Bottled Up

"Rick, I'm taking the twins inside. They shouldn't see this. I'll be right back."

Michonne took André and went on her way.

"Good, She's gone!" Lori's face lit up. She smirked in satisfaction, as if she'd won a game.

Rick watched Michonne's weary footsteps take her away. Only when she was out of sight did he turn to look at his estranged wife.

"Your trespassing."

"My children are here. How does that count as trespassing? Don't be dramatic, Rick."

Rick rubbed his temple before putting his hands together. He did his best to stay calm.

"Why are you here?"

"I already said I needed to talk to you."

"About what? You're not welcome here." He softened his voice so the people inside wouldn't hear him, but he sure said it with all the disgust he could muster.

"You're bringing your mistress and her children around my kids?"

Rick's eyebrow twitched. He took deep breaths and gathered his thoughts.

"I took my sons and girlfriend to spend time with the rest of my family… Is that what you wanted to talk about?"

"No, but since we're on that subject, I don't want your mistress around my children."

"Michonne and I are together. She's gonna be in their lives whether you like it or not! You got a lot of nerve when you brought lover-boy here! I don't owe you shit, Lori!"

Speak of the devil. As if waiting for a chance, he opened his mouth for the first time.

Shane Fucking Walsh!

"Rick, man… We just wanted to talk. I know you don't want to see-"

"Shut the hell up, Shane! Don't make this about you; this ain't about you!"

If there's anyone Rick would've died for other than his family, Shane Walsh would be it. They had known each other since they were seven years old. He was his best man and his children's godfather. Before his father, Herschel, Daryl, or Michonne, Shane was the one he told about anything and everything, including his issues with Lori. Shane was a ladies' man. He ran, and they chased. It's not hard to understand since Walsh was a strapping, well-built man with a strong; yet handsome face. He enjoyed every minute, parading a new one at the hip every few weeks. Rick often tried to convince him to settle down, but he'd say he wasn't ready.

When Rick found out he and Lori had been sleeping with each other for so long behind his back, all he felt was utter betrayal. It wasn't his wife that hurt him most, but the man he'd loved like a brother. Of all the women at his disposal, he had to go for his wife.

"I don't have time for this shit! Say your piece and go!"

Lori fell speechless for a while. The tone in which Rick spoke to her left nothing to the imagination. His visceral reaction shook her. Her hands began to clam up as she bowed her head, her mind desperately searching for the right words. When they still had a relationship, it didn't matter what she did. He'd always find a way to deal with it calmly. He didn't want to be the type of husband who resorted to a screaming match trying to solve problems. She hated it. Sometimes she just wanted to have a regular argument with her husband. Lori, however, never imagined he'd have this in him.

"I asked Shane to drop me off because I needed to see you. I also wanted the three of us to talk. We really should."

"And you thought coming here was the best place to do that? Wow, Lori."

"You wouldn't give me a chance!" she sighed, folding her arms. "I know this is hard for you, but we have kids. It's about them, about Judith, and how we move forward; it's about what we want out of this divorce."

"You've got some nerve, Lori! How could you stand there and preach to me about my children? How dare you?"

Rick's nostrils flared as he stared at Lori, his face contorted beyond recognition. He couldn't believe she had said that to him. He rolled his shoulders back. He didn't even notice Michonne making her way to his side or his parents and uncle coming out to see the commotion. His mother called out to him, but he couldn't hear. Even though he was outside, it's like everything was closing in around him. His mind burned larger and larger with absolute rage.

He was about to burst when he felt a tug at his shirt. It was then that he finally noticed her next to him. He could even see his cousin Maggie peeking out the window. Rick turned around, meeting his mother's eyes, and quickly looked away, not wanting to face her concern.

His Father walked to the four, letting his stern yet low voice loose.

"I don't recall inviting you, Lori. I'm surprised you're here. I thought Rick had Carl and Judy for the next few days. Was I wrong?"

Arthur Colton Grimes, at age 65, is a rigid, straightforward, and no-nonsense man. He spent over 25 years in law enforcement, serving 10 years as King County's sheriff. He looked like an older version of Rick; their personalities, however, were completely different. Rick was more like his mother, Grace, who was open, friendly, and kind to others in need, at least before everything happened. That wasn't the case for the older Grimes.

When Arthur spoke, everyone listened. The man's face was expressionless, but his blue eyes stabbed Lori.

Michonne kept her view on the man. She much preferred dealing with her boyfriend's mother. It wasn't because he'd been distasteful or showed dislike towards her, but because she felt small whenever he'd been around. She remembered the first time she met him at the hospital. He wore cowboy boots and jeans like Rick often did, and though they looked alike, he held none of Rick's warmth. He'd stared at her with the same null expression directed at Lori; Michonne, sure he could see through her.

She knew that look well, as she'd borne witness to it her entire life.

Rapping her hand around Rick, she nuzzled herself under his shoulder, bathing in his heat. Lori, caught off guard, was left standing without a word. Her eyes darted up and down. Before she could utter a sound, Arthur cut her off.

"You wanna talk to Rick, huh?" He stroked his beard, continuing in a monotonous voice. "Mhm, you can, but why are you causing a ruckus… Hmm?"

Resting his foot on the picket fence, he pointed to the large farmhouse.

"There are children inside. My great-niece and nephew. My grandkids, which include yours. This ain't Rick's house or your little boyfriend's. You wanna talk to Rick? At least act like you got some goddamn sense and do it properly."

"I wanted to talk to Rick about next week and everything else. It wasn't my intention to disrupt things. I couldn't get in contact with him, so I came here." She stood still, her pupils dilated and her respiration shallow, trying to settle herself.

Arthur turned to his son, eyebrows raised to high heaven.

"You ain't spoke to her? Why?"

Michonne didn't give Rick the opportunity. "He's been busy. Dealing with everything, you know?".

Rick let out a chuckle, turning his face from the involved parties.

"Then speak. I don't wanna hear you." Withdrawing from the conversation, he returned inside, pulling his wife and brother-in-law with him.

"Shane and I had a discussion... If Judith isn't yours, I wanna give her Shane's name."

"Excuse me? What?"

"He deserves that, Rick. I just wanna do the right thing. Judy deserves that."

"When you were screwing my best friend behind my back for an entire year, that you tryna do the right thing? I raised Judith. She's mine regardless. I don't need either of your bullshit."

Michonne pulled Rick's arm, desperate for the conversation to stay on track "Rick-".

But before she could finish, Lori heckled him. "The same child you demanded a DNA test for. We could have worked it out like you promised. You're the one who left, not me. We may not know about Judith, but you sure showed me."

"Rick, I know things between us are rough, man." Shane took off his hat before rubbing his dark hair. "But if she's mine, I'm gonna be in her life, and I'm gonna be a father. You've already started another family, man. Don't you think it's horseshit? Look, man, I'll fight if I have to; a fight you ain't winning."

"Fuck you!"

"Rick, Stop!" He was brimming with hostility as he marinated in resentment. Michonne's irritation began to crackle regarding the three and their childishness.

"Lori, all of these are things you're supposed to communicate with your attorney. You and Rick can find common ground when your opposing counsel parleys."
"I didn't speak to you."

"No, but given that my partner is involved and you came here unwelcomed, I will certainly address you. You can take this as a little free advice from an attorney. You coming here was foolish. If I were Rick's attorney, I would have a field day. Coming to his family's property and harassing him while there are children, including your kids, that you didn't even ask about. Damn! Go home, Lori."

Nearly suffocating at a loss for words, rapid blinking ensued as one tried to process what she'd heard. She'd been completely taken aback by it. Her blood quickened. Inwardly, she was seething.

"I'll call you. I expect you to answer your phone." That's all she managed to articulate before turning on her heel and hopping in the car. Shane followed soon behind her.

"Let's go inside."

The day had already gotten off to a tiring start, though it was only a quarter past ten. Michonne knocked on the door to Beth's room.

Herschel Greene had two daughters, Bethany and Margret. Beth was his youngest at nineteen years old, while Maggie was twenty-seven, two years younger than her.

The door opened, and the young lady greeted her with a white, bright grin plastered on her pretty face from ear to ear, and her green doe eyes flashed with expectation.

"Your back!"

"Thanks for watching them."

"No problem!" Beth moved closer and asked in a hushed tone. "Are they gone?"

"Yeah, they're gone. The kids didn't hear anything, right?"

"No, but I'm sure Carl knows. He's thirteen. I'd been Jude's age when I started realising my folks' problems, even if they did their best to hide stuff. He's been quiet, real quiet. Judith's been playing with Herschel and Hana. The twins fell back asleep. I mean, he's a teenager. Can't be easy watching your parents divorce. It's been going on so long too, I don't know."

She shrugs her shoulders, tossing her sight to the floor. Michonne rubbed her blond hair.

"He's a good kid. He's strong too... he'll be okay. The sooner it's over with, the better it'll be for everyone…I'll leave the kids to their thing. Need to talk to your aunt."

"Alright, I'll call when the twins wake up."

Michonne nodded in gratitude, withdrawing from the discussion. Making her way down the corridor; a soft, young male voice hit her from the back, causing her to come to a standstill.

"Michonne?"

"Hey Angel, what's up?"
The boy didn't answer at first. Flinging his head to the side, she could see his gears working over time. She didn't rush him. Her face softened, snickering under her breath, she folded her arms, letting him finish.

"Do you know where Dad is?"

"I do, but he's talking to Herschel and your grandfather."

"Oh… My mom was here, right? And Shane?"

"Why all the questions?"

"Because you're the only one that tells me everything."

Tilting her head, she smirked at his little quip.

"She did. She left about 15 minutes ago. With Shane."

Carl stood without moving a muscle, as if rooted to the spot.

"They're in the barn."

"What?"

"Your old man, Herschel, your grand-dad... They're in the barn."

His ears perked up, and like a dog with two tails, he hastily drove his body downstairs to the front door.

"Hey, Carl!"

He halted. "Yeah, Michonne?"

"Don't take me down with you."

"I'd have to get caught first!"

"Touché!". Tears threatened to fall from her glans as laughter consumed her. He went about his merry way.

What a rambunctious kid!

Moving into the kitchen, what befell her was Grace galloping across the room expeditiously. Michonne knocked to steal her attention. The older woman did a turnabout, examining the source. Getting her answer, she bloomed full of the joys of spring.

"Chonnie, you're here! Thank God! Thought I was gonna haul ass all over this kitchen, tryna make it in time for lunch. Would've been on time if uninvited guess hadn't shown up. Come help me with the chicken."

Michonne swiftly made her way over, becoming all hands on deck.

"Do I cut it up? Or are you baking it whole?"

"Cut-ups. What did Lori say?"

"If Shane's the father, she wants to give Judith his name. Shane, however, made it clear that he wants custody, full custody… Even if he hasn't said the words."

"They've got some nerve coming here, making demands. My boy raised that girl. What has that big buffoon of a man done?"

Grace diced the chives. Each dice more menacing than the last, as her temper sparked. She was such a pleasant person. To see her like this was always enlightening to the other party.

"When I got back to Rick, I managed to peep some of what they were conversing about. Lori said something that piqued my interest."

"Hmm?"

"It's about what we want out of this divorce.' That's what she said. I'm not a divorce attorney, but in my experience …"

Grace paused her chopping, her knife pointing to the sky. She pivoted her body to meet Michonne's eyes. Her face smouldering with resentment while anger welled up in her chest. Something else lurked there that Michonne couldn't place.

"You mean what she wants from the divorce?" Grace's eyes narrowed; cupping her forehead with her palms, she looked down. The knife still laying in her hands. "You know, I told Rick not to marry her. They were so young, so different. Didn't know shit. My blood just hadn't taken to her. I remember we got into it... we didn't talk up until the wedding, and even then. He told me he loved her, and if I couldn't accept that, I had no place in his life. Herschel tried to fix things between us, but he's twice as stubborn as I am."

Grace put the knife down on the chopping board, tears streaming down her face. She cried but continued.

" I told him that they would fail, and when they did, not to come to me, how someone stupid like him couldn't be my son. I'd been so ridiculous. After Carl was born, things got better, it did… but it was never the same. When Lori did what she'd done, or when he found out about Judith, He should have felt like he could've come to me. There were Herschel and Daryl, but they didn't have what he needed, and Arthur was always hard on him, ever since he was a little boy… A child should always be able to come to their mother, even if the whole world is against them, but I pushed my baby boy away. What kind of mother does that?".

She didn't move. Grace had trouble seeing through the tears. In the house, she sobbed, still holding on.

"When he got shot, all I could do was pray… It was all my fault. My sins were finally coming back to bite me after everything I said, and my Richard was the price. I begged God to forgive me, and maybe he did. It doesn't matter now; I got my boy back... Richard never did, though. It's okay if he doesn't because he's here; that's all I care about. I need him to be happy, and if that whore of a woman thinks I'm gonna let her hurt my son any more than she has, she's lost her fucking mind."

Michonne was left at a standstill. Her mind was working overtime. While she scoured her brain for the best course of action, Grace, however, dried her face, setting off to her incomplete job as if nothing occurred.

"Rick has never held anything against you. He loves you and Arthur; I know it. The two of you should talk."
Grace stopped. Her obs flickered and grew damp, seizing a deep gulp of air before resuming the task. The two women spent the rest of their time together in silence.

The rest of the day was peaceful. It wasn't often that kids met up. And though the twins were the youngest of the bunch, they stuck to their siblings, and cousins link stink to a skunk. Usually, Michonne and Maggie would be glued to the hip, but Maggie was nowhere in sight. She came for lunch, although she hadn't eaten much.

Rick helped Herschel and Arthur on the farm while Michonne spent the rest of her day with Grace. By the time nightfall came, Rick was exhausted. He took a long, cold bath. When he got out of the shower, he was surprised to see Michonne still awake. She had gotten off the phone, turning to face him.

"Who was that?"

"My Mom… Dad got some time off, so they're coming next week... after you find out. So Tuesday."

Her Boyfriend didn't hide his uncertainty. Understandable since his relationship with her father left a lot to be desired. She didn't want to sour his mood more than it already was, so she changed the subject expeditiously.

"What's up with Mags?"
Rick tossed on a bathrobe before throwing his body on the bed. His head was wet, so Michonne grabbed a towel and dried his hair.
"Maggie isn't feeling well, and she and Herschel aren't talking, so..."

He watched her raise her bow in confusion, laying his head on her lap and began twirling her nightgown, after making himself comfortable, he went on.

"Maggie's pregnant."

"Really?"

"Mhmm… and she doesn't want it. Maggie wanted to talk to you about it, but you were busy, so she spoke to me after lunch."

"And I'm guessing Hersh isn't having it. It's not a choice I would make for myself, but I'm not Maggie, and Maggie isn't me. She got married young…became a mom young too. Having two young children isn't easy." She played with Rick's curls, continuing her thoughts on the matter.

"Herschel may be her father, but Maggie is a grown-ass woman. It's her and Glen's decision; he's her husband. He should have a say, not Herschel."

"Mhm. She's gonna have to wait till Glen gets back. That's what I told her, but enough about Maggie... We had a long day. Don't you wanna relax?"

Rick stroked her thigh gently as he stared with an impassioned gaze. His intense gaping made her shiver, leaving her with the impression that she was pinned by him.

"You want us to do this here?"

"We got kids together. Ain't nothing they don't know we're doing."

"Touché, Grimes… So what are we doing?"

"How about I just show you?"

His hand travelled up her thigh, exploring the skin under her nightgown. Her mind began to spin, drunk from his touch. She bit her lip, pulled him over, and kissed him. Caressing his back, her heart beat faster and faster as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

And for the rest of the night, they found themselves in a dreamy soundscape, swaying to each other's tune.