We stare at one another. It feels familiar, like when we first saw each other at the diner years after I came back to Virginia. It seems like the short distance between us is deceptive; it's as if we're both wondering if we're not mistaken.

But that's Dwight alright. I'd know his face anywhere and at any distance...even if half of it is ravaged.

"Pippa." He finally breaks the silence, taken back. "You're….you're alive."

"Y-Yeah." I reply, sounding breathless.

He walks towards me. I half expect him to bring me into a hug, but he doesn't. The scars on the left half of his face are more detailed now.

"Hey." I awkwardly say.

"Hey."

Don't say it. "...Long time, no see." Dammit.

"Yeah," Dwight scoffs, "I'll say…"

I lick my lips and clear my throat. "Um, I saw Sherry."

His eyes change noticeably. "Oh…" He looks down at his hands, "Yeah?"

"Yeah," I nod, studying him, "I, uh, I was looking for you in the…" I suddenly can't remember what those things are called. I hike my thumb back. "The quarters."

"Oh, I don't live there," Dwight tells me, "Not anymore."

"Oh...you're a Savior?"

"Yeah." He nods, licking his lips. "Um, when did you...I mean, how did you wind up here?"

"We came yesterday," I answer him, "We're working on getting this place running water."

"We?" He knits brows, confused, before his eyes momentarily scan out past me as if to look for unfamiliar faces.

"Yeah, my people and I," I smooth my hand over my arm, "We, uh, owe you guys a little."

Dwight looks back to me. "You mean you owe Negan?"

"Yeah," I clear my throat, "W- I killed some of your people at a radio station and Negan agreed not to retaliate in exchange for running water and a couple months of labor."

His eyes move across mine. "He did?" He sounds doubtful.

"Yes, he did," I confirm, "We shook on it."

"You and Negan?"

I nod. "I'm in charge back home."

Dwight's eyes still observe mine, as well as the rest of my face, trying to gather sense. He finally nods, breathing out as he reaches into his back pocket. "Sounds like a good deal."

"You think so?" I ask him earnestly. "That it's a good deal?"

"Better than the usual offer." He says, pulling a cigarette out from a crumbled pack.

I glance back at the quarters.

"It's good to see you."

I look back at him. He's got a cigarette between his lips.

"I'm glad you're alive, I mean."

I smile mildly. "Yeah, me, too." I arch my brow. "You really gonna smoke that thing?"

"Well, I was-" He takes the cigarette out of his mouth. "No."

My smile extends. "I'm just joking; do whatever you want."

He snickers into a smile, looking down like he does. He's still handsome. "Funny."

I chuckle. "Where you headed?"

He shrugs. "Back to my place." He looks at me. "My, uh...my girlfriend's making dinner."

"Oh…" My mouth forms the vowel as I nod my head. Is it strange that I feel disheartened? "You have girlfriend."

"Yeah…" He glances me over. "You wanna come?"

"No, that's okay," I scratch my elbow, "I should get back. Negan's got the boys and I-"

"The boys?" Dwight questions with furrowed brows. "What boys?" His brows unfurl. "You mean-"

"My kids," I tell him, "Jolyon and my youngest son, Abel."

He nods at me. "That's right, you were pregnant last time I saw you."

"Yeah," I smile lightly, "I had the baby right before we left Camden."

"Wow." He says, seeming almost truly blown away. When his eyes meet mine again, they seem solemn and concerned. "Negan has your kids?"

"Um, well, yeah," I clear my throat again, looking around us, "Our kids, yeah."

He stares, confused.

I bite my lip, peering down in embarrassment. "Um, do you remember when we were...seeing each other and I told you that I was also seeing this guy from work?"

Dwight continues to look at me. His brows raises suddenly. "What, Negan? Negan was that guy?"

"Sh!" I lean towards him. "Yes, he was that guy."

Dwight scoffs, really blown away. "I...Wow." He licks his lips, appearing a little bitter. "Small fucking world."

I feel terrible. "Yeah…"

He looks at me as I say that. "Well, congratulations."

"On what?"

"I don't know," He shrugs, putting the cigarette in his mouth, "Reuniting your son and his...father." That word sounds so awful.

"I should go."

He nods, glancing me over. He sighs. "I...I didn't mean to sound like an asshole, Pip. It just took me by surprise is all."

"It's okay."

"No, I mean it," He says, "It's...good that you found each other."

I roll my eyes, looking up at him. "We're not together, D."

"No?"

"No," I huff below my breath, "Polygamy isn't really my thing."

"Oh," He nods, "Right…"

"I really should go," I breathe, looking into his eyes, "See ya around, I guess."

"Yeah."

"...Is there anything I should know?"

"What?"

"About Negan?" I ask, anxious. "The deal I have with him is a good one, isn't it? This isn't a mistake?"

Dwight stares down at me. His eyes trail my face as he opens his mouth. I feel like I can't breathe, anticipating it. He looks off, as if unsure of what to say. When his eyes return to mine, they appear softer, kinder.

"It's a good deal."

I let loose my breath. "You mean that?"

He looks me over, before offering a half smile. "Yeah."

I nod, relieved. "Okay."

"I'll see ya around, Pip."

"Yeah."

He seems like he might move towards me, but doesn't. He instead walks off in the direction he was going before I stopped him.

…

The light is on in our room. I know that, because I can see it poking out from under the door. I told Negan vehemently that I wanted to have dinner here instead of where we had dinner last night. It'll be less awkward. I mean, it'll still be awkward, because his wives are right up stairs, but knowing that they aren't sitting in the room right next to the one we're eating in while waiting their turn to eat is comforting to know.

I learn immediately upon entering that while the lights were left on, the three of them are not in. I roll my eyes, flicking the switch off, and trudging upstairs. When I enter the top floor, I hear Negan's loud mouth as well as my kids' voices, but they oddly seem far away.

The door to his bedroom is open, but they aren't inside. I peek into the living room, questioning where they are.

"Up there," One of the ladies points to the ceiling, "Very last door on the right."

I look down the hall and notice a door propped open with a dustpan. Light shines into that portion of the hall. I go down the hall in bewilderment.

I see the sky at the top of yet another set of stairs. I climb up and when I reach the top, I discover I'm outside.

The rooftop is fairly big and the ground of it is covered in gravel. A big industrial fan thrums behind me as three metal chimneys stand off to the side, breathless.

"Nice catch."

I spot Abel standing a few feet next to

Negan, who's back is to me.

"Thanks, kid." Negan gleams, before he gets ready to pitch.

"Yeah, real nice."

He halts in motion and looks over his shoulder. He smiles. "Like what you see?"

"I'd like it a lot better, if it didn't bring my children up to a goddamn roof."

"Oh, cool your jets, Pip, it's a big roof," He puts his arm out, "And we're nowhere near the edges."

"Oh, gee, thank you for making me see the rationality of playing on a twenty story roof with kids."

"This building is only ten stories."

I raise my brow at him. "Boys, we're leaving the roof."

"Aw, why?" Abel asks. "We're being safe. I'm staying by Dad's side and away from where I could fall off."

"Well, that doesn't sound rehearsed." I fold my arms. "Come on, inside."

"Oh, come on, Pip," Negan pleads, strolling up to me, "Just give us a few minutes. Twenty." He towers me as he gets close. "We were just getting warmed up."

I look up at him. "You're on a roof. That's like in the top five of places you shouldn't let your kids play."

"Unsupervised."

"Oh, right, because supervised roof activities are a whole other matter."

"Right."

I roll my eyes. "It's getting late. And colder. The kids need to wash up for dinner."

"Twenty minutes."

"No."

"You know, I'm in charge around here," Negan teases, "So, technically, I can do whatever I want and you have no power to say otherwise."

"Really?" I cock my brow, challenging him. "Boys!"

Both kids bring it in. I smile a little at him, before turning and going back inside with the kids following behind me.

"What are we having for dinner?" Abel asks me. "I'm starving."

"It'll be here soon, I'm sure." That sounds weird when I hear it from my own mouth. I stop him as he's about to turn towards the dining room. "Not so fast, we're going to eat at our table."

"Why?"

"Because that's what it's there for," I smirk down at him, "And because I said so."

"Dad said he was the boss here."

"Yeah, well, we don't live here," I glance behind us, "And I'm your mother, so I'm the sheriff over your butt no matter where you are."

Abel chuckles. "So, we don't have to listen to Dad?"

"You have to behave yourself," I smile and I know he can see it, "But if Dad says something that seems off, maybe just go with your gut."

The boys go down before me since I'm holding the door open.

"It's good to know you still like pissing me off."

I look over as he strides up. "It comes natural."

"So I see," Negan grins, eyes traveling down, "Where'd you go?"

"Down to see how things were going," I tell him, "Like I said I was."

"And?"

"No water yet, but it's day one."

"That's no excuse."

"Your guys have had how long and why is this still an issue?"

Negan chuckles. "Alright, fair enough, smart ass."

I smile and he leans down to peck my lips. "Wait."

Negan's eyes meet mine and then he looks over his shoulder as he follows my gaze. The hallway is empty, but he gets the idea. Doesn't mean he doesn't roll his eyes as we walk into the stairwell.

When we're about halfway, he stops me. I roll my eyes dramatically. "What? What do you want, huh?"

I can't help but chuckle the 'huh' as he leans down and kisses me.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" I kiss him back. "Stop slipping your hands up my dress?"

"I miss you in a dress," He pecks my lips with a chuckle, "It sure did make it easy."

"You dog."

"You said so yourself," He touches my hips, "My hands knew where to go."

"Yeah, but they always seemed to have trouble figuring out what to do."

"I never heard you complain." His mouth snickers against mine.

"I'm a good actor."

Negan laughs. "Shut your mouth."

"Mom!" Abel's voice echoes. "Dinner!"

"Okay," I break us up, "Coming."

"Were you two just kissing?"

"No." I say, even though he practically walked in on us.

Two people roll a cart away down the hall, having just left our room. Neither of them glance back, I think because Negan's not far behind and I'm grateful. I'd hate to look either of them in the eye after they had to dredge up all those plights of stairs with a cart of food for me and my family.

Going into the room, I see the feast on the table. It looks and smells like some kind of lasagna. Fresh bread and roasted vegetables, too. Jolyon's setting the table, telling Abel where to put the silverware.

"Hey, we don't have enough forks."

"You put two down over there." Jolyon nods to one place at the table.

"Oh...yeah." Abel goes back to that part of the table.

"Smells pretty damn good." Negan pulls out a chair and sits down.

I close the door and go over to the table.

"Sit next to me." Abel says to me.

I smile. "Okay." I pull back my own chair and sit down.

…

The dinner was delicious. I have a little food baby belly by the time I'm done eating. I love lasagna, hell, anything that sits in a pan, casserole style.

I want to do the dishes, but the sink doesn't run, so I try to clean them off as much as possible so those who will have to wash them will have an easier time. I try to make what wasn't eaten leftovers for tomorrow, because I don't know what they do with whatever isn't eaten, but I don't want it going to waste.

Negan sits over with the boys, listening to Abel over explain how to play the old Candyland game they found on the bookcase and smiling.

"So, I move to whatever color square is on the card, until I win?"

"Yeah," Abel itches the inside of his nose, "Um, except if you get a double. Got it?"

Negan snickers. "Yeah, I got it."

"Jol, you playing?" I ask him as I move around the table.

"Nah, that game's for babies." Jolyon replies from Abel's bunk, where he's tossing the baseball up and catching it in his glove.

Abel turns. "Is not!"

"Is, too," Jolyon says, eyeing Abel, "You're playing."

"Shut up!"

"Alright!" I interrupt. "That's enough. It's a game."

"For babies." Jolyon mutters

"Oh, but you were cool with Chutes and Ladders?" I arch my brow at him.

Jolyon buttons up and goes back to what he's doing.

"You gonna play or not?" Abel asks him.

"I said no already, stupid."

"Jol."

"I'm not stupid, you're stupid!" Abel shouts. "And get off my bed!"

Jolyon moves off the bottom bunk. "Whatever. Bottom bunks for babies, anyway."

"No, it's not!"

"Yeah," Jolyon scoffs, climbing up, "You wanted bottom bunk because you're too scared to sleep up top."

"No, I'm not!" Abel's voice rasps a little, which means he's close to crying. "Stupid jerk!"

Jolyon goes to retort. "You-"

"Alright, both of you shut your chili holes," Negan commands with a stern, fatherly tone, "Your mom said to stop."

I feel a smile inward that grows outward. Both boys look at him, surprised, but they quit.

I dry my hands and go over to where Negan and Abel sit around a small coffee table.

"You're gonna play?"

"Yeah," I have a seat on my butt, kissing his temple, "I'll play, babe."

The three of us play a few rounds of Candyland, until Abel gets tired. I tell him to dress for bed and get ready to brush his teeth. I ask Jolyon if he's ready; he's older so he doesn't always have the same bedtime as Abel. He nods and gets ready for bed, too.

Negan sits on the coffee table, watching our process. I smile softly at him as I tell Abel to spit and rinse. He looks at me and smiles back, though unsure of why I'm smiling.

When the kids are in bed, I let out a yawn and stretch my arms. "What am I so tired for?" I look at him, combing my fingers through his hair as I pass the coffee table.

"Beats the fuck outta me," Negan yawns back, "You lounged around all day."

I scoff quietly. "I wasn't lounging; I was sitting, twirling my thumbs in boredom."

"Well, we could've done a lot more to pass the time, but you wanted to sit and do nothing."

I roll my eyes, unbuttoning my pants. "Right, we should have just told your wives to look after the kids, while we shut the door to hide the salami."

"I'm sure a lot of parents find babysitters, so they can picnic."

"Your wives aren't babysitters," I pull my shirt over my head, "And let's be honest; the kids aren't the reason we weren't gonna screw around."

"No, my wives are." The way he says that doesn't sound accusatory, but almost half-ashamed.

I turn as I go to put on a fresh shirt. "Yeah…"

I go to the coffee table and sit beside him, curling one leg under the other. I touch his leg, kissing his cheek.

"I still think it's a turn on when you father my brats."

Negan laughs a little. "That's still one of your kinks, huh?"

"And exactly what other kinks do I have?" I look at him in question.

Negan meets my gaze. "Arguing."

I break into a quiet snicker and he joins me.

"And being a goddamn cock tease."

"I do enjoy that, yes," I chuckle, "And I do like pissing you off."

"You don't have to fuckin' tell me that."

"It's so easy."

"Not as easy as it is to get your panties in a twist."

"Well, if you wouldn't do shit to make me so fucking mad all the time."

We laugh. Without thinking, I put my head on his shoulder, humored. His pats my leg and I'm reminded that I didn't put bottoms on. Of course, his hand rests there on my bare skin, but it doesn't travel.

My smile lowers a little. I smell his cologne, which is faint but intoxicating. Like it always was.

I'm surprised he hasn't tried anything by now. But his hand stays where it's at.

"You know what I liked more than you telling them to stop fighting?"

"What?"

I look up at him. "You telling them it was because I said so."

Negan chuckles throatily.

I'm serious, but I laugh, too. "Don't laugh."

"You would like anything I said that put you in pants."

"And you like saying anything that'll get me out of them."

"I've got a way with words, don't I?" He laughs, shaking my leg a little.

I cackle. "Shh! We'll wake the kids."

"You're the one being-"

"Sh!" I put my finger to his lips.

He takes my hand away and kisses me adoringly on the lips. I look at him, softly taking in his features. Negan doesn't say anything as he does the same, knitting his brows very slightly.

"It's late."

"Yeah." He acknowledges.

"I...I might head home."

I see a look of disappointment in his eyes. "When?"

"...Maybe the day after tomorrow."

"That's...soon, Pip."

"I know, but we-"

"Yeah, I know," Negan sighs, frustrated, "Doesn't make it any easier."

I furrow my brows.

"I know being here hasn't been as good for you as it has been for me," He admits, before grinning, "But dammit, if I don't love having you around."

"It's only been a day and a half," I remind him, "You'll change your mind by tomorrow and be happy I'm gone."

He chuckles with me. "Yeah, but I'd never want you to gone."

I settle my quiet laugh and listen.

"I'd take us arguing back and forth any day of the fuckin' week over not having you to talk to," Negan looks at me and smiles, "You and me may go 'round and 'round, but I love you and I wouldn't have it any other way."

I stare at him, my gaze on his. I smile.

"Plus, I'd be lying if I said learning about how you took charge of that place didn't make me want you ten times more."

At that, my smile shies away. "What?"

"I know how you were when I first met you, but I always knew you were strong," Negan says, looking me over, "A fighter."

"A taker."

"A leader."

I get pierced by his gaze and his words. My chest heaves silently, but heavily.

Negan tips my chin up, before leaning over and planting his mouth on mine. I touch his face as I let the kiss deepen. I break away, touching our foreheads as I gasps quietly. I shut my eyes as lust aches between my legs. He moves and kisses my neck and jawline.

"Wait," I rasp, "We can't."

"We'll go upstairs." He says between kisses.

"No." I shake my head and he looks at me.

Negan lets out an exhale, but nods. "Alright."

He starts to get up from the coffee table to leave the room like he thinks I'm suggesting.

I take his wrist and he looks. "Stay the night."

He peers down at me, confused. "You said we can't have sex."

"Think with your brain, not your dick. I meant sleepover."

"Oh," He eyes me, "You're not gonna make me leave for getting too much on your side, are you?"

"Only if you pitch a tent."

"Hey, my dick has a will of its own," He grins, "I can't help what it does, if I'm not even thinking about it."

I raise my brow. "Mhm."

"I'll try my hardest not to get hard, but I can't make any promises."

I stand up. "Maybe you better sleep on the floor."

"Hilarious." He says, humored.

I smile smartly before walking over to the bed. I feel my heart thump in my chest a little. What am I doing? I'm breaking a rule I set for myself before I got here. I told myself I wouldn't sleep with him and that was before I knew about the wives.

"I'll be right back." He says behind me.

"No, don't go," I reply as I fold the blankets back, "Just sleep in what you have on."

"I'm not sleeping in a goddamn-"

"Then strip down," I tell him, "Don't leave."

He sighs under his breath. I hear his belt jingle. "If you say so."

He makes it seem like I'm being silly for no reason, but he isn't aware that if he leaves now, I might not let him back in. I'm afraid that'll be the case.

Technically, we're not having sex; we really are just sleeping together, but I'm still breaking the vow I said in my head. I don't want to come off as eager, or easy...or weak. Like some woman who acts like she's the reason the sun rises everyday in Halcyon, until a man in a leather jacket with dimples comes along for me to wrap around.

Okay, I don't think I'm the reason the sun shines in Halcyon, but I have to maintain a certain look in order stop people from doubting who I am. This whole deal has people side-eyeing me as it is.

The lights turn off. "You wearing just that?"

I suddenly feel the air touch my bare legs as he moves to place his clothes on the end of the bed. I'm in a t-shirt, no bra, and my underwear.

"Yeah."

Goddamn you. I got too comfortable, I forgot to be rational and put some fucking pants on before I sat down. It would have taken less than three seconds. It's out of habit, I guess; an old habit that I formed while being with him. It's like that level of comfort that allows you not care if you're in your skivvies, or butt ass naked in a hotel room with the door open as you argue about the volume of the radio with the manager your dude has to convince not to call the police because you're uncooperative. Well, okay, I was drunk and high when that happened and Negan wasn't my dude, but you know.

"You smell good."

"I smell like sweat." I look at him as he comes to the bed. "We haven't bathed since we got here. Only washed up in the sink with some of the water in the fridge I warmed up."

"Well, if your guys will work harder, we can all shower," He quips with a smile, "And you smell nice for someone who washed their pits in a sink."

My lips curl into a humored smile. "Lay the hell down."

"Yes, ma'am." He gives me a quick kiss on the lips, before sliding into the bed. He groans and grunts as he settles in.

"Your limbs gonna creak,too, old man?"

"Shut the hell up," He chuckles, "Like you're a spring chicken."

"I'm thirty-six, that's younger than you."

"Yeah, but-"

"But what?" I cock an eyebrow before I get in.

"Nothing," He smiles at me, "You're beautiful."

"Yeah." I climb into bed.

"What you gonna tell the kids in the morning?" Negan asks, turning his head. "Thought you didn't want this kind of thing, because it'll get hopes up, or give the wrong idea, or whatever."

I look his way as I settle down. I breathe through my nose. "I don't know." I glance up at the ceiling. "Maybe you should go."

"Want me to?"

I think for a second before I shake my head. "No."

Negan puts one arm under his head, still looking at me. "You are beautiful."

"You're alright."

He snickers. "Asshole."

I smile, moving my head back to see him. "What will your wives think about you not coming home?"

"They'll think I'm with you."

I look down. Where else would he be? "Yeah."

"They aren't thinking about it too much, though, so quit worrying."

I pick up my gaze and meet his eyes. I want to move and lay against him, but I can't. I roll to my side, that's close enough.

"When you're with them," I start.

"Don't start."

"You don't know what I was gonna ask."

"Don't ask me shit about my wives," Negan groans in a hushed voice, "It'll only piss you off and you know it."

I stare for a minute. He said not to, so I should drop it. "I just wanted to know what it's like."

"You know what it's like," He answers with an eye roll, "Hell, you have a kid with me."

"Lord," Now, I roll my eyes, "I'm not asking if the sex is good….well, actually maybe I am."

"Well, don't," He grins at the ceiling, "Because you know it's good."

"Is it like how we were together?" I ask him. "I mean, I know it's different with everyone, but is it...is there a thing when you're with them?"

"My thing."

"Don't call your dick a thing, it's not cute," I murmur as he chuckles, "And I meant, is there a spark, or something special when you're with them?" I raise my brows. "Do you like being with any of them in particular?"

"Pippa." He sighs my name.

"Do you laugh with them like you did with me, or-"

"Stop." He demands more fervently, looking at me to prove it.

I stare.

Negan runs his hand over his face, exhaling. "Why do you want to know this shit, huh?"

I shrug. "I just do."

"Yeah, you and her both." Negan grumbles.

"Who? Lucille?"

"Who else?" He cocks his brow at me, angry. He turns his head forward. "She always wanted to know what it was like for me when I was with other women."

I close my lips.

"I don't fuckin' get it," He shakes his head, truly stumped, "Why the fuck would you wanna know a thing like that?"

I bite my lip. "Because you wanna know what makes the person you love wanna be with other people."

Negan looks at me.

"You wanna know why you aren't good enough."

His eyes lower and he swallows. "She was good enough. Always was." He looks up. "So are you."

"But you won't leave them for me," I retort, "Or stop having sex with them."

"I told you, I can't get rid of them," Negan answers defensively, "Not right away anyway."

My brows knit a little. "But you would leave them? Down the road?"

It's dark, but I see Negan's eyes move across my face. "Down the road."

"You mean that?"

He breathes. "I need time. Room between our getting into business with another and me cutting the girls loose."

I nod. "So, you won't seem like you're dropping to your knees for some strange woman."

"Exactly," Negan says, "I can't look weak in front of my people. You of all people should get that."

I do. I get it. I nod my head. It hurts to hear, but I get it. "Yeah."

Negan reaches over and brushes my cheek as if a tear had fallen there. "I love you, Pippa. And no, it's nothing like how it is when I'm with you. Not even close."

I find his eyes. "Then promise me something."

"What?"

"Promise me you won't have sex with them anymore."

Negan's hand falls from my face.

"You keep them around until the air's cleared, but don't sleep them anymore," I swallow down the lump, "Prove to me that you mean everything you're saying to me and stop sleeping with them."

He stares back at me for a moment and for that moment I feel awful. He's gonna tell me no.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

Negan nods. "No sex."

"And you won't marry anymore."

He's got that look like he's not happy to be compromising. "Alright, I won't marry anymore."

"Promise me."

"I promise, Pippa." He says to me.

I nod my head. "Thank you."

"But you have to promise the same thing."

I scoff. "I don't have a harem at home."

"No, but promise me you won't sleep with anyone else."

I look at him and see he's serious. It's only fair. "Okay."

He looks me over and a smile slowly tips up. I inch a little closer and when he moves his arm from under his head and stretches it out, I lay my head on his forearm and he brings me in.

His arms are around me. He inhales and exhales. "I love you."

I open my eyes as we unfurl and look at him. "I love you, too." I mouth.

…

"Mom." My body gets a light but fervent shake at the shoulder. "Mom."

"Hm, what?" I mumble.

"I have to go pee."

I rub my eye. "Okay."

"...Will you take me?

"Will I-?" I'm reminded that we aren't at home and he can't just get up and go by himself. "Alright, give me a second."

I move out of bed and when my feet touch the floor, I take a minute to get more awake.

"Did Dad spend the night?" Abel whispers.

I check behind me and Negan's sleeping still on his back. Why do kids innocently ask questions they know the answer to?

"Um, yeah, he did."

"Okay," Abel says, "Can we hurry? I really have to pee."

"Alright." I stand up.

"You don't have pants on."

"Thank you." I walk over to the dresser and pick up the pants I was wearing yesterday that have pooled on the floor. I'm not as neat like Negan, sue me.

"Are you gonna put on a bra?"

"Hey, mind your business," I yawn, buttoning my pants up, "We're only walking to the bathroom."

"The one upstairs?"

I almost say yes, but I catch myself. "No, the one down the hall."

"But the one upstairs is closer."

"I know, but we don't want to wake anybody."

"We'll be quiet."

"No." I shove on my boots.

"Pleease!"

"Abel Joseph Smith," I give 'the look' that every mom has, "It's too early for whining."

"I'm not whining." He folds his arms and pouts his lips.

Negan moves in bed behind us. "Pip?"

I want to drop dead from embarrassment. "I'm taking Abel to the bathroom."

I don't wait for him to murmur out some half-asleep reply. I take Abel's hand and we quietly go out to the hall, Abel practically tip-toeing.

It's weird having a man in bed with my kids, one, at least, aware let alone in the same room. Sure, it's that kid's father and I did it years ago, but after he left, I never did this again. Well, I mean, I had sex with Martin, but the kids don't know about that and it wasn't in the house.

That's part of why it pisses me off so much that Negan lassoed a bunch of women for himself. I, even thinking he was dead, refused to get close to anyone for years. Martin was unintentional and it took me by surprise and I felt...I feel guilty that I have feelings for him and for what we did.

As the whole wives thing reels and reels in my head, part of me knows its typical Negan to be surrounded by women. He was an asshole before, I know that; I was one of the women he was seeing behind his wife's back. But that doesn't mean I can't feel hurt.

I loved Negan. I...I still love Negan. Its a blow to the heart to know he's been with those women. With Sherry; someone I've known since childhood. I'd say I know what it must have felt like to be Lucille, but I think that'd be bold, considering I was the other woman and still am apparently.

"Mom, don't close the door all the way."

"Okay, I won't." I tell him as I open the door to the bathroom. It's a single, instead of the stalls we've seen on lower floors.

"Oh," Abel says, peering inside, "It's okay, you can close the door."

I snicker sleepily. "Okay."

He goes in and I lightly let the door come to close. I yawn, moving my eyes to the window. It's that time where the sky is on the verge of becoming a purplish blue that will change and somehow turn orange and yellow until the sky is either gray or blue again, depending on the weather.

"What did you say to her?"

I turn away from the window towards the hall at faint, echoing voices.

"I...told her I was glad she was alive."

I walk towards the stairwell that's door is closed.

"Are you? Glad she's alive?"

"You aren't?"

I recognize the voices, even as quiet as they are. The echoes provided enough information.

"Oh, come on, Sher," Dwight says, "You really would be more happy that she's dead, because-"

"You and her were having an affair?" She cuts him off. "Sleeping together behind my back?"

"I thought we moved passed that?" His voice sounds irritated. "You said it was behind us. That you...forgave me."

"Yeah, well...that doesn't mean I forgave her. I had to forgive you, but I don't have to forgive her."

"That's a little unfair, don't you think?"

"Maybe, but I don't care," Sherry rudely replies, "You were my husband. She was just some homewrecker."

I scoff below my breath,even if it's true.

"Whatever." Dwight says, which oddly upsets me. I know I maybe don't deserve it and it's not wholly important, but he could have defended me. "Her kid is-"

"Negan's son, I know," Sherry's quiet for a moment, "I asked her about it. She said she knew him before."

"Yeah…"

"I told her not to say she knew us."

"Why?"

"Why do you think?" She snaps. "You and her had a thing. He'd kill you, if he found out. Or wait for an excuse to."

"I-"

"You know the rules."

I knit my brows.

"Yeah, but that only applies to the wives and if we do something," He argues, "They're not together."

"He didn't come back last night after he followed them down for dinner."

Dwight doesn't respond.

"What? Does that upset you?"

"No, why would it?"

Sherry lets out a hollow laugh. "You were sweethearts."

"That was ages ago."

"Yeah...that's what I thought."

Dwight scoffs, "That was the past. I don't feel that way for her anymore….especially now that I know about Negan."

Wow. That stings.

"It's just better that he doesn't know."

"Fine."

"You think he'll go back on his word?"

The toilet flushes behind me and I look that way. It creates a strange sound.

"Shit, someone's in the hall." Sherry curses.

I quickly move back to the bathroom door, leaning my shoulder against the door frame, facing opposite way. The door opens.

"Mom, the water didn't come back up after I flushed."

"I know, someone will have to fill it later."

"I have to wash my hands."

"Okay, let's go."

The door to the stairwell opens and I glance behind us. Fuck, she's seen us.

"Oh, Pippa," Sherry says with a cool, but clearly worried look on her face, "Hey."

"Hey."

"Hi." Abel greets her.

She smiles at him. "Hi."

"He had to go to the bathroom," I tell her, putting a hand on his back, "Come on, baby, let's go back to bed."

"But it's morning."

"Yeah, but it's real early, so we're gonna sleep for a little while longer."

"Can I sleep with you?"

"Y-yeah." Please don't mention him.

"I was going to smoke."

I pause and look over my shoulder. "What?"

Sherry fiddles with her fingers. I see now she's in a nightgown with a robe that reaches her knees. "There's no smoking upstairs. I was just smoking in the stairwell."

I nod, as if I don't know why she's telling me that. "Oh, okay."

Abel and I continue down the hall. When we reach the room, I check to see if she's there before entering. She probably knows he's inside and is taking her sweet time on passing the door.

We go inside and I eye the room. Jolyon's lightly snoring on the top bunk. Negan's breathing on the bed with his eyes closed.

"Is there gonna be room for me?" Abel asks as he walks to the bed.

"Maybe you should go back to bed in your bed."

"But I won't get back to sleep."

"Uh…"I exhale, "Okay, just be careful not wake your dad."

"Okay."

I climb into bed before him and let him slide in. I put my arms around him. "You gonna go back to sleep?"

"Yeah."

I kiss his head. "Good."

Negan shifts behind me. "Where'd you go?"

"I told you, to take Abel to the bathroom."

"I didn't hear you," He murmurs gruffly, "What time is it?"

"Five-fifteen."

Negan inhales and moves again. I feel his breathe on my neck. "I gotta get up soon."

"We're sleeping until seven," I move the hand that I feel grazing my leg, "Quit it; Abel's in the bed."

"Quit what?" Abel turning his head towards me.

"Nothing." We both answer in unison. I stifle a smile.

I remain quiet, listening to the three of them breathe, thinking about the conversation I overheard. Negan wouldn't go back on his word. Right?

Okay, I swear I think I write more than I actually do every week lol

Thanks for reading!

CLTex: Yeah, I didn't want Pippa to be this noble leader that got where she was on an easy path. I don't think it would've been had the TWD spirit She's not all innocent and honest, or at least her methods aren't, which will unveil more as the story goes on. Lol, I forsee Pippa being a woman of her word on the whole Sherry front ;)

Kara315: I think they think they've reached some sort of compromise about his wives. Doesn't mean she's gonna give it right up to him, but it may be a start towards rekindling their romance, if he stays faithful. No, I think Pippa has left that part of her behind. Before, she was okay with it, but now she knows what she's worth and isn't gonna sell out cheap. The whole Dwight drama is tame as of now, there's still this shock of seeing each other, but of course Negan's gonna find out :)