forever - [book two in the amorous series]

three - menace

Rick

"Daddy! Daddy!" Andre ran to me after he had the time of his life on the new swing set Michonne and I bought for the kids a few months ago for Christmas. I sat in a lawn chair next to Carl, who sat on the steps instead of an actual chair. Judy and Jada were in their bouncers; Judith had began attempts at walking, so she ran around while Jada just sat and bounced in place.

I was happy Michonne finally could get back to work, but I did miss her. A lot. But I told her since my physical therapy sessions were finally over, she should get back to work until I could; she couldn't have been quicker to agree. I know all she wants is for us to live comfortably and I know that if I don't go to work and make the money, she has to. So I had to let her go.

I'm glad I get quality time with my children, though.

I slowly lifted Andre onto my lap as he smiled up at me.

"Did you see me, Daddy? I jumped off!" his brown eyes were bright, just like Michonne's; they were so full of life. I smiled back down at him, nodding.

"That was thee coolest thing I've ever seen in my entire life! I couldn't believe my eyes at first!"

He giggled, hugging me tightly. I hugged him back as tight as I could before Carl stood up quickly.

"What's the matter, Carl?"

He pointed to a car sitting in front of our backyard I wished I wasn't seeing. I set Andre down on the steps gently before standing. The car door opened, and out came Mike. I shook my head as Carl took the kids back into the house. Mike got out and approached the gate that secluded our home from the rest of the world.

"I'm here for my son," he growled, staring at me with a menacing eye.

"My sons are in the house, both of them. This is not your property and I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."

He shook his head. I stepped closer to the gate, smelling the apparent liquor on his breath. I shook my head in disgust, pointing in the direction he came from.

"You gotta go. I'm not giving my son to you, especially if you've been drinking. Michonne should be home very soon."

"To hell with Michonne! All I'm here for..." his tone softened just a little as he continued, "is Andre. That's all."

"I'm sorry, Mike, but-"

My sentence was cut short by a familiar voice ringing out through the yard.

Michonne.

"Michael... what are you here for?"

He scoffed. "My son. Please. Thanks."

She shook her head.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was your week..I'll go get him now."

She approached the gate, before he stopped her, gripping her wrist with his hand.

"Hey, you let her go!" I dashed over to the gate, unlocking it and shoving him away from her. I gently moved her aside as she blinked back tears. I shook my head and cut my eyes at him.

"Don't ever put your filthy hands on her ever again, do you understand me?"

"Tuh. I don't know why you think I'm gonna follow your orders. I'll do what I want."

He attempted to shove his way past me to get to her, but before he had the chance I pushed him back further.

"I will call the police RIGHT NOW!" I growled, my fist clenched.

"Rick," I heard Michonne's soft voice call out to me, her hand gently rested on mine.

I turned back to see Andre clenching onto her leg, peeking out to see what unfolded before him. I exhaled deeply. If I kept this up, I'd be no better to him than the one man he's already afraid of.  I slowly stepped up and closed the gate. I latched the lock become slowly stepping back into my initial position.

"Michael, you cannot be here. I'm calling my lawyer, and Rick's gonna call someone to come and get you now, unless you comply."

"I just want my son, Michonne. Please. You left me, but you promised you wouldn't take him, too."

She shook her head, her eyes beginning to well with tears.

"I need you to go, Mike. Please, just go."

He shook his head before returning to his car, never starting it. He sat there, for maybe twenty minutes before I called some fellow officers to come and escort him away. When he was finally gone and Andre went upstairs with his brother and sisters, Michonne and I sat on the couch. She sighed as I looked over at her.

"How was it legal?.. You know, to keep Andre here when it's Mike's week?"

"He's drunk. And I feel like if Andre goes with him, he's in lots of potential danger. Under those circumstances, I can keep him here with me."

There was a brief silence before she spoke again.

"I'm sorry about Mike," she began, "I don't know what possessed him to come here drunk and try to take Andre away. Today starts his week but he's in direct violation of the order, coming in here the way he did," she frowned then pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Hey," I grab her free hand gently. "Don't feel bad or stressed or anything like that, baby. You're doing what you can as a mother. You kept Andre out of harm's way. Now we just have to get this custody settled. And everything is gonna be okay."

She nodded her head, keeping it down. I sigh and snaked my arms around her.

"I promise everything is gonna pan out, okay? We're gonna get the ending we want. We just have to work harder for it."

Sighing, she lifts her head up so that her eyes are level with mine.

"I love you."

I smile and squeeze her hand.

"Ditto."

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