I don't own the Walking Dead


Chapter XII


When Rick made his proposal, he expected a firm rejection as an answer. However, Michonne did not even lecture him with a lengthy talk about not crossing the lines and blurring the borders of a burgeoning friendship. She had only worn the most intricate expression of concern and shock.

"Hun?" Michonne had confusedly answered. "You want your family to be the closest to you." The word tumbled down her mouth, and a sob followed.

Rick had looked dejected. Somehow, he had managed to overestimate what the situation meant. Was there a family to mention? Rick had suddenly questioned himself.

Were they a family? Rick might have questioned their complex lives too late. Back then, he could only anxiously wait for Michonne to acknowledge his wish for more than a superficial expression of paternal love. Instantly, Rick Grimes felt small. Seemingly, he felt smaller than the night they conceived their children. There was no cash awkwardly shoved in his hand. Michonne was not fidgeting with a wrinkled dress and a thong in her hand. Before him, Michonne had kept her head in her palms while tears poured profusely. Only one thing remained unchanged. Him! Rick had stood afraid and uncomfortable.

"The answer might not be to my liking, but I don't need it immediately anyways." Rick had found his courage to speak.

He even had the bravery to rise. Now, he could stand next to Michonne's shattered frame.

"We will always be a family anyway," Rick had kissed her forehead, ready to give Michonne all the space needed. Although, he could not take a step away from her. Slender fingers had gripped the hem of his coat.

"Yes?"


The shaky 'yes' Michonne gave him set in motion the most brutal changes in Rick's life. In less than a week, actions followed Michonne's agreement. Rick, who had spoken in the heat of the moment, remodelled his life to be a father of three. From how everything went, Rick started to believe his previous reluctance to such a life was an excuse.

Hence, Rick quickly moved out of Shane's place and found himself living in a place he never pictured himself living in one day, a home accommodating his children. Walking on Lego pieces and broken toys became a common occurrence. Why did he put so much of a fight if he could find comfort in hitting his legs on Carl's parked toy car? Rick had compromised and surrendered with ease. However, Rick only insisted on one condition to seal their agreement to share a place. He needed to be in the vicinity of the hospital. Michonne had agreed without any argument. Rick almost believed it was because they needed to be close to RJ until it became evident that she understood his mindset as a fellow workaholic.

Co-parenting, Michonne and Rick had feared the worst of the situation. She did not believe in the feasibility of his plan. With two children at home and one at the hospital, having their schedule could lead to chaos. Thus, Michonne had to rain on Rick's parade. Their daily schedule needed to be perfect. Rick could not tell how she managed to free his weekend and packed his Mondays and Tuesdays, but Michonne did. Thursdays meant a prolonged breakfast with the children because he would spend the night working. If Michonne had to work on a trial, Rick had to extend grace to Michonne. The children became exclusively his for a minimum of three days. She almost turned me into a house-husband. He always fondly thought when she would announce that her work would take precedence for a random amount of time. However, Rick abused the same liberty to excuse himself of parental duty if important work arose. Co-parenting with Michonne was oddly satisfying.

Above their house schedule, RJ's visitation schedule took precedence. In this matter, Rick showed his brilliance. He pulled on some strings and guaranteed that RJ never spent only a few nights without one of his parents. Rick's office quickly became Michonne's second home. Sharing so much space was unexpected. Living with Rick Grimes sounded like a foreign concept. Yet, she had done it for almost three weeks. Although, nothing could be utterly perfect.


Now, she stands by his door, and Michonne still feels as if everything surrounding her is foreign. Three weeks of sharing an immense apartment does not make it less awkward.

"Relax, Michonne! I didn't invited you to my bed." Rick says. "I only said you could come inside the room. Then, I'll give you what you need," Rick says as Michonne hesitates between stepping into the room or running away from Rick's home.

So you think I'm a fool who can't understand an innuendo? Maybe I'm a fool reading too much into nothing because I'm just being horny. Michonne quietly convinces herself to overlook Rick's smirk.

"Let's say I didn't hear what you said," Michonne softly says. "I don't need anything."

Rick cocks an eyebrow. He curiously eyes Michonne. She returns his curious look.

"Michonne?" Rick asks. "Should I ask?" He says. Don't ask! They think simultaneously. "What did you hear me say?"

You ask, you sly little minsk. Michonne thinks bitterly.

"Rick," Michonne responds. "Let's say I don't want to invade your privacy." Michonne insists as she remains at the door. "I'm fine right here!"

Privacy? Rick smiles. He looks at the little girl in Michonne's arms.

"I'm certain Judith doesn't care for my privacy," Rick replies. "She hasn't cared much for it recently, maybe because I worked on more night-shift than what she has become familiar with," He adds as he moves away from his spot in the room. "Judith, tell your mother what you want because she doesn't know what to do now." Rick says as he closes on Michonne. "Also crying will not help any of us, sweetheart."

Of course! These children and their father. Michonne laments. She looks at her daughter, who had almost left her mind while conversing with Rick.

How did you forget the bundle of sadness in your arm while talking to her maker? Michonne shuns herself for her weakness.

"I'm sure you want to enjoy your bed alone after sleeping in your office for three nights," Michonne retorts. "I'm not blaming you for that." She rushes to add because her tone came out more hostile than she wished. "But it was two nights more than what we're used to, Rick." She corrects with slight judgment.

"You wouldn't be wrong if you say how I didn't respect my part of the deal. I shouldn't be gone for almost a week," Rick sighs. "I also can say it won't happen again, but I would be lying. It sometimes is not in my hands, and I'm truly sorry..." He implicitly apologises.

"As long as you make up for it and allow me the same freedom to work, I don't mind." Michonne retorts. "Then next week?" She inquires. "Also, you look like a walking corpse, doctor Grimes. How can I be mad at you if you look like this?" She finishes with slight concern.

"The entire week?" Rick hesitates. "The entire week, I guess I can't say no," He agrees to be the primary caretaker of the kids while Michonne prepares for court. "But…" Rick does not need to finish his sentence.

"Thursday…" Michonne cocks an eyebrow to answer his silent plea.

"I will beg my parents to step in for you." Michonne magnanimously declares.

"Now, that's clear." Rick says. "I think Judith might throw herself on the floor if…" Michonne stops him with a frustrated cry.

"Don't give her any ideas," Michonne pleads.

"She doesn't need my help to be creative with her tantrums." Rick declares. "What do you need your mother to do, sweetheart." Rick asks his daughter. "She is so stubborn. Must be the habit of professionally arguing that makes her unable to agree without coercion." He smiles with a toothy grin.

Of course, he finds it funny that his daughter brings me to his bed every night. Michonne silently complains about her new predicament.

"Rick," Michonne laments. "You're fostering a bad habit. She can't sleep with you every night." She declares. "You don't need the extra bodies lying next to you." Michonne pursues as Judith chooses to leave her arms.

"On top of me," Rick pointedly looks at Michonne. "I'm fostering her bad habit or yours?"

I'm not living it down. How would you overcome it when you came back looking for more tonight? Shame on you Barnes. You are glued on this man more than a bad wig on the forehead of a CW actor.

"When she repeats this conversation word for word to everyone who cares to hear, don't be embarrassed." Michonne warns Rick against his double entendre.

"I don't mind." Rick calmly declares. "There is an explanation for why you start the night next to me, but it is harder to explain why you always end up on top of me." His lips stretch into the kindest, warmest smile. "Now, there is no need for excuses, we are grown. The general consensus on what we do in this house is far more exciting than anything Judith can say about tonight." His smile deepens. "Also, she doesn't cry about sleeping in my room every day. This is separation anxiety. What kind of dad would I be if I didn't reassure my daughter? It's just the third night. She will be over it soon. Hopefully, you won't." He ends his statement with a teasing smile.

Michonne almost swoons. Rick seems to know what holds her attention and how to make her melt on the spot. As if in touch with Michonne's thoughts, Rick picks his daughter from the floor and carefully sits her on his hips.

"Now, come to daddy." He softly says to Judith.

"You see," Michonne sighs. Just saying shit on purpose so my mind can go there. Michonne keeps the last part in the back of her mind. Just taking advantage of the dilf cliché.

"I see what?" Rick innocently asks. "If I could see the problem," Rick's eyes befall on Michonne's chest. "I would take my sweet time fixing it and making you feel so good about it."

Damn it! Michonne thinks as she shamefully attempts to cover her hardened nipples. Never wearing such a thin fabric again. She laments.

"You don't need extra bodies in that tiny bed of yours tonight." Michonne points towards Rick's gigantic bed. " You have your daughter. My work here is over."

Rick shakes his head. He knows how this conversation will end. Judith will win, and Rick will enjoy the rewards of his daughter's handy work.

"I guess we have to do this every night." Rick declares. "Judith," Rick softly says. "What is wrong with your bed tonight?" He asks as he did the previous night.

This man! Michonne sighs and immediately regrets her decision to argue about sharing a bed with Rick Grimes and their daughter.

"My bed," Judith starts slowly. "Is…" She thinks for a few seconds. "Bad," she says solemnly. "My bed is very bad." She continues. "Carl's bed is bad too because Carl is grumpy, very, very, very grumpy." Judith aimlessly continues her explanation. "Mama's bed is not mama's bed." She points out.

Help! Michonne feels like her brain is burning as Judith starts an endless tirade on why Rick's bed is the only option for tonight.

"Daddy's bed is okay," Judith pursues.

"Okay only?" Rick encourages his daughter to continue the endless rant, driving Michonne insane.

The perks of parenthood. Rick smiles. He never thought that his children would serve as incidental wingmen. Judith has been actively involved in helping him relate to Michonne. Co-parenting has made their interactions less tense.

"Carl does not like Daddy's bed," Judith pursues. "Carl is weird." She says matter of fact. "He is very strange." Judith looks at her mother, implying Michonne should shoulder the blame. "Daddy's bed is perfection. It is big and we can all sleep inside. Sooooo…" Judith draws a deep breath. "I don't have bad dreams. Mama also does not have bad dreams." Judith says. "You don't have bad dreams right." She looks at Michonne. "You sleep…"

just tell this man everything Judith! Michonne begrudgingly thinks. Tell him I wake up afraid because my son is sick, and Rick is seemingly the only remedy to my crazy thoughts and fears.

"Okay, you can sleep in Rick's bed." Michonne calmly says.

Here we go! Chaos is impending. Rick thinks almost gleefully.

"You didn't have to make it so hard for yourself," Rick deadpans. "You were already losing that fight but now..." He looks at Judith as she dramatically swings in his arm. "Awww sweety, your mother didn't mean it." He extends his arm to tighten his hug around his daughter. "Of course, she is going to sleep in daddy's bed because she loves you and adores her peace." Rick masterfully pursues. "She doesn't want to deal with a grumpy five years old. I would know." He pointedly looks at Michonne and waits for her to enter the room.

"It's absolutely unnecessary," Michonne laments. "Why did I bother having a room in this house?" She continues ranting as she climbs on Rick's bed."

"I don't know why you did, but thank you for saying yes to that room." Rick replies.

Michonne does not immediately know what to say. She even becomes more speechless when Rick lays a kiss on her forehead without a thought.

"I…" Michonne stutters. "This isn't sustainable." She laments. "I'm not a little girl to sleep in my daddy's bed."

She looks at Rick as he moves around the room with Judith in his arms.

"Did you say something?" Rick asks as he rummages through the cupboard to find the blanket Judith has grown fond of these past days.

"You're not my daddy," Michonne responds thoughtlessly. "I mean I shouldn't say yes to every word of Judith. Tears are normal for a child." She immediately corrects herself.

Rick stares for a second. "I'm not your daddy?" He cocks an eyebrow. "I didn't even make a claim to that title yet?" He winks.

"You have a five-year-old in your arms." Michonne points out.

"Thanks to my daddiest effort," Rick deadpans.

"Your daughter is in your arms." Michonne insists.

"And her mother is smiling in my bed." Rick chuckles. "Now, she is laughing." He points at Michonne. "Look, Judith. Your mama is laughing."

Judith laughs in response. There is that soothing effect to hearing Michonne's candid laughs because she has not been at her happiest self in such a long period.

Oh, this is why she kicks and screams to come here every night. Michonne quietly concludes. We can be a bit happy. That's why I said yes. Michonne quiets her doubts and anxiety.


She hears Rick's steps despite his best efforts not to disturb her sleep. Michonne cracks an eye open. She can see Judith nuzzling the spot Rick freed.

"Do I have to wake up too?" Michonne asks as she no longer doubts that the sounds of his quiet steps have disturbed her sleep.

Rick stops on his track. He looks at Michonne, who has curled her frame around Judith. He shakes his head at first. Rick hopes silence will push her back into the dreamy world. However, Michonne starts to sit up and moves the bed sheet out of her way.

"No!" Rick answers. "Just stay right there, keep your eyes closed, and go back to sleep!" He insists.

Yet, Michonne opens her eyes and leaves the bed.

Shit! Rick thinks regretfully. He looks at Michonne when she comes to stand before him. She picks up his hand and drags him out of the room. They both do not want to disturb Judith's sleep.

"You didn't have to wake up," Rick insists. "You haven't slept much these past days." He moves a few strands of hair behind her ear.

His cool touch is unexpected. Michonne almost jumps out of her skin, but she is too much under his spell to accomplish any significant move.

"Pot and kettle, Dr Grimes." Michonne only rolls her eyes. How can she continue sleeping while he is too anxious to do it? Rick has not allowed her to wallow in misery, and Michonne can only be grateful. However, he looks and has been miserable these last few days.

"I've gone years without proper sleep," Rick retorts. "Now, little you..." His thumb grazes her visage as he continues in a relaxed tone. "Have had her beauty sleep every other year." He whispers with amusement. "How else would you be so gorgeous if you lacked your eight hours of sleep?" He adds with the softest smile.

The innocence of his expression covers the ungodly desire in his eyes.

"Don't be silly," Michonne argues. "You took my hours of sleep away the moment you knocked me up with triplets."

Rick chuckles, finding no better response to Michonne's accurate declaration.

"Given the chance, I would have been more creative in ways to keep you awake all night." He quietly offers a charming smile. "Or better I would have put you back to sleep right after keeping you awake." He teases. "Eventually leading to another set of triplets."

Michonne shakes her head. I am not playing these games with you, sexy devil. She thinks firmly and moves out of his reach before he can strike her with another tender caress.

"They get that from you," Michonne points out. "Was I in the room when you made those children?" She pursues. "You're trying to make me exit the conversation by distracting me and playing with my heart string. Sadly for you, your mini twin does exactly the same thing."

Rick cocks an eyebrow. Michonne has seen through his attempts. However, he refuses to admit it.

"Why would I need to distract you when I have nothing to hide from you?" Rick declares confidently.

"I can hear your thoughts. They're so loud. How can I sleep when you're fidgeting right next to me?" She asks. "I know I'm crossing pre-established boundaries, but you have been such a strong support to me. I can't just watch you lose your mind."

Rick shakes his head, yet he extends his hand for Michonne to take. He leans on the corridor wall and draws her closer.

"Am I doing something wrong with Carl?" Rick dares to inquire. "Like you'll tell me if you noticed that I was…" He does not even dare to think what evil deed he accidentally committed to deserve a five-year-old cold shoulder.

Rick's question does not surprise Michonne. She has not missed the awkwardness between Rick and his oldest son.

"No," Michonne replies. "Children aren't always mad at you because you did something wrong per say." She clarifies. "But you did make him mad. I haven't seen him so angry since RJ broke his favourite toy. He was so frustrated that he didn't talk to me because I gave birth to his brother." She chuckles, hoping to lighten up the mood.

"You're not helping, Michonne. " Rick chuckles. "I have had a thousand kids mad at me before, but it's definitely harder when it's my son." He confesses. "Now, I can even start to think of a way to fix it." He laments. "I haven't stopped thinking about this. How can I have beef with a five year old?"

Michonne openly laughs. She naturally ruffles his dishevelled curls.

"Just so you know it's one from a long series to come." She adds with a bright smile. " You won't come close to my record because they'll be six soon and you're daddy dearest. " She teases him. "Little victories against daddy Rick."

Michonne's hand extends from its own accord. She slowly caresses Rick's cheek. Rick draws her even closer than she already stood. Now, she is in a half-hug. Noticing too late her vulnerable position, Michonne barely dares to move in any direction. Retreating in the room will be silly, and taking another step toward Rick will guarantee the worst outcome. Michonne stands like a deer in headlights, waiting for the inevitable collision.

"Lucky you," Rick's voice dropped to lower octaves. "Judith is in my bed, and I don't think I can afford traumatising my daughter with what I want to do to her mother." He leans to whisper in Michonne's ear.

This man, Michonne thinks while a slight blush creeps beneath her skin. She slightly pushes him back to the wall.

"That's why I have a room of my own," Michonne pauses when she notices the meaning of her declaration. Now, her poorly expressed reluctance to share Rick's bed sounds like an indecent suggestion. "Please, don't understand it the wrong way." She sighs. "I'm loud." Michonne gives up the fight while trying to find a good escape route.

"I have ingenious ways to keep you quiet," He casually declares. "Whatever part of my body that you prefer to use as a mouth gag is yours." He adds while demonstrating his intent by silencing her cry of shock with a light kiss.

Just friends! Only friends! I might as well invest in a chastity belt when I agreed to move with this man. Michonne thinks while her body has already betrayed her morals. She tilts his head for better access to his lips. Yet, Rick coyly pulls away from her reach.

"You just have to walk away," Rick suggests with what remains of reason.

Michonne does not say a word. She steps back and reaches for the knob of Rick's door. Their eyes meet as they wait for Michonne's decision. She completely shuts the door.

"Children's therapy is expensive." Michonne's lips stretch into a sensual smile. "My bed…"

Rick softens his gaze. Michonne can feel his arm tighten around her waist. When her feet leave the floor, she looks at Rick with slight shock. "Richard Grimes?"

Rick does not reply. He only fastens Michonne's thighs around his waist.

"Is a bed necessary?" Rick questions with his lips flirting with Michonne's neck. "You're wet, and I'm hard." He states matter of fact. "And we have to be quick before we …" He does not get to finish his sentence before being proven right by the very consequences of their recklessness.

"Do I need to tell you why this is a bad idea?" Michonne asks while looking at Rick's face. "Oh fuck," she cries when Rick slowly pushes a finger into her core.

I can't believe this man. He's still debating about fucking against the wall while his children have a crying battle.

"Rick," Michonne gently slaps his shoulder. "Use your brain and put me down before your daughter or son walks out on us with your dick deep in me." She emphasises because that man is too calm for her liking.

"I only wanted to be sure that you understood why I am going to put you down." Rick calmly states. "I kind of like it when you know that I want you." He punctuates his statement with a kiss that Michonne did not expect. Yet, she responds in kind. Her arms circle his neck. She passionately returns the dance of his lips. His moan pouring into her mouth only strengthens the fire between her legs. Rick carefully puts Michonne's down. He slowly ends the kiss.

"I needed to make my punishment worthy." He shamelessly smiles. "Now, when you avoid me for two or three days, I'll deserve it for being an idiot that can stick to the very good idea of not risking our family dynamics." He straightens her nightgown. "You go to Judith, and I'll go to Carl once my boner is gone. I don't think you'll take it well if he gets his biology lesson too early."

Michonne looks down. Her eyes indeed meet Rick's demanding dick. She draws a deep breath.

Maybe I can suck it before Judith decides to come looking for me? Michonne Grimes…Grimes? Oh, I need help. Now, I can't even remember my name.

"You make it so easy to make the wrong decision, Rick Grimes." Michonne confesses. She climbs on her toes and fixes his hair. "Children notice everything. You don't want him asking if you were fighting a lion because your hair is messy." She clarifies. "And wash your hands. You know!"

Rick laughs as Michonne fixes the strand of hair quickly.

"It's looking better down there." Michonne declares as she reaches for Rick's manhood.

"Maybe don't make it worse." Rick stops her hand before she can rub his cock.

"You can go be super daddy and remember he isn't mad at you." Michonne returns to Rick's room.

Rick watches Michonne walk away and wonders why he allowed petty pride to take that woman from him. I was such an insecure idiot at that time. I should have taken that tip and given her another orgasm immediately. Then, I would have used that money as the first payment for her wedding ring because there's no way I wouldn't have made her my wife. Oh, you were an idiot. You're being an idiot now going along this very platonic mess. Rick muses while he heads to Carl's room.


Hearing Carl cry breaks Rick's heart. Facing such a rare occurrence, Rick wonders what nightmares torment his son. Rick's eldest son always seems unfazed. Rick can count the number of times he saw Carl cry. Thus, Rick becomes frightened when he acts as a child of his age. Although he has known his children for only a few months, their emotions and attitudes are too distinct to confuse how they express themselves. Judith often cries, too spoiled by her siblings. Carl barely sees the use of lamenting, too busy to be the big brother. RJ seems to smile through the worst pain, too caring to show weaknesses. With each child, Rick appears to be at ease. Yet, Carl is the exception. Rick's son is loving but distant. Some unsaid persists between the duo.

Thus, when he enters Carl's room, Rick treads carefully. His son is fearful, and Rick is unsure if he has any hands in Carl's fears. Rick has no choice but to be a reassuring figure. Just don't make a mistake that will traumatise him for life! He thinks bitterly. Rick has had such thoughts constantly in the last few days. Fatherhood has brought forth his fears. What if I am the worst that can happen to these children? Maybe Lori was right. He regretfully admits. Looking at his son, Rick knows who to blame for Carl's anguish. I did this! When will you step up and be a good father? Rick fails to overcome his self-deprecating feelings.

"Can I come in, Carl?" Rick says after quietly knocking. "Great, I was expecting nothing less." He says when he comes face to face with a grumpy-looking boy. The silence is louder than any tears he heard in his long career as a paediatrician. Carl's shining eyes are full of apprehension. Rick can no longer hope to be innocent. Unknowingly, he has upset his son. "Am I really that much in trouble?" He attempts to lighten the mood. Carl only stares through tears that he struggles to wipe. Rick kneels to be at eye level with his son. Slowly, he wipes the little boy's tears. "I didn't mean to hurt you," Rick speaks in a tone that tries to soothe father and son's minds.

"That's bad!" Rick sighs when Carl continues to scold him quietly with his piercing eyes. "I knew I did something wrong." He sighs.

"Your mommy thinks that you aren't mad at me, but I know better." He says as he picks his younger carbon copy from the bed and places him on his hip. "What's wrong, Carl?" He softly asks.

"I hurt your feelings, right?" He knowingly comments when Carl continues to sob quietly. "Of course, I did. Daddy just understood that I missed a few breakfasts."

Tiny fists close on his shoulder and grip his skin. The boy tightly hugs his father, and he nests his head in Rick's neck. He hides his dejected expression. His unexpected clinginess soothes Rick's mind.

Rick sits on the bed and places Carl next to him.

"You know I have a younger brother too just like you." He babbles because of the tense atmosphere. "So, I can tell when a little boy is only pretending to be a bit grown. You're so much like me," He concludes. "But I didn't have a son until you. You made me a dad. My precious Carl is so intelligent, and I don't know how to take it. I haven't regretted anything as much as I regret missing your birth. I wonder if I would have cried all the tears in my body listening to your first cry. How do one raise a son who is a bit too much like him. I don't know, so I make mistakes that I hope to correct." He confesses. Rick finds himself clearing his mind. "You're such a little boy, and I am scared of how little you are. You don't talk to little children. You don't explain five years away. You only work hard to correct your wrong." He says as a way to express his biggest fear. "Here, I am asking my five-year-old for answer. My sweet little boy," Rick finishes with a sigh.

"I'm not a little boy." Carl argues.

"Oh," Rick smiles. He did not expect his son to speak to him at any time. Rick wished for a chance to organise his thoughts. Yet, he has to face the challenges of fatherhood. "Then it's better that I talk to you as I'll with a grown-up. After all, you're hurt because your little brain is very brilliant." Rick cleverly concludes. "Michonne…" He does not have a chance to finish his sentence.

"Mama!" Carl corrects his father.

"Your mother, not mine." Rick retorts. "I can't call her mama."

If that lil crackhead has now developed Oedipus syndrome, I am not going to live this down.

"But?" Carl hesitates.

Only strangers call Mama Michonne. Carl believes that Michonne's identity depends on how his father says her name.

"Trust me I can call your mother by her name," Rick replies while assuming his son's complaint. I knocked her off. That is as far as intimacy can go. He keeps that part to himself.

"You don't want to be a family," Carl says while his subdued tears become sobs. "You... Mama lied. You are going to leave again."

Couldn't he be a dumb five years old? I had to knock up a brilliant woman who passed her good genes to my child. I went and stole my looks but couldn't settle for my brain. Rick sighs.

"I am sorry, Carl." Rick declares as he discovers the root of his son's anger. "You know daddy's work, right?"

Carl nods, but his unhappy expression does not disappear. Rick draws a calming breath. He smiles at his son when Carl imitates him. "Your mama is not a liar, and she will never be one." He says firmly.

It's so hard not to be mad when I see that my children might think that I'm a deadbeat. She had her reason. Rick calms himself.

"Mama lied," Carl insists. "She said you would stay forever, but that's not true." Rick's thumb clears Carl's tears.

" First, let's breath." Rick teaches his son how to calm himself. "Good!" He encourages Carl. "Your mommy is right. I'll be here forever. When I am not here, I am working at the hospital. I should have called, and I did call your mommy. I just contacted her too late, and you were sleeping." He clarifies. "I am never abandoning your Judith, Rj, or you."

"And mama," Carl adds.

"Of course, why are you a family with your mommy and siblings?" He inquires with kindness.

"Because i love them." Carl candidly replies.

Rick smiles and kisses his son's forehead.

"Do you know I love you?" Rick asks. Carl nods. "Then I will say it every day so you remember that I am forever your family," Rick reassures his son. "I know I wasn't here at the beginning. I'm sorry for not being there so early that you will not worry that I will not stick around." Rick pursues. "From one grown-up to another grown-up, I want to tell you that I am staying around forever as your dad." He declares. "I am family. It doesn't matter what I call your mother. I am your dad. I'll forever be your dad. I'll forever love you, RJ, Judith." He softly says.

"And mama," Carl corrects Rick.

"I loved your mama before you were even a thought. I'll happily do that for the rest of my life." Those words come as a revelation to Rick Grimes. Friends, my ass! Why would I even think that I don't want this to be a forever thing?

"I'm sorry I did not understand that I made you worried." Rick declares. "I'm your dad. I'm never leaving again. I'll be here forever." He insists.

"Forever?" Carl questions. "Last week…" He hesitates again.

"Whatever it is, I will do it with you tomorrow because we can't do anything tonight." Rick can sense that it is a father-son thing from the greediness in Carl's voice.

"You promise?" Carl sounds chirpy.

"As your father, I swear I will be next to you for as long as you want me to be," Rick responds. "I knew your mom was wrong. You were mad at me because I didn't have breakfast with you." He says with a lighter heart. "And I am sorry." He repeats. "I didn't mean to be away for three days. I also didn't mean to not be there for five years. I was just very unlucky it happened that way. I am sorry I haven't done enough yet to let you know that your dad is never leaving." He kisses Carl's forehead. "Come here! I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I'm so sorry." He tightly hugs his son. "I love you."

Rick cannot hold the flow of tears. Carl carefully eyes him. His tiny fingers come to Rick's back, and he slowly pats his father.

"Sorry," Carl says. "Don't be sad, daddy." He repeats.

Hearing those kind words soothes Rick. He does his best to stop the tears. Between happiness and slight sorrow, Rick has a single thought.

"Forever, we're going to be a family."