We Meet Again

Chapter 18

Another glass crashed to the floor. "Damnit!" Rick cursed from the kitchen.

Michonne chuckled quietly from her spot in front of the fireplace. "Everything alright in there?" she called from the living room. The fire blazed brightly, the only source of light in the room.

"Doing just fine," Rick said, sounding more frazzled than upset. "I'll be out in a second."

Michonne leaned back into the couch, resting her legs on a cushy ottoman. She wore her favorite outfit - leggings and an oversized t-shirt. She stretched and yawned, doubting she could stay awake for much longer. She'd spent the day on a run with Spencer and Abe, and all she wanted to do was fall asleep in front of the fireplace.

Michonne had come home to find the kids gone and Rick slaving away in the kitchen. He'd sent Carl to spend the night at Daryl's and Judith was with Maggie and Glenn. Rick had gone to the trouble of planning a quiet dinner at home for just the two of them and all she could think about was crawling into bed.

Rick strolled into the living room carrying a tray with sliced apples, a bottle of champagne and two champagne flutes.

"Wow," Michonne said, pleasantly surprised. He had her full attention now. "Where on earth did you manage to find champagne?"

"I didn't," Rick said, joining her on the couch and placing the tray on the coffee table. "It's a gift from Daryl."

"Why?" Michonne asked, kind of shocked.

"Because he's happy for us. Why else?" Rick popped the cork and filled each flute with champagne. He handed her a glass and raised his own.

Michonne raised her glass in return, noticing a slightest tremor in his hand.

Rick cleared his throat. "To us."

"To us." Michonne clinked her glass against his before taking a sip.

"Will you marry me?" Rick blurted out.

Michonne choked, champagne dribbling down her lips.

"You okay?" Rick asked with concern and amusement.

Michonne hiccupped and then downed the rest of her champagne. Her head felt a little fuzzy; whether from the shock of Rick's proposal or the bubbly beverage, she couldn't tell.

"What...what's happening here?" Not the most graceful response, but Michonne was still reeling from the shock of his proposal.

"Well," Rick said, placing his glass on the coffee table. He rose from the couch to face her. Rick bent down on one knee, taking a hold of her hands. "I asked you to marry me and now I'm waiting for you to say yes."

Joy bubbled up from her belly and her body began to shake with laughter. She tried to speak but could hardly catch her breath.

"Ok...is that a yes?"

"Yes," Michonne managed to squeak out. "Yes!" She threw her arms around him, bringing them down onto the rug in front of the fireplace. She straddled him with intention.

"Wait, wait," Rick said. He slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring – the same ring he'd proposed with the first time. Maneuvering their bodies, he took her hand and slipped the diamond onto her finger.

Michonne planted kisses all over his face, finally finding his lips. She breathed him in as she used her lips and tongue to show him just how happy he'd made her.

Rick gripped her waist with his hands and met her deep kiss fully, only pulling away to catch his breath.

"I've always loved you," he said, his probing blue eyes serious and vulnerable.