Lonely Ol' Night

A/N: 2nd installment for the Richonnefics' #richonnefirsts challenge on Tumblr. A short AU story to relay Richonne's first night apart. Hope you enjoy.

The sky emanated a soft, glowing light as twilight commenced, the day slowly turning into night. The house was buzzing with activity as Michonne watched the kids prepare dinner. Carl practically towered over the stove as he patiently stirred his special sauce. Pre-teen Judith stood at the island, carefully cutting up vegetables while her younger brother, RJ, picked them up and put them in a bowl. Music blared from a nearby device so there was plenty distraction to be had yet the house still felt empty.

Rick was away at a law enforcement conference and this was the first time they would not share a bed since they got married. She knew this day was coming as it had been planned months in advance but she didn't know she would miss him this much. She was able to keep busy at work and didn't have time to think about what she would face once she was home but now that she's here and she knows that he won't be walking through the door at any moment…..well, the realness of it has set in.

She feels like a lovesick teen, wondering what her love is doing right now. If he misses her as much as she misses him. If he'd have a decent meal and whether he'd eat some dessert afterwards. A tap at her thigh pulls her out of her musings and has her looking down at the little person in the house. "Yes?"

RJ looks up at his mother and says, "We put all the vegetables in the bowl. Can we do the bread now?"

She gives him a wide smile and taps his cute little nose. "You most certainly can." She moves over to the refrigerator to retrieve the canned crescent rolls and hands them to RJ. "You're gonna let your sister help you right?"

"Of course Mama."

She throws herself into helping her kids with dinner and is most animated when Rick calls to say hello. They put him on speaker so everyone can tell him about their day as well as hear about his. The kids boast about their culinary skills which Michonne confirms and Rick challenges them to a cook off once he returns.

Later that night, the house is quiet as the kids are in their bedrooms. Carl is probably on his computer or some video game, Judith is more than likely on her cell phone with her best friend, and RJ is fast asleep. Michonne takes a long shower, puts on some comfy pjs, and climbs into their king sized bed which never looked as big as it does now.

She grabs the remote and powers on the TV just to fill the room with something. She reaches for the book on the bedside table just as her cell phone lights up indicating a new message. She picks it up and reads 'You ok?' from her husband. She quickly texts back, 'Fine.' The shrill ring of the house phone drowns out the TV for just a moment before she picks it up and says, "Hello."

"What's wrong?" Rick's voice is soft and concerned.

"How'd you know?" She returns.

"I just do."

"It's nothing. I'm just missing you. I've gotten so used to having you around that I don't know what to do with myself. I didn't think a night apart would be a big deal but it is," she relays.

"Yeah it is. I miss you too but this is the short conference remember? I'll be home before you know it," he reassures her.

"You better."

"I love you," he tells her.

"I love you too."

They end the call reluctantly, both knowing they have early mornings. She pulls the linens up to her chin, takes a deep breath, and closes her eyes, preparing for a lonesome slumber. The click of the bedroom door opening has her eyes popping open again as she looks expectantly at the door. Judith walks in first, followed by Carl, carrying a sleepy RJ.

"What are you guys doing?" Michonne asks.

"We're gonna sleep in here with you," Judith announces as she takes the spot next to her mom while Carl places RJ next to her and climbs in beside him.

Michonne tilts her head to the side and looks from Carl to Judith and back again. "Your dad?"

Carl nods. "He just wants you to be ok."

Michonne smiles, thinking of the man she was so lucky to find. She pulls her kids in for a hug, squeezing Carl's shoulders. "I am."