Her manicured toes dug into the shag carpet of her office as she paced around the room. Michonne had her phone to her ear as she listened to her dad regale her of the weekend he and her mother had in Vegas.

"I didn't realize it was a stripper show until those naked ass men came out."

"Daddy, you trying to tell me Mommy tricked you into going to a Chippendales show?" Michonne covered her laugh with a cough.

"And that name is so dumb. Chip and Dale are little chipmunks that are friends with Mickey Mouse," Dominic Williams huffed. "Guess I should've known somethin' was up when I saw it was only women in there."

"So what did you think it was gonna be?"

"Your mother said she was taking me to a show."

"And you didn't think to question her further? What kinda lawyer are you, Daddy?" Michonne snickered.

"A retired one, little girl. I shouldn't have to use my lie detector skills on my wife. Ain't letting her pick another outing again," he decided.

"So…" She paused, "what did you think of the show?" She bit her lip, smirking.

"...I'm not even gonna respond to that. You think you're so damn funny, Mimi. You wanna know what I find funny? The fact that you ain't tell me or your mama about this lil' boyfriend of yours."

Michonne pulled the phone from her ear, groaning.

"Sasha and her big ass mouth," she replied, frowning.

Dominic laughed heartily, "Actually, it was Daryl that told us!"

"That snitch! The next time I see him, I swear."

"Now, don't go being upset with Daryl. He was just doing what you failed to do. It's his job to look out for you and Sasha."

Michonne rolled her eyes. She walked up to her big office window, outlooking midtown Atlanta, and watched the Tuesday mid-morning traffic. She observed the strangers coming and going from the businesses that lined the streets, trapped in their own little worlds.

"Daddy, I was gonna tell you and Mommy. I just…forgot," she cringed, not believing that lie herself.

"Michonne Elodie Williams, you ain't never forgot a single thing in your life. Pull the other one," Dominic dared. Michonne could imagine him raising his eyebrow at her.

For a successful lawyer, she wasn't good at lying to her parents. She pulled the device from her ear again, cursing inaudibly.

"I was going to tell you, I promise, but it just happened… like it just happened. I was trying to understand it myself before I said something. I didn't want it to not work out and then I look like a fool," Michonne sighed, scrubbing her face.

"Well honey, when it comes to matters of the heart, we're always going to look like fools. You just get to choose the right person to look like a fool for."

The side of Michonne's mouth twitched. Her dad was always filled with these little gems that made life sound so easy. She supposed that came with being alive a long time, gaining wisdom along the way was a part of the package.

"So what's his name again? Daryl told me but I done forgot already."

"His name's Rick Grimes. And he's a sheriff here in the city." Her face immediately broke into a smile at the thought of her man.

"A man of the law. Good. Daryl said he's got a kid too, is that right?"

She gritted out, "my God, did your favorite child tell you his zodiac sign too? Yes, Rick has a 13-year-old son." She watched the meter maid start writing tickets for cars parked past their time limits. "His wife is dead," she admitted, unfocused on her words.

"That's unfortunate." Michonne could hear his frown. "Have you met Carl?"

"Yeah, Daddy. Carl is a great kid. So smart. He looks like Rick's twin," she gushed. "Rick is an amazing father. Been raising Carl all on his own. So… attentive. So… loving. He would do anything for his son. He's his biggest fan. And he's got such a big heart–"

"So how long have you been in love with this man?" Dominic cut in, halting his daughter's rambling.

Michonne sputtered with wide eyes at his inquiry. She moved away from the window and sat in her leather swivel chair.

"I'm not– He's not– I've only known him– I can't– That's not– Daddy, you don't know what you're saying."

Her face flashed hot as she tried to find the words to explain to her father he had everything wrong. What he was saying made no sense.

"Honey, I was born at night but not last night. I know what I'm talking about. And what do you mean you ain't known him long? What's that got to do with anything?"

"You can't fall in love in two weeks," she mumbled, staring at a spot on the floor.

"Did I ever tell you the story of me and your mama? How I fell in love with her the first moment I saw her?" Dominic asked.

"Only about a hundred times…"

"I waiting tables trying to save money for law school–"

"One hundred and one…" Michonne muttered, rolling her eyes, but her dad went on.

"And it was at this restaurant that don't exist anymore, anyway, I was getting paid two-fifty an hour, plus tips, which really wasn't jack-shit back then and it ain't now but that's irrelevant. Anyway, it was like 8:30, 'bout an hour and a half before closing and this trio walk in and sit at my table, of all places. Well, it was my last for the night but I was exhausted, and felt like I was running on fumes.

But when I get up to them to greet them, this woman with this bright yellow sun dress and two afro puffs on her head smiled up at me and it felt like my whole world had just flipped upside down. She had these big brown eyes that had me hypnotized the moment I locked with 'em. She and her girlfriends had just gotten out of a late night class and that was the only place open. I remember their orders so vividly. 3 combo platters, no tomatoes on 2, and 3 sweet teas. You know what I did?"

"You went and gave them twice as much food as they ordered," Michonne said flatly.

"I brought back twice as much food as they ordered. And I covered their tab myself. Even though I really didn't have the money to be doing that. She told me her name was Eve Morgan before they left. Didn't get her number or nothing. I was so mad at myself when I got home. But I did make sure I was up at work damn near every day, just in case Miss. Eve Morgan came back."

"…And she did come back…"

"And she did come back. I knew from the first second I saw your mama that she was gonna be mine. Now while then I didn't have my life together, she stuck with me. I was still working my way through law school. But I gave everything back to her when I finally made it. All the late nights, all those broke dates I took her on. I gave her anything and everything she wanted. Your mother has been the only love of my life," Dominic said wistfully.

"Yeah that's great, Daddy but just because it was love at first sight for you, doesn't mean it's the same for me and Rick," Michonne protested weakly.

"Honey, I didn't say it would be. My point in telling you that story was for you to realize that love doesn't work on a schedule. It don't have a time clock. You can't control when you fall in love with somebody. Whether it be two weeks, two months, or two years," he simplified.

"Daddy–" Michonne struggled with his words. While she felt strongly toward Rick, two weeks seemed so unrealistic to fall in love with somebody. She didn't want to set herself up for disappointment.

"As long as it feels right to you, who cares about a timeline? You'll know when you know. No need to rush it or, in some cases, slow it down if what's happening is meant to be."

Michonne sniffed and played with her silver 'M' necklace. Her father would never steer her wrong but it seemed like her head and heart were in a tug of war.

"Okay, Daddy. I understand."

"And Mimi, if it is love, don't fight it. I know Michael hurt you so much but every guy isn't him."

"Funny. Ty said the same thing," she snorted.

"He smart like his daddy, no surprise there," Dominic jested. "And once you realize that you are in fact in love with this man, I wanna meet him. No arguing!"

"Alright old man, I hear you. Ain't it time for a nap or something?" Michonne teased as she looked at her clock. She'd have a client coming in soon.

"You ain't too old for me to get the switch, little girl. Keep playing with me. Don't make me have to come up to your fancy lil' office and embarrass you in front of your lil' employees," he threatened while laughing.

"Whatever, bye Daddy. Love you," she said lovingly.

"I love you too, Michonne. Kiss my grandson for me." The phone clicked and the room was swallowed by silence.

Michonne let the phone sit on her chest and she replayed her father's words in her mind. Could a person fall in love in a fortnight? It had only been a week and some change since she met Rick. Their first date was only days ago. Though it ended in the way that it did, Michonne felt like she was mature enough to separate love from lust.

And whatever she felt for Rick surpassed lust by miles. It scared her and she didn't know whether to dive in head first or pump the breaks. But the thought of pausing or even ending what she had with Rick sounded agonizing; she was never much of a masochist.

A little while after the conversation she had with her dad, the intercom on her office phone beeped before Jacqui's voice spilled through, "Boss lady, you have a Sheriff Rick Grimes here to see you."

Confused, Michonne looked up from her laptop in the direction of the alert. She picked up her phone, immediately checking to see if she had any missed calls or texts, and found none. She wondered what was so important he had to come see her at her business.

She quickly sprinted to her vertical wall mirror to give her appearance a once over. She smoothed out the wrinkles in her indigo blouse, tucking it into her pearl-colored pencil skirt. Once she sat back down, she tossed her locs over her shoulder and took a deep breath.

Michonne cleared her throat before answering her assistant and hoped her voice didn't tremble. "Send him in, Jacqui. Thank you." She tried to make herself look busy as a knock sounded on her door.

Jacqui opened the door, leading Rick into her office and left but still managed to throw in a quick smirk for Michonne as she shut the door behind her. Michonne's breath caught in her throat. All pretense of busyness evaporated as she took in him in his sheriff's uniform. From the shiny shoes to the fitted black slacks and the brown shirt that stretched over his broad chest to the stetson atop his head.

She had not seen him in his uniform before. The sight of him in it sent a bolt of lightning to her center. The gentle smile on his face didn't help matters either. What were the odds she was just talking about him and he showed up not long after?

Michonne was so focused on his appearance, it was a moment before she noticed the stuff in his hands.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Sheriff Rick Grimes?" Michonne purred, standing up.

Rick strode to her saying, "I thought we could have lunch, if that's okay with you, darlin'. I know I should've called first but I thought it would be a nice–"

She swallowed the rest of his sentence by surging forward and claiming his lips. As his hands were full, he could do nothing but move his mouth against hers. It was more than a peck but less than a full makeout session. Just as he was about to dip his tongue in her mouth, she pulled back.

"Rick, you can bring me lunch anytime you want." Michonne lead him to her couch by his belt, licking her lips, and took the tote bag out of his hand and he set a large styrofoam cup on the coffee table. "So what'd you bring me?"

Rick grinned and pulled two containers out, setting them down and opening them. She tasted what was in the big cup and was pleasantly greeted with sweet tea. Her stomach grumbled, letting her know she had neglected to eat anything all morning.

"Well, I hope you like chicken parm and caesar salad from Annie's off of 5th," Rick chuckled at the chuffed look on his girlfriend's face.

"Mmm, I don't think I've been there but it smells so good I might have to check it out now," she said smacking her lips.

"Oh, I've been taking Carl there since he was a baby. Honestly best soul food restaurant in Atlanta," he praised.

After unbuttoning his uniform shirt to reveal a white undershirt, Rick grabbed utensils and cut into the food. He signaled her to open her mouth and she sent him a look of amused disbelief.

"Rick, what in the world are you doing? I can feed myself, you know?" She smirked.

"I know that. I want to feed you, is that so bad?" She tilted her head at him and he mimicked her actions. "Are you going to let me feed my beautiful girlfriend?"

Where the hell had this man come from? Who made him? He couldn't be from this world because men like him didn't exist outside of cinema.

"There's no way you're serious. Are you serious?" Michonne scoffed, smirking and crossing her arms under her chest, elevating her breasts.

"As a heart attack," he said with the barest hint of amusement, catching the shift.

"Rick…"

"Michonne…"

Her stomach twisted. Fuck, she hated that. That power his voice had over her. The way his sexy drawl fit into the cracks of the syllables that made up her name had to be illegal. It was sinful. Surely her parents hadn't intended for her name to be used against her like this.

"Open your mouth, Michonne," he commanded softly. Rick lifted the fork covered in noodles and chicken to her lips. He had his other hand under the food in the air so as to not spill anything.

She blew out a small breath, staring into his piercing eyes. He wouldn't let this go, that much was clear. She would be a liar if she said that his commanding voice didn't set her thoughts on fire.

Gaze not leaving him, Michonne spread her lips, opening her mouth for him to put the food in it. Her eyes fluttered close as the flavors hit her tongue, and she moaned unconsciously while she chewed.

Rick gritted his teeth, listening to her make those noises that he assumed were at his expense. He chewed silently to himself, as he watched her. She was doing that to torture him, he just knew it because that felt like the logical answer. This woman had to know the effect she had on him.

This continued for the next 30 minutes while Rick fed them. The air in the office space bubbled dangerously close to the edge.

"I told my dad about you today," Michonne revealed, breaking the tension. She bit her bottom lip, waiting on his reaction.

Rick paused his sipping from their shared straw and cut his eyes to her stiff form.

"Oh, okay. And how did that go?" Rick asked cautiously, not sure on how to proceed. It had been a while since he had to deal with a partner's parents. Though his eyes brightened at the thought of her telling her parents about them, interpreting that as her being serious about their relationship.

"Well technically, Daryl told him and my mom before I could but nevertheless," she rolled her eyes, shrugging. "He said he wants to meet you soon." She left out the other part of what he said about their meeting would be after she came to accept her feelings for him.

His heart jumped, and he wiped his hands on a napkin and pulled Michonne into his arms. She sank into his embrace, with her ear to his chest.

"Um…I think that's great. I'd love to meet the man who created the amazing woman before me. You think he'll like me?" He squeezed her side.

Michonne's eyes crinkled, remembering their conversation. "Oh yeah, definitely. It's my mom you gotta worry about. She's still not over my ex doing me dirty the way he did," she cringed.

Rick sat silently before stating, "You never told me the full story about what happened. All you said was that he's not around and that's it. If your mom's still holding a grudge, what exactly did this guy do to you?" He tilted his head to look down at her.

Michonne sighed deeply and climbed into Rick's lap as gracefully as she could with her tight pencil skirt. He widened his legs, creating more space for her, and rested his hands on her sides. She buried her head in his neck, dreading this story.

"He didn't…He didn't put his hands on you, did he?"

"God no. That would be easier to explain, and much less pathetic than telling you that my boyfriend of 3 years ran off with my college best friend that day I gave birth to his son."

"Wait what–"

"Yup, you heard that right."

Rick stopped rubbing her back, pausing in absolute disbelief. Michonne lifted her head from the crook of his neck to glance at him. His mouth was open and his eyebrows were furrowed.

She explained further, "While I was in studying for my law degree, I met this girl named Andrea. I caught her boyfriend putting his hands on her and kicked his ass. That's how we became friends. We damn near did everything together. It wasn't until that day that we realized we had a lot of classes together. Then I met Mike and so much changed. She hated Mike, I swear she did. They were always arguing with each other." Michonne stared at the wall, past Rick's head.

"I should've known something was up. But I was so focused on getting my degree and passing the bar that anything beyond what was right in front of my face, I was bound to miss. Me and Andrea graduated, we got jobs as interns then started at different firms but we did pretty good at keeping up with the other amidst our busy schedules. Then I got pregnant with Andre and all communication just stopped. I thought it was so weird but I mean, life happens so I wasn't too confused or heartbroken about it. Mike and I were doing great… or so I thought," She shook her head, chuckling.

Rick examined her as she spoke. She didn't appear sad. In actuality, she seemed cynically amused, completely over the situation as a whole. He trailed her spine with his fingers, letting her know he was still listening.

"All 9 months of my pregnancy, Mike was acting so fucking weird. But I just put it on this being his first child and he was scared and that made sense to me at the time. Little did I know he was plotting and planning the whole time. Luckily when I went into labor, Daryl was at the house checking on me and was able to take me to the hospital because Mike was working a night shift at whatever factory he worked at so he wasn't home. All 26 hours of my labor, my parents and my siblings tried to get a hold of him but nothing."

Rick clenched his jaw, thinking about how anyone could just up and abandon the person they claimed they loved, the mother of their child at the very least in such a moment of need. Rick might've not liked Lori much before or after she got pregnant but he would have never done her like that.

"2 days after Andre was born, I finally got to take him home and when I got home," she chuckled without a trace of humor. "When I got home, all of Mike's shit was gone. And I mean every single thing. The only thing I found was a goddamn note taped to the fridge saying how he was leaving and he wanted no parts of Andre. Not even a fucking sorry was uttered in that stupid note."

Though she was over the tears, she did tremble in anger at the memory. While Andre was the best thing that ever happened to her, that didn't stop the bitterness that crept into her spirit when she thought about his biological father.

"Well, how'd you know he left with Andrea if it wasn't in the note?"

"The note was written in her handwriting! I spent enough time with her, us doing homework together, to know what her handwriting looks like. She curled her letters a certain way that I always thought was really pretty. That bitch. And then all of their arguments and interactions came flooding back to me. It was like in that moment being hit with a sledgehammer. I should've known they were playing in my face the whole time."

"No, that's not your fault. They are the ones at fault. Only people who are miserable with their lives would do something like that to somebody they supposedly care about. I am so sorry that happened to you, Michonne." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. He kissed the crown of her head. "Thank you for telling me."

"Andre has never met his sperm donor, he's not even on his birth certificate. As far as I'm concerned Mike doesn't exist regarding Andre. He will never meet him."

"And he doesn't deserve to either. Andre doesn't need someone like that in his life. And neither do you." Rick grabbed her face and made her look at him. Her eyes reflected such vulnerability while she portrayed unwavering strength in the wake of her story.

"You deserve so much more," he whispered while brushing her hair away from her face.

Her heart thudded in her chest, and her eyes suddenly burned with unshed tears. She stared up at the ceiling, exhaling a shuddering breath.

This was not how she planned to spend her day. Her dad's words echoed in her mind, knocking around the inside of her skull like a clapper to a bell. After all of what she had been through, could she fall in love with a man she had barely known for two weeks? The lawyer in her, the side that housed the most logical part of her being, cursed her out because that sounded idiotic. But the pathetic, hopeless romantic in her wanted to believe that everybody had a somebody and it was only a matter of time before they found them…

…So maybe her somebody had finally found her.

"Kiss me. Please kiss me, Rick."

Gasping, Michonne met Rick in the middle as he lunged up catching her lips in a deep, sensuous kiss. His big hands cradled her face as she snaked her arms around his neck. Their bodies were smashed together as she held onto him in fear that if she let him go, he would disintegrate before her very eyes.

Rick gently swiped his tongue across her lips, silently requesting entrance. Michonne eagerly opened her mouth and succumbed to the ambrosia of the kiss. Her tongue brushed against Rick's and it felt like a lock was clicking shut.

One of his hands slid to the back of her head, pushing her deep into his mouth. He swept her tongue in his mouth sucking on it, as her lips continue to attack his. Their lunch was still heavy on both of their palettes. Michonne realized he was hard when she shifted on his lap and felt his turgid length stressed against his pant leg.

Not deterred in the slightest, Michonne ground against him. Her skirt rolled up her thighs, freeing her movements.

Rick moaned into her mouth and dropped his hands to her waist, pressing her down on his crotch.

"Shh, I don't want my staff hearing you," she whispered against his lips.

Michonne reached between them and fiddled with Rick's belt while savoring their kiss. He was of no match to stop her determination. She sucked on his bottom lip as she reached into his boxers and wrapped her hand around his erection.

He had moved his hands from her hips to her thighs, bunching her skirt up around her torso so he could take two handfuls of her ass. He caught a glimpse of the black cotton panties she wore and wondered if her bra matched.

She used both of her hands to stroke his length, eyeing the pearls of precum at the mushroom tip. Michonne brought one hand to her mouth and licked her palm before resuming her pace.

"Fuck, Michonne. I need you." His voice was deep and breathy.

Rick dipped his head into the crook of her neck, licking and sucking on her throat. He nipped on the skin of her shoulder while she fondled him.

"I need you more." Without displacing him, Michonne rose up on her knees, hovering over his pink angry cock, and pushed her panties to the side then lowered herself until her weeping pussy was completely full.

They exhaled at the same time, and then locked eyes. Her fingers climbed to the back of his neck and through his hair as her stomach clenched. Rick swiped a thumb over her plump bottom lip, and she curled her tongue around it. She hadn't even begun to move and she felt her insides already fluttering.

"So fucking tight," he groaned.

"You're so big. So good. You feel so good. Mmm." With her knees on either side of his thighs, she rolled her hips, starting her mission.

She rose and fell on his dick as he planted his feet firmly to thrust upwards, jabbing so close to her cervix. He stole his thumb out of her wet mouth and grabbed both voluptuous cheeks in his hands. He gripped her ass so hard, he wanted his hand prints engraved there.

He trailed kisses up the side of her neck while he met her bounces. She tossed her hair back as she rode him. She leaned back, allowing her clit to brush up against his hard torso and she gasped at the jolt that shot through her.

Rick buried his face in her clothed bosom as they both felt this pressure building inside of them. She moved quicker, rhythmless. She felt him deep in her womb, and her heart jumped.

"Baby, I'm gonna–" Rick breathed, squeezing his eyes shut.

"I know. Don't stop."

She wanted to feel all of him. He couldn't leave her or she would scream.

Her breathing quickened because of the sheer intensity of their coupling. She came first letting out a high-pitched whimper, disregarding her earlier warning about alerting the entire office of her activities. A guttural moan escaped him as he exploded within her, bucking and shaking and coming simultaneously. He held her close to him, pushing deep into her until he was done and the shaking slowed.

With her cheek pressed to him, Michonne could feel her soul interlocking with this man. She felt their heartbeats syncing. She felt the words lumping in her throat, she wanted so badly to say them. Both of their eyes were closed, the silence in her office was only penetrated by their breathing. She brushed the side of his face with the back of her hand as he used his thumbs to create circles on her back.

Dominic Williams' words reverberated again. You can't control when you fall in love with somebody.

"I love you," she mouthed against his cheek. She stilled with bated breath for a response if there was any. When there was none she relaxed in his embrace though she felt cowardly for not speaking aloud.

Eventually, they pulled apart and righted their clothing as they both had to get back to work. Rick kept shooting her glances, small smiles that encapsulated so much and nothing at all. She walked him down to the lobby of the building, leaving him with a quick but thorough kiss, uncaring of any eyes that may have been on her. His stetson afforded them a small percentage of privacy as he leaned down to her, telling her goodbye.

Michonne watched him strut out of the building, his bowlegged swagger making her grin. He turned back briefly, catching her gaze, and winked at her, smiling with all his teeth. Those lips she had already become addicted to in such a short time stretched only for her.

She loved him. She did. That much was very clear to her now.

"Again!"

"Again? Dre, we just did it 2 times already."

"I wanna hear the ants song again!"

"Say please?" Michonne gave her son a look.

"Please, can we do the ants song again?"

"Thank you. One more time, okay?" She conceded, observing all the kinds of cereal.

"Mmkay." Andre smiled wide.

Michonne rubbed his coarse hair and kissed his nose. He sat in the basket that she pushed around the grocery store. After work, she had picked him up from daycare and decided to take a trip to the store, needing groceries for the week. The basket was half full and they had been in the store a total of 30 minutes already.

"The ants go marching one by one. Hurrah, hurrah. The ants go marching one by one. Hurrah, hurrah," she started and he squealed, singing along with her as she grabbed things off the shelves. "The ants go marching one by one. The little one stops to suck his thumb and they all go marching down, to the ground, to get out of the rain. Boom, boom, boom."

She walked slowly through the aisles, enjoying this time with her son. He was so little now but one day he would be big and these moments would only be a distant faded memory. He loved going to the store with her. He loved greeting strangers and she absolutely cringed at that trait of his because she really didn't want him to think all strangers were friendly.

"Okay, what number comes next?" She asked Andre as she stood in the deli meat section of the store.

Andre counted on his tiny fingers before gasping, "Eight!"

"Good job!" She kissed his cherubic cheek. "The ants go marching eight by eight. Hurrah, hurrah. The ants go marching eight by eight. Hurrah, hurrah. The ants go marching eight by eight, the little one stops to…" She trailed, side-eyeing her son.

"To roller skate!" He hopped in the basket seat.

"And they all go marching down, to the ground, to get out to the rain."

"Boom, boom, boom," Andre finished in his deepest voice, making his mother burst out laughing.

"Well isn't that sweet," came a sickly sweet voice behind Michonne, cutting off her laughter.

The smile that blossomed on her face never fell so quickly viewing the person who she hadn't seen in half a decade.

Paulette Anthony. Mike's mother and unfortunately, Andre's paternal grandmother. Paulette never liked Michonne – it was never a secret. Michonne knew that Paulette had felt it was too ambitious for a black woman to go to law school when, in her outdated opinion, her first priority should've been taking care of Mike.

Paulette had taken up for Mike after he had abandoned her during Andre's birth and skipped town with his side piece. Saying that it was Michonne's fault for not giving her man enough attention. She even had the audacity to think that Andre should have Mike's last name.

And for that, Michonne had never let this woman anywhere near Andre. Michonne told her in no uncertain terms that she could kiss her ass if she thought that she would ever have a relationship with her grandchild.

"Miss Paulette," Michonne pursed her lips, "still kicking I see." She blocked her view of Andre. He was still singing softly to himself.

"Michonne Williams. Is bitter single mother your occupation now?" The dark-skinned woman quipped, smirking. She stood at just about the same height as Michonne, with her permed salt and pepper hair in a neat bob.

"Bitter single mother was your area of expertise," Michonne chuckled humorlessly. "No, actually, I'm a lawyer. Remember I was going to law school, I know it might be hard to start remembering things when you get up there in age."

"My memory is just fine, thank you very much. I remember a lot of things. In fact, how's my grandson doing without a father in the home?"

"Madam, I have no idea who you're talking about because that child behind me holds no relation to you. He only has one grandmother, and she has much better tastes in clothes."

"You smart mouth, uppity–"

"Is there a reason you stopped me in the middle of the grocery store, Paulette because I know it wasn't to trade niceties in front of the chicken breasts?" Exasperated, Michonne sighed, interrupting her before she could call her out of her name in front of Andre.

Paulette huffed and lifted her chin. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I would like to get to know my grandson."

Michonne snorted immediately. "No."

"No?" She gaped, crossing her arms.

"One word. One syllable. Two letters. No."

"I feel that he should know this side of his family."

"Good thing I don't give a damn about what you feel. You cast us aside when I came to you about your raggedy ass son leaving me in the midst of childbirth. You had done nothing but disrespect me since the moment you met me. You haven't felt the need to see him in the last 5 years so what makes you think I'll let you see him now?" Michonne leaned in closer to the woman and harshly spoke in a low tone so her voice wouldn't carry.

"Now listen here, little girl–"

"No! You listen here, old woman. My parents taught me to respect my elders but I find myself wandering from that teaching at the moment," she ground out. "You mean nothing to that little boy. You are nothing to him. He is not your anything. I will never let you or your pathetic excuse for an offspring anywhere near him. You don't deserve it."

Paulette clenched her jaw and began to retort when a bubbly, country voice cut her off.

"Hey, Michonne! Fancy seeing you here!"

Michonne conjured a smile from her scowl when she saw Maggie from her waltz class walking towards her, carrying a basket in her hand.

"Hi, Maggie. Doing a little shopping?" She completely ignored Paulette seething beside her as she addressed Maggie.

"Yes, girlfriend, I am just the biggest airhead. I swear I'm up here every single day because I keep forgetting things. I think I'll just start sending Glenn in my stead," the country girl chuckled.

Paulette didn't even bother saying anything else, she simply turned on her heel and walked away. She huffed and puffed her away to the other side of the store. Michonne could feel her bitterness from afar and strangely, it delighted her.

Michonne turned to look at her son, seeing him chewing on candy gummies from her purse. He smiled at her guiltily but coming off her high of telling that woman off, she couldn't find it within her to be upset.

"I'm sure Glenn will do just about anything you ask him to do."

"Oh, I know he will. I got him wrapped around my finger," Maggie smirked, then turned her attention to the little boy in the basket. "And who is this little guy?"

"This is Andre. Say hi, peanut." She cupped his face.

"Hi, my name is Andre," he said to Maggie with a big smile. "I like candy and Spongebob and Spiderman."

"I bet you do. My fiance likes those things too!" Maggie giggled with hearts in her eyes, completely smitten with the little boy. She turned back to Michonne with a curious look, "Seems like that conversation was getting a little heated before. Guess I came over at the right time. Not that you needed saving or anything. You looked like you were about to tear her a new asshole." Her green eyes darted to Andre making sure he didn't hear her cursing.

"Just somebody that I used to know. Nobody worth talking about," Michonne shrugged.

Maggie raised an eyebrow but left the subject alone. Michonne pushed her cart and Maggie walked alongside her.

"So how are you and Rick? Last class, y'all barely took y'all's eyes off of each other."

"Rick and I are…" Her eyes glazed over as images of the day she had came back to her. Remembering Rick bringing her lunch, and them making love on her office couch. It was glorious. Best Tuesday she's ever had in her life.

"That good huh?" Maggie's tongue was practically wagging, eyes glimmering.

Michonne covered her mouth, muffling her laugh.

"Anytime you and Rick wanna have a double date, lemme know. I think it would be fun." Maggie nudged Michonne's shoulder playfully. "Let me get back to this shopping before Glenn has to come up here and get me. See ya, cutie." She poked Andre's neck, causing him to happily squeal.

Michonne finished her shopping and went home. Later when she and Rick had their nightly call, it took everything inside her not to reveal the deeper feelings that she had come to realize today. She didn't know where he stood and the thought of scaring him off with her rapidly growing affection sent a fearful shiver up her spine.