A/N: Once again I just wanna say thank you so so so much for your amazing feedback! I wasn't too sure about this but with the support from my best friend Tyler and (Check out his fics on Wattpad - Mrtyty2001) and other friend Nuha (Check out his work on Wattpad too! It's not Walking Dead based but it's an amazing original story - Thenewcompanion3 ) and last but not least, you guys. It's so amazing to come home and read your amazing reviews, so thank you! To the Anon who was asking about Carl's age; I was originally going to do a larger time jump but thought better of it and forgot to change it :/, so at this point Carl is around the age of 13. Okay that's enough of me drabbling on, lets get on with it!

Everything changed after that kiss, but in other ways things didn't. They continued to have dinner at each other's houses once a week; Michonne and Carl were still trading comics but the stolen glances, they were no longer stolen. They both knew of the mutual feelings between the two adults. Feelings that couldn't be explained logically in words, only communicated through the intense conversations of their eyes and lingering, passing touches of the hand. Even the young mind of Rick's son had noticed his father's unusual ecstasy in her presence and how her mood reflected his but decided not to say anything in case of ruining his chance at a stable family.

Michonne was busy, focussing on her latest assignment without distraction as Carl was back to school after the summer and Rick was asleep after working a night shift stakeout at a local drug house. For the first time in her six months of living in King's County, she had the day to herself; even if it was focussed on work. She had grown so used to the Grimes' presence, it felt odd without them, as though she was missing two thirds of her body and soul. It gave her time to think, to reflect. What was her relationship with Rick? What did she want it to be? What did he want it to be? Although, she knew there was at least a base level of attraction between them, but was it more? She had never felt this way about Mike, not even after four years of them being together but it had still ripped a hole in her when he left for no reason; just a pile of divorce papers and his apartment key left on the coffee table. The thoughts saddened her to the point that tears were forming in the corners of her eyes. No. He's not worth any of your tears. If he had never left, you would have never come here; you would have never met Rick Grimes; the man you really love. Love. That was it. The word that nearly escaped at the coffee shop. She loved that man. His caring nature. His smile. The way he made her feel just by being in the same room. She loved Rick Grimes.

Rick awoke at around 2 pm and the first thing on his mind was Michonne. Another dream. Nothing untoward; just him and her in a domestic paradise. Waking up next to each other. Making pancakes with Carl as a family. He felt the need to see her; to smell the heavenly scent that fills any room she was in. He threw off the covers and walked into the bathroom to shower and prepare for the meeting. He scoured his wardrobe for his best shirt and trousers and found his formal brown shoes. Okay Grimes. You've got this. Wait. Do I bring a gift? Shit. Right, Maggie should know what to get. With that, he jumped into his Jeep and drove to the florists in town. A smile appeared on Maggie's face when she saw the smart looking Rick walk through the door and immediately said "Twelve Roses"

"Wha? How did you?"

"I know that look, I wake up to it every morning, so does Glen. Plus, I'm psychic."

"Psycho maybe" They both laughed at the comment and hugged each other. The two had been close for years along with her husband, Glen Rhee and mutual friend Daryl Dixon. The group had been there for him and Carl when Lori and Shane left and welcomed Michonne with open arms when Rick introduced her; clearly smitten with her.

"Thank you so much Maggie, how much?"

"On the house for you lover boy! Just don't tell her that when you give them to her." Rick just smiled brightly at the country girl and practically skipped out of the shop and to his car.

He reached her house only ten minutes later after giving himself a pep-talk in the car on the way. The nervous man took two steps towards the door, gave three solid knocks and took one step back.

Michonne answered the door within a few seconds, knowing it was him.

"Hey, I thought you were asleep, what are you doing up?"

"Firstly, I would like you to have these" He handed her the roses and noted her happily shocked face as she smiled longingly at him. "And secondly, I was wondering if we could talk, well if I can say something really and have your input? Or something? Sorry... Just a bit nervous" He wiped his hand on his trousers and rubbed his neck whilst looking at the floor. Michonne was slightly worried at his awkward body language but also found it endearing that the usually macho man was this anxious.

"Thank you. Please, come in, what's up?" Rick followed her into the living room. Memories of their first meeting providing silhouettes acting out their first actions together, making him smile. Michonne looked at him in anticipation as he sat down and started to talk.

"Chonne. I know we haven't really spoken about the kiss but I don't want it to just be a one off. I want something with you. I know we haven't known each other that long, but it's long enough to know that I couldn't imagine life without you. That kiss confirmed how I felt about you and that there's even a slightest chance that you feel the same way. You're always there for Carl when I can't be. He just might be the only person in this world who loves you more than I do."

Love. That word again. Never before had it had so much meaning. Four letters for two people, for a lifetime. "So please, just tell me, either answer is okay, do you feel in the slightest way, in the tiniest corner of your heart, the same?" He looked at her with pleading eyes. A man who just put his heart on his sleeve after it had been torn apart years ago, willing to give it to this woman.

"Rick..." She just stared at him, awestruck; unable to find the words and any that she did, were unable to fall out of her mouth. She was overwhelmed by this proclamation, but only because he found the words that she couldn't, not to mention the courage to say them.

"I...I'm sorry, this was too much." The sorrow in his voice was evident and it broke her heart as he rose from the chair. As he was making his way to the door, his path was blocked by her body standing in front of him.

"Rick.. Please, don't go...It's not too much, I just can't find the words to explain how I feel about you. You'd think me being an editor would help eh?" This was enough to elicit a small chuckle from the pair as she stepped closer. "At the coffee shop, I told you after Mike left, I tried to shut myself away after falling so easily for the wrong person. But you, ever since I met you, I've tried to ignore this pull I have to you. Every day I wake up, hoping to see you and Carl. I was alone, and there you were. All this? This just shows me that it's okay to give in once and a while. To love." The two just stared at each other and time stood still for them. It was as though nothing else really mattered apart from those two people. In that moment. Together. Michonne was the first to move and close the gap between them and brushed her lips against his. Rick replied with a gentle pressure and it wasn't long until it became heated between them. Just as they were stumbling to the bedroom, Rick's phone started to ring.

"Shit, it's Carl. I gotta pick him up from school. I'm so sorry."

"Hey, it's okay? Why don't I come with you? I mean, we could take him for ice cream or something and tell him about us? Or is that too much?" It was now Michonne's turn to feel awkward and put out as Rick was contemplating the situation.

"That actually sounds like a good idea" His smile lightened her awkward demeanour tremendously as he pulled her in for a final kiss and they left for Carl's school, hand in hand.

Carl was waiting at the school gates for his Dad who was unusually late. He was about to ring him again until he saw the familiar Jeep with his Father and Michonne? Why's Michonne here? Something's happened. Are they together? They're both smiling at each other with that look. Oh my God, they're together. Carl was trying to hide his excitement as his Father pulled up and apologised for being late.

"Hey Dad, hey Michonne" He said with a smirk. "What's up? I mean, why are you here in the nicest way?"

Michonne laughed at the intuition of the teenager, she knew he knew but Rick was completely and adorably oblivious.

"Michonne just thought it'd be fun if we all went out for ice cream or something seeing as she's been working all day and you've been at school." Rick chirped in.

"Yeah! Although it sounds like you're buttering me up for something." Rick and Michonne looked at each other awkwardly and Carl let out a chuckle. "I'm just kidding! C'mon lets goooooooooooooo I'm hungry!" The three drove into town with conversations of everyone's days, with Rick and Michonne leaving out a few important details to share later. When they arrived, Car practically flew out of the car and into the shop and the new couple took a simultaneous deep breath and followed him inside. A few minutes after they sat down and ordered, the couple turned to Carl.

"Carl, as you know, me and Michonne have spent a lot of time together, with and without you and.."

"Dad, chill. I get it, you guys are together. It's cool. Nothing really has changed anyway. I'm glad you guys got together sooner rather than later and anyway at least Daryl owes me that fiver now!"

Rick and Michonne look at each other and laugh with relief as Carl continues to wolf down his ice cream.