p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongWorkaholic/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The blare of my phone stirred me from my sleep and for the first time in a long time I was happy. I couldn't keep the smile off my lips at the feeling. Being loved and loving someone. It was so genuine and deep down I knew couldn't live without it./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Michonne was the first person I saw when I opened my eyes. With her back turned to me I gently wrapped my arm around her. I kissed her neck before taking a peek over her shoulder. My light mood fell flat when I saw her thumbing through emails on her tablet, hurriedly trying to close them out. I sat up straight running a hand through my hair. I wanted her to get away from the mess that was waiting for us back home. I didn't want her to bring any of it here./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You're supposed to be resting, Michonne." She slid the tablet back in its pouch before a defeated look crossed her face./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know. I know. I just couldn't stop myself." I didn't allow her to see the ghost of a smirk across my lip. I cleared my throat reaching over to grab the device./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""As much as I appreciate your work ethic the whole reason we left town was solely to get you away from all the noise."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What are you going to do with that?" She asked watching as I slipped out of bed, uncaring that my nakedness was barred for her to see. For a minute her eyes followed the trail down my stomach before darting back up to her lifeline./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""This?" I looked around before slipping on some pants. A little frown marred her face. "I'm putting it somewhere safe. At least for the next few hours, you won't be able to get to it." I'd just hide it amongst the photo albums before she ventured downstairs./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It worries me how much she reminds me of myself. Hard work was a fine quality in anyone but working pass your limit was just asking for a life of misery. I slowed down a lot after my divorce. No longer was I found sleeping in my office at the break of daylight and it wasn't healthy that I chugged down more caffeine than my body could handle./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I shook my head as I left my room for the kitchen recalling the slighted look she gave me. I padded lightly down the steps. The aroma of a home-cooked breakfast tickled my nose and pulled me in./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My mother was a woman to be reckoned with. Standing before the stove she shuffled two pans looking intently at its contents./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Something smells amazing." Her shoulders tensed before spinning around, a look of utter surprised took hold of her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, Ricky! When did you get here?" She wiped her shaking hands on the apron around her waist. "Come one, come on. I need some help with morning breakfast." The smile I once wore withered away but I tried to muster another just for her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What are you making?" I asked hoping I was able to conceal how I felt. I didn't want her to worry about me. After all, I was more worried for her than she'd ever be for me. This disease was taking my mother away from me piece by piece. I could only hope her condition would never worsen./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Before answering my query she places a spatula in my hand and ushered me before the stove. I looked down at the golden circles. "Don't let those pancakes burn." She ordered releasing the string of her apron. "And where is that godforsaken wife of yours? For the life of me, I don't understand the woman." My jaw clenched un-intentionally, wondering if I should go on with the lie./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We're not together anymore." Even if I had to remind her every time I saw her I wanted my mother to know about the woman I fell in love with. "We haven't been for some time now." Her hand rose to her mouth in a moment of shock but it was quickly abated./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I heard her mutter, "thank god," under her breath before heading to the fridge./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""There is a woman I want you to meet. Her name is Michonne." I said aloud, turning my attention to the pancakes./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Isn't that moving too fast Ricky? Just the other day you said you loved that one..."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I sighed. "I'm in love with Michonne. This is vastly different; she means the world to me." Something splatted against the floor and I turned around in time to see my mother scooping up a cracked egg./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I walked over to her, picked up the pieces of the cracked shell, and helped her up. She smiled up at me confusingly. "I almost forgot to add the eggs, I'm so clumsy today." She rubbed her temple. "When will I meet her, Rick?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""About that…" I trailed off when I see Michonne padding through the kitchen looking between my mother and I. A small smile played on her lips./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick, I borrowed your robe. I hope you don't mind." She pulled the sash a little tighter around her waist. I looked at my mother noticing the bewildered look on her face had returned. "Good morning Ms. Grimes." She greeted and I cleared my throat, capturing my mother's attention./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Mom, um, this is Michonne. The woman I told you about." My brows rose expecting recognition to dawn on my mother. But it never came. Instead, she just smiled, walked over to Michonne, and wrapped her in a hug. Over my mother's shoulder, I could see Michonne's alarmed expression./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, what's this?" My mother asked after releasing her. Her eyes went down to Michonne's stomach before looking back to me for an explanation./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Do you want me to make some tea for you?" I asked hoping she'd move onto another question. My mother frowned before rubbing her hands together; her eye's squinting at the sides as she regarded Michonne./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Mom-"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""When did you get here, Rick? I know I forget sometimes but I should remember something like this shouldn't I?" When I didn't respond she called my name once more. "Rick?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We got here last night. I'm sorry if I sprung up on you at the last moment, I asked Rick if he thought it was a good idea, seeing as we got in pretty late. I didn't exactly get the chance to know you better." Michonne offered before giving me a concerned look./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My mother accepted it and smiled. "Oh goodness, Rick you should've have told me." She shook her head untying her apron. "I would've cleaned and made some tea. Come on, come on." She ushered Michonne over to the counter as I retrieved the now cooked pancakes. "Rick hardly ever brings any guest, he hardly ever comes home himself you know." I didn't say anything. I just walked over and grabbed a few plates from the cabinet, making sure the stove was turned off./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Michonne nodded at my mother's words, understanding the situation for what it was. "I'm sure he had his reasons."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I cleared my throat. "I do have a job mother. One I take seriously." The fork in my hand dug into the round orbs of flour as I dished out servings./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rickie, that's no excuse for not visiting. When you were younger and I worked down at the farm I always made sure to call my mother before she passed. Every day I'd tell her goodnight." She tells me./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I call you whenever I can. You know that."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Of course you do but that's not enough. An old woman like me needs to see you here in person not talk over those silly phones." I stared at the white glass sitting in the middle of our table before handing it to my mother. "Would you like some honey?" She asked Michonne already pouring the golden liquid over her dish./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Despite that, she still answered, "Of course, they've always said honey was better than syrup." My mother's face lit up./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I like this one. She's very respectful." After finishing the last of my breakfast I sat back, noting that the shift in the mood was different from the day before. The only one not aware of it was my mother, who continued to grill Michonne on how we came to be. Again./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You know when Rick was younger he was just the cutest little thing. He always helped around the farm so I bought him a pair of boots and a hat." My mother's hand when up to cover her neck as she began laughing. "It was a sight watching him trying to wrangle the hens. They always pecked at him." Her shoulders shook with laughter. Even Michonne managed to laugh along but I was too wary./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It was hard enough listening to it on the phone. In the beginning, she'd forget little things then it went on to birthdays, important life events, and sometimes even the day before. I still held onto to the hope that she'd get better maybe her condition wouldn't worsen but it was days like these where my hope faltered a little. Witnessing it was hard on me; it was something I didn't want her to see. I needed to be strong for my mother./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Michonne I have a few photos I'd think you'd just adore."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I don't think she wants to see them," I say flatly as I pushed the chair away from the table. The sound of wood dragging across the floor was the only thing to be heard after that. I could feel Michonne's gaze on me as I made my way to clear the table./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Ms. Grimes, I'd love to see those photos," Michonne says after my mother's light mood dulled./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Please call me Margrete. Ms. Grimes is a little too formal for me." My mother stood straightening the wrinkles on her shirt. "Will you be joining us, Rick?" She asked her expression still glum./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Shaking my head, I decided against it. Immediate guilt rolled through me at the disappointed expression on her face. I just needed time to myself, I just need some air./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"After they left the kitchen I finished off the rest of the dishes, taking my time placing them back where they belonged. I could hear my mother's muffled voice in the living room. She described pictures from various stages of my life. Right now they were talking about the first time I went to a county fair./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Don't think about it too much. At least that's what I tried to tell myself./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Drying my hands I made my way through the living room looking at the stack of photo albums Michonne held onto as my mother went through them one by one. Each one with a different description, a different story. I didn't stay in the area for too long. I made my back upstairs and into my childhood room./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"With a low hum, I fell to the bed on my back. With an arm over my eyes and a foot out of the bed, I was right back where I started. Asleep./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"There were echoes in my mind ringing through my head. I ignored it needing more sleep. I've worked hard enough, long enough. Just a few more minutes would be enough to forget the morning happened./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick," I grunted in response wanted the voice to fade away. "I know you're up and it's already past noon." Noon already?/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I opened my eyes and peered up at the ceiling. "I just needed a few minutes," I muttered turning my head to see Michonne beside me with her tablet perched upon her lap, in their company a few pages full of notes. The frown on my face deepened. "You're back at it again."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""After you vanished into slumber I had to find something else to do." She placed her notes aside. "What was that downstairs, Rick?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where is she?" I sat up and rubbed the back of my neck./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Margrete said something about finishing some writing. That's where I got all this paper from." There was a pause before she continued. "Do you want to talk about it?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't know things were going to turn out the way they were."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You neither your mother knew this would happen but you just gave her the cold shoulder. It made her feel-"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know how she felt." I winced. "This isn't easy on me either. I just want things to be normal you know?" Reaching over, Michonne held my hand, its warmth soothing an ache I didn't want to acknowledge. She held it close to her chest and I closed my eyes./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You love her, she's your mother and you care. If you didn't you would react that way, it may not seem like it but I'm sure she thinks about how this affects you too but until things get better this is how our normal is." She was right. There was no refuting that but I still needed more time./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Slowly nodding I looked at our clasped hands. "Thank you. I owe her an apology, I know that. As of late, my thoughts have been selfish when it comes to her condition." I sighed. "At the end of the day, she's the one living with this." Later, I'll call her caretaker after we part ways. I still wanted a familiar face around to watch over her even when we left. I knew this wasn't going to be the last time this happened. This wasn't going to be the last time I felt saddened by the way things turned for my mother. Like Michonne said this was my new normal. I wanted our son to know the best parts of my mother and rest assured he will. Margaret Grimes was still here and she was a strong woman on her own./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Our family./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I wanted to build a family with Michonne that much was clear. Unclasping our hands I rubbed the rise in her stomach./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Carl Grimes," I muttered as I felt little nudges against my hand. "We should name him Carl Grimes."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Michonne's brow rose but not with disappointment. "Carl? You really want our son to be named Carl?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I've been thinking about this for weeks now. When I was younger my mother told me she would've named me Carl had my father not have his way." White teeth peeked out between her lips and she laughed./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""She told me about that."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Then what's the problem?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Nothing at all. Carl is a wonderful name and I'm positive your mother is going to love it as much as I do." Breathing was suddenly a little easier./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""When we get home and you decide to put away all this work and finally relax then we can talk about other things," I tell her before pressing my lips against hers, making our kiss slow and sweet./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hmm, what are those other things?" She asked and leaned in for another. Smiling I stare down at her pouty lips, her eyes were already closed as she sat perched up ready for another kiss./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Small things. Nothing too big. I just want you to move in with me." Her eyes popped open and widened in the same instant./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you asking me to move in with you?" She sat up a straighter./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm asking you to move in me." She was silent at first but the tears started flowing and my shoulders sank. "We can talk about this when we get back, it doesn't have to be now." Shaking her head she uttered something inaudible./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It doesn't have to be now," I reassured her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Wiping a string of tears away she fanned her eyes. "It's just hormones. I'm not disagreeing but I'm not agreeing either." Coming from a future lawyer I could already tell this was going to be a long conversation. The decision was one I had already prepared to fight for./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The blare of my phone stirred me from my sleep and for the first time in a long time I was happy. I couldn't keep the smile off my lips at the feeling. Being loved and loving someone. It was so genuine and deep down I knew couldn't live without it./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Michonne was the first person I saw when I opened my eyes. With her back turned to me I gently wrapped my arm around her. I kissed her neck before taking a peek over her shoulder. My light mood fell flat when I saw her thumbing through emails on her tablet, hurriedly trying to close them out. I sat up straight running a hand through my hair. I wanted her to get away from the mess that was waiting for us back home. I didn't want her to bring any of it here./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You're supposed to be resting, Michonne." She slid the tablet back in its pouch before a defeated look crossed her face./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know. I know. I just couldn't stop myself." I didn't allow her to see the ghost of a smirk across my lip. I cleared my throat reaching over to grab the device./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""As much as I appreciate your work ethic the whole reason we left town was solely to get you away from all the noise."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What are you going to do with that?" She asked watching as I slipped out of bed, uncaring that my nakedness was barred for her to see. For a minute her eyes followed the trail down my stomach before darting back up to her lifeline./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""This?" I looked around before slipping on some pants. A little frown marred her face. "I'm putting it somewhere safe. At least for the next few hours, you won't be able to get to it." I'd just hide it amongst the photo albums before she ventured downstairs./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It worries me how much she reminds me of myself. Hard work was a fine quality in anyone but working pass your limit was just asking for a life of misery. I slowed down a lot after my divorce. No longer was I found sleeping in my office at the break of daylight and it wasn't healthy that I chugged down more caffeine than my body could handle./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I shook my head as I left my room for the kitchen recalling the slighted look she gave me. I padded lightly down the steps. The aroma of a home-cooked breakfast tickled my nose and pulled me in./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My mother was a woman to be reckoned with. Standing before the stove she shuffled two pans looking intently at its contents./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Something smells amazing." Her shoulders tensed before spinning around, a look of utter surprised took hold of her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, Ricky! When did you get here?" She wiped her shaking hands on the apron around her waist. "Come one, come on. I need some help with morning breakfast." The smile I once wore withered away but I tried to muster another just for her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What are you making?" I asked hoping I was able to conceal how I felt. I didn't want her to worry about me. After all, I was more worried for her than she'd ever be for me. This disease was taking my mother away from me piece by piece. I could only hope her condition would never worsen./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Before answering my query she places a spatula in my hand and ushered me before the stove. I looked down at the golden circles. "Don't let those pancakes burn." She ordered releasing the string of her apron. "And where is that godforsaken wife of yours? For the life of me, I don't understand the woman." My jaw clenched un-intentionally, wondering if I should go on with the lie./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We're not together anymore." Even if I had to remind her every time I saw her I wanted my mother to know about the woman I fell in love with. "We haven't been for some time now." Her hand rose to her mouth in a moment of shock but it was quickly abated./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I heard her mutter, "thank god," under her breath before heading to the fridge./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""There is a woman I want you to meet. Her name is Michonne." I said aloud, turning my attention to the pancakes./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Isn't that moving too fast Ricky? Just the other day you said you loved that one..."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I sighed. "I'm in love with Michonne. This is vastly different; she means the world to me." Something splatted against the floor and I turned around in time to see my mother scooping up a cracked egg./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I walked over to her, picked up the pieces of the cracked shell, and helped her up. She smiled up at me confusingly. "I almost forgot to add the eggs, I'm so clumsy today." She rubbed her temple. "When will I meet her, Rick?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""About that…" I trailed off when I see Michonne padding through the kitchen looking between my mother and I. A small smile played on her lips./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick, I borrowed your robe. I hope you don't mind." She pulled the sash a little tighter around her waist. I looked at my mother noticing the bewildered look on her face had returned. "Good morning Ms. Grimes." She greeted and I cleared my throat, capturing my mother's attention./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Mom, um, this is Michonne. The woman I told you about." My brows rose expecting recognition to dawn on my mother. But it never came. Instead, she just smiled, walked over to Michonne, and wrapped her in a hug. Over my mother's shoulder, I could see Michonne's alarmed expression./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Oh, what's this?" My mother asked after releasing her. Her eyes went down to Michonne's stomach before looking back to me for an explanation./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Do you want me to make some tea for you?" I asked hoping she'd move onto another question. My mother frowned before rubbing her hands together; her eye's squinting at the sides as she regarded Michonne./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Mom-"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""When did you get here, Rick? I know I forget sometimes but I should remember something like this shouldn't I?" When I didn't respond she called my name once more. "Rick?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""We got here last night. I'm sorry if I sprung up on you at the last moment, I asked Rick if he thought it was a good idea, seeing as we got in pretty late. I didn't exactly get the chance to know you better." Michonne offered before giving me a concerned look./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My mother accepted it and smiled. "Oh goodness, Rick you should've have told me." She shook her head untying her apron. "I would've cleaned and made some tea. Come on, come on." She ushered Michonne over to the counter as I retrieved the now cooked pancakes. "Rick hardly ever brings any guest, he hardly ever comes home himself you know." I didn't say anything. I just walked over and grabbed a few plates from the cabinet, making sure the stove was turned off./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Michonne nodded at my mother's words, understanding the situation for what it was. "I'm sure he had his reasons."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I cleared my throat. "I do have a job mother. One I take seriously." The fork in my hand dug into the round orbs of flour as I dished out servings./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rickie, that's no excuse for not visiting. When you were younger and I worked down at the farm I always made sure to call my mother before she passed. Every day I'd tell her goodnight." She tells me./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I call you whenever I can. You know that."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Of course you do but that's not enough. An old woman like me needs to see you here in person not talk over those silly phones." I stared at the white glass sitting in the middle of our table before handing it to my mother. "Would you like some honey?" She asked Michonne already pouring the golden liquid over her dish./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Despite that, she still answered, "Of course, they've always said honey was better than syrup." My mother's face lit up./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I like this one. She's very respectful." After finishing the last of my breakfast I sat back, noting that the shift in the mood was different from the day before. The only one not aware of it was my mother, who continued to grill Michonne on how we came to be. Again./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You know when Rick was younger he was just the cutest little thing. He always helped around the farm so I bought him a pair of boots and a hat." My mother's hand when up to cover her neck as she began laughing. "It was a sight watching him trying to wrangle the hens. They always pecked at him." Her shoulders shook with laughter. Even Michonne managed to laugh along but I was too wary./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"It was hard enough listening to it on the phone. In the beginning, she'd forget little things then it went on to birthdays, important life events, and sometimes even the day before. I still held onto to the hope that she'd get better maybe her condition wouldn't worsen but it was days like these where my hope faltered a little. Witnessing it was hard on me; it was something I didn't want her to see. I needed to be strong for my mother./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Michonne I have a few photos I'd think you'd just adore."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I don't think she wants to see them," I say flatly as I pushed the chair away from the table. The sound of wood dragging across the floor was the only thing to be heard after that. I could feel Michonne's gaze on me as I made my way to clear the table./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Ms. Grimes, I'd love to see those photos," Michonne says after my mother's light mood dulled./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Please call me Margrete. Ms. Grimes is a little too formal for me." My mother stood straightening the wrinkles on her shirt. "Will you be joining us, Rick?" She asked her expression still glum./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Shaking my head, I decided against it. Immediate guilt rolled through me at the disappointed expression on her face. I just needed time to myself, I just need some air./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"After they left the kitchen I finished off the rest of the dishes, taking my time placing them back where they belonged. I could hear my mother's muffled voice in the living room. She described pictures from various stages of my life. Right now they were talking about the first time I went to a county fair./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Don't think about it too much. At least that's what I tried to tell myself./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Drying my hands I made my way through the living room looking at the stack of photo albums Michonne held onto as my mother went through them one by one. Each one with a different description, a different story. I didn't stay in the area for too long. I made my back upstairs and into my childhood room./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"With a low hum, I fell to the bed on my back. With an arm over my eyes and a foot out of the bed, I was right back where I started. Asleep./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"There were echoes in my mind ringing through my head. I ignored it needing more sleep. I've worked hard enough, long enough. Just a few more minutes would be enough to forget the morning happened./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick," I grunted in response wanted the voice to fade away. "I know you're up and it's already past noon." Noon already?/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I opened my eyes and peered up at the ceiling. "I just needed a few minutes," I muttered turning my head to see Michonne beside me with her tablet perched upon her lap, in their company a few pages full of notes. The frown on my face deepened. "You're back at it again."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""After you vanished into slumber I had to find something else to do." She placed her notes aside. "What was that downstairs, Rick?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where is she?" I sat up and rubbed the back of my neck./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Margrete said something about finishing some writing. That's where I got all this paper from." There was a pause before she continued. "Do you want to talk about it?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't know things were going to turn out the way they were."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You neither your mother knew this would happen but you just gave her the cold shoulder. It made her feel-"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know how she felt." I winced. "This isn't easy on me either. I just want things to be normal you know?" Reaching over, Michonne held my hand, its warmth soothing an ache I didn't want to acknowledge. She held it close to her chest and I closed my eyes./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You love her, she's your mother and you care. If you didn't you would react that way, it may not seem like it but I'm sure she thinks about how this affects you too but until things get better this is how our normal is." She was right. There was no refuting that but I still needed more time./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Slowly nodding I looked at our clasped hands. "Thank you. I owe her an apology, I know that. As of late, my thoughts have been selfish when it comes to her condition." I sighed. "At the end of the day, she's the one living with this." Later, I'll call her caretaker after we part ways. I still wanted a familiar face around to watch over her even when we left. I knew this wasn't going to be the last time this happened. This wasn't going to be the last time I felt saddened by the way things turned for my mother. Like Michonne said this was my new normal. I wanted our son to know the best parts of my mother and rest assured he will. Margaret Grimes was still here and she was a strong woman on her own./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Our family./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I wanted to build a family with Michonne that much was clear. Unclasping our hands I rubbed the rise in her stomach./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Carl Grimes," I muttered as I felt little nudges against my hand. "We should name him Carl Grimes."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Michonne's brow rose but not with disappointment. "Carl? You really want our son to be named Carl?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I've been thinking about this for weeks now. When I was younger my mother told me she would've named me Carl had my father not have his way." White teeth peeked out between her lips and she laughed./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""She told me about that."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Then what's the problem?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Nothing at all. Carl is a wonderful name and I'm positive your mother is going to love it as much as I do." Breathing was suddenly a little easier./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""When we get home and you decide to put away all this work and finally relax then we can talk about other things," I tell her before pressing my lips against hers, making our kiss slow and sweet./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Hmm, what are those other things?" She asked and leaned in for another. Smiling I stare down at her pouty lips, her eyes were already closed as she sat perched up ready for another kiss./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Small things. Nothing too big. I just want you to move in with me." Her eyes popped open and widened in the same instant./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you asking me to move in with you?" She sat up a straighter./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm asking you to move in me." She was silent at first but the tears started flowing and my shoulders sank. "We can talk about this when we get back, it doesn't have to be now." Shaking her head she uttered something inaudible./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It doesn't have to be now," I reassured her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Wiping a string of tears away she fanned her eyes. "It's just hormones. I'm not disagreeing but I'm not agreeing either." Coming from a future lawyer I could already tell this was going to be a long conversation. The decision was one I had already prepared to fight for./p