TeeTee's House

The second batch of candy apples was almost ready to be boxed up with the first lot. Rick was patiently waiting for Carl to find something warmer to wear as the cooler weather was finally setting in. Rick looked at the tray of goodies and smiled. Carl was such a generous, caring soul for his tender age. He had said to his father that he wanted to share some of the treats with the new family that had moved in across the road a couple of months earlier: Single working mom, Michonne, and her toddler Andre. 

Carl had babysat Andre a few times when Michonne had finally found time to herself to catch up with friends or go on a date here and there. Michonne reminded Carl of his dad a lot. A single parent doing the best they could for their son, but who didn’t have a lot of time for other things, namely dating. Carl thought that they were well suited and would get along if given the chance. So, if Carl had encouraged his father to make candy apples and take them over to Michonne and Andre in the hope that they would hit it off, well that was of no concern to anyone else. 

Carl came bounding down stairs and rushed into the kitchen as his father was placing the last of the candy apples into the box. 

“They’re all ready, son,” said Rick as he smiled at Carl.

“You’re wearing that?” asked Carl as he gestured to his father’s outfit. 

Rick looked down at his outfit: A button-down flannel tucked into faded jeans. 

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. 

“Nothing,” Carl replied. “But what about your blue shirt?”

“Why the blue shirt?” asked a curious Rick, wondering why his son was now so invested in his sartorial choices. 

“It brings out your eyes, duh,” said Carl before adding, “Go on and get changed so we can head out.”

“Alright,” said Rick with a grin as he made his way to get changed. 

…..

Carl was not as slick as he thought he was. Rick was onto him. While Carl was genuinely a generous and kind kid, Rick knew he had ulterior motives for making the batch of candy apples and bringing them to their neighbors. He knew Carl wanted Rick to expand his social circle, which was already so small. He knew his son wanted him to put himself out there and meet new people. He also knew his son wanted him to start dating again. 

Rick had seen Michonne in passing. He had spoken to her on the phone when organizing for Carl to babysit. But he didn’t know much about her except that she had a small son, was divorced, and had about as much as a social life as Rick did. He had to admit that she was really beautiful as well. And to be honest, Rick wouldn’t mind getting to know her better. 

He smoothed down his blue shirt and checked himself over in the mirror. Carl was right; the blue did bring out his eyes. Rick did some finger-guns at himself, and then shook his head while laughing before making his way back down to the kitchen. 

“Let’s go,” said Carl happily as his father picked up the box of candy apples; the pair made their way outside and over the road. 

…..

Michonne and Andre were enjoying their new life in the new neighborhood. Everyone was friendly and it was a nice place. They had settled in well, and Michonne had even made some new friends. On the rare occasion that she got to go out and spend time with her friends, a couple of the neighborhood teenagers babysat Andre for her. Carl from across the road was Andre’s favorite. He was a good boy who cared a lot about his dad. Michonne let him look through her comic book collection if he showed up early to babysit. She liked Carl, and she would like to get to know his father Rick a little better, too. She and Rick seemed to have a bit in common, being single parents of sons. She had spoken to him on the phone, and seen him from a distance, but was yet to meet him in person. 

The late afternoon had set in, and Michonne had just finished folding laundry in the living room while Andre was playing when she heard the doorbell ring. She got up off the couch and went to answer the door. Michonne was pleasantly surprised to see Carl standing there with a smile on his face, and his father standing next to him, looking somewhat bashful and holding a box. 

“Oh, hi there,” said Michonne cheerfully.

“Hey,” said Carl.

“Hello,” said his father. “Sorry to just drop by like this.”

Michonne smiled and said, “It’s okay. Uh, you’re Rick, right?”

“Shoot, where’re my manners?” he chided himself before holding out a hand for Michonne to shake. “Yes, I’m Rick Grimes. So nice to meet you.”

“Michonne Hawthorne,” she replied shaking his hand. “Lovely to meet you, too.”

“The pleasure’s all mine,” said Rick, smiling at Michonne’s radiant smile. 

Carl coughed beside his father, garnering both his and Michonne’s attention. 

“Right,” said Rick, clearing his throat. “Carl and I made some, uh, candy apples. And he thought you and your boy might like some.”

Michonne’s face lit up as she looked from Rick to Carl. 

“Oh my gosh you guys,” she exclaimed. “That’s so thoughtful and sweet. Thank you.”

“I know how you and Andre both have a sweet tooth,” said Carl gesturing to the box Rick was holding. “My Dad made them, I helped to decorate them.”

Rick held the box out for Michonne to take; she smiled and offered her gratitude once more. 

“Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” said Rick with a courteous smile. 

“Hope you like them,” said Carl, as Rick placed a hand on his shoulder, and they turned to leave.

“Hey, hold up,” said Michonne, causing the pair to stop. “You leaving already?”

Carl shrugged and Rick said, “We don’t wanna take up any more of your time. I heard you’re a pretty busy lady.”

“I’m sure Andre and I can make some time for you and Carl,” said Michonne, sweetly. “Please, come on in. I was about to make some hot chocolate.”

“We wouldn’t wanna impose,” said Rick, suddenly bashful. 

“Trust me,” Michonne supplied in earnest. “You’re not. Please, come in and join us.”

…..

The mug of hot chocolate felt warm in Rick’s hand as he sipped from it and admired the way Michonne’s face lit up when she spoke of her family. It was clear that she missed them, but was settling into King County very well. 

“It’s such a lovely place to raise a family,” said Michonne.

“It sure is,” Rick agreed. “I grew up here. Got married and divorced here. Raising Carl here. My whole life is here, and I can’t say nothin’ bad about it. This town has been good to us. Good for us. I hope it’ll be the same for you.”

Rick’s soft smile made Michonne smile back at him. 

“I know I’ve said this before,” Michonne started. “But you’ve done a great job with Carl. He’s a great kid. I hope I can be as good at this single parent thing as you are.”

“You already are,” said Rick as he placed his mug down near his half eaten candy apple and turned more on the sofa so that he could look at Michonne. 

“Thank you,” she said softly, sipping from her own mug before placing it down next to Rick’s. “I just worry sometimes that I’m not enough. That I’m somehow messing this all up.”

“You’re not. Trust me, I’ve felt the exact same way as you have,” said Rick sincerely. “That doubtful little voice inside your head is a liar, Michonne. I’ve only just begun to know you, and I can already tell you’re a great mother, and person in general. I mean, you’ve given my kid a way to earn some extra money as well as making sure your son is taken care of when you need a little time to yourself.”

Michonne smiled then and let her head dip.

“I feel bad about having time to myself sometimes,” she admitted.

“Don’t,” Rick advised. “I was the same. Didn’t let myself enjoy anything outside of bein’ a dad. But I got there in the end.”

“How?” asked a genuinely curious Michonne.

“Well, I just put one foot in front of the other for a long time,” Rick explained. “And when things felt right, I just leapt in, I suppose.”

Michonne searched Rick’s face and grinned at him before saying, “I like the sound of that.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” said Michonne. “I have been taking one step at a time, one foot in front of the other since Andre was a baby. I think I might be ready to try this leaping thing.”

Rick let out a little laugh and beamed at Michonne as he said, “I’m glad to hear that.”

The grin Michonne returned made her eyes light up and Rick could not look away even if he wanted to. The pair held one another’s gaze for a moment as silence settled comfortably around them. Rick’s intense stare made Michonne feel seen like she hadn’t in so long; Michonne’s pretty eyes made Rick’s tummy flutter. He felt as if there was a shift between them. That they had come to an unspoken understanding that they shared a sameness. Rick cleared his throat and let the daring feeling that had suddenly swirled inside of him rise to the surface. 

He leaned his arm on the back of the sofa and tilted his head to the side, before saying, “Y’know, if you wanted some encouragement or help gettin’ back out there, I’m happy to oblige.”

Michonne hid her excitement well as she batted her eyelids and said, “So, just encouragement and help? That’s all you’re offering?”

“I’d offer to take you out,” said Rick, his drawl coming out languid and confident. “There’re couple’s pumpkin carving workshops down at Tucker’s Farm this weekend. Could be fun to go along to. If that’s somethin’ you’d be interested in.”

“Oh, I’m extremely interested,” Michonne replied, suddenly feeling giddy for the first time in ages. 

Rick smiled widely and said, “Great. It’s a date.”

“You know what?” said Michonne as she picked up her candy apple. “I’m so glad you came over with these.”

Rick picked up his own candy apple and said, “Yeah, me too.”

She knew she’d never have to feel that way again. Because there wouldn’t be another night when they weren’t sleeping next to each other. If it weren’t for the kids, they would probably never leave their bed. 

Lips caressed her chest, then her neck, then her cheek. Michonne smiled at her husband’s morning wake-up routine. It always started with kisses.

She scratched his scalp. “I thought you were sleeping?”

“I was, but my dream ended. Guess it was time for me to wake up."

“I hope good dreams.”

“I'm dreaming about you again. About us in different worlds.” He kissed her shoulder.

“How did we fall in love this time?”

Rick lifted onto his elbow and stared down at his wife. “We were both walking our dogs at a dog park. They became best friends, then we became best friends and fell in love.”

Michonne laughed. “I like that.”

Rick smiled at her laughter, but his face soon turned serious. “All those years we were apart, I dreamed of ways we could have fallen in love if the world didn’t end. But having too much time to think, I wondered if something like my dreams could happen. Would it have been possible for us to meet in Georgia and fall in love?”

“What was your conclusion?”

“That we wouldn’t because you were too glamorous, too cultured. You wouldn’t want a country boy like me.”

Michonne lips downturned into a slight frown. “No, that’s not it. I like to think that what’s meant to be will always be. Somehow, some way, the universe would have conspired for us to be together. With all of our children alive and well. Nothing about what we have can be denied."

Rick shook his head and stared down at Michonne in awe. “How are you so perfect?”

She ran her hand down his beard. “Not perfect. Just perfect for you.”

He looked up at her with a grin. “Sorry. Your feet are beautiful. I couldn’t help myself. I’ve never seen anyone have as pretty feet as yours.”

“Never took you as a feet man.”

He kissed her other foot. “I’m an everything man when it comes to you. You’re just impossibly beautiful and sexy.”

“I still don’t know how I found the most romantic man in the world during an apocalypse.”

“I guess we’re both just lucky.”

She smiled, content, as her eyes never left his. “No two people deserve luck more.”

He parted her legs with her hand and kissed up her calf. He lingered at her knee, placing three quick kisses there. Michonne’s breath hitched as he pushed open her legs, even more, to position himself for better access to her inner thighs.

“The sexiest legs I ever seen in my life,” he mumbled as he kissed higher and higher up one leg while caressing the other with his hand.

Michonne still had a handful of his curls and pulled harder, knowing it always made him completely ravenous.

He pulled her legs further apart as she hiked one around his waist.

“Track,” she said as her voice hitched.

He raised his head, eyes full of lust, eyebrows stitched together in temporary confusion.

“Track?” He asked.

“I ran track in high school and a bit in college. That gave my legs the shapeliness you’re so obsessed with.”

“Thank God for track, then.”

He licked the crease where the inner thighs met the sweet spot he was after.

Michone muffled a moan. She hoped everyone else in the house was sound asleep because she didn’t know how much longer she could keep the sounds of her pleasure at bay.

“Walking from Georgia to Virginia probably kept my legs looking good, too.”

Rick shook his head before teasingly brushing his lips against her wetness. She could feel his voice vibrate through her as he talked.

“Nah. I made the same walk, and my legs don’t look nearly as good.”

“You have other assets that make up for it.” She pulled on his hair to raise his head so he could see her pointedly looking down at his obvious arousal.

“Fortunately, whether I work out or not, that stays the same.” He winked at her.

Michonne intended to chuckle, but it came out as a half moan, half scream as his tongue found its way into her folds.

“Baby,” she breathed out.

“You always taste as good as you look.”

“You work your tongue as good as you - “

So first we see Michonne talking to some CRM leaders during a vetting process. And again TOWL stayed aware of Danai’s flawless face card with the close-up shot. Contrasting the start of the episode when she says her name is Michonne, here she’s following what Rick told her and changing her name to introduce the CRM and us to a B named Dana Bethune.

Michonne is in her acting bag as she shares, “My name is Dana. And I’ve been out there a long time by myself. So long that it’s strange to hear my own voice.” Michonne smartly mixes truths into her lies as she tells them “I was in Georgia for a long time with my boyfriend and about 40 people” She really was in Georgia with her boyfriend both from before the apocalypse and the boyfriend-turned-husband she found in season 3 😋. 

Michonne says their group was led by leaders who she thought were good and says she was with her sister Elle, who was the HR lady from the caravan group at the top of the ep. Michonne says, “And then things changed. They changed. I saw it. I knew we should go. You always really know when to go.” Look at her passing Nat’s mentality down to the CRM. 😊 I was like CRM, y’all should be scared because a loyal person like Michonne is going to make sure Nat’s death is avenged. 💯

She’s asked about her weapon of choice and she says a Bo staff that she lost and is now making do with a knife. Playing up a certain aloofness Michonne looks at herself in the reflection of a window or two-way mirror idk. And you know while they’re observing her, sis is also observing everything about this place while trying to just appear more meek and even ditzy.

They ask if it bothers her that she’s being watched and it already shows how privy she is to things that she can tell she’s being surveilled. She softly says, “No I just haven’t seen myself in a while.”

gif cred: @riickgrimes

The CRM folk start telling Michonne about the place and how she can never leave and you can just see Michonne have a subtle reaction like 'Yeah alright we’ll see about that.' She knows that never-leave rule is about to get broken. Best believe.

They ask how she feels about the fact that she can’t leave and Michonne smiles and says, “I feel that what’s here, it’s what I’ve been looking for. It’s what I’ve been trying to believe in just a little while longer.” And not a lie was told right here. 💁🏽‍♀️

They have her baby up in this place so they absolutely do have what she’s been looking for. And I love her referencing the 'believe a little longer' motto from the iPhone and also how it again affirms that she believes in Rick so much just like in Rick's dreams. He’s what she’s been believing in.

This was a greatly acted scene from Danai playing Michonne playing Dana playing the CRM. 🤭 Like I love that Michonne was sorta playing in the CRM's face a bit and it was just so clear the CRM does not stand a chance against this woman. She’s a mother on a mission. Nothing is stopping her. 👌🏽

So then we see Michonne walking around the CRM in a consignee jacket and I love that hers has a cinched waist. Michonne isn't letting that boxy jacket completely hide the Coca-Cola body. I’m here for it. 💅🏽

As Michonne walks around you can tell that, similar to Woodbury, she’s making note of quite a bit in this place - except this time she’s trying to blend in more like her husband told her. And the main thing Michonne clearly wants to know as she's walking around right now is - where is Rick Grimes.

She walks up some steps clearly trying to see where he could be, and even with all these CRM soldiers in helmets I know she’d be able to spot Rick if she saw him among them. And why? Because of that walk. 😏

But baby, she doesn’t have to spot him because of course the magnets in them have Rick spotting her first and making a beeline to her. I adore this walking moment. 🤩 I rewound it so much cuz I too love that man's walk lol.

gif cred: @riickgrimes

So Michonne is walking and then we see a soldier very intently making his way to her and I love the way it’s shot. Rick’s walk is iconic and so I love that that’s how you can immediately tell it’s him. And as we know, we’re not the only one who loves Rick’s walk because as he approaches Michonne and quietly takes her arm Michonne has this instant smitten smile upon recognizing his touch and walking alongside him. 😊

This scene made it clear that TOWL was gonna have a lot of fun with Richonne’s love and desire being at the foundation of the show. And you just know Rick was eagerly waiting for the moment he could get to her. He was a man on a mission. A mack-on-Michonne mission. 😌

And the moment as he takes her arm and silently guides her into a room is just hot, what can I say? 🔥

gif cred: @riickgrimes

I love seeing Rick take control and seeing Michonne try to be subtle but clearly look so excited to be back with him. 😊

Also, now y’all when would a soldier…especially this soldier, grab a consignee by her arm and guide her into a room alone lol? That alone likely would've raised suspicions around the CRM. But I'm glad they did it anyway cuz it was a joy to see Rick and Michonne walk side by side again. CRM, y’all don’t even know you now have the most lethal married couple in your midst walking arm and arm rn. 🤭

gif cred: @riickgrimes

Rick leads her into the room and gives one last look outside to make sure no one is headed their way. The way he looks around before going inside, you know he knows exactly what they're about to do.

So then we get a top-tier scene as Rick and Michonne walk into the garage?? Idk what that place was exactly so I’ll just call it a garage lol. 

Rick and Michonne walk into the garage and give each other a quick look before checking to make sure the coast is clear. Rick checks one side and Michonne checks the other and then y’all, Rick has a very clear mission and it’s not swapping information it’s swapping saliva lol. I promise you, dishing out information and making a plan was secondary on the agenda for Rick during this secret rendezvous. 😋

gif cred: @riickgrimes

Rick proceeds to put his helmet down and before Michonne can even confirm that she doesn’t see anybody on her side, Rick grabs her and they basically pounce on each other with kisses and it’s the best. 😊They both are starving for each other and this kiss made it clear.

gif cred: @riickgrimes

You can tell the moment Rick put that helmet down he was laser-focused on loving on Michonne. He basically said I’ll brief you on this mysterious advanced society that’s kept me from you for years if we have time in between the main priority of making out.

I adore the way he grabs her neck and then the way Michonne is always ready to match the energy as she wraps her arms around him. And y’all, how nice of them to have a kiss that is as pleasing to the ear as it is to the eye because they, and Rick especially, stayed moaning in these TOWL kisses. Love to see it/hear it. 😋

I always say Richonne’s kisses are a form of communication and their first wordless conversation in the CRM - or 'moanversation' if you will - had them both making it very clear to each other that they’re ecstatic to be back together.  

gif cred: @riickgrimes

And after almost 8 years apart, the intensity of this kiss makes perfect sense, and I love that they knew exactly how to communicate how hungry Richonne are for each other in every way. This kiss is A1. 👏🏽

Like the way they lean against the vehicle and Rick puts his arm up against the vehicle to be mindful of Michonne adds such a cute caring layer to this whole top-tier moment. And the way they’re swaying and wrapped up in each other, her knees buckling, his hands in her hair, the way he chased her lips at the end. Just yes to all of it. 👏🏽

gif cred: @ricksmarlene

I love how the kiss is so immensely passionate and then afterward they just have this moment of holding each other and breathing together. Seeing the way Michonne smiles after and touches his face, you can seriously see how safe she feels with Rick. Like she still knows so little about this place but she’s back in his arms so she knows somehow it’ll be okay. 🥲

And then y’all, we get the first signature Richonne forehead touch in TOWL as they break from the kiss and still stay wrapped in each other's arms. It's one of the classic Richonne things they do and I love the intimacy of it. 🥹

gif cred: @lousolversons

That kiss clearly left them breathless as Rick whispers, “They believed you.” And Michonne earnestly asks, “How do you know?” Rick says, “You’re here.” And the way he says that you can tell his elation comes not just from the fact that she passed the CRM vetting process but most of all that she’s really here with him after all this time.

And then because Rick is like this rendezvous is about making out first, information second - he goes right back to kissing Michonne and moaning as they pull each other in as close as possible. 😊

gif cred: @nat111love

Michonne reciprocates but then she notices something. And this is where the loss of Rick’s hand is mourned yet again by me because we all know the reason Michonne notices Rick’s missing hand is because she’s like normally this would be the part where I feel your hand on my backside but it hasn’t happened yet so, something must have happened.

After not feeling that signature palm on her behind, she stops to touch Rick’s prosthetic and I adore how Rick is still so in the moment of kissing her that he kisses her one more time as she turns to look at his arm. The man is voracious about his wife and I love it. 😊

gif cred: @nat111love

Michonne gently holds his prosthetic in her hand and looks at Rick with so much care and concern as she wonders what happened. I feel like this is the first time in years that anybody showed this level of care for what Rick went through and I love that she immediately wants to know what happened to her baby. You know if the CRM had cut his hand off themselves the beef she has with them would only intensify. In a way, the CRM did have a hand in Rick losing his hand so they gotta pay.

gif cred: @riickgrimes

Rick looks down at his prosthetic too and shares sadly but also with a certain resolve, “It happened a long time ago. One of the last times I tried to get home.”  I love that he says 'tried to get home' rather than just 'tried to get away.' It shows that in every way the CRM is not home - Michonne and their family still are home to him.

Also, it’s interesting how for Michonne this is devastating news but for Rick, this is old news and he’s just like what’s more important is making out rn. But Rick’s words catch Michonne’s attention as she repeats his words back and says, “One of the last times?”

This is Michonne’s first indicator that Rick might have stopped trying to get home. I think in her mind she thought surely Rick would have been still working on an escape but after fighting like hell to get home for years he had to stop trying - and not even because he wanted to give up but because he was made to feel that going home could get his wife and loved ones killed.

(Side note: I love that the bullet shell from Rick's gun is visible in Michonne’s hair in this scene. She really found every way possible to still be close to him 🥲) 

gif cred: @nat111love

Rick’s reaction to her asking this makes me emotional. 😢 He looks into her eyes as he too hears how his words sound and then he takes a deep breath. Breathing tells a very informative story throughout TOWL. And with this inhale from Rick you can just feel the weight of what he’s been through and now, finally having a moment to share some of it with Michonne, it’s probably difficult for him to even know where to begin.

gif cred: @nat111love

It’s hard because we as the audience got to see how hard he fought to get home but at this moment you know it's overwhelming to even know how to tell Michonne how hard this years-long separation and imprisonment has been on him. But he so badly wants Michonne to know that it wasn’t for a lack of trying or a lack of love that he stopped trying to get home.

He tells her, “They had me trapped.” And then the way my heart literally overflows with emotion when Rick so sincerely says, “They don’t have me anymore.” It’s so moving and beautiful to see Rick become the heart-eye emoji as he tells Michonne they don’t have him anymore. 🥲

There’s a clear second part of that sentence that’s not said aloud but rather in Rick's eyes - 'they don’t have me anymore...because I’m yours.'

gif cred: @riickgrimes

The way he looks at her with that teary-eyed smile, knowing he’s hers. 😭 It's touching and layered because he so sincerely wants to reassure Michonne of this, all while knowing that the damage they've done to him is pretty severe.

It’s also so powerful for him to say this because while their situation is still dire and in many ways, Michonne and us will learn the CRM does still have him more than he’d like, in this moment Rick genuinely wants to believe that he’s no longer chained to the CRM.

They don’t get to have him anymore, even if that’s what it still looks like on the outside, because the woman who makes him come alive, the brightest light in his world, is back with him. That alone makes him feel like he is no longer stuck with the CRM.

Rick knows his heart will always belong to her and that was communicated in this sweet line and his loving eyes and smile at her after he says it. 

Rick then says with certainty, “We will get away. Together” because right now he does believe that Richonne can do anything. He’s tried to get away for years but having Michonne here now makes all the difference.

gif cred: @nat111love

And I love the eye contact as he looks at her with so much love and smiles, feeling so right being back with her. Like just looking at her gives him strength. At the same time, it moves me how much you can see in his eyes that he's eager to be the determined and strong man Michonne once knew, despite feeling dead and broken after what he endured the last seven or so years.

gif cred: @nat111love

Michonne of course believes and is comforted by Rick’s words that they’ll get away together as she smiles and nods. Again she trusts him more than anybody in the world. 

gif cred: @nat111love

Also, I love how Rick’s reunion with Michonne as his wife is one where without even having to address it they both just know they’ve waited for each other. They know they’re still the one to each other. As we know, after just a few months Rick reunited with Lori and she was already pregnant with his best friend's baby. So it’s beautiful to see Rick now reunite with his wife Michonne after years and know that she really has only wanted him all these years. And if anything her big reveal will be that she was pregnant with his baby. 🥲

But while that's understandably not revealed in this scene, there's still some more great mom and dad content when Rick again wants to confirm his baby girl is okay.

He asks, “They're okay? She's okay?” I love him asking that and the way he asks, nodding and looking right into Michonne's eyes. Again it’s so vulnerable and caring. A true father. You know making sure his loved ones are good is so important to him.

gif cred: @bizarre-hostile

And “they’re okay” means team family which is sweet that he wants to know they're okay. I liked hearing "they're okay?" too because while Rick doesn't know it, he does in fact have more than one kid out there and it almost felt like without even knowing it he’s asking if both his kids are okay.

Michonne answers with a smile and says, “Yes. She’s okay.” She has this smile that’s so specific to when she’s thinking about her kids and it’s precious. 🥲

gif cred: @riickgrimes

Michonne continues, wanting to finally tell Rick all about how amazing their daughter has turned out as she goes, “She’s…” but then she stops herself and you just know the image of a certain Little Brave Man has popped into her head. 😭

And it’s a moment that hits my heart as you see Michonne feel both joy and sadness. Because she misses RJ too and because she knows Rick is going to be filled with layered emotions the second he learns of him.

Since the moment she found out she was pregnant you know Michonne longed to be able to share with Rick that they had a baby. Rick can tell she has something big to say too as he asks, “What is it?”

gif cred: @riickgrimes

I noted in this scene you can really tell that Rick can sense that Michonne has something major to tell him and he knows it’s about their immediate family but he doesn’t know what it is which is why he keeps thinking it might have to do with Judith being okay. Like you can see sometimes he searches her eyes trying to figure it out because whatever the news is he can feel it’s about their kid. And he’s right. It's just about the kid he doesn't know of yet.

And you can also see the thoughts running through Michonne’s head as she and Rick stay in each other's arms between these vehicles. She longs to tell him about RJ but knows this isn’t the right time yet. And as always, she’s right. I heard there were some viewers upset and thinking she made the wrong choice by not telling Rick right here and now and that was wild to me.

This is Richonne’s first time getting to even have an extended conversation and even then it can’t be that long because they can’t risk being caught. And major life-changing news that you have a son that you had no clue about and have missed all of his life thus far is not the kind of thing to drop on someone when there won’t even be time to elaborate and ask questions and just process the news together.

I fully support Michonne choosing to wait and it’s actually such an act of kindness to Rick because she knows that news is going to shock him and be very bittersweet and just a lot to take in and she ideally wants to tell him when they can more freely talk.

Like after holding their child in her womb alone she basically chooses to now hold the news of their son alone just a bit more for Rick’s well-being.

Rather than just drop it on him and have him carry that news on top of carrying the task of getting them home, she shows discipline and restraint and lovingly smiles as she tells him, “When we get away.” (Also I always just love thinking that when Michonne looks at Rick here she’s seeing all of RJ’s little traits he got from his dad. 🥰)

gif cred: @riickgrimes

I adore the way Rick says, “No. She’s okay?” He’s such a concerned dad and again he knows, because of his and Michonne’s interconnectedness, that there’s something more she has to say about their immediate family. I just love that he’s like I can’t wait until we get away to know for certain our baby girl is okay. But Rick, little do you know the news is actually about your beautiful baby boy.

Also, the fact that Rick is so not okay after everything he’s been through all these years but his main care is that Judith is okay 🥲. Warms my heart.

And then the way Michonne responds, it’s my favorite thing ever. 🥹She says the absolute perfect thing as she assuredly tells him, “She’s us, Rick.”

gif cred: @riickgrimes

Y’all. 😭 It’s the perfect response and so true. Judith really is a little Richonne baby. 🥹

It’s so beautiful for Michonne to tell Rick that their daughter is just like her mom and her dad. Rick gets to know not only is their baby alive and okay but she has qualities like him even despite his absence and she’s also like the love of his life which you know would make him happy to see Judith turn out like Michonne.

I love that Michonne looks at Judith and sees her and Rick. 🥹 And that they’re an 'us' like that. And also I love the way Michonne has her hand in Rick’s hair as she comforts him with this confirmation that their baby girl is bound to be okay because she’s just like her resilient parents.

Michonne calmly says, “The rest when we get away” and hearing Judith is them is enough for Rick to feel a bit less anxious and agree to wait for the rest of the family updates. 

gif cred: @riickgrimes

He nods and then remembers this is probably also a good time to get their next steps in order.

Rick tells Michonne if he passes her a note somehow she has to read it and destroy it. Michonne looks into Rick’s eyes because she has to address some things about this shady CRM as she tells him, “They killed people, Rick. Dozens of people.” I know Michonne is like my friends died and I almost died from these people so wth is this place? (Also I love how often she says Rick’s name since they've reunited.)

gif cred: @coolpartytimefan

As Rick mesmerizingly stares into her soul (and i'm not even exaggerating about that lol) Michonne says, “They’re killing people out there. Have you had to…?” And before she can finish the question, Rick is quick to want to make it clear that he means it when he says he’s not with them as he says, “No. No. The ones in red. They go out sometimes. They come back covered in blood.”

He looks at her toward the tail end of that statement but it’s interesting how for the most part he looks down when talking about the CRM, again almost like there’s this sense of shame and fear surrounding them.

He says, “Most of us don’t know what they do. I didn’t know.” Rick looks into Michonne's eyes as he admits to not knowing about the CRM's mass killings and then he vulnerably says, “But I knew. I was stuck here.” That’s the one thing the CRM made very clear to him. 

Seeing the toll the CRM has taken on her friends and now her husband, Michonne knows the CRM needs to be taught a lesson and brought down so she, as determined as ever, asks Rick, “Could we stop them?”

And y’all I absolutely adore Rick’s response to her. 😍 The way a big smile spreads across his face as he gets to see Michonne is still the woman he knows and loves who won’t take anything lying down. She's still her. Again, you just see him have so much love for the part of her that’s a fighter. Like the way Rick just has to swoon for a second over his wife's determination is the sweetest thing. 😊

But then Rick collects himself, knowing taking on the CRM is too risky as he definitively answers, “No.” Michonne takes a moment to look at Rick, surprised and searching for the man who was always willing to fight the fight with her before. Then she asks, “Could we try?” 

Rick is quiet for a moment, not wanting to have to just turn her down about this, but he knows a thing or two about how hard you can try against the CRM and they still come out on top. So he softly says, “We’d never get back.” Getting home with Michonne is the ultimate priority for him.

And then in the first of many times Rick will gift Michonne in TOWL, he reaches into his pocket and gives Michonne Nat’s signature lighter that his stepparent Danger gave him. 🥹

Once again Rick wins Husband of the Year because how sweet is his good kind heart that he saw the lighter in the woods and pocketed it knowing it would mean something to Michonne to have something of her late friend. He’s the best. 🥰 And I love the way he gently lifts up her hand with his prosthetic to give her the lighter and the way their hands linger in each other as she takes it. Every time they touch it's clear they're magnets. 🧲

Rick so sweet and sincere says, “I’m sorry about your friend.” Like truly, anything and anyone that means something to Michonne means something to Rick because he loves her so much - even the guy who nearly killed Rick by shooting down his helicopter.

Michonne, never one to forget her loved ones' memory, says, “He should’ve lived. They all should’ve lived.” But then she takes a quiet moment and confidently looks right into Rick’s eyes as she says, “I’m here now. We’re in here together now. And we’re gonna get home.”

gif cred: @ddesole

I love how Rick and Michonne both want to fervently reassure each other of this - that they’re in this together and they’re going to achieve their goal of getting home because they’re here as a unit now. Having each other back makes them know they can do anything…at least for now. 

And then Rick is ready to go back to the activity that was always at the top of his agenda for this secret rendezvous because he’s like 'Michonne, you can’t be a hotly determined A like that and think these magnets aren’t going to kick in to overdrive and have me eating your face again lol.' #DirectQuote 😋

So Rick of course leans in to kiss her again and Michonne looks like she might’ve thought they were going to continue the conversation but then of course it takes less than a second for her to reciprocate the energy and start passionately kissing him back.

gif cred: @hikarielizabethbloom

I really adore that closing kiss. These kisses stay feeling like they’re trying to inhale each other and physically morph into one being. and then I especially adore the way they embrace after it, just overcome with the amount of love they pour out to each other. It’s so sweet seeing them nestled into each other. 🥰 Every physical Richonne action, from the kisses, the forehead touches, the embraces, and more is so 'spine-tinglingly' intimate.

As Rick leans against her, you can see that he does feel a bit overwhelmed and unsure of how he’s gonna get them out of here. But being wrapped in her arms now he’s at least given the strength and the calm to know somehow they’ll find a way.

And as Michonne holds him close, she looks like so long as she has him, she’ll face whatever else may come her way in this giant mysterious place. It really does feel like she's transferring this much-needed uplifting energy and reassurance to him as they stay in this embrace.

The way Richonne gives each other life gives me life. And this scene makes me so happy like it’s oozing serotonin.

Richonne is in for quite a roller coaster after they leave this moment in the garage so I appreciate this scene - their first extended conversation in years - for giving them a time when they're on the same page.

With this scene, they got to show that their chemistry is still as fiery as ever and they’re still such a well-oiled machine as parents and partners. Whenever Rick and Michonne are in each other's arms they’re in the safest place they could be.