Michonne's P.O.V

I walked down the street to Carol's house to grab the cake we made for Jay. He was still asleep, but Carl had woke us up early yo get everything ready.

I knocked on Carol's door three times and she answered almost instantly.

"Come to get the cake?" she asked, all happily.

"Yes," I smiled at her and walked into the house.

She led me to the pantry and we held a small conversation.

"Guess you're doing great huh?" She still smiled at me, and truthfully I was getting freaked out. I've never seen Carol so happy before.

"I guess.. Why do you ask?"

She pulled the cake out and grinned at me, "I heard,"

I lowered my eyebrows and tilted my head, "heard about what?"

She placed the cake down, looked at me anxiously and pulled me into a hug.

"Congratulations, Michonne! I am so glad you and Rick are tying the knot. I mean it was unexpected but it was still so expected and I couldn't be happier for the both of you right now." she rubbed in circles on my back, and to be honestly it made things less awkward.

"Thank you." I murmured, hugging her back.

She pulled from me and stared me in the eyes, "I also heard about Jolene."

I held my head down and shook it, "I'm really sorry for what I did, I don't know what I was thinking."

"Ah, don't be. She deserved it and we gotta find a way to get her out...She's been getting close to Daryl."

"We could just tell Gregory." I suggested.

Jolene got Rick, and she had to deal with me.. She's not going to get Daryl because she does not want to deal with Carol.

"Maggie and I have tried, Gregory won't listen cause he's too busy messing around with her." Carol sighed

god dammit....

"You know what? It's fine. Let things be." I said

"She will stir up trouble again. She won't quit at anything I bet,"

I stared at her with a confounded look and raised an eyebrow, "I don't know I just feel like she's trying to impregnate herself."

oh shit, she may be right. what if that really  is Jolene's plan?

I began gathering the cake because I couldn't bear thinking about this anymore.
"well, I  gotta get going before Jay wakes up."

"Oh yeah-- tell him I said happy birthday," she dug deep into her pocket and pulled out 4 batteries

"Here, give this to him from me." I smiled and took the batteries from her.

I don't know why she is giving him batteries but that's not my place to ask.

I carried the cake cautiously to the house, where Rick sat on the porch.

He helped me get the cake into the house and onto the kitchen table.

"I'm ready to dig in. You and Carol did a great Job," he kissed me and smiled

"Thank you."

He pulled me into a hug as he leaned against the wall, and truthfully, Rick made me feel like a high schooler... he gave me butterflies.

"how did you sleep?" he asked

"Great. how about you?"

"I had a bad dream,  but I was by your side so I can't complain." 

I smiled and kissed his jawline because of the height difference, I couldn't reach his lips.

"I love you." he whispered

"Oh that's cool. Want a cookie for that?"

I stared at him with a serious face for a second before we both bursted out into laughter,
he tried to lift me up but I ran around the chair and we chased each other, around and around. He wouldn't catch me but it was still fun watching Rick smile at me.

There was soon a knock at the door and we both got serious. We fixed our clothes and answered the door together.

"Hey! Carl invited us." Sasha said, hand in hand with Abe.

"Oh! Come in," I smiled.

I opened the door wider so they could come in.
They brushed past us and Sasha placed a big bag of things on the table beside the cake.

"We brought presents, Sasha made em." Abraham said awkwardly.

"I know he'll be happy to receive them." I exclaimed.

"Well, where is the brat." Abraham joked

Sasha hit his arm and Rick chuckled.
The men are so immature.

Carl the ran down the stairs, panting and signaling that he was coming.

"Get ready to sing." Carl commanded

We all watched the top of the stairs for a little while until Jay appeared.

We all took a deep breath and began signing as he walked down the stairs.

"Here comess the briide--ahhaah im kidding." Carl joked

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JADEN,
Happy birthday to you."
Rick's hand interjoined with mine as Carl and Jay hugged shyly.

"Thanks Michelle, and Grimes. Y'all the realest." He hugged me and fist bumped Rick.

He walked over to Sasha and Abraham and hugged Sasha.
He grinned at Abe and saluted him.

"You gotta cut the cake, bud." Carl handed Jay a knife and we all joined him in the kitchen.

"On the count of three slice through the cake and make a wish." Carl said

Jay nodded and held the knife steadily on the cake as everyone stared in silence.

"One....two....three!"

Jay closed his eyes and sliced through the cake. He opened them and we all clapped.

"To your 17th! Hazzah!" Carl lifted Jay's arm in the air and everyone laughed and clapped.

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After we all ate cake and had great laughs, we joined together in the living room so Jay could open presents.

He began with the one Carl go him.
It was poorly wrapped in a plastic bag but it was the thought that counted.

He opened it to the sight of some pens and pencils and a new notebook.

Jay ran his fingers over his present and looked at Carl,

"Sorry I couldn't get anything good.. We had to end the run early because of a tragic event but I thought you'd like it cause your old one got left in Alexandria so I thought I would gr--"

Jay cut Carl off with a great big bear hug, "Thanks dude."

"Okay you can get off of me now before I RKO you." Carl joked

Jay pushed him and laughed, walking back to his presents.

He began taking stuff out of Sasha and Abraham's bag and god she made alot.

They gave him a crochet beanie, a bottle of some unknown light brown liquid, a lazer pointer,  and some sweet treats.

"Thanks guys, I-- I don't know how to thank you." Jay smiled

"Party's not over yet. We have a few words." I said

I looked at Rick and his eyes widened.
Great,
He forgot.

I sighed and hit his arm.
"I'll go first."

I stood up and everyone stared at me but my eyes stayed on Jay.

"Uh, Jaden Saleem Thomas, you little Ethiopian, Chicagioian, charming little boy. Can't believe you're seventeen, even though I've only known you for 4 months, I feel like I've known you forever, and I want to know you forever. You're part of my family and that won't ever change."
He smiled and hopped up to hug me,
"I love you Michelle." he whispered

"Love you too kiddo,"

We let go and sat back down and then Rick was up,

"Uh, I'm not very prepared but yeah, happy birthday, man." Rick chuckled and Jay smiled, they are so adorable.
Rick paused and a sighed before continuing,
"Glad you're here with us. We appreciate you and your humbleness, your jokes and your advice. You've listened and  helped me through my problems and I wanna help you through yours. I remember you telling me about your dad, how he was never your idol like a real dad should be or even your friend in that matter... So, I'm here to change your story. I'll be your dad from now own, you and Carl's and Judith's and you'll be loved and protected and you don't have to worry anymore, I'm not gonna leave you man."

Jay held his face in his hands now, not able to look Rick in the eyes..

There was a long awkward moment of silence and all you could hear was Jay sniffling.

Rick glanced at me and made an 'uh oh' face.

Sasha and Abraham looked around, like lost children, and Carl rubbed Jay's back..

"Papa Grimes?" Jay said, through sobs.

Rick smiled and nodded, "Papa Grimes, Dad, Old Man Rick, whatever you wanna call me."

Jay jumped up and hugged Rick and It was the first time I've seen Rick hug Jay. It was so emotional and sweet and I could just bawl my eyes out-- though Sasha already was.

Carl clapped his hands and raised them in glory, joining the guys' hug, "you won't ever forget the birthday you turned seventeen."
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