Beautiful Day

A/N: Inspired by U2's "Beautiful Day". Hope you enjoy.

What a beautiful day Michonne thinks to herself as she looks out of the kitchen window, facing the backyard. The sun is shining, the grass looks greener than ever, and the clouds are white and puffy against a blue sky. Blue? That color automatically calls someone to mind, now more than ever.

She returns her attention to the brightness outside, watching as a slight breeze makes the tree leaves and branches sway and dance. She squints against the sun's rays as they filter in and can't help being thankful for the time to actually appreciate nature's beauty. She remembers when her mind was so filled with surviving that there wasn't room for anything else. She quickly pushes those thoughts away, not wanting to spoil this moment. This is a perfect time to get outside and enjoy the weather.

She finishes up the dishes and moves into the living room. Carl is busy on the couch, reading a book to Judith and she's not sure where their father has gotten off to. She takes the stairs to her room and proceeds to rummage through her closet, searching for a few particular items. She locates them quickly, smiling as she makes her way to Carl's room and places the items on his bed.

She returns to the living room to see Rick has joined his children on the couch. She gives them a smile and says, "I'll be out back if anybody needs me."

Father and son exchange a look, then shrug and go back to story time. Rick soon offers to take over so Carl can have a little time to himself. The teen doesn't have to be told twice as he gives his little sister a peck to the forehead and moves towards the stairs. He is excited to finish the latest book he found in one of the vacant houses and wouldn't mind taking in a movie on the portable DVD player Michonne brought back from a run not long ago.

Rick remains in the living room, entertaining his daughter, loving how she smiles up at him as he reads to her. He starts as Carl yells out and stomps down the stairs quickly, practically jumping past the last three steps.

"What's going on?" Rick asks.

"Thank you so much! Where did you find these?" Carl exclaims breathlessly.

Rick notices the baseball gloves and ball in his son's hands and shakes his head. "Well, I wish I could take credit for this, but I can't. You know who must have found those for you."

Carl takes off for the patio to find Michonne lounging quietly. He drops the gloves and ball in the chair next to her and throws his arms around her neck, giving her a sound kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. How did you even know I wanted baseball gear?"

She smiles, so happy to see him excited. She wants him to be able to retain some of his childhood despite the world they live in now. "Just a hunch. You like them?"

"Yes!" He looks up as his Dad appears in the doorway, holding his sister. "Can we toss the ball around Dad? Please. It'll be just like we used to do."

"Sure," Rick returns, a visual of him and Carl at their old house in the backyard tossing a ball back and forth coming to the forefront of his mind.

Carl gives Michonne one last kiss, grabs the two gloves and the ball, and runs further into the yard.

Rick moves onto the patio and takes the chair next to Michonne. "Do you mind watching Judy for a bit?"

"Not at all." She reaches for Judith with a smile. "Go and enjoy some time with your son."

He stands to hand Judy to her, then looks down at the two of them with a smile. He leans over and surprises Michonne with a kiss to the cheek. "Thank you. Looks like you've made him extremely happy today."

She returns his smile. "Nothing more than he deserves. You, too for that matter. When's the last time you guys were able to do something like this?"

Rick drops his head sadly, but doesn't hold on to that feeling or the memory of what used to be. "I honestly can't tell you, but none of that matters now. We're getting the chance to do it today and that's all I'm concerned about."

She reaches up to squeeze his hand gently, affectionately. He squeezes back and gives her a look so full of love that she has to turn away. He lingers for just a moment longer, wanting to say more but decides against it.

He joins Carl in the yard, accepting the glove his son offers, their excitement mirroring each other's. They don the gloves, getting a feel for them. Carl takes the ball and throws it to his father who returns it swiftly. They throw the ball back and forth, both appearing a little rusty, staying in close proximity of one another. It doesn't take long for them to recall a good rhythm and grow more confident as they move further apart and toss the ball with a little more force.

"We gotta work back up to that fast ball. I remember you had a pretty good arm," Rick shares with his son.

"I did?" Carl asks, his eyes dancing. "Our team did win a couple of trophies, didn't we?"

"You sure did," his dad remembers.

Michonne gives Judy a hug as she closes her eyes and concentrates on Rick's and Carl's easy banter and laughter for just a second. Her heart swells to witness this light and happy moment between father and son. She wishes they could have more like this and determines that somehow they will.

She looks down at Judy, seeing her father in the baby's blue eyes. "I'm going to have to find something for us girls to get into. What do you say Judy?"

Judith claps her little hands as if she is in agreement and understands everything Michonne just said.

The latter can't help but exhale with contentment. She gives Judith a kiss on the cheek and continues to watch Rick and Carl toss the ball between them.

The heart is a bloom
Shoots up through the stony ground

See the world in green and blue

What you don't have you don't need it now
What you don't know you can feel it somehow
It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
It's a beautiful day