A/N: Hi, all. My apologies for the delay. I didn't mean to be gone this long, but at a certain point, I thought it would make sense to end this on the anniversary of when I started it. So here were are.

Robin, I can't thank you enough for allowing me to write this story. It means the world that you trusted me with it. I hope it's close to the vision you had. Everyone else, I thank you and sincerely hope you enjoyed it. - Ashley

17 - Free

"Fuck, fuck, fuck." Michonne tried desperately to keep her breathy whimpers quiet, but Rick was hammering into her with that stroke she was still getting used to, and she could barely handle it. He had her at his mercy, his length sliding in and out of her and fingering her all at once, while she futilely gripped at their blankets just to stay upright. Instead, she just ended up with handfuls of sand, her juices trickling down her thighs, which only seemed to make her wetter as she breathed through the pleasure. "Oh god. Baby."

Rick felt quite similarly, trying his best to hold on as he fucked her, his hand on her sweaty, muscled back, biting at his bottom lip so hard he was close to drawing blood. He watched with delight as her ass jiggled against him; as her cum coated his dick, the tantalizing image only embellished by the moonlight. The sound of the waves crashing behind them accompanied that of their bodies slapping together, making for an erotic rhythm. "Shit," he mumbled, knowing he was on the verge of release. He wasn't ready to finish – he never was – and needed to find a way to delay the inevitable. "I gotta pull out," he warned her in a low grunt.

"Rick," she whined as he slipped out of her one final time, just as she was about to climax. She was ready to protest further, but much to her surprise, he instantly replaced his cock with his tongue, making her forget the mere concept of words in that moment. His kisses consumed her, wandering from one part of her body to the next without respite – from her soaking slit to her backside, down her perfect thighs, making her wiggle and giggle at his touch. Especially as he continued further, slowly licking down her calves, not stopping until he reached her feet. She licked her lips in amusement as she felt his tongue circling her soft toes. "Jesus," she whispered. As much as he liked to do this, she was still unused to the strangely arousing sensation.

Squeezing her juicy cheeks in his firm grip, he tongued his way back up, licking her pussy from back to front and side to side, smiling as he made her squirm. Her flesh was salty, tasting of him and the sea, and still, he ate her like candy. His face buried between her thighs, his nose touching her clit, he moaned softly as he licked through her walls. God, how he loved this. He'd been waiting to taste her for so long, and now, he got to do it every night. "Mmm," he purred.

"Mmm, shit," she replied in agreement, her hands balled into fists, her face pressed against their blanket as she lifted her hips and ass higher into the air. He was going to town back there, lapping at her throbbing center, showing no signs of stopping when the entire lower half of her body clenched with her orgasm. In fact, he used his wet fingers to intensify the feeling, gently massaging her clit just to make her cum twice. And it worked, her moans sounding more like mewling as she lost control, wetting his face with her juices.

Rick enjoyed his effect on her far too much, smiling smugly as he licked her clean, only receding when he realized her legs were giving out; when he was certain she couldn't take any more. It didn't help that his dick was hard as a rock, seeing how he'd satisfied her. He used the moment of repose to lie on his back, licking his swollen lips as a smile twitched at them, his eyes on the dark sky. He reached out for Michonne, hungry for the feel of her skin still, managing to find just her toes, his fingers tickling her feet. He inwardly wondered if anyone could see them. It was the middle of the night and they were tucked away in a corner of the beach, just outside the B&B, which felt safe enough. But if there was anyone out there, surely they'd heard them, even if they couldn't see them, which made him chuckle. He even kind of liked the idea.

"You better not be falling asleep," Michonne sighed, seeing his legs outstretched beside her. She just barely had the capacity to keep going, her body willing her to just lie down beside him, but she wasn't ready for the fun to end.

"I'm still with you," he promised, pulling his gaze from the stars to look at her – his sun. "In case you aren't keepin' track, I'm the one who hasn't finished yet."

With her heart finally slowing to its normal beat, she turned on her knees to face him, smiling at his thick cock staring back at her. Practically pointing at her, still slick from their fucking. Licking her lips, she mounted him, scaling her way up his body until her hips met his, her pussy touching his length. "Hi," she smiled at him, using an affectation that managed to be both silly and sexy.

"Hi," he replied, wetting his pink lips with his tongue. Her gaze demanded his and he gave it to her fully, just as she took his dick into her hand and began to stroke it gently. He started to squirm in response, his hips lifting and taking her with them, making her smile once more. His breaths became heavy as she milked him, rubbed him against her skin, leaving a trail of pre-cum along her nether regions. She used her free hand to untie her red bikini top, her full breasts spilling into view, her hard nipples leaving him desperate to suck them. He groaned at the torturous sight in front of him, all of it sending him spiraling toward an orgasm already. "Please," he whispered, squeezing at her thighs. He wanted nothing more than to be inside her again.

Michonne loved the sound of him pleading and was happy to oblige his simple request. She briefly lifted herself up, just enough to let him in, her eyes closing with delight as she descended onto his dick. "Shit," she exhaled gently. Her fingers gripped at his rippled stomach as she began to ride him, her walls clenching with every gyration.

"Fuck, Michonne," he grunted, barely able to keep his eyes open. Her hips worked like magic, winding and grinding; her ass jiggling in his hands while her tits jiggled in front of him, all of it driving him crazy. His body involuntarily responded in kind, beginning to thrust upward, sending him deeper inside her, much to both their pleasure.

"Mm. Yeah," she hummed. "Shit."

"Yeah?" Rick asked, clearly encouraged by her response.

Her short nails were digging into his skin, slick with sweat from all the physical exertion, and she was biting her plump bottom lip as he slid in and out of her like a piston. "Yeah, daddy," she moaned, just barely audible over the slapping sound of their fucking.

But he heard her loud and clear, unsure whether to be turned on or taken out of the moment, before ultimately landing on the latter. Smiling and breathless, he stopped mid-fuck to to talk about it. "Daddy?"

"No?" she breathed back, quietly thankful for the rest for her thighs.

He shrugged, his chest and stomach still heaving as his hands continued to massage her backside. "I… don't think so."

"It's a compliment," she grinned, still rolling her hips just a little. It felt strange to have him inside her without any movement, just filled to capacity.

"I know…" He began to blush, thankful that it wouldn't show in the darkness, because he didn't want to reveal his reasoning – that back in the day, he could remember overhearing her calling Mike some variant of the same name. And how he used to get jealous, wishing it was him she was calling out for. Now that she was, he didn't need the term of endearment. "It's just... distracting."

"All right," she was fine with conceding. She placed her hands firmly on his stomach, all too happy to resume their activities. Before he stopped her again, that is.

"Maybe you can come up with somethin' else," he suggested, oblivious to the fact that she was miffed. He liked the thought of a pet name – just not that one.

Michonne let out a hard exhale, in disbelief that she was in a conversation about this in the actual middle of intercourse. "Rick."

"You don't have to decide right now. I'm just puttin' it out there."

"Yes, sir."

"See, I like that."

"Oh my god," she sighed again dramatically. But as annoyed as she was by the interruption, she couldn't help but laugh at him. She loved that this was their relationship. That twenty years of friendship allowed them the comfort and openness for such a silly conversation mid-coitus. When she called him Daddy, she meant that shit. Unlike when she used it college because Mike liked an LL Cool J song. With Rick, she said it in the grown man, god-you-fuck-me-good sense of the word. So it was pretty damn funny that he had such a visceral reaction to it.

"What?" he asked, both entertained and perplexed by her giggles. When she didn't answer, too consumed with her own amusement, he began to laugh too, taking her hands into his. "What is it?"

"I dunno," she shook her head, beaming in the darkness. "I just… love you."

He tilted his head upward, a wordless appeal for a kiss, and she obliged, lowering herself to meet his lips. She released his grip to cup his face, while he ran his hands along her back and backside, her breasts pressed against his chest as he sucked on her tongue. And in that moment, imbued in laughter, love, and lust, Rick was reminded just how lucky he was to have this woman call him anything. Namely, he was hers. "I love you, too," he murmured against her lips.

When the happy couple finally made it back to the bed and breakfast – after a nap and yet another round – the sun was just beginning to rise, making for a beautiful pink sky over the turquoise sea. Rick and Michonne were so enchanted with it and each other, it took them another few minutes to head up to their villa, only to find all three of their children wide awake when they arrived.

"Oh," Michonne greeted them first, surprised by the scene when they entered their home – Judith, Carl, and Andre, in that order, lined up at the kitchen counter eating cereal. She dropped her blankets and towels on the floor near the door before continuing inside. "Good morning."

"Morning," they replied in near-unison. Andre went on to ask, "Where've you guys been?"

Following closely behind, Rick reluctantly released the grip he had on Michonne's hips and immediately went to the sink to wash off the sand – and everything else – from his arms and hands. "It's a full event to get you three to wake up for school every day, but this morning, you're all up before the sun?"

"Maybe we were worried that our parents left us to fend for ourselves without saying a word," Carl suggested, eyeing his dad behind him before catching Michonne's gaze with a knowing look. "All night? Really?"

"Mind your business," she shot back, trying not to laugh. "We were right out on the beach."

"I didn't see you," he retorted, skeptical. But then, they certainly looked like they'd been on the beach, which only made the whole notion worse once he thought about it.

Her stare moved down the line of children, observing Judith, in her quietness, was the only one who didn't seem to be fully awake. She could just imagine her brother pulling her out of bed for this weird breakfast of shame. "Seriously, why are you guys up?" she asked, playing with the ends of Judy's messy pigtails.

"We couldn't sleep," Carl said earnestly. "We're excited."

"Happy wedding day, Mommy," Andre submitted, his excitement showing in physical form as he kicked his legs against his stool.

"Thank you, Peanut," she grinned, her eyes reflexively flitting toward Rick as he moved to stand on the other side of the counter. She couldn't stop herself from smiling – admittedly, she was excited, too. "But I'm not sure what you guys are so anxious about. You know we're already married. Technically."

"Have been for a month now," Rick realized with a small nod.

"Yeah," Carl allowed, gazing back and forth between the two people he called his parents now, "but now all our family and your friends get to see it."

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby

The July sun was just beginning to set as Rick and Michonne's family and friends gathered on the beach of Rendezvous Bay, right along the shoreline. It was a scene from a wedding website – the gorgeous blue water as the backdrop while bright flowers lined the aisle, giving color to the otherwise white decor. There was a giant wedding arch at the front of the audience, comprised solely of white roses and picturesque on its own. The music switched from an Otis Redding song to the soft strum of a ukulele playing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" – at Carl's request – just as Rick appeared at the back of the intimate audience. Judith and Andre were at his side with tiny baskets of flowers, all three of them dressed in some variation of white.

The kids dispensed their flowers as they walked – Andre scattering them along the aisle as he'd been instructed, while Judith carefully placed her petals in the spots that he missed. Rick could've and probably should've encouraged them to speed it up, but he only laughed, along with the guests. After all, the whole reason they'd decided to have this ceremony was because the kids wanted it. And they deserved their time to enjoy it. Rick locked the moment away for his memories of this life they were making – something to recall when they were older and less adorable.

By the time they finally reached the end of the aisle, Carl was on his way down, his hair pulled into a top knot, having traded his usual jeans and Chucks for khakis and sandals – the Anguilla version of himself. He smiled self-consciously as he passed family and friends, bearing the rings his parents would soon exchange. He took the side of the arbor opposite his dad and younger siblings, winking at them as they grinned happily at him.

Lastly, though certainly not least, Michonne appeared in the threshold of the makeshift aisle, beaming like the sun as she took in the view in front of her. The gorgeous beach, the family and friends she held dearest, and the four loves of her life in the middle of it all. With her parents escorting her, she let out a small sigh as everyone stood, despite her previous insistence that they shouldn't – she didn't want this to feel like a typical wedding. In fact, she'd chosen an utterly casual off-white dress for the occasion – a beachy halter sundress, long and flowing, sheer below the knee – to emphasize the informality of the affair. Her locs fell in loose curls around her barely-made-up face, her natural beauty taking center stage. But in the end, she was glad they stood, feeling a bit like royalty as she made her way to her king.

Rick's mile-wide smile only seemed to broaden as she got closer. He felt butterflies, despite seeing her all of five minutes ago. Despite the fact that they were already married. In this light, she looked different. It felt different. Like he was dreaming somehow, but wouldn't have to worry about waking up.

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true

Michonne welcomed her parents' kisses and well-wishes before gracefully taking her spot beside Carl. And as everyone else took their seats, Shane left his front-row view to join them. When his friends asked him to officiate their wedding, he thought surely they were kidding. He had no official title that would render their marriage valid, and his wife was certainly the orator in the family, if they had to choose. But they said they wanted a friend to do it. And having known Rick since elementary school, having some understanding of just how deep his connection to Michonne went, Shane realized maybe he was the best person for the job. He was glad it wasn't some minister that didn't know Rick and Michonne. This was a family affair, and they were keeping it that way.

"All right," he cleared his throat, surveying the small audience, hoping he'd recognize everyone there. Of course, before he could complete the scan, his gaze landed on Andrea a few feet away, holding their 4-month-old son; Rick's mom sitting beside her with their baby girl. Suddenly, all his cares were gone. "Good evening, everyone."

"Good evening," they replied in unison, sounding like a church congregation.

Shane chuckled, unsure why he was ever nervous to speak in front of roughly thirty people, most of whom he knew pretty well. "So I know I'm probably supposed to start off with that whole, 'Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today' thing, but that feels a little too formal for this occasion," he said. He looked to Rick and then Michonne, hoping they wouldn't mind him going off script here. He knew how Michonne liked for shit to be in order, but she was so entranced with Rick in that moment, she didn't seem to care, so he continued. "So I'm just gonna say welcome. Y'all know why we're here." He chuckled quietly when he got a few laughs from the crowd.

"I'm gonna be honest… when these two called and said they wanted me to do this, I thought they had lost their minds. I told Rick, 'I can barely string two sentences together, man. You don't want me talkin' to all these people.' And he just laughed, in that calm way that Rick has about him and said, 'You'll be fine. Just think about your wedding day.' And that's what I did," he nodded. He caught Rick's eye, wondering if he'd even registered that short conversation from two months ago as significant. "I thought about my beautiful wife," he gestured to Andrea. "How we saw each other the morning of our wedding, because she doesn't believe in 'silly-ass superstitions'. That's a direct quote, by the way," he grinned, mainly at her. "And I thought about how nervous I was after we left one another. How Rick had to calm me down when I got to the place. Him and my dad, they just sat and talked with me for like an hour. It was right before the wedding, we just... drank beer and talked about love and how life changes after marriage. So thinkin' about that day, it did help me with this. It got me to thinkin' about how all of us have these... these stories.

Some stories are short, some of 'em long. Some aren't even written yet," Shane acknowledged, using that moment to look at Carl; knowing his godson had a crush on a girl that had a boyfriend. "And some stories are just gettin' to the good part." He smiled at Michonne as he let those words linger for a bit. "And then there are chapters in all those stories that we'd rather forget, where they were sad or disappointing 'cause they didn't go the way we wanted. Of course that means there's also the ones that're exciting and happy and went exactly how we hoped. And I think, after twenty-two years, that's what this chapter is for these two."

"Amen," Jenny called out from the audience, causing everyone else to burst into laughter.

The bride and groom exchanged amused glances, Michonne smiling at her new husband as she recalled the day of their official marriage. They'd driven up to Athens to a little courthouse where overeager students often said their vows. They'd decided they wanted it to be in the place, the town, at least, where they met. It was a low-key affair, on a weekday, just them and the kids. But she loved that day. She loved this day, too. Because Shane was right – this was the chapter they'd been waiting for.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

"Another reason I'm glad they asked me to do this is because I have the privilege of knowing things about Rick that a lot of people don't," Shane went on with an impish smirk, knowing he was about to embarrass the hell out of his friend. "Michonne, I doubt he's even told you this, but I remember so vividly the day he met you. He came back to the dorm in a daze or somethin'. Because by some miracle, he'd managed to get your phone number—"

"To study," she interrupted with a giggle. She wanted to make it clear that she hadn't set out to end up with this man – especially with Mike sitting just a few feet away. "I was bad at math."

"We'll go with that," Shane allowed. "Either way, that didn't stop him from posting the scrap of paper with your number on our bulletin board, and then standing there reciting it until he had it memorized."

As everyone laughed animatedly at the tidbit, Rick could feel himself blushing as he peered at his friend. "I fucking hate you," he quietly declared, shaking his head. But as he noticed Michonne's laugh and the smile that came with it – the one that was big and full and showed all her teeth and gums – he appreciated that Shane had given him this picture to remember.

"But," Shane proclaimed, waiting for the laughter to die down. "But... she had a boyfriend – our good friend Mike back there," he submitted, pointing him out to accentuate his story, "so all that memorizin' went to waste. Of course, that doesn't mean Rick didn't get up a little earlier on Tuesdays and Thursdays to pick out his clothes and make sure he had a fresh shave. And he came back from those classes a little lighter. I always noticed that," he commented thoughtfully.

Rick nodded back at him appreciatively. Even as embarrassing as it was, it was a great anecdote.

"Now I know Michonne thought she was gonna get off the hook here because we didn't live together, but I peeped you too, girl," Shane grinned at her.

"You have nothing on me," she said as a statement, but it was more of a hope. Because she could only imagine how the 18-year-old version of her acted around Rick. Knowing he had a crush on her, all while trying desperately not to like him back. Whatever he knew was sure to be cringeworthy at the least.

"Mike, you might wanna close your ears for this one, man," he teased him. "So let's take it back to Valentine's Day of 1997. When Rick and Lori, to no one's surprise, got into an argument that day, which – again, to no one's surprise – ruined their night. Now, just a little reminder, aside from being the most romantic night of the year, at least for dumb college kids, Valentine's Day is Michonne's birthday. And being the kind, warm soul that she is, came to our place with a bucket of chicken and a Blockbuster movie, and sat with Rick to make him feel better.

And yes, it did seem weird to me that she chose Rick over Lori that night. Of course, knowing our Lori, she had probably run off to do her own thing, just to get a rise out of Rick." He and Rick traded arch glances, his friend shaking head before he went on. "But knowing what I know now, I realize she chose Rick because there was love there."

Michonne grinned back at Shane warmly, relieved that his little story was nowhere near as humiliating as she thought it would be. She remembered that night too – she'd been annoyed with Lori for silly roommate stuff, but once she heard the argument with Rick, rearranged her birthday plans to come home early and hang out with her. Of course, Shane was correct – Lori wasn't even home when she got back, which effectively ruined her night, too. And instead of trying to be romantic with Mike, she trudged across the dormitory to Rick and Shane's and they watched Friday in misery. It was such a random thing to recall, but she loved the reminder.

"So my point is," Shane remarked, "this love story has been twenty-two years in the making. They've been friends all the while, with two decades full of little random shit that fills their book. Y'know, study sessions and those group dates we used to have. Graduations and weddings, birthdays and baby showers. The memories of all these crazy vacations we've been lucky enough to take. And then those quiet moments where you just watch a movie on the couch. Or fall asleep side-by-side, waiting for your wife and best friend to come out of surgery. The history between you two is the best part of your story, I think."

Once again, Rick and Michonne looked at each other, because they couldn't stop looking at one another, smiling in agreement. Awed by the fact that their lives would be full of those random little moments that would turn into memories. All this time, they thought they'd been waiting, but in some ways, they'd always been together.

Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow, why then, oh, why can't I?

"I know y'all had vows you wanted to say, so I just wanted to end this by thanking you two for allowing me to speak for you… about you today. I dunno if we've ever said it out loud, but Andrea and I wouldn't even know each other if it weren't for you two."

Michonne immediately glanced over her shoulder to Andrea, wondering whether that was accurate. "Really?" she mouthed to her friend.

"Michonne and Andrea were both pre-law," he went on to explain, "and Michonne's the one who brought her into our little clique. Same way Rick brought in Morgan, I knew Daryl. You two are kinda the nucleus of this whole thing," he said. "Rick wanting to know you, it intertwined all our little groups. And now, twenty years later, here we are, closer than ever. So thank you, Rick, for noticing this gorgeous lady. And Michonne, thank you for thinking he was okay enough to give your number to. Because none of us would be here otherwise."

"You're welcome," she whispered, her head tilted to the side as she tried her damnedest not to cry. She hadn't been sure what to expect from Shane, but he did good. "You did good," she submitted, affectionately rubbing his arm.

Shane grinned proudly at her approval, then looked to Rick to ensure he was ready. "You got this, man?"

"I think so," Rick nodded back. "Thank you, brother."

He shook his head in assurance that it was no big deal, then took a few steps back to allow the couple center stage.

Rick offered one more grateful smile to his best friend before gaze landed squarely on his wife. It still sounded insane to him – Michonne being his wife. After all this time… "Shane is, for once in his life, absolutely correct," he confessed to the crowd as he took his wife's hand. "Michonne and I met on August 31, 1995. I remember because the date was on the syllabus and it's been ingrained in mind for so long now. It was a morning class, so I like to believe the first time we spoke, as we were leaving, it was probably around 10:00 a.m.?"

"Sounds right," Michonne affirmed with a little happy smirk.

"And some part of me has been in love with you since August 31, 1995 at probably… 10:30 a.m." He smiled as everyone laughed, even though he meant that. "I've had a good life," he added emphatically. "We've had a good life. Loving other people. Making these three wonderful little people." He broke eye contact with Michonne only to stroke the top of Judith's hair as she grinned up at him. "But I can't pretend this isn't the moment I imagined when you spoke to me that day. Today is proof that dreams come true. Today is proof that there's life after death. And today is proof that I have pretty good judgment, and I'd like you to keep that in mind as we move forward in our marriage."

Their guests laughed again, which made Michonne shake her head, but she was unable to contain her amused smile. "I will," she whispered.

"From the moment our paths crossed, you've captivated me, challenged me, frustrated me, and improved me in ways no person has done before. And I have fallen in love with you again and again over the years," Rick said. "Being your friend has been the privilege of a lifetime. Only matched by the fact that I now get to be your husband. And I promise to spend the rest of our lives captivating you, challenging you, frustrating you, and improving you. Falling in love with you again and again."

A tear slipped down her cheek and she didn't know how to stop it, not wanting to let go of Rick; unable to tear her gaze from his. "I love you," she whispered, beaming. "We've been so close for so long," she said louder now, allowing everyone else to hear her. "Like everyone's said, we were teenagers when we met. And you were never far away… not physically, not emotionally or mentally. And I'm sorry it took me twenty years to get to you. I was always so focused on finding a perfect ending to my story. But I've learned – the hard way – that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear, beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what's going to happen next. And falling in love with you has been the biggest lesson in that." Her lips quivered as the tears fell, as she watched them stream down Rick's face, too. The sea crashing against the shore seemed intent on accompanying her words.

"You being here, Rick, it awakened my soul. After years of feeling lost and empty. I got closure when I came to this place, but you… opened me up, and I can't thank you enough. Because I would've missed out on this. I would've had to keep loving you in secret, thinking it wasn't okay, convincing myself that I was wrong for my feelings. But I'm so ecstatic to stand here in front of everyone we know and say that I love you, Rick Grimes. Fully. Straightforwardly. Without complexities or pride. Freely. And I promise to do so from this day forward. I vow to breathe life into you every day that I'm on this earth. To always meet you halfway. I vow to be the friend to you that you've been to me."

"You jump, I jump," Rick grinned, his words a murmur through his tears.

Michonne laughed, her vision blurring as she answered him without missing a beat, "I'll never let go."

Someday I'll wish upon and star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

An hour later, the reception was well underway, with all of their guests situated around a long table, with Rick and Michonne at the head of it, their kids at their sides, while everyone devoured a wealth of food and liquor. They sat right on the dark beach, the sea as their backdrop, with strings of lights hanging over them, giving a romantic glow to the festivities. A series of Motown songs hummed through the sound system, but the conversation was lively.

Rick sat there staring at his friends – his family – as they laughed and ate their way through the evening. Shane and Andrea doting over their new kids. Morgan and Jenny sharing a plate of cherimoya. Daryl and Carol, cuddled up beside one another, probably making wry jokes at each other's expense. He even noticed Mike was engaged in discussion with Carl and Andre, undoubtedly debating comic books, as the three of them often did. Everyone looked so happy. Obliviously, magnificently happy. At least, that's what he hoped for them. Because he was. Finally. Thinking of his first trip to this tiny, magical island, with his broken heart sitting in an urn in his carry-on luggage. Being with Michonne hadn't crossed his mind in so long, and yet, the moment they were together again, he couldn't think of anything else. Now, his wish had come true, and this island was a place he called home. What a world.

He looked over to his wife now, smiling at her interaction with Judith, the two of them engaged in some mother-daughter conversation he wasn't privy to. He grinned wider as he watched Michonne playfully take Judith's cute little face and cover it in big, sloppy kisses; the two of them giggling as she did. Something else to add to the collection of all the mental pictures he'd taken that day.

"You're quiet," Michonne commented to her husband once she and Judith sobered up, the little one back to consuming her dinner. "You okay?"

"I'm good," Rick promised, turning her way so that their faces were close. He took that opportunity to plant a quick, sweet kiss on her nose. "I'm happy." Obliviously, magnificently happy.

She nodded, but she knew that much already – she could see it on his face, the joy twinkling in his eyes. She recognized it because she felt it, too. After years of feeling like she didn't deserve it. Wanting to punish herself for her mistakes, then running away from them. Life ended up being a lot easier for her when she stopped trying to control every aspect of it. She made mistakes. She had an affair. She quit her job. She did something that made her and only her happy. It seemed that Lori knew what she was talking about. As terrifying as it was to step out on that ledge, as it turned out, everything she wanted was on the other side of that fear. And she was so glad she jumped.

She took Rick's hand, resting their interlocked fingers in her lap as she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder as she gazed at the gorgeous view of their family. And she smiled as she whispered to him, "So this is what it feels like to be free."

If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can't I?

October 2017.

It was just after 6:00 when Rick pulled up to his Teesdale Court address, his palatial home staring back at him. He immediately took note of the overstuffed mailbox, seeing that either Judith or Andre were clearly slacking on at least one of their chores. He headed on up to the garage and parked his car before walking back down the driveway to retrieve the post, making a mental note to find out which kid was on mail duty this week. He made it to the mailbox just as Jessie pulled up to hers, and he made sure to send her a neighborly wave; surprised when she stopped her car.

"Hey, Rick," she greeted him warmly. Eagerly, it seemed, as she leaned across her console just to speak.

"Hey, Jessie," he waved again, taking a few steps toward her car so they wouldn't have to yell. "How are you?"

"I'm good," she nodded, grinning at him. "I'm really glad I caught you. It's been a while."

Rick smiled back awkwardly, feeling like there was no good response to that statement. "I know we've been a little all over the place, what with being back and forth between here and Anguilla."

"Yeah, and it's not the same around here when you guys are gone," she shook her head. "But if I had the option to spend half my year in paradise, I would absolutely take it."

"It's been a good few months..."

"So I was talking to Michonne the other day and she mentioned you'll be here for another month?"

"Yeah, it's gettin' close to the holidays, which is peak tourist time down there," he nodded. "So we're gonna head down after Thanksgiving to get ready."

"So you'll be here Halloween?"

"Yeah…" He answered her skeptically, knowing they hadn't exchanged this many words all year; hadn't interacted for more than thirty seconds, really, since Anguilla. He knew that she spoke with Michonne on occasion, sometimes finding them in conversation when he left for work in the morning, but she seemed to be actively avoiding him for the last ten months. And he understood that. This sudden change of heart, however, was strange. "What's happening on Halloween?"

"Don't sound so scared," she chuckled. "I'm having a party. Adults only. I want you guys to come."

"Oh. Okay."

"I tried to tell Michonne, but she had to run off, so I'm telling you," she explained, noting his obvious perplexion. "Invite all your friends, okay?"

"Will do," he promised, his gaze drifting up to his house, his focus now on his wife, more curious about why she'd run off than anything else. But it was nice to know that Jessie wasn't still hurt or angry over what happened – or didn't happen, rather. It was something that always gnawed at him whenever he saw her.

"All right, I'm gonna head on in. It's been a long day."

"Yeah, I forgot I need to get dinner inside," he acknowledged, backing toward his mailbox again. "I'll see you around."

"You will," she grinned, waving to him before rolling up her window. She took a deep breath, glad that she'd forced herself to do that – glad that she could text her therapist to say there was another thing she could cross off her list – and headed up her driveway.

Meanwhile, Rick absentmindedly sifted through the incoming mail, mostly bills, as he strolled back to his car. He grabbed the armful of groceries and headed inside, only to be greeted by silence. Michonne's car was in the garage, so he knew everyone was home, but the quietness seemed to say otherwise. He dropped his bags and mail to the kitchen counter, observing a cutting tray of already seasoned chicken sitting near the stove, leaving him questioning why the kids asked him to bring home dinner in the first place. "Hello?" he called into the house, taking a few steps toward the staircase, thinking perhaps they were all upstairs.

"We're in here, Dad," Carl's deep voice called him into the family room.

Rick followed the sound, finding his three children lounging around the large room, quietly engaged in their own versions of homework – much to his delight since it was typically a fight with at least one of them every evening. "Hey," he greeted them. A chorus of 'Hi's followed before everyone went back to their respective tasks. "Which one of you texted me about needing dinner?" he asked.

"I did," Judith confessed, raising her hand. "I'm so hungry, Daddy."

He looked back into the kitchen at the prepped chicken, still wondering why he spent an extra thirty minutes stopping at Whole Foods when he clearly could've been at home. "Where's your mother?" he asked anyone who would answer.

"She's upstairs," Carl shrugged, his eyes glued to his computer screen. "She had gotten started on dinner, but then all of a sudden, she told us to just order something."

"And none of you found that strange?"

"I dunno, I just figured she was missing an ingredient she needed or something."

Rick only rolled his eyes, a small chuckle following it, thinking maybe they were a little too accustomed to this new setup they had. "Well I got you a salmon salad," he told Carl. "Andre, Judith, there's grilled chicken pasta in there for you. And regular salads."

"Thanks, Dad."

"I'm gonna check on Michonne," he declared, implying that Carl was now responsible for making sure his stepbrother and sister were fed. As the kids scampered off toward the bathroom to wash their hands, Rick continued up the steps to find his wife. He did so quietly, in case she'd decided she needed a nap – she'd been so busy lately, preparing the family to move back to Anguilla; making sure reservations and payments were all in order for the holidays. They were already booked solid for the next several months, mostly thanks to her. It would've made sense if she needed a break.

But when he made it to their bedroom, the bed was empty with no sign that she'd been in it recently. "Michonne," he called out, padding over to their closet in his search, just before hearing the bathroom toilet flush.

"Carl?" Michonne eventually replied, her voice coming back hoarse.

"It's me," Rick said, immediately moving to find her. "I'm home." He cautiously entered their large, lavish master bath, her silence a bit alarming when she didn't come out from the little cove that housed the commode. "Michonne?"

"I'm in here," she announced, kicking open the door so that he could see her perched beside the toilet bowl. "Hey."

"Hey." He wasn't quite sure what to say as his mind began to race, a smile trying to tug at his lips. He didn't want to get his hopes up, but all he could think about was the last time he found her like this. "You okay?"

"Third day in a row I've spent most of the day by the toilet," she confessed, her wide-eyed stare trying to determine his expression, see how he felt about this. "I don't think it's the flu…"

Rick breathed through a rather pregnant pause as he processed the information she was giving him. As he calculated how long they'd been together, when it most likely happened, and what it would mean for them, their family, their plans... His ghost of a smile turned to a full-fledged one as he inched toward her. "Yeah?" he questioned.

She wasn't 100% sure. She wouldn't be until she saw a doctor, of course. But this was what it felt like with Andre, only amplified by about ten. "Yeah…"

He checked his watch, noting the late hour, and he recalled her theory about girls being more difficult pregnancies than boys. The fact that her morning sickness was more of an all-day ailment certainly made him raise an eyebrow. "So we're thinkin' it's a girl?"

She grinned through her discomfort, genuinely moved by the thought of some little kid running around with her face and his everything else. She liked the sound of that. "That'd be nice."

"If it is, I think we should name her Elizabeth."

"What?" Michonne scrunched her face at the suggestion. "Why?"

"It's where she was conceived. Probably."

"As in Port Elizabeth?" she nearly shrieked while also doing her best not to laugh at his silliness. While he was probably right about them making this kid on their honeymoon – because they got it in that week – she had no intention of naming her kid after a place where they'd had a lot of sex. "I'm not doing this with you."

He grinned, assuring her that he was joking. For now, at least. But most importantly, his uncontainable smile expressed just how happy he was. He gazed at her with a racing heart, noting that her eyes were starting to water as she stared back with her own quiet, proud smile. In turn, he began to tear up, too, silence taking the place of words. Perhaps because there was nothing to be said.

Rick took that opportunity to join her on the floor, wiping his eyes with the knuckle of his index finger as he kneeled by her side. He pulled her into a gentle hug while she buried her head in his chest, relishing in his warm touch. Somehow, he made sitting on the hard bathroom floor so comfortable. He made her forget about nausea and swollen breasts and aching joints. He just made her happy. "We're gonna have four kids," she mumbled against his shirt, leaving a tiny stain of teardrops in the fabric. "Are we sure we wanna do this to ourselves?"

He laughed in reply, shaking the two of them as he did. But the truth was, he couldn't have been more sure. He'd been waiting half his life for his life to begin. "Yeah. I'm sure."

-End-