#when I stumbled onto this concept it felt really natural to indicate the progression of the relationship without the physical contact to do

[itsgrimeytime]

@imaginemyfavoritefics

Magnolia in May (Part Ten) || Rick Grimes (TWD) x Greene!f!reader Regency AU

Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9...

AVAILABLE ON AO3

Inspiration (in honor of Speak Now Taylor's Version): Enchanted by Taylor Swift.

Summary: Your town was small, not the smallest you knew, but anyone of high fortune was the gossip of the week. Predictably, Richard Grimes was a thing of whispers -rumors of a search for marriage among the grassy hills. You weren't one to buy into town gossip, but something about him... just seemed a little too intriguing.

TWS: infidelity, child abandonment, heartbreak, mentioned family dissolution, parentification (child becoming a parental figure) and betrayal.

[[A/N: Banter!!! And also, can you tell that I'm a child of divorce ??? Actually helped me write this so anyway- I'm not sure how I like this chapter but I think it's what it needs to be. Thanks for reading :))) ]]

The morning was a rather sunny one, the sort that made you wish your dresses were lighter in fabric. Your Headmistress had urged you to wear a hat to protect your eyes -so you'd done so. It was the same color as your dress and had the same sort of embellishments of lace and detailed ribbon, all coordinated.

Even within the carriage (that Mr. Grimes had requested you ride in 'I refuse to chance you having any more illness, Ms. Greene.') the air was rather heavy with humidity. Velvety sort of fabric underneath you -still felt quite offensive to sit on, and the detailing of the carriage seemed extensive. All wood carvings seemed to almost be the work of a hand -detailed beyond what you could truly comprehend.

If you weren't so antsy to see the man, you would've tried a little harder to digest some of the work.

You truly hadn't even noticed you'd stopped moving.

Mr. Dixon spoke, pulling open the door with practiced ease, "Ms. Greene, welcome to the Grimes Alexandrian Estate."

You shook your head, gathering your thoughts and taking his hand to step out onto the courtyard -it was in yet another light this time. The beautifully shining sun of the early morning set a sort of liveliness to the area -shrubs a beautiful green and the gentle trickle of fountains welcomed on your ears. It was how it was to be viewed, you supposed.

Not as gloomy as the rainy, cloudy turmoil, or as static as the night of the ball -a rather electric sort of energy of all those there, excitement and crowds of those who wished to dance the night away. It was only filled with a few faces this morning, trimming some of the hedges and tending to a few of the extra plants. You'd found something wonderful about seeing the estate so natural despite it being such a normal day -it continued to be breathtaking.

You were lost in the effect, standing there rather aimlessly, and you supposed that was why he'd snuck up on you.

"Ms. Greene."

You startled, just slightly, as you settled upon him. He was much how he was the night before -dirted sleeves and hair askew, you'd assumed he'd been working out here. Perhaps it was a hobby of his?

"Mr. Grimes," you echoed, a little breathless -as you were nearly any time you saw him, eyes trailing to the dirt upon his sleeves, "-busy, are you?"

"Right," he spoke -eyes trailing to his own sleeves, almost in embarrassment, "-you'll have to forgive my matter of dress, I was workin' on my garden-"

"Your garden?" You questioned, rather genuinely with a smile split across your face -near giddy that you spoke to him, "-And no need, it suits you well."

"You're much too kind, Ms. Greene," he hummed, a little bashful -you found it rather sweet, "-but yes, my garden. I find it relaxing after such work days, my Mother... She cared for it intently. I share such passions."

"If you wish to," you started -hesitantly, as it seemed such a personal endeavor, "-I shall be delighted to see it one day."

Mr. Grimes stalled for a moment before a rather fond look flickered over his face -one that ever so often raised the crimson to your cheeks, "'At would be lovely. Perhaps later? The evenin' light is terrific for such viewin'."

"Oh," you smiled, rather teasingly, "-I suppose I shall see."

"Are ya to be a harsh critic, then?"

"Only if you want me to be, Mr. Grimes," you replied, as he guided you up the stairs and to the door. Always linked by the arm, your head merely swam at such closeness, "- do you treat all such guests to such pleasantries? Leading them up the stairs at your expense?"

He grinned, a bit of laughter dancing upon his tongue -you'd nearly grinned brighter at the sound, "Certainly not."

"Oh really," you responded -tone exaggerated, "-so I'm a special case, am I?"

Mr. Grimes hummed -a sort of fondness in his voice that made his accent seem ever more prominent, "Rightly so."

"You-" you flustered, still gently attached at the side, "You are too good at such things."

"What things?" He asked -curiously, but there was something gleaming in his eye, something rather playful.

"Flattery," you answered -rather promptly, "-you speak it so fluidly."

"Only for you," he urged, turning his attention fully to you, "-you must kno', it's only for you."

"Mr. Grimes..."

"Shall we head in?" He hummed -eyes still on you rather fondly, "-We have much to speak of."

You hummed, squeezing your hand against his arm -comforting, "Okay."

It was still wonderful to see, despite you being here frequently. All the paintings of wondrous detail -you could nearly see each paint stroke, and part of you wondered just how long it would take to craft such a thing. You'd wished to have your own one day but the expense was far too wide for it to be realistic.

"The paintings," you started, low tone echoing in the empty entry, "-Do you commission them often?"

"No," he started -slow steps in tune with yours as he looked upon the paintings, "-I request 'em upon special occasion."

"Such as?"

Mr. Grimes paused for a moment, before guiding you to the opposite end of the hall -a painting as large as the family portrait you'd seen on a much less happy day. It detailed what you realized to be a very young Judith -wrapped in a blush sort of blanket, pinky red of her cheeks as she slept away. It reminded you of a young Beth, all wonderous blonde curls -you'd mostly seen the girl in photographs, but Judith looked nearly identical to so. She wasn't alone, instead was held tightly by what you recognized to be his son whom you had yet to meet. He looked starkly like his father, it made you wonder if he acted as such.

"When Judith was born," he confirmed, in a wistful sort of voice -he cared for his children, it was rather endearing. It always had been, even upon when you met him -Judith's behavior spoke volumes of the man.

"That's your son?" you asked.

"Carl," Mr. Grimes clarified, "-I'd wish for ya to meet if you weren't opposed."

"I'd be rather delighted to."

He merely smiled brighter at you, the kind that crinkled by his eyes -it always pleased you to see. And as you looked upon the family portrait where he seemed rather solemn, you found you much preferred the Mr. Grimes at your side. Happy, smiling-

He led you down a selection of hallways, each a touch more ravishing than the last -shining vases and detailed trim. It wasn't exactly a printed sort of wallpaper, just rather a vivid sort of color -not to distract from the paintings across the walls. A sort of elegant simplicity.

"Would you mind steppin' in my office to talk? Mr. Dixon shall remain at the door for proper etiquette."

"Wherever you wish," you spoke, softer than you intended but you found you were rather fond of him.

And as you entered the office, you stared at the rather extensive bookshelves and large window facing out into the backyard. It was framed beautifully so, all white wooden trim. You were drawn to the sight, beautiful pastures of flowing green grass. Right in the center sat his kids, enraptured in some sort of game -Carl intently swinging a few dolls around as if he was performing. Under the watchful eye of some staff, of course.

You smiled, trailing your fingers over the glass, "They seem to be enjoying themselves out there. Is it often they play together?"

Mr. Grimes followed you to the sight, a sort of hazy smile rattling across his face, "Very often, Carl has adapted well. I'm very proud of 'im, really."

"That is something quite special, I remember when I was young-" you laughed lightly -memories flashing behind your eyes, "-Maggie nearly trailed around me for years, I was told that I was rather frustrated."

"Really?"

"Oh yes," you relented, turning your attention to him, "-it's an ordeal losing a parent's attention in any capacity, Mr. Grimes. Even further when someone starts to follow you around and take your things-"

He laughed, a sort of bright twinkle, "When ya say it like 'at, I'd find I'd be upset myself."

"As you should."

Mr. Grimes laughed even louder, your heart squeezing in your chest at being the cause of such a noise. I shall wish to never be without it-

"I know-" he started -hollowing out from the laughter to something more serious, perhaps what he wished to tell you, "-I know it was difficult for 'im. When... When she was pregnant."

You hummed, turning all your attention to him -listening, "How so? Perhaps, I could help explain as... as an eldest myself."

He paused, eyed trailing along his children out the window, "The typical things, just- Just not bein' the only one, I suppose."

"It's difficult to come to terms with," you spoke -rather heavy with intent.

You loved your sisters, dearly, but you'd often realized that you became quite an adult rather quickly. It was less of their fault, though, and more evident of the situation. A sick mother and an overworked father, you slotted in to help where you could.

You imagined Carl in the situation you'd only known from rumors. Without a mother, a rather heartbroken father, and a younger sister to care for. It rang rather true to you.

"Lori-" he interrupted your thoughts, seeming to slowly speak through his thought process, "-Lori left after Judith was born. I... I knew what had happened by then, I knew what... what she intended-"

You moved without thinking, extending your hand to turn his face towards you -skin upon his own. It was improper, and you knew so, but something in you urged to comfort him -to aid him somehow-

"It doesn't mean you were ready for her to leave."

Mr. Grimes was silent then, blue eyes intently focused on you -perhaps surprised by such contact, but not... not unnerved, you could see. He merely stalled for a moment, you held your breath -nervous, truly. You hadn't been thinking-

Then, he leaned into your hand. Skin touching in a sort of delicate way as if it soothed him -as if you could do so. Something in your stomach flipped at the idea, a wondrous sort of buzz detailing under your skin -love, love, love rattling in your chest.

"I can't imagine what you went through," you spoke, thumb brushing lightly against his cheekbone, "-at all. But I... I'd like to listen. If you wish to tell."

He sighed, a rumble against your skin, as his blue, blue, blue eyes settled across your face -a touch cloudier than before, "I do. I... I want ya to know everythin', Ms. Greene, everythin'."

"Okay," you whispered -rather teary yourself.

With a shaky breath, he guided you to a seat -cushioned, against the wall next to the window. It was nearly as velvety as the carriage interior, but you couldn't find your focus on its texture. You stared rather intently at Mr. Grimes, eager to listen, to soothe-

"I suppose I'm jus' not sure where to start," he spoke, hand wiping away at his eyes -you wished to do it yourself, honestly but has to control the urges.

You responded, tone rather balanced, "Perhaps at the beginning? With... with Lori?"

He hummed -thinking on it maybe, before deciding, "I believe I should start earlier. My... My childhood."

"As long as you're certain," you remanded, tone unshaken, stable.

"I am, very," he responded without hesitancy, you were sure to search for it, "-Ms. Greene I always fully intended to tell you everythin' and let you decide. There's no hesitation on my part."

"This is..." you paused, "-Your childhood is a part of the explanation?"

"It is, rather-" he hummed, "-I wish to tell ya of an old friend of mine."

You'd assumed so, rumors swirling in your head but found you'd only wished to hear it from here. From him. It was one thing to know it from whispers and entirely another from the direct source -from someone so dear to you. And yet, you wanted him to know you'd heard it -in whatever capacity, "Mr. Walsh."

"We grew up together," he spoke -a sort of bittersweet note in his tone that made you wish to soothe, "-I remember we used to help out in the yard, workin'. My father never made it easy for me, probably why I like workin' outside so much these days."

You thought for a moment, merely watching him for a moment. Before linking your hand to his arm -as if he'd been walking with you, fingertips just above the crease of the elbow and roaming closer to his side. And perhaps it was improper, but you wished to support him.

"We planned to attend the same schools, live in the same city, it was all rather planned out. When I met Lori..." he responded -echoing a sort of hollow note, "-he seemed to believe I had left him behind."

Mr. Grimes echoed, a little watery, "I knew, I knew... he wished to have a family. Be married, have children... I suppose he thought I stole it from him."

"You must know that you didn't," you soothed, "-your life did not indicate his-"

"I do, I kno'," he exhaled, and something in his voice shook, "-I jus' tried so desperately to explain his actions. To explain... what happened."

"Mr. Grimes," you urged, "-if you're not comfortable, I request-"

"Before Lori left," he continued -a little aimlessly but heavier in tone, "-She became pregnant."

"I cannot imagine the turmoil of something so happy to something so-"

"Ms. Greene," his tone leveled, almost as if he was begging -holding your hands together before you, "-I must request what I say subsequent stays between the parties in this room."

"Of course," you spoke -confident, "-I'd never dream of speaking to something that wasn't mine to share."

"I wouldn't truly mind if it only affected me," he clarified, "-as someone with a fortune, you become to expect some things. But this-"

"Mr. Grimes," you tilted to match his eyes, "-I would never betray your trust so. If you wish it, I shall take it to the grave."

He paused, blue eyes bright smoothing over your face in a rather hazy sort of glance -as if he couldn't quite believe what you were saying, "Thank you, Ms. Greene. I-"

"No need," you hummed -soft and delicate, "-I suppose I'd be rather disingenuous if I were to say I love you and expect anything from you for it."

"Ms. Greene-"

"Later," you knew what he wished to speak of, it wasn't the proper time, "-there are more pressing matters that we must address first, okay?"

It bubbled up from his chest as if the words had been waiting -had he never spoken of this? A sort of eruption along his lips, you could almost feel the relief from the breath of the words. It hadn't meant that you had expected them, however.

"Judith... She's-" he moved through them slowly -as if it hurt, "-She's not mine."