Chapter 8
Giving Thanks.
Carl with the biggest smile yet, rushed exuberantly through the front door of Michonne's condo with her and his dad walking in close behind.
All three were just coming back from having delivered some baked desserts upstairs for the employees Thanksgiving Day Celebration, which is an annually held affair that has always been given by the tenants for them, their families, and or guests to show their appreciation.
And this year's event was being held up on the roof top in the building's newly constructed banquet room with its 350° view of the city instead of the usual venue, which would have been one of the gathering rooms located downstairs on the main floor. But what better way was there to inaugurate the new space? None!
And Michonne's Handsome with all of that adorableness had been in total awe with being up so high; excitedly he loved every last minute of it. She even noticed that his dad had been impressed too, as he viewed it all through their boy's delight, even with the Sheriff not saying much. It was those eyes that told as they changed to a sexy shade of baby blue from what Michonne sensed was his contentment. His son was happy, then so was he, and her too!
And she smiled broadly, because...
That view, her boy, and him were all three spectacular sights to behold along with everything else going on up there! It was all so lovely, including the garden terrace too.
The whole area was abuzz was an excitement, and beautifully dressed in the many colors that represented the season and holiday. And also filled with an electric energy that flowed from the great number of people who were diligently moving about-getting everything just right for the festivity ahead.
Now it was Michonne, her boy, and his dad's turn for their Holiday Celebration Blessing. Just as soon as the trio were dressed, and the table set for their momentous occasion.
And in all reality if it hadn't been for those two Grimes men, especially her Handsome, none of it would even be happening. They were the only two reasons why Michonne had even gotten up and out of bed on this day period, because It had truly been her intention to staby there all day, plus.
And as for those desserts…well, she would've already have given them over to Mrs. Niedermeyer beforehand with her being one of five tenants cooking for the event. And naturally, Michonne would have skipped the dinner too. That's why she'd gone to Mama Ella's two days before, so as not to have to do anything except lay in bed, be lazy, and microwave someone else's cooking; there certainly wouldn't be any interest in her leaving the condo once she was already in. Well…not until next Tuesday morning for work anyway, and that went double for Black Friday too, which just happened to be her most favorite shopping day of the year.
Besides, that early, early morning shopping palooza, and the intermingling with the crowds just wouldn't be the same this year with Andrea down in Florida. She's the one who always makes it so much fun for Michonne as they prowl around together for those spectacular shopping deals, and not to mention Andrea's covert pushing, taking things from unexpecting shoppers on the sly, and then speed walk off in a rush to get in line without anyone ever being the wiser except for the two of them.
Boy, sometimes them together can be a really bad combination, Michonne thought with a smirk as she looked through her closet for that just right outfit, and matching shoe.
But what really goes well with a nondescript foot boot? She wondered.
She'd even had it all figured out concerning her puppies too! They'd be at the sitters right about now, which they wouldn't have minded at all, because they'd be at their third home and loving it; waiting there patiently until Cody came back Saturday morning from Birmingham after the holiday.
The girl had had everything planned out to a T, and ready to execute.
But then fate stepped in, she met her Handsome and everything that came before, and was to have happened afterwards were already a fait accompli; stepping all over those well thought out plans and then some. And everything she's done since, were all things done to see to it that her boy was safe, and most importantly happy. Hence her determination in giving him a wonderful Thanksgiving Day to remember.
Handsome deserves it, as well as him being happy and content. And it was Michonne's intent with everything in her to make sure that it was a done deal if she had anything to say, or do about it happening.
Morning sickness be hanged, and what she'd imagined how hot flashes felt, surely took a back seat to everything that is, does, and will concern her boy. And never would she allow anything ever to impede, or stop her from doing what was best for the little guy.
Her Handsome's harrowing journey has been just too much of an unsettling ordeal for him for Michonne not to do all that she could to make sure that he had this special time with his father. It was absolutely way too important to him for her not to even try. And try she would (and did), come Hell or High water! And guest what? They both came, and brought company.
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Earlier…
Just like yesterday morning, the mother-to-be was having yet again another rather bad go of it, but this time it wasn't because Munchie wasn't moving, but because he or she, three slices of pizza, the loads of salty fries, those barbecued chicken tenders, and that great-big-ole-fat-chocolate-milkshake that her eyes, and her Baby craved...unfortunately for her were!
It all started around 11: 30 pm with a sudden case of the bubble guts that woke Michonne out of a very sound sleep, and then things went all the way down hill from there, which the tired and sleepy woman tried hard to ignore for the next thirty minutes. But Munchie and that meal wasn't having any of it. Those two wanted to be recognized, and recognized they surely were. So much so that because of them both, Michonne just did make it to what would be her best friend for quite some time…the commode. With the rather sick woman at times lurching violently-back and forth over it for almost an hour; not knowing if she should sit on, or bend over the blasted thing.
And when last night's dinner, and some other things were thoroughly and completely gone. It was her Munchie who took over from there, giving its mother all kinds of fits of the dry heaves, with her only relief coming from the coolness of the cold slate flooring resonating throughout Michonne's now hot all over body through her knees, and then the back of her thighs as they in intervals came in contact with the chill of the blessing in disguise soothing tiles.
Those precious things not only gave her some desperate relief, but a much needed idea too, because the sister was ailing. Michonne was real sick, and was sick and tired of the sick feeling that came along with being sick and tired with morning sickness. Besides, a sister was just tired of being just plain tired. And sitting there all alone at 12:45 a.m. in the morning on the cold hard floor of a bathroom will make a queasy girl look for help in any form that she could get it!
And with her feeling rather weak, and as sick as she'd ever felt in her life, Michonne shakily stood up from her friend of the moment, and began to undress slowly, and then while doing so thought some very ugly, and nasty things about Mike (this was all his fault). Then more slower than before, made her way over to the cold marble tub, stepped in, and began filling it; making sure that the water was just lukewarm.
At first it didn't seem to be working, which disappointed the tired of being sick on the stomach Michonne. But after a while with her body still feeling rather hot, the woman submerged deep up to her neck noticed a subtle change and began to feel a bit more like normal. And there she remained in that cool water until it got way too cold for her to stay in any longer.
Michonne, even though weak, but feeling a lot less sick, and with just enough strength to do so got up and out of the tub. Then grabbing a large towel loosely wrapped the thing around her body as she begin experiencing once more the return of a full blown bout of stomach upsetus.
And nearly soaking wet, a very unwell feeling Michonne dragged her sick self back to bed, but not before making sure that a trash pail was bedside. And with one knee after the other the still slow-moving young pregnant woman crawled into bed, and there in one position she laid very still. Not only was the poor thing as sick as a whole pack of dogs, but very uncomfortably soggy too in between two sheets and a quilt. But what's an illing girl to do?
And unexpectedly even to her, the worn out sister fell sound asleep almost immediately; maybe even before her head hit her pillow. And there Michonne slept, not even moving once, and with no other further interruptions either!
Two hours passed, and a rather surprised, very well rested, but quite damp Michonne slowly awoke. It was 4 a.m. and she found herself not only laying in the same spot, but realizing even if she was uncomfortably clammy, felt oh sooo much more better too!
And then the well feeling girl started to smack. And quickly placed a hand over her mouth.
"Ooh wow," she thought.
Incredibly, there was this nasty taste of yuck in it, which really shouldn't have been that much of a surprise to Michonne after having spent all that time over the toilet, and then not even having had the strength afterward to do anything that could remotely represented a proper cleansing. That is except for that one piece of Italian lemon flavored hard candy that she'd weakly placed in her mouth on her very sick way back to bed earlier. It may have helped soothe the nausea, but did nothing at all for her hot breath, or that unpleasant taste that it produced.
"Yep, should of gone with the peppermint gum instead," she thought, trying hard to smack that funky flavor of ew away as she got up and out of that moist bed of hers in a rather slow motion; heading straight for the bathroom.
And for the next 20 minutes, Michonne brushed her teeth and washed out her mouth profusely, then she took a long hot bath that did nothing less than wonders for both her body and her soul. And afterward with a very clean mouth, body, and her damp beddings changed, a relieved Michonne felt not only fresh, but reenergized and with feeling more like herself needed a way to commemorate that fact. So the very happy, thankful, and feeling real good young woman turned on her Sonos before leaving her bedroom.
The appreciative girl, along with her Munchie who had no say so in the matter felt like celebrating. And some work music would be nice too! She had her Handsome's turkey with all the trimmings to cook, and also some other things to do too before everything was said and done.
Not only did Michonne have the wherewithal to do it all with, but now the strength too!
And that included getting Cody up and ready, along with the packing of his grandmother's pies and cakes, which were the desserts she'd made for Maddie in lieu of the items that the generous woman so graciously sent down for her Handsome the other night.
Michonne's other guy, and the sweets needed to be ready for transport when Maddie comes back home to get him after he'd spent the night with them. And that happened only, because the trauma surgeon mom had been unexpectedly called back to work last night in order to preform a rather tricky emergency operation. And if not for that unfortunate business, the little family and those sweets would have been a whole state away by now.
However, not to be deterred in the least, Maddie, Cody, and his aunt Asher, Cody's father's baby sister were still heading to Alabama for Thanksgiving Dinner. His dad would be calling from Iraq, and the Captain requested that everyone be there at his parents house when he did.
And Michonne, ever the conscientious young woman wanted everything ready so that they could leave straight away without delay. That too included her taking great care to make sure that the music that she'd turned on was heard everywhere in the condo except for the guest bedrooms as not to disturb her sleeping Handsome, or his dad. And Cody was included in that too, because there really was no need to wake him before having had to even though the kid without a doubt could sleep through nearly almost anything!
Michonne laugh. She really loves that boy, just as much as she does her Handsome.
And then suddenly the girl felt like dancing too. And why not pray tell? Munchie was behaving thank the Lord. Besides, she was the only one up and probably would be for quite some time. And who'd know? But, the best part was, she no longer felt immensely ill!
"Whoo-hoo!" She thought. That fact alone was one worth celebrating.
So...dance she did!
First, she started by bouncing her well shapely self out of her bedroom ever so flawlessly to Black Eye Peas catchy tune, Let's Get it Started. And not forgetting that broken big toe kept perfect time in spite of it with every last step; all the way down the hall to the living room towards her destination, which was the kitchen.
And Michonne along with her little one was so busy thinking about stuff and things, as her body moved instinctively to the song's rhythmic beat. Free forming it all the way with the help of her arms moving, the twisting of that once rather tiny waist, along with the bump, bump up and down movement of an ample firm romp along with those perfectly full gyrating hips, and attractively long shapely legs moving her timily back and forth, and then side to side to the melodic sounds that had the girl going, and going real good.
And so extremely engrossed was she that the well feeling dancer hadn't even noticed a very important verity. That besides her, and the now awake puppies who were used to Michonne's spontaneous dance fests, which were post stick-in-the-mud Mike (what a party pooper he could be), weren't alone in the living room like she'd so erroneously as-sumed!
Nope, not at all…they had company; a highly captivated audience of one at that!
Sheriff Grimes.
Yep! He was there and looking quite pleased as he watched a totally clueless Michonne being caught up in her moment, and enjoying it just as much as he was. Especially when the song changed to T-Pain Apple Bottom Jeans (low) the clean version.
Now it was on for the both of them.
And all the while unbeknownst to the amused man, and totally oblivious Michonne. They each had been in the same boat earlier because each one had been unable to sleep, but for two different reasons. And then after two different detours of sorts had fallen back asleep again, woke up, and had gotten, or was on the way to getting things done.
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The law man, just like his dancing lady had been up for a while now, and was looking out of the living room windows, enjoying both the quietness of the morning as well as his satisfyingly good, and no doubt expensive high-end cup of joe when the serenity of his moment was unceremoniously ushered out by the sudden sound of a beaty tune that seemed to have came from out of nowhere. Which caused the Sheriff to suddenly turned...it was Miss Rènald in all her glory.
He smiled.
But long before any of this ever took place the law man had been untimely woken awake much like Michonne some four and a half hours earlier, straight from out of a sound sleep was he; possessing a strong sense that someone, somewhere was in great distress. Getting up, the dad went straightway to the bedroom next door where he found a fast asleep Carl and Cody, as well as the puppies.
Breathing a sigh of relief the man thanked God that the boys were ok, and that it hadn't been about them. And afterwards noticed that even though they were fine and sleeping, both children had not only fallen asleep with a game controller in hand, but also left the game system, TV, and bedside lamp on too. And were coverless!
Amused, he shook his head, and smiled. "Boys."
There they each were laying all balled up in a knot, a bit lazy, and absent of their blankets which he knew Miss Rènald had so lovingly placed on top of them before going to bed herself . Now the things were lying in a pool on the floor.
And still with that smile, the Sheriff walked over and retrieved the items to replace them both back to winch they came. And he too lovingly recovered each boys who immediately stretched out due to the sudden warmth, which tickled man. He then took the two controls and placed them on the nightstand betwixt the two beds while cutting off the system, television set, and lamp before leaving the room with its door slightly ajar as he walked out.
But still experiencing a feeling of uneasiness, the astute man crossed over to his host's bedroom door. And was about to knock, but stopped.
"Now, what are you gonna say Rick-huh?" he thought to himself. "Well Ma'am, I had a bad feelin so I'm just checkin in on yah to make sure you're ok."
But Sheriff Grimes changed his mind.
What exactly was it about this young woman that had him filled with such a lack of confident when it came to her, and Lori doesn't count, because there's a stark difference between the two. With her there had been a phyical connection as man and wife, and Carl. Whereas, he and Miss Rènald have no connection at all except for her saving his son. But it was still more, much more than that and he knew it! Because wellness checks were something that he's done before. First as a Deputy, and sometimes even now as Sheriff; he's done them hundreds of time. So what's the big deal now when it came down to checking in on Miss Rènald?
Why, he just didn't have a clue? He just knew that there was something different about her that makes him feel different; off keel. And that's off keelness is what caused the Sheriff to second guess himself with his knock of concern.
And sticking to his first inclination, the defeated man headed straight to the living room where he wound up making a call to the King County jail instead.
"Hello. King County Jail. Deputy Leon Basset speaking. How may I help you?"
And the way that the Deputy on desk answered rubbed Rick Grimes the wrong way. It was a bit too chipper for the head law man's taste, especially for the time of morning that it was, but didn't comment on it because the Sheriff soon realized that Leon's chipperness wasn't the problem, but his own cowardice; wussing-out when it came to his host. He had been too afraid to just knock and make sure that nothing was wrong with her, but didn't think twice when it came to running to the living like a scared high school teen, shying away from the most popular girl in the whole damn high school!
And then suddenly with a whole new attitude the still no less discombobulated man when it came to his son's rescuer, with care informed his Deputy that he was just checking in to see how things were going down there in his absence at 1:30 a.m. this Thanksgiving morning.
And Deputy Basset no less lively, assured the Sheriff that all was well. As usual-there were the two Dixons: the father and one of his son's in jail, while the other was trying hard to get one out, but with no luck. And then asked about Carl before both men wished the other a Happy Thanksgiving, said their goodbyes, and hung up.
And afterwards while sitting there on the couch in the dark of the early morning surrounded by its silence, the Sheriff after a while unexpectedly dozed off too, and awoke some time later, washed up, made coffee, and was now enjoying it with one of the best shows ever!
And Michonne really enjoying herself (the puppies too) seemed to have gotten deep into her groove with that new song too, and the Sheriff...what could he say was really enjoying it all more than what he knew he should; watching her do whatever dance it was! Not only was she a beautiful woman, but graceful too. Were there no limits to her skills?
But, as entertaining as everything was, the man begin to feel guilty and a little like a prev even though he was there first.
So with some merriment the very amused Sheriff cleared his throat rather loudly with an "Ahem" to get the very agile young woman's attention, and found himself impatiently in wait to see her face when she turns around with her now obliviousness to his present no more.
And Michonne with her eyes closed, and arms out front as she rolled her shoulders, with her one leg ready to go in for that lift stopped on a dime, and the puppies did too...all right there in their tracks! And just when she was getting into that back-and-forth swing of those hips before getting ready to go looow too!
"No, uh-uh" she thought. "That can't be good, nor could it have come from one of her boys either. They should be in bed sleeping...right? Besides, that "Ahem" was far too deep, and they'd be laughing their heads off right about now." Because the poor woman knew exactly how she had been looking.
Then hesitantly, and with some extreme caution Michonne held her breath and turned slowly. And just like that-She and He-the highly engaged Sheriff were facing each other.
And with her mortification and humiliation well intact but hidden (courtroom face), Michonne doe- eyed looked back at her counterpart in the law and thought...
"Oh my goodness!" And why in the stank is he not sleep anyway?" She wanted to stomp. "He was this time yesterday morning!"
And the man in question smiled, but Michonne surely didn't .
And to her chagrin realized that the very handsome Sheriff was having just a little too much fun at her expense, while also trying really hard not to show his delight, but was failing miserably. Because his amusement was showing bright like a loud neon sign out in the middle of nowhere as he eyed her.
Those electric blues of his spoke volumes, which Michonne through her embrassement found kinda sort of likeable, and was intrigued by what they…well...could be conveying, but would never openly cop to; and nearly knocked a good girl right off her game, but not quite. And silently she thanked the Lord that she hadn't been doing the Wobble with a whole lot of twerking in it. Now that would have been a sight and bad for them all!.
"Good morning Ma'am," the Sheriff said with a mischievous glint in those mighty fine blue orbs of his.
"Good morning Sheriff Grimes-Sir." Michonne replied back just as mischievously.
And the Sheriff groaned, "There she goes with that 'Sir' stuff again." But continued on anyway.
"I hope you don't mind. I made some coffee." The more charmed than exasperated man held up the over sized mug in hand.
Now it was Michonne's time to be exasperated on top of everything else.
"Sheriff, there is no need for that! You know that I've already made you welcome to everything and anything here!" Michonne said, and with that statement taking less than a second to register in that sharpe brain of hers... "Doh!" She quickly thought, but it was too late now, that horse was already out of the gate and running fast. She just hoped that the Sheriff took her statement for what it was-innocent. Well, at least that's what she truly hoped it was.
"Really?" The interested man from day one perked up and thought in spite of himself, but nodded and said, "Thank you" instead and smiled even more as a flustered Michonne (which was highly unusual for her) hurried...nope, almost ran to the kitchen to start her tasks; deciding right then and there that there would be no more of her talking to him for a while, but laughed at her own dubiety. Because she knew that that was an impossible feat that would not be happening anytime soon if ever. There was her Handsome to think about! (Yeah right!)
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And Sheriff Grimes after having given Miss Rènald some space and time alone, and he himself a chance to completely get rid of that satisfied grin, walked into the kitchen where the young woman was busy at work, and offered her some assistance. And even though still highly embarrassed, a grateful for the help shamefaced Michonne accepted his offer gladly, and the two worked silently together. Finishing up in no time at all, even with the interruptions of getting thing done for their two boys, and those puppies too in between it all, and in record time no less!
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Carl, happy, chatty, and grinning uncontrollably, excitingly followed his dad's lead as the two set the dinning room table for three.
First were the linen place mats and napkins, china place setting, silverware, and then the crystal stemware. Lastly, went a very simple centerpiece; a rather delicate glass vase filled with a mixture of different kinds of flowers. He hoping that their host likes them.
It all was quite a very stylish arrangement that reminded both the informal father and son of their many times at the Henderson's formal table. But with one big difference…Miss Rènald. And this was also how she wanted it
And the Sheriff felt more than obliged to do it her way, because for some reason the man found himself wanting more than anything to please the young woman, and making her happy. And so did his boy.
Finished and dressed, both Grimes men stepped back from their accomplished endeavor and smiled brightly; admiring their love filled handiwork as they did. Standing there in Michonne's elegant yet simply decorated, and inviting dining room, which too had identical floor to ceiling wall of windows with a view that went on for miles.
Carl was so giddy, it was Thanksgiving Day and he'd made it. Not only was the young man happily sharing it with his dad like he'd wanted, but now has Michonne, Hap, Jazz, Wilson, and Bear there in on it with him too!
And the boy couldn't be any happier.
But then the child's mind went to his mom. He and Lori have never missed a Thanksgiving together-Ever! And her son knew that his mother was going to be sad, but Lori had his grandfather Will, grandmother Lindy, Shane, a host of uncles, aunts, and male cousins with their wives, and others to share the day with. A whole house full.
Whereas, his dad only had him that was family with him. Because Carl's other grandma and grandpa were in Texas visiting his Grandpa Rich's sister Lettie for the holiday, reluctantly at their son's cajoling.
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Troubled and with her mind elsewhere, a dejected Lori stood with her arms folded tight across her chest as she looked out of a large plate glass window; watching absentmindedly as a few water fowls slowly meandered along one side of the bank of the river that runs through her family's property.
She was missing her Carl tremendously. This would be their first holiday apart ever! And now there was this extremely large hole in her heart caused by his absences.
And for the first time in her overprivileged life, the wman is getting a huge dose of reality; her own medicine. Learning first hand just what real emotional pain feels like. And now knows exactly how Rick felt last Thanksgiving.
But, how did he do it, when she can hardly stand the emptiness herself?
"Boy, karma truly is a bitch!" She thought out loud sadly.
What a colossal mess.
And in her father's vast study, stood a mentally tormented Lori. She had been there for hours, while everyone else was either in the kitchen helping out with dinner, or in the Keeping Room watching football. The room once a special place for her, is now a very stark contrast from what it had been some three years ago. Then it was one of refuge where she and her dad would talk about anything, and all things for hours. Even when she was married to Rick. But now it's one which she so richly deserves. Her purgatory and a hiding place all rolled up in one.
But as a child the room had been her oasis, where she would stay for hours coloring, or just playing with her dolls while her father worked on his cases. Many times her mother would come in and remove her for dinner or bedtime with Lori making quite a fuss until the elder Henderson stepped in.
Even in her teen years, she would come in and catch up on her reading, do homework, or she and her daddy would just talk. William C. Henderson always took out time to find out what was going on in his Bunny's life. Just being in her father's office had always meant the world to his little girl. It was a wonderful haven where she found peace, but not anymore, now at that moment, it's just constitutes a stifling old room chalked full of musty old books, along with all kinds of reminders of all her troubles.
And sadly for Lori just one more spot where she has found herself in of late. One in which she didn't want to be in or at, but really has no choice in the matter, because anytime one does wrong and choose to do it on purpose, then there never is any favorable outcome to be had afterwards. So why would this be any different, and why was she even there in the first place, and not somewhere else? Like Atlanta, because that's where her baby boy was, and she that too, she had no choice in that either!
It's all because she's caught up in a quandary, a predicament of her own making with no place to go because of her absurd wrong choices, and decisions. Just like the room where she is standing was once her sanctuary, it is now her place of concealment.
She'd taken her marriage and family with Rick for granted. And for what? To be with the man's best friend of all people! And everyone out their knew it! With none but a few who went along with her stupidity. Now Lori's filled with utter shame, remorse, sorrow, but mainly regrett. Because she didn't and wouldn't listen to sound advice once given.
"A hard head always carry a soft butt. And wrong doing not only takes away your choices, but brings all kinds of pain and discomfort along with it." Scold Lily Mae, the family's cook who's known her since she was five years old. And loves Lori to pieces, as if she was her own.
"Go back home before it gets too ugly, or too late Lore" all her cousins had warned.
"Rick's a good loving man, and wonderful father," her mother, uncles, and aunts chimed in.
All had been trying to stave off exactly where she is now, and what she is going through. Like her now comprehending first hand the undeniable truth of her selfish actions toward Rick and how she then used their Carl to do it. And her also personally experiencing the pain and agony she'd caused him when she herself kept their boy away from his father last Thanksgiving Day, and all those other times too!
Shamefully every last bit of it was all because she could, and liked the power. Not once did she take into account about a hole dug for someone else is always a hole dug for yourself. Forgetting all about karma, and it's cause and effect. It was all a mess, and done just because Rick said no to her.
And Lori knew that she needed to be somewhere else and now! But couldn't.
Then there was a light knock at the door. She knew that it was either Shane or her daddy, because everyone else had long stepped back from her even though they still loved her dearly. Both men had been taking turns checking in on her, but Lori would just send them back, because neither one were who and what she wanted most, and that was Rick, and their Carl. The sad woman truly wanted her family back.
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Before…
Shane along with a very upset Lori left their hotel room around 4 a.m. that morning with her reluctantly heading back to King County for Thanksgiving Dinner at her fanily' home, and arrived there some time after 8 am, with both the trip and dinner totally against her will. Because Lori knew that she should not have even come, or been there in the first place, but back in Atlanta where her baby boy was, even though the mother hadn't a clue to where her Carl was.
But when the head of the Hendersons clan, William C. demands a thing there are never any exceptions ever! And with a heavy heart Lori played her part, and smiled happily as her daddy hugged her very tightly and lovingly as he welcomes his only child, and her significant other home and into the family fold. And with that, Lori hoped with everything in her that where ever her sweet boy was, he was happy and being well taken care of.
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And Michonne with a quiet elegance walked gracefully into the equally matched elegant dinning room. She was truly beautiful, and for a bit, the girl literally stole the Sheriff's breath.
Fascinated, the man found the young woman mesmerizing, and in spite of himself was becoming quite drawn to in the very short time that he's known her. He also knew that that wouldn't do either and had to be very careful as not to overstep his bounds because of at least that one operative word…young. He couldn't…no wouldn't go there.
And the beautiful young woman noticed him too, with his pretty self, along with her Handsome, then quickly turned her attention elsewhere, like on the impressive table right next to her. And when she did, all she could do was grin from ear to ear.
It too was beautiful. And so exquisitely done with her parent's tableware surrounding that simple clear crystal vase filled with a delicate arrangement of both white and pink Calla Lilies coupled with red Roses placed indiscriminately throughout.
Michonne was completely moved, and in the process overwhelmed with an extreme sense of joy, because she could tell that it all had been done with nothing less than love, and with a great amount of care for her by the father and son standing near by.
The dinning room and everything about it was perfect.
And her Handsome smiling a toothy grin was biting at the bit to tell her something, while the Sheriff stole glances.
"The flowers came from us," he happily gushed, and then continued with... "Dad ordered them, and they came while you were getting dressed! Do you like them?"
Michonne smiled back brightly at her boy with those sparkling excited blue eyes. Then winked at his dad, which made the man blush.
And the man was ever grateful that he hadn't shaved yet.
The alluring woman impeccably dressed wore a long sleeved, mid thigh, very form fitting Winter White sweater dress draped in back along with a matching in color ballerina slipper, and moved ever so effortlessly as if on air in spite of that foot boot. Her long thick black hair was swept up in a rather appealing messy bun that helped accentuated that long and slender neck of her's. Not to mention the wispy strands of loose curls that traveled midway down the center of her smooth chocolaty bare back; drawing his attention to it as she slowly walked around the table. Genuinely admiring his and Carl's well meaning efforts.
And that whole living picture of her made the man just as giddy as his son was at the moment, but for a totally different reason.
Yes, she is beautiful isn't she, breathe out the Sheriff to himself as he watched her move glide.
And when Michonne finished with the appreciating inspection of the wonderfully done job, she quickly turned her full attention back towards the two Grimes who were still looking all smilingly and endearing.
Her Handsome just like his dad was dressed in a blue checkered Oxford style shirts, that was rolled at the elbows,and just like his dad, with that blue color coordinating perfectly with their beautiful eyes. His shirt was also coupled well with a black turtleneck, and same colored jeans along with his hiking boots. Whereas the Sheriff wore his with a black crew neck T-shirt, matching black jeans, and boots as well. Cowboy.
They both looked deliciously handsome.
And the Sheriff's a tad fuller five o'clock shadow was just scream-ing for some attention. Hers! But the girl could do nothing about it because there was a child present and some puppies too!.
So instead, Michonne just smiled and said "Thank you" as she hugged and kissed her guy on top of his sweet little head, and looked his very handsome father unwaveringly straight in his eyes. Making the Sheriff feel like an awkward teenager again.
Then the perfect woman in both males eyes went to take a seat. And with a Grimes on either side of her, helped Michonne with her chair, and then followed suit by sitting in one of their own. Handsome took his place at the head of the table. He'd been given the job of saying Grace. Now from where he comes from that was grown folk stuff, and caused their little guy to grin; but took his job of praying over their meal very seriously. And Sheriff Grimes, well he sat exactly where it was that he wanted to sit…and that was straight across from Michonne.
Then the three held hands while her Handsome commenced with the saying of the Grace.
"Dear Lord, I thank thee for blessing us with this food. The turkey, ham and all the trimming, and Michonne, for fixing it. "Ahem, Dad too!" she quietly and sweetly interjected.
"And dad too," he quickly corrected.
Opening one eye, Michonne was surprised to see just how earnestly her Handsome was taking his very important responsibility. It was written all over the boy's darling little face, while something else was etched over his dad's as she caught him watching her. And the Sheriff quickly closed his eyes fast, turning a bright shade of red as he did. And that beard didn't hide anything this time for sure.
Michonne chuckled. Gotcha! She thought.
But that look she couldn't quite place, or maybe was afraid to, even though It made her feel kinda...well...special, and then something else, but she would have to process it all later. Her Handsome was praying now, and still had more to say.
And the sweet thing continued. "Thanking you for blessing Me, Happ, Wilson, Jazz, Bear, Cody, Mom, Shane, all the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents…and was about to go into another lenity of things to be thankful for when interrupted again.
This is beginning to be a habit, the serious minded, and now annoyed young boy thought.
"Son," his father said patiently and with a whole lot of love . "Let's leave some praying for when you do something wrong, or for bedtime prayers tonight. Ok."
"Okay Dad," Carl drawed. "But I have one more thing to say. Please!"
"Ok son. One-more-thing."
"Thank you Lord for letting me, Dad, and now Michonne spend Thanksgiving together. And for letting me be so happy too! Amen."
Then the two adults just looked at their boy, and then at each other too before chiming in together with an "Amen" of their own.
Michonne lightly dabbed the corner of her eyes, they had become moist with tears. Her Handsome was just too adorably sweet for words. And made his dad proud in the process.
And looking over at her precious boy again, and gave thanks too. A very, very special one to God for allowing him to come into her life when he did. His dad too!
《▪▪▪▪▪》
And just as Michonne's Handsome had been delegated to the saying of Grace, his dad was entrusted with the craving of the bird, and did it with great precision, which surprised him even if not anyone else seeing that at 37 it was the law man's very first time ever having the pleasure of doing such a thing.
Because a whole roasted turkey was something that was either had at his in-law's on Thanksgiving, or at his parent's house during some other holiday or celebration. But never at his and Lori's home.
The reason why was because anyone that was a lover of their digestive wellbeing would do best to keep a bird that big from Lori's no propensity at all for cooking hands if they knew what was good for them. And thankfully everyone did.
And with the star of the meal well handled, and every other dish out in view, Michonne knew that she had over done the cooking thing big time. But who cared, she didn't. All that matter was that her boy was happy, and happy he was. It was that big old wow that came from out of his mouth when he saw it all laid out before him that confirmed that fact.
There was the regular fare of a juicy well seasoned crispy skinned roasted turkey, a sweet brown sugar ham, yams, Southern baked Mac & Cheese, rolls, cornbread dressing, plus made from scratch cranberry sauce, mash potatoes and a green bean casserole, along with some Alabama Succotash, chicken cream sauce, and gravy. Not to mention deserts.
Now that was a royally loaded table for sure, and her Handsome loved it, and that was all that mattered.
And for the next hour, the three who to a casual observer would have mistaken for a very happy and content family…Michonne's Handsome smiling with every bite while sampling everything cooked, even if he'd never even eaten it before in his whole sweet little life, i.e. the Alabama Succotash and liking it. Her smiling, and enjoying the sight of him as he did. And the Sheriff not quite knowing what to do with his emotions as he watched them both. His happy son, and her. The woman responsible for him being so.
《▪▪▪▪▪》
Carl comfortably content and al-most full, sat in a seat of pillows made especially for him by Michonne while he and the pups looked out of the living room windows, waiting patiently until she and his dad finished cleaning up and putting away their good and satisfying holiday feast.
And the boy had a wide smiled stretched broadly across his face too as he did.
His dad was laughing. And the man's son couldn't remember the last time he heard him sound so happy. It was nice to hear and made Carl feel good, because Rick had been so sad after he and his mom left.
And Michonne was laughing too.
It was probably one of his dad's knock-knock jokes that he's always trying to tell him. But Carl didn't know why. Maybe she was trying not to hurt his feelings by laughing so hard. That had to be it, because his dad's jokes are always awfully bad thought his amazed son.
Then a very happy and content Carl, refocused his attention once more on what was happening outside, while making sure that each pup contently laying in his small lap got what they were waiting for. Some special attention by way of a tickle or three, behind an ear or two.
《▪▪▪▪▪》
Michonne and Sheriff Grimes were just about finished in the kitchen. And good thing too, their boy was quietly waiting for them, dessert, and a movie. He wanted them all to sit and watch at least one together while eating their sweet ending to a fabulous meal. And that truly amazed Michonne because she had no idea at all where he was going to put it.
Oh well…,her Handsome asked and her Handsome shall receive.
And the two adults working efficiently as a team helped cut their work time in half. Michonne's job had been to put away the food, while the Sheriff with a puzzled look filled the two dishwasher drawers with the dirty pots and pan, along with some other items. And afterwards both tackled the task of washing her mother and father's table and stemware together.
But what caught her attention amongst other things, and made her smile with wonderment was the Sheriff and his cute amazement that such a thing as a dishwasher drawer, even existed (Lori never asked for one). And jokingly Michonne asked where had he been, because those types of dishwashers had been out for at least fifteen years or more.
And very matter-a-factly but with a whole lot of tounge in cheek, the man said, "Where else? King County. Didn't you know that it's the most cosmopolitan area of all of Georgia. Maybe even the entire country?"
Michonne slowly placed her hands on her hips and shook her head "No" with a very cute giggle.
Then they both laughed, and like the day before the Sheriff was done for anew.
"No!" Said the law man with a tilt of his head looking back at her, and managed to fringe surprise. "And here you are this big time lawyer and such, along with being a child protector, and the bringer down of some fool kidnappers with only two pieces of fruit and a strong big toe! And didn't know that! Well, you almost proved me wrong twice. You are so right, because King County's not on both points, and you are just as perfect as I thought."
Michonne blushed chocolaty skin and all. And so did the Sheriff, as he crossed that bound. Which one the man hadn't a clue. But poor thing knew that he had.
And the beard once again didn't help anything.
Doh!
He couldn't believe he just said that out loud? Seems like he did! Well that horse is gone, straight out of the gate, and ain't coming back ever!
And he and Michonne just looked at each other quite longer than need be. Leaving them both befuddled. But her Handsome had a fixed for all of that with one innocent enough question.
"Michonne."
"Yes, Handsome."
"Can I have one of your loaded Hot Fudge Sundae instead of cake or pie? Please."
"Sure you can my sweet boy, coming right up!" She so lovingly sung back to him. Which left the man hanging.
And in no time at all, just like that, that moment, the one between the Sheriff and the lawyer was swashed ever so flatly. And the law man found himself sitting on the far end of a couch with a warm slice of apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream in hand, with four puppies laying in between, and Carl snuggly content, and wrapped in Michonne's arm while eating that moment interruptous called a Loaded Hot Fudge Sundae, and looking at a movie of his choice.
And the dad had to laugh, because his boy was living the life of Riley right next to her. Exactly where the Sheriff himself wouldn't mind being. But gave thanks anyway every time his child's rescuer graced him with one of her beautiful smiles, because it could be worst. He and Carl could be elsewhere instead of here with Miss Rènald. Him over at the far end, of the couch, while his boy's on the other end totally and completely content with the breathtaking belle ain't half bad.