A/N: Here's Chapter 3!
History
When Michonne is home, it means Sunday family dinners. Sasha, Glenn and Maggie implemented it after Michonne's parents passed. Whether it was together around a table or thousands of miles away logged onto zoom with their own personal meals, every Sunday at seven o'clock, was family dinner time. Tonight's venue is at Glenn and Maggie's so that Michonne could snuggle up with her godson.
"So, tomorrow's the day, huh? Sasha begins the obvious discussion as the friends pass serving platters of spaghetti and meatballs and salad around the table.
"Yep. Tomorrow is our first training session" Michonne adds, followed by a large gulp of wine.
"Are you nervous?" Maggie asks.
"Kinda. Last time we were face to face we had buffers in the room, this time it will be just he and I." The realization making Michonne a little queasy.
"Buffers? You mean…?" Maggie adds skeptically.
"No, she wasn't there, Thank God!" Michonne affirms.
"At least he knows better, I would've hurt him if he disrespected you that way." Maggie states, calming her nerves.
"He's always known better…" Michonne states sadly.
"Oh honey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean–" Maggie apologizes for her loose lips.
Michonne waves off Maggie's apology knowing her friend meant no harm. Maggie, Rick and Michonne all grew up together in Kings County. Rick was the jock, Michonne as the Brainiac, and Maggie was the good girl homecoming queen. Maggie and Rick went off to Georgia Tech while Michonne ventured to Emory, where she met Glenn. It was Michonne who introduced Maggie and Glenn to one another. Glenn easily blended into their little friend group. He would accompany Michonne and Maggie to all of Rick's games, they went on spring break vacations together, spent holidays with one another's families. They were a solid unit. Until they weren't.
"I honestly wouldn't worry about her coming around Chonne" Glenn adds.
"We thought that in college too." They all laugh at the memories of Lori Matthews always finding a way to be around.
"No, I think my hubs is right this time Chonne," Maggie agrees "I told you GG told me that Rick told her that Lori threatened to leave him if he agreed to work with you. But honestly, they haven't been able to hold onto their façade for a while, I think you coming back into the picture is just the tip of the iceberg."
"Wait, wait, hold on. I'm not back in the picture, I'm doing my job which your husband begged me to do, might I add."
"Chonne, you know I don't know all of the history, but from what I have gathered, you existing, is enough to cause that girl anxiety" Sasha adds.
"Well, that's what she gets for trying to jump into the ring with me. I'm not in the business of curing people's insecurities." Michonne states.
"Amen. But in the off chance that she gets bold, please let me know, I've been itching for the opportunity for years!" Maggie adds, causing the group to erupt into laughter.
Dinner continues with more storytelling, laugher, and good times. After Michonne puts Herschel down for the night, she decides to head out.
"I'll walk you out" Glenn states as Michonne and Maggie embrace after confirming brunch plans for the following weekend.
"I'm so glad you are back home for a while" Glenn states as they stand on the porch of the suburban home.
"It's good to be home" Michonne agrees.
"Thank you again Chonne. I mean it. I know this is tough for you, Maggie and I both do. If ever you want out, you let me know. I can find him another therapist."
"No, I will be fine Glenn. I-I think deep down this is what I need. For closure, you know?" Michonne timidly states.
"Yeah, but if it's too much, you let me know. Okay?"
"I will. I promise."
xxxxxx
"Got damn it Lori! I'm not doing this. She's here, she's working with me and that's it. Now you can either get on board, or you can follow through with one of your threats and leave. I have too much at stake to keep up with your temper tantrums" Rick affirms.
As he was packing for his first training session with Michonne, Lori decided she wanted to continue the fight from last night. Rick knew that she would have issues with him working with Michonne, but this is for his career. He also refuses to let Lori get in the way of Michonne's career as well. She's taking time out of her schedule to help him when he doesn't deserve it. If Lori wasn't so self-righteous maybe she would notice that. Maybe she's always been this way, but Rick was too young and stupid to notice.
"So, you would be fine with me leaving, just as long as you get to work with your precious Michonne? This is why I didn't want you to work with her! As soon as she is back in the picture, she becomes your priority!" Lori shouts.
"I CHOSE YOU! I FUCKING CHOSE YOU! Why are we still having this same damn conversation!" Rick defends.
"You chose me because you had to Rick! Not because you wanted to. If this is what you are going to do, fine." Lori defers.
"Lori, I can't make you trust me," Rick begins in a much calmer tone, "I have wanted to be a ball player my entire life, I have wanted to be a World Series Champion for the same amount of time. She is the one person who can ensure that, that dream comes true. If you can't see that, then maybe we don't need to be together. I can't do this every day. Not when so much is at stake."
"Maybe, I will head to my parents for a little bit, while you figure all of this out."
"I think that's a good idea."
xxxxxx
"Ten…five, four, three, two, one and rest" Michonne calmly states behind Rick as he lowers the resistant band with a wince. She wasn't lying when she said she was going to push him, but it will be worth it in the end, so he pushes through the pain.
"Alright, let's do one more set, then we'll stretch it out for the day and ice you up." Michonne states, from her same position behind Rick watching his shoulder muscles diligently.
When both entered into the training facility, the air was thick with their own trepidations. Michonne was in her head, and Rick was still reeling from his conversation with Lori. This has probably been the most silent, and awkward training session either one has ever experienced. It's not until Rick is icing that he decides to break the silence.
"So, um, Glenn told me that you were home for a little while?" he says sheepishly.
"Yeah, I was in Seattle for the entire NFL season, so I wanted to just be home for a little while" Michonne responds, not sure why she's offering up so much information, but what the hell.
"Yeah, Maggie and my mother mentioned your Seahawks contract. Congratulations. Your dad, he would've been proud" Rick timidly states, remembering how much of a Marshawn Lynch fan her dad was.
"Yeah," she smiles sadly, "when they called me, I just couldn't say no. You know?"
"You know I do." Rick agrees sadly, knowing his dads dream for himself was to make it to the MLB.
Silence fills the large facility again.
"I was there you know…" Rick adds.
"What?" Michonne asks, scared of what Rick is about to reveal.
"The, um day of the funeral. I was–I couldn't let you go through…I couldn't not be there while you went through that Michonne. Even if I wasn't physically by your side, I still wanted to be there for you, like you were there for me after my pops."
She has to fight to keep the tears from falling. The day of her parent's funeral was probably the worst day of her life. All day she received hugs, condolences, and sad looks. It was about a year after her and Rick had ended, she never expected him to be there. Now, to know after all these years that he was there, it's like her heart is breaking all over again.
Rick can't read her expression; he can't tell if she's angry with his revelation or if the memory is still too much to cope with. He's internally kicking himself as he moves from the training table to begin getting ready to leave.
"Thank you…for sharing that," Michonne finally finds words, "they loved you, they would've wanted you there."
It's Rick now, who has to fight back tears, remembering John and Angela who loved him like he was their own, embraced him and his mother after his father's passing, came to just about every one of his games alongside his mother. His tears right now, however, wouldn't be due to sadness, but disappointment in himself, for betraying the love and respect of those two generous people.
xxxxxx
Another day, another awkward trek to their cars, with tension in the air between them. Still with so much to say.
"I guess, I will see you tomorrow. Remember to ice your shoulder with the schedule I sent you, stretch before bed, no overexertion, and wear your sling in your downtime to keep it stabilized." Michonne lists off to him as she puts her things into her car.
"Will do doc. Thank you Chonne."
"Your welcome Bubba," Michonne mindlessly slips Rick's nickname that only she used, 'shit'.
Rick can't help the upturn of his lip trying to keep his full smile at bay.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Rick states lightly, not wanting to make her more uncomfortable than she clearly is with her slip.
"See you tomorrow." Michonne breaths out as she gets into her car.
A/N: I hate to say it, but this isn't the last we'll see of Lori, sorry. But I do want to start rebuilding Rick and Michonne's friendship. Please let me know what you think! Chapter 4 should be out soon!