Rituals

December 30

Rick sits behind the wheel of the car outside the wedding venue taking deep breaths. He waits for his phone to ring, "Hey," he answers. Brace for hormones.

"What in the hell Rick Grimes?!" Michonne shouts. "You took my keys…you let me over sleep…stuff needs to get done. I cannot sit here like the Queen Sheba," he interrupts her tirade.

"Michonne…you are exhausted…I will handle the walk through. You need to eat the food I left on the nightstand and go back to sleep," he states calmly.

"It is our wedding…what if something goes wrong? Wait…you think I am messing stuff up," she cries.

"'Chonne…Gorgeous, please do not cry. Our day will be amazing because of you I have no doubt but the wedding is only one day. We have an entire life and the more importantly…Baby G. You need to rest."

She sniffles, "I am sorry…you are right. We are partners who get stuff done. This is my part…for now."

He laughs, "I have your list, the pictures from the vision board and I promise to call if anything changes or needs to be decided."

"Thank you for taking care of us."

"I don't need thanks…my family and what it needs is always my priority."

Rick's Bachelor Party is in full swing at 'Indigo Cue'. The Guys are enjoying the pool tables and darts. "Man…seems like yesterday Rick started secret texting," Theo states before taking a shot.

"True…we didn't even know Daryl was hiding his woman in the woods," Abe studies the table for a possible shot.

Rick and Carl engage in a heated darts battle. "We need to get to the dance studio fifteen minutes early," Carl suggests.

"What for…I am not looking forward to another lesson," Rick complains.

"Trust me…we want to get there early," he assures, "Plus we are only working on the 'Electric Slide'."

Tyreese sitting on the stool waiting to challenge the winner laughs," Bruh…you don't know nothing 'bout nothing. Every event requires the 'Slide' you plan on skipping or sitting out," he condescends.

"Is that true?" Daryl questions.

Theo nods his head, "Yeah," he shoots Tyreese a warning look. Fall back…do not start.

"I know you love your women but you need to understand their cultural identity too," he finishes his drink quickly.

Daryl studies him for a minute, "I may not have a lifetime of cultural history but every militia and racist asshole I put away makes the world safer for my family and every Black person I will never meet."

Rick takes the stool next to him, "How did you bridge the cultural divide with Gning, Oksana, Mercedes, Soo Jung," he drives the point home.

Tyreese stops short, "I didn't and that is one of many reasons why I am escorting my mama to your wedding," he laughs at himself. I need to pump the brakes.

The humidity of the studio would be stifling but the Ladies are on a high. The beginning pole dancing class has each one fired up. "Alright…I need you to rock this combo one last time. I need ta-ta's and ass," the instructor encourages. The music begins:

I can't control the feeling…I feel my heart's about to explode…Baby to tell the truth when I'm sober I jones for you…Girl there's no one…no one as bad as you…

They each slow saunter to their pole with a sultry, dramatic, exaggerated hip sway. Their eyes are fixed on their guys through the floor to ceiling mirror. They begin with a leg hook…sumo squat…hair flick…backward showgirl…corkscrew and a final walk down the pole before a deep lunge for floor work. They continue to ride the beat and embody the mood writhing with body rolls and thrusting hips.

Daryl hits head against the viewing window while Rick's heavy breathing is fogging up the glass. Carl stares at the ceiling with hands stuffed in his pockets tapping the back of head against the wall he leans on. Glenn lowers himself into a chair, "How did you know?" his eyes never leave Maggie's performance.

"Justice takes the advance class once a month," he looks at Justice just as she blows him a kiss.

"There's more," Rick whisper shouts. Carl nods, "Damn," he replies.

The group in the studio moves to the left of their pole; raises one arm and bows deep. The guys stumble and bumble through the door tripping over each other and their own feet desperate to get to their significant other.

Carl enters last and watches from the doorway as Justice continues to perform tricks. She finishes with a slide down the pole to a middle split on the floor. She pulls her legs in and stands. "Are you going to need my help with your class too?" Christian asks from the music station.

Before she can respond Carl responds, "Thanks Thirsten…but I got her covered."

Justice chokes on her laugh, "Thanks Christian but we are using the front studio and Carl volunteered to run the music since he is participating." He is never going to behave.

Hours later the group is having the time of their life moving across the dance floor to 'Love on Top' looking forward to celebrating two of their own.

Lori stopped to get a manicure and read the sign on the door: Closed for Private Party. The wedding party is invested in a festive session of hair, nails and facials. The whole town was buzzing with good will even with the small invite list. She cannot look away. The image of joy settles within her mind and she resolves to make this her reality.

Rick completes his final walk through the house securing windows and doors before flopping on the couch. Michonne exist the bedroom in her pajamas. "The dress rehearsal went great and the venue looks perfect," she greets.

"Yep," he pats his lap and she climbs in placing her arms around his neck.

She whispers in his ear, "We will miss you tonight." I don't know how to sleep without him anymore.

He smiles against her cheek, "Last night apart-ever." He pulls back and gazes at her. This time tomorrow she will be my wife.

Michonne kisses him with urgency trying to transfer all the words in her heart. This time tomorrow he will be my husband. "Enough…we need all this magic for tomorrow."

Rick embraces her and chuckles, "I'm not worried…we have a lifetime of magic," he declares.

"You definitely need to get to your parent's before I give up some ass."

"Speaking of ass can we please talk about your Bachelorette Party?" he pouts as they take slow steps to the door.

"Nope…text before bed?" she redirects.

"Absolutely…love you," he kisses her forehead with his hands resting her hips.

"Love you more," she peers up at him with her hands resting on his forearms softly caressing the hair under her finger tips.

Rick tucks himself in when his phone signals a message. He smiles before reading and groans after. She is the sexist tease ever and all mine. The message reads: I learned a lap dance routine too!