Michonne woke up early in the morning. The sun was just beginning to make itself known, and the night chill was still in the air. She and Rick were curled up under a thin blanket in their tent, but half his body was thrown lazily across hers, keeping her warm. His forehead was resting against her cheek, and his chin was propped up on her chest.
She took the opportunity to watch him as he slept, something that she did from time to time. Over the years he'd gained more scars, his hair had gone gray, and the wrinkles under his eyes, on his brow, and frown lines near his mouth had become more pronounced, but he'd never lost his handsomeness. She was attracted to him every time she saw him, and she felt blessed to wake up next to him every day.
The conversation she'd had with Andre had left her in a better place than she'd been in years. She had learned so many things by talking to him, and she had finally put to rest any conflict she'd had with Mike and Terry. But still, she'd woken up with so many things on her mind that she knew she'd never get back to sleep.
Michonne decided to take a walk. When she had much on her mind, exercise always helped her get her thoughts in order. She leaned forward and gently kissed Rick on the forehead before untangling his limbs from her own and rolling out from under the covers.
She got dressed and climbed out of her tent. Carl was on watch, perched on top of the family's wagon and he gave her a wave.
"Going for a walk?" Carl asked, already aware of his mom's habit to exercise when she wanted to think.
"Yea, I'll be back soon" Michonne said.
"Want company?" Carl asked.
Michonne smiled but shook her head. "That's alright. Besides, we need you on watch."
Carl gave Michonne a nod and she pulled her long sleeved button up shirt around herself before turning and walking off. Washington Caverns was still dark in the wooded areas, but in the clearings the sky was a dark blue on one side, and a faint orange on another, heralding the imminent arrival of the approaching sun. Michonne crunched through the grass, the morning dew wetting her boots.
She made her way through the quiet community, walking past the fields and outdoor tents where many of the residents lived, passing the entrance to the caverns, and then the gift shop where she paused for a moment just to watch. Inside, her son, daughter in law, and grand daughter were probably sleeping. She smiled and gave a nod of her head before continuing onward down the road.
She passed a row of small shacks before coming across a clearing in the trees. Here, on the far side of the community, lay a graveyard. She had never noticed it before and she curiously approached the graves that were marked with wooden markers, names and epitaphs engraved on them.
There were around thirty graves in the cemetery, and Michonne strolled past them, casually taking note of the names and epitaphs until a cluster of graves positioned off to the side caught her attention.
She walked over to the grouping and read the first grave marker.
Damarion Jones
Father, husband, leader. Always in our hearts.
The next one read:
Sakura Jones
Mother, wife, leader. We will always miss you.
And another headstone nearby read:
Carmen Jones
Taken away from us too soon. Sleep well our angel.
Once Michonne read the last one she knew for sure. This was Double A's family, his father, mother, and sister.
Overcome with emotions for these people she'd never met, Michonne paused in a moment of silence. When she was done, she looked around the cemetery for anything to put on the graves and found a patch of dandelions. They weren't the prettiest of flowers, but they were all she could find, and she laid two on top of each of the graves.
"Thank you" she said softly. "For raising him. For taking care of him when I couldn't. For making him a man that I could be proud of. For giving him a family. I can't thank you enough for your compassion."
Michonne nodded at the still graves and slowly turned around when she noticed Double A staring at her from the road. She was startled and jumped.
"What- what are you doing here!?" Michonne asked in a high pitched voice.
"I was going for a morning walk" Double A said, slowly walking towards her. "I do that sometimes, to clear my head. Usually I come over here and spend some time with them, y'know?" He asked, motioning towards the graves. He then noticed the dandelions she'd laid there.
"What are you doing here?"
"Same" she replied with a small smile. "It's nice to see we have some things in common. I used to take you for a walk every morning in your stroller before work. You loved it. It calmed you down for the rest of the day."
Double A gave Michonne a smile. "I must remember some of that, morning walks are my favorite."
Michonne gazed into her son's eyes and smiled back.
"I was walking and I noticed the graves, and I realized who they were, so I wanted to thank them" Michonne explained.
Double A's smile grew bigger and he glanced at the grave markers again.
"Thanks for that, Michonne" he said. "I'm sure they would've liked you."
Michonne nodded and took a step back. "I didn't mean to intrude. I'll let you spend some time with them. See you later Andr...Double A" Michonne said, catching herself mid-name and slowly backing away. She turned and then strolled towards the road.
"Michonne?" Double A asked.
She spun back around.
"It's okay if you call me Andre" he said.
She gave him a radiant smile and tried to control the tears that were fighting their way out of her eyes.
She nodded at him again, tilted her head, and said "I'll see you later Andre."
He smiled at her and turned back to the graves as she continued down the road with a pep in her step and a smile on her face.
***can08writer***
Two weeks had passed since Andre and Michonne had begun to bond as mother and son. They were taking things slowly, step by step, but they were trying to reconnect the bond that they'd once had. The Grimes family had had a few more dinners over at the Jones' house, each one less awkward than the next, and Rick and Michonne also invited Andre's family to their campsite for dinner as well, although it wasn't quite as comfortable as the house.
Andre also stopped collecting cattle from the Grimes' as payment for their stay, seeing as though they were family now, although Rick insisted on giving payment in terms of working beside Andre, Kaleb, Carl, Collin, and Akisho in the fields.
Michonne joined the community watch patrols, and Judith volunteered her time babysitting for parents that needed a break or were working.
Kaleb was impressing everyone with his leadership abilities in the fields. He took it upon himself to teach those in Washington Caverns how to vertically farm, and Rick could see for himself why Andre was so impressed with the boy. Rick and Carl were both proud to work beside Kaleb.
Tabitha was going out hunting with Rick, Collin, and the hunting dogs every few days to try to find game to smoke and store for the journey back to Alexandria. It had been so long without rain now that the pickings were slim, but they did manage to hunt down a raccoon and an opossum. Tabitha had the dogs surround the prey using the commands Tony had taught her, while Collin made the killing shot.
Judith, whose pregnancy was now beginning to show, and Gabrielle were also becoming good friends as they were around the same age and both had young children.
It made Michonne feel good knowing that her family seemed to be happy here, but she couldn't help but notice the change in Akisho. She was keeping to herself much more, barely talking, or going off to be alone. Michonne could tell the relationship between she and Kaleb was becoming strained, and it was amplified by the fact that they couldn't really spend time apart from each other in the current situation. Like many teenage relationships, she figured they would work it out on their own, or they wouldn't.
Almost a month after the family arrived at Washington Caverns, the skies began to gray, and the temperature dropped. The townspeople started a lottery to determine when it would rain, down to the hour. All the adults put something into the lottery, and the winner would take it all. It was mostly food items like potatoes, and celery, the occasional weapon, or necessity item like socks or hats.
The atmosphere in Washington Caverns was electric as the wait began. It was almost a holiday atmosphere as kids ran around pointing at the sky, and adults relaxed outside, talking to their neighbors about the lottery.
Since everyone was outside already, Andre and many others began piling wood up in the middle of town to create a large bonfire. They lit it and everyone gathered in the middle of town to watch the fire, socialize, and have fun.
At 7:45 PM, according to Rick's watch which was the only wrist watch that was still actually working, the rain came. It started off as a drizzle which had the children excitedly screaming and chasing each other around, and escalated into a steady downpour.
As the puddles and mud started to form in the grass, the children began dancing and kicking at the mud puddles. The adults who were just as happy as the children and not even trying to hide it, also chased each other around the mud, until it turned into a full out mud party.
Judith and Michonne laughed hysterically as Rick, Carl, Kaleb, and Collin took their shirts off and went sliding through the mud on their stomachs. Michonne was shocked that Rick still had it in him to roll around with the boys, and she knew he'd be hurting tomorrow, but even he wanted in on the fun. Rick picked up Collin and playfully threw him into a puddle as the boy screamed and laughed at his grandfather. Collin then picked up a wad of mud and threw it at Kaleb, who responded with another wad of mud, and a mudball fight began.
Judith, seeing how her daughters wanted to get in the mud too, helped them take off their outer clothes which they didn't have many changes of, and they dove into the mud in their underwear.
"C'mon mommy, c'mon grandma! It's fun!" Selena called as she kicked a puddle, splashing the brown water all over her white undershirt.
"It's okay sweetheart, go play with the other children" Judith told her, and not looking back, she grabbed Tabitha's hand and the two of them ran off to join a game of tag in the rain.
Judith and Michonne stood together and smiled as the boys wrestled in the mud, and the girls chased each other in the rain.
"We made it" Judith said, with a smile and a shake of her head. "I can't believe we made it. You all were right from the beginning, about us leaving. About there being no other way. I'm so glad you and dad and Tony dragged me out here. I probably wouldn't be alive if you hadn't."
"I told you I would help you get through this. I told you you'd survive. You're a Grimes, and that's what we do. We don't give up" Michonne responded.
"You think dad is going to let Kaleb stay here?" Judith asked. Michonne's eyes found Kaleb who was grinning from ear to ear, covered in mud and soaking wet. He was the happiest she'd seen him in months. Kaleb called Akisho over to him, and she carefully walked through the mud puddles to join him. He gave her a muddy wet hug and she shrieked and laughed as she tried to get out of his arms.
"I think your dad will want Kaleb to do what is best for him" Michonne said softly. Her eyes then found Andre, who was laughing with Gabrielle and Monique, who were hiding under a large umbrella so they could watch the festivities while staying dry. "That's what every parent wants for their children."
***can08writer***
Two hours later, the rain celebration party was over, but the rain was still coming down in buckets. It was soon very clear that sleeping outside in tents was not going to cut it tonight. The ground was saturated with water that seeped into the bottoms of the tents. Everyone who usually slept in temporary shelter gathered their belongings and brought them into the caves where it was dry.
It was the Grimes' first time entering the actual caverns, and the children looked around nervously at the huge opening in the rocks. Many of the townspeople of WC filed into the cave which was large enough for them all to set up their tents comfortably.
Candles were placed every few feet inside the dark cave, giving it a soft otherworldly glow. It was quite beautiful as the shadows danced off the stalactites and stalagmites.
"Dad, can Akisho and I go look around the cave?" Kaleb asked Rick.
"I don't know if it's safe in here Kaleb" Rick said, glancing around at the dark, expansive cavern. "Ask Andre, he knows if you should be walking around in here."
Kaleb walked over to Andre, with Akisho following behind.
"Hey Andre, Akisho and I wanna see the caves, is that okay?"
Andre looked down at his brother. "Yea little man, just follow the lit path straight ahead, it'll take you down to the underground river where we get our water. Just be careful, the path is a little treacherous and dark. Watch out for your lady" Andre said, smiling at Akisho.
"I don't need him to…" Akisho started.
"Watch out for me" Andre and Kaleb both finished her sentence. It was an ongoing joke between the three of them. Andre would constantly tell Kaleb to watch out for his lady and Akisho would state how much she didn't need anyone to watch her.
"Just make sure you stay where the candles are, the cave is really big back there and there a few different paths, don't get lost."
"Yea, thanks. Let's go Akisho" Kaleb said, and he and Akisho turned and walked down the path that led deeper into the cave.
Silently, the two of them followed the candles down the dimly lit trail. In some spots the cave was wide and open, but in some parts of the trail it was so narrow Kaleb and Akisho had to squeeze together or duck their heads to get through.
"It's amazing in here" Kaleb said, running his hands across the stone walls as he walked. His voice echoed throughout the vaulted ceiling of the cave.
Akisho didn't talk, but she nodded her head distractedly.
"You okay?" Kaleb asked.
Akisho shrugged and continued to walk down the passageway, but after she got a few feet ahead, she stopped and sucked in a breath.
"What is it?" Kaleb asked.
"Look" she said in wonder, pointing ahead of her. Kaleb followed her into a wide cavern and froze right next to her. Straight ahead of them was a larger open cavern, and right in the middle of it was a slowly moving river about 30 feet across. Although they couldn't see much because they were depending on the light of a few candles that barely lit up the large chamber, Kaleb could tell the river traveled much further into the cave. It must've been there for millenia, as it had slowly carved a pathway through the rock. In some places, the rainfall from above dripped through the rock layers and down the stalactites, making a soft tinkling sound that was a soundtrack to the majesty of the cavern.
"It's beautiful" Akisho said. "I've never seen anything like this before."
Kaleb walked up to the river's edge and placed his hand in the cool running water when he spotted a small rowboat tied up on the shore. He turned towards Akisho with a smile.
"Wanna go for a ride?"
***can08writer***
After a few minor accidents between the boat and the cave wall, the teens managed to row the boat a small way down the river, giggling and joking the whole way. They didn't go far because they had to stay near the dim light of the candles. The rest of the cavern was pitch black.
"I think we're boating pretty well" Kaleb said, once they got a safe distance away from the stone walls. "But if I crash up my brother's boat I think he'll kill me."
The smile slowly faded from Akisho's lips, and she looked into the deep black water.
"Are you mad at me?" Kaleb asked, completely confused by Akisho's change in mood.
Akisho said nothing, crossing her arms and staring into the darkness of the cave. Kaleb angled his body towards hers and put his hand on her thigh to get her attention.
"Akisho. Look at me."
Akisho blinked rapidly and turned her head towards Kaleb, but she suddenly let out a sob and moved her hands to her face, hiding her face from him.
Kaleb reached out an arm and wrapped it around Akisho's shoulder, pulling her towards him. She didn't resist, and rested her head on Kaleb's shoulder as she sniffled and cried.
"What is it?" Kaleb asked, using his other arm to gently stroke Akisho's thigh, as her sobs shook both of their bodies.
"I'm sorry" she said softly through her sniffles.
"No. I am" Kaleb said.
"Why?" Akisho asked. "You didn't do anything wrong. I… I know I've been acting… I haven't been the best girlfriend lately."
"I haven't either. I haven't been there for you."
"I've been trying to hide it, I've been trying to act okay, but I'm scared. I'm scared of finding out my dad is dead. That I wasn't there for him, and he died and he never got to know that I made it. And now that it's rained, it means we're going back soon, and I'm gonna know for sure. And… and you're happy here. You've found another brother here, a job, a future… and I feel like I've lost everything. My town, and my family are all probably dead. Everyone that I've ever known except for you."
Akisho wiped her nose with her sleeve. "And I'm happy for you but I just wish… I wish I were happy too. You seem to have something going for you, a whole future planned out, and I don't know who I am and what I'm going to do in the next few days, forget the next few months or years. I feel so selfish being angry about that, but I am."
Kaleb took a few seconds to process Akisho's words. For the first time in weeks she was opening up to him about how she felt, and the fact that she was so lost broke his heart, but he didn't know what to say, or how to comfort her.
"I'm sorry Akisho" Kaleb said gently, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. "I don't really know what to say but, I'm here. When we get back to Alexandria we'll figure it out, okay? We'll see what's going on and we'll deal with everything. I don't want you to worry about that now. We can just be happy that it rained today, and we had fun playing in the mud, and we're on a boat in the middle of a cave. Like, today was awesome. We're just barely adults, we don't have to have it all figured out. We'll just take it as it comes."
Akisho leaned over and wrapped her arms around Kaleb's neck, pressing him to her. "Th- thank you."
Kaleb didn't know what he did to warrant Akisho's thanks, but he accepted her hug gratefully.
"I'll always be here for you. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you for the past few weeks, I was so caught up in me, but I want you to know you're not alone."
"Neither are you" Akisho responded, kissing Kaleb on the cheek.
"Okay, let's go dock the boat before we sink it or something, and change out of these wet clothes before we get sick" Kaleb suggested.
"Okay old man. You sure you're barely an adult?" Akisho joked.
***can08writer***
It rained for two days straight, drenching the water starved soil. The ground was unable to absorb so much water at once, causing flooding. Nothing was dry, and it was pretty miserable living in the cave, but there was good news. Carl had won the rain lottery, and received boxes of goods from the townspeople. It was just enough food and supplies for the family's trip to Alexandria as well as a return trip if necessary. Without the lottery win they'd have to wait a few more weeks to finish replenishing their food stores. When it stopped raining, Rick began packing for the trip home which they had planned for three days later.
He was loading boxes into the back of the wagon when Michonne approached him.
"Hey handsome" Michonne said.
Rick turned around to look at his smirking wife. "Hey gorgeous" he responded. "What're you up to?".
"Uh, Rick... I need to talk to you" Michonne said, getting a little more serious.
"What is it?" Rick asked, climbing down from the wagon and standing in front of her.
"I've been thinking a lot, about the trip back, and Alexandria, and Andre. And…"
"You want to stay" Rick stated, finishing Michonne's sentence.
Michonne mouth hung open, in shock that he took the words out of her mouth.
"How did you…"
"You're my wife, Michonne. I know you. I know how you think. I know that you want to stay here longer with Andre. Why wouldn't you?"
"It's not just that, although Andre is a big part of the reason why I want to stay. But what are we going back to? After all that we did for Alexandria, after all that you did, after everything you sacrificed, they didn't even come out of their houses to say goodbye. They didn't even care that we left. All of our real family is gone. We're all we've got, and we can find a new home here."
"I have to bring Akisho back home. She deserves to know what happened to her dad. And I need to know what happened to Alexandria, just for some closure. If you want to stay here with Judith and the girls it's okay. After we make sure Akisho is safe I'll come back here."
"You... you don't mind? Not living in Alexandria anymore? Leaving our home for good?"
"You're my home. You always have been and you always will be. It doesn't matter what building we're in. It doesn't matter where we are. We should stay together as a family. Kaleb wants to stay, Judith wants to stay, you want to stay. I'm sure Carl will agree too. We can all have a life here. I see that now."
Michonne smiled and leaned into Rick for a kiss.
"Love you" she whispered in his ear, "I'll show you how much tonight."
Rick growled and grabbed a handful of Michonne's behind, his favorite place to hold her. "Why wait?" he asked.
"Because you've forgotten we're old, and having sex in the woods is going to result in you getting cramps in your legs and my knees being sore for a week. I thought you've already learned your lesson from last time?"
Rick leaned in again and kissed Michonne again, drinking her in and roughly biting her lip. "I never learn."
"I see" Michonne said with a wink, and strolled away, leaving Rick to stare at her make her exit.
***can08writer***
Three days later, Rick, Carl, Collin who begged Carl to come, Kaleb, Akisho, and a few residents of Washington Cavern's watch patrol who volunteered to come along, set off for Alexandria. All of Washington Cavern's residents came out to wish them a safe journey.
Andre hugged Kaleb goodbye, and shook Rick and Carl's hands.
"Watch out for your lady" Andre called to Kaleb.
"I will" Kaleb called back.
"I don't need him to watch out for me!" Akisho yelled with a laugh.
"Take care of our little brother" Andre said to Carl.
"Yea, just remember he was mine first" Carl said playfully.
Michonne, Judith, and Judith's daughters were worried, watching part of their family go on a difficult journey that they barely survived the first time, but Michonne reassured them all.
"They'll come back. They're Grimes'" she said confidently. She, Judith, and Andre saw them off, following behind the caravan of horses and wagons for a few miles, until they waved goodbye to the group and headed back to the Caverns.