AN : Hi fellow Richonners! Two more sleeps and we get to see our faves back on our screens. I await them with giddy anticipation! I can't wait for all the interactions and gifs on Tumblr. It'll be like old times! I know it's been a while but I hope y'all are safe and healthy. I really did miss y'all.

This fic is just a happy rambling surrounding the bridge and the charter because the Richonne content has been abundant these past few weeks and I couldnt help myself.

It's my hope that you enjoy it. I enjoyed writing it. The italics are Rick's musings for lack of a better word.

Sophia

P.S. Carl will always be alive in my stories.

Two things can be true at once. Like the fact there was a small part of Rick that grew sorrowful when he remembered that the woman who gave Carl life would never witness the kind and mature young man he had grown into. The thought gave him pause, but he quickly recovered when he remembered the urgent task at hand. He grabbed the largest basket of vegetables from the green Nissan truck parked inside the safe zone's gates and set it on the ground.

"We made room for everythin' in the additional pantry," Rick directed, his palm shielding him from the sweltering sun. Eduardo had already gathered two of the available trolleys to ferry the goods to the awaiting pantry, leaving Rick to grapple with the contrast in his truths. On the other hand the gratitude he felt knowing that Michonne was the one Carl looked to for that motherly love, guidance and support was oftentimes overwhelming. The woman he loved was his son's best friend, and he was hers. It was a fact and something Rick never tried to compete with. Michonne's love for Carl was evident in the way she gazed at him, her rich brown orbs so full of love and pride. It was the manner in which she doted on him at every accomplishment, how she never let any achievement, minor or major in their family go uncelebrated that brought Rick a tremendous amount of joy.

It wasn't far removed to agree that a suitable reward for the communities' harmony on their beliefs and practices now recorded in the Charter was a party to commemorate its implementation. Today was all about the future. The one they had all been fighting so hard for. Rick assumed that his moments of reminiscing about the past and how far they'd come was because of the gigantic milestone that was today. His baby girl was thriving and Carl was on the right path to becoming a man he was proud of. A man who would beat this world. So much so that his first born was contemplating leaving Alexandria for a while to lend a hand to Maggie.

Rick never wanted to think of his son as being gone, but in the world before the turn Carl would've been just about getting ready to go to College. So, him wanting to leave the nest around the time he was supposed to, lent some authenticity to the peaceful environment they'd created. His deep reflection landed him on Michonne who had taken Carl's suggestion harder than he did. It didn't help that she was a little more emotional these days. Carl grew so concerned about Michonne's feelings-and there were a lot-on him going to the Hilltop that he was now the one that needed convincing that leaving was the right thing to do. Ultimately Rick knew she wanted what was best for him, but he was also aware of how much she was going to miss their boy. If Rick was being completely honest with himself he would miss his long haired teenager something fierce, but he wanted his son and daughter to have a chance at a normal life. Not too long ago back on the road he prayed and hoped that he and Carl made it through the cold, eerie nights. At the time planning for the future seemed unattainable. Michonne had been determined, as they all were, to have one more day with a chance. She'd always been generous to him since showing up at the prison fence with some much needed baby formula. Although he knew it was something else that day, it was Carl who made the call to save her.

Rick didn't know at the time how many times Michonne would in turn save him. It was no surprise that he was now musing on the day she found them after the war with the Governor had ended…

Rick wasn't entirely sure if his daughter was truly gone. Hershel was dead. The prison was down. The rest of their family were gone, lost. To say that he and Carl were at odds because of everything that preceded the Governor's attack would be an understatement. The mountain between him and his angsty tween almost seemed insurmountable. Rick was already grappling with the repercussions of his choices and the ongoing tug of war he'd endured between the farmer and fighter inside of him. But a simple knock on the front door of the house they'd taken refuge in changed things for the better for the Grimes' boys. When he glimpsed Michonne's relieved face through the peephole, he'd told Carl it was for him. But maybe, it was for him too.

Rick wasn't certain what magic dust Michonne had sprinkled over his son to somehow dull his sadness, but in no time Carl was smiling again and Rick, despite being forcibly told, was able to rest since the fight with the Governor. She knew together they could come up with a plan for moving ahead for Carl's sake. Her care endeared Rick to her. It was the truth that she didn't demand to be led by him like everyone else, but rather to lead with him that made the difference. Yeah, maybe he'd dangled Carl in front of her when he'd utter that Carl needed her, simply because he knew how much affection she had for his son. A part of him knew he was being selfish, a larger, untapped part of Rick didn't want Michonne to leave them again and he didn't want to ignore that instinct anymore. He was better when she was near.

They were always stronger together.

"Things were getting a little tense at a certain point, but Michonne did it. Michonne showed us that it didn't need to be one way." The Alexandrian resident, Wallace said to Rick.

The man nodded his head as though recalling the conversation. "She helped us meet in the middle and now things are better. You've got one hell of a woman there, Grimes."

The earnestness in the gray haired man's compliment didn't escape Rick. Wallace extended his hand for a handshake. Beaming with pride, Rick took it, feeling as if someone had given him an award for being the husband of Michonne Grimes.

Ric crossed his legs at the ankles and leaned on the railings of his front porch. "That's my wife. The Official Crisis Manager," he said, his chest almost puffed up. Wallace nodded and descended the Grimes' front steps. He grabbed a half a dozen folded chairs to take to one of the heavily decorated tents as instructed. Michonne had briefly shared the squabble she'd been called to mediate on yesterday right when they were getting ready for bed the previous night. Despite his exhaustion from overseeing the building of yet another bridge that would further unite all their communities he had still given his beautiful wife his undivided attention. His wife had pretty much played down her role in the scenario which didn't surprise Rick one bit.

His wife. He loved thinking about her in those terms. Had been doing it for a long time even though it had only been made official a few weeks ago by Gabriel.

He marveled at the pretty pink azaleas in full bloom to the front of the yard, unable to forget how beautiful Michonne looked holding them as a last minute bouquet. Even Judith had tucked one in her hair to match her mama. A smile tugged at his lips recalling the intimacy of the affair with just Carl, Judith, him and Michonne and her adorable, but still small baby bump. They had irrevocably tied their lives together in the living room that Wednesday afternoon. He remembered the night he'd ask her to bear his last name and he was unable to help the grin that played on his face at the joy the entire conversation brought to him.

"Judith is finally down after not one, but two bedtime stories." Michone gave a cute chuckle at their daughter's bedtime shenanigans. "Oh, and Carl and I revisited the conversation of him going to the hilltop for a while. He wants to help out," she said, plopping down on the bed looking incredibly sexy wearing one of his white tees and her maroon pajama pants. "I know Magggie will look out for him. We'll still get to see him on weekends," she said, her paced tone indicating she was still half convinced that Carl heading out to the hilltop for two months would be the best for him.

Rick knew she'd miss him like crazy.

He adjusted himself on the bed propping a pillow behind his back. Tiredness leaked out of every pore on his body, but he felt rejuvenated at the fact that he was finally sharing the same space again with the love of his life. Rick extended his arm to her and she fell into him. The welcomed warmth of Michonne in his arms always felt like the most natural thing in the world. Her love for his kids, their kids, was one of the reasons that compelled him to let the world know how much he loved the dark skinned beauty in his arms.

Rick grew a bit timid at her potential response, but figured now was as good a time as any to ask the question he'd been wanting to ask for a long, long time. He loosened his hold on her for a second and reached for their night stand, then pulled a small navy blue, velvet sack from the drawer. The low light from their cottage lamps helped to create an intimate setting. He'd found the ring on a run a while back and knew immediately that the flat solitaire diamond ring would be perfect for her. The gold would be stunning against her ebony skin.

Without any fanfare Rick proffered the ring, his other hand caressing her back. "Marry me."

Michonne's eyes grew curious, with a hint of amusement behind them. "What's this about?"

"Isn't it obvious? I want to make things official." he responded, watching her take the ring into the palm of her hands for closer inspection. The action made his heart beat faster than a locomotive. He'd be lying to say that despite the certainty of her love for him, he was nervous as hell.

"In my heart. That's what we are."

"I know. But now I want people to know," he said.

"Is it because of the baby?"

The baby she carried was a major part of them building for the future. It was a promising indicator that the war was over, but it wasn't the reason Rick wanted the world to know Michonne was his wife.

He caressed her flat tummy, still in awe that she was carrying a piece of them in her womb after not too long of trying.

He nodded his head. "I actually think I'm being a little selfish. I can't see my life without you, Chonne. You're my soulmate. The mother of my children. The love of my life. You should wear my ring. Have my last name."

"Is that what you want?"

"I do."

"Then my answer is yes." she smiled, touching his salt and pepper beard with her lips.

He leaned in and kissed her, amazed that after all they'd lost he could still feel so much joy. It was all thanks to the woman in his arms.

"But isn't it funny that we had ourselves a honeymoon before our wedding." Her infectious laughter filled their bedroom as she brought to mind that time when they were searching for guns but had made love just about everywhere.

Rick closed the door behind Father Gabriel's place, jogged down the stairs and sauntered down the main street in Alexandria. He had pretty much cleared his schedule for the day. Projects and meetings had been put on hold as the preparation for the celebration Michonne and Carl had dubbed, 'Union Day went underway. Some of their more senior citizens had gotten together in the craft room and made a mammoth of a sign to fit as a backdrop on the stage. The charter was a way to bring the communities into alignment. Rick had a good feeling that they would accomplish that goal today. He'd checked over the security watch schedule himself and gave a briefing to those who would be on perimeter watch while the event was in full swing. There wasn't anything that he didn't think about, or didn't prepare for on a day like today. He didn't want any surprises. The effort he was putting out to ensure everything ran as smoothly as possible was for the benefit of everyone in attendance but his real motivator was Michonne. She deserved to have today go as smoothly as possible after the way she'd thrown herself into her latest project. He would make it that way for her. He spotted the back of his blue denim shirt dart into the pantry and smiled. He loved it when she wore his clothes. Even if she wore it because her sexy tank tops were now a bit snug at the waist for her to wear with her jeans, and of course, she blamed him for that.

Checking his watch he noticed it was just after lunch and figured Michonne was due for a recess.

Arms folded he watched Michonne exit the pantry with unnecessary haste. "How bout you… take a break?"

"I'm not tired," she responded, avoiding his gaze.

"Humor me." Rick placed a firm hand on her waist, pulling all her focus to him. "Siddiq said you should take it easy." Although her morning sickness had subsided considerably, it was just about a week ago that she'd had not one, but two dizzy spells.

She gave him a coy smile, her hands akimbo. "Do you have something more important for me to do, Grimes?"

He tilted his head and leaned in close, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I could think about a lot more important thangs you and I could be doin'."

She produced a hearty laugh and covered her mouth with her hand. "Rick, there's still so much to do before everybody gets here." Regaining some focus Michonne yanked a pen and a tiny red spiral notepad from her back pocket and checked off two things on her list.

"Michonne…" Rick's head tilted a little, imploring her to take stock of their current situation.

"Babe…," she answered in a sing-songy voice.

He bit his bottom lip, then smirked at the glowing beauty before him. "Wife…"

That got her attention because she blushed at the sentiment. The giddy feelings the endearment brought to her danced across her face.

"You heard Siddiq. You need to rest."

Hindsight informed him he should've grabbed Carl to assist with his 'Michonne Resting Campaign.' She always listened to their son, no matter what.

"Eugene, Rosita and Aaron are here to help. And me. Just tell us what to do." He stepped closer to her, invading her space in the best way. She smelled like lavender and the grapes she had fed Judith for breakfast that morning. "Or, do you want me to tell everyone why I insisted you forfeit your hosting duties for the day, and why I gave your guard shift for tomorrow mornin' to Norene?"

Her eyes squinted at him. She couldn't help but reach out and touch the wide expanse of his chest in hope that he'd see things her way. "I know everybody got jobs to do, and they're trying, it's just -"

His head shook in complete understanding, thankful that speaking Michonne was like a second language to him. "I know. You want things done the way you have it in your head. I get it, but promise me you'll take a break if you feel tired."

Happy to concede to how much he truly cared for her, Michonne kissed him smack on the lips.

"I will. I promise."

"I just want you and the baby to be okay. You know that, right?" Rick said, his bluer than blue eyes had love on full display. She nodded and he kissed her again before he let her go to her next task. He was elated that they were adding to their beautiful family. Now that the war was over and Negan was dead they could start living again. Everything they'd work so hard to achieve felt viable now, possible. The future they'd been building for was finally here. He wasn't going to take the blessing for granted. Considering that Michonne was now carrying that future he wasn't taking chances anymore either. Today, they were setting the foundation for their new civilization with a charter and not, as his wife put it, a constitution. The commemoration was sufficient evidence of that new civilization they all dreamt about. The fact that they were even in Alexandria was a miracle in itself and if it wasn't for Michonne, the home they know as the safe zone might not have been. He couldn't help but remember the day that changed everything.

They were broken, but together. Bellies were empty and spirits were low, having just weathered an actual storm. A brutal one at that. Rick knew his family was looking to him to make the next move once the cheerful-backpack carrying-applesauce toting optimist named Aaron had entered the barn just as the sun was beginning to rise, dangling visions of suburbia in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. With good reason Rick was no longer taking chances. Not on the heels of Terminus and then losing Beth. Truth was he was terrified of making the wrong choice knowing that so many of his people's lives were at stake. But Michonne saw through Rick's reticence, even when the fear made him belligerent. Even when he blatantly ignored her morse code in the dampened barn that chilly morning and punched the clean shaven Aaron in his face.

It was why she made the call in the barn that day. She wanted to give Carl and Judith a place to live. Michonne wanted them to stop being out there. She made the executive decision they were all going to Alexandria and knowingly took some of the burden off Rick's shoulder. She helped Rick see that a burden shared was a burden halved and he didn't always need to be the one making the hard calls. Alexandria would be their new home. Judith would have a place to sleep. His family was safe. Michonne didn't know it that day, but she saved him from himself. She saved them all.

Fast forward to a few weeks in the safe zone and Rick was hiding guns. The bursting confession to Michonne in the privacy of their house that day and the guilt that escaped through every pore once his secret was out made Rick feel a thousand times lighter. He knew Michonne comprehended that he'd do whatever it took to keep their family safe. She saw it firsthand when he so viciously killed a man with his bare teeth not too long ago to protect Carl. So, It came as a bit of a shock when the berating he expected for his lies, maybe because of what he grew accustomed to with Lori, never came. It heightened for him that Michonne was like no other woman he'd ever met. She witnessed first hand the fraying edges of his psyche and still stood by him. The confusion he felt at the time swayed him to make amends with ghosts in Alexandria. When the repercussions of his misguided actions reared its ugly head Michonne still gave Rick grace. She trusted him to make the right call. She was still with him. Still willing to find a way with him.

"Today couldn't be possible without all of us comin' together. Just like with the bridge and so many other thangs we're gonna do in the future." From the podium where he stood Rick gestured to the framed charter on display behind him. He cleared his throat, surprised at the jittery feeling that came over him. He was no stranger to giving speeches. He'd certainly given his fair share over the years, but this speech felt sacred somehow. Maybe due to the auspiciousness of the occasion. A day that truly marked how far they'd come.

He couldn't save Glenn or Abraham. It plagued him day and night like a sickness with no cure for months. He convinced himself to be content with being subservient to Negan in order to preserve the lives of everyone who looked to him for leadership. But Michonne raised him up from the ground, helping him to see that it wasn't his fault when people died. They were stronger together. In that jail cell, together, they made a pact to fight for Carl and Judith, for them, for everyone. Negan was dead now. His regime was dismantled. They no longer had to fight.

Now was a time for planning, for building for a future so tangible Rick could taste it.

"This charter is for our protection as much as it is for our empowerment. We have food, and lots of it, grains, crops, windmills, fuel and that's just the start of somethin' great." He shook his head, still amazed at how far they'd come after the war with Negan. "And we're gonna continue to build, to support, and to live." He stepped back slightly as a tender moment dawned on him. One that he was more than willing to share. "You know this week somethin' really special happened. Carl, Judith, Michonne and I, we actually sat down in our living room and watched a movie, we even had popcorn, thanks to Eugene." Rick chucked at the memory when his eyes caught Michonne's. Her gaze was so invested, it spurred him on. "We watched Finding Nemo." He let the laughter die down before he continued. "We really wanted Judith to have the experience, because she'd never seen the movie before, and of course now I have to find her a pet fish so she can name it Nemo, but it was all about the moment. There was no war to fight, no ambush to pull off. It felt like we could finally catch our breath. It's somethin' I believe we all deserve. To catch our breaths. That's ours by right." He said forcefully, rousing a round of applause from the crowd before him. The hilltop, Oceanside and The Kingdom had all sent representatives from each community to witness the Charter's induction. "So, today is for us." Rick gazed at Michonne, standing at the side of the stage. Carl was next to her holding hands with Judith.

"I can't stand here without acknowledging Michonne and all the work she put into making the Charter a possibility. I don't know if you know, but my wife is a perfectionist. She doesn't think about failing. At anything." Their eyes connected. Rick could tell by the brightness of her chocolate brown eyes that she was a bit surprised he'd called her his wife so publicly. He couldn't believe it had taken him so long to say it. The crowd laughed when Michonne did.

"She had to make sure every word was perfect, every sentence clear and well constructed. She came to bed late and rose early in the morning for weeks on end. And now here we are…" He cleared his throat and set his weight on one leg, resting one hand on the rostrum. "I admire her commitment to our people, to the greater community and to our family. Michonne, I love you." Rick's eyes were shining with an unmistakable love for Michonne. She mouthed 'I love you' back to him, her hands clasped in a prayer across her chest.

He faced the crowd, more confident than he'd been in a very long time and said, "The future is here. This is just the start. Let's enjoy the evenin' together."

The cheers, whistles and applause that belted out were rowdy. They were all exhilarated at the prospect and anticipating the celebratory evening ahead. Rick stood still from the stage, observing everybody as they dispersed to the banquet hall where a variety of goodies were awaiting them. His heart felt full. Maybe it was the prospect of what hosting a celebration of this magnitude meant for all the communities that tore at Rick's sentimentalities. After all they were making merriment after a long, painful period of mourning. Something that most of them didn't have hope for on even the best days.

For a while the group had been fractured and detached after the war. Some things could've been handled better and with more honest communication. But for now it looked like they were headed towards something resembling healing. Even his brother, Daryl, looked a lot less unhappy than he'd been in weeks. At least in that grumbling, loner manner that was so singularly Daryl.

Carol and Ezekiel, Henry at their side, looked pleased with the day's outcome. Maggie and Jesus stood to the back with their Hilltop people. His friend was still grieving Glenn, and rightfully so, but Rick hoped she remembered that she still had family at Alexandria.

He was appreciative that despite their differences, or even because of it they had all come together when needed to agree on what was expected between the groups. The day itself wouldn't have been possible without the bridge or the Charter his skillful lawyer of a wife had established. He had the easy part; building the bridge. Michonne had the weighty responsibility of formulating rules and freedoms that all communities could agree on. And she did. She had the vision. Just like she did when she decided that Alexandria was a viable option for a place for them to settle. She was always ahead of him. It took him a while to get there.

"Good speech, dad." Carl said, clapping his father on the back.

"Thanks, son. You're off to find Enid, aren't you?" Rick reached for Judith and she jumped into his arms.

Carl blushed, then nodded at Michonne. "If that's okay with you guys?"

"Go." Michonne said, "You worked hard today and you deserve to hang out with your friends." She always wanted Carl to be a kid. Always made a way for him to do exactly that. Carl grinned and gave Michonne a kiss on her cheek, then tilted his head to his father. "See you, Dad."

They watched their son dart off.

"Another amazing speech from the Famous Rick Grimes." Michonne teased, knowing how much the moniker irked him.

He chuckled. "Don't you start."

"Mom, can we get cake?," Judith asked, throwing her arms around Rick.

"You want cake, Judy bug?" she said, kissing their daughter on her cheek. "Then let's get cake."

"We don't have to stay long, do we?" Rick asked, already hoping the evening, as blessed as it was, would unfold quickly.

"This is your show. We can't go missing."

"Our show," he amended. "And I guess you're right. But just so you know, I prefer to head home and be with my family. Just the five of us." He discreetly pressed his palm to her not so flat stomach. Pretty soon they'd be past the first trimester and he'd be loose lips Grimes announcing to everyone they were having a baby. He was secretly hoping for a boy.

"Me too, babe. Me too. But first…cake." She reached for his free hand and tugged him to the food tent where Maggie was already making a plate for Hershel.

With Michonne guiding him into an evening where eating cake was the only thing on the agenda he couldn't suppress the gratitude that warmed him when he thought about how perfect Michonne was for him. How she'd filled so many holes and healed so many cracks inside of him that not even a lifetime would be enough to show her how much he loved her. She'd chosen him out of everybody she'd encountered since the world turned to share a glimpse into her soul. He felt privileged and honored at the sanctity of it all.

He hoped she knew that She Led Him Here and he was hers until his last breath.