I wasn't planning on revisiting this story again, but I was inspired after watching a deleted scene for Season 7 that's been making its way around Tumblr. I hope you enjoy!

"So when are you coming home again?" Glenn inquired.

Michonne glanced at the calendar on her kitchen wall. "I'm hoping sometime around Christmas. Work has been keeping me busy lately."

"You should come down for a little bit. Just for the weekend or something," he pressed. Aside from facetime calls, he hadn't seen his closest friend in nearly six months, the cases at her law firm keeping her on her toes. "Christmas is another two months away."

"I know, but it's really the only time I'll be able to get off," Michonne said, opening the cabinet door and reaching up for her favorite coffee mug.

"Not even Thanksgiving? You can't get away for a few days? Atlanta isn't that boring."

"I'll try my best," she assured him. "But I have this really big case that I'm working on and then there's this volunteer project that I need to look into." She exhaled, already feeling the pressure rise up inside of her. "A lot has been going on."

Glenn chuckled. "Always doing for everyone else. When are you going to do for yourself?"

Michonne froze, the coffee pot still in her hand, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what do you want, Michonne?" he urged softly. She imagined him sitting behind his desk at the middle school where he worked as a guidance counselor, his dark eyes filled with compassion and thoughtfulness. "You've always made sure we were okay, even after you moved to New York. You need to look out for yourself for once."

She already knew what -or rather, who- he was alluding to. The man she had left behind while she pursued the path of what she thought she wanted. "You've been speaking with Maggie," she teased. Maggie was the heart of the group, determined to keep them all together, but Michonne liked to think of Glenn as the pulse, pumping out the love and energy amongst them to keep them going.

"Maybe," he said. He paused, carefully making his approach. "He still loves you."

She closed her eyes, her shoulders slumped and she set the coffee pot back down on the counter before she could drop it. The image of a blue eyed Rick Grimes appeared in her mind and although they had remained friends over the last five years, she couldn't help but miss what they had together as a couple.

"The feeling is mutual," she whispered. Shaking her head to rid the thoughts of the "what if's", she attempted to change the subject before their conversation turned too somber. "So, how's my godson?"

She could hear the smile on Glenn's voice as he spoke of his son, Hershel. The three year old was an exuberant little thing, providing his parents with stories to tell and brag about for days.

"We haven't told anybody else, but Maggie and I were thinking about having another baby," he said, knowing he could trust one of his oldest and closest friend with the information. "Everything has been going great with the house, ours jobs. I think it's time."

"Glenn, that's great!" Michonne practically squealed. "I'm happy for you guys. You two deserve it all."

"Not as much as you do, too," he replied back. "Just think about what I said. Promise me."

His words came out more as a statement instead of a question and she knew that he was being serious. Whatever their futures held, he wanted to make sure his friends were happy.

"I promise." she replied.

"Great," he sighed, as of a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. "So, what about next weekend? Can you come down then?"

Michonne smiled to herself as she watched Hershel run around the yard, his laugh lingering in the air as he raced against the small red toy remote car Shane was maneuvering with a controller just a few feet away.

It was a cool, autumn day, a peace in the air as the friends came together to celebrate the life of another friend, proving that his memory still lived on. It was Maggie's idea to have a dinner in honor of her late husband, setting up the picnic table in the backyard for them to eat and reflect on the good memories, ignoring the bad.

"Auntie Chonne, look!" Hershel called out from the yard. "I'm winning!"

Michonne leaned against the porch railing, the smile on her face spreading wider as she observed the four year old race against the car. Hershel had gotten so big over the last year. His legs stretched out longer due to a growth spurt and his cheeks were less fuller than they were last year. He reminded her so much of Glenn, not just with his expressive eyes and dark hair, but with his playful and kind hearted spirit. He possessed his mother's smile, lighting up any and every room, proving that he truly had the best of both parents.

It had been a year since Glenn's death. A year since they had heard his voice and cheerful laugh. A year since he had held his son and kissed his forehead. A lot had happened within their circle but Michonne was sure he already knew about every one of the changes. He had always been there for all of his friends when he was on earth and was sure he wouldn't stop in the afterlife.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening behind her, followed by the sound of footsteps. She knew who it was without even turning around and gave a small smile as she felt him place a hand on the small of her back, confirming her suspicions.

"Hey," she said as Rick stepped beside her, his blue eyes meeting her brown.

"Hey. Everything okay?" He asked, his hand rubbing her back for comfort.

"Yeah." She sighed, leaning in closer to him to rest her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around before depositing a kiss on the top of her head. "Just glad to be home."

It was Glenn's words that had led her back to Atlanta. After embarking on a long distance relationship with Rick for months, Michonne finally figured out what she wanted and it had been right in her face all along. She wanted Rick. She wanted to be near her friends again. To wake up next to Rick in the morning. To take Hershel to the aquarium and watch him on the weekends. To spend time with Maggie in the garden. Not just once a month during her monthly visits but every day. She wanted to go home.

So she moved back home. It was what she needed, to be surrounded by family and friends and the love that they provided. Both Glenn and Maggie had given her that little push with their individual talks and for that, she would forever be grateful.

"It's good to have you home," Rick said gently, smiling down at her. "Come on. Let's go eat."

He clasped her hand and they made their way down the porch steps towards the table where Sasha was lighting a lone white candle.

Maggie watched from the screen door behind them. A small smile spread on her face as her fingers tightened its hold around the gold pocket watch she had given Glenn for Christmas years ago, a heirloom in her family that would eventually be passed down to Hershel. But for now, it would remain in her care, safe in her hands until he was ready.

She glanced down at it before opening the door and stepping out onto the porch, the breeze greeting her as she stood there for a minute. She could practically feel his arms around her, comforting her and promising her that he would never leave her side.

They had went through the unimaginable a year ago, but Maggie vowed to keep their group of friends together. They needed each other now more than ever. Glenn had chosen to be there for each and every one of them over the years and she would do the same.

"I'm just following your lead," she whispered to the wind.