The Doctor Needs A Fix (Part V)
A/N: Thank you all so much for the awesome support. It means more than you will ever know.
They awake before dawn, relishing in the feel of each other's warmth, wishing they could remain that way instead of going to work.
She eventually guides him to the bathroom, supplying him with a brand new toothbrush before closing off in a separate area to use the toilet. They soon trade places and after brushing their teeth, they climb into the shower together where they make love once again.
The time passes by quickly and they find themselves rushing in order to make it to work punctually. She offers him some breakfast and apologizes for the lack of coffee. He declines, stating that he'd get something on the way. They pause for just a moment, realizing that their amazing experience together has to be suspended for a while.
He smiles as she smiles, giving her a longing look. "My day ends around 6. Can I call you then?"
"Yes." She takes his hand into hers and escorts him to the door where they share a long and languid kiss. "Until tonight."
"Until tonight," he promises, kissing her one last time before he departs.
Mid-morning finds Michonne day dreaming about Rick. She enjoys her work and it is most assuredly enjoyable today as she recalls all the things he did to her and all the things she did to him. She considers his profession and cannot fathom a contentious bone in her body about it. Who would have ever thought she'd be dating a guy who exams the female anatomy for a living? She sighs as she looks at the pile of work in front of her. The thought of seeing him soon gives her the energy she needs to continue.
Meanwhile, Rick is in his office, making notes in a patient's file and thinking about Michonne. He still can't believe someone as beautiful and poised as she is would be interested in him. He also wonders about the fact that he is completely and irrevocably enthralled by her. He has never had feelings of this magnitude so soon about anyone. He looks at the wall clock and hopes the time goes by faster. He can't wait to see her again.
That night he invites her to his place and picks up their agreed upon Chinese food for dinner. She is stepping over his threshold at 7:15 with an overnight bag in tow. Her confidence turns him on and gives him a sense of security, knowing that she wants him just as much as he wants her.
They prepare their plates and opt to sit at the less formal table in the kitchen, sharing a bottle of wine and talking about their time at work.
A slight lull ensues and Michonne decides to ask what has been on her mind since dinner last night. "So why'd you get divorced?"
He sighs. "Well, she reconnected with a classmate of ours at our high school reunion. Right under my nose I might add. They uh…..continued the affair and now she's married to him." He gives her a moment to process that information and asks, "What about you?"
"Pretty much the same thing. He had an affair with his boss who is 20 years his senior and now they're world travelers."
"How long have you been divorced?" He asks.
"A little over two years. You?"
"Almost a year," he answers.
A year is not a long time she thinks to herself and can't help recalling how hard the first year was for her. It makes her wonder if Rick is ready to be with someone else. "Is this….too soon for you?"
He considers her question and answers as openly as he is able. "I don't think it's about how much time has or hasn't passed. I haven't attempted to date anyone. Hadn't really considered it until you." He pauses. "Have you been dating or in a relationship since your divorce?"
"I've thought about it but never attempted to meet anyone. You're the first man who's made me take notice."
He smiles with that admission and leans forward to meet her in a chaste kiss. They continue talking throughout dinner then he gives her a tour of his home and they end up in his bedroom. She looks around the spacious area and admires the colors, the hardwood floors, the fireplace, and most of all, the huge king size bed on a raised platform with stairs.
The bed brings other thoughts to mind and she snaps her fingers as she remembers what she picked up earlier. "I bought something for us today."
Her admission has him recalling a purchase he made as well. "Me too."
She locates her overnight bag on a nearby chaise lounge while he wanders into the bathroom. He emerges holding a new box of condoms and all she can do is laugh as she reveals the box of condoms she bought. They fall into each other's arms laughing and soon grow serious as they connect in a long awaited passionate kiss.
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Three weeks have passed and Rick has asked Michonne to meet his son, Carl. She was apprehensive about it and asked him if it was too soon but he was beyond excited and assured that Carl would love her. She acquiesced and is in route to meet them for lunch.
Rick sees her as soon as she walks through the door and waves her over. He can't help but notice the eyes of other men as they follow her through the restaurant. Surprisingly, he is not jealous, only feeling an extreme sense of pride that other men find her desirable but she only has eyes for him. He puffs his chest out and greets her with a kiss on the cheek before introducing her to Carl.
Eyes identical to Rick's grow big as they fixate on her. "Nice to meet you."
"You too," she answers nervously wondering yet again if this was a good idea.
"So you and my dad are actually dating?" The ten year old asks.
Michonne looks to Rick for reassurance and answers, "Yes. I know it hasn't been long but…."
Carl claps his hands together and lets out a relieved guffaw. "That's fantastic. I thought my dad was just pulling my leg but he actually has a girlfriend. I mean….." He pauses and looks at Michonne deeply. "….you're really pretty. Are you sure you like my dad?"
She tries to hide a smile. "I like your dad very much." She breathes a sign of relief and continues to listen to the animated youngster, thoroughly enjoying their lunch.
The next few months pass in a whirlwind but they continue to see each other, balancing work and their personal lives seamlessly. He even rearranged his schedule to accompany her to a dermatologist after he noticed the bump under her arm. She scheduled an appointment with Dr. Rovio who suggested having it lasered off and tested. Fortunately, it was benign. Just a growth of some sort that they'd monitor for the next six months to see if it would reoccur.
They are now in Miami Beach, Florida where Rick is attending a physicians' conference and asked Michonne to join him for the week. She cleared her calendar and solicited one of her colleagues, Andrea, to handle anything urgent in her absence. She is quite content spending the day shopping or by the pool or at the spa while Rick attends his meetings. He is usually free by late afternoon so they go sightseeing, to the beach, to the movie theater, to the book store, and choose a different restaurant each night for dinner. They even visited a popular night club but soon realized that wasn't the scene for them.
All too soon, the week has come to an end and they are preparing to attend a formal dinner sponsored by the conference host for their last night there. She admires him in a dark tuxedo with platinum cuff links and sans his usual eye wear. He has chosen to wear contacts tonight and he is extremely handsome.
She twirls around for him to get the full effect of her gorgeous fuscia colored floor length backless gown. She smiles at his shrill whistle and moves toward the bureau to retrieve her matching clutch. She turns around to face him and was about to announce, "I'm ready" but falters when she sees the little black box in his hand.
He opens it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring inside and makes his way to stand right in front of her. He searches her eyes before dropping to one knee and asking, "Michonne Anthony would you marry me?"
She opens her mouth to speak but nothing comes out. She swallows nervously, the dryness taking over in mere seconds. The moisture must have traveled to her eyes because she tears up, completely taken by surprise. "I…..Rick are you sure?"
"I've never been more assured about anything in my life."
She blinks several times, trying to cease her tears. She takes a deep breath and states proudly. "Yes. Yes I'll marry you Rick Grimes."
He lifts to a stand, places the ring on her finger and pulls her into a tight hug, whispering how much he loves her. She whispers in kind, pulling him into her arms and kissing him with complete abandonment. She drops her clutch to the floor, grabs his ass, and pushes him towards the bed.
He breaks their kiss with a laugh. "Babe….we'll be late."
She unzips his trousers, delving inside, smiling as she grasps him in a soft caress. "I know."
Epilogue
Two years later, they are approaching their second wedding anniversary, Carl is living with them full time after a lengthy custody battle, and they are expecting their first child. Rick, Dr. Greene, and Dr. Rovio have partnered up to open their own clinic in a nearby community and Michonne has been promoted to partner with Horvath & Associates.