The Stranger On The Roadside
A/N: Thank you for reviewing and I trust you're all keeping safe. In Canada, the second wave is well on its way. The US death toll is at 208,000 and counting but the idiot who allowed it to happen is currently receiving top medical care at the Walter Reed Hospital. Gotta love that. There was no indictment in the Breonna Taylor matter. Does this really surprise us? #BlackLivesMatter ALWAYS!
Some of you have asked for a description of the characters but bits and pieces have been given along the way. A detailed description occurs once they meet a particular character. That said, however, Malyk was inspired by Lawrence Saint-Victor and Charmaine was inspired by Amandla Stenberg (Both Malyk and Charmaine are naturally older than the RL people who inspired them). I trust you'll find this update enjoyable.
Six years earlier…
The scent of pizza permeated the room.
"Mm, mm, this is so good." Michonne moaned as she savoured the combination of spicy sausage and salty anchovies with onion and peppers on a zesty homemade tomato sauce.
Thin strands of the hot molten mozzarella stretched from her lips to the slice of pie in her hand. She used a long dainty digit to flip the cheese onto the slice of half-eaten pizza in an attempt to avoid soiling her white blouse.
Rick watched an animated Nikki as she bit into the slice of pizza. He smiled at the image before him and moistened his lip.
He watched as sheer bliss registered on her face as she enjoyed the slice of pizza and he wondered what she'd feel like writhing beneath him. His body temperature had slowly returned to normal with the help of his new sportswear, so much so, he felt a familiar stirring in his loins a direct result of watching her animated form and hearing her suggestive vocals. He couldn't deny his attraction for her. She was a beautiful woman and her rebellious nature intrigued him. But he reminded himself of their situation and shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of the fantasy manifesting there because theirs was a complication that neither of them needed.
Rick chuckled at the expressive look on her face.
"What?" Michonne asked innocently as she discreetly dabbed at her lips with the Kleenex she retrieved from her handbag.
"Are you always this animated when you eat?" He asked with a twinkle of mischief in his dark sapphire eyes and smirk on his face.
"It all depends on whether what I'm eating stimulates my taste buds," she retorted. "In the present case, it's been a while since I've had a slice of pizza and the Rhee's pies are the best in the county."
Michonne noticed his attire and was acutely aware of just how good he made the outfit look. Their eyes locked momentarily and his stare made her instantly hot. The way he looked at her caused her lower lips to contract. His eye colour changed yet again. His breathing slowed. It was as if a storm had suddenly rolled in. He moistened his lip and subconsciously she mimicked his actions.
Rick tried desperately to avert his penetrating gaze, but something about her commanded his unblinking gaze, whether it was her luscious lips, her sultry brown chocolate eyes or the slight strain of her top against her ample bosom or the contrast of the white silk against the rich mahogany colour of her skin he knew not. He was simply compelled to look at her.
Michonne felt her body grow warm under his gaze, her nipples hardened and strained against the soft silky fabric. She knew his look, it was universal. He had barely touched his pizza but there was a hunger in his eyes—just not for pizza.
Suddenly, it felt like the temperature in the room rose by several degrees. The room grew smaller. His fresh clean scent became more prevalent and a freight train was about to crash into town. Michonne knew the time had come to take her leave of the stranger.
A soft smile graced her lips as she slid down from the bed and slipped her dainty feet into her heels under his careful watchful eye. "It's late and I really should get going," she announced.
Her voice broke the spell which befell him. Suddenly, he too shoved his feet into his runners.
A puzzled look crossed her face.
"What? You don't think I'd let you walk to your car alone, do you?"
"I'm parked right outside your door."
"What kind of gentleman would I be if I were to let you walk outside in this neighbourhood alone at this hour?" He replied as he tied his laces.
Again, she gave him a look.
"What? I see thangs," he replied with a sexy smirk.
…
Moments later in the parking lot, Rick opened the car door for Michonne.
"Thank you for dinner," Michonne added.
Rick chuckled, "I wished it could have been something more elegant like the company."
"It was perfect, I love Rhee's pizzas."
He chuckled, "I know, you've ruined pizza for me."
The two fell silent for a spell and the feelings from inside the room resurfaced. Suddenly it was as if they were encased inside a bubble, where the outside world blurred. While they stood a respectable distance apart, it was as if the distance between them kept shrinking like magnets drawn to one another. Their eyes spoke a silent language categorizing every last detail of the other as their time together drew to a close.
Simultaneously they both moistened their lips and Michonne spoke. "There's no future in this for us."
"Listen, you have your life—I have mine; let's not complicate thangs anymore than they need to be."
"This isn't something I do."
"I know. Nikki wouldn't hesitate, she'd simply take what she wanted and moved on."
"So, you're saying my mama named me wrong?"
"I told you—I see thangs."
Michonne took two steps into his personal space and snaked her arm around his neck and brought his face to hers. Her full lips hovered slightly above his. She watched as the hunger returned to his eyes as her lips lightly grazed his. She felt his warm breath on her face as her fingers played in his still-damp curls. She ran her tongue sensuously across his soft lips and she kissed the side of his mouth. She then kissed and nibbled both sides of his mouth.
...
Everything about her drove him mad from the spicy fragrance she wore, the warmth of her body so close to his, her fingers playing in his hair and her teasing kisses. Driven by his desire for more, Rick's arms cupped her face and took control of their kiss. His lips crashed into hers and her mouth opened to allow his tongue. They moaned into each other's mouth as their tongues danced for dominance as their bodies moulded into one with his body pinning hers up against her vehicle.
…
Present-day,
"Hello?"
"Hey, Mom," Michonne greeted her mother, Toni Carter as she waited at the deli counter for her order.
"Hi, honey. Everything alright?" Toni asked knowing that her daughter and Malyk had hit a rough patch the night before.
"Yeah, we hashed it all out last night and Malyk wants to have a date night tonight."
"Well, it sounds like y'all finally put that boogie man away for good. It's really for the best because Malyk's a good man. He just needs to know that chapter of your lives' over and done with. You can't blame him."
"I know, Mom. Malyk really has nothing to worry about except for the fact we need a last-minute sitter."
"Bring my grandson to me, I'll watch him for you."
"Are you sure, Mom? I was gonna ask you for Hershel's daughter's number."
"Of course I'm sure. I love spending time with my grandbaby. The point of y'all being out here for the summer was so I get to see him more often. He's growing up so fast."
While his mom talked on the phone, RJ busied himself disappearing and reappearing with the things he liked and placed them in the shopping cart.
"RJ honey, sweetheart, put those back." Michonne reproached as she realized her shopping cart contained an assortment of crackers and cookies, jams and such. They were only supposed to pick up a few things for lunch.
"Mommeee," RJ pleaded only to receive a stern look from his mother who pointed at the cart and to the various shelves.
"While I'm at the store, Mom, is there anything you need?"
"You can pick up whatever cereal the little man likes to eat, just in case he doesn't want a full breakfast. You know he's a finicky eater. I imagine you and Malyk would like the night to yourselves and be able to sleep in without interruptions," Toni chuckled.
"Actually, he's being all secretive about it. He told me to buy something sexy and to pack a bag for the night. One minute, Mom."
Michonne took her order of cold cuts from the clerk and added, "Thank you."
RJ, honey, come on, let's grab some cereal," Michonne ordered taking her son by the hand.
"Can I get my favourite?" he asked with pleading eyes.
Michonne who felt guilty from her earlier reproach caved. She rationalized her decision by accepting it wasn't as if the cereal would be at their home where they would have to fight with him every morning to eat something healthy so it was a justified treat.
As they turned down the aisle, RJ wrenched his hand free and ran ahead stopping in front of the various rows of cereals.
"Are you there, sweetheart?"
"Sorry, Mom. I had to deal with RJ for a minute."
"If Malyk wanted you to shop for something to wear later, why in the hell didn't he take RJ with him?"
"He tried to, but RJ refused. He wanted to be with me because he already went swimming with his daddy this morning."
"So, equal time with his parents, eh?" He's so thoughtful not to make the other feel left out. I wonder how he's gonna feel once you both talk to him about his biological father?"
Michonne placed the jar of Canadian maple syrup in her cart but before she could open her mouth to respond to her mother her attention was torn away, when RJ cried out.
"Hey, It's mine. Let go! I touched it first."
"No. Mine!"
"Mom, I really have to go, there's a crisis in the cereal aisle."
"Okay, dear, come by after, I'll prepare lunch and we'll make the shopping an outing."
"Okay. Love you, Mom."
...
Michonne hustled to where her son was in an epic showdown with a girl a little younger than himself. The child was alone and she screeched at the top of her lungs. The last thing she needed was for them to call the damn sheriff and have him meet his son before they even prepared their child for the eventuality.
The little biracial girl with tight curly brown hair and her son were embroiled in an epic battle over the last box of "CAP'N CRUNCH' cereal.
"RJ, sweetheart, please let her have it."
"Teia?" a voice called from a distance.
"I chose it first, Mommy. It's mine."
"No. Mine. I'm going to tell my daddy you're not nice."
"Go ahead, my daddy is tall like a giant."
"My daddy's a policeman. He locks up bad people."
As Michonne crouched down to the children's level she heard the sound of a pronounced southern drawl, the voice called after Teia, so she presumed it was the little girl before her.
"Hey, sweetie, are you Teia? She asked in a soothing voice. The distraught little girl with tears streaming down her face turned away from her son and Michonne realized she was looking at Rick Grime's daughter and she was about to come face to face with his wife. Oh dear God, she thought and hoped that Rick had at least prepared the woman for what was about to happen.
"RJ. please, let her have it and mommy will take you to the Cremerie after lunch. I promise mommy will get you another box of cereal at the supermarket on the way to Nana's house."
"NO! Not fair. I chose it first."
"There you are, sweetie," came a worried voice from behind Michonne. "What's the matter, sunshine?"
Distracted by the new intrusion, the little girl took advantage of the situation and grabbed the box of cereal from RJ's arms and ran into her mother's arms.
"Mommy, she stole it from me,'' RJ screamed after the mean little girl.
...
The screaming commotion garnered a small crowd including the store manager, a short, petite older woman with a silver-haired pixie cut who looked both women up and down and at their respective child and smirked.
Michonne noticed the woman's smirk. She looked like the cat who just swallowed the canary. The nosy old bitty had no doubt deduced the identity of the children's father but what Michonne didn't understand, however, was why she kept looking from Rick's wife to her.
"Is everythang alright here?" she asked. "Charmaine, would you like me to call the sheriff for you?"
"No, Carol. I got this, thanks." Charmaine responded and waited for the crowd to dissipate.
...
Michonne stared at the petite build light-skinned woman who was a little shorter than her and younger. She had brown natural curls, light brown eyes, and heart-shaped lips which weren't quite as full as hers.
"I heard about you, just so you know, it meant nothing to him. And you showing up here with your son in tow, don't think this will change anything. Stay the hell away from my family and we'll get along famously."
The woman's behaviour took Michonne by surprise. She hadn't expected them to become BFF's but the woman was downright rude.
"I don't want your husband, but I can't deny him access to his son. He's already threatened me with legal action to get his paternal rights. So, from what I'm hearing, you seriously need to talk to your husband. This situation needn't get ugly, but if it does, trust me, honey, you won't win," Michonne stated definitively and took RJ by the hand and pushed her shopping cart away from the trouble she didn't need.
...
Later that evening...
Michonne's afternoon had gone from bad to worse. A day that was supposed to be relatively sunny with the occasional overcast periods turned some time after lunch. It had been raining for hours and Malyk had gotten tied up at the lawyer's office. They spent an hour on a teleconference hammering out some new wrinkles on a deal that originally needed signatures. As a result, they would no doubt be late for their reservation so they agreed he'd dressed in Atlanta. She'd Uber to the hotel and check-in and dress for their evening, but if he hadn't arrived by the time they should leave for dinner, she'd Uber to the restaurant and he'd meet her there.
About the only thing that made Michonne happy at the moment, she was confident that her little red dress would blow Malyk's mind.
At the appointed time, she called an Uber and arrived at Christian's with minutes to spare. She opened her umbrella and exited the vehicle, stepped up to the curb and entered the restaurant.
While she waited for the maître d' to return, the door behind her opened. Michonne turned hoping to see Malyk, but was surprised to find a familiar pair of blue sapphire eyes looking back at her.
Rick's mouth fell partially open at the sight of Michonne in a little red dress that clung to her body like a second skin. It hugged every curve and fell mid-thigh on toned mahogany thighs. Her breasts practically popped out at the opening which was held together by a fancy hook-like apparatus holding two pieces of fabric together. The dress was similar to the one his wife wore except Charmaine's had one long sleeve and a halter type top whereas Michonne's dress was sleeveless.
Rick's eyes travelled the length of her body and then back to her eyes as he subconsciously moistened his lip and spoke, "Nikita," his voice raspy with pure unadulterated lust. Hearing his own voice, he quickly cleared his throat and corrected himself, "Sorry, I meant, Mrs. Kennedy."
Michonne watched Rick's adam's apple bob up and down as his eyes scanned her body. It felt as though she was naked in his presence; it triggered a memory and she felt his hand on her throat as her name fell from his lips. Subconsciously, her hand went to her throat. "Ric—Sheriff?" she answered breathlessly.
But before either could say more, Malyk opened the door. His eyes took in his wife's presence and he was rendered speechless. He mimicked Rick's earlier reaction then he advanced towards Michonner, kissed her lips and whispered, "It's probably a good thing I didn't make it back in time. I have a feeling we'd be missing our reservation tonight."
Rick, who overheard what Malyk perceived to be something for his wife's ears, only, smiled. He understood the man's reaction because he had had a similar situation back at his house when Charmaine walked down the stairs in her dress and he promptly took her bent over the dinner table, hence the reason why they were late for their reservation.
Michonne keenly aware, they weren't alone, steered the conversation away from her dress and her husband's reaction to it, "Honey, look it's the sheriff. Sheriff Grimes, this is my husband Malyk Kennedy."
Rick found himself looking up to Malyk who stood about six foot two, a hundred and seventy-five pounds with an athletic build and wore his hair cropped extremely short in tiny waves. He had a triangular face with a long wide nose and dark eyes.
Malyk extended his hand to Rick and they shook hands. "Sheriff, where's your better half? Why don't the two of you join us."
"Thank you, but perhaps another time," Rick politely answered, not wanting to witness Michonne eat in front of his wife and her husband. The thought of having to sit across the table from her in that dress with his wife next to him, he knew he'd never hear the end of it.
Michonne groaned inwardly, what were the damn chances that they'd both end up at the same restaurant? She tried telepathically to tell Malyk to let it go but they weren't connected that way. "Honey, we could invite the Grimes for lunch after they've had a chance to absorb the news of the past twenty-four hours."
'Foolishness, we're already family. I insist, Sheriff, join us. What better way of laying the past to rest?" Malyk added with an optimism shared by neither Rick nor Michonne.
But before further objections could be raised, they heard, "Sheriff, Mrs. Grimes has been seated, I can show you to your table now."
And before Rick could utter a word, Malyk answered, "Milton, is it? The sheriff and his lovely wife will be our guests tonight. We're the Kennedy's."
Malyk took Michonne's hand and followed Milton to their table effectively forcing Rick to walk behind them.
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