rick didn't need to know about it.

"How dare you accuse me of being unfaithful! No, Rick! I'm not having sex with Philip!" she yelled, her face burning with anger and sadness at the same time.

Rick sighed, closing his eyes, and dragging his hand down his face. "Lori, I'm sorry. It's just…I've seen the way you look at each other. Do you have feelings for him?"

She looked into his weary eyes, wishing they were discussing anything but this. "No, I don't have feelings for him," she denied. "I believe in his vision for King County. I think he'd be a good leader, that's all."

Rick nodded, accepting her answer. He couldn't discern if she was being truthful, but the fact was, he didn't have the energy to put anymore thought into her interaction with Philip. If he was being honest with himself, it didn't matter anymore.

"We're getting off track," Lori sighed. "We need to discuss our marriage without being angry."

"You're right, I apologize. So, let's talk…calmly," he agreed.

"Okay, why don't you start," she responded quietly.

Rick took a deep breath and sat up straight, preparing to be honest with her. "Lori, the way I see it, you've been resentful toward me ever since Judith died."

Her hazel eyes widened in surprise, "Rick…" she interrupted.

"Just hear me out," he requested, raising his hands. "I had to make a choice between saving you and saving our child…I chose you. It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but it was the right one," he emphasized. "There was no way I could leave Carl without his mother."

Lori shook her head in response. "Is that what you think, Rick? That I blame you? I know it wasn't easy for you! But you wanted a daughter, and I couldn't give that to you. I blame myself! If I'd just been paying attention…I'm sorry," she replied, as her voice cracked. She was anxiously trying to ward off the tears that were threatening to spill over.

Rick leaned over the table and grasped her hand. He never blamed her for what happened. He hated that she felt that way. "Lori…you have nothing to be sorry about. I'm happy you're still here…Carl is happy you're here. I don't blame you," he assured her, attempting to keep his own emotions under control.

"But things aren't the same between us," she pointed out.

Rick shook his head, "No, they're not…they haven't been for a while, even before what happened to Judith. Lori, we've been growing apart for a long time. It's neither of our faults, but I think we both know it's time to walk away," he admitted. "I don't want us to end up hating each other."

Lori nodded, no longer able to hold back her tears. She got up from her seat at the table and paced back and forth, running her hand through her long tresses. Hearing the raw honesty in his words was threatening to break her.

"I'm sorry," Rick sighed. "I know that may not be what you want to hear, but it's the truth. If we stay in this marriage, trying to force something that isn't there, we'll only end up hurting each other…and Carl. I know you don't want that." He said sincerely, as Lori continued to pace. "I will always cherish what we had. You're the mother of my children. I'll always love you," he continued, hoping to offer her some sense of comfort.

She silently implored him to stop. There was no need for her to hear anymore. She chuckled, thinking about how foolish she'd been to think that one weekend alone would set them back on the right path. Finally, she stopped pacing and faced him, her hazel eyes revealing all the frustration, anger, and pain of the past two years, maybe even longer. She breathed deeply and exhaled, as if literally releasing everything that had been weighing her down. He was right, it was time to let go.

"You're right, Rick. We tried our best…we had a good life together, and we have a beautiful son, but we aren't kids anymore. We can't keep hoping that things will magically get better. As much as it hurts to admit it, I know we can't fix this.

Rick breathed a sigh of relief. He was ready to let go of the fight. They were finally on the same page, and it felt cathartic in a way.

"We can talk to Carl when he comes home, and I'll call the attorney on Monday," Lori went on.

"There's no need to rush things," Rick asserted.

"No, it will be better this way," she noted sadly.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry for everything," he apologized.

She noticed the tears streaming down his face and it crushed her. "I'm sorry, too," she whispered.

Rick stood from his chair and walked over to her, engulfing her in his strong embrace. She rested her head on his shoulder, as her sadness spilled over, overcome by the tender way he stroked her hair, knowing it would be the last time they held one another like this. They were closing the book on their marriage, each aware that it wouldn't be easy, but certain it was the right thing to do.


Michonne rolled over onto her side, feeling comforted by the soft satin sheets covering her bed. She could smell the aroma of coffee and French toast wafting through the air, and it made her smile. As much as she missed her life in Atlanta, there was no better place to be right now than with her mother. Anna was doing her best to take care of her and Andre as they recovered from Mike's untimely death. She looked over to the twin bed in the corner of the room and noticed it was empty. Andre must have gotten up early to help his grandmother in the kitchen.

She sank her head into the pillow and closed her eyes. Immediately, thoughts of Rick pervaded her mind. She remembered the way she got lost in his blue stare, the way he smelled, the feel of his lips on her skin. His kiss was a simple and innocent gesture, but it was so overwhelming. She hadn't been able to stop thinking about it or about him. He was so kind, it almost seemed too good to be true.

Opening her eyes, she shook her head, as if trying to shake away the image of him being so close to her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't deny that she enjoyed his attention. He was a good listener, even though she felt guilty talking to him. Mike had died less than three months ago and here she was, thinking about another man, a white man at that. She felt conflicted inside, part of her knowing that Mike wouldn't want her to be sad and lonely, no matter who was providing her solace…the other part not wanting to do anything to disrespect his memory.

"Michonne," her mother called, interrupting her musings. "Breakfast is ready."

She got out of bed, slipping on a plush pink robe, and making her way to the kitchen.

"Good morning, mama!" Andre beamed, instantly running over, and hugging her waist.

"Hey, peanut!" she returned, running her fingers over his low haircut, and smiling at how cute he looked in his red pajama pants and top.

"You sleep okay, honey?" Anna asked from her seat at the table.

Michonne smiled at her mother, whose thick hair was wrapped in a blue silk scarf, matching her blue nightgown. "Yes, I slept fine mama. Breakfast smells good," Michonne noted, releasing Andre. She grabbed a plate and piled it high with French toast covered in maple syrup, poured a cup of coffee, then took a seat beside her mother.

Anna smiled as she looked through a photo album. "Oh, such memories."

"What you got there, mama?" Michonne asked curiously, before taking a bite of the sweet bread.

"Just looking at these old pictures. Running into Eleanore made me think of some good times," the older woman smiled. "Here, Andre…come look at this," she beckoned the boy.

Andre went over to his grandmother's side and gazed at the photo. "Who's that, Nana?"

"This is your grandpa when he was younger. See how handsome he was? You remind me so much of him. Do you remember him, baby?"

Andre frowned as he tried to recall his grandfather. He was only three and a half when Lawrence passed away. "A little…I guess," he answered softly.

"Oh, it's all right, sweetheart," Anna said, caressing the boy's back.

"He sure adored you, peanut," Michonne chimed in, smiling at her son. "He was so happy to have a grandson. He couldn't wait for your daddy and I to bring you home from the hospital so he could love on you."

Michonne moved closer to her mother so she could get a good look at the photo. Her father couldn't have been more than eighteen. He was so handsome, wearing a tuxedo with his wavy hair slicked back. "When was this mama?" Michonne asked.

"It was our prom night," Anna smiled. "See, here we are together," she continued, turning the page to another photo. Anna was laughing, as if Lawrence had just said something funny. She looked gorgeous, wearing a satin floor length gown, with her hair coiffed into an intricate updo.

"This is beautiful, mommy. I miss him so much," Michonne said somberly.

"I do too, honey," Anna replied softly. She turned the page and laughed at the next photo.

"Is that Eleanore Grimes?" Michonne asked, staring at the photo of her mother with a young white woman, with long dark hair.

"Yes, this was at one of the church youth events…not too long after we first met. Eleanore was always a sweetheart," Anna recalled, turning the page. "Come here, Andre. I have one more photo to show you."

Andre sat in his grandmother's lap and looked at the picture of a pretty Negro woman, with a head full of thick, dark hair and kind eyes.

"This is your great-grandmother, Darla. She's your grandpa's mother," Anna informed him.

"She's pretty," the boy remarked.

"Yes, she was very beautiful…and strong. Her life wasn't easy, but she loved your granddaddy so much and took care of him all by herself."

"What happened to his daddy?" Andre asked inquisitively.

"Oh, he died before your grandfather was born," Anna replied flatly. She closed the photo album and took a sip of her coffee. "Go on and finish your breakfast, baby," she instructed Andre.

Michonne noticed the change in her mother's mood. "You okay, ma?"

Anna smiled weakly at her daughter and nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. I guess looking at these old photos got me emotional."

Michonne nodded in understanding. She missed her father a great deal and looking at pictures of him tugged on her heartstrings as well. She turned her attention to her son, who was gobbling up the last of his French toast.

"You feeling better about the move, peanut? Do you like living here any better?" she asked, concerned with how he was adjusting.

"It's okay, I guess," he answered earnestly, looking at her with his big, brown eyes. I still miss my cousins and friends, but I like playing with Ginny. She's really nice."

Michonne smiled, recalling the little girl with sandy brown hair, she'd seen him playing with at the block party.

"That's good, peanut. So, what do you want to do today? Mama has the whole day off. I was thinking maybe we could go to the theater and see a movie."

Andre's face lit up with excitement. "Yes, that would be fun!"

"Okay, it's a date little man," Michonne beamed.


Negan turned on his side to face Nora. He smiled at the sight of her pretty face as he ran his fingers through her full, silky curls and kissed her.

"Mornin' darlin'," he greeted her.

"Good morning," the woman smiled. "Thanks for staying the night with me."

"Yeah, just don't get used to it. I told Sherry I was working an overnight shift for one of the guys, but I can't make it a habit," he said, pulling her naked body against his.

Nora groaned at the mention of his wife's name. "I know…I get it. You probably have to take off soon, huh?"

"Yep, but first I'm gonna hop in the shower. Why don't you take your pretty little self in the kitchen and make us somethin' to eat."

"Okay," she nodded, kissing him once more before getting out of bed.

He watched her, admiring her alluring figure as she slipped on a nightgown. "I'll see you in a bit," he grinned, resting his bare back against the headboard.

~~~

Twenty minutes later, he entered the kitchen to see Nora standing at the stove, fixing plates of biscuits smothered in sausage gravy.

"Smells good," he proclaimed, patting her rear end with his heavy hand. He took a seat at the table and waited for her to serve him his plate and a mug of coffee. "Thank you, baby," he offered as she sat beside him. Digging into his food, he savored the rich taste of the creamy gravy. "You are a damn good cook, darlin'."

Nora gifted him with an appreciative smile as she began to eat her own meal.

"Daddy!" a little girl wearing a pink nightgown, shouted as she ran into the kitchen, her long, sandy brown curls falling against her back. She wrapped her short arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"There's my princess!" he beamed, looking into her bright, hazel-green eyes.

"Are you staying with us today?" the little girl inquired.

"Princess, we've been over this. Daddy can't stay, but I'll be back later in the week."

The little girl pouted as she took a seat at the table. Nora patted the girl's soft curls before getting up to retrieve the child's breakfast. "I'm sorry, baby," she said to Negan.

"It's fine. My princess can't help it if she misses her daddy," he declared.

"Ginny, daddy has an important job," Nora continued, addressing their daughter. "That's why he can't be here every day and he can't let people know we're his family or they may try and hurt us."

Ginny's eyes widened in fear, as her mother set a plate of food in front of her.

Negan noticed his daughter's alarm in response to Nora's statement. "It's all right, princess. Come here," he instructed her. Ginny took a seat on her father's lap. "You don't need to be afraid. I won't let anything happen to you or your mama," he promised her.

Ginny nodded, feeling at ease in her father's arms. She hugged him once more, not wanting to let go.


Following her intense conversation with Rick, Lori drove into town, feeling the need to be alone. She found herself sitting inside an ice cream shop, drowning her sorrows in a double scoop hot fudge sundae. She was reeling from the fact that her and Rick had finally agreed to end their marriage after years of dancing around the subject. The past few months had been the worse, ever since he told her he didn't want to try and have another baby, they were sleeping in separate rooms and barely speaking. It was no way to live and what's worse, she knew Carl wasn't oblivious to the disconnect between them. At least now, they would be able to move on with some sense of peace, finally putting the negativity to rest.

"Lori," she heard Philip call, pulling her from her thoughts. She turned around to see him and Penny approaching her table, each carrying waffle cones filled with strawberry ice cream.

"Philip…hello, sorry I was lost in my head," she smiled sheepishly.

"Everything all right?" he asked with concern.

"Yes, I'm fine," she lied. "Would you like to sit down?" she gestured to the empty seats at the table.

Philip nodded and took the seat across from her, while Penny sat next to her. He could sense that she probably wasn't fine but didn't want to press the issue. "I'm glad we ran into you," he smiled. "Penny's been asking to get together with Carl. I'm surprised he isn't here with you."

"He's visiting his grandparents this weekend," she replied, pushing her partially melted ice cream around with the spoon.

"Ah, that's nice. And how are your parents?" he asked, cautiously, wondering if she had told them about her work on his campaign.

Lori smiled at his veiled question. "They're fine, but what you really want to know is if I told them about us working together?"

"You got me," he chuckled, raising his free hand.

"I did…and they took it as best as can be expected," she informed him.

"Well, I guess that's all we can ask for. I'd just hate to cause any trouble with your family," he replied earnestly.

"You are not causing me any trouble, Philip. I'm happy to help get you elected as our next mayor. We need someone like you supporting our citizens," she asserted.

He offered her a gracious smile. "Thank you, Lori. You don't know how much that means to me."

She remained quiet for a moment, recalling Rick's accusations. She hadn't been completely honest with him about having feelings for Philip. She decided sharing the truth would do no good while they were on the verge of discussing the dissolution of their marriage. Why did it matter if she had feelings for him? Rick no longer wanted to be with her, therefore, he'd given up his right to question how she felt about another man. At least that's what she told herself to keep the guilt at bay.

"Should we talk about the event next week?" Philip questioned, interrupting her musings.

"Uh…yes. That's a great idea," she answered softly, taking a bite of her sundae.

"Daddy, I see Allison from school over there. Can I go say hi?" Penny asked, gesturing to a blonde-haired girl sitting a few tables down with her family.

"Sure, honey. Miss Lori and I will just be over here talking," he smiled, patting his daughter on her back, as she walked away.

"Okay, so I was thinking we could meet early next week with the staffers to review some of the potential questions you and Pete Anderson may be asked during the town hall," Lori stated, switching gears.

"Yes, I can't imagine they'll go easy on us," Philip guessed.

"They most certainly won't," Lori agreed. "You need to be prepared to answer some tough questions regarding your stance on civil rights issues like integration. These people need to be reassured that you have a solid plan to handle things and keep everyone safe. We've seen what's been happening in other cities across the south. People are resistant to change."

"Well, we won't plan on anything like that happening in King County. Our citizens are good people. I'm sure order will be upheld as changes are made," he commented.

"I certainly hope so," she sighed.

They fell silent once more as they finished eating and sank deeper into their respective thoughts. After a while, Philip gently placed his hand on top of Lori's. She gazed into his blue eyes expectantly.

"You asked me why I'm doing this," he began. "When I was a young man, there was a Negro family who worked on my granddaddy's farm…the Brown's. The father's name was Scott and the mother, Jacqui. They had a daughter my age named Lily. They were good people…hardworking. Lily, she uh…she was beautiful," he said, smiling as his memories of the young woman flashed before his eyes.

Lori listened intently, curious to know where he was going with the story.

"Anyway, despite everything warning us not to, her and I fell in love," he continued. "We hid it from our families, sneaking around to be alone whenever we could. After a few months, she became pregnant. I was scared, we both were, but we decided to leave together. We were gonna go up north. She had family in Detroit, and was certain they would take us in."

"Oh my god, Philip," Lori responded, covering her mouth in surprise. "What happened?"

"A couple weeks before we were due to leave, her father was accused of touching a white woman in an inappropriate way. We were terrified of what could happen to him but hoped it would blow over. I knew Scott and there was no way he would do anything like what they accused him of doing. The woman's husband was a man of influence, and he got the local bigots all riled up. They came to the Brown's house in the middle of the night and drug out Scott…" his voice fell quiet as he remembered the terror of the incident.

Lori sensed his pain and squeezed his hand as he resumed speaking.

"They lynched him, right in his own yard and set the house on fire. Lily and her mother fled in the middle of the night. I was beside myself with anger and worry. I figured she'd gone up north to be with her family, so I started getting my things in order to meet her there. Before long, I received a letter from her telling me she'd lost the baby and begging me not to come to Detroit."

"Oh no, you must have been devastated," Lori sympathized.

"I was. It was so hard for me to stay away from her. I loved her, but I had to respect her wishes. She wanted nothing to do with me or the memories of what happened to her father," he acknowledged. "So, you see, I know what the disease of hatred can do. I don't want it to spread any further here, in the town where I'm raising my daughter. I want Penny to grow up treating everyone with dignity and respect. Her mother wanted the same."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Philip…and I agree with you. Rick and I both want the same for Carl," Lori nodded in understanding.

"I don't know what I would do without your support," he said, smiling at her adoringly.


Rick sat across from Daryl, enjoying lunch in a small soul food eatery on the north side of town. After Lori left, he decided he wasn't going to mope around the house alone. He needed to get out and talk with his best friend about what was happening in his marriage.

Daryl scarfed down a fork full of chitterlings covered in hot sauce, slurping up the bit of juice that escaped down his lip, while Rick looked on in amusement. "Man, you don't know what you're missin'. This is some good eatin' right here," he laughed.

Rick looked at his friend skeptically. "Nah, I'm good with my meatloaf and mashed potatoes," he chuckled.

"Suit yourself man, more for me," Daryl shrugged, continuing to devour his meal. "At least try some of this mac & cheese and greens. It's some of the best in town."

"Don't mind if I do," Rick relented, scooping a couple of portions of each onto his plate.

The waitress, a curvy dark-skinned woman named Betty, came over to refill their glasses of sweet tea. "Anythang else I can get you and your friend, Daryl?" she asked, looking at Rick suspiciously.

Daryl chuckled at her leeriness of Rick. "Nah, darlin'. We're good. Food is delicious as always," he smiled.

"Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoyin' it. I got some banana puddin' with your name on it. It's on the house for givin' me a discount on my car repairs," she winked at him.

"I 'preciate it," he grinned, watching the sway of her hips as she walked away.

Rick chuckled at his friend's antics. He was never one to miss an opportunity to appreciate a beautiful woman.

"So, look man, I'm happy for the visit and all, but I know there's somethin' on your mind. Gon' ahead and spill it," Daryl instructed.

Rick exhaled heavily, setting his fork down on his plate. "You're right. I didn't come here just to shoot the shit with ya'. Lori and I are getting a divorce."

Daryl stopped eating and slowly nodded, seemingly unfazed by the news. "So, y'all are done bein' miserable?"

"Daryl, come on…it wasn't all bad," Rick retorted.

"Yeah, but it was pretty bad. Look don't beat yourself up. I mean I ain't sayin' I'm happy about the news, but you tried. That's all anyone can ask of ya'," Daryl shrugged, taking a bite of greens.

"I know…it's been a long time comin'," Rick nodded, running his hand through his wavy hair. "After Judith, we just couldn't find our way again. It was too much to bear. We're still gonna stay close and do our best to raise Carl, but I'm sure Jack will try and make things hard."

"Aye, don't worry about him. I don't give a damn how much clout he has in this town, he ain't got no rights where Carl is concerned. He can't cut you out of your boy's life," Daryl assured him. "Lori ain't gonna let that happen. Y'all will figure it out."

Rick nodded in agreement. "I'm gonna let her keep the house. After all, her parents helped with the down payment."

"You're welcome to stay at my place until you find somethin' of your own," Daryl offered. "It ain't much, but it's a place to rest your head."

"Yeah…I'll think about it," Rick shrugged, diving back into his meal.

~~~

Michonne and Andre exited the movie theater and held hands as they walked across the street. They entered the little eatery, immediately engulfed by the savory aroma of down-home cooking.

"Mmm, I'm starving," Michonne announced. "Dre, what do you want to eat ba…" her voice caught in her throat as she locked eyes with a pair of baby blues.

Rick waved from his table, gesturing for her and Andre to join him and Daryl. She stood frozen for a moment as she contemplated his silent offer. Keeping her eyes trained on him, she admired how handsome he looked. He wore a light blue shirt and tan slacks, with his hair combed back, the stubble on his jawline even thicker than the day before. She was amused by the fact that they were in each other's presence, yet again. It seemed fate was having fun with them.

"Sit anywhere you'd like," the waitress, Betty, stated, passing by Michonne and Andre.

Before Michonne could move, Andre made a beeline over to Rick's table. "Hi Deputy Grimes!" the boy excitedly greeted him.

"Hey buddy, glad to see ya'." Rick returned, patting the boy's back.

"Mama, come on," Andre waved her over.

Finally, she walked the short distance to Rick and Daryl's table. "I'm sorry he interrupted your lunch," she apologized, referring to Andre's eager intrusion.

"Nonsense," Rick responded. "Y'all should join us," he suggested with a sincere smile.

"Yeah, you're more than welcome," Daryl added, pulling out a chair for Michonne.

"Ok, thank you," she said, slowly sitting down.

Rick kept his eyes on her, getting lost in how gorgeous she looked in a fitted red dress, with her hair flipped into a stylish, shoulder-length bob. Her pretty brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight coming in through the large restaurant window. He internally scolded himself for once again, being consumed by her appearance. He would have to get his attraction under control, or else he risked coming on too strong and scaring her away. Before he could get too lost in his thoughts, Betty came over to take Michonne and Andre's order.

"What can I get you two?" the woman asked, retrieving a notepad from her apron.

"We'll both have the baked chicken, with black-eyed peas over rice, candied yams, a side of collards, and two sweet teas," Michonne informed her.

"Sure thing," the woman said, taking off to put in their order.

"You been a good boy for your mama, Andre?" Rick asked, turning his attention to the boy sitting beside him.

"Yes," Andre answered, enthusiastically nodding his head.

"He's been a little angel," Michonne concurred. "I was worried about him adjusting given everything that's happened, but he's doing better than I expected. He likes his new school and is starting to make friends. Isn't that right, peanut?"

"Mm-hmm," Andre replied.

"That's great," Rick responded. "What do you like to do for fun, Andre?"

"Um, I like to draw and play with airplanes. Did you know my daddy used to fix airplanes?" the boy wondered.

Rick glanced at Michonne, noting the somberness in her eyes. "No, I didn't know that. That's really neat," he replied to Andre.

Meanwhile, Daryl glanced between them, trying to uncover what he was missing in their exchange.

"Yeah, it was…but then he died," Andre added sadly.

"I know he did, but I promise he is watching over you from heaven, and I bet he's so proud of you for being a big boy and helping your mom through everything," Rick comforted him.

"Thank you," Michonne mouthed as Rick caught her eyes.

He smiled in response, before indulging in another taste of his meatloaf.

Daryl, having finally put the pieces together, offered Michonne his condolences. "I'm sorry for your loss." She acknowledged his sentiments with a solemn smile.

"My son, Carl likes to draw, too. He also likes to read comics and fish. You ever been fishin', Andre?" Rick inquired.

"No," Andre nodded.

"Well, if it's okay with your mom, maybe you can come with us the next time we go," Rick offered.

"Ooh, mama…can I…please?" Andre pleaded.

Michonne grinned at Rick and shook her head as he shrugged. "That's very kind of you, deputy. We'll see."

"You're welcome to come along," he noted, happy to make her smile.

Daryl couldn't help but notice the way Rick and Michonne interacted, as if they had grown more comfortable with one another overnight. It was a far cry from how Michonne initially reacted when she found out he'd paid for her car repairs. He vowed to ask his buddy about it at a later time.

"Here y'all go, enjoy," Betty returned, placing down Michonne and Andre's drinks and meals.

They all sat quietly, enjoying the delicious food. After a while, Betty reappeared with a to-go container full of banana pudding. "I didn't forget cha', Daryl," she smiled, handing him the dessert.

"Thanks, Betty," he grinned. "Imma enjoy this later. I gotta take off."

"We're about finished as well, "Michonne added. "Andre, we should get going."

"Nah, y'all should stay and have some banana pudding. It's delicious," Daryl encouraged.

"Mama, can we?" Andre whined.

"No, we should head home," she replied to the pouting little boy.

"Aww, you can stay a little longer, can't you? It's my treat," Rick asked, hoping she would say yes.

Daryl laughed at his friend's persistence. "A'ight…I'll see y'all later," he said, making his way to the front to pay his bill.

Michonne sighed and fell back in her seat. "Rick, you have to stop."

He looked at her, somewhat confused. "Stop what?"

"Stop paying for things…I can take care of myself and my boy," she stated emphatically.

"Michonne, I meant no offense. I'm sure you're doing a fine job, especially considering the circumstances. It's just dessert," he intimated.

"You're right…I'm sorry," she stated, letting out an exhausted sigh and covering her face with her hands.

"Hey, it's okay," he replied softly. He gently pulled her hands away from her face. "Relax…besides, what are old friends for?" he joked, eliciting a smile from her.

"You're sweet, Rick…but I'm grieving…and I don't know how good of a friend I can be to anyone right now," she said seriously.

"I understand, we can take it slow," he nodded. "I just want to get to know you, Michonne."

There it was again, that captivating blue stare. It was sure to do her in if she let it. She averted his gaze, looking around the small restaurant. She could see a few of the patrons staring and whispering among themselves. She suddenly felt uncomfortable.

"Thank you for the offer, Rick…but Andre and I really do need to get going," she informed him, standing to her feet.

"Okay, I guess I'll see you later," he replied, standing to see her and Andre off. He wanted to hug her but thought better of it, sensing her unease with being so close to him in public. "You be good, Andre."

"I will," the boy promised. "Bye, Deputy Grimes."

Rick watched them as Michonne went to the front counter to pay the bill, scooped Andre up in her arms, and walked out the door. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. The last thing he wanted to do was to make her uncomfortable, but he couldn't help being drawn to her. Something about her sad, quiet spirit was like a magnet for him. He saw himself in her. In the short time they'd known one another, he felt more connected to her than he'd felt to anyone in a long time, and he wasn't going to miss his opportunity to get close to her, no matter what anyone in this damn town had to say about it.


A short while later, Michonne and Andre returned home. Michonne retrieved a note off the refrigerator door. It was from her mother, notifying her that she had gone into town to run some errands and would be back later.

"Nana had some things to take care of. She'll be back in a little while," she informed Andre. "Why don't you go play with your toys or do some drawing. Mommy needs to study."

"Okay, mama," Andre responded, hugging her waist, before running off to their bedroom.

Michonne threw her purse on the sofa, kicked off her heels, and grabbed her books from a small bookshelf in the corner of the living room. She carried the books to the kitchen table and cracked open the one tilted 'Human Anatomy', intent on spending the next hour or two with her face buried inside of it. She was scheduled to take her nursing school entrance exam next month and wanted to be prepared.

~~~

A half hour passed and Michonne needed a break. She got up and poured herself a drink before calling out to check on Andre. "Dre, you okay in there?"

When he didn't answer, she walked to the bedroom and peeked through the partially open door. Her little guy was fast asleep in his bed. She smiled, thankful that he still found benefit in taking naps. She slowly closed the door, leaving it only slightly cracked.

A knock at the front door startled her. "Coming," she called out, careful not to wake Andre. She walked over and looked through the peep hole. She immediately moved away from it; a bit caught off guard by her visitor's identity. Not wanting to be rude, she finally opened the door.

Rick greeted her with a bashful smile. "Hey there, I hope I'm not bothering you."

"Um, no…come in," she said, stepping aside so he could enter. She closed the door and stared at him; her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Uh, Daryl gave me your address," he stated, understanding her unspoken question.

Michonne nodded. "Why are you here?"

"Michonne, I could tell you were uncomfortable at the restaurant…that was my fault. I didn't stop to think about the optics…" he began.

"Rick, it's fine…really," she shrugged.

"No, I wanted to make it up to you. I brought you and Andre some of that banana pudding Daryl was raving about," he chuckled, holding up a white paper bag.

Michonne laughed, shaking her head. "You are relentless, you know that?"

"So I've been told," he smirked.

"Okay, Rick…you win. Come on into the kitchen. Andre's asleep, but you and I can have some," she said, leading the way.

He took a seat at the table, as she grabbed some bowls and spoons, noticing the pile of books and notes. "I'm sorry, am I interrupting something important?

Michonne looked up from scooping the pudding into the dishes. "Oh, I'm studying for my nursing school entrance exam," she answered nonchalantly.

Rick raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I didn't know you want to be a nurse. That's great."

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Rick," she shot back.

"Of course…but I'm hoping to change that," he responded purposely, looking her in the eyes.

Michonne ignored his stare and brought the bowls to the table. She sat down across from him and took a bite. The sweet taste of bananas and vanilla melted in her mouth.

"Oh my god, Daryl wasn't lying," she exclaimed, almost moaning at how good it tasted.

Rick watched her as she licked the spoon and went in for another taste, feeling slightly warm from the sight of her supple, heart-shaped lips wrapping around the utensil.

She noticed him staring. "Try it," she urged.

He took a hearty spoonful into his mouth. "Damn…that's good," he agreed.

"Right?" she laughed. "Remind me to thank your friend when I see him." She took several more bites until it was all gone. "If I keep eating like this, I won't be able to fit into any of my clothes," she joked.

He looked up from his dessert, his eyes roaming over her body. "Are you kidding? You're perfect."

She placed her spoon in the empty bowl, thrown off kilter by his flirtatious remark. She gazed at him, not quite knowing how to respond.

"I mean…um…" he stuttered over his words, causing her to chuckle.

"It's okay, Rick. You want some coffee?" she asked, standing from her chair.

"Yeah, that'd be nice," he replied, running his hand through his silky hair.

Michonne turned on the coffee maker and waited for the liquid to brew. "You take cream and sugar?"

"Uh, yeah," he nodded, watching her retrieve the cream from the fridge and the sugar from the cupboard. When the coffee was ready, she filled two mugs and gestured for Rick to come make it to his liking. He joined her at the counter and added a little cream and sugar into his mug.

"It's nice out, we should take this to the sunporch," Michonne suggested.

Rick followed her through the door that led to the sunporch at the back of the house. They sat next to one another on the porch swing, taking in the Autumn air and the red-orange glow sweeping across the sky as the sun began its descent over the horizon.

"Have you always wanted to be a nurse?" he asked, looking over at her.

"Um, yeah…I guess. I've always wanted to help people. I planned to start pursuing it once Andre got old enough for school, so here I am," she smiled, sipping her hot beverage. "What about you? Have you always wanted to be a police officer?"

"Yeah," he laughed quietly. "My daddy was a deputy. Growing up, I admired him so much. I wanted to be just like him."

"That's nice," she said, as they slightly rocked the swing back and forth. "Daryl told me he passed away. I hope you don't mind me asking...how did he die?"

"Michonne, you opened up to me about your husband. I don't mind sharing anything with you," he replied earnestly, once again capturing her eyes with his stare. "He died in a car accident a few years back."

"I'm sorry. Is that what you meant when you said you know what it's like to be in pain?" she questioned.

He briefly hesitated before answering. "Well, yes…that…and my wife and I lost our daughter."

Michonne gasped, covering her mouth in shock. "Oh, Rick…I'm so sorry. I had no idea…"

"It's okay, Michonne," he reassured her. "It was a really tough time for us, but we survived."

"How did it happen?" she asked, sitting down her empty mug, and turning her body towards him.

"Lori was approaching her seventh month of pregnancy. She must not have been paying attention and didn't realize one of Carl's toys was on the stairs. She tripped and fell down the entire flight, landing pretty hard on her side."

Michonne inhaled sharply, imagining the pain the woman surely experienced.

Rick sat his empty mug on the ground, before pressing on, "Not long after, the bleeding started. We rushed her to the hospital. The doctors thought she had a placental abruption, and they were right. The best way to stop Lori from bleeding out was to immediately deliver the baby. The thing is…the baby's lungs weren't fully developed. There was a chance our daughter wouldn't make it…they gave me a choice, to wait and see if Lori's bleeding would stop on its own or to deliver the baby prematurely. I chose for them to deliver the baby," he said quietly, closing his eyes as the painful memories invaded his mind.

"I'm so sorry, Rick," Michonne whispered, gently grasping his hands in hers.

"Our daughter…we named her Judith, she only lived for two days. It was devastating. Lori became depressed. She could barely get out of bed. I had to make sure she ate and bathed, all while working and taking care of Carl," he said sadly. "She blamed me…or so I thought."

Michonne desperately tried to contain the sadness she was feeling for him, Lori, and Carl. "I'm sure it was hard on you both, but you got through it. That proves how strong you are."

"I suppose," he stated, looking at her, wishing he could tell her that he wasn't as strong as she made him out to be. His marriage was crumbling as a result. "It happened two years ago. I still worry about Carl. He's withdrawn at times."

"I feel the same about Andre," she sighed, placing her hands back in her lap. "It's hard to believe he will grow up without his daddy. My heart aches for him. Mike was such a good man and a wonderful father."

"I'm sure he was. You don't seem like the type to settle," Rick noted.

She chuckled in response. "I guess not. Mike was my first love. My world isn't the same without him."

"Lori was my first love, too. We've been together since we were young. I haven't really known anyone other than her."

They stared at one another for a spell, gently rocking the swing. "We had a nice life," he added.

Michonne noticed he spoke in past tense. She wanted to know more but decided not to pry. She supposed he would share when he was ready.

"Michonne, I'm serious about wanting to be your friend," he remarked, deliberately looking her in the eyes. "If you ever need someone to talk to…you can come to me."

He pulled her hand into his lap and tenderly stroked her palm with his thumb. His touch was so comforting to her. She sighed and briefly closed her eyes, relishing in the peace she felt being with him.

"I appreciate that, Rick," she replied wistfully.

"And…I would love to take Andre fishing," he chuckled. "I think it might be good for him and Carl. I also think you should join us. It's a great stress reliever."

He continued rubbing her hand, loving the way it felt under his fingertips. Her skin was glowing in the setting sunlight, and he had never seen a sight so beautiful. This woman was truly something else.

"I don't know, Rick" she protested.

"Michonne, I know very little about your history, but I recognize your mistrust of people like me. I don't pretend to understand your experiences, and I'm not some naïve person claiming to be color blind. I would never insult you like that. I see you," he assured her, taking both of her hands into his. "You're strong and brave…and doing the best you can to pick yourself up from a tragedy and make a good life for you and your son. It's admirable."

"What else do you see, Rick?" she asked softly, staring into his eyes.

"You're incredibly beautiful," he added, releasing her hands, and stroking her soft hair. His hands traveled from her hair and caressed her cheek. He then slowly ran his thumb over her plush lips. She closed her eyes at the sensation of his touch, trying to stave off the growing attraction she was feeling for him. It wasn't right. She was recently widowed, and he was someone else's husband. Still, she couldn't deny that her body needed to feel something, and Rick was certainly fulfilling that need.

"Think about my offer, Michonne," he whispered.

She felt his warm breath traversing her skin as he leaned in closer to her. God, he smells so good, she thought. Her heart rate sped up as she felt his soft lips brush against her exposed neck. He placed a few gentle kisses there, then another on her cheek. She felt like she was on fire as his hand touched her thigh. She wanted more, but frantically worked to calm her urges before they went too far. Being friends was something she could consider, but lovers was something altogether different.

Pulling back, she looked into his cerulean eyes. "I will, Rick. I promise I'll think about it."


Thanks so much for reading! More to come... Be safe! #KeepRichonneAlive