A/N: Sooo sorry for the long wait! The next chapter will be out a lot sooner. Thanks for all your support guys! Just two more chapters to go to bring this short story to a close.

Things are getting heated so let's check in!

Sophia


"So that's normal at this stage?" Rick's hand brushed Michonne's forehead in a gentle caress, his eyes fixed on the doctor who was scripting the last of his notes.

Dr. Carson swung his chair around from his desk to face the husband and wife. Michonne sat up slowly with Rick's quick help and began to fix her V-cut blouse, eager to rush out the doctor's office to head back to Georgia to make some more jam, especially now that she knew their baby was healthy as a horse.

"I think you should just be grateful for the extra energy Michonne has. As the weeks fly by she may get depleted and she'll need you more. But at six months your wife and baby are doing perfect."

The reassurance from Dr. Carson didn't entirely relax Rick. Michonne was still doing too much in his opinion, but she was happy when she was active and he felt good when she was happy.

"Told you," she smirked, her husband was ever the brooding worrier.

"Michonne, that's not to say that you don't need your rest. The baby's growing, he or she's gonna be taking a lot from you. I suggest you begin to prioritize your projects," Carson said, just as Rick folded his arms, smugness settling in on his handsome face.

"But-," she objected with a throw of her hands. She still had major plans to execute, Serenity was finally getting out of the rut but they weren't completely out of the woods.

"No buts Michonne," Rick clarified.

He wasn't certain if she growled at him or the doctor. Where did she learn to growl like that he wondered.

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" she asked, folding her arms too and letting them rest on her rounded abdomen.

She was such a beauty when she wasn't perfectly pleased with him. At six months pregnant she was radiant, her baby belly protruded with a definitive roundness that Rick called the eighth wonder of the world. The baby was announcing his presence and Rick was humbled knowing Michonne carried his child in such an obvious, proud way. Needless to say, his possessive tendencies were in overdrive.

"Being right all the time? Of course." His eyes softened when hers did. "But you heard the doc, so we're cutting back on some things okay." His tone was soft but there was a firm edge to it because he knew his wife was a stubborn one.

Michonne looked at Rick and his good friend Dr. Carson and shook her head, "And they say carrying a child makes you a superhero." The sarcasm dripped out of her.

"Before we wrap things up completely are we still undecided about whether you want to know if you're having a boy or girl?" It was their fifth visit and he asked them the same question every time.

Rick sighed, it was an ongoing difference of opinions between him and Michonne. She wanted to know so they could prepare better for the baby's arrival. He wanted to be surprised, even more so now that he didn't consider them in the running for the baby race despite his brother and cousin being two weeks ahead and two weeks behind on said race. They were smack dab in the middle and still possibly a good contender to win but he was more than okay with the partnership he had going with Michonne, in love and in life. Biting her bottom lip as she waited on his response to the patient doctor she touched the back of his hand, looking up at him with her expressive brown orbs as a way of persuading him to finally give into what she wanted.

Rick paused in his deliberation, at least he was making her think he was contemplating a decision. He didn't want her to know he couldn't deny her anything; it just wasn't built into him, but still he didn't want to be a cheap sell.

After a few tense seconds he conceded, "Ok doc, it looks like my wife has decided that we want to know."

Carson laughed, Rick knew he was on to him.

Michonne laid back on the cot, adjusting her peach blouse for a second time as Carson retrieved the transducer, turning the screen back to Rick and Michonne.

The gel was cold to the touch, she winced, then laughed on contact even though she saw it coming.

Rick stepped closer to her and reached for her hand.

"Okay, let's see what we can see." Carson ran the probe back and forth on Michonne's protruding belly. The fast thumping of the baby's heartbeat filled the room again. Rick thought it was the most heartwarming sound he ever heard.

"Maybe this little one wants to be a surprise too?" Carson said, searching for a clear visual on the screen. Michonne couldn't make out much of the blur in front of them but she still considered her and Rick's baby a thing of beauty. She was going to replace their last image on the fridge with the one they got today.

The last time they made an attempt to check for the sex the baby gave them no clear view to determine its gender. Rick took it as a sign that they weren't supposed to know yet and that's how it became a debate between the two. She was anxious to know though, readying the baby's nursery and getting the house ready for the new addition to their family was making her compulsions for precision a little intense.

"C'mon Mango, let's see what's between those legs..." Michonne coaxed the screen, Mango was their nickname for her bump because it was the only thing she craved now and the only thing that didn't give any indigestion; a new gift in her sixth month of pregnancy. Rick had become specialized in serving up her latest and greatest craving thus far; mango ice cream, mango juice, mango smoothies, he even purchased mango flavored lip gloss for her.

"Looks like Mango is listening to his mama." Carson pointed to the screen, where a small form, two distinctive legs were visible, "Mango is a boy."

"A boy?" Rick said, in awe, pride oozing off of him. The Grimes family name was intact, thanks to the woman at his side. "Thank you sweetheart."

Michonne clutched his hand even tighter when he bent to kiss her forehead.

"A boy Rick…," she said as tears pooled in her eyes. Her pregnancy hormones were raging these days; ranging from bursting into tears one minute and wanting to drill into him for something he'd done the next.

He had an easy fix on standing order for her smart mouth; he'd pick her up wherever they were and take her to their room kissing her senseless, loving her into submission.

"Congratulations you two!" The doctor too looked relieved, now that the mystery had been solved.

"See you in two weeks."


"I really can't say that I agree with you...what was your name?" Jessie asked for a second time in the forty five minutes the town hall meeting had commenced.

"It's Sasha and it ain't that hard to remember."

Michonne tugged Sasha's hand from where they sat on the wooden benches in the second row of one of the meeting rooms at Oakland Town Hall. Georgia asked Michonne and Sasha to accompany her to a committee meeting where the usual planning group were gathering to finalize plans on the social aspect of their annual Oakland Festival coming up in a few weeks. Since their first meeting, Sasha and Georgia had hit it off and had become as close as Michonne was to Georgia. Georgia informed Sasha that Daryl was like a son to her and felt no qualms in advising her that she was more than welcomed to Daryl. Sasha vehemently denied any romantic affiliation with Daryl despite her quitting her monotonous city job and moving temporarily to Serenity while she decided on what she really wanted to do with her life.

Michonne gave her the courage to stop getting by, she was trying to find a life where she could be happy. The two girls had a city fashion flare that didn't take a back seat even though they got so heavily engaged in country life. It was one of the many ways Georgia saw them adding some pizazz to the monotone festivities that were usually ruled by routine and mediocre ideas.

"Jessie...hear her out." Georgia raised her commanding hand in the air, it was no secret that she had a certain influence in the circles she floated in and so, there weren't much people who cared to defy her wishes.

"Yes Georgia, of course." Jessie sat down, patronizing the rest of the group with a fake smile and a brush of her blonde tresses.

"I'm just saying change isn't all bad, this could benefit everyone. Country Meets City could be a nod to the outsiders who come to this festival. Georgia said it's a big tourist attraction!" Sasha gestured to Michonne who wanted to add to what she was already delivering to the tough but somewhat interested crew.

"I think what we're looking for is clothes that are both practical yet stylish for men and women. Kids too!"

"What are we going to do? Pair our sun dresses with leather jackets and high heels?" Jessie asked sarcastically.

"While that does sound like something you'd do Jessie...no, that's not the look we're going for," Michonne responded smoothly, not caring for the blonde's sass.

"I'm sure you country girls crave city fashion?" Sasha made it a question and a statement.

"Well I must say Miss Sasha, I do like your outfit." That compliment came from Elma, who fell in love with Sasha's polka dot long sleeve blouse and black and white skirt.

Michonne wore a wide legged peach boho pants, she'd pair with a denim shirt that she wanted to tuck in at the waist but her growing belly wouldn't allow it. So she'd let it hang loosely but rolled up the sleeves, it was a perfect example of their current pilgrimage for Country Meets City.

"I'll take that as a yes!"

Jessie leaned over and said a few hushed words to Carol. Carol responded to her by subtly shaking her head, disagreeing with whatever was mentioned.

"I think we should have a vote," Georgia intervened, no longer willing to bear Jessie's negativity and resistance to change any longer.

The question was asked by Georgia and everyone threw their hands up, ready to give change a high five. Jessie remained on the fence.

"Where would we even get clothes like that in Oakland?" she asked again.

"Nowhere you've ever shopped hun," a mature brunette said at the table.

"Sasha is a really good seamstress. I'm sure she could whip up some stuff," Michonne proffered.

"Would she even finish by the time the festival rolls around? We only have two more months!"

"Are you always like this?" Michonne asked, annoyance taking over her good manners.

"I'm just ensuring we keep to our schedule Michonne." Jessie answered in defiance, scribbling some things down on her oversized notepad.

"Gimme a week!" Sasha clarified, enough so that Jessie shut her mouth realizing she had been defeated.

"It's settled then." Georgia beamed, proud of herself that she'd invited Sasha and Michonne to join them.

This aspect of the festival, although still popular had grown monotonous and she was glad she had the smarts to bring some fresh blood to the table.

Jessie approached Georgia as the small crowd began to mingle. Michonne had brought a taste of her jam for everyone and the were sampling her jellies with some sweet tea and crackers.

"Georgia, could you please remind Rick he's yet to decide if he's showcasing his horses this year. I need to know so I can set the itinerary right."

"Why don't you ask his wife? She's right there," Georgia knew Jessie was a walking case of unrequited affection for her eldest son but she was a big girl who needed to get over it. She and Rick were never serious in the first place, she was a filler after his dad died. Rick was never one to handle grief well, his pain often left him with a misguided sense of direction. That all changed when Michonne came into his life, Georgia couldn't be happier for her son.

Reluctantly, Jessie asked Michonne the same question.

"Oh! You know we've been kinda busy with some things and with all that's been going on I told Rick he may not have the time to dedicate to that this year, with the baby coming and all…"

"But his horses are usually a real crowd pleaser. He does it every year, it's a tradition. I usually ride with him." Jesse couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Think it's safe to say Jessie, that ain't happening this year," Sasha intervened, stumped at how much like Daryl she was beginning to sound with the use of his vernacular.

"If I weren't pregnant I'd ride with him but let's face it, there isn't anyway my husband is gonna let me get on a horse in this condition." Michonne laughed sweetly, thinking of Rick's reaction if she dared to broach the topic.

Jessie was irritated by Michonne's nonchalance, she decided Michonne didn't understand or appreciate the importance of tradition in a town like Oakland. She was only thinking of all kinds of ways to change everything just like how she'd change Rick.

"Of course," Jessie answered robot like.

"Well we've gotta run, Rick and I have a date tonight." Michonne gathered up her things, unaware of the jealousy and anger seething below Jessie's somewhat cool facade.

Jessie watched Georgia, Sasha and Michonne leave, thinking to herself in another world she be Mrs Grimes, she'd be the one happily carrying Rick's baby but Michonne came on the scene and ruined all her plans. Rick only had eyes for Michonne now.

"Have a good night." Jessie dragged out, already thinking of ways she could make Michonne regret she ever stepped foot in Oakland.


"And then Rick is like no more this, no more that...barking orders like King of the manor. I couldn't take it. I packed the picnic basket in five minutes and called y'all. Left him to sulk in the house." Michonne set aside the container with the fried chicken Denise made, watching her sisters in law and Sasha share a laugh at her expense.

The sun was big and bright, showing off in the way it beamed on the fields, highlighting the bucolic settings surrounding them almost with a magnifying glass. The mountains surrounding them, the grass below their feet, the lush trees providing adequate shade was bigger and greener from their view on the red checkered picnic blanket they shared.

"Shane is bad but I don't think he's that bad." Andrea snagged an apple from the basket, tossing one to Sherry.

"Dwight tries to be subtle about it, but he ain't."

"Remind me to never get pregnant for a Grimes," Sasha said empathizing with the pregnant women in her company.

"You have a Daryl. He's quite the case," Andrea said.

It was no secret Rick's foreman was totally taken up by the quick mouthed, city girl. Sasha shook her head, willing to vehemently deny her uncontrollable connection with Daryl. "I don't...have anything."

"Mmmhhmm." Michonne watched her squarely with pursed lips, saying more with her eyes than her mouth.

"I heard you guys are really adding some flare to the festival. I can't wait!" Sherry said rubbing her belly in excitement.

"Just to the fashion bit, even though it was met with some reluctance." Sasha rolled her eyes, remembering her minor dispute with Jessie a few days ago.

"Forget her, Jessie is old school. Thinks she should remain unchallenged."

"Good thing I'm here then." A smirk decorated Sasha's lip as she took a sip of her lemonade.

Michonne was pleased that the four of them were getting along. Despite the baby race running concurrent alongside their daily lives; one hundred thousand dollars dangling in front of them for whoever delivered first, the three women had come to a place of respect and understanding.

They all had one major thing in common; they liked their mother-in-law even though Georgia treated Michonne like the favorite she was.

As the months piled on to each other Michonne made an observation of her own; Andrea and Sherry loved Dwight and Shane in their own way. In spite of the fact money had been everyone's own motivating factor in getting married in a hurry and then producing heirs to inherit the confusing Grimes dynasty, love had kept them all from unraveling and turning the baby competition into a bitter fete.

Even Sasha had quit her unfulfilling city job and settled at Serenity after Michonne and Rick gave her an open invitation to stay while she decided what to do with her life. Michonne hoped Daryl could help greatly with that decision.

They had lulled into a companionable silence, each basking in the serene aesthetics of the rich land around them that they couldn't help but admire.

Lost in her own thoughts, Michonne decided she would make her husband a nice dinner; his favorite steak to somehow make up for her reticence to comply with his every demand. She knew he only had her and Mango's welfare at heart. She always crumbled considerably knowing she brought out his softer side considering he had to be the man in charge for so many things in their lives.

She was about to reach for the fancy glass bottle that housed the lemonade when she felt a slight tremor beneath her. She thought it was a small earthquake at first but they shaking continued.

Sherry who was reading a romance novel jolted upright, "Is that a…?" The rumbling grew louder.

"Stampede!?" Andrea said, in a state of shock. There was no denying the sound and vibration of the heavy bulk of the cattle they reared. Michonne gathered up their belongings as quickly as her big belly allowed, happy that Rick had coaxed her into taking the UTV even though she said the long walk would do them good.

Darting around frantically she couldn't see anything, nor could she decipher where the heard was coming from but the sound of the herd was warning enough.

They were coming and they were probably scared and confused.

Stampedes were rare; the cows were usually very controlled and mild mannered once they were out grazing. The ranch hands took special care with them, always.

"Quick! I don't know if they're headed in this direction but let's go!" Sasha directed them all in the cart and jumped behind the wheel.

On her many outings with Daryl, who made it his mission to teach her about the land he loved so much, he had showed her a secret trail to return to the ranch in a hurry if ever the need arise. They weren't very far off on the main Serenity grounds but she knew how to get them back home.

Michonne looked back at the open acres of land as they sped off, hoping the men were okay and that they got things under control quickly.


Codger was at his feet whimpering and whining by the time he and Daryl walked through Serenity's large gates well after dusk. It had taken them two hours to get the cattle settled and moving in the right direction once Dale, Jerry, Tobin, Daryl and himself had gotten them together again. Even Shane and Dwight came to lend a hand once the word spread. He was exhausted but grateful the round up was completed with any casualties besides his bruised ego and angry disposition.

"Stampedes are rare here," Daryl muttered, his one and only fear had been for Sasha when he realized what was taking place. The ladies were out having a picnic when the agitation had begun out of the blue. A snake could've been the catalyst or some other creature but there weren't any clues left on the grounds. He would go back out there when everyone was sleeping to perform a better inspection of what only his instincts could pick up at night.

Codger continued at Rick's heels, now he was barking at his master almost like if he was trying to speak to him.

"What is it boy? Your mama's in the house now, she's safe." Michonne had adopted both Bailey and Codger as her babies right at the start, she had won his shepherd's hearts' with her affection towards them.

She was infectious like that, he too had fallen captive to her charm and wit.

Once he discovered the cattle had gotten out of control all he could think about was his wife and baby out on the same field having a picnic, fear hit him hard and strong and he was terrifyingly worried about her safety. Luckily he married a smart woman, the women in his family were formidable in their own rights, even in their pregnant state and had gotten out of the potentially dangerous area swiftly.

Rick stooped down to give Codger some attention, he too was probably anxious over all the commotion from the day. He looked around knowing Bailey wasn't too far behind but the other larger dog was nowhere in sight. Codger's bark was beginning to concern Rick and Daryl, moreso when he began tugging at Rick's pants leading him in the direction of the barn.

Rick followed his lead, "Okay, okay I'm coming! Where are we going? What is it you want me to…" Laying in the corner of the barn under a crush of hay was Bailey, breathing shallow with his eyes closed. Rick observed the obvious signs of distress and his jaw clenched in agitation as he ran to his side, quickly feeling for his heartbeat.

He found it racing and discovered foam covering the dog's mouth.

"Poison?" Daryl said from over his shoulder.

"Looks like it," Rick said, clenching his jaw and his fists. Someone had gotten the area clear enough to get to Bailey to poison him. The sequence of the events began to fit together like a puzzle. "Whoever did this wanted everybody outta here to get to the dogs. They spooked the cattle on purpose!" Somebody was out to get him, but who?

"Someone's looking to sabotage some shit!" Daryl said making circles in the barn.

"Call Glenn, tell him it's an emergency and we need him out here now!" His voice was stern but he continued to pet Bailey, lending some comfort despite his sour mood. "It's okay buddy, everythang's gonna be alright."

Codger was now at Bailey's side, sticking close in solidarity to his brother and friend, knowing that Rick would take care of them.

Daryl returned to the barn minutes later confirming with Rick that Glenn was on his way. He checked the ten horses the barn also housed and assured Rick they were all okay.

Daryl had his own suspicions of the sneaky subterfuge that was underfoot today, he had lived his whole life on the land and he knew the runnings better than he knew his own self sometimes. Cattle weren't so easily spooked. Stampedes were rare, Bailey and Codger never strayed from Serenity unless they were out with him and Rick.

He cast a glance at one of his closest friends, a pensive silence had thickened the air between them. Rick was seething in a way that morphed him from friendly to ferocious in a matter of seconds. It was understandable given all that occurred. Daryl knew his first thought when Dale and Tobin called him to tell him what happened was for Sasha and her safety, he could only imagine what Rick felt for Michonne when they considered how much danger the women could've been in. Luckily for them they had enough hands on deck to get the cattle under control in a decent amount of time. By then the girls were back at Serenity and Rick and Daryl felt like they could breathe again.

"We need to let Ben and Russell know what's happened." Ben and Russell were close friends and part of Oakland's law enforcement.

"Yeah."

"If this is Gareth then he's sending us a message," Rick said tight lipped.

"Can't get no louder than this."

First he'd harm his dog, what or who could be next? He was going to see to it that he never touched a hair on Michonne's head.

Rick heard Glenn's truck pull up outside and stalked off to meet him. He knew he had to let his wife in on this latest revelation, there were no secrets between them. She needed to know what happened today was no accident.

Forty minutes later he walked into the house after seeing Glenn off. His back was stinging with tension as he took the stairs in slow fashion, one at a time. It made made him feel like an old man. Midway on his ascension he heard the banging of pots and pans and redirected his footsteps to investigate.

He wasn't too surprised to see Michonne making jam, and lots of it at almost midnight. She was adorable in thick black leggings and one of his shirts; it was over sized everywhere except her rounded belly. It was even falling off by one of her shoulders. Her locs were in a perfect french braid that he watched her do almost every morning.

He could watch this beautiful woman do almost anything, considering himself a blessed observer but she was tired and so was he. She didn't know what to do with all of her nervous energy and she could never sit by idle despite that being exactly what he wanted this rounds.

"Baby?" He leaned on the thick white arch of the kitchen preparing himself for whatever excuse her sweet, sharp mouth was about to unleash, cocky despite the turn of events that he'd have to lay down the law tonight either way.

"Hey babe. Before you say a word, Mango was restless and so was I and you know I can't sit still with everything that's been going on. Georgia and I have a few special orders to fill so I thought I'd just get started." She wiped her hands on the white apron she donned and took a spoon and dipped it into a large yellow bowl that held one of her sticky applications. "Here, taste this. I call it Guava taste a' this!" She all but shoved the spoon in his mouth, causing him to drop his crossed arms.

"I also did Berry Me in Sweetness and Cherry O' That's Good!" She kept herself busy which was an understatement given the state of the kitchen, there wasn't a vacant spot on the kitchen counter or breakfast table. Even in her excess he could pinpoint she was worried and would rather be occupied than be left with her thoughts which had a tendency to stray on its own.

"Taste real good Chonne, but I thought we said you were going to bed to get some rest." There was a large pot on the stove bubbling with a dark purple substance, it's sweet, thick aroma infiltrating the kitchen and his nostrils.

He had pleaded with her to go inside to get some rest while Glenn tended to Bailey, she had to have been tired given the chaotic day they'd had but Michonne was obstinate at times, like the mules from Hank Hill's farm up the road.

She had stayed neck and neck with them in the barn giving Bailey comfort in her own special way, with her own special touch. When he checked his watch after he witnessed her yawn for a third time he'd discovered it was 10:45 pm. Michonne was hopeful about Bailey's bounce back, her ability to remain sanguine in such troublesome circumstances catapulted a resurgence in his strength.

When he observed Glenn administer the last bit of medication to the still, quiet dog his bargaining for her retirement to bed was won with reluctance. She claimed she wasn't very tired even though he could see it etched all over her face. Maybe she forgot where their bedroom was located.

There was no crafty rebuttal to be used from her vault of protests given she told him that's exactly what she was going to do, "Gimme just an hour Rick. I wanna finish this batch." She returned behind the counter, measuring the contents in the twelve jars he counted before her. Codger was sleeping on the floor next to the table and it looked like she'd given him snacks to compensate for his sadness. He hoped his dogs didn't get diabetes.

"Bailey's gonna be alright. Glenn said in a day or two he'll be back to his usual self."

At the sound of their dog's name he saw her still, the emotion on her face no longer hidden from him.

"I'm so relieved Rick. I feel like this is all my fault." Her shoulders slouched slightly and he wished he could protect her from every bad thing in the world but they were together and they would face the world as the unit they were.

"This isn't your fault. You can't blame yourself for other people's actions."

"I love you and I love our home but if I didn't come here in the first place Gareth wouldn't have followed me. Now I've put you and our family...our baby in danger.."

He rushed to her, opening his arms for her to step into them. She was guilty by default and he wouldn't have it. If this was Gareth, he was the only one to be blamed.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you or our son." It was a decree even as the sentence slipped unconsciously from his lips. He would lay down his life for his family. She wiped her hand on the kitchen towel and looked at him, faith and security shining brightly from her brown eyes.

"I know."

Her faith in him was always so humbling, he didn't deserve her. She had not a hint of doubt in him, he felt empowered.

"If this is Gareth we'll fight him," she said boldly.

"We?" He was teasing her, trying to make light of the tense situation that lay at their feet. The thought of her trying to fight anything in her pregnant state amused him, he knew if push came to shove she'd do it. She was more than capable but she was his to protect. He had to keep her safe.

"Yes. We." He took her hand, guiding her to the round table and she sat on his lap. His palm splayed over her belly, she would never grow tired of the way his touch made her feel like she belonged to him and him alone.

"What do you think he wants Rick?"

"I'm not sure but I'm going to find out."

The news of the baby money had spread in their small town, maybe Gareth got wind of the stakes. It was possible. Maybe there was a snitch around them feeding him information. Another thought was maybe Gareth didn't take too kindly to the way he and Daryl had forcefully delivered their own fistful of messages to his face when he first appeared at Serenity. If Gareth didn't want money this time around that meant he wanted revenge which lead him to believe he was out for blood.

"The guys all agreed to take watch for the next couple of days. I've secured the area. No one is getting inside these walls okay."

He brushed his hand on her cheek, ensuring her eyes rest on his. "Okay."

"Sasha okay?"

"Yeah she said she was tired and wanted to go to bed early." Michonne found that strange because Sasha was usually a night owl. Then again what wasn't crazy about today?

"Tomorrow I'm gonna teach you how to shoot a gun." It was something he'd been meaning to do, it was a necessity sometimes with ranch life.

Her eyes widened in surprise

"Just in case."

"I um...I already know how to shoot," she said, biting her lip. It was his turn to be taken aback. "Bob taught me."

"You never cease to amaze me you know that?"

He took her lips greedily, mischievously realizing what he could do with all the nervous energy she had. His tongue invaded her mouth, she was warm and wet to his touch and his tiredness fell off him like a discarded jacket.

She moaned into him and her belly pressing against his own made him appreciate her form more intently. His hand slipped inside her shirt, he pushed aside her bra and fingered her nipple as her swollen breast filled his palm. He kissed her jaw, then sucked at her neck like a desperate man.

Her hands lay claim to his curls, pulling and tugging them as his insatiable mouth found her full mounds, he didn't hesitate to lavish them both with attention.

"Rick I want you so bad. I love you so much," she breathed out.

He paused in his ministrations, forgetting the path of trajectory he was about to take when her words stopped him in his tracks. His eyes said so much with the way his bluer than blue eyes absorbed her. Expressions of love between them were never about sentimental drivel. It was a white hot passion that only intensified when they were in each other's orbits, it was on full display as they touched in the kitchen.

Before he could think of a coherent response, a flirtatious laugh rang out from the side door. They both paused.

"I thought Denise and Tobin were on the back porch smoking like they always do but that laugh sounded like...Sasha," Michonne deduced, lifting off him to investigate.

They both moved to the door, taking a peek through the glass. The wrap around porch gave them a perfect view of Sasha and Daryl kissing under the moonlight.

"Doesn't look like Tobin and Denise to me at all," Rick said, amusement in his tone.

"Going to bed my ass…"

"I'll be damned!" His buddy Daryl had found love, "You live long enough, you see everything."

"We should throw some cold water on them just for lying to us. Just today she insisted that nothing was going on between them!"

Rick managed to remove the peeping Tom that was his wife from the window, giving the in denial couple some much needed privacy.

"C'mon, let's leave them alone. Denise will clean this up tomorrow. I'm taking you to bed."

"No Rick, I wanna stay and make jam." She pouted, knowing that he would do whatever he had to to get her to bed.

"I wasn't askin' Michonne." He crossed his arms on his firm chest again, he was so commanding, so authoritative, so damn irresistible.

"You've got plans for me?"

"Big plans," he responded in a smug tone.

"Then come get me then." She splayed her hands on her hips, not surprised in the least when his large frame swooped her into his arms as though she were lighter than a feather.

"I'll always come get you," he said taking her up the stairs.

The day had been a shit show through and through. The preceding months weren't easy ones but there was a type of bliss that blanketed them knowing that they were no longer alone and what they found in each other was tried and true. Love was that blanket, somehow it eased their burdens and filled their souls, saturating them with a feel of paradise despite their problems. Now there was a fly in the ointment, but like his friends kissing on the porch and the loves of his life in his arms, love always had a way of triumphing over darkness. With Michonne at his side he knew they could face anything. It was the one thing he was sure about.