Mending Fences – Chapter 17: "New Life"

Rick chuckled to himself when he thought about the conversation he had with Abe about children. Abe was finally becoming a father and he was happy for him. Rick had in the past seen the looks of longing whenever Abe visited Michonne after the birth of each of their children and he held them in his arms.

Abe was a big hearted guy and he often wondered why he could never find the girl of his dreams. He had many girlfriends and one serious relationship in his life…Peggy. So when Abe told him that he was going to be a father he automatically concluded that it must have been her. They were together for five years.

Michonne was pregnant with Judith, when Abe and Peggy broke up. He showed up at their house drunk as a skunk and cursing Peggy's name. Abe wanted kids but Peggy kept insisting that she wasn't ready. He then made the ghastly mistake of comparing her to Michonne saying that Michonne had had her first child at aged 20 years old.

That didn't help his case. However, the love was still there between them at the time as they went back and forth, hooking up then breaking up many times. They even went as far as trying to spite each other by seeing other people in between their brief break ups.

Now, he's about to be a father, something he has always wanted and maybe he could be getting a companion as well, someone who wants to be parent just like him. He knows that Abe likes Sasha and she him…they will just have to wait and see how it works out and hopefully it does for everyone.

Rick left his children scattered on the sofa and on the floor sleeping, tired from watching movies. He went upstairs and when he entered their bedroom, Michonne was stirring. Rick stood at the door looking at her. He was beginning to worry. Michonne have been sleeping a lot. He slipped into bed behind her.

"Hey…are you ok?"

Michonne turned to him without opening her eyes.

"Are you…."

"No. I'm not pregnant. Took two pregnancy tests awhile ago. It's negative."

"We both know those things are not accurate. Judith and Logan is testament of that."

"I'm not pregnant Rick but I will go to the hospital and take a blood test to make sure."

"Good."

"Is Abe ok?"

"He's great. He's going to be a father."

Michonne's eyes shot open causing Rick to laugh. Michonne smiled.

"Who's the lucky lady?"

"Actually…Nicole, the woman who was beaten to death by her husband left instructions and legal documents with her attorney that if something should happen to her, to make Sasha and Abe her son's legal guardian."

"Adoption?"

"Yeah."

"Wow. And Abe had no idea?"

"No. Neither did Sasha. The attorney contacted them just after Nicole's funeral."

"Abe is probably excited!"

"And scared."

Michonne looked at him puzzled.

"Scared? Why?"

"He doesn't think he will be a good parent."

"Really? He does still want kids right?"

"Yeah. That's why he called. He wanted to know my perspective on being a parent seeing we have five kids."

"And what did you tell him?"

"The truth. Nothing beats being a parent. Of course you have to be in worry and protective mode all the time but when you raise your kids right it's a blessing like no other."

Michonne nodded.

"Of course, having the right partner helps immensely."

He winked at Michonne causing her to blush, showing perfect white teeth.

"My heart skips a thousand beats with joy when I see you blush like that."

"Stop!" Michonne smirked and blushed even harder.

"Just like that!"

Unable to stop blushing, Michonne buried her face in Rick chest. They lay in each other arms enjoying the other's warmth.

"Abe will be a great father. He has practice with ours kids so he has nothing to worry about."

"I told him that too. He will be very protective of Caleb too…guaranteed."

"Just like you." Michonne said softly.

Rick pulled her close feeling their body in sync with each other. He felt Michonne's body relax in his arms. After a couple of seconds, he called her name.

"Michonne?"

He got no response. Gently, he took Michonne's hand in his and bringing it up to his lips, he kissed the wedding band on her finger.

"Sleep well baby."~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Augustus's visit to Sasha's home disturbed her greatly. She checked all the locks on the house twice and made sure all the phones in the house were working. She called Abe but his phone went straight to voicemail so she left several messages.

She also called his office as well and left a message with his secretary and the attorney Mr Williamson and informed him about the menacing visit. He advised her to go to the police with Abe and make an official complaint.

After checking in on Caleb for the umpteenth time in his room, Sasha was in the kitchen making a sandwich when a truck roared into her driveway. She rushed to the window and seeing it was Abe she hurried to the door and opened it for him.

Once inside, she locked both the dead bolts on the front door causing Abe to worry.

"I got your message to call or come urgently. I chose to come. What's wrong?! Is Caleb ok?!"

"Nicole's father was here." Sasha saw the angst rise up in Abe. "He threatened me."

"WHAT?!" Abe roared. "He did what?!"

"Shhhhhh.." Sasha said, moving forward quickly covering Abe mouth. "You'll wake up Caleb. He's sleeping."

Abe stared down in her eyes and he saw her worry but it wasn't for herself. It was for Caleb. He however was worried for both her and their son. Slowly, her hands slipped from his lips. Abe held her close to him and it felt good.

"Did he physically hurt you or Caleb?"

"No."

"What did he say?"

"He wanted to take Caleb home with him, saying that he should be with his grandparents. He also said that Caleb had a father who would want to see him. When I refused and tried to close the front door, he wedged his foot between it and said that it wasn't over. I had to threaten to call the police for him to leave."

Sasha paused to gather her thoughts before continuing.

"I think he's working with Jason. There is no other reason for them to want Caleb so badly. They never took an interest in him except for the money they were getting from Jason. Now that Nicole's gone, their money source had dried up."

Sasha walked away from Abe and began pacing the floor. She was clearly frightened and Abe knew he had to do something. Sasha and Caleb are his responsibility now and he is not taking any chances. He walked up behind her.

"Go upstairs and get Caleb. You are coming to live with me!"

Abe's tone was so forceful and commanding that Sasha was taken aback.

"You have two choices…either both you and Caleb come and live with me or I move in here with the both of you. Personally, I would feel a whole lot better if you came to my house. It's my turf…my domain and I could better protect the both of you there."

Although she was surprised by the suggestion, it was a good idea and she wasn't going to argue with sound logic. Caleb's safety comes first and above all else.

"I need to pack a few things for us."

"No. I know that you can support yourself but I can take care of all you and Caleb's financial needs until you are settled in. We will buy new clothes and anything else for the both of you on the way to my house. Just take the absolute essentials from here…that's it. Just in case anyone comes looking for you and they break into the house, they will see that all your clothes, furniture and everything is here and will not suspect that you don't live here anymore. By the time they do realize what's going on hopefully we will already have fully adopted Caleb as our own and no-one will be able to take him away from us."

Sasha smiled at Abe in awe.

"I see why she chose you to be Caleb father. You are a great choice."

Abe flushed red at the compliment.

"Thank you. She chose a great mother as well."

Sasha smiled and went upstairs to get their son.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sasha and Caleb left her house with just the clothes on their backs and a few essential items and papers for both Caleb and herself. On the way over to Abe's house, Sasha informed him that she had also spoken to Mr Williamson about the situation and he advised that they both go to the police station and made an official complaint.

Abe agreed with the advice and they stopped at the police station where Sasha gave a full statement on what transpired. She gave them the address and description on Augustus and when asked for a number to reach her, should they have any further questions, Abe gave them his contact number instead.

After they left the station, Abe drove to a branch of his bank where he transferred $10,000 on a barely used credit card he had. The card would remain on his name but it would be for Sasha's personal use. When Sasha asked the reason for his action, he explained that her using her own credit card will make it easy for her to be tracked.

After the bank, they drove to the mall where Sasha purchased new clothes for herself and Caleb. Abe realized that she was abit uncomfortable using the money or being in possession of so much money that wasn't hers. As he held Caleb in his arms, he had to reassure her several times that the money is now hers and she could spend it to take care of herself and Caleb.

While Sasha was looking for clothes for Caleb as Abe held them in his arms, he caught a glimpse of their reflection in a large standing mirror next to them. They looked like a real family…a husband with his wife and their son. He looked at the other couples in the store who were also going about their business and they looked just like them.

He looked at Sasha when she showed him an outfit that she picked out for Caleb. He nodded his approval as any 'husband' would do when going shopping with 'wife' and 'son'. Sasha smiled at him and it warmed his heart greatly.

It was then and there that he knew for an absolute certainty that this is what he wanted. He wanted a life with Sasha and he was going to work hard at making it happen. He moved closer to her and began assisting in choosing outfits for Caleb.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was night when Abe, Sasha and Caleb reached at Abe's house.

"Where's the kitchen?"

Abe directed her and Sasha rushed in and started making dinner while Abe, with Caleb in tow, took their shopping bounty to the bedrooms. Ten minutes later, Abe and Caleb returned freshly showered and dressed. When Sasha saw them, she burst out laughing hysterically

"What?!"

"Firstly, Caleb's PJ's are on wrong and secondly, please for the love of God cover your legs! Don't you ever shave?!"

Sasha continued laughing, which caused Caleb to giggle and in turn Abe started laughing as well. He went over to the kitchen, where he put Caleb to sit on the counter and offered to finish cooking dinner while Sasha go and freshen up. Sasha was happy to oblige. He gave her directions to the bathroom and she disappeared up the stairs.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Sasha returned downstairs, she was greeted with the cutest sound and display ever. Keeping herself hidden she watched as Abe tickled Caleb on the kitchen counter and Caleb squealing with delight. After five minutes, she revealed herself.

"I thought you said that you are scared and didn't know how to deal with kids?"

"Well, I don't. Not really. I have been around kids. My friend Rick has five and they are like my nieces and nephews so…"

Abe smiled at her.

"I'm just afraid that I wouldn't know what to do if I have my own."

"Just do what you have been doing around Rick's kids. Just do what you are doing now…with Caleb. He's practically yours."

"Correction. He's ours."

"Yes….yes he is."

Abe reached over and took out three dinner plates. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was 3am when Michonne finally woke up from her deep sleep. She slipped out from Rick's arms and went to check on the kids. Seeing that everyone was tucked in tight she went downstairs and raided the fridge. She was famished. She was halfway through her third veggie sandwich when her cell phone rang. It was Glen. When she answered, she could hear Maggie screaming in the background.

"Glen! Is everything ok?!"

"Yeah. Maggie just went into labour. I just wanted to let you know we are on our way to the hospital right now. I know you can't come given the circumstances. I just wanted to let you know still."

"Thank you Glen. Please keep me posted and give Maggie my love. My prayers are with you guys."

"Thanks. I'll call you with updates."

Glen hung up. Michonne was upset that she couldn't be there for Maggie. This is her first child and she should be there. She ran upstairs and woke Rick up.

"Maggie's going into labour!"

Rick sat up quickly on the bed.

"What time is it?"

"3am."

"Shit! It's still dark and not safe for you to go out there right now and I can't go with you and leave the kids all alone."

"I know!" Michonne said in tears as she hugged Rick. She wanted to be there for Maggie.

"I'll go." He finally said as he wiped her tears. "I'll go and you stay here with the kids."

"Thank you!" Michonne sobbed, kissing him through tears. Rick got dressed quickly and they both headed to the front door. "Call me every ten minutes! I want to know what's going on!"

Rick promised as he pulled out of the driveway.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rick called Michonne three times on his way to the hospital and when he arrived there as well. Maggie was already there. Her screams brought back memories of Michonne's own screams with the birth of his own children, four of whom was born at this very same hospital – Carl, Sophia, Andre and Judith.

Logan however couldn't wait to enter into the world and was born in the same place Michonne is convinced to this day he was conceived…on their living room floor. Michonne didn't cry much for his birth as Logan came fast and furious into the waiting arms of his father under the guidance of his mother. Logan's birth was always his favourite as he got to deliver his own son.

Rick stayed out of the delivery room out of respect and privacy for Maggie and Glen but he stayed outside the door and on the phone with Michonne the entire time. When Rick told her that Maggie delivered a healthy bouncing baby boy she cried as much as Maggie.

With the new parents' permission, Rick took lots of pictures of the newborn and sends it to Michonne. As Carl had told him later when he came downstairs he met his mother in a heaping crying mess on the floor looking at the baby pictures on her phone.

Michonne then briefly spoke to an overjoyed Maggie and an emotional wrecked Glen and promised that she will see them as soon as possible. She then waited for Rick to return home.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~