forever - [book two in the amorous series]

seven - good times and bad times

*italicized = flashback, Louise- Rick's mother; Thomas- Rick's father*

Michonne

"I passed go so give me two hundred dollars, Mommy!"

I chuckled as I got two hundred Monopoly dollars from the box and passed it to Andre. I looked over at Carl and motioned for him to go on and take his turn.

"Aw, man, jail?!" he flailed his arms out and looked up at the ceiling. "Why do these things always happen to me?!"

We all laughed at him as Rick took the dice from him and rolled them. Just as they hit the board, Darla ran into the room, with Judith in her arms.

"Rick, Michonne, she isn't breathing," she looked up at Rick, who was significantly taller than she was.

Rick and I immediately hopped up from our positions on the floor and rushed over to her. Rick grabbed her and immediately began running downstairs to his truck. I stayed behind, tears involuntarily welling in my eyes.

"What'd you feed her?" I asked her.

"I gave her some of those peanut butter crackers to suck on. They just melt right in your mouth and I used to give em to Ricky and his brothers when they were younger," she cried, "I'm so sorry, Michonne."

Carl appeared at my side.

"You said peanut butter.. We've never given her peanut butter because I'm allergic and my mom's allergic. It's probably a reaction."

I turned to face Carl. "Stay here with Andre and Jada. We'll be right back."

I kissed his forehead and began running, making my way downstairs and out of the door.

Instead of starting the truck and taking it, Rick had already begun to run in the direction of the hospital; I tried my best to catch up to him. When I finally did, we were almost at our destination. We ran through the hospital doors, Judy still in his arms. Frantic and tired, he allowed an older woman to take her from his arms, but not without hurriedly following behind her.

Another nurse turned to him.

"What's the matter with her?" he queried.

Rick only could shake his head as we all sped down the narrow hall.

"Peanuts," I began, "Shes allergic to peanuts."

The female nurse stopped us after I spoke and said, "We'll take it from here. Your daughter will be fine, alright?"

Her eyes shifted from Rick to me. She nodded before entering the room that they'd taken Judith into.

I grabbed Rick's hand and looked him in his teary eyes.

"Baby, she's going to be okay, alright? They're in there doing what they have to do to make sure it stays that way."

He nodded slowly.

"I.. I know," he began, stepping back toward the seats that were available for us to sit and wait in. He sat and brought the back of my hand to his lips and held it there. I sat and closed my eyes.

"Mike, do something!"

I held Andre's limp body in my arms as a drunken Mike and Terry sat lazily on the chairs across from the coffee table.

"H-He's fine, 'Chonne. Just get him a towel and some per..oxide."

I felt my face growing hotter and hotter, not only from anguish but from anger as well.