Michonne's P.O.V

"How was practice dude?"

"Fun," Andre smiled, as he packed his small soccer bag into the backseat of my car.

He then proceeded to hop into his car seat and buckle himself up.

"Someone's getting to be a big boy." I scoffed, glancing at him through my rear view mirror.

"Of course mama. I'll be 5 years old next week."

"How could I ever forget." I chuckled. But no, really, how could I ever forget? I could never forget that almost 5 years ago, I had to sit in a hospital bed for 32 hours, in labor with my stubborn baby boy who was turned the wrong way in my womb.

But even if I did forget, the kid's reminded me for the past week that he'll be 5. I mean, everywhere I turn he's there with a smile saying, "I'll be 5 soon." I GET IT.

"You wanna grab an ice cream from McDonald's on the way home?" I asked.

"Ooooh yes please!"

"You got it."

I happily pulled out the parking lot and calmly drove onto the road. One hand on the wheel, the other resting upon my stomach.

It was nice to not worry about so much at once. Because everything was going good. Andre's doing great at soccer, scoring a point at least every game. He's got a father figure in his life and a brother too. And Rick has been so supportive, and loving and caring and I couldn't ask for a better man to be with. Honestly.

Speaking of Rick, I grabbed my phone from my dashboard, that was connected to the radio, and held my home screen button.

"Siri, call Sweetems." I spoke, and the Google generated robot which basically controlled my phone, took control.

"Calling... Sweetems."

Buuuuuuur buuuuuuuuuurr buuuuuuur

"Yellow?" He chuckled, answering the phone like a doof. The cute doofus that he is.

"Hey, are you hungry? I'm about to stop at Mickey D's."

"No no no-- I made dinner, honey."

"You did? Rick Grimes made dinner?'

"Chicken Alfredo with a side of mean green beans." He chuckled.

"I can't wait to taste."

"Well hurry and get home--- but drive safe. I love you."

"Love you too."

And with that, he ended the call.
A smile formed across my face, because for once in my life, I'm not in the labyrinth of suffering.
____________________________________

"We're home!" Andre shouted, as he closely followed me into the house, with an ice cream in his hand.

Abruptly, Carl slid out into the hallway on his socks, gently pushed past me and fist bumped Andre.

Okay then.

I hung my keys onto the hook we have on the wall beside our front door and made my way into the kitchen.
There stood Rick, fiddling with the dishwasher like he was new to the concept.

"I got it." I laughed, frightening him.

"I'll handle the dishes after dinner." I said.

"No you most certainly will not. You'll rest." He insisted.

"Bite me."

"I just might. You know I love chocolate." He chuckled.

What a dork. But he's my dork.

"How's Andre's birthday planning coming along?" He asked.

"I dunno," I shrugged "Maggie wanted to plan."

"Well that is her job. She's an event planner." He smiled.

I mean I guess.

I took a seat at the kitchen table, glancing down at the empty plates.

"Where's the food man?"

I was hungry. My stomach was growling all day and I was hoping to dig in as soon as I got home. I eat for 2 and that's a hard job.

"Will you give me a second you mad woman."

"I'm not mad, just hungry." I chuckled.

"Same thing."
____________________________________

Carl decided to do the dishes. He always volunteers to do housework when he wants to do something, as he did.

After the kitchen was clean, Rick gave him the keys to his truck and he and Andre went to a drive-in movie. Atleast that's what he said.

"Honey?"  Rick called out.

"Yes?" I responded.

A few moments later, he trailed out the bathroom. Shirtless, his pants lower than usual and he had sex hair. His sex hair is attractive. He looks like a model with it. His curls hanging over his forehead, and the rest of them curling up at the edge of his neck.

My eyes trailed lower and lower until they reached his feet. His cowboy boots.

"Really?" I laughed.

"I haven't had a chance to take them off since I've been home."

"You didn't work today." I laughed.

"I went to get groceries, though."

"Rick that was this morning."

"Okay maybe I didn't want to take them off." He laughed.

"God you're such a country boy." I smiled.

"That's the best kind of men." He said, whilst placing his hands on his hips.

"You're right."

"That way you can save a horse and ride the cowboy." He winked.
He laughed and backed into the bathroom, leaving me laughing uncontrollably.

"Babe," he called out

"Whaaaaaaat? I'm working."

"Yeah, I know. Take a break, come get in the bath."

"Rick, I'm fine."

"It's hot and it has chamomile in it!"

"Why?" I asked.

"I read it eases pain in the pregnancy."

"I haven't been experiencing pain. Just morning sickness every now and then."

Silence.

Next thing I knew, he was out the bathroom again, staring at me with a serious look across his face.

"Michonne?"

"Yes?" I replied, not looking away from my laptop.

"I'm trying to help you."

"I don't need your help, Rick, really I'm fine."

"Well let me massage your back or something."

"Why! Why are you so anxious?" I scoffed.

"I care about you. I want you to be safe and not stressed, relaxed and not worried. You get my drift?"

I nodded.

"I got books. Pregnancy books. I read alot and I just want to tell you that I'm so excited."

His eyes were glossing and his lips were poised as if he was sad.

"You okay Sweetems?"

"I'm fine. It's just, Lori and I had Carl when we were very young and we never really had a chance to go through her pregnancy together. She ran off and I didn't see her."

"Why did she run off?" I asked.

"She shut me out." He mumbled.

"Why?"

"Its not important." He sighed.

"Just tell me," I insisted "tell me so I won't make the mistake she did."
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

"Because she ran off with Shane." And with that, he walked back into the bathroom. Not a flicker of remorse. Not another word. Nothing.

That's terrible man. I know what it feels like to be shut out. It's all I've ever felt my whole life.

All my friends made plans without me, they ignored me, avoided me. I've been alone for as long as I can remember. And after that, I just gave up. All my friends weren't really my friends. Except my best friend Andrea. She was always there when I needed her but.. at one point of time she left me too. I didn't talk to anyone for a while, you know?

I guess I know  how Rick feels. When you try so hard to be there for someone but they just shut you out?

"I won't do that to you." I said, getting off the bed and walking into the bathroom, meeting him face to face

The height difference was what I lived for. The way he looked down on me like I was the prettiest flower in the valley.

And without further hesitation, we kissed. Our kissed turned to us slowly stripping our clothes off, and slipping into the tub. Together.
____________________________________

TBC!! 
Did you all enjoy?
I WROTE THAT 'SHUT ME OUT' PART WITH ALL MY AGONY CAUSE ThATS LEGIT ME WOW OK PLS BE MY FRIEND

Til next time guys.