All For The Love Of A Child. Pt. 1

Lori Henderson and fiancé Deputy Sheriff Shane Walsh walked hand in hand as they somewhat happily stepped inside the lobby of the Ellis Hotel on their way to the children's playroom. The two love birds were returning from a failed mission. They'd gone to the courthouse to be married.

It was suppose to had been a rather quick affair, one less then thirty minutes, no more than an hour tops, but the couple had been there for hours even before closing, and still they came back exactly like they'd left, a Mister with his Miss instead of her as his Mrs.

And it wasn't because they didn't have a marriage license either, that had been taken care of eariler last week due to the 72 hour waiting period.

The problem was simple, too many like minded couples.

The clerk at the courthouse said they'd never seen anything like it before, and had been busy since first thing Monday morning. Today had been their busiest day yet, and hate to see what in the morning would look like, because it's the last day that they will be open before and after Thanksgiving. So if anyone wants to get hitched this week then they'd best come in early, if not they'll have to just wait until the next week.

But who could have known that 200 other couples would have the very same idea as Lori and Shane, and that was to get married before Thanksgiving and have that very long weekend afterwards to celebrate their nuptials? However, when planning the whole thing out Lori was so sure that the peak season for weddings in Georgia was April through October, and had no inkling that that could possibly include November too!

And as for Lori and Shane waiting until next week, well that was definitely out of the question for Shane, because they were in love and he wanted to make it official sooner than later.

So one way or the other, by hook or by crook, tomorrow morning they were getting married, and then as Mr. and Mrs. Walsh the two along with Carl will start life anew. Somewhere far, far away from Georgia with that little snafu being just a tiny footnote in the history of their lives, and a rather quirky one at that, which they'll share with Carl and the other children that they as a married couple intend on having.

However, for right now Lori just hope that her boy wasn't too mad at the two of them for taking so very long. But they'll make it up to the little guy, because just as soon as she and Shane collects him they can still go out to eat and see that movie that he wanted to see, then at least something will have gone off as planned for today.

And just as the couple entered the room, the mother noticed the face of the playroom's director as her nervous acting assistant pointed their way. Both women were wearing a look that Lori did not particularly like.

Suddenly dread grips the woman's core like a tight balled-up fist, and she began to scan the room.

Where in the world was her Carl, she didn't see him anywhere?

《▪▪▪▪▪》

A great many things had became quite clear to Michonne once they'd arrived at the hospital. Things like…why she and her little Handsome had to wait so very long to leave even when those two despots were immediately taken away once the ambulance finally arrived?

And why was it that A.D.A Robinnette was so reluctant to allow her and Handsome to leave when they did? But that still didn't happen readily until Michonne announced herself as Handsome's lawyer, retained by his father the Sheriff of King County did the woman begrudgingly relent.

She also knew that what had happened earlier in the evening was a big deal, a very big deal, and had no doubt that it could and possibly would change careers in a mighty big way. But what Michonne hadn't really realized was just how big of a deal it was until she saw two FBI Agents along with their own guards waiting there at the hospital, and exerting their jurisdiction not only over the prisoners, but her and Handsome as well, because they were star witnesses.

Incredibably, but believeable those two rots were wanted all over the country for multiple crimes that included rape, murder, human slavery, incest of a relative, and sex trafficking of both women and children. They were the worst of the worst and A.D.A Robinnette was there too, challenging the agents authority to do so.

That's also when Michonne realized the reason why that snot Robinnette had been holding her and Handsome at the crime scene for so very long. It was to keep them far from out of reach of the Feds for as long as possible until she came up with a strategy that worked in her favor. She did not want the two principle witnesses in their hands, because with this case she could write her own ticket.

Unbeknownst to the public she had her eye on the prize, and that prize at that moment was to be the next Attorney General of Georgia, and then anything beyond that that brought prominence to herself, and she only.

And how in the world did that woman get here before we did? Michonne pondered questioningly. Especially when we were the ones who'd left first.

She guessed it true what Andrea has always said. Alicia Robinnette does have a broom head to go alone with that stick stuck up her rump, which is definitely a Michonne way of putting it, and the word "rump" certainly was not the word that Andrea used to describe the A.D.A's posterior even though the sister is an undeniable Ass.

Besides, very few people if any of them who have ever had any contact, worked, or works with the Assistant D.A on a daily basis don't already know that the woman is a certified card-carrying witch. And what self-respecting pythoness wouldn't even be caught dead without her trusty broom to get her from points here to there!

And to Michonne's surprise, but not really a very big one at all, Terry's older sister Mellissa Anderson Ross was there too. She had been a social worker once upon a time but now was head of the Office of Social Services and Child Welfare of Georgia. Once again, Terry had thought of everything.

Michonne knew that Mellissa was there solely because of her little brother. And knew too, that he'd called his big sister to help out on her behalf.

She also hoped it possible that Mellissa may allow her to keep that sweet boy with her until the matter of Handsome's running away was settled, which would most likely be done sometime early in the next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. There was no way that the child was going to be turned back over to his mother after what has happened, and certainly not until a hearing is held to sort things out. Because there were way too many questions that needed answers.

Besides, Handsome staying with her was so much more better than him being placed in foster care with a complete stranger or strangers unlike herself, even though not by much Michonne reasoned. She just hope Mellissa felt the same and would take that into account in spite her feelings towards her. Because Michonne knew without question that she was not one of Mellissa Anderson Ross's favorite people. And she knew why…Mike.

《▪▪▪▪▪》

Sheriff Richard Grimes looked down with disdain at what was now a dead cell phone resting in his angry hand. And he'd forgotten his charger.

To make things even worse in an already unimaginable situation that didn't just only include his lifeless phone, but the highly upset and very agitated law officer found himself sitting in his truck 350 miles out from Atlanta stuck in traffic. Situated smack dab in the midst of the tale end of a crash involving multiple jackknifed semis some 15 miles ahead of him.

Which was a very unfortunate, and unforeseen event for all those who just happened to have been on that stretch of road, and at that particular time.

But, thank goodness no one was hurt even though in addition to the multiple jackknifed trucks there were two left resting on their sides with their loads spewed out across all lanes of I-93 going north; pass and into Atlanta.

And that little nugget of info was given some two hours ago; relayed by both a slow moving State Trooper over his cruiser's PA System, and also Troopers on feet to inform all the stuck motorists in the paralyzed traffic.

What a mess! And mere hours before the beginning of the holiday rush no less.

But for some of the motorists caught up in the chaos there was at least a bright side. The Georgia State Patrol and Sheriff Department of Piedmont County had set up a detour, however, that particular route north would have taken the Sheriff away from his destination, and that was to Atlanta, the very place where he needed to be, and where his son was, the only reason that the man was even out there in the first place. Carl his boy was in trouble and in need of his dad.

And the thought of his young son being in that situation caused the Sheriff to grip his truck's steering wheel tight, trying hard to will himself into accepting the fact that he had a rather timely sit ahead of him still, even though he'd already been stuck there in that-going-no-where-at-all-soon-traffic for almost two hours, and needed to have been gone just that long ago.

《▪▪▪▪▪》

Michonne with arms full after collecting her packages from downstairs that Walter had so thoughtfully placed inside the cooler, looked down at her Handsome and breathed out a sigh of relief as the two rode the elevator up to the 30th floor of her building.

What a night, and thank God that it was almost over, and that they were almost there...almost home.

However, she knew that that wouldn't have been the case if not for having friends in rather high places, namely Michonne's Uncle Hank who was on the board at Atlanta Presbyterian, the private hospital where they all had been taken.

If not for that fact, she and her Handsome would still be there waiting, because for some unusual reason the hospital had been extremely busy. But when it became known to those in charge that she was there with Handsome, then two doctors were assigned specifically for them. One for the boy, another one for her and Munchie.

Thankfully, except for pressure bruises on the child's little wrists and ankles, Carl was given a clean bill of health with the expressed recommendation that he be given therapy just as soon as possible for the likelihood of any mental trauma.

Michonne and Munchie got a clean bill of health too, except for one big add on, she was now wearing a very unfashionable walking foot cast to go along with the cross trainer.

Because...

Surprise, surprise she'd broken her big toe after all; a hair line fracture none the less, but still a broke toe. Who knew that a man's so very small, soft, and tiny package could do that kind of damage to healthy bone?

And after getting their clean bill of health, Terry and Kal drove her and Handsome back to her building.

Now while still looking down at Handsome, Michonne began to smile to herself. Besides them being almost home, she'd also gotten the FBI Agents to agreed on waiting until the next day for their interview, which will be taking place in her condo. She thought that time and venue best for Handsome then at their sterile office, because her boy had gone through quite enough for one night. Besides that Handsome's dad will be able to be there too.

And to her utter relief; something that made everything even more amazing, Mellissa had also allowed Handsome to stay with Michonne until the emergency hearing on Monday. There wasn't anywhere else for her boy to stay at that time.

The Inn so to speak was full.

But, Michonne still thanked God for that great BIG little favor, because she wasn't ready to let her little guy go just yet. And if Mellissa had really wanted to she could have found other accommodations for the child. Now that and that alone was due only to Terry.

And Michonne soon noticed that that said child was quiet, way too guiet as they continued their ride up, and the little boy had been since before leaving the hospital. It was understandable but still she didn't like it.

The woman knew that it wouldn't be a difficult thing to acknowledge that today had been one of those days, one where the full gravity of what she and Handsome had gone through in the last couple of hours was a heavy weight even on her, and to acknowledge that same fact concerning her 7 year and 2 month old new house mate was not at all too far fetched to do either.

Her heart went out to him. Her boy had been made to carrying a load that he was ill equipped to deal with.

And to get the child talking Michonne ask him a question.

"Are you afraid of elevators?" she inquired with a smile.

Annoyed, Carl looked her way.

"No…but sometimes they make my tummy feel funny" he replied back stoically and then thought, Ahh…isn't it a little too late to be asking me that since I'm already on the thing! Duh.

Michonne read his smart and apt mind. That look in his eyes gave the little articulate stank bug away. Oh, did she want to laugh, but thought better of it and continued.

"I know my asking you that question after the fact was like me putting the horse before the cart. Right?"

The boy with closed eyes snappily shook his head up and down in agreement.

"Ah...do you even know what that means?" Michonne questioned him with a smirk.

And there was that telltale look again.

He'said so adorable.

"Yep…it's when something is definitely a-s-s backward and on its way to a s-h-i-t-t-y end," the boy said matter-of-factly, then went on. "Well…that's how my grandpa says it, but only spell bad words out when my Dad's around, or while we're in mixed company…mostly my Grandma's. But all the other times when it's just me and him, Grandpa's saying it just like it is regardless and without any spelling.

But…because I'm in mixed company I-"

Carl didn't finish, he saw the look on Michonne's face, and the pretty lady was not smiling. The boy knew he was skating on some thin ice by being overly sassy, but-he-did-not-care…it had been one of those days and there was still more of it to come!

Michonne was taken aback, and with a slight lift of one brow thought,

Wooow…wooow…and another wooow. And I thought Robby could be something else at times! But apparently I was wrong. This kid has that child beat by miles!

The elevator stopped, and its doors slid open wide with a hiss.

Then the rather astonished woman along with a rather boldly rude child were saved by that bell as they got off in silence and walked down the hall to Michonne's door. And once there Carl stood by patiently.

And what other choice did the kid have except to be patient and then to wait,. Especially, when there was nothing else that he could do, nor any other place for him to go? So he watched as Michonne dug elbow deep inside her leather Hobo bag with one hand; bringing out everything except that which she was looking for, even a piece of wrapped up fruit.

And Michonne smiled at the sight of it, and thought, Spencer...ooh, what a glorious and delicious man where ever he might be!

And Carl with a tilt of his head saw that smiled, and recognized that thing for what it was. He'd seen it before on his mother face many times, and he hadn't like it any of those times either. That was only because he knew it had been about his Uncle Shane and not his Dad! Now here he was seeing it again; wondering who Michonne was thinking about, and with him standing right there to see!

Again, Michonne noticed her Handsome with that certain look but this time it had company…that adorable tilt of his head, which left her wondering what was it that he was trying to figure out this time, besides the obvious? Because she knew without a shadow of a doubt that everything now was more than a little confusing to the child; a whole lot of something new on so many different levels that had him stumped!

That's why the woman intended with everything in her to make her Handsome feel as welcomed and as safe as possible, because in essence he will be living with an almost complete stranger no matter what hellishness they'd both experienced together in one night.

And Michonne also knew that that too can be a scary and an uncomfortable situation for anyone on any give day, but for a small innocent child, well then that was a whole lotta drama that can bring out all kinds of dark and heavy angst, anger, and fear; mature emotions that no 7 year old should never ever have to deal with all due to what he'd gone through earlier in the night.

So without ever even missing a beat with her rummaging, Michonne looked over and winked at her guy to let him know that he hadn't been forgotten, nor was he alone.

And how in the world could he ever be forgotten by her, when that little fellow was now staunchly engrained deep in Michonne's heart? Just like her Munchie.

And in spite of Carl not being in the mood, he reluctantly felt one side of the corner of his mouth begin to turned upwards, where a slow small smile started cracking through that emotionless look on his face. Michonne's wink was the culprit responsible for that.

"Aha!" she shouted gleefully. And her Handsome's small smile soon broke out into a full blown grin as he watched her do a little dance in celebration while rattling her keys. She'd finally found what she had been looking for and gave her Handsome something to grin about all at the same time. Both in her opinion were good things.

Happily Michonne unlocked the door, pushed it wide with one hip, flipped on the lights, and then invited her boy to go in.

Carl in a rather slow and meticulous manner stepped inside the unfamiliar place, which would have been completely dark if not for the soft ambient light emitting from sconces flushed against the hall walls; coupled along with the light of the moon that streamed into the large living room area through tall floor to ceiling windows; showcasing an expansive city skyline that drew the child to the view like a moth to flames.

Michonne closed the door behind her and followed Handsome in. And smiled an affectionate smile when she heard his exuberant and loud "Wow" that came out from his tiny self as he made his way to the windows. And without any hesitation or fear, the boy pressed his small body up against one of the thick cold panes as he looked out and innocently marveled at the awesomeness of the scenery laid out before him.

He'd never seen anything like it before, they were up so high and could see what looked like forever.

That spectacular sight before the child had Carl wondering if it was at all possible if he could see home, or even his dad's truck. Maybe it was one of those pin points of lights dancing around in the night's dark as they came towards and into the city?

His father had told him when he'd talked to the man earlier that he was coming to get him and would be there just as soon as possible.

And Carl knew he would just as soon as he could, because his dad had never lied to him.

And the very thought of his dad made the child sad to, just like when he thought of his mom earlier when he was back in the police car with Michonne. However, his sadness this time was for a totally different reason. It was that lady at the hospital, a Miss Anderson or was it a Miss Ross, the boy thought.

But it really doesn't matter what her name is when all that was important to Carl was the fact that he knew that she was mean…real mean. Because the woman told him that he couldn't go home. Well, at least not until the judge said so, and for the time being would have to stay in Atlanta with Michonne instead of going back with his dad, or even with his mom.

The problem wasn't that he mind staying with the lady, she was nice, but the thought of him not being able to be with his dad period made their little guy want to cry in real time, because with all that he'd gone through he was still no closer to his goal for Thanksgiving. And that was to spend it with his father.

Slowly and with a very heavy heart Carl backed away from the window and it's mesmerizing view. Sitting down hard on the couch. He felt defeated all because he was defeated, and after all that he'd gone through to be with his dad he could still go back and be where he started, and that was with his Mom and Uncle Shane for Thanksgiving.

Away from my Dad probably forever, the very close to tears sad child thought.

And from the kitchen Michonne saw it all. She had been watching Handsome the whole time since placing the packages away in the refrigerator.

"Handsome," she called out warmly

Her boy looked up.

"Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat or drink? Water? Milk? Juice?"

"No ma'am." He replied shaking his head and then looked back down with his hands in his lap.

So now I'm a mother-to-be, and a ma'am, Michonne thought laughing to herself as she made her way out of the room, then walked over to the couch and sat down softly besides her dispirited child; tapping the little fellow lightly on the knee she got his attention.

Carl guardedly turned and looked her way again.

"Talk to me," she asked lovingly.

The child didn't reply right away; he was going to take his time only because he was unsure of what Michonne's answer might be. This was important to him, and he'd been disappointed once already tonight. He couldn't go home with his dad, and he couldn't really stand to hear any more disappointing news. Besides, how could she help him with this anyway!

"You know that you can ask me anything. Don't you?" the woman volunteered.

The little boy shook his head again, and then surprisingly laid his head down on Michonne's lap with the rest of his body balled-up on the couch in a fetal position.

And Michonne gently began to pamper her little Handsome.

Lovingly she covered him with the same handmade shawl that her mother had use to cover her with when Michonne was a child so long ago. And with loving tenderness soothed her Handsome's little brow with the warm touch of her fingers as she brushed his brown bangs away from out of her boy's sweet, but troubled little face.

Neither said another word for quite a long while as they just sat there in the quietness of the moonlit room.

Then Carl's voice broke the silence, but didn't move from where he was.

"Michonne," he spoke.

"Yes," she answered him dotingly.

"Why…why can't I be with my Dad? We already missed last Thanksgiving together!"

And her heart broke when she heard the pain in her Handsome's voice.

"Well, baby it's not that you can't be with him, it's just that so much that has happened and the people in charge want to make sure that you are safe and in the best place possible." Michonne answering him as diplomatically as she could due to the circumstances.

"But I am safe with both my dad and with my mom, it's just that he needs me. And I need him too!" the child said in a falsetto voice that ended in a whisper.

Besides, we're moving away. I heard them say so last night, the brokenhearted kid thought again to himself.

This would likely be the last time that he and his dad would be able to spend Thanksgiving or any other holiday together for a very long time. They'd already missed so much together.

Michonne felt for him. The poor baby, he was just too young to be in so much pain. And to get his mind off of it she decided to asked him another question and kept her fingers crossed, hoping that his answer this time wasn't anything like the one he'd given her in the elevator.

"You know what always makes me feel good?" she began.

"No," he answered with a head shake.

"A loaded Hot Fudge Sundae, and a good old fashion bubble bath, and not necessarily in that order."

Carl perked up, even though he'd never had a loaded Hot Fudge Sundae before, he was still game and would try both because bubble baths were his all-time favorite, especially when he had his toy boats, soldiers, and action figures to keep him company.

"You have bubble bath?" the boy chimed excitedly. "I have some Mr. Bubble at home!"

"Well…I don't have any of that Mr. Bubble, but I do have some other kinds that makes oodles of thick delicious smelling bubbles!" Michonne said smiling. "Want to go and see what you'd like to use?"

"Yes please!" Carl sang out eagerly. But his exuberant manner soon changed. "But I don't have any clean clothes to wear," he added sadly.

And he was right!

Michonne had been so busy trying to wreck her mind with ways to get her Handsome's mind on things other than his present circumstances. She'd forgot all about him needing something fresh to wear once the kid was clean himself.

Then looking down at her boy she quickly said with a smile.

"Have I ever let you down in the short time that we've known each other?"

Carl shook his head again in the form of a "No."

"Don't worry," she continued. "I'll always have your back kid so…let's go!"

She'd find the boy something to wear, somehow, and from somewhere!

Excitedly they both got up off of the couch and Michonne hurriedly led her Handsome to another big room. And when the child entered in he figured it was her bedroom, because there was a large neatly made bed with lots of pillows on it, and the room smelled just like a girl, a very pretty one. Just like…her. And it was also identical to the living room, in it too even though with closed drapes, was flanked by a wall of windows that opened out to the city's view.

Then the boy eagerly followed his host into the adjorning bathroom, and it was something else too! A humongous room with a big marble tub positioned in the middle of the floor.

Carl couldn't wait to try it out. That thing looked big enough to swim in.

And again Michonne read her little guy's mind as his eyes lit up.

"I'm afraid this tub is a bit too big for you Handsome, but no worries there is another one that just right for your size. We're here to get the bubble bath ok."

Not realizing that she'd said the wrong thing until it was too late…took notice.

Because unlike the last time, this time her Handsome took offence.

Who does she think he is? I'm no baby, I'm 7 years and 2 months old, he thought with an attitude. I take baths in my mom's tub and it's big too!

The change in Michonne's little Handsome's demeanor was swift, more like day quickly turning into midnight with rather dark and stormy clouds for ambience. And Michonne knew that that would not do. Yes…her Handsome had had a bad day; a very bad couple of hours in that very bad day! But he was still a child and must act accordingly, and that is with respect always!

Like her grandmother would say, "Enough is enough, and too much stank!" And her Handsome was beginning to smell. So Michonne ever so gently walked Mr. Too Smart for his own good right over to the tub and asked him if he wanted to give it a try.

"Yes please and thank you," the boy responded, and looked back at her with a genuine grin from ear to ear.

Gladly she helped her little Stinker get into the empty tub, which in turn swallowed that little mister whole.

"Now, don't you think that another tub will be so much better," Michonne said eying him with a slight smirk, and lifted eyebrow while mimicking his head tilt from earlier.

"Yes ma'am," Carl whispered shyly, and kept his head down the whole while, knowing that he'd been caught good fashioned, and put in his place ever so nicely.

Michonne chuckled to herself, as she reached over and gently ruffled the kid's hair to let him know that he was still her guy, and that it would take much more than a 7 year and 2 month old's ratty attitude to make him not be that if ever. She just wanted her Handsome to know and understand that she was the adult, and he the child.

《▪▪▪▪▪》

"What do you mean the kid just disappeared." Shane Walsh said in a controlled yet menacing tone while pacing back and forth next to a silent and very upset and whacked out Lori.

"How in Hell can a 7 year old boy just vanish or leave and no one sees anything when he was suppose to have been watched, which clearly he wasn't."

"Sir," the director began to say, as she stuttered out of fear. "He…he…he was here one minute and then gone the…the next! Security is looking for him...the little boy…he…he couldn't have gone too very far!"

"And please tell us just how do you know how far Carl could have gone when you don't even know when the child left. And Carl is his name, not little boy. Remember…Carl? He's the one who just vanished, poof, disappeared, and no one saw a damned thang!"

Shane's voice not only laced thick with sarcasm, but a deadly something else that caused the director to shiver and change tactic. The woman knew the little boy's name was Carl Grimes, but the man scared her, and that fear caused her to forget it at that time.

"Mrs. Gri-," she was about to say Grimes while turning towards Lori before being strategically corrected by Shane. Lori hadn't been a Mrs. or a Grimes in two years, and it was something that the man wholly intends on changing first thing in the morning.

"That's Miss Henderson," the Deputy said curtly. "You've lost the woman's child, the least you could do is get the title and her last name right!"

However, at that moment the woman in question didn't care one lick about what she was called as long as she got her boy back, that's the most important thing. So why was Shane making such a big deal about it! Her child was gone! Missing! Lori was out of it, and felt sick to her stomach as if she would vomit.

Her Carl was gone and she didn't know where or for how long. What was she going to do? This just can't...couldn't be happening? Not to her, and certainly not to her child, she thought frantically.

"Miss Henderson," the director continued hesitantly with the correct title and Lori's last name in place this time. Ever keeping her eyes on Shane, because he had situated himself in her view once more as she tried to explain as best she could to Lori what had happened, and when they'd realized that Carl was no longer in the room.

"Why weren't you watching him?" Shane bellowed again. And the director jumped at the sound of edge in his voice.

And where in the world is hotel security, the woman thought pitifully. They should be here!

That man frightens her to no end, she could tell that there was something dark in him just itching too come out! And the poor woman knew it wouldn't take much for him to act on it either.

The playroom director was not only afraid but worn out too!

Shane had been the only one out of him and Lori doing all the talking, only because the boy's mother wasn't saying anything. And she hadn't since she'd been informed that her only child was now missing.

And how could she function right when everything and everyone in front of her had begun moving in slow motion, and spinning all at the same time, which lefted Lori feeling as if she was in a deep dark cavernous well were only the loud rapid beating sound of her fear filled heart could be heard.

Now she's helpless, left sitting there in the director's stuffy, but not really stuffy tiny all the same office with her head down between her legs trying to stave off another wave of nausea, while having to listen to Shane and the director go back and forth about her boy.

Where was he? Where was her sweet precious Carl? Was he afraid? Was he safe and being taking care of? And how in Heaven's name was she ever going be able to tell his father that she'd losted their baby? They had to get him back period, but especially before Rick ever finds out, if not, then there was truly going to be some Hell to pay in the form of some great and terrible biblical proportion directed straight at her and Shane!

"Oh God," Lori moaned out loud as that real realization hit her in the gut like a real punch.