Mending Fences - Chapter 12: "A Brighter Day"

Abe and Rick were driving to the hospital in silence. Abe knew Rick was worried about his wife and son. There are no words of comfort that anyone can offer a parent who almost or could have lost their child. Abe could remember the way in which his parents, especially his mother hovered over him constantly after he almost drowned as a child.

This anguish will be ten times worst for Rick as he was absent from his children's lives unjustly for three years. Logan was practically a baby when Rick was taken from him and now that they have reconnected for only a few months, it would have killed both Rick and Michonne if Logan had died. Luckily, that is not the case. He tried to offer Rick some solace still.

"Logan's going to be alright man."

"Yeah, but I can't help thinking 'what if?'

"Don't even go there. I know what that kind of thinking does to a parent. I see you heading down the same path as my parents, especially my mother. She didn't let me out of her sight. I knew all she wanted to do is protect me but my life was a nightmare after that. Just cherish the fact that he is still here with you."

Rick's phone rang and he answered it immediately. It was Michonne. Abe heard faint crying.

"What's wrong babe?! Is Logan ok?!"

She said something inaudible that Abe couldn't understand but he saw the muscles in Rick's face relaxed so he didn't assume the worst. Rick nodded a few times.

"We are on our way back to the hospital. I texted Carol, told her what happened. She's going to pick up Sophia and Carl from the movies and take them home. Is there anything you or Logan need?"

Michonne spoke.

"Okay. We'll be there in 20 minutes. I love you."

She reciprocated then Rick hung up.

"What's going on?"

Rick sank low in his seat and closed his eyes.

"Logan got eight stitches…he's fine."

"That's good news!"

"It is."~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

At the hospital, after one last check-up Glen gave Logan the all clear to go home. Rick thanked Glen who told him that if Maggie was feeling better, they would pass by for a visit. On the way home, Abe looked at Rick in the front passenger seat as he was looking at Michonne, Judith, Andre and Logan in the back. Logan was cradled protectively in Michonne's lap, one arm around him and the other holding Andre and Judith close to her. She was looking out the window.

"Stop the car Abe."

Michonne looked at him as Abe pulled over. Rick got out and opened the back door.

"Rick?" Michonne was clearly confused.

"Give me Logan. You are not doing this by yourself."

Michonne gingerly got out of the car and gently gave a sleeping Logan to him. He walked around to the other side.

"Get in."

She did. Andre and Judith now sat between their parents. Judith then sat on Michonne's lap and Rick pulled her closer to him. They huddled together. Abe smiled as he pulled back on to the road. He put his foot harder on the gas to get them home.*************

It was late evening when Abe pulled up in the Grimes driveway. Morgan and Carol were already there, sitting on the front porch waiting for them. Rick got out with Logan and Michonne, Andre and Judith followed. Carol and Morgan rushed towards them…Carol reaching out to Michonne hugging her, then Andre and Judith. Morgan offered to take Logan to his room which Rick gladly accepted. Abe came out of the car and everyone went inside.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Carol and Morgan left for home but Abby, Isaiah and Gwen begged to stay at Uncle Rick's. Michonne said that it was ok so Carol and Morgan agreed. Abe took out a cold beer for both himself and Rick. When Rick came downstairs Abe gave him one and he took two big gulps. Soon after, Michonne came into the kitchen.

"Hey."

"Logan just got up. He wants to sleep with us tonight. Do you mind?"

"Of course not!"

He hugged and kissed her. Michonne hugged Abe.

"Thanks for everything…especially keeping Rick out of trouble today."

Abe hugged her back.

"No problem."

They watched as Michonne headed back upstairs.

"You are so blessed man."

"I know." Rick was smiling.

"Are you sure Michonne doesn't have any sisters?"

"I'm positive." Rick said laughing. Abe shook his head.

"Such a damn shame."

Both men burst out laughing as they looked at the children in the living room chatting loudly. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Finally after 2 hours, everyone had gone to bed. Rick and Abe retired to the porch to talk privately. They have only been sitting for 10 minutes when Abe broke the silence and asked the question that he knew was on both their minds.

"You think Logan's attack had something to do with you getting out?"

"I have been thinking about that all day. I think it does but what I don't understand is why after so many months. It's been four months and I haven't done or said anything to indicate that I will be looking into how and why I was setup. What's the motivation?"

"You being out is the motivation. Remember…you could have gone to prison for 25 years Rick! That's a long time. Michonne was the cause of you getting only 3 years and she was attacked for it."

"What happened to Michonne wasn't right but she's an adult. Logan's a baby! How can you attack a f*cking baby?!"

"They are trying to provoke you Rick. They want you to do something stupid to get sent back in. Someone is still after you even after all this time. We have to look at your case asap. Clearly, there is something that they don't want you to see or find."

"You know what's funny? I was actually thinking about leaving well alone. I had served my time, Michonne had forgiven me, my family was whole again and I was working and supporting my family. Even after I found out about the attack on Michonne, I had resigned myself to the fact that it was my fault. I wasn't going to pursue this but then some f*cker decides to go after my kid?! No! I'm not letting that go. We are going to find him and I am going to hurt him…really really badly. No one puts their hand on my children! No one is going to have Michonne crying her eyes out sick with worry over our children. I will slit throats for that!"

"I'll pass by tomorrow and drop off your case file. I'll make a copy for myself so that I can read and make notes. Then Monday, we'll be going full speed ahead on this. This family have suffered enough. You have suffered enough."

Abe stood up, draining the last of the liquid from the bottle. Rick took the empty bottle from him and shook his hand. Abe then left.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Rick slowly walked up the stairs and as he walked down the corridor, he checked each bedroom. In Carl's room, instead of fighting for bed space, Carl, Isaiah and Andre threw their pillows on the floor with spread sheets beneath them. He chuckled at the three bodies, lying in all directions, snoring loudly. He closed the door moving on the next bedroom.

In the next room, he was surprised to see Sophia, Abby and Gwen huddled up nice and snuggling on the queen size bed in room. Justin Beiber was playing softly on a CD player on the nightstand. He quietly entered the room and turned it off and closed the door.

When he opened the door to the third bedroom, he became concerned when he saw that the bed was empty. Where's Judith? He checked under the bed and she wasn't there. He rushed to his bedroom and a smile spread across his face. There she was, along with Michonne with Logan between them.

It warmed his heart to see the youngest Grimes being so fiercely protected by his barely older sister and mother. He walked in and planted kisses first on Judith, then Logan then Michonne. Michonne stirred slightly but she didn't wake up. Suddenly, he realized that there was no room on the bed for him.

He smiled, closing the door behind him and went into Andre and Logan's room. He climbed into Andre's bed and before he knew it, he was fast asleep.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Later that night, a warm body snuggled next to Rick. He pulled the body close to him.

"Why didn't you sleep with us?"

Michonne nuzzled her face into his chest.

"I came in late...didn't want to wake you guys up. Besides, the bed was really crowded."

"It wasn't that crowded."

"Hmmm."

Michonne threw her leg across Rick's.

"Did I tell you I love you recently?"

"No." Michonne yawned.

"Well I love you."

Michonne kissed Rick deeply.

"I love you too. Now stop talking and get some sleep. We have 8 kids to deal with tomorrow."

"Yes ma'am."~*~~*~*~*~*~*

Rick left Michonne sleeping and went downstairs. All the children were there and wide awake…Carl, Sophia, Andre, Judith, Logan, Abby, Gwen and Isaiah. The house was full of chatter and Logan was the center of attention as he showed off the stitches he got.

"Chicks dig scars."

Sophia rolled her eyes at Isaiah.

"Did you really just say that to my baby brother? Chicks dig scars?"

"It's true!"

Andre, Gwen and Judith were in the kitchen making breakfast.

"Even if that was true, he would have to shave his entire head for them to see it."

"Whatever!"

Carl had just walked back into the house smelling like freshly cut lawn. Logan went into the kitchen to help make breakfast while Isaiah and Sophia went into the laundry room to start doing the laundry. Carl was the only person who noticed Rick standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Good morning dad. Lawn's cut."

Carl passed him and went upstairs to shower. Rick saw Gwen supervising Judith as she attempt to make French toast and Andre was letting Logan break eggs into a bowl to make a giant omelette. Realizing that everything was under control, Rick quickly raced back upstairs unseen by the others. He snuggled back in bed behind Michonne.

"Is everything ok?

She looked at him sleepily.

"Everything's fine. The kids got this."~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Rick decided to let Michonne stay in bed for the day while he handled the kids. Carol and Morgan dropped by to drop off lunch and through much begging on the children's part and Rick consenting, Abby, Isaiah and Gwen was allowed to sleep over again and to go to school from Rick's house. Rick didn't mind because he liked having a house full of kids. Abby and her siblings said that they would borrow clothes from their cousins to go to school.

Soon after carol and Morgan left, Abe dropped by to bring the file for Rick. He stayed for half an hour and had brought ice-cream for Logan which brought out the jealousy in Judith. She made him promise that he next time he owed her ice-cream. When Abe left, he took up lunch for himself and Michonne to eat in their room. He took the case file with him.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Michonne smelt when Rick walked in the room. They had moved to their own bedroom during the day.

"That smells good."

She sat up on the bed and he put down a plate in front of her. It was lasagna, barbecue steak and fresh salad. She eyed him.

"They kids didn't make this."

Rick laughed.

"No. Carol dropped by."

He handed the files to her as she began to dig in.

"What's this?"

She turned it over and read the file.

"Oh."

"You don't seem pleased."

"No. I'm not."

"I was willing to let this whole thing go Michonne. You know that. I had my family back. I had you back but then some dumb f*ck put their hands on my son….our son. That's not gonna slid by just like that."

Rick sat beside her on the bed.

"I wasn't there to protect you when those pigs attacked you in front of our daughter.."

"Rick.."

"Please…hear me out."

He took Michonne's hands in his.

"Abe dealt with those people who hurt you. Now I'm going to deal with the f*cks who hurt Logan. You know why? Because nobody…nobody touches you and my children. These people made you cry. That is unforgivable."

Michonne said nothing.

"What going to stop them from coming after Carl or Andre or Sophia or Judith?! No. I have to do this!"

"Okay." She said quietly.

"Tell me what you are thinking."

"Promise me that if this gets too dangerous or if I tell you to back off…you will. I don't want to lose you again Rick. I don't want the children to have another three years without their father. That's not optional."

"I promise."

Michonne began opening the file but Rick stopped her.

"Not today. Let's just focus on our family okay. Today is a much brighter day than yesterday. I just want to savour it."

"Sounds good to me!"

She leaned in to kiss him then stopped….shaking her head.

"No way. Too many kids in the house."

Rick laughed and pulled her down on the bed to snuggle.

"Talking about kids. Do you want anymore?"

Michonne thought about the question.

"Yes…I have thought about having more kids. Why?"

"Nothing...just curious."

"Do you want more kids?"

A grin appeared on his face.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was Monday morning and Carol came over early in the minivan to take the children to school. She and Michonne had a brief chat while she waited for them to get ready. Half an hour later, Carol drove off with a van full of noisy children. Rick walked downstairs ready to go to work. Logan was at the kitchen counter eating scrambled eggs and Michonne was opposite him drinking some orange juice. She saw the files in his hand and said nothing.

"What are your plans for today?"

"I'm gonna pass through the hospital and check on a few things. After that I have no clue. I'm still on vacation remember?"

"Hmmm."

Rick kissed Michonne on the cheeks but what he really wanted to do is kiss her full on the lips while spreading her out on the counter for the taking. However innocent eyes and ears are around so he had to keep his inner animal at bay. He kissed Logan on the head.

"Have a nice day. Both of you."

"You too."

"You too daddy." Rick left the house.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Rick arrive in the office and the first thing he heard was Abe swearing in his office.

"What's going on?"

The receptionist shook her head.

"He's been cursing for the past 10 minutes."

Rick put his bag down and went into Abe's office.

"F*ck!" Abe shouted as he put down the phone.

"What's going on?"

"I have to go to the hospital. One of my clients husband almost beat her to death. They are taking her to the hospital right now. You coming?!"

"Yes."

Both men bolted out of the door.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Rick and Abe arrived at the hospital Abe's client Nicole Oliver was already brought in. the doctors including Glen was working on her frantically to try and stabilize her condition. As they stood outside the hospital room they were horrified by what they saw. It looked like the woman was used like a punching bag by a MMA fighter. There was blood everywhere.

They listened as Glen called off the list of injuries to his tape recorder…shattered cheekbone, fractured nose and jaw, dislocated shoulder, broken ribs, punched lungs…. They stepped away from hearing anymore details. Glen's words were cut through by a screaming woman who just ran through the hospital front door.

"Nicole! Nicole!"

The woman ran past the security guard straight to the nurse's station.

"Where is Nicole Oliver?! I need to see her!"

The nurse pointed down the corridor towards Rick and Abe's direction and in seconds the woman was standing next to them looking in the room.

"Oh my god!"

Very soon, two police officers came up and tried to remove the woman from the room. She fought them fiercely..kicking, slapping and punching them.

"She's my friend! I have to be here!" She screamed at them.

One of the officers took out his handcuffs. Rick and Abe who have been watching the scene unfold have had enough. They approached carefully.

"Is that really necessary?"

One of the officers twisted the woman's arm and she cried out.

"Hey!" Abe shouted at them.

They stopped and looked at him. One of the officers put his hand on his gun and Abe put his hands in the air. Rick stood firmly at his side.

"This woman is clearly grieving. Just cut her some slack. Her friend is hurt."

The officers looked around and saw the people gathering around them...most had disapproving looks on their faces.

"Look..me and my friend here use to be cops. We know what it's like. We are both PIs now and we work with the PD."

Abe and Rick show them their IDs.

"Release her in our custody just for today until things cool down. I promise we will keep her out of trouble..out of your hair."

The officers looked at each other.

"Fine! She's yours for the next eight hours but if she tries anything she going down to the station for booking."

"Sure."

The officers released the woman who rushed past Abe and Rick to the window of the hospital room. She just stared into the room crying, not even acknowledging them.

"You're welcome." Rick murmured.

Abe just stared at the woman...curiosity written all over his face.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Glen emerged from the room. The woman rushed up to him.

"Is she okay?! Is Nicole ok?!"

Glen looked at the woman, then at Rick and Abe over her shoulder. They shrugged.

"Is Nicole ok?!" The woman asked again..impatiently.

"And you are?"

"I'm Nicole's best friend. I'm Sasha. Sasha Elvin."