Intrigue Part IV

The moment morphs into something neither of them knew they needed. They are in Rick's bed, connecting in the most intimate way. The gentleness of his caresses, his excruciatingly slow movements as he glides in and out of her body is making the build-up happening within more profound than anything she has ever experienced.

Their heavy breathing coupled with her moans of pleasure is music to Rick's ears. The way her body hugs his has him gasping as he strains to hold off his release. Her body is pure perfection and he can't believe she chose him. Her eyes catch his right before she closes them tightly and whimpers with her release. Her walls pull and clench at him tightly, dragging forth a powerful climax. He closes his eyes as his body stiffens, his hips continuing to rock against hers. Seconds later, he drops his chest to her breasts, completely and utterly drained.

He slides over, turning onto his back as he pulls her into his arms. She rests her head on his chest and sighs in pure contentment.

Rick is never one for irresponsibility but the need and want to spend the day with Michonne is too strong to ignore. He sends Shane a text, asking him to cover his shift at work then proceeds to prepare breakfast for her as he waits to hear back.

He checks his phone moments later after it chimes. No problem. Should I be worried? He smiles, knowing he will have the entire day with her and texts back. Everything's great. Thanks.

The creak of the stairs has him looking towards the entryway as she walks into the kitchen fully dressed. They greet each other quietly.

"I was ummm….fixing you some breakfast. That ok?"

"It's fine. Thank you. Anything I can do to help?" She asks.

He tells her where to find the plates and utensils and she gladly sets the table.

"Are you working today?"

"No. As a matter of fact, I just took the day off. I was hoping to spend it with you," he tells her boldly, hoping he hasn't overstepped his bounds.

She smiles shyly. "Well, I'd like that but I kinda need to…purchase a couple of things sooner rather than later."

He gives her a questioning glance, wondering what she means.

"Condoms."

He gasps as his cheeks grow red with embarrassment. "Right. We….we can do that right after breakfast." He moves over to the table and spoons some eggs onto both plates. "So there are a lot of Memorial Day events going on. Do you celebrate?"

"Some friends are having a cookout. I didn't commit to it but we could go if you'd like," she answers.

They continue conversationally all through breakfast and make their way to the local pharmacy to pick up some needed items. They are perusing the contraceptives when the most embarrassing thing ever happens. Rick's mom, Gladys, is walking right towards them with a huge smile on her face. They both freeze like deer caught in a floodlight.

"Why hey there! I was wondering why I hadn't heard from you today. You and Michonne are already enjoying the summer."

Rick and Michonne are rendered speechless for just a moment before Rick responds with, "Yeah. We're going to a cookout later."

Michonne can only manage to smile and wave as she considers bolting but doesn't want to call any more attention to herself.

"Well, I was just picking up your daddy's medicine and I'll probably meet Joann for lunch," Ms. Gladys relays as her eyes drift over to the rack of items they are standing in front of. She hides a knowing smile as she detects the nervous pall in the air. She steps forward and caresses her son's cheek. She then reaches around him and gives a reassuring squeeze to Michonne's shoulder. "Alright. Well, take care. I'll see you later." She turns to walk away and thinks better of it. "Hey. Why don't y'all make plans to come to dinner one day this week?"

They agree and watch as she walks away.

Michonne gives her a matter of seconds before she attempts to leave the store as well. Rick reaches over and grabs her hand to stay her. "It's fine."

"I am so embarrassed right now. Why didn't I just wait in the car?" She takes a chance and looks up into his eyes and they both burst into laughter.

Michonne is beyond content as all seems to be going well. Her class participation is at a low point with school ending so she feels it's the best time to incorporate the adult classes. Rick saw no reason for the fund raisers to stop during the summer, so they have continued with that process. She talks to Andre via email or by phone every other day and what excites her even more is that his dad took the initiative and decided to do his part with fund raising there in Atlanta. He told her he would wire the money to her as it comes in.

Not only that, Rick told her that Carl and Judith are doing the same with their mom in Virginia. She honestly cannot believe her good fortune and believes that moving to King County was the best decision she ever made. It warms her heart even more knowing that Carl, Judith, and Andre have communicated by phone as well.

The dinner they had with Rick's parents was nice and quiet. Ms. Gladys didn't necessarily say it, but the way she doted on Michonne throughout dinner left no doubt as to how she felt about her and the relationship with her son.

The time truly does pass quickly as before they know it, Rick is making arrangements to travel to Virginia to retrieve Carl and Judith. He invites Michonne to come with him and they make a road trip out of it. She doesn't know how to feel as she will be meeting his ex-wife but she goes along because it's what Rick wants and she is more than ready to see Carl and Judith.

The meeting with Lori went as well as it could have. Although Michonne did detect just a bit of coolness from Rick's ex-wife especially when he surprised everyone by introducing her as his girlfriend. Needless to say, the questions from Carl and Judith started right at that moment and continued as they began the drive back home.

They stopped at a hotel half way back to Georgia and once Judith and Carl dozed off, Rick enters Michonne's adjoining room. He knows they answered all of Carl's and Judith's questions, but wanted to be sure she was ok with all of it. He never meant to broadside her but he wanted Lori to know just how important Michonne is to him, how important she is to the kids.

"Hey. I'm sorry if I said the wrong thang. If I kind of made a decision without you. I just…." He is cut off as she slams her mouth against his and kisses him passionately.

She pulls back with a smile. "It's fine, Rick. It really is."

"So we're ok? You're ok with everythang?"

"Yes, we're on the exact same page." She answers softly.

A week later, they were driving to Atlanta to retrieve Andre and deliver him to her parents in Columbus. Mike and Rick's meeting could be labeled as amicable since Mike's significant other was present as well. They stayed the night with her parents who seemed to thoroughly enjoy Rick and his children.

The dynamics change yet again as the kids are back home and school is about to start. Rick and Michonne are even more thankful for his parents and Shane. Not only do they help with getting the kids to and from certain events, but their babysitting duties have increased and spread to include Andre to give the couple the alone time they need at least once a week.

It's a quiet Sunday morning and the kids are at Rick's parents' house while Rick and Michonne are waking up together in her bed. She stretches as she prepares to get up. They'll be meeting everyone at church in a couple of hours. Rick traps her with his body and starts placing tiny kisses all over her neck and shoulders.

He lifts up with a grin and whispers, "I love you."

She smiles as she leans up and touches her lips to his softly. "I love you, too."

Epilogue: Rick and Michonne were married in an intimate ceremony eight months later. They are now in the process of deciding which home to sell but Rick, Carl, and Judith have officially moved in with her and Andre. They also raised more than enough money to realize their trip to Japan for the karate tournaments. The trip would also serve as their first official family vacation and a second honeymoon.

A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing. This was such a delight. I thoroughly enjoyed writing this.