#tellyoscar

[greenhearts16]

Chapter 6

"So, are you some kind of time traveler or is this like that Christmas movie with the robbery and the guy waking up with his high school sweetheart?" She asked, snapping her fingers as she tried to recall the name. "What's the name?"

He shrugged. "I have no idea what this is."

"Family Man!"

The night wasn't as cold as he anticipated, but the thick blanket of snow made it difficult to walk, so they had to settle on ambling through the snow hand in hand.

Rick explained his predicament while they circled the block, making a detour to a diner they used to frequent in their youth, before their return to B&B.

The rusty old bell above the door signaled their entrance and the waitress behind the long counter waved languidly in greeting. There was only one other patron.

Nat King Cole's baritone voice came from the overhead speaker, setting a comfortable mood.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,

Jack Frost nipping at your nose,

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like eskimos.

Michonne led him to a corner booth, sliding across the worn vinyl seat. He slid in across from her grabbing the faded coffee stained menu in front of him. He already knew what he wanted, but he look through it all the same.

She picked up where their conversation had left off outside. "So, when our relationship ended in your reality, how'd that go? What did you do after?"

Continued here

[therichonnewritingnetwork]

Thankful Hearts

[The Richonne Writing Network Collaboration]

She’s looking for forever. Life has taught him forever isn’t real. Can they find something in each other that they both can be thankful for?

tags: #author!michonne, #chef!rick,  #romance, #drama, #angst #thanksgiving love story

Authors:  @greenhearts16, @rwtl2016 and  @chellepo 

| Chapter 1 | | Chapter 2 | | Chapter 3 | | [RWN members page]

[richonnefics]

Michonne makes an unwanted trip to an odd little Virginia town just in time for their annual turnip festival. Random encounters with the town's mayor leads to an unexpectedly enjoyable stay.

[richonnejustdesserts]

I'm looking for a story where Michonnes car breaks down and she has to go and stay with Carl and Rick on their farm I believe its and au based in VA. then she and Rick start dating its a multi chap fic

Hi,

I believe this is story you are looking for: 

The Farmer’s Wife by tellyoscar

On the night of one of the most brutal snow storms in Virginia’s history Rick Grimes encountered an alluring woman stranded on the side of a rural Virginia road with a dead cell phone and broken down car.Rated M

Enjoy. 

[tvreadsandsleep]

Today is, unfortunately, my last day of vacation, and to say I spent almost my entire week off reading fanfic while lazing around the house isn’t an overstatement ‘cause that’s exactly what I did. So I wanted to shout out the fanfic writers (and stories) that made my break so enjoyable. The stories aren’t in any particular order. I LOVE THEM ALL. Also they’re all Richonne/The Walking Dead ‘cause I’m officially obsessed. 

The Winner Takes All by mamagrimes -- a to die for smut, AU one-shot with Michonne and Rick having worked together on a congressional campaign.

That One Time Michonne Was Wrong by  comewithnattah -- a hilarious and smutty one-shot that has Michonne “talking” Rick into doing something that he knows they shouldn’t do with mind blowing but painful results. 

The Farmer’s Wife by tellyoscar -- an WIP AU fic that has Rick and Michonne meeting by chance and forming an undeniable connection.

Smutty Sundays Collection - Richonne Drabbles and Naughty One Shots by meanprincess -- a series of smutty one-shot stories where each one manages to be better than the one before it (which is saying a lot since the one before was already amazing) while exploring different themes.

Thank you by @cake-by-thepound -- this one was a re-read for me and I enjoyed just as much (if not more) than I did the first time. It’s what should’ve happened in 7.05 after Michonne laid that kiss on Rick. 

Take Five by crypticnotions -- an AU one-shot (??? I hope it isn’t a one-shot, but I’m not sure ‘cause it’s been a few month since it was posted and there haven’t been any updates) with Michonne and Rick working together in a warehouse store. While I was reading it Superstore came to mind, but it’s not exactly like that. 

Three of a Kind by shippingslut -- don’t judge me for this, but a smutty one-shot fic with a married Richonne having a threesome with a very much alive Shane. Obviously AU. 

To-Do List by shippingslut -- Rick has a to-do list and it very much involves Michonne. Smutty one-shot. 

Get You Shit Together Grimes by shipnation -- a smutty one-shot with a very aggressive Rick letting Michonne know (without a doubt) to whom his heart belongs. 

Getting to Rick by @siancore -- a frustrated Rick finally getting to spend time with the people he loves, but one person, Michonne, in particular. A smutty one-shot. 

Partition by @cake-by-thepound -- an AU one-shot set to the tune of Beyonce’s Partition with and adorable dose of Grimes family before the action begins. 

Engagement Dinner by @thematsaidwelcome79 -- an AU, zombie-free two chapter fic with Richonne being adorable then sexy, and there’s an amazing flashforward to how they first got together. 

A Hearty Thanksgiving by @sophiasown -- a fluffy, heartwarming Grimes Family thanksgiving. 

Cardinal Sins by @rubducked -- an incomplete multi-chapter fic regarding Richonne and the seven deadly sins, but not how you’d usually interpret them. Some smut, some AU, and all very much amazing, 

A Night to Remember by @blacklitchick -- a one-shot (that I wish wasn’t a one-shot) with Richonne meeting in a serendipitous manner.  

Thereafter by @rubducked -- a one-shot follow-up fic (that I’ve accepted as canon) with Richonne having a conversation about their first night together (in 6.10). 

Say It by @rubducked -- drunk Rick confessing his feelings. 

To Tell Him It’s Love by @lovedmoviesb  -- a smutty one-shot with Richonne finally acting on their feelings for one another and discussing when they first feel in love. 

Toys and Things by @rubducked -- another re-read that’s a smutty one-shot and involves Rick stumbling upon Michonne’s vibrator. 

What If by mamagrimes -- a series of one-shots based on the different possibilities and outcomes if different aspects of The Walking Dead universe were changed. 

Judith Wants to Know by comewithnattah -- a series of adorable and fluffy one-shot centered around Judith, her relationship with her family/those around her and her incredible imagination.

Thankful for You by @carolina-bleus -- a completed multi-chapter, AU, zombie-free fic with Rick and Michonne visiting Rick’s family (for Thanksgiving) under the ruse of being boyfriend and girlfriend. 

An Untitled Ficlet by @tarastwizzlers -- an adorable fic posted here on tumblr with Richonne being giggly and adorable (pretty much acting like teenagers in love) at the junkyard. 

Eat Play Touch by @tigerwalk3 -- an AU Thanksgiving fic that involves touch football, an injury and Richonne finally getting together.  

Can I Talk to You by @nyese3529 -- a smutty one-shot fic with Michonne reluctant to spend the night. 

Party by @cake-by-thepound -- a smutty ficlet with Richonne dressed to the nines for a party (written based on the EW pictures).

The Perks of Being Pregnant by @inkslinger-21 -- the Grimes family pamper a pregnant Michonne and discuss baby names. 

Life/Time/Love by @nyese3529 -- a wonderfully, amazing one-shot giving us the before, during and after of the Say Yes van scene that we all love so much. 

Snapshots by @reciprocityfic -- a collection of one-shots with Richonne saying different things under different circumstances. 

It’s Getting a Little Hard by N_B -- Michonne does a little something to get Rick’s attention and Rick makes a decision and does some thangs. Smutty one-shot.

With Brightness of Peace by glamaphonic -- a smutty one-shot that takes places between 6.11 and 6.12. 

Crush by dangerrollins -- Carl has an innocent crush on Michonne and Rick is concerned. My favorite line: "You think he [Carl] knows I've [Michonne] got another big cat tucked in my bra? It's not very noticeable in this shirt!" LOL

All I Want for Christmas Is You by @cake-by-thepound -- the AU (two chapter incomplete) Richonne Christmas story that I didn’t know I needed. Michonne and Rick meet by chance and hit it off, but unfortunately they’re both with other people

Must’ve Been Somethin’ Else, Then by idcabtthisish -- over 100 chapters of Richonne one-shot that I made it more than half-way through and will go back and finish later. Some of them are AU, some smutty, some fluffy, basically a mix of everything for everyone.  

ASZ ala Richonne Ficlets by niklovr -- a series of interconnected short stories about Richonne, their arrival to Alexandria and how their relationship progresses.  

I know there are a couple stories that I’m missing and for that I apologize. I’m currently read The Art of Control by @avintagekiss24, so I’m gonna get back to that. 

[therichonnewritingnetwork]

Thankful Hearts

[The Richonne Writing Network Thanksgiving Collaboration]

She’s looking for forever. Life has taught him forever isn’t real. Can they find something in each other that they both can be thankful for?

tags: #author!michonne, #chef!rick,  #romance, #drama, #angst 

Chapter 1 

written by @greenhearts16 [tellyoscar]

Michonne Daniels walked hastily down the busy  streets maneuvering around other pedestrians who were all seemingly late for something as well. There was a time when the crowded streets, blaring horns and chaotic fragrances of the city was alien to her. These days she found herself appreciating the constant hustle and bustle.

“I think I’ve had a breakthrough today. An epiphany!”

Her old friend —and the only person she new in the city before moving— Sasha Williams, responded with a laugh. “Alright, let’s hear it.”

Michonne adjusted her cell phone, balancing it between her shoulder and ear as she attempted to open her umbrella to protect her hair from the wintry drizzling rain.

“Well, it probably doesn’t count as an epiphany, since I didn’t technically come up with it myself. Or does it?”

“Here we go again,” Sasha responded with amused curiosity.

“Shush.” Michonne stopped at what felt like the hundredth crosswalk since she left the subway. She glowered at the glowing red hand, warning her not to dart across the street. “These blind dates aren’t working out  for a reason. It’s either I’m not meant to settle down or I’m looking too hard. It’s like that old saying: You don’t find love, love finds you.”

In the past year, Michonne experienced various life changes. It started when she left her home state of Georgia, in an uncharacteristically spontaneous act, to seriously pursue her writing career.

New York City, her new home, was one of those capitals of culture where young writers and artists flock to display their ambition and “authenticity” with the high stimulus of the city as a backdrop.

Of course, in the current digital age Michonne knew there was no need to be physically  present in a particular place  to succeed as a writer, but the city gave her a focus that she enjoyed. It forced her to keep everything together and stirred her ambitious spirit.

All the unfamiliar things — the cacophony of car horns, the overcrowded subways, the strange aromas— propelled her in ways her suburban Georgia neighborhood didn’t.

Life was dynamic and exciting.

Now, a year after her move, she had a contract with a well-known Publishing house and her first novel was in the final stages of the publishing process. Professional success came swifter and easier than she ever anticipated.

She couldn’t say the same about her love life. It didn’t help that she was now the frequent victim of blind dates that ranged from dull to disastrous.  

[ read more here]

Never miss a post! Follow Us, @therichonnewritingnetwork and on our FF.Net account for new Richonne Fanfiction Treats! 

[greenhearts16]

Day 4 (Part 1)

Porter, VA - Population: 299

Sleep did not come easily to Michonne and when it did, she dreamt of him. She only remembered the details in pieces, but the emotions she felt was palpable. In the dream, she stood in a field of flowers which surrounding a vast calm lake. The sky was clear and blue and there were birds chirping.

He was there, of course. She remembered his smile and how his closeness made her feel. He had taken her face in his hands, making her pulse quicken when his honeyed mouth was against hers.

She woke just as they settled in the field of flowers, skin pressing against skin. It was what could have happened on Maya's porch had she not pulled away abruptly after the second kiss.

There was a fight between two opposing sides within her. One that fought to guard her heart from further heartbreak and the other that just wanted to give in to what was clearly and rapidly forming between them.

The former side won.

"It's pretty late." She cleared her throat nervously as she slid away from him. She adjusted her blouse, fixed a stray loc, and then suddenly found the wooden armrest more interesting than any further conversation or physical interaction. "I want to be up early tomorrow and it's been a long day."

[CONTINUED HERE]

[greenhearts16]

Day 3 (Part 1)

Porter, VA - Population: 299

Michonne didn’t particularly care for jogging outdoors.

The gym in her upscale contemporary apartment building afforded  her with all the exercise she desired and she never had to set foot outside. Unfortunately, after the mammoth meal her mother presented during their dinner for two, she didn’t have the luxury of stepping into an elevator to climb onto a treadmill or exercise bike.

It was for that reason she found herself standing on the sidewalk outside her mother’s house at six in the morning, stretching her muscles before her run. Thankfully, her joyride with Rick gave her a general idea of the town’s layout.

She peeked up at the large house across the street as she lunged back with her right foot, holding her stretch. Now that she was closer, she observed the ivy ferns that grew against the sides of the house, the eerie silence, the waterless stone fountains. Against the early dawn light, the remnants of the merrier times filled with splendour were almost visible.

She smiled thinking of the man behind the walls with his dark curly hair and his mesmerising ocean blue eyes. She wondered if she would see him before he joined her and Maya for dinner that evening and secretly hoped for that possibility.

She turned on her exercise playlist, popping  her earbuds in her ear as she turned away from the house.

The balmy air of the early spring morning swept against her skin as she started her run down the sidewalk in the direction of Town Hall. Her steady gait is almost soundless as her feet pushed rhythmically against the pavement. The two houses are soon behind her, replaced with a different variety of Porter’s scenery.

She  ran past the large white church building that doubled as the Town Hall, toward the road overlooking the valley to Main Street.

She stopped outside the small Post Office, sitting on a sidewalk bench to catch her breath and enjoy the early morning bustle before the return home.

“Hey out-of-towner!”

A smile formed on her lips when she heard the familiar voice. From the periphery of her vision, she saw him approaching from the direction she came from, in a slow jog of his own. Her gaze slid to the side and she offered a smile to the dark-haired mayor, drenched in sweat.

Read more here

[greenhearts16]

Day 2 Porter, VA - Population: 299

The morning sky was bright and cloudless and the air still and tranquil. The neighborhood was deceptively quiet. Other than the twin voices, the only sounds were the creaking sound of rope against wood and the birds chirping merrily in the solar lighted fluted bird bath in the center of the garden.

"A turnip festival?"

Michonne smiled at the chirping birds, surprised gardening held her fickle mother's interest long enough for her to cultivate an immaculately landscaped front yard.

It was impressive.

"Yes, we have it every year. It's a longstanding tradition."

"And your plan is for us to make sculptures out of turnips to enter a competition at the festival?" Michonne asked making sure she was understanding what her mother was proposing.

"A sculpture, not sculptures. I want to stand out. Nobody'll think to do that. I think we can win this year and beat Annette Greene." Maya reached for her tea cup, taking a dainty sip. "I can't believe you've never visited me out here. It took a broken hip to finally drag you to Porter."

Michonne sighed, kicking her feet to make the porch swing rock in a faster, but steady, back and forth motion. "How are you feeling Mom?"

"I feel fine. Like a spring chicken," she assured her. "It's been over a month since the surgery. I can move around without breaking anything else."

"Okay. Just making sure," Michonne said. "So, where exactly are we going to get all these turnips to make a sculpture the size of the kitchen table? You growing some out back?"

"No, but Porter's probably got enough turnips to last us through an apocalypse. One of Hershel's kids will probably bring a truckload over later if I don't make it over there myself."

"A truckload!"

"I'm kidding," she laughed. "Mostly."

Michonne shook her head, glancing across the lawn to the black suburban truck parked in the driveway opposite theirs. "So, you live next door to the town's mayor, huh?" she asked, keeping her tone nonchalant.

The house stood silently and tall across the street. It's muted brown color and barely tended grounds stood out in stark contrast with the bright and almost fantastical home of her mother. It appeared almost ominous. She idly wondered if he lived alone. Like her mother's house, it was rather large for one person.

If it wasn't for the packed church the night before she would have been convinced her mother moved to an abandoned town with three other people.

"That title is a little more casual than it sounds. I take it you've met," Maya responded with a knowing smile. "I saw him making eyes at you yesterday at the meeting. When you walked in. I noticed that."

"He was not." He was, but she wasn't going to admit that to Maya.

"I invited him over for dinner with us, by the way."

[continued here]

[greenhearts16]

Chapter Sixteen: The Glimmer of Hope

"Sure, everything is ending," Jules said, "but not yet." ― Jennifer Egan, A Visit from the Goon Squad

Michonne woke to the sound of muted chatter outside her tent. With thoughts of their uncertain future on her mind, she had barely slept more than a few hours. She desperately yearned to find somewhere that offered more safety and permanence than an open clearing in the middle of a Georgia forest. Their first camp being overrun by walkers was enough to keep her on edge.

"Morning beautiful."

She looked up to find Rick crouched down near the opening of the tent smiling at her. She rose to a sitting position, returning his smile as she stretched her sore muscles. "Good morning to you too."

He peered over his shoulder, before quickly slipping into the small tent with her. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay."

"Me too." He crawled toward her, invading the cramped space of the tent. "So, today's the day."

"Today's the day, huh?" She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, a nervous laugh escaping her lips.

"It is." His piercing eyes never left hers. "Do I get a kiss? I could use some luck."

"We could all use some." She pressed her lips together, shaking her head, barely fighting back a smile. She pointed to her cheek and his lips quickly followed her finger.

"We're going to start clearing out a van and filling it with some supplies," he said, remembering what he came to tell her. "I have a really good feeling about this."

She nodded, agreeing with the sentiment. "I think it's the best shot we have for now. We can't stay out here forever."

They enjoyed each other's silent company for a few more minutes, before he left her to get ready. Although, it was never verbalized, they shared each other's hopes and fears and took comfort in their combined tenacity.

Continued here.

[greenhearts16]

Day 1

Porter, VA - Population: 299

There are very few experiences more bizarre than hearing deafening Christmas music booming from loudspeaker in May. Michonne had always been of the belief that such music should cease to exist upon the arrival of December 26th, never to be heard again until after the following Thanksgiving.

She hesitantly stepped out of her car surveying the sparsely occupied parking lot. She mentally weighed her options considering how wise it would be to interact with the occupants of the peculiar establishment.

"What is this place?" she muttered, marching reluctantly toward the entrance of the diner with the faded sign all the while wishing she was back in her condo enjoying the view of the city from her patio with her cat. Only because I love her.

The bell over the door jingled when she entered the empty diner. Oddly enough, the music was blasting from large speakers outside instead of something overhead inside the restaurant. The music was still audible with the closed door, but the setup was very peculiar.

This is why I don't do small towns in the middle of nowhere. Breeding ground for weird shit.

"Hello?" She almost chuckled to herself at how much she sounded like a woman in a horror movie. "I'm looking for some directions!"

She looked around the small diner, which had all the familiar trappings she imagines a small town diner would. It was narrow and elongated with a service counter at the center with checker-tiled floors. There was even a large jukebox on the far side of the diner.

[Continued here]

[greenhearts16]

Chapter Fifteen: The False Identity

Michonne slipped into the empty chair at the table for four, catching the end of the introductions between her childhood friend, her cousin and her best friend in adulthood. “I’m so sorry I’m late, ladies.”

“It’s fine.” Andrea waved a hand, taking a sip of her red wine. “We haven’t even been here that long.”

“I had to meet with André’s piano teacher and get some other things settled since he’s gonna be in Vermont with his Dad this week.”

“Ah motherhood.” Maggie smiled fondly. “Glenn and I are so looking forward to that in a few months.”

“Oh are you…?”

Maggie nodded, biting her lip and a chorus of congratulations and hugs  followed.

“I can’t wait to have kids. Preferably with a sane man with no criminal background,” Andrea said. “They had better get my good looks too. Michonne got lucky and managed to spit out her clone. How’s my favorite kid in the world doing by the way?”

“Aww, I haven’t seen him since he was a baby,” Maggie added. “I know he must have gotten so big, I probably wouldn’t recognize him.”

“He’s good and he’s growing so much every day. I wish I could just keep him tiny forever. I actually have to go pick him up from his lessons in about two hours. He’s off school for the rest of the week so it’s gonna be bring your kid to work day tomorrow and Wednesday.”

“Hell yeah! I’m going to have a partner in crime. Sorry about hijacking your lunch date, by the way,” she added apologetically. Michonne and Sasha already had lunch scheduled as part of their unofficial reconciliation attempts, and Andrea and Maggie were simply last minute additions to the party.

[continued on fanfiction.net]

[greenhearts16]

Chapter Thirteen: The Monstrous Masterpiece

Friday afternoon, Michonne sat folded into the couch in her loft, staring at the blank canvas across the room. The sound of the doorbell ringing broke her from her thoughts causing her to jump slightly at the sound. Her eyes shifted to the table clock checked the clock in worry that time had gotten away from her.

She wasn't expecting Michael until four-thirty.

"Is that daddy?" André asked, looking up from his coloring. He enjoyed emulating his mother and would often join her in the loft whenever she slipped away to work. She enjoyed his company and he, ever a thoughtful child, made an effort not to be too distracting. He observed her in her element and mimicked her calm and focus with ease.

Unfortunately, today with her ever working mind, he was the only one utilizing his artistry.

"I don't think so," she said, stretching her cramped muscles as she rose from the paint splattered couch. It had better not be him, she thought. He seemed to have gotten the message when she told him not to come up to her apartment unannounced. "I'll be back in a sec."

Michonne jogged down the loft stairs, picking up a stray toy in the living room as she went to answer the door. Her soft music from her earlier baking adventure echoed around her as she passed.

She let out a sigh of relief and the familiar light feeling returned when she looked through the peephole to identify the unexpected visitor. "What brings you here on this fine day Sheriff?"

"I'm a little early, I know. I hope that's okay. I meant to call but…" He pulled his hand from behind his back revealing a bouquet of purple roses and lilacs. "For you."

"Thank you. What's this for?" She asked as she took them admiring the vibrant colors.

"I don't need a reason. Just somethin' pretty for someone pretty." A smile seemed to be permanently etched on her face whenever he was around. He loved seeing her smile. It was as if the sun itself was painted across her ethereal face.

"Sweet talker." She leaned up on her tiptoes giving him a soft kiss and he wound his arm around her waist pulling her body flush against his as their kiss deepened. He felt a stirring in his pants as she lightly ground her body against his.

"We alone?" he asked when they pulled away to catch their breath.

"No, my mini-me is up in the loft working on his next great masterpiece. I have the future Picasso in the making over here."

"Creative like his Mama, huh?" Rick patted her behind as he let her go and entered the apartment, shutting the door behind him. Snoopy ran up to greet him, nipping happily at his feet.

[Continued HERE]

[greenhearts16]

Chapter Twelve: The Tenderhearted

Michonne touched her fingers to her cheek, taking in the sketches on her desk at MAW Events with a sigh. It was her first day back at her main job after a considerable amount of time away. Her restlessness had her attention scattered and she found it difficult to create an aesthetic suitable for the theme wedding her clients had in mind.

Her thoughts were everywhere at once.

When she wasn’t thinking about Rick Grimes, she was thinking about the L-word. When she wasn’t thinking about that, she was thinking about her impending meeting with André’s father.

Michael had called her day before insisting that they meet to have a very frank discussion. Due to her mother’s revelation weeks before, she already had a good idea of what the subject of their discussion would be.

“Maybe guardsmen?” she mumbled to herself as she flipped through the selected fabric swatches still feeling uninspired.

“Look who’s back and hard at work. Vacation must be over.”

Michonne smiled up at her best friend and business partner who stood in the doorway with her morning coffee in hand grinning back at her. “Trying.”

“That for the Smith’s?” She asked nodding to Michonne’s overcrowded work desk.

“Yep,” she sighed. “I’m meeting with them tomorrow morning to go over some designs for the wedding folder, potential vendors and a finalized head count and a rough timeline. There’s so much to do and every time we meet there’s drama.”

“They seemed a little…”

“Like they wanted completely different things,” she finished for her. “It happens. I just have to figure out how to create a perfect blend of fairytale wedding with a hint of NRA wedding without it being a tacky mess.”

“We’ll come up with something good. As long as they’re not planning on a confederate theme to go along with all that confusion.” She waved her hand at Michonne’s desk to emphasize her point.

“Definitely not,” Michonne replied. “I made myself super clear, so I doubt it’ll even be a suggestion. It’s definitely not one for the portfolio though.”

Andrea stepped further into the room, plopping down on a chair in the far corner of the room. “So, what else is on that beautiful mind of yours, babe?”

“A lot.”

Andrea snapped her fingers and nodded her head knowingly. “Sex.”

“I don’t share a mind with you anymore you know.” She might have had a daydream, or several, about naked painting and late-night truck sexcapades, but she'd never admit that Andrea was right.

“Deny it all you want,” she sang. “You’re not fooling nobody.”

“Well besides thinking about sex, Michael wants to meet up with me this afternoon to discuss something important.”

Andrea scrunched up her nose at the mention of his name. “The engagement?”

“Most likely. I guess that’s what he’s been trying to tell me this past few weeks. Thank God it’s not another plea to get back together or I can’t be held responsible for what I’ll do to him.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you hide the body,” Andrea joked. “Can’t he just call you up on the phone and tell you like a normal shitty ex? Why do you need to have a whole lunch? He’s so dramatic,” she complained stomping her foot. “We’re supposed to have lunch and now I gotta eat alone today? You think there’s more to it?”

[CONTINUED here]

[greenhearts16]

"Gifts of love keep giving" — J. Stanford

Mariah Carey's high soprano voice belted her most popular Christmas song through Rick's small temporary kitchen as he attempted to prepare his wife's Grandmother's famous soup, that was guaranteed to heal any ailment.

"What more can I do?" he sang along, loud and off key as he ladled the soup into the first of three bowls. "Baby, all I want for Christmas is you."

If there's anything worse than a sick child, it's a sick wife and two sick children in the middle of nowhere just before Christmas. It certainly not where he imagined himself as a young man growing up, but his life turned out better than he could have imagined. The six years since his reconnection with Michonne was filled with even more adventure than when they first met at a house party in London. Ever since, it had been Rick and Michonne against the world.

He deftly loaded the bowls unto a tray, humming along to the song as he made his way down the narrow hallway in their little two-bedroom home on wheels. Photojournalism was never a career Rick imagined for himself. In fact, like most things in their life, it happened by pure chance. He had come to learn that knowing the right people can get you far.

Now their family of four was on a cross country trip, to document the state of National Parks for a special edition issue of a prestigious magazine with hopes to inspire public interest in national parks and environmental protection. 

What better way to do this, than to pack up your family in a sizeable, modified RV and drive across the United States, instead of doing something more ordinary, like flying. Rick always preferred the open road and he'd always been very persuasive, so that's how they ended up.

December took them further west.

Yosemite was next on the list.

"I hate being sick." Michonne groaned from her place in the center of their bed. Their two boys lay on either side of their mother wearing equal expressions of misery.

"I hate you being sick too." He placed down the tray, sitting on the edge of their bed.

Michonne glanced at the mountain of snotty tissues that occupied their bed with a defeated sigh. "What time is it?"

"Lunch time," he grinned, gesturing to the tray while feeling remarkably proud of himself with his attempt to recreate a traditional family dish. "I think I have the exact thing to make you feel better."

Instead of the look of awe or appreciation of his mastery of the dish he had been expecting, Michonne recoiled away from him and the tray, her palm pressed against her mouth. "What is that?" Her voice was muffled behind her hand.

"It's Grann Marie's famous soup. It'll make you —"

Michonne bolted from the bed, nearly knocking over the tray in the process as she sprinted across the short hallway to the bathroom. "Throw up I guess," he muttered to himself when he heard the retching sounds coming from the bathroom. He glanced back at the two boys. "I should probably get rid of this before the two of you start too."

[Continued at fanfiction.net]

[greenhearts16]

Chapter Ten: The Birthday Boy

The next time they were all together it was the morning of Carl’s birthday.

Rick, Michonne and their sons visited an animal shelter outside Alexandria. Rick initially planned on merely purchasing a dog from a pet store, but Michonne enlightened him on why adopting was the surest way to go. They would be saving a life and giving a dog a second chance at a family as she did with her own pet.

“I definitely want this one,” Carl called to his father as he scratched the the vivacious midnight colored Labrador mix behind his ear. “I love him.”

“Me too,” André agreed moving to the other side of the happy dog, to get his share of petting in.

The volunteer leading their tour of the kennel presented them a leash and collar and allowed them time to spend with their potential future pet when Carl showed interest in one particular dog.  He told them it would help for them to see if he was a good fit for their family. It filled Rick with a certain longing when they were referred to as a family. Especially when Michonne simply smiled, without correcting Gareth, the shelter’s overly friendly adoption representative.

Carl and André took an immediate liking to the seven-month-old Bear as he walked —more like ran —them around outside the shelter.

“You sure?” Rick asked, turning his attention to the boys. “There are more you can try out. Take ‘em for a walk. See if you like ‘em.”

“I’m sure. This is the one Dad,” Carl declared as the floppy eared dog bounced around, wagging his tail, enjoying the attention from his two new friends.

“He is pretty cute,” Michonne agreed as she linked her arm with Rick’s. Bear’s dark brown eyes found the pair as if he knew he was the topic of the conversation. “Friendly little guy too. I like him.”

Rick glanced at the woman on his arm smiling at how lucky he was. “Well it sounds like we have a consensus. Welcome to the family Bear.”

Gareth had them complete the necessary paper work and suggested they try fostering first as a trial run and if they took a liking to the dog, they can make the necessary steps to a full adoption. Their application would have to be reviewed and pet rescue workers will need to do a home visit to ensure Bear’s long-term safety.

By the end of the short application process Rick was itching to leave the animal shelter and chatty Gareth behind. Somewhere in their discussion of the appropriate care and safety measures for Bear, Gareth brought up his distaste for animal meat, the tragic death of his childhood pet goldfish and gave a lengthy diatribe about his ex-girlfriend’s tumultuous past as an exotic animal smuggler.

He was nearing the point of oversharing.

[continued at fanfiction.net]