Richonne (Short Love Stories) This Christmas by SBK
A/N: Short story inspired by the spirit of Christmas and a sequel to Last Christmas. Hope you enjoy.
A year can bring about a lot of changes, Rick Grimes thinks to himself as he grabs one last box from his living room floor and allows his gaze to rove over the large, empty room once again. This time last year he was wallowing in singleness and wondering if there would ever be more to his life. Presently, he has more than he ever hoped or dreamt for and all because of one person and a hell of a whirlwind romance. They were married within 6 months and now they are moving into their newly built home just in time for Christmas.
He remembers to switch on the outside light and closes the door to lock it. He lifts the box and turns toward the rented moving van. The for sale sign in the yard already has a blaring red sold sign plastered on it and he'd only listed the house a month ago. Just further confirmation that this change is the best thing to ever happen to him.
He takes his time walking to the van, looking over his front yard and the neighboring homes. Part of him would miss this segment of his life but he's more than excited to continue what started and flourished last Christmas. He smiles to himself and almost drops the box he's carrying when his best friend lays down hard on the van horn, startling him from his thoughts.
Shane Walsh waves his hands impatiently, indicating that Rick should speed things up. The latter shakes his head as he knows exactly why his friend is in such a hurry. A certain person's best friend was in town helping with the move and Shane didn't want to miss one moment of spending time with her.
Rick deposits the box with the others and climbs into the driver's seat, assured to give Shane a pointed, annoyed look.
"You can come back and reminisce all you want tomorrow," Shane informs. "We've got a job to do right now."
Rick nods. "Right. A job to do." He thinks over his next words but feels they have to be said. "You do remember that Jacqui is coming to help with the move tomorrow?"
"What are you trying to say? Look man I'm single. You see any rings on these fingers? Nope. Therefore, I'm free game for all the ladies out there."
Rick takes a deep breath and releases it. "No drama. You got it?"
Twenty minutes later, they are pulling onto a dark paved road lined with trees on both sides. Rick looks around proudly and smiles even wider when the palatial home at the end of the drive comes into view. He never expected to be living in a home as beautiful as this. It surpasses anything he ever dreamed of and makes the homes his ex-wife coveted resemble FEMA trailers.
Shane is out of the truck before it stops completely, unencumbered by the boxes he was supposed to help unload, and takes the steps right up to the front door, knocking soundly. Rick watches the door open, his friend step inside, and the love of his life stick her head out in search of him. She smiles widely when she spots him exiting the van and waves sweetly.
He returns the wave and the smile, forgetting the boxes just as Shane did and takes the steps two at a time to reach her. "Hi," he uttersas his lips capture hers and his hands simultaneously go to her waist. "Did you miss me?"
She pulls back and looks up. "You've been gone for an entire hour and 45 minutes. Of course I missed you."
"I missed you too." His smile turns into a frown as he notices her bare feet. "Michonne, do you realize how cold it is out here?" He lifts her effortlessly and crosses the threshold, closing the door behind them.
Their best friends are seated in front of the fire, sharing a bottle of wine. The house is still in disarray with boxes and furniture placed haphazardly in each room. The goal was to ensure they had a bed to sleep in tonight. Unloading the boxes and actually making the house into a home would start tomorrow but it appears his wife of 6 months was in the Christmas spirit since there was a fully decorated 9 ft. tree in the foyer.
"I see you and Sasha have been very busy unpacking," he jokes as he looks up at the tree.
"Haven't we? Do you know how long it took to locate all the Christmas stuff?" His wife returns. "I wanted to have a mixture of the old and new, a little of your stuff and a lot of mine." They laugh together as they move closer to the tree.
He reaches up and grabs an ornament he's familiar with, something Carl made when he was in elementary school. "I haven't seen this in ages. I thought we'd thrown it out."
"Amazing what you find in a move right? I'm sure there is a lot more where that came from but we'll deal with it tomorrow. Let's see what Shane and Sasha are up to." She takes his hand and leads him toward the den only to meet their friends exiting.
"You guys leaving?" Rick asks expectantly.
"Yeah we're gonna go into town and have dinner," Shane answers.
"Dinner? As in a date?" Michonne ponders with surprise.
"Yes," Shane responds as Sasha quickly quips, "No."
Rick and Michonne share a look then turn back to their best friends.
"Get on the same page," Michonne tells them.
Sasha gives Shane a questioning glance and he offers, "Alright it's just dinner…..for now."
They walk towards the door and as soon as they exit, Rick locks it and wraps his arms around his wife. "I couldn't wait for them to leave. Which room should we christen first?"
Michonne laughs as she returns his embrace. "That's how we got in trouble in the first place."
"Trouble? You call this little amazing soon to be perfect person trouble?" He drops to his knees and places in his hands on her stomach. There is only a slight roundness as the pregnancy is still in the early stages. He kisses her stomach then proceeds to lift her sweater so he can taste her bare skin.
Her gasp is all the encouragement he needs as he unbuttons and unzips her jeans and starts to push them down. They manage to stumble into the den, leaving a path of discarded clothes along the way.
Over an hour later, they are sprawled on the couch, exhausted and satiated. The fire is low but still burning and emanating warmth. She rests her head on his shoulder while their fingers are entwined.
"Have I told you how happy you make me?" He asks softly.
"I think I've caught the hint by now."
"Do you know I was contemplating not even going to that reunion? Now look at us."
"I guess being a bit impulsive paid off right?" She recalls how nervous she was driving to King County on a whim, not sure if he would be receptive or not.
"I will never understand how you ever doubted my interest in you," he returns. "You were basically my one that got away although I never had the nerve to approach you in school."
"And you never knew how crazy I was about you. Oh the opportunities we have missed," she reminds him.
"Yeah but we're making up for lost time now. You even moved back to King County and according to Jacqui that was something you vowed to never ever do."
"Well you can be very persuasive." She slides her body against his, moving to place a wet kiss on his neck. "How could I resist when you were pouring on all that southern charm?"
He slides his free hand down to her butt and squeezes gently. "I couldn't mess up. This was a chance of a lifetime." He gazes into her eyes, wondering how he got so lucky. "I love you."
"I love you too," she answers before placing her lips on his and diving in with her tongue.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next day, the new house is abuzz with activity. Their parents, extended family, and friends all came over to help get everything in order. What would have taken the couple days to accomplish alone was accomplished within a matter of hours.
Two weeks later, they are in the midst of hosting Christmas dinner. The decorations were plentiful as well as the food and drink. The get together was almost perfect except Jacqui and Sasha peeked out the fact that Shane was trying to get with both of them. They are seated together on the living area sofa shooting glaring glances at Shane who is standing by the fireplace, nursing a drink, and looking a tad uncomfortable.
Rick walks over and claps him on the shoulder. "I tried to tell you that wasn't a good idea but you never listen to me."
"Yeah, well maybe I will from now on. You can't blame me though. I mean, look at 'em," Shane advises.
"I only…" Rick trails off as Shane finishes his sentence.
"…..have eyes for one woman. I know. I know. I'm trying to get where you are but it's so hard choosing just one. Damn."
Rick scratches his head and moves off from his best friend. Something tells him that Shane will never understand the concept of monogamy.
He locates his wife seated between his mother and Carl and bends down to whisper in her ear, "Now?"
Michonne smiles and nods patiently. She watches attentively as her husband taps his wedding ring against his wine glass to get everyone's attention.
He extends his hand to his wife as she lifts up from the sofa then indicates for Carl to join them. "Family, friends we have a special announcement to make." The three of them watch as everyone gives them their full attention.
Carl states excitedly, "I'm going to be a big brother!"
That is met with gasps, murmurs, and questions but Rick only ignores them and says, "Yes Michonne and I are pregnant. Merry Christmas!"