Richonne (Short Love Stories) Out of Order Part IV (Chapter 31)
A/N: So very fluffy and I loved writing every bit of it. Enjoy!
"Yes, purple and blue, Andrea. Those are the colors I want and you're not changing my mind," Michonne is adamant as Andrea slowly returns the swath of yellow material to the booklet.
"I guess they won't look bad together, but why purple and blue? Purple I know is your favorite color, but where does blue fit into all of this?"
Michonne sits quietly as she wonders if she should tell her best friend her reasoning behind her choice of wedding colors. "Ok. I chose purple because it's my favorite and I chose blue because of Rick's eyes."
Andrea's mouth drops open as she looks at her friend in disbelief. "Oh wow! You are so sprung."
"I know right?" Michonne laughs.
"Now, the colors are out of the way. Please tell me you're adding some cream or something in there to kind of offset the others."
"That's fine, Andrea. Now, I've already chosen a dress. We'll go to the bridal shop later. Ms. Gladys and my mom are handling the caterers, Maggie is taking care of the flowers and decorations, Sasha has a photographer and videographer lined up, the guys are doing whatever they're supposed to do with the tuxedos and Rick's bachelor party, Karen has us scheduled for hair and makeup, she has a stylist that will come to us….now, the venue? Ms. Gladys wants it at her church, but I really wanted an outdoors wedding. I just wish it wasn't so hot right now."
"Well, your husband to be is the one rushing everybody. I told him we needed more time, but no he wants to get married right away," Andrea states.
Michonne puts a hand to her stomach. "He's just trying to do the right thing, Andrea."
"Yes, well you two certainly were out of order on this one, but….it's the end result that matters."
Just then, Mr. Dale walks into their office. Michonne and Andrea look up in surprise as he isn't expected for another 2 days.
Michonne quickly offers him a smile. "Hey there Mr. Dale. How can we help you today?"
"Well, I think it's going to be the other way around. I want to help you," he returns.
"I'm sorry? Help me?" Michonne asks.
"Yeah. You see, I heard all about your upcoming nuptials to the Grimes fella….and well, I think he's a pretty good guy. Anyway, people around this town have been hankering after me to use my property for weddings and parties and such but I was never into that stuff. I thought maybe you might want to have your wedding there. That's if you don't already have a place in mind," Dale tells her.
Andrea smiles as she has heard wonderful things about Dale's property.
"That's really nice of you Mr. Dale, but I'd have to see the place and…" Michonne trails off as Dale holds his hand up.
"Say no more. Why don't you and your young man come by this evening and take a look? How does 6 sound? It won't be as warm by that time and you can see the gardens."
"Can I come too Mr. Dale? I'm part of the wedding party," Andrea offers. "Plus, I'm getting married at the beginning of the New Year."
Dale looks her up and down. "Shane Walsh is your fella, huh?"
Andrea nods with a hopeful look.
"Well, alright. I'll have some dinner for you, too so don't go trying to eat before you come over," Dale advises. "See y'all tonight."
He leaves just as suddenly as he arrived.
Andrea lets out a squeal. "I think Mr. Dale really likes you and I've heard his place is awesome! I've gotta call Shane right now." She grabs her cell phone.
"Tell him to let Rick know," Michonne relays as she goes back to her wedding to do list.
Minutes later, Michonne isn't surprised when her cell phone starts vibrating. She knows it's Rick, wondering what's going on with Dale.
Later that evening, they enjoy a nice dinner with Dale, pleasantly surprised at his hospitality and joviality. He gives them a tour of his gardens as well as the inside of his home and tells both couples they are welcome to host their weddings there.
Michonne is beyond excited and Rick can see it all in her eyes and her body language. He shakes his head and thanks Mr. Dale for the offer.
"We'd be more than thrilled to have our wedding here," he relays.
"Great. We can work out all the particulars over dinner next week," Dale suggests.
Rick is not sure what Michonne has done to impress Dale, but he realizes the older man wants to reconnect with people again and surmises that he wants to start with his fiancée.
Michonne nods. "Ok, I'll call you and set up a day and time. Thank you so much."
The four of them are in Andrea's sedan, traveling back to the law office.
"So what the hell was all of that about? Dale hasn't wanted to deal with anybody for over a year now and all of a sudden he's offering his place for your wedding? You stepping out on Rick with the old guy, Michonne?" Shane laughs at his own joke before the others join in.
"I think he is sweet on her or something," Rick adds.
"Would you two stop? I'm just as surprised as anybody else. I thought he hated all of us," Michonne states.
"Dale is lonely, so you guys just let up off of him. Think about it. He lost his wife of over 30 years. They were probably everything to each other, so yeah I think I'd be a little angry too if the love of my life was snatched away like that," Andrea details.
"Listen to my baby being all sentimental and shit," Shane teases.
"Are you saying you wouldn't be hurt if I suddenly died tomorrow?" She asks Shane.
"Of course I would. I don't want to think about you dying or…." Shane trails off as Michonne interrupts them.
"Stop it with the death talk already. This lady is carrying life, so let's talk about that miracle instead of the alternative," Michonne suggests. She smiles as Rick grabs her hand and kisses it.
The next two weeks seem to fly by as Rick and Michonne, along with Carl, their parents, and friends continue to plan the wedding.
It's a quiet Friday night and Michonne is thumbing through another pregnancy book when Rick appears in the doorway of their bedroom with remnants of chocolate smeared over his mouth.
"Babe, we're all out of those chocolate squares with the caramel center," he relays worriedly.
"Ummm…ok, I'll get more for you," she returns, trying her best not to laugh.
"I thought we had more of those gourmet cookies you like, too, but we seem to be out of those as well."
"I just bought them last week. You better slow your roll or you're gonna get as big as I'm gonna get," she tells him.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Rick frowns at her.
"You've been eating a lot of sweets lately, babe. I'm starting to think you're the pregnant one."
"Oh, now you've got jokes? I haven't been eating that much….have I?" He trails off cautiously as he recalls how his sweet tooth has been pretty active the last few weeks.
Michonne laughs at his contemplative expression. "I read in one of my books that expectant fathers can have symptoms just like expectant mothers. Maybe you're getting my supposed cravings for sweets."
"You're kidding with me, right?"
She shakes her head. "Your appetite has increased, so it's probably because of the pregnancy. We can even ask the doctor about it if you want."
"Dang. I didn't even realize something like that could happen," Rick states.
"Just be glad you didn't get the morning sickness." She smiles as she sets her book aside. "Come here."
He moves into the room to her bedside and leans over as she reaches up for him. He smiles as she proceeds to kiss and lick the chocolate from his mouth.
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Rick and Michonne's wedding day has arrived and Dale's home and property are buzzing with activity. Tents have been set up in the garden area to accommodate the guests and a gazebo like structure will serve as cover for the bride and groom. Dale had portable air conditioning units placed strategically within the tents and the gazebo to ensure everyone's comfort.
The women are on one side of the house getting ready while another section of the house was set up for the men. Michonne is seated at a vanity, trying to be perfectly still while her hair and make-up are being arranged and applied. She can't help thinking of the night before when Andrea, Maggie, Sasha, Karen, and others took her to a club for her so called bachelorette party. She was made to sit in a high back chair in the middle of the dance floor with a blindfold on. She was so nervous and apprehensive about what they had in mind that she could hardly enjoy herself.
The music was thumping so loudly she could feel it vibrate through her body. Please don't let them have a male stripper she thinks to herself as she felt something or someone brush past her. She can hear her friends and others scream and start to whistle and cat call as someone grabs her hands and places them on his hips. She tries to jerk away but he holds fast, moving her hands up and then down his pant covered legs. She encounters something that feels like a gun and surmises that he must be dressed up like a cop or something.
Oh goodness, it's a stripper. She sighs as she decides to go with the flow, praying this doesn't last very long and he's not the type to pump his crotch in her face. She continues to remain still as she allows him to guide her hands up to his stomach. Everyone is clapping in time to the music as Michonne is trying to control her body temperature. She hates to admit it but this stripper is starting to turn her on. She rears back just a bit as she feels him move his hands to her hips.
He pulls her toward him and she figures he must be on his knees as her chest collides with his. He leans toward her brushing her lips lightly before dropping down to gently to nuzzle her neck.
He is a bold one she thinks to herself right before she gets a whiff of sandalwood…..and is that….She jerks her blindfold off and nearly screams as she stares into the bright, blue eyes of her fiancé. All she can manage to do is laugh as Rick pulls her into his arms, the screams and laughter of the crowd loud and boisterous.
"I demanded to be the only male stripper here tonight," he whispers in her ear.
"Oh my goodness, I can't believe you did this." Michonne can't remember blushing this much about anything in her life. Her body temperature is at an all-time high now that she realizes it was Rick giving her a so called lap dance the entire time. "You are not taking off one article of clothing. Not here anyway. I'll deal with you later."
"I love it when you talk dirty," Rick tells her.
She's not sure what he and Shane and the others got into once they left to handle his bachelor party. She didn't see him again for the remainder of the night which she knows is tradition but she couldn't help missing him.
Now it will only be a matter of time before she meets him at the altar and becomes Mrs. Rick Grimes.
Meanwhile, her future husband to be is nursing a slight headache as he really had too much to drink the night before thanks to his buddies. He tried his best to get home to his fiancée but Shane was having none of it. He was holding fast to the tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other before the ceremony.
He smiles to himself as he remembers how surprised she was to see him at her bachelorette party. He's hoping he can continue that lap dance on their honeymoon. He's even happier that his friends respected his wishes and the only females they laid eyes on were via porn flicks. They spent the night at Shane's place, drinking and playing cards.
Glenn and Tyreese pull him away from his thoughts as they remind him that he only has 15 minutes before the ceremony begins.
Twenty minutes later, instrumental music is being played by a live band as he is walking to the altar with Carl and Shane as his best men and Daryl, Tyreese, and Glenn as his groomsmen. He is dressed in a navy blue suit with purple accessories while the others are in navy blue suits and matching navy accessories.
They watch quietly as the bridesmaids walk down the aisle in purple dresses with navy sashes, their bouquets made up of purple, blue, and white flowers. Next, the mothers are escorted in, Ms. Gladys with Arthur and Ms. Mae by one of the ushers. Michonne's young cousin serves as flower girl as Rick's young cousin serves as the ring bearer.
The moment has arrived for the bride to enter and the guests stand as the prompt is sounded to begin the wedding march. Michonne steps into view with her dad and a collective gasp is heard from the guests as they take in her beauty. Her hair is swept up in a chignon with a sprig of baby's breath on one side. Her gown is cream colored and strapless with a fitted bodice as the skirt and train flare out slightly, draping down to pool at her feet. Walter is by her side, trying his best not to shed tears as he can see how happy his daughter truly is.
Michonne smiles nervously as her heart is beating erratically. She looks up toward the altar and locks eyes with Rick and that's how they remain as she makes her way to him slowly. She watches as he and her father shake hands and Walter places her hand into Rick's and moves off to be seated with his wife.
The couple smile at each other as they take their place in front of Ms. Glady's pastor, Reverend Hines.
Michonne hands her bouquet to Andrea as the latter gathers the bride's train and arranges it accordingly.
The reverend motions for the guests to be seated before he begins the ceremony. He narrates the traditional terminology before moving on and finally coming to the vows.
"Rick and Michonne would like to recite vows of their own in addition to the customary pledges." He looks to the groom. "Are you ready to begin?"
Rick nods as he takes a deep breath. He gives his bride a slight smile and looks into her eyes as he says, "Michonne, I love you more than I thought it was ever possible to love another person. You are always there for me no matter what and I can't tell you enough how much it means to me to be marrying my best friend. Just knowing that we're going to wake up to each other for the rest of our lives has me so excited. Thank you for loving me, for listening to me, for encouraging me, and for believing in me."
"Michonne?" The pastor turns to her.
"I remember when you told me that I was beautiful and big hearted and that I'd find the right person and get married again. I told you that he'd have made an appearance by now, never knowing that I was staring at him all along. Today, I'm marrying my best friend, the man who didn't give up on me even when I felt like giving up on myself. I'm marrying the man who tossed aside everything he believed in to help his friend's dreams come true and I'm marrying the man who I will love until my very last breath."
She can't help but hear Andrea's and Maggie's sniffles as she concludes her vows. She decides not to look at anyone but Rick as she is trying her best to hold her tears at bay.
They continue with the traditional vows as they exchange rings and boldly say their "I dos". Reverend Hines smiles as he gives Rick permission to salute his bride.
The couple can't help smiling at each other as Rick wraps an arm around her waist and pulls her to him. He drops his mouth to hers and kisses her softly. Michonne snakes her arms around his neck and returns the kiss with fervor.
Reverend Hines clears his throat and once the couple disconnects, he asks them to face their guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Rick Grimes."
Rick and Michonne are quickly followed by their wedding party, all of them congregating in the patio area, accepting hugs and congratulations salutations.
Dale walks up to the happy couple, quickly dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief. "Congratulations, kids. That was beautiful." He hugs them both and gives Michonne a kiss on the cheek.
After almost an hour of wedding party and family photos, they all join the guests for the reception. The couple celebrates well into the night, eventually changing clothes and bidding everyone farewell as they depart for their honeymoon, a week long Caribbean cruise.
Four months later
Michonne is in nesting mode as she has stayed up late for the last few nights, cleaning and dusting in preparation for her new arrival. Rick and Carl put the finishing touches on the nursery just last week and everything is in place. She checks the baby's room for the third time that night then slowly moves to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.
Rick and Carl retired for the night at least two hours ago, but she still has energy and can't sleep since the baby is beyond active tonight. She sits down in the living room area and was about to turn the TV on when she felt a slight tinge in her abdomen. She takes a deep breath and waits for it to pass.
Thirty minutes later, she is in the bathroom, timing her pains and surmises that they are approximately ten minutes apart. Wow! I think I'm in labor. She tries not to panic as she makes her way up the stairs to Rick's bedside. She smiles down at his sleeping form, wishing she didn't have to disturb him.
Another contraction hits and she grabs Rick's shoulder and shakes him none too gently. "Babe, I need you to wake up. I think we need to go to the hospital."
Rick sits up slowly, blinking the sleep from his eyes as he reaches for a chocolate chip cookie he left on the night stand. Around a mouthful, he asks, "What did you say?"
"Rick, I think I'm in labor now, so we need to get to….." She steps back as Rick scrambles out of the bed and races to the door. He seems to remember his lack of clothing and moves over to the closet. He grabs her previously prepared overnight bag and proceeds to pull on a pair of jeans and a KCSD sweatshirt.
"Carl! I gotta get Carl!" Rick exclaims as he sits on the bed, pulling on socks and tennis shoes. He finally looks to Michonne who has made her way to the closet and is trying to get dressed but has to stop as another contraction comes.
Rick is by her side instantly. "Babe, maybe you should sit down."
"No, we have to hurry. The last two were only 5 minutes apart."
Rick tries not to panic as he helps Michonne get dressed then races downstairs to Carl's room to wake him. He shakes his son gently. "Hey. Game time."
That's all Carl needed to hear as he and his Dad came up with the code name months ago. Carl jumps up and goes straight to his closet, his game time outfit already together and waiting for him.
Minutes later, they are all in Michonne's SUV, making their way to the hospital while Rick dials up their obstetrician, letting him know their situation.
Forty-five minutes later, Rick and Michonne are recalling their Lamaze classes and techniques as they work together as a team to bring their baby into the world. He holds her hand the entire time, telling her how much he loves her.
At approximately 12:37 pm, they welcomed a baby boy. Rick moves off for only a few minutes, cutting the umbilical cord and watching anxiously as the nurses clean him up and swaddle him in blankets before placing him briefly in mom's waiting arms.
Michonne can't help the tears of wonder that stream down her face as she looks upon the little miracle that she and Rick created. She gazes up at her husband, noticing the tears in his eyes. "We have a little boy."
Rick can only manage to nod as he is too full of emotion to form a coherent sentence.
The nurse is equally overwhelmed watching the two parents and the way their eyes are shining and their faces are glowing with happiness. She pulls her cell phone from her pocket and captures the moment, knowing they'll want to document this in some way. She watches as a little boy walks in cautiously and joins them. Quickly surmising that he is part of this little family, she snaps another photo with a smile before moving off to get more instructions from the head nurse.
Michonne and Rick can't fathom being away from their baby boy for one second, but the staff needs to get him to the nursery for more tests, plus Michonne has to be cleaned up and moved to a room. Rick and Carl go with the baby while Ms. Gladys and Ms. Mae are allowed in to sit with Michonne.
Later that day, the room is filled to capacity as Rick, Michonne, and Carl are surrounded by friends and family and waiting to hear what the baby's name is.
Rick is seated on the bed by Michonne as she holds their son. "Everybody, this is Raile Carlton Grimes."