Epilogue


Late summer sun streamed through the bedroom window, flooding the room with a uniquely vibrant lightness, warming Rick's face and gently drawing him from a deep sleep. Unbothered by the heat tickling the neatly trimmed gray hairs on his cheeks, his eyes remained closed as he considered how much longer he could afford to bask in the warmth of their cozy cocoon before the duties of the day demanded his attention. For a brief moment, the blissful stillness of his surroundings nearly lulled him back to sleep.

The silence was broken by soft, distinctive snoring, pulling his focus to the floor next to his side of the bed. He opened an eye, squinting as the harsh sunlight momentarily splashed starbursts across his field of vision. He cupped a hand over his brow, shielding his eyes from the penetrating glare, while turning onto his side and leaning over the edge of the bed. He peered down at his eldest, sleeping soundly on top of a bed of couch cushions and blankets strewn across the floor.

He smiled as he watched the rhythmic rise and fall of his firstborn's chest. A permanent resident of the Hilltop for nearly a year now, Carl had been sorely missed by every single member of the Grimes household. For Rick, his absence had brought on a heartache he knew would take some time to heal. He'd always assumed Carl's departure from their nest would hit Michonne the hardest. After all, while he hadn't grown beneath her heart, he'd certainly grown in it. The young man had given a childless mother the chance to rediscover the joy of loving and being loved, by a cherished son.

To Rick's genuine shock, he'd deposited many more tears onto Michonne's shoulders than she had on his. Laying there, merely recalling the day Carl and Enid had packed up his things and made the trek to the Hilltop, threatened to reopen the wounds he'd successfully kept from consuming him for the past several months. Today was a special day. One likely to force his emotions towards that inevitable cliff, resulting in what was sure to be incessant water works.

I've become such a sap in my old age, he chuckled to himself.

After all, Carl was almost 19. Only a few years younger than he'd been when he had married Lori. Yet, he couldn't help wishing for a few more years with his little boy by his side. But time was a particularly heartless mistress. She'd snatched Carl before Rick had been ready to let go.

He'd eventually conceded, recognizing his once rambunctious little boy had grown into a smart, kind, courageous young man, exactly the type of leader this world would need. He'd more than earned his independence and had made his father immensely proud.

Turning onto his back, Rick tucked his chin into his chest and lifted his head from the pillow, glancing towards the foot of the bed. A grin found its way to his lips as he spied Judith and Isla cuddled against the footboard, their arms locked around each other, their mouths hanging wide open. A hopeful aura washed over him, permeating the room and keeping his melancholy at bay.

The pleasure of witnessing their unshakable bond melted his heart. These two little girls with no common blood, were so much alike. Three-year-old Isla copied each and every thing the nearly six-year-old Judith did. And while Queen Bee Judith sometimes bristled at the mimicry; she also lapped up her sister's adoration like manna from the gods.

His girls were curious and brilliant, brave and spirited, generous and beautiful. Judith's protective instincts over Isla and her new baby brother made Rick so very proud. As did Isla's quest to follow Judith's guidance in most things, yet never feared becoming the opposition whenever her big sister went too far.

His girls were perfection in human form. Any obstacles this world dared drop in their way wouldn't stand a chance. Together, the Grimes children would beat this world. He was sure of it.

Turning, he smiled at the sight of his beloved. She was awake, but her eyes remained closed. He was awed by how the warm light skirted over her exposed skin, making it glitter.

The soothing atmosphere of the quiet room had relaxed her features, leaving the calm, effortlessly happy Michonne that Rick so adored. His life's mission had become ensuring this would be the only expression her face would ever know.

Noting how her succulent lips were slightly parted, Rick licked his. He wanted a kiss. Badly.

Instead, he lifted his hand to stroke her cheek, taking care not to disturb the baby boy laying between them with his eyes closed, yet still latched onto Michonne's breast.

"So much for havin' a romantic night together," he whispered, watching as a sleepy smile crept across her face. "I swear, these kids of ours act like interruptin' us is an Olympic event and their aimin' for gold."

"You know as well as I do that no interruptions would have been a miracle," she said, slowly opening her eyes as she raised a hand to her mouth, attempting to stifle a yawn. "This one wouldn't allow it."

She leaned down to drop a gentle kiss on the crown of their baby boy's head. Predictably, their latest love project had awoke at the crack of dawn for his first meal, then spent the ensuing time lazily alternating between sleep and nursing, whichever suited his fancy.

Rick drew his hand from her cheek, trailing it down her arms until he reached his youngest's head. He tenderly brushed his fingertips through the thick patch of dark, glossy corkscrew curls covering his entire head, the volume of which almost comical, especially sitting atop the tiny head of a three-month-old.

The subtle movement caused their son to detach from Michonne's nipple. Rick pulled back his hand, knowing he might have just set the trigger that would disrupt the peace.

"What have I been telling you?" Michonne teased, leaning over to help the baby latch back on. "If you want quiet in this house, do not play with this boy's food."

"I shoulda known better," Rick said, gently patting his son's back. "Daddy's sorry Duncan."

Michonne stared affectionately at Rick while his gaze remained on their son; their little warrior perfectly embodied his name. He'd been a wholly unexpected surprise after over a year of trying, but one that was gladly welcomed and for which they all were immensely thankful.

We did that, she thought to herself.

"Can you believe all of this is ours?" he murmured, echoing her sentiments as he gestured across the room.

"No need to whisper. Our three other kids sleep like the dead, it's just this one here that doesn't like it when we play games."

Rick leaned down to kiss the top of Duncan Tyreese's head. They hoped to one day teach their son all about his namesake. To tell him of the man who saved his sister and died with his eyes open, sacrificing everything to help get them to a safe place.

"You ready for today?" she asked, fixing her gaze on him and pulling him out of his thoughts. "Say yes."

"Yes," he rasped, tilting his head to the side and gazing down at her through his honey-brown eyelashes.

"Me too," she smiled, reaching over to lace her fingers through his.

Today, family and friends from far-flung communities would be joining them in celebration.

"What'a we gotta do first?" he asked, lifting her hand and kissing her palm.

"Enid should be here in a few hours. I figure we let the girls play downstairs for a while, then send them over to Rosita and Eugene's to hang out while we get ready. I'll keep Duncan with me, and you and Carl can go over to Aaron and Jesus' to get ready, then we can–"

"So… no private time for just…?" he queried, raising his eyebrows.

"Well, maybe we'll have a minute or two to sneak away," she smirked. "Can't promise anythin' today though, cowboy. Reckon we may have'ta wait."

He grinned at her exaggeration of his accent.

"I'll try my damnedest to wait, but you know how I am. Especially with you always lookin' the way you do. Hard bein' a patient man."

"Patient man?" she mocked, giving his hand a squeeze. "Who's that? I don't think I know him."

He leaned back onto his pillow and cackled, momentarily startling Duncan, who quickly went back to the business of eating. Seven years after the world ended and here they are, truly living. They'd taken the bitterest of fruit and turned it into the sweetest.

The miracle inherit in all of this wasn't lost on him. He was blessed to be surrounded by the people he loved most in the entire world. Honored to play a significant role in re-ordering this world. Gratified to do all of it with this magnificent woman by his side.

The past few years had seen them endure challenges, but there had been more triumphs than tragedies and the recognition they'd all made it to the other side, to a life worth fighting for, still filled him with wonder.

He watched Michonne as she pulled off a sleeping Duncan and quietly rose, gently lifting him up and into the crib next to the bed.

She turned back and stood still, mesmerized by the view of Rick laying bare-chested with the comforter pulled up just above his waist. Surrounded by their kids or not, this was never an easy visual to walk away from.

He held out his hand as she settled back into bed, reaching for him instinctively. Their eyes never leaving each other's, he pulled her towards himself, wrapping his portion of the comforter around her. She giggles as he pulled her close, her body finally laying flush with his own.

"Rick…" Michonne purred, debating how far she should let his hands wander. "What are you doing?"

"Shhhhh!" Rick warned, covering her giggles with his lips. "We gotta be quiet."

He looked down to ensure his two open-mouthed angels were still blissfully floating in dreamland, before turning his focus back to the main attraction. His primary distraction.

Rick's hand made their way to her lovely face; fingertips drawing a straight line from the apples of her cheek, to where the corners of her lips had begun to curl upwards. Running his thumb delicately across her cheek and to her brow, he leaned in for a kiss, before letting his hand meander down her exquisite body. Over her arm, past the swell of her hips, onto her trim waist, which he gently gripped. She had always been the perfect balance of hard and soft, shy and brave, practical and devil-may-care. He loved every single piece of her.

He moaned into her mouth, dipping his hand down her hip and going for his favored prize, when a sharp clearing of a throat brought a frustrating end to their brief dalliance.

"You guys know your children are in the room, right?" Carl chided, firmly wedging himself between his parent's and their good time. "Are you really prepared to deal with the fall out of such trauma? There's only so much our minds can take."

"Ok smart ass," Rick retorted, watching as Michonne's eyes took a long, healthy roll. "You caught us kissing. You're an adult. You know about these thin–"

"Rick!" Michonne admonished, feeling the urge to clamp her hands over her ears. She still couldn't fathom Carl as a grown man doing… grown man stuff. To her, he would forever be the awkward 12-year-old she met so long ago. "No mother wants to hear this, so you two need to stop. Now.."

"Son, what do you want me to do?" Rick asked, ignoring Michonne's command to poke Carl once more. "Mom's a looker."

"Gross," Carl mumbled, his playful tone negating his words.

Rising from the floor and moving over to the foot of the bed to collect his sisters, he stated, "I'm getting them out of here. We don't have enough psychiatrists among the living to deal with this level of damage."

Rick tipped his head back and laughed as Carl detangled the girls and scoop Isla into his arms, before waking very grumpy Judith.

"C'mon Judes," Carl said, taking her by the hand and theatrically shaking his head as he led his two little sisters out of the bedroom. "At least Duncan's too small to scar."

Rick watched as Carl closed the door, before quickly turning back to the visage of Michonne's sexy smile and mischievous eyes staring back at him.

"That kid's awfully helpful when he wants to be," Rick said, dropping his head to draw her lips to his. "Now, where were we?"

"I'm not sure," she replied, rocking her body against his. "I think I'm gonna need you to remind me."

She pulled him close, reveling in her body's instantaneous response as his strong, war-hardened hands landed on either side of her waist. He moved her onto her back and deftly covered her body with his. Their noses landed a whisper apart as her racing heart sped up to join his. Beating in synch, he pulled back to gaze into her eyes, examining the essence of this woman.

She inhaled sharply as Rick dropped a feather-light kiss on her brow. Her hands found their way to his arms as she felt him balance himself on one arm, while his other roamed from her waist, down to her smooth, powder soft thighs, snaking his hands between them.

Slowly, he stroked her through her panties. His warm yet rough touch sending a thrilling jolt rumbling from her belly to her toes. She shivered as he ran his hand back up her thigh, pausing a moment to gently squeeze the delicate patch of skin where her waist indented, before running up her arm to land back on her cheek.

She drew her hand up to cover his. They stilled, labored breathing the only sound in the room, no words spoken aside from what their eyes could convey.

"I love you more than anythin'," he drawled, his thumb absentmindedly tracing a design from her brow to the tip of her chin. "You've meant everythin' to me for so, so long. Six years ago, I'd never have imagined I could be happy in this world, but…"

"But, here we are," she whispered, their thoughts, as always, melding into a common feeling.

He leaned in, dropping a slow, sweet kiss on her forehead, before pulling back to gaze at her once more. He went in for a second one, this time landing it on the tip of her nose before pulling back to catch the brilliance of a smile on her lips.

He dropped his hand to her belly, feeling her flesh pebble as goosebumps sprung up across the surface. He dropped his hand lower, skimming the edge of her panties as she involuntarily lifted her hips from the bed.

"Someone's awfully eager," he teased, using his index finger to draw her panties down, exposing the sparse patch of hair to the sunlight.

"That's because someone's got me all bothered," she replied, dragging his lower lip between her teeth as she pulled him down for a kiss.

She drew her knees up, allowing him to pull her panties off and drop them on the side of the bed without releasing her from his kiss. He groaned for a moment as she broke their kissing, scooting up to quickly pull her button-down sleep shirt over her head, while using her feet to drag down his boxers from his hips.

She pulled his face towards her, pressing her lips against his in a hard, scorching kiss. He moaned into her mouth as her tongue breached his lips and she wrapped her long legs around his waist.

The battle ended at their front door, but fighters somehow instinctively sought victory in any situation. Spiritedly, they battled for dominance. He pulled up again, eyes shifting from hers to move downwards, taking in the glorious expanse of creamy skin enrobing her body. She consumed him. Today, he would let her win.

She rolled them over, straddling his waist as she slid down his body until her core landed on his. The friction elicited a gasp from Michonne. Her legs went numb, losing her grip on Rick's slim hips and giving him a chance to reclaim the upper hand.

Expertly, he flipped her onto her back, grunting as he felt her tremble, the slick heat of her core sliding across his aching hardness.

"How much time you think we've got?" she groaned, parting her legs to give him full access.

"Enough," he rasped, his lips leaving hers to seek respite at the crook of her neck.

That soft, tender spot that never failed to provoke an utterly ethereal sound from her lips. Palming his almost painfully rigid length, he sought home.

The first delicious push into her left the echo of her moans ringing in his ears. They clung to each other, not a sliver of light between them. Rick lifted her arms over her head, holding them in place as he lifted his head and stared into her desire-filled eyes. He stilled himself, excitement threatening to end things more quickly than he deemed acceptable.

Slowly, he rocked into Michonne, holding her in place as her body pitched and her back vaulted off the bed. He soon felt the telltale tiny tremors and subtle changes in her breathing which signaled the onset of her climax. He slowed his thrust, the rhythm shifting, changing as the lovers played to their own melody.

He shifted upwards, his thrusts angled just right, as he hit her spot every single time he descended into her.

He was dizzy, pleasure permeating every aching corner of his being. For extra measure, he released her hands and dropped his to where they were joined, flicking her nub with precision as she ascended. She fell; he quickly followed.

As she came down from her high, she ran her fingers through his hair, landing on the shorn patch at the back of his neck. After all this time, the sweet pull of his sex never failed to leave her spellbound.

She looked over at her handsome husband, a thin sheen of sweat covering his torso, those beautiful eyes that had captivated her so long ago staring back at her.

"I'm still mad at you for cutting my curls," she pouted, dramatically pulling at his now closely clipped locks. "They were literally the best part of you.

"First off, really?" he asked, pulling her onto his chest. "I've got nothin' else you like?"

She giggled, lifting her head just in time to catch the bemusement in his eyes.

"Second, what do I need to do to make it up to you? I told Carl to go easy, but I guess he got carried away."

"That's what you get for letting a kid who never wants to cut his own hair, cut yours," she huffed.

"He said he'd only let me cut his for today if I let him cut mine. I really had no choice sweetheart."

"The both of you know better than that," she playfully scolded. "No choice my ass!"

"Mmmmm… and a mighty fine ass it is," Rick growled, running a hand down her spine and landing a firm grip on her backside.

"Don't try to sweet talk me Rick. It won't work."

"You sure about that?" he asked, giving her an assured squeeze. "Well, how about from now on, I don't let anyone but you cut my hair? Will that make you happy?"

"I see the famous Rick Grimes plays dirty," she moaned, arching into his touch. "I gotta admit, you still look awfully sexy."

"Still, huh?"

"How about always?" she purred, wrapping her arms around his neck as she straddled him. "You always look sexy."

In reality, while she loved his curls, there was something so mind-blowingly sexy about how this man looked now. The marble-like muscles she felt beneath her at the moment. The gray in his trimmed beard, along with his freshly shorn tresses created a package that turned her on every single time he entered a room. They're never be a version of him she didn't want.

All these years together, the battles, the heartbreak. They were still in it. Still in this thing together.


"Mama!" Judith whined, rising to her knees from the rug on the living room floor. "Issy won't listen. I need you to punish her now, please."

Rick and Michonne stood in the doorway between the dining room and the living room, chuckling to themselves as they took in the look of exasperation on Judith's face. It tickled both of them to watch their eldest girl do what she did best: boss each and every soul who passed her way. Unfortunately for Isla, being Judith's little sister frequently put her directly in the line of fire.

Yet they loved as fiercely as they fought. For both parents, a deep comfort came with knowing their children would have each other to lean on in this life. Being able to provide an environment where they could just be kids lifted a worrisome burden from their shoulders.

Rick wrapped his arms around Michonne's waist, drawing her against his chest and dropping a kiss on the top of her head. Having three strong-willed women under one roof was an exercise in strategic battle picking. Yet since he lived for the privilege of luxuriating in the brightness of their orbit, he wouldn't have it any other way.

While he worshiped his ladies above all else, with Carl gone, the Grimes household had been in desperate need of gender balance. Duncan's unexpected arrival tipped the scale, if ever so slightly. It had forced Isla out of the nursery and into a shared room with Judith. They'd expected war and had been surprised to see peace be the more frequent house guest. At least when Isla showed obedience to Judith's commands.

"Judy-bear, you know Issy's not a doll," Michonne gently chided, leaning her head against Rick's chest.

While Judith contemplated how far she could press her point, the youngest Grimes daughter sat stone-faced on the floor, her tiny arms defiantly crossed over her chest as she looked up at her father for support, squinting as she tilted her head in that familiar Grimes way.

"But we needed a baby," Judith said, secretly prepared to concede, yet wanting her parents know it wasn't all her fault. "And you said Duncan's too small for us to play with when you're not in the room."

"She's got a mind of her own," Rick said. "Now I know for a fact you wouldn't like it very much if you didn't get to make any of the rules, would you?"

The six-year-old looked up at her parents, knowing the answer expected of her. She sighed, sitting back on her heels. The game was her idea. Shouldn't she be able to make the rules? She just knew it would be so much more fun for everyone if they just listened.

"I guess not," Judith mumbled, turning attention back to her non-compliant sister. Issy didn't look happy, which spoiled the fun. Even though she still silently bemoaned Issy's refusal to be swaddled like a baby for her epically detailed playtime, she was the big sister and didn't like it one bit when her little sister was sad.

"Don't wanna be the baby," Isla protested, looking at the sister she adore. "Duncan's the baby."

A frustrated Judith turned towards the much more amenable Herschie, who promptly shrugged his shoulders, unsure of how he could help in this situation. At four and a half, Herschie already knew it was a fool's errand to resist Judith's often elaborating thought out plans.

"How about use we Bun-Bun instead Issy?" Judith suggested, looking and Isla as she pointed to the tattered bunny laying underneath the coffee table. "He's smaller and easy to carry."

"Okkkkaaay," Isla said, smiling as she nodded vigorously at Judith's change of heart.

While a crisis had been averted, the scene was broken by high-pitched wails coming from upstairs. Michonne turned to look towards the staircase, sliding out of Rick's arms.

"Relax," he said, holding onto her more tightly." Carl's got this. Besides, he and I need to take 'im over to Rosita and Eugene's place in a little while anyway."

She nodded, lifting her head and catching the mirth in his eyes. She looked over at the three children, now seeming to have forgotten the previous conflict. Judith lay the bunny in the middle of a baby blanket and begun to carefully wrap him up, just like she'd seen her mom do for Duncan. Isla and Herschie sat next to her, laying out the plastic dinner set for the "family meal" scenario Judith had cooked up for playtime.

Michonne couldn't help grinning at the sheer ordinariness of the moment. Just children playing in the comfort and safety of their own home.

"How is it even possible we ended up with four kids at the end of the world?" Michonne asked, giggling as Rick tickled her sides, before moving his hands from her waist, to around her shoulders.

"Well," he began, his drawl particularly pronounced in a way he knew would get a laugh out of her. "Like I said, it's our civic duty to re-populate the earth. This is the only way that gets done. Besides, we could always have one mo–"

"No!" she quickly interrupted, drawing a cackle from Rick as he leaned down to kiss her pouty lips. "Don't even put that out into the universe. We're done. I'm done. How about we give others a chance to contribute to the gene pool?"

"Hmmmm, you might be onto somethin' here," he began, tilting her chin up with his fingertips to get a full view of her beautiful face. "You've gotta admit though, we do make beautiful babies."

She lifting a brow to side-eye him, before shifting her gaze back to an animated Judith now trying to get Isla and Herschie to follow part two of her plan. She laughed, turning back to look into the deep seas of his eyes.

"What I meant to say was we raise beautiful babies… and make 'em too."

She looked up adoringly, mirroring his dazzling smile as she took in his handsome profile.

"We sure do."


"There!" Michonne exclaimed, closing the last button on the back of Enid's dress.

She spun the young woman around, taking in her bright smile as comforting energy percolated throughout the room. Maggie and Rosita sat on the bed, chatting while trying to prevent a rambunctious Abraham Daniel from cannonballing from the bed onto pillows his mother had preemptively laid out beside the bed.

"I swear," Rosita sighed, patting her extended belly with one hand while using the other to quickly grab her toddler's leg before he dove off the bed. "This kid will be the death of me! This is what I get for naming him after the biggest daredevil I ever met."

The ladies laughed, reminiscing about the bold mountain of a man still missed by them all. Every joyous occasion seemed to bring with it a bittersweet moment where the realization of those who hadn't made it to the moment sneaked into the survivors' consciousness.

They'd made a pact to ensure today would be different. This was a celebration of the lives they'd all fought so valiantly to attain. Of finding the bright light at the end of this world's bleak tunnel. Of new lives born and familial bonds strengthened. Today, their dearly departed would be honored with joyful thoughts only.

Michonne left Enid at the full-length mirror and walked over to the window. Pulling back the curtains to sneak a peek outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of her boys. All she could make out through trees partially blocking her view was the flower-covered path down to the similarly decorated gazebo.

The community had done a beautiful job decorating the grounds around the picturesque pond framing the gazebo. Vibrantly colored blankets and rugs had been laid out all over the grounds and would be used for guests to sit.

The descending sun had taken some bite out of the humid day, making the festivities much more bearable as Michonne observed party goers in garb that would have been considered casual for the old world, yet fancy for this one.

The intoxicating aroma of grilled meats wafted into the room, making Michonne's mouth water at the feast prepared special for today. There weren't many moments to indulge, but they would all put the guilt on the shelf and enjoy the bounty.

"Michonne!" Maggie reprimanded, rising from the bed. "Step away from that window."

"Yeah," Rosita added, holding Abraham Daniel in her arms as Maggie helped pull her up. "Isn't it bad luck or something for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding?"

"I never bought into that old wives' tale," Michonne said, turning away from the window and walking back to the mirror. "Besides, we saw each other this morning."

"I bet you did!" Rosita snorted, ignoring the pointed look Michonne gave her as she tilted her head towards Enid.

The young woman blushed, then smiled. She was happy to be surrounded by these powerful women she admired so much. Grateful for the family they'd built from scratch and had allowed her to join with open arms.

"How do you want your hair?" Enid asked, making her way over to stand next to Michonne.

"I was thinking up, but that might be too heavy," Michonne replied, lifting a handful up to test its weight.

"Your locs are kissing your booty Michonne!" Rosita exclaimed, dropping her son to the floor and gathering the honey-tinged tresses in her hands. "How about we do a partial up and down? The flowers Enid picked to pin in will look perfect like that."

Taking a seat on the chair they'd dragged from downstairs, Michonne nodded as the sisters she'd always longed for went to work.

"Don't make me laugh! I'll pee all over myself!"

"That's the price you pay for ignoring your lady exercises," Maggie smirked, throwing Michonne a look as Rosita rolled her eyes.

"Do not make me part of this," Michonne said, narrowing her eyes at Maggie. "We've got an impressionable young woman in the room. You don't want her to get negative ideas about childbirth and motherhood."

"She's heard worse," Rosita scoffed. "Every single woman alive these days can handle anything. Because, all of us have had to and we'll keep doing what we need to do to keep us and ours safe. Besides, it's not like I pee myself for no rea–"

"No!" Enid, exclaimed, clutching her chest in feigned horror. "Please don't tell that story again!"

"Or what?" Maggie prodded, tossing a wink at Rosita. "No one's gonna stop Rosita from talking about how birthing Eugene's 'big-headed baby' nearly ruined her hoohaa."

Michonne gave Maggie a withering look.

"Don't look at me!" Maggie proclaimed, picking up a sleepy Abraham Daniel and laying him on the bed to nap. "I don't even live here and I've heard the story."

"Look ladies," Rosita began, dropping down onto the chair Michonne had vacated. "Not everyone can have Michonne's deluxe lady parts. The one that has our Rick pouting like a four-year-old if she's away more than a day. Popping out babies with perfectly normal-sized heads. The rest of us are just doing the best we can."

"Don't put that on me," Michonne retorted. "You knew what you were getting into when you married that man."

"Yeah," Rosita sighed, a soft smile pulling up the corners of her mouth as she looked over at her sleeping son. "I did indeed."

"Why did you and Rick decide to get married now?" Enid timidly asked, weaving an intricate pattern of jasmine blooms and scorpion grasses into the beautiful up-down style Rosita had created.

"It wasn't something that really matter to me in the old world," Michonne began, looking at Enid's reflection as she finished pinning the final flowers in her hair. "We were already committed and raising kids together. I felt married. It didn't seem, I don't know, necessary I guess. But Rick though…"

The room broke out in laughter. Everyone knew Rick had been asking for her hand since practically their first night together. For Michonne, they were already bonded. No amount of pageantry could add to what they already had.

Then she watched this man as they struggled to conceive. This man who took on all her pain and anxiety. This man whose arms never stopped feeling like home. Rick became the one man she wanted to breathlessly and publicly declare her love for.

"He knew," Michonne admitted. "I just needed to catch up."

"Sometimes, you don't know," Rosita began, pausing as she checked on a sleeping Duncan in his crib in the corner. "Sometimes, you only know when you know. At least that's how it was with me and Eugene. He surprised me."

"And sometimes you know from the very start," Maggie began, grabbing Rosita hand as she looked over at Michonne and smiled. "But it takes a minute for your head to catch up with your heart."

Michonne knew Maggie had never consider a life with anyone besides Glenn, but as she told Maggie, Glenn would have never chosen a solo life for her and their son. While there wasn't anyone on the horizon, Maggie had finally healed enough to open herself up to the possibilities.

"You look so beautiful!" Maggie gasped as Michonne rose and turned to face them.

The purple and white blooms woven around the crown of her head and down the back were the perfect background for the hint of shimmering makeup Rosita had dusted on her forehead and cheeks; plum lipstick added the final touch.

Michonne ran her fingers down her hips, smoothing out the champagne-colored floor length halter dress. She'd been worried about how it would look, especially so soon after Duncan's birth. But it molded perfectly to her figure. Her amble breast were encased and held in place by buttons at the back of her neck, while the A-line style graciously skimmed her curves and accentuated her best parts. She knew Rick would love it.

Giddy with excitement, she moved to the window, taking in how decked out the community was for their wedding. She inhaled deeply, not wanting tears to overwhelm the magical moment.

Enid came to stand next to her as they watched Carl, clad in a white button-up and khaki dress pants, stroll towards the gazebo. Her eyes quickly scanned the crowd, searching for Rick, before thinking better of it and turning away. It'd be worth the wait.


"How is it you look more nervous than me?" Rick inquired, standing in front of Carl as they readied themselves for the wedding.

"It's a big day dad," Carl replied. "You're not even a little bit nervous?"

"Of course not," Rick stated, turning to face the mirror in Aaron and Jesus' guest room, Michonne's favorite baby blue button-down shirt in his hands. "It's been a long time comin'. Just really excited. Can't wait to see her."

Carl studied his father as Rick tucked the shirt into the brand-new pair of dark-washed Levi's Michonne and he had insisted he wear.

"Dad?" Carl inquired, his voice going soft as he looked into eyes identical to his own. "How do you know of the feelings you have for someone will last forever?"

Rick held his son's gaze, thinking of how to answer. The truth was, he didn't actually know. When he stood at the altar with Lori a lifetime ago, he was young and in love and thought that feeling would always be enough to carry them through.

But the fissures in their relationship had appeared long before the world went to hell. By the end, they weren't even in the same book, let alone on the same page. The pain eventually subsided, yet the guilt lingered for a long time. Until he fell in love with Michonne.

She'd walked into his dark world, opened the windows, and saturated it with light. All was illuminated as she lovingly forced him to see himself as reflected in her eyes.

"How do you know?" Rick said, placing his hands on Carl's shoulders. "When you don't have to hide your faults because she makes you want to do better. When she makes you feel like she truly sees you, warts 'an all, yet loves you anyway. That's how you know."


Hearing a sudden roar of laughter from outside, Michonne crept back towards the window. She'd decided to at least try following the one tradition Maggie and Rosita had insisted upon. So, she carefully shielded herself from prying eyes as she pulled back the curtains and peeked out the window.

Her eyes settled on him almost immediately. She smiled, noting how he'd worn her favorite shirt and the new jeans Jesus, at Michonne's request, had brought him back from a run after she'd accidentally lost his favorite pair. She watched him make his way through the crowd, receiving hugs and slaps on the back as he walked down the path to the gazebo with Carl at his shoulder.

Tears sprung to her eyes as she thought back to all they had endured since that fateful first meeting, back when anger and mistrust ruled them both.

And so it is

She often went back to that moment at the fence, studying it, pondering if it was the moment the fates had inevitably rolled the dice and brought them together. She couldn't quite remember what she'd been thinking as she stared at him through the chain-linked fence. The pain of her gunshot wound had dulled her senses so completely that only bits and pieces floated back to her, no matter how hard she tried to recall the details.

Just like you said it would be

The only thing she remembered clearly were his eyes. Those eyes that seemed to see right into her very soul from day one. The eyes that eventually promised her the world, then gave it to her.

Life goes easy on me

Those acrimonious times when they'd somehow lost sight of each other. When her faith in him had been shaken. When she knew she had to leave because, being whole for herself was more important.

Most of the time

After the Saviors had brought them low and she realized there was no way she could stand a life without Rick, Carl, and Judith in it.

And so it is

How he pulled the dark cloak that had hidden her light after Spencer's death. He'd looked at her like he would have done anything to make lighter the burdens plaguing her soul. And he had.

The shorter story

When she first accepted his touch, the pure connection had made her spirit sing, her now open heart allowing her to finally freely admit what her head dared not speak for so, so long.

No love, no glory

No hero in her eyes

When finding love at the end of the world seemed an impossibility. All the things that could have shattered them, but didn't. How he made her dream of more children, then made it so.

I can't take my eyes off of you

As she looked down at him from her perch, she realized this would be their forever. And this was how it was always meant to be.


Rick stood at the base of the steps to the gazebo, nervous energy causing him to absentmindedly sway back and forth on the heels of his boots. A bemused Carl stood next to him, taking in his excited father, while scanning the crowd for friends and family. Carl spotted Carol and Ezekiel making their way down the flower-strewed path towards them.

"Why don't you two look handsome!" Carol exclaimed, reaching out to pull both Rick and Carl into an exuberate hug.

"Good to see you too Carol," Rick stated, smiling down at the woman as he pulled away. "Glad you made it."

"A Michonne Thibodaux, Rick Grimes wedding?" she said, returning his grin. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. This one, not the old one."

Rick laughed, giving her an extra squeeze, before reaching out to shake Ezekiel's hand.

"Everyone in the Kingdom sends you their absolute best on this glorious day!" Ezekiel bellowed, taking Carol's hand into his.

"Everyone does," Carol concurred, nodding as Rick caught her eye.

"Thanks Carol," Rick said, giving his old friend a smile. "I appreciate it."

Rick watched as Carol and Ezekiel turned towards the grounds, finding a sunny spot near the front. He brought his attention back to the gathered crowd, mystified to see so many travel so far just to celebrate with them. He could already feel the emotions bubbling their way towards the surface.

Exhaling deeply, he continued roving around those assembled. Daryl, Aaron and Jesus huddled to the side and smoking. Rosita standing and chatting with Maggie as Eugene entertained their sons on a blanket at their feet. Enid sitting on the same blanket and holding Duncan, while Judith and Isla, eager for their chance to participate in the festivities, whispered to each other like conspirators.

"Looks like the weather's gonna hold up," Carl said, looking up at the clear blue sky as the sun filtered in through the slats of the gazebo's roof.

Carl reached out to tap his father's shoulder and draw him from his daydream, when Daryl's loud whistle, signaling commencement of the day's big event, caused both to jump.

"Ready dad?" Carl asked, holding his father's gaze.

"Ready son," he replied.

Rick clapped Carl on the shoulder, watching as he turned back up the path to the spot where Enid sat with his sisters. Holding out both hands, he watched as the little girls jumped up and ran to their big brother. Carl squatted down to their eye-level and said something that made them laugh, instantly drawing a smile to Rick's lips. He straighten up and reached for their hands, which both eagerly took as the three walked back towards the house. Rick closed his eyes and took a deep, cleansing breath. Soon, they'd be returning with his bride. He could hardly wait.

And so it is

He could pinpoint exactly when his life in this cruel, crazy, messed-up world had irreversibly changed. That moment at the fence had been everything. He'd been so lost. Devastated by the loss of Lori before they'd had the chance to forgive each other. Numbed by the trauma of caring for a newborn. Weary from the responsibilities of keeping Carl safe, like he'd promised. Desperate to keep all of them safe.

And then, she appeared. He'd been confused at first, assuming he was still chasing ghosts. But as the vision of Lori dissipated, there Michonne stood, bold and bright. An offering least expected, but one that would have seismic impact to his life and those of his children.

Waking up in hell and trying to make sense of it. The sheer exhilaration of finding his family again, only to be dashed by the horrors of this world. He'd been irreparably broken. Or so he'd thought.

Just like you said it should be

She appeared at the gates, like a mirage tricking his soul. His distrust had marked the start of their relationship, but her bond with Carl had sealed the tie that would forever bind them. She'd propped him up when he thought he was unable to go on. She saw him in a way no one else did or ever had. And, she loved him anyway.

We'll both forget the breeze

She'd shared with him the most difficult, intimate parts of herself. He wallowed in the splendor of simply being in her presence.

Most of the time

He'd hidden the dark places in his heart for so long that even he wasn't sure who he really was. She had shown him. She led him here.

And so it is the colder water

The Blower's daughter

The pupil in denial

He thought of her capacity for forgiveness. The well of which he would never again betray. He had sunned himself in the glory of her love for Carl and Judith. For the home and family she'd willingly built with him.

She was his one true thing. The one thing in this world that he could always see clearly because, she saw him as well. He'd gladly give up everything to make her happy. To make sure she knew just how much her love had meant to him. All that he owned, and all that he would ever own was hers. She'd trusted him with her heart and he had done the same.

I can't take my eyes off you

He turned as the soft strumming of Aaron's guitar brought his eyes to the front of the path leading to the gazebo. Tears began following the moment he caught sight of his little girls dropping fresh petals onto the trail leading to where he stood. The smiled up at him so sweetly, excited to be part of the day. He wanted to run down the stairs and take them in his arms, but he waited, giving them smiles of encouragement as they made their way down the aisle, up the stairs, and into his arms.

"Great job ladies," he whispered, dropping to one knee and taking them into his arms.

"Thanks daddy," they loudly whispered back, stirring up some chuckles from the crowd.

He stood up, Judith standing next to him, while Isla wrapped her arm around his leg. He looked over at Father Gabriel when he heard the man audibly gasp. Rick turned to get a look at what had caused the reaction. His breath hitched the moment he turned and caught his eye. Carl stared back up at his father as he proudly walked with his arm linked under Michonne's.

All was silent; even the air held still. She looked amazing. Her very skin glistening, the sun no match for it today. The beautiful dress skimming her body and laying bare all her beauty.

I can't take my eyes off you

Rick couldn't stop staring. She was a vision. Flecks of gold seemed to glisten off her cheeks as he could see, even from a distance, how brightly her smile shone. Her skin delectably soft as it's glossy sheen seemed to reflect and bounce the light up and into her gorgeous deep brown eyes. She was breathtaking.

The dress did nothing to obscure her gorgeous curves. Her hair was done exactly how he liked: pulled back from her face so he could see all of her and with the flowers spun around her locs, she looked like an angel. His angel.

Carl guided her up the stairs, where her girls insisted on a hug before standing by Carl while she and Rick stood side by side, hands laced together, smiling at Father Gabriel.

"Dear friends," the Minister began, his back to the sun as he looked out to all his friends and family happy to be a part of this joyous occasion. "We're here to honor and show our love for two amazing people. And… we all know it's been a long time coming!"

Carl turned around at the cacophony of laughter breaking out across the large group surrounding them. He smiled to himself. He didn't exactly know what life would have been like at his age in the old world. Sometimes, it made him sad, but not today. He looked over at Enid, rocking Duncan in her arms. He turned back to catch his father's then Michonne's eyes; both shiny with tears.

"We've all watched them grow together," Father Gabriel continued, turning back to the happy couple. "Suffer together. Build something together. And today, it is my immeasurable pleasure to see them joined together in holy matrimony. My meager words would not be enough to convey the love and devotion they have for each other, so it only makes sense they share their own vows. Michonne?"

Hands trembling she turned to face him. She could live an eternity and never tire of looking into those eyes.

I can't take my eyes off you

"The one thing I know to be true is the love I have for you and this family we've made," she began, gripping his hands tightly. "When I met you, I wasn't part of the living. I'd given up, resigned to the fact that I would probably live and leave this cruel world alone. And then I met you and Carl. It changed everything. It changed my very foundation. Come what may, I'm yours forever."

She had more she'd planned to say, but didn't think she'd be able to get it out at the moment. Besides, she'd already told him what he meant to her many times and in many different was. She smiled at him as tears trickled down her face. He was her heart.

"Rick?" Father Gabriel gently asked, not wanting to disturb the moment.

I can't take my eyes off you

Rick gazed at his bride. Years in the making, but he would have gone to the ends of the earth to make her his.

"You've had my heart for a long, long time," he said, rubbing the top of her hands with his thumbs. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

I can't take my eyes off you

"I've made a lot of mistakes in this life. Hell, I made a lot of mistakes in the old life too. But what's always been true. What I've always been sure of since the moment I met you, was that you were… you are something very special. I love you with everything I am and will spend the rest of my life making sure you never forget that."

I can't take my eyes off you

He dropped one of her hands and reached over to catch a tear trailing from the corners of her eyes. Wiping it with his thumb, he smiled as she closed her eyes and leaned her cheek against his palm. Feeling as if they were the only two people left in the world, he leaned in to give her a kiss so soft and tender, it made her want to weep. This man was her everything.

He didn't have to look around to know all eyes were on them. But none of that mattered. It was always her, only her. Until his dying breath, she was the vision his eyes would never dare leave.


A/N: I'm done!

A big MWAHHHH to everyone who read any part of my story. And for those who stuck it out from start to finish (sorry, I'm in an especially corny mood at the moment), I'm so grateful. This has been one of the most fulfilling things I've done in my entire life.

I originally planned to thank everyone that helped me complete this journey, but was afraid of accidentally missing someone. So for all of you who reviewed or PM'd me about this story, and for the lovely silent readers, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

I only had this one idea, so I was fully expecting this to be a "one and done" type of thing, but as it turns out, I have a few other ideas simmering. I hope to share them soon.

Song lyrics: The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice. Yes, it's a bit melancholy for a cotton-candy fluffy chapter, but it's also an achingly beautiful love song and its refrain felt absolutely perfect for this imperfect love story.

As always, thank you for reading!