We stood at the bus stop, there was a frigid summer morning wind, but Rick held me close.

"I'm so happy to see these boys. Didn't think I'd ever say that I miss a little noise in the house." he chuckled.

I smiled, "I didn't."

Spending a quiet week with Rick has been more than everything I've needed in a while. He is my home.

"The therapist called," I started "She says she is ready to see you whenever you're ready."

He stood silent.

"Michonne-- I don't think that I can talk to someone about my feelings. I've never been the one to even show them."

"You have to me." I smiled.

"Because I love you, and I trust you." he mumbled.

"I love you too--- so this is why im getting you to do this."

Unanticipatedly, a bus rolled up in front of us, and once at a complete stop, the doors swung open and kids rushed out to meet their parents with open arms.

Carl and Andre were the last ones to get off.

"You see that SOB?" Carl pointed to a tall white boy leaving the bus.
"He ripped off my patch and made fun of me."

He balled up his fists and Andre latched on to his leg.

"Don't do it Carl," he begged "he's just a douchebag."

"Excuse me where did you learn that word?!" I exclaimed.

There was silence as Carl released his fist and slowly smiled. "It was me. Some kid fouled him during the tournament and they didn't call it. They straight pushed Andre."

"That's how soccer works." Rick laughed, and then, we all turned to walk toward the car.
__________________________________

Later, we went home to hang up Andre's medals and tropies. He had so many I was so proud of him, I took a picture and sent it to my parents, and, shamingly,  I wanted to send one to Mike.
.
.
.
.

Then, Rick dressed in black slacks and a gray button up, and Carl wore the same --whilst I, wore my favorite long flowing grey dress.. and Andre wore black slacks and his cute little grey button up.
We were ready for my early maternity shoot--- or maternity reveal shoot??

Jay agreed to do our pictures, he was a very good photographer. So, we met him at a lake that he loved to shoot at.

We took all kinds of beautiful pictures, but my favorite ones were-- Rick held me bridal style in one, and Carl held Andre on his neck and we all smiled happily. Nothing divided us. Not color, or religion.
Next -- Rick and Andre kissed my stomach, and Carl made a heart with his hands.

And my all time favorite, we stood beside each other. Tallest to shortest... Which worked out perfectly.
It went, white black white black, gray grey gray grey.
Perfect color codes.
We had big smiles, Rick placed his hand on my stomach and Carl placed his hand on Andre's head, unknowingly rustling with his curls.
And in front of us, there was a big sign that read, "and then.. there was 5."

Later that night, we all gathered around my phone as I readied to post the picture on facebook. I tagged everyone I knew, and the people Rick wanted to know too.

Carl made the caption.
"And then, there was 5. And they were one big happy dysfunctional family, needless to say, they lived happily ever after."

I added a few more words to announce my pregnancy, but I thought Carl's were beautiful.

And on the count of 3...
I clicked the post button and we all went up in cheers.

Great night after that. Filled with pizza, and calls of congrats.