Chapter's 9

Black Friday: part 1

And with all the hustle and bustle of the last few day a very rare occurrence has happened...everyone in Michonne's condo including the puppies seemed to have either overslept or was sleeping in, even though it was just a little pass seven.

But what else would one expect the morning after having had such a marvelous time the day before. And what a very special and wonderfully swell event it had been. A really enjoyed one where the company on both sides; striking as ever partook in a spectacularly good meal, and so had the pups with one of their own.

A glorious amazingly sublime day that also included a potential unawares family in the making, who sat as one and watched a long marathon of three Jurassic Park movies that did not scare the seven year two month old boy in the least, which the adults thought might! Then after all that drama there were six episodes of the old Batman cartoons drawn on black paper to consume, snuck puppy treats for the pups, all a boy's doing, and a long conversations enjoyably held between two engrossed adults.

The Sheriff and the Lawyer who otherwise probably stayed up later than they would have; inching slowly down a path that was very unfamiliar yet fun, while their boy slept undisturbed between the two of them.

And surprisingly shocked was said child when having woken up in bed the very next morning not even able to remember putting himself there in the first place. But surmised correctly that he had his dad to thank for the doing. Then smiling broadly with a very satisfied grin Carl sat up because he did remember just how much fun his yesterday and last night was-that is until he no doubt fell asleep prematurely.

And then was also more than surprised, finding his father instead of Michonne in the kitchen when he and the puppies came running full force out of the hall after they lefted their bedroom. The man was there busy making himself a cup of hot coffee, and since he was already there at work Carl yelled.

"Hey Dad, can we have your after Thanksgiving Day breakfast? P-leasssee," begged his boy.

Sheriff Grimes looked up and said in a hush tone. "Shh son, and a very good morning to you too!" the man lightly scold his full of energy boy. "Yeah we can, but you're gonna have to quiet down some, Miss Rènald hasn't come out of her bedroom just yet, and may still be sleeping. I'll make them after we come back from downstairs. We've all slept a little late, and the puppies no doubt needs to go out to tend to their business, so go on, wash up, then get dressed and meet me back here in five so that they can. Ok?"

"Ok Dad, and good morning, " his boy said almost whispering. Carl didn't want to wake his friend so he gladly complied as he ran off to quickly get wash up and dress. Hoping with everything in him that Michonne wasn't sick or something like that, because ever since he's been here with her, she's always been up before he was, and in the kitchen cooking something or another.

And his dad had noticed the very same thing about her too, but didn't mention it, as he silently hoped nothing was wrong with the young woman especially after how she hastily ran off last night.

《▪▪▪▪▪》

Michonne laying motionless in the stillness of her quite bedroom smiled at the hearing of small little feet as they hit the wooden floor. One was a set of cute little boy's, with sixteen furry and smaller one's, having so much fun keeping up with him as they ran without care past her bedroom door and down the hall twice! All the while as she fought back what seemed to be a pattern. And that was her battling morning sickness first thing early in the morning, and having it waking her up out of a very sound sleep once again.

And her baby boy or girl had been so good up until now she thought. Could she really go through this for the next 6 months? But what other choice does an expectant mother have, because being sick and having some other discomforts while pregnant is par for the course, so she'd best suck it up and stop being such a big baby. And that last part made Michonne laugh.

So what is Mama going to do with you, she questioned Munchie lovingly in between the waves of nausea that her sweet little thing was causing.

And to think she thought she'd dodged that particular bullet of pregnancy. Nope, no such luck, and was on the way of sharing all her morning sickness stash of assorted flavored hard candied, peppermints; both hard and soft, unsalted saltines, and those two or three cases of ginger ale, and seven up with her boys too! But-nooow, not so much...she m-ight share...maybe! She's not promising anything, but knew from the beginning it was a done deal that she would. Morning sickness or not she just thanked God it was not as bad as yesterday's.

Then Michonne thought back to yesterday and fondly smiled. She even blushed but in a good way through a deep feeling of sickness, realizing that the day before wasn't half bad; no not at all. It was quite…nice really! Nope, it was stanking fabulous! Especially after their boy's...dinner, dessert, three movies, and some cartoons before having quietly fallen asleep with his head resting in her lap, which made way for Michonne and the Sheriff to be able to talk about somethings other than the man eating dinosaurs because men were the only humans that they seemed to have a taste for, along with all the other animals. And she think when they did, her Handsome enjoyed those parts the best.

And then there was the Caped Crusader, whom Michonne knew a whole lot about, and the Sheriff almost clueless of. But had been satisfied just the same to sit and listen as his son and the boy's heroine as they light heartedly went back and forth over the merits of who was the greatest, Superman vs The Batman!

And for Carl it was Superman because he's The Man of Steel and can fly; his Grandpa Rich likes him too! Whereas, Michonne agued that for her it's Batman all the way due to the fact that the man has no super powers at all. It's his mind over matter; his own natural human abilities with little or no fear present.

Where poor Superman's super came only because of the yellow rays of Earth's sun, and those super abilities like the lack of the sun, along with kryptonite tended to be his Achilles Heel. Because he was ever mindful of his super strength and the damage that it could cause to the humans around him if he ever turned loose. And that fear is the thing that had always held him back and also gave Darkside his archenemy a devastating edge.

And then for good measure Michonne added The Wolverine, Spiderman, and Gambit into the mix. Because they too have powers; which they were given to, or came naturally through birth. And they too have very little or no fear either! At least not enough to hinder them like Superman once had the unfortunate pleasure of having to deal with.

"No way!" Her Handsome cried out. "Superman's more faster than a bullet. Got more strength than a Locomotive."

Then the boy looked down, easing out of his indignation. Frowning at his father who was sitting at the other end of the couch, watching and enjoying him and Michonne duke it out asked. "What's a Locomotive?"

And without hesitation his parent answered.

"It's was a very fast train at the time that Superman was first on TV in the early fifties. And why did you asked me that son?" questioned the man puzzled.

"Okay thanks. And because I knew that you would know. You're old Dad! Hehe."

And the surprised insulted all rolled up in one father on the dealing with of his son's slight, set the stinker straight even if he did it almost inaudibly.

"I ain't old boy," the Sheriff said under his breath. "I just read a lot!"

Michonne couldn't help herself and laughed out loud. Now that innocent but somewhat biting reply given by her Handsome to his dad's question was just too funny for an inward giggle. She was soo sorry. But She'd heard his father's rebuttal too, and wondered if the man knew just how funny he and his son truly were, and never could she ever forget how adorably cute too!.

And after that episode with those two, the Sheriff chose to pout; deciding to ignore them both, but just slightly. Because they both were way too demanding of his attention one way or the other, to just disregard for too very long.

Then their boy continued from the very exact place he'd lefted off from earlier.

"And is able to jump a very tall building all at one time! Well, that's what my grandpa Rich says, because he loves Superman too! Bet your Batman can't do any of that stuff," the yawning boy declared triumphantly, which Michonne gladly conceded to but no way was going to let Handsome have the last word on the subject.

"Yeah Superman can do all those things true enough," she began. "And I'll give you that! But Batman has a real cool car, fast jet, an utility belt that's full of all kinds of smart gadgets, and that sexy voice to go along with all of that tallness! Now do something with that you little stinker!"

The Sheriff quickly perked up. So she likes 'em tall and with a sexy voice. And thinks the boy a stinker too! he thought.

And surprisingly no retort par se from the stinker came. Just some rather light snoring.

Then both adults either looked over or down at the child, and soon realized the reason why their guy allowed such an eloquent critique of Batman's extra attribute, and implements that only enhanced his savviness go unchallenged. It was all because their boy had fallen fast asleep. And it happened just that quick too!

And Michonne thought him adorable, while the Sheriff just thought the boy blessed to be that close to her and not have to worry about a thang.

The blessed boy's dad then offered to take the little tike to bed so that Michonne could go if she so choose to herself. But she told the Sheriff no, because maybe Handsome wasn't in a full sleep, and she'd hate to wake him if he wasn't. Besides she wasn't really ready to go to bed just yet. And neither was the Sheriff.

So the two began to talk about a great deal of things for a rather long while. Things like when the Sheriff first joined the King County Sheriff's Department as a new recruit along with his at the time best friend Shane, and then after three years, he having reluctantly taken over the job of Sheriff at the behest of then Governor Tummie, under the recommendation of his then Sheriff Douglas C. Henries.

The former Sheriff suffered a severe heart attack and had to give the job up immediately. And after serving the man's remaining three years out, Sheriff Grimes decided to run for the job himself, and won it his very first time out, becoming the youngest person ever in the history of King County to have won and held the position. That was 13 years ago.

Michonne was quite impressed and told the Sheriff so.

And the Sheriff purposely didn't mention how Lori and Shane fought him every step of the way. Because this was not their story but his.

Then it was Michonne's turn to talked a bit about herself, which kept Sheriff Grimes very entertained. He just loved hearing her voice and being able to look at her without guilt. Sometimes he felt like a creep for snicking a peak.

The young woman talked of being an only child; a Marine brat at that and living in Japan. Then Michonne told of her time in France with her parents while her dad opened up some law offices in Paris and London. There were her days in college, and of her becoming the youngest partner in her dad and uncle's firm. She'd done it by getting a federal conviction of First Degree murder reversed with her clients being declared innocent. And it was her very first case ever too!

Sheriff Grimes was more than impressed. He was transfix, and also realized just how young the woman really was compared to him.

Michonne left out something too. It was the part of how Mike fought her every step of the way while she was on the case. It was always about his favorite subject-himself, and her not spending enough time with him. Never was it about the two men who had entrusted her with the regaining of their freedom. And her father had been concerned that she was taking on such a big case for someone just out of law school, but he and her Uncle Henry offered to help her as best as they could with the whole firm at her disposal.

And again neither the lawyer nor the law man were ready to go to bed with both silently wrecking their individual brains to find something more that they could talk about when a "Dad (snore), I'm (snore) sleepy (snore),...can I go to bed (snore)" came from the small sleeping head lying on Michonne's lap.

The man and woman smiled, whatever else could they do. Their boy was just so cute! Well...it had been decided, and it was late. There would be no more talking, because it was bedtime for all. So their boy's father reluctantly got up and gently picked up his son in and out of slumber, but not before getting an up close and personal look at the woman, and a whiff of her enthralling perfume; both fabulously appealing.

And the same thing happened to Michonne. Oh-my-goodness, those eyes, she thought. They made that black girl wanna shout mercy, while his cologne…almost hurl, which caused the suddenly sick woman to give her boy a rather quick peck on top of his sleeping head, while the Sheriff got a speedy good night before rushing off to her friend the commode.

And grinning at that not so, but still funny memory Michonne took a deep breath as another wave of sickness washed over her, then her phone rung. And reaching for it got the thing off of the nightstand, and left swiped it without even looking at who it might be. And with it being that she was too sick to even answer right away, the caller did it for her.

"Hello!" Hello!" sung the voice over the phone. "Hey Me, it's me Andrea!" And she was really excited too.

"Hello," Michonne groan.

"Morning sickness-huh Hon? Our Munchie's starting to showing off? Oh boy! What a late bloomer our baby is," was all its aunt had to say; smiling on the other end of the line as she did.

And an "Uh-huh" was all that Munchie's mother could muster at the moment.

Getting the message, Andrea told the sick woman to just listen and she'd do all the talking.

Michonne shook her head in the affirmative as if her friend could see. Then the animated woman down in Florida with great detail began to lively tell her friend of her and Delilah's adventure during their Black Friday shopping spree.

"Girl," she shouted over the phone.

And the girl winced due to the shrill of her friend's high pitch excitement.

"We went to five different malls; three traditional, and two outlets plus a Walmart. And let me tell you...it-was-great! You can get a lot of fabulous shopping done in 6 hours and in two different cities! All those people! I loved it, and hate you weren't there!"

"Yeah, and tell Michonne how you met you match and almost lost twice!" interrupted their friend Delilah in the background.

"Shh," Andrea waved the woman off. "Now how was I to know that Granny was a He-Man? And who knew that an old woman driving a scooter while carrying a wooden cane in one hand had that kind of grip. It must come from her handling those handle bars so tightly. Got to be from turning all those hair pin curves over at the retirement complex without tipping over, or falling off that thing. That bad dye job, and her with the strong scent of Bengay was just sooo deceiving."

"Wonder has the woman ever heard of Blue Emu. I wouldn't know," chimed their friend in the background. "But heard it does wonders and without the smell!"

"Un-huh," Andrea said as she side eyed the woman in disbelief, because she's seen the proof in her room that says otherwise. And then she continued.

"That blue haired deceiver was driving around all frail and stuff until it came to that Versace hand knitted dress that you've been eying for the longest. And it was on sale too!"

Michonne with morning sickness and all perked right up after hearing "Versace," and "that hand knitted dress."

"Half price, plus another 35% off!" Andrea added. "And it was for her granddaughter my Henie. I saw how she was sporting that silk duster. And that particular item was from the Teen department!"

And Michonne shot up in bed and became lighthearted in the process. She heard half price and 35% off!

"P-lease tell me that you didn't hurt grandma. But p-leassee do tell me you got the dress!" she said closing her eyes with a beg.

"I did, and a pair of thigh high suede boots to go along with. Now tell me who's your girl!" Her sister said satisfied.

"You are." Michonne clapped. "You are-my-girl!" And for a small minute forgot all about being sick. She and Andrea were talking about a Versace now and that took precedence.

And in the background Michonne heard Delilah again.

"And tell Michonne how we almost went to jail over it too! Grandma Moses, that old scooter riding biddy's son is Chief of Police of Fort Lauderdale."

"Yeah, and we're here in Palm Beach too! Nah! And did you see ole Granny's three wheeler trying to catch up with my Jag? Left her hacking in my dust." Shouts Andrea laughing as Delilah left the room to lie down. .Andrea and that whole incident had al-most broken her up from shopping ever again...al-most.

《▪▪▪▪▪》

And sometime later in the up-scale neighborhood of Boors Head, a gated community about some fifty miles north of Atlanta, a phone rung in a home office where it was answered by a very bubbly 13 year old girl, who was the light of every last person in her family. Especially her Uncle Terry.

"Hello, Rae speaking. And how may I help you."

The person on the other end held his breath before answering. It was the first time ever hearing her voice, and that was heart piercing. Suddenly the man was quite ashamed, and had to find his voice again.

"Hel-lo," Ra-chel is-it?" He hesitated.

"Yes sir, but everyone just calls me Rae, and you are?"

The man smiled over on the other end. She is her mother's daughter, now isn't she, he thought sadly.

"I'm sorry Rae." He loved saying her name, and hearing her talk. She was named after his mother. And another wave of shame wreaked through him and lingered this time.

"Well, my name is Haden."

Rae was surprised. Her first name was Haden too! But the teen didn't say anything except "One moment please." And Haden on the other end said "Okay" while his little girl no more went to get her mother. He just hope that Mellissa wouldn't be too angry because he broke his word again. But only because he had no choice.

《▪▪▪▪▪》

And Michonne hung up her phone, it was 11:00 a.m. and she'd been sleeping for hours, and that was 3 hours to be exact since she'd talked to Andrea, and would still be asleep if Mellissa hadn't call with the news. And that was some unexpected news at that, because tomorrow afternoon around 2 p.m. Mellissa Anderson Ross the head of her social service department at the state level/social worker, along with Handsome's mother and her boyfriend will be stopping by to visit for an hour. And that was an order that came straight from the Governor himself.

"The mother's father had his one hand down Haden's drawers with a tight grip on his short hairs, while the other was on the purse strings. And I say good for him! Pull mister pull!" Mellissa spat out when finished. Not caring at all that Michonne heard either. And hoped with everything in her that Mr. Henderson would yank both from Haden Robert Stevens until he bled, cries uncle, and fell to his weak knees.

And Michonne could tell after all these years that the woman was still hurting in spite of the fact that she and Rae were blessed in having Perry Ross as a husband, and father. But a broken heart some women can never really completely get over. Because more than often it takes forgiveness in order to let the hurt go.

Thank you Lord I'm not one of those women, because that would have been right up Mike Rosslyn's alley, Michonne thought with pride as she made her way to the bathroom. She needed to clean up from head to toe before facing the Sheriff, and telling him what would no doubt be some very unpleasant news. Knowing that a rather warm shower would give her just the right oomph to handle the possible mess storm on the way when the man finds out about everything and everyone coming their way.

And what about her Handsome she wondered. Just how would he take the news? Boy...what a mess this way cometh!

《▪▪▪▪▪》

Mellissa Anderson Ross set looking out her kitchen window as her husband of 14 years as he played catch with their three children; five year old twin boys PJ and Pax, and their eldest Rae. Sometimes she can't hardly believe that that sweet man married her in spite of his parents objection, and of her being six weeks pregnant with another man's child…a married man's at that.

And that was fourteen years; another lifetime ago…

Haden Robert Stevens a very talented man who was the whole package; tall, rich, handsome, smart, sexy, ambitious; on his way to accomplishing great things. But he was married, and to a woman that he did not love, nor loved him back, but just as ambitious. Who was rich just like him, but came from a family that was politically connection whereas his was not. And that was the pull, lock, and key of it all.

But Haden Robert Stevens 10 years into his loveless marriage, in spite of himself; knowing that it was all wrong, and a danger to his political career found himself over the moon. And Mellissa Anderson was at fault. Because he was madly and totally in love for the very first time in his life, and it was with the 24 year old beautiful camel skin, dark brown eyes beauty that made his heart skip each time he saw, heard her voice, or thought about the woman. He just couldn't help it. And Mellissa Anderson felt the very same way about him too.

Oh yeah...and Haden Robert Stevens like most politicians was also a big fat coward without question!

Especially when he found out that his beauty was pregnant and with his child, and dropped her like a hot lava filled rock. Persuading his then assistant Perry Ross to marry Mellissa, and claim their child as his own, so that he could save his political career. And Perry did both gladly, because he too was already madly and totally in love with the beautiful young woman himself.

He'd been that way from the very first moment that she stepped into their boss's congressional office. And the then congressman could have also kept the money too, because the man would have done it for nothing, but Perry's new bride convinced her new husband to take it, because every last cent would be spent for good. Theirs and then some!

"If Haden wants to get rid of me and our baby that badly, why not take the money? Make him pay for that privilege," said Mellissa wiping away hurt tears as she and Perry drove back from the Justice of the Peace.

And pay Haden did to the tune of 10 million dollars with the help of his now deceased father-in-law, whom he himself had had more than quite a few indiscretions of his own to deal with in his past. "We lusty men have to stick together, now don't we son," was all the understanding man said as he transferred the whole amount into Perry Ross's bank account.

And seven months and fourteen days later in a small hospital room located somewhere in an out of the way town in the Swiss Alps, Haden Robert Stevens sat holding his beautiful newly born baby girl, who had his green eyes and thick silky sandy brown hair. And this would be his first and last time doing so as her mother gave the name of another man to be placed on their child's birth certificate. while that other man was elsewhere.

"Love can, and many times do make fools of the most brilliant of people. Son I do hope that you are not one."

And Perry Ross sat outside his wife's hospital room remembering his mother saying that to him before his marriage to Mellissa. And it was a very sad thing for him to have to acknowledge that at the moment she was at least half right. Brilliant-he didn't know much about that, but a fool in love was he everyday and all day.

And Mellissa cringed at the thought of all that had gone on between her, Haden, and Perry just to save one person's self-centered hide…and that was Haden Robert Stevens himself who had the nerve to even hold a conversation with her, let alone her and Perry's daughter. And on top of all that to ask how was she?

Doesn't the fool know that it's too late to pretend to care, and on top of that has broken yet another promise; not to talk to her or her daughter personally, and never ever call her home period! That's what his assistant was for.

But a smile even though sad, soon began to slowly spread across the woman's face as she remembered what she and Perry did do with all that money.

There was a PhD for her, Perry got his MBA and started a consulting firm, college funds were set-up for each one of their children. Both Terry and Mike got to go to college and Law School debt free! And she and Perry brought and paid for the house that they and their children now live in.

But the most important thing was that all the money used has been replaced, and the whole 10 million put in a trust for Rae so that she could have more from her birth father then just his and his mother's first names.

And Mellissa began drafting a letter on her tablet. Unlike Haden she was a person of her word, and would be handing in her resignation just as soon as the Grimes case was rendered. She didn't appreciate Haden ignoring her demands for coming to work for him in order to get the agency up to standard, which was done in six months time.

And she also didn't like how Mr. Henderson was trying to have his way with no concern for his grandson either. But tomorrow she will be looking at all concerned and writing her initial report accordingly. There was the life of a child to take into account. And the wellbeing of little Carl Grimes was her main and only objective.

And then after many starts and stops to her resignation letter, Dr. Mellissa Anderson Ross typed in big bold letters Haden you shunk, I QUIT!

《▪▪▪▪▪》

Michonne came out of her bedroom, walked down the hall and was met with six of the best things ever. Her Handsome, the puppies, and one of her boy's tight big hug with a very jovial "Good morning Michonne," and then whispered next to her belly, "And a very good morning to you too Munchie." Munchie moved as if to say, "Okay, now move on." And that made his big brother giggle with surprise.

Then her Handsome looked up at his friend and ask with concern in his eyes.

"Are you feeling alright? Dad and me was worried that you were not okay."

Michonne readily bent down and kissed her adorable bundle right on top of the boy's head.

"I am now-your hug did the trick. I had a late night, and Munchie wanted to be naughty" the woman smiled and continued. "Then my friend called to tell me all about her and another one of our friend's crazy Black Friday's shopping adventures this morning. And then afterwards I fell back asleep. But I'm up now and we can do something fun if you like. But I'm so sorry to have worried the two of you."

"That's ok, you're here now," her boy smiled back up at her as they all headed towards the living room .

And just as the six entered the room from the hall, Sheriff Grimes walked out of the kitchen. Noticing Michonne smiled a little too broadly. Oh how delighted he was that she was finally up and said, "Good afternoon Miss Rènald," with a slight smirk. Putting a hard emphasis on afternoon. "Hope everything's ok."

"Good afternoon Sheriff, I'm fine, and you? You do remember that you and I had a rather late night now didn't you?" Michonne said all doe eyed and in-no-cent. She'd caught that dig about her sleeping late, and noticed his smirk of a smile too.

The Sheriff could only blush.

While Michonne liked that he did.

And Carl noticing the two adults, thought how weird they both were kinda acting.

His dad had a look that he couldn't quite place, and he could tell that Michonne was enjoying way too much whatever it was that was going on between the two of them. Grown folk can be so strange sometimes their boy thought. And they stayed up late without him too! Now that troubled the child much more than how the two adults were acting at the moment. Especially when he hadn't even been given a bed time.

But how did that happen?

All Carl could remember was laying on the couch with his head on his friend's lap watching Jurassic Park movies, and some cartoons with him and Michonne disagreeing on who was the best; Superman or The Batman.

Then it occurred to the ever smart kid...he-fell-asleep.

Awe man! That's not even fair, and what a waste, the boy thought quite upset. They could have woken him up. Then he and Michonne could have at least played some video games until she was ready to go to bed.

I bet she was sooo bored without me!"

"Miss Rènald," said the Sheriff after having finally found his voice to speaks again, brings mister sooo far off base Carl back to real town. "Are you hungry, if so I'd be more than happy to make you something to eat? The boy and I have already eaten, and the pups too."

And to be truthful Michonne really wasn't too keen on placing anything in her stomach except for a dry piece of toast, and a cup of sweet lemon and peppermint tea, but she could tell by the looks on both Grimes faces that this was something that would give them both the greatest of pleasure, grinned.

"Ok, what's on the menu?" she said while inwardly admonishing her Munchie to behave.

"Dad made me his after Thanksgiving sandwich with some fried potato pancakes on the sides after we took the puppies out. And the whole thing was really good," gushed the excited and proud boy of his dad's cooking skills, and both their thoughtfulness neatly rolled up in one.

"Well, Sheriff our boy recommends your after Thanksgiving breakfast. So out of the mouths of babes…" Michonne smiled a little too long at the man who was about to make her his special breakfast meal, as she walked past him to herself make two cups of tea. One cup each for her and Handsome, and one cup of coffee for him. Then stopping in her tracks, turned and thanked the father and son both for seeing after the puppies.

《▪▪▪▪▪》

Michonne sitting at the kitchen island along with her Handsome close by, and his rather pretty daddy standing right in front of her with both smiling and not so patiently waiting for her to try the tenderly prepared meal and her verdict, looked wistfully at the half of sandwich now in front of her, and felt that she should have given her Handsome much more of it with Munchie being so temperamental and all, took a bite.

And then with an innocent over exaggerated roll of her eyes gave the Sheriff, which was really sexy to him, an Italian chef kiss "Mwah!" with fingers to her lips. No lie, that bite of half of a sandwich was really good, and had her thinking she should have kept the whole thing for herself. But how was she to know that ham and turkey, with slices of melted sharp cheddar cheese, crumbles of left over dressing, with cranberry sauce all situated in between two thick pieces of brioche bread, buttery grilled and topped afterwards with thinly sliced pear so as not to cook them, could be so deliciously fabulous!

Evidently, her Handsome, his dad, and now she does.

And Handsome looking at her said. "Told ya!" while the Sheriff just smiled and showed some teeth; cheesing all the way. So very satisfied that he'd hit his target. And that was to please his and his son's Miss Rènald.

"Yes you did Mr. Smart'em pants Michonne said before taking another bite, and smiling at her boy. Who then asked if he could watch TV while eating; ignoring his dad with the question, while looking straight at her!

Michonne nodded yes, and watched as her sweet boy got down from the bar and then handed him his plate which held the other half of her sandwich, one fried potato pancake, and his hot cup of sweet lemon peppermint tea that she'd placed on top of the plate along side his meal, so that both of his small hands could carry everything safely as he left to watch TV with the puppies right behind.

And she was also glad that she'd placed the hot beverage in a spill proof mug (for safety purposes only), which produced some very hurt feelings when she did until telling her Handsome that a rather surprised someone gave it to her after winning her very first case ever, and that was against him on the other side. Which she now takes with her each time she goes to court. The cup was somewhat of a good luck charm in spite of who'd given it to her.

And the Sheriff picked the item up while Michonne tried soothing their boy's hurt feelings, and read the one word engraving.

CONGRATS!

And immediately was filled with such an anger, and for no specifically good reason. All he knew was that he was. And Michonne sensed the sudden change in the man's demeanor, but ignored it. Instantly remembering the card that came along with the cup.

Here's a little somethin, somethin Little Girl with a GREAT BIG ole HANDLE for hold onto until the inevitable happens. And that is ME and you! So don't be to surprised when it does, because I sure as Hell want be! So just enjoy it until the real thing comes your way.

DN.

And Michonne knew when she first opened the box, and read that slick redolent card filled with all kinds of thinly veiled sexual innuendos, should have thrown both in the trash, but didn't. The cup was a nice gift and reminder even if the card was just a way for its sender to be an Jackbutt and to have the last word. And she could live with that, because her two wrongly convicted clients won and are now free men! But that part about that delusional fool and her...well all she has to say about that was and is...Hell ain't no where near cooling!

《▪▪▪▪▪》

And Michonne finished with her tasty brunch, her boy occupied with his television program, and the puppies, felt that the present was just as good a time as any to break the news to the Sheriff about his ex and her boyfriend's coming visit tomorrow.

And to say that Sheriff Grimes took the information well, especially the part about his ex friend coming along too, would be quite an understatement. Only because it was.

And a highly hot under the collar Richard Zane Grimes III, his son's father knew that it was all William Carl Henderson, Lori's meddlesome father's doing; it was always whatever it took for his little Bunny to be happy. Even if it made everyone else around her sick on their stomach. Even though his little Bunny was a grown woman with a child of her own, and who left her husband to be with the husband's so called best friend. It was all happening like last time. Two years ago when he'd lost free access to his boy. And Sheriff Grimes wanted to throw up, because the man was sick on his stomach with anger, and that was safer for all those involved if he was instead of the alternative. Getting rid of two somebodys; both males.

And sadly for the man these last couple of days here with his boy and her has had him living in a fools paradise. Thinking things would be different this time around, had caused the Sheriff to began to hope, and see a light. Then he began to think back on the promise that he'd made himself concerning Carl…that he would fight with everything in him for the best. And Sheriff Grimes knew that the best was him. But would the courts see that he was?

"Damn it!" he cursed out loud while holding onto the wrong end of a rather heavy coffee mug: crushing the thing with his bare hand out of rage. And strangely with pieces of it stuck deep in his hand didn't feel any physical pain.

Both Michonne and their boy looked over towards the clash and the man as the broken shards of pottery hit the stainless steel farmhouse sink. And both adults had to quickly reassured the concerned child that everything was fine as Michonne speedily made her way to the side of the man with blood freely falling from his damaged hand.

But her Handsome wasn't content with their combined answer until Michonne personally smiled and said that his dad just had a little accident with a mug, and that she would take care of it all did the child turn and resume his TV watching and puppy petting.

Michonne knew that the news would be an upsetting fact for the Sheriff, but this was something else. This was a deep seeded anger and hurt.

And Rick sensing her concern, mistook it for fear...of her fearing him.

Oh no, just great! I can't ever have her afraid of me, he thought. Because that would never stand!

"I'm sorry about the cup, I'll replace it, just tell me were you got it from!" The hurt man apologized profusely. "I…I really didn't mean…I'm sorry."

"Really!" Was all that Michonne could muster up as she busily wiped away blood from the Sheriff's cut up hand. Maybe she wasn't afraid of him, just angry, and that he could work with!

What good is a new mug if this nutty man bleeds to death in my kitchen... Men! She thought kind of pissed., while she kept wiping, hoping that the law man hadn't nicked something serious in his hand.

Defeated even though he was trying hard not to be, the Sheriff asked to no one in particular, but straight to her.

"Tell me what to do? What can I do? I can't go back to not seeing my son, all at the whim of his mother. The last time almost destroyed me!"

And hearing that heart rendering truth filled confession almost broke her. Causing Michonne to say a little prayer, asking for the right words to be said for the both of them. Because she knew if neither one of them were ever unable to see, or talk to their boy on a regular bases, then it was going to get ugly, and that would be real fast for everyone! And taking a deep breath, looking the frightened man straight in his eyes and said.

"Well…with God's help we'll figure it all out...promise. I know you don't know this but Andrea is extremely good at what she does, and that's at winning, Then Michonne thought about the little old lady and her Versace. Now that's a woman born to fight. "Then there's also our firm…we loose very few cases; we're bad like that. Uncle Henry knows more than quite a few powerful influential people too! And then the most important person of all is Handsome, he's always in your corner."

The Sheriff then looked at her as if hurt to his core.

"What-what about you?" he said finding himself afraid of the answer.

And Michonne filled with false indignation replied back with the Rock's eyebrow, placing both hands on her hips.

"Did you not hear me just say we will figure this all out! Besides, you couldn't flick me away from you and my Handsome with a Mighty Green Giant size thumb and middle finger if you wanted too. That is at least until everything is said and done with! Got it!"

"Got it!" The Sheriff said shaking his head up and down like a cute pacified little boy. Then he began to search Michonne's face with intensive blue eyes, which finally came to rest on her inviting plump lips like a mighty interested hot blooded man would.

And all Michonne could think of was how hot it had all of a sudden become. Thinking that Munchie wasn't the only one that made her experience what felt like hot flashes. Then slowly getting her bearings back, with the intent once more of talking about his hurt hand. Cleared her throat "Ahem," which sounded kind of shaky. And the Sheriff smiled that she did.

"Now the second thing which is really important too is your hand here," Michonne continued. "We must take care and see just how much damage has, or has not been done. Wouldn't want to have to amputate now do we?" She looked up, and asked this time without the tremor, but a smirk just the same. One that the not as upset as much as before man thought was the cutest thing ever. Nonchalantly replied back.

"I know that's right. This is my shooting and sandwich making hand you know!"

Michonne giggled like a school girl. And the Sheriff basked in its warmness as she delicately wiped away more blood, with both soon realizing that even though deep, the cuts didn't seem to need any stiches, but she called Rosemary Mills anyway for a third opinion.

She's a friend of hers who lives two floors up and is a surgical nurse that works with Maddie. Michonne just hope that the woman was home and wouldn't mind coming down to give the Sheriff's hand a look. And that was all done over and against his objections that she politely ignored.