Chapter 27

The Calm Before The Storm...the drive, Pt. 4: The counselor, the law man, and the chauffeur

Loinel now driving a totally different kind of limousine. Slowly pulled up in front of the tall glamorous high rise. Parked quickly then breath a sighed of relief. Whew, he'd finally made it, and on time too with even more to spare.

The night's heavy traffic a beast for sure, still had so much more of it to come too! And him having left late after dinner, definitely hadn't helped either.

Greg buddy, you best be glad I love you man, smiledthe driver as he patiently waited his passengers arrival.

Which some fifteen minutes later, punctually did happened.

Michonne immaculate, and the Sheriff dressed to the nines too. Emerging from the building did so smiling, looking exactly like they fit. The total opposite of her with Mike, which never really did! And the two walking rather close, leisurely strolled their way to the car.

The driver definitely taking notice of the obvious. Hurriedly got out of the warmth of the limousine. Walked around the flashy vehicle, and stood standing near the back door.

"Good evening Misss Rénald, Sheriff Grimes," said the conscientious chauffeur with a slight smirk as he opened the door for her. Then happily treated them both to a very generous broad smile as well.

But Michonne said nary a word. The cocky man knew just how much she hated all that formality from him. However Rick's reply was, "Good evening Lionel" as he held the young woman's hand until she got inside the car safely. "I'm surprised to see you still on the job. It's been a long day for you too hasn't?"

"Yes sir tis true! But when your boss is such a sucky taskmaster, downtime anytime soon is just a pipe dream. Am I not right Missss Rénald," the driver responded, then closed the door gingerly"

And the Lionel's mannerisms towards Michonne, certainly hadn't gone unnoticed. Nor was it appreciated at all by her companion who said nothing more. Not even a "thanks" when the driver opened, and closed the door for the law man; exactly as a good chauffeur should and would do.

Then when getting in himself, Lionel inadvertently caught wind of the Sheriff's facial expression. One which the law man, most definitely did want the other man to see, via a rearview mirror.

And if looks could kill! Plastered all over the face of the officer of the law, and oh what a familiar one too! Which definitely for sure was a seething emotion of disbelief. And warranted in the Sheriff's mind; just moments away from a first class Georgia beat down. The exact same look, coupled with the exact same thing. Which Lionel himself would exact if someone ever spoke that way to, and about someone he cared deeply for, i. e.-his boy and wife.

Maaaybe, probably even Michonne too!

And speaking of the devil again.

Michonne, who either having felt, or seen exactly what Lionel was viewing, or maybe even both! Regardless, whichever one, certainly did not matter. Because with a quickness spoke up rather quickly. And quite snottily at that.

"Oh Lonnie E, why don't you just get busy and stay in your lane! And do what you do best! Which is, I don't know! Shall we just say...drive son. And please do exactly that and no more!"

Sheriff Grimes having taken a double take, frown a whole lot more.

However, the man who should have been getting ready to start the car's engine. Deliberately on purpose disobeyed his betters.

"Ok! Fine you brat! But your Jbug found out where I was getting to after dinner. And him happy with a mouth full of three year old teeth grinning said, 'Tell nanny M that I love her a whole bunch!'"

And nonchalantly did JBug's daddy, now turned around in his seat convey his boy's wishes. Looking Michonne straight in her eyes, as he darlingly demonstrated animatingly with his hands, exactly what the little one's whole bunch looked like.

Michonne truly in love with the other boy in her life. Hazel browns immediately glossing over with admiration smiled wide. And both men saw.

Then she and Lionel, not really able to keep the ruse going on with a straight face, burst out laughing. Which totally confused the law man even more. And Lionel feeling sorry for him, mercifully let the bewildered gentleman in on a little secret.

"Sheriff Grimes," he said smiling back at Rick; having seen it evolve from the start. "You see, this is not my fulltime regular job, nor part time one either! I'm doing it all as a favor to my younger brother Gregory. He's studying for finals, and the spoil brat back there's regular driver.

"Besides that, Michonne and I go back a long ways too! I modeled for Lance while our girl at the same time, worked as a "little peon" during summers in his store."

"Yeah, we even somehow wound up at the same college, which was certainly sometimes later for me of course. Because by then you were in grad school were you not?" Michonne recalled fondly.

"And had some really good times at both places too didn't we M?"

"Yes, we surely did young man!"

Suddenly both just went there mentally by thinking of Mike; the spoil sport. And that mistake quickly tried putting an end to their jovialness. Which was noticed straight away by a watching, and quite interested Rick Grimes.

Michonne watching him too, winked.

And that was in order to let her "Date, but not really a date." Know all was still copasetic, despite that look of sadness on her face.

"Sheriff, I know that you don't know this, but Lonnie here-," started off the young counselor still being snotty. Determined also to force-out the memory of an ex, trying rather hard to tamper in on a very good mood.

Purposely did too utilized a name her friend the driver detested. But one, which she and she alone could get away with using. Definitely had the very exact same aggravating effect too! Just as him calling her Misss Rénald does.

Now what a touché moment if any she thought proudly and continued.

"And besides him being a very loving brother, doing a very loving favor, for an equally talented younger brother studying for his tests. Well-is also a highflautin, accomplished Buckhead architect and architectural engineer as well"

And Michonne definitely proud of the man, with the return of a very wide grin revealed. Then lovingly for good measure added...

"And oh what a big brother! Not only did Lionel take time off from work to do the big-hearted deed. He's also missing out on going to the Ball too!"

"Aww, M it's really not that much of a big deal," the blushing man answered back humbly. "Gregory's a good kid that's working real hard to succeed. So why not help him out. And as far as the rest of it goes, well April and I went to the last three Balls. Need I say more!"

Michonne shook her head and giggled, "Nope!"

"Enough said!" the chauffeur retorted as he changed position in order to start driving. And him looking through his rearview mirror for on coming traffic. Noticed another occurrence in lieu.

The Sheriff's eye coloring (he'd also noticed Michonne's wink too).

They'd gone back to a very calming blue, instead of the just about to kill somebody dark sapphire. And the Sheriff of King County, noticing the driver as well. Nodded back before taking a very long look over at his Miss Rénald, who still had more to say.

"And how is April and both my godbabies doing?" she asked genuinely wanting to know, which was without ever even missing one beat either.

"Oh, Mommy, Jay, and his soon to be born little sis Jess, all three are doing just fine," the husband and dad responded with a proud grin.

"Good to know, and you?"

"What more can I say M, if they're fine, then I am too! And with that my darling girl what kind of music will we be listening to tonight?"

His little brother had made a point of reminding him to ask.

"Give me something eclectic, with a lot of soft jazz please."

"Then wide-ranging, with some jazz, it most certainly will be just for you dear heart."

So with that began their journey after Lionel buckling up started the car. Placed in the disc- E with a whole lot of jazz neatlywritten on it. Pushed the button that slowly strolled up the partition. Then carefully with George Benson in the background cooning "Into The Night." Effortlessly merged the elegant limo into heavy traffic towards their destination.

And Michonne quite content, swinging a lovely crossed long leg, swung it bouncy, bouncy to the rhythm. All the while, Rick Grimes the Sheriff trying really hard to ignore it. Most definitely could not!

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The gleaming creamy white, Roll Royce Phantom, with its lit undercarriage, and spinner hubs, traveling north up I-93. Hitting the open road, definitely did so smoothly and sleek, at a real good clip too! And Lionel all up in hog heaven as he, Michonne, Sheriff Grimes, and the vehicle. Piercing straight through the night's air problem free! Passing and being passed by all kinds of luxury cars. Some driven by chauffeurs, and some not! Had all heading to the same spot.

And those of the former were certainly more than the Sheriff, at one time had ever seen. Or probably ever will see in a whole lifetime! And that's despite having gone to his share of Lori's folk's, over-the-top on occasions, swanky functions.

Then after about thirty minutes or so, everything on the highway began slowing down. Which was all due to a highway construction site. The very same one that Michonne, The Sheriff, Carl, Cody, and the pups, first passed through on their way to her family home.

And the traffic near a stand still; came immediately close to bottlednecking.

"Well, folks it looks just like you all may have to do some walking," Lionel joked over the intercom. "This stuff is slow going, exactly like molasses on a hard cold surface in winter! But luckily the hotel is just over that hill yonder."

"Hey, no waaay you!" kinda sorta shouted his adamant friend/employer in back. "There most definitely will be no walky, walky anywhere around here! It's the front door or else mister! Do you hear! My Jimmy Choo's won't stand for it!"

Which was also done the very same way Lionel spoke to Michonne! Via the intercom.

"And do you know what your problem is you spoiled, you know what?" returned Michonne's friend/chauffeur.

"Pure prefection!"

"You wish!"

The Sheriff just enjoying himself while listening to their banter thought, pure perfect is exactly what you are Miss Rénald! And continued did he, lovingly looking over at the young woman with a quiet smile.

And MIchonne's friend/current chauffeur, rather tickled at the young woman's brazen assumption said.

"Almost all the men in you life, except the one that doesn't count. Really do have you thinking that way too, don't they! Your dad God bless his soul, those three grandfathers, especially the one that lived in Texas; Terry, Kal, Lance, even Me!

"And please, please let us not forget the uncles; most certainly not them! Because those two have you nothing but rotten young lady! And that includes you too Sheriff Grimes, you're going to the Ball are you not! And probably no doubt would rather be somewhere other than. Sir, please do correct me if I'm wrong on any of it...please!" Loinel laughed. "And I know I've missed others, but they're included just the same too!"

Rick, silent just grinned.

And Michonne knowing what Loinel said was exactly true! Well, at least some of it. Threw her head up high in the air said, "humph" and nothing else! Leaving both men in their own way tickled pink!

The driver up front because he'd had the last word.

And the Sheriff comfortably in back, side by side, right next to her. Surrounded by the smooth sassy sound of a jazzy gutair playing. Intermingled with the intoxicating scent, of whatever it is the alluring woman was wearing. Grinning a whole lot inwardly, and without question, was surely drunk. Unquestionably, most assuredly so on nothing but his Her.

And the man with his Miss Rénald so near. Once again had that earlier conundrum fighting hard for prominence. Also had a desire to just come clean and confess all...

I really don't want to go. Do you?

Because sharing the young woman, sitting next to him with anyone other than himself. Tonight, or any other time in the near future. Truthfully was not something very high up on the law man's agenda. His promise or not.

And willingly did he begin to wonder. Just what would really happen, if he lovingly did take ahold of her gloved pinky. The one resting so near him on the leather seat, to adoringly get her attention in order to say.

"Let's you and me go elsewhere. Just the two of us ok Babe!"

All his young woman can say is "Yes, let's," or "No way we're going and that final!"

But before the Sheriff of King County could formulate that desire into real words. An effective Lionel prowered down the partiton between them and said.

"We're here Folks!"