A/N: Richonners! I cannot express how much I've missed connecting with you all and immersing myself in my stories. It's been too long. I've been struggling! However, writing and fanfiction are my happy place, so here I am. I know I said I would finish Comfort and Joy before returning to this story, but it was calling me. I hope you're still interested in finding out what happens in this twisted tale! I'm a little rusty, but I hope you enjoy. It's my birthday tomorrow, so send me some love by dropping a review! Be well! We're living in effed up times. I hope my writing can put a smile on your face! #KeepRichonneAlive
CHAPTER 8: Revelations-Part 1
Raindrops splattered on top of the roof of Rick's Skylark, creating a rhythmic pitter-patter, blending in with Nina Simone's melodic voice as she belted out, I Shall Be Released…I see my light come shining…from the west down to the east…any day now, any day now…I shall be released…
"Rick," Michonne huffed, placing her hand against the foggy backseat window.
She sensually moved her hips up and down, then in a circular motion, fully taking in his hard dick. Her warm, sticky moisture dripped down his shaft and onto his groin, enhancing the sublime feeling.
Rick used his right hand to gather Michonne's hair, gently tugging to expose her neck. A cascade of soft pecks and licks drifted from the tip of her earlobe down to her collarbone, where he sucked in her flesh, relishing the saltiness of her sweaty skin. With his left hand, he gripped her supple ass, guiding her movements while she increased her pace.
"Baby," he moaned, letting his head fall backwards onto the headrest.
He closed his eyes as Michonne gripped his shoulders for leverage. She kissed him, seductively sucking in his bottom lip. He happily swallowed her gratifying moans, feeling her tighten around him. God, she felt incredible. He never wanted this to end, but he knew it had to. As usual, their time together was limited. He needed to get home, shower, and prepare for his nightshift. Michonne needed to put Andre to bed. Still, he just couldn't let her go. Not yet. Not when her beautiful, naked body covered his, making him feel like he was stuck someplace between heaven and paradise. So, he clasped his strong hands around her petite waist, holding her in place while he thrusted upward.
Michonne's mouth fell open as she met his intense gaze, "Oh…oh my god, don't stop," she pleaded, arousal and desperation heavy in her voice.
Rick dropped his stare to her perky breasts, synchronously bouncing with his movements. Immediately, his mouth engulfed her nipple, drawing it into his warmth, before releasing it with a soft suckling sound. He then repeated the act with her other one. Michonne moaned in delight, as her buds stiffened from the attention. Rick's face was buried between her soft pillows as he inhaled her sweet perfume. She used both hands to clutch his hair, resting her chin on his curls.
The air inside the car was thick, as the rain continued to pour outside. Their cries drowned out the radio, reaching a crescendo once they arrived at the precipice of their release.
"Fuuuck," Rick growled into her chest, swiftly guiding her opening over his swollen head and shaft, pounding deep into her.
"Ahhh…Rick," she purred with her eyes closed, urgently swiveling on top of him.
After a moment, their movements slowed before halting completely. They sat still, panting through their post-coital bliss. The Jackson 5's Who's Loving You drifted through the speakers, mixing with the symphony of raindrops cascading over the roof of the car. Something about making love in the rain felt so peaceful. For a little while, the world stood still, allowing them to be as close as they desired. Since their return from the cabin, they'd come to cherish these moments. And when they separated, they instantly longed for the next opportunity to be together.
Rick's fingertips ghosted across the curve of her spine, sending chills up her back. He kissed her, slowly and full of passion, letting his lips linger on hers. Once they parted, Michonne smiled affectionately at him.
"You're beautiful, you know that?" he stated softly, doing his best to smooth her soft hair back in place. It had become disheveled during their lovemaking, her curls falling from the sweat and humidity their bodies generated.
"I think you tell me that every time you see me," she giggled.
"It's true every time I see you," he whispered, kissing her once more.
Michonne blushed, bashfully batting her eyelashes as she soaked in yet another one of his adoring compliments. She didn't need them, but she was grateful for them. He knew how to make her feel special, not only with his words, but with every interaction they shared…a simple look, a kiss, a touch in just the right place and she became putty in his hands.
"I wish we could spend the night together," she said solemnly.
"I know sweetheart, I do too. Soon…I promise."
"I'm not complaining or anything. I just loved waking up to you while we were at the cabin," she reminisced, running her fingers through his slightly damp hair.
"That was kinda nice, wasn't it?" he grinned, lowering her head to his chest.
Michonne caressed his bicep while she listened to his heart beating, strong and steady.
"As much as I love this, you deserve to be somewhere nicer than the backseat of my car," he added.
"I don't mind," she sighed. "I'd make love to you anywhere."
"Is that a fact?" he replied, smooching her forehead. Michonne remained silent but nodded in response.
"Well, I hate to say it darlin', but we should get goin'. I don't want you to miss reading Andre his bedtime story."
"You're right. My little guy will never let me hear the end of it," she laughed. She slowly slipped off Rick's lap, immediately feeling empty as he slid out of her. She took the towel he handed her to clean herself, watching him do the same. In silence, they scrambled to find their clothing in the tight confines of the back seat, fumbling over one another in the process.
"Oh my god, we're like two teenagers sneaking away to get laid," Michonne laughed as she and Rick nearly bumped heads.
"I never had this much fun as a teenager," he chuckled, pulling on his jeans.
"Somehow, I find that hard to believe," Michonne smirked. She wanted to ask if he and Lori had ever done anything like this in their youth but thought better of it. Instead, she leaned over and kissed him.
"Let's get you home," Rick grinned, returning her affection.
Meanwhile, Nora stood on her tiptoes and peered through the peephole, as the loud banging continued to rattle against the front door. Stepping away from the narrow line of sight, she closed her eyes and sighed, composing herself before opening the door.
"Dammit," she groaned, hating that she could never deny him.
Slowly, she opened the door. Negan stood before her, greeting her with apologetic eyes. In his hands was a container of cupcakes and a baby doll with golden French braids and big blue eyes. Nora stepped aside, gesturing for him to come in.
"I just put Ginny down for bed," she stated flatly, folding her arms.
"I picked these up from that little bakery on third street. I know how much she loves them" Negan said, handing her the chocolate cupcakes.
Nora noted a hint of somberness in his tone, something uncharacteristic of him. It took her by surprise, almost breaking through the hard exterior she was desperately trying to keep intact. She wasn't ready to forgive him. She needed him to know how much she was hurting from his inability to fully support her through their daughter's illness.
"She isn't supposed to be eating any sweets right now. She's hardly been able to keep down any solid foods since she's been released from the hospital," she frowned. "If you stuck around, you would know that."
"Oh, well I guess we can eat them," he shrugged.
Nora shook her head in frustration as he placed the container on the dining room table. Her gaze fell to the doll he was still holding, "Why didn't you bring our daughter a doll that looks like her?"
Negan scoffed, tossing the doll on the sofa, "Don't start…it's been a long day."
"You're right. It has been a long day. It's been a very long day. You wanna know what I've been doing today?"
"Nora, I said I'm not in the mood to deal with your attitude. I came to check on Ginny, not fight with you."
"Good…I'm glad you came to check on her. I've spent the entire day checking on her…trying to help her eat and get to the bathroom when she could no longer hold the food down, kneeling over the toilet and holding her hair while she vomited, making sure she was comfortable after her pain finally subsided long enough for her to fall asleep!" she asserted, wiping the tears that were now streaming down her cheeks.
Negan sighed, placing his hands on his hips, and hanging his head low, "I'm sorry you had to do that alone, sweetheart."
"I know you came to the hospital…Ginny told me. It really made her feel better when you were there…"
"You knew I would come," he interrupted, wrapping his arms around Nora's waist.
"I'm glad you visited her, but I need you here, Negan. I can't do this alone."
He dried her tears with his thumbs, "What are the doctors saying?"
"Her bloodwork is abnormal," she revealed, trying to gather herself.
"Abnormal…what does that mean?"
"Her white blood cells are elevated. Her lymph nodes are swollen. She's been so tired and weak, and now she's got these little, tiny red spots on parts of her body…I think the doctor called them 'petechiae' or something like that."
"What the hell is that?" Negan frowned.
"I don't know. I guess it's caused by broken blood vessels under the skin. They thought it may be from a virus, but now they aren't sure. They want to run more tests," Nora replied, her voice still shaky from the impeding emotions.
Negan felt his heart pounding. The more Nora explained, the more questions he had. Why the hell was this happening? Was it some sort of payback? He knew he had a lot to atone for, but surely his little girl didn't deserve to suffer.
He drew Nora closer, resting her head on his chest as he caressed her curly hair, "I don't want you to worry. Everything is gonna be fine."
"Promise me you'll be here. Ginny needs you…I…I need you," she said earnestly, looking into his dark eyes, searching for any trace of the man she once knew, the one who'd picked up a broken young girl and helped her back on her feet. That's the man she longed for…the man she knew he could be.
"I'll be here…I'll find a way," he assured her, tilting her chin up and sealing his promise with a kiss.
The next day was election day. Lori sat on her bed, while Philip took a shower. They'd been up all night preparing for the big day, and rather than have him drive home so late, she suggested he stay there with her. Thankfully, Carl spent the evening with Rick and Penny's nanny was able to stay overnight. Now, she was speaking to Rick about another important matter…
She clutched the phone close to her ear, "Rick, I really can't thank you enough."
"It's no trouble," Rick replied on the other end.
"No, I mean it. You don't have to do this, but I appreciate it so much."
"Lori, you don't need to thank me. If I'm being honest, I'm kinda curious about all this…I mean, it's pretty heartbreaking when you think about it."
"Yes…it is. I really hope you can find something, anything that may lead us to her."
Lori heard the shower turn off in the ensuite bathroom and knew Philip would be out any minute. She quickly needed to end this conversation, not wanting this to be the way Rick found out about them.
"Hey, someone's at the door. I gotta go but thank you again. You're the best, Rick."
"I won't argue with that," Rick snickered. "I'll let you know what I find out."
"Thanks, bye," Lori responded, hanging up just as Philip walked into the bedroom.
"That shower was just what I needed," he stated, wrapping a large gray towel around his waist.
Lori smiled, admiring his appearance as a few drops of water fell from his wet hair and dripped down his chest. Philip was several years her senior, but he looked good for his age. He was tall and fit, but his eyes were her favorite. They held a kindness in them, a certain sincerity that was rare, but when you spotted it, you recognized it immediately. Rick's eyes were the same. She chuckled to herself, thinking about her choices in men. They were complete opposites of her father. She supposed that was part of their appeal.
"Lori…are you okay?" Philip asked, breaking through her musings.
"Huh…oh yes. I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
"I was just raving about your showerhead. It's nice! Feels like you're standin' in the rain," he grinned.
"Yeah, Rick installed that a few months ago," Lori replied. In that moment, she felt the gravity of having another man in the house she once shared with her husband, taking a shower in the same bathroom he used, sleeping in the same bed he once slept in.
"Are you sure everything is alright? You seem distracted," he prodded, sitting next to her on the bed.
Lori faced him, taking both his hands in hers. "Yes, everything is fine. I actually have some good news."
"Yeah? What's that? Something related to the campaign?" he wondered.
"No…I uh…I hope you won't be upset, but I told Rick about your situation with Lily. He's agreed to do some digging and hopefully he'll be able to find her."
Philip's eyes widened as he let go of Lori's hands, "Wow, that's um…that's mighty noble of him. Why would he want to help me?"
"Because I asked him to…and because that's the kind of man he is. Are you angry?" she questioned with bated breath.
"No, just surprised…and a little scared," Philip admitted. "It seems like a lifetime ago since I've seen her. What would I do, call her up on the phone? I wouldn't know what to say."
"Well, we can cross that bridge when we get to it, but Philip, if she lied about losing the baby…"
"Then I could have a child out there that I don't even know," he said, finishing her statement.
"Exactly. Penny could have a sibling. You both deserve to know the truth," she proclaimed.
Philip exhaled, attempting to process the weight of it all. The thought of finding his long-lost love was heavy enough, but to think he may have another child, he felt like he was going to collapse at any moment.
"I know this is a crazy time, with the election today, but I just couldn't let this go."
"Thank you for doing this, Lori. I didn't realize how much I needed closure until I started talking to you about Lily. More than anything, I want to make sure her life turned out as wonderful as she deserves. I want to make sure she's okay. If Rick can find anything to confirm that, I'd be eternally grateful."
"He'll do his best. In the meantime, I don't want you stressing about this. Today is an important day. How about we get dressed and have a nice breakfast. I want a little more time with you all to myself. Pretty soon, everyone's gonna be vying for your attention, Mayor Blake" she grinned.
"Don't jinx me, sweetheart," Philip cautioned, offering her a chaste kiss.
"Nonsense!" she laughed, eliciting an amused grin from him.
On the other side of town, Bob and Sasha were enjoying a lazy start to their morning.
Bob rubbed his foot along Sasha's smooth leg, as they rested naked and tangled in between the sheets covering his bed. The room was particularly hot and stuffy following their lovemaking, yet there was no place he'd rather be in the moment.
"Mmm," he inhaled the scent of her hair, his nose lingering in her full curls. Drawing her closer, he gently kissed her bare shoulder and ran his fingers up her spine. "Damn woman, look at you, so pretty and smellin' all good."
"You so crazy," Sasha snickered, looking up at him.
"I mean it. I don't think I'll ever get enough of you."
"Oh really, are you sure about that? You know I can be a lot to handle."
"I'm up for the challenge," he shot back. "Besides, I like a woman with a little spunk."
Sasha smirked and snuggled into his side, softly playing with the dark, coarse hair covering his chest. She was trying to keep her cool, but hearing Bob tell her how much he adored her always had her feeling tingly inside. She'd never met anyone like him, so confident and sure of himself. He knew who he was and what he believed in. A man like that could go places, could make things happen. She was every bit as enamored with him as he was with her, maybe more so.
"I've been thinkin' baby," Bob confessed.
"About what?" Sasha replied curiously.
"We should get away from Georgia…maybe head out west to California."
Sasha lifted her head and stared at him in surprise, "What on earth would we do in California?"
"We could move to Hollywood and live amongst the stars," he joked, swiping his free hand across the air to illustrate his point. "We both know the south ain't no place for a Black man…or woman."
Sasha nodded, reclaiming her position on his chest, "You're right about that, but it's probably hard being Black anywhere. And my family is here…what's left of them anyway. I can't just up and leave."
"Come on now, baby. They'll be alright without you. Michonne isn't even speaking to you and your auntie is always gonna take her daughter's side. Ain't nothin' keepin' you here."
Sasha sighed, pondering the idea. He had a point. King County and the old, traditional ways so many people wanted to hold on to, was wearing her down. Maybe leaving was the ticket to finding more likeminded people who saw things like she and Bob did.
Lifting her chin to plant a kiss on her lips, Bob offered a little more motivation, "Sasha, I love you."
The three words caught her off guard, but she easily returned the sentiment, "I love you, too."
"Then let's do it," he encouraged, sitting up and resting his back against the wooden headboard.
Sasha straddled his lap, clasping his face in her hands, "How? Would we just drop everything and go?"
"Yeah…I've got some money saved. We could get jobs, find a nice place to live…and when Ty comes back home, he can join us."
"Money? I didn't know you had money stashed away. Where did you get it?"
"My mama and daddy had a couple of small life insurance policies…plus the profit from selling their house," Bob shrugged. "I'm tellin' you, this could work."
Sasha lowered her forehead to his, "Okay, let me think about it."
At the Jameson residence, Michonne perked up when she heard the doorbell chime.
"Just a minute," she called out, doing one final check of her appearance in the hallway mirror before going to greet her visitor.
Swinging the front door open, she was instantly gifted with Rick's adoring caerulean stare.
"Hey baby," she smiled, playfully gripping his shirt, and pulling him inside.
"Good mornin' beautiful." Rick wrapped her in his arms and drew her close, "Kiss me."
"As you wish," she giggled before planting a sweet kiss on his welcoming lips. "Have I ever told you how much I love you in this uniform?"
"You mighta' mentioned it," he nodded. "Somethin' smells good."
"Mama made her cinnamon rolls. I can't wait for you to try them. Go on and have a seat in the dining room. I'm gonna check on Dre."
As Michonne walked away, Rick suddenly felt flushed. He loosened his collar and took a seat at the table, already prepared with place settings. When Michonne invited him over for breakfast, his initial thought was to pass, unsure if he was ready to confront the issue of their relationship with her mother. He knew Anna was aware things between them were no longer platonic but being in her presence now that the truth was out, made him nervous.
As if on cue, Anna walked into the dining room, smiling brightly with her eyes fixed on him. "Rick, I'm so glad you could join us. How are you, honey?"
"I'm good…thank you for havin' me," he smiled appreciatively.
"Can I get you some coffee?" Anna asked, retrieving two of the ceramic mugs from the table.
"Yes, please," Rick nodded.
Anna filled the mugs with hot coffee and sat next to him. She smiled pleasantly as she prepared the coffee to her liking, causing Rick to wonder if his anxiousness was unfounded.
"Michonne and Andre will be out in just a minute. While we're waiting, I was hoping we could chat."
And here it was, the moment he had been dreading. "Of course, what's on your mind, Mrs. Jameson?"
"I appreciate you and Carl spending time with Michonne and Andre. They've been through a difficult time. Losing Mike was so unexpected, and then leaving their home and moving here, well…it hasn't been easy," Anna confided.
"I enjoy spending time with Michonne, and Carl gets along great with Andre. It's been good for us, too. I'm sure Michonne told you that my wife and I are getting divorced."
"She did," Anna confirmed. "Rick, I have to ask…are you latching onto my daughter because your marriage has fallen apart? Are your feelings genuine? They need to be if you're going to continue seeing her."
Somewhat thrown off kilter, Rick nodded in understanding. "I assure you, my feelings for Michonne are real. Otherwise, I wouldn't pursue her."
Anna gently placed her hand over Rick's and looked him directly in the eyes. "I'm glad to hear that because we both know it won't be easy. You know how some folks in this town feel about this sort of thing."
Rick briefly thought back to the dirty looks he and Michonne received eating lunch together, and the men at the cabin. Deep down, it hurt him that people may not be accepting of their relationship. Still, he was never one to conform to what others demanded of him. The thought of not being with Michonne pained him, and he wasn't going to let the ignorance of these small-minded people get in the way of their happiness. This was the best he'd felt in a long time, so as long as Michonne would have him, he'd be there with her, supporting her and doing his best to keep a smile on her pretty face.
"I know, but not everyone feels that way. Things are changing…people are changing," he stated emphatically. "I really care about Michonne…and Andre. I'll make sure no harm comes to them. You have my word."
Anna nodded, patting Rick's hand before taking a sip of her coffee, "I'm trusting you with the loves of my life, Rick. Don't let me down."
"I won't ma'am," he assured her, understanding the significance of his promise.
"Now, that we've settled that, how's your mama doin?"
Rick laughed at her sudden change of subject, "She's doin' just fine. Busy with her book club and church activities most days."
"Tell her I said hello," Anna replied, raising from her seat, and heading into the kitchen.
"I will," Rick agreed, turning his attention to a smiling Andre as the little boy fell into his arms.
"Deputy Rick!" Andre beamed, wrapping his tiny arms around Rick's neck.
"Hey, Dre! You been a good boy?"
"Yes! Mama says you're having breakfast with us."
"Dre, give Rick some room to breathe," Michonne laughed. "Have a seat and mommy will get your food. Nana is gonna take you to school after we're done."
Michonne winked at Rick who was all smiles. She guessed his talk with her mother had gone well. "Everything okay?" she inquired.
"Everything's good," he confirmed.
Anna returned from the kitchen carrying a pan of cinnamon rolls and a bowl of fresh fruit. "Michonne honey, grab the platter of bacon and the scrambled eggs."
Michonne did as her mother requested, then returned to fix Andre's plate. She then served her mother and Rick before getting her own food.
"Okay, let's bow our heads and say grace," Anna instructed. "Heavenly father, we give thanks to you for the food we are about to receive. Let it be nourishment for our bodies. Father we also ask that you cover our people with your protection and keep them all safe, no matter the outcome of this election today. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen."
"Amen," they all repeated in unison.
"Nana, how come our people need protection?" Andre asked inquisitively.
"Oh, that's nothin' for you to worry about, sweetie. Eat your breakfast," Anna answered.
Still confused, Andre said to his mother, "Mama, can I take my plate into the living room and watch cartoons?"
"Andre, you know we don't eat in front of the television," Michonne responded.
"Let him go, I want to talk to you and Rick about something," Anna intervened.
Michonne gestured for Andre to go into the living room. Once he departed, she turned to her mother. "What's wrong, mama?"
"I'm worried about what's going to happen today. I don't know if I'm going to vote."
"Mama, you have to vote. Pastor Gabriel has been working so hard to get Philip Blake elected."
"Michonne is right, ma'am. You have a right to vote just like everyone else," Rick agreed.
"Rick let's not be naïve. We've all seen some of the stuff that's been happening. Things can turn ugly real quick," Anna warned.
"There will be officers patrolling the voting precincts. Everything will be kept under control."
Anna shot him a troubled look, "You know as well as I do that many of your colleagues would rather die before they see a Negro gain equal rights."
Michonne bowed her head, knowing her mother was speaking the truth. It was moments like this that reminded her of the different worlds she and Rick occupied, a harsh reality which existed outside of their bubble. This is the reality they would need to confront if they ever wanted a real chance at being together.
"I apologize, I don't mean to make light of your concerns," Rick offered sincerely. "You're right about some of the men I work with, but not all of them feel that way."
"Well, if they don't, they better start standing up to the ones that do. It can be hard to do the right thing, but my daddy always told me, that's the true measure of a man…what he does when things get tough," Anna retorted.
"Indeed. Again, I'm sorry. It was insensitive of me to suggest the police will offer safety…especially after what happened to Mike."
Anna glanced at Michonne, a little surprised. Her daughter hadn't shared how much she'd told Rick about Mike's death.
"Rick, you don't need to apologize," Michonne interjected. "You aren't responsible for what other people do. It's true, you'll never understand what it's like to explain to your son that people may hate him because of the color of his skin, but it doesn't make it your fault. You're doing what you need to do. You're teaching Carl not to hate, and that means everything."
Rick grabbed her hand in appreciation, rubbing his thumb over the outside of her palm. "I just hope more people start doing the same. It's our only chance of defeating the Jack Shepard's and Pete Anderson's of the world."
Anna scoffed at the mention of Jack's name, "I don't know how you can stand having that man as your father-in-law."
"Mama, have you ever met Jack?" Michonne asked, curious about the vitriol in her mother's voice.
"No, I've never personally met him, but his reputation precedes him."
Rick furrowed his brows in confusion, "That's strange. Lori mentioned she found a photo of you and Mr. Jameson at her parents' house. It was taken with my mother and the Shepard's.
Anna visibly recoiled and shook her head, "Your wife must have been mistaken. Lawrence and I would never associate with them…no offense."
"None taken," Rick replied. "I know exactly the type of man my father-in-law is."
"Then you should know, we'd have nothing to do with him. Please excuse me, I've lost my appetite," Anna said sternly.
Rick and Michonne looked on as she abruptly departed, confused by her reaction. They could certainly understand the disdain for Jack Shepard, but it felt like there was more to it. Anna seemed angry at Rick for mentioning the photo.
"Did I say somethin' wrong?" he asked Michonne.
"No, my mother can be overly passionate at times. Don't take it personal."
Rick nodded, trying not to let it ruin their meal.
A little while later, they'd finished breakfast. Rick leaned in and kissed Michonne, "Well, I gotta get to work."
"Let me walk you out," Michonne said, standing and leading him into the living room.
Anna sat waiting on the sofa while Andre finished packing his bookbag. The stern look she held on her face at the conclusion of their earlier conversation was now replaced with an endearing smile.
"Rick, it was so nice of you to join us. You be safe at work, you hear me?"
"Yes, ma'am," Rick grinned, briefly glancing at Michonne, who discreetly shrugged.
"Bye, Deputy Rick!" Andre exclaimed.
"Bye now. You have a good day at school," Rick smiled, gently patting the top of Andre's head.
He and Michonne then walked outside to the front porch, closing the door behind them. Rick instantly planted his lips on hers, passionately kissing her. She smiled shyly as they separated. Despite the chill in the air, she felt warm under Rick's intense gaze. She loved the way he looked at her, like she was the only woman in the world.
"What?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Thank you for breakfast, pretty lady," he responded, fondly running his thumb over her bottom lip.
"You know you're always welcome. So, I'll see you later?"
"Of course," Rick confirmed, kissing her one last time.
Michonne watched as he headed to his car, surprised when he suddenly turned around with a serious look on his face.
"Michonne…be careful today."
"I will, Rick. I promise."
He nodded and got into his vehicle. Michonne remained on the porch, observing him drive away.
"Everythang alright? You in trouble with the law or somethin'?"
Michonne turned around, startled by her neighbor, Miss Baker, standing on the porch next door.
"Oh, you scared me," Michonne replied, wondering how long the old woman had been standing there. "No, everything is fine." She quickly walked back inside before the woman could pry any further.
"You all set, peanut?"
"Yes, I'll see you later mama," Andre beamed.
"Did you get your lunch?" Michonne inquired.
"Oh, I forgot it. I'll go grab it."
Once Andre was gone, Michonne turned to her mother, carefully considering her next statement. Anna stared back at her daughter as if she already knew what was coming.
"Why did you lie to Rick? What are you hiding?" Michonne finally asked.
Anna's eyes glossed over, her lips trembling as she attempted to speak, "Michonne…"
"Okay, I'm ready to go, Nana!" Andre interrupted, bolting into the room.
The sound of the phone ringing further solidified the end of Michonne and Anna's conversation.
"I'll see you later big boy," Michonne waved as her mother ushered Andre out the door. She sighed before picking up the phone mounted on the kitchen wall, "Hello."
"Michonne, I'm glad I caught you," Joanna stated with feigned pleasantry.
Michonne rolled her eyes, not pleased to hear her mother-in-law's voice on the other end, "Joanna, how are you?"
"I'm fine. Listen, there's been a change of plans. I won't be able to pick Andre up for Thanksgiving."
"Oh, that's alright. He can come visit another time," Michonne responded, attempting to hide her relief.
"No…No. I'd still really like to see him. How about you bring him? You can stay and spend the holiday with us. Mike's sisters are looking forward to seeing you both."
Michonne clenched the phone, confused by Joanna's suggestion. Perhaps losing Mike had softened their hearts, but there had never been any love lost between her and her former in-laws. The thought of spending a holiday with them…without Mike, made her uncomfortable.
"Joanna, I'm not sure that will be possible. I may need to work, and…"
"Michonne, surely you can take a couple days off from your waitressing job," Joanna scoffed.
There it was…the typical condescending remark she'd come to expect from Joanna. Michonne didn't feed into it, instead deciding to end the conversation, "I'll think about it, but right now I have to go. We'll talk later." Before the woman could respond, Michonne quickly disconnected the call.
A short while later, Eleanore pulled her wool coat tighter, shielding her from the autumn chill. She admired the changing colors on the leaves as she approached the empty bench, a tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows. The park was empty this morning. She assumed people were off to work, school, and other tasks, while others were likely already making their way to the voting booths. She planned to go herself once she concluded the business at hand. The closing of a car door interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see Anna walking toward her. They exchanged friendly smiles as her old friend sat beside her.
"Thanks for meeting me here," Anna remarked.
"Of course, on the phone it sounded urgent," Eleanore replied.
"I'm sorry about that," Anna sighed. "I didn't mean to alarm you. I was just a bit shaken up."
"What's got you so worried? Are Michonne and Andre alright?"
"Yes, they're okay…but did you know that Michonne and Rick are seeing each other?"
Eleanore chuckled, nodding her head, "I knew they'd spent some time talking."
"It's more serious than that," Anna intimated. "In fact, he was just at our house for breakfast."
"I didn't realize things between them had grown romantic, but I'm not surprised. Michonne is a beautiful woman and Rick has been lonely for a long time."
"I understand that Ellie…but Rick is married to Lori Shepard."
"Rick and Lori's marriage has been over for some time. It's unfortunate, but it's time for them to let go. Their divorce is nearly final."
"Yes, Michonne informed me of the divorce. Still, I need to protect my daughter. Which is why I asked you here today," Anna stated intentionally.
"You're worried that Rick's connection to the Shepard's could hurt Michonne?"
"Lori, found a picture of us on that day…and now the children are starting to ask questions."
"Yes, I know," Eleanore nodded. "Rick asked me about the picture. I didn't give him any details."
"Ellie, I've always done my best to keep the past buried…to hide it from Michonne. I did it for her protection, it's what Lawrence wanted."
Eleanore recognized the desperation in Anna's voice. All those years ago, she didn't agree with the way things were handled, but she understood Lawrence and Anna's position. In her mind, the Shepard's owed the Jameson's, but back then, the costs of cashing in on that debt had proven to be too great. She took hold of her friend's trembling hand and squeezed, hopeful that their bond would remain intact, even as she contemplated her next words.
"Anna, maybe it's time Michonne learned the truth. She's a grown woman now. It would be better coming from you than someone else."
Anna jerked her hand out of Eleanore's grasp, "No…why would you say that?"
"I'm saying that because I know Lori. She won't let this go…she'll keep digging and it's only a matter of time until things boil over."
"I can't do that…Jack warned me to keep quiet," Anna informed her.
Eleanore recoiled, all the anger she felt toward the man rising to the surface, "When? What did he say to you?"
Anna avoided providing the specifics of her and Jack's exchange, instead saying, "He's more ruthless than we thought, Ellie. I don't know what he's capable of doing, and I'd rather not find out."
"I don't understand, Anna. If you're afraid of Jack Shepard, why did you move back to King County?"
"It's my home. After Lawrence died, I needed to be close to our roots. This is where we met, it's where we fell in love," Anna responded, her voice drifting as she remembered her past life with the man she loved. "Besides, I promised my sister I would look after my niece and nephew…a lot of good that's done. Ty is off fighting a war he has no business fighting and Sasha is on the verge of getting herself thrown in jail for good or worse."
"Oh, Anna…you're doing the best you can. You've always been so damn strong. The kids will be just fine and don't you worry about Jack.
Anna looked at Eleanore with pleading eyes, "I never intended for the truth to be uncovered. Ellie, please do what you can to make sure it stays that way."
"I'll do what I can," Eleanore promised, with good intentions, although she feared it was too late.
At the station, Rick took a phone call from his contact in Detroit. "Aaron, what you got for me?" Rick questioned, leaning back in his desk chair as he held the phone to his ear.
"I found her," Aaron replied. "Lily Brown relocated to Detroit with her mother Jacqui and moved in with Jacqui's sister. She found work as a seamstress and shortly after, married a factory worker named Fred Johnson."
"I can't thank you enough," Rick said appreciatively, tapping his knuckles on the hard desk. "Listen, I need to get in contact with her. Do you think you can arrange that?"
"I'm afraid that's not possible. She died a few years ago," Aaron revealed.
Rick sighed, a slight sadness overcoming him. Lori was so excited at the prospect of reconnecting Philip with this woman. He dreaded sharing this news with her.
"Well, thank you for lookin' into it," he told Aaron.
"Wait, there's more. Lily gave birth to a child…a daughter…not long after moving to Detroit."
Rick's curiosity was piqued, "She has a daughter?"
"Yeah, that's right. The child isn't Fred Johnson's, but he raised her as his own. After Fred died, the young woman took off. And you won't believe where she ended up…"
"Where?!," Rick asked, growing impatient.
"She's in King County, Rick."
Rick was shocked by the news, "You got a name for her, Aaron?"
"The young woman's name is Nora Johnson."
Rick nearly dropped the phone. It can't be…can it? Is Negan's mistress the daughter of Philip Blake's mystery woman? Where does Blake fit into all this? His mind was working overtime, attempting to put all the pieces together.
"Rick…are you still there?" Aaron asked.
"Uh…yeah…I'm here," Rick replied, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Thanks, man. I owe you one."
At Pastor Gabriel's church, Lori's looked around the banquet room, decorated with blue and white balloons and streamers. Posters of Philip hung on the walls, Mayor Philip Blake, printed in bold letters on each of them. Numerous people gathered at the round tables, sipping on punch, and partaking in the lunch generously prepared by church mothers. Most of them were campaign organizers, but friends and other supporters were also present.
"Well, it's finally happening," Philip declared, coming to stand beside her.
"Are you nervous?" Lori asked, lightly touching his shoulder.
"Hell yes!" he chuckled.
"Don't be. You've done all you can do. You ran a good race…an honest one. Don't underestimate how far that can go with the people in this town," she smiled.
"I wish I had your confidence," Philip smirked.
"Relax," Lori implored. "There's Pastor Gabriel," she noted, pointing to Philip's biggest supporter besides herself.
"Lori, you've done an excellent job organizing all this," the pastor complimented, walking up to them.
"Thank you, pastor…but it was a group effort."
"Oh, she's being modest," Philip teased. "But I seriously can't thank you both enough. Your support and encouragement mean a lot to me."
"Well, when you're elected, you can show your gratitude by supporting the Black folks in this community. Make good on your promises of creating more opportunities for us," the pastor noted, patting Philip on the shoulder.
"Pastor…pastor, I'm sorry for interrupting, but I need to speak with you," Nora pleaded, approaching them.
Philip gazed at the young woman. Her eyes were red as if she'd been crying and she looked like she hadn't slept in days. However, that wasn't the most jarring aspect of her appearance. She reminded him of someone. Someone he knew long ago. Someone who still held a piece of his heart. The resemblance rendered him speechless.
"Nora, what's the matter dear?" Gabriel inquired with concern.
"I'm sorry I haven't been in service the past few weeks, but Ginny's been sick. I don't know what to do, I feel so helpless. I need you to pray for her pastor."
"Of course, I will Nora. You know there's nothing too big for God. Your little girl is going to be healed in no time."
The young mother's apparent fear for her daughter's wellbeing concerned Philip, imploring him to offer his sympathy.
"Nora, is it? Hello, I'm Philip Blake."
He offered his hand, causing Nora to look on in confusion but she accepted the handshake.
"Yes, Nora Johnson," she replied.
"I'm sorry to hear about your daughter, Nora. I hope she gets better real soon," he added sympathetically.
"Thank…thank you, Mr. Blake," Nora stuttered. "That's very kind of you."
Lori couldn't help but notice the way Philip stared at Nora. Something about the pretty, young woman had him intrigued. She made a mental note to ask him about it later, once all the excitement died down.
Over at Dale's Diner, Michonne and Carol stood behind the counter, chatting, and tidying up from the persistent lunch rush. It'd been even more busy than usual due to the election. Even with three other waitresses on duty, they struggled to keep up.
"My feet are killing me," Michonne groaned, wiggling her toes to alleviate some of the discomfort.
"I know what you mean," Carol agreed. "It looks like it's finally letting up…at least until dinner, anyway."
"Can you believe that cheapskate Dale isn't paying us overtime for staying later?" Michonne complained.
"I absolutely believe it. He's tighter than a virgin's twat."
"Carol!" Michonne chastised in amusement, shaking her head.
"Don't mind me, darlin'. I've never been accused of being ladylike," Carol sneered. "Pretty soon, you won't have to worry about dealing with Dale or serving people. You'll be off to nursing school."
"If I get in," Michonne shrugged.
"You will, honey. You're one of the smartest people I know."
"Thank you, Carol. I appreciate that," Michonne smiled, genuinely touched by the older woman's sentiments.
"I'm not the only one who's fond of you," Carol smirked, gesturing over Michonne's shoulder.
Michonne turned to see Rick heading her way, his lips turned up into a devilish grin. "Hey, I thought you were working on the other side of town today."
"I switched with one of the guys. I wanted to be close in case anything got out of hand," he said, taking a seat on one of the empty stools.
"Things have been quiet," Michonne noted.
"That's probably because not many Negroes have shown up to vote," Carol chimed in, wiping off the counterspace in front of Rick.
"Yeah, I noticed," Rick sighed. "Have you gone yet?" he asked Michonne.
"No, I can't leave the diner. We're too busy."
"What time are you getting off? I'll come back and escort you to the polling site."
"Rick, have you ever heard the word discreet?" Michonne teased.
"What? It's my job to protect and serve," he faked ignorance.
"That means everyone, not just me. You can't do special favors for me. People might talk," she stated seriously.
"I'm aware of that, Michonne. But today is an exception."
Michonne sighed, realizing she wasn't going to win this argument. In truthfulness, she didn't want to. She couldn't help but worry about casting her vote today. The uncertainty of what she'd be walking into, troubled her. Could things really turn as volatile as she'd seen on the news happening in other areas? If so, it certainly wouldn't hurt to have Rick by her side.
"Okay, Rick…but it will be a while before I get off."
"Why don't you go ahead and take off," Carol suggested, overhearing their conversation.
"Are you sure?" Michonne questioned, quirking her eyebrows in surprise.
"Yeah, the other girls and I can handle things here," her friend confirmed, before going to help a customer.
Michonne turned back to Rick, "well, before we go, can I get you something to eat?"
Rick smiled, pleased that she didn't need any more convincing, "yeah, that'd be great."
A short while later, Michonne stood in line, waiting to cast her vote. Things were surprisingly calm, offering her a sense of relief. Rick stood nearby with a few other deputies, making sure things were in order. He glanced at her, nodding reassuringly as she reached the front of the line. An older white man and woman sat staring blankly as she handed them her documents.
The woman took them, briefly reviewing them, then handing them back to Michonne, "Your driver's license says you live in Atlanta. This here election is for King County residents."
"Yes, I know. I moved here a few months ago. I applied for a change of address at the DMV, but things have been backed up. They told me it could take a while to be processed," Michonne informed her, trying to maintain her composure.
"Well, I don't know what to tell ya'. Unless you have somethin' proving you live here, you can't vote," the woman shrugged with a smug smirk plastered across her wrinkled face.
Michonne exhaled in frustration, "I don't have any other proof of residency on me. They assured me my voter registration card would be enough."
"Ma'am, step aside," the man said rudely. "We've got a lot of folks waitin'."
Michonne stood frozen, looking toward Rick, who undoubtedly recognized her exasperation. She watched as he approached the small table.
"Ma'am…did you hear me? I said move along," the old man repeated with even more contempt in his voice.
"What seems to be the problem, Mrs. Morton?" Rick asked the woman, recognizing her from church.
"Deputy Grimes, this woman is trying to vote without the proper identification," the woman stated, gesturing to Michonne.
Rick took Michonne's voter card and driver's license, handing them back to Mrs. Morton. "She has the necessary documents."
"Yes, but her address is in Atlanta," the woman said purposely, glaring at Rick.
"Mrs. Morton, I appreciate you trying to do things by the book, but I'm familiar with Ms. Hawthorne and her family. She's a resident of King County now. You and I both know how unreliable things have been with getting paperwork sorted at the DMV. Things seem to always get lost when people move here from certain areas," Rick noted intentionally, certain the woman understood his veiled comment. "I think we can make an exception this time, don't you?" he declared, narrowing his eyebrows on the woman.
"Yes…I suppose we can," Mrs. Morton replied sternly, handing Michonne her belongings, along with a ballot.
"Thank ya' kindly," Rick smiled disingenuously, tipping his Stetson at the woman.
Michonne took the items and headed over to the voting booths, careful not to appear overly grateful to Rick. She was depleted and pissed off, wanting nothing more than to get this process over with and go home to the north side, where she could drop all pretenses of being the polite, cooperative Negro.
Following the uncomfortable voting experience, Rick took Michonne back to Daryl's place to unwind. Although she did her best to hide it, he could tell she was upset, which meant he was upset. He needed to make her feel better. So, while his closest friend was off on a hunting trip, he took advantage of having the house to himself.
Rick licked his lips, peering at Michonne as she lay sprawled across the bed, her legs falling on either side of his face. He swallowed visibly at the sight of her pretty dark brown skin and slowly pushed her labia apart, revealing her succulent pink clit. Gingerly, he ran his tongue across it, causing her entire body to twitch. He gave another lick, before sucking her in. Hungrily, he savored her taste, a hint of pineapple present as he continued to devour her. For a moment, he wondered if there was truth in what they said about women's diets altering their natural flavor. She was so sweet…he couldn't get enough.
Michonne firmly grasped the sheets, slightly lifting her pelvis off the bed. The pleasure was almost unbearable, causing her to moan unabashedly as Rick's own humming reverberated against her body. "Rick…Rick," she passionately repeated.
He felt her tensing and eased up, hoping to keep her imminent orgasm at bay for just a little longer. She felt too good on his tongue, and he wanted to continue enjoying her intoxicating taste. Her moans, her sweetness, her scent, all of it making his head spin.
Michonne's breathing was labored as she sucked in her bottom lip, her teeth sinking into it while her toes curled, and her abdomen clenched. "Shit" she murmured, shutting her eyes tight.
Rick persisted in lapping up every drop of her essence, moaning at the delightful taste. His tongue swiped her protruding bud sideways, then slowly up and down, before dipping into her center. He pushed Michonne's legs back until her knees were practically touching her shoulders, opening her up so he could go deeper.
"Mmmm," he moaned, circling it around inside her. Backing off, he allowed his fingers to explore where his tongue had just been. Hooking his middle digit, he searched for her G spot while gifting her with wet kisses to her inner thighs. Before long, he found it, gently massaging.
"Oh my god" Michonne cried out, her hips involuntarily moving in tandem with the motion of his finger.
"Is that it, baby?" he asked, suddenly re-introducing his tongue. He licked between her cheeks, making obscene slurping sounds while he captured her dripping nectar.
Michonne released a strangled moan in response to the indescribable feeling of his tongue rimming her puckered hole, a feeling she'd never experienced before, "Yes…fuck…yes," she purred.
Her cum began to drip down her pussy lips and he wasted no time catching it and slurping up every drop. "You taste so good," he whispered in between licks.
At this point Michonne was a whimpering mess but he gave her no time to recover, quickly rising on his knees and sliding his rock-hard dick into her. The sensation was unreal, her body still sensitive from the orgasm he'd just given her.
"Ooh…Rick…please," she panted through the euphoria, frantically clawing at the sheets. She gripped them tight while he commenced a steady rhythm of deep, hard thrusts, his dick vibrating off her cervix each time he entered her.
With each thrust, Rick felt her trepidation melting away. With each moan and plea for mercy, he got more turned on that he could make her feel this good. "Let go…let go," he whispered, encouraging her to lay her troubles at his feet and give into the intense pleasure.
Michonne followed his cues, allowing the feeling to overtake her body and her mind. She had never taken drugs, but she was sure no substance-induced high could transcend this one. The way he made love was otherworldly. She was soaring to new heights, floating in a perpetual state of bliss. Without warning, another orgasm hit her, shooting through her in waves, starting at her center, then rippling over the rest of her body. "Mmm…baby," she murmured, fervently winding her hips as Rick continued to work her.
"Aaahhh, Aaahhh," Rick gasped, relentlessly drilling into her. The feel of her tight walls spasming around him was threatening to do him in.
A plethora of sounds invaded his head…the bed squeaking as he hurried his tempo, the headboard repeatedly slamming against the wall, Michonne calling his name. With his own impending release, he felt his stress from the earlier situation, completely disappear. The allure of the moment called for his full attention.
Michonne's wetness drenching him, and the drag of her slippery walls pulled him over the edge. With a guttural moan, he exploded, barely pulling out on time. "Shit," he huffed, gripping his dick as semen spurted out onto her womanhood.
Panting and sweaty, he laid beside her, staring into her pretty brown eyes. Michonne stared back, smiling contently.
"You okay?" Rick asked, wondering if he'd accomplished his mission. He knew sex couldn't fix everything, but he hoped their intimacy would assure her that he was committed to her, that he wanted to keep her safe and close to him.
"I'm good," she smiled weakly, running her fingers across his prominent jawline.
Nodding, he traced his fingers over the outlines of the faint stretch marks decorating her lower abdomen, admiring the badges of her motherhood. It was a thing of wonder to him, the fact that women could grow and nurture another human being inside of them, literally giving birth to new life. It took strength, courage, and selflessness. It was the greatest act of love anyone could commit. He knew for Michonne or any Black mother for that matter, it took faith to bring a child into a world full of hate and uncertainty, the impact of it affecting every aspect of their existence.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked, noticing his reflective gaze.
He gifted her belly with a couple of soft kisses. "How amazing you are."
She giggled, feeling disarmed by his unwavering doting. "I'm just an ordinary woman. I'm just me."
"Not so. You're extraordinary," he corrected her, kissing her damp forehead. "I know today was hard for you. I know all of this is hard for you. After everything you've been through, a lesser woman would have broken by now. And any other woman would want nothing to do with someone like me, but you're here and I can't fully express how much that means to me."
"Rick, I'm so grateful you came into my life, especially now. I'm happy you didn't give up when I tried to push you away. You've been my lifeline," she said sincerely. "I told you I don't care about the color of your skin or what you do for a living, I know your heart. That's enough for me."
"But it won't be enough for everyone," he retorted, heavily exhaling in disappointment that something so beautiful could be perceived in any other way.
Michonne rested her head on his chest, drawing circles around his navel with her finger. "I don't want to think about any of that right now. I just want to be here with you, at peace, if only for a little while."
"Anything you want," Rick agreed, running his fingers through her soft tresses. "I'll give you anything you want."
They both recognized how it felt to fall in love. They were familiar with the tenderness and the butterflies, the constant need to be near the object of your affection. This feeling overcame them as they laid beside one another, exposed in every way. Despite the inevitable protestations, it was a joyful feeling, a feeling of hope at what could be, and the happiness they could share. Before long, they both drifted into a deep slumber, a sense of calm pervading their minds as they slept.
Thanks for reading! More to come….
