A/N*** Ok, I'm making progress. It took me a bit longer since I had to remember where I was planning for this to go in the end since I stupidly didn't write a clear outline Ugh lol But, I'm back on track, I think

Anyway, Happy Juneteenth! Happy Father's Day! Hope you all are doing well and staying safe! Here's to Keeping Richonne Alive!

XI

Michonne's eyes began to flutter open and she had to take a moment to remember where she was. Where they were. Then it came to her, the gaudy hotel right in the heart of Times Square that Negan's people put Rick in for his stay. She grinned, remembering it had served its purpose for the night, especially the king-sized bed.

Rick's light breaths tickled her neck while his body was snugly pressed against her back, big spoon to her little one. His left arm draped over her body, holding on to her so she couldn't escape, not that she wanted to. Michonne couldn't resist running her fingertips across the light hairs that ran down his forearm. His arm automatically flexed, squeezing her from the light pass that was slowly waking him from his blissful slumber. Her palm made its way to his left hand and he spread his digits so they could interlock their fingers.

Michonne just sighed as his morning wood pressed into her backside before she made a discovery. She stealthily massaged his fingers, realizing a bit of cold metal didn't make contact with her skin. His wedding ring was missing. She racked her brain to recall if he had been wearing it last night, but she couldn't remember. She was so caught up in what they were experiencing during their reunion that she didn't take notice of the band that normally sat on his finger. Maybe he had taken it off last night and it was simply laying on the nightstand along with his watch, wallet and room key.

Curiosity got the better of her and she wanted to check, now. The only problem was she was facing the wrong way. So she smoothly rolled her body over to face Rick, his eyes sleepily gleamed at her. He immediately caressed her hip under the covers and began to peck her lips. She kissed him back sparingly as she attempted to look over his shoulder at the nightstand.

Rick began to notice Michonne's attention was elsewhere as he kissed her. He had been enjoying the feel of her ample behind pressed against his stiffening cock, but when she turned around he was thrilled to have her lips available so he had to take advantage. However, she seemed preoccupied by something behind him and he stopped kissing her to look that way too. He didn't see anything amiss so he was confused as to what could be drawing her attention away from him.

"You see something?"

"Nope." she shook her head.

"You were a bit…distracted."

"Was I?"

"Yeah." Rick searched her eyes.

Michonne wondered if she should confess to her hypothetical revelation. She'd quickly allowed her mind to ponder what the removal could truly mean. Was he ready to make a bigger leap then just boyfriend and girlfriend? She could be wrong and his ring was just out of her field of vision then she'd feel embarrassed for bringing it up. Ultimately, she decided against sharing her alleged catch.

"The room just looks kitschy in the morning light."

Rick looked around at the over the top New York themed furnishing in the room and snickered. A Statue of Liberty figurine on the table, a One World Trade Center painting hung above the bed and the coffee mugs all said I heart NY.

"You're right, but it was free."

"Of course, Negan would put guests in a flashy tourist hotel right in the middle of Times Square. There are so many other places he could have chosen."

"I don't think I have room to complain. The lodge maybe over the top with the rustic appeal."

"The lodge is beautiful. It could use some work in certain areas."

"Such as?" Rick blinked his eyes before rubbing his fingers across her hair.

"The random antlers in the hallways." Michonne's eyes bulged.

"I thought those made it more country chic."

Michonne giggled. "Sure."

"What else?"

"You need luggage services including a bellhop. Andrea nearly called the whole trip off over it!"

"Damn and where would that have left me? I'd still be a lonely widower, stomping around, scaring everyone."

"If you let your beard grow in extra thick then you'd really have everyone nervous."

They both chuckled. "You might be right."

"I have an idea." Michonne coyly grinned as she played in his current beard.

"What's that?"

"You come and stay at my place for the rest of the weekend."

Rick beamed then quickly jumped up and jogged to the bathroom, leaving Michonne perplexed. Even more so when the rainfall of the shower turning on sounded. With his absence she recalled her previous interest and scanned the nightstand. His ring wasn't there, making her heart skip a beat. But Rick reemerged before she could run all the possible scenarios through her mind again. His nude body and sly grin had her captivated.

"Come on." he held a hand out to her.

"What?" she questioned even though she rose from the bed.

"I owe you a shower…from before." he tilted his head.

"Oh yeah, you do." she smirked.

Rick scanned her sexy naked body as she slithered around the bed to him. He couldn't resist grasping her thighs, pulling her body flush to his. He skillfully bit the delicate skin of her collarbone, happy for the hiss that rumbled from her throat.

"After our shower, you can take me to your place. I can't wait to see where you live, but mostly I want to test out your mattress, among other surfaces." he whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine.

Michonne's eyes were hooded as he spun her around, playfully smacked her ass and making her yelp before he pressed her forward into the bathroom. Once they were inside he reached her hand in the shower to test the waters warmth.

"Is it good for you?" he asked after nipping at her ear.

"Yes." Michonne wasn't sure if she was answering his question about the water temperature or responding to the thumping of his rising cock. She decided it was to both.

Rick pulled the curtain back then assisted her stepping into the shower before he entered himself. Michonne backed herself up under the waters flow, letting it cascade down her body, wetting her skin from head to toe. Her hands slowly rose up against the flow to caress her glistening body. Hips, waist, stomach, breasts and lastly neck. Then she turned around so Rick could get a view of the flow streaming down her back leading to her round ass. From over her shoulder she could hear his growl.

Rick fought with himself to remain in place, enjoying the show but he couldn't just stand there and play voyeur this time. He surged forward and his erection easily slipped between the apex of her slippery thighs right beneath her plump cheeks. He ran his hands up her front until he cupped her full breasts. He roughly pinched her nipples in a response to her seemingly tormenting him. Michonne cried out and circled her waist in search of some satisfaction. His engorged dick was so close to where she needed it to be, each rotation of her hips just tortured her more.

To others, Rick must have seemed reserved yet authoritative, but she was delighted by the part of him that only she got to see. He commanded her body when they were alone, allowing her to give in to his impulses. He knew when to be soft and delicate with her but right now was not one of those times. He was ravenous, his strong hands kneaded parts of her body, instantly transforming them into erogenous zones. His bites of her neck were almost painful but she submitted to him, leaning her head to the side giving him better access. Her toes tingled when his fingers found a rhythm on her swollen clit. She might have felt nervous on the slippery surface, but the way he controlled her body left her feeling safe to indulge.

Rick planned on making her cum with just his fingers first, but every moan and cry from Michonne's lips was begging him to plunge into her. One of her hands was up clasped in his now wet locks, while the other reached back, holding his leg keeping him right where she wanted him. He grinded his dick between her lips feeling the heat that emanated from inside. He couldn't wait any longer and he reached up pivoting the shower head towards the wall away so they weren't directly under its stream. Michonne automatically knew what to do next and leaned forward placing her hands on the tiled wall. She looked back at him with lust filled eyes.

"Come here and fuck me."

That provocative invitation prompted Rick to step forward as he stroked himself. The pink at the center of dark folds beckoned to him more, now that her cheeks were slightly spread. Both of their hisses echoed louder than the sounds of the shower when his head dithered at her opening. He coated his tip in her juices, making them both suffer further.

"Please."

And with that plea, he held her waist and thrust into her fully. The curve of his dick had created a readymade channel from all their lovemaking last night, but her muscles tightened for a constant snug fit.

"Shit!" they both cursed.

Rick quickly recovered and pulled back to begin a series of long forceful plunges, penetrating her pussy. Michonne gasped at each of his paced strokes, her eyes crossed at how deep he was getting. Her legs already began to quiver and she held onto the slick wall as well as she could. When she saw Rick's confident bowlegged walk back in Colorado, she imagined his sex game had to be immaculate before they even got together. But he proved her imaginings to be short sighted with each hit to her g-spot. His balls slapping her clit in a pounding cadence stoking the fire.

Heavy breaths escaped from their mouths spurring Rick on to slightly increase his speed. He gripped her hips, digging his fingers in while she pushed back into him. He fought with the parts of him that urged him to go even faster, but wanted to get her to her pinnacle with measured blows. Her moans and grunts corresponded with her walls constricting around him. Even though he held out, her squeezes where pulling him closer and closer to the finish line. The unforgiving pressure was building in his testicles.

"Fuck Michonne, you're gonna make me cum."

"Me too, baby."

A few more deep slams against her cushiony ass and Rick felt the hot rush of cream coating him. Michonne cried out in a garbled mess, her spasms overpowering her. Rick could only hope that she was able to maintain her balance because he had to rapidly pull out, his semen shooting out.

"Oh shit!"

Rick placed a hand on the rod, trying to stay upright while he climaxed. Michonne was recovering faster than him and she stood up straight after calming her heart. She turned around then moved the showerhead back over to rinse the evidence off of them and down the drain. She grabbed a washcloth and the hotel supplied body wash and squeezed some on to it. She giggled when she applied it to Rick's chest and he shook, his body still in a sexually heightened state. He chortled too as she lathered his skin, carefully bathing him. Rick couldn't resist stopping her for a moment to lean down pulling her lips to his for a slow sensual kiss.

"Glad I reminded you to cash in that raincheck."

Michonne coquettishly smiled. "I'm glad too."

"This is nice."

Rick looked around the surprisingly spacious apartment after he removed his boots near the front door. He heard New York City apartments were notorious for being tiny so he wasn't expecting this.

"Thank you." Michonne responded as she hung their coats in the hall closet then ushered him further inside.

Wooden and beige contemporary furnishings complimented the clean open concept apartment. Framed photos of friends and family hung on walls and sat on a tall bookshelf jammed with books. African woven baskets were displayed on a wall in the living room and tall flourishing plants sat near the windows that looked out onto the West Side Highway giving her views of the park and Hudson River. She watched him look around before she pointed areas out.

"Obviously this is the living room, the kitchen and dining area slash my home office." she snickered at the paperwork and laptop that sat inhibiting her from eating there if she wanted to.

"I really thought you'd live in a tiny studio like I see on house hunters."

She laughed outright. "Oh, you should've seen my first place. It had the shower in the kitchen."

"Wait, what?" Rick tilted his head trying to comprehend and she laughed.

"I was lucky enough to get this place, I actually sublet from an older woman. Her daughter grew up, moved away and eventually her husband passed. She didn't want to be alone but it held too many memories for her to give it up when she moved to be closer to her grandkids. She rents it to me for a pretty decent price."

"That's good, I hear New York can be very expensive also."

She nodded confirmation. "My bedroom is this way; you can bring your bags. I want to change out of this dress and get a bit comfier."

Rick followed her down the hall after retrieving his bag.

"That's the bathroom." she informed him before they walked into her boudoir.

Her room was decorated in creams just like the rest of the place, but had splashes of a soft blue throughout. There was a taupe chair in one corner so he sat his bag on the floor next to it before continuing to glance around. Michonne went straight into her closet and began to shuffle around so he could hear hangers being pushed about.

Rick was pleased to see that she had a king sized bed with a nice comforter and throw pillows on top. He imagined it would be very comfortable for the two of them during the rest of his stay when something laying on top caught his eye.

Georgia Bulldogs

"You didn't know that I was coming, how come my sweats are laid out on your bed?"

Michonne came scrambling out of the closet to grab the pants all while Rick chuckled. He quickly went behind her trying to stop her from hiding them behind her back.

"I've already seen them so hiding them at this point makes no sense." he grinned.

Rick stopped trying to get them from behind her back, instead he pressed his body to hers leaning down to kiss her neck. Michonne relaxed and moaned as he planted kisses to her neck and chest.

"You sleep in my sweats?"

"No, I take them off before I get in bed." she confessed and threw them on the mattress.

Rick groaned near her ear and palmed her ass when she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"So you did miss me?"

"Of course I missed you."

"Then why haven't we spoken the way I thought we would?"

Michonne sighed and released him to sit on the bed. "It's been too hard. To have had that amazing weekend with you then go to not seeing you and not being able to be with you."

Rick sat next to her. "You think it wasn't hard for me? I was starting to think you lost interest when I didn't hear from you."

"I thought maybe you were more content being the lonely widowerand I went back to being the busy attorney..."

Rick chuckled and she looked at him. "I was anything but that. I could-…I was sliding right back into that, but that's not something I want now that I've met you."

Michonne blushed but another question popped in her head.

"How did you get in contact with Negan?"

"I remembered Barrington House from our talks and I was going to look Negan up, figuring he wouldn't be so hard to find with the unusual name, but your firm had him displayed at the website." he shrugged.

"It was easy enough to send him an email. His people responded rather quickly once I mentioned attorneys from Barrington were involved."

It was troubling to Rick that they were willing to purchase his lodge without having set foot on the property. Apparently, the scouting from Barrington House was all they required to pull the trigger.

"You really are considering taking the deal from Negan?"

Rick motioned with his hand as he spoke. "With certain stipulations like keeping the staff on for as long as I can get them too." he pondered. "The money I would get from the sale would allow me to rebuild me and Carl's life wherever we wanted."

"Hmm…"

Rick grew nervous from her look of concern. "Do you have a problem with that approach?"

Michonne didn't really want him to take the deal from Negan, the man was unscrupulous. But what could she offer him to save the lodge, this may be his only option. But she needed to let him know who he was dealing with.

"No, Rick I don't have a problem, but you may. Negan is trying to undervalue the lodge by a lot."

"I kind of guessed."

"Let's go check out the figures I have." Michonne stood up from her bed to see him smirking at her.

"You have my lodge's figures here?"

Michonne playfully rolled her eyes and untied her wrap dress, instantly changing Rick's thought pattern.

The sight of her beautiful body being revealed to him so casually made him stammer. Thoughts of having constant access to this level of comfort that allowed her to undress in front of him without a care was something he realized he sought. Vulnerability was an honored gift she was bestowing on him and he was ready to receive with open arms.

Other parts of him were awakened obviously, but when it came to Michonne he had become insatiable. But he controlled himself and watched as she slid the dress off while she turned to saunter to the walk-in closet. He was behaving himself, but he still leaned to catch any glimpses as she shed her bra and panties.

"Can you throw me my sweats?" Michonne coyly asked over her shoulder after pulling a white tank top from a built-in shelf.

"Somehow, it feels wrong for me to be helping you put clothes on."

They both laughed before he tossed the pants to her and she quickly slipped them and the tank on. She walked out to peck his lips, leaving him wanting more then took his hand.

"Well, think about it this way. You help me put it on now and later…you get to take it off."

The invitation coupled with the visual of her dark nipples pressed against the taut material of her top had him anxiously anticipating later. But Rick stood and let Michonne lead him to her dining room table. He took a seat while she got them both bottles of water. Then she powered up her laptop and leaned over, pointing at the screen after she pulled up some files.

"These are the specs that I pulled up for comparable sales of properties in the proximity of Gateway, Colorado. These are ones for similar hotels in other locations around the country. A graph on the rise and decline in the hospitality real estate market for the last few years. Projections for where the market may move in the future."

They both examined the screen for a few minutes before Rick spoke. "Wow, you've really done my homework."

She giggled and sat in the chair next to him. "This is just a taste of what I can do."

A low rumble could be heard emanating from Rick's throat as he tried to focus.

"Now, I know what to ask for, thank you."

"You're welcome, but you didn't get this information from me." she winked.

"Of course."

The couple leaned in for a kiss but as soon as they started, Rick's phone rang, interrupting them.

"Wa-wait a minute." he shuffled in his pocket while Michonne giggled.

Carol's number appeared for a facetime call and he immediately knew it was Carl calling him so he slid to accept.

"Dad!" his sons cheerful face made him smile.

"Hi, son. How's everything in Colorado?"

"Good, I'm having so much fun with Sophia. Are you having fun with Michonne?"

Michonne covered her mouth to hold back her snort at how rapidly Rick's face reddened. She enjoyed watching him trying to pull it together until he turned the tables on her, leaning towards her so they were both on camera now.

"Hi Carl." Michonne waved at the boy.

"Hi Michonne! I wanted to come visit you in New York too, but my Dad says next time."

"Oh he did, did he?"

"Yep and maybe Sophia can come too." The little girls face appeared next after her and Carl squabbled for a view at the screen until they decided they could share.

"Hi Sophia." Rick and Michonne said and the shy girl waved back.

"Where's your Mom and Dad?" Rick asked.

"They are in the kitchen cooking, my mom said we should make the call quick since you wouldn't want any distractions." Sophia stumbled while pronouncing the last word.

Michonne giggled while Rick rubbed his temple.

"Dad, don't worry, the lodge is okay. I've been making sure everything is okay."

"Really?" Rick grinned.

"Well…Tammy Rose, Earl, Barbara and everyone else have helped too, so it's under control. We even got some help from a new fix it guy, he's really nice too."

Confusion crossed Rick's face. "Who?"

"Kids, the cookies are ready!"

Carol's voice could be heard in the background drawing their attention away from the phone.

"Dad, we've gotta go!" Carl announced and Sophia waved before she ran off.

"Ok, Carl go have your cookies and tell Carol and Tobin I said hello and thank you."

"I will. Bye Dad, bye Michonne."

The two adults opened their mouths to say goodbye but the call ended abruptly.

"He dropped us for cookies." Michonne playfully sighed.

"Carol does make a mean beet cookie, but I prefer chocolate."

Michonne giggled. "Is that right?"

"Yep." Rick leaned in drawing her back into the smooch that had been simply paused.

Michonne and Rick decided to have lunch delivered to them while they spent an hour going over some more details. She felt he needed to add a couple clauses to even consider selling to Smith Hospitality. She still felt uneasy about him selling to Negan but if this was something he really wanted to do, she wanted to make sure he was as informed as possible. She wanted Rick to be prepared for any curveballs that could be thrown at him and how to successfully dodge them, plus counter. She suggested he say he needed to have his attorney look over the offer as well since she wouldn't be able to assist him during the meeting on Monday.

After they ate their lunch and tidied up, they went back to work. Rick sat enthralled by the woman beside him, his girlfriend. She spoke with such knowledgeable fervor that anyone around would be absorbed. He knew her beauty had men transfixed but once she added her intelligence, some would be intimidated or feel challenged. But to him it meant he had found a true partner that could more than match him, she could take the lead also. She'd bring the best out of him and he only hoped he could do the same for her.

They moved to the couch to get comfier and Michonne used her coffee table to rest her files and computer on before she continued their conversation.

"Remember I told you that we suspect Gregory is up to something?" he nodded.

"He's been blowing through money, expensing things to the company accounts that should be from his personal finances. I have a gut feeling Negan's somehow involved, Gregory has been all too gracious towards him as of late. Don't get me wrong, Gregory is usually a kiss ass to his top clients but he's really amped it up lately."

"Is there a way for you to investigate?"

"We have an inside man checking into things as we speak."

"Hopefully, that bears fruit. Maybe it will even make it easier to get out of Barrington House and leave your hands clean."

"I hope so too, I'm beyond ready to resign."

"Are you any closer?"

Michonne deeply exhaled. "Yumi and I are starting to think we need to step in to help Andrea with the investor track. Everything else is ready to go but some of the willing investors that have shown interest want too high a percentage of the business while others are…questionable."

"Questionable, how?"

"We had the largest offer from a man named Simon who used to be in business with Negan. They rancorously split and he's been pursuing vengeance ever since. We are definitely not interested in getting in the midst of that. We'd probably end up right where we started but worst since we wouldn't want to or be able to bail since it's our company."

"Why would Andrea even entertain that offer?"

Michonne shook her head. "Sometimes Andrea acts in desperation instead of thinking things through rationally. She's working on her blind spots, Yumiko and I help keep her on the rails. Don't get me wrong, she's one of my best friends and she does support us too. We are more adventurous with her around, she got me to give a certain cowboy a chance."

Rick grinned. "Then it's a good balance in the end."

"I thought you'd say that." Michonne snickered before she sobered, sitting back on the couch.

That encouragement from Andrea and Yumiko had changed her trajectory, bringing Rick and his son into her life. She thought about Carl on the call from earlier and how he was still young but seemingly readying himself to lead one day and follow in his father's footsteps. Rick instantly sensed her mood shift and pivoted, letting her know she had his full attention.

"Look, I know we just spent all this time prepping you for the sale but-"

"Go ahead, I value your opinion." he encouraged when she hesitated.

"Maybe you could get the lodge featured on a few travel websites to drum up business. If you take some hotel management courses, you will not only gain some knowledge but make connections." Rick nodded in contemplation as she continued.

"I could even get some clients to book their conferences and retreats at the lodge. Once word of the beauty and renowned treatment one experiences at Callies Lodge spreads through the corporate world, we could search for investors for you."

"Not Andrea?" he joked.

"No, not Andrea." she chuckled before Rick took her hand.

"Michonne, I didn't come here to sell to Negan, necessarily." she tilted her head at him.

"I came here for you."

Michonne's heart skipped a beat. "Rick…"

"Just listen, if I sell the lodge then I can move here to New York."

Michonne was in shock. "What, you here in New York?"

Rick looked around. "I know your place isn't really kid friendly with all the light colors but we can work on making Carl less sticky."

They chuckled. "It's not that."

"Then what? If it's about me selling the lodge-"

"It's not just a hotel, it's Carl's legacy."

"So you do have an opinion on where I should be?"

Michonne bit her lip. "What would you do here? You'd be miserable in the city. I couldn't ask you to do that."

"You haven't asked me, I'm volunteering." he gently implored.

"Rick..." he rubbed his thumb across her hand to assuage her fears then decided to switch tactics.

"We don't have to make a decision yet, not right now anyway."

Rick chewed his lip, noticing the tension in her face and he wanted to alleviate that so he lifted Michonne onto his lap, surprising her.

"Why don't you…take a break?"

Michonne smiled. "You want me to stop working on preparations for my business?"

"Yeah."

She giggled then readjusted to straddle him. "You want me to stop worrying about Barrington House and Smith Hospitality?"

He was momentarily distracted by her new position and he immediately placed his hands on her round ass. "Uh…yeah."

"Are you taking a break from the fate of the lodge?" He nodded in the affirmative.

"Just for tonight. We can go back to all that tomorrow. I have an idea, we should go out and you can show me what you love about the city. You throw on some jeans and those combat boots I saw tucked away in your closet." she giggled as he started to caress her thighs.

"I put on a Henley, jeans and my trusty cowboy boots, you know rugged casual…" he simpered. "…and we see where the night takes us."

"What's all this?" she smirked at him.

"A chance to see how well we work in the real world." Rick offered on baited breath.

Michonne smiled before she leaned down so they could engage in a sultry kiss. "Okay."