A/N; Another end to another wonderful journey. Thank you guys for sticking with me. This was a fun, emotional ride for me. Every review, every like, every fav - just know they are forever cherished by me. I hope you guys like the conclusion. I can't believe how many Richonne weddings and babies I've written! Lol. See you guys next time!

Love y'all.

Sophia

"The Babyletto Hudson three-in-one convertible crib is modern looking, yet timeless."

Michonne read aloud from the furniture brochure in her hand, subtly paying attention to Rick's facial expression as he surveyed the New Zealand pine made crib in detail. They visited two major furniture stores earlier in the day, but nothing was good enough for their baby boy - in Rick's opinion.

"We don't need timeless. We need efficient," he said, bending over as low as his still healing bruised ribs would allow. Despite the coming and going back pain Michonne was enduring, coupled with the pain Rick was still experiencing from the injuries sustained from his car accident four days ago, she was in bliss. Being so openly in love with Rick felt weightless in spite of the load she carried.

"Modern looking yet timeless? All the kid's gonna do in there is sleep!"

Michonne chuckled, pregnancy brain was in full force as of late. She forgot she had Andrea on speaker phone. Rick shook his head at Andrea's outburst, but felt joyous at the sight of the sheer happiness hanging on his woman's face as she chatted with her friend. Things were slow coming, but bridges had been built and crossed. The broken things were mending. If there was one thing he was grateful had been salvaged in the fray was Michonne's relationship with Andrea. He knew the unresolved sadness from both ends.

"So where are you two headed next?"

Rick noted Andrea asked the same question twice already.

"Hopefully this man can decide on a crib already, and then hopefully he can feed us!" Michonne responded to Andrea, but was looking at Rick with a giddy glint in her eyes.

"You're hungry? Why didn't you say so."

"And I need to pee."

"Are you still having back pains?" Andrea asked, her voice as clear over the speaker as if she was in the room with them.

Rick eyed Michonne curiously. She had gone through a thorough round of questioning before they left the house. Michonne's confident tone, along with the burst of energy that seemed to take hold of her that morning convinced him she was able to shop for a few hours. He pleaded for two, her feet were swollen and she required a bathroom every twenty minutes, but their baby needed a place to sleep and Michonne deemed that important over everything else. They were only a few days away from their due date, labor could be any day now. Rick was both excited and petrified.

"No, I'm okay."

She wouldn't exactly describe whatever she was experiencing as a pain. More like another indicator her body was preparing for labor. She didn't want to issue any false alarms.

"Good." Andrea sighed over the phone. "Because you cannot go into labor in a furniture store."

"Nobody is going into labor until that nursery is complete."

"We're on it! Daryl, Shane and Glenn are painting as we speak." There was a playful confidence in Andrea's tone. She had appointed herself foreman over the assembled team.

"So a couple more hours maybe?" Andrea asked again.

Rick's eyebrows wrinkled in confusion at Andrea's specificity. He shook his head at Michonne again, mouthing the word weird to her, resulting in Michonne stifling a laugh. He opted to leave the two alone, moving on to an all white crib that boasted about its superior quality.

"We should be home early. Maybe you can come over later. We can watch a movie."

She and Andrea weren't where they were before, not by an inch at least. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, sometimes the old thing had to be chipped away for something new and unique to spring forth. She and Andrea had enough time and road ahead to carve out whatever they needed to be for each other.

It was the beauty of a second chance. She couldn't help but smile at Rick as she ended the call with her friend. She was being a little sneaky observing him in action. He was conversing with the store clerk, an eager young fella neatly dressed in his blue work shirt and pressed khakis. He was giving Rick the rundown on yet another crib. Rick had his arms folded, listening attentively to what was being said. She loved that about him; the way he gave importance to people and the things they had to say. He was respectful, even of the things he didn't fully understand. He treated her with care right at the start. He saw the disclaimer she came with, it did not dissuade him from befriending her. Then, once she was back in King County after somewhat selfishly holding back the news of their baby he maintained his stance on loving her. It was something she was never going to take for granted.

She was a flawed woman and Rick loved her, in spite of it or maybe even because of it. He showed her she was human too, she was grieving, but it didn't make her culpable. Simply put it wasn't her fault when people died. The notion was freeing, a healing balm to her wounded soul. Michonne took a slow, clumsy seat on one of the rocking chairs on display, realizing they may be a little longer than she anticipated. Rick turned to her just as she was getting settled into some Rick and Chill, looking positive about his latest find.

"This one converts into four different pieces," he said, sounding like he'd discovered Atlantis.

"Ok great! Let's take it," Michonne responded, trying to sound resolute.

"What? You don't have any questions?" Rick called, a few feet away from from her.

She shook her head, giving him her best smile. "I only have one word - Tacos!"

Rick laughed her off and returned to the clerk. She saw the slanted grin that plastered his face. She was giving him room to do what most expectant fathers do. Obsess and annoy the mothers-to-be.

"It's a crib Rick, not a fighter jet."

A soft voice spoke behind Michonne, interrupting her tease.

"Don't needle him too much. I wish my Chris was as involved as your husband is." A gorgeous, extremely pregnant woman pointed to her husband standing next to a set of recliners, chatting away on his cell phone. Michonne admired the beauty and length of the intruder's crochet braids; it cascaded almost down to her widening waist.

Michonne smiled back at her, amused that she found Rick's detailed furniture inspection so charming. It was a common mistake to assume she and Rick were a regular married couple expecting a baby. This time the faux pas gave Michonne deep pause. Now that she knew she didn't have to leave Rick to love him she began seeing their relationship in a different light. The word husband didn't feel ominous, quite the opposite; it was life renewing when she thought of being Rick's partner for life. A commitment between them felt fitting, maybe a little deserving. Finally, finally she dared herself to dream.

"He goes all in," she returned, engaging the pleasant lady, not bothering to correct her. It felt a little silly now. Fearing something that was supposed to be so fulfilling. She already had a symbol of what they shared all those months ago. Nothing could strip that away. They were partners in every sense of the word. She didn't care what people thought they were, but a tiny part of her wanted everyone to be without question when they looked at them.

"You're lucky, my husband says let's just get the one with the tallest bars." Angie rolled her eyes at her husband's obvious lack of crib purchasing expertise.

"Hopefully you get yours before I get mine."

"I'm Angie. When are you due?"

The camaraderie was strong, maybe it was because they both looked like they were over being pregnant ten trimesters ago.

Michonne stuck her hand out for a shake.

"I'm Michonne. And I think I was due four emotional outbursts ago."

Angie laughed, rubbing her belly. She understood Michonne's sarcasm fully.

"Do you know what you guys are having?" Angie asked, elated she had someone she could relate to. Michonne felt jovial that Angie spoke about her and Rick as a collective. He was a large part of the experience even though they only had two months together.

"A boy," Michonne responded, her mind focusing on what her son would look like. When she thought about him, an angelic image of a baby boy with Rick's nose and her eyes filled her head. She wondered what color his hair would be? A rich Auburn maybe? Full of curls like his daddy she hoped. She definitely wanted him to have her laugh, but Rick's smile - the one that pulled her out of her hazy days, because she knew when he smiled at her, his heart was smiling too. Michonne knew without a doubt she wanted her son to have Rick's heart too. He was caring, selfless and fiercely loyal.

She stole a glance at him, still engaged in a debate over another crib. He was adorable, yet manly in his The man behind the bump t-shirt. She loved that he was corny, she loved that he was so proud of what they created together.

"What about you?" she asked Angie in return.

"A girl. And I can't wait!"

After a few minutes of quizzing each other on already made baby purchases, Rick sauntered up to the two bellies, a proud smile on his face. He gave a polite nod to Michonne's new friend, then turned to her and said.

"It's a done deal."

"Thank God." Michonne didn't bother to question his judgement. He'd done a good job with decorating the nursery more or less on his own this week. He had good taste.

"This is Angie." She introduced the two. Chris was still on his phone, yapping away. Michonne wasn't certain if he knew his wife was no longer in his line of sight.

Rick shook her hand too and introduced himself.

"I was just telling your wife that she's lucky you're so into this."

"It's not so bad." Rick helped Michonne out of the rocking chair. He placed an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his frame. He tried not to notice Michonne didn't bother correcting their new acquaintance.

In turn she looked up at him and smiled. "That's my husband for you. He's been very supportive with everything."

She knew Rick was taken aback by her response. She was trying the word on for size, surprising herself how perfectly it fit in her heart.

"You two are sweet. I wish you guys the best. I'm gonna throw Chris's phone away and blame it on the hormones."

"All the best to you too. Have a safe delivery," Michonne responded.

With a plan in place Angie walked off, ready to execute her idea.

"Husband huh?" Rick asked, not really requiring a response, he did want her to know how surprised he was by the innocent blunder.

"She looked so convinced." Was her cheap reply.

Rick caressed her back, he felt her body tense then release like she harbored a flash of pain.

"Michonne…," Rick attempted to use his stern voice, below he was deeply concerned she was experiencing labor pains, but didn't want to say anything.

"I'm not in labor yet. But I am feeling tired. And hungry and -"

" - You need to pee, I get it." He took her handbag off her shoulder and reached for her hand.

"Don't go too fast. Remember I've got that waddle thing going on."

Rick stepped close to her and kissed her on her lips.

"I'm huge. You can tell me. I walk like a penguin."

He touched her nose with his index finger, needing to touch her again.

"But you're the cutest, sexiest penguin I've ever seen."

"I feel like I've been pregnant for a year. This last month alone had at least four hundred and seventy nine days in it."

"He'll be here soon. Any day now. Right? That's what Jacqui said."

She nodded, she was ready to meet their baby boy. But she was also over being pregnant.

"I paid for same day delivery. Let's go home." He was taking every precaution with her. "Like Andrea said, you can't go into labor in a furniture store."

Rick supported her leaning body as they walked out the store. Where she was reserved before with him, she was open now, knowing she could lean on him whenever she needed to. Outside was calm, a light breeze flitted across the half full parking lot. Rick knew by evening there would be a chill in the early November air. They made their way to the car, he helped Michonne get situated, then proceeded to stuff all their minor purchases in the back seat of his truck. He took the light husband joke as something progressive between them. Not that he was going to propose to her again, but he felt optimistic about Michonne viewing them as something more cemented. Now that he knew he could love her without labels he was a lot more secure in what they had together. Like he said at the hospital, they were their own thing. As long as he knew they were going through life together, that Michonne would stand by his side as much as he planned to stand by hers, then he didn't need any fanciful, public declaration of what they meant to each other. He couldn't cast judgement on her convictions. He had to trust her process, destiny taught him the importance of timing. What he had to do was wait, their paths were always destined to not simply cross, but intertwine.

What they had was still fresh enough that his heart still took flight when she entered a room, there was also a measure of comfort that lingered knowing they'd be sitting next to each other on his porch in their nineties. His only plan was to spend the rest of his life with her, it was something he never thought he'd be able to obtain. It stemmed back centuries; men were still measured by their achievements, by the things accomplished. At the time he thought his father's abandonment was his fault, subsequently severing his ability to form attachments. To him, if someone left it meant he wasn't good enough. Michonne was the shake up he needed; between his fear of being left and her phobia of staying, they somehow managed to heal each other. He wasn't going to take any of it for granted.

The truck was loaded and ready to go. He tumbled the engine, but kept the truck in park, not quite ready to leave yet. Rick bent and kissed Michonne's extended tummy.

"I can't wait to meet you son." His eyes met Michonne's, they were full of love for him, the gleam in her eyes and the stretch in her smile was captivating as it was mysterious.

"What is it? What's that smile?" He pulled back, resting his hand on the steering wheel.

"I just feel happy. Like in some way this was all meant to be."

The journey may have felt precipitous for her, contributing to her apprehension and fear when it came to closing the doors of her past and opening up to Rick, but ultimately it lead her straight into his arms. As caging as her past felt, what struck Michonne whenever she looked at Rick was the feeling of complete freedom, and how empowering loving him made her feel.

"I'm just glad we finally found our way."

Rick kissed her palm, proud of how brave Michonne had grown before his eyes.

"I love you," she said, filtering her hand through his stubble.

"I love you too. Always." Rick's voice was resolute, the depth of his deep blue stare just as convincing.

Three simple words stirred a new feeling inside Michonne. Rick had been the do-er in their entanglement from the get go. She - a wary, but longing, curious participant to his affection. Now that she understood the impact of their love Michonne pondered finding a way to show Rick exactly how much he changed her life.

….

"Didn't you say you were stayin' in the car?"

Rick fumbled with the lock on his front door, not one bit amused Michonne was at his heels.

"I need to make sure you grab the right bag," Michonne answered, both hands cradling her large belly.

Rick shook his head, debating between picking her up and placing her back in the truck or letting her do her own thing.

Defiant, she slowly walked past him, entering the house.

"Woman you're relentless!" he chided.

"SURPRISE!"

Rick and Michonne were both startled by the ambush. Their friends and family had taken up camp in the full living room, ready and waiting for their arrival.

Michonne's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my God! A baby shower! You guys didn't have to do this." Her eyes filled with unshed tears.

"Took you guys long enough to get here." Daryl spoke up as though he'd been waiting for the pair for years.

Michonne couldn't get over the big, bright and blue It's a boy balloons decorating the room, and the huge cake in the form of a baby boy wearing a sheriff hat, or the myriad of gifts decorating the dining table. Her friends had gone all out. To her excitement she spotted Noah and his wife Beth and T-Dog sitting on the couch, she rushed to greet her cousins. No wonder Andrea was asking her all those questions, it was all part of the subterfuge.

"We really appreciate this guys…," Rick said, taking Michonne by the hand and guiding her back to the front door. "But we can't stay."

Michonne grew sad, pouting her lips at Rick. "But there's cake Rick…," she pleaded

"I know baby, and I'll buy you all the cakes in the world as soon as this is over."

"And exactly why can't you stay?" Andrea asked, slipping a crown on Michonne's head along with a Mom to be sash over her friends curvy frame.

"Because Michonne is in labor," Rick announced, throwing the room into complete silence. In a humorous spin on the age old tale the mom to be was as calm as a lake, and Rick was doing his utmost best to not spiral out of control.

"Oh yeah." Michonne grabbed onto Rick, a thick slice of pain gripped her body, almost tipping her over. "I...am. Shit!," she said through gritted teeth.

Somewhere between their taco stop and their way home Michonne began complaining about what she thought was Braxton Hicks. The pain wasn't new, she'd been experiencing them all week. The ripples migrated from her lower back to her front, growing in intensity and duration, convincing them both she was in labor. She giggled to herself because she thought she peed herself a little, it was really her water breaking, or rather trickling down her brand new leggings. Jacqui had been immediately contacted and briefed, promising to meet them at King County Memorial. Rick planned to swing by the house to collect the baby bag on their way to the hospital. They were not expecting a baby shower.

Maggie was the first one to spring into action.

"I'll get the bag!"

"The party isn't over guys! It's just relocating!" Andrea shouted, scrambling to do God alone knew what. Rick looked back at her, figuring they'd at least chill at his house while waiting for a word from the hospital.

"What? You didn't think you two would be doing this alone did you?" she asked, feigning offense.

Despite the foreign pain infiltrating her body Michonne forced a smile through. She was overwhelmed with the love from her real family that was on full display for her to relish in. She knew it probably took her a long time to get where she was, or maybe her timing was planned and precise by something bigger than she was.

She didn't bother to question it, Destiny was never late. Standing on the threshold of Rick's doorstep she finally felt like she was home.

"Let's move it people!"

….

Michonne started to rub her belly in quick, circular motions. Her body was making a path for her baby boy and she wanted him to know he was safe to come out. Quickly, she hoped.

"You're doin' so good."

Rick kissed Michonne's hands, glad she'd gotten a few minutes reprieve from another contraction. She was biting through the pain. Taking it all like the champ she was.

"I made a decision." Michonne looked up at Rick.

"I wanna have a natural childbirth, as in it's natural to take drugs when the pain gets really bad."

"Whatever you want."

He'd exchange places with her if it were possible. If an epidural was gonna help her through her labor he couldn't deny her the relief.

"I need to ask…," Michonne clenched her teeth, another contraction coursing through her already tired body. Rick dabbed her brow with a towel and held her hand in a tight grip. "...you something…," she ended, collapsing against the pillow.

"Babe, save your energy."

Michonne shook her head, vigorously. "No. No. This is important." She let out two breaths before she continued.

"Okay, what is it?"

Michonne was tired, despite her efforts at remaining calm. The contractions exhausted her, he was just happy he could be at her side throughout it all.

"When we met, I knew you were different. I knew somehow you were going to change my life. I was scared. So I did what I've always done. I ran. It was too late. You had already changed my life. I mean we're about to bring a baby into the world." She paused and crushed an ice chip between her teeth.

Rick wanted to give her room to speak, something was obviously resting on her heart to say. He sat at the side of the bed, glad they opted for a private room. Michonne was only dilated seven centimeters within the five hours they'd been at the hospital.

"Guess what I'm saying is you gave me the push to face my fears. You made me see everything I believed in love was wrong. You were right. I love you so much Rick, and I'm so glad we're having this baby."

"I love you too." Rick's heart expanded sevenfold.

"But something's missing." She touched his face, his blue eyes boring into her.

"At the time I thought a marriage between us was the worst idea. I thought you deserved better than me for a wife, and as much as you said we're our own thing. I want us to be a family, a real one. This baby deserves that." Rick was the one that said, they were alive and they had to let that mean something. This was it.

Michonne felt the onset ripples of another contraction, they were getting closer and closer and she knew time was of the essence.

"We deserve that."

"What exactly are you sayin' Michonne?"

Her change of heart caught him off guard. It wasn't what he was expecting her to say. Not by a long shot. He realized a ring wasn't going to tell him she was his soulmate. A piece of paper wasn't enough to solidify they were made for each other. He knew that now. But he did want to change her last name to Grimes, so the world would know what he already did.

Michonne took Rick by the hand and made an attempt to sit up on the bed. She looked around the quiet room, the peach walls were having a calming effect on her.

"What I'm saying is, Rick Grimes, will you marry me?"

Rick tilted his head, eyeing her with a dubious glare, but grew sober seeing Michonne's straight face. She was as serious as a heart attack.

"Yeah. I will."

At Rick's response Michonne relaxed into the pillows again. He figured they'd done stuff out of order, a wedding a couple of months down the road seemed like something special to look forward to.

"Good. Now go find a pastor, or a priest or somebody else who knows God."

Rick eyed her with further speculation. "You wanna get married now?"

"Yes. Before the baby comes," she grunted.

"Babe... you're in labor. We don't have to get married today." He was thinking about her and all the stress her body was under.

Michonne grabbed Rick's shirt in her hands, tugging him close. "Yes we do Richard! That's what I want."

He was too impressed with her determination to laugh again. It looked like they were getting married.

"Alright then."

It was her first real smile since they were admitted to the hospital.

"You go. Send Sasha in. Our whole family is here. I want them to be a part of this."

Rick didn't think the day couldn't get any more defining. It had evolved into so much more than he expected. Michonne had knocked him off his feet again. He knew life with her was always going to be an adventure. She remained an enigma to him. From earlier on in the morning when she asked him if she was wearing pants, because she couldn't see or feel anything below the waist, or the fact he had to shave her legs for her before they left the house after she burst into tears when she said she could rival a woolly mammoth. To this strong, black woman, who although afraid, still found the strength to face her fears and came out on the other side stronger for it. He benefited greatly from her strength. His son was going to have an amazing mother.

He kissed her, a deep one that made her feel euphoric despite the tenseness in her body. Rick promised he'd be back soon. He was about to break the latest news to their impatient family and friends who had all but taken up the waiting room.

…...

Rick managed to wrangle a Father Gabriel from the fifth floor. He'd been conducting his priestly service to sickly patients. He was reluctant at first, explaining to Rick the legality and validity of their union without a marriage license.

Once Rick explained the dilemma at hand, and the time sensitivity that came with it, along with the fact he couldn't deny Michonne anything she asked, the Father agreed to perform the ceremony. Rick promised they'd do the legal needful afterwards. The words and the symbolism of what they were to each other were the things that held importance to Rick and Michonne.

Everything happened in a rush once the decision was made, even Michonne's labor seemed to speed up.

Everybody smushed into the room like sardines in a can, but there was no suffocating the love that was felt all around.

Maggie found some baby's breath in the gift shop downstairs. Michonne used the pretty flowers as her bouquet - the meaning behind them reinforced she was doing the right thing. Rick asked Daryl to be his best man and Andrea, Sasha together with Maggie stood up for Michonne. T-Dog and Noah were proud to give her away. Siddiq popped in once word got around that a wedding and a delivery were taking place - certainly a first for the hospital. Hershel came in just in time for the most important part of the ceremony, not wanting to miss the union of two of his favorite people. He'd be doing the same thing for Maggie and Glenn's wedding next month.

Shane provided some unorthodox wedding music and Glenn videotaped it all.

Michonne crushed Rick's hand between hers. She was breaking out in sweat all over her body, having finally reaching that glorious yet frightening ten centimeters mark. Jacqui sat stationary at the foot of the bed waiting for Father Gabriel to wrap up.

"Wait. Wait. Wait!" Michonne panted. "We don't have a ring." It was an odd thing to think about at such a crucial time, but she needed a ring. Rick's mom who'd been at the hospital since they arrived, stepped up from her leaning spot against the wall. She pulled a marquise shaped tapered, three stone silver ring from her middle finger and gave it to Rick.

"This was your grandmother's. I want you guys to have it."

Claire touched Rick's face and held Michonne's hand, glad she was able to contribute something significant to their day. She was at peace knowing that Rick and Michonne got things right between them.

"Thank you," Michonne said, unashamed of the tears that were falling from her eyes.

"Thanks Mom. This means a lot."

A smile tugged at Rick's mouth when he looked at Michonne. Everything was falling together for them.

"I'm sorry I look a mess," Michonne said to Rick.

"A beautiful mess." He kissed her forehead, then signaled to Gabriel to continue.

Clutching his Bible to his chest, the bald headed minister picked up right where he left off.

"Do you Rick, take Michonne to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of marriage, will you love her, comfort her, honor her and keep her, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"

Other than Michonne's moaning throughout Gabriel's script, Rick could've easily believed they were in a church. Everything about the moment felt so chaotically reverent. He'd never forget this day, not in a million years.

"I do."

Michonne's eyes were closed, she was biting her teeth as the pain hit her hard and fast. Rick felt her body tense up again. His belly contracted and his heart rate increased. They were out of time.

"Michonne, do you take -"

"Love. Comfort. Honor. In sickness. Check. No cheating - I doooo!"

"Speed this up padre. This baby is coming now!" Andrea smoothed Michonne's locs, wanting her friend to get some relief.

Rick didn't wait to slip the ring on Michonne's finger.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride," Gabriel finally said.

"No time people. I want everybody out! " Jacqui shouted, as Michonne began to bore down, about ready to give her first push. They were a noisy, happy bunch, as soon as the room cleared everything grew quiet again.

Rick kissed Michonne's forehead over and over again. She saw first-hand the glistening in his eyes, mirroring exactly what she was feeling inside.

True happiness.

"You ready to do this Mrs. Grimes?" he asked.

Michonne half smiled, half grimaced. "Mrs. Grimes huh? Can you believe it. We're like regular people now. Oh God! I need to push!"

"Okay Michonne, gimme one big one." Jacqui instructed. Rick felt like he was having an out of body experience. He was head on with Michonne throughout her labor, but what they'd just done, what they were doing now created an irrevocable tie between them. Their commitment to each other felt sacred and unencumbered. Now that he knew love like Michonne's he was going to take care with it, every day for the rest of his life.

….

"He looks exactly like you." Michonne said, clutching their son to her chest. She was sleepy and tired, but felt an incredible sense of peace.

Rick was still in awe, still in disbelief that they created a tiny human being.

"He definitely has my hair." Rick's tone was full of pride. "He needs a name, I can't believe that after all this time we haven't settled on one."

Michonne opened her mouth to speak, but Rick cut her off, knowing what she was about to say.

"I'm not naming my kid Cletus. I don't even know how that name ended up being a contender."

Cletus had been a big joke for her. Michonne suppressed her laugh, not wanting to wake the sleeping baby. He was adorable wrapped up in the blue blanket Rick's mom gifted them with.

"I was going to say dear husband, we should name him after you. Rick Grimes Junior. R.J for short. Some big shoes to fill, but I believe in this one."

She kissed his head, so in love with her son.

"RJ huh? I actually like it." Rick brushed a finger against his son's cheek, he couldn't take his eyes off his legacy or the woman responsible for it.

RJ Grimes had entered the world at 9:15 pm on November 7th, at eight lbs, seven ounces. He was bawling his head off, announcing his arrival to the whole of the tenth floor.

"It's almost like they took a mould of your face and shrunk it to a baby size. Thank God he got some color from me," Michonne teased.

Rick grew silent, a well of emotion rising up inside him. He wasn't doing so well at tapering it.

"Hey…," Michonne spoke in a hushed tone, her hand soothing Rick's cheek. "What's wrong? We're okay."

"I think that's it. There's nothing wrong. I never thought I could have alla' this Michonne. You gave me life and I promise I'll do my best to be a good father." A tear slipped down Rick's cheek. "Rick, you're going to be a great dad. RJ is proud to have you. And any other kids we have. Don't doubt that."

She knew the weight that remained on his shoulders when it came to fatherhood was monumental. She was certain he knew what to give his son, because he knew what it felt like to not have it.

"Other kids? We're doin' this again huh?"

Michonne was happy to see sadness dissipating and a smile shining through.

"Only if that's something you want."

"I dunno, I may have to seriously build you that Taco Bell."

He adjusted his seat on the bed, he didn't want to crowd Michonne, but he wanted to be close to his family.

"Very funny wise guy. Did I tell you Noah is moving back to King County? With Beth? He applied for a transfer and got it. Said the city was too hectic. He missed home."

She knew the feeling all too well. She also knew what it felt like to finally find her way. She hoped her cousin felt the same way.

"That's great. I'm glad you'll have your family close."

"I told him the house is theirs. It's the right thing to do. I think Yvette would want that.'

At the time when Yvette left the house to Michonne she was the one that was lost. But not anymore.

"But Yvette left you that house."

"Because she thought I needed a home. But I have that now, with you."

"You'll always have a home with me Michonne Grimes."

"I know." She wasn't being cocky, just stating facts.

Michonne's body was beyond worn out, she felt her eyes closing down.

"I think I'm gonna take a nap while RJ's sleeping. Something tells me when he's awake he'll be as demanding as his daddy is."

"Get some sleep. I'll be right here when you wake up." Rick was content to keep vigil for his wife and son.

Drifting off into a much needed slumber Michonne smiled; heart and home had finally found its way to her.