AN: I will continue to write and I hope you will continue to read and review.
Love will lead you back
Wednesday
"Thank you for your help. I hate that I missed the Renaissance Fair especially because the kids worked so hard to bring their grades up or maintain their GPA," Tyreese explains while carrying boxes down the school corridor.
"My pleasure, for the record you are one of the staff's new favorite people. One mention of your name improves behavior and the quality of work. You are good for them," Karen praises. She opens the door to her classroom and gestures to a side table. "You can set up over there…the secretary should make the announcement any moment.
Their conversation is easy, light and effortless. The door swinging open interrupts their laughter, "Coach, what are you doing here?" one of the students greets.
"Hey, take a seat…make it fast, make it orderly, make it count," he coaches. The students file in quickly and give him their undivided attention. Once they are seated he moves to the front of the room. Karen watches from behind her desk occasionally grading papers.
Tyreese addresses his group of athletes, "First, I apologize for not participating in your special celebration. Not to make excuses but the responsibilities for my family business required my presence. Nevertheless, you are a priority to me so I am here now. You have done everything I asked and hard work pays off. So…I called some of my old friends at Gatorade and the Falcons," he moves to the side table and reaches inside the box.
The cheering and high-five celebration causes Karen to place her fingers in her ears. She shouts above their exuberance, "I think you made their day," she laughs. He laughs in return. Her smile is dazzling.
"You think?" he teases handing out duffle bags filled with protein bars, snack packs, jugs of sports drink, team towels and shirts.
Carl enters the house. Sophia glances up from the kitchen table where she is completing her homework, "What's up? I assume you ate," she doesn't expect a response. He changed his routine after her mother's colossal failure; in her opinion.
"Yeah, where is your mother?" he asks.
"Bathroom…how long are we going to live like this? Not judging," she holds up one open hand.
He shrugs but his responds is cut off by her voice, "Thank you for returning on time," Carol enters the conversation.
Carl turns to her and pulls papers from his messenger bag and hands them to her, "I have my own car insurance and a separate phone account," he explains.
"I told you doing it by yourself was too expensive. Staying on my plan is more cost effective. I allowed you to make the payments. I do not understand why you are making this harder," she sighs in exasperation.
He clears his throat, "The extra money is worth my freedom. I do not want to live under someone's thumb. Like you said…I cannot drive without insurance," he stares directly at her without flinching.
Her mouth opens and her gaze of embarrassment darts around the room while her mind attempts to cobble together a response. "I didn't mean…I was not thinking," she stammers.
He nods, "You meant it but you didn't expect me to hear you. It is what it is…I understand now. May I be excused?" his response is curt.
Carol nods quickly and looks over at her daughter who shakes her head from side to side, "For the record…you are losing big time."
Thursday
"Hey Handsome," Michonne greets over the phone.
"What's up Gorgeous? Are your..." he begins but she cuts him off.
"Yes, my feet are up. I ate my weight in fruit and a Philly cheese steak from the food truck and I am exhausted from going to the bathroom," she huffs. "The reason I called is to let you know I am going to yoga and Rosita can give me a ride," she explains.
"I will take you to the yoga place. Thank Rosita for the offer. How long is the class?"
She takes a deep breath, "Let me re-phrase…you are not picking me up. I am going to yoga with Rosita and I will see you when I get home." We are not living like this any longer.
"Michonne, I told you I do not mind. Plus, today is my day off," she cuts him off.
"Yes it is…so get some sleep; watch a game; do whatever it is you do in the garage," she encourages.
The anxiety and fear in Rick's gut coils and knots, "I would prefer," he attempts.
"My dear, sweet husband I know what you prefer but I am putting a stop to your protect at all cost behavior. The way we are living is not healthy," Michonne names the elephant in the room.
Rick is quiet, "We are going to have our first real fight-aren't we."
She does not respond, "I am switching to speaker so you can talk to the babies." She moves the phone to her belly.
"Hey Team Grimes…Daddy misses you but mommy is taking you to yoga so that will be fun…I will pick a new book for your bedtime. I love you more than everythang," he finishes with a loud kissing smack. His heart fills with love when he hears her giggle in the background. She returns to the call, "Be patient…I am trying," he offers.
"I have unwavering faith in us. See you when I get home," Michonne ends the call.
Thursday evening
"Ms. Jolene thanks again," she slides into the passenger seat.
"Are you kidding me," she smiles at her profile. "Now first things first…the fried bologna sandwiches you requested," she reaches around to the backseat into her 'Grandma Magic' tote bag.
Michonne lowers her face to her belly, "You hear that Team…Grandma made sandwiches." She slides open the Ziploc bag and retrieves the first sandwich.
"So we have an appointment at the car dealership," she confirms.
She nods in confirmation mid-chew, "I am getting a red wagon," she shares and burst into laughter. "I do not know why I laugh every time I even think about it. This is all so surreal. The high powered career; sports car; big city loft-all gone; and I do not miss any of those things I told myself defined who I was…what was important. I am happier than I ever thought possible buying a station wagon of all things. Your son really knows how to change a girl's life," she shakes her head and continues to devour her snack.
Jolene pulls out of the parking lot and merges into traffic, "I'll let you in on a little secret. You gave him a life. He made a place for himself and he was content but he was never truly all he could be. I honestly believe his heart and soul were waiting for you to show up so he could become the best version of himself. I will forever be grateful. Michonne reaches over with her left hand and squeezes Jolene's right hand placed on the steering wheel. "Now, I hope you do not mind but I called ahead," she trails off.
Michonne chuckles, "I would not expect anything less."
Carol sits on the back porch quietly smoking. When the birth of her nephew took her sister and best friend despair was her only companion. Nancy was the only real love she had ever known. The infatuation and lust that Ed provided was a wicked illusion that masqueraded as love but it was all she had left. When the reality of Ed's abuse almost cost her custody of Sophia she schemed her way out of the relationship and built a small, manageable life for herself. When another life monster showed up and took Carl's father she had a renewed sense of purpose.
Now she was the monster destroying what she built. "Penelope, thank you for taking my call…does your offer still stand to meet about the college road trip?" I hope I can fix this.
Rick sits on the third to last step in the foyer waiting for her return. The light from the moon dances across the hardwood floor. He listens to her keys jiggling in the lock but does not move or look up. He feels her fingers thread through his curls before he exhales and looks up with sorrowful, soulful eyes, "I'm sorry," his shoulders deflate.
"You do not have to be," she replies softly.
"I love you," he reminds with a shy smile.
"I love you too…help me understand," Michonne requests and takes a step back to read his eyes for the words he never needs to say.
He presses his thumbs into his closed eyes and gestures toward her with his palms up, "You…y'all are my," he shakes his head trying to dislodge the right word. "More than my world…you are my universe. Without you I cannot exist. I would fall into a black hole…He is out there and she is bat shit crazy and I can barely breathe. Both times I was not there…I left you alone…I did not protect you," his chest heaves, "I promised on our wedding day," his voice elevates.
Michonne places a hand on each side of his face, "Look at me…we are not going anywhere. The trial starts Monday and he is taking the deal. You cannot live in a constant state of fear. The Rick Grimes that swept me off my feet is sure and steady. The man I married also promised to trust and persevere," she reminds him.
Rick pushes up her loose fitting tank leaving his hands on each side and places his face against her ever expanding bump. He puckers his lips and applies a gentle kiss regulating his breathing. They stand in silence surrounded by their love. He is about to pull away when he feel a push against his forehead. He remains still. Did I imagine that? He feels movement against his left hand and looks up at his wife.
Tears trickle down Michonne's cheeks and the sparkle in her brown eyes is more brilliant than any star in the sky. "I think the babies want to tell you what a good job you are doing and how much they love you," she sniffles.
He speaks against her skin, "Is mommy right…is that what you are saying?" He feels the movement against his right hand and joyous laughter brings tears to his eyes. He delivers three more kisses, "Thank you for being so strong for daddy…I love you," he stands and kisses her, "And I love you more." We are going to be alright.
Author's rant: Someone please help me understand how Norman is making $20 million after 9 seasons of mumbling when it took Ellen Pompeo 14 seasons to get there? Do you know how much death and destruction her character survived. We better get at least a glance of the Richonne/Grimes 2.0 we deserve. Preferably a home nestled in a field of wildflowers with Rick and Michonne holding Judith hands as they return from a walk just like Carl described. Of course she has a glorious baby bump in my vision but I am flexible.