Heya! Firstly I just wanna say sorry for the extended wait, with Christmas and revision, it's been a bit hectic to say the least, let alone Sherlock season 4 breaking my heart! But anyway! I should be writing more frequently and your reviews mean the world to me, so thank you. ~ E
The day after Carl's suspension notice, Rick dropped him round Michonne's at 0800 on his way to work. Michonne answered the door in an obviously stern facade to give Rick the impression that Carl would be understanding that actions have consequences; but all three knew that the week would not be unpleasant for anyone. Rick was in awe of the woman he now called his girlfriend. She was simply the light of his life when he thought he was in a well, only living for his son. She took Carl as one of her own and was not only his mother but his friend, and confided in her, things he wouldn't tell anyone else. It was the little things he learned about her as time went on in their relationship and she never ceased to surprise him.
"Hey Chonne..." Carl did his best to fake disappointment when he reached her door but he knew he wasn't fooling anyone.
"Yeah, yeah. Get in you, there's a cloth on the side; you can start in the kitchen." Michonne smiled brightly at the boy and ruffled his hair as he moved past her. She looked up at Rick, who was wearing an equally wide grin at the interaction of the two most important people in his life.
"Don't let him have too much fun, eh?" He brought her into a close embrace, attempting to convey what he felt without the words he lacked.
"He won't, don't worry officer" she said with a wink. "He's a good kid. You know why? He's always trying to be like his Dad, fighting the bad, protecting the good. I don't think I've ever met a kid like him; it's like he's years ahead of anyone else, even myself sometimes."
Rick just stared at her after her comment, not knowing what to say, only able to smile and blush at her words.
"You're the good influence on him babe, and me" Was all Rick was able to muster before Michonne laughed and brought her lips to his, stopping him before he could say another word. "Are you going soft on me Grimes?" She winked as he turned him around and smacked his ass jokily. "Get to work, you. You'll be late soon! Keep me safe and I'll thank you tonight." Rick let out a small chuckle as he got into his cruiser and left the estate with the sight of Michonne in his rear-view mirror.
Michonne waved him away and went back in the house to see Carl laying on the sofa reading a comic.
"Hey you! You may well be in my good books but just 'cause you're off school and here, doesn't mean you're not doing anything at all"
"I'm not doing nothing though? I'm reading." Carl had a quick wit and he knew it. Michonne was biting her lip to stifle the giggle forming at her throat.
"Har, Har! Now c'mon; what work have you been set whilst you're off?"
"Ugh fine. I've gotta finish reading 'Lord of the Flies' and write about some of the themes, but it's so old. I don't get it"
"Lord of the Flies? God, I did that when I was at school." Michonne stared at Carl just as he was about to open his mouth. "No smart-arse comments about my age or you really will be doing work. If you want some help with context, grab your coat." Confused but fully trusting of this woman he had grown so fond of, he grabbed his coat and followed her out of the door and into her car.
After half an hour of driving and pleasant conversation about comics and upcoming games, Michonne dropped the big question of Carl's love life? "I..Uh... There's nothing to say. No one wants to really go out with a dork like me." He looked at the floor of the car, hoping Michonne wouldn't say anymore on the subject.
"What do you mean?! You are a charming, handsome and smart young man, even more though than your Father most of the time. By the looks of it, there's obviously someone you like or you wouldn't be trying to avoid the conversation."
Carl looked up startled at the intuition of the woman driving.
"How? How did you? Fine, her name is Enid, but she's always with Ron. She doesn't see what a bastard he can be."
"Firstly, language." Carl put his hands up in surrender, knowing he did wrong. "And secondly, I'm sure she's realised after the whole fiasco with him that he's a POS. Not to mention that she would be a complete idiot not to fall for you, you're your Father's son" Michonne winked at him with a chuckle and focused back on the highway leading out of town and Carl smiled back at her, filled with a new confidence.
Another hour later and Carl could see the horizon change from a city silhouette into a sparkling blue.
"Wait, are we going to the beach?"
"Well done Mr Holmes! Took you long enough. We'll be there in about 10 minutes and we can try and find a conch."
"Who's Mr Holmes? Wait, isn't there a conch in the book?"
"Well duh, you said you didn't get it so I thought we could do a little day trip to help you understand. Plus I really want some chips." They both laughed as they drew closer to the seaside town and made their way towards the beach.
The two spent a few hours looking for the specific shell until Michonne heard a shout from a couple hundred metres away.
"I've got the conch!" Carl ran over to Michonne red faced from running and attempted to blow to make a sound. There was a disappointed look on his face when no sound was made.
"But they did it in the book!"
Michonne looked down at the boy who was quickly growing into a young man and was glad to be able to witness this moment of innocence.
"Pass it here, like this." Michonne took the conch from him, pursed her lips and blew until a loud horn noise came from the shell.
"Woah! That was awesome! Lemme have another go!" Carl copied her actions and a the sound appeared again as a victorious noise came from the boy. "Hell yeah!"
"Nice Carl! Pass it here and I'll put it in my bag so you can take it home" Carl handed her the shell with a smile from ear to ear from his achievement.
"Now I don't know about you, but I am starving, let's get some food and start heading back before your Dad thinks you've been having too much fun."
The two walked to a nearby Fish'n'Chip shop and had a battered sausage each on the pier; returning back to their conversation of films and new upcoming comics until Carl turned the conversation to a more serious tone.
"Chonne, I just wanted to say thanks for today, I really enjoyed it. I understand the book a bit more but I liked spending time with you. You're always there for me and usually I wouldn't get to do this 'cause Dad is always working. It's not that I'm ungrateful, I just miss him and I know work stresses him out. But he's been a lot happier since you've been around, so have I really. That's why I got into a fight, you're my family now and more importantly my friend. So yeah, thanks I guess." Michonne was nearly in tears at Carl's speech and brought him into a tight hug.
"Thank you Carl, you're such an amazing young man and I love you as though you were my own, nothing would ever change that."
They drove home in a comfortable silence at around 4pm and made their way inside to do some actual work. Carl went back and read the final chapters of his book and Michonne continued to catch-up on some editing that she missed during the day. Before either of them knew it, it was six o'clock.
"Carl! Your Dad's gonna be home soon, what do you want for dinner? If you want me to cook, I'll have to start soon."
"Can we get pizza? Dad said something about not having it in a while last week."
"Yeah sure, I set it for delivery at 7 when Rick gets home."
A few hours later, the two looked up from their work towards the sound of Rick in full uniform coming through the door.
"Hey guys!" He smiled brightly but he was obviously tired from work.
"Long day baby?" Michonne stood up and put a soothing hand on his chest to pull him into a reassuring kiss.
"Hey guys, chill with the PDA" The comment from Carl was enough to release the tired tension from the group when there was another knock on the door from the pizza guy.
The group sat and ate the pizzas and shared their stories of the day but all Rick and Michonne were focussing on was each other.