Chapter 10: Discoveries-Part 1
"Okay, we've got the whole day to get everything sorted," Rick said looking over at Michonne sitting in the passenger seat of his truck. They were parked outside of his house in King County, ready to pack up the rest of his things before the sale.
"You ready?" Michonne questioned, covering his hand with hers.
"Yes, it's time. Most of Mel and Kaley's stuff will be picked up by the local charity, but there's a few things I need to grab," he answered reassuringly.
"Okay, lead the way," she smiled, exiting the vehicle, and following him inside.
Rick unlocked the door of the three-bedroom colonial and peered inside, almost as if he were hesitant to enter, the threat of old ghosts looming around the corner. He took a deep breath and stepped all the way in, with Michonne right behind him.
"Oh, Rick…this is beautiful," Michonne said, taking in the farmhouse décor.
"Yeah, it looks like the tenants kept everything the same. Mel decorated most of this. My father made a lot of the furniture," he said, glancing over at the cherrywood table and chairs which sat as the focal point of the formal dining room.
"It's exquisite," Michonne beamed, following his gaze.
Rick stood there for a moment, remembering the many holiday dinners his family enjoyed at the table. The last time they were all together was the Christmas before Melanie got sick. It was the same Christmas from the photo Rick kept on his laptop.
Sensing his trepidation, Michonne ran her hand along his arm, hoping to soothe him.
"Are you okay, baby?"
He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her temple. "Yeah, I'm good. The stuff is in the attic, let's head up."
They made their way up to the large attic, which was filled with boxes and other items.
"I already packed most of the clothes and shoes," Rick said, rummaging through some of the boxes. "You wanna take a look at some of the artwork?" he asked, smiling at Michonne.
"You know I do," she grinned. She walked over to one of the shelves and examined a solid gold cat figurine with diamonds in place of the eyes, and sapphires for the paws. "Wow, this is too damn gorgeous," she exclaimed.
Rick chuckled. "You want it? It's yours if you do."
"Yes, I love it. Where did you get it?"
"It belonged to my mom. She was somewhat of a collector. She accumulated so much stuff, she started passing it off to me and Shane," he snickered.
"She had impeccable taste," Michonne proffered, studying the expert craftsmanship of the figurine.
"She did," Rick agreed. "Just let me know if you see anything else you like. We can fit some of it in the truck, but the rest we can have shipped."
"Thank you, baby," she said, sauntering over and kissing him softly.
Rick continued to look through the items, suddenly stopping when he came across a small wooden jewelry box. He opened it and examined the vintage diamond ring it held. He closed his eyes and exhaled before shutting the box.
A little while later, they sat on the floor going through a box of Kaley's artwork.
"Kaley was quite the budding artist. This drawing is incredible," Michonne proclaimed, looking at the drawing of a fluffy white puppy.
"Yeah, I'm not sure where she got it from," Rick shrugged. "I can barely draw a stick figure."
Michonne laughed and kissed him sweetly on the cheek. "I think we should take this back home with us," she said, pointing to the box of artwork. "It would be nice for you to have some of her things close to you. I still have all of Kyle's preschool drawings and crafts."
Rick nodded, "I guess you're right. Besides, I can't bear to throw it away," he sighed. "You know…the day it happened, we were on our way to pick up a puppy who looked just like this," he said, gesturing to the picture. She'd been begging me to buy one for months."
Michonne laid her head on his shoulder, squeezing him tight in her arms.
"I'm surprised at how well I'm handling this. Not too long ago, I wouldn't have been able to sit here going through all of these memories. I have you to thank for that," he said, kissing her forehead.
"It's amazing how far we've both come," she smiled.
"The rules keep changin'," he grinned.
"They did for both of us. We're no longer allowed to wallow in our grief. It's time to get busy living. You know, Maggie said something that really stuck with me."
Rick gazed at her curiously. "Oh yeah, what's that?"
"After her mother died, her grandmother told her that someday her pain would be useful. Our pain makes us who we are. Once you've experienced the deepest grief, you are able to experience supreme happiness…at least that's what my therapist used to say," she smiled.
She wrapped her arms around his neck as he pulled her onto his lap. They peered into each other's glossy eyes, thankful for the source of strength they found within each other. Rick twisted one of her locs around his finger and caressed her soft cheek.
"Where did you come from? How'd I get so lucky findin' you?" he asked in his sweet southern drawl, which seemed to be reserved for only her.
"We've both lost enough…it's time we won a little, don't you think?" she whispered, running her hands through his unruly curls.
He placed a lingering kiss on her lips, taking his time to savor the taste of her strawberry lip gloss. "I couldn't agree more. I just want to put it all behind us and move on…no more anger, no more pain, no more ghosts."
"Yeah," she murmured, musing about the lack of visions she had of Kyle. The visual and auditory hallucinations of her son had ceased after her and Rick left the retreat.
"Anyway, I think we're done here. Shane and Andrea will kill me if we're late for dinner. You sure you want to stay with them instead of getting a hotel room?" Rick questioned.
"Um…yeah, it's fine but, I do have kind of a silly question?" she stated softly.
"What is it darlin'?" he chuckled.
"Does your family know I'm Black?"
Rick threw his head back in laughter as his face turned a slight shade of crimson.
"Rick, I'm serious. I'd hate to be walking into an uncomfortable situation."
"Sweetheart, I'd never put you in a situation that would make you uncomfortable. My family isn't like that. No, I didn't announce it, but they won't care, and if they did, I wouldn't give a damn," he declared, rubbing her shoulders.
She looked at him pensively, trying to discern the truthfulness of his statement. "Are you sure?"
"I'm positive. They're going to love you as much as I do…well, maybe not as much…but you get my point. Besides, you're not the first Black woman I've dated," he shrugged.
She raised her eyebrows, leaning back to get a full view of his face. "Oh really?" she drew out.
"Yeah, my long-term girlfriend in high school was Black…and before you ask, no, I don't have some type of fetish. I think you know me well enough to recognize I don't get close to anyone unless it's genuine."
"I do know that", she smiled, kissing him. "I would never think that about you."
"Does your mama know I'm White?" He queried.
"Yeah, she knows. I told her all about your hypnotizing blue eyes," she joked, kissing the tip of his nose. "I've dated across the rainbow, so nothing surprises her."
"Good to know," he chuckled.
Thirty minutes later and they were pulling in front of Shane and Andrea's place. Michonne admired the well-manicured lawn surrounding the two-story brick home. Rick rang the doorbell then squeezed Michonne's hand, willing her to relax.
A couple of minutes later, a thin, blue-eyed blonde greeted them with a warm smile.
"Rick!" she beamed, kissing him on the cheek as they walked inside. "How are you? You look good, better than the last time you were here."
"Gee, thanks Andrea," he smirked.
"And you must be Michonne," she said, pulling her in for a hug. "It's good to finally meet you. God, you're gorgeous," she exclaimed.
"It's nice to meet you, too. Thank you, so are you," Michonne returned.
"Oh, that's sweet of you to say. Let me take your jackets. Shane, they're here!" she called to her husband.
"Hey Rick…welcome back brother," Shane said, entering the room.
Michonne was surprised to see he used a cane to get around, wondering if it was due to the injury Rick mentioned.
Shane's eyes immediately fell to Michonne and a wide grin spread across his face. "Miss Michonne, it's good to meet the woman who's been keeping my brother occupied. I can certainly see why," he said, taking in her flawless dark skin, waist-length locs, and curvy figure. "You're stunning."
"I could get used to all this flattery," Michonne chuckled nervously. "It's nice to finally meet you, Shane."
"Well, y'all come on into the dining room. Dinner is almost ready. Daddy will be here any minute," Shane replied, leading the way.
"Andrea, can I help you with anything in the kitchen? It smells amazing," Michonne asked politely.
"Sure, that would be great. I was just about to take the lasagna out of the oven."
A short while later, Richard Grimes joined his family at the dinner table, his eyes focused on the beautiful woman sitting next to his eldest son. She smiled brightly at him and he instantly fell in love with her.
"My, my…I must say, it's wonderful to meet you Michonne. I can't thank you enough for how you've supported my son. Rick's been through a lot these past few years. I honestly didn't know if he would make it through," he said somberly.
Michonne could see the sadness in his eyes, a soft shade of blue that matched Rick's. In fact, Rick was the spitting image of his father, only younger. She instantly took a liking to the older man, understanding where Rick got his protective temperament. The sound of Rick's voice snapped her out of her musings.
"I'm doing a lot better dad. Michonne has been by my side through all of it. I'm so grateful to her," he stated, kissing the inside of her wrist. "She's been through a lot as well. I'd like to think we helped each other."
Michonne nodded, confirming again that they had indeed helped one another.
Richard smiled, more curious than ever about the woman who had seemingly stolen his son's heart, which was no small feat considering the state he'd been in for the past several years.
"Well, Michonne. We'd love to know more about you. Where did you grow up?" Richard asked.
"I've lived all over, but I grew up in Atlanta with my mother, Anna. My father, Lawrence, died when I was ten."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Richard responded sympathetically.
"Thank you. It was hard on me and my mother, but we managed," she stated, reflecting on how much she missed her daddy.
"What do you do for a living, Michonne?" Andrea piped up.
"Up until a few months ago, I was a professional artist. I own a gallery in Atlanta, but recently I've been teaching art at the high school in Tannon Falls."
"Wow," Andrea offered, impressed by this woman who was so different from her deceased sister-in-law. She could see why Rick was intrigued by her.
Rick rubbed Michonne's back proudly. "Michonne is extremely talented and she's sharing that talent with others. She's been mentoring a few students at one of the churches in Savannah."
"That's mighty nice of you. Beautiful and generous," Shane proclaimed with a sparkle in his eye, swiftly earning him a stern look from his wife.
"I enjoy working with them. It makes me feel useful," Michonne retorted. "As Rick mentioned, I've been dealing with my own tragedy. I lost my three-year-old son less than two years ago and recently went through a divorce."
Rick's family seemed shocked at her revelation, each of them gazing at her with questionable eyes.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Andrea was the first offer. "I can certainly see how you and Rick connected. You're obviously a very strong woman, Michonne. Rick will need that if he's going to continue to heal from losing his wife and daughter. He's strong on his own, but having someone who understands what he's dealing with, that's very helpful," she said pointedly.
Michonne nodded in understanding but couldn't help but feel a little annoyed by Andrea's attempt to tell her what Rick needed, especially with Rick sitting right next to her.
"Rick will be just fine. We Grimes' always bounce back," Shane proffered. "Now that you're selling the house, have you thought about your plans for the future big brother?"
"What are you asking, Shane?" Rick questioned, a hint of frustration in his voice.
"Well…I'm just wonderin' if you're plannin' on comin' back to King County? Maybe goin' back to the sheriff's department?"
Michonne tensed up at hearing Shane's questions. They hadn't explicitly discussed it, but she assumed Rick would remain in Tannon Falls for the foreseeable future, at least she hoped.
Rick gave her thigh a squeeze under the table, instantly calming her. "I haven't thought about returning to King County or to law enforcement. I'm happy where I am," he said, smiling at Michonne.
"I see. Well, I know the guys miss you. Hell, if I had a chance to go back, I would," Shane quipped.
Andrea cringed. "You almost died, Shane. It took you a year to learn how to walk again! If I'm being honest, I never want to see you return to law enforcement," she declared.
No longer able to hide her curiosity, Michonne chimed in, "Do you mind if I asked what happened?"
Shane shrugged, "Not at all. A few years back, I was involved in a big drug bust. A guy from Savannah was partnering with a local shady character, runnin' drugs and prostitution. We finally got enough to make an arrest and I ended up chasing the guy into an apartment building they were holdin' up in. Long story short, we got into an altercation and he threw me off a second-floor balcony…injured my spine. I was this close to never walkin' again," he said, holding his thumb and index finger an inch apart to illustrate his point.
"Oh my god," Michonne gasped. "You're lucky to have survived and you would still go back to it, back to law enforcement?"
"It's part of the job," Shane grinned. "Rick knows what I'm talkin' about. Protectin' this community means everything, even when it comes at a price."
"Yeah, I understand that, but the danger of it all is a little unsettling," she retorted, looking over to Rick with concern in her eyes.
Shane pressed on, eager to convince his brother to consider resuming his career. "Rick, being an officer is your calling. Now, I get why you needed to take a break, I really do, but at some point, you need to think about whether you're willin' to permanently walk away," he said, meeting his brother's glare.
"Okay Shane…let's table this discussion for now. Your brother is just getting back on his feet. There will be time for him to consider things once he's feeling like himself again," Richard interjected.
"You're right dad," Andrea agreed. "Let's just finish our meal then give Rick and Michonne some time to settle in."
Michonne and Rick glanced at one another, both thankful to end the discussion.
After dinner, Rick left Michonne resting in the guestroom, while he met Shane in the den to catch up and have a beer. He knew his brother wanted to continue the conversation from dinner, so he decided to hear him out. He quietly sat on the leather sofa, sipping his brew, and waiting for his sibling to speak.
"So, Michonne…she's really something else," Shane began. "I mean she's gorgeous and sophisticated. I can see why you gravitated to her."
Rick nodded, sensing a 'but' coming in any second.
"Still, I gotta wonder if you aren't getting involved with her because she is nothing like Melanie. I know how much losing her hurt you and I understand wanting someone who is as far from her as possible."
"Shane, getting involved with Michonne wasn't planned…and you're right, she's nothing like Mel. She's nothing like any woman I've ever met. This is different. Mel and I were kids. Everything happened according to expectations. It was predictable. Don't get me wrong, we had a nice life, but I wanted more. I've found that with Michonne. She understands me. She excites me."
Shane could see how deeply his brother felt for this woman and it did little to quell his concern. "I can believe that, but if you're latching onto her because she's lost a kid too or you're expectin' her to make you whole again, I just don't want you to put yourself in a situation where you're depending on someone to hold you together. She seems willin' to do that, but what if it doesn't work out?" Shane asked, concerned.
Rick sighed and took another swig of his beer, pondering his brother's words. It was true, he had relied heavily on Michonne to bring him back from the brink of devastation. She was his lifeline, the one person with the ability to influence his thoughts, feelings, and behavior. The notion of not having her in his life made him feel empty and hopeless. Nevertheless, he knew he had to be strong for himself. He couldn't expect Michonne to hold him up, especially when they hadn't discussed future commitments.
"I hear what you're saying little brother. Trust me, I'm making sure I have the necessary tools to remain healthy. I'm not putting it all at Michonne's feet, but I am in love with her. I'm stayin' in Tannon Falls because that's where she is right now. I wanna see this through with her," Rick replied emphatically, hoping to put his brother's mind at ease.
Shane sipped his beer and nodded. "I hope it works out for you both. I mean that. She's lovely. Still, just promise me somethin'…"
"What's that?" Rick responded.
"Just don't go after Taylor again. Don't fuck up the life you're tryin' to build for yourself. It ain't worth it."
"I have no intentions of doing that," Rick quipped, patting his brother on the shoulder.
Later that night, Michonne looked over at Rick, making sure he was still asleep as she softly slipped out of bed and made her way to the bedroom door. She briefly looked back when he stirred, praying he wouldn't realize she was gone. When she was confident he was still asleep, she tiptoed to the hallway bathroom, turned on the light and shut the door.
Bracing herself against the marble vanity, she turned on the faucet and splashed her face with cool water. The dizzy spells had become more frequent, coupled with bouts of nausea. She sighed, looking into the mirror, trying to come to terms with what she was fairly certain was the cause of her newfound 'illness'.
She and Rick had stopped being careful. It wasn't something they planned on doing, but they both had gotten used to the feeling of making love without a latex barrier between them. Sure, Rick did his best to pull out, but his consistency was lacking. Now here she was, secretly hiding out in his family's bathroom, anticipating the moment when she would have to hover over the toilet and empty the contents of her stomach to gain some relief.
She didn't have to wait long, as she soon felt her mouth salivating and her abdomen heaving. She made it to the toilet just in time, puking up the meal she'd consumed a few hours ago. She grabbed a few pieces of paper towel, wiping her mouth, only to be hit with another wave. "Damn it," she groaned, leaning against the wall.
"Everything okay?" She heard Andrea ask, just above a whisper on the other side of the door.
"Shit," she mumbled. "Yes, everything is fine…"
Before she could continue, Andrea had pushed the door open, staring at her as she sat on the floor in front of the toilet. Andrea quietly shut the door and sat on the edge of the bathtub.
"How far along are you?" she asked, looking Michonne in the eyes, pity written all over her face.
Michonne closed her eyes and let her head rest against the wall. "I don't know for sure. I'm late but, I've been too afraid to confirm it."
"I see. Does Rick know?"
"No, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell him," Michonne requested.
Andrea let out a sigh of relief, running her hand through her long blonde hair. "Good…then there is still time for you to think about this."
Michonne looked at her quizzically. "Excuse me?"
"Rick is just getting back on his feet, and forgive me for saying, but given your own loss, this could be a lot for you both to handle."
Michonne scoffed, offended by Andrea's reference to the loss of her child. They didn't know each other well enough for Andrea to make such an assumption. They didn't know each other at all.
"Listen Michonne, Rick is like a brother to me. He's my family and I have watched him suffer long enough. He's had more than his fair share of heartache and I don't want to see him in pain anymore. You weren't around to know the man he was before, so you have nothing to compare to who he is now, but trust me, he's changed. Now, I'm grateful for what you've done for him, but you haven't known each other long and bringing a child into this situation could complicate things. It may be too overwhelming for him."
Michonne had contemplated that very idea for the past couple of weeks. It's the reason she had yet to discuss anything with Rick, unsure of how he would react to the news. However, she wasn't going to allow his sister-in-law to stick her nose where it didn't belong, even if it was coming from a genuine place of concern.
She stood up from the floor, turned on the faucet and cupped her hand under the running water, using it to rinse her mouth. When she was done, she wiped her face and turned to Andrea.
"Andrea, I'm grateful that Rick has a family who cares about him. He deserves that kind of love…but I love him, too. I'm not here to complicate his life. You're right, I didn't know him before, but I am aware that he's changed. Sometimes change is good, sometimes it's just what you need to survive. I've seen how strong he is, how he stopped himself from literally killing a man right in front of my eyes…and you know who helped him gain that strength? Me…I did. So, I will handle this with Rick because it's ours to handle."
With that, she left Andrea sitting in the bathroom and went back to bed.
Two days later, Rick and Michonne's visit to King County concluded. Shane and Andrea sent them off with a full breakfast and well wishes. Michonne was grateful that Andrea managed to keep their late-night chat to herself, but she didn't miss the occasional judgmental glances the woman sent her way as they dined on their meal. Michonne kept reminding herself that Rick's family was just worried about him and they had every right to be.
After they said their goodbyes, Michonne accompanied Rick while he completed the sale of his home. Afterwards, he took her to a few of his favorite places around town, including the community park where he used to play baseball, the small bookstore in the center of town, and Patty's diner to have lunch. Patty was known for her chicken pot pie, which Michonne agreed was scrumptious, and thankfully she was able to keep it down.
Following their meal, Rick drove to edge of town, where the only drive-in theater in King County was located. It was still early in the day, so no movies were playing, but he wanted her to see it anyway, having fond memories of going there with friends and family over the years.
"I bet you brought all the ladies here back in the day, huh Grimes?" Michonne quipped.
He looked over to her, shaking his head. "Nope, not really…only two actually…Erica, my girlfriend in high school and Melanie. I came here a lot with my family growing up. My mom loved movies," he smiled.
"That's sweet," she said, rubbing his arm. "I've actually never been to a drive-in movie."
He looked at her in disbelief. "What? You've never been to the drive-in?"
"No," she chuckled.
"Well, we'll have to change that. There's one back home…" he stopped himself, realizing how much he'd gotten used to thinking of Tannon Falls as home.
Michonne noticed his contemplation. "Is that what Tannon Falls is to you now, Rick? Is it home?", she asked seriously.
He returned her gaze, wanting to put her doubt to rest. "Yes, Michonne. As long as you're there, it is."
Rick's words quieted the voices in her head, but she was still apprehensive about sharing the secret she'd been holding. The truth was, Andrea's little speech had gotten to her.
She thought about the situation she found herself in. This thing with Rick had moved at warp speed and now here she was, possibly carrying a child…his child and she didn't know how to feel about that. After Kyle died, she resolved herself to be alone. Once she knew it was over with Ed, the thought of another serious relationship seemed far too overwhelming to navigate while in pain and she didn't dare dream of having another child.
Then she met Rick and he shared her pain. He understood it, he welcomed it, he absorbed it, all while making her fall deeper and deeper in love with him...not the man he thought she wanted, but him, a man with vengeance on his mind and grief consuming his soul, a man with faults…but he was also a man with a fiercely protective and loving way about him…and she was honored to have the opportunity to know him and to love him. She didn't want anything to derail the peace they had finally found, so she made the decision to keep quiet for just a little longer while she thought of the best way to tell him he may be a father once again.
He reached over and gently caressed her hand with his thumb. "Everything okay, sweetheart? Where did you go just now?"
"Yeah, everything is fine. Are you ready to go home? We both have an early morning," she smiled.
Rick stared longingly into her glossy brown eyes, concerned that the past couple of days had exhausted her.
"I hope my family didn't make you uneasy. Shane and Andrea can be pretty persistent about expressing their thoughts. I know they want me to move back to King County, but it isn't their decision and I really don't want you worrying about it," he said, pulling his truck onto the main road.
Michonne turned to look out the window, not wanting him to see the stray tears that had managed to escape her weary eyes.
"They miss you, it's understandable. I want you to do what is best for you. I promise, I'll be okay."
He frowned at her, "Hey…look at me."
She turned to face him, wiping her cheeks. "I'm sorry…I don't know what's gotten into me. I'm okay."
"Sweetheart, I am doing what's best for me. Where is this coming from? Did Andrea say something to you?" he asked, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter out of frustration.
"No, I've been thinking about everything that's happened over the past few months. We're both in a much different place than when we met and I'm so thankful for that…but now that things are settling down, we have time to reflect on what we mean to each other and where we want this to go."
"Michonne," he exhaled before continuing, "I admit when we met, we both just needed to feel again, we needed someone to dull the pain, but that's not what this is," he stated, gesturing between the two of them. "It's so much more than that. When all the pain is gone, I'll still be in love with you."
She squeezed his free hand, "I feel the same way. I love you," she whispered, kissing his palm.
A few days later, Michonne walked around her classroom, observing her students' re-creations of Van Gogh's Starry Night. She'd been feeling ill all morning but was pushing through with the assistance of saltine crackers and ginger ale.
"Mariah, this is beautiful," she exclaimed studying the young woman's work. "It's an interesting change of color palette from the original, but it works."
"Thank you," Mariah expressed, noticing the beads of sweat gathering on Michonne's forehead. "Ms. Jameson, are you okay?"
Michonne held her head in her hand for a moment before muttering, "it's a little warm in here. I think I need to sit for a second."
She took a few steps before her legs gave out and she nearly fell to the floor, fortunately caught by two male students who were standing close to her.
"Ms. Jameson!", several students shouted in unison. "Go get the nurse…and Ms. Greene," Mariah ordered one of her classmates.
An hour later, Michonne was resting in a hospital bed, waiting for the on-call physician to return. After her fainting incident, the school nurse insisted she go to the emergency room to be checked out. Maggie, who had driven her there, waited by her side.
"Can I get you anything, Michonne? Some water, soda, tea…anything?"
"No, I'm okay. Thanks again for bringing me. I can't believe I fainted in front of my students. How mortifying," she said, holding her head in her hands.
"Michonne, embarrassment in the last thing you need to be worried about. We need to figure out what's going on," Maggie retorted, sounding worried.
"I'm going to be fine, Maggie…but I appreciate your concern," Michonne returned, smiling at her friend.
"Ahem," the tall, dark-haired doctor cleared his throat, tapping his knuckles on the door. He held her file in his hand and studied it for a moment. "Okay, Ms. Jameson. I think we've figured out what caused you to faint." He looked over to Maggie and then back to Michonne.
Michonne picked up on his silent question, "It's okay doc. You can speak freely in front of her."
"Ok, well most of your bloodwork came back normal but it appears you are severely anemic. That is likely what is contributing to your dizziness and the cause of your fainting."
Michonne nodded in understanding, sensing there was more.
"Now, for the big news…the anemia is likely caused by your pregnancy. The blood test confirmed it. Based on your last period, you're nearly 8 weeks along. I hope congratulations are in order," the doctor smiled.
Maggie looked at Michonne, her jaw dropping in surprise, while Michonne simply nodded.
"Thank you, doctor. Will I be able to be released soon?"
"Sure, I'll get your paperwork in order. You'll want to follow up with an obstetrician or a midwife if you prefer. I can recommend a few if you don't have one. You'll need to get started right away on a multivitamin with folic acid and iron."
"I'll take care of it. Thanks again," Michonne responded softly. The doctor nodded and left the room.
"Michonne, oh my god! You're pregnant? Did you know?" Maggie gasped.
"I had an inkling. I've kind of been avoiding it," she said, running her hand through her wavy locs.
Maggie immediately understood why her friend was avoiding it. "How do you feel about it?"
Michonne sighed, looking Maggie in the eyes. "Honestly, I don't know. It's bittersweet. Rick has no idea and I'm not sure how to tell him. I don't know if he wants more children."
"Oh sweetie," Maggie exhaled, clasping Michonne's hands in hers. "I wish I knew what to say to make you feel better. I don't want this to sound insensitive, but maybe this is the blessing you and Rick have been waiting for. I'm sure everything will work itself out."
"I hope you're right," Michonne returned. "Maggie, please don't tell Glenn. I don't want him slipping up and saying anything before I've had a chance to tell Rick."
Maggie giggled, "Glenn knows better…but of course, I'll keep it to myself. I think you should just get it over with and tell Rick. You don't need to deal with this alone any longer. You two have a lot to think about."
"Speaking truth as always, Maggie Greene," Michonne quipped.
A few days later…
"Okay, can I take the blindfold off now?" Michonne whined, as she sat in the passenger seat of Rick's truck.
"Nope, not yet. Be patient, we're almost there," Rick replied, navigating down the road that led to their secret paradise for the next couple of days.
"Rick, where are you taking me? Do you know how hard it is to be kept in the dark for this long?"
He laughed at her incessant pouting, finally seeing their destination in view. He threw the truck in park and walked over to her door, taking her hand and assisting her out of the vehicle.
"Okay, darlin'...you can take it off now," he remarked, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Michonne removed the blindfold and examined her surroundings. They stood before a large two-story cabin with floor to ceiling glass windows and a magnificent view of the waterfalls in the background. She shot her hand over her mouth, trying to contain the tears that were on the verge of making an appearance.
"Rick, oh my god. It's beautiful."
He held her tighter and kissed her temple. "I know you said you don't like to make a big deal about Valentine's Day, but I thought you could use a little get away. You seem stressed lately."
"You didn't have to do this," she smiled.
"I know, but I wanted to. Now come on, let's go look inside."
He took her by the hand and led her inside. Her mouth dropped as she took in the cream-colored leather furniture, large flatscreen television hanging over a marble encased fireplace and large modern kitchen with granite countertops and state-of-the-art appliances.
Rick was enjoying her reaction to his surprise getaway. Placing his hand on the small of her back, he whispered into her ear, "Follow me."
They walked up the spiral staircase to reveal a second floor with a large master bedroom complete with a king-sized bed covered in plush white linens, a second fireplace and a jacuzzi tub. The highlight of the bedroom was the balcony, which opened out to a spectacular view of the roaring waterfalls.
"Look at this view!" Michonne exclaimed, walking outside to get a better look. She took a moment to breathe in the crisp air, filling her with a sense of rejuvenation.
Rick came up beside her, also admiring the beauty of the falls. "You like it?"
"I love it!", she beamed, cupping his face in her hands and kissing him.
"Come here, there's one last thing to show you," he instructed, leading her back inside.
They returned to the first floor, walking through the seating area to the back of the cabin. Entering through double glass doors, they cast their eyes on a modest-size swimming pool in the middle of the heated room. Adjacent to the pool was a sitting area with lounge chairs, a large mural of a beach, a bar and sound system.
"Whaaat? There's a pool?! You really went all out, Mr. Grimes!"
"We deserve it," he shrugged.
"Damn, I didn't bring my suit," she pouted.
"You won't need it," he grinned mischievously, drawing her in for a sensual kiss.
She placed her body flush against his and threaded her fingers through his silky curls, enjoying the way his tongue played with hers. "Mmm," she moaned, breaking the kiss to gaze into his baby blues. "You are something else."
"We can take a swim later, but first I have dinner coming in about an hour. Why don't you go relax while I bring in the bags," he suggested, smooching the tip of her nose.
"Yes daddy," she joked, winking at him.
He groaned, the sound of her calling him 'daddy' in her sultry voice making him want to skip the bags and dinner so they could get to the good part.
Softly patting her on the ass, he led her back through the double doors.
An hour later, Michonne walked out of bathroom, feeling refreshed after her steaming hot shower. She slathered on a bit of toasted almond and vanilla body butter, slipped on a red maxi dress, and released her locs from the bun secured on top of her head.
She padded barefoot down the stairs and walked into the large eat-in kitchen. Rick was sitting at the glass table, looking devilishly handsome in dark wash jeans and a pale blue sweater.
Michonne scanned the spread laid out on the table. He ordered Thai food, along with her favorite chocolate ganache cake and fresh strawberries with whipped cream. A dozen red roses were placed in the center of the table next to a bottle of chilled champagne.
"Have a seat gorgeous," Rick said, rising from the table to pull out her chair.
"Rick Grimes, you keep surprising me. I had no idea you were such a romantic," she smiled, caressing his bearded cheek before taking her seat.
"I'm working on it," he laughed softly.
"You got all of my favorites," She exclaimed, piling her plate with chicken pad thai.
"Can I pour you some champagne?" he asked, reaching for the bottle.
Michonne paused for a moment, trying to quickly think of an excuse not to partake in the bubbly treat.
"Um, no…I can't mix alcohol with this new prescription the doctor gave me for the dizziness."
He raised his eyebrows. "Oh, I didn't realize. The fridge is fully stocked, let me see what I can find for you."
Michonne closed her eyes and sighed as he examined the contents of the refrigerator. She knew she was at the point of no return. She needed to inform him about the pregnancy soon because telling half-truths was killing her.
"How about some sparkling white grape juice?" he called out to her.
"Perfect," she replied.
He came back and set her filled glass in front of her. "Before we eat, there's something I want to give you," he said, kissing the exposed skin on her shoulder. "I'll be right back."
He rushed upstairs and came sauntering back a couple of minutes later carrying a small rectangular box. He sat down and slid it across the table, motioning for her to open it.
"Rick, what is this?" she asked, her eyes wide with delight.
"Open it and find out," he replied eagerly.
She slowly opened the box and peered inside. Her eyes watered as she retrieved the gold necklace, adorned with a sparkling diamond and ruby butterfly pendant.
"Oh my god…a ruby…Kyle's birthstone…you remembered," she murmured, barely able to speak.
"Here, let me put it on you," Rick offered, pushing her hair to the side so he could place it around her neck.
She touched her hand to where the butterfly rested near her heart. "It's perfect," she whispered.
Rick lifted her chin so he could look into her mocha-colored eyes. He used his thumb to wipe away her tears and bent down to place a soft kiss to her quivering lips. "I'm happy you like it."
"Thank you so much, Rick. I can't believe you did all of this. I can get used to being spoiled this way," she replied, still grasping the pendant.
"You should get used to it. There's more where this came from, but first let's eat."
Michonne nodded, smiling as she dug into her food. She took a few bites before being visited with the wretched feeling of nausea churning in her stomach. Quickly, she dropped her fork and bolted to the bathroom upstairs.
"Michonne!" Rick called out to her, utterly confused by her sudden departure. A minute later, he followed her upstairs, seeing that she had closed the restroom door behind her. He gently knocked, making out the sound of her heaving as he stood there with a million thoughts running through his head. The pieces were slowly starting to come together, the dizziness, the mood fluctuations, the refusal to drink alcohol, and now this.
"Baby, can I come in?" he asked softly.
"I'd rather you not. I'll be out in a second," she groaned.
Rick took a seat on the bed, waiting for her to feel well enough to come out. After a few minutes, he heard the toilet flush and water running in the sink.
Once she finally came out, he could see the tears streaming down her face. He quickly got up, pulling her into a strong embrace and leading her to the bed. They sat there quietly for a spell, as she sobbed.
Rick sighed, running his hands through his thick, chestnut curls. "You're pregnant?" It came out as more of a statement than a question.
She slowly nodded, "Yes."
"How long have you known?"
"I've suspected it for a couple of weeks, but it was confirmed a few days ago. I'm already 8 weeks along. I fainted at work and…"
Rick's eyes shot up to hers. "You fainted? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to worry you," she responded, wiping at the moisture on her face. "Maggie took me to the emergency room, and they told me I'm anemic. It's caused by the pregnancy. That's why I've been so weak and dizzy. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," she wept.
"Hey…it's okay," he said, grasping her hands in his.
"I ruined our evening," she murmured through her sobs.
"You didn't sweetheart. I just…I had no idea…" his words trailed off as he attempted to process the news she'd just shared.
"Are you angry?" she asked nervously.
"No…I'm just trying to process it, but I'm not angry. You didn't do this on your own," he reassured her, gently caressing her shoulders.
"I never thought about having another child after Kyle. I'm…afraid," she admitted.
He nodded understandingly. "Yeah…I know what you mean. I guess I hadn't given it much thought either. If I'm being honest, the thought of it is kind of scary."
"We really should have been more careful, but here we are. So, what do we do about it?" she asked pointedly.
He glared at her; a bit taken aback by her question. "Right now, you are going to lie down and rest while I clean up downstairs."
She crawled to the top of the bed to rest her head on the plush pillows. "Hurry back," she responded.
"I'll see you in a minute," he smiled, before walking out of the bedroom.
Rick made quick work of packing up all the food and cleaning the dishes, all while pondering the idea of being a father again. He hated that Michonne had kept this to herself for so long, but he understood her apprehension in telling him. It was certainly a lot to swallow. Only a couple of months ago, he was in a tailspin, on the verge of committing murder and being haunted by his dead wife and daughter, now he had created another life.
How the hell was he supposed to do this? The thought of it was terrifying. What if he had another mental breakdown? What if something went wrong during the pregnancy? What if he couldn't keep this child safe? All of these questions ran through his mind.
He and Michonne could handle things on their own but being responsible for a child was something altogether different. There was no way he would survive another blow if something devastating happened. Moreover, he never wanted Michonne to suffer again. Now, he had put her in the position of having to carry and raise another child. He knew she was struggling with this, just as he was.
Once he was finished in the kitchen, he made his way back to the bedroom to find Michonne lying across the bed, softly snoring. He stood in the doorway for a moment, watching her chest rise and fall from her shallow breaths. Her long hair was sprawled across the pillow, looking something like a halo surrounding her angelic face. He loved her, of that much he was certain. They would need to figure out the rest together.
He kicked off his shoes and nestled in beside her, gently rubbing his fingers across her flat abdomen.
"We're going to be okay," he whispered. "I promise."
The next morning, Michonne awoke to find Rick had removed her clothing and tucked her securely under the soft comforter. She got out of bed and retrieved a nightgown from her suitcase, then went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Once she was done, she walked downstairs and met Rick in the kitchen.
"Good mornin'. How'd you sleep?" he inquired, cutting up a few strawberries.
"Not bad, I guess." She pulled her locs into a high ponytail and sat at the table.
"How do you feel? Is your stomach settled? I'm makin' a fruit salad…figured you could use something light. There's also some ginger tea in the cupboards. I can make you a cup if you'd like."
She was truly touched by his attentiveness. She wasn't sure how she expected him to react to the news of her pregnancy, but his calmness was reassuring. It confirmed for her that he was progressing in moving forward.
"Yes, I would love a cup. Thank you. I feel okay this morning. The nausea comes and goes. I never understood why they call it morning sickness. It hits at any time during the day," she snickered. "When I was pregnant with Ky…" she stopped herself as her little boy's face appeared in her thoughts.
Rick looked up to see her once again, wiping tears from her face. He walked over to her and crouched down, so he was eye level with her.
Sighing heavily, he clasped her hands. "Michonne…I know this isn't going to be easy, but we'll get through it. We'll do it together. I assure you everything will be okay."
"I just don't want to feel like this baby is replacing him," she cried.
He sat on his knees and pulled her closer, resting his head on her lap. "You don't need to feel that way. Having another baby won't replace the children we've lost. He gripped her hips, holding her tight. "They'll always be with us…but we have to keep living. You taught me that."
She nodded, running her hand through his hair, knowing it was easier said than done.
After breakfast, Michonne decided to go for a swim to clear her head. She instructed Alexa to put on a playlist and listened as Lord Huron drifted through the speakers. Slowly, she lowered her naked body into the water, enjoying the instant relaxation that washed over her. She did a couple of laps, bobbing her face in and out of the water, gliding freely from one end of the pool to the other.
A short while later, Rick came in wearing a towel wrapped around his waist and stood at the edge of the pool, waiting for her to come up for air. When she did, he smiled at how beautiful she looked, her face glistening from the droplets of water and her hair flowing freely over her left shoulder.
"May I join you?" he asked in a husky voice.
She smirked at him. "Of course, I insist."
He smiled at her as a new song began to play…
My one and only love
I've been lonely long enough
Will I find you when the night is over?
Tell me where did you go?
I've been searching high and low
I have only 'til the night is over
He dropped his towel, causing her breath to hitch as she trailed her eyes over his lean, muscular body, and semi-erect penis. He lowered himself into the water and instantly swept her into his arms. Their gaze remained fixed on one another as they stood, skin-to-skin, resting against the side of the pool. He gently pushed a few wayward locs behind her ear and brought their lips together.
He gifted her with a series of slow, gentle kisses, before licking her bottom lip, requesting entry into her warm mouth. She didn't disappoint him, allowing him inside as their tongues did a slow tango, moving in perfect synchronization.
Running his fingers along her spine, his touch sent a light chill through her body. Michonne wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him in even closer, as she kissed him hungrily, getting lost in the feel of his perfect lips against hers. He slowly broke their kiss and trailed his lips down to her chin, then her throat, where he sucked in her smooth skin.
In every window, I pass
Your reflection in the glass
Makes me wonder if my mind is going
Shadows shifting in the rain
Slowly driving me insane
By the stars above, I know we were in love
I have only 'til the night is over
"Rick," she panted, as he backed her up against the side of the pool. "I love you," he whispered, wrapping her legs tight around his waist. He cupped her ass with one hand and used the other to line himself up with her entrance. They both let out a delicious moan as he penetrated her.
Michonne closed her eyes and tightened her grip around his neck as he steadily thrusted into her, causing the water to ripple around them.
His strong hands were now gripping her waist, effortlessly holding her up against the hard surface of the pool. He could feel her heavy breaths against his neck and hear her soft moans in his ear, spurring him on. He gradually increased his pace, just a little, content to take his time with her. He wanted to savor every moment he was making love to this woman, drinking her in like she was a tall glass of water in the middle of a desert.
Michonne, craving his kiss, sensually sucked his bottom lip into her mouth and then the top one. He pulled back a little, intensely staring into her beautiful brown eyes. Their eyes remained locked as he pounded into her with more force, causing her to cry out in pleasure. He shifted her so his hands were palming her ass, pushing her up a little further as he drilled into her. Their expressions of ecstasy nearly rose above the desperate love song playing in the background.
I feel the weather change
I hear the river say your name
I watch the birds fly by
I see an emerald in the sky
"Rick…" she breathed, digging her fingernails into his biceps. He dropped his mouth to her breasts, taking his time to lick and suck on both of her delectable chocolate nipples. "Mmm," he moaned, loving the way she tasted.
Michonne felt her imminent release building in her core as his long, thick cock slid against her sensitive walls. The water rocked as he buried himself deeper and slammed his pelvis into hers.
"Michonne," he rasped, massaging his fingers into her plump bottom. He licked up the side of her neck and sucked on her earlobe, sending yet another jolt of pleasure up her spine. As always, he was making her lose control, the feeling of him being inside of her was something she would never grow tired of.
"Baby," she purred, gripping his damp curls with both hands, as he placed more gentle kisses along her neck.
When he brought his eyes back to hers, she could see he was crying. She didn't have to ask why, the reality of what they had overcome, where they were now, and where they were heading, was enough to bring her to tears as well.
I hear the river say your name
By the stars above, I know we were in love
I hear the river say your name
I have only 'til the night is over
She was afraid, but she knew there was no one else she would rather move forward with than this man, this beautiful man who had touched her soul and breathed life into her. With tears streaming down their faces and their bodies joined as one, they found a blissful release.
Lyrics: When the Night is Over by Lord Huron (Beautiful song! Check it out)
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Good news, Part 2 is getting posted very, very, very soon! I broke it into two chapters because it felt like a natural place to conclude with the pregnancy reveal and solidification of their commitment to each other before jumping into the mayhem. Yes, Merle and Elaina are making an appearance. Let's see what our lovelies discover and how they handle the situation. Thank you for the reviews, favorites and follows! You all make my day! You make me laugh, you make me think, you even make me cry. Keep it coming!
