Hello everyone!

All of your reviews are giving me life! Seriously, y'all are amazing so thankyouthankyou!

I want to especially thank Christina831 for helping me with the title (girl, you're one of my heroes) and Richonne4life for the support and chitchat LOL. Here's to more big wine glasses while writing Richonne!

Enjoy!

A.


13. At long last

The second Anne closed the door they went back to stare at each other. She was not going to fight it; she realized she simply didn't know what to do with her feelings for Rick. She had never felt that way about anyone. Mike had been her longest and most memorable relationship so far and that turned up… well, not good.

Here was Rick, in all his glory, saying how much he wanted her, how much he saw her and respected her. It felt different; she was scared and wouldn't admit that she didn't want this to be a lie or some random affair.

Here he was, proving with actions that he was being true, that she was what he wanted. For real

"I'm sorry. I didn't…", he started.

"No, there's nothing to apologize for. To be honest, I'm a mess." She made a pause. "I am not okay, and I knew you were not okay either."

She thought she probably sound presumptuous but she didn't care.

"I want you to know I am respecting that space you asked for. I will continue to do so because you deserve nothing less. After all, that's the man I want to be as a model for my children. Even for Lori, after everything, she deserves my respect."

She only nodded and kept her eyes on him and they remained there for a few more minutes. Eyes to eyes, then to lips, and back to eyes.

"I understand that. I wouldn't want you to be different than the man you are." The man I'm falling in love with.

He invaded her personal space again and stared deep into her brown eyes before continuing. Nothing but evident sincerity in his.

"But I want you to know that I ain't playing games. I want to build something with you. We still have a long way to go but I haven't changed my mind about what I want for us."

His heartbeat sped up when he saw no instant reaction from her. But then she smiled, illuminating his entire world, all of his hopes, that amazing and bright smile that had been haunting him along with her pretty dark skin.

"Neither have I, and I'm sorry for hurting you." There was no 'if I hurt you' because she knew it happened. She hurt herself by hurting him.

"As I said, I understood why you did it."

Silence.

Michonne wished they were past these random conversations and she could feel free to go ahead and kiss him.

God, I want to kiss him.

"I think I better go now", she whispered, not wanting to go anywhere.

"See you later then," he said, not wanting her to go anywhere too but this is what it was now.

"Yeah… definitely".

She smiled on her way out and to her trailer. It's been a rollercoaster there but she was more than happy to take the ride. To clear the air between them only cemented her thought that they were doing the right thing, that she was in the place where she belonged, no doubts, no questions.


Rick had been in Washington a few times before, not exactly his kind of city to go to though. He and Lori took Carl on a trip around a few states before Judith was born and that included DC. The traditional tour to the outskirts of the White House in Lafayette Square, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Madame Tussaud's, and of course, the Martin Luther King Memorial, which Carl decided was his favorite. He realized that it was almost the same as when he was there those years ago. Not much had changed.

He looked away from the window and he noticed again the big yellow envelope in the middle of his open suitcase. Sam gave it to him a few minutes before saying that it looked important. The envelope arrived at the set and Sam made sure to bring it with him since Rick was already on a plane heading to DC from home.

It definitely was important.

He approached the bed and opened it carefully, still a bit in disbelief that Lori had signed but there it was. Both of their signatures in his copy.

Rick left a shuddering sigh and scratched an imaginary itch in his brow. He started feeling too many things at once: freedom, closure, and some mixed feelings about being divorced now when he thought he would be married to Lori forever. No regrets though. He was beyond any reasonable doubt sure that this is what he wanted, what he needed. His next thought was Carl and Judith. They officially had divorced parents. But it was for the best. His mind then drifted towards her.

Michonne.

He wanted to call her and tell her right there on the spot but he decided that telling her this was the beginning of a long conversation that should not be over the phone.

Rick decided then to take a shower. It would help him think. He took his toiletries from his suitcase and headed to the bathroom. They had been outside today, checking the artifacts they were going to present and pose with. Daryl was in awe since he hadn't seen his original bow for more than 3 seasons now. Morgan and Michonne were mainly excited to be back there, it was a place they both loved visiting according to what he could hear of them talking. Michonne was happy to see her katana too, but she knew she had to handle it carefully.

He felt a knock when he working on his cufflinks in front of the mirror. He was getting ready to go down and meet some other producers and journalists present there for the moment. Daryl was standing there at his door with a bottle of whiskey and invited himself in.

"You know we are about to go to the presentation in half an hour, right?", Rick asked and went back to stand in front of the mirror, this time to fix his tie. He had decided on a dark blue suit, his tie matching the suit with some small polka dots. His curls were slickly combed and his beard, more slat than pepper lately, was neatly trimmed.

"Yeah, but I needed a drink with my man before that. You've been busy, we haven't had time to catch up too much." Daryl was already pouring them a drink.

"This whole divorce thing and moving in have been too much for the little time I had while I was back home. There's a ton I still need to sort out", Daryl handed him the glass and sat.

"How's Carl doing?"

"He is… amazing. That kid is… sometimes I think he is so much older just for how wise he is."

"Yep. He is the sane head in that house… well, him and Judith."

"You saying I'm not sane."

"Not very much clearly." Rick arched a brow and turned his head to glare at him. "This whole thing with Michonne."

Ok. Here comes the lecture.

"You know it's not a 'thing'." Finally, he finished with his tie and sat down on the side of the bed with the glass in front of his friend.

"I know that, but… does she?"

"Of course she does, and I'm not assuming anything here. I told her. I'm not playing games here, Daryl."

"I thought someone was going to die in San Diego. When I saw you with Lori and the kids, I was like… hell, this is going to be interesting but then, when I saw Mike there too... I knew shit was gonna hit the roof."

"Don't remind me." Rick drank some of his whiskey to will away the memories and the bad moments.

"It turned out alrigh'. I mean, she lighted a fire under your ass and you finally left the house."

"I was gonna do it anyways but… just thinking of the way without hurting Carl and Judith even more."

"I gotcha, but Lori was shit worried about it, man, look at the circus she created." He paused for a minute. "I guess she doesn't know about…"

"I don't think she needs to know anything about my life that much from now on."

Daryl noticed the change in his voice and inferred that Rick meant that in the whole sense of the word. He squinted at Rick and this one pointed to the envelope.

"Are those…?", Daryl stood up and grabbed it to inspect the papers inside.

"Yes, Sam gave it to me earlier. I have them send it to the set but I was already on my way here so he brought them with him."

"Oh… shit." He looked up to Rick. "I'm not sure if I should congratulate you on ya divorce or what."

Rick laughed.

"It's what I wanted, so… kinda."

"What you wanted alright.", Daryl mumbled to himself. "What are you gonna do now? You telling Chonne obviously."

"Of course, but I don't want to overwhelm her..."

"Don't be a chicken now, man. Just go ahead and tell her. No more fucking ceremonies. Y'all driving me nuts with this damn romance novel." Daryl poured some more whiskey in his glass and took a swig. "I guess y'all all good now. Peace on earth and all that shit?"

"Yeah, we're good. We... talked." It was Daryl's turn to raise a brow at him. "What?"

"Just ...talked?"

"Not that it's any of your business or that I have to explain myself to you but yes, just that."

"Then, go ahead and tell her before we go to the museum."

"Now? No, this needs time, Daryl. "

"Time for what, Rick? What the hell are you waiting for now?"

"I can't just go to her and tell her: hey, I'm divorced now. Let's be together."

"I think that's exactly what you need to do. Y'all has been waitin' for this goddamn paper! Go, tell her. You'll figure out the rest together."

"I'm taking romantic advice from you now?", Rick asked amused.

"I'm the one with a girlfriend… just saying."

"Rub it in my face some more."

"Stop complicating things so much when it's so simple. You think there will be a perfect moment to tell her this? It ain't. You and I know she only needs to hear them words." Rick remained quiet and drank what was left in his glass. "Or don't tell her, do whatever you want, but I'd still run my bike into your pretty face if you hurt her."

This always caused Rick to laugh hard.

"You still using the same threat?"

"I don't know what makes you believe I'm not doing it. You've been warned." Rick just couldn't stop laughing and Daryl stared at him unimpressed, so Rick quieted down.

"You'll apologize for that eventually."

"Yeah, right. I'll wait for you to make me."

"Alright, I'm not hurting her, you of all people should know that. I have such strong feelings for her, Daryl. I don't think I ever felt this way about Lori, not even when we started dating. It's so… different."

"You can't compare them. You shouldn't. Chonne is… Chonne. And Lori is a manipulative and toxic… woman. I can say now that I'm glad you divorced her."

"She wasn't always like that." Daryl scoffed knowing damn well that nobody changes that much.

"Whatever, man. Lori is in the past. She is only your children's mama now. Period. Let it go, Elsa. Rick looked at him wondering who Elsa was and what the hell he was talking about. "Of course you don't know. It's a cartoon, Rick. I've seen the song with Judith and Carl a thousand times because your daughter likes the song so much…." Still nothing. "Anyways. Chonne. Be nice."

"I am, and it's taking all my strength, trust me. I don't want you trying to ruin my face."

"Tsk, such a pretty boy you are." Daryl took one last drink and headed for the door.

"Hey, aren't you taking the bottle with you? I'm not drinking that by myself!"

"It's a divorce gift… and congratulations, I guess. You are a free man now but we both know you are more whipped than ever. See you downstairs."

With that, he disappeared and closed the door leaving Rick thinking about what he had said. It wouldn't hurt to tell her that things were on track. He smiled to himself.


"Yes, mom. It is fine. I'll give them a call later or tomorrow. Don't worry. Can you let me talk to Kale for a second?... Love you too." Michonne felt her mom handing the phone to Kale. "Hey yeah, I'm fine…. yes, I know, the Tony Awards are next... Did you call Marge? You confirmed with her?... ok… what about the rest of the team?" There was a knock on the door. "Hold on a sec, someone's knocking."

She went to open the door. Rick was standing there. She gestured quietly for him to come in while she was holding the phone. He closed the door after him.

"Sorry, Kale. It's Rick. We have to go down. I'll see you in New York in a couple of weeks then. Call me if you need anything... Alright, bye."

She ended the call and turned around to say hi.

"Hey, thought you were ready."

"Just two minutes and we can go", she said and disappeared into the bathroom.

Rick paced in the room looking at her belonging; he saw her body lotion, the one smelling of lavender and vanilla he liked so much; her perfume and some other make-up things were on the nightstand. Her suitcase was neatly put away in a corner and a jacket was on her bed.

This was her bedroom, her space. Her tiny world right now and Rick felt a sudden urge to be nothing more than part of this world. Michonne came out of the bathroom and sat down to put on her high heels.

"Sorry about that. I was just checking the makeup."

"It is perfect." He said looking straight into her eyes and she smiled.

"Thanks, but just in case… You need to be careful if you're going to be posing for the cameras." It wasn't pure vanity but she had a reputation to protect.

"You don't need any of that."

"Yeah right… still", she finished and got to her feet getting her jacket, her room key, and her bag. Rick stood in front of her. Only by looking at her in all her beauty, he knew Daryl was right. He needed to get it off his chest or he'll be thinking about it the whole time.

"Hold on. I need to tell you something." She frowned at him.

"Now?" He nodded and she took a deep breath. "What is it?"

"I got the divorce papers today. Sam brought them with him. I have them sent over there." He paused to see her reaction. "I'm officially a free man."

The words hit Michonne. It was not like she wasn't expecting it. It's been a long way, but she thought there was still time. The other part of her brain wanted it to be over. Rick was looking at her expectantly, wanting to know what was going on in her head. It was difficult to read her.

"So… this is it?", was the only words she could manage.

"Yeah…", he said in that southern drawl that made her insides twitch. "Can we talk about us now? It doesn't have to wait anymore. I don't want to wait."

"I don't either."

"Am I right thinking that... your feelings have not changed?" She shook her head. "Then, maybe... we can skip the whole ceremony….", and she laughed.

"Right, because no one will notice we are not there."

"I had to try...but really, I only want to talk some more." He came even closer and grabbed her face with his hands. Oh, she was not going to stop him this time whatever his intentions were.

"I don't think talking is what's really in your mind", she said with a sweet smile and Rick felt his resolve falter.

"Not really." He gently stroke her cheeks with both his thumbs and the sides of her lips. She looked so beautiful in the dim light of her room, her beautiful dark skin almost glowing. She decided on a black halter top and black slacks, matching her outfit were her red-sole black heels. His fingers itched to touch that skin behind the clothes. He stared into her eyes and let it all go. "I'm just going to go ahead and say it, Michonne. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be able to wake up and go to sleep next to you, share the little and big things in life with you. Because you make me a better person, you make me happy."

She looked at his fierce eyes that were fixated on hers and then moved onto her lips. She realized that even after all this he was not going to take the next step. He was waiting on her to make the first move. It was her turn.

She played ball.

"I… I want to do this first," she breathed.

She grabbed both sides of his face and closed the space between their faces pressing her lips to his. It was a soft kiss, intended to be small, one in which she hoped she was transmitting her feelings for him. She kissed his fears and hers, both of their doubts and it felt so right and good. So goddamn good.

She had an idea of what it felt like kissing him, but one thing was doing it professionally in front of the whole crew and another one was doing it like this, totally free of an audience, carelessly, being themselves.

She angled her head to deepen the kiss and moaned roughly when she felt his arms around her small waist pressing her body to him, pulling her closer. Her hands instinctively went to the back of his neck to feel his curls and apply more pressure to their faces. Michonne smiled into the kiss when she felt his hand moving lower caressing her butt. Of course, you check them out long enough, she thought.

Rick pushed his tongue to open her mouth and she welcomed him. Her hands caressed the curls on his nape and tried to bring him even closer. His cologne and his warm mouth were intoxicating and for a moment she got lost in the feeling of his tongue caressing hers, transmitting life. Rick could swear nothing had tasted sweeter than her lips and the insides of her mouth. He felt her moan again and this time he couldn't help to do it himself. It was one of the most delicious sounds he had ever heard.

She slid her hands down his face, through his beard, and then let them rest in his chest while she ended the kiss with short pecks, to his upper lip, his bottom lip. So did he in response. They caught their breaths for a few minutes with their foreheads touching and his hands on her sides, his thumbs caressing her. For Rick, the kiss felt like a lifetime long after waiting all this time, and even though it was not enough to quiet the storm inside of him for wanting her so much more now.

"You cross my mind a lot more than I would like to admit, more than I have ever admitted even to myself. It's like I get stuck in my head and all I think about is the possibility of us." She looked at him then and once again got lost in the color of his eyes, the depth and sincerity of those blue orbs. "I want all that with you, too. Because you make me a better person, you too make me happy."

Rick smiled from the depths of his heart and leaned in to kiss her again, already missing her lips and all his senses were on high just for having her in her arms. This was it. They had each other now. From this moment on, things can only get better. Or so he thought. With Michonne by his side, he felt like he could do anything. He was already feeling the luckiest man alive. It turned into a bit longer and a bit fiercer. They kissed each other breathless until they needed to come out for air. Michonne felt the need to speak this time. Things were heating up too quickly and they had someplace to be.

"I think we should go now or…" Or we'll never go.

"Yeah," he whispered in that raspy voice of his but still with his hands cemented on her hips and his forehead resting on hers. His lips barely touching.

"We are gonna keep this between us for now, right?", she asked.

"If that's what you want, I think it's the best. Nobody needs to know, but rest assure Daryl will notice without us saying."

She chuckled thinking about their friend. Reluctantly, Rick separated from her and moved away enough to allow her to gather her belongings before taking her hand, kissing it before releasing it, and opening the door for them to go out.


It was a special ceremony and Carl loved watching anything related to his dad. He was in that show but both of his parents wouldn't allow him to watch it because of his age, at least not yet. He never sneaked to watch it by himself, he trusted in his parent's judgment.

So, when Rick told him he would be at the Smithsonian and that it was going to be on the news probably, Carl made sure not to miss it.

He sat with Judith in the living room roaming through the channels until he found the one that was presenting the news. Judith was restless and wanted to be on the floor by herself but Carl didn't let her because that meant he should chase Judith and wouldn't be able to pay attention to the news. He pointed to the television while talking to his baby sister.

"Look Judes, Dad is going to be there, do you want to see him?" but she was not staying put. "Come on, Judith. Be a good girl. Just a few minutes so I can watch this."

Judith looked at him as if understanding what he was saying and smiled. She stretched her tiny hands to reach out and touched his face and Carl let her.

Whatever it takes for you to be quiet.

He felt music on the television and raised his eyes and saw the outside of the Smithsonian. A group of people appeared and while they were presenting the news, Carl saw a reporter approaching Rick to ask him a few questions. Judith then followed Carl's sight and happily started clapping, recognizing his dad.

"Yes, that's our Dad, Judes. Look! He is on TV."

She immediately started a baby talk and kept on clapping. Lori was nearby and came into the living room to check on them, she smiled when she saw Judith all happy. She was sure Carl was not watching cartoons with her because it didn't sound like it. She came around them and stood next to the couch, trying to figure out what had her so excited and Carl so focused on the television. She finally noticed that it was Rick's appearance on the news about that donation in DC.

She stopped a moment to take him in. He looked younger, rested, and happy? She did not recognize the suit he was wearing and one thing she knew about was his clothes. She used to buy all of theirs, including most of his. His beard was fuller than he ever had it when they were married. She never really liked it and preferred him clean-shaven. But she had to make concessions for the show since he had to let it grow. Still, she hated it.

Michonne walked past him on her way to the stage and their eyes locked. Lori frowned at their exchange and curiosity stirred inside her. She took a seat in the arm of the couch to watch the rest of the news. Judith moved from Carl's lap trying to reach the floor again and this time the boy let her go since his mom was there too. Judith crawled until she reached Lori and then tried to climb on her mom's.

She took the baby in her arms and kept trying to see the news program.

They were now talking and displaying the artifacts from the series. There were photographers, and they were all posing with one item. But not Rick. Lori wasn't sure what all meant. There was Daryl, Rick, Michonne, and Morgan. She tilted her head a bit and frowned so more. Rick and Michonne always seem to be next to each other too much lately.

Brushing hands against each other, slight touches that seem to go unnoticed but not to Lori's eyes. Now she was like a hawk, looking for details she seemed to have missed before; his hands always seem to fall to the small of her back, for photos or not. Him passing her gloves to touch the artifacts when there was a pair right in front of her. Rick would even go down the stage they were all in to take a photo of them, but it looked more like he was taking a picture of only her. All of them were smiling but those two wouldn't fucking stop smiling at each other and looking like some lovebir-

And then it dawned on her.

Was it possible that she was right all along and Rick left her for another woman?

For Michonne? How could she miss something like that?

"Son of a b…", he held tongue when Judith looked up at her.

"Mom, are you okay?", Carl asked noticing that his mother's face changed from livid to enraged in a few seconds.

"Yes, I'm ok." She lied.

"Dad looks so good. All of them."

"Yeah… I'll take Judith so you can watch this."

Carl nodded and went back to watch the program. Lori stood up from the couch with Judith and went to the kitchen.

So, she had been right all along. She scoffed to herself.

Fuck you, Rick. You did me good, she thought to herself.


Michonne walked into the elevator followed by Rick, Morgan, and Daryl. The night had been long but they had fun. Se was a bit annoyed though they almost didn't allow her to touch her weapon anymore when she used her for quite some time. Ridiculous, she thought. But then, she had other things to worry about and indeed they ended up enjoying the time there.

Rick did not have any weapon to show off but he was the main character, so he was invited just for that. Morgan's character was a loved one by the public and Daryl... Well, he had his signature bow.

When the door opened they all walked out and headed in different directions. Morgan and Rick were on the same side of the floor while Michonne and Daryl were on the opposite one. Rick paused and told Morgan to go ahead. He walked back with Daryl and Michonne in silence for a few steps. Michonne was holding a grin, knowing Daryl was about to say something about them since he already gave her a strange look while they were at the museum but she dismissed him with a hug. He never failed to disappoint.

"Are we an item already or what?", she choked a laugh and Rick frowned at him.

"What are you talking about?"

"All the touchy-touchy, the smiles, you battling eyelashes", he said and pointed at Michonne, who gasped.

"I was NOT battling my eyelashes! Don't be ridiculous. Rick was being polite and I was being thankful, that's all," she defended.

"Yeah, and I was born yesterday," he stopped in front of them. "Look, y'all know I ain't dumb so, stop treating me like one. I don't need you to tell me what's going on, I already figured something IS going on."

"That is so rude, man. I just divorced."

"Don't give me that shit. I feel like I've been waiting for your divorce as much as you have. So stop the smiles and get it off your system already."

"Daryl!", she almost yelled.

"What? Just get it on. The world can use you both being a bit happier. I know I want that for you."

"Alright smart ass, just go away then, leave us be", said Rick, and Michonne opened her eyes with a How about not telling anyone just yet look. He shrugged and answer with an It's Daryl look. Daryl smiled pleased.

"Alrigh' then. See y'all tomorrow. Play nice. No visible hickies."

"Just shut up and go already!", she pushed him and he kept walking laughing.

Michonne had to smile. Hickies? Daryl could be such a child sometimes. They were already in front of her room. She held her key in her hand for a few seconds before speaking. She wasn't sure if she had to ask. But damn if she didn't want to.

"Hmm.. you gonna stay a little while?"

"Just a little while", he answered smiling.

She opened the door and closed it behind them once they were in. It felt like it was the beginning of the rest of their lives.


Thank you for reading! I hope you liked it! Let me read your opinions, ideas, anything, they are all welcome! Sorry if it seems I got carried away, it's Richonne, so.. not really my fault. LOL. See you in the next chapter soon! Stay safe still! ;)