A/N: Sorry for the delay on this one. All I can say is life got in the way. Thank you for the follows, faves and reviews! I love reading them so much! You all are the best readers ever!
This chapter got too long so I'm splitting their weekend at the King County Strawberry Festival into two. I hope y'all like Part 1!
Chapter 8: Crazy Lucky
Inspired by Crazy Lucky by Better than Ezra
Rick had the biggest smile on his face watching Michonne and Carl discuss all the ways the Marvel Cinematic Universe was better than the DC Universe as they enjoyed burgers, fries, and shakes at a place called Grindhouse Killer Burgers that Michonne had recommended.
He was being completely shut out of the conversation but he didn't mind. He was quite content to watch them bond over their shared love of geeky things. It had been like that from the minute he'd introduced his son to her. As soon as he'd guided Carl through Michonne's front door, the two of them just took to each other. Carl was asking her rapid fire questions about everything and Michonne just smiled and answered all of them.
Even T'Challa took to the kid. Carl was allowed to pet him within 5 minutes of meeting him while Rick still got a swipe if he even looked at the cat too close. By the time they'd left for the restaurant, Rick had been relegated to a supporting character in the Carl and Michonne show.
Michonne had suggested the restaurant earlier in the week when he'd mentioned that Carl's favorite food was burgers. The place was sci-fi themed and as soon as they walked in, Carl's eyes had nearly bugged out of his head. It almost happened again when he got his giant burger and fries. The only time he'd stopped talking since he met Michonne was when he bit into that thing.
The burger was good and he polished his off while Carl and Michonne got to know each other better. Carl was visibly enjoying every minute of it, and Rick was having a hard time remembering the last time he'd seen his son so animated. He was hanging on every word Michonne said and she was charming Carl the same way she'd completely enraptured him.
It wasn't until he was smacked in face by a french fry that he snapped out of his thoughts to find both of them laughing at him.
"Direct hit," Carl exclaimed with a laugh.
Michonne's eyes were shining and she was still grinning as she bit into a fry. "Earth to Rick!"
He couldn't help but laugh at how amused they were. "I was just thinking…what did I miss?"
Michonne shrugged and shared a look with Carl. "Nothing…but Carl just volunteered you to make pancakes tomorrow morning."
"What?"
Carl polished off the last of his fries and said,"Yeah, dad. Your pancakes are really good!"
He shook his head, wondering how two people could love food as much as his son and his girlfriend. Yet another thing the two of them had in common. "First of all, how are you two even thinking about food right now? You just inhaled those burgers like you were starving!"
Almost simultaneously, Carl and Michonne glanced at each other and their empty trays and shrugged.
"We were hungry…and so were you! Yours was gone in 5 minutes flat!"
He shook his head at their reasoning. "But I'm not the one talking about pancakes!"
Michonne leaned back in her chair. "We have to plan ahead, right Carl?"
Carl nodded. "…and we have to make sure he has all the stuff. Dad hates going to the store."
Michonne raised an eyebrow. "Does he now?"
Carl was smiling wide and sipping on his chocolate shake but he stopped long enough to answer. "Yeah, grandma is always asking him if he's planning on giving his whole paycheck to the diner."
"Carl…," he began, trying to stop his son before all of his single dad secrets were spilled.
"It's true, dad," his son insisted and Rick sighed, scratching at the stubble on his cheeks. His eyes drifted over to Michonne, with her straw in her mouth and enjoying their conversation like it was a hit tv show.
"I don't hear you complaining about eating at the diner or ordering pizza..."
Carl considered what he'd said for a split second before shaking his head. "No, I like all that stuff but I miss your pancakes. They're so much better than mom's."
Michonne's smile grew even wider and she reached across the table to squeeze his hand. "Well I can't wait to try these famous Rick Grimes pancakes!"
He held on to her hand for a minute before lifting it up and brushing his lips against her knuckles. "Sounds like I don't have a choice in the matter."
She shook her head, her eyes never leaving his, and he wondered how he'd even gotten so lucky to find this woman. "Well, we better get moving if we're going to make it home before the stores close. I have to get stuff for pancakes."
XXXXX
The Piggly Wiggly was closest to his house and Rick figured it was as good a place as any to get the things they needed. He was responsible for getting the pancake ingredients while Carl and Michonne made sure he got everything else they needed like bacon, maple syrup, and fresh fruit but both of them went a little overboard with extras. He finally had to draw the line at the family pack of Big Cat bars.
The store was packed for a Friday night and he guessed it was people getting the last few things they needed for the festival. He'd shopped at that grocery store his entire life but he'd never been greeted more than he was that night, holding hands with Michonne as they perused the aisles. Almost every customer in the store made a point of stopping them to say hello.
At first, he told himself they were looking at Michonne; her long, printed skirt and sleeveless top when paired with her gold sandals and her locs piled into a bun on top of her head, made her look like a bohemian queen and they just didn't have women like that in King County. He could barely keep his eyes off of her so he really couldn't blame them for not being able to.
Then, he noticed the whispers every time Carl would grab her hand; dragging her away from him to pick some junk food they didn't need from the shelf. He felt the stares when he pulled her into his arms to press his lips against the curve of her neck and he realized that King County's gossip hotline was getting kicked off a little sooner than he'd expected.
Then, they pulled into his driveway and seeing Mrs. Sullivan's house reminded him of the hell that was going to break loose when Mrs. Sullivan woke up to find a strange car in his driveway. They'd decided to drive Michonne's suv instead of his truck from Atlanta just for the extra room it provided for her and Carl's bags. Rick could only imagine the flurry of phone calls it was going to set off in the morning.
After putting her bag into his bedroom and giving her a short tour of his home, Carl tugged Michonne down the hallway to his room to show off his comic book collection. He stood in the doorway watching them for a minute and saw a vision of his whole weekend being spent competing with his own son for her attention. Laughing to himself, he left them alone to put the groceries away, that thought making him happier than it had any right to. His son and his girlfriend were quickly becoming best friends and he took that as even more proof that the relationship they were jumping headfirst into was meant to be.
After another hour of them bonding over Mario Kart, he told a disappointed Carl that it was time for bed. While Michonne went into his room to get ready for bed, he made sure Carl was set for the night and made a point to pull the door to Carl's room shut behind him when he left.
She was sitting on the bed in a pair of silky pajama bottoms and a tank top with her hair tied back in a scarf, rubbing a cream into her skin. She smiled when she saw him and kept at her task.
"Is he all tucked in for the night?"
He nodded and stripped out of his shirt and unbuckled his pants. "Yeah. I think you wore him out." A smirk worked it's way across his lips when he felt her checking him out. At least he knew he wasn't he only one who couldn't keep his eyes off the other.
"I don't know about that. He kicked my ass repeatedly in Mario Kart. I'm the one worn out! I'm so going to practice for the rematch though," she laughed.
He stepped out of his jeans and grabbed his pajama bottoms from the end of the bed. "That's a good idea since you are his new best friend and everything."
"I guess I just have a way with Grimes men," she said.
He grinned and sat behind her on the bed, taking over massaging the lotion into her shoulders and back. Jesus, she smelled good; like coconuts and sunshine and happiness. "You certainly do."
She rolled her neck to the side and sighed as she relaxed under his touch. "He's a great kid…and he has a pretty great dad."
He brushed his lips against her shoulder and his hands found their way under her shirt and were caressing her stomach and sides. Her skin felt like silk and touching her only made him want to touch her more. "He makes it easy on me."
His fingertips drifted underneath the waistband of her pajama bottoms as his mouth focused on the apex of her neck and shoulder; alternating between licks and nibbles and her head fell back against his chest.
"Rick..."
"What? I finally have you all to myself. I have to take advantage of it," he whispered as his fingers reached their target. She shuddered at his touch; her body reacting to him in obvious ways. He began to gently stroke her; adding to the wetness he'd found there. He slowly inserted one finger, then another while his other hand occupied itself with her firm breast; rubbing until her nipple hardened into peaks.
"It feels weird...doing this with your son right down the hall…," she sighed and he just laughed into the side of her neck. "I know it's normal, but what if he hears us?"
He wanted to reassure her; tell her that Carl had been a heavy sleeper since birth so she had no reason to worry about him waking up. Instead, he began thrusting his fingers inside of her building up to a steady rhythm. She arched backwards; wantonly writhing against him with her breathing heavy and her body burning with desire.
He was already painfully hard and she was grinding her hips against him matching the pace of his fingers. His breathing grew heavy like hers and he thought about pulling her underneath him and burying himself inside of her. But he kept up his attentions; wanting to feel her come apart in his arms. He could feel that she was almost there. Her little gasps and moans were coming more frequently, and her hands gripped the thin fabric of his pajama pants as her body trembled with pleasure.
"We'll just have to be really quiet," he murmured, teasing her earlobe with his teeth. Her whimpers and short breaths were driving him crazy as he kept coaxing her toward her peak. Her eyes fluttered open for just a second and the naked desire pooled in her dilated pupils nearly sent him over the edge. "Jesus, Michonne...you're so beautiful like this..."
"Rick...I'm...oh god..." she stuttered, biting her lip as words failed her. She stiffened in his arms and her jaw fell open with the beginnings of a satisfied groan. He quickly leaned forward to muffle the sound with his mouth, swirling his tongue around hers as she shattered against him.
He held her as she came back down, covering her neck with languid kisses as her breathing returned to normal. Her eyes were still dark with need when she opened them, and her lips curved into a half-smile.
"You play dirty, sergeant…," she giggled.
"As long as you liked it…," His words trailed off as he couldn't resist kissing her again.
Surprising him, she broke the kiss, turned around in his arms and straddled his lap, her hands quickly becoming lost in his hair. "Oh, I liked it," she purred, grinding a bit on his throbbing erection and making his mind go completely blank. "Now. Let's see how quiet you can be…"
XXXXX
She was still asleep when he woke up; her lithe body curled into his side with one arm thrown across his bare chest and her gentle breathing the only sound filling the room. Sunlight was barely peeking through the blinds letting him know it was still very early.
They'd spent most of the night reveling in each other's bodies after the awkwardness wore off, their quiet giggles and pleasured moans carrying on well after midnight. After collapsing in exhaustion the last time, she'd snuggled into him and promptly fallen asleep. He hadn't been too far behind, taking a few extra minutes to reflect on how perfect their day had been before falling asleep.
He always slept so well with her next to him but as much as he wanted to stay in bed, he gently extracted himself from her arms and got to his feet. They had a busy day ahead of them and it couldn't get started without the pancakes he'd been strong armed into making.
After a quick shower and dressing in a pair of khaki shorts and a brown t shirt, he noticed she'd pulled his pillow into her chest and was cuddled into it like it was him. She was adorable and he smiled as he pulled his phone out of his pocket and snapped a picture of her before leaving her to her dreams.
He'd just gotten the mixing bowl down from the cabinet when Carl came padding down the hallway still in his pajamas, and rubbing his eyes.
"Good morning, dad," he mumbled, his voice still gritty from sleep.
"Morning son. I'm surprised to see you up this early. You must be real excited about the festival today."
Carl nodded and stumbled into the kitchen. "I am…can I help you with breakfast?"
"Sure. Wash your hands and get me the eggs and milk out of the fridge and then you can set the table."
Carl followed his directions to the letter. "Where's Michonne?" He asked.
"She's still sleeping. I'm sure she'll wake up as soon as we get the bacon going."
"Ok."
The question was nearly burning his tongue so instead of fighting it, he decided to just ask it. "So…it looked like you and Michonne hit it off…"
Carl shrugged and retrieved the silverware out of the drawer. "I've never met a grown up that knows so much about comics. And she's good at Mario Kart too."
"She told me you whooped her butt," he laughed.
Carl's face brightened and he joined in his father's laughter. "She almost beat me every time! Was she mad I didn't let her win one?" asked Carl.
He shook his head. "No. You just made her want to practice for next time."
"She's pretty cool."
He beamed over at his son who was arranging the forks and knives just like his grandma showed him. "I'm glad you like her."
"She's going to be around a lot more, isn't she? Because she's your girlfriend?"
He nodded and cleared his throat. "Yeah. I think she's going to be spending a lot of time with us."
"Good. You're a lot cooler too when she's around," said Carl and Rick wasn't exactly sure how to take that.
"Thanks a lot, son..."
Carl rolled his eyes, "I mean...I know I'm just a kid but you've been really sad since everything happened with Mom. Even before you guys broke up."
"Carl..."
"You're happy again with Michonne. I can tell," he continued, "And mom is happy now. You should be too."
Rick stared at his son for a minute, overwhelmed by the love he had for him. When everything went down with Lori, his only concern had been keeping Carl as far away from it as he could. He'd done the best he could but Carl had still seen how broken he'd been. It was humbling; and even though he knew he couldn't guarantee that Carl would never see him like that again, he was going to try his hardest to prevent it.
"How did I end up with such a smart kid?" He asked, his voice thick with love for his son.
Carl shrugged and grabbed the plates off the shelf. "I don't know. Everybody says I'm just like you."
Soon, the bacon and fruit salad were done, coffee was made, the table was set, and the last of the pancakes were in the pan. He'd let Carl choose the soundtrack for the morning and he'd gone with a playlist filled with classic rock from The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles. The sound of the shower alerted him that Michonne was up so the music was loud and he and Carl were singing along with Jumping Jack Flash.
"Good Morning..." Her voice pulled his attention away from the pancakes and he looked up to find her standing at the end of the hallway looking too beautiful for that early in the morning. Her hair was back in a ponytail and she looked like she'd fit in perfectly at the festival in her denim shorts and pink sleeveless shirt.
"Good morning, Michonne! Breakfast is almost ready," Carl announced, bringing Rick's attention back to the pancakes.
She joined them in the kitchen, coming to stand next to him at the stove and running her palm over his back.
"Hey...we didn't wake you, did we?" He asked.
She shook her head and kissed the side of his mouth. "No, but you two are having way too much fun out here. Everything looks delicious!"
Carl squeezed in beside her. "I made the fruit salad...after dad cut the strawberries for me...but I set the table!"
She ruffled his hair as he grabbed the bowl of fruit to take to the table. "I can't wait to try it and the table looks great!"
He flipped the last of the pancakes onto the serving plate and turned off the burner. "Coffee?" He asked; pulling a mug from the cabinet in anticipation of her answer.
She nodded excitedly when he handed it to her. "Yes please."
He smiled and filled the mug a little over halfway. "Cream and sugar are on the table. I made sure to put out extra for you." The smirk on her lips made him smile even wider.
"Don't worry. I might save you some," she teased as she joined Carl at the table. "Gosh, I could get used to this kind of treatment!"
"We hope so...," he said, grabbing the plates with the pancakes and the bacon and bringing them to the table before taking his seat.
"Now remember, these aren't Carol's famous sweet potato pancakes…"
"I'm sure they're great," she said as she loaded her plate down with pancakes, bacon, and fruit.
"Carl likes to exaggerate…"
Carl sat up straighter in his chair and Rick didn't think it was possible for a ten year old to look as offended as he did. "I do not!"
"I just want you to manage your expectations," he continued. He had no idea why he was so nervous. They were just pancakes but he was consumed with hope for her to like them.
Michonne covered hers with butter and syrup, raising an eyebrow as she cut into the them and took a bite. He chewed on his lip as he waited for her reaction.
She ate a few more bites and even tried the fruit salad before sipping from her coffee mug. Her eyes were apologetic when she looked up from her plate and he felt his heart drop. Their perfect morning was being shattered by his terrible pancakes.
"I'm sorry, Rick...", she began but he immediately shook his head.
"Hey, I get it. I'm pretty sure there's cereal in there...", he said, trying to hold back his disappointment. Even Carl looked a little deflated as he pushed his food around on his plate.
He felt her hand squeeze his thigh under the table and when he looked up, she looked like she was trying her best not to laugh.
"I'm sorry...because these are so good that you're going to be responsible for making breakfast whenever we're together," she grinned.
Rick blinked a few times before laughing and starting to make his plate. "You got me."
"I got both of you! Of course they're good," she laughed. "Your faces were priceless though!"
"We owe you one, right Carl?"
"Yep! It's gonna come when you least expect it too!"
"We'll see," she giggled, before winking at Carl. "By the way, your fruit salad is really good too."
He could've sworn he saw his son's cheeks turn pink and all of his talk about getting her back abruptly ended. "Thank you," Carl mumbled before digging in to the food on his plate.
Rick shook his head and laughed as he started eating too. It had been less than two days and the three of them already felt like a family.
They were all enjoying their breakfast when Michonne beamed up at both of them and said, "So…tell me all about this strawberry festival!"
XXXXX
They spent the morning wandering around the bazaar where local artists and craft makers were selling their creations to an eager crowd. Michonne was even carrying a bag holding a wind chime with silver elephants as the chimes that she knew her mother would love and she'd spent so much money on handmade jewelry that Rick would block her view every time they passed another jewelry booth.
She was glad they'd eaten a huge breakfast because there were so many booths filled with delicious looking treats that made her mouth water. That didn't stop Carl who eagerly accepted every free sample he was offered, from strawberry battered deep fried Oreos to bacon infused strawberry jam. Watching him eat made her even more full.
The one thing she couldn't get over how every single person they passed made a point to greet Rick. From old men tipping their hats to younger women offering their best smiles, he was well-loved in his little town and being from Atlanta, she wasn't used to that.
Of course, the fact that he was holding her hand like it was a precious treasure probably inspired some of them to approach him. He'd introduced her to at least 15 people since they arrived and she though he looked a little prouder every time he said, "my girlfriend Michonne". To be honest, she'd never get tired of hearing it but the whole thing felt like a coming out party.
They stopped at the table directly in front of the church where a few older ladies were enticing Carl with one of the strawberry tarts they were selling.
The younger of the two smiled as soon as she saw Rick. "Hey, Rick!"
She felt his hand tighten around hers as he answered. "Hi, Mrs. Sullivan."
Michonne noticed the woman's eyes assessing her from head to toe as she continued talking to Rick. "I saw that car in your driveway this morning and your truck was gone. Is everything ok?"
Rick nodded. "Mrs. Sullivan, this is my girlfriend, Michonne, and that's her car in my driveway. I left my truck in Atlanta."
Carl was between bites of his tart and he looked at his dad. "Her car is cooler than your truck. We should drive it all time."
Rick ignored his son and came back to the conversation and explained to Michonne, "Mrs Sullivan lives next door."
Visions of Mrs. Kravitz spying on Samantha Stephens danced through her head and her bright smile was more from that than for the woman she was being introduced to. "Nice to meet you Mrs. Sullivan."
"Hello...," the woman muttered, still giving her a classic side eye, and making her feel a little unwelcome for the first time all weekend. Rick must have noticed too because he let go of her hand but draped his arm over her shoulders, pinning her to his body. He probably would've said something too had the woman not decided to continue talking. "Carl, how's your mama doing?"
Her question to Carl answered all of the questions she had in her mind about Mrs. Sullivan. Even after everything that Rick told her, and she was sure the whole town knew the story too, Mrs. Sullivan was firmly Team Lori.
Carl had just finished answering when a voice yelling from the church interrupted everything. "Hey, Rick! Your mama saw you out the window and she says she needs you!"
"Ok...," he answered, before being his attention back to her. "You ready to meet my mama?"
She quickly forgot about the woman working the table as she focused on the milestone moment that was about to go down. She really hoped that Rick's mom was friendlier than Mrs. Sullivan.
"Ready as I'll ever be," she said, steeling herself to meet the most important woman in her boyfriend's life. A small hand wrapped itself around hers and she glanced down to see Carl grinning up at her.
"Grandma Loretta is really cool! You're going to like her a lot. Right, Dad?"
An amused half-smile danced on Rick's lips. "I think they're going to get along just fine," he said and she wondered if he was was trying to reassure her or himself. Taking hold of her other hand, he brought it up to his lips before tucking her arm through his. "Let's get this over with."
Without sparing another glance at Mrs. Sullivan, he guided her into the church and back through the offices toward the kitchen.
Her mouth fell open at the ornate detailing and gorgeous stained glass throughout sanctuary. "This place is beautiful!"
Rick nodded. "They've been doing fundraising for church improvements since I was Carl's age. There's been enough money dumped in here to build three churches."
Carl was walking ahead of them but he turned around and walked backwards so he could see them. "Hey, dad, after this can we please go to the carnival? Duane and Sophia are going to be there today."
His father nodded. "That's the plan. I'm planning on winning one of those giant teddy bears for Michonne."
She laughed and raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh really? And what are you going to do to win it?"
He ran his hand through his hair and shrugged. "I was thinking maybe the shooting gallery but I did hear they have an axe throwing game this year. I might be good at that."
She shook her head and giggled. "When have you ever thrown an axe?"
"Never, but I have excellent hand eye coordination. I bet I can throw an axe like a pro," he argued.
She nudged Carl's shoulder. "What do you think, Carl? Can your dad throw an axe?"
The boy shook his head. "I think he should stick to shooting."
Rick's jaw dropped and he actually looked a little miffed. "My own son doesn't believe in me! Now I'm gonna have to break some axe throwing records today!"
She smiled wide and squeezed his hand. "This I have to see!"
He looked over at her, that lopsided grin still on his lips. "Do you doubt my axe throwing abilities?"
She shook her head and rose up on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek. "No sir! I just wouldn't want to miss such a manly display of athleticism."
He smirked. "That isn't the kind of kiss that makes up for you being a smarta...,"
"Richard Andrew Grimes! I know you were not about to curse in church!"
She jumped at the use of his government name and knew that only one person would use it that way and with that tone. She looked up and saw a woman about her height and much younger looking than a woman with a son Rick's age had any right to. Her grey hair was cut into a modern bob and she was wearing a pair of red cigarette pants with a white button down shirt. Her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows and she had a pair of checkerboard Keds on her feet. Michonne immediately saw where Rick got his gorgeous eyes from and hers shone brightly from behind a pair of fashionable, red glasses.
The pictures she'd seen in the walls at Rick's house didn't do her any justice. Loretta Grimes was simply beautiful.
Carl took off running and wrapped his arms around her waist when he reached her. "Grandma!"
She laughed and hugged him tight. "Oh my goodness! Carl, you get taller every time I see you! How are you baby? How's school?"
Carl stepped back out of the hug her hands on his shoulders remained. "It's good. I got an A on my book report."
Loretta had a stunning smile and it was probably even brighter because she was talking to her grandson. "Wonderful! I knew you'd like The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe!"
Carl nodded. "Yeah! I had to return it to the library but dad ordered me the whole series. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!"
Loretta winked and ruffled his hair. "That dad of yours is pretty good sometimes, isn't he?" With that, her attention came back over to her and Rick as she waited for him to use the manners she'd obviously raised him with.
"Morning, mama," he finally said, letting go of her hand just long enough to hug his mother.
Loretta sighed. "Good morning, son," she said. "Now...introduce me to your friend. The whole town is talking about her and I feel left out because I haven't met her yet."
She hoped her hands weren't shaking when Rick gently tugged her over. "Mama, this is Michonne Pierce...my girlfriend."
His mother put her hands on her slim hips and had no shame in appraising her from head to toe. "Well...I heard you were pretty but you are absolutely gorgeous! I'm Loretta Grimes."
She smiled shakily. "Thank you. It's good to finally meet you, Mrs Grimes. I've heard a lot about you but you're the one who's gorgeous! I see where Rick gets his good looks from."
Her compliments brought a smile to Loretta's face. "Aren't you sweet! Please call me Loretta, but I haven't heard nearly enough about you! My son's been keeping you all to himself."
She could see the pink creeping up the sides of Rick's neck.
"Mama..."
Loretta shook her head and effectively silenced him. "Hush, Rick. You had your chance to tell me about her now it's my turn to get to know her for myself. Besides, I need you and Carl to go get me some more strawberries for the tarts. We're running low."
Rick was slowly shaking his head before Loretta even finished talking. "Now, mama...I know what you're trying to do. You're not being sneaky..."
Loretta's eyes went wide and innocent as she stared back at her son. "I'm not doing anything besides trying to get more strawberries. But if you can't find the time to help me, I'll find some one else who can..."
Rick's wide eyes matched his mother's. "I didn't say I wouldn't go..."
Loretta folded her arms across her chest in a pout. "But you don't want to leave Michonne here to keep me company. You act like I'm the most horrible mother in the world and I can't be trusted to behave!"
Rick frowned and ran a hand over his face. "That's not...you're being dramatic!"
Loretta narrowed her eyes. "If I am being dramatic it's because I love you." Loretta knew the things to say and they perfect way to say them to get her son to do exactly what she wanted. Even though she found their whole conversation entertaining, Michonne decided to step in and end it.
"I'll stay here. It'll give me the chance to get to know your mom a little bit," she said.
Rick's eyes met hers and they had a silent conversation to assure him that she'd be fine with his mom...but he'd better hurry back.
With a deep sigh, he kissed her cheek before addressing his mother. "Fine...Just be nice, mama."
Loretta gave him a sweet smile and patted his cheek. "I'm always nice." Rick's frown was back but Michonne squeezed his hand to get him to bite his tongue as Loretta continued talking. "Go on now and bring back the ripest strawberries you can find."
Rick nodded. "Ok...come on Carl."
Carl waved at her as he took off after his father, leaving her and Loretta alone together.
"Forgive me, Michonne. I just enjoy pushing his buttons sometimes. When he gets all frustrated and turns all pink, he reminds me so much of his daddy. I used to irritate the devil out of him too." Loretta was sporting the most self-satisfied grin she'd ever seen and right then she knew she was going to enjoy getting to know Rick's Mom.
Michonne wasn't quite sure how she ended up surrounded by old ladies cutting dough for strawberry tarts, but she was enjoying the work and the conversation. After performing her own thorough interrogation, Rick's mother had shuffled them into the kitchen where a small army of grandmotherly types had formed an assembly line of tart making.
Their chatter ended abruptly when they saw her walk in and she suddenly felt less than confident about whatever was about to happen.
"Ladies, this is Rick's girlfriend, Michonne, and she's gonna give us a hand until he gets back with more berries so pass her an apron." Loretta's introduction must've been enough for them because they went back to their conversations and she was handed an apron while being directed to the crust making station.
In twenty minutes of crust making, she'd learned a lot of information. Loretta was definitely the queen bee of the church lady clique which was made up of Betty Taylor, Victoria Johnson, Shirley Ridley, and Francine Miller. Whatever Loretta said was law and since she was obviously ok with her being Rick's girlfriend, so were the rest. Only Francine didn't seem on board, but Michonne figured that was because she'd been banished by Loretta to the whipped cream station on the other side of the kitchen to make room for her to help with crust.
Second, she found out that those ladies thought the sun rose and set in Rick Grimes.
"You snagged yourself one of the good ones," Michonne smiled over at Betty; a tall woman with kind brown eyes who had her dyed copper hair tied up in a bun and was responsible for putting the circles of dough she cut into tart tins. "Seems like he's getting a pretty good one in you too."
"We both got pretty lucky," she said, feeling a blush creep across her face.
The old woman raised an eyebrow and leaned across the table conspiratorially. "That Rick is a dreamboat! He looks just like Big Carl did at his age. If I was 40 years younger, I would've given you a run for your money…," she winked.
"I wouldn't blame you. He is pretty dreamy…", Michonne grinned back at her.
Loretta nudged Michonne with her elbow because her hands were busy kneading dough and shook her head. "Honey, you'd have no competition! I remember how she was 40 years ago and there's no way I'd let her anywhere near my son! I could barely let her around Big Carl before we got married! She was always giving him the eye and making him uncomfortable."
"Oh, hush Loretta!" Betty's attention went back to Michonne. "Don't listen to her. I never once made a pass at him once they got married and before that I was just being young. I changed once I found Jesus…"
"Jesus wasn't the one lost," mumbled Loretta and the other women in the room fell into a fit of laughter including Betty.
"Loretta, now you know you ain't no good," laughed Shirley, a woman who reminded Michonne so much of her own mother.
Loretta just shrugged and turned her ball of dough onto the floured tabletop. "I'm just making sure the record is set straight."
Victoria was shaking her head like she couldn't believe the show her friends were putting on as she worked on making tart filling. "Anyway…Michonne, honey, what do you for a living?"
"I'm a lawyer," she replied.
Loretta smiled and nodded. "That's right, y'all. Michonne is a district attorney for the city of Atlanta." Rick's mother was bragging on her and Michonne was thrilled about it but a little surprised too. Mainly because she didn't know what she'd done to win her over. Loretta was treating her better than Mike's Mom ever had and they were together for years. She'd always been nice and cordial, but Loretta was different. Around her, she felt like it was more than just being polite; it felt like family.
"Like on Law and Order?" Shirley asked, but before she could answer, Loretta took it upon herself to do just that.
"Exactly! Right, Michonne?"
"Yes...kind of…," she agreed and all the ladies started offering their congratulations and encouragement.
Loretta nodded. "Yes. She has a career unlike some of the women around here who are just looking for a man to support them and then get all hot in the pants for whichever one is richest, right ladies?"
The others were nodding their agreement when a clatter from the other end of the kitchen caused them all to jump and look up just in time to see Francine tug off her apron and toss it to the floor.
"God don't like ugly," she huffed before storming out of the kitchen. The ladies paid her no mind and went back to their tart making while Michonne wondered what she'd ben dragged into. Loretta must've recognized the confusion on her face because she sighed deeply and nudged her side again.
"Don't worry about her, she loves to be dramatic," she explained.
Michonne nodded and continued cutting circles in the rolled out crust. "I don't think she liked me being in here with y'all…"
"She probably didn't and I couldn't care less! She's Carl's other grandmother and she refuses to come to terms with what her daughter did to my son. I'm just trying to help her see the light." Michonne froze mid cut and shot her eyes over to Loretta. "I know…it probably isn't the Christian thing to do but I've been praying on it. I've never claimed to be anything more than a work in progress."
Victoria rose to the defense of her friend. "Loretta, you were just speaking the truth. If she took it personal, that's on her. Besides, she had a whole lot of nerve trying to defend Lori to us after everything happened."
"That girl was never good enough for him. I'm sorry it happened the way it did, but Rick is better off," added Shirley.
Betty nodded. "Yes he is...especially now with a woman like Michonne around."
"I think so too," said Loretta as she took her attention from the dough letting Michonne see the fire in her eyes from talking about her son. "I know I just met you and we have a whole lot of getting to know each other left to do but I know you're going to be good for him. A mother can tell."
Shirley laughed. "Girl, she was fully prepared to give you the full mama bear treatment! So when y'all walked in here smiling and laughing, we all about hit the floor."
Loretta only grinned and kept at her work. "Y'all didn't see them together. Rick looked happier than I've seen him in a very long time. It took the wind right out of me. How could I attack the person responsible for putting a smile back on my baby's face?"
Michonne was at a loss. She'd been so worried about meeting Rick's mother that she'd nearly driven both Rick and Maggie crazy with questions. She thought she was going to be difficult, she was prepared for difficult but instead she met a mother who had seen her son hurt and only wanted to see him to be happy again. She also understood that there was a fierce mama underneath her welcoming demeanor and if she ever thought Rick was being mistreated it would come out ready to fight.
A half smile danced on her lips and if her hands weren't covered in flour, she would've hugged Loretta. "He does the same for me. I hope we can keep doing that for each other..."
Loretta laughed; her blue eyes twinkling. "Honey, just keep doing whatever you're doing and y'all will be fine."
Betty laughed and waggled her eyebrows. "Yeah...and keep putting it on him real good too. That'll keep a smile on his face!"
Her brain short-circuited and her mouth fell open as a fierce blush swept through her body from head to toe. Did that sweet old lady just give her sex advice? In a church?
By Loretta's frustrated sigh, that was exactly what happened. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph...we are in the house of the Lord, Betty!" She shot a glare over at Betty that could've killed a normal person, but Betty just kept on filling tart shells in oblivion.
She shrugged, "He's staying overnights in Atlanta and she's staying with him all weekend...Rick's smiling like a fool...I'm not too old to know what that adds up to!"
Shirley took over the admonishment from Loretta who was pinching the bridge of her nose the same way Rick always did. "Neither are any of us, but you're embarrassing the poor girl!"
Betty looked up; her wide brown eyes giving her an innocence Michonne now realized was all an act. "Isn't this how the girls talk now?"
Victoria shook her head. "Your daughter should've never ordered you HBO. That Sex in the City done rotted your brain even more that it already was."
Eager to change the subject away from her and Rick's sex life before she actually died of embarrassment, Michonne cleared her throat. "Ok...it looks like you need someone at the whipped cream station now…"
Shirley shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. "Baby, ain't no such thing! We usually let the people buying the tarts put whipped cream on them if they want to."
Victoria added, "Francine got sent over there because she can't bake! We threw away a whole batch of dough she made right before you came in here."
They were still laughing when Rick pushed through the door carrying a box filled with at least 25 pints of strawberries and Carl had two more pints in his little hands. They put them all by the sink to be washed and briefly greeted the other ladies before coming over to her and Loretta.
Rick put his hands on his hips and shook his head. "I'm gone less than an hour and you put her to work, mama?"
Loretta grinned over at Rick. "Now, son, she offered and I'm glad she did. Thank you both for going to get more berries for us."
He nodded. "You're welcome."
Betty leaned across the table and Michonne had a hard time holding in her giggle at the come hither look in the old woman's eyes. "Hey, Rick…you're looking mighty fine today, sheriff!"
Rick's eyes widened, Carl laughed, and Loretta cut her eyes over at her friend.
"Umm...thank-thank you Mrs. Taylor...," he stuttered, that blush returning to his cheeks with a vengeance and Michonne saw what Loretta was talking about. He was cute when he was all pink and flustered.
"Betty, how many times do I have to tell you to stop flirting with my son? Especially now that he has a girlfriend who happens to be standing right here," reprimanded Loretta very sternly, but Betty only smiled and winked at Michonne.
"Ain't no ring on his finger and Michonne knows I'm just playing," she said.
She winked back as she cut her last dough circle. "It's ok Ms Loretta. I'm gonna make sure I take Ms Betty's advice from earlier to keep her from stealing my man..."
The kitchen erupted in laughter to the point where everyone, Ms. Loretta included, had tears in their eyes. Only Rick and Carl were left out and the utter confusion written all over their faces was too adorable.
"Why are they laughing, dad?"
Rick rolled his eyes to the ceiling and sighed. "Believe me, son, we probably don't want to know."
Ms. Shirley peered over the rim of her glasses and smiled at him. "Rick, you got yourself a good one here," she stated, and the other ladies quickly co-signed on her verdict.
"Don't I know it...," he agreed, stepping closer to Michonne and planting a kiss on her forehead. "You ladies think you can make do without my girl? There's a lot of festival left for her to see."
Loretta nodded, "You heard him, Michonne. Go wash up. We can handle this from here."
She nodded and went over to the sink while the ladies continued to fuss over Rick and Carl. She gave them time together and wen over to say her goodbyes to each of the ladies. When she returned to the Grimes family, Rick was hugging his mother and she was whispering something in his ear that made his cheeks turn pink.
"Bye mama," he said pointedly, as their hug ended and she made a mental note to ask him about that later.
"You better hear me, Rick Grimes!" She slapped his arm playfully before leaning down to hug Carl. "Bye my love."
Carl squeezed her tight around her waist. "Bye, grandma."
Loretta straightened and turned to her with happy eyes. "Your turn. Come on over here,"
She wrapped her arms around her, careful to avoid Loretta's flour covered hands, and hugged her tight. "Bye, Loretta."
"Bye, Michonne. Thank you for your help today and for putting up with a bunch of old hens," she said.
She squeezed her a little tighter and basked in the warmth of that hug. "It was fun. Thank you for including me."
Loretta nodded and went back to her ball of dough. "Y'all have fun and I'll see you at church in the morning and for lunch at my house afterwards."
Rick rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "We were planning to hit the road early…,"
Loretta's eyebrow shot up and Michonne knew she had to come to his rescue before Loretta could get him all frustrated and pink again. She leaned into his side and rubbed his back with one hand while resting the other over his heart. "We'll be there, Loretta. We can leave for Atlanta afterwards, right baby?"
His arm drifted around her waist and she was met with a pair of wide blue eyes that blinked a few times before a small smile appeared on his lips and he grabbed her hand. "We'll see you in the morning, mama," he relented, putting knowing smirks on the other women's faces and a wide grin on Loretta's.
"Oh, Michonne! I'm going to love having you around!"
XXXXX
A/N: A lot more in store for Richonne & Carchonne this weekend. Most importantly, we need to find out if Rick can throw an axe! Part 2 of this chapter is coming soon! As always, let me know what you think!