"And then I was lost in her eyes."
― Avijeet Das

"You have Michonne with you, I presume?"

"She's in the kitchen with Mom."

"More to excite your mother. An endless topic once you two leave."

"Doesn't take much to excite Mom."

"No, it does not. Your mother likes, Michonne. I want you to know that and be conscious of your true intentions. It will save you a lot of headaches in the future."

"I'm aware."

"I would like to think you wouldn't bring someone around that wasn't important to you. Your mother has it set in her mind. The fourth time you are going to have a hell of a time to convince her those aren't wedding bells she's hearing."

"She's told me a hundred times already that she likes Michonne."

"How many times are you going to deny that you have something going on with your coworker?"

"What have I exactly denied?"

There was always a much more weighty topic to broach after Rick's father released his heavy introductory sigh.

Rick steadied himself, ready to withstand his father's pointed questions aimed at settling everyone's curiosity and any unfounded doubt. Rick glanced to the left of him, and he could see from twenty yards away that Michonne was still inside of the kitchen with his mother, Ella, while he sat outside by the pool with his father, Senior Grimes waiting for their refreshments to be served.

"What are you doing, son?"

"What I want to do."

"I would have hoped more than remaining stagnant in the Customer Service Department at Go Stop."

"It is a place where many go to die. I hate the job and would gladly increase the wages of those who endure call after call. The very few who can find their way out by promotion are exceptional kiss asses."

"I don't expect you to kiss ass."

"Then, I have met your expectations."

Rick could tell that his father was trying to fight a fleeting amusement. He kept his attention focused on his Dad. His father eventually focused on their nearby gardener busy trimming the already well-manicured hedges.

"It's been almost a year. There are other department levels to peruse, time is of the essence."

"I will have to tell, Michonne."

"Tell her what exactly?"

"Everything."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because if I don't, she will think I gave away secret intel on how to patch up loopholes in our Code of Conduct. Little does she know I've been trying to keep her all to myself." Rick mumbled the last sentence, but it was still clearly audible.

"Don't underestimate a woman, son. She wants to be kept. Evident, if she can put up with your mother."

"Don't underestimate the level of mental stamina needed to serve customers. I will gladly invite our shareholders to spend time on the phones, and then perspective may shift if not-." Rick trailed off to avoid a few expletives.

"There was this idea that there would be an upward trajectory. Service rep. Supervisory/management. Time spent in each department to get a feel for the business. You spent two months in the mailroom. You applied for customer service, and there you remain, still. I get a phone call wanting to verify. I wanted to stay out of it as much as possible. Incognito. You've revealed my hand in this, son. I had no other option after learning Carol Peltier, says you've threatened her with a lawsuit."

"Yes, I threatened to sue her. Well, help Michonne with a lawyer to sue."

"What?"

"If she had what she needed to fire Michonne, she would have to try and fire me too. Everything that Michonne has done, I have done. I have never gotten a verbal nor written reprimand. Why am I treated differently?"

"You are a Goddamn, Grimes!"

"A Grimes. No one knew I was that GRIMES. I did not want any special treatment while learning the ropes! So, yes, I threatened to sue her ass for discrimination if she put anything else in Michonne's employee file."

"I've read her file. It is the size of a novel. Callouts, tardies, cellular use, filming, eating at inappropriate times-."

"Michonne has low blood sugar."

"...several hangups on customers. You got in the way of a rightful termination. Threatening to sue? Suggesting a lawsuit against Go Stop is equivalent to suing me. I can't have a trend set. Michonne cannot return to her position at Go Stop. My word is final."

Rick remained silent. His lack of response had little to do with defiance. It was a subtle acceptance.

Senior Grimes continued, "There's an old saying about don't shit where you cook and eat. Monday, pack up your desk. Move what you have to the eighth floor. My office will be ready for you."

Senior Grimes waited for pushback. He received none. He continued to prod, "Is it official, or are we still putting on an act of denial?"

"We've had the talk every day. Michonne is pretty superstitious, which has rubbed off on me, I guess."

"How much does she know?"

"She was suspicious at first. When I had invited her to my apartment for the first time and coming here."

"Hmm."

"Crazy thing is that we started out pretty rocky for a minute. Michonne and I did not hit it off in the beginning. At all. She got under my skin with her accusatory looks. When we started being paired up was when things began to change. But I have never had to confirm nor deny anything. Other than you aren't a gangster or a high-level card-carrying mob member."

This had made Rick's Dad laugh heartily. A sound that was rare and genuine. "I'm beginning to like her more and more."

Rick began to smile at hearing his Dad's roundabout approval.

"Your mother believes you two are more than what you say you are."

"Mom has been under that belief for a while. If we were dating, there wouldn't be any hesitation in admitting it at this point."

"Well, your mother is pretty excited. This is the third time you've brought Michonne around. Not to mention, how the idea of an African American daughter in law has your mother giddy!"

"What is it with you two? I have now gone from dating Michonne, to one-day marrying, Michonne?"

"Progression, son. Progression. How do you think I've ended up with your mother? Getting to that point is effortless."

Senior's attention indicated they were being joined by the two women they were discussing.

"Ahh, refreshments. Thank you, sweetheart." Senior verbalized his appreciation to his wife Ella.

Rick turned his head to be smack dab with his drink. A large freshly made smoothie that he hadn't ask for. He wanted just a plain lemonade or long island ice tea. He stared up at her and she stared right back at him.

"Umm?" Rick was hesitant.

"Taste it and tell me what you think?"

Rick did as he was instructed. Rick sipped from the already used straw.

"What do you think?" Michonne asked.

Rick handed the drink back to Michonne, relieved she did have his Long Island Ice tea that had been practically gulped from at some point during her short walk from the kitchen to where he sat. He didn't necessarily mind, but he gave Michonne a pointed look to inform her they were being obvious and she couldn't blame him later. He felt the need to tease her because of how transparent they were both being. They were very comfortable with each other. "Did you know we are going to get married, Michonne?"

"How is that possible if we aren't dating?"

Rick patted the lounger that he was on for Michonne to sit next to him. This was something she was going to need to take sitting down with him and not on the lounger on the other side of him. Side by side. Once his mother stopped flitting about on the lounger with his Dad, Rick was more than ready to broach this particular topic in front of important witnesses.

"I think this is the best time to make it official, Michonne. I am and have been exclusively dating you for a while now. I don't foresee an end in sight between us and our friendship. I really look forward to continuing dating you."

"Are we coming out in front of your parent's Rick?" Michonne was completely caught off guard.

"Yes."