Chapter 15 CH:14 Daniel

It's a homecoming Michonne has been anticipating and dreaded. It all seems so long ago, well, thinking about it. Give or take several months to nearly a year now and here she is, back at home.

'Haha, everything could be done so simply. I could arrive home, bypass the front door and enter through the side entrance that leads to my own private area of the house, and then see my parents, or just mama, the next day.' Michonne thought to herself.

THAT would be the plan had Michonne been six years old and ruined her best Sunday dress but she passed all that the minute she stood before her parents in the dining room pleading her case on her tournament entry and not bothering to heed mama's 'NO' and once again back at that table pleading once more on why she should be the one to getting fathers documents back.

She stated facts, that yes, father is a brilliant scientist and he had a habit of scribbling down notes and formulas on anything he could find, including napkins and handkerchiefs but he was also very forgetful and easily distracted. This plea of case was not for both parents but mama. Who has been against the idea of having her only child, her only girl child go off for papers her father could easily rewrite.

Going off on this trip unsupervised to do, gawd knows what was a decision made two against one and father's always in her corner, embracing whatever she wants to do.

She promised she would do whatever it takes to get her father's documents back and when Michonne set off on her journey meeting Rick and Daryl she was even more determined to succeed. Relieved that she had found them.

Mama has been against a lot of decisions Michonne has been making for herself especially the big three:

NOT being married at her age while all her friends are with little ones to carry on their name, preference to wearing trousers than dresses and not shying away from talking politics.

'Had mama found out about what she had been doing with Rick in his and her cabin she would throw something worse than a fit.' Michonne chuckled to herself.

Rick leaned forward in the carriage, smiling "What's so amusing?"

Michonne first glanced at Daryl and then back at Rick, "Oh, I'm just wondering how long I'm going to get to see this side of you?"

Not in the least bit surprised because Daryl is very well put together. He is always this way, not a hair out of place. Whereas Rick on the other hand had not only shaved but even had his hair slightly trimmed and neatly combed back.

"Impression is always everything. Even for a short while. Your parents haven't seen you in nearly a year, God knows what thoughts have crossed their minds. Best to not have them see us the way we usually are on the ship. This is a reassurance that their daughter has been safe."

Daryl crossed his arms, "Speak for yourself. I told him he's meeting his future in-laws and to pay attention."

The carriage rolled to a stop.

'They never spoke about marriage and Michonne had never planned on marrying Rick either. Can they just be as they are without the extra paperwork stating that?'

Daryl had only said it as a joke giving Rick a sidelong glance and the man's thoughtful expression says otherwise.

'Wait a minute, is Rick really thinking about it.' Daryl thought to himself, well I be damned.'

Michonne sighs loudly, "I have no idea where you got the notion of such news, however, she faced Rick, "I plan on circling back with you on the whole future in laws part."

"And I'll gladly provide the answer to any question you ask me."

"Oh ho ho so he has been thinking about it.' Daryl chuckled to himself.

Rick exits the carriage first and provides his hand for assistance and beams proudly when Michonne takes it.

What Rick can recall when meeting The Brownfield he know Mr. Brownfield had a relaxed and yet distracted nature. Always changing the subject to something else then later going back to the previous conversation.

Meeting Mrs. Brownfields had been an experience in itself. Not once in his life had he felt so nervous until he met the piercing chestnut eyes and the serious demeanor of Mrs. Brownfield. Michonne looked just like her mother, but that's where the similarities ended. Michonne is much more relaxed and easygoing. She had a quick wit and a charming nature and Rick found himself drawn to her immediately.

But Mrs. Brownfield was a force to be reckoned with, and he could tell that she would not hesitate to put him in his place if he stepped out of line. He quickly learned to respect her and to follow her instructions to the letter. Rick know to be on his best behavior when Mrs. Brownfield was around.

Mrs. Brownfield welcomed them herself, happily and quickly usher them all into the drawing room, waiting patiently for each of them to sit down, then this petite slender of a woman stares hard at Rick, the smile gone from her face, watching him. Not saying a word but knows it spoken volumes.

Then she spoke.

"Young man," Mrs. Brownfield began, "what in God's name have you been doing keeping our unmarried daughter, Michonne, away from us for eleven months and fourteen days?"

Rick was taken aback, first with the young man. Rick nearly broke down laughing when she called him that. he has not been referred to as a young man since his school days and more so with him being absolutely sure Michonne had been in contact with her parents on the regular with mailing.

Daryl clears his throat awkwardly and begins to fuss with his top hat in his lap.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Brownfield," Rick said. "I didn't mean to keep Michonne away from you. It's just that things have begun to get...complicated."

"Complicated?" Mrs. Brownfield asked. "How so?"

Rick hesitated, glancing at Michonne for help but he could tell right then that this was on him. He didn't want to tell Mrs. Brownfield everything that had happened, but he knew he couldn't lie to her either.

Rick began, "Miss Michonne and I, well, all of us have been through a lot together. The closer we got to finding an answer, the further it led us. We finally saved my son from the kidnapper himself, and then we realized he had copies of Mr. Brownfield's formula for keeping the undead dead. I knew we were going to need help, so we waited for aid. In the midst of all of that, I got closer to Miss Michonne. The more I got to know her, the things she liked, her favorite color, the more I enjoyed her company and the more I wanted to keep her by my side. And through it all, we've always been there for each other.".

Mrs. Brownfield nodded. "Well, then it wasn't really you keeping our daughter away from us. But," she then faced Michonne, "our daughter herself. Care to explain, my sweet child?"

Michonne looked down at her feet and internally sighs, where is father when she needed him.

Michonne looked at her mother, "Mama, I'm sorry. It's true what Mr. Grimes told you. I didn't mean to stay away this long. I just... I needed to find my own way, and I will continue to find my own way. I plan on seeing this to the very end, wherever it takes me, with Mr. Grimes, Mr. Dixon, and The Bandit Hunter."

Mama looked at her daughter with concern. "But Michonne, it's so dangerous out there. You could get hurt, or worse."

"I know," Michonne said. "But I can't just stay here and hide. I have to keep going, for myself, and for everyone else."

"And including the more I got to know each other, the likes and colors and keeping him by your side? Those as well."

There is time to pussy-foot around anything, Michonne is speaking her truth, she needs her mother to understand what this all means for her.

"Yes, Mama, including the more I got to know each other, the likes and colors and keeping him by my side too."

Mrs. Brownfield sighed. "I understand, but you're our daughter. We love you and we want you to be safe."

"I know," she said. "And I love you both very much too but

Mrs. Brownfield sighs, "I just worry about you,".

"I know," Michonne said. "And I love you for it. But I'm a grown woman now, this is the path I want to be on. I need to do this on my own and I have to make my own decisions."

Mrs. Brownfield is beginning to understand, just a little bit. She wants to be a little more progressive in mothering her daughter too. "Just be careful, okay?"

"I will," Michonne said. "I promise."

Michonne reaches forward and gives her mother's hand a reassuring squeeze. She knew that she was making the right decision, even if it meant leaving her family behind. She had to find her own way in the world, and she was determined to see this through to the very end.

"Well! That was interesting," Daryl said as they walked down the steps of the Brownfield home, "a confession of the heart of sorts and independence speech all in one day."

"Well you could very well confess yourself to Miss Williams too."

"I WILL DO no such thing."

"Come now Daryl, we all know you like her, rather fondly. Be honest with yourself."

"I'll be honest with it after all this is taken care of and Negan is dead."

Daryl stopped walking and turned to his friend. "I'm not going to lie, I do like her. But there are more important things to worry about. Like getting rid of Negan and his Saviors."

"I understand that," Rick nodded his head in agreement. "But you can't keep your feelings bottled up forever. You need to tell her how you feel."

"I will," Daryl said. "But not right now. Not when there's so much else going on."

"Fair enough, but don't forget about her, okay?"

"I could never, so don't worry, I won't." Daryl stated.

He turned and started walking again, Rick following close behind. As they walked, they spoke on this next course of action, sending and receiving updates from Glenn and Maggie.

Maggie watched her husband, Glenn, at the bow of the ship. He was standing at the edge, looking out at the water.

"Glenn, what the hell are you doing?" she called out.

He turned to look at her, his eyes wide. "I think something is watching us," he said. "I can smell it."

Maggie frowned. "What does it smell like?"

"Like a wet dog."

She looked around, but she couldn't see anything. "I don't see anything," she said.

"It's there," he's on high alert, his hand wrapped around the gun tucked between his buckle. "I know it."

She took a deep breath, trying to smell anything out of the ordinary. But all she could smell was the lake water.

"I don't smell anything,"

"It's there," he said again. "I promise you."

She looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "Okay," she said. "I'll stay here. You want to check it out."

"Oh, hell to the fucking yes." Glenn signaled to a few of his men to follow him and turned back to the water. He took a deep breath and then dove in. Each one follows right behind him.

Maggie watched as Glenn and the other three men he took with him swam towards the riverbank. She felt a presence and turned to face Jesus,

"Where is he off to now?" Jesus asked.

Maggie placed her hand to her mouth to silence him. "We think Negan is out there," she whispered.

Jesus' eyes widened. "You all think Negan is out there and he goes out there, in the darkness, to look for him? He's mad, the both of you, really."

Maggie nodded. "He's not one to think straight, but he gets things done," she said.

Jesus shook his head. "I don't know, Maggie," he said. "This doesn't sound like a good idea."

"I know," Maggie said. "But it's easier this way than shimming a boat down, it would take too much time."

"And if it's Negan?"

Maggie is annoyed at Jesus for doubting her, Glenn and The Celluloid Dream, "It's not a full moon Jesus, if Glenn sees him or any of his men, he and our men will kill them."

They watched in silence as Glen and the crew's shadowy silhouette made it to the riverbank. Maggie lost him in the treelines. A few minutes passed, then they heard it, the firing of guns and the sound of screams. She held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest hoping Glen was okay.

Then as quickly as the firing started it ended.

Maggie smiled once she saw Glenn and his men made their way out of the trees and swam back toward the ship.

"Well, that was interesting, I wonder who or what was out there." Jesus inquired as he watched them.

"I don't know," Maggie said, "but I'm glad Glen is okay."

"Me too," Jesus said. "Let's go meet him."

Maggie lowered the rope for them to climb back up, "What happened?" She asked.

"We ran into a group of Saviors," Glen said. "We were able to take them out, but it was close."

"And the wet dog?"

"It was strong once we got up there but nothing."

"Think it was Negan?"

"Not sure, whatever it was, it's gone now."

"Well, I'm glad you're okay," Maggie said.

"Me too," Glen said, his voice serious. "I need all of you to be on high alert." He turned to face the crew, "All of you," his eyes scanning their faces. "We're in dangerous territory that should be an easy walk for us all but don't be stupid and do stupid things. I don't want anyone to get hurt or die. I don't need your wives or lovers getting on my or my wife's on you and yours, ok!"

The crew nodded in understanding. They had been through some really crazy situations and this was no different.

High above in the trees watching the ship is Negan. Wondering who this crazy man he barely got away from.

Negan frowns, Seems like Rick got himself some help.

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Code note - Yeah, I'm back and currently enjoying all these plot bunnies.