Chapter 18- They Need to Branch Out a Little Bit

"Hello," Michonne grumbled, her voice gravelly still full of sleep when she answered her phone at 9:30am Sunday morning.

After a late night of tacos, friends and family, staring down Carl and Cyndee to make sure they behaved for the rest of the evening, and an unexpected predawn phone call that woke her already once that morning, Michonne was tired and slept in a little later than she normally would.

"I needed to call you because if I didn't, I was gonna lose it on those two motherfu….," Shane gritted though his teeth stopping just short of calling Lori's parents out their name.

"What happened? Please tell me you kept your cool!" Michonne sprang upright and looked to her left wondering where her Rick got off too.

Shane did just as Michonne instructed during the supervised visit, and it did not go well from the start. The Wayne's protested when the supervisor informed them that Shane did not have to disappear within the house and had a right to stay in the living area as per the signed agreement. They were even more upset when the supervisor reminded Lori's parents they had until 11am, no more and no less. When they tried to argue for more time, the supervisor informed them the visit was a courtesy, and they could choose to leave if they so desired. The Wayne's stopped complaining when they noticed the supervisor wrote something on her notepad. Once they were seated in Shane's immaculately tidy living room, the supervisor could cut the animosity that filled the air with a dull, flimsy, plastic spoon. It was almost suffocating, and the supervisor resisted the urge to open a window. Both of Lori's parents huffed and sneered but they got the point and spent the first half hour ignoring Shane who sat in the corner of the room watching and listening. Not a single word was shared between the three people who used to be family. Shane felt some type of way about losing another set of parents.

"Just bullshit. They keep staring evilly at me. I'm glad you suggested the supervisor. She is a dammed Godsend right now," Shane muttered as he watched Mr. Wayne holding Vivian.

Shane prayed that the Wayne's would come to their senses and stop the custody battle, but based on how they were eyeing him, he didn't think that was going to happen.

"Good. Just stay calm. Are you still withing eyesight of Vivian?" Michonne asked to make sure Shane was sticking to the agreement.

"Yes. I'm leaning against the kitchen island. They can see me, but I am out of earshot if I keep my voice down," Shane answered watching the Wayne's interact with his daughter.

Michonne wanted to take Shane's mind off the visit to help keep him calm and changed the subject to something more pleasant.

"Hey, remember all those jalapenos Sasha ate last night? Well, they worked. She had the baby early this morning at 3am. Rick and I are going to the hospital a little later today," Michonne grinned placing the spicy food trick in the back of her mind just in case.

"I can't believe Darryl is an official father," Shane laughed already feeling better than when he first called Michonne, "tell them Vivian and I will be by later today too. What's his name?"

"You know Sasha loves her dramatic reveals. We have to wait until we get to the hospital. I guess there is some sort of banner hanging in the room with the baby's name on it," Michonne cuffed which got Shane to laughing before he quickly quieted in reflection.

They all talked about how to handle Shane once all the babies arrived, especially Sasha and her boy she was going to be the first. Rick suggested they just all be there for him if he needed and try not mumble apologies or other unnecessary words that would only make the situation uncomfortable. Rick advised everyone to follow Shane's lead and currently, he was leading with silence. Michonne held her breath and waited. It was the longest twelve seconds of her life.

"Well ok, then. I guess I will have to wait for the banner then," Shane smiled through a sadness that Michonne could almost feel through the phone, "Hey, thanks for calming me down. I will see you and Rick later."

Shane hung up the phone and looked at his watch. Just under ninety uncomfortable, awkward minutes left of the visit. Instead of going back into the living room, Shane pulled a kitchen chair near the island and sat sipping on a glass of water watching the Wayne's interact with his daughter.

By the time Rick and Michonne arrived at the hospital, Sasha's room was packed with her family, and low and behold, she saw the giant blue sparkling banner and smiled at Sasha's theatrical flair. Welcome to the World Fletcher Gerald Dixon, the sign read and Michonne chuckled at the antics. Ella and Letty arrived and pushed past Rick and Michonne to get to Jacque who was holding her new grandbaby.

"Hey Sasha. Fletcher is beautiful. I love the name!" Michonne grinned at her sister, "I'm finally an aunt!"

"And I'm an uncle!" Rick added and kissed Sasha on the temple, "Fletcher looks just like your husband."

"He looks just like me Rick! Just like his mama. The one that carried his little tail past his due date!" Sasha bit and Rick laughed and nodded.

"I'm going to miss you at the office for the next six to twelve weeks. I hope it's six!" Michonne uttered with raised brows.

"It's six," Sasha assured unconvincingly and Michonne raised her brow even higher.

"Twelve," Darryl grunted.

Michonne figured in a couple of weeks, Sasha would be back in that recliner with her baby affixed to her breast once Darryl got back to work and maybe Sasha would be an armchair mentor again if Michonne was lucky. It took Sasha a whole four weeks before she slid back into the office.

"Yumiko, I have taught you well," Sasha giggled as she sat feeding fletcher in the recliner still parked in her office.

Sasha became antsy sitting in the house with just a four-week-old Fletcher to keep her company. Darryl went right back to work since Jacque stayed to help Sasha the first week and instead took off the second week. Eugene kindly took over at the Dixon Motor site until he returned. Darryl's original plan was to take off two full weeks, but Darryl had to cut his paternity leave short before his staff were either going to strike or kill Eugene. Karen, Tyrese's wife, came down from Atlanta the third week and visited with Sasha daily while she helped Tyrese at the new bakery, but the majority of Karen's time was spent looking for a new King County home. Week four was brutal for Sasha, who was alone except for the occasional lunch break when Darryl would stop by the house. Sasha was ready to be the social butterfly she always was.

"Sasha, you are no longer pregnant. When are you getting rid of that thing?" Michonne asked entering Sasha's office as Yumiko was headed out.

"I'm not. You are going to need it next," Sasha reasoned and before Michonne could respond in refusal, Zachary walked in and handed her a summons.

"What is it?" Sasha asked curiously as Michonne read the document.

"It's a court date to determine Shane's custody. In two days?" Michonne uttered a bit stunned at such short notice and walked back to her office to call Shane.

Shane was anxious, but he was ready to put the custody case behind him. He was tired of seeing Lori's parents sitting in his living room. Like the first visit, they never muttered a single word to each other. By the time Michonne finished with Shane, Sasha was rolling the recliner into Michonne's office.

"Sasha, I can't believe you had Darryl put wheels on that thing," Michonne expressed in a huff that held some comforting awareness.

This type of situation would never have been allowed at their old law firm in Atlanta and Michonne loved that her new office allowed parents to be extremely flexible.

"I didn't want to be stuck in my office Michonne. Now I can easily push the recliner to wherever I want to be!" Sasha rationalized and Michonne blew out a breath, "And currently I want to sit in your office with you! Plus, I wanted to vent before Fletcher wakes up and I have to feed him. I just talked to Darryl."

"What about?" Michonne asked worriedly as she watched Sasha lightly bounce a sleeping Fletcher and smiled when she remembered when she used to soothe Carl the same way.

Michonne looked down at her stomach and figured in four months, she would be cooing with her second child. Sasha's sharp, biting tone took Michonne from her reflection.

"Do you know what that bastard did today?" Sasha spat and Michonne sat back in her chair regretting engaging in the conversation.

"What did Merle do now?" Michonne shook her head.

"That broke down, racist, yuck mouth, donkey had the nerve to tell Darryl he needed more money! And that fool barely shows up once a week! I told Darryl to tell Merle to break rocks on the side of a prison road!" Sasha spat and Michonne chuckled.

"That's funny," Michonne giggled before refocusing on work, but she had trouble because Sasha talked nonstop for ten minutes straight.

Michonne prayed Fletcher would cry so Sasha would leave her office and take that recliner with her. Dixon and Hawthorne Law Firm was busy, but after four weeks, Sasha was more than ready to fully socialize again, and Michonne was frustrated. Michonne rolled her eyes at her friend who wanted to talk about Fletcher, Darryl's skanky brother, the bakery, the neighbors, anything while Michonne was trying to work.

"Sasha, I love you, but I need to concentrate. Can you go talk to Aaron?" Michonne requested and Sasha sucked her teeth.

"Aaron is out showing properties. What are you working on again?" Sasha asked and Michonne huffed out a breath of frustration.

Michonne could not wait to return the favor after she delivered her own little bundle of joy. The thought made Michonne giddy because she and Rick had chosen an OBGYN in King County. It was the exact opposite of the one Rick wanted, and they had an appointment in a few hours. Dr. Harlan Carson was going to tell Michonne and Rick the sex of their baby. Or at least try. The first time the baby kept their little legs closed. The second time, he or she was turned at an odd angle. Michonne was hoping this third time was the charm. Rick wanted a little girl, and so did Michonne. Both were hopeful. But until then, Michonne needed to focus on the work in front of her.

"I'm working on your case Sasha, Rick's property between here and Manville. And Shane's custody case in two days. These two are property disputes. This one is a criminal case, the retainer check cleared so," Michonne hunched her shoulders, "Let's see, A Last Will and Testament challenge for a damn pig Sasha. A damn pig," Michonne blew a breath of irritation.

"A pig?" Sasha chuckled.

"Not the farm. Not the farmhouse. Not even the business. But the damn pet pig. I'm tempted to sneak over there in the middle of the night and make bacon of Mr. Oinkers so I can get this mess off my desk," Michonne threatened, and Sasha snorted.

"What are those three?" Sasha asked.

"Since you are back to your armchair antics, I am going to give these three to Yumiko since she has an interest in business law. You can mentor her. Three new local businesses want us to represent them. And of course, Andrea is on her way over with more work."

Sasha felt bad Michonne was shouldering the firm's heavy caseload.

"I can come back part-time Michonne," Sasha offered and Michonne shook her head.

"No, because when I have this baby, I will take at least eight weeks. And I won't be coming here! You take your time. Yumiko and I can handle it. Some of these cases won't even get seen until well after you officially return anyway," Michonne stated with empathy as she smiled at Fletcher who was stretching his little arms.

"Good, because I would have hated to hurt your feelings if you would have taken me up on my fake offer," Sasha giggled and reclined her feet and Michonne narrowed her eyes at her devious friend.

"Yumiko took over your transfer of property deal between Maggie and Rick, and the investment paperwork too, along with a divorce. Girl, the owner of that new cute little boutique got caught having sex in the back with the owner of the hardware store. No wonder Tomas was always over there with his toolbox," Michonne gossiped, and Sasha was all ears.

"Fixing her broken pipes, I guess. And the husband?" Sasha asked with interest.

"He is the one we are representing. Poor man packed up his whole life and moved here, and in less than two months, Mr. Screwdriver wrenched up his marriage," Michonne spat shaking her head, "Anyway, can you help Yumiko with the ranch and investment paperwork, please?"

"Of course. Yumiko set up an appointment for me and Darryl about that. Darryl talked to a few people, and cattle can be lucrative if the ranch is run correctly," Sasha informed and Michonne nodded.

"You know Rick. Now that our money is involved, he will be all over that ranch making sure our investment is secure!" Michonne laughed thinking about the explosions between her husband and his cousin that were bound to happen.

"Good. But I will say that Maggie is smart when it comes to all that ranching and stuff," Sasha stated impressed.

Michonne was about to agree when Andrea popped her head inside the office.

"Hello ladies!" Andrea grinned and tickled little Fletcher before placing an envelope in front of Michonne on her desk.

"Please Andrea, please let this be something simple. I beg you!" Michonne uttered and she opened the envelope.

"That Michonne," Andrea pointed to the envelope, "Is incentive to get Rick's land sold to the company that wants to buy it," Andrea grinned and watched Michonne's eyes grow huge.

Andrea was currently working on a deal to sell Rick's land between King County and Manville to a developer interested in building an outdoor, high end retail complex complete with outlet shopping, family recreation, a movie theater, and restaurants. Manville was excited because the complex meant the beginning of their own growth opportunities.

"Is this offer for real?" Michonne asked skeptically and stared incredulously at Andrea.

"Yup. Rick's small patch of land is smack dab in the middle of the land they want to develop. They can't work around it. They upped the price AND offered to make you primary legal counsel on all business deals directly related to King County and Manville AND that number at the bottom is the Dixon and Hawthorne retainer," Andera explained and Michonne passed the letter over to Sasha.

"Wow!" Sasha uttered then inquired about the legal part of the offer, "but wouldn't a business that big have their own counsel?"

"They do and they will, for anything bigger and has to do with deals and legal issues outside of the two towns. Dixon and Hawthorne will handle all local matters inside that boundary on that map. And they will offer their legal team on any matters you need assistance with that relate to the complex," Andrea smirked, "All you have to do is accept the offer and sign right there on that expensive little line at the bottom in good faith," Andrea pointed to the double lines at the bottom of the offer page.

"Let me get with Rick. He has been wanting to be done with it all," Michonne uttered.

"That offer is good until the end of the week," Andrea clarified and Michonne raised her eyebrow.

"And what happens, at the end of the week if we have not decided?" Michonne wondered.

"One of two things Michonne. There is another property they are looking at developing, but it's not as prime as the one between here and Manville because not only is it easily accessible for both towns, but it will also be a big enough draw for the Atlanta crowd too. They proved that with the amount of Atlanta traffic the outlet in Augusta gets on a daily basis and Augusta is further away. But if you don't accept this offer, either they will move on with their second-choice location, or they will up the offer again. But, looking at that offer, I think they will go with the second property. Let me know!" Andrea replied and left the office.

"What do you think?" Sasha asked.

"I think we should take it. I know Rick will want to. This is too good to pass up. This money can send both our kids to college and probably enough for ten more kids. We can hire another lawyer, or maybe an accountant, or finance lawyer to oversee the financial aspects of our firm. I mean, we are going to have to if we accept," Michonne answered and looked back down at the offer.

"I agree Michonne. Talk to Rick and if he agrees to the sell, let's tell Andrea today and get the deal started," Sasha suggested and Michonne nodded, "I will go ahead and handle the specifics since it's mostly a done deal and not a lot of work. That leaves you free for the rest of all that!"

Michonne smirked at Sasha who was pointing at her pile of case folders.

"I will talk to Rick about it after our appointment. Hopefully we can finally find out if the baby is a boy or a girl this time," Michonne uttered skeptically looking at her watch, "Shit. Rick should be here in a few minutes."

"ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE LOOKING AT THAT THANG, RIGHT?" Rick hollered at Dr. Carson, "That looks like a leg to me!"

"Mr. Grimes, I assure you, that is not a leg. You two are having a boy. Congratulations!" Dr. Carson stated flatly not used to a couple being bummed when they learned the sex of their child one way or the other.

On the drive back to the office, Rick and Michonne eventually cheered up and displayed much more excitement than they showed at the doctor's office. They just needed a minute to adjust their expectations for a girl to make room to be thrilled for another healthy baby boy. After Rick pulled up to her office, Michonne handed her husband the letter.

"Holy Shit Michonne! Take it!" Rick stated animatedly, "This can put our three kids through college and still give us a healthy retirement. We can pay off our house! And your law office will be set! But I want to keep part of the land closet to King County."

"Three kids Rick?" Michonne asked confused ignoring everything else Rick said.

"Michonne, we both want a girl, which means after this one, we will try again. Right?" Rick asked and Michonne considered for a few seconds.

She really did want a little girl and nodded in agreement.

"But if the third on is a boy, then…look…four kids are way too many Rick," Michonne made clear and watched Rick nod as if he did not hear a word that she said.

Rick figured he would cross that bridge when he came to it. He was gonna get a daughter that looked like Michonne by any means necessary. Michonne narrowed her eyes at her husband and got out of the car and took out her phone to text Andrea.

"Tell Andrea I will stop by her office in a few minutes to show her which part I want to keep," Rick restated and Michonne nodded.

"It might change the deal, or they might reject it," Michonne clarified sticking her head through the passenger window to see what Rick wanted to do if his offer was declined.

"Non-negotiable," Rick uttered and Michonne texted her friend.

Michonne: we accept the offer, but Rick wants to keep part of the land. He is on his way to your office now.

A few hours later, Michonne got a text from Andrea.

Andrea: YES! They accepted! I will fax you a revised letter of intent. Sign it and I will send my assistant to come get it in a few minutes and fax it back before they change their minds. One guy was pissed, but the majority accepted.

Michonne: They accepted your terms. Sasha and I will sign off on the intent letter. Why did you want to keep the land?

Rick: To keep them from bulldozing all that beautiful land between the site and King County to make parking lots. I know how they work. They would just expand closer and closer. I don't want to be the cause of that.

Michonne: My husband is so smart! You got me tingling in all my places!

Rick: I'm on my way to your office.

Michonne giggled and licked her lips.

Two days later, Shane was dressed in a jacket and tie and Michonne her own navy-blue courtroom power suit as well. She was surprised to find themselves in the Judge's Chambers instead of a courtroom. They sat around a large conference table staring at the Wayne's and their lawyer. Judge Ezekiel opened the case folder and took a quiet breath.

"First, Mr. Walsh, I am sorry for the loss of your wife and son. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne, I am sorry for the loss of your daughter and grandson," The judge stated his condolences before proceeding to the matters at hand.

"Thank you," they all spoke at the same time.

"I am looking at the date of this custody filing, and I am perplexed as to why it was so soon after the mother's death. Mr. McAuliffe, did your clients have concerns about the welfare of Vivian Walsh, the minor in question, before the death of their daughter Lori Walsh?" Ezekiel asked confused.

"They did not your honor," Mr. McAuliffe answered for his clients uncomfortably.

"So let me get this straight, one month after Mr. Walsh's tragic loss, your clients found evidence of neglect? Which was, let's see," Ezekiel muttered as he put on his glasses and scanned the document, "because he needed help with caring for his daughter immediately after the loss of his wife? Is that right?"

The Wayne's nodded awkwardly and the Judge raised his brows.

"Yes, your honor," Mr. Wayne squeaked out in slight embarrassment.

"Did either of you consider that he needed your help because he was in mourning? And he thought if anybody would help him, support him, it would be you two? If I were in this same situation, I would hope my in-laws would step in and help with my children out of love and support, and not for anything as malicious as trying to take my children away from me in the middle of a tragedy," Judge Ezekiel stated incredulously.

Michonne was actively trying not to smile. She now understood why Judge Ezekiel called this case so quickly and why he wanted to meet in his chambers and not inside the courtroom. She was sure Shane had already won but was careful not to show it.

"She was with us all the time. Shane can't take care of Vivian like we can!" Mrs. Wayne hollered out and Ezekiel ignored her outburst.

"And did you have a problem with his chosen profession before your daughter passed away?" Ezekiel asked the Wayne's.

"No, Mr. Wayne answered confidently, "He had my daughter there to take care of Vivian!"

"Mr. McAuliffe, do your clients believe that because Vivian's mother has died that Officer Walsh will take his daughter to work or on a ride-along and thus put her in danger?" Ezekiel asked with a chuckle.

"Your honor?" Mr. McAuliffe asked confused about the question.

"By their theory, Offer Walsh's job was not a problem before because she was being cared for away from his place of employment. What makes your clients think this will not continue to be the case?" Ezekiel asked and waited for an answer.

"My clients believe that Vivian would spend more time in daycare or with random sitters instead of with her father because of his job," Mr. Townsend answered.

"That does not constitute neglect. Didn't your daughter work? Was the minor in question not already in daycare before the death?" The Judge asked.

"Yes, your honor, Lori was a teacher and Vivian was in daycare during the workday," Mr. McAuliffe stammered.

"And are you two retired?" Ezekiel asked Lori's parents.

"No, we both still work," Mr. Wayne answered.

"So then if you retained custody of Vivian, she would spend the majority of her day in daycare just like she did before. What exactly would change if your granddaughter was with you rather than her father?" Ezekiel asked confused.

Shane looked over at Michonne to make sure he was correct in his belief on how the mediation was proceeding. When Michonne subtly winked at him, he took a deep breath of relief and let the Wayne's hang themselves with every word they spoke. Shane looked back at Lori's parents who were both reluctant to answer, but the Judge stared at them until they did.

"I was thinking about leaving my school secretary position until Vivian started Kindergarten," Mrs. Wayne spoke with assertiveness and the Judge saw the slight look of shock flash over her husband's face.

"Officer Walsh, during this whole process, I see you let the Wayne's have supervised visitation despite the custody case. Why is that?" Asked the Judge impressed with the decision that many would not have made.

"I didn't want Vivian to lose her mother and her grandparents too. They were, well we were all close before Lori died," Shane answered, and the judge smiled.

"Seems if the Wayne's thought as you did, we might not be here today," Ezekiel stated honorably and Mr. McAuliffe and the Wayne's objected to the statement.

"Your honor!" Mr. McAuliffe yelped.

"We love her!" Mrs. Wayne squawked.

"We want the best for our granddaughter!" Mr. Wayne barked.

"I think if you wanted the best for your granddaughter, you would not have plotted to take her away from her father. From a loving home. It seems to me, what would have been best was to work together as a family. Mr. Walsh seemed more than willing to do so. He even let her stay with you for the summer before you pulled the rug from under him," Judge Ezequiel clarified.

"Your honor! I respectfully object to your statement," The Wayne lawyer yelped.

"Duly noted. My judgement is for Officer Shane Walsh to keep full custody of his daughter. There is no real evidence of abuse or neglect to warrant a conservatorship by the Wayne's. And I hope you change your attitude before you lose your granddaughter completely," Ezekiel ordered and ended the custody case with a very thrilled Shane and two unhappy Wayne's.

"What about visitation?" Mr. McAuliffe asked the retreating Judge and Ezekiel looked at the wide-eyed Wayne's.

"They can visit anytime the father allows," grinned the Judge before dismissing the group from his chambers.

It was quiet as Michonne and Shane walked out of the courthouse just ahead of the Waynes. Neither wanted to celebrate in front of Lori's parents out of respect for Lori. Just as they were walking down the courthouse steps, Mr. Wayne finally spoke.

"Can we see Vivian this weekend? Keep her for the weekend?" Lori's father asked with a squeaky voice and Shane watched Michonne subtly shake her head no.

Shane was surprised because it was Michonne who convinced him to keep a weekly visitation schedule in the first place.

"I need time to think about if I want you around my daughter right now. You used my grief against me. You used Vivian's grief against her. Michonne told me how she would reach for me, but I was too grief-stricken to notice, and you used that to your advantage. You pulled her away instead of tapping me on my shoulder and handing me my daughter so that I could console her. You came and saw my house in disarray, my life in disarray, and you used that against me too. You made it seem like I was unfit to raise MY DAUGHTER. I don't trust you won't come into our life and look for ways to try and take her from me all over again. So right now, my answer is no," Shane stated firmly and watched Wayne's faces fall.

Mrs. Wayne started sobbing and had to sit down on the steps in despair.

"BUT what my client will continue to do," Michonne looked over at Shane, "Officer Walsh will keep up the once-a-week supervised visits for two hours. There will be conditions such as a neutral meeting place like a park. The court appointed supervisor will no longer be necessary. If you would like that, tell your lawyer to contact me and we will come up with a schedule," Michonne answered, and Shane nodded his approval.

Shane did not want Vivian to suffer because of her grandparents' lack of good judgement. She had grown close to them since they returned to King County eight months ago. Hell, so did Shane. He loved having a set of parents that were loving, and he reveled in the affection, but now it seems that part of the relationship was at an end, perhaps temporarily, perhaps permanently. Shane could acknowledge that the Wayne's were grieving also, but stopped short of thinking that trying to take his daughter away from him was right in any context.

"Lawyer, we don't need a lawyer. Yes. We want to see her, please!" Mrs. Wayne begged.

"Well, seems like you didn't need a lawyer the first time either, but here we are. I will only contact you through Mrs. Grimes," Shane pointed at Michonne then walked towards his vehicle.

Michonne handed the Wayne's her card with her contact information before following behind her client. Lori's parents were devastated, but all they could do was hope and wait for the next scheduled visit. The Wayne's realized they had made a terrible mistake and hoped one day Shane could see that they were grieving too, and possibly forgive them. Until then however, they would look forward to the two hours a week Shane offered without complaint. They were lucky they walked away with even that amount of time.

"THANK YOU!" Shane shouted and pulled Michonne into a hug once they got to the parking lot out of earshot of Lori's parents.

"I did not do anything Shane. The Wayne's had no case. The more they spoke, the more their case was flushed down the toilet," Michonne laughed, "I'm going over to the station to see Rick. You coming?"

"Nah, I'm off today, so I am gonna go get Vivian from the daycare and take her for ice cream," Shane grinned and waved goodbye.

When Michonne walked into the station, it was a mess. There were boxes everywhere and desks in disarray and then remembered Rick's office had moved. She walked out of the old station door, and around the corner to its new entrance.

"When are they going to close up the old entrance Sergeant? I keep forgetting," Michonne smiled as her husband was trying to place all his files into his nicer new file cabinet, in his fancy new office.

The Sheriff's station was still in the middle of their renovations and Rick loved his new office. It came with built-in file drawers, shelves, and cabinets. No more tacky old, mismatched metal furniture. Now, he had a proper solid wooden desk with a set of drawers to match. Rick dropped the folders on his desk and moved around to hug and kiss his wife.

"I like it when you call me deputy better," Rick whispered in his wife's ear and kissed her down her neck.

"How about I keep deputy for our bedroom and Sergeant for work?" Michonne giggled as she moved away from Rick before they started something that was neither was unlikely to stop.

"I have a good lock on my door, and my desk ain't got too much on it yet, we could…" Rick started and Michonne looked around and thought seriously about the sexy offer, but a deputy stopped them both in their tracks.

"Hey Michonne! Did the custody drama go Shane's way?" Tara asked as she stood inside the door and wondered why Rick was mean mugging her.

"By the look on her face, I take it that it went well. By the look on his face, we interrupted something," T-Dogg smiled, and Rick waved them both inside his new office reluctantly.

Rick ushered his five-month pregnant wife to take a seat in his chair behind his desk and listened as she told the three what happened in court before she headed back to her office.

Two months later, at the end of October, Michonne was highly upset as she answered Rick's call after just hearing devasting news straight from Ella Grimes's mouth.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOUR MOTHER RICK!" Michonne shouted through the phone and Rick pulled back the headset from his ear.

"Michonne the proper way to answer the phone is Hello Daddy. Just like you did for my birthday last week," Rick chuckled and then fully laughed when he heard Michonne huff.

"Hello Daddy," Michonne cooed before returning to her former mood, "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOUR MOTHER RICK!"

Serenity Woods had just had a soft opening for family and close friends on Rick's birthday weekend so that Ella and Letty could knock out any issues that arose before the November 1st grand opening. Those were the best three days of Michonne's life. Between the good food, the massages, sitting out by the fire pit in the evening- an amenity Carol Peltier, the manager, suggested that was a huge hit. All of that plus the walking trails that were added, and the yoga session led by Jesus, who had officially moved to King County, Michonne was living the life! She needed the break after all the work and this baby had made her bigger than she was with Carl, and she was tired. Now that Serenity Woods was about to open officially, Ella and Letty were busy. Too busy it seemed to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year.

"Michonne, they don't have the time. And Tom will be cooking for the spa and B&B guests, he is the chef there so he can't cater Thanksgiving for us. Glenn said he would bring pizzas," Rick laughed and Michonne hung up the phone.

Rick called back.

"Baby, the reason that I was calling was to let you know that I am not going to eat your delicious leftovers you packed me for lunch today. I'm going to take the deputies to that new Mexican restaurant that opened, I want some more of those tacos, they are slapping. What are they called again? I want to get my order right," Rick asked with his pencil ready to write the information down so that he will not get his order incorrect.

"It's they slap, and where did you hear that phrase, Rick?" Michonne giggled.

"I heard Carl tell that to Cyndee last weekend. Now what are they called again?" Rick asked impatiently because there were a few deputies outside of his office waiting to meet with him and Hershel was also waiting for Rick to come talk to him about an important issue.

"Birria tacos and it comes with the consume for dipping. Can you bring me your lunch on the way?" Michonne asked, and Rick furrowed his brow.

"You have the same lunch as I do Michonne. Did you forget?" Rick asked.

"I ATE IT ALREADY RICK! I WAS HUNGRY!" Michonne hollered then started sobbing and hung up the phone.

Rick looked at his watch. It was 10am in the morning. Rick thought back to the two breakfast sandwiches she ate just two hours before. Rick wondered if Michonne was as emotional with Carl as she was this second time around. Rick put it at the back of his mind to ask Darryl next time he saw him. Rick laughed and called back.

"Sweetheart," Rick chuckled.

"Sorry Rick, this baby makes me so emotional and so hungry! I can't seem to stay full! Carl was not like this! Carl was a good little fetus," Michonne uttered, and Rick had the answer to his question without the need to call Darryl.

"All right, I will drop it by a little before noon. Is that ok?" Rick inquired and hung up when his wife acknowledged that was fine.

Rick answered the deputy's questions and thirty minutes later he was sitting in Hershel's office in complete disbelief.

"A veterinarian?" Rick asked for the fourth time since he has been meeting with Hershel.

"I have been thinking about if for a few years now. More seriously since all this expansion started. I am ready to be done with policing Rick. I want to get back the farming and working with the animals and I already had my degree and two and a half years into the veterinary program before I became a deputy."

"I didn't know that. Well, I guess I kinda did when you mentioned it a year ago. Why did you stop?" Rick asked bewildered.

"Well, I stopped because I met the love of my life and got married and I didn't want to be away from her. When Patricia got pregnant, I decided to try my second-choice career, Sherriff deputy, and I loved it. After she died, well, I was lost then once I found myself again, I had two daughters to raise. I didn't have the time, but I am ready to let this go and get back to my first love Rick. I want to get back to taking care of the farm and the animals that I love. With your mother running her business, she has no time to take care of the animals and I don't want to keep letting the farm hands do it while I sit here. I want to be outside again," Hershel finished as he leaned back in his chair.

"What's the plan?" Rick asked just how far Hershel has gotten in his new life path.

"I applied to Georgia Tech Veterinary program, and they accepted all my previous credits, so I only have a year and a half left to complete the program then take the state test. I am going to start next fall. So this summer I will be moving to Atlanta until I finish. It's perfect because Maggie will be moving back to the farm until the ranch is ready, and Beth will be attending Emory University. I can watch over her until she gets her bearing up there. She is just so shy. Once I'm done, I come back here and open a veterinary clinic on my farm. I think I am going to cater to larger animals. I can help Maggie with her ranch too," Hershel advised, and Rick could only nod.

"Who is going to be the Sherriff?" Rick asked his uncle.

"Well, whomever runs for it, but Rick really and truly, it should be you. You would need to run next May and would take over shortly after. I will start taking a course or two next summer to get a head start. I want to finish as fast as I can and get back here. I will still be here most weekends of course, but during the week, I would need to live there," Hershel answered.

"Sherriff? You think I'm ready for that?" Rick asked confused.

"Rick, you have been helping me run this station since you started and since you got Michonne back, you downright have taken over. You are great with the other deputies, and not just friendly and social, I mean professionally. Shane is your brother, but you don't hesitate to keep his ass in check, and he does not hesitate to acknowledge your supervisor status. Same with all the rest. Think about it Rick. It's October, so you have time. You will have to let Mayor Horvath know your intentions by February and launch your campaign in March. I am sure you will run unopposed."

Rick left Hershel with a lot to think about. He would talk to Michonne about the revelations once they got home. Rick looked at this watch and told the deputies that he would meet them at the restaurant, but he needed to make a stop first.

"A quickie with the wife," Shane laughed and slapped Rick on the back.

"Nah, that would be you and Andrea," Rick smirked and laughed when Shane's face fell.

"It ain't like that brother, she just been helping with Vivian is all. Like everybody else. Lori ain't been dead for six months man! I ain't ready and she ain't interested. I heard she was dating some hoity toity big shot at that tech company between here and Atlanta," Shane exclaimed but Rick was not fooled.

Shane had taken a liking to Andrea and Andrea was oblivious. It was a running joke amongst the group behind their backs. But looking at Shane, he saw his brother was not ready to move on and silently agreed it was probably too soon. Rick just wanted to see his friend happy again.

"Sure, whatever you say. You still riding with me? I need to take Michonne lunch first," Rick asked and chuckled when Shane started looking around the station.

"Nah, I will ride with T-Dog. Go handle your business. I will see you there. Don't be late! We ain't waiting for you to order!" Shane laughed nervously and walked away rapidly.

Shane was supposed to ride with Rick, but he did not want to field questions about Andrea. At least not yet. Andrea showed no interest in him outside of helping with his daughter, and Shane felt guilty for having non platonic feeling about the City Manager. Shane wondered if he was just lonely and if would have those feeling about any available woman helping him with his child. The situation was too complicated and complex for a conversation on the way to lunch. Shane needed to sort out his own feelings first. There was definitely a pull towards Andrea, and for the life of Shane he had no clue as to why. But Shane could not deny that even when Lori was alive, there was an attraction to the blond, but he actively ignored it. Shane chalked it up to missing his wife and put it out of his mind. Michonne informed Rick that Shane was not even a blip on Andrea's radar and Michonne already confirmed that Andrea was dating someone. Michonne was not sure either of them was destined to ever be on the same page. Rick nodded to Shane and left to take his wife her second lunch.

"Thanks! I needed this!" Michonne uttered as she tore open the Tupperware bowl and stared eating.

"Are you not going to heat that up Michonne?" Rick asked incredulously.

"You know I like cold spaghetti!" Michonne answered twirling her fork around the cold noodles, "Scott called."

"Oh yeah, did you answer?" Rick laughed.

"He wants to separate Carl and Cyndee from the same class. They are driving the teacher crazy already. Asked if it would be okay to move Carl to Mr. Bishop or Mrs. Sanders fourth grade class. I told him I would need to talk to you, to meet both teachers, talk to Carl, and then we will let him know. "

"Are they acting up in class? If that's the case, then I can handle that without Carl having to move!" Rick responded puzzled and wondering if Carl was causing trouble.

"No, Scott said they are not a behavior problem. He said the teacher could not really explain it and Scott was confused at first too. So he sat in her classroom and observed for a couple of days," Michonne explained.

"What did he find out," Rick asked as he watched his wife ravage the food and wondered if she was even chewing.

"Scott said they are well-behaved. Cause no real issues, but they feed off each other. Like Cyndee would sharpen her pencil, and Carl would stand in line right behind her to sharpen his. When it is time for partner work, Carl and Cyndee run to each other and refuse to work with anyone else. When Mrs. Easton asks the class a question, Carl and Cyndee are the first to raise their hands and it becomes a competition on which to pick. If Mrs. Easton picks Cyndee then Carl would start to answer too. If she picks Carl, then Cyndee would finish his sentence. They even read the same books during free-reading time so they can be in the same discussion groups.

"Alright. Why don't they move Cyndee?" Rick asked, perplexed.

"Scott said he asked the grandmother too. It boils down to which teacher is the best fit for each of them. They might move Cyndee or Carl. What do you think?" Michonne inquired and Rick blew out a frustrated breath.

"I think Carl and Cyndee won't like it, but I agree that they need to branch out a little bit. Will they still be able to see each other during the school day?" Rick wondered and Michonne nodded.

"Yes, they can eat lunch together and they will have recess together and one special. Art class I think," Michonne informed, and Rick nodded.

"Ok, well make an appointment and let's meet the teachers." Rick decided but Michonne could tell her husband was unsure if this was for the best.

"Rick?" Michonne called as her husband was walking out of her office.

"Yeah baby," Rick answered as he stopped in her doorway amazed that she already finished all that food in a short amount of time.

Michonne rubbed her almost eight-month pregnant belly and sat back in her chair.

"Will you bring me back a taco?" Michonne requested and Rick shook his head wondering where in the hell all that food she was eating was going.

Rick wondered just how big their baby boy was going to be because she was nothing but belly.

"All right. Same one I am getting? The Birria," Rick asked to make sure he got her order correct.

"Yes, and you better bring me two just in case," Michonne uttered, and Rick nodded.

"Oh, are you getting the Birria tacos? Can you bring me an order please!" Sasha begged and Rick nodded and left because it was getting late, and he wanted to sit and enjoy his food without rushing.

Sasha walked into Michonne's office in a huff.

"My mom is a no go for Thanksgiving. She said we are grown, and we can make our meals. She and Dad want to come up here and enjoy a relaxing Thanksgiving and let us do all the work while she plays with her grandson," Sasha huffed and folded her arms across her chest.

"Us?" Michonne asked incredulously.

"Us heifer, yes," Sasha stated firmly and Michonne laughed.

"Ok, well I will see if Ella and Letty can give us some recipes and you see if your mother can do the same And Rosita will be here too. We will make it work. The guys can do the meat and we can do the sides," Michonne took charge because her baby wanted to have a really good Thanksgiving meal.

"Tyrese said he will bring all the desserts, so we don't have to worry about that," Sasha stated relieved.

"Well Sasha, I guess we are going to learn to cook a big holiday meal! Yumiko is coming since her brother will be working," Michonne added with a chuckle.

"Maybe she can cook! You think she got some of her cooking skills from her brother?" Sasha asked.

"Nope. She says she burns water," Michonne grinned and laughed at Sasha's fallen face.

"I wish I was pregnant right now," Sasha shared and sat down in a chair in front of Michonne's desk, "You are so lucky."

"You want more kids?" Michonne grinned.

"Yes, maybe eventually. But for now, I don't want to help Abe and Rosita move! I got out of it with you and Rick!" Sasha laughed, "I just moved into my own house last month! One move a year is enough!"

"You are terrible. Speaking of, how is the house and are we doing Thanksgiving at my house or yours?" Michonne asked ready to make a full holiday plan.

"The house is great! And it's nice that Darryl and I to have time to ourselves again, but there are times when I miss living with everybody and their mama," Sasha chucked, "I love that Fletcher has his own space though. As for whose house, I say yours."

"Of course, you would. You and Darryl will be spending the night at my house. I don't trust you to get to the house in time to help cook if you don't," Michonne laughed, and Sasha agreed.

The feast well extremely well, and Thanksgiving was a success. Jenny, Morgan's wife who had recently moved to King County semi-permanently, only traveling with Morgan, when necessary, chipped in with a dish or two. Yumiko laughed at all the pregnant women and highchairs in the living room. Michonne and Rosita were wobbling around and Jenny's baby boy, Duane, was cooing right beside his friend Fletcher. With Rosita due in January, which was going to delay the start of her residency by six weeks so Abe and Rosita decided to live on the farm and Ella was ecstatic. Andrea told all the pregnant women to stay away from her.

"Shane has been acting really weird around me lately. I swear he was eyeing my womb as if he could get me pregnant by just concentrating on it the other day," Andrea expressed as she looked out of the kitchen window at Shane who was standing with the guys at the smoker, "Then the next minute he is avoiding me like the plague."

"What's up with you two?" Michonne asked curiously.

"Nothing! I adore Vivian and I help him with her but that's it! I think he is getting that confused with a relationship. He is still in mourning! And this man from Manville is trying to date me!"

"What happened to the tech guy?" Sasha asked.

"His wife in Atlanta happened. That loser was married, and I dropped his ass the minute I found out about it. I finally got him to stop calling me when I threatened to tell his wife if he did not leave me the hell alone," Andrea spat and shook her head.

"People mourn differently and there is no timetable when a person can move on, especially if they feel they have met another Mrs. Right," Sasha laughed.

"Well, I need to tell him that I am Mrs. WRONG then," Andera uttered and decided to have a talk with Shane at some point to make things perfectly clear.

"Who is trying to date you now, Andrea?" Michonne giggled.

"One of the developers for that new retail site. He was the one that was upset about Rick keeping part of the land. He moved to Manville to be closer to the project. His name is Philip," Andrea smiled and Michonne wondered how Shane was going to feel about her new relationship as she loaded the last of the holiday pots and pans in the dishwasher.

"RICK! WAKE UP! I THINK MY WATER JUST BROKE!" Michonne hollered as she stood on the side of the bed.

Michonne had been experiencing pain all night and thought walking around might help. As she was walking, she felt liquid dripping down her leg, and at first thought she was peeing on herself, but quickly realized after another sharp pain, it was not urine. Rick jumped out of bed.

"What? Are you sure Michonne? You are not due for almost another three weeks!" Rick started in a panic as he pulled his jeans on, "Let me call mama to sit with Carl."

"I'm sure Rick. I had Carl early too. Call Darryl instead. Your mother and Letty are in Atlanta at that business expo remember?" Michonne muttered through another contraction.

Darryl was not answering his phone and time was of the essence, so Rick pulled Carl out of bed, told him to put on his shoes, and a jacket and get in the car. Carl did as he was told and was thrilled to be leaving the house wearing his black panther pajamas.

"RICK! HURRY!" Michonne rushed her husband who was driving too slowly compared to her appropriate sense of urgency.

"Breath though the contractions baby," Rick instructed as he pressed on the gas telling Carl to dial Darryl's number for the fourth time.

"Did you try Sasha?" Michonne asked and Rick kicked himself for not thinking that, but Darryl finally returned the call before that was necessary.

"It's 3am Rick! Why do you keep calling my phone!" Darryl asked annoyingly.

"I need you to come get Carl from the hospital. Michonne is in labor!" Rick replied to his sleepy friend.

"Oh shit. She had Carl early too! I am on my way!" Darryl grunted and hung up the phone.

By 7am, Michonne had delivered her and Rick's second baby boy, Andre Alexander Grimes. Rick and Michonne decided on the name to honor her father almost as soon as they found out they were having another son. They decided not to tell anyone until their bundle of joy arrived. Only Carl knew.

"Rick, he looks just like Carl did when he was a baby. Except for the eyes," Michonne remarked as she cradled her little hazel eyed baby, "look Rick, we got an early Christmas present."

"He is beautiful Michonne. Just perfect," Rick gushed as he looked at his son, "Let me hold him."

"Let me finish nursing him first Rick," Michonne giggled, "This one like to eat!"

"I wonder where he got that from," Rick snarked and Michonne ignored him.

By mid-afternoon, they could hear Ella's voice booming down the hallway calling for Rick. A nurse had stopped her from entering the room until she received permission.

"That's okay. She can come in now," Rick allowed as he stuck his head out the hospital room door while holding the baby, "Mama, come meet Andre."

"You would go into labor the one weekend I was gone!" Ella chuckled and kissed Michonne on the forehead.

"Let me hold my grandson, Rick," Ella demanded and pulled the baby from her son who was reluctant to let him go but acquiesced, "Andre is a good name."

Rick smiled and was already thinking about his next baby who he was positive was going to be a girl.