forever - [book two in the amorous series]

fifteen - hypocrisies

Rick

"Mike came to the house recently.. He laid his hands on me.."

There was a brief pause before she spoke again, but she kept her eyes locked on me as she spoke.

"That is the reason that I've been so distant. It isn't you or the kids. And I haven't been going places with Sasha during the day. I've been going to therapy to learn how to cope.."

She pleaded with me to remain calm.

"I don't want you to be angry. I just wanted to be able to give all of me to you. We're getting married in four months. I just wanted to learn how to cope before we got there."

I grabbed her hand and spoke lowly.

"You don't know how pissed I am right now," I sighed.

"Michonne, I love you. I don't ever want you to feel like you have to hide anything from me ever again. I love you so much."

I looked at her beautiful mocha brown eyes before speaking again.

"And that bastard is gonna get what's coming to him. But us? We can't keep secrets from each other. We have to always be honest with each other. Always. I thought I'd lost you for a minute. Anything that you feel like you need to get through alone, that's fine. We're human and it happens," I paused and collected himself before continuing, "But you can't shut me out. We have children, 'Chonne. We're vowing to live our lives together no matter what very soon. We're in this together."

I kept my eyes fixed on her, but she didn't do the same. I lifted her chin gently.

"We're in this together. Right?"

She nodded at me before speaking. "Right."

I kissed her cheek softly and held her close. In this moment, there were so many emotions coursing through me at once. How could he? How dare he? The things he put Michonne through. The things he put Andre through. He needs to pay for the wrongs he committed against them.

I could see people passing us by as we sat on the bench. I didn't care, though. It was just Michonne and I. I smiled down at her as her eyes met mine.

"You ready to go home?" she spoke softly.

"Let's go home."

**

When Michonne and I got home, the house was eerily quiet. A little too quiet. I remembered Carl had been with the kids, so I went to their room to check on them. The girls were in their respective cribs while Andre and Carl laid on a pallet that was made on their floor. I noticed Carl move a little before he turned to face me.

"Hey, Dad," he whispered. He sat up gently.

"Hey," I whispered back, "Just checking on you guys. It's pretty quiet in here." I chuckled.

"Heh, yeah," he chuckled back, "I finally got the girls down about an hour ago and Andre and I watched TV until he finally fell out. Everything okay?"

I nodded. "Everything is fine. Michonne is here, I'm gonna leave for a few. I'll be back soon."

He nodded as he turned back toward the TV.

I left his room and made my way to the bedroom that Michonne and I shared and saw her laying on our bed.

"Hey, baby," I said, "I'm gonna take a little drive. I'll be back soon, but call or text me if you think of anything we need for the house, okay?"

She looked at me with tired eyes. I could tell she was exhausted. She nodded.

"I wanna make spaghetti tonight. We need noodles and sauce."

I nodded and approached her. I gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I love you, 'Chonne."

She smiled softly. "I love you more."

I made my way downstairs and toward the door. I felt my stomach tighten up as I got into the car and started the engine. I knew exactly what my next destination would be.

It took less than ten minutes to get to his house.

Mike's house.

I waited for him to show himself. I thought to myself, what exactly was I gonna do when I saw him?

I knew it was wrong and I knew I shouldn't be here. But he'd hurt my love and my son. He had to have consequences, right?

I finally saw him through the window, with what looked like a woman... and a child?

I felt my eyebrows furrow as my mind involuntarily wondered who these people were. Did he have another family? This couldn't be right. Who would be with someone so evil? And another child?

I saw the woman grab the small girl and place her on her hip. She hurriedly made her way to what I assumed to be another room and quickly made her way back to the living room and out of the house, bag in one hand and child in the other. She got into her car and left.

"You'll be back soon! You ain't got nobody else!"

He stood on the porch, yelling after the young lady's car. It took every inch of strength I had in my body to not get out and confront him. But I wouldn't do it. For Michonne's sake.

I started my car and hurriedly pulled off. When I got back into the house, I found Michonne in the kitchen, making the meat for the spaghetti that I was supposed to get noodles and sauce for.

Shit.

"Hey, baby," I greeted her with a kiss on her forehead.

"Hey," she seemed to have a bit more energy about herself, "Where's ... the sauce and noodles?"

I sighed. "They didn't have the brands you liked. I checked three stores."

I hated lying, but I knew I couldn't tell her where I'd actually been.

"Damn it," she cursed, "Three? Jeez. Well, I guess I'm using the macaroni noodles and Velveeta this time.. or should I make tacos? Nachos? What you got a taste for?" She smiled at me softly as she gave me a chance to speak.

"Hmm," I pondered for a minute. "Hamburger helper."

She nodded. "Good choice," she said as she got the rest of her ingredients out for the meal.

"I can't wait," I sang as I left out of the kitchen.

I had a smile on my face as I left, but once my back was turned away from her, I rolled my eyes at myself. How could I give her a lecture about honesty in our relationship and then turn around and do this?

I sighed as I sat at the dining room table.

I have to do better.

**

I say this on every chapter but I'm really gonna make this book one of my priorities because I love writing but just never have time... bare with me!!! lol .