"You'd think you're the one giving birth."
He lifted his eyes from the floor and stared at her serene face. He couldn't understand how she was so calm.
"What the hell is taking them so long?" Rick continued pacing around the rather big hospital room they had been left at after their midwife, Annie, hooked Michonne up into the needed monitors.
"Well someone is probably pushing a baby out right now," She yawned, she sat up in her bed comfortably, "We aren't exactly in a hurry."
"Your water broke," He felt stupid for not understanding what was going on, "I've always made it to the part when the baby comes. Doesn't that come next?"
"So you were there for the pushing, but missed everything that happened in between?" Michonne raised her brows, "Oh boy are you in for a treat today."
Rick walked up the bed and looked at the monitor which showed the steady heartbeat their son had, "This is going to take awhile then?"
She yawned again, "Well I'm not having regular contractions yet. It's going to be a long night."
He was clearly frazzled by the situation. It wasn't exactly a surprise that they would end up here and actually have a baby, but still right now as it was happening it felt like the air got sucked out of his lungs.
"I'm sorry I dropped the ball back at the house," He didn't want to even think about how embarrassingly frozen he had been after her labour started, "I should've been the one who kept it together."
Michonne chuckled softly and took his hand, "You got our bag and drove us here. That was the most important part. You did good."
He scratched the back of his head, his voice came out raspy, "Yeah, I might have forgotten the bag in the hallway."
She shook her head and laughed, not bothered by it, "I take that back then."
"Sasha will drop it off after she is done with work," Rick explained, "She was coming anyway."
Her face suddenly fell and she gripped his hand harder. She breathed evenly and closed her eyes as the pain passed.
"You alright?" Rick asked, concerned as he narrowed his eyes, "I could run out and ask a nurse to-"
"Rick," Michonne shook her head, "This is normal. They come and go at first. It's fine. This is nothing yet."
He grimaced, "Well it looked painful."
"It was painful," She told him as she adjusted her position, "But is nothing compared to what this will be like the moments before pushing. Though, I hope I'm high as a kite at that point."
He was amazed how logical she could be as they stood in the brink of unknown, "I'm here, whatever you need."
Rick leaned into kiss her and she smiled against him. Her good spirits even surprised herself. Maybe it was the fact that she knew he wouldn't bail on her and stare at his phone the entire delivery. He would be here for her. She wasn't doing it alone this time.
The door opened and her own doctor finally made an appearance, "I'm sorry you had to wait around. How are we doing momma?"
She pulled on a pair of rubber gloves and glanced at Rick quickly, "Excited?"
"Very." He managed to mumble as he stepped back to give the doctor and midwife some room. For them this was just another day at work.
"We are fine." Michonne sighed, uncomfortable again as she tried to sit up more straight.
"Let's have a look then."
Rick felt like his heart stopped beating the moment they started the exam. He couldn't stop himself as the nerves gnawed at him. He could see from her face how much it hurt and it suprised him how strongly he reacted. It killed him. He hadn't been prepared for this part. Seeing her in pain was torture.
"Well you're definitely thinning out, but not quite there yet," The doctor explained as she felt Michonne with her hand, "I would say three centimeters at this point."
"Three?" He knew the magic number was ten, he couldn't fathom how this was only the starting point and her pain was evidently already there.
"We'll see how this moves along," The doctor looked at the midwife as she pulled her hand away and tossed the rubber gloves into the bin, "You can try walking around. Maybe bouncing on the exercise ball, whatever you want and feel comfortable with to get those contractions going. Since your water broke we don't want to risk for infection and we'll help you along if it doesn't happen naturally."
Michonne nodded, the pressure between her legs was mild, but still, it felt uncomfortable. She adjusted her position once again, nobody liked this part of the process. Well, if did, they were insane.
"What does that mean?" Rick jumped into the conversation.
"Oh, sorry," The woman smiled politely, "I didn't mean to exclude you. It means if the contractions don't happen naturally, we'll give her some medicine to jumpstart the labour. Hopefully we don't have to do that."
"You aren't giving her anything for the pain?" His words almost came out muddled as he asked in a hurry, "She is uncomfortable. She needs something."
Michonne smiled at his genuine reaction and the young doctor patted his shoulder, "Usually it helps if you rub her lower back. Right now, giving any heavy medication is going to set back the contractions. As barbaric as it sounds, pain is a good sign Mr.Grimes. Her body needs to relax and it'll go from there. You are her best bet right now."
Rick nodded slowly, feeling pressure of the situation settle in the room. He watched them sort out all wires and things hooked onto Michonne, so that she could move around and wondered if he was strong enough to help her through this. The polite smile never faltered from her face as she thanked the staff and they left.
Michonne could see his mind going from zero to hundred as all of the information sunk in.
"You told me it's a walk in the park, remember?" She reminded him.
"Yeah, I might have forgotten what this is really like," He grabbed a chair and sat next to her bed, "I hate that I can't do anything for you."
"Rick, you are here, that's enough," She pushed the blankets away and carefully moved her legs on the side of the bed, "I think we should take a walk."
He extended his hand to her, "Whatever you want darling."
Michonne took his hand and squeezed it slowly. Her eternal search for companionship had come to an end. He would be with her through thick and thin
With each step he helped her. They were silent as she leaned into him. In the end it all comes down to this. Complete trust. Skin to skin. Complete fulfillment. He smiled back when he realized her eyes were on him.
"What?" he asked as they walked into the empty hospital hallway.
Her eyes held that same sparkle they did whenver she looked at him, "I could have been nicer to you at times. Like in the beginning."
They had been reminiscing a lot recently, he figured it came naturally now as they prepared themselves for the next chapter of their lives. As messy as it was, it still brought him that warm and joyous feeling inside. He found something in those dark brown eyes. Something that mirrored his soul. She was his new beginning. She was his home.
Rick turned towards her, his shoulders dropping as the nerves finally were beginning to subside. He grabbed her face between his hands, in the same intensive manner he always did, "You could've done anything and I'd still be here."
"Anything?" Michonne grinned back.
He pulled her mouth to his and drew her into a passionate kiss. They both smiled while holding each other, happiness oozing out of them. This was inevitable. Them in this world, it was inevitable since day fucking one.
"Jeez," A voice broke them out of their love bubble, "Are you trying to shove another one in there before Rj is out?"
He pulled back from her with his brows scrunched. Stunned Rick met the eyes of his son who stood there in the middle of the hallway with a grin on his face.
"Ew, that's so gross." Judith smacked her older brother.
"What are you guys doing here?" He looked at his kids wide eyed and took quick steps to hug them both.
"Well we couldn't miss it," Carl told his dad and then walked up to Michonne who was a strange vision in her hospital gown, "Pale blue is not your color."
She rolled her eyes at the joke and embraced him, "I'm not going to argue with that."
"You okay?" He asked immediately, turning a bit more serious.
"I'm okay." Michonne promised him.
"I brought you this." Judith handed her a small gift bag.
She was already overcome with emotions and having them here meant the world. She peeked inside the bag and raised a questioning stare back at the little girl.
"They are essential oils," She explained with her sweet voice with such conviction, "Peppermint helps with nausea. I read sometimes you can get sick when having a baby. The rose one helps with anxiety. I forced Negan to buy me those from the mall."
Michonne felt speechless over the gesture from the little girl who had basically been a block of ice towards her just months ago.
"Thank you Judith, " Her eyes were bright and full of gratitude, "Can I give you a hug?"
She hesitated and glanced over her shoulder before nodding. In the best way she could, she forced herself to endure the pain and bent a little to hug her. Having her acceptance was important to Michonne.
Rick was happy to see his children show their support for their baby brother.
"How did you get here?" He asked his eldest, a bit afraid for the answer, "Please don't tell me you drove since you don't have your permit yet."
"With what car?" Carl joked back, giving him a hard time, "Since you aren't buying me one it's pretty tough to drive anywhere at all."
"Carl." He warned, his voice strained because he didn't want to raise his voice at a public place.
"He's just joking," Michonne intervened, grabbing Ricks forearm for support again and looked at Carl, "Don't play with your dad today, he was having an emotional meltdown before you even got here."
"I was not."
Carl snickered. Judith on the other hand looked preoccupied with something. She couldn't hide her anxiety at all. She was similar to her father in that way. They had the type of faces where every emotion showed and it was impossible to hide anything.
"I'm gonna ask again," He looked at his children, "How did you get here?"
Rick was strict if he needed to. He had switched into dad mood. Dad, who was concerned by the endless bad options this wonderful surprise could have been the result of.
"Look who shaved."
He couldn't have turned quicker. The sight of Shane and Lori was the last thing he expected today. Shane, who was grinning from ear to ear was a stark contrast to Lori who refused to look at them. She was hugging herself and trying to contain her straight posture. Her eyes quickly landed on Rick, the hurt she harbored still evident in her features as she faced the emotionally charged moment.
Rick glanced back at Michonne. The barriers were up and she gave no emotion towards the uninvited guests. He knew her body didn't need any stress that these two might bring. He wouldn't let his past ruin his future.
"Carl," He said his name with authority, "You guys take a walk with Michonne. Help her. Got it?"
Carl nodded, extending his hand to her, "We'll go extra slow."
"Fine." She switched from Ricks arm to Carls, who obviously took the task with pride. She didn't have the interest to even bother her mind with this unexpected turn of events. Michonne gave Rick a pointed look conveying please-get-rid-of-them and he got the message loud and clear.
Judith tagged along, giving her mom a small wave and an emphatic smile.
He walked slowly to them, dragging his feet like his body didn't want to enter this conversation in the first place.
"You brought the kids?" He asked directly from his ex wife, his voice demanding.
Lori finally raised her brown eyes from floor and answered, "I did. Carl begged me to."
"You can't honestly be upset about that man." Shane defended from her side.
Rick narrowed his eyes at them, "If this is some fucked up plan to-"
"Do you think I want to be here?" She interrupted him with a scoff.
He didn't honestly know if he could believe anything either one of them said. The fractions between all of them were carved deep.
"The kids want to be apart of this," Shane spoke now, his dark eyes staring back with determination, "You should be thankful for that."
Rick really didn't want to be the one who started a brawl in the maternity ward, but they were entering territory that made his skin crawl. Shane, the used to be best friend was lecturing him.
His jaw clenched as he stiffled the feelings he had for him. He had to for the sake of his kids and Michonne.
"I am," He finally answered and looked at Lori, "Thank you for brining them."
The brunette nodded, avoiding his gaze again.
"I'll drive them back before school, sunday evening." Rick mused.
"We'll pick em' up." Shane answered for Lori, "You'll be busy changing diapers. It's no trouble."
Lori didn't seem agree as her mouth twisted into a frown and she turned away from the both men with an annoyed huff. She walked off without a word.
Shane was quick to dismiss her with a low chuckle, "She ain't too happy about this."
"When is she happy?" Rick mumbled back out of habit. He caught himself too late to take the words back
His former friend laughed, for a second there it felt like they existed in the past when they would often wonder over Lori and her negativity. Those small meaningless moments of joking around as young men had disappeared into thin air.
Awkward laughter turned into silence.
"I ain't living with them," Shane wanted him to know, "Not yet anyway."
Rick was on the fence with how he was supposed to feel about it. He was relieved Lori had finally found companionship with Shane and she would be off his back. Then, there was this bitter resentment. It felt like they had wasted years out of all of their lives because of their incapability to face the truth. If he had known sooner, maybe the universe would have gifted Michonne to him earlier on.
He had to swallow his pride and give room to the possibility of handling life with both of them in a peaceful manner. He could try. Only, because the most important people in his life would suffer if he carried that anger with him. Resentment over a failed marriage made no sense when he was starting a new life with the love of his life.
He glanced back and saw Michonne leaning against Carl. He was probably talking smack about him because her cackle was so over exaggerated. He was glad too see her laughing. Judith was carrying the gift bag for her and kept her eyes focused on Michonnes feet. Knowing her, she was making sure she wouldn't trip or fall.
This mattered more.
Rick turned his attention back on Shane and extended his hand. The other man kept his eyes firmly on him and then looked at the hand he was offering.
"It's a new world Shane."
A crooked grin spread on his face as he shook his hand back, "A new world."
They walked the hallways for a few hours and Michonne had been doing great. The kids kept them occupied with their jokes and talk. Her contractions were coming evenly, but not so close together. After returning to her room it changed, like a lighting stricking out of nowhere.
"Oh my fucking God." She grunted as another contraction crashed her body. Sweat was dripping on her forehead uncontrollably as she closed her eyes and leaned against the hospital bed.
He stood behind her, rubbing her lower back, helpless and dazed over how quickly things were processing.
"It's gonna be over soon." He whispered soothingly and timed the pain Michonne felt with his phone, "Five minutes apart. I think that's our record right now."
"Gee great, do I get an award for that?" She grumbled as the worst passed, "I really hate you right now."
"What happened to being nicer to me?" Rick joked and concentrated on rubbing her lower back with his hands.
"I'll try that again after he is out," She muttered, her legs shaking a bit as she dealt with the cramps, "I didn't remember it being this fucking bad."
"I would do it for you if I could."
Rick kept rubbing her back with firmness.
She breathed out as the pain was finally turning bearable, she hadn't been able to focus on what was happening around her, "Where did the kids go?"
"They went to the cafeteria. I told them to go when the nurse checked you. They are probably stuck on their phones right now," He chuckled, "Bernie called me actually."
"What?" Michonne turned enough to see his face, "Why on earth would he call you? Is Andre okay?"
"No, nothing like that. He wanted me to know the kids are welcome to stay there tonight with Andre," Rick had felt just as surprised as she was over grumpy old Bernie being a good sport, "Sasha will drive them. Though I know they will not want to leave until he is here."
She switched her position and stretched her back. Rick stepped away to give her space. He could only imagine the discomfort she felt with each movement her body made.
"You sure you don't want anything for the pain?" He tried his best to give her the needed space, emotionally and physically even when all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her, "It's getting pretty intense. They told you to call them if it gets bad and you can't handle it."
She sat on the edge of the uncomfortable hospital bed and kept on breathing calmly, "I can take it. It's not that bad yet."
"We could ask them to check." He suggested, "It's been an hour since that nurse came by."
"They are busy people Rick," She answered with an familiar attitude, "they have patients."
"Aren't you one of those patients?" He dared to ask.
Sometimes her strong will really streched his patience. Today, he wouldn't disagree with anything she said. This was her body. So, everything would be on her terms.
There was a quiet knock behind their door and they both answered in unison, "Come in."
Sasha, in her grey business suit sauntered in with a wide grin, "I heard we are having babies today!"
"Hopefully not babies," Michonne answered with a weak smile, too tired to even get up, "I only ordered one."
She dropped the carry on bag in the chair next to the door and shot a glance towards Rick, "I also heard someone forgot your bag."
"Sasha." He greeted her with a stiff smile.
"Grimes." She greeted back.
Michonne shook her head at them and looked at Sasha, "How did the meeting go today? And remember Blake Peters, from Los Angeles, he is coming by to check on the-"
"Stop," Sasha stepped closer to her best friend, "Everything is fine. I got this okay? You need to have your focus here. Nowhere else."
She nodded reluctantly. It was hard to ignore the worries and thoughts over her work.
There was another knock on the door.
They all looked at each other with wondering eyes.
"Come in." Rick said hesitantly.
Daryl and Connie peeked inside carefully and stepped in with blue balloons.
"Aren't you guys supposed to be on the road right now?" Rick asked with a grin he couldn't hold back, he was baffled at the guests who had circled back to Atlanta when they had just left towards a different direction.
"We had to come and wish Rj happy birthday." Daryl smiled and pulled Rick into a hug.
Connie was on Michonnes side, kissing her cheek and signing her. Both Sasha and Connie showered her with words of encouragement. It didn't go unnoticed from Rick who felt grateful.
The door opened again, "Where is the kid!"
The peaceful moment was crumbled by Negan. He stood by the grinning.
Rick was not surprised though, obviously he would come by. Michonne didn't particularly like it, but he was part of this gang so there wasn't much to say about it.
He pulled Rick into a tight bear hug and kept on smiling wide, "Goddamn you are about to be a papi again Prick!" he pulled back and took in Ricks new appearance, "and holy hell look at that baby face!"
Daryl was already grunting in discomfort. Negans ego always took extra space.
"As fun as this is and we appreciate the support," Rick looked around all of their friends, "How did you even get in? It's family only."
"Just told them we are family." Daryl shrugged, "Nobody said nothing. We just walked in."
"I told them to fuck off," Negan joked, "I really didn't. But, that would have been hilarious."
Rick swallowed, realizing how fragile the situation was for Michonne. He looked at the two men and pointed at the door, "We'll step out for a minute." He turned to look at her, "You alright with that? I'll be right back."
Michonne nodded, "I got my girls. I'm fine."
He stepped into the hallway with the men. Taking a deep breath. The nerves from earlier were coming back.
"You alright?" Daryl asked him, "You're all pale and shit."
He leaned his head against the wall, "It's just... I guess it didn't hit me until today."
"What? You regret it now?" Negan squinted his eyes at him, "Well hate to break it to you, but there ain't no goddamn return policies with babies."
"No!" Rick shot him a look back, "Not that."
The men waited for him to open up.
He sighed, "What if something goes wrong? I guess I didn't think about it before. "
Daryl and Negan looked at each other.
"Man," Daryl started, "I think we all know that ain't happening. You been dealing with shit for years, you think the world will give you the middle finger now? After everything?" he laughed lowly, "That ain't happening no more. You paid your dues."
"Daryl here talks no bullshit," Negan punched his forearm, "You're good. There ain't a goddamn chance. Enjoy it."
His friends were right. He couldn't let his fears take this moment away from him. Michonne needed him.
Negan reached for his phone that kept vibrating nonstop in his pocket. He laughed under his breath and saw Rick eyeing him, "It's Lucille."
"What's going on?"
"She wants me to move out," He laughed more and exclaimed, "Another day with the same old bullshit with her."
Rick and Daryl exchanged glances. Him and Lucille were like poison to each other, but their relationship had been going in circles for the longest time.
"Maybe, you should listen to her," Rick suggested, "She might be serious about it."
"Oh come on!" Negan rolled his eyes, "It's Lucille! It's nothing."
"I ain't saying anything." Daryl grumbled next to him.
Suddenly Michonnes scream interrupted their little talk. Rick barged back into the room with the men right behind him.
Sasha and Connie held her hands as she held onto them with unbelievable force.
"Shit," She tried her best to breath in and out calmly, "Shit. Shit. Shit."
And then she screamed with everything she got.
"When was she last checked?" Sasha asked from Rick, her face twisting in hurt for her friend, "I think this is it."
"No it's not," Michonne argued between the grunting and heavy breathing, "It's not. I'm not ready."
He looked at his watch and realized this contraction came much quicker than the last one, "Shit."
"We should go." Daryl was visibly uncomfortable with the intense pain he was witnessing.
She screamed again in agony, tears actually dropping on her cheeks as the pain seemed to grow with each second.
Rick was quick to act and pushed the button to get medical help in the room, "Alright, everybody out! The kids are in the cafeteria, go get them."
"Goddamn, that's gotta hurt. I think my nuts just fell off and dick shireveled up." Negan mused as he stepped out with Daryl.
Rick took Michonnes hands from Sasha and Connie, nodding at them as an thank you. Her friends stepped away quietly with worried looks on their faces and followed the men out of the room. Michonne was too focused on getting throught the pain. She couldn't even form a sentence.
"I'm here," Rick whispered and rubbed her hands, trying to do his part, "I'm here."
The door opened again. Annie, the midwife walked in, "It sounds like we are getting to the finish line."
She quickly looked at the monitors and assessed the baby by his heartbeat. Everything seemed to be normal. A nurse had checked on her the last time and her notes indicated that delivery wasn't happening anytime soon. She kneeled in front of Michonne, her voice was soft and calm," You were five centimeters an hour ago. After this contraction is over we will check how far along we are. Hang in there."
She rocked back and forth as her body went through the pain. Rick kept whispering to her and encouraged her every step of the way.
Finally, she felt like she could speak again, her voice was small, but demanding, "I need the epidural now."
Rick helped her on the bed and squeezed her hand.
"Do you feel any pressure?" She asked as she propped her legs up, "Like you need to push?"
"I don't know." Michonne screamed with frustration. She was out of it. Her whole body was covered in sweat and she was exhausted.
Rick kept close to her, wincing visibly as Annie started the exam. He couldn't understand how a womans body could do all of this.
"Well I can see why you would ask for an epidural," She smiled and looked at the future parents, "You're fully dilated. You're ready to push."
"What! " She shouted, her eyes bugging out, "No, no, no! I need the epidural!"
Annie went to the buttons to alert the doctor for backup and said to Michonne, "Sometimes these second babies come out of nowhere. I know it's a shock, but it's going to be okay."
He could have fainted at the words himself.
"Michonne," She continued sweetly, "You're doing great. It's going to be okay, I promise you. When the next contraction comes you push okay?"
"No!" She roared.
"Hey," Rick took her terrified face in his hands, trying to get her centered, "You got this. You got this Michonne."
The doctor came in and it was all a blur as the staff started to prepare for her delivery.
The intense pressure and pain returned. Her body wasn't having it anymore.
"Just look at me okay?" Rick kept close, his face inches away from hers, "We'll do it together."
"I can't." She sobbed now, desperate and scared. Her eyes were wide and wild.
"Yes, you can," He said gently, pushing her braids behind her ears, "Michonne, he is almost here."
"I can't." She repeated with tears. Her worst nightmare had happened. She couldn't control her body. She had a birthplan. This was definitely not on it.
Rick didn't know what else to do. He needed to trust his gut. He pressed the head of the bed down with the remote. He tossed off the pillow and climbed behind her. The position was killing his legs, but it didn't matter. His hands, his long fingers digging into her skin as he held her. She didn't protest and leaned into him.
His warm breathe was above her ear, "You can do it Michonne. If anybody can do it, it's you okay?"
They were simple words, but meant so much more. She screamed again as the pain got worse. Michonne gritted her teeth and tossed her head back against him. She was clinging to him desperately as his hands still embraced her. Touching him while battling the indescribable pain helped. They were one at this moment. Solid.
The doctor had instructed the nurse and midwife on leg duty. Rick managed to move her more forward so that she was closer to the edge of the bed. He remembered reading somewhere how it could help with the pushing if she sat more upwards. He was trying his best to help in his own ways. Their doctor peered from between her legs, "Okay, Michonne. Just like with Andre. You push when I tell you to."
With Andre it was definitely not like this. She didn't remember feeling this unbelievable urge to push because she was practically paralyzed from the waist down. This was different. She was suffering in a way that made her convinced her back would be broken after this. There was no going back now.
"You can do it." He kept saying, but for Michonne the words fell flat now as she faced her worst fears. She would grab his arm for support, her fingers laced with his. Like she was clinging for safety. She grunted and screamed in pain.
"Alright, push!"
She really didn't need the doctor to tell her that. Her body was directing her and she knew it was the only thing that would get her through this. It was truly like she was being ripped apart from the inside.
Rick couldn't bear to look. He concentrated on talking calmly by her ear and holding her as she screamed her lungs out. His ears were ringing.
"Good job!" She yelled out, "I'm telling you Michonne this one is coming quickly. He is ready to meet you guys. Push again!"
He was already emotional. The nerves and worries of this huge day exploded as he supported her through the vicious thing called childbirth. A tear rolled down his freshly shaved cheek and he grunted with frustration as he wiped it away. He had to keep it together for her.
Michonne took a deep breath again and pushed. These contractions were like waves crashing and the only way to stop them was to push. The sharp burning sensation that overtook her whole body was anguish. She wouldn't have been surprised if she burst a blood vessel in her eye as she kept on pushing like a warrior.
She could hear him, his soothing raspy voice kept her going. She clung to his hands tighter, deciding she would never ever in this world do this again.
"We have a head! Come on! One big push and you got him!"
And she pushed. It was the most bizarre, but natural feeling when she felt her sons shoulders burst out of her body. She felt it all. She cried in relief as the last push finally gave them the biggest gift this world could produce.
Rick was crying behind her. In a way that she hadn't heard before. He watched in disbelief as the doctor raised this tiny and gooey thing towards them.
"Congratulations."
Michonne sobbed. She couldn't stop crying as she realized this crazy love story had produced something so impeccable. Something so innocent and precious.
His face was all scrunched up, like he was displeased and they had interrupted his naptime. His limbs were stretching out as he realized there was room to move around.
They wiped the worst goo off of him and raised him on Michonnes chest. He hadn't cried before that, but the moment he was placed there, over his mothers beating heart he let out a the biggest cry his small body could manage.
"Hi baby." She cooed, her voice cracking. She couldn't believe how perfect he was.
Rick was in a daze. He was so mesmerized by this new addition to their family. The sticky dark wispy curls felt unreal under his touch as he carefully touched his head for the first time. His heart couldn't have been fuller. If he could have stayed in this moment forever he would have.
"Dad, you want to do the honors?" Annie the midwife asked as she raised the umbilical cord for him to cut.
He had to tear his eyes away from Rj and nodded as he accepted the proper tools from her. It wasn't his first rodeo, but it was just as special. He cut it swiftly and went back to admiring their newborn who was now content.
"See," Rick rubbed his red teary eyes, "A walk in the park."
Michonne kissed the top of her sons head and smiled.
"If you put the two of you in a blender this is what would come out." Carl held onto his new brother with a smile. He had one of those bashful grins on his face that he didn't show often. On this occasion it was inevitable.
Rj was tightly wrapped in a blanket, yawning a little and trying to open his eyes for a moment before closing them again. He was tired of the world already.
Judith sat next to Carl. She sweetly rubbed her baby brothers head, but didn't feel comfortable with holding him yet. He was like a tiny doll. She could see her dad in the shape of his eyes. Rj had wispy soft curls that peeked from under his little hat and she thought they were the cutest thing. It was a peaceful moment between them. All of them just admiring this tiny burrito that had captured their hearts.
Michonne was dozing in and out of sleep as she relaxed on the bed. It felt like she had completed a marathon. Rick sat next to her, realizing this was the first time he had all of his children in a same room. He snapped a quick photo of the three of them and sent it out to his mom. She would have killed him if he didn't capture this moment.
A small knock on the door reminded them this was a an exception they had agreed to do for Michonne. She had her connections and pursued them to give the kids a small moment with their new brother.
Annie stepped inside with a smile, "I'm sorry you two, it's time to go. You can come tomorrow when it's official visitation hours."
Rick stood up and walked upto Carl to get the newborn from his hands, "Thank you for giving them a few minutes. They waited all day for this."
"I get it, it's wasn't a problem. Michonne knows that." Annie said with a smile.
"Sasha will take you to Bernie and Marie," Rick looked at Judith and Carl while swaying back and forth with the baby, "And please don't tell Andre you saw him today because I don't want him to feel left out. He'll come with y'all tomorrow."
Michonne opened her eyes soon as she heard him and felt grateful he thought about Andre. She felt shameful how she hadn't even realized what damage it could have done if the little boy heard his siblings had met his little brother before him.
She was just so tired.
"Get some rest, " Carl turned to her, he could see she was still in pain, "I'll bring you all the chocolate you need. Just send me a list."
Michonne chuckled and locked eyes with the boy, "I'll hold you to that."
"Get better soon Michonne, " Judith smiled shyly, "I think he is perfect."
"He is." Rick agreed and kissed her daughters hair. They said their goodbyes and Michonne felt relief. She didn't mind having the kids there for a quick visit, but jesus it had been a long day.
"I'll walk you." Annie held the door open for the kids and gave the new parents a final look, "Oh, and could you tell that one fella in the leather jacket to give me a breather."
Rick raised his eyebrows, "Negan?"
"Don't know his name, but he is stalking me around the hallways. I'd hate to call security on him."
Michonne and Rick looked at each other, amused, but not surprised.
"I'll talk to him. I'm sorry. He is...," he sighed, "Unusual."
Annie chuckled as he left the door.
He settled into the rocking chair in the corner with Rj and glanced at her, "You hurting?"
She swallowed, her voice was a little low from all the yelling, "not really," she looked at her iv drip, "They gave me some strong stuff."
Michonne had always impressed him. The way that she lived her life, the way she carried herself and made others in her presence feel valued.
But today as he witnessed her giving birth there was nothing more powerful. She was everything and more. And always would be.
He looked down at his son and smiled. He would go to Las Vegas in a heartbeat again.
"Rick?" Her eyes were closed and her voice was only a whisper.
"Yeah?"
"I'd say yes, if you ask now."
He loved her to bits, he chuckled, "Maybe it's the drugs."
"You're probably right." She opened her eyes and smiled at the sight of him being so captivated by their son.
They locked eyes for a second before her eyes closed again. She was drifting to sleep when he spoke again. .
"Michonne."
"Mmh?" She mumbled against the pillow.
"Marry me?"
She smiled before sleep completely took over, "Sure."
He watched her body relax as she finally got the rest that she deserved. Rick looked down at his son who was sleeping just like his mother.
He had found his path in this world.
After all this time,
It was her.
I am overwhelmed and excited to share this final chapter. As I wrote it, it dawned on me how I wanted to finish this here. It felt right.
Thank you for your words and opinions. For every review, follow etc. This fic meant a lot to me. This kept me going week after week when things were tough. I found a place where I could escape and express myself.
I'll see you soon with,
Part two,
Him