Richonne (Short Love Stories) Last Christmas (Chapter 49)

A/N: Short story inspired by one of my favorite Christmas songs, Last Christmas by Wham. Hope you enjoy.

It was the holiday season again and Rick Grimes isn't sure how he feels after so much time has passed. He wants to summon the pain and anger from before but finds that he really doesn't have the energy or the strength for it. Lori had made her choice and he had accepted it. What gripes him more than anything is that she was the one who stepped outside of their marriage and found comfort in someone else's arms. He found out about it and was prepared to give her a divorce but she said she didn't want that. She begged him not to rip their family apart and after much thought and consideration, he realized that he still wanted his family. Last Christmas was the day he set all hurt feelings aside and told her he'd give them another chance. The very next day, she had patched things up with her lover and decided she wanted a new life with him instead. Just like that, she was gone and she took Carl with her.

Carl. Not seeing him every day took some getting used to and it helped that he was able to see him once a month and on holidays. This year for Christmas, they were taking a vacation with his stepfather's family and Rick didn't want to make waves so he allowed his son to go. His best friend, Shane Walsh, decided that this holiday would be different and Rick would make some better memories.

Their high school reunion was in a week and Shane had taken care of registration and fees for both of them. He was not going to take no for an answer, so Rick prepared himself to attend. Knowing that Lori and her new husband wouldn't be there helped to subdue any uncertainties he was feeling.

He grabs his old yearbook and starts flipping through the pages, getting reacquainted with faces from long ago and remembering the person he used to be. He stops on one page in particular, his eyes zeroing in on a girl he always wanted to get to know better. He would've asked her out if he thought he had a real chance with her. She was a year or two younger but he always wondered what became of her.

One week later

The reunion social is in full swing and Rick is torn between wanting to stay or making his way home to watch a couple of movies. He sips from his tumbler of amber colored liquor and tries to appreciate the winter wonderland his classmates went through so much trouble to create. Shane made sure he was introduced to everyone there and he was sure to ask the appropriate questions to feign interest. The thing is everyone was married except him and Shane. It made him feel like he was sticking out like a sore thumb.

He hears some raucous laughter at one table and looks in that direction for just a moment. He remembers Jacqui Prescott and her group of friends. They were always a loud bunch. He scoffs quietly. I guess some things never change.

He was about to turn away when he sees a gorgeous woman in red join them. He watches her longer than he should and finally looks away before he is caught. He searches the room for Shane, finding him in a corner with Maryann Ford, a very married Maryann Ford. He tries to hide his irritation. He was hoping Shane had good intentions in coming to this reunion but he should have known better. He makes his way to the bar and asks the bartender for a refill.

Suddenly, Jacqui and the lady in red were at the bar right beside him. The bartender arrives with his refreshed drink. He accepts it and smiles at the two ladies as the server attends them.

"Enjoying yourself Rick?" Jacqui asks.

"Yeah sure. What's not to enjoy?"

"Well I know you probably don't remember this little pipsqueak but this is my cousin, Michonne. She was a couple of years behind us. Now she's this big time attorney in Atlanta and I finally convinced her to come back home for a change."

Rick turns to meet the lady in red's eyes and some familiarity strikes him. He gives her a small smile. "Nice to meet you." He watches her lips as she returns his greeting then searches her face as his eyes finally pop with recognition. "I….remember you."

"I remember you too."

"Your hair….it's different."

She reaches up to touch the locs piled high in a stylish bun. "Yeah, it's a lot different from when I was in high school but…." She allows her eyes to drift down then up to his face again. "You haven't changed much at all."

"I hope that's a good thang," he jokes.

She smiles. "Oh it is."

Jacqui clears her throat loudly. "Well seeing as you two are probably the only single people here, I thought it was only right to introduce you."

Michonne purses her lips in irritation, trying to hide her embarrassment. "That really wasn't necessary, Jacqui."

"No it wasn't but that information is most interesting," Rick offers. For the first time in a long time, his single status didn't feel like a stigma of some kind. "So how long have you been in Atlanta?"

Jacqui hides a smile as she grabs her drink. "Well see y'all later."

Michonne watches her cousin walk away and wonders how she could leave her so easily when she always complained about the time they never spent together. She decided to attend this reunion for that reason alone and now it seems she has been ditched. She looks at the man standing next to her, the man who was her high school crush for two entire school years and believes a conversation is harmless. Only it wasn't just a two minute conversation. They stood at the bar for almost thirty minutes and he was the one to ask if she needed to get back to her cousin.

The strange thing is she knew she should return to the table where Jacqui and the others are but she truly was enjoying his company. Instead of allowing things to end there, she invited him to join her.

He fit in easily with their group and even though he didn't talk much, he seemed to enjoy himself. His friend, Shane, even joined them eventually and before they knew it, the social was ending. The next day was Christmas Eve and neither of them wanted to infringe on holiday time with family so they left things unsaid, both basking in the magic of the night, accepting that it was a one-time thing and they'd probably never see each other again.

XXXXXXXXXX

Rick scrubs his face after turning his alarm off, wondering why he ever agreed to attend church services with his parents. He reminds himself that it's the holidays and it makes his mom happy so he'd better get up and be on time.

Forty-five minutes later, he is exiting the back seat of his parents' car and walking into King of Kings Baptist Church. He follows his parents to a pew and remains standing as the choir begins to sing. He checks his watch and estimates the time they could possibly be done then sadly realizes all he has to do when he gets home is warm up some leftovers and watch a game on TV. He drops his head for a quick second then glances over towards the rows of pews next to theirs.

Michonne's heart flutters as she recognizes Rick Grimes. He looks her way and she waves, hoping he'll remember her from the night before. His eyes pop just like they did last night when he sees her. He immediately smiles and waves back and she feels a small satisfaction at being acknowledged. She gives her attention back to the choir and wonders what were the chances of her seeing him again and so soon.

Rick can barely believe he is seeing her again. He didn't even want to come to church but good thing he did. He feigns interest in the choir, trying his best not to look her way. This must be some sort of sign right? He remembers how she consumed his thoughts well into the early morning hours, postponing his sleep. He finally told himself that he should be happy with the little time he spent with her because he'd never see her again but here she is.

The service is excruciatingly long and Rick can barely remember anything the pastor conveyed except to allow the season to be a joyous one filled with belief and faith. He wanted to rush to her side once the congregation had been dismissed but his parents detained him, talking with friends and wanting to show him around like he was five years old again. The perils of being an only child.

He watches as she leaves with a group of people, torn between being rude and breaking away from his parents or being cautious and saving himself from rejection. He chooses the latter, remembering that he never had the courage to approach her during high school and nothing had really changed.

Meanwhile, Michonne is convincing her family to leave without her and that she'd be on time for lunch. Luckily, they assumed she was trying to get in some last minute Christmas shopping and didn't push the issue. She watches as they pile into her aunt's car and drive off then turns her attention to the church's exit, watching and waiting for Rick Grimes.

Only seconds later, she was inside her car, berating herself for being foolish enough to think she could finally get to know this man. Her finger was on the ignition when he finally emerges outside. The dark suit hangs nicely on his frame and it's just like watching him walk off the football field after a game or in the hallway at break time. Is this the chance I never got or am I just fooling myself?

She reaches for the door handle before she can overthink it and steps out of the car. She stares directly at his bent head, practically boring a hole with her eyes, hoping he'd look up.

He was finally able to break away from his parents and decided to wait for them by the car. He knew he should've driven but his mother insisted on riding together. He fishes his cell phone out of his pocket about to call Shane for a ride when he looks up and there she is. His heart slams against his chest as she smiles and starts to walk toward him.

The dress she is wearing looks like a cozy sweater but hugs her in all the right places and he wonders if her legs are cold as he takes in their shapeliness, his eyes roving down to her ankle boots and back up to her face again.

He hadn't even realized he was walking towards her but looks around to see that he met her half way. "Hi."

"Hi."

They pause just staring at each other and once they realize neither of them is talking, they both ask a question at the same time.

"Sorry. You first," Rick offers.

"I was just surprised to see you here. I didn't think I'd see you again," she returns.

"Yeah, I was thinking the same thang. How long are you here for?"

"Just today and tomorrow. I've got work the day after Christmas."

"Me too."

The silent staring occurs again and Rick breaks the spell this time.

"Do you like hot chocolate or coffee or….."

"I like hot chocolate," she interrupts.

"You remember Dale's? The diner downtown?" With her nod, he continues. "He's open until about 1 today and he makes a really good cup of hot chocolate."

"Well I promised I'd be at my aunt's for lunch….." She looks at her watch. "….but one cup of cocoa shouldn't make me late."

"You mind if a hitch a ride with you? I rode with my parents or we could swing by their house and take my car or….."

"I'll drive. It's no problem."

Dale's was surprisingly crowded but they got a booth in a corner, made their order, and settled in. She wanted to talk about all the things they didn't talk about last night. She didn't offer up anything personal so she didn't ask but she surely wanted to.

He wanted to ask her when he could see her again but didn't want to push. She was obviously busy with her career and maybe seeing someone wasn't in the plan for her right now. Seeing someone? He smiles inwardly and looks at her once again, wondering why she makes him want to throw caution to the wind and dive into whatever she is willing to have with him.

"Do you come here often?" She asks curiously.

"Probably more often than I should but the food's good and Dale doesn't overcharge."

"I'm sure he wants to keep the local law enforcement happy."

He frowns as he considers her words. "Surely Dale isn't charging me less than everybody else?"

"How would you know?"

"I guess I wouldn't but I can find out and let him know I don't want any special treatment just because I'm a sheriff's deputy."

"Just think of it as perks of the job. Nothing wrong with that right?"

"So what kind of lawyer are you? Not the sheisty kind please."

She laughs as she realizes he is teasing her. "I am not sheisty. I just like to keep it real and tell it as I see it."

"Well that's a good policy to have I suppose. Honesty is key right?"

Michonne nods as she takes in his expression. He looks like he wants to get something off his chest but is considering if he should or shouldn't. She panics and was about to say something when the waitress arrives with their drinks. She breathes a sigh of relief and smiles at the server, thanking her audibly.

Rick accepts the interruption and wonders if he was about to make a fool of himself. It has been so long since he dated anyone that he is unaware of any new dating rules. Maybe it's too soon to tell her that he'd like to date her….seriously date her. Besides, he knows they aren't the same people they were in high school. He really didn't know her back then and he knows even less now. He reaches for his cup and cools it with a blow or two, deciding he should just enjoy this outing and not expect anything else.

Curiosity swirls through Michonne but she refuses to dig. If he has something to say, he'll say it. But what could he say this soon anyway? They don't really know each other. They won't even have the time to get to know each other. Besides, the thing with Mike hasn't been over for a full year yet. She should give herself time to heal from that debacle of a relationship right? She sips her hot chocolate, delighting in the taste and the company more than she thought she would.

An hour later, she is driving to Rick's parents' house and wondering if they should exchange numbers. She's not sure when she'd return to King County so maybe they should just leave things as they are.

"It's the one with the Santa and the reindeer in the front yard," he advises.

She pulls up in front of the house and puts the car in park while admiring the decorations and build of the home. "Well thanks for the hot chocolate. It was nice seeing you again."

"It was nice seeing you again too," he admits.

Another pause between them before they both start to speak at the same time.

"Sorry," he offers.

"It's fine. I was just gonna say that I don't know when I'll get back this way…but we should exchange numbers or something."

He nods, attempting to hide his disappointment. Was this her way of letting him down easy? "Yeah that's good."

The transaction only took seconds and he realizes that he needs to exit her car so she can get on with whatever she has to do.

"Well take care of yourself and Merry Christmas."

She gives him a slight smile. "Merry Christmas to you too. And I'll call you." She has an overwhelming urge to hug him but wonders if that would be too forward. In anxiousness, she pushes her hand toward him for a handshake.

He looks down at her hand and gently grasps it only to bring it up to his lips for a tender kiss. He raises his eyes to hers, satisfied to see a soft glow emanating on her face. "I'll see you later."

She clears her throat, hoping her voice doesn't fail her. "You too." She watches with fascination as he exits her car, gives her a small wave, and walks toward his parents' front door. She literally has to force her eyes onto the road as she puts the car in drive and slowly pulls away.

XXXXXXXXXX

New Year's Eve has arrived and Michonne had plans to attend a couple of parties but she is honestly not in the mood. Her thoughts have been consumed with none other than Rick Grimes yet she has hesitated to call him. For some reason, a call just won't suffice. She wants to see him and she wants to see him badly. She thinks back on an old saying from her grandmother about being with the one you want at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. It would ensure longevity or something. She scoffs, knowing she shouldn't believe in those old superstitions but…..what if her grandmother was right?

She grabs her coat and her purse and reaches for the door. She hesitates for only a moment and shortly enters her car to make her way back to King County.

Meanwhile, Rick is grappling with what he should do to ring in the New Year. Shane will be going from house to house and has invited him to come along. He knows he should get out instead of staying inside and waiting on a call that may never come. He had picked up his phone more than once to call her but decided against it. He's not used to the woman making the first move but he needs to be sure of this one. Sure that she wants him like he wants her.

He steps into the adjacent bathroom after entering his bedroom, flips on the light and stands in front of the mirror. He was still wearing his uniform and wondered what he should change into for a party. Damnit why don't I just ask her? The thought takes him by surprise but he can't shake it. It's simple. I just need to ask her if she wants me. He grabs his phone and was about to dial her number when he realized he didn't want to ask her over the phone. He needed to be looking into her eyes.

Seconds later, he was in his car driving towards the highway that would take him to Atlanta. Thirty minutes into his drive, his cell phone starts to ring. He looks down at it and his expression softens as he smiles at the name displayed across the screen.

Michonne knows she shouldn't be using her phone while driving but she just told herself how thoughtless she was being. She didn't know if Rick was home or if he had plans so she finally got the nerve to call him. Her heart slams even harder against her chest when he answers.

"Hello? Michonne?"

"Hi. Yeah it's me. How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm fine. I uh…..I'm actually on my way to King County….to…..to see you." She is met with silence but soon hears a sigh of relief and a slight laugh.

"Well….that's funny coz I'm on my way to Atlanta to see you."

They both laugh with relief and utter happiness.

"How far out are you?" He asks.

"About thirty minutes away. You?'

"About the same. Listen there's a little town right off exit 69. I'll meet you at that truck stop," he informs.

"Ok."

Forty minutes later, they were standing in the parking lot of a local truck stop, smiling at each other unabashedly.

"I guess great minds think alike huh?" He asks.

"Yeah I guess so."

"This means we're on the same page right?"

"We're on the exact same page."

He nods. "So do you like cheeseburgers? This cook makes a great one."

She frowns and looks down his body curiously. "You sure are familiar with a lot of food places yet your physique says otherwise."

"Working out helps….a lot." He offers her his hand and they walk towards the entrance.

They spend the next hour or so talking and laughing over their dinner of cheeseburgers and fries. They are enjoying each other so much that they barely notice how swiftly the time is passing. He finally looks at his watch and whistles.

"It's nearly midnight. Are you coming on to King County or I could follow you back to Atlanta."

She knows if they go to King County, she'll have the distraction of family but in Atlanta she could devote all of her time to him. "Let's go to Atlanta."

He agrees and they walk out to their cars just as before, hand in hand. He thinks back to the state of mind he was in last year during this time and thanks his lucky stars that his life seems to be making a change for the better.

They can hear the people inside start to countdown the seconds until midnight and a new year. She detains him and looks up into his eyes, not sure what path the two of them would maneuver together but knowing that she wants to be with him no matter what.

"Happy New Year," he offers.

"Happy New Year," she returns before she leans in and places her lips on his.