Mending Fences – Chapter 15: "The Beginning"

A week has passed since Michonne discovered that she was being followed and took photos of the van that was tailing her. Carl, Sophia, Andre, Judith and Logan have all gotten new cell phones, equipped with new numbers and tracking devices compliments to Abe and his connections. Rick and Michonne have also gotten new cell phones as well with tracking devices that coordinates with each other and with the children's phone.

All the locks in the house were changed and security cameras were set up around the perimeter outside the house. Michonne had arranged for a temporary hospital administrator to take her place until further notice as well as taking and picking up the children from school. Rick has noticed how paranoid Michonne have been for the week, almost to the point of panicky but has made it a point of not showing how frightened she was infront of the children.

He saw it especially when the cameras were being installed and again when they made a grocery run and bought bulk supplies. When they were in the supermarket, she called the children every hour on the hour to know their location despite seeing it via GPS on her phone. Rick couldn't help but feel responsible for her fears…if he had only listened to her, things would have been so different.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The night was quiet and the children were fast asleep. Rick watched with pleasure as Michonne's body with knees wide apart, shuddered through her third intense and heavy orgasm. She made no sound except for small stifled gasps as tears trickled through closed eyelids. Watching her broke his resolve to stand firm and he sank himself deeper into her. He too went into paroxysm, latching his lips unto her breast to stifle his own whimpers as he bathes her womb with his seeds. A full five minutes had passed before their breathing was in sync…gazing in each other eyes.

"I see you worrying."

"I have reason to."

"There is something that could make you feel alittle better."

Michonne squinted her eyes at him and watched as Rick unhappily withdrew himself out of her. He walked straight to their closet and then back to the bed with a black metal box. Michonne instantly knew what it was. Rick reached into the side draw and retrieved a key. After fitting himself snuggly between her legs again he opened the box to reveal a black 9mm and three fifteen round clips. They looked at each other briefly.

"You should start carrying this."

Rick handed her the gun and beamed with pride as Michonne inserted one of the clips, chambering a round immediately. Michonne kissed him gently on his lips.

"Abe has arranged for some refresher courses in case you feel you need it."

Michonne grinned. She remembered when she first held a gun in her hands. It was soon after her and Rick got married and she had just discovered that she was two months pregnant with Carl. When she told him that they were expecting, he immediately took her to a shooting range and taught her how to shoot and she had gotten quite good at it.

"Ok."

Rick saw the look on her face.

"What?"

"What about the children?"

"What about them?" When Rick saw Michonne's raised eyebrows his eyes enlarged. "I am not giving my kids guns!"

"Jesus Christ Rick! I'm not crazy but they do need some kind of personal protection. Sophia and Andre could have tasers. Carl, however is old enough to atleast know how to use a gun. He's 15. He could come with me to the gun range when I practice."

"Firstly, tasers are illegal for anyone under 15 years and secondly, Carl maybe 15 but that still doesn't make me feel any more comfortable about him having a gun."

Michonne began massaging Rick's head to calm him down.

"The law isn't going to protect us Rick. Yes, tasers are illegal but I am not going to leave my children defenceless. Who is going to know they have tasers anyway? They sure wouldn't. Carl is 15 and I am not saying we give him a gun, just teach him how to use one. Big difference."

She gave Rick her puppy eyes.

"You know I'm right about this."

Taking the gun from her hand and putting it on the night stand Rick pulled himself up over Michonne and started nibbling her ear.

"I know." He whispered as he slipped inside of her again. She gasps.

"Saddle up cowboy." Michonne giggled giddily as Rick began making strong deep strokes in her. Suddenly she froze.

"What?!"

"I forgot to take my birth control pills!"

With everything that has been going on for the past week, sex was the furthest thing from their minds and as a result she totally forgot about taking her pills. Giving her two more deep strokes and drawing a whimper out of her, Rick quickly pulled out, savagely ripped open a condom packet from in the draw with his teeth and in seconds it was on and he was back inside of her. Michonne wrapped her legs around his waist and they began another round of deep, deep ricking.~*~*~*~*~*~*

Abe pulled up at the address that Sasha had given him to where she lived. Since Nicole's death and her ex is nowhere to be found, Caleb, Nicole's son has been in the care of Sasha. The funeral is tomorrow and with all the running around she has had to do, she didn't have the time to pack up all of Nicole's stuff until yesterday. However, she found it to be very overwhelming and asked Abe if he could help her, which he happily agreed. Abe parked in the drive way and walking up the path, he knocked on the front door.

"Coming!" a voice called out and a minute later Sasha opened the door. "Hi."

"Hi." Abe said shyly.

"Come in."

Sasha stepped aside and Abe walked into the modest home. There he saw Caleb sitting at the kitchen table with a plate of fruits infront of him. He walked up to the child and gently ruffled his hair. The child smiled up at him. When he turned around he saw Sasha looked away quickly.

"Upstairs. Third door on the left. I'll come up when I'm finished feeding Caleb."

Abe nodded and went upstairs.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Half an hour later when Sasha pushed through the door, she was shocked at how much headway Abe had make in packing away Nicole's things. Abe hadn't heard her entry so she just stood there watching him. Nicole had talked a lot about Abe, about he goes above and beyond for his clients, how he helped her in her divorce from her violent ex-husband Jason by providing proof of his infidelity, how he also helped her get a restraining order against Jason for harassment and stalking her and their son and even got an apartment for them to live in.

Sasha had asked Nicole repeatedly to move in with her so that she and Caleb wouldn't be alone but Nicole wanted to be independent and live life on her own. She was able to convince her though to atleast spend weekends at her house which Nicole surprisingly agreed to. Unfortunately, in the end, Jason found Nicole at her house and he killed her. Abe turned around to see Sasha smiling at her.

"What?"

"Nothing." She said as she walked towards him and started pulling boxes out into the corridor. Abe saw the look of deep melancholy on her face. He reached out and touched her hand.

"Everything will be alright. I promise."

Sasha put her hand over his.

"I know. Thank you for being here."

Abe smiled.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was now 10am on Saturday and the day of Nicole's funeral. Rick came to represent the Grimes family and Abe thanked him. Nicole's funeral was small - Nicole's parents Augustus and Mary Oliver, her brothers Trevor and Mark Oliver, Sasha, Caleb, Abe and Rick. Sasha planned the funeral and it was beautiful. Abe stood close to Sasha and several times both her and Abe caught Nicole's parents staring at them from the other side of the procession.

Caleb had grown tired and was now sleeping comfortably in Sasha's arms. Forty-five minutes later, the small crowd watched as Nicole's coffin was slowly lowered into her final resting place. It was done.

"Thank you for coming. Both of you. I know Nicole would have appreciated it."

"My wife sends her condolence." Rick replied.

"Thank you."

Rick grinned to himself as he watched Abe smile broadly at Sasha.

"You're welcome."

Abe looked passed Sasha's shoulder, the smile disappearing. She turned around to see Mary Oliver approaching her. Nicole's father Augustus and brothers Trevor and Mark looked on nearby. Both ladies looked at each in an uncomfortable silence.

"Thank you for coming." Sasha said tightly. Mary only nodded, her eyes fixed on her sleeping grandson in Sasha's arms. The woman glanced briefly at Abe who only sternly observed her, making her shift uncomfortably on her feet.

"Can I hold him?"

"No. He's tired and sleeping."

The woman looked disappointed.

"Now that Nicole's gone I think Caleb should come live with us."

"Why? We both know that is not what Nicole would have wanted."

"We are the only family he had left now that his father…." Mary's words trailed off.

"Say it Mrs Oliver! Say it!" Sasha said seething.

Abe placed his hand in small of her back and Sasha swallowed hard, trying to compose herself.

"You wanted her to marry Jason. She told you about the abuse and you encouraged her to stay because of the money he was lining in your pockets. All she wanted to do was to please you. When she finally had the courage to leave that monster did you support her? No!"

Caleb began stirring in her arms and Sasha rubbed small tight circles on his back to calm him. He soon settled back down.

"You know what? I'm not doing this here with you."

Sasha walked off towards her car with Abe and Rick following her. She put Caleb in the back seat and closed the door.

"The nerve of that woman!"

"Don't let them get to you." Abe advised.

"I'll try not to. I think I will take Caleb home. He needs to rest and I need to figure out how I'm going to explain to him that his mother is never coming back. He has been asking for her."

"Just tell him the truth as simply and gently as you can."

"Telling him the truth and him actually understanding the truth are two different things Abe."

"True. When you do decide to tell him, do you want me to be there? I could help explain things to him when you become too overwhelmed."

Sasha looked at Abe surprised. She didn't know what to say.

"Or not." Abe added, feeling that he had overstepped his boundaries.

"No…I mean yes! It would be nice having someone else there to help me explain things to Caleb."

She reached out and held his hand.

"Thank you Abraham."

"Just Abe…please."

"Abe."

Both Abe and Sasha smiled at each other.

"I better go."

"Call or text me when you when you reach home."

"Will do."

Sasha drove off. Abe looked at grinning Rick.

"What?!"

"You are so f*cked!" Rick laughed.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sasha had just pulled up in her driveway and got a sleeping Caleb out of the back seat. She walked up to her door and saw a letter partially sticking out from underneath it. She pulled the envelope out completely with her foot and bent down picking it up. Recognising the name and address on the brown envelope she tore it open and read it. She quickly got back into her vehicle and drove off.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Abraham was parking his car when his neighbour Ms Hycinth called out to him. He walked over to her porch where she handed him a brown envelope.

"What's this?"

"Some guy in a suit came looking for you. You weren't home so he left it with me. Said to give it to you as soon as possible."

Abe looked at the address on the envelope but didn't recognize it. He opened it and quickly skimmed through it frowning. The letter was requesting an audience with him as soon as possible.

"Thanks." He said to Ms Hycinth and walked off.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sasha sat anxiously with Caleb on her lap in an office that she had only visited once before. She was nervous as the letter was vague and she didn't like surprises. She ruffled Caleb's hair as he drank his orange juice quietly. The door opened as Abe walked in. They looked at each other for a couple seconds stunned.

"What are you doing here?"

"I got a letter urging me to come. You?"

Abe held up his envelope.

"Oh."

Abe had barely sat down when Mr Williamson walked into the room.

"Sorry that I am late. I had to move some things around to accommodate this meeting." He looked at Sasha. "Do you remember me Ms Elvin?"

"I remember coming to this office some time ago but I am afraid I don't remember you. Sorry."

Mr Williamson smiled.

"It's ok." He looked at Abe who was looking at him curiously. "Don't worry Mr Ford. We definitely have never met."

"Why are we here?" Sasha asked.

"I represented Ms Oliver in certain private matters and she has instructed me to contact the both of you in the event of her death. But first, is there any news on Jason?"

"He's missing. That's all we know."

"How unfortunate." He murmured. He pulled out a letter desk. "I have to read this before I tell you the real reason you are here." Mr Williamson began.

'Sasha…you are my best friend and I am sorry I didn't listen to you sooner. The fact that this letter is being read to you means that I lost my battle against Jason and I am dead. I don't want you to cry for me as they say death is just the beginning of a new life. I know we will meet again but I hope it not too soon.'

'You were only one of two persons who ever looked out for me and cared enough to seek my best interest and that of my son. The person sitting next to you is Abe. He is the man I have been begging you to go on a blind date with for months but you vehemently refused saying that he could be an axe murderer or kidnapper or something.'

Sasha sank low in her chair mortified that Nicole just ousted their private conversation with the subject matter sitting mere inches away from her. She turned to Abe and gave him a small smile to hide her embarrassment.

"Axe murderer huh?" Abe asked smirking at her. Mr Williamson continued reading.

'Now that you too have met you can judge for yourself and come to your own conclusions about him but I can assure you that you guys were made for each other. Both of you are strong willed and opinionated and I foresee that you will be bumping heads a lot. You both are also kind and sweet and will protect the ones you love fiercely.

In the event that I am wrong in my match making skills and you too don't get together, don't be afraid to lean on him Sasha. Abe is and will be a good support system for you in some challenging times ahead. He was there for me in my dire times of need and I know that he will do the same for you. Hence I ask one last thing of you and I hope that you will accept. I love you both and promise me that you will look out and take care of each other.'

Mr Williamson put down the letter and pulled out two folders, each had Abe's and Sasha's name written on it. He opened it and pushed it infront of them.

"What is this?" Sasha asked cautiously.

"This is documentation giving the both of you legal guardianship over Caleb."

Sasha's jaw dropped opened wide and Abe's eyes damn near popped out of his head.

"Caleb needs a mother and father and Nicole couldn't think of two people more suited for this role. Nicole always knew that if she died it would be at Jason's hands so she started making certain provision in case it did happen. Now that her worst fears have come through she wants Caleb safe and away from his father. She also doesn't want her parents to raise him either. Sasha…this shouldn't come as a total surprise to you. Nicole always talked about you. She saw you as a sister and Caleb is already familiar with you so the transition from 'Aunt' to mother shouldn't be too hard."

Mr Williamson now turned to Abe.

"As for you, Nicole told me that you have had some contact with Caleb but not much."

Abe nodded still stunned.

"Nicole also said that Caleb had taken to you, something that she said is rare."

Abe was finally able to speak.

"I like the kid."

"Hmmmm. So it could be settled then? All you have to do is sign the papers and I could begin filing the application in the court for the adoption process."

Neither Sasha or Abe said anything.

"I know this is a lot to process and you will need some time to think about it but this is time sensitive."

"What do you mean?"

"It means that although Jason is the one who killed Nicole and he's on the run, the courts will still recognise his legal rights as Caleb's biological father and he could fight you for custody. If you sign the documents I could file it first thing Monday morning. Once the papers are in and process has begun Jason could still fight but the process will be alittle harder for him."

"What about Nicole's parents?"

"Well they are Caleb's biological grandparents and can also sue you for legal custody."

"Will they be able to take him?"

"Truthfully, they have a better chance overall of getting Caleb over Jason but Nicole has clearly written in documentation that she doesn't want them to raise Caleb. She specifically named both you and Mr Ford to be Caleb's parents."

"Ok."

"Look the most important thing is is to get the paperwork in before the courts before Nicole's parents or Jason files. It will greatly improve your chances of keeping him. But I must warn you…it could get ugly so be prepared to fight if this is what you want."

He looked at Abe and Sasha.

"I'll give you guys sometime to think about it."

He stepped out of the room. The room was deafeningly quiet. Sasha looked down at Caleb but didn't realize that Abe was looking at her.

"We use to joke about it, me taking care of Caleb should something happen to her. I used to tell her that she will be around to raise her son. I didn't know she was serious about it. I didn't know that she actually made plans. She didn't even tell me."

Sasha starting sobbing softly and Abe pushed his chair next to hers and pulled her close to comfort her. Caleb climbed unto Abe lap and sat down quietly.

"What are you thinking?" Sasha asked.

"Truth be told, I'm scared. I've been taking care of myself since I left my parents' house at the age of 18 years old and I never looked back. I have had a couple of part-time girlfriends along the way but none of them have ever stuck around long enough for us to have a kid. I wouldn't know what to do."

"I could show you."

There was a pause and Sasha was beginning to get worried.

"Then I am willing to learn."

Sasha sat up, surprised.

"Really?!"

Abe saw the excitement and hope in Sasha's face and he was happy that he could do that for her.

"Yes."

Sasha threw her hands around Abe's neck and hugged him tightly. Then she kissed him several times on the cheek, dangerously close to his lips. Abe was tempted to turn his face so one of those kisses could accidently land on his lips but he resisted. There is no doubt that he was attracted to Sasha. He liked her but now that they are embarking on this journey of being parents, romance needs to take a back burner so that he could dedicate himself and learn all he can about raising a child. When Mr Williamson walked back into the office and saw the look on Sasha's face, he assumed that things was going to work out.

"Is it safe to assume that you both agree to fulfil Nicole's request?"

Sasha nodded excitedly and he pushed the papers infront of them which they signed.

"Good. These will be filed on Monday. Nicole would be very happy if she were here."

He left the office so the future family could bond.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Rick arrived back home after the funeral with a grocery bag full of junk food requests. Andre and Logan were the first to attack the loot. Rick quickly secured Michonne's ice – cream and retreated upstairs. He pushed the door open to find a sleeping Michonne waywardly sprawled off on the bed. His case file was opened, with some of the documents on the bed next to her and others clutched in her hand on her belly. He gathered all the papers together and covered her. With the file in hand he went over to the small work space in the room, sat down on the sofa and began reading in depth all the notes she had made.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Five years ago.

Rick, Captain Fletcher, Detectives Bruce and Amoroso looked on at the burnt and mutilated bodies of two men in Snake Alley. The stench was unbearable in the 12 midday sun. They had received an anonymous call about two bodies just being dumped and fifteen minutes later they arrived.

"So what do you have for me?" A voice called out from behind them. It was Aaron Mc Intyre, their forensic scientist. They stepped aside to give him room to pass. They watched as Aaron stooped down and examine the bodies.

"We need an ID doc. Check their pockets for wallets."

Aaron turned and looked at them sarcastically.

"Are you kidding me right now? What pockets and what wallets? In case you haven't noticed, these guys are crispy…well done. Their clothes are their skins now. You need dentals to identify these poor bastards."

Aaron waved and two men dressed in white pushed past the detectives with two body bags. Ten minutes later Rick and the others were following Aaron back to the forensics lab.

"Who do you think it is?"

"I don't want to speculate. Let's just wait for the lab results."~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The officers looked on carefully as Aaron applied all the various chemicals to the piece of fresh he had taken off for DNA testing. Ten minutes later the machine printed out the results and after he briefly looked at it, he handed it over to the captain. Rick and the other officers crowded around him…their eyes widened as they looked at each other.