"I'm fine with either one," He held her hand in the waiting room, "As long as he is healthy."
She shot him a look, "He? It doesn't sound like you're neutral after all."
"Fine," He admitted innocently, actually joking around, "I'm better with boys."
Michonne glanced at him once again, picking apart his words, "What's wrong with girls?"
Rick could see the irritation build up, she was... easily agitated these days.
"I didn't say there is anything wrong with girls," he tried his best to backpedal, "I'm just lost with Judith sometimes. And a girl with both of our genes is actually terrifying."
He was really pushing her buttons, she stared him down, "Are you saying I'm terrifying?"
Yeah, this was not a great conversation to have before a sonogram, he thought.
"No, of course not," He denied quickly, feeling like his light jokes didn't hit her correctly this morning, "I'm fine with both, really."
Michonne rolled her eyes, "Sure."
She had been a bit... Intense lately. She was throwing up again in the mornings, having all sorts of pains, everything had turned upside down in a few weeks. Suddenly this pregnancy was extremely real and she took it out on him, naturally. He was doing his best to support her and help her whenever she asked. He knew she wasn't doing it on purpose. Michonne was intimidating, but recently she was on a whole other level. Thankfully she was also knocking work cases out of the park and this uncomfortable feeling she had in her body turned into an asset.
There were good days, she was still herself of course, and he wasn't complaining about the endless fucking this phase consisted of. It was insane actually and he was starting to wonder if he could keep up with her needs if this continued on.
It didn't help that Sasha had basically iced her out.
"You heard from Sasha yet?" He asked without sugar coating it. He knew if he tried to soften up his approach it would make her snap and show her teeth.
She leaned back in the uncomfortable chair, "No Rick, I have not."
"How do you feel about it?"
A moment of silence passed and he knew the question was the wrong one.
"How do you think I feel about it?" She glared back. She was hurt that her friend didn't want to discuss things through after she had announced her plans. Sasha kept her own work separate and created distance immediately. Michonne could understand that it was a lot to take in, but she didn't expect her to just clam up and disappear.
Rick stared back, his voice deep and raspy, "There is no need to take it out on me."
"I'm sorry for being like this," She knew, she was being harsh at times and he was a champ for sticking by her, "I'm just... done with this."
"I hate to break it to you," Rick coughed awkwardly, "We are at twenty two weeks. There is another half to go through."
Michonne turned to look at him again, "Are you really saying that aloud right now?"
He held out his hands in surrender and laughed, "I'm sorry, I was just joking darling."
"I know," She grabbed his inner thigh and exhaled, "I don't know what's up with this pregnancy. I just want to scream and fuck."
Rick would have laughed, but he knew she wasn't playing around, "I really don't mind at all."
She was about to roll her eyes again when her doctor appeared.
"Miss Anthony," She smiled wide with her super white teeth and then turned to Rick, "You must be Mr.Grimes. I've heard a lot about you."
They followed her into the sterile white room. He usually was good when it came to doctors, but this one made him feel like he would faint and puke at the same time. Cold sweat rose to the surface and he looked lost.
Michonne noticed his nervous stance, "It's fine."
"You know the drill." Her doctor, patted the deep blue examination chair and Michonne hopped on. She lifted her shirt and the doctor prepared her properly.
She held out her hand for him and Rick stood by her.
"Your first?" She asked as she prepared the machine.
Rick shook his head and chuckled, "Third."
The young doctor shrugged and smiled back, "Sorry I figured, since you have those nervous jitters new upcoming parents have."
"It's okay," He said back smiling as he looked at Michonne, "It's our first together."
She tried her best to relax. She was better at hiding her feelings, but Rick knew she was just as nervous. They squeezed each others hands until fingers turned white as the gel was put on her stomach and the doctor turned on the machine.
It was dreadful to wait for that particular sound.
She moved around the stick that was attached to the ultrasound machine, her eyes firmly on the screen, "There you are."
And there it was, a heartbeat that was even and strong. Michonne exhaled in relief.
He wasn't prepared. Of course he had been thinking about it daily since he found out about the existence of their child, but nothing could have prepared him for this wave of emotions this brought up. On that screen was their child. That was starting to look like an actual child, not some blob with weird limbs.
As Rick took in the sight and the heartbeat, Michonne kept staring at screen with intensity. She could see that the heart was beating with good rhythm, and the little guy or girl was moving around his or her fingers. She felt like she had to keep looking to find out what was wrong. What could be the bad news?
She had this overwhelming fear of finding out the child had passed without her knowing. It scared her that karma would intervene and punish her for how their relationship started. She felt like these past months she hadn't even properly digested news about this pregnancy. She couldn't enjoy and bond with this baby because each time she settled into this realization, there was a new obstacle and that itself brought stress which was a bad thing.
There were the kids. The soon to be ex wife and her deranged friend. They were driving around back and forth to have dinner together and sleep in the same bed. Her own best friend had turned her back on her and she had nobody to vent to, so it all fell back on Ricks shoulders. It was insane.
"Does everything look good?" She asked, her voice shaking with nerves, she was studying every minimal movement on the doctors face.
"So far so good," She pointed at the screen as she took the measurements one by one, "Heart is perfect, arms and legs are developing like they should, and size of the head is fine."
Rick was visibly over the moon. He rubbed his beard and laughed softly. Like it all hit him right there and then. He was actually having another child with this amazing woman who had turned out to be his light at the end of the tunnel.
Michonne smiled wide, her worries dwindling down a little so that she could enjoy his reaction. The unbashed happiness that oozed from him was heartwarming.
"I'll check just a couple more things," The doctor turned to them and stopped moving the stick, "but if you want to find out the sex, I'm in the right spot."
They looked at each other.
"We don't have to know," He suggested to her, "It's not like we had planned anything else either."
She smiled softly, "You know, you're right. We don't need to know."
The doctor smiled and moved on with the exam. She finished the ultrasound and printed out new photos which she handed to Rick, "There is an extra one for your kids."
"Thank you."
Michonne dressed herself when the gel was wiped off and the doctor then turned to her with advice, "I need you to take it easy. I know how busy your life is, but we don't want your blood pressure to get crazy like the last time."
"Wait? The last time?" Rick interjected, asking a simple question.
She looked at Rick and then at Michonne, she knew she might have accidently stepped on unknown territory, "There is no need for worry right now. Everything is good."
"Thank you." Michonne simply shook her hand and they left the room. Rick followed her, biting his lip. He didn't know why she had been hiding such a big thing.
Michonne turned around as they reached the lobby, "It was weeks ago, okay? It wasn't a big deal. It was way before you guys got into Atlanta."
"You should have told me," He was trying to contain his calmness, "You told me everything was okay. What if something happened?"
"Rick, these days my blood pressure is always up," She was having a bad day and she didn't want to argue over something that was already unchangeable, "I'm dealing with a lot. We are dealing with a lot. I've been trying my best and like you heard there is nothing to worry about right now. The baby is perfectly healthy. We are fine."
"I'm sorry, I just," He closed the gap between them, "I need you to be honest with me, even when it gets tough. You can't keep me in the dark."
"I know, I'm sorry I shouldn't have kept that from you." She gazed at him apologetically, "I had just gotten back home and it was hard to get back to life here."
He nodded, understanding the reason behind her actions. Their lives had been a hot mess since the day they met each other.
"So, tonight, " He kissed her between words, "We are still going?"
"Yeah, well they invated us," Michonne wondered if it was smart, "Bernie and Marie really want to meet you properly. After I told them about moving and the baby... They just want the best for Andre. I guess they are assessing you."
"I'm fine with that." He chuckled, "Daryl has paved the way, so I'm good."
Michonne kissed him back and smiled. It made her happy he was willing to sit down with Connies parents after they learned about her plans. He got the weekend off from work. It meant the world for her. He had been spending a lot of time in Atlanta. It was basically a routine of work, driving, drinking shit ton of coffee, helping her with Andre, and rolling around in bed with her. He was just tired of the driving, but it seemed necessary and thankfully his kids understood. They knew about the property and Judith was very pleased, but also scared because her mother would be in the same town. Carl was happy either way, he just complained about losing the pool.
"Did you figure out how and when to tell Lori?" She broke the sweet moment with a doze of reality, "You told me you would take care of it."
He hesitated and she could see it.
"I told you," Michonne explained herself once again, "I'm not making any deals before she knows absolutely everything. I want her to know before she signs the final papers. I don't want to sneak around Rick. It will blow up in our faces and I'm not coming there if her and Lucille are doing stupid shit. I don't need that gossip and chatter about being knocked up with your kid before you were divorced."
He wanted to joke and tell her that was the reality of their situation, but decided he wanted to keep his head and shut his mouth tightly.
"I'll tell her before you come, I promise." Rick was overwhelmed. Again.
The talk about her health earlier made everything a bit more complicated. It wasn't like he was putting off telling Lori because he didn't want to. He was trying his best to keep everyone happy. Lori was finally ready to give in with the divorce and they were reaching mutual ground. They were able to talk about the kids after coming home from Atlanta. He was afraid if he now told her, she would flip out. Michonne wanted to tell Lori because it was the right thing to do. He agreed with that, but right now it felt like his back was against the wall. Either option was bad.
After this weekend in Atlanta she was coming back to Georgia, so that they could look at the land and make the final deal. It was a lot. Her house was on the market and it was immediately very sought out. It was scary and exciting at the same time. The happiness he felt over how she wanted to move was now forgotten as the realities set in. Things were tense. He swallowed, defeated that there seemed to be a little crack in their happiness and it was starting to expand. The stress was eating them alive.
Michonne took a deep breath and he gazed into her brown eyes, "You alright?"
She stared into his loving eyes and sighed, "I will be."
"I know you will be."
He didn't know why, but it felt like the gap between their worlds was starting to get bigger instead of smaller.
He was mesmerized by her as he watched her walk to the front door in her red bottomed heels and figure hugging dark blue dress. Still, he had not seen her twice in the same dress. He figured once they started building, her wardrobe needed an extra room for itself.
She arched her brow at him. He was standing there by the car with a smirk and a a wine bottle in hand.
Good God, why didn't she wear a bra.
"You coming?" She locked her eyes with his.
He took slow steps towards her, he said in a throaty voice, "You do not understand what I see."
Michonne laughed at his flirting. He was still obnoxious in the most wholesome way.
"Just to make it clear," He softly caressed her stomach, "This, just makes you even more tempting."
"Oh please," She smiled, draping her arms around his neck, "I blame you and the Big Mac craving you passed on."
She wasn't showing in the most obvious way, but if you knew her, you would know. Her physique was changing and the people around her were starting to raise brows. At work she only wore things that weren't stuck to her skin. This was her second child, obviously the bump seemed to come along sooner this time. She didn't need her clients to question her capabilities so it was better to keep it under wraps until she was too big to hide it.
"I mean it, you're perfect, " He mumbled with a light chuckle, "And I still wonder how we ended up here."
"Well, once upon a time you picked a fight with me in Las Vegas-"
"I did not pick a fight," He drawled, "You started with me by sucker punching me in the damn eye."
"Oh boo hoo baby," She laughed and kissed his jawline lightly as she fixed his shirt collar, "Besides I think I've made it up to you several times during this relationship."
Rick was about to say something as teasing back when the front door flew open.
"What the hell are you two chit chatting there for?" The cranky man raised his smooth buttery voice, "You know better Michonne, no nasty business on my front lawn."
Rick didn't know if Bernie was joking or not, but he followed Michonnes example as she walked over to hug him.
"Great to see you uncle B," She greeted the man with a warm smile and rubbed his shoulder, "You've been lifting weights again, haven't you?"
He laughed, snorting, "Only thing I lift is the remote. You know that, come on now."
Rick was stiff as a stick as he waited with the wine. The darker man who didn't look intimidating or harsh turned his attention on him. He looked at him, his eyes sharp, "You must be Mr.Grimes."
"That's me," Rick held out his hand, "Rick."
"Mmh." The man mumbled as they shook hands.
Michonne tried her best not to cringe at the obvious judging gaze he was giving Rick and smiled at them.
"This is for you," Rick awkwardly handed the red wine to Bernie, "Thank you for the invite."
Bernie looked at the bottle he had been given and mumbled another, "Mmh."
He turned around to walk inside and Rick looked at Michonne helplessly. This wasn't going to be a walk in the park after all. She mouthed sorry and hoped this night didn't end in a disaster.
Their home was warm and welcoming. He could smell the homecooked meal Connies mom had been working on as he stepped inside. Their house had a very classic all American feel to it. Rick could see from the furniture and wallpaper they had lived there for a long time.
While Michonne was happily hugging Marie in the hallway. She was overjoyed over her little growing stomach. He stood there smiling at the women and kept himself calm.
"You must be Rick," She hugged him, like they had always known each other, "Well we have seen each other before, but back then I didn't know you two were fooling around."
Rick nearly stumbled at the direct words from the elder woman. Connie could have been her twin, she clearly had passed on her genes to her.
Rick scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and coughed,"We weren't-"
"We were just friends back then." Michonne finished for him.
"Mmh." Came a familiar judging mumble from behind as Bernie handed Marie the wine bottle.
"Red! "She grinned with a loud shriek, "our favorite! Michonne you want to help me in the kitchen?"
Dear Lord, No. Rick thought and tried to telepathically message Michonne not to leave him. She smiled at him encouraginly and nodded, "Sure."
As the women left towards the kitchen Rick cursed inwardly. He was left with the old man who more than likely despised him. The only thing he could do was follow him into the living room and sit down on the sofa. Bernie settled into his huge leather armchair and turned his gaze towards Rick, "So you're a cop?"
Rick looked back at him and swallowed, "A Sheriff, yes."
He waited for a moment before talking again, "I would've thought you were too busy for this sort of mess."
Deep down he really wanted to get up and leave, but he just took it and smiled, "I don't see it as a mess, Sir."
"Don't Sir me fool," He chuckled, "I'm Bernie."
He nodded and waited for the man to continue.
"Imagine, first I get this oddball, long haired white fella behind my door," He laughed awkwardly, "He marries my daughter and well the oddball named Daryl was a nice dude after all. I'm not hating on him. Now, you," He turned more serious and looked directly at Rick, "You is just...shady boots."
"Sorry?" Rick wasn't catching on what he was insinuating.
"You were married when this started?" He pointed towards the kitchen, "Man, that's foul. You is hopping around like a damn bugs bunny and leaving babies behind."
"I don't think-"
"Michonne and Andre," He wanted to finish his thought process aloud, "are our family. You do not get to hurt them if it suddenly ain't your thing. She is a smart girl, I trust her," Bernie once again snapped his head towards him, "But I don't trust you."
Rick felt speechless. Of course he could see why they didn't think too highly of him. He got her pregnant while he was married to another woman. That was the truth and it was shameful. He just hoped they could see it wasn't so black and white.
"I'll show you," Rick announced, "I love her. I love Andre and I will be sitting here, in this spot for the rest of your life whenever we come and visit."
The man smiled, "Good."
It didn't take long until Marie was shouting the men into the dinner table. Michonne looked at him with comforting smile and hoped it had been a fruitful discussion.
They sat down next to each other and his hand found it's familiar place under the table, resting on her thigh. A few minutes later the doorbell rang again and Marie rushed towards the hallway, giving Michonne a dreading feeling.
"I should have known." She muttered as she drank from her glass of water.
Rick didn't get it until he heard that familiar loud laugh. Oh Jeez, he thought as Abe popped his head in from the doorframe.
"Won't you look at that," He locked eyes with Rick, "It's shady boots."
Rick narrowed his eyes back at him and then looked at Bernie who got up abruptly to greet Abe. They were laughing and shaking hands. He was apparently the punchline of this joke between them.
"Marie, I really didn't need you to cook for us." Sasha walked in with the elder woman and stopped as she noticed who else was sitting around the dining table, "What is this?"
Marie pushed Sasha towards the table, "I heard from Connie you two aren't talking. It's time to talk."
Michonne rolled her eyes, "Great."
"Great." Sasha repeated with the same tone as she took a seat across from her.
"Girls," The elder woman looked at the both of them, "I cooked all day, so we will sit down and eat. We will also talk like grown women should talk."
Rick felt like he was inside a pressure cooker. This was bad.
Michonne and Sasha stared at each other, both equally stubborn.
Abe sat next to Sasha and raised his glass at the couple across from them, "I heard y'all are moving."
"You really want Abe to start this conversation?" Michonne bit out under her breath.
Sasha played innocent, "I don't control what he says."
"Girls," Marie sat on the other end of the table with an frustrated frown on her face, "I understand you have feelings over this, but you better treat each other with respect in this table."
"Respect?" Sasha finally locked her eyes with her best friend, "We wouldn't be here if you had some respect for our friendship and work."
"What the hell are you even saying?" Michonne demanded just as fiercely, "I can't be with Rick and have a child because of my job?"
"I never said that!" She shouted out, "I'm happy for you, I told you, I am. But you and Andre moving away from all of us just because of him? We have worked our asses off for everything we have."
Sasha stared at Rick and he didn't want to get dragged into their conflict, "Michonne ain't moving because of me."
"And if I was moving because of him what is the big deal?" She glared back and Rick didn't like how this unraveled, "Sure, we wouldn't see each other as often, but it wouldn't be any different. I would come here all the time. It's not like we are moving away to a different country."
"You think you can give our company your hundred percent when you have a newborn and you will have to travel for hours to get to the office? Michonne you're not superwoman."
Before Michonne could answer Rick interrupted their heated debate,"Sasha, nobody said she is the one taking care of the baby."
Both women looked at him with same questioning stare.
"What?" He asked after pointing out the obvious.
"You want to stay home with the baby?" Michonne turned to him fully.
"I don't mind," He shrugged, "I actually would like to. I never got to do that with Judith and Carl."
"Are you sure?" She was still astonished.
Rick chuckled, "I always thought that was the plan since you have a lot going on at work."
Bernie set his fork down and gave Rick a thumbs up, "Early retirement. That's smart."
"Retirement? What?" He narrowed his eyes at him, "I ain't retiring in years. I'll just take a year off."
He raised his brows comically at him, "What are you fifty five?"
"What? No!" Rick howled in protest.
"Well you is gray as a mouse," He pointed at his hair and beard, "How the hell was I supposed to know? Makes sense though I was wondering how the hell did you knock her up. My swimmers stopped working twenty years ago."
Abraham burst out laughing.
"Uncle B, please." Michonne was flustered.
"Shut up red." Bernie shot him a look and Abraham went silent.
"Bernie come on now," Marie scolded and turned to Michonne and Sasha, "So, problem solved. Now make up. Life is too short."
Sasha sighed and looked at Michonne who was avoiding her eyes, "I love you, and I want you to be happy."
She looked at her then and nodded, "And I'm sorry I didn't explain what the plan was. I guess we didn't really know it ourselves."
Rick shrugged, "I knew. You didn't."
Michonne smacked his arm, "Anyway, I'm committed to making this work and I know it's going to be a hassle, but you can trust me Sasha."
Sasha was pleased. Maybe this didn't have to be such a negative thing, "I'm still not happy about losing you and Andre."
"We are not going anywhere." Michonne reached to squeeze her hand, "I promise."
"And I'll do my part, I promise," Rick looked at Sasha now, "Whatever you two need. We'll rent her an apartment here, whatever it is. I'll handle the kids, the carpool and all that amazing craziness."
"Apartment?" Marie laughed, "Child, that's a waste of money. Do you see how big this house is? If you need to spend the night you come to us Michonne," The woman smiled at Rick, "And all of you are always welcome. Right Bernie?"
"Mmh." He mumbled and drank his wine.
Michonne looked at Sasha and then at Rick, "We can do this."
"Well I'll be darned," Abraham chuckled and kicked Ricks leg under the table, "You got the it girl to move to the farm. Good luck with that partner."
"What a freaking day." Michonne tossed her head back and yawned.
She rubbed her eyes and noticed him still staring into the bathroom mirror.
"Do I look like I'm over fifty?" He stared into the mirror seriously and she laughed.
"Rick," She walked behind him and kissed him on his bare shoulder, "You do realize he was just busting your balls for the fun of it. Nobody thinks you're fifty five."
"Well I don't blame him," He looked at the greys sticking out from his naturally wavy hair, "I'm about to be a dad and I look like the grandpa."
"No you don't," She laughed again and whispered on his ear, "Besides I like the grey, it's sexy."
"Oh God, you have daddy issues don't you?" He grunted playfully.
"Ha ha." She rolled her eyes and back away from him to lotion her hands.
He watched her do her usual routine and smiled. It was fun to have these routines together. It made it all feel more real.
"You really want to go through with this?"
She stopped and lifted her big brown eyes.
"I don't want you to move just for me," Rick leaned against the sink, his back hitting the cold marble countertop, "I don't want you to give away everything for me."
Michonne put the lotion on the counter and kept gazing up at him, eyes clouded with passion, "Rick do you understand what you mean to me?"
He didn't know what to say. It read all over his face.
"I'm not the best when it comes to saying I love you everyday. I'm still learning. I'm learning because of you," She bit her lip and stepped closer to him, "I care about my job and the huge things I've accomplished. I'm proud of that. I'm proud to be a black woman who has given this community more than ten people combined, but you know... I want us more. I want you and the stupid farm more than this hollow house that feels empty when you and the kids aren't here."
He was dazed.
His voice was caught in his throat, "I only want you to be sure Michonne."
"I am. I will travel here when necessary, but I want our home to be there," She was very sure of herself, "I want to build a new life with you Rick. I am moving for you, for us, for your children, for Andre and our child. I don't care what other people think. Let them judge. We know what this is," She caressed the side of his face, "I love you."
Those three simple words meant the world to him. Things had been changing gradually since they met. All that anguish and anxiety that sometimes threatened to take over never got the hold off them in the end. At the end of the day they could come together and decide this was worth fighting for. This was still everything.
He bowed her head to capture her lips. His tongue plunged into her mouth with the same animalistic urgency they had for each other since the beginning. Her breathing was quick and shallow as he lifted her on the marble countertop. Her light laugh filled the bathroom for a moment. Her expensive lotion was on the floor as the result of this sudden burst of passion. Rick pushed her legs apart with force and he grunted with escalating pleasure as she hooked her one leg behind him. Michonne clamped her fingers tightly on his shoulders and he enjoyed the feel of her nails digging into his skin. The desire was swallowing her whole as she moaned into his mouth. She was unraveling quickly. Her hands traveled down to the waistband of his boxers and she didn't waste time to grab him, her actions eliciting a longer groan from him that she lived for. He knew he would lose self control any second now.
He pulled away to stare into her eyes and asked with a ragged breath, "You're with me?"
"Always." She whispered.
Next chapter, back to Georgia. You can only imagine how that will go...gasp...
Anyway, until next time.
Thank you for reading!