Hi, y'all! I can't tell you how thankful I am for all your reviews, for staying with me, and this story after all this time. It took me a while to get that previous chapter. I really would like to thank you and reply to each personally but it would be a long intro so: thank you for taking the time to read and review, I appreciate it very much, for your insights, ideas, and love. Always grateful.

Yes, the idea for this comes from Beyonce's song in 'Lemonade' album. That was a hell of an album. Never thought I would use a song to write but here it is. And disclaimer: I own nothing, the song or The Walking Dead :)

Here's the next chapter. Enjoy! -A.


Sandcastles

We built sandcastles that washed away

I made you cry when I walked away

Michonne had been blankly staring at her phone for the past twenty minutes. She thought the air coming from the balcony at Sasha's place was going to help her feel better, at least to blow away the heaviness in her heart.

Everything changed the moment she walked out of that room in San Diego. She asked him for a break to cool things down, to rethink everything, and to give time for his divorce to be final. She needed the space, it was getting too heavy. Never thought much of it but Rick respected her wishes to the T. So much that it hurt. She didn't see Lori all up on him again or even acting as a wife much, but he didn't approach Michonne either. She knew he was probably hurt and so was she.

It is better this way was the mantra she repeated over and over again until the convention was over.

The awkwardness was felt in the air; they were still being them but the change was noticeable, especially when the panel was over and Rick headed out with a slight goodbye and not stopping to make small talk, as he usually did. Sasha and Daryl exchanged looks but didn't think much of it. Later, Sasha noticed Rick was not with all of them eating at the restaurant even though Carl, Lori, and Judith were there. She had enough and pulled Michonne apart to ask what the hell was going on but Michonne acted dumb and said she had no idea. Eventually, she spilled the beans to her friend and that's why she was at her place. Everything changed. Maybe it was her fault, maybe she should have…

She took a shuddering sigh and grabbed her tea noticing it was cold. Again. She felt someone opening the glass door and looked up to find Sasha who went to sit in the chair next to her.

"I bet your tea is cold again." Her friend just nodded. "You've been here for almost an hour, Michonne. I know how much you like this view but that is not what this is about."

Silence.

"Have you called him?" She shook her head. "Has he called you?"

"No", she breathed. "After what I said if I were him I wouldn't call me either".

"Don't be so hard on yourself, girl. You did what you felt you had to do."

"I know that, and I expected it to be weird and that I would feel some type of way, some… I don't know Sash, I certainly didn't expect to feel this void, not… this. Not rejected."

"Is that what you are thinking, that he's rejecting you?"

"Maybe he finally realized that this was never gonna work, that I'm not worth the sacrifice of being away from his children…" She had come up with lots of ideas. "Maybe he is trying to fix things with his wife, but... he sounded so sincere. I felt it. He was not lying but then, all this silence… I was no better either if I'm totally honest. I said I'd wait for him to get everything right and then I just bailed…"

Every promise don't work out that way

"Ok. Let me stop you right there before you drown yourself in this gigantic pool of self-pity I see you have created in your head. This is Rick we are talking about here, ok? He might not be perfect, you know how much I hate perfect men…"

"Sash…"

"I know, sorry. Off-topic. But you are perfect together, Michonne. Even when you were 'not together'," she inserted air quotes. "What I mean is that deep down we both know that he would never come to you with empty promises. Rick is a man of his word. I'm an outsider, girl, and I could always see how much he adores you. He likes the woman you are, Michonne, and the professional, the playwright, the human, the friend. Why do you think I was telling you about him all the time? It was not just in my head. It was there in plain sight. He didn't act happily married too much if you ask me."

"Yeah, but Lori…"

"Ohh, fuck that bitch! She is fighting the inevitable and she is losing and those were her last freaking efforts to hold onto a dying marriage. Also, I don't know why the stupid production asked them to keep up appearances. Fuck that too. I don't even know why you are thinking too much about her."

"I just can't help it, Sash. She is his wife. They have been together for a long time… You were not there, with them, looking at her being all over him, calling him 'baby' and... then there was Mike too, trying to accomplish I don't know what, bringing up our …", she couldn't even finish the sentence and rubbed her temples.

"That walking ballsack!", said Sasha and rested her body in the back of her chair exasperated. She knew Mike was going to cause problems the minute she saw him. She hated that Michonne doubted Rick's intentions and feelings for her. She hated seeing her like this. After a few minutes, she moved closer to Michonne. "Listen, maybe he is just respecting your wishes. That's what the Rick I know would do."

"Yes, but at least a message to say hi would be fine, I mean, we are friends after all."

"Girl, I'm gonna slap you one of these days."

"What... why?", she asked, frowning and thinking her friend was losing it with this change in the conversation.

"Because you are crazy and you want to drive me crazy. You tell him you need time and then you want him to call you. The man is in love with you! He is trying to do the right thing here. Give him a break. He is getting a fucking divorce and moving out and shit!"

Oh boy…

"Moving out?", Michonne asked surprised. Sasha gulped.

Fuck. Daryl is going to kill me.

"Hmmm?", something was definitely under her nails all of the sudden.

"Sasha, don't. You said Rick was moving out."

"Did I?" fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck

"Sasha…", Michonne warned her in a tone to stop playing with her.

Sasha just looked at her for a few beats but Michonne didn't blink. She heard her perfectly well and she knew Michonne was now waiting for an explanation to her slip.

"Damn it! Ok, yes, but I didn't mean to tell you. You were not supposed to know. Daryl is gonna be so pissed."

"Daryl is gonna… what is going on? You both knew he was moving out and didn't tell me? Sasha!"

"I told him you had to know! But he is right, we shouldn't get involved, and it took everything I had not to tell you, trust me. Everything!," she got even closer in a conspiratorial tone now. "But yes, Rick moved out of the family house as soon as they went back. He is staying at a hotel nearby to be close to the kids but he already decided on a place. He is moving in this weekend."

"Snitches get stitches, Sasha", said Daryl from the opened glass door looking at them.

"Shit! You scared me. I didn't mean to tell her, babe. It just slipped." Daryl gave her a look. He knew she didn't hold too much either.

"You've been wanting to tell her the entire weekend she's been here."

"Wait, waait!", the entire weekend? "Since when do you know this, Daryl?"

"Does it matter? But like loose lips said here," and he pointed at his girlfriend and she rolled her eyes. "He is moving to his new place this weekend."

"Why didn't he tell me?", Michonne asked. "It's not like I told him not to speak to me anymore."

"Have you thought it is hard for him to do it in the place you guys are now?", Daryl asked. "I know Rick, he is doing what he knows needs to be done. It doesn't mean he is not thinking about you."

"Then why not a phone call? Not even a text?"

"That works both ways, Chonne. You wanted time, he is giving you that. If you want to talk, pick the phone and call him. Easy."

"See?", Sasha said hopefully."

"I'm not the one who is married," she added as another excuse.

"Jesus Christ, Michonne!", Sasha was irritated now. "He is not calling, alright? You asked for that, now if you don't want this to get worse when you go back to the set next week, you need to do something. Sitting here wallowing in self-pity and brooding is not helping!"

"I'm not… wallowing."

"Yes, yes you are! And it's driving me nuts because I hate this Michonne in front of me", Sasha said with a sad smile. "I hate that you doubt what is happening between you and Rick, that you are doubting what you feel for each other."

And your heart is broken 'cause I walked away

"Babe…"

"No, Daryl. Let me. I need to let this out." She had been restraining herself the whole weekend Michonne spent with them, holding her tongue, but as Michonne was not that person she was not also the kind of friend to hold her opinions only to look good. "I have no idea what you are going through now, what you are feeling but I'm going to say this... you lost a child and here you are. You've been to hell and you came back. This… this is nothing. Don't let anyone ruin what your life can be. You deserve this happiness, my friend. Mike was not the guy for you, I always told you that. But Rick… he maybe is." Michonne was looking at her with teary brown eyes. Daryl held his breath but he agreed with his girlfriend, this whole thing seemed too dramatic and unnecessary. "So, please, do me a favor and stop over fucking thinking this."

Michonne had to smile because Sasha, as always, saw right through her. She nodded slowly looking at them both.

"Ok, I'll do my best to stop... wallowing as you say."

"You know I ain't lying. You looked like a damn teenager and it was making me sick already. Put on your big girls pants and get to work. Let me get you some more tea now before I get more riled up.

She moved out of the balcony and went inside with her friend's mug.

Michonne remained sitting there and could feel Daryl's presence. The man was quiet, not at all the opinionated self he usually was when he thought she was screwing things up.

"You're awfully quiet. Does it mean you're picking sides already?", she asked playfully. He grunted in response.

"You know damn well I ain't picking sides, but I warned him that I'll beat his freckled pale ass if he dared to hurt you." She only looked at him, thankfully and in awe. Daryl had always been such a good friend to her. "Maybe he is just afraid I'll ride my bike into his pretty face if he calls you when you already ask him for space".

Michonne snickered. Daryl and his comments. He made them so quiet, that turned them into horrible premonitions of hurt and pain, but only if you didn't know the true nature of his big warming heart.

"I'll take care of it. You guys are right. It was a disaster."

"It was the right choice, Chonne. I know Rick is not having the greatest time either but… he told me that he was going to respect your wish."

"So, he is moving…"

"He is. He shoulda done it since the beginning, I don't know why the hell he wanted to keep living with her."

"Not just her, the kids were there."

"I don't want to sound cruel but it was bound to happen anyway. Carl is so much smarter than everyone gives him credit for, and Judith is still a baby. Rip off the fuckin' bandaid."

"He had his reasons, I guess."

"Yeah, but he ended up moving his ass out anyways, so his reasons were not so valid anymore…"

"Don't tell me you told me so, Daryl. I know you did."

"I wasn't gonna."

"Good, I'm going to do what I need to do. We have to fly back in a few days and I need to do a lot of things before that, starting with visiting my mom again or she'll disown me." She stood up and took his hands. "Thank you, for being the kind man and amazing friend you are. Also for welcoming here."

"Who are you thanking, girl?" Sasha was back with a mug of tea and offered it to her. "This is my house. He is just the boyfriend. I was your friend first, please."

"Here she comes acting all jealous and territorial," said Daryl, smiling and he pulled her close to him by her waist.

"I love you too, Sash. Love you both and I'm so blessed for having you in my life."

Every promise don't work out that way

And although I promised that I couldn't stay

Every promise don't work out that way


Carl was waiting outside the door when Rick pulled up on the curb. He took one last look at his phone. No new messages. Just a few more days and they would go back to the set. He got out of the car and walked to his son. Carl stood up as soon as he saw him and went to hug him. Rick ruffled his head and gave him a big welcoming hug. He had missed being near his children.

The whole moving out was a debacle and he just picked up his things the minute they came back from San Diego and went to a hotel. Yeah, Lori made a whole scene, Carl was so sad to see him go that broke his heart, and Judith… she knew something was going on; she only wanted her daddy to pick her up and stop walking around the house collecting things. She would cry at the mood set in the house. Carl was holding her, while Lori stood there glaring at him, judging once more. He didn't care. His son understood he had to do this, that was all that mattered. It broke his heart for his children but there was no going back. Being in the house for what he initially thought to be his children's sake was not good for him anymore, them, or the future he wanted with Michonne.

"Hi, Dad."

"Hey, son. How are you doing?"

"I'm good. How are you?"

"I'm good, just busy."

"You haven't found anything yet?"

"Actually, yes. Mark showed me a couple of places this week and I already thought about one, but I came over to see if you're up to check it out with me before signing anything." Carl's face brightened at the suggestion. He had agreed with some of his friends to go to the movies but he happily switched his plans if it meant spending time with his dad.

"Sure! Now?"

"Yes, I have to tell your mom, though. You don't have other plans or anything? I don't want to keep you from..."

"Dad, come on. Really? A day house hunting with you beats any other plan." Rick smiled proudly.

"It won't be house hunting really"

"Whatever… if you want… I'll let mom know, so you don't have to come inside or… If you want, I can do that", he said timidly.

"It's fine, Carl. Just tell her I'm here to pick you up." The teenager went inside and did as told. He was expecting his mom to make a fuss again about something so trivial, but apparently, she was getting tired of all the drama. She peeked outside with Judith asleep on her shoulder for Rick to see her and just told him to make sure to bring Carl back at a decent hour.

Carl loved the new place, the location-it was near their house- and the spacious rooms. It had an open design on the first floor; three bedrooms upstairs because Rick made sure to pick one with great rooms for Carl and Judith. He was not sure how long they would stay with him after the divorce was final but he was sure to have them every time he was there. Being away was already his weak point in this divorce. Surprisingly, Lori made no objections when the talk came to the time the kids would spend with each parent. She would take care of them and would share them with Rick when he was in the city. One less thing to worry about.

"Dad, I like it", his son stated. "When are you moving?"

"Tomorrow?"

"That fast? Can I help?"

"I guess, but there's not much to move anyway, I have to buy most things."

"Are you gonna let me decorate my room?", Carl was so excited about it he couldn't even hide it.

"Sure, but after I came back from the set. I'll just move in some essentials, remember I have to travel in a few days."

"Yes, I know." He watched through the window and remained quiet for a few minutes. Rick knew he was thinking about the divorce and all the changes. He would tend to do that and then came back as if he were daydreaming. "Dad, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"I know they said I should stay with Mom and I understand why, your job means you are not always in town but… can't it be the other way around? Can I be with you and… when you leave, then I stay with Mom?"

"Carl… we talked about this. It's not that I don't want you both. For practical reasons, you should stay with your mother. Right now I don't even have a proper place for y'all to live with me." He just nodded at his father's words. "I love you, son. You and Judith… there's nothing I wouldn't do for you two. We can work on that in the future but right now, it has to be that way. I know you are not happy with mom but… she's your mom and she loves you as much as I do. Just try to be better with her, ok?"

"Yeah, it's just… I don't want to feel like a monster for having these thoughts about her…", he said embarrassed. "She is trying. I know that, but I still want to be where you are."

"I want you to be where I am too. Let's just focus on one thing at a time, right? Take care of your sister, she needs you, and even if you think otherwise, your mom needs you too."

"I heard her crying the other night ", he said absentmindedly looking outside the window. "She didn't know, but I heard her and I felt so bad. I love her, Dad, but it's just her behavior sometimes that bothers me. I don't want to be a rebel teenager but I won't just blindly follow and believe everything she says for the only reason that she is my mom."

"I know. I wouldn't ask you to do that but remember always to be respectful. I am proud of you, of the man you'll become."

"Can I help you pack?"

"Yes, let's go back to the hotel."

Rick couldn't help look at his phone once more and this time saw a missing call from Michonne. He told Carl to wait a minute and moved to a window to call back. The minute he had his finger on the call button he hesitated. He didn't want to go back to promise something that was nothing less than what she deserved, what he wanted for them to have.

And your heart is broken, 'cause I walked away

Just a few more days for the divorce to be final and he would be an entirely free man. Then, they could be together. San Diego has proven to be an acid test for them both, and though they made it out 'safely' he couldn't help feeling hurt when she decided to put on the brakes. Not that he blames her at all, but he wouldn't have been able to do it himself. She did say she would wait for him in a way. Does it mean she changed her mind? Having second thoughts?

Every promise, don't work out that way.

He could not and was not going to her until totally free. Just a few more days.


And we are moving along because they are filming soon! Thank you for reading y'all! Leave a review to let me know what you think. Next chapter is done, I'll update as soon as I can. Stay safe and much love!