"I'm going to kill him."
He didn't say anything, he just focused on the road.
She was like a lioness ready for battle to protect her little cub, "Andre is off limits."
Rick parked the car and took her hand, squeezing it, "No matter what he says, we got this."
Michonne reached out from her seat, grabbing him and kissing him with passion. Her thoughts were all over the place, but what didn't waver was the feeling of being loved and protected by him.
Rick kissed her back just as ferociously. She pulled back and looked at him once more. They had been through hell and nobody would stop them now. They hopped out of the car, both dressed in black and stern faced. She wasn't having this. Not now.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" She basically launched at him soon as she saw him standing there by the familiar motel entrance. It felt like a lifetime ago when she stayed there.
Mike, in his leather jacket looked past fuming Michonne and eyed Rick. He pointed at the two of them and chuckled, "This doesn't surprise me."
She wasn't holding back, ignoring his remark, "You can't just show up unannounced Mike. Where the hell have you been?"
Michonne wasn't surprised anymore that the world kept hitting them back. She was proud of Rick. He came to her immediately, this alpha male, that was used to being stubborn and doing things by himself had learned a thing or two while being with her. They were a team.
He kept staring at Rick in silence and it made her even more frustrated, "Answer me."
He could tell her pulse raced and her stress level was through the roof. She was smart enough to know it wasn't healthy for their child, but it was out of her control at this moment. He wasn't going to patronize her in front of him and make it worse.
Mike finally turned his eyes towards his ex wife, "I heard you are taking my son out of Atlanta. We have an signed agreement."
"That agreement," She seethed, "That fucking agreement doesn't seem to carry any value to you since you've missed months out of his life! Do you have any idea how devastated Andre has been?"
He kept ignoring her outburst.
"Where did you find out?" Rick could tell there was a meaning behind his sudden visit and narrowed his eyes at him.
He stared back with same intensity, "You should know, or do you have a lot of enemies?"
He wasn't falling into his trap, he kept it short, "No, I'm good."
"Mike," She bit the inside of her cheek to control herself from going absolutely mayhem on him, "Can we talk? Like really talk? Without the bullshit innuendos. This is about our son."
"Sure we can," Mike agreed casually and nodded towards Rick, "But first I want to talk to him."
He could tell she was on the brink of losing it, and she didn't need that right now. Rick turned to her, taking her into his arms and whispered in her ear, "Wait in the car."
She looked up at him with uncertainty.
"Get in the car Michonne."
This tone was new to her. This wasn't demanding or angry. This was simply protective. He was telling her, he got her.
She glanced at his ex-husband once more before turning around and heading back into the car. It was starting to get dark.
Mike let out an laugh when she was out of earshot, "I've never seen that before. You have her on a leash. Good for you."
Rick kept his back straight, shoulders confident and stared back unamused. The other man was taking in the new stranger. Rick Grimes didn't seem like the usual small town Sheriff type. He was lean, a bit rough looking and he had sharp eyes that weren't wavering.
"What do you want?" He leaned back a little and eyed him.
"For starters I would like to understand why my son isn't here with his mother?"
Rick tilted his head at him, "Maybe you would know if you had called once in a while. He has his own phone. I call him all the time."
That set him off. Rick was very aware where to hit and how hard.
Mike scoffed, "Yeah? Just because I take the summer to clear my head, I suddenly stop being his father. Is that what you're telling me?"
"Not my words. Yours." He said back, not giving him any emotion.
The darker man was starting to get heated, "You think it's easy? Dealing with her?"
"I don't claim to know anything," he played it cool, "I only know that since we've known each other, Andre, that boy of yours has been one of the best things in my life and I wouldn't let anything stop me from seeing him if I was his dad."
"You've been around a hot second and you think you've got me all figured out huh?" Mike grumbled with annoyance, "My son is mine and he don't need you to confuse his little head with all of this shit you two dragged him into."
Rick checked behind him and saw Michonne sitting on the front seat, staring back with concern. He wouldn't leave this situation without making her proud.
He turned back to Mike and chuckled,
"You've been talking to my ex wife."
Loris position in this didn't surprise him. He wasn't an idiot. It wasn't an strange coincidence this happened on the same day he told her Michonne was expecting. It didn't phase him though. She had proven to be unpredictable before. She didn't deserve the time of the day. Lori and her games were worthless in his eyes at this very moment.
He was visibly surprised how quickly he linked them together.
"I know how it is," Mike looked towards Michonne, he didn't deny or admit anything, "how she is. She is toxic and you haven't figured it out yet. Eventually you will. One day she will make you feel small and worthless. That's what she does."
Rick wasn't about to listen to his rant about the love of his life and the future mother of his child, "What do you want to do Mike? We are here. We ain't going nowhere. Us, this what we're building. You can be apart of that or be left in the dirt. Your choice."
"You think you're holding the cards here?" He clapped slowly with a loopy grin.
Rick rolled his eyes, like she would, "You're spewing a bunch of nonsense."
"My son is not moving," Mike took a stance, "I got my weekends. I ain't letting him move to this hillbilly ass town. His roots are in Atlanta. My family is in Atlanta. I'm in Atlanta. My son belongs there. I don't care what you two do, but where my son lives is not up for discussion."
"I've been here for a moment now," He chuckled and stared at him, "Tell me, why have I not heard him speak a word about your side of the family? Or more importantly, why haven't they been around? No phone calls, nobody at his practice, nobody picking him up from school. Nothing. That's been me."
"Your fucking head is so far up her ass." He took a threatening step closer.
Rick laughed him off, "It is. I ain't complaining."
Mike charged at him, they were nose to nose, chest to chest, his worn sneakers touching the edge of his boots.
Rick stared back unflinching, his voice cold, "What are you going to do about it?"
Michonne had stepped out of the car, alarmed by the men facing off. She didn't want this to escalate.
Mike shook his head slowly and backed away, spitting on the ground next to his feet.
"Yeah, I thought so." Rick said with firmness and turned around to walk towards the car.
"I'll fight you every step of the way baby! Just like old times!" He yelled after them and locked eyes with Michonne, "Tell Andre he'll see his dad soon."
He turned around once more to look at Mike and fantasized dealing with him in a not so sophisticated manner, but he knew from the look in her eye, he had accomplished one thing. She was proud of him.
"Let's go home." He locked eyes with Michonne and she hoped this never ending nightmare with his ex husband hadn't begun again.
She was blaming herself. She had said it out loud back when they first arrived in King County with Sasha. She needed to get custody. She didn't do anything about it. This complicated relationship with Rick made her lose focus. She had the papers on her computer. She had planned on printing them out and filing, but then life happened. Mike was the furthest thing in her mind.
Andre loved Rick. He thrived when he was around. They were inseparable these days. He would call him every morning and send him voice messages during the day. Andre felt important again because of him. He felt unconditionally loved by a man who had proved that you didn't need to share the same dna to bond. She figured Mike wouldn't come back around this time. She had pleaded with him at first, but after no answer, she gave up.
Michonne cried. She cried in a way she hadn't in a longtime. It felt like the world was punishing her. As tears fell down her cheeks, she lifted her closed eyes upwards so that the warm water hit her face as the shower steamed the whole bathroom. Her personal life was in shambles and thriving at the same time. Rick came with a whole lot of trouble, but deep inside she knew this flame between them was only growing and it was unstoppable.
His strong hands gripped her shoulders and he pulled her against his naked body.
"This doesn't change anything," He whispered in her ear hoarsely, "Let them try to tear us apart."
She tried her best to even out her breathing, and choked back, "They can't."
"They won't," He whispered against her neck as the water fell over them, "We won't let them."
Michonne nodded quickly, shaking away the doubts and fears that were installed in her again, "We won't let them."
Her body was tingling as his mouth found her neck. His big hands on her small frame got her wishing for more. She could feel his muscles tensing rock hard behind her. The heat between them mixed with the steam of the shower and she turned around to stare into his intense blue eyes.
That passion that brewed between them would always come to surface and it was overpowering. They couldn't control it. It was like this since the beginning. An itch. They knew they had each other. They would come together, no matter how hard it got. They placed each other above all else. Since meeting her he fought desperately to keep himself intact. He would never forget the first time his eyes landed on her and he wanted to do things to her that hadn't crossed his mind in years.
Her breath was shallow and eyes dark. It was an invitation. His lips claimed hers with volatile urgency. He could feel his pulse in his ears as she grabbed onto his neck, pulling him close as possible. It was like an jolt of electricity whenever she challenged him. Her hands eagerly go between his legs, but this time he flipped the script. The knowledge of the power he held over her during intimacy made things even more intense. He had never had this in him before her. This raw and dangerous need that took over him. She was intoxicating. She was his and the thought made him throb. .
Her body trembled with anticipation as he backed her against the cold, but moist tile wall. She searched for his eyes once more and hiked her leg up, but he pushed it down roughly, unapologetically. She was about to moan out his name in desperation when he caught her off guard and turned her around, shoving her against the wall.
Thankfully they shared this need to unwind. Rick wasn't always like this, he could be gentle, but tonight she was satisfied he wasn't having it any other way.
He kept her gently in her place, her sore breasts squeezed against the wall. She wasn't ashamed to admit to herself, this, being pinned by him, was the thing that always got her. She was dripping wet even without the shower around them.Her body, beautiful body, was like a masterpiece in his eyes.
"Next time he calls you baby I'll rip his throat out." He whispered, low and rough by her ear.
Her only answer was a low laugh because she didn't doubt that for a second. The laughter changed quickly into a gasp as he plunged into her. Every emotion she felt mingled together, the hurt, the anger and the passion as he claimed her. They were battling the odds and it had never felt better.
Lori bit her nails. She had never been good with dealing hardships life had to offer. She would try her best to remain objective, but it wasn't easy when it felt like she wasn't being heard. She was being replaced.
She didn't love Rick. She never just thought he would actually figure it out. Before heading out to Las Vegas she truly thought this was what she wanted. Maybe he did them a favor.
"Mom?"
Lori gazed up at his son, "Yeah?"
He had never seen her eyes look so tired, "I heard he told you."
Her heart was beating fast, it didn't surprise her that he knew, "He did."
Carl sat across from her in the kitchen, "How do you feel?"
She looked at the mug of coffee in front of her, feeling guilty that her son had to check up on her, "I'm okay."
Carl could see she was trying to protect him from her real feelings, "You can say it to me. I won't hold it against you."
Her gaze snapped up and they locked eyes, "I don't think I can live here with her being close by. I don't know what to do."
He remained silent.
She sighed, "I did something stupid."
"What?" He questioned.
"It's nothing you need to worry about," Lori muttered quietly, "I was blinded by my anger and I shouldn't have let that happen."
In the end he would always try to stick up for his mom, "You shouldn't be ashamed. Dad hasn't been making it easy on you lately."
She nodded, grateful her son had such insight, "How do you feel? I know we haven't talked about her after the hospital. I'm sorry I should have asked after you guys went to her house."
Carl was proud of her for speaking out openly about this when it must have been hard," I trust her judgment more than dads to be honest."
"What do you mean?"
"If she knows it will workout then it will. She is smart. She wouldn't have a baby with dad if she thought it was going to be all bad," Carl explained as he looked into his mother's eyes, "I don't mind the baby. It's their choice."
Lori knew Carl and Michonne shared a friendship, at first it felt like she was trying to steal her child, but she then realized she wasn't being very trusting to her own son, "I'm really trying Carl to go forward. I was doing good and this just... it felt... like she stole something from me.."
"Whatever you did, I'm sure they will understand." he encouraged her, but Lori wasn't so sure. She had crossed a line.
Judith walked into the kitchen and looked at both of them, she sighed and ran to hug her, "Dad told you didn't he?"
Lori just nodded at her sweet girl. She couldn't understand how her children were this strong and resilient. She pulled away and played with the ends of her hair, "Are you okay?"
Judith shrugged, being completely nonchalant, "I don't know. It's still weird, but I guess I'll live."
She was incredibly proud that her kids were this mature about it.
"Mom," She looked into her eyes, "I want you to be happy. I don't think dad was right, but you weren't right either."
Lori looked at both of her children. The guilt in her stomach growing bigger. She knew kids were off limits, but today she had done something extremely hurtful towards Michonne. She even brought Shane into it and it wasn't her proudest moment because she knew in the end Shane wouldn't question it. She asked him to look for Mikes details and he, working for a private security firm had the means to do it.
"Whatever it is, you can sort it out," Carl was adamant, "They'll listen. We don't want you guys to fight."
Lori looked at both of them with uncertainty and hoped she could muster the strength from somwhere.
Michonne woke to a new day slowly. Her eyes were still closed, but her hand streched out to find him. She soon realized the other side of the bed was cold. She opened her eyes and noticed Rick indeed wasn't there. She always felt slightly concerned because he could have been called in for work in the middle of night and she wouldn't have woken up.
She got up and reached for her robe. She took a few slow steps and wondered if the nausea would kick in. Usually, this was the point of no return. This time it didn't seem to come which caused her heart to race. The worst case scenario invaded her mind and she tried her best to ignore it. She couldn't give into these horror scenes. She kept walking and waited.
Any minute now.
Nothing. She rubbed her stomach, she was worried and paranoid now. She reached downstairs and could hear noises coming from the kitchen.
Michonne reached the doorway and stopped to appreciate the sight in front of her. He was flipping a pancake with hard concentration. His brows were knitted together and his mouth tight as he made the perfect flip.
"You are a man of many talents Rick Grimes." She flashed a warm smile by the doorway before walking closer to him.
His whole face relaxed as he set the pancake on a plate, "I didn't hear you wakeup. You ruined the surprise."
"You were waiting to hear me barf?" She chuckled and settled her hands around him.
"Something like that," He pulled her closer, his eyes smiling, "Morning."
"Morning." She said softly and kissed him.
The soft spoken gasps from the previous night echoed inside his mind and it made him flush. As they pulled back from each other Rick realized Michonne wasn't complaining about any symptoms.
"It's a good thing," He reassured her, understanding it without words, she was worried, "He is fine. I'm sure of it."
Michonne wasn't so sure, "I can always go check. I don't know. Something feels off."
Rick took her hands, his eyes were crystal clear, "The baby is fine. Don't do that."
She sighed, deeply, annoyed that doubts were just piling on, "You're probably right."
He reached for a plate and handed her a tower of pancakes with a huge splash of syrup, "You need to eat when you can. He is giving you a day off, enjoy it."
Michonne cackled, "I'm sorry it's going to be funny when she is born and you kept calling her a boy this entire time."
"Nah," He laughed happily and handed her a fork, "You're wrong."
"Maybe we should bet on it," She smiled with a coy look, "Like your homeboys."
"I don't need to," Rick smiled proudly, "It's my son. I know it is."
She rolled her eyes at him and walked outside on the front porch with her plate. The sun was shining and her skin felt warm. This was the thing she enjoyed the most about this place. The air was fresh and the trees moved with the slight wind. It was quiet. She settled her breakfast on the tiny table next to her while Rick walked out with his coffee.
"I hate to be the one to bring it up," He coughed, "What's our plan?"
Michonne didn't even flinch and he adored her for it. She wasn't defeated or scared after last night.
"I'm going to call him and see if we can make an agreement outside of court," She took a bite of her food and swallowed, "I don't think he can afford that route. The last time his parents paid everything. I don't think they want to do that again. If Andre mattered to them, they would have checked up on him."
Rick nodded repeatedly.
Michonne continued with a sigh, "I want Mike and Andre to have a relationship, but I don't want him to come around again and bail if he can't handle it. It's always been like this and I have to put a stop to it."
"I don't think he knew about the baby." Rick thought, "He would have mentioned it."
"He doesn't need to know anything about my life," her tone changed more bitter, "Mike only destroys things. That's what's he's good at."
He couldn't hide the frown on his face as he sipped his coffee.
"What?"
"Nothing."
She looked at him more pointedly, "Rick."
"I don't want to sound like a total loser," He rasped out, "But do you think... You feel something for-"
She practically roared, "Did you cook meth in there with those pancakes because I know you did not just imply I would have feelings for that piece of shit ."
He tensed up, and said awkwardly, "It's just that... you speak about him with passion."
She shot him a look, "Rick, I despise him. I genuinely would like him to drop dead."
"I'm sorry," He retracted, understanding it was a stupid thing to say, "I just keep going back to how we used to talk to each other when we met. You were just as snappy at me."
Michonne laughed, she could only laugh at his male logic, "That's so different."
"How?"
"When I talked to you with an attitude it wasn't intentional," She explained, "That's just me. Then after the first kiss I guess it was our thing. That was just me being a woman and flirting. Besides you were doing the same thing. That's a whole different ball game from Mike. I really just hate him for being a shitty dad. There is no pent up tension and wanting to fuck him in this."
He raised his brows, a cocky grin on his face, "That's what you were thinking about back then?"
She shoved food in her mouth and swallowed again, she raised her brows back, "Do you want me to punch you again? You're practically begging for it."
Rick laughed and winked at her, "Is this back and forth leading up to something?"
"In your dreams Grimes."
"That's all I dream about," He leaned closer to her, "you."
Michonne playfully pushed him away and shook her head, "Still obnoxious."
They were in the midst of a emotional hurricane, but this pull between them was solid. The deep connection they shared wasn't going anywhere. It only grew as the hurdles kept coming.
Rick had his eyes firmly on her and he was glad that she could actually eat something. She had been having a rough time and he didn't understand how the hell did she manage every aspect in her life with such perfection.
"Wait, who is that?" She pointed at the car that approached from the dirt road.
He squinted his eyes and the blood in his veins ran cold, "Lori."
Anger came to surface, but it was quickly tamed when he saw his children hop out of the car.
Michonne fixed her grey robe around her body, feeling vulnerable by the sudden visit. She did not need to be ambushed by Lori today after the day they just had yesterday.
"Hey guys." Rick got up and greeted his kids
"Hey dad," Carl ran past him and noticed the plate by Michonne, "Pancakes?"
"There is huge pile in the kitchen," Michonne got up and smiled at him, "Go at it."
Judith ran after Carl. She gave her a shy smile on her way inside. For Michonne it meant the world.
They were both nervous when Lori got out of the car. This wasn't just a drop off.
She walked up to him and he eyed her suspiciously. Michonne was already ready to return inside when she finally spoke up, "I would like to talk. With both of you."
Rick looked back at Michonne and waited for her cue, if she wanted him to get rid of her- he would. It was up to her.
Michonnes shoulders dropped and she walked up to them, standing by him while keeping her arms crossed.
Lori was just as rattled and her stance mirrored hers. She knew she had to be the one who started, "I wanted to warn you about-"
"Mike," Rick said through gritted teeth, "Yeah he showed up in town last night."
"I didn't think he would actually do anything or care to come here," Lori dove right into it, "I was upset. I don't know, I was just not in the right head space after you told me about..."
Her eyes dropped on Michonnes stomach. She could see the small bump forming in her lean body. It wasn't easy to see it in person.
She shook her head to shake off the thoughts," I'm sorry. I really am. I don't know the full history between you guys and I was selfish. I don't have any excuses."
Michonne could appreciate the fact that Lori took accountability this fast. She stood there staring at her, her face serious and eyes piercing.
"This has to stop," Rick tilted his head at her, he was pissed off, "Lori, I've been trying, I've tried to talk to you for how many times? I've tried to explain how sorry I am. I've never said I was right to do what I did. You've been doing stupid shit behind our backs since day one and it has got to stop. For the kids. I ain't trying to be a martyr here, but Andre is just as innocent as Carl and Jude."
Lori was defensive, "You can't blame me for reacting-"
"No, you need to realize she is not going anywhere. My home is with her. You were in an ongoing relationship with Shane for years! Talking to him in secret and shit when you knew it was wrong. That was back when I was with you. You were lying through your teeth-"
Michonne grabbed his forearm to calm him down,"We can also be understanding because everything that has happened is an outcome based on our own actions. He shouldn't have cheated in the first place. I should have kept my distance. I'm sorry for my part in that."
Ricks jaw could have dropped.
"We're all adults here," Michonne concluded, "I don't want this to be an ongoing thing between us all. There is no use in comparing situations. All of us here were selfish at some point.."
Michone looked at Rick with an tight smile. She was telling him to back down and calm down. He was going to have to swallow his pride like a big boy. He wasn't innocent in this either.
"I tried to be nice," Lori reminded, ignoring Ricks glare, "Back in the hospital. I was trying, but you were the one who wouldn't let me. My choice of words wasn't the best, but can you blame me for questioning the motives behind you two when things have been evolving with the speed of light?"
"I wasn't feeling my best," her gaze dropped unconsciously down to her stomach and she locked eyes with Lori, "As a mother I'm sure you understand."
It wasn't meant as a jab, but it felt like it, Lori took a deep breath and did her best to keep a straight face.
"As for Mike," her voice faded a little before gathering her thoughts, "he's not going to do anything. I've known him forever. He talks a big game, but he doesn't have the means to do anything about our custody agreement. Maybe this just wakes him up a bit. So, don't worry about it. I got it "
Rick was listening back and wondering did he wake up in an alternative universe as the two women talked calmly to each other. Michonne was flipping the situation to her advantage, proving a point to Lori. Nothing she did, she couldn't handle. She would always end up on top. She wouldn't let anyone affect the direction her life was taking.
Lori had a hard time looking at them together like this, but she did her best. She knew they weren't compatible with Rick anymore, but it stinged to see him so occupied with her. His eyes would keep going to her, his hands reached for the small of her back, she could see how infatuated he was with her and he couldn't control it. She thought back if it was like that with them. She couldn't remember.
"The only thing I want to ask, the other reason why I'm here," Her voice was shaky, the pressure got the best of her, "I hope you don't move here."
"What? That's out of your hands Lori." Rick wasn't having it.
"I know it's not my call," She said to him and looked at her, "This is my home. I'm not ready to see you two around town with a baby. I think I deserve some time. I deserve a little respect. I'm willing to drive the kids halfway, I don't care what it is, but I don't want you here. I can't live here myself if that's what you decide."
It was another curveball. Michonne knew they were asking a lot from her.
Rick was about to protest when she grabbed his forearm again and nodded at Lori,"We'll talk about it."
"What about Shane?" Rick blurted out, "I ain't mad about him moving out here if it meant the kids wouldn't need to lose either of us."
Her whole body tensed visibly at the mention of his name, "We are not together. We are still figuring it out."
Michonne could read between lines and concluded if one relationship was more complicated than theirs, it was Shanes and Loris.
"Thank you for coming here to talk," She said to Lori sincerely, "I'm hoping we can, uh-" her sentence was cut short as she held her stomach and Rick could see her eyes widen in panic
"Are you okay?" He could see something was wrong.
Lori also narrowed her eyes at her, the nurse in her coming out, "Do you need to go sit down?"
She regained her composure and smiled, "No, no I'm fine."
"You sure?" He worriedly eyed her.
"I promise," She smiled wider, "I was saying, I hope we can be civil. I don't think I'm in the position to judge you Lori and you don't have to be on board, but I'm willing to try if you are."
Lori looked at the couple and nodded, "Deal."
They said their awkward goodbyes and Rick wasn't paying attention on any of it, he was too concerned over her well being.
They were climbing up the stairs and he knew she wouldn't like it, but he cornered her on the poarch, "What is it? Is it the baby?"
She kept smiling, fighting back the tears brimming around her eyes, "I felt him or her move."
"Yeah?" Rick asked with sheer happiness, "You felt him?"
She kept nodding and he scooped her in his arms, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck as they basked in their happiness.
Lori looked at them from her rearview mirror and tears rolled down her cheeks.
This was the beginning of a new chapter and she had never felt so alone.
"Why doesn't he do it when I'm here?" Rick had held his hand on her stomach for some time now while she kept answering emails on her laptop. He wouldn't let her move
"Maybe because it's a girl and she is frustrated that you keep referring to her as a him." She suggested playfully.
He scratched the back of his head and changed the topic, "How do you feel about the talk with Lori?"
Michonne lifted her eyes from the computer screen and sighed, "I'm relieved. I don't want to hold a grudge."
"That's good," He kept moving his hand around while staring at her, "You think Mike will come around? Are we ever going to be that lucky?"
"I don't care if he does," She said casually, like she had it all under control, "Whatever he is planning, it's not happening."
Rick chuckled, "I see why he is afraid of you."
She shot him a look, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing."
She closed her laptop quickly and turned on the sofa to fully face him, "I keep thinking about what Lori said."
He had a feeling it would be brought up, "About moving?"
Michonne rubbed a tired hand over her face, "She is right you know. This is her hometown. I'm the one who shouldn't rush into her territory."
"You just told me we ain't giving up our dreams." He took her hands in his.
"What if we just put them on hold?" She suggested, she had been thinking about it since Lori left, "You are the one who will stay home with this one," her eyes dropped on her stomach and she raised them back up to lock eyes with him, "I'm the one working. We would also have time to deal with Mike."
It made sense. Rick nodded reluctantly, "We could live there until our house gets done. Lori will have time to adjust."
Michonne felt sad about it though, she didn't want him to be separated from his children. Judiths reaction scared her to death. Would she hate her for it?
She didn't have time to prepare herself for this conversation when he yelled out without a warning, "Carl! Judith!"
The kids came rushing into the living room.
"What's up?" Carl sat beside Michonne and she hoped it wouldn't be a fight.
Judith stood behind the sofa, while her hands hang over her fathers shoulders, "Make it quick. I was beating his ass in mario cart."
"Jesus, language." Rick scolded while shaking his head.
"Sorry." She pouted.
Michonne enjoyed the lightness his kids brought in these moments of heaviness.
Rick turned his attention on Carl, he patted the front pocket of his jeans and took out his car keyes. He tossed them to him and he looked back with very confused look on his face.
"I'm not washing your car for a few bucks like when I was a little kid and desperate for money." He deadpanned.
"Oh I know," He pointed back at Michonne and him, "You've got a new bestie who seems to be very generous sometimes."
Michonne smacked Carls knee, "I told you not to brag."
"I didn't tell anyone." Judith chimed in, "I promise."
"Oh, so everyone here is in on this then?" Rick asked playfully while laughing, "You do realize these two will drain you in a few years."
She shrugged , "I don't mind."
"Dad," Carl interrupted and dangled the keys, "What's going on?"
"I'm going to teach you how to drive," He informed him, "Then you two can come and visit us whenever you feel like it. It's time to get your license anyway."
"Seriously?" Carl was happy, "I thought you didn't want me to get it until I was responsible enough."
"You're ready." He smiled at his son.
"What do you mean, visit?" Judith asked, surprised her brother didn't question the intention behind this, "Aren't you moving here?"
Michonne and Rick looked at each other nervously.
"We talked with your mom," Michonne spoke up calmly, she wanted to be honest as possible, "It's the best for all of us if we stay in Atlanta for a little while, but only until your mom is ready to have us here. We have to respect her feelings."
Judith froze, they could see she was taking it in and digesting what it meant for her.
"We'll make it happen Jude," Rick comforted her, "It's been a lot, we know how much we have changed your lives and we are trying to be better. It's only for a year. Until our house is done and your mom is fine, it's for the better."
Carl nodded, leading the way ,"I'm fine with it. We don't see you everyday anyway because of your job."
Judith gazed nervously at his dad and then at Michonne, "I'm okay. We all have to make sacrifices I guess."
Michonne had felt a need to protect Judith and it pained her that she was in the middle of her parents conflict. Thankfully she was smart enough to understand, it wouldn't be like this forever.
Rick took his daughters hand and kissed it, "I promise, I'm here if you need me. I'll actually be around more because I'm gonna be the one who stays home with the baby."
Both his kids laughed at the mental image. Carl couldn't help himself, "Are you going to drive a minivan?"
Michonne laughed loudly, tears forming in her eyes as the stress of everything was unfolding.
"Oh come on." He played along with a chuckle.
Michonne looked at Carl and then at Judith, grateful for their pure souls that could show support and maturity during a time that needed it, "Thank you, both. You have no idea how much it means to me."
They could see it in her eyes how deeply affected she was by this talk. Michonne wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and smiled the kids. They were stepping into the unknown together.
Judith spoke suddenly with a little laugh, "Negan is gonna cry and scream when he finds out."
"I know." Rick chuckled, not ready for that particular conversation.
I apparently broke my thumb in two places, they didn't notice the second fracture until now, and now I might need surgery. It sucks, but I'm trying to stay positive as always.
Anyway, you have an awesome week. Thank you for loving and reading.