Hi all! This chapter has been split up into two parts. I'm posting the first part this morning and the second part later tonight.

Thanks everyone for reading and responding!

Chapter Seven – Part 1

Michonne drifted awake, slowly opening her eyes to bright sunshine illuminating the room. She lay there a moment gazing across the bed, at the side that was Rick's, remembering their heated kiss from the night before, making her feverish with wanting. Michonne touched his pillow then pulled it to her face and smiled, while breathing in his scent. She couldn't believe that a week had turned into three, that the quick wedding that she and Rick was supposed to have had turned into this big event that was finally happening today. In less than 12 hours she'd be marrying Rick Grimes. She happily thought. Michonne then suddenly turned over, plucked a mint leaf from the bowl she always kept by the bed and got up. Remembering some work she needed to complete before the wedding later in the day. She then quickly showered, dressed and couldn't help but smile while using the toothbrush Rick had given her weeks ago. Within minutes, she was out the house making her way towards the west side of the community, her mind once again on Rick, wondering where he'd spent the night and what he was doing. When she arrived at her destination, ready to handle the task at hand, she'd found a few others, including Carl, already there, putting down repellents to keep away rats and snakes that oftentimes attracted walkers. When she attempted to inquire about how the task was coming and to help she was gently reproached and directed to go home. She'd at first rejected their directive knowing that they needed as many as possible on this task, and telling them that even though this was her wedding day there was still work to be done, they'd disputed her argument and insisted she go home. She'd eventually conceded, but the group didn't believe she'd do as she was asked. So Carl had stopped what he was doing and escorted her home, which left her a little annoyed. But he wasn't deterred, telling her, him walking her home was to ensure she'd not find another task to take on, which he was certain she'd do if he was not there to stop her.

Soft skin brushed against his, heating him, rousing him with carnal hunger, when her lips feverishly melded to his as her hand drifted to his shaft, gently stroking its length until she reached the end and brushed her thumb across its tip. Rick awaken with a gasp, covered in a light sheen of sweat, his body hot, burning with arousal. He then reached for Michonne, wanting and needing her in that moment, but was crushed to find she was not there. Damn it. He silently thought upon finding himself alone, remembering that he'd done this, insisting that they spend the night apart. Rick shifted to his back, breathing heavy with desire and laughed at himself. You did this. He mused again as his heart grew excited over what was yet to come, his wedding to Michonne. Rick rolled to his side and retrieved the mint leaves he'd left on the nightstand the night before, continuing the ritual that was all Michonne, and tossed the leaves in his mouth. He then hopped out of the bed, still heated and hard, and headed for a cold shower.

A short while later, Rick arrived at the east gate, ready to get some work done. He'd be getting married in a few hours, and he was stoked for the joyous occasion, but the night before in the mist of his excitement over his impending nuptials he'd thought of some things that would better reinforce the new expansion gate and wanted to implement it as soon as possible. However, when he was seen, everyone immediately denounced his presence and demanded that he leave. Rick, like Michonne, had originally rejected the orders, letting them know what he came there for, when they kindly thanked him for his input and told him to leave. Rick was going to fight them further until everyone there, men and women, stopped what they were doing and took a stance against him with firm eyes. Ready to do battle. Rick had grudgingly yielded, accepting that he wasn't going to get his way and left, for where, he didn't know. As he walked away, the nervous energy of bliss grew within him. He knew, because of what was happening that evening. He had to do something. He thought. He couldn't wait around all day for the wedding to happen. He'd go nuts. Rick slowly walked down the way and just as he turned the corner, he spotted who he knew was Michonne in the distance with Carl. His heart rushed with tenderness and he immediately stepped back behind the corner fighting his desire to go to her, to fulfill the dream he'd had of her that morning. When he somehow conquered his desire, turning and rushing away, and nearly ran over Darryl.

Whoa man! What's up? Where're you rushing off to?

Avoiding Michonne. Rick stated as he nervously looked back. Darryl laughed, amused at seeing the toughest man he knew, badass Rick Grimes, in this state. I'm not supposed to see her before the wedding. How about you? You seem to be in a rush too.

Jeff gashed his arm cutting trees on the backside of the property.

He alright.

It's pretty bad. He'll live but the doc needs me to make a trip to Hilltop to get more medicine to fight infection.

Let's go. Rick asserted, thinking a quick trip to Hilltop was exactly the distraction he needed.

Let's go where?

To Hilltop. I'm coming with you.

Man you can't come. You gettin married in a few hours. You got stuff to do.

My stuff is done. Rick countered. The food is set up and handled, so is the party. There ain't nothin for me to do.

Michonne'll kill me if you ain't back in time for the wedding.

The wedding is 12 hours away we'll be back hours before then. Rick contended. We don't have time to argue. He said. Jeff needs that medicine.

Knowing that Rick was right, Darryl conceded and led them to a car.

The trip had gone well. They'd made it to Hilltop without issue, picked up the medicine and headed back towards home, when nearly 10 minutes into the twenty-five minute drive, they encountered a freak rain storm, wreaking havoc on the road, making it impassable with mud. This was normal when there was a heavy rain, and Rick knew from Jesus, that the Hilltop was working on ways to prevent this from happening. Like many things in their communities and its surrounding landscape, it was a work in progress. Being that the road was impassable in the direction of Alexandria they'd been forced to turn around and take the road less traveled, what they called the long way from Hilltop which added an extra 15 minutes to the ride home. The alternate drive started out good. The rain even stopped, giving way to sunny skies making the drive faster, when half way through the ride the car suddenly lost power, the indicator lights on the dash all flashing before the car went silent. Darryl immediately tried to start the car again and when it failed, he attempted numerous times until it was obvious that the action was useless.

Shit! Darryl exclaimed.

What just happened? Rick asked with alarm.

I don't know. Darryl said letting the car roll to a stop before he and Rick got out and immediately took a look under the hood.

There's nothing I see here. Darryl stated. It must be electrical. Shit! He said again, slamming the hood down on the car. Heath told me he was having trouble with this car the last time he used it for a run, but I've been driving it for the last month with no trouble.

Is there anything you can do to get it started? Rick had to ask even though he knew the answer, his concern rising.

Nah. It's dead.

Shit! Rick exclaimed. We gotta find a car, now. The wedding is in less than 10 hours. We won't make it back if we try to walk... Before Rick could finish that sentence, a walker emerged from the woods, then another, prompting he and Darryl to immediately act, slaying them with his Bowie knife and with Darryl's bow, when two more emerged from the woods, then three, followed by four turning into a procession of walkers that were too many for just the two of them to handle.

We gotta to get out of here. Rick stated with urgency and promptly started to run with Darryl right in step with him, when more and more walkers emerged from the woods.

We gotta get off this road. Darryl said upon seeing more walkers trickling into the road in front of them and instantly charging their way.

This is the way home. Rick protested even though he knew Darryl was right as they slay as many as they could that obstructed their path.

There's too many of them. Darryl countered.

There! Rick pointed and yelled when he spotted a barn across the way, just a few feet from the road.

He and Darryl quickly changed course, running from the road and across the small patch of land at full speed, but the walkers seemed faster than what they'd previously experienced or perhaps they were emerging from other areas that was covered in foliage. Whatever the reasoning they were right on their heels. Some even coming from the sides, driving them to kill as they ran. They made their way to the barn in quick time and was relieved to find that it wasn't locked. Slamming the doors behind them they only had a moment to scan their surroundings that was thankfully free of walkers, before they had to bolt the door that was now pressing with the banging and snarling of monsters. Rick and Darryl slowly backed away from the door when Rick ran to the back of the barn to see if there was another way out. There wasn't.

We're trapped! He tightly exclaimed his mind instantly going to Michonne her fear of this very thing, some twist of fate, ruining their chance at having everything they wanted. He wasn't dying today. He knew it, and neither was Darryl. But they had to figure a way out of there and soon. He had to get back to Michonne.

Michonne sat in her living room on the couch, her feet propped up, her hair in a towel and her robe on, due to her washing the former and soaking her body in lavender oil that had been delivered by her friends. Maggie and Sasha sat with her, both relaxing in the side chairs that flanked the coffee table. After Michonne had been turned away from the west side of the property, she'd come back home to find Maggie and Sasha waiting for her. They couldn't believe she was trying to work on her wedding day and had fiercely reproached her as others had done. Seeing that she was in good hands, Carl had left her to return to his work and she and the ladies went inside, with Maggie bringing along Glenn Marshall and Judith, the latter having stayed the night with Mrs. Edwards. Michonne couldn't have a normal day of pampering as she would've before. They'd said, but they could assist her with relaxing. They'd brought her breakfast - chicken sausage, with eggs and acorn muffins. None of which Michonne could eat, because she was just too nervous about the wedding, but Maggie and Sasha had helped devour the food along with Glenn Hershel and Judith. They'd then moved on to painting their nails, something none of them had done in ages, and thus immensely enjoyed. Though the polish was old and a little clumpy, it was light, pastel colors which made its age less obvious when dried. Judith had even wanted to get in on it. She was fascinated with the colors and that it was something different. However, Michonne had refused to allow it. Even though, the polish was old it was likely still too toxic for a near three year old who was still putting a lot of stuff in her mouth. Plus, Judith would never sit still long enough for it to dry. The little girl had been greatly unhappy with Michonne's choice and had a crying fit over it but she'd gotten passed it fast, moving on to her red Solo cups to play before eventually conking out for a nap. The hour now approached noon and the ladies sat back in the living room, relaxing with the kids being asleep, all nursing a glass of white wine, conversing about life…

Abraham is still asking for kids. Sasha resumed with what they'd been previously discussing. I don't know if I want that with the way the world is.

You sound like Glenn when I first mentioned to him that I wanted a child. Maggie stated, a sense of sad nostalgia in her voice.

What changed his mind? Sasha asked.

He realized that if we weren't going to continue our lives as we would have before, if we weren't going to try and build something, then there was no point in living at all.

Things are more stable now. Michonne chimed in. Life a little more predictable. We have a good doctor who got Maggie, Dawn and Sondra through it. She said, referring to other women in the community who'd had children in recent years. If you want to take the risk…I don't think it's a bad thing.

Sasha sat quiet a moment, not knowing if that reasoning would be enough to get her there. Have you and Rick thought about taking the risk? Having kids? She then posed.

I think Carl and Judith are enough. Michonne softly said, thinking. But…Rick wouldn't mind having another.

Really? Did he say that? Maggie queried with curiosity.

No. But…we had a scare about two years ago. She answered, shocking her friends. We were close to the end of the battle with Negan. It wasn't the right time, if it was gonna happen, but Rick wanted it. She said as she recalled that time, how he could barely contain his disappointment when she'd told him she wasn't pregnant. They hadn't talked about it since. Why she didn't know, but a part of her was relieved that they hadn't.

I don't know, maybe I'll change my mind, but I just feel like being pregnant would make me too vulnerable. Sasha said.

I get it. Michonne nodded. I felt the same, I still do. I've been in battle mode for so long, I can't imagine getting to a point where I can't do much of anything for myself and having to rely on someone else.

Rick would be there though. He'd protect you with his life. Maggie pointed out.

He would, but that's the point, I've never needed anyone to protect me. I could always protect myself. The thought of being completely vulnerable in those later months of the pregnancy is what has me unsure.

Sasha nodded, completely agreeing with Michonne's thoughts. How did you handle it? Those later months. She then cautiously asked, her eyes on Maggie. I know, it was difficult without Glenn. Maggie remained quiet, contemplating, but before she could utter a response the door of the home flew open, prompting the women to stand at once, their eyes locked on those who were entering, their weapons drawn.

Carl?! Michonne exclaimed, lowering her sword. What's wrong?

Rick and Darryl went to the Hilltop to pick up some medicine. They haven't returned. Tobin replied.

How long have they been gone? Michonne asked as she moved around the couch to come face to face with the man.

Since early this morning. They should've been back almost two hours ago.

Michonne headed for the stairs without saying a word as the people behind her called to her but she couldn't hear them. She couldn't entertain their reasoning for her focus was clear. She ran up the stairs two at a time, removing the towel that was wrapped around her head then ran into her and Rick's room. She disrobed without thought, dropping her bath robe to the floor and dressed faster than she had in her life. She felt panicked, the wound of losing Andre and Mike reopening again, filling her with fear that she'd lose Rick. Minutes later Michonne ran back down the stairs slipping her sword on her back and headed for the door.

You don't have to do this. We're sending a crew for them. Tobin said.

I'm going. She firmly proclaimed as she made her way to the door with Sasha who'd decided she was going as well following behind.

I'm coming with you. Carl said.

No. You stay here with Judith.

But M…

No butts. Michonne stopped, giving Carl fierce eyes who instantly backed down.

I'll stay here, finish prepping for the wedding. Maggie stated to her friend.

Michonne nodded, vowing within that there would be a wedding, that she wasn't losing Rick, then rushed out the door, determined to find him.