Pop Life
Monday
Aaron watched the formidable group blocking his boss' door but he did not dare open his mouth to question their presence. Maggie, Rosita and Sasha huddled together, their arms crossed and eyes trained on the entrance. Finally, Michonne enters with an arm full of files and her hand gripping the strap of her purse.
Rosita opens the office door while Maggie and Sasha point directing Michonne inside. The door shuts firmly behind them. Aaron shakes his head. They are their own special drama.
On the other side of the door Michonne drops everything on her desk; spins toward her friends; pops her left hip out and raises her left hand even with her face, "Bam!" The squealing and shouting is deafening.
"Let me see? You nailed his ass down quick. Give up the details," they demand; taking seats at the conference table.
"We were out enjoying the day off; running errands…having a snack-he asked and I could not say yes fast enough," she simplifies.
"Awe, but I want to know how he picked a ring this remarkable," Sasha remarks.
Michonne gathers her emotions, "We visited by parents grave site and he took me to 'Studio 54', a vintage clothing boutique, as a pick me up. I was admiring the ring and he asked me if I wanted to look at it for the rest of my life," she gushes.
"Wait…you got two proposals?" Maggie questions.
"I guess…but the Sunday proposal is the one I will remember forever," she clarifies. Now, before our day gets out of hand…Maggie your dress fitting is still scheduled for Tuesday?" Michonne clarifies.
"Yeah, Glenn is taking Daddy out for a steak dinner and male bonding so I can sneak Momma's dress out the house," she explains.
"This has to be the most beautiful gesture ever," Sasha compliments.
"I am no romantic but y'all starting to change my mind," Rosita quips.
"Alright Ladies…let's go change the world," Michonne directs.
"'Yello," Harry answers the phone.
"Mr. Williams…its Daryl. I was wondering if y'all have plans this weekend."
"Nothing major…what's going on?" he replies.
"I have a new opportunity with the FBI and I would like to discuss it as a family…if that is okay," his voice weakens; hesitant of the response. I hope I am not being a Bob.
"Absolutely, you name the day and time," Harry affirms.
"Thanks Sir…we will be in touch with the details," before hanging up the phone.
Lori enters DA Monroe's office. She is energized. Finally my life is getting back on track.
"Thank you for coming," Deanna opens the discussion and gestures to a chair at the head of the conference room table.
Lori notices all the additional people including her supervisor. The investigation must be really serious now. "Thank you. I am here to provide additional testimony?" she smiles politely.
"Lori, the each participant in today's meeting is a member of the court like you. We are all bound by the same Oath of Office, rules and ethics," Deanna explains.
Lori's supervisor joins the discussion, "The Blake investigation is complete," she is cut off mid-sentence by Lori's exuberance.
"This is great news…I am ready to get back to work," she interjects.
"Lori, the supervisor raises her hand, the full investigation revealed concrete evidence that demonstrates you committed perjury," she states firmly. "Therefore, you will not return to your position…your services are hereby terminated for cause."
"What? No…that cannot be right. I…she didn't follow the rules…she defied Judge Blake…is she terminated?" Lori's eyes dart erratically around the room.
"Who are you talking about? Who is she?" Deanna wants to confirm her hunch.
"ADA Anthony," she screeches. "Why can't you see she is the problem?" she implores desperately.
"Lori, ADA Anthony is the victim and you took an oath to tell the truth. Your desk has been cleared, an inventory was taken and your personal effects will be delivered by courier to your place of residence. Please hand in your badge," her supervisor continues.
Lori mind goes blank and she rubs her temples. This is not real. Wait, this is a sign. This is beginning of my happy ending. Yes…my real life starts today.
Aaron enters Michonne's office for their budget meeting. He hands her a green folder with Excel spreadsheets. "Ugh, tell me once again how underfunded we are," she quips.
"Actually, I have some positive news," he smiles.
"Ooh, I am all ears…want some fruit?" she gestures to the basket Rick brought for her and the baby.
"Thanks," he retrieves a Chinese apple pear from the center of the table. "First, going paperless with the Paralegal Department until the final draft will put our supplies budget in surplus by the end of the year. Second, we have an unused account," he explains.
"How?" she questions.
"Carl…between the two of you our research is complete and we have not had to contract with outside staff or agencies. Review line 47," Aaron directs.
Michonne's eyes widen, "Whoa…what is your recommendation for the use of funds?" I already know the answer.
"Pay him…that young man makes us more efficient and extremely less stressed. The amount available will cover his salary based on four hours a day for the remainder of this year and leave a small surplus because of his mid-year start. The next fiscal year's budget allocated the same amount. Plus I found a grant that will match funds for up to two years," he slides over the completed grant request.
Michonne starts to tear up, "Do you have any idea how huge this is for him? Aaron, you have changed his life," she delivers with heartfelt gratitude.
"Me…I think this is a team effort. I just noticed a line item," he deflects.
"Stop selling yourself short," she signs off on the grant. "You take the lead when he arrives.
"Will do," they end the meeting with a high-five.
Tuesday afternoon
Carl waits in line at the bank. He now has a paid internship and he cannot wait to celebrate with Justice. He reviews his mental checklist for their Saturday date night when he is interrupted, "Hey Carl," a girl's voice call from the right side. Thirsty hoe…Roxanne. Use Rule #3: Set boundaries; mention girlfriend by name and often. Disclose everything immediately.
"Hey," he responds dryly.
"What are you doing here?" she inquires.
"Do we really know each other well enough for me to share?" he snaps sarcastically.
She steps closer, "We could get to know each other better…I would be down for that," she tosses her hair.
"I am not interested and my girlfriend, Justice, does not put up with disrespect," he snaps.
"Seriously?! Nerdy-Purdy could not possible compete," she spits.
"Justice does not have to because there is no competition. Excuse me," he moves forward in line and does not look back.
We will see about that. Roxanne spins on her heals and marches to her Dad's office.
Denise guides their young star informant, Judith, through the sting operation simulation for the third time. "Are you still scared? It's okay to be. What you are doing is amazing and we will not anything happen to you," she re-enforces.
"I know…I feel much better after meeting the other officer and the FBI boss. It also helps that I can come to the station after school. I feel safe and I am not sure I ever felt that before," she confesses.
Daryl, Derek and Rick review the operation protocols behind closed doors in the 'War Room'. There is a knock at the door. Daryl shouts, "Come in."
"Hey Guys," Lori announces herself holding a medium-sized brown lunch bag. "Rick, I was near that sandwich shop that sells the meatball sub you love so I decided to treat you," she explains with a wide smile.
"Oh shit," Daryl mutters and Derek is simultaneously confused and amused by the awkward tension.
Rick moves to the farthest corner of the room, "Lori, you being here uninvited is unacceptable. I am in a very healthy, extremely fulfilling relationship with ADA Anthony and that is not going to change," he explains slowly.
"I guess we need to talk later," she places the bag on the table and exits the room.
"Dude, you got a fatal attraction?" Derek teases.
Daryl shakes his head, "None of that was right. Haven't you been over since high school?"
"What the Fuck! You need to determine her trigger or triggers and have an intervention or get a restraining order," Derek advises recognizing the aberrant behavior.
"First things first…I need to check on Michonne," he exits to place a private call.
Night falls over Kings' County and they are all gathered in Michonne's living room. Maggie stands in the middle of the floor on a portable platform adorned in her Mother's jewelry neckline, long-sleeved lace wedding dress with train.
"You look like Princess Grace of Monaco," Sasha gushes.
Rosita snaps pictures and takes video on Maggie's phone.
The seamstress speaks up, "Mrs. Rhee these alterations will not require as much work as our estimate determined but given the delicate fabric I will still do everything by hand."
Maggie wipes her teary-eyes, "Thank you," she chokes out. "I just want it to be a happy time for Daddy."
"He is going to be thrilled…did you pick the song yet?"Michonne asks.
"No…I still can't decide. Maybe I should let him choose," she muses.
"Sounds like a plan," Rosita responds. "How about Chinese food for dinner tonight?"
"Sure, but get extra spare ribs-the Guys are on their way. Double the order of crab wontons too," Sasha and Michonne both add to the order.
"Hey Angel," Carl greets.
"What's up? How was your day?" Justice sets her phone to speaker and props up on pillows against her headboard.
"The good part…I completed all of the direct deposit paperwork and submitted it to the bank. The not so good part…the thirsty hoe was at the bank. Before you start I told her I was not interested, you are my girlfriend and now I am telling you," he rushes out. Please be right Uncle Rick.
"Thanks Bae, but she won't stop until I punch her in the throat?"
Carl laughs, "Can you reach her throat?"
"Is now really the time for ridicule," she quips.
He can't stop laughing, "I am sorry…now I have a visual of you on a chair or table punching her in the throat."
Justice joins in the laughter, "Whatever…am I getting any more hints or details about Saturday?"
"Sure, look cute and…wear red. I like you in red," he admits.
"Do you have to be able to see the red," she flirts dangerously.
Carl stops breathing and his imagination goes into overdrive, "It is time for us to get off the phone…sweet dreams," his voice drops a full octave and his pajama pants are way too tight.
Justice blows him a kiss with a small moan before ending the call.
AN: I am taking song suggestions for the Herschel-Maggie wedding reception dance.