Chapter 2

First things first, thanks to all the wonderful reviews I am glad that you all are enjoying this as I am writing this.

Lori's character is based on my long time best friend who was a racist when we first met, as the story continues I want Lori to grow as a character, my hatred for her will not be clouded but I want her to develop over the course of this story into someone that is more loving not filled with bitterness and will slowly come to accept others that are different and be accepted and move on with her own life. Hopefully this gives some readers hope that she will not be hated in this fiction because she is human with feelings and makes mistakes.

As for Rick and Michonne their relationship will bond through their children starting as friends for a LONG while before the romance blossoms, yes they are attracted to each other but nothing will happen (yet). Rick is a family man who loves his wife dearly but needs time to accept whatever has happen, move on try to fix his family and save his marriage.

Alright sorry for that long winded introduction on with the story.

It had been a month since Michonne and her son had moved in, Rick and Lori had become closer during that month trying to get to know one another again with date nights that ended with smiles and quiet acceptance. But the feeling of betrayal laid heavy in Rick's heart and the talk that needed to be had felt him suffocating a little each day.

In Rick's mind his thoughts traveled to what had happened last year and what caused the rift in his marriage. Shaking his head Rick continued to fill out forms, pushing the thought to the back of his mind. Hearing a knock on his desk he looked up and smiled at his old friend.

"Daryl what are you doing here?" Rick mentioned as he gestured to the seat for him to sit.

"I came to see ya, its been a while since you've come to visit me and my family man." Daryl said as plopped down into the seat.

"Yeah well I've been busy working and trying to save my marriage and try with Lori again." Rick said softly rubbing his hands down his face. "Its been getting better lately we talk more than we used to, Carl seems happier now that we are slowly getting along, we are starting to become a family again." Rick said before sighing. "But, I feel like I'm suffocating in this marriage I do, I love Lori but what she did, it hurts... the worse thing is I'm too much of a coward to confront it yet." Rick said softly averting his eyes from Daryl's face and rubbing his hand across his face.

Daryl eyed him hummed in acknowledgement. Playing with his fingers against Rick's desk trying to find words of comfort and none popping into his head. Instead Daryl moves the conversation away from his marriage.

"How about you guys come over this weekend? We are having a barbecue for that new teacher at the school. Enid keeps talking about how cool she." Daryl stated as he stood up from the seat and looked at Rick waiting for a response.

"You mean Michonne Lawrence right?" Rick questioned before standing up and walking towards the exit. "Yeah that's the one. Shes nice and shit I suppose, why you know her?" Daryl spoke as the stepped out of the station and walked to his bike.

"Yeah shes the new neighbor that moved across from our house." Rick turned down the cigarette that was always offered as Daryl lit one up and puffed away.

"Well no thanks to Sasha, shes the one who offered me to host this damn barbecue for her. So you coming or what?" Daryl asked putting out his cigarette, looking at Rick waiting for a response.

"It mazes me that your a teacher you know that? Let alone a father of a teenage girl, sure I'll come with the family OK." Rick said finally, Daryl flipped him the bird and nodded as he started his bike and drove off making Rick shake his head.

It was five thirty by the time that Rick got home from work , he walked into his house and could hear chatter coming from the kitchen. Walking down the hall towards the kitchen he came upon Lori and Carl sitting at the dinner table working on Carl's homework.

Lori and Carl turned their heads up at the footsteps. Lori smiled at Rick before asking him about his day.

"It was good, Daryl invited us to a barbecue that's happening on the weekend. You guys wanna go?" Rick asked them both.

"Sure is Enid gonna be there?" Carl asked without looking at his father.

"Yeah, the barbecue for your new teacher Ms Lawrence." Rick replied and watched Lori's face contorted into a frown.

"Cool, Ms Lawrence is real nice and makes art interesting, but why is uncle Daryl hosting the party?" Carl spoke.

"Ms Williams suggested his hosting the party at his house, so his hosting." Rick shrugged as he opened the fridge and pulled a bottle of water. Carl chuckled in response before finishing his homework and asking both of parents if he could be excused, after getting nods of approval he disappeared upstairs.

"Why are we celebrating for that woman?" Lori asked as soon as Carl disappeared from the kitchen.

"Sasha and Daryl wanted to make her feel welcomed to the school I suppose." Rick replied before taking a drink from the water bottle. He cringed inward at the tone of her voice.

"I will be visiting my mom this week so I can't go." Lori replied making any excuse not to hang out those people. Her thoughts drifting back to the attack that happened to her when she was younger.

"Lori I know that's a lie, shes away with your father on that cruise." Rick replied to her before sitting across from her at the table and taking her hand comforting her as she closed her eyes and taking a deep breath. "I know its tough for you to be around people of color since you were younger but not all people are like that." Rick said softly to Lori who looked at him and sighed.

"Sasha and her brother are nice people and so is Michonne. Once you get to know them you will see that they are kind people, but I won't rush you OK?" Rick gripped Lori's hand in comfort as she shook her head.

"I...I will try to get to know them but I can't promise you it will all go away straight away OK?" Lori spoke softly and gripped his hand back in acceptance.

"Alright then, did you need help getting dinner ready?" Rick said a he nodded his head an moved on from the previous conversation.

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