Peas and Carrots

Chapter 5

"Mike… you're…." Rick couldn't believe he was seeing Michonne's ex-husband, the very ex he assumed was out of her life for good.

I'm what? Mike smacked his lip annoyed with Rick. "Whatever." Mike turned away from Rick and continued to demand to see Andre. Just as Rick was going to confront the man about abandoning his child, Michonne had come around the corner with Andre in a wheelchair and his foot in a cast. Both Rick and Mike noticed them and each man approached the two simultaneously.

Rick: He, ok?

Mike looked at Rick confused as to why this random man was speaking to his ex, "Michonne who is this guy and why is he asking about my son?"

Michonne: He's my friend and the man that's been there for Andre. Can this wait Mike, please?

Mike let out a breath looking around, noticing people trying not to stare and pretending to be busy on their phones. Not wanting to make more of a scene, he nodded, making his way outside.

Michonne began the checkout process as Rick entertained Andre. The front lady told Michonne the visit is covered by Mike's insurance so they're all good to go. The trio made their way outside to Rick's car. As Rick was wheeling Andre to his car, Michonne was praying Mike had left, but her prayers fell on deaf ears as Rick was helping Andre in the back seat, Mike walked up to them asking what happened to Andre.

Michonne was about to answer him, when Rick stepped in telling him how he jumped off the swing.

Mike: Let me get this straight, you allowed a 7-year-old to jump off a swing because he said he does it all the time, is that right?

Rick: Yeah, that's about right….

Mike: And where were you Michonne?

Before Michonne could answer, Rick spoke for her, "She'd gone to the bathroom, she'd trusted Andre in my care."

Mike: "Now my son has a boot on his foot because she trusted some hick cop", Mike looked at Michonne. "How could you be so stup-" before he could finish his sentence, Rick stepped up and punched him knocking him flat on to the ground, Mike looked up at Rick while holding his jaw before looking to Michonne who was standing behind him just as shocked.

Rick: you watch your mouth when you're talking to my girlfriend, and he's ten asshole!

Michonne was stunned and turned on by how overprotective Rick had become over her and Andre, she walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder, "Rick?" she spoke softly.

"Get in the car, Michonne." Rick growled at her, Michonne did as she was told taking one last look at Mike on the ground before entering the car and putting her seatbelt on, she watched Rick intensely as he said something to Mike, she couldn't make out what it was, but she took notice at how confident Rick looked.

Mike stood up still holding his jaw looking at Rick, Mike could see the anger in Rick's eyes. He looked at the car and saw Andre and Michonne, before deciding he wasn't going to fight Rick in front of his son. "This isn't over, chump!" he said, making his way to his own vehicle.

Rick walked to his car and sat down in the driver's seat. He sighed, gripping the steering wheel but then he felt a soft touch on his hand and looked at Michonne.

"I'm sorry… I," Rick began to say, but Michonne shushed him, understanding why he did what he did, "Thank you…" Michonne looked down before glancing at Rick, "'Girlfriend,' is that what we're doing?"

Andre smiled slightly listening to their conversation while pretending to read a comic book.

Rick smiled looking at their hands together on the wheel before looking at Michonne, "yea" Michonne smiled shyly shaking her head agreeing.

Andre smiled brightly, letting out his own little celebration from the back causing Michonne to blush while Rick laughed.

A month later

Rick was on the phone with Carl talking about his relationship with Michonne, he hadn't had time to tell him so when Carl found out he was shocked and a little offended.

Carl: I can't believe you didn't tell me!

Rick: It just…. kinda happened.

Carl: That kind of thing doesn't just "happen", Dad! How long have you been dating? Where is she now? Are you guys gonna get married?

Rick: Carl! Slow down, we've only been dating for a couple weeks and she's at work.

Rick ignored the last question, opting instead to tell Carl some huge news.

Rick: Carl I was gonna wait to tell you, but I'm thinking of moving in with Michonne.

Carl didn't say anything for a minute until he heard Rick call his name again: You're moving? What about your job, what about your friends, what about me?

Rick sighed: Carl, it's just an idea, okay? Nothing is set just yet, alright? How's school?

Carl took a moment to respond. "it's going great dad," carl hesitated before speaking some more …... hey dad I um I just wanted you to know mom, she's been dating Shane and she's having a baby…. Dad, I'm finally gonna be a big brother!

Rick: Yeah, that's great, I'm happy school is going well. I have to go.

Carl: Okay, love you, Dad.

Rick: Love you too Carl.

Carl: Hey Dad, if you and Michonne get married you'll tell me first, right?

Rick sighed, yeah, you could be my best man.

Carl: "Thanks Dad". Carl smiled before hanging up.

Rick hung up and saw he had a text from Michonne. He smiled reading it, "I'll be home late; I'll pick up some takeout too."

Just then Rick got the idea to surprise Michonne with a dinner date.

Rick had been to Michonne's home countless times but never got the chance to really look around at the details of the enormous place. Rick was surprised to know that such a modern, yet cozy place could have two stories and feel homey. He wandered around noticing the small details like how some rooms in her house had a subtle lavender scent and others smelled of a floral scent. Looking around he enjoyed the spacious and cozy environment. He looked in Andre's room seeing the young boy was a huge comic book buff just like his mother, he smiled to himself noticing one of the comics that he and Michonne would read all the time. Rick picked it up flipping through the pages, remembering a conversation they had once as children.

14 y/o Michonne: Wouldn't it be cool if a zombie apocalypse could actually happen, there would be no more school, and I'd wield a sword like Dana! She's so cool and badass!

14y/o Rick: Yea! That would be cool, but you know what would be cooler? Having a tiger!

Rick chuckled to himself remembering they went back and forth for days on what was better: a tiger or a katana. He sat the comic book down, leaving the young boy's room. As he wandered around, he found himself at the door leading into Michonne's room.

He'd had never been in her room before; Rick looked around to make sure he was alone inside the house before making his way into her room, Rick expected to see comic books and cat pictures all over the place, but he was pleasantly surprised to see how drastically wrong he was about Michonne's style, he found her bed was nicely made, covered in pillows of all shapes and sizes ranging in different colors. Most were yellow, matching her drapes with a multicolored rug, while photos of Andre lined her walls. The walls themselves were also a shade of brown that was inviting and warm. A small desk sat in the corner covered in files and books. Rick walked over to Michonne's dresser, looking at all her various products and lotions. He ran his hand alongside it, feeling the smooth material of the chic furniture. Finally, he made his way over to her bed, feeling the soft material, and smiled slightly before taking a seat, and slowly lying down, he smiled to himself, enjoying the soft yet firm feeling of the mattress, inhaling the fresh floral scent of her comforter.

While Rick was lost in the euphoric feeling of Michonne's room, he hadn't heard she and Andre coming up the stairs, Michonne entering her room was shocked to see Rick lying in her bed. He hadn't noticed her as she stood in the doorway, that's when she got the brilliant idea to scare him. She slowly closed her door and got down on all fours crawling over to her bed, as Rick was beginning to fall asleep, Michonne leaped on to his lap startling him. Rick held his chest as Michonne fell over with laughter. Rick looked at her, not finding anything funny about the prank.

"You think that's funny huh?" Rick sat up, getting on his knees and climbing onto her tickling her causing her to laugh uncontrollably, Michonne could barely get a word out as she squirmed around to get out of his grasp. Rick finally stopped tickling her so she could catch her breath. He looked at her taking in her beauty, leaning down, Michonne wrapped her hands around the nape of his neck pulling him closer and kissed him slowly with him returning the kiss. Soon enough the two were tugging at each other's clothes and battling for dominance.