Chapter 34: Mr. Grimes Goes to Washingtone"e

"I can't believe that we get to miss school on Monday to go to a football game! Ron, Duane and Mikey are so jealous! Even Enid is!" Carl exclaimed as he drank his soda. Holding his left hand up he turned to his little brother. "Give me five Dre. Are we lucky or what?"

Getting on his knees, Andre slapped his brother's hand. "We sure are Carl! Mommy and Daddy are the best!"

"You hear that Rick? We're the best", Michonne said with a laugh, turning to look at him with a smile. Looking at his girlfriend Rick's heart skipped a beat for what seemed like the millionth time. She was so beautiful. Even early in the morning after waking them all up, making breakfast, cleaning up and getting them on the road on time, she looked…flawless. In fact she was glowing. It made Rick wonder again for what seemed like the thousandth time if she was carrying his child once more.

But Michonne had gone to the doctors yesterday and reported that everything was great and normal. Surely being pregnant wouldn't count as normal to her! When he asked about her fainting spell she responded that it was her burning the candle at both ends and that her doctor told her to slow down and relax, which she planned on doing this weekend. 'There's no way she would keep somethang that big from me! We promised not to keep anythang from each other ever again. Just wishful thinking I guess. I must have baby fever.'

"I did hear that Love. I'm storin' that in the bank for the next time one of these boys gets a punishment." Rick grabbed her knee, giving her a kiss on the cheek at the same time as she sipped on her pineapple juice. 'Maybe that is why she's so sweet. She drinks that stuff all the time.' And like Pavlov's dog, he got a chub just thinking about the delectable taste of his lady. "Even though I think using a limo is a bit too much."

"Speak for yourself buddy!" Shane chimed in from across the luxury car. "I definitely think this was a smart idea. No leavin' cars at the airport or having someone drop us off and pick us up. It cost just as much as a cab but with the benefit that we all can fit in here and," he held up his beer. "We can drink to settle the nerves of us that don't like to fly. Not to mention the most important reason."

"And what is that Shane?" asked Michonne, a hint of laughter in her voice.

"That I'm gonna look damn good steppin' out of this beautiful ride at the airport," he replied while pretending to pop his collar, causing all the adults to laugh.

Andrea was first to recover. "So much for modesty but then again I wouldn't be dating you if you had any. You better be glad that I like the hair cut. No more looking like a curly headed dbag." She rubbed his newly shorn head.

"I don't remember you calling me that when you were grabbing on to my head last night as I ate your.."

"SHANE!" both Rick and Michonne shouted at once, making everything stop. Andrea nodded at Andre and Carl who had looked up at the sudden commotion.

"Sorry. I forgot youngins were afoot. But anyway Blondie, you weren't singing that tune last night. In fact you gave Mariah Carey a run for her money!"

"Shut up Shane!" Andrea replied no smacking that same head, face redder than a fresh tomato. She glanced across to see their best friends dying silently of laughter. "And I wouldn't be talking if I were either of you. Especially you Michonne. Don't forget I know everything about you since you turned 18! And plenty of stuff before that."

"Well, were going to keep all that to ourselves considering we have underage ears around." All the adults directed their attention to the brothers who were looking at Carl's phone together. "If your exited about the limo, why don't you take a look at your boarding pass Shane. You too Rick." Michonne winked at Andrea as their men pulled up the tickets on their phones.

"FIRST CLASS?! WE'RE SITTING IN FIRST CLASS?!" Shane yelled as his eyes bugged out of his head. He looked at Rick who seemed too shocked to speak. "All six of us?"

Andrea hit Shane upside the head. "Of course all six of us you numb nuts! What are supposed to do? Leave Andre and Carl in coach? And first class is the most comfortable way to travel. After a while with all the miles it pays for itself."

"Michonne you didn't have to do this. The flight isn't even that long. You already got us tickets to the game. It's…it's too much." Rick said earnestly, while clutching her hand. Yeah he had money and would inherit a pretty penny once his parents passed. But he was learning everyday that Anthony and Harrison money were on another level entirely. Luckily, Michonne never flaunted her wealth. She loved to give gifts, making people feel good and smile. Her caring and giving nature was one of the many reasons he loved her so damn much.

"It's okay Rick. Like Andrea said, we fly so much, have airline credit cards and are sky members so it hardly makes since not to take advantage of it. By now it all evens out. Why be miserable and cramped for even two hours if we don't have to be. Besides, you and Shane can enjoy the early morning mimosas." Michonne knew Rick would never admit it but he loved himself some mimosas.

"What about the kids? We shouldn't both be drinking."

Michonne rubbed his knuckles with her thumb, catching a knowing smile from her best friend. "I'm going to pass this time. I've had plenty in my life and will take advantage on the way home. This is our first group trip and you guys first time in first class. I'll keep an eye on the kids. Hey Carl, that means all the snacks and chocolate milk you can drink. They might even have some Big Kats!"

"Michonne you are so cool! I can't wait to post it online." Carl said excitedly. Rick cleared his throat. "After you view the pix and stories dad."

"That's better," he replied before turning to his girlfriend, clutching her hand tightly. "He's right you know. You are the best. What did I ever do to deserve you baby?"

Smiling, Michonne kissed him on the nose as the limo speed along the highway to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. "The same thing I did to deserve you."

Saturday afternoon, Washington D.C.

"Oh my God! There are so many stairs!" Carl exclaimed as he stood at the bottom of the escalators that would lead them up towards his family's destination, the National Zoo. To the left were two sets of about fifty stairs with a landing in-between that most people would rest on. They were so steep that the sunlight from ground level could barely be seen. After settling into their hotel and taking a short hour nap, Rick and Michonne decided to take the kids to the zoo while Shane and Andrea did their own thing. They didn't have to spend every moment together, especially it was a trip of first for all of them. The first couples vacation for their best friends and first family vacation for the Grimes clan.

"Good thing we don't have to walk up those." Rick replied going to stand in line while he practically dragged Andre behind him. His little boy was also in awe of the two huge sets of stairs.

"We're going way up there Daddy? Mommy, those stairs must go to the moon!"

"Really Rick? I used to run these things whenever I took this metro back in law school. Walking them wouldn't be that hard. And Peanut they don't go to the moon but take us to the zoo so we can see the animals."

"Yeah well that was law school and now it's many years later baby. And after you had a baby too, even though you don't look like you have," he quickly added seeing the glare the last statement earned him. 'Oh shit! Today is NOT the day to upset her!'

Michonne turned to Carl who was had turned his attention from the stairs to the conversation between the two adults. "Did your father just call me old Carl? Not just old but fat?"

Rick held up the hand that was not holding Andre's. "Now Michonne you know I said nothing of the sort. I just commented that it has been awhile since you ran these stairs. Even walked them. It's like me talking about the academy's obstacle course that I took in my prime. And I didn't call you fat. In fact you might be smaller than when we met."

"Oh so now she's not in her prime dad?" Carl asked with a smirk on his face, being ever the instigator. He loved Michonne and Rick's little spats knowing that it was in fact just banter, unlike his parent's old arguments.

"I think he did. How about this Officer? We race to the top. And," she held her finger up to silence the protest that she knew was about to come from his mouth. "I'll even give you a three second head start."

"I don't think so Michonne. I wouldn't want to embarrass you in front of Carl and Andre. Plus I don't need the head start."

"You sound like Uncle Shane dad. Super cocky. And I think Michonne would win, " Carl continued to bait his father. "Don't you think your mommy will beat Dad Dre?"

The young boy nodded his head with enthusiasm. YES! Mommy is super fast! She's like the Flash!"

"Well, it sounds like it's three against one. I'll take your bet Michonne. What are the stakes?"

A sly grin came across the ebony beauty's face. "Winner gets whatever they want for a week. Are you sure you don't want that head start?"

Rick gulped, heart beating a but faster, knowing what the twinkle in his girlfriend's eye and her tone of voice was implying. Yeah he'd take that head start to get what he so desperately wanted. Yeah it was a bitch move but he'd take whatever advantage her could get! "Deal and I will take the head start."

Both adults took off their jackets and handed them to the elder son, with the orange emergency backpack. "Carl take Andre up the escalator and make sure to hold his hand really tight. See you at the top!" Michonne said. "Now who is going to time the head start?"

"I will!" a young, college aged girl volunteered. Unbeknownst to them a small crowd had gather around them at bottom of escalator after hearing their conversation. "No offense mister but she's going to kick your butt. Have you seen her body? It's a runners body."

Rick had in fact seen his lover's body plenty of times and the promise of having the freedom to do what he pleased with it for a week was all the motivation he needed. "I have young lady. But since you've voiced your support I think we need another person to keep time as well. Just to make it fair."

A blond haired boy around the same age stepped up. "I will help sir. I'm her boyfriend and we can have a bet of our own. Besides I want to be a policeman too."

"Well, there it is. You ready to be my personal assistant for seven days Chonne?" Rick grinned as he walked to the bottom of the stairs, stretching when he reached his spot. Michonne stood next to her boyfriend, a knowing smile never leaving her face as she began to stretch. After two minutes she straightened up and simply nodded, before taking her spot.

"On your mark. Get set. Go!" said the couple and Rick darted up the stairs to cheers. He thought he was a decent way up when he head the second go command.

"Go mommy!" and "Go Michonne" could be heard from his right side as his son's cheered on his girlfriend. As much as he wanted to turn around and see where Michonne was, he didn't want to slow down. Or worse yet fall a trip on the steep stairs and hurt himself. Today was not the day. Reaching the second set of stairs and starting up Rick felt confident that he was going to win. The last set of 25 or so stairs were right in front of his face.

All of a sudden a roar came from his side and out a his peripheral vision saw a sleek body with a bunch of locs even with him for about five stairs then fly by. Michonne climbed the last ten stairs as if she were flying and making it look easy. By the time Rick reached the top Andre, Carl and a crowd of people were congratulating her as she caught her breath. "Come on over here second place," she called out earning a chuckle from the crowd. "You did good Sheriff. Not as good as me but good for a man your age."

"Good job Michonne. You won fair and square even with my three second head start." Rick pulled her into a hug before drinking from the bottle of water she offered him. "And it's sheriff's deputy."

"Well, don't feel too down sheriff's deputy. I have a feeling that you will enjoy some of the things I make you do this week as much as I do," Michonne whispered in his ear, plump lips tickling it, before she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Now lets go to the zoo and see the lions." She pretended to chase after Andre who screamed and giggled as she roared like the king of the jungle.

Rick stood still for a second watching, amazed that she still has the energy to even jog after the little boy.

"Hate to burst your bubble Dad," Carl's voice can from besides him. "But it was more like a five second head start and Michonne basically just jogged the first third of the way. It was only close because she didn't want to dust you in public or in front of Andre. I'll let you watch the video on my phone later." And with a pat on his dad's back, went running to catch up with mother and son.

"Come on Daddy! I want to see the lions!" Andre called.

The scene in front of him, the revelation that Michonne had purposely not crushed his pride and being on vacation with his family solidified the choices he'd made for this weekend. His life was never going to be the same as it was a few months ago and he couldn't wait for the future.

TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD

"Lemur Island and dinosaur garden. Let's go there," Rick suggested. The family had been at the zoo for about two hours, seeing the monkeys, lions and tigers. There were on their way to see the elephants when they came across the exhibit. "Maybe we can take some pictures."

Strolling around they came to the main attraction. Standing in front of them was an enormous fiber glass triceratops. "IT'S A DINOSAUR!" Andre and Carl yelled at the same time running over to the prehistoric beast.

"Rick it's Uncle Beazley! Remember I told you about him during our day on the national Mall?" Michonne was grinning from ear to ear.

"I sure do. And while I realize that you are much smarter than I am, I want to point out that Uncle Beazley is in fact a dinosaur, as I said that day. Not a rhino as you thought. But one wrong statement isn't that bad baby. After all you did beat me on the stairs." Michonne gave him a light punch on the arm before wrapping her arms around his waist as Rick kissed the top of her head.

"I stand corrected Rick," she chuckled. "But I'm still the boss of you for a week."

"Can we take pictures Dad?" Carl motioned to the photographer set up to Uncle Beazley. "It will be so cool! I've seen this online and in history class." Rick would've never thought his teenaged son would be so excited but it's like Andre's youth was running off on him. "They'll be our first family vacation pictures together! We can give them to Gammy, Paw Paw, Maman and Pop Pop." Carl had began to call Michonne's parent the same names Andre used as not to confuse is little brother. Dionne and Mitchell loved it and treated Carl like he was their biological grandchild, same as Andre.

"Sounds like a great idea to me! How much miss?" Rick called walking over to the photographer and her husband.

"Twenty dollars for three," the chubby lady, who's name tag read 'Olivia' said with a smile. "That includes the specialty signs for your family to pose with. People usually all do a 'Welcome to Washington' sign or one with your family's name."

"How about this: one with just us, and then the other two with signs," Michonne suggested and they all agreed. Olivia's husband started working on the custom Grimes sign while his wife got them into position.

"Okay everybody ready?" Olivia called from behind her tripod. Michonne was on the right side of the statue with Carl in front of Andre who was on top of the dinosaur and Rick on the left side. "On three everyone say Beazley. One. Two. Three!" She snapped the first picture and looked it over as her husband passed out the signs. Michonne started to turn hers around before Scott, stopped her.

"Please don't miss. Kids often imitate their parents and mess up the signs in the process. We ask you to just trust us and hold them," he told her with a kind smile. Michonne nodded, returning the smile and turned the sign back to face front. She knew from experience about little hands destroying things.

"Now this is these are the 'Welcome to Washington DC.' signs. Once again, on three say Beazley." The action was repeated once more with the 'Grimes Family Vacation' sign that included the year. "Okay we're done. You want to come look at them miss? See if you like them?"

"Just let me get the kids down.." Michonne started to say before Rick interrupted her.

"Go ahead sweetheart. I got them. What if you don't like them? Then we have to put them back in position."

All the adults laughed and Michonne jogged over the look at the pictures on the camera as Olivia held on to it. The first two were just perfect with big smiles on all four faces. Looking over the third she noticed a nervous look on her boyfriend's face. It was then that she noticed what the custom sign said, instantly causing her to lose her breath. Instead of 'Grimes Family Vacation' the words displayed said 'Michonne, will you marry me?' with Rick holding the 'me' sign.

"Rick!" she called out before spinning around. "Oh. My. God!" she whispered, clasping her hands over her mouth. Kneeling on one knee in front of Uncle Beazley was Rick with a small red velvet box in his hand. Michonne felt her self being pulled forward only to discover that Andre and Carl we dragging her shocked self towards her boyfriend.

"Michonne. When I accepted the offer to come to Washington almost five years ago I never thought that my life would change so much. That after such a horrible flight and arguments, I would run into my soulmate at a hotel bar while watching a football game. But we never know what life if going to throw at us, interceptions or touchdowns. I know we've already had so many downs. Probably more than the ups. But I don't want to imagine my life without you in it. I can't. I want you to stand by my side for the highs and the lows. The blowouts and the nail-biters. I've found my son, and hopefully you've gained a new one in Carl. Hopefully we'll add a few more along the way and make this team even stronger. I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love someone. It seems unreal every morning that I wake up next to you. Now I know that this is the like the biggest hail Mary in Superbowl history but I'm going for it." Rick took a deep breath, to steady his wavering voice, eyes never leaving her chocolate brown ones as a single tear dropped down. "Michonne Anthony, will you do me the greatest honor I will ever have and become my wife?"

Falling to her knees, Michonne wrapped her arms around him, sobbing with happiness and relief. Rick Grimes really did love her. He'd somehow managed to put together a proposal she never even saw coming, in the place that they had begun.

"You didn't answer me baby," Rick said as he clutched her body to him. "Say yes."

"Say yes Michonne!" Carl urged.

"Say yes Mommy!" Andre yelled jumping up and down. Michonne doubted he knew what he was telling her to agree to. But if Carl and his daddy wanted it then he wanted it too.

She pulled back, looking Rick in the eyes as he wiped away her tears. She knew she must look a hot mess but she could careless. "Of course I'll marry you Rick! It's been my dream to be your wife and have a family with you since I met you. My happiest times have been with you and our kids. I love you so much and nothing would make me happier than to be your wife!"

So Rick proposed at Michonne said yes! Who knew that Uncle Beasley would make another appearance? I'm looking at you Winterscorpion! Lol.

I hope everyone enjoyed the update. Yes it is shorter than my usual chapters but I just wanted to concentrate on the immediate Grimes family with some fluff, stuff and thangs. I actually used to race those very stairs with my boyfriend everytime we went to the National Zoo, so it was something I wanted to add.

Thank you Irmise and RBGzMom for being my sounding boards once again! :) You are the best!

I hope everyone is safe during this crazy time in our world. COVER YOUR MOUTH AND WASH YOUR HANDS! Just hum TWD theme song while you wash and they will be super clean! Lol.

Up next? A pregnancy reveal? Smut? More antics from Andrea and Shane? We'll see!

Thanks for reading and all your support! This updated only took three months! Lol.

Vegaslover.

PS. If you don't like my work trolls, keep moving and keep your thoughts to yourself. No one is forcing you to read my or anyone else's work.