He hadn't thought about what to say in advance. He probably should have. There wasn't really a manual available on how to tell your ex your new girlfriend of some months was pregnant and moving into the same town. He should probably write that book himself.
Rick parked on his old driveway and stepped out of the car.
He didn't have a chance to step further when someone smacked his ass roughly.
"Jesus Christ." He cursed and looked at Negan who appeared now next to him.
"Where the fuck have you been?" Negan demanded as he tailed along, "I haven't seen your tight behind in forever."
Rick hadn't spoken about the pregnancy to other people yet. This was a sacred secret, but soon it was going to be out there and it didn't scare him one bit. His mom was going to give him a smack or two for this, but he would live.
"I've been in Atlanta." He said back in a very even tone. His mouth and jaw tight.
Negan studied his face, "What the fuck is up with you?"
"Nothing," Rick stopped, not wanting him to follow along, "Why aren't you at work?"
He laughed devilishly as always, "What day is it?"
"Monday."
Negan kept laughing, "Yeah, I don't give a fuck."
"How do you even have a job?" Rick wondered and chuckled, "Lucille will murder you if you lose this one."
He waved his hand to dismiss him, "Stop trying to change the topic. You didn't tell me what's up. Why is your girl all of a sudden hiding?"
"It's nothing, she's been busy," Rick continued walking towards the steps that led to his old house, "I need to see Lori about stuff... and things. I'll see you later."
Rick took off quicker and waved at him casually from the porch. Negan narrowed his eyes at him and shook his head. There was definitely something going on.
He knocked the door with sweaty hands and was happy to see Carl answer the door.
"Hey, son," He gave him a casual half hug, "Shouldn't you be at school?"
Carl pulled his hoodie on top of his head and pointed at his backpack, "I'm going."
Rick nodded, satisfied.
"What are you doing here?" He asked while tying his shoelaces, not seeing the look of discomfort on his dads face.
He looked around and tried to spot Lori, "Where is your mom?"
Carl stopped and looked upwards, "Oh. It's that time?"
Rick nodded quickly, "Yeah, I know she has a few days off from work... I figured might as well take care of it now."
He hurriedly got his stuff together and patted his dads shoulder, "Yeah, sorry, I don't want to be here for that."
"Judith left already?" He asked his son as he was opening the door.
"Yeah, Lucille took her so that mom could sleep in," Carl knew it was going to be a shit show and said quickly, "Good luck. If she loses it.. I can come home for her."
Rick appreciated the gesture and the thought, but shook his head, "Nah, you don't need to worry about it. I'll be here for her if it gets to that point."
Carl nodded slowly. He was out of the door with his backpack and skateboard.
Rick felt odd. It wasn't normal to stand there in your old house and feel like a guest. He looked around and noticed how spotless everything seemed to be. It made him raise his brow since Lori was always a bit scramble brained. Keeping the house tidy wasn't her forte. Maybe, Shane had been around. He really didn't care though. He could hear their squeaky stairs and figured she was coming down. He couldn't escape this now. He made a promise to Michonne.
"Rick?" Lori arrived downstairs in her sweats and a t-shirt, "You could have told me you were coming."
She pulled her hair up in a small messy bun and headed into the kitchen.
Now he felt a little panicky as he followed her there. This same old kitchen that held a lot of good and bad memories. This one would probably take the cake.
"Coffee?" She went to reach the cabinet.
"Ah," He cleared his throat, "No thanks."
She stopped herself and turned around, She could sense how he was off, "What's going on?"
"Ah," He now pushed his hair back awkwardly, "I need to talk to you about something."
Lori narrowed her eyes at him and figured nothing this man said surprised her anymore. He had pulled the rug from under her feet many times recently and she felt numb.
"What is it this time?" She hugged herself in protective manner.
Rick took a hold of one of the kitchen chairs, "Michonne..."
He didn't even have to say it. She could just sense it in the air. The ultimate seal to their separation was coming.
He found it hard to say it to her face. Her face only conveyed hurt and confusion these days when he looked at her. He wasn't a monster, of course it felt bad and he wished it didn't come to this. Most importantly he felt he needed to protect Michonne from all of the wrath she would release after this.
She couldn't stop herself and chuckled bitterly, "You got her pregnant didn't you?"
Lori wasn't stupid. Rick had turned out to be a huge disappointment in her books and she could remember herself thinking the worse was yet to come.
He blinked.
"Just say it." Her voice was dull, lifeless, like it didn't matter anymore.
"Yeah," Rick murmured uncomfortably, "It wasn't planned, if that makes it any easier to hear."
The brunette couldn't make any direct eye contact and turned around to fix herself coffee. He waited and listened her turn on the coffeemaker. It felt like silence lasted for hours.
"You told me you don't want more kids," her eyes darted around the room, avoiding him, "After Judith. You remember that?"
His face fell, "I do, but it's not the same-"
"So you meant you didn't want more kids with me?" Lori fired back.
Rick didn't know where this conversation was headed, but it didn't feel like it could be anything good, "Lori, there is no use comparing things. We were different. Her and I, we're different. I know it's a lot, but I wanted you to know before anybody else here knows. You deserve that from me."
She cackled loudly, "You know what Rick?" her eyes met his, "You go and have babies, get married and live that life with her. It doesn't change the fact that you were sticking it in without a care in the world and being a disgraceful husband and a father. I can live with that because I know eventually you two will burn in hell for this."
He had never seen her so filled with hate.
Lori turned around again to pour herself coffee, she said bitterly, "You are going to have a new family and move to a different city. What do you want? A congratulations? A thank you for traumatizing our children?"
He swallowed, his voice coming out small, "We're moving here."
She slammed the coffee pot down, thankfully not breaking it, but he could see her shake a little as she leaned against the kitchen counter, "Get. The. Fuck. Out."
Rick was unexpectedly on the verge of tears. He had never felt so conflicted. He knew he had destroyed Lori inside out. Regardless what happened with Shane, he understood the damage he had caused this woman who birthed his children. He wouldn't be human if he didn't acknowledge that. Then, there was this blissful pure happiness he felt for finding Michonne and a starting a family with her. Their plans could be derailed by Lori and her reckless behavior. It scared him to death.
He nodded at her, understanding this to be his cue to leave her be.
Before he was out of the door he could hear her break into an uncontrollable sob.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed away the tears that had formed on his tired eyes. Rick sat on the steps feeling like the world had swallowed him up and spit him out.
Negan waltzed over and sat next to him with his pack of cigarettes. He offered him one and to his surprise he took it. They smoked in silence, until Rick finally stumped his out and looked at him, strangely happy that he could say it aloud, "Michonne is pregnant."
"Yeah, I figured." He said casually and continued smoking.
She could see it him hard. Traveling into this town brought up a lot of emotions and it didn't help she came there the same day Lori found out. She knew beforehand, but it still surprised her how hard he took it. His whole body was tense when she finally got out of her car to hug him. She had embraced him for a good while and stroked his hair until they both passed out. Daryls guest bedroom still served them beautifully. After a good power nap it was time to come back to reality.
"You think she will sign now?" Michonne wrapped her arms around him.
He stared at the ceiling, "I'm guessing no. Just to spite us."
"You wanna talk about it?" She whispered.
Rick turned enough to see her beautiful face, "I didn't think I would care, but I do."
"About her feelings?"
He paused, "Only in a way that a person cares for their friend, you understand?"
Michonne nodded, "I do."
"I don't think we'll ever reach a good place in this lifetime," He sighed and played with her hair, "I never did this to hurt her or the kids. I feel like I can't catch a break."
"Well we didn't exactly choose this," She comforted him, "It just happened."
"And I don't regret it one bit," He wanted to make it clear, staring intensively into her eyes, "I feel bad over how Lori took it, but also I love that we get to have him or her."
She fell silent. It was depressing to be in this position.
"You think we're making a mistake?" He continued without thinking about it, "I'm trying not to over think this, but moving here could be a bad idea."
Michonne didn't understand why his stance was wavering all of a sudden, she got up quickly, "So because of her we're back to square one?"
Her sour attitude surprised him, "What? No!"
She slammed the door behind her and stomped the stairs as million thoughts ran through her head. His baggage was starting to get the best of her. The people pleaser in him also made her want to tear her hair out.
Rick went after her, he was not sure what was so bad about what he said. She stood on the backyard porch with the door wide open.
"You need to take it easy." He reminded her as he stepped outside.
"Do you have any idea how much I'm giving away to move here?" She ignored him and seethed, "I put my fucking house on the market. I've been running around from work to the bank and dealing with this mostly alone. And now you want to tell me, maybe this is a mistake because god forbid your miserable cunt of a ex wife is not happy. Did you expect her to celebrate with you? Are you that stupid Rick?"
He bit his tongue to keep his cool and to stop himself from saying anything reckless back, "Michonne. I didn't mean it like that. Of course I know it's you who is giving away everything for us and fought for us when I couldn't."
She groaned in frustration,"I'm done with this conversation."
"Michonne," He approached her carefully, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I would never change our plans because of Lori."
"But she got you thinking," She said flatly, "Why didn't this thought process go through your head earlier?"
"It did, but" Rick defended himself with a sigh, "I didn't want you to change your mind."
"Fine then," Michonne threw her hands up dramatically, "I won't move here."
"Michonne-" He grabbed her arm, but she reacted quickly.
"No, Rick, stop touching me." She warned him and pushed him away, "I told you, I'm done with this conversation."
He could feel he set her off in a way that he hadn't before. This day was turning out to be the worst day of his life.
She walked back inside and slammed the door shut in front of him.
"Fuck! " He cursed and kicked the side of the house.
"For fucks sake," Negan rubbed his beard after hearing Ricks side of the story, "What is it with you and women?"
Rick felt like an idiot, "I didn't mean it like that. I was just thinking aloud."
"That's the problem asshole, you don't think aloud with women," He chuckled, "You say what they need to hear. You dropped the ball. She is hormonal as hell and you go and cry to her about Lori being pissed. Are you fucking brain dead or something?"
Rick could understand his friends point and rubbed his temples, "I fucked up, what else is new."
"Hold on cowboy," He comforted him and patted his shoulder, "Don't you go wallowing now. You fix it, simple as that."
"How?"
Negan chuckled, "How the fuck would I know?"
Rick nudged him and leaned against the hood of his car. He was like a dog who had his tail between his legs. He stared at Daryls house and hated how she was right there, but all of a sudden felt so far away. He kicked the rubble under his shoes and wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"What if we got everyone here?" Negan suggested as he lighted another cigarette.
He looked at his friend and said aloud his first thought, "I could ask her to get married on the backyard?"
"No!" Negan laughed loudly, " Rick, jesus! What the fuck? Why can't it be something a little less? How about just a welcome home type of shindig."
Rick nodded, "Yeah that's better. She would have left me for good if I did that."
"You would have deserved it, goddam you're out here making all of us men look bad. Calm the fuck down."
Rick sighed and kept his eyes on the house, "You think she is gonna wakeup one day and realize what a clown I am?"
"Maybe," He breathed out the cigarette smoke next to him, "Or maybe, you do the work this time. I don't believe in that soulmate bullshit. You want to be with her?"
Rick looked at Negan and nodded, he continued with direct advice, "then be the man who she deserves. Fuck, stop taking her for granted, just because you two fell for each other fast and she is pregnant with your kid, it don't mean nothing. She isn't sticking around if you treat her like she is not going anywhere. Soulmate my ass, you do the work this time."
First he felt a bit pathetic calling Negan for company, but the man was full of surprises today. The good kind. His words resonated quickly. He was right.
Rick smiled proudly at him,"Lucille took you to therapy didn't she? "
He tossed his cigarette, "Oh fuck off."
She couldn't focus on her work, not even if she tried. Michonne closed her laptop and set it on the table next to her. She stared at the walls of the living room and wondered why didn't Daryl ever do this for a living. She had never seen such perfection when it came to wood paneling. She changed her position and leaned against the armrest. She had to keep her mind occupied, so that she didn't start spiraling. It felt disappointing to be here and Rick didn't understand the weight she carried around over everything. He was too mindful of the wrong people. Michonne was very considerate when it came to his children, but Lori wasn't a part of that equation. She didn't need to be mindful of her. She didn't deserve that, no matter how wronged she was. She had emotionally pushed Rick away years ago and now she was trying to paint herself as the victim.
And he played right into her warped sense of reality.
Michonne heard the front door open and figured it was time for another debate. She didn't want to argue, but this man was on the wrong path and she was not putting up with him.
Rick walked slowly into the spacious living room and stopped beside her. He didn't like this. He hated how he hurt her feelings. Negans words replayed in his mind.
"Michonne," He drawled her name with his thick accent and kneeled down in front of her, "I only worried about Loris reaction because I want us to live here. Her hurt could hurt you. I'm afraid of what you will face here. I'm afraid you're gonna be unhappy if she makes your life... Troublesome. It ain't like the big cities, folks have their opinions over me already because of my job. I don't want you to be miserable here. I want you to be happy because you deserve that."
Rick looked at her expectantly and waited for her to react. She caressed her growing stomach in deep thought.
"You told how I mean everything to you," He continued and dared to put her hand on top of hers, "Then you know how I feel about you because it's the exact same thing, maybe even more. There are no words Michonne. Us, this, what we have created. Others won't experience it in their lifetime. You're worth so much more than what I can give to you right now. I'm fuckind tired. It's fucking hard and I'm sorry. I want to go back to that rooftop in Las Vegas. I know you're the one who is giving up everything and that kills me."
Her eyes bore into his. She understood what he meant.
"Listen," she finally said softly, "I get it. We are going from one bad situation to another, but I need you to stop the pity parade. You can't let other people tear our dreams apart. If I'm willing to put everything on the line I need you to defend that and show me I'm the one who you're backing up."
"I know, I know," He agreed, "I was wrong. I want you to do what feels right for you, if its Atlanta I'll be there in a heartbeat."
"Love is not about who sacrifices more, but at the same time I need you to trust me. I won't break over town gossip. I've dealt with worse. I choose to come here because I want to. I choose this life because I feel like..."She swallowed, her voice emotional, "My mom would have told me to go. She would want me to take that chance. I want our baby to grow with his or hers siblings being close by. I didn't have that growing up. I want that for Andre and this baby."
He stared at her, captivated once again by her answer. They stayed that way, stuck in each other's eyes before finally him brushing her braids back behind her ears and smiling, "I want this for all of us too."
"Then we need to stop stressing out about what other people want from us. I'm a big girl. I know I'm basically jumping into a pool filled with sharks," it was the perfect analogy, "But fear has never stopped me before."
Rick couldn't keep his hands away and played with the zipper on her hoodie, "You're right. We can't let other people decide how we want to live our lives. If we look like selfish assholes, so be it. I just want you."
He climbed next to her, pulling her into his arms. His hands gently caressed her side.
She relaxed and yawned, "I'm not getting my ass off this couch today.
Rick cringed," Uh, I kind of did a thing, I hope you're not mad about it."
Michonne raised her brows, "What thing?"
Lucille was not happy about being left out in the dark. Negan had a bad habit of doing that. She looked at the text message again with major worry. As the tiny bell rang and a customer came in she hid her phone behind the counter. Her red chipped nails reached for the pen and notebook, but she quickly realized she was about to hear something she wouldn't like.
Lori, with her hair sticking out and her sweats came rushing to her.
"Shit. It's bad isn't it?" Lucille asked with a whisper as she settled on a barstool in front of her.
Her eyes were red and swollen, you didn't need to be Einstein to figure out that she was upset.
"A year ago we were talking about how everything would be fine," Lori said back, her mind somewhere else, "We were going to counseling. I'd made peace with the fact that Shane and I were only friends. I made the effort to be better for Rick. I did my part."
"What's going on?" Lucille could see her friend was having an inner battle, "Negan texted me how Rick invated both of us to Daryls, but I have no business there if I can't be nice to her. Of course I'm not going if you don't want me to."
Lori ignored her and continued rambling while staring at the counter, "And, don't get me wrong I don't even want him. I don't think I've felt anything for him in a long time, but I assumed we were reaching that point where I would feel something again. I just figured Vegas would be our new beginning."
"Lori?"
Her eyes snapped up to meet hers, "She is pregnant."
Lucille didn't catch on, "Who is? What are you saying?"
"Rick got her pregnant. They are having a baby and moving here." She emphasized each word carefully, like she was trying to convince herself of the news.
"What the fuck?" Lucille was visibly shocked, her mouth hang open, "You're lying."
Lori shook her head back and forth, "She is pregnant. Rick got her pregnant. My kids will have a half sibling who was more than likely conceived before we even properly separated."
The blonde was shook, she couldn't believe what she was hearing, "That's just..."
"I know." She nodded, "It's disgusting."
"Why the fuck would he do that?" Lucille had known Rick Grimes for years and years, never had she imagined he would be going this far, "What's the rush? They don't even know each other. She almost died-"
"It was an accident." Lori rolled her eyes, "That's what he told me."
"Oh please," Lucille laughed, "Wait, how far along is she?"
"I don't know," Her friend sighed and leaned against her hand, "I wasn't really interested in the details after he told me. I don't even know if he told the kids. I, I don't know what to say to them."
Lucille didn't actually feel any sort of animosity towards Michonne anymore. After Maggie practically cussed her out at the hospital she had realized how Michonne didn't owe her anything. The problem was only with Rick who hurt her best friend.
"What now?" She asked her with a whisper.
Lori smiled sadly, "I have to let this go Luc. I have to let him...go. I can't take it anymore."
Her mouth twiched, "Just like that?"
"Let's just say I passed on the torch to somebody else."
"Huh?"
Her friend straightened her posture and smiled, this time with confidence, "Rick is her problem now and she will find out the hard way what kind of consequences her own actions will bring her."
Lucille nodded back with uncertainty.
"Don't be nervous," He hugged her from behind and kissed the curve of her neck, "You look divine."
She couldn't disagree more as she straightened the hem of her black a-line mini dress, "You are really bad at pep talks."
Rick turned her around to face him, "It was not a pep talk. It was the truth."
Michonne narrowed her eyes at him, "You know you could have warned me beforehand what kind of day this would be."
He chuckled, "Now that Lori knows, I figured what the heck let's just rip the bandaid off and tell everyone."
"They are also friends with Lori."
"And they are also friends of mine," Rick moved his hands on her shoulders, softly massaging her, "I trust that they can be happy for us."
"Rick, maybe in a perfect world," She blew out a heavy breath, "I don't want you to get your hopes up because if you think about it, this, us, we are rightfully judged."
His hands traveled down now, pulling her closer, "Trust me."
Michonne rolled her eyes and snorted, "The last time you told me to trust that everything would work out, I ended up pregnant."
"That can't happen now when you're already pregnant," He responded cheekily, "After this one though I ain't making any promises."
She pushed him playfully, "After this one you're getting your thing taken care of."
Rick stared back wide eyed, "I'm pretty sure lighting doesn't struck twice in the same place."
"Apparently with me it does," Michonne patted his jean shirt and chuckled, "So you better mentally prepare for that one."
Rick grimaced at the thought. She laughed at the look on his face and kissed his cheek. She didn't have time to dwell in her nerves as the front door opened.
"Hi y'all." Carol shouted, pushing Ezekiel inside who carried two huge casseroles, "Are we setting up outside?"
"Yeah, like always," Rick answered with a short laugh and hugged the woman, "Thank you for coming."
"Of course we came," Ezekiel answered for her and watched her wife now hug Michonne, "You two inspired me to write a new book."
"Oh shut up about that." Carol smacked his arm, "Just ignore him."
Michonne arched her perfect eyebrow, "Hopefully it's not something you find in the self help section."
The man laughed with his deep voice, "I'll send you the draft."
Carol kept pushing him towars the backyard door, "Come on now Shakespeare, let's go setup."
As the couple exited outside, Michonne breathed out a sigh of relief. At least nothing in their expressions told her that they figured out their secret. Rick winked back at her and she shook her head. He still made her knees weak.
They moved outside and his circle of friends poured on scene one by one. Maggie greeted her warmly, a knowing sparkle in her eye. It was funny how their children actually wouldn't be that far apart. Her bump was visible and growing now. Glenn was happy. You could just tell.
"Where is Andre?" Maggie asked her, smiling.
"He is with Connies parents and Kelly, " She glanced over at Rick who was in deep conversation with Negan, Lucille was a no show which was a relief, "He is coming down here in a few days."
Glenn joined in, "I heard he likes Rick a lot."
"I wouldn't be here if he didn't."
"You been healing good?" Maggie asked catefully, "I've been keeping you in my prayers."
"I appreciate it," Michonne smiled back, "I'm good. I try not think about it."
Rick had only invated the people who were in his everyday life. They locked eyes briefly and it brought her comfort. She wasn't alone in this.
"Alright," Rick stood up from the end of the table, "Y'all are probably wondering what's going on-"
"Wait!" Carol interrupted him and held out her phone. She turned it around, and there were Connie and Daryl.
"Hey." Daryl grunted from screen, happy as ever, but still same old Daryl whose expression didn't change that much. Connie was waving in the background, smiling warmly.
It felt like a piece of home for Michonne when she saw Connies face.
Rick held out his hand for her and she took it. It felt natural to be this way in front everyone.
"Uh," Rick muttered, he hadn't rehearsed anything beforehand, "We have made some decisions."
Carol held her phone with Daryl and Connie, she had them comically faced towards him and he could see his best friend squint. He was trying to figure out what was coming next.
"Isn't it wild, just months ago Daryl stood there with his fine ass woman and now-"
Rick put a stop to Negans rambling, "Anyway, Michonne is moving here."
"Really?" Ezekiel was first to react and he was surprised, "I figured you had a big thing going in Atl."
Michonne nodded next to Rick, "Yes I do and I'm not giving up my company, but we figured it was the best thing for the kids. I'll manage."
"Speaking of kids..." He took it as his cue to continue. Negan and Maggie obviously knew what was going on, but it was still an exciting moment.
Rick took her hand and looked at her, keeping his eyes only on her as he said it, "We are also having a baby."
Carol dropped her phone as she gasped at the news.
"I fucking knew it!" Daryl screamed out on the other end, "Negan you owe me a hundred bucks!"
"I don't care," Negan grabbed Carols phone and announced to him proudly, "I knew before you dipshit."
Rick rubbed his flushed face and wondered how old his friends were.
Carol grabbed her phone back from Negan with an annoyed huff and showed Michonne how Connie was signing to text her after this. She nodded back. Their baby announcements weren't exactly textbook.
"Congratulations sweetheart." Maggie reached out to Michonne who was a bit out of it because of the chaos. She hugged her, "I'm happy it turned out this way. How far along are you now?"
Maggie had been surprisingly open minded about her and Rick. They had kept in touch, talking here and there when Michonne left. Maybe one day they would be proper friends.
"Wait," Glenn looked at his wife, "You knew?"
"Patient confidently," She explained, "I couldn't have told you if I wanted to."
"Twenty two weeks and some days," Michonne said back shyly, "We just had our scan and everything was perfect."
"What marvelous news, congratulations," Ezekiel got up to shake Ricks hand and grinned, "And good luck with the restless nights at this age. You're going to need it."
Carol was still taking it in, she cleared her throat, "Boy or a girl? Do the kids know?"
"We chose not to find out," Rick smiled warmly at his friends, "They do. They are... adjusting."
"Judith?" Negan asked knowingly while rolling a tooth pick in his mouth.
"She's coming around." Rick didn't want to spread his childrens private feelings all over. They didn't need to be discussed without them present.
"Does Lori know?" Glenn hated to be the one to ask the obvious.
Everyone stopped and turned silent. It was the harsh reality. While Michonne and Rick found happiness in their new beginning, Lori was facing new challenges.
"I told her," He looked at each of them, "I ain't going to lie. She didn't take it well."
Michonne sat down and wanted to say something, but she didn't know what was appropriate from her.
"I do sympathize with her," Carol said quietly, "It's an awful lot in a short amount of time."
Rick kept his eyes firmly on Michonne as he spoke, "We know."
"Somebody call tlc because this shit is just cray cray." Negan laughed loudly in his usual fashion.
"It's not funny. I think we all want everyone to be happy." Glenn shot him a look and then turned his attention on Rick and Michonne, "I hope it all works out."
He nodded at his friend appreciating the words.
"Why the fuck is everyone worried over Lori?" Negan wasn't holding back, his face twisted in annoyance, "Y'all forget what she did? We all knew they were divorcing anyway. They were so miserable they made Daryl look like the happiest man on the planet. We talked about it all the time. Why the fuck do y'all act all sensitive now?"
"Fuck you man," Daryl grunted and said pointedly, "Rick, Michonne, we are happy for you. We'll talk to you guys later. I don't want to hear this asshole anymore."
The videocall ended and Carol looked at Negan, "You really have a nasty mouth on you."
"I'm speaking the truth when nobody else has the balls. Lori and Rick were done years ago. Lori chose Shane. Are we gonna sit here and act like it ain't the goddamn truth?" He looked around the table, "Didn't think so."
"Man stop that," Glenn tossed a paper cup at him, "Just because she made mistakes, it doesn't mean we can't be nice to her or be there for her when she is gonna need her friends. We can be happy for Rick and at the same time we can acknowledge he has done some crazy things recently." He looked quickly at Michonne, "don't take this the wrong way, I'm not calling you crazy."
"None taken." She chuckled from her seat.
"Let the man be happy," Negan pointed at Rick dramatically, "He got this beautiful and intelligent woman pregnant," He took a breather, "who is not by the way pining after his ex best friend. That's a blessing."
"Thank you?" Michonne said back with an obvious question mark on her face.
Rick moved behind her, his hands on her shoulders, "We ain't expecting you to understand. We also ain't explaining this to anyone because we don't need to. You can all choose for yourselves what to think and what to believe. We appreciate the support."
She nodded, agreeing, "I understand if any of you feel uncomfortable with me and it's easier to keep a distance because of Lori. I fully support that if you feel that way."
"When Lori and Shane had their little moment," Carol managed a few awkward laughs, "None of us shunned her. Rick knows that. We've known each other for a long time and all of us have grown as people," She quickly glanced at Negan, "Well minus that one, but you get the gist of it. Rick is one of us, and unfortunately for you, you're stuck with us. There is no sides here."
"Take me out of that equation I'm on Ricks side," Negan blurted out and raised his beer, "I'm all about having another godchild."
Laughs and chatter erupted among the group. Michonne leaned in her chair, and looked up at Rick who was lightly touching the side of her neck.
"Rick?"
"Hmm?"
"Negan is not going to be a godparent, just so you know." She whispered.
He chuckled back and kissed her forehead, "I know."
He was happy. This was the sort of true happiness he had always longed for. Sun was starting to set and everyone still sat there around the big table talking away. Michonne had handled her part beautifully. She was such an enigma that nobody could feel hate or negative feelings towards her. She and Maggie were huddled up in a corner, showing each other something from their phones and it made Rick smile.
She was perfection. Hours ago, when she called him stupid, it made him realize again he had never been so drawn to another human being before. She was captivating. Graceful. Even more when she called him out. He could go on and on.
"Aren't you glad I took you to Las Vegas." A raspy voice said beside him as he handed him a beer.
Rick looked at the green bottle of Heineken and smiled, "The heavens gates are open for you now. You've done your duty."
They laughed together and looked outside.
"Aren't you scared shitless?"
"I am," Rick admitted, "I mean... It's different, having a kid like this."
"Yeah you're old as fuck these days."
"Oh come on," He groaned, "Why is everyone telling me I'm old. She is almost my age."
Negan raised his brows, "Don't let her hear that, Jesus, are you trying to cause a new fight?" he pointed at her, "She could be under thirty. She is all glowy and fucking just right and tight-"
"Hey," Rick warned him, "Watch it."
"I still have no idea how you and Daryl, out of all the men in Las Vegas bagged those two. I don't get it." Negan had a good point.
He laughed at his ridiculous friend and marveled at Michonne again, "Yeah me either."
Negan walked outside and he was about follow suit when his phone rang. He had to answer since it was coming from the office.
"Rick?"
"Yeah? What's going on Aaron?" He asked, he felt carefree and relaxed.
Aaron swallowed nervously, "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt since it's still your day off."
"No problem," Rick kept his eyes on Michonne, "What's up?"
"There is a man here looking for you."
He could already feel his body tensing up. He shouldn't have left his guard down.
"His name is Mike," Aaron said, "He said you know him since you're taking care of his son."
Well helllooooo Mike.
Did you guys see the new previews for Richonne... I diedddd. Danai calling their love crazy is so fitting. I died at that part because that is exactly the way I see them in my story.
My hand is still hurting and I can't write as fast, but anyway
Until next week!