Violence was never the key.
But for Rick, sometimes it was.
His primal urge had taken over. He couldn't step back and look at this objectively. His need to protect would cloud his mind and he was desperate to feed that thirst inside of him. He was rattled. He wanted justice.
"You want us to come?" Negan leaned back as Daryl parked across from the apartment complex.
His face was expressionless, he turned around to look at his friend who sat on the back seat, "Nah. I need to do this on my own."
"Rick," Daryl grunted quietly, "Don't do anything stupid."
"I won't," He promised with his cold eyes, "I'll be back in five."
The man watched him get out of the car. He held the baseball bat in his right hand and waited a neighbor to get out of the door so that he could let himself in. He disappeared into the apartment building with ease and determination.
"Yeah, he's gonna fuck him up ain't he?" Negan snorted with a toothpick in his mouth.
Daryl stopped the engine of the car and sighed as he leaned against the window, "Yeah he is."
As his friends sat in the dark, Rick climbed the stairs to the fifth floor. Each step he took he could hear her broken voice and see her teary eyes. It made his pulse out of control. He felt like he had been hit by a truck. He was so fucking tired of everyone tearing them down. His chest felt like it could explode from the anger and bitterness.
Thankfully, Lori was still bothered by her own position in this war. It was easy to demand the information Shane had forwarded to her. She gave it up on a silver platter for him.
Rick reached the fifth floor, sweaty and his heart pounding away. He walked the hallway like a man on a mission. As he reached the correct number he paused by the door. He could always walk away. He could be the better person. He could go home to her and tell her it would be alright. They would figure it out.
He shook his head and looked at the stupid wooden baseball bat in his hand. His hand gripped it so hard it actually hurt.
He couldn't walk away. She sent him knowingly behind this door. She trusted him to take care of it. Michonne, wanted him to go to that grey area. Seeking revenge was humane, but not many were capable of doing it in the end.
When he thought about the situation, it made him furious. Mike basically invated the devil back into her life while she was pregnant. She carried their child in her stomach and it nauseated him that someone was causing her distress when she wasn't alone in her body. This was his child. His woman. His life.
"Fuck him." Rick muttered to himself. He pounded his fist against the door. Over and over again with such force his knuckles were starting to bleed.
"What the hell-" His words were cut short as the door flew open. Rick pushed against his chest with the bat between them. Mike was trying to push back as Rick squeezed him behind the bat with unbeatable force. He was pinned against the opposite living room wall.
"Yo! What the fuck." Another voice came.
Rick could see him from the corner of his eye. Mikes friend approached him from behind.
"Terry! get this motherfucker off of me!" Mike was shouting, panicking as the bat probably bruised his chest while Rick kept pushing on harder and harder like a bull who saw red.
Mike could see he wasn't there. His eyes were blank. He stared right at him, but there was only darkness.
Terry grabbed onto Ricks back with aggression. Terry was a bigger guy than Mike, but from the smell Rick could tell he caught them on a good time. They were both seemingly high as kites. It was a major advantage as Terry sloppily tried to help out his buddy. Mike was coughing now as Rick struggled with his friend who was pulling him while the bat moved upwards to Mikes neck.
Terry kept on trying to help his friend while they were both screaming their heads off, but Rick wasn't having it. With a swift movement he got enough space to swing the bat at the friend who was caught in the crossfire. Mike dropped onto the floor, he was holding his throat and gagging when he was finally released. Rick hit Terry again on the other side of his body, very aware how being hit in the ribs would slow you down. He screamed out in pain as he scrambled to the couch to seek refuge.
He held out his arm, "Man don't."
Rick looked at the pathetic sight, joints on the living room table and leftovers from a pizza rotting away. He gritted his teeth.
He tossed the bat next to Mike as Terry was catching his breath and clearly done for tonight. Mike tried to reach for the bat, but Rick lunged at him, lifting him off the floor and backing him against the wall again. He could see the dread in his eyes as he grabbed onto his neck with both hands.
"You do not understand," Rick muttered to him as he kept on adding the pressure, "what you have done."
Mike stared back, he struggled to speak, "Fuck you."
Rick got even closer, maneuvering his hands in a way that he had enough air, but it hurt like hell, "I told you to choose. You're either in or out. There is no inbetween. There is no bullshit fighting in court. There are no games."
Mike listened as his hands struggled to grab onto Ricks jacket.
"You call her," He kept his cold eyes on him,"You apologize. You beg for mercy. You beg for Andre."
He was gasping for air, "Man, fuck-"
Rick was now beyond the breaking point. He wanted to crack his neck like a twig. He wanted his eyes to fall out of his sockets. Mikes lips were turning blue as his feet gave out from under him.
"Yo! man he is choking!" Terry shouted.
It was a haze, like a fever dream. With controlled fury he bit his inner cheek and pushed Mike on the floor.
He was coughing and holding his throat like he couldn't believe how far this had gone. He never imagined this Sheriff had this in him.
Rick kneeled beside him, grabbing the bat and pointing it at his head, "I don't do well with people who hurt what's mine."
"Fuck you man, we're gonna report your ass!" Terry kept on shouting on the background.
"Go ahead," He laughed and threw him a snarky look, "You think I give a shit? You think they'll believe your drugged up self over a fellow police officer?"
He could sense the mood switch as the men realized how bad their chances were.
"You think about this," Rick tapped the bat two times against Mikes chest, "You think really long and hard how you want this to go. I've made someone disappier before. Don't make me do it again because for her, I will."
Mike was still catching his breath and stared up into Ricks eyes. He knew he wasn't joking around. Rick straightened himself up and shot the two men final looks, "Clean this fucking place. It's disgusting."
Mike and Terry looked at each other with shock written on their faces when Rick was gone and the door closed.
"Miichonne found herself a psychopath." Terry mumbled in pain.
He was grateful their friends were this loyal. Connie kept her word. She slipped out of the bedroom with Dog when he finally got home. She smiled at him sweetly and signed him goodnight. Negan and Daryl asked nothing on the way back home. They didn't need to. The house turned quiet and he tossed his clothes on the floor. He felt like he was stripping away the man who wasn't the best version of him.
He got under the covers and placed his hands on her belly. The same hands that were just seconds ago around someone elses neck. She opened her eyes slightly and laid her own hand on top of his.
She knew whatever he did, it was necessary. She felt protected by him.
"I'm sorry," He murmured into her neck, "I wasn't there when you went through all that... I would take it away if I could."
Michonne turned to face him, the window cascading a pale blue light into the room.
"You deserved better," His shaky hands traveled to her face, "I should've been there. I could've done something."
"Rick," She sighed, her voice only a whisper, "You can't do that to yourself. We both have our fair share of shit from the past. If we didn't, we wouldn't have Andre, Carl or Judith."
His fingers were tangled in her braids, "I still wish I'd been there."
"If you had been there," Michonne leaned into his touch, "We would have ten kids right now, so I'm good."
Rick was glad to hear the playful tone in her voice again, "Oh, we definitely would have."
She laughed, short and sweet while burying her head in his chest, the ease of the conversation left as quickly as it came when she wondered what had went down, "Will the cops show up on our front step in the morning?"
He breathed her scent and kissed her forehead, "Nah. I think he got the message loud and clear. If he didn't, I'll try a different... approach."
Michonne knew she shouldn't feed into his temper. It didn't worry her, but it made her question her own morals again. She saw red when Mike did what he did. She felt betrayed for Andre. She acted out of spite, but it felt justified. Whatever Rick did, she trusted wholeheartedly. No matter what the law said.
She looked up at him, lost in the moment, "I love you."
The way she choked it out in strangled whisper made his heart swell. It felt desperate. She couldn't resist the pattern they had created. They clung to each other when life was hard. He felt it too. She placed her mouth on his, a soft moan escaping her lips. He responded with matching desperation.
"Michonne." He said her name huskily.
"I know." She kissed back intensively.
"I'd do anythang'" His southern accent peeked through strongly.
"I know," She said between kisses, "don't think. Not now."
He couldn't stop the groans as the waves of passion took over. She was scrambling to touch him everywhere at once. Her teeth scraped his neck as she clung to him and he could have combusted right there and then.
"I need," she breathlessly moaned into his ear, she felt dizzy as the need for him grew, "you."
He took over her mouth again, their kisses were wet and sloppy. Her lips swollen and mind hazy.
He gasped out suddenly, panting desperately, "The baby-"
"Is fine," She kissed him with hunger and turned on her side, "Just fuck me already."
He chuckled at the direct demand. It was such a turn on.
Rick grabbed tightly to her hips, "Yes ma'm."
She expected him to react. She waited and waited for that dreaded phonecall or the lawsuit. Two whole days went by without a peep from Mike.
Rick hovered more than usual over her. She knew he meant well, but it was starting to drain her. He didn't want her to go to the office. Not until they knew what was coming. So, he hovered as she answered emails and held her business meetings over the phone. Every time her phone rang or the doorbell went off he turned into a guard dog. At first it was endearing, but now it felt a bit over the top.
Daryl and Connie were staying with Bernie and Marie. They decided to stay close by until things were settling down. Negan obviously didn't get the memo.
"When are you gonna tell me?" Negan stared at him from across the kitchen, "What did you do to that punk?"
Rick finished peeling an orange and shot him a look, "It was nothing."
His friend of decades laughed, "Stop bullshitting the bullshitter."
Michonne turned towards the kitchen when she heard the cursing and shot daggers at their uninvited houseguest. She was on the phone and pacing around in the living room while Andre came downstairs.
Rick smacked Negans arm. Michonne didn't need to be stressed over their incapability to control their language when there was so much going on.
"Morning buddy," Rick greeted him happily while putting a plate for him, "I got some fruit for you and your favorite toast."
Andre yawned and hopped on his usual seat, he looked at Negan and wondered, "Don't you have a job?"
"Ouch," Negan held his chest while Rick laughed, "Did you get up from the wrong side of the bed little one?"
"I'm not little." Andre frowned.
"Yeah, he is not," Rick ruffled his head as he poured him orange juice, "besides it's a valid question."
Negan settled next to Andre and tried to steal a piece of orange from him. The small boy slapped his hand away with a scowl.
Rick laughed again. The kid could stand up for himself. It was clearly learnt from his strong willed mother.
"Ouch, again," Negan joked around and shrugged, "I'm taking a little time off from work. It ain't a big deal."
"You got fired didn't you?" Rick grimaced as he realized there may have been a deeper rooted issue behind his sudden visit.
"I would fire him," Andre kept on bopping his head, he had that typical energy only kids had at this hour, "He is lazy."
"What the hell little dude?" the man beside him chuckled.
"Language!" Michonne yelled now from the living room.
The men coughed awkwardly after being lectured and Andre snickered with delight.
"Okay, fine," Negan looked at Rick, "Lucille is going ballistic. I'm going back when she is...calm."
Rick rubbed his face tiredly, "She is never calm."
The little boy ate happily while listening the men go back and forth. For him it was fun to have them around. He liked giving Negan a hard time. Rick might have encouraged him to do that and he accepted the challenge gladly.
"Rick," Andre looked at his go to person, "Can we go to the movies today after school?"
"Sorry buddy," He hated to disappoint him, "I have a doctors appointment with your mom, but we can have a movie night at home after that."
"But momma will be here," He complained, "I want it to be just us two."
"Am I not invated?" Negan gasped playfully, "Jeez the hospitality in here sucks."
"No, you need to go home."
Rick smiled at the little boy. Their bond had formed quickly and it was strong. He adored the brave little boy who was beyond mature for his age. It was shockingly easy with him and doing things together felt like a privilege.
"I'll take you tomorrow," Rick promised him, "Just the two of us and a huge bucket of popcorn."
"Cool!" He grinned happily.
Michonne was still on the phone while watching their interaction. It made her smile and feel at least a tinge of pure happiness during these hardships.
Their front door flew open with a thud, "It's just me!"
It was a full house this morning Sasha noted as she came into the kitchen with her bag and a pile of papers in hand. She kissed Andres cheek, "Hey munchkin."
"Sasha." Rick greeted her and poured her coffee in her usual mug. Of course she had her favorite mug in her best friends house.
She took the cup with a smile, "Grimes."
Negan chuckled, "Why the fuck didn't anybody pour me coffee?"
Michonne had finished her phonecall and smacked the back of his head with a magazine she was holding, "Language."
Andre giggled uncontrollably while Negan held his head.
"Yep that's it, I'm giving this place one star." He joked dryly.
"And how much are you paying per night?" Michonne rolled her eyes at the man, "I have not received a dime."
"I should be the guest of honor in this household," Negan exclaimed in his usual manner and pointed at her belly, "If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be in this blessed state right now."
Michonne and Rick glanced at each other, both equally amused by him and the never ending nonsense he was saying.
"If I never took this doofus to Las Vegas you two wouldn't be knocking boots," He pointed between them, "So, you're welcome darling."
"Momma why would you knock Ricks boots?" Andre asked, confused.
Michonne shook her head and kissed her sons forehead, "Just ignore him."
"Jesus, Negan." Rick closed his eyes and wished he had never met the man.
"Ah, Andre you go get ready for school," Sasha helped him along, interfering in this ridiculous conversation, "I need to talk to your mom. You know what that means."
"Grownup talk." He rolled his eyes and hopped off the barstool with a piece of toast that he was still eating.
"I'll drive you." Rick smiled back at him and Anre walked off with a smile of his own.
Michonne shook her head at the restless morning and turned her attention on Sasha, "I thought we were meeting at the office."
"Wait, the office?" Rick inserted himself into the conversation, "I thought we agreed. You are staying home."
She loved his overbearing nature. He meant well, but it was time to take back control. Michonne kissed him quickly, "We'll talk about it later."
He swallowed his pride and poured himself a cup of coffee.
The tug and pull of dominance between the couple had been entertaining, but she had to change the subject. Sasha straightened herself and coughed awkwardly, "I wanted to give you something."
She eyed her suspiciously as her friend handed her a thick binder, "What's this?"
Rick peered over Michonnes shoulder. Trying to catch a glimpse of the mysterious binder.
"Everything," Sasha breathed out, "Every single thing I could find on Phillip Blake."
Michonne opened the binder and looked at the papers inside of it. There must have been two hundred pages filled with text.
She read the first few sentences before looking up at her friend, "Where did you find all of this?"
"I hired someone to dig," Sasha smiled shyly and sipped her coffee, "Abraham might have known someone... who knows someone."
"Smart." Rick agreed, eager to get his hands on those papers.
Michonne wasn't so sure. She kept turning the pages and a feeling of doubt washed over her. It felt like opening pandoras box. She looked at Sasha and then at Rick. He nodded back at her, as if he knew what she was thinking.
Michonne took the papers out of the binder and headed towards the door that led her to the backyard. Sasha and Negan were noticeably confused by her actions. Rick put his hands in his pockets and smiled. He didn't need to question what would happen next.
She breathed in the fresh air and smiled. Fall was coming. Her second baby was coming soon. The past didn't need to be a part of the present.
Sasha and Negan were standing by the door now and watched her every move. Rick walked over lazily as he enjoyed the coffee in his hand.
"Sasha,"Michonne turned to her and smiled softly," I appreciate this... But I'm done with him. I'm not going to give him the power. It's a conscious decision to have him in my life if I read through this. It's a new battle if I read through this and try to find new ways to destroy him. I don't need to."
"But shouldn't you be prepared?" Negan looked at Michonne and then at his friend, "Doesn't this fucking maniac make you worried?"
Rick and Michonne locked eyes. They were speaking with their eyes.
"Nah," He was smiling as the revolution came to him, they were good, "We got nothing to worry about."
The papers cascaded into the pool as she let them go. She had never felt so strong and content with herself.
"I'm all about the dramatics, but you could've just tossed them in the garbage." Sasha chuckled.
"That water needs to be cleaned anyway," She turned towards Negan, "since our guest doesn't understand the consept of the pool and wearing actual swimming wear in it."
The man nudged his friend, "Keep her. I do appreciate the huge lady nuts she has."
Rick held out his hand to Michonne and she took it. They walked hand in hand into the kitchen and went back to their mourning routine like nothing happened. She opened her laptop once again while he placed her favorite tea next to her. He buried his head in the curve of her neck and whispered something in her ear which made her smack his chest.
Negan was fascinated by the sight in front of him and turned to Sasha, "Why do they make me feel like my relationship sucks?"
"Because it probably does." She chuckled back and continued sipping her coffee. She had to admit, Rick Grimes had won her over.
He made a mean cup of coffee after all.
She was going over her clients testimony in her office. She knew burying herself in work wasn't healthy. It was her way of keeping the strings in her hands. She couldn't just sit around and hope for the best.
She read the same sentence over and over again as she tried to restart her brain. Rick took Andre to school and it was an amazing feeling to have this companionship. She could trust that he took care of his end of the deal. With Mike that rarely happened.
When his name popped up in her mind she could have sworn it was like an bad prediction of the future.
Now the man stood there, by her open office door.
"You have a lot of nerve coming up in here! " Sasha was yelling at him. She had seen him arrive and barged on scene. She was blocking him from walking into her office with her hand.
"I'm not here to start trouble man." His voice was scratchier than usual. He sounded like he was sick, "I just wanna talk."
Mike pleaded with his eyes. Michonne hated herself sometimes. She had to always be the bigger person.
"Fuck you man!" Sasha made her opinion well known.
"Sasha," Michonne got up from her office chair and kept her cool, "I'll come and get you if there is any trouble."
She wanted to spit in his face, but chose not to stoop down to his level. Sasha glared at him once more before walking back into her own office. Thankfully she could see everything from there. It was the only reason why she backed down.
Michonne leaned against her desk and crossed her arms. She felt exposed with her bump and him standing there.
"I'm not going to be the one to start this conversation," She announced to him with a frown, "You owe me that much."
Mike walked closer, but was smart enough to keep his distance. He was obviously nervous as he looked around the room, but avoided her gaze, his voice sounded like it hurt to speak, "I know I've done you dirty."
"You wanted to hurt me," She wanted to keep her feelings to herself and tried to manage a voice that gave away nothing, "You succeeded at that. Bravo. What else?"
"You need to watch yourself Mich," He pulled down his turtleneck and exposed his purple skin, "This is what he did. I might be a piece of shit, but this shit is not normal."
Michonnes gaze didn't falter at the view of his dark skin mixed with purple bruises. It was like marble, the purple mixing into his skin and taking over. Ricks hands had been ruthless. It didn't shock her. It didn't really bring up any emotions. She was done caring about him when the consequences were based on his own actions.
"You think he would have done that if you had kept it nice?" She pointed out, "I don't see what's the issue here. You wanted wrath when you brought Phillip with you. Well you got it Mike. Rick showed you wrath."
She was chewing the inside of her cheek. Her nervous habit that came to play whenever she was distressed. She wanted to scream, but she couldn't give him the satisfaction.
"The motherfucking issue is that this dude is spending time with my son," His voice cracked when he tried to speak louder, "Have you lost your damn mind? He tried to fucking choke me to death. I'm Andres father! You want that for him?"
She couldn't believe the martyr he was being. She could have burned a hole through his head with her eyes.
"Oh my God!" She finally exploded, "You are Andres father? Really? Well, where the fuck have you been! The last time I checked you ran off with another bitch and left him in the dirt!"
Mike could feel Sashas eyes on the back of his head and opted to keep his already hurt voice down, "I'm not saying I've been father of the year alright. But, you are out here starting a family with this fucking deranged ass countryside hick. It's a different level of stupidity."
"You should be thanking Rick for the way he has made your son feel," She snapped, eyes filled with anger, "He has been nothing, but good to Andre. He does everything he needs to make him feel like he is loved and cherished. Those things you almost took away when you left him standing there with his backpack at Connies folks. Do you understand what that felt like for him? Or the other countless times when you bailed on him? Don't you dare lie here and pretend you have his best interest at heart after the stunt you pulled!"
Mike kept shaking his head," I, I know that I've been a shitty dad, but you need to watch yourself Mich."
"Stop calling me that." She snarled at the nickname as she held her stomach.
He was trying to get his point across, "Listen, you know me I fuck up from time to time, but I'm not a crazy person. I didn't think it through with Phillip, you know it wasn't malicious or some shit like that. You know me, I do stupid shit."
Michonne couldn't listen to him babble on and deflect,"That's the issue here Mike. You need to be held accountable for your actions. You can't come here telling me what to do when you aren't taking responsibility for your own part! Just stop!"
Mike eyed her and went on, not listening to her, "You know it's the same bullshit all over again. History repeats itself and you don't even see it. A black woman being fetishized by a white man. That's what's it's always been about. Them coming in and thinking they own us."
She didn't blink. She was floored how he managed to miss the point time and time again. She threw her hands around in denial, ready to tear her braids out,"I can't. I seriously can't with you."
"I'm just saying," he kept on being dismissive, "That's what it's about for him."
"No, it isn't," Michonne was rightfully upset, "This isn't about race. I don't know how your stupid ass even came up with that. That's not even! ugh! what the hell does this even have to do with anything at all!"
"It's a pattern. It's stereotypical for people like him. He is not good for Andre."
"You wanna go there?" She argued, "What about a black man ditching his son? Is that stereotypical enough for you?"
Her words struck a nerve. She could see it in his eyes.
"Mike," She wanted him to understand, "Rick is here to stay. No matter what you say or do, he is not going anywhere. You think I would let him around Andre if I thought he would hurt him? You want my honesty?"
He nodded.
"I love that man. I love him. I don't care if he is black, yellow or green. I love him. I'm having Andres little sister or brother with him. He is good, and he is good to us. You should know that. He didn't put his hands on you for no reason at all. We are his family and he'd do anything for us. I always said I would never take Andre from you. But, if you start pulling crazy shit like before I might change my mind."
He stayed tight lipped and stared icily. It looked like he was making big decisions inside his mind.
"I'm going with Terry to Miami," He announced, "We got some business in there."
Michonne couldn't have given him a bigger glare back, "And what about Andre?"
"I'll call him, I'll be better about that," Mike promised, "He got you ain't he?"
She nodded, her heart racing as sadness filled her. He didn't want to make the effort.
"I'll see him when I get back," He said casually, "I'm not looking to change things around. I'm not trying to take him from you. I just need time to get my groove back, ya know. I need to take care of business first."
Michonne nodded again. It felt crushing that Mike just didn't get it. He never would. The anxiety from the last few days unraveled and she wiped the corner of her eye, "Sure."
She shouldn't have been surprised. He came and caused trouble. Now he was leaving the mess behind for her to clean up. Thankfully, Andre was kept in the dark. She had learned it over the years. Mike wasn't going to use this situation to better his relationship with his son. It was about him hurting her. It was about his ego which suffered when she left him with nothing and now he had a reason to comeback when she was doing good.
She watched him leave and moved into her chair to catch her breath. Her stomach tightened and she did her best to hold back the huge wave of emotions the conversation caused.
"Hey, you alright?" Sasha could tell she was uncomfortable and troubled.
Michonne closed her eyes and leaned back, holding her stomach. She breathed through the pain and soon it was gone. She wouldn't let this break her.
She opened her eyes and looked at her best friend, "I will be. I always am."
Time was a funny thing. Before he met her it felt like everything moved in slow motion. Like the days were endless. He was stuck. Of course he had peaks of happiness here and there. Right now, time went by fast. Each day felt like it didn't have enough hours. He yearned for more each day. Their everyday life was fulfilling in ways that he hadn't prepared for. He had someone who had became his best friend.
His gaze fixated on the waiting room wall. Pictures of infants and charts decorated the white walls. He was smiling like a fool when she walked in.
"Did they call me in?" Michonne rushed to him, tossing her big Louis Vuitton handbag on the floor, "Fucking traffic."
Rick shook his head and grinned at her, "Nope. You are just in time."
She plopped down next to him, "You won't believe the day I had."
He raised his finger to her mouth, "Just a second."
She narrowed her eyes at him.
He kept on smiling and stole a slow kiss from her, "Now, continue."
Michonne chuckled at the gesture, but quickly her mind wandered to earlier. She didn't want to bring it up, but she knew he needed to know. He deserved to know.
"Mike came by."
Rick was perplexed. He released a slow breath of frustration, "Why didn't you call me?"
"Because," She looked at him, registering the concern his blue eyes held, "It was nothing I couldn't handle."
"It's not about that, I know you can handle yourself, " He pointed out, "I wanted to be there. Just in case."
Michonne grabbed his hand, "Can we not argue about this?"
"I ain't arguing," Rick quipped, "You know how I feel about him."
"I do,"She replied softly, "And I love that you care. I really do, Rick."
He wasn't happy over it, but he had to move on and trust her, "How did it go?"
Michonne managed a whisper through her gritted teeth, "I would have choked him myself if his neck didn't look that bad."
"That bad?" He raised his brow. A part of him a bit proud she got to witness his handy work.
"He doesn't want to go to court," Michonne sighed, "He is traveling to Miami and I don't know when he is coming back."
Rick squinted back, "Ain't that a good thing?"
She leaned her head against the wall and rubbed her stomach, "I guess I wanted him to actually fight for Andre this time around. I guess it's insane. You know how the saying goes. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."
"What was the point?" He couldn't understand the other man who had turned their lives upside down, "He threatened you and brought up the past for what? Just to give up and flee to Miami when things turn ugly?"
Michonne turned to him and smiled sadly, "That's Mike for you."
He placed his hand on her stomach, "I hope you know I ain't going nowhere."
"That's what I told him."
Rick pulled his hand away and glared back, shifting in his seat, "What? What the hell did he say about us?"
She laughed at his protective reaction and stared back with twinkling eyes, "He thinks I'm just a fetish for you."
He couldn't have looked more confused, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Michonne leaned closer, her fingers dancing on his forearm, "He basically thinks you targeted me because I'm a dark skinned woman and our relationship is your way of owning me."
It was the stupidest shit he had heard.
"Me? Own you?" He tossed his head back, and laughed now, "Has he ever met you?"
She laughed with him.
Tears formed in his eyes as they kept on laughing, the whole concept was just stupid, "I don't think I've ever felt so flattered in my life. Like I could control you."
It felt good to have a moment like this. Just to laugh at the absurdity of everything. Michonne pressed a kiss on his cheek and watched his lips stretch into a smile.
"Maybe, just maybe," her own hand drifted down to her stomach again, "We can finally move on."
Rick dropped his hand on top of hers, "Yeah. Maybe."
Slowly getting there with my hand. Thank you for the pouring of love and well wishes. They mean the world.
I'm kind of shocked... we are reaching the end soon. Time has flown by, but this story has been a lifesaver for me personally. I've managed to create a hobby that allows me to focus on something entirely else than my own life. Its been an awesome escape whenever there is anxiety. And i do love the criticism and positive feedback all the same.
Thank you for reading. Have a nice week!