p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;" /p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Red Signal/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""More." She sighed against my lips as I slid into her heat. Her nails dug into my back and I could feel sweat coating my skin. Michonne was intoxicating; I don't know how I managed to get hard all over again. I wasn't young anymore, yet she made me feel that way./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I kissed her lips, loving the taste of her. Pulling away, my eyes were drawn to the shape of her them, the way she tilts her head back on a gasp when I slid back into her. She was beautiful. Her skin felt so soft beneath my fingers./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It's been a long time since I felt these feelings rolling over me. I felt it all and more the moment she opened her eyes. It was overwhelming. Dipping my head down, I buried my face in her neck inhaling her scent./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Her hands left my back traveling up to my hair; she wrapped her legs tighter around my waist, her hips bucked up against mine, taking every stroke./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"If I could I could do this all night. But every time she clenched around me I got a little closer. Rising to my elbows I looked between us, biting back a groan as I watched myself disappear in her wetness. It sent heat shooting up my spine./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Slipping my hand between us I search for the warm bundle of nerves that made her squirm./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hmmm, Rick." She moaned out my name and I never heard anything so beautiful. She arched against my touch, her taut nipples making me salivate. Just wanting another taste. And another one after./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Her wet heat clenched around my cock, I watch the pleasure capture her. Her eyes fluttered shut and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She fell over the edge and took me with her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick." My face was buried in softness. I felt small nudges and heard a voice calling my name./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick. Wake up." The voice said sounding rushed and earnest. My lids were heavy with sleep but somehow I managed to open them. Squinting at the morning light slipping through my blinds. I can't remember the last time I slept like this. My body felt like a dead weight and everything smelled like her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Michonne./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick!" I jumped up at the pitch of her voice. I ran my hand through my hair watching Michonne storm through my room picking up clothes./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What are you doing?" She was naked and in the day of light, it was a lovely sight. I couldn't help but notice the way her hips would jiggle when she made sudden movements. Like right now, she had her hands on her hips giving me an irritated look./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's ten minutes after ten." She picked up her shirt and slipped it over her head. Concealing the noticeable swell of her stomach./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""At night?" My mind was still groggy. Mornings never made for decent conversation but she stopped to look at me and laughed./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We're late for work and I have to stop by the apartment for clothes." Shit! I got out of bed, suddenly feeling energetic and sporting a hard-on I couldn't get rid of./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We overslept," I said heading over to my closet./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We did," She agreed. "We should've stopped after the first two rounds." Throwing on some pants and squeezing some toothpaste on my brush I could only nod. I knew I wasn't going to get much done today, after last night. I could only blame her for this, she was fucking insatiable. Unfortunately, at some point, I wondered if I could handle her. I spit the toothpaste out my mouth. If people didn't know we were together they would find out today./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You need to eat something," I tell her as she rummaged through her closet looking for something to wear./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We don't have time for that, Rick." The apartment she was in was smaller than I expected, yet it was clean and it felt homey. I looked at the pictures on the wall in her room. Some with her at a few club gatherings at the university, her and Sasha smiling together at the beach./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I stopped in front of a photo of a younger girl that resembled Michonne. There was a woman who stood behind her with her arms wrapped around her neck. They were both smiling. The woman looked so much like Michonne./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"With caution, I took the glass frame off the wall and examined it. The girl couldn't have been older than 12 but she had this blinding smile. There was a look of maturity etched into her features. "We can stop somewhere on the way to work," I tell her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Looking up, she slid on a black dress, zipping it up from the side. "I'm already in big trouble," She looked at the clock behind my head. "Shit!" She cursed searching beneath her bed, pulling out a pair of heels./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Is this you?" I asked showing her the picture I took off the wall as she got up. A wistful look passes her face and she nodded. Taking the glass frame out my hand she put it back on the wall./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We took that when I was twelve," She smiled sadly, "It was her birthday there." She picked up a sweater and I take it from her, helping her shrug it on./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You both seemed close," I observed remembering how happy they looked on that photo./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We were. Happiness can be fleeting." I frowned. Her outlook on things made me sad./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know you said you haven't spoken to her in a while. Is it really because of your career choice?" I asked because there was so much love in her mother's eyes, that kind of love wouldn't push someone away./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I wish there was another reason behind it. It's silly that my mother would be angry that I'm pursuing something I love. Her number's behind that picture but I never used it." I nodded realizing there were two sides of a coin. There's only so much I could understand only knowing Michonne's side of the story. But I'd like nothing more for her to be a part of our child's life. If that was possible./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My hands reached out to cover her stomach. "I haven't told my mother about the baby yet." Michonne looked at me./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""But you are going to are you?" I nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I want you to meet her. It's a long drive but its better if you two met in person." Michonne was silent while I rubbed her stomach./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I will, as long as it's over the weekend." I smiled down at her then she kissed me, her soft full lips touching mine, sending threads of heat through my lips into my body./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Keep this up and you won't make it to work," I mutter against her lips./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She gives me a sensuous smile. "We should leave emProfessor Grimes./em"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Damn./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I saw how everyone kept looking at us after I walked Michonne to her office. As long as they knew I didn't mind the attention. Most of them were lawyers so they knew what to look for. Hell, I even bought her food from the kitchen and made us coffee. And I for one I needed all the caffeine I could get after last night. When I passed her office again that day I wasn't mad when she tossed the coffee out. I just brought her water instead. I knew that dark liquid was disgusting./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Malcolm Anthony Grimes…" I shook my head mentally crossing the name out as I sort through my emails./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""David Philip Grimes." I tested the name, but it just didn't sound right./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Jeff Grimes." I wrote the name down just in case. The line in my office rang. Sighing I leaned over to the next side of my desk./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick Grimes," I answer curtly./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The voice that responded sounded almost timid. "Mr. Grimes," She greeted. "I tried calling earlier but a Mr. Rhee said weren't in as yet." I rubbed my eyebrows. I was late, really late./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm sorry about that. May I ask who's speaking?" The voice sounded faintly familiar./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Jessie. It's Jessie Anderson."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Good afternoon Ms. Anderson. I got your email the other day. How can I help you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's Mrs. Anderson," She corrected, "I wanted to know if we could meet in person. Somewhere without too many people." Leaning back in my chair I looked at the time./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Today?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yes, if that's possible." I meant to take Michonne out to lunch but I suppose she'd understand. Pulling out my phone and running through my schedule, I realized I had enough time for a spontaneous meeting./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Of course, where would you like to meet?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You know the bookstore we met? I'd like us to meet there. It's very convenient." She says. I could only hope I didn't see Negan while I was there./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Of course, that's fine. I'll see you there around two?" I say. It was only an hour from now./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yes, and thank you Mr. Grimes." I bid her farewell and hung up. Her persistence in contacting me told me she wanted this. Whatever that was I was sure to find out soon. I got up and made my way to Michonne's office./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm telling you it's crazy. The man is actually going to scam a company out of millions. The food store isn't in the financial state to be handing something like that over." It was Glenn's voice. They were talking so I knocked before I went in./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Her face lit up. "Rick."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Michonne," I see Glenn staring at us with wide eyes. She got up and hugged me, maybe she was feeling particularly bold or Glenn already knew about us./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hmmm," I rubbed her back, holding her close. "I was going to take you out to lunch but something came up," I tell her after pulling away./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You have an obsession with ensuring I eat on time don't you." I could only shrug./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""My reason behind it is valid." I looked at my watch, "I should be back before four, okay?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yeah, bring me some caramel crackers while you're at it." Going back to her desk she raised up a box, shaking it. "It's empty." I nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I turned to see Glenn still staring at us. "How is the case going? Anything interesting?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He perked up, "Yes actually, I got a closer look at the video and noticed a wet spot on his pants. It was there before the fall." That was intriguing. I had to admit, he had an eye for detail./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""He's onto something with this, Rick." I looked over to Michonne./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Maybe, but he's still representing Mr. Davis."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know, I mean, there as to be a way to win this and expose him."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You still have a few weeks left before the hell-storm starts. Maybe you'll figure it out." Glenn and I had glaring similarities. I had no doubt he'd figure everything out./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I left her office with a smile on my face. I had my briefcase in one hand and my phone in the next. Well on my way down the corridor until I passed the last office on this floor. I only stopped because I heated exchange./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, you really expect me to believe that shit?" The door was only ajar, I didn't need to see inside to recognize that voice./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Baby is gone. You owe me." There was frustration in the woman's voice./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Well, I darling, need proof of that. Otherwise, your words mean nothing. I don't need a little me running around town that doesn't know how to speak fucking English."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Here."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What is this?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Receipts, what you want. You have it."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He chuckled, "You want power don't you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yes."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He coughed, "Rhetoricaaal. If I didn't know the answer I wouldn't have fucked you now would I?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I heard enough. Gregory was the scum of the earth. If he ever laid hands on Michonne... Just the mere thought made my temper flare. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't regret what I did for him./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;".../p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"When I walked into the bookshop I was relieved that I didn't have to deal with Negan. The old woman from my previous visit was shushing a few teens making noise. I looked around hoping to see Mrs. Anderson somewhere. Sure enough, I saw the blonde woman at the back of the shop./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Making my way to her she noticed me and stood up giving me a wide smile. "Mr. Grimes, I'm glad you could make it." We shook hands. "It must've been such short notice, I'm sorry if I caused any problems." I waved her off./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's alright Mrs. Anderson." I took the empty seat in front of her. "Although I must admit it's company policy to go by a schedule. But we all bend some rules when it's needed."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Jessie laughed then I heard a small whimper. I just noticed the stroller tucked beside her seat. "Oh, I'm sorry. He gets rowdy sometimes." Digging in her bag she pulled out a bottle and gave it to the baby. The stroller wasn't facing me so I couldn't see the baby./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's okay, Mrs. Anderson. So why exactly do you need my representation? You don't look like your in legal trouble."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Her back went straight, "I'm not. You know I use to work for Birkely and Robinson's."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"That was surprising. "Really?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I was only an intern. But I was actually offered a contract."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""But you chose not to go back." Her eyes looked sad./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Pete didn't want me to go back."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Pete?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""My husband. After I told him what happened, after we had Ron," She looked in the stroller. "I agreed and I thought it was time to move on from that. And in order to move on, I need a sound mind. And Rick after I met you, I did some research and I know you can help me." She's told me so much and so little at the same time. She really was a lawyer./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you going to tell me?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Only if you agree to help me. I refuse to say anything before you say yes." She crossed her arms./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""With all due respect, I need to know what you need. You may have read many things about me but luck won't always be on my side. If you won't tell me then I can't help you and I can see how much you need my help, Mrs. Anderson." I wondered if she forgot that we were both lawyers./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Her child started making noise but it wasn't loud enough to draw the librarian's attention. She pierced her lips and pulled him out of the stroller./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Can you hold him for a second?" She pushed him into my arms before I could say yes. Jessie started rummaging through the baby's bag. I didn't want to drop him so I sat the baby on my knee./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I was lost, I had no idea how to handle him. He stared up at me, his blue eyes shining. I couldn't help but smile down at him. Holding him filled me with a warm feeling. In a few months, my brown-eyed son would be in my arms./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You have kids of your own?" She handed me a pacifier and I pushed it into the child's mouth. He latched onto it greedily./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Not yet but I'm going to be a father soon." I bounced my knee and his eye's started to close./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Jessie laughed, "I can never get him to do that. Your wife is lucky." I didn't correct her. The old woman was making a fuss over someone. She wouldn't allow them in the shop. But I paid it no mind./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I handed a sleeping baby back to Jessie. "Now, tell me what's wrong so I can help you."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Right," She fell silent. "A little over a year ago I interned at your place of work." I nodded letting her know I was following. "The man who I worked under, he was, persistent. I threw him off, letting him know I was recently married but he didn't care. Sometimes we'd work overtime on a case and nothing happened then things changed. The day Pete dropped me to work and kissed me was the same day he raped me." Suddenly I felt sick./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Taking a deep breath she continued. "It was after hours, we stayed behind late. I told him no. But every time after that I figured since he already had me once what's the point saying no? It went on until the case ended." She looked at her son. "I regret how Ron came to be but I love him. And Pete, he loves him all the same." Tears ran down her cheeks./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Do you have his name?" I asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Will you represent me? I need to see him rot behind bars. Pay for what he did and whoever else he hurt. I know I wasn't the first one. My husband is a doctor so payment won't be an issue."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My response was automatic. "I will but I need a name. If he works in the same building as me I need a name, Mrs. Anderson."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She was quite at first but she gave way. "It's Gregory."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Red Signal/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""More." She sighed against my lips as I slid into her heat. Her nails dug into my back and I could feel sweat coating my skin. Michonne was intoxicating; I don't know how I managed to get hard all over again. I wasn't young anymore, yet she made me feel that way./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I kissed her lips, loving the taste of her. Pulling away, my eyes were drawn to the shape of her them, the way she tilts her head back on a gasp when I slid back into her. She was beautiful. Her skin felt so soft beneath my fingers./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It's been a long time since I felt these feelings rolling over me. I felt it all and more the moment she opened her eyes. It was overwhelming. Dipping my head down, I buried my face in her neck inhaling her scent./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Her hands left my back traveling up to my hair; she wrapped her legs tighter around my waist, her hips bucked up against mine, taking every stroke./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"If I could I could do this all night. But every time she clenched around me I got a little closer. Rising to my elbows I looked between us, biting back a groan as I watched myself disappear in her wetness. It sent heat shooting up my spine./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Slipping my hand between us I search for the warm bundle of nerves that made her squirm./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hmmm, Rick." She moaned out my name and I never heard anything so beautiful. She arched against my touch, her taut nipples making me salivate. Just wanting another taste. And another one after./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Her wet heat clenched around my cock, I watch the pleasure capture her. Her eyes fluttered shut and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She fell over the edge and took me with her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick." My face was buried in softness. I felt small nudges and heard a voice calling my name./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick. Wake up." The voice said sounding rushed and earnest. My lids were heavy with sleep but somehow I managed to open them. Squinting at the morning light slipping through my blinds. I can't remember the last time I slept like this. My body felt like a dead weight and everything smelled like her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Michonne./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick!" I jumped up at the pitch of her voice. I ran my hand through my hair watching Michonne storm through my room picking up clothes./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What are you doing?" She was naked and in the day of light, it was a lovely sight. I couldn't help but notice the way her hips would jiggle when she made sudden movements. Like right now, she had her hands on her hips giving me an irritated look./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's ten minutes after ten." She picked up her shirt and slipped it over her head. Concealing the noticeable swell of her stomach./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""At night?" My mind was still groggy. Mornings never made for decent conversation but she stopped to look at me and laughed./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We're late for work and I have to stop by the apartment for clothes." Shit! I got out of bed, suddenly feeling energetic and sporting a hard-on I couldn't get rid of./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We overslept," I said heading over to my closet./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We did," She agreed. "We should've stopped after the first two rounds." Throwing on some pants and squeezing some toothpaste on my brush I could only nod. I knew I wasn't going to get much done today, after last night. I could only blame her for this, she was fucking insatiable. Unfortunately, at some point, I wondered if I could handle her. I spit the toothpaste out my mouth. If people didn't know we were together they would find out today./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You need to eat something," I tell her as she rummaged through her closet looking for something to wear./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We don't have time for that, Rick." The apartment she was in was smaller than I expected, yet it was clean and it felt homey. I looked at the pictures on the wall in her room. Some with her at a few club gatherings at the university, her and Sasha smiling together at the beach./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I stopped in front of a photo of a younger girl that resembled Michonne. There was a woman who stood behind her with her arms wrapped around her neck. They were both smiling. The woman looked so much like Michonne./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"With caution, I took the glass frame off the wall and examined it. The girl couldn't have been older than 12 but she had this blinding smile. There was a look of maturity etched into her features. "We can stop somewhere on the way to work," I tell her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Looking up, she slid on a black dress, zipping it up from the side. "I'm already in big trouble," She looked at the clock behind my head. "Shit!" She cursed searching beneath her bed, pulling out a pair of heels./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Is this you?" I asked showing her the picture I took off the wall as she got up. A wistful look passes her face and she nodded. Taking the glass frame out my hand she put it back on the wall./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We took that when I was twelve," She smiled sadly, "It was her birthday there." She picked up a sweater and I take it from her, helping her shrug it on./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You both seemed close," I observed remembering how happy they looked on that photo./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We were. Happiness can be fleeting." I frowned. Her outlook on things made me sad./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know you said you haven't spoken to her in a while. Is it really because of your career choice?" I asked because there was so much love in her mother's eyes, that kind of love wouldn't push someone away./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I wish there was another reason behind it. It's silly that my mother would be angry that I'm pursuing something I love. Her number's behind that picture but I never used it." I nodded realizing there were two sides of a coin. There's only so much I could understand only knowing Michonne's side of the story. But I'd like nothing more for her to be a part of our child's life. If that was possible./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My hands reached out to cover her stomach. "I haven't told my mother about the baby yet." Michonne looked at me./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""But you are going to are you?" I nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I want you to meet her. It's a long drive but its better if you two met in person." Michonne was silent while I rubbed her stomach./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I will, as long as it's over the weekend." I smiled down at her then she kissed me, her soft full lips touching mine, sending threads of heat through my lips into my body./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Keep this up and you won't make it to work," I mutter against her lips./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She gives me a sensuous smile. "We should leave emProfessor Grimes./em"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Damn./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I saw how everyone kept looking at us after I walked Michonne to her office. As long as they knew I didn't mind the attention. Most of them were lawyers so they knew what to look for. Hell, I even bought her food from the kitchen and made us coffee. And I for one I needed all the caffeine I could get after last night. When I passed her office again that day I wasn't mad when she tossed the coffee out. I just brought her water instead. I knew that dark liquid was disgusting./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Malcolm Anthony Grimes…" I shook my head mentally crossing the name out as I sort through my emails./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""David Philip Grimes." I tested the name, but it just didn't sound right./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Jeff Grimes." I wrote the name down just in case. The line in my office rang. Sighing I leaned over to the next side of my desk./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick Grimes," I answer curtly./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The voice that responded sounded almost timid. "Mr. Grimes," She greeted. "I tried calling earlier but a Mr. Rhee said weren't in as yet." I rubbed my eyebrows. I was late, really late./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm sorry about that. May I ask who's speaking?" The voice sounded faintly familiar./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Jessie. It's Jessie Anderson."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Good afternoon Ms. Anderson. I got your email the other day. How can I help you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's Mrs. Anderson," She corrected, "I wanted to know if we could meet in person. Somewhere without too many people." Leaning back in my chair I looked at the time./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Today?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yes, if that's possible." I meant to take Michonne out to lunch but I suppose she'd understand. Pulling out my phone and running through my schedule, I realized I had enough time for a spontaneous meeting./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Of course, where would you like to meet?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You know the bookstore we met? I'd like us to meet there. It's very convenient." She says. I could only hope I didn't see Negan while I was there./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Of course, that's fine. I'll see you there around two?" I say. It was only an hour from now./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yes, and thank you Mr. Grimes." I bid her farewell and hung up. Her persistence in contacting me told me she wanted this. Whatever that was I was sure to find out soon. I got up and made my way to Michonne's office./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm telling you it's crazy. The man is actually going to scam a company out of millions. The food store isn't in the financial state to be handing something like that over." It was Glenn's voice. They were talking so I knocked before I went in./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Her face lit up. "Rick."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Michonne," I see Glenn staring at us with wide eyes. She got up and hugged me, maybe she was feeling particularly bold or Glenn already knew about us./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hmmm," I rubbed her back, holding her close. "I was going to take you out to lunch but something came up," I tell her after pulling away./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You have an obsession with ensuring I eat on time don't you." I could only shrug./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""My reason behind it is valid." I looked at my watch, "I should be back before four, okay?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yeah, bring me some caramel crackers while you're at it." Going back to her desk she raised up a box, shaking it. "It's empty." I nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I turned to see Glenn still staring at us. "How is the case going? Anything interesting?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He perked up, "Yes actually, I got a closer look at the video and noticed a wet spot on his pants. It was there before the fall." That was intriguing. I had to admit, he had an eye for detail./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""He's onto something with this, Rick." I looked over to Michonne./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Maybe, but he's still representing Mr. Davis."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know, I mean, there as to be a way to win this and expose him."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You still have a few weeks left before the hell-storm starts. Maybe you'll figure it out." Glenn and I had glaring similarities. I had no doubt he'd figure everything out./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I left her office with a smile on my face. I had my briefcase in one hand and my phone in the next. Well on my way down the corridor until I passed the last office on this floor. I only stopped because I heated exchange./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, you really expect me to believe that shit?" The door was only ajar, I didn't need to see inside to recognize that voice./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Baby is gone. You owe me." There was frustration in the woman's voice./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Well, I darling, need proof of that. Otherwise, your words mean nothing. I don't need a little me running around town that doesn't know how to speak fucking English."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Here."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What is this?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Receipts, what you want. You have it."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He chuckled, "You want power don't you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yes."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He coughed, "Rhetoricaaal. If I didn't know the answer I wouldn't have fucked you now would I?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I heard enough. Gregory was the scum of the earth. If he ever laid hands on Michonne... Just the mere thought made my temper flare. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't regret what I did for him./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;".../p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"When I walked into the bookshop I was relieved that I didn't have to deal with Negan. The old woman from my previous visit was shushing a few teens making noise. I looked around hoping to see Mrs. Anderson somewhere. Sure enough, I saw the blonde woman at the back of the shop./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Making my way to her she noticed me and stood up giving me a wide smile. "Mr. Grimes, I'm glad you could make it." We shook hands. "It must've been such short notice, I'm sorry if I caused any problems." I waved her off./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's alright Mrs. Anderson." I took the empty seat in front of her. "Although I must admit it's company policy to go by a schedule. But we all bend some rules when it's needed."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Jessie laughed then I heard a small whimper. I just noticed the stroller tucked beside her seat. "Oh, I'm sorry. He gets rowdy sometimes." Digging in her bag she pulled out a bottle and gave it to the baby. The stroller wasn't facing me so I couldn't see the baby./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's okay, Mrs. Anderson. So why exactly do you need my representation? You don't look like your in legal trouble."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Her back went straight, "I'm not. You know I use to work for Birkely and Robinson's."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"That was surprising. "Really?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I was only an intern. But I was actually offered a contract."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""But you chose not to go back." Her eyes looked sad./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Pete didn't want me to go back."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Pete?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""My husband. After I told him what happened, after we had Ron," She looked in the stroller. "I agreed and I thought it was time to move on from that. And in order to move on, I need a sound mind. And Rick after I met you, I did some research and I know you can help me." She's told me so much and so little at the same time. She really was a lawyer./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you going to tell me?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Only if you agree to help me. I refuse to say anything before you say yes." She crossed her arms./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""With all due respect, I need to know what you need. You may have read many things about me but luck won't always be on my side. If you won't tell me then I can't help you and I can see how much you need my help, Mrs. Anderson." I wondered if she forgot that we were both lawyers./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Her child started making noise but it wasn't loud enough to draw the librarian's attention. She pierced her lips and pulled him out of the stroller./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Can you hold him for a second?" She pushed him into my arms before I could say yes. Jessie started rummaging through the baby's bag. I didn't want to drop him so I sat the baby on my knee./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I was lost, I had no idea how to handle him. He stared up at me, his blue eyes shining. I couldn't help but smile down at him. Holding him filled me with a warm feeling. In a few months, my brown-eyed son would be in my arms./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You have kids of your own?" She handed me a pacifier and I pushed it into the child's mouth. He latched onto it greedily./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Not yet but I'm going to be a father soon." I bounced my knee and his eye's started to close./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Jessie laughed, "I can never get him to do that. Your wife is lucky." I didn't correct her. The old woman was making a fuss over someone. She wouldn't allow them in the shop. But I paid it no mind./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I handed a sleeping baby back to Jessie. "Now, tell me what's wrong so I can help you."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Right," She fell silent. "A little over a year ago I interned at your place of work." I nodded letting her know I was following. "The man who I worked under, he was, persistent. I threw him off, letting him know I was recently married but he didn't care. Sometimes we'd work overtime on a case and nothing happened then things changed. The day Pete dropped me to work and kissed me was the same day he raped me." Suddenly I felt sick./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Taking a deep breath she continued. "It was after hours, we stayed behind late. I told him no. But every time after that I figured since he already had me once what's the point saying no? It went on until the case ended." She looked at her son. "I regret how Ron came to be but I love him. And Pete, he loves him all the same." Tears ran down her cheeks./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Do you have his name?" I asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Will you represent me? I need to see him rot behind bars. Pay for what he did and whoever else he hurt. I know I wasn't the first one. My husband is a doctor so payment won't be an issue."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My response was automatic. "I will but I need a name. If he works in the same building as me I need a name, Mrs. Anderson."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She was quite at first but she gave way. "It's Gregory."/p