Richonne (Short Love Stories) A Gifted Heart Part III (Chapter 45)
A/N: Thank you so much for the continued support.
Ten months ago
Rick continues to work on a part-time schedule but is confident that he will return to full-time in only a matter of weeks. His visits to the doctor are now on a monthly basis and his reports with each appointment are positive. He has tried to convince his parents to return home to King County but they won't hear of it. The doctor gave him a recovery span of six months and that's how long they plan to stay. He is thankful for the company as living alone and being single does have its lonely moments. He just doesn't want to get too dependent on them. He will still have to cook for himself and do his laundry, etc. after they depart.
He watches his mom flit from the island/bar to the stove as she serves him and his dad breakfast. They talk jovially but he doesn't comprehend the conversation as his mind drifts to Michonne and he wonders what she and Andre are having for breakfast. The past two months have been good. He sees them at least once a week since she allowed Andre to participate in the mentor program and once the session ends, the two of them have been known to converse afterwards. The other parents grab their kids and make their way out but Michonne lingers and he likes that.
Their do over at the coffee shop went well and he'd like to ask her out again but doesn't want to appear pushy or eager. Meeting for coffee was initially her idea so he felt comfortable with that. Asking on his own was entirely different. What if she took it the wrong way? What if she thinks it's a date? Would it be a date? Because he can't answer those questions or even figure out a way to get them answered, he decides to leave well enough alone and just enjoy the time they spend together.
"Did you hear me son?" Arthur asks.
Rick looks to his father having realized he was speaking to him. "I'm sorry. What was that?"
"Carl. Won't he be coming to visit soon?" Arthur repeats.
"Oh yeah. He'll have Spring Break in two weeks," he answers.
"Good. I can't wait to see him," Ms. Gladys inputs.
Rick continues the conversation with his parents, giving them his full attention before he departs for work.
Meanwhile, Michonne is having difficulty getting Andre ready for preschool. He doesn't want to wear his new sneakers. He wants to wear the old dirt encrusted ones that she should've thrown out with the trash.
"Son you are not wearing your old shoes. Now come on before we're late," Michonne advises.
"But I don't wanna wear those," Andre informs.
"You chose these shoes remember? You said you liked them at the store. We tried them on and everything and now you don't like them?"
"I can run faster in my other shoes."
Michonne closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and releases it. "Ok. How about I tell Rick you've been misbehaving?" She regrets it as soon as it is said. She's not even sure what made her say it. Rick has influence with her son but using it seems wrong somehow. It reminds her of the many times she uttered 'I'll tell your dad'.
"Oh mommy please don't tell Rick. I'll wear the new shoes," Andre says as he sits down and stretches his legs out so she can put his shoes on.
She feels even worse with his cooperation. "Don't worry. I won't say anything to Rick but you better behave or we won't attend your session this week." That felt a whole lot better than using Rick's name directly. She cringes inwardly, thanking her lucky stars that he's still too young to comprehend certain things.
She recalls the sessions as there have only been four so far. She and Rick spoke leading up to the official start of the program and now she sees him at least once a week. Although the sessions have been good for her son, she wonders if they are necessary, asking herself if she only signed him up as a means to have some contact with Rick.
She gives herself a mental shake. The sessions are for Andre. That's it. Why would I need contact with Rick Grimes? She scoffs inwardly as she ties the little one's shoes and tells him to grab his backpack as they exit the house.
XXXXXXXXXX
They are visiting a local library for this week's session and Michonne wonders if Rick comes up with these ideas on his own or if there is some guide book he follows. He usually has assistance from another deputy but she doesn't see Deputy Walsh tonight. Luckily the group isn't a large one. Only five boys are in attendance as the program has yet to be advertised. It makes sense to start out small as this is the first year the Sheriff's Department has incorporated this program.
She sits close by, thumbing through today's newspapers but steals glances at Rick and checks to ensure Andre is behaving himself. The oldest child in the group is seven but Rick continues to relay how important reading is and enlists their help in finding a book for him to read. She takes notice as soon as he starts to tell the story. She sits the paper aside and is just as attentive as the boys while he reads. The deep, southern drawl, the smoothness in his diction draws her in and she finds herself admiring his profile. He really is a handsome man. It is almost as if she projected that thought out loud because at that precise moment, his eyes find hers. She glances away immediately, unable to hold his gaze just in case there was something in her eyes that maybe shouldn't have been there.
She is relieved that he continues reading, his slight diversion undetected. She listens but keeps her gaze safely on the boys, delighting in their interest in the story. Afterwards, Rick asks and answers questions about what he'd read, engaging the children effortlessly. She wonders if he ever considered education as a vocation.
The session ends and Michonne lingers as she always does. Rick makes his way to her side after saying goodbye to the other children and parents. He lifts his hand for a high five from Andre and tells him how glad he is that he enjoyed the story.
"Can we come back to read again?" Andre asks.
"Of course we can," Rick answers, enthused that he might be able to add the library to his list of frequents. He is still learning but so far, so good.
He and Michonne exchange small talk as they normally do and soon he is walking them to her car.
Michonne speaks before she thinks, something she notes happens more often than it should in his presence. "Andre and I are going for pizza. Would you like to join us?" She cringes as a thought comes to her and rushes on, "I'm sorry. Can you eat pizza?" She knows he's on a restricted diet and didn't want to be insensitive.
Rick gives a small laugh, noticing her apprehension and wanting to reassure her. "I can eat pizza Michonne. Just not every day."
She relaxes with relief. "Good. I mean, you don't have to join us if you don't want to. I just…."
"I'd love to join you."
Her heart flutters with excitement or maybe it was her stomach. Either way, she is more than happy to be spending more time with him.
He is just as elated as she is, his heart pumping and his face muscles tense as he tries to contain the smile that wants to burst free. They leave the library and he follows her to the pizza parlor.
An hour later, they are sitting back having enjoyed the meal, the atmosphere, and the company, regretting that the night has to come to an end. Their waitress brings the check over and Rick immediately reaches for it.
Michonne snatches it out of his hand. "It's my treat tonight."
"I don't mind paying for it."
"I know you don't but it's my turn. You can get the next one," she informs him.
Next one? Does that mean we'll do this again? Rick smiles with the thought as they prepare to exit the restaurant.
Two weeks pass and Carl has arrived for his week-long visit. The grandparents are elated and Rick is as well. He looks forward to the time he has with his son as it seems so fleeting nowadays. He had polled the mentor program parents about their preferences for Spring Break and most opted to forego a session that week since majority would be on vacation. Michonne is still in town as she is getting acclimated to working a full schedule. Plus, Andre's preschool remained in operation so this would be a routine week for them.
He can't imagine not seeing her although they did speak briefly over the phone this week. He calls her at the office and invites her and Andre to dinner with him and Carl. She declines at first, relaying that he should spend as much time with Carl as possible.
"Well, I was hoping we could let the boys meet and I kinda wanna see my favorite little person," he admits.
She smiles, wondering at the uncanny connection between the two once again. She knows her son would miss seeing him as well so she gives in. "Fine. What time and where?"
They finalize the arrangements and end the call.
Hours later, Michonne and Andre are walking through the doors of a family oriented restaurant complete with a game room and ice cream parlor. Rick and Carl were seated in the lobby area, waiting for them. She smiles when she sees them and notes that Carl's eyes are identical to his father's.
Rick makes the introductions and they move forward to be seated by the hostess. They occupy a booth with Rick and Carl on one side facing Michonne and Andre on the other. The youngest in the group becomes animated almost immediately and starts talking and asking questions, all of them directed at Rick.
Michonne politely asks him to quiet down and wait for Rick to answer his question before asking another. She detects that he may not like sharing Rick with Carl but hopes the two will warm to each other. She turns her attention to the menu placed in front of her and tries to decide what to order as the others do.
They then peruse the menus and try to decide what to order.
Carl listens to the easy banter between his dad and his 'friend' and wonders just what kind of 'friend' Michonne is. His mom had friends before she married his stepdad and he's not sure if he wants his dad to have any 'friends'.
After the waitress takes their orders, there is a slight silence before Rick begins to share Carl's sports achievements like any proud father would. Michonne listens attentively, complimenting Carl with a smile.
Andre looks from his mom to Rick to Carl and back to Rick. "We play sports too. We're going to a baseball game."
"We sure are. Andre is participating in the Sheriff's Department's mentor program," Rick explains. "I told you about it in one of my emails remember?"
Carl nods. "I remember. So what else do you do?" He looks to Michonne. "Are you a part of the program too?"
"No. I work for the district attorney's office but we should probably incorporate a mentor's program. I think it's a great idea."
"So you and my dad don't work together but you're still friends?" Carl asks.
Rick nods as does Michonne, the former confirming their friendship.
"Well, what kind of friends are you? Just really friends or the other type of friends?" Carl asks.
Rick gasps, unable to believe that his son would insinuate anything untoward between himself and Michonne. "Carl….we answered your question. We're friends. Now I don't know what you're insinuating but I don't appreciate your tone." He gives his son a firm look. "Apologize to Michonne."
Andre narrows his eyes at Carl as the latter utters an apology to his mom. "You don't want my mommy to be friends with Rick?"
The waitress arrives with their food and Rick and Michonne are completely relieved for the distraction. He gives her a reassuring smile that she returns before they all dig in.
Later, they move off to the game room, giving the boys enough change to play whatever games they choose. Rick and Michonne walk around curiously, keeping an eye on their children but conversing and enjoying each other's company.
They were standing by a pinball machine as Rick is trying to decide if he wants to play or not. He relays that it has been several years but she encourages him all the same, promising to join him. They were just about to insert some coins when Michonne looks up to see Andre punch Carl in the stomach then kick him in the shin.
She gasps and races over to them, grabbing Andre and demanding that he apologize to Carl. "Why would you do that?"
"I….I…." Andre struggles to get his words out as the tears start to stream down his face.
Michonne turns to Carl. "Did he hurt you? I'm so sorry. I don't know what's wrong with him." She looks to Rick as he places a hand on Carl's shoulder, inquiring if he is ok. She returns her attention to her son. "What is wrong with you?"
"I…WANT…MY…DADDY!" Andre shouts with all of his might as the tears start to flow freely.
Michonne panics, glancing around at the semi crowded game room then drops to her knees in front of her son. "Andre I'm sorry….." She pulls him toward her for a hug but he struggles and pushes her away.
"NO!" He tries to run but Rick rushes forward and detains him, taking him into his arms, lifting his small body with ease. He cradles him gently, whispering soothing, calming words and telling him it would be ok.
"I….I better get him home," Michonne suggests as she squeezes her clutch, trying to hold her emotions at bay. She leads the way as Rick carries a crying Andre and Carl follows behind them slowly. The patrons in the restaurant glance at them curiously but she ignores them as she makes her way to her vehicle.
Rick reaches into his pocket and gives Carl the keys to his car, informing him to wait. He then places Andre in his safety seat, continuing to try and sooth him as he secures him. He wipes his tears as best as he is able, all the while telling him to calm down.
Michonne stands by the door, trying not to wring her hands but feeling a tenseness that she thought had left her weeks ago. She attempts to control her shaking as she watches Andre rest his head against his seat, his breaths hitching as he closes his eyes. Her own tears begin to well and she swallows anxiously after inhaling and exhaling deeply.
Rick rubs the back of his neck, glad that the little one had calmed down and appeared to be on his way to sleep. He looks to Michonne and tries to give her some reassurance. He notices the tears in her eyes and the concerned expression on her face and takes a step toward her.
"Thank…..you." She takes a deep breath. "I don't know….why he acted out like that." She shakes her head as she is at a complete loss. She thought they were doing fine but maybe she was just fooling herself. She retrieves her keys from her clutch. "I'll….I'll call you later." She attempts to reach for the door but he touches her hand softly and takes the keys.
"I can't let you drive home like this. You're too upset. You need to calm down first."
She makes the egregious mistake of looking up at him. "I'm…..fine." The tears finally escape and continue to flow as he pulls her into his arms to comfort her. His warmth envelopes her and she loses herself in it, giving in to her grief, sharing her vulnerability. It felt good to lean on him, to know that she could.
He holds her close, wishing he could take away the pain and make it all normal again, for her and for Andre. It troubles him to feel so helpless so he does what he is able, offering any type of solace she will allow. He circles her back with a firm but gentle caress, feeling every quiver, every heartfelt sob.
She is not sure how long they stood there, how long she was in his arms but she slowly but surely begins to notice his scent, his intoxicating scent. She could feel an exceptional warmth at her cheek and quickly realizes that she is resting against the exposed skin of his chest where his shirt wasn't buttoned. A sensation floods through her, one she hasn't felt in months. She recognizes it instantly and jerks away with a sound gasp. She looks at him with confusion and awareness and an overwhelming sense to flee trumps any and everything she is experiencing.
"Michonne?" He questions cautiously.
She snatches her keys from his hand. "I'm sorry. I have to….I have to go." She climbs into her car hurriedly, starts it up and pulls out of the parking lot.
Rick watches her, wondering at her reaction and hasty departure. He knows he didn't do anything wrong. Did I? He shakes his head, making his way to his car and to Carl, hoping once again that she and Andre will be ok. He decides that he will call and check on them tomorrow.
"Are they going to be alright?" Carl asks, having witnessed Michonne's breakdown with his dad.
"I don't know but I hope so."
"What's wrong?"
Rick looks to his son, realizing that he needs to share Michonne's and Andre's story with him and how their lives have come to intersect his.