forever - [book two in the amorous series]

one - new beginnings

dedicated to my dear friend, Elizabeth ♥️(who also made the cover art for this story! thanks doll!)

Rick

"Come on, baby. You got this."

I limped heavily toward Michonne and my nurse, whom had been rehabilitating me for the past three months.

"I don't think I can do this right now," I sighed as I latched onto the walker they gave me. Michonne rushed over to me, but my nurse stopped her.

"You gotta let him do it himself, Michonne. Rick, do you need a break?"

I sighed. "Nah. Nah, I can do it."

I pushed my walker to the side and continued my limp toward them. Michonne held her arms out for me and I pushed through, grabbing her for support. She smiled at me as she held me up, now walking me up the ramp to our front door that had been installed after the accident happened. We entered the house and made our way to the living room, which wasn't too far from the front door. She sat me down on the couch gently, keeping her grin wide.

"Good job, Rick," she said as she sat down next to me. I shook my head, watching my nurse enter the house.

"That's all from me for today. I think that fills your hourlong slot for the day, yeah?"

I nodded and she did too. "I'll be back tomorrow, okay? You two take it easy. Especially you." She pointed at me and smiled before walking out of the house. Michonne got up behind her to lock the screen door before joining me on the couch again. I looked over at her.

"Why are you even still here?" I sighed.

She looked perplexed as she turned to face me. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means I'm broken. And instead of taking the easy way out you're here. Why?"

She scoffed. "You really don't know the answer to that question, Rick?"

I shook my head.

"Well if you really are clueless," she started, "I love you. And I want the best for you. I want to see you recover, and soon. I want you to be able to pick our children up and hug them as tight as you can. And I want you to be happy again."

"Who said I wasn't happy?"

She looked into my eyes as she responded.

"You do. Every single day with your eyes. When you wake in the morning, and before you go to sleep at night. And it kills me every time."

We stared at each other for a while before Judith let out a scream that was bound to wake Jada.

Saying nothing, Michonne popped up out of her seat and dashed up the stairs. She brought Judy back downstairs in her arms and smiled at me.

"Look, Judy! It's daddy!" she had her baby talk down pat, that was for sure.

I smiled as she cradled Judith in her arms, coming to sit next to me. When she sat down, Judith looked up at me. Her eyes were blue and her hair was brown, exactly like mine. I smiled down at her and stretched my arms out to hold her. Michonne looked at me apprehensively, with a slight hesitance in handing her to me.

"'Chonne, I'm fine. I promise. I just wanna hold her."

She slowly handed her to me, making sure I had her. I cradled her in my arms and smiled.

"Hey, Judy," I cooed. She looked up at me with her bright blue eyes and smiled a gummy smile at me.

For 9 months old, she was a pretty big baby. She'd began standing about a month ago and she can hold herself up. She reminds me of Carl when he was her age. I lost myself in her eyes for a moment before Michonne spoke.