Say You Won't Let Go
Sunday
Rick in his black v-neck tee, dark denim and worn brown boots; and Michonne in her periwinkle blue, off the shoulder peasant top, skinny black jeans and chunky-heeled silver sandals stroll through the Farmer's Market hand in hand. They stop at a small family-owned fruit stand. "Officer Grimes, nice to see you again," the owner greets.
"Good to see you as well. It seems all your suggestions were a hit so we are back to place a regular order," he gestures to Michonne.
She intently focuses on tasting all the samples, "Ooh, what's a pluot?"
"Plum and apricot hybrid ma'am," the owner responds.
"Oh my God, Rick you have to try this," she shoves a slice into his mouth.
"It's good," he responds while chewing and swallowing. "You ready to order?"
"Yeah…she surveys the choices. I want the Chinese apple pears, pluots, and red grapes for the first week and switch out the apple pears for white peaches the second week," she selects. This baby is seriously changing my diet.
"All right, delivery will start next week; half the order to the place of work and the other half to the home address-correct?"
"Thanks," they offer in tandem before joining the flow of the crowd in the bustling plaza.
"Michonne, what's next on the list?" he inquires over his shoulder pulling her through the throng of people.
"Shaved ice, a book store and a pretzel," she replies.
At the shaved ice truck Rick is shocked when Michonne skips the chocolate option in favor of pomegranate. They make their way to the book store where they meander through the aisles, reading book jackets and playing with fidget spinners.
After their purchases Michonne finds a comfortable spot under a tree while Rick goes in search of her pretzel: butter, no salt and marinara sauce. She studiously writes an entry in the brand new, micro-suede, purple journal. A loving smile adorns her face.
Rick joins her on the grass, "For you," handing off the warm treat wrapped in wax paper.
"Thank you Handsome, kissing his cheek, so I had this idea about starting a journal for the baby. Some place we could share our hopes and dreams for their future or special moments during the pregnancy," she trails off watching a huge smile spread across his face.
"I like that…you done," he gestures with his head toward the journal in her lap.
"Yeah, here you go," passing the journal over with her right hand. She immediately digs into her pretzel humming a happy tune while she chews.
Rick watches her enjoying her snack before he starts his journal entry:
Today was a perfect day. I woke up with your Mama in my arms. We spent the day together talking and laughing. She is my best friend. I also got to do my new favorite thing-take care of both of you. I hope she will say yes and marry me so I can spend the rest of my life just like this. I need you to be good in there so I can get you a brother or sister-deal? I love you more than all the stars in the universe.
Daddy
Rick placed the pen within the pages and handed the journal back to her with his left hand. His pulse quickens as his right hand rubs the engagement ring secure in his denim covered pocket. Michonne reads the entry smiling until she reaches the middle sentence. She gasps and turns to him with tears pooled in her eyes. Her hand trembles as she picks up the pen and responds to his entry:
With my head, heart and soul-absolutely Yes!
Mama
Michonne turns the journal so he can read over her shoulder. Rick grabs her by the hips and lifts her into his lap. He cups her face and delivers a searing kiss filled with all the love contained in his entire being. They come up for air resting their foreheads together. He fishes the blue amethyst with diamond accent in white gold setting out of his pocket. He raises her left hand to his mouth to apply a gentle kiss with his luscious pink lips before sliding her 5 caret engagement ring onto her delicate finger.
Rick and Michonne casually cruise the streets headed to his parent's to deliver the news. Michonne holds her hand in front of the windshield allowing the jewels to catch all the rays of sunlight. "So, 10-12 weeks until the wedding and the baby is our secret for now," Rick confirms.
"Does that bother you?" she questions.
"Not at all, I like having something that only the two of us share. Plus, the news of marriage and the first grandbaby just might knock Ma out," he laughs.
"Rick, please try to be patient. I know she is going to be over the top, but-"he interrupts her statement.
"Michonne, if we do not set boundaries with her now…we will end up married in the center of the plaza with every member of Kings' County invited.
"She is not that bad," Michonne scoffs.
"I am warning you…we cannot give an inch," he states. Rick slows the car down to stop as they approach his parent's house. The street is lined with cars. "Shit," he mutters.
She is still admiring her ring, "What…what's wrong?" Michonne questions him.
"They are all in there…Ma and her crew," he offers while peering through the windshield with squinting eyes. "I suggest we come back later," he grimaces.
"Awe, come on…it'll be fun," she suggests with a smile.
"How?" he practically exclaims.
Michonne shrugs, "I…I am filled with so much joy that I want to share with everyone. I have this amazing man made just for me; we're building this amazing, meaningful life and our love created a baby. Why shouldn't we celebrate," she explains enthusiastically.
Rick reaches over with his left hand and caresses her jaw with his thumb gazing into her shimmering brown eyes. "I do not deserve you but I promise to spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy." He tenderly kisses her forehead, tip of her nose and finally her mouth. "Come on."
They enter the backyard through the side gate. Loud, boisterous voices fill the space over the background soundtrack of Motown classics. "Surprise," Rick shouts announcing their arrival. He cupped Michonne's left hand in his right hand concealing her newly adorned ring finger.
"Hey…Welcome…Look who's here," they chorus. The adults are seated in a semi-circle near a long, rectangular picnic table filled with platters, tiered-plates and bowls. Jolene hops up out of her chair and bounces over to the couple, "What brings you by?"
Michonne pulls out of Rick's grasp and raises her hand until the glistening ring catches Jolene's eyes. "Really?" she whispers. Michonne nods her head up and down as Ms. Jolene pulls her into a tight embrace. Both women hold each other and shed happy tears.
"What is going on over here?" Jeffrey asks joining the couple.
"This brilliant, beautiful woman agreed to marry me," Rick announces a giant smile lighting up his face.
Jeffrey grasps his son's shoulder tightly and shakes his hand, "Congratulations…I am thrilled for you, Son. Jolene, stop being selfish," he moves to embrace Michonne.
Jolene wipes away the cascade of tears and hugs her son, "I am so proud of you. I think my heart might burst." She releases him and turns to the expectant guests, "We're planning a wedding!"
The men clap and the ladies cheer, "Yes…That's what I am talking about." Jolene drags Michonne by her left hand across the yard.
"Michonne, this is Ida B., Patti and you know Eva. Y'all this is my future daughter-in-law," she proclaims with pure pride adorning her face.
"Okay, first things first…let's see the ring," Eva requests. Michonne extends her left hand into the circle the women have formed.
"It is a blue amethyst with diamond accents…it matches his eyes," she gushes.
"Good Lord, you must have put something fierce on him 'cause that rock is bigger than a baby's fist," Patti snaps. Michonne covers her blushing face with both hands and laughs.
They occupy the available chairs while the men remain on the other side of the yard. The planning questions start flying fast and furious:
"Have you picked a date?"
"What is the theme?"
"Are y'all going to jump the broom?"
"Time…day or evening?"
"Are you Catholic and if so are you doing the full mass?"
"You're not doing destination are you?"
"Wait, we need to start with the engagement party."
"Ooh, Ida B. what was the name of that photographer you used for Karen and Bonnie Rae's commitment ceremony?"
Michonne looks from one woman to the other and starts to feel overwhelmed. "Actually, I want to find my dress first and then I feel like I will know what we are doing over the next 10-12 weeks," she explains.
"Perfect…be right back," Ms. Jolene announces running into the house. She returns with her arms filled with bridal magazines and brochures. "I highlighted the name of every bridal shop, venue, caterer, and event rental within a 50 mile radius," she explains handing each woman a small stack of magazines and brochures decorated with color coded post-its and tabs.
Oh boy. "Where is Rick?" Michonne questions looking over her shoulder for her brand new fiancé for relief. The Ladies don't even respond. They are too invested in wedding planning.
The men have retreated to the den. Jeffrey hands each man a tumbler of bourbon. "I propose a toast…to my son for convincing an amazing woman to say yes." The men lift their glasses, "Congratulations," they all take a slow sip.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa…this is better than the good stuff," Chazz acknowledges.
"You don't know the half. My soon to be daughter-in-law sent me a bottle of Black Maple Hill 16 year old small batch. The company use to be one of her clients. Can my son pick 'em or can he pick 'em?" he boasts with a chest full of pride.
"Now, let's get down to business," Elton directs the conversation.
"All the planning, color patterns, and mess they are out there getting worked up about are not your priority." Chazz chimes in.
"Your job is to plan for the life the two of you will share…how you will make sure she can live every dream she has and the all the one's she hasn't thought of yet," Jeffrey explains.
"Shouldn't we do that together?" Rick asks in confusion.
"Absolutely, but you have to make sure you provide the foundation so choices can be made," Elton clarifies.
"Life happens…you have more kids then you planned or maybe less."
"She may decide to change careers, or stop working forever or while the kids are school age."
"Remember when Patti wanted to move back to my hometown in Italy," the men nod in recognition.
"The point is Son…you want to be ready to be her partner. To remind her every day in every way that no man can love, protect and provide for her better than you," Jeffrey emphasizes.
Tension seizes Rick's muscles and the vein in his neck begins to throb. I have some serious work to do immediately.
"Now for the practical advice: make sure you can sleep fully reclined on every couch in the house."
"Pick one grown man activity that you never surrender."
"Never buy an appliance or household item as a gift unless specifically directed," Chazz offers.
"Spontaneity never goes out of style and it keeps you out of the doghouse more than you can imagine," Jeffrey advises.
"Taking out the garbage slowly or working in the yard allows you to appear useful when they go to crazy town and you just need to get away," Elton instructs.
"Believe or not, loading the dishwasher or doing laundry is considered foreplay."
"I think that's enough for now. Let's go rescue Michonne before they start taking her measurements," they share a laugh at Jeffrey's comment.
Michonne settled her nerves enough to take control before things spun out of control. "Okay, first, we are not announcing the engagement until we have selected the venue; second, this information remains off the grapevine; third, Ms. Jolene and I will plan a brunch so you and my Girls can get to know each other; and finally… thank you for making me feel so loved and supported."
"Oh, Baby Girl…it is our pleasure," Eva speaks for the group. They are all sharing embraces as the men return to the backyard.
"Hey, we want in too," Chazz announces.
The adults walk the newly engaged couple out to their car and wave enthusiastically until they are out of sight. The sun is beginning to set and they are hopeful for the future.
AN: A lot of this chapter was written but then all these great videos came out and the Muse went into overdrive. There will be a part II because I am confident there is a FanFiction law that requires engagement smut. LOL!
Thank you to all the readers who have been with me from the beginning, the new readers who somehow found this story and took a chance, the silent readers, the readers that provide long reviews of every chapter, the readers that provide short reviews and anyone I may have left out. You make a huge difference in my day and a mighty difference in my life.