A Future to Hold
Monday
Carl bangs on Sophia's bedroom door, "Hurry up…we will be late for school," he shouts.
She swings the door open, "What are you talking about?"
"I need to get a parking pass so we need to leave now. Oh, no food or drink allowed in my car." Twenty-five minutes later they pull into the student parking lot and grab their bags.
"Wow…this isn't a rental…good for you. I hope it doesn't get a ding, keyed a broken light or cracked windshield," the clueless fool taunts walking along the side of the car. He was on campus early for conditioning.
"Negan that is enough," Dean Hamilton commands from behind the student, "Threats of vandalism comes with severe consequences."I will not tolerate a bully.
He spins around, "Dean Hamilton…it was a joke…you understand guys being guys." The crew takes one look at the Dean's disapproving face 6' 3 muscled frame crossed arms and beat a hasty path to the weight room.
"No one is laughing," he looks up, "Carl move your car to the staff lot for the day," he directs. Malcolm switches his focus, "Gentlemen do you still want to discuss athletic scholarship options with this student?" he asks the recruiters standing on each side of him.
"Not in the least…thank you for your time," they shake hands and walk off campus taking away Negan's College Bowl dreams.
"Negan remove your pass and move your car off campus. We are revoking your on-campus privileges."
"Deanna could you try to pull it together," Michonne pleads.
She continues to laugh, "You are starting with a full house. As a want to be grandparent I am jealous. As a mother you have my sympathy," she straightens, "Alright, how can I support you?"
"Thank you…I will not spend more than six hours a day in the office but I will work from home. We will need to meet again if bed rest is required in the third trimester," she explains.
"Good, I am sure Carl and Aaron's will be diligent in their enforcement."
Michonne shakes her head, "They already set alarms."
"I received a response from Blake's attorney. They are taking the deal. We are waiting on a court date. I hope this positive step forward in the prosecution is useful to you."
She exhales, "Thank you…I am relieved that the outcome of this case will be one less thing my extremely protective husband has to worry about."
Early evening
Lori faked her way through her session with the EAP assigned staff. She drives to her destination in silence. Calmly, deliberately she drives down one street and up another searching for his SUV in a driveway or parked along a sidewalk. This neighborhood had always been her goal; the place where all the important people lived. In high school the best parties were at the Martin's house. No…please not that house. She makes a left turn and heads toward the cul-de-sac.
She parks several houses away and walks until she finds a tree to stand behind getting as close as possible. The homes are older but the style and design remain timeless. The sounds of children playing are gone. She recognizes his car in the driveway. I am in the right place. Her eyes search the front yard and her breath stops. Rick works up a sweat in his front yard installing a Whitehall black mailbox with the house number and the surname Grimes affixed on both sides in bold, brass lettering.
Her head jerks to the right when she hears Michonne's voice, "Hey Handsome can I interest you in some banana pudding for your hard work?" She approaches him at the end of their front path.
"You know how I love your puddin'," he flirts. He squats down retrieving tools. He leans into her belly and delivers three exaggerated kisses bringing his head forward with a loud smack each time. "You hear that Team Grimes. Mama made us a yummy treat." He stands and they both head into the house.
Lori drops to her hands and knees. Her body wracked with uncontrolled trembling. Tears roll down her face. She is pregnant…he made a baby with her. She will be the mother of his first child. She attempts to stand and her stomach cramps and dry heaves lurch from her throat.
Late night
Rick leans down on his forearms resting against his thighs. He prepares to get out of bed so his tossing and turning does not wake Michonne. He is stopped by her warm body cuddling him from behind. She wraps her legs across his lap. He smiles and shakes his head, "What are doing up at this hour?" he rasps. He can feel her bump against his back.
"My worried husband has not been sleeping so we need to figure out how to fix that," she states.
He takes a labored breath, "Blake is a waiting game. I know we have a plan…you are doing your part-came home right on time today. I…everything…you bear the load. I am on the sideline and I don't know how to do this," he struggles.
"Did I ever tell you when I knew I would love you?"
He chuckles, "No."
"Our first date…you were taking care of a little girl. Not because she was lost or in danger but because her feelings were hurt. Somehow you knew exactly what she needed. You took away her tears and she left with not just a smile on her face but actual Joy. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt you will know what to do if and when the time comes."
He searches his memory. "The afro puffs and stuffed animal…Nala and Simba," he laughs. "Well played my brilliant, beautiful wife. We will start the Lion King nursery this weekend," he sits up straight. She always lifts me up.
"If you insist," she drums her hands against his taunt, sculpted abs.
Tuesday
Pre-dawn hours
Xavier, Daryl, and Glenn are alone in the station. The Captain sent a memo to the staff closing the station during a specific time frame for equipment installation. The FBI technicians are headed out. Xavier reviews the inventory list to make sure everything is accounted for and Daryl talks with Glenn. "Xavier's cover story about receiving a grant is a simple explanation for your team. If and when we need analysis you will have to work alone; we cannot risk any security leaks or compromised civilians."
"Man, how can I thank both of you? This is more than I requested," he responds in awe.
"Keep being good at your job," Daryl pats his back and turns to leave.
"Here is your inventory list, training DVDs, a list of online training and resources, and you have my number if anything comes up," Xavier points to the items on the table.
Glenn shakes his hand vigorously, "You are freaking amazing. Thank you again."
"I am glad we could help," Xavier cannot contain his wide smile. We made a big difference.
Tuesday afternoon
Rae-Ann, Beth and Aaron laugh uncontrollable at Quinn's adventures in parenthood. "I am telling you King Javier runs our house. He cannot do a thing for himself but we are at his mercy. I can't even shave both legs at the same time. I am lucky if I can get them both done in the same week," she concludes.
Beth wipes her laughter tears, "I still can't believe Jesus is serving dry Raman for dinner."
"He added spices," Quinn quips.
Rae-Ann slaps the table, "You guys are a blast. I am glad I met you." I like my new life.
The fun is interrupted by a familiar voice, "This table looks like it is having a good time," Gideon intrudes on their conversation never taking his eyes of Rae-Ann. She blushes.
They all glance around the table, "I am sorry you are," Quinn asks.
"Sorry, Gideon Wallace, Investigative reporter with 'The Gazette' and a friend of Rae-Ann," he introduces.
"Really, join us and tell us how you met," Beth smiles. I love a good romance.
Wednesday morning
Dean Hamilton enjoys his coaching session with Justice and Carl. "Let's go over our checklist."
"We have interviewed or shadowed most of our local agencies at the executive and judicial branches. We still have not received any response from the City Council. Maybe we can attend a meeting as a substitute," she suggests.
"The Sheriff Department and our Investigation Unit are presenting tomorrow," Carl states.
"Sounds like a plan. I am surprised they have yet to respond. The other agencies were receptive to my outreach," Mr. Hamilton shares.
"No offense but they are a bunch of old, morons too stuck in the past to embrace anything remotely associated with the 21st century," Carl rants.
Justice rolls her eyes and smirks, "They rejected his team's security proposal for the court house," she explains.
"You lead a security team for the court house?"Who is this wunderkind?
"I am just the representative from the ADA office. The team includes Security and IT," he unconsciously diminishes his role.
"Great work once again. I will confirm the meeting details and reach out again," he brings the meeting to a close. "Once again Justice-congratulations; freelance speechwriter is nothing to sneeze at," he compliments. She is as formidable and amazing as her mother.
They both rise to exit, "Thanks Dean…we appreciate the help."
"Carl, can I have a moment of your time?" he asks.
"Sure," he returns to his seat.
"I don't know if you have made any decisions about where you are applying or if you have early acceptance but I would kick myself if I didn't make a pitch for my alma mater. You have everything it takes to be successful and granted I am biased but I think you would thrive at my old stomping grounds," he pitches hard.
"To be honest I hadn't considered anything after high school but I decided college should be my next step," he confesses.
"Let me guess…the remarkable young lady that just walked out the door was the catalyst?"
Carl blushes and smiles, "Something like that…what school?" I doubt I am up to the standard of his college.
"Morehouse," he states.
"Dr. King's Morehouse?" he responds in shock.
He raises his hand to stop the knee jerk reaction, "Before you say no…yes it is a HBCU but there is always a few that can clear the hurdle and they are always better for it. Do me a favor and consider the option. See me if you have questions."
Carl stands and offers a handshake, "I am flattered," he turns to exit.
"By the way…Spelman would be a wonderful fit for Ms. Brilliant," he nods his head toward the door.
AN: I am giving up the struggle. I have read every PM request, demand and threat, not to mention each review with direct and subtle suggestions and requests. The ride continues…