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How Sweet It Is | Richonne | T | 1.7k | AO3 | FF.net

Summary: In an attempt to get his single dad Rick to meet their new neighbor Michonne, Carl insists they make batch of candy apples to bring to Michonne and her young son. Will sparks fly between Rick and Michonne? Will the candy apples be the only sweetness on that late fall afternoon?

A/N: Written for @richonneevents Richonne Fictober 2024 Day 1: Making Candy Apples

The second batch of candy apples was almost ready to be boxed up with the first lot. Rick was patiently waiting for Carl to find something warmer to wear as the cooler weather was finally setting in. Rick looked at the tray of goodies and smiled. Carl was such a generous, caring soul for his tender age. He had said to his father that he wanted to share some of the treats with the new family that had moved in across the road a couple of months earlier: Single working mom, Michonne, and her toddler Andre.

Carl had babysat Andre a few times when Michonne had finally found time to herself to catch up with friends or go on a date here and there. Michonne reminded Carl of his dad a lot. A single parent doing the best they could for their son, but who didn’t have a lot of time for other things, namely dating. Carl thought that they were well suited and would get along if given the chance. So, if Carl had encouraged his father to make candy apples and take them over to Michonne and Andre in the hope that they would hit it off, well that was of no concern to anyone else.

Carl came bounding down stairs and rushed into the kitchen as his father was placing the last of the candy apples into the box.

“They’re all ready, son,” said Rick as he smiled at Carl.

“You’re wearing that?” asked Carl as he gestured to his father’s outfit.

Rick looked down at his outfit: A button-down flannel tucked into faded jeans.

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Nothing,” Carl replied. “But what about your blue shirt?”

“Why the blue shirt?” asked a curious Rick, wondering why his son was now so invested in his sartorial choices.

“It brings out your eyes, duh,” said Carl before adding, “Go on and get changed so we can head out.”

“Alright,” said Rick with a grin as he made his way to get changed.

…..

Carl was not as slick as he thought he was. Rick was onto him. While Carl was genuinely a generous and kind kid, Rick knew he had ulterior motives for making the batch of candy apples and bringing them to their neighbors. He knew Carl wanted Rick to expand his social circle, which was already so small. He knew his son wanted him to put himself out there and meet new people. He also knew his son wanted him to start dating again.

Rick had seen Michonne in passing. He had spoken to her on the phone when organizing for Carl to babysit. But he didn’t know much about her except that she had a small son, was divorced, and had about as much as a social life as Rick did. He had to admit that she was really beautiful as well. And to be honest, Rick wouldn’t mind getting to know her better.

He smoothed down his blue shirt and checked himself over in the mirror. Carl was right; the blue did bring out his eyes. Rick did some finger-guns at himself, and then shook his head while laughing before making his way back down to the kitchen.

“Let’s go,” said Carl happily as his father picked up the box of candy apples; the pair made their way outside and over the road.

…..

Michonne and Andre were enjoying their new life in the new neighborhood. Everyone was friendly and it was a nice place. They had settled in well, and Michonne had even made some new friends. On the rare occasion that she got to go out and spend time with her friends, a couple of the neighborhood teenagers babysat Andre for her. Carl from across the road was Andre’s favorite. He was a good boy who cared a lot about his dad. Michonne let him look through her comic book collection if he showed up early to babysit. She liked Carl, and she would like to get to know his father Rick a little better, too. She and Rick seemed to have a bit in common, being single parents of sons. She had spoken to him on the phone, and seen him from a distance, but was yet to meet him in person.

The late afternoon had set in, and Michonne had just finished folding laundry in the living room while Andre was playing when she heard the doorbell ring. She got up off the couch and went to answer the door. Michonne was pleasantly surprised to see Carl standing there with a smile on his face, and his father standing next to him, looking somewhat bashful and holding a box.

“Oh, hi there,” said Michonne cheerfully.

“Hey,” said Carl.

“Hello,” said his father. “Sorry to just drop by like this.”

Michonne smiled and said, “It’s okay. Uh, you’re Rick, right?”

“Shoot, where’re my manners?” he chided himself before holding out a hand for Michonne to shake. “Yes, I’m Rick Grimes. So nice to meet you.”

“Michonne Hawthorne,” she replied shaking his hand. “Lovely to meet you, too.”

“The pleasure’s all mine,” said Rick, smiling at Michonne’s radiant smile.

Carl coughed beside his father, garnering both his and Michonne’s attention.

“Right,” said Rick, clearing his throat. “Carl and I made some, uh, candy apples. And he thought you and your boy might like some.”

Michonne’s face lit up as she looked from Rick to Carl.

“Oh my gosh you guys,” she exclaimed. “That’s so thoughtful and sweet. Thank you.”

“I know how you and Andre both have a sweet tooth,” said Carl gesturing to the box Rick was holding. “My Dad made them, I helped to decorate them.”

Rick held the box out for Michonne to take; she smiled and offered her gratitude once more.

“Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” said Rick with a courteous smile.

“Hope you like them,” said Carl, as Rick placed a hand on his shoulder, and they turned to leave.

“Hey, hold up,” said Michonne, causing the pair to stop. “You leaving already?”

Carl shrugged and Rick said, “We don’t wanna take up any more of your time. I heard you’re a pretty busy lady.”

“I’m sure Andre and I can make some time for you and Carl,” said Michonne, sweetly. “Please, come on in. I was about to make some hot chocolate.”

“We wouldn’t wanna impose,” said Rick, suddenly bashful.

“Trust me,” Michonne supplied in earnest. “You’re not. Please, come in and join us.”

…..

The mug of hot chocolate felt warm in Rick’s hand as he sipped from it and admired the way Michonne’s face lit up when she spoke of her family. It was clear that she missed them, but was settling into King County very well.

“It’s such a lovely place to raise a family,” said Michonne.

“It sure is,” Rick agreed. “I grew up here. Got married and divorced here. Raising Carl here. My whole life is here, and I can’t say nothin’ bad about it. This town has been good to us. Good for us. I hope it’ll be the same for you.”

Rick’s soft smile made Michonne smile back at him.

“I know I’ve said this before,” Michonne started. “But you’ve done a great job with Carl. He’s a great kid. I hope I can be as good at this single parent thing as you are.”

“You already are,” said Rick as he placed his mug down near his half eaten candy apple and turned more on the sofa so that he could look at Michonne.

“Thank you,” she said softly, sipping from her own mug before placing it down next to Rick’s. “I just worry sometimes that I’m not enough. That I’m somehow messing this all up.”

“You’re not. Trust me, I’ve felt the exact same way as you have,” said Rick sincerely. “That doubtful little voice inside your head is a liar, Michonne. I��ve only just begun to know you, and I can already tell you’re a great mother, and person in general. I mean, you’ve given my kid a way to earn some extra money as well as making sure your son is taken care of when you need a little time to yourself.”

Michonne smiled then and let her head dip.

“I feel bad about having time to myself sometimes,” she admitted.

“Don’t,” Rick advised. “I was the same. Didn’t let myself enjoy anything outside of bein’ a dad. But I got there in the end.”

“How?” asked a genuinely curious Michonne.

“Well, I just put one foot in front of the other for a long time,” Rick explained. “And when things felt right, I just leapt in, I suppose.”

Michonne searched Rick’s face and grinned at him before saying, “I like the sound of that.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” said Michonne. “I have been taking one step at a time, one foot in front of the other since Andre was a baby. I think I might be ready to try this leaping thing.”

Rick let out a little laugh and beamed at Michonne as he said, “I’m glad to hear that.”

The grin Michonne returned made her eyes light up and Rick could not look away even if he wanted to. The pair held one another’s gaze for a moment as silence settled comfortably around them. Rick’s intense stare made Michonne feel seen like she hadn’t in so long; Michonne’s pretty eyes made Rick’s tummy flutter. He felt as if there was a shift between them. That they had come to an unspoken understanding that they shared a sameness. Rick cleared his throat and let the daring feeling that had suddenly swirled inside of him rise to the surface.

He leaned his arm on the back of the sofa and tilted his head to the side, before saying, “Y’know, if you wanted some encouragement or help gettin’ back out there, I’m happy to oblige.”

Michonne hid her excitement well as she batted her eyelids and said, “So, just encouragement and help? That’s all you’re offering?”

“I’d offer to take you out,” said Rick, his drawl coming out languid and confident. “There’re couple’s pumpkin carving workshops down at Tucker’s Farm this weekend. Could be fun to go along to. If that’s somethin’ you’d be interested in.”

“Oh, I’m extremely interested,” Michonne replied, suddenly feeling giddy for the first time in ages.

Rick smiled widely and said, “Great. It’s a date.”

“You know what?” said Michonne as she picked up her candy apple. “I’m so glad you came over with these.”

Rick picked up his own candy apple and said, “Yeah, me too.”