A/N: Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy.
Also, I'm not sure why some people aren't getting email notifications from FF when the stories they follow are updated. My first suggestion is to check your Account Settings and make sure your Email Opt-Ins is set to Yes. FF automatically changes it to No after 6 months.
Another suggestion comes from dillie60 (thank you for sharing, dillie!). If you use the fanfic app, make sure your phone's app notification is on. The notification may have changed to Off after an app update.
28. A Slight Change of Plans
I lied on my side in bed, observing Rick as he processed the specifics I'd given him about Pumpkin's DNA test. With only the glow from the tv lighting our bedroom, it was hard to determine how he was processing things. When the bright white light from a stain remover commercial bounced off his face, he looked deeply concerned by what he was processing. When a bright pink light from a cell phone commercial bounced off his face, he looked completely confused by what he was processing.
But then a cereal commercial came on and the animated faces on the cereal squares distracted him and made him giggle… and wince.
I would just have to wait for him to use his words to tell me how he felt.
He at least looked comfortable in bed while he processed things. He had to sit upright with five pillows propping him up because of his bruised ribs. This was how he'd also have to sleep. I'd done what I could to make sure he was content as could be in that position. I fluffed his pillows, gave him his meds, checked his injuries, stocked his nightstand with bottled water and snacks, and gave him control of the remote so he could fall asleep to whatever show he wanted.
A bright yellow light from the tv filled the room, and I quietly sighed to myself, thinking about Gleggie and Pumpkin's reaction to seeing Rick's face at the hospital. Gleggie's reaction was my fault. I'd forgotten to warn them in advance about Rick's face since it would be their first time seeing it after his fight at the café.
Gleggie was initially too shocked to speak. Glenn's jaw dropped and his eyes watered, and Maggie's hands flew to her mouth.
Pumpkin's reaction was far more dramatic. When Rick tried to take her from Glenn, she took one look at his face and let out the biggest wail. Rick tried to calm her with his soft cooing, but she squirmed away from him and wailed even louder. I had to take her to calm her down.
Pumpkin's cries were what triggered Maggie's over the top reaction. She was snapped out of her shock and slowly crumbled to the ground, letting out a loud, sorrowful sob on the way down. Glenn wrapped his arms around her to keep her from landing on the ground. He ended up having to sit on the ground with Maggie sitting on his lap. It took us nearly half an hour to get her to stop bawling and threatening to kick That Piece of Shit Shane's ass. As soon as she was calm, Rick and I were able to hand Pumpkin off to Andrea.
After all the screaming and tears, Rick was terrified that Nugget would be terrified of him. It was a huge relief when that wasn't the case. Beth brought Nugget home to us late in the afternoon, and he was just happy to see his daddy. He jumped into Rick's arms, giggling like the giggliest little giggle monster. He stopped and stared at Rick's face but wasn't put off by the swelling or bruising. He was mostly curious about the band-aids on Rick's face and tried pulling one off, but Rick distracted him by blowing raspberries on his little cheek. Nugget got to giggling again and Rick received a slew of slobbery kisses.
Beth's reaction to Rick's face was far less dramatic than Maggie's, but Gleggie had prepared her to see it, which meant she bypassed shock and went straight to vengeance. She spent fifteen minutes threatening to cause harm to That Piece of Shit Shane's balls.
She wasn't the happiest with me either. She pulled me aside to let me know it wasn't right for me to call dibs on Fucking Lori Grimes after others had put in the hard work of tying her up and keeping her sedated. I was afraid Rick may have overheard her ranting about how difficult it was obtaining black-market horse tranquilizers, but he didn't say anything about it at the time or after Beth left.
She at least made sure to whisper that Fucking Lori Grimes had been weaned off the tranquilizers and would be ready I made it to the farm. I whispered that Maggie should expect a text from me at some point after midnight.
"Michonne, why do the Greenes have spare DNA tests?" Rick asked, turning his head to look at me with a look of utter confusion on his face.
"It was actually Birdie's spare," I told him.
"Why does Birdie have spare DNA tests?"
I shrugged.
"How many does she have?"
I shrugged.
"How often is she testin' DNA?"
I shrugged.
"Does she just do it for people she knows or does she have a business or somethin'?"
I shrugged. "I really don't know, Rick."
These weren't questions I'd pondered. Birdie having DNA kits was such a low-level concern compared to black-market horse tranquilizers and rodeo enemies. I hadn't told Rick about either of those things yet because I still wasn't ready to share the specifics of the barn situation with him.
He looked up at the ceiling and sighed. "I guess we should be thankful she had a kit since Carl wasn't ready to say goodbye to Judy-pie."
"Very thankful. Those two have grown so close so fast," I murmured, eyeing the curls that had fallen on his forehead. I reached out to rake his hair back with my fingers.
Rick closed his eyes while I gently raked, and his lips curled up into a small smile of content.
"It was real nice of you lettin' Andrea and Judy-pie come over for dinner," he murmured, his eyes still closed.
I ran my fingers down to the curls hugging his neck, pulled my hand back, and shrugged. "It was the right thing to do."
Andrea stopped me as Rick and I were leaving the hospital and asked if we could talk, just the two of us. I helped Rick get settled in the passenger seat of my car first and then met her in the courtyard. She asked a question that came very, very close to making my eye twitch. She wanted to know if we could exchange numbers to set up a video call for the babies before their bedtimes. The video call didn't bother me. The idea of That Piece of Shit Shane being on the call did. Andrea quickly assured me that he wouldn't be a part of the call. He wasn't going to be released from the hospital until Friday at the earliest due to popping his stitches twice in one day. She would make the call from their hotel room.
While she was going on and on and on about the importance of sibling bonding in the formative years, I glanced at Pumpkin, who gave me the biggest little grin with the cutest little gurgle and who looked so thrilled to be in Andrea's arms. I wasn't going to deny Nugget the chance to see his sister again. I patiently waited for Andrea to stop going on and on and on about shared biological connections and gave her my number. Then I got to thinking about how much more Nugget would enjoy seeing Pumpkin in person, and I extended an invitation to Andrea for her and Pumpkin to stop by the house for dinner. I hoped I wasn't making a mistake in doing that, but I didn't think she would bring drama into my house. Plus, it was Spaghetti Tuesday on Wednesday. There would be more than enough spaghetti to go around.
Dinner actually went surprisingly well.
Nugget was so excited to see Pumpkin, and she was just as excited to see him. And when Rick's face started to upset Pumpkin, Nugget—the amazing big brother that he is—was able to calm her down by saying something in baby gibberish that turned her teeny little frown upside down. They spent their evening happily blabbering away to one another.
Andrea couldn't stop smiling at the good time the babies were having. I didn't know how long she'd been in Pumpkin's life, but it was obvious how much she cared for and loved her. Interestingly enough, without That Piece of Shit Shane by her side, Andrea was much more tolerable to be around. She was so appreciative of the dinner invite and very open about what she and That Piece of Shit Shane had gone through over the last few days. She said they'd been sick with worry after discovering Fucking Lori Grimes and Pumpkin were missing. Though she understood Rick's need to ensure Pumpkin wasn't his daughter, she told us how horrifying it was for her and That Piece of Shit Shane to feel like their little girl had been ripped from them. They were gutted not being able to see or hold Pumpkin once they found her.
Andrea told us this ordeal had left her emotionally disheveled. She was more than ready to leave King County. She was also furious with That Piece of Shit Shane because the injuries that came from his idiotic behavior prolonged their stay here. But she was glad they would be able to return home with proof that Pumpkin was a Walsh. She had no clue where Fucking Lori Grimes was and didn't care. She wanted Fucking Lori Grimes to pay for all she'd done, but her priority was getting her family back to Florida. Pumpkin had a network of family and friends who couldn't wait to welcome her home.
I couldn't understand what Andrea possibly saw in That Piece of Shit Shane to be engaged to that man, but that wasn't for me to understand. I was just glad Pumpkin had someone other than him and Fucking Lori Grimes looking out for her.
I did think more highly of Andrea after she and Pumpkin left, despite her hitting me with, "Us sisterfriends have to stick together!" This was not a development Maggie and Beth would like. I would have to ease them into it.
"And you agreed to havin' lunch with her and Judy-pie tomorrow," Rick commented.
"That was also the right thing to do."
As long as only Andrea and Pumpkin showed up, the babies could continue meeting daily until their return trip to Florida. I wanted nothing to do with That Piece of Shit Shane, and I wasn't going to allow him to have anything to do with my son or Rick.
"Hand, please," Rick requested, nodding at the hand I'd used to rake his hair and holding his hand out.
I placed my hand in his hand since it would've cause him too much pain to reach for it himself. He brought my hand to his chest and held onto it.
"Thank you, Michonne. I couldn't've gotten through these last few days without you. I wouldn't've wanted to. I'm not sure I would've been able to anyways. Thank you."
I squeezed his hand and looked into his tired eyes. "Same," I whispered. "But you don't have to keep thanking me, Rick."
"Yeahhhhh, I do. I do, Michonne."
I smiled at him and squeezed his hand again.
A soft white light from the tv bounced off Rick's face, and I could see how DNA Day had thoroughly wiped him out. We were a couple of hours away from midnight, so I wasn't surprised when his eyes remained closed after he blinked a few times.
Nugget had been sound asleep for hours, and now that Rick was asleep, it looked like I'd be able to sneak out the house and get to the farm before midnight. I'd have to wait a while longer before pulling my hand from Rick's to make sure he was in too deep a sleep to notice. I didn't mind that at all. I loved the feel of his strong hand wrapped around mine.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath because it had been a long DNA Day for me too.
It would be so easy for me to fall asleep and get the good night's sleep that had been eluding me, but I couldn't do that. I had to stay awake and stick to my plan.
I slowly opened my eyes and jumped in surprise.
What the…
Rick was staring at me.
"Hi," he sleepily whispered.
"Hi?" I whispered back.
We stared at each other a long moment. Rick still held onto my hand.
"Michonne, if I ask you somethin', will you be honest with me?"
What the…
He all of a sudden sounded wide awake? And he sounded serious! Waking himself up to ask me a serious question could not be good.
Shit.
I needed to pivot out of a conversation that I was pretty sure I didn't want to have.
"Of course I'll be honest. But it's late, Rick. You should go back to sleep," I gently insisted. "We can talk tomorrow."
I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes when I saw the stubborn set of his jaw.
"I know, but it's just one question," he gently insisted.
Shit!
There would be no pivoting.
"Mmhmm," I hummed. "Ok."
Rick slightly turned towards me, careful not to hurt himself. "Michonne, what happened with Panty Man?"
Huh?
"What?"
"I heard Beth whisperin' to you and cacklin' about Panty Man when she was here. What happened to him? You never said anythang to me about him."
That's what he wanted to talk about? Panty Man?
I had to stop myself from rolling onto my back, kicking my feet in the air, and squealing in delight. I thought he was going to ask about black-market horse tranquilizers. Panty Man was so much easier to explain.
Beth's whispering and cackling had come after she pulled me aside a second time and demanded to know what happened with Panty Man. She said I owed her the details for calling dibs on Fucking Lori Grimes. I would've probably ended up telling her and Maggie everything anyways, so I had no problem letting her know about the system-wide computer virus caused by porn… the money laundering accusation… Eugene's FBI contacts… and the three-year relocation to Antarctica.
It was a rare thing for Beth to give a cackle of approval for a revenge plan. Thinking about it made me cackle a little.
There must've been something to my cackle because Rick groaned and said, "Nevermind. I don't wanna know."
"What?! You just asked!" I complained.
"Changed my mind." He brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed my wrist. "Goodnight, Michonne," he mumbled, releasing my hand and closing his eyes.
What?!
"Rick."
He didn't respond.
"Rick," I whispered urgently.
He remained quiet.
I sat up and whisper-shouted, "Rick!"
He refused to open his eyes.
"You are obligated to listen to me, Rick Grimes! As my best friend and my… my…"
My…
What was the appropriate thing for me to call Rick? We hadn't really discussed labels yet. Was "boyfriend" too childish? "Significant other" too formal? "Lover" too melodramatic?
Rick opened his eyes and looked at me. "As your what, Michonne?" He gave me an adorable, dimpled smile. "As your snookyookums?"
My what?!
He could've only heard that atrocious word from one source. And he'd gotten that atrocious word wrong.
"You mean shmoopykins."
"Nah, snookyookums is what Glenn called Maggie when she was hollerin' at the hospital."
I must have missed that. Thank God I missed that.
"I don't know if that's better or worse than shmoopykins," I said, shaking my head. "That's what Maggie called Glenn when they dropped the DNA off this morning."
Rick grinned… and then winced. "So I'd be shmoopykins and you'd be snookyookums."
"We are not shmoopykins and snookyookums," I deadpanned.
"Too much?"
Wait. What?
"Are you really asking me if two fully grown and functioning adults referring to each other as shmoopykins and snookyookums is too much?" I asked in disbelief.
"Yeah."
I blinked slowly.
"Riiiiiiiiiick… do you not think it's too much for two fully grown and functioning adults to refer to each other as shmoopykins and snookyookums?"
He shrugged. "I wouldn't mind bein' your shmoopykins."
I blinked slowly.
Rick grinned… and winced.
"I'm not calling you shmoopykins, Richard. And those are already Gleggie's nicknames anyways."
"That's true. We can figure out our own names. But you would've made the best snookyookums."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I grumbled. "Do you want to hear about Panty Man or talk about hideous pet names?"
"Panty Man, please."
Panty Man it was.
I grabbed one of my pillows and hugged it to my chest, eager to give Rick the Panty Man update.
"Obviously, Panty Man has been on my list since Nugget's birthday."
"Obviously," Rick agreed.
"And since he was also on Eugene's list, I had the perfect person to help plan my reven—"
"Eugene?" Rick raised his eyebrows sky-high. "Who's Eugene?"
Oh my God.
Was he seriously interrupting my epic Panty Man story to ask about Eugene? And was that jealousy I detected in his voice? And was that tinge of jealousy turning me on?
Focus, Michonne.
"Rick, you know Eugene."
He stared at me blankly.
"Eugene Porter! You met him at the party the firm threw when I went on surrogacy leave. He has that long braid down his back and—"
"You mean the guy who stood in the corner starin' at me and Daryl for an hour?"
"Yes! That's Eugene!"
Daryl and Rick had eaten the last of the meatballs. Eugene was not happy.
"I thought we didn't like Eugene. I thought we just tolerated Eugene," Rick recalled.
"We like Eugene now. He's my partner in crime, so—"
"I'm your partner in crime."
Oh my God!
Was he seriously pouting right now? And was that also turning me on?
Focus!
"Yes, Rick, you are my number one partner in crime, but as you are not always available to do partner in crime activities, I have to work with other, lesser, partners in crime to do my crimes. Can I get back to my Panty Man story now?"
"Yes, you can."
I didn't think I'd ever get tired of seeing that content little smile on his face.
I sighed dramatically and got back to my story. "Every hero has an origin story. Eugene's began one sunny spring morning when he arrived at work and found a Maserati parked in his space. That Maserati belonged to Panty Man. I didn't know it then, and neither did Eugene, but that was the event that would link us together and lead to Operation: P.M.P.M., otherwise known as Operation: Goodnight, Panty Man…"
Rick stayed up much later than I expected him to because we couldn't stop talking. The conversation moved from Panty Man to my caseload at work to Rick's new career aspirations. We reminisced about high school and wondered if Nugget would follow in Rick's student-athlete footsteps. When Rick finally fell asleep, he did so smiling about Nugget wearing a baseball jersey with the same number he'd worn.
Rick was adorable, and he was now snoring softly. I carefully turned my head to look at the clock.
3:12AM.
Rick had been asleep for almost two hours now. Enough time had passed for me to try to get out of bed. I really wanted to plant a light kiss on Rick's shoulder before I did but couldn't risk waking him up. I blew him a kiss instead and slowly rolled away from him.
It took time and cautious maneuvering, but I managed to make it out of bed without disturbing Rick's sleep. I did a little happy dance before quietly pulling a backpack from under the bed. The backpack was filled with everything I needed to get ready for the farm. I'd packed it when Andrea and Pumpkin were here after excusing myself to use the bathroom.
I slung the backpack over my shoulder and grabbed the baby monitor from my nightstand. I smiled at the image of Nugget sleeping in his crib because how could I not stop and smile at the most precious one-year-old on the planet? The temptation to stop by the nursery to get a closer look at him was strong, but I couldn't risk waking him up.
I had a plan, and I needed to stick to it.
I grabbed my phone and turned on the flashlight, glanced at Rick to make sure he was still in a deep sleep, and crept out the bedroom to the guest bathroom.
I moved fast once I was in the bathroom. I changed out of my "Check Meowt" pajama set and into a black bra, a black tank top, black leggings, black socks, and black running shoes. I brushed my teeth and washed my face because good hygiene was always important, even if it was three o'clock in the morning and punching a nemesis was what was on tap. My hair was fine being braided back.
I pulled my keyring from my backpack and slid it into one of the side pockets of my leggings. There were two keys on the keyring: my house key and a car key from Beth that she slipped to me as she was hugging me goodbye. It was the key to Noah's car, which was parked down the street in front of Birdie's house. I don't know how she got Noah to agree to let me borrow his car, but I appreciated that he did. I didn't want to risk waking Rick up by cranking my car in our driveway.
I pulled two peanut butter protein bars from my backpack and slid them into the other pocket of my leggings. I needed something to snack on while I was driving to the farm. The protein bars were a convenient choice. I wondered if I should've packed more.
I picked up my phone, a little annoyed with myself for not packing more protein bars. I was surprised that I didn't have any missed calls or texts from Maggie. I sent her a text to make sure she was up.
Michonne: I'm on way, Mag!
Maggie: …
Maggie: …
Maggie: (smiling devil emoji)
Michonne: ? ? ?
Maggie: Took you long enough 2 text me slut
Maggie: (eggplant emoji) (peach emoji)
Maggie: (smiling devil emoji)
Oh my God.
Michonne: Rick and I weren't being sluts!
Michonne: We were up late talking!
Michonne: I had to wait for him to fall asleep!
I could feel Maggie rolling her eyes.
Maggie: (eye roll emoji) (eye roll emoji) (eye roll emoji) (eye roll emoji)
Michonne: He's injured, Maggie!
Maggie: And?
Maggie: U can still get big Rick with injuries Michonne!
Maggie: (side-eye emoji) (side-eye emoji) (side-eye emoji)
Oh my God!
I wasn't going there with Maggie.
Michonne: I'll be there soon!
Maggie: Ok, but u better hurry up
Maggie: Olive Oyl is awake and won't stop talking
Maggie: Bethy's getting PISSED
Michonne: Leaving now!
Michonne: Did you print those docs I emailed you?
Maggie: Printed and ready 4 her 2 sign
Michonne: Thank you!
I left the backpack and my pajamas in the bathroom and crept back to my bedroom. I had to return the baby monitor in case Nugget woke up while I was gone. Rick was still out like a light, so I had no problem placing the monitor in bed next to him.
But I did freeze.
There was a chance my actions were going to drive a wedge between me and Rick.
There was also a chance he would understand why I was doing what I was doing. I was banking on him understanding because I couldn't stop myself from leaving. I crept out the bedroom to the front room and made it to the front door without either of my Grimes guys waking up.
I turned off the flashlight on my phone and slid my phone into the pocket with protein bars…
I carefully unlocked the top lock…
I carefully unlocked the bottom lock…
I carefully opened the door…
and jumped in surprise, barely holding in a scream.
What the fuck?!
A figure, smoking a cigarette, was leaning against the railing on the porch in the dark.
I knew that figure.
"What are you doing?!" I whispered-hissed at Daryl.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and turned on the flashlight.
"And where are your clothes?!" I whisper-hissed.
He was barefoot and in his boxers. I didn't know why I had to see this man in his boxers on a regular basis now.
"Ay! Get that light offa me!" Daryl grumbled. Loudly.
"Quiet down," I whisper-hissed. I turned my flashlight off and shoved my phone back into my pocket. "What the fuck, Daryl?!"
"What the fuck, Michonne?!"
Oh my God.
He was getting louder.
"Shhhhhhhhhhh!"
"I ain't shushin', 'Chonne!" he grumbled even louder.
Nevermind waking up Rick. Daryl was about to wake up the entire neighborhood.
"What's your problem?" I whisper-hissed.
Daryl took a long drag on his cigarette and blew out the smoke.
"Daryl," I whisper-hissed when he took another drag and blew out the smoke.
"You tell me the damn problem!" he practically shouted, putting his cigarette out.
Oh, no.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose and sighed.
F.
M.
L.
I knew exactly why Daryl was here.
"Who told you?" I asked. "A Greene or the Rhee?"
"The Rhee," Daryl grunted. "He just called and woke my ass up! Told me you texted Maggie you were goin' to the farm!"
Oh, Glenn, no.
I sighed again. "So you know about the barn situation."
"Do I know about Olive Oyl bein' tied up and shot up with horse tranquilizers in the damn barn?!" Daryl asked entirely too loudly.
I groaned to myself when I noticed a light come on in the Jenners' house across the street.
Why did I associate with the most dramatic people? Maybe I needed to reconsider a friendship with Frankie.
"Glenn said you were supposed to tell Rick!" Daryl grumbled. Loudly.
Oh, Glenn, why?
"Did you tell him? Does Rick know where that skank is? I bet he don't since you're out here lookin' like the damn Hamburglar!"
"Oh my God," I groaned to myself when another light in another house across the street came on.
Daryl was way too worked up. If he had stitches, they definitely would've been popped by now. And he was being ridiculous—I was dressed nothing like the Hamburglar. The Hamburglar had a mask, a hat and a cape, and he wore stripes.
"Let's go, Michonne! Let's go tell Rick!"
I was too stupefied to react when Daryl put his hands on my shoulders and marched me backwards into the front room of the house. He shut and locked the door behind him.
"Daryl!" I whispered in the dark.
"Look, are you tryin' to be with Rick or not?" he whispered.
Thank God he was whispering.
"You know I am!" I whispered.
"Then you need to go talk to him and tell him what's goin' on! He ain't gonna stop you from doin' what you need to do," he whispered.
I scoffed harder than I had probably scoffed in my life. "Like he didn't stop me when Fucking Lori Grimes showed up at Nugget's party?" I whispered.
"Be fuckin' for real, Michonne! You weren't just gonna beat her ass at the party. You needed to be held back," he whispered.
Maybe.
"What about when Fucking Lori Grimes was here? On the porch? Rick stopped me then," I whispered.
"You were about to run through glass!" he whispered.
Maybe.
"Ain't no maybe about it. And I know you don't wanna hear this, but you ain't got dibs on Olive Oyl. Rick does."
I know Daryl meant well, but I had a plan and I needed to get back to it. There were things in motion that had nothing to do with me punching Fucking Lori Grimes. I considered it a miracle that Rick and Nugget were still sleeping after all the noise Daryl had made, and I also took that as a sign for me to go.
"Thank you for your concern. I love you. But move, Daryl," I whispered.
"You're welcome. I love you too. But I ain't movin'," he whispered. "You and Rick keep gettin' in each other's ways, and that shit stops now. Go talk to him!"
"No," I whisper-growled.
"Then I'm gonna do what I gotta do to make you stay," he whisper-grumbled.
Oh, really?
I crossed my arms. "Meaning what?" I whispered.
"Meanin' this!" he whispered.
He must have had night vision I never knew about because he was at my side with his arm around my waist in a flash. And then, for the first time in over twenty years, Daryl Dixon tried to give me a noogie.
"Daryl!" I whisper-shrieked, moving my head to dodge his knuckles.
His arm was too strong for me to get out of his grasp, so I had to resort to the only line of defense I had.
"Quit it, Chonne!" he whisper-yelped when I tried to give him a wedgie.
"Stop trying to noogie me! Let me go!" I whisper-shouted, moving my head around.
"Let go of my underwear!" he whisper-shouted, moving his hips around so I couldn't get a good grip on his undies.
When the ceiling light turned on, I assumed Daryl must have bumped the switch by the door, but then I heard Rick's very alarmed whisper-shout.
"Hey! Cut that out! What's goin' on in here?!"
Daryl and I immediately separated and stepped away from each other. I narrowed my eyes at him, daring him to say something.
And he did!
"Michonne knows where Lori is and was about to sneak outta house and beat her ass," he whispered.
My jaw dropped.
Did he just…
"You just snitched!" I whispered. I couldn't believe it. But if Daryl could snitch, then so could I. "Daryl sold his ass in high school to secure my homecoming crown!"
"You snitched!" Daryl whispered in absolute shock.
"You snitched first!" I whispered.
"Stop it! Carl. Is. Sleepin'!" Rick whisper-shouted.
I snapped my mouth shut. Daryl did the same.
Rick turned his eyes to me and looked me up and down, taking in my all-black outfit.
"You know where Lori is?" he whispered with what I recognized as a forced calm.
I didn't say anything, but I didn't have to. Rick knew the answer. My outfit gave me away. I expected a full-blown hands on hips, head tilting, eye squinting, finger twitching, whispered tirade, but it wasn't anger that grew in his eyes.
It was disappointment.
"Daryl, you have a robe in the guest room. Go put it on and wait in the livin' room," Rick said to him, looking at me.
"Yep," Daryl quietly grunted.
"Michonne…" Rick sighed softly and put his hands on his hips. "Will you help me get dressed please?"
I swallowed hard.
Why did it feel like I was being called into the principal's office? And why did it feel like I was about to be banned from the farm?
Shit.
A/N: We are slowly but surely making our way to the end of this story! This chapter started to run long, so I had to end it where I did. There should be 3 chapters left, but it depends on how long the chapters run when I'm writing them. We'll call it 3-5 chapters left.
I appreciate the support of this fic! Your comments are very much appreciated.