"Rick, just turn the phone-"
"I know what I'm doing." He grumbled as he awkwardly shifted his phone from side to side, the camera shaking uncontrollably as he did so.
Michonne looked at the screen and laughed at the man who was losing his mind and cursing.
"Just ask Carl." She suggested.
"Shit, no, I got this." He stubbornly tried his best to turn the screen around once more.
She could only see half of his face that held an annoyed look, his eyes squinting and that famous vein in his forehead was ready to pop.
She rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically, "Any day now."
"Carl." He roared on the other end of the video call, finally giving up.
She could hear the teenager murmur something in the background before popping on screen.
"Hey, you got my package?" Michonne asked eagerly.
He took the phone from his dad and flipped the screen correctly, "Yeah, it was awesome. I really didn't need you to get me a new board. I was saving up-"
"I know you were, but I saw it and couldn't walk away," Michonne smiled back at him, "Now, can you please educate your dad. He is giving me a headache."
Carl laughed and sat next to Rick, pointing at the screen, "You can't push this. It will lock and then it won't automatically flip the screen the way you want it to."
"I didn't push anything," He complained like a little kid, "It does it on its own."
Michonne could only laugh as she watched Carls face. He was giving his dad major side eye.
"Thank you Carl," She smiled at the screen, "Once again."
"No problem." He smiled back.
He seemed to be in good spirits these days. It brought her peace to see him happier.
"So are you ready for us?" He hijacked the phone from his dad and Rick rolled his eyes.
"You know I've planned a ton of things," Michonne was laying around on her sofa and streched her legs, "I'm finishing this case I have tomorrow so I'm all yours."
Rick watched Carls bright face from the corner of his eye as he talked to Michonne, "Enid is dying because she can't come. I'm just gonna spend everyday in your pool."
"Maybe next time her parents will let her," She said back, "and you can swim all you want. I got the pool cleaned just for you."
"You didn't have to do that." Rick said from the side.
"Well it was either outside help or you," Michonne smiled wide, "I'm just trying to make your life a little easier."
Carl laughed, "Anyway, I'm gonna let dad on before he loses it. I'll see you soon."
They tossed peace signs at each other and he was off to do something else, leaving Rick in the bedroom with his phone, the most important thing to him at this moment because it was his connection to her.
"You nervous?" He tried his best to read her face.
She shrugged, "I don't know. I still don't think it's the right time to tell them. Carl is still adjusting, Judith doesn't want to talk to me-"
"She's busy all the time with her... stuff" He tried to make her feel better about it, "it ain't personal."
"Rick... " She shifted sideways and leaned against her pillow, "It's okay, I'm just relieved she agreed to come here for a visit. It's a start."
Rick hated looking at her through a screen, but it was better than nothing, "It's been way too long."
Michonne was tired and she knew she looked exhausted, "I'm sorry I look so ragged."
"Are you joking?" He laughed, leaning against the headboard, "You, are goddess stop talking shit."
She laughed, "Sure."
He felt grateful. She had drawn a lind in the sand and forced him to really look at things like they were. He had been neglecting his kids. Not purposely, but his feelings for her clouded his judgement. It happened again, he basically wiped away all the trust they had established earlier with his children. It was hard to face the facts. Carl had hidden the pain and it didn't help that he was too occupied with her health and the baby. He didn't realize the severity of Carls situation until he fully realized he was the problem himself.
"How's therapy going?" Her voice woke him from his thoughts.
He cleared his throat, "It's... going."
"I know I shouldn't ask. It's Carls private business. I'll ask him when you guys get here," She didn't know why he looked so tense all of a sudden, "Or is something else wrong?"
These video calls were mostly a good thing, but in situations like these there was no way to hide anything, "They asked us to do family therapy."
"But that's good." She raised her eyebrow, not understanding his hesitation.
"Lori is coming." He grunted under his breath.
"Oh."
Rick could see her eye twitch at the mention of her name. She was exhausted with his future ex wife and things were not going to be easier anytime soon after she would learn they were starting a family of their own.
"You know she really is an asshole," Michonne had tried her hardest to understand Lori and hoped after the life or death situation she would come to her senses, "I'm fucking done with her stupid shit after what she pulled with the lawyers again."
On top of battling with this high risk pregnancy, she was trying to help Rick with his divorce. It was turning messy because Lori was not happy with the settlement he was ready to give her. It felt like she was dragging this along for no reason at all.
"I know," He rubbed his beard, "Don't stress about it please."
"How can I not stress about it?" She got up and walked into the kitchen with her phone, "I mean we're good regardless if she got your last penny, but it's not about money. It's about whats right and what's wrong."
"She's punishing us over Shanes bullshit."
"It's shouldn't be our fucking problem she doesn't get her back blown out."
He felt sometimes shy over her crass language and laughed, "Jeez."
Michonne put her phone on the counter to pour herself tea as she kept going on about Lori. Rick squinted his eyes and stared hard at the screen.
"... It's ridiculous, you're a grown ass woman get your life together-"
"When did that happen?" He cut her off, completely caught off guard by what he was seeing.
She stared back wide eyed, "What?"
"The baby." He could barely muster the word out.
"Are you having a stroke?" Michonne raised her brows.
"No, I mean, the baby," He pointed at the screen and her body, "When did you grow that?"
She looked down at herself and her little bump that had popped out. She hadn't been wearing anything formfitting lately and Rick was shocked he had missed this.
"Oh," She turned sideways so that he could see better, "I don't know it's been around for a few weeks."
His face fell, "A few weeks? Why didn't you show me earlier?"
Michonne shrugged and drank from her tea, "It's not a big deal. I mean I look bloated. I didn't think you would care."
Rick was emotional over the baby all the time. He felt so disconnected from the situation because he wasn't there to witness and experience things. It was hard to get sonogram photos or updates from doctors appointments.
She could tell he was sad over it, she felt bad that she didn't realize how he had wanted to see it earlier, "Just a few more days and you'll get to see for yourself."
He sighed, "And then those days go by and I have to leave you again. I don't know if I can do that."
"Rick, we talked about it..."
"We did," He kept staring at her with intensity, "But I'm done with this separation. It's been almost two months. It was never supposed to go like this."
For her it was just as difficult. She missed him. She missed having someone there when she closed her eyes and opened them, but at the same time this was a sacrifice they needed to make for the time being.
"After we tell the kids," Michonne thought aloud, "What if we just ask them how do they feel about you moving here?"
Rick liked the idea, "No, I think we need to involve them. It's not just us anymore."
"Yeah," She smiled sadly, "I'm just worried that it's going to hurt their feelings. I know Andre will be excited, but he's younger he doesn't really grasp how much things will change."
He didn't want her to be wracking her brains and over analyzing anything that was out of her hands. She just had a bad habit of doing it because for her, it was always about everybody else and her own needs were secondary. It was one of the qualities that drew him in.
"I'm sure they will understand." He said with false confidence. Carl was probably going to be genuinely happy for them, but with Judith, you never knew. She had endured a lot of change in a small amout of time for her age.
Michonne looked into her fridge and whined," Why does everything I have in here taste like shit these days?"
He laughed, whenever she mentioned the baby it brought him joy, "It's probably the little buddy inside you."
"Yeah well," She reached into the fridge and showed him the strawberries she had in one container, "This one only wants to eat Big Macs and my healthy berries are rotting away."
"Are you serious?" He asked expressionless.
"About the Big Macs?" She laughed, showing him the McDonald's takeaway bag that was on the counter from last night, "Im dead serious. I've been eating this horrible junk for a week now. Three times a day. I'm going to be bankrupt and overweight by the end of this pregnancy."
He laughed loudly, his phone almost dropping from his hand, "I just can't believe it."
"What's so funny?" Michonne eyed him.
"It's just," He looked away, like he was reminiscing over something before staring back at the screen, "When I was a kid, like a little kid. If I got sick the only thing I wanted to eat was a Big Mac. Nothing else. My ma' still gets me those and brings them over if I'm sick."
A soft smile was on her lips as she listened to his story. It however faded and they ended up staring at each other.
She closed her eyes and shook her head, "I really miss you. You know I try not to think about it, but stories like these would be so much better in person."
She sniffled a little, but pulled herself together quickly.
"I know," Rick said quietly, "I miss you too."
"I'm very pleased to have all of you here," The therapist Carl had been seeing for the last few months said as he crossed his legs, "It's important for Carl and this gathering proves that you as a unit are committed to being there for each other through thick and thin."
Lori sat on the other end of the big red couch while the kids sat there in the middle and Rick on the other end. He really was relieved they had reached this point. One day all of this turbulence in their family would only be a bad memory. He really hoped in the end they would reach a peaceful solution.
"Carl, would you mind sharing what we discussed earlier," He fixed his glasses as he stared at the boy, "I think it would be important for your parents to hear."
Loris head whipped towards Carl, "You can tell us. That's why we're here."
He looked at his dad for reassurance and Rick nodded at him, "Go on."
He looked at the stripy carpet underneath his shoes and started talking, "I, uh, I feel like you guys should start talking honestly to each other about what's going on. Like, I feel like you're pretending to us and we know it's bad. It's hard to be in the same room and it's gonna suck if you ain't even trying to talk to each other."
"Carl..." His throat was dry and the rest of the sentence hang in the air.
Lori wasn't surprised Carl had noticed what was going on, "You're right, we've been both holding back because we don't want you or your sister to be hurt over our personal business."
"Mom, it's not personal business when we know. Just because you don't talk about it aloud doesn't mean it isn't there." Judith agreed with Carl and leaned back.
"That's a good insight Judith." The therapist encouraged.
"What exactly do you want us to communicate to each other son?" Rick tried his best to understand what they needed.
"You need to tell her directly what Michonne means to you and why you chose her so that she stops wondering," He then turned to his mom, "And mom you need to tell him what's the deal, why you aren't letting go."
The therapist looked at the parents and nodded again to encourage them.
"First of all," He began, "I never chose her. I didn't plan to choose anybody and she came out of nowhere. If I had known she was there in Las Vegas waiting for me. I don't think I would have gone Carl," His son and daughter listened closely while Lori looked elsewhere, "I was a married man. Ive fought tooth and nail to give you guys a home and a family that I never really had. Do you think I would have gone if I knew I would purposely hurt any of you?"
"You could've chosen to walk away," Lori leaned into her hand as she finally spoke quietly, "But you didn't."
"I didn't," He confirmed with confidence, "Lori, it was never about what you didn't have or what this family didn't have."
"Then what was it Rick?" She asked bluntly, "If I was enough, if my love was good and enough for all those years, what changed?"
Rick looked back at her and then at his children, "I met my soulmate."
Lori didn't display any emotion, she swallowed the information and leaned back in silence.
"This is good," The therapist cleared his throat, "Open dialog means healing, it's hurtful at first, but in the end it will make you all appreciative in a different way."
"I never wanted to hurt anyone," He looked at his kids, "And I'm sorry for being unavailable. I'm sorry I didn't notice and I'm hoping you guys can forgive me one day."
Judith nodded immediately, "I forgive you. I know you're not a bad guy dad. Just silly sometimes, but not bad."
Rick smiled at her and then looked at Carl, "You know you're stronger than most people, but you don't always have to be strong. You can talk to us. You can talk to me.."
His son nodded back and then looked at Lori who was clearly struggling with the conversation they were having, "Mom?"
She took a deep breath, "I'm not ready to be nice and understanding. I feel like I'm being pushed into being okay and I'm not okay."
"Those are very valid feelings," The therapist nodded, "it takes time."
"I know you think this is somehow easier for me because of Shane," Lori looked over at Rick, "Shane has nothing to do with our marriage and the way it ended."
He wanted to disagree with her, but for the sake of the situation he decided there was no use in hashing out everything again.
She continued, "You fell in love with another woman. You ended us. It hurts. She saved Carls life and I'm grateful, I will never forget that, but it doesn't change the fact that you two treated me like I was garbage to reach your own happiness."
"And I get that," Rick nodded at her words, "But I hope you don't punish me for the rest of my life."
"I'm not punishing you," Lori exclaimed, "I'm sticking up for myself."
"Do you think this resentment you're holding for Rick is affecting your children?" The therapist intervened.
She sighed, "Of course it does. I know it does."
"We have to find some common ground here," He explained as he looked at the family, "For everyone to move on and heal. Including yourself."
"I don't know how to do that," She swallowed nervously and looked at Carl, "I'm sorry baby."
Carl squeezed her hand for support, but for her it was too much. She gathered her belongings quickly.
"Mom?" Carl tried to catch her attention, but she walked out of the room anyway.
The room fell into silence again.
"She needs time," He said and looked at Rick, "And all of you can support that from a distance including you. Your children are very smart kids and they seem to have a large supportive community around them which is important."
Rick nodded back, "They do."
"Meanwhile Carl," He turned his attention towards the boy, "it was very courageous to bring this up. There is nothing you could've said differently and this rift is between your parents... don't let that affect your own process, right?"
He nodded, happy that for once he actually heard them speak about everything openly.
This was the right direction.
Michonne looked at herself in the mirror for the tenth time. She felt frumpy. Everything she was trying on was suddenly too snug or looked odd on her.
Fucking pregnancy, she cursed under her breath.
She wanted to be breathtaking and nothing in her wardrobe made her feel like that right now. It was scary to be this early in a relationship while her whole body was changing. She felt insecure. He was coming today and she wasn't the ultra lean sex kitten he was used to having. This kitten was knocked up.
After a careful deliberation she ended up choosing the classic black Calvin Klein t-shirt dress that was more of a relaxed fit. She didn't want to freak out the kids with the tiny bump that was starting to be noticeable if you paid close enough attention.
"Andre?" She hollered from her room.
The little boy came quickly, "Yes momma?"
"Did you clean your room?" She asked him while putting on her earrings.
"Yes momma," He repeated, "Are they here soon?"
"Yep," She kneeled down on his level, "How do you feel about it?"
He thought for a millisecond and then grinned, "Fun. I like Rick."
Michonne smiled softly at him and kissed his cheek, "I'm glad, me too."
He hopped away and she was left there wondering did she forget something. She straightened her bedlinen once again and looked at the bedroom. It was flawless.
Michonne made sure every corner of the house was clean and everything was in the right place. She wasn't sure why this made her so anxious. This was literally the father of her future child, but it felt like he was someone she was trying to impress on an upcoming first date. The butterflies in her stomach multiplied by every minute.
She had ordered food, well breakfast since they were coming so early. She couldn't even look at the orange juice or the different types of fruit, meat and cheese laid down on the charcuterie board. Everything just made her nauseous.
Michonnes fresh manicured nails tapped against the counter as she waited. Her mind raced as she though about all the scenarios that could happen. Her deep haze was lifted when the familiar car honk sounded off.
Then the wheels in her mind started up again, was she supposed to run into his arms or would Judith freak out? Her palms were sweaty. Thankfully she had a rambunctious little kid who broke the ice by barging out of the door to greet their guests.
Michonne walked calmly to the door and saw Andre already in Ricks arms and embrace. She could have melted at the sight. Carl walked up to her first and she was pleasently surprised when he hugged her.
"Nice to see you Michonne," He said smiling and looked around, "Dude, your house is huge."
"This little cabin?" She joked as she pointed at the house, "Nah."
"Our house looks like a dump next to this." He kept going.
"Our house is great," Judith walked up to them, "but I guess this will do for a few days."
Michonne smiled carefully at the little girl with a sharp mouth, "Nice to see you too Judith."
She gave nothing back and focused on Andre who came to pull her by her hand to show off his room. Thankfully, she didn't show any resentment towards him. Michonne knew she was a smart little girl, this was between them and she was the adult who was going to have to make the extra effort.
"Carl," His southern voice boomed from the car, dad mode was definitely on, "Take the bags inside, would you?"
He did his part and walked inside with the luggage. She could feel all the nerves dropping away. He was home.
Rick slammed the trunk shut and stepped into her driveway. His eyes locked with hers, deep and bottomless longing there. She was trying her best to keep the moment happy. She didn't want to cry even though it felt almost impossible since her hormones were all over the place. She returned his gaze with all the love she could give.
He walked up to her, eyes firmly on her and grabbed her face in his hands, "Hey."
"Hey." She whispered back, eyes twinkling.
And he kissed her like he had never kissed her before.
Carl walked back outside to retrieve the last bag and mocked them playfully, "Jesus, get a room."
She smiled so much her cheeks were starting to hurt. All the kids were in the pool already, it felt like a dream. She watched them through the big glass window while sun shined and the pool water sparkled. A picture pefect moment.
"You got your hair done?" He came up from behind her and kissed her cheek. God, her scent drove him crazy. He still didn't even know what it was, but the mixture of vanilla and something sweet was always on her skin.
She was impressed, "I didn't think you would notice."
"It's longer, the braids are a bit thicker," He explained like a pro as he eyed her half updo, "I would be blind if I didn't notice."
"You're really trying to score tonight aren't you?" She turned around and put her hands around his neck.
"Oh I am." He played along, smirking. His attention turned on her stomach. Rick lowered his hands enough to touch the tiniest bump that was proof of a future that waited for them. She could see the it in his eyes how special this was for him.
Michonne was lost in the moment for a second there, but Judiths gaze caught her. She didn't know why the little girl made her nervous. She wasn't good with little girls.
"What?" He could see she was holding back.
She looked at the kids and then back at him, "I don't want them to feel uncomfortable. It's still strange for them. I feel like we're rubbing it in their faces."
"Michonne," He drawled her name slowly, "It's fine. I mean, at some point they are going to have to learn to live with it," his hands snaked tightly around her waist, "Because I'm going to be grabbing you every single day like this and I'm going to kiss you because I love you."
She felt flushed, "You are too good with your words Rick Grimes."
The corner of his mouth turned upwards, "I'm good with other things too."
"Oh, I know." She said back with a sensual whisper as she walked off to go outside.
It felt maddening to be this close. He had to really get his head together so that he didn't completely lose it.
She stopped by the pool and smiled at the kids, "You guys, I was thinking we could explore Atlanta today."
They all grumbled back as they enjoyed the sun. Not really into her plan.
Rick followed her outside and stopped next to her, "Y'all can float around when we get done."
"Boring," Judith complained on her pool toy, "I wanna have a pool day."
Michonne looked at Rick, "We could-"
"No," He insisted, "Jude, Michonne made reservations and made plans for us, so we're gonna respect that."
"I don't mind." Carl agreed, lifting his sunglasses as he laid down on a big blue pooltoy.
Before it turned into a full blown debate, she could see her phone lighting up on the kitchen counter. Michonne answered it with annoyance and Rick hoped to God it wasn't anything urgent. It was a quick call. She sauntered back outside with an apologetic look on her face.
"That was Sasha."
Rick could already foresee where this was going.
"We got last minute invates to a fundraiser that's tonight held by the mayor, but I told her I'm not going."
"You guys should go," Carl flipped his neon green sunglasses back on, "I'll watch these two."
"Carl..." Rick wasn't so sure, he scratched the back of his neck, "We just got here. You shouldn't have to be babysitting-"
"I don't mind," He was relaxed over it, "Go on a date. Sounds fancy."
Michonne glanced at Rick and then at Carl, "Are you sure?"
Judith voiced her opinion, "We'll be fine."
"Yeah!" Andre agreed, not really sure on what he even agreed on.
"See," Carl pointed at the two kids with a smile and then looked at Michonne, "Give me a chance."
She looked at Rick with a wide smile, "We need to buy you a tux."
"Great." He shifted on his feet nervously and wondered what the hell was he diving into this time.
"I look like a fucking penguin." He whispered to her as they walked inside the huge building.
Rick was really a fish out of water. This was the part that made him uneasy when he thought about a life in Atlanta. Michonne wasn't just a lawyer. Those days when he was still getting to know her, it became clear as he scavenged every article possible Michonne Anthony was a powerhouse.
For her this was a regular Friday. She was dressed in a long black ruched dress that wrapped around her still tiny waist. It hid her belly enough, but didn't cause people to question what was she hiding.
"Does it show?" She paused momentarily when she touched her stomach unconsciously. She wanted to be sure before stepping into the crowd of people.
Rick cocked his head at her and smiled, "No."
"Good," Michonne nodded, her dangly diamond earrings shaking with her, "I'm not ready for the lame you got a bun in the oven comments these folks like to toss around."
His lips quirked up at that, "I like hearing that."
"What?"
His gaze was warm as it skimmed down her body, "That there is indeed a bun in the oven."
She smiled back. He was being shy about the subject and it was understandable. It was hard to comprehend how they were almost halfway in her pregnancy and things were still a complicated mess.
"There you are," Sasha rushed to hug her in her purple gown and admired her friends dress, "Smart choice."
Michonne hugged her back, "You look gorgeous."
"Grimes." Sasha greeted him in her usual manner when she pulled away.
"Sasha." He greeted back.
"How's Georgia?" She asked him.
"Same," Rick kept it short and took Michonnes hand, "Thank you for being there at the doctors visits with her when I couldn't."
Sasha shrugged, "She's my girl, who else would go?"
He didn't know if it was an snide comment, but he didn't have time to register what she meant when a big red headed man showed up right in front of him.
"You must be the Sheriff," He extended his hand aggressively and Rick took it, "Abraham Ford."
"Rick Grimes." As he introduced himself Rick looked at Sasha and then at the man. On the outside they sure were a strange looking couple.
"We need to mingle for a bit," Michonne looked at Rick, "Do you wanna come or?"
He didn't have a chance to answer when Abe patted his shoulder roughly, "Ah! Michonne, let us men have a little chat."
Sasha and Michonne looked at each other and then back at the men.
"Behave." Sasha warned Abraham.
Now they made perfect sense in Ricks eyes. Michonne kissed him quickly before disappearing into the crowd with Sasha.
"Now tell me Sheriff," He stared at him intently, "Why are you pissing on my front lawn?"
Rick raised his brows at the stranger, "What?"
"My Sasha got her panties in a wad because of you," He was still staring and raised his finger, "First you got these successful fine black women in the middle of your hillbilly divorce," He kept lifting fingers as he went on, "Then you got her soul sister in the hospital by this no good woman beater and now, you got her knocked up? That makes about as much sense as tits on a bull!"
He couldn't keep his eyes off of Abrahams thick red mustache as he went off. He didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry," Rick fixed his posture, "I didn't mean to make your home life difficult."
The ginger drank back his scotch and motioned him to follow along, "Come on."
He hesitated, but it was not like he had any better options. They walked across the hallway and entered the main room. There were a lot of people. He pushed his hair back awkwardly. He really didn't fit into this scene.
Abraham led him to a bar and ordered them drinks.
"Here," He leaned against the counter and handed Rick the scotch he had ordered, "Juice up. These rich assholes are paying."
Rick laughed quietly, he reminded him of Negan.
"Now tell me, slick Rick," He seemed curious, "How the fuck did you do the impossible?"
"Huh?"
"Michonne," He went on, "You have any idea what you got your sorry ass into? That woman has the biggest lady nuts possible and you just tamed that shit like it was no problem."
Rick drank a sip from his drink and saw her on the other side of the room, shaking hands with people and smiling. She was captivating as always.
"She never needed to be tamed," He thought about the journey they had been through, "She just needed someone to listen and to love her, for her."
Abraham nodded slowly and smiled big, "That's a mighty good answer Sheriff."
Rick felt a little better as the scotch kicked in. He could feel himself relax. He wasn't good with speaking to strangers in a environment like this. He stood by her as she discussed politics and about the community around her. It was fascinating to see her this passionate.
His hand would slip around her occasionally, a part of him wanted to make it known this was his. He would notice as the evening went on how some people, particularly men would stop and stare.
"Michonne," An older dark gentleman approached them, giving her a friendly hug, "Beautiful as always."
She smiled at him, "Thank you."
Michonne then turned to Rick and introduced him, "Rick, this is our brilliant Mayor Dickens."
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. He hadn't understood the level of her network before this evening.
"Rick Grimes." He shook the mans hand and felt embarrassed that he didn't recognize him earlier.
"An acquittance of Michonne is always friend of mine." He shook his hand back.
"Rick is actually a Sheriff in Georgia, King County," She looked at him with a proud gaze, "And he is my date. You'll see him around a lot in the future."
Mayor Dickens answered with an gentle smile, "I truly appreciate the work you do Sheriff. So, I'm assuming you're relocating at some point?"
Michonne chuckled, "We haven't made any final decisions over that yet."
Rick nodded along.
"Well you know you can always pull my sleeve if there is a need for work," He told Rick directly, "This woman has done a lot for our community and it's the least I could do."
"I appreciate it. Thank you." Rick said politely.
The Mayor moved on into new conversations and Rick was still trying to understand how the hell did he end up with this mesmerizing woman everyone seemed to value.
She could see the look on his face and laughed,"what?"
"I'm just taking this in," He reached for her and his gaze bore down into hers, "Us, the life we're going to build."
Michonne was happy he had been here tonight and he even managed every conversation without a single yawn. She felt so ridiculously thankful.
Her hands twined around his neck, "You know as fun as this evening has been," her voice lowered, "I think I'm ready for the after party."
Ricks eyes light up as he tilted his head at her, "How about a Big Mac and a quickie in the back of your car?"
She leaned into him and laughed against his chest, "That actually sounds perfect."
He kissed her hair and she pulled him along towards the exit. As she turned around to lead him away, he glanced towards the bar where Abe was still sitting.
The men locked eyes and Rick winked at him. He raised his drink at the runaway couple and mumbled to himself, "Fools in love."
Atlanta adventures will continue in the next chapter! Thank you for the endless love and notes. I love hearing different takes on these and thoughts each chapter brings out.
Until next week!