Author's Note: I know it's been forever since I've last updated, but 2016 has not been an easy year for me (I won't be sorry to see it go) I've been going through a lot this year and I've had to put writing on the back burner for awhile, but I haven't given up on this story. Thank you for your favs. Thanks for reading, and following and commenting. All of you are wonderful and I appreciate every single of you.

17. A Very,Very, Very Fine House

The bus was hot, crowded, and, quiet. No one uttered a word. What could be said anyway when the prospect of staying in Shetland was just as bad as leaving Calbert? The scenery they passed by did little in creating a distraction from the problems at hand. The overgrown grass, boarded up buildings, and non functioning traffic lights told a tragic story without words. Michonne hadn't even been on the bus twenty minutes and already her skin was stuck to the faux leather seat and her clothes were soaked through with sweat in the hot mid-day sun. Besides the whirring of the insufficient bus fans there was still no noise to be heard.

Rick stood up and struggled with the window before pulling it down, It was of little relief. The air felt heavy and moldy, there was a smell, a disgusting smell, that was a mix of death and general filth. The road they traveled was free from traffic. It was all so desolate. Where were all the people? A few miles later she saw a biter walking along in a field they passed. If she blurred her eyes it looked just like a regular person out for a reflective morning walk, but she couldn't forget that it was one of the undead walking around as if this was his world now.

Moving day came faster than Michonne could have anticipated, and even though she had packed up her family's belongings weeks ago, it still felt too soon to be moving. Earlier that morning soldiers had evacuated the Q.U.A.D, they did not give anyone time to reminisce. The government had given them strict orders to load all the evacuees up and ship them to the city of Shetland post haste. Michonne preferred it that way. There were so many memories in that place both good and bad that standing in their empty apartel and lingering on them would do her no good. Her mind was now trying to navigate her family in the new world

There was no way of breaking loose and striking out on their own as Shane had wanted to do. There were four soldiers on the bus and one of them had a dog with them. Michonne was comforted by the soldiers least something should happen. She knew that she could take a biter out if she had too, but she didn't know if she could do it and keep Judith and Carl safe at the same time. Rick would be there fighting along side her, of that she had no doubt, but it was a situation she'd rather not put her family in if she could avoid it. When she finally did have to take down a biter for whatever reason she rather that she was not around her children.

Judith shifted in her lap but did not wake up. Carl sat with Duane in the seat in front of them. He was as animated and excited as he was when they had gone on field trips. The sound of his laughter was like therapy to Michonne. She didn not want to give her heart to this new place, but she already knew that she would, because she was bound and determined to make her family as happy as she could under the circumstances. This house meant a fresh start with her new family and how could she not put all of her heart into that? She would just have to harden her heart and learn to love a place that she might suddenly have to leave behind.

Michonne was relieved when the bus finally pulled into Shetland. She needed to get up and move her legs, and Judith had just woken up from her nap.

"Are we back at our house?" She asked.

"No honey, this is our new home." Rick explained

"I want to go back home." Judith said and her bottom lip trembled.

"I know sweetie, I know, but we can't. We're going to our new house and you'll have your own room." Michonne reasoned.

"I want my old room! I want my old house!"

Carl turned around and looked over the top of his seat at his little sister. "We have a backyard now." he said. "Me and dad will make you a tree swing just like you had back home."

"I'll help too." Michonne offered."

Their collective bargaining didn't stop Judith from crying. Michonne felt awful. She nor Rick had not done a very good job of explaining to her what the move meant. All this time Judith believed that she was going back home. How did she explain to Judith that there was no going back, at least not for the foreseeable future.

"Yo, looks like our buses ain't the only buses here! Look out the window ya'll!" Duane called out.

"Me see! I want to see!" Judith cried and Michonne held her up so that she could look out the window too."Look at all the buses." Judith shouted her tears suddenly forgotten.

"Wow, that's a lot of buses, where do you think they all came from?" Keisha asked.

"Detroit." The bus driver said. "You guys ain't the only evacuees moving to this city."

"How nice of ya'll to wait til we arrive in Shetland to tell us this." Shane spat.

"Even if they told us back in Calbert there'd still be nothing we could do about it." Carley said.

"The more the merrier." Shawn said. "We have a better chance of surviving with more people."

"I'm not going to survive much longer if I don't get off this stinky bus." Amy cried. "I really have to go and if I piss my pants in front of everyone I'll die of embarrassment."

Michonne was desperate to get off the bus as well. She wanted to see their new home and get Carl and Judith settled into the house and localized to the neighborhood as soon as possible. During their final meeting in the convention center the Master Sargent had showed them an hour and a half long power point presentation about how the housing development in Shetland was set up. Ten blocks of cottage style houses with ten houses in each block. The cottages varied in floor plans, but all the cottages in the same block were painted the same color. Each block was classified by the color of cottages within that block. Her family had been assigned the blue block along with Shane, Carley, and Morgan. Tyreese was assigned the Red block , and Amy and Shawn were assigned the green block.

Bus by bus they were taken to the city of Shetland's town hall where, after beig patted down and passing through a metal detector, her entire family was fingerprinted. Next everyone's picture had to be taken for the ID they were given. After which she and Rick registered for their new house, and then registered Carl for his new school. Finally after filling out more paper work than she had in her entire life she was given the keys to their new home and allowed to leave the town hall.

The paper work might have been annoying, but it did give Michonne an intimate feeling signing all of those papers with her husband by her side. She stared at Rick's wedding ring as he signed paper after paper. His name in ink right next there to hers. Rick and Michonne. Grimes and Grimes. Seeing their signatures to each other on all of these papers that were to be permanently filed away made their marriage feel real in a world that had suddenly become so insular. She remembered having a conversation with Carl about how things sometimes felt fake since they'd been sequestered, but this was different. This was real. This was definitive proof to the world that their family existed.

"Got a hand cramp." Rick said shaking his hand out after he had signed the last paper.

Michonne reached up for his hand and massaged the cramp out.

"Thanks, babe."

One of the first rules they had learned about Shetland was that Civilians were prohibited from owning or driving cars. Outside of the town hall an army jeep escorted Michonne and her family to their new home. 12 Apple blossom Lane. The neighborhood lie behind a barbwire fence and then a concrete wall. Armed soldiers stood outside and atop the fence. As the army jeep drove along the streets the first thing that jumped out at Michonne about the neighborhood was the cottages. With each block of cottages all being painted one color it gave the neighborhood a sort of of Dr. Seuss type of feel, though the houses themselves were beautiful.

As a family they had chosen the Lynnhaven floor plan. Their new home had hardwood floors, three bed rooms and two bathrooms. They also had a breakfast nook, kitchen, and dining room.

The jeep pulled into their driveway and everyone scrambled out. The soldier driving the jeep helped them collect their luggage.

"Welcome to Shetland and enjoy your stay." He said before getting back into his jeep.

"Thank you." Michonne said.

The soldier nodded and then drove off as her family waved their goodbyes.

"This is it. We're home." Michonne said and grabbed the handle of her luggage.

12 Apple Blossom Lane was so sweet and charming. It reminded Michonne of an English cottage. The house had blue wood shingle siding and white trim. The front entrance of the house was an A frame shape and the main body of the house had a dormer window and chimney. All houses had personalities and Michonne thought that this house gave off good vibes. It was like a grandmother who couldn't wait to invite you in so she could start doting on you.

Rick picked up Judith and with his free hand took Michonne's hand.

Michonne turned to Carl and took his.

"Everybody ready?" Rick asked with the key poised over the keyhole

"Ready!" Michonne, Carl, and Judith chorused.

Rick turned the key into the lock and then pushed the front door open. Still holding hands they stepped through the threshold together and into the gray tiled vestibule. The two small windows in the vestibule provided enough light that the would not have to turn the ceiling light on until much later in the evening. The vestibule walls were the color of her great grandmother's butter cream frosting. On the left wall a mahogany coat hook had been installed to hang scafs and coats. On the right wall was an oak door.

Rick opened the door. "That's convenient." Rick noted of the small bathroom.

"Especially when Jude starts doing the pee pee dance while you're unlocking the door." Carl said.

From the vestibule they stepped into the reception hall. From her vantage point Michonne could see the semi-opened stairway, and to the left of that through the archway was the living room with a fire place. Directly in front of her was a glass door that lead to the kitchen. She walked into the living room first. All of their boxes marked living room where there in the middle of the floor. Her eyes scanned the living room sizing up and figuring out where everything should go. The walls were the same buttercream color, but the wood trim was oak just like the doors. There was a window seat across from the fireplace that had a view of the front yard. It seemed the perfect place to read a book or just sit there and watch the rain falling.

Judith stepped out into the middle of the living room and looked around as if she was doing an appraisal. "It's nice. I suppose I'll stay here." She said calm and assured way that was beyond her years.

"Nice to hear you've decided to stick with the company." Rick told her and shook her hand.

Judith covered her mouth with her hands and giggled. "Daddy you silly."

Michonne opened all the windows in the living room to get the air circulating. She clapped her hands and then rubbed them together. "Let's clean this place up some." She said to Rick and Carl who groaned in unison.

"It's already clean." Carl protested.

"No, it only looks clean, but trust me it's not clean." Michonne responded.

"Can I go see my room first? Pleeeeease." Carl asked.

"OK, but take your sister with you." Michonne told him.

Carl took his sister's hand and they raced up stairs to see their new rooms.

Michonne made her way into the kitchen and Rick followed her. The kitchen was bright and airy. An archway separated it from the bigger dining room. The kitchen walls were robin's egg blue, not a color Michonne would have ever picked, but it worked for the sunny kitchen. The wooden cabinets had been repainted white with blue trim, and were still in good shape. The backsplash on the oven was white with little blue birds painted on them. The oven was robin's egg blue too. The kitchen wasn't her style at all, but some how it fit her family just right. Michonne began checking the pantry and cabinets for cleaning supplies. The cabinets, pantry and refrigerator were fully stocked with food and supplies. If she went upstairs and checked the bathroom she bet she would find toiletries. This was one smooth operation, maybe a little too smooth. The Government didn't give people things for free. There was a price always a price.

"Hey, what's that?" Rick asked pointing to a cardboard box on the kitchen counter that had government issued stamped across the front.

"The price." Michonne said.

"What?"

"Let's just see what's in the box."

Rick took a butter knife from the kitchen drawer and carefully opened the box.

On top nestled under packing peanuts was a book titled The Civilian Global Pandemic Writ. It was as thick and heavy as a phone book.

"What does it mean?" Rick asked.

Michonne read the first chapter of the book. "It's all the rules and regulations we're to follow while we're here."

"Do they really expect us to read all of that?" Rick wanted to know.

"No they probably don't, which is exactly why I am."

"You can read it to me in bed at night." Rick suggested. "That way we'll both know everything that's in that book."

Michonne frowned. "Feels like we're really trapped here now."

"If we need a way out, we'll find a way out. If Shane and I still have jobs as patrolmen we'll at least have one car."

"That's a pretty big if, and one car isn't enough. If we have to get out of this place all of us need to be able to leave together."

Carl and Judith came back down the steps.

Michonne looked at Rick who nodded. They would continue the discussion later.

"It's nice upstairs you two have to go and check it out." Carl said.

"Happy to have your own room again?" Rick asked.

"Yeah."

"What about you Judith?" Michonne wanted to know.

"I like my new bed and rocking chair."

"I like seeing the smile back on your face." Michonne said.

Judith held out her hand and Michonne took it allowing the two year old to lead her upstairs. She helped Judith to set up all her belongings she had brought from Possum Holler with her. Seeing her old things made Judith smile even more.

"Why don't we start cleaning, and then wash up for dinner, and tomorrow we can get the rest of the house set up ." Michonne instructed.

"Whatever you want." Rick said kissing her. "Happy wife, happy life."

"Don't you forget it officer." Michonne said giving Rick a playful slap on the ass.

"Aah! My eyes!" Carl shouted and took a comical spill over the side of the couch.

"When you've recovered your eye sight do you think you could start dusting?" Michonne asked.

Carl stopped feinting convulsions and got up and started the dusting.

Michonne turned the radio on and turned the music up.

With everyones help, even Judith's, the house was cleaned to Michonne's standards, and most of their belongings had been unpacked.

"Now can we have dinner?" Carl asked. "I'm starving."

"Yes we can, and I'll even make it in the oven instead of the microwave."

"Yessss!" Carl hissed. For the last week of the move Michonne had to make all their meals from the microwave as all their pots and pans had been packed away and shipped to Shetland.

For dinner they had Salisbury stake, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and a garden salad.

"Are you ready to go back to school?" Rick asked.

"Kind of, I mean it's cool that I'll be going to an actual school again, and that there will be more than twelve kids in my class, but it's still school."

"At least you're going to school." Michonne said. "No one has told us what we're supposed to do about having jobs. I don't know what we're supposed to do."

"Carpe diem." Rick said and sat back in his seat.

"I hope you two don't think you're going to spend the whole day watching TV." Carl teased. "There's plenty that needs to be done around this house."

"Actually I do have something to do, I'll still be tutoring Sara, your dad is the slacker."

"Are you trying to hurt me?" Rick asked and placed his hand over his heart.

After dinner Carl washed the dishes. "My hands are gonna fall off from all this scrubbing." He moaned. "My fingers still look like raisins.

Michonne and Rick ignored him and helped Judith get ready for bed.

"Are you going to be OK sleeping in your room by yourself?" Rick asked.

"If you're not you can always come in our room." Michonne assured her.

"I a big girl." Judith reminded them.

"Of course you are, but we'll leave your nightlight on and the door open." Michonne told her.

Rick bent down and kissed Judith on the cheek. "Sweet dreams daddy's big brave girl."

"Nighty night." Michonne said and tucked the blankets around her.

"Night daddy. Night mimom."

"She's taking this better than I am." Michonne said in the hallway.

"Yeah, she doesn't scare as easy any more." Rick noted.

Carl was also unbothered about having his own room. In fact he was happier than Michonne had seen him in a long time.

"Don't stay up too late." Rick reminded his son. "We have that town hall slash school open house thingy in the morning."

"Why do we have to go to that?" Carl asked.

"Because Y is a crooked letter and Z is no better, now go to sleep." Rick replied.

"I hate when you say that. It doesn't even make sense." Carl said.

"Fine don't go to sleep, but you still have to go to the open house."

"I can't wait til I'm old enough to get away with saying stupid things when I don't have real answers to questions." Carl said before he shut his door.

"Will you stop teasing him." Michonne said when they got to their bedroom.

"Hey, it's a parents prerogative. You're their mother now better take advantage of it."

Michonne began to turn down their bed. She inspected the sheets trying to determine if they were cleaned or not. The sheets had been on the bed when they'd first arrived, and she couldn't tell, so she stripped off the old sheets and put on the ones she brought with her from Possum Holler.

"Even with these old sheets I don't think I'll be able to sleep." Michonne remarked. "It's still a new bed, a new room, a new city. I don't know if I can get comfortable here without a developed plan B."

"I know I can't." Rick confessed.

Michonne climbed into bed beside Rick, and turned off the bedside light, the room was devoured by darkness and silence until Rick pulled her into his arms and spoke again. "The first thing we need is a car. Then a place to stay. A safe place that everyone agrees on."

"I don't know about the car, but Shawn's father's farm is our most viable option for a place to go." Michonne said. "That's where we should plan on going."

"What if Shawn's family is dead?"

"The farm will still be there." Michonne insisted. We probably know a lot more about killing biters and surviving than most people out there do now, and before we leave we can learn a lot more."

"We still have to worry about other people. If Shawn's family is dead squatters could have taken over the farm and we might have to fight to get it back." Rick said. "With the way things are outside of these walls I don't think my being a cop matters anymore. Society has broken down , and when we leave Shetland for the farm we'll be risking it all."

"I know. I'm scared, but I know." Michonne said. "We'll make this work. If all of us put our brains together we can formulate a workable plan to secure a place before the end of fall. No more safety net Rick."

"I know, Rick said, I'm scared, but I know."

When Michonne woke up the next morning there was someone knocking at the front door. She picked up her cell phone to see what time it was. 7:57 am, grumbling she got out of bed wondering who in the hell would be rude enough to call at this hour.

"Want me to get it?" Rick asked.

"No, I'm already up." She replied. She pulled on her robe and shuffled into the living room. Looking through the peep hole she saw Deann on the other side of the door. Quickly she opened the front door. "Good morning Deann."

"Morning Michonne, sorry to visit you so early, but I thought you'd want what I had to give you right away."

Michonne stepped back. "Come in, would you like some coffee? It's already brewing so it'll be nice and fresh."

"I'd love a cup." She said.

Michonne nodded and headed for the kitchen and Deann followed behind her.

"Wait, before you start making the coffee, I wanted to give you this." Deann said and handed Michonne a manila envelope. "It's the adoption papers. The adoption when through. It's a official."

"Oh my god, thank you." Michonne said and hugged Deann. "Rick come here quick, and bring Carl and Judith with you!"

Alarmed by the tone of Michonne's voice Rick and the children hurried into the kitchen.

"What is it, what's wrong?" Rick asked. He ran into the kitchen with Carl, who was holding Judith in his arms, right behind him.

"Nothing is wrong." Michonne said kissing him on the lips and then hugging both Carl and Judith. "Deann just stopped by to give us this." She handed Rick the envelope.

"What is it?" Carl asked.

"The adoption papers, Rick said as he read them over, we're an offical family now."

"Really, cool." Carl said and did a little dance with his sister. "We are family." He sang.

Michonne cried she was so happy. Each one of them had gone through so much to become the family they were today. It could have easily torn them apart, but they'd fought tooth and nail to stay together, and it had worked. Her family was closer now than it ever was.

"This calls for a celebration, time for my Spanish omelettes." Michonne said as she wiped her tears away. "You're more than welcome to stay, Deann."

"No, I think this should be a family affair. I just wanted to deliver the good news."

Michonne saw Deann out."Thank you so, so, much for this. She said and gave her another hug.

"You're welcome, it's nice to be the bearer of good news for once."

When Michonne walked back into the kitchen Rick pulled the, He who cooks is king, apron from the wall and placed it over Michonne's neck, just like he had the morning after she'd spent her first night in his house. She smiled at her husband. Her fractured little family had rose from the ashes once again.