Summary- Negan surprises Sunny.
Warnings- Fluff and Angst
Word Count- 7.2k
Author's Note- A little bit of a longer chapter this time around. We only have 2 chapters left after this one. I want to thank everyone for sticking around. I can't wait to see y'all's reactions.
Sunny watched the last of the bubbles bursting as soaked in the tepid water. Her toes clung to the edge of the clean tub. Trying to ignore the guilt gnawing at her gut, knowing all her friends were still working, she pulled the plug and let the water drain around her. It was difficult to accept being spoiled while everyone else toiled, but part of her job, she discovered, was keeping Negan happy. If he was stressed, it bled throughout The Sanctuary.
She had heard about the weeks she was gone. Everyone was walking on eggshells afraid that any mistake or slight would earn them a meeting with Lucille as Negan stalked the grounds like a caged beast ready to lash out at anyone who would dare approach him. She had no desire to do that to everyone again.
Taking a day off and soaking was an easy way to keep him sane. Was it really such a burden? She asked herself as she wrapped a towel around her. Oh no, you have to sit on your ass and do nothing all day. Poor you. Get a grip, Sunny. Nobody is going to hold it against you.
Well, maybe some people would. Sunny had tried not to worry about what she overheard the night before but failed miserably. Was she being too much of an influence on Negan? Was she making him lose his edge? What would happen to him if he no longer garnered the fear and respect he fought so hard to instill? What would happen to her and their baby?
Her dreams last night shifted from mundane to macabre, running from walkers and Saviors, trying to find Negan but never reaching him. What was scarier? Running from walkers or losing Negan? She couldn't decide. At least with the walkers, it would be over quickly. Living a life without Negan? She didn't know how she would go on.
Dwelling, as her mother always told her, never solved anything. Shaking her morbid thoughts away, she left the bathroom and found an outfit waiting for her on the bed. He didn't always pick out her clothes but apparently, he really meant for her to not do anything today. She smiled at the maternity dress he had laid out. It was a simple sky blue cotton maxi dress. Comfortable and already hemmed so she wouldn't trip on it. She slipped on the ballet flats and walked to the office to raid the fridge.
Sunny's appetite had finally returned in full force. It was hard for her to think about her pregnancy. She was excited, but she didn't feel that mysterious glow her mother and others had spoken of. She felt fat and slow. And she would only get bigger. The fact that there was a human inside of her was bizarre. And that tiny human would have to come out. The birth terrified her. She refused to think about it. That's tomorrow Sunny's problem.
Sitting on her couch, she turned the tv on and started watching an old DVD, she snacked on a sandwich and some chips. How much longer would she be able to enjoy something as simple as this meal? The chips were stale but it was still better than nothing. The supply would run out and soon all the prepackaged food of her childhood would be a distant memory. Something old folks told younger generations about with fond nostalgia.
What she wouldn't give for some meat. Red meat. Grilled with garlic, thyme, and butter. But that was impossible here. Maybe Negan would take her home so she could cook for them. She'd like to cook for just the two of them again...three if you count Sherry. It could still be nice. Getting away. Living in their own little bubble even if just for a day or two.
Negan entered his office, dinner trays in hand. He glanced at his usually tidy and ordered desk which now was littered with wrappers. Little brat loved to follow his "rules" in the most passive-aggressive way.
He'd been gone most of the day. Everything was ready. It had taken a certain amount of MacGyvering but the civilians were so excited about this opportunity they found a way to make it work.
Dinner would be a light one-dish affair tonight. Some sort of chicken and dumpling-looking mess. It smelled good so that was enough for him.
"Sugar lips! I've got dinner-" he walked into the bedroom and stopped as he saw his dainty delicate wife, cheeks full as she chipmunked a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Her eyes widened as a soft wash of pink spread across her face.
"What?" Her hand hovered over her mouth trying to hide the food threatening to fall out of her mouth as she labored to chew.
"Well, I brought you dinner but it seems you're already storing enough for winter." He set the trays down at the table, laughing.
Sunny glared, her mouth chomping at the bit to reply but still occupied with the peanut butter stuck on the roof of her mouth.
Negan sat, reaching for his spoon. "I don't know if you're still hungry, but I'm fucking famished."
Finally managing to swallow, she approached her husband giving his temple a quick peck before sitting. "Well, it would be rude and wasteful not to eat this carefully prepared meal."
His black brows raised. "Mmhmm." He wasn't fooled by her bullshit any more than she was his. He loved her newfound appetite and the new curves it had created on her body.
"I'm not on the menu. Quick your leering." She smiled even as she scolded. She'd seen that look before. It usually preceded her clothes miraculously hitting the floor before she even knew what happened.
Negan leaned forward, elbows resting on the table as he stared at Sunny. "You're fucking dessert, sweetheart. You know I have one hell of a fucking sweet tooth."
She laughed, her hands rubbing her belly as it bounced with each chuckle. "Well, your sweet tooth is gonna have to wait until I finish this." She grabbed her spoon and motioned to her dumplings. The cooking had definitely improved. She liked to think she had a hand in that even though this particular meal was all Ava and the kitchen staff.
"It's gonna have to last longer than that. As soon as you're finishing we've got shit to do."
"What? It's almost night time. Everything is shutting down. What could we possibly have to do?" she scoffed.
He ate casually ignoring her questions, knowing it would get her gears going. She was so cute when her brain was spinning faster than she could keep up with.
Sunny tried to concentrate on the food in front of her, but her mind was reeling, trying to figure out what he could possibly have planned. Curfew was a strict rule. Even Negan rarely broke it.
Was something wrong? Was there an emergency? Oh, god, this was about the Saviors hating all the changes. She was going to be formally voted out. All of her hard work was about to be undone all because some probably neanderthal felt she should get back in the kitchen.
"Whoa there, killer. Now I don't know what the fuck is going on in your brain right now but you've got your kitten murder glare going so you need to calm down." He recognized the signs, hackles up, eyes fixated, body tense ready to pounce. All that was missing was a cute little ass wiggle before she struck.
Broken from her thoughts her head tilted, eyebrows raised. "Kitten murder glare?" she asked.
"Yeah, you've worked yourself up over nothing, ready for a fight. It's cute, but totally off fucking base. Retract those claws. It's just a surprise I've been working on."
She sat up a little straighter. "A surprise? For me?" What kind of surprise? What would require an evening reveal? A telescope? Stargazing? Candlelight dessert? Oh wait, I'm dessert. Books? No. Something for the baby?
Negan's head fell back as his laugh reverberated through the room. "Princess, never play poker. Stop overthinking. It's going to be fucking fun." He glanced at the clock on the wall. Everything should be ready. It felt like fucking Christmas. Hmmm, that's something else Sunny could bring back. Maybe Thanksgiving too. "Get a jacket and grab a blanket, doll."
Nervous excitement buzzed within her. Her cheeks hurt as she smiled down the halls following Negan hand in hand. She had a chenille blanket in her arms. It was lightweight but able to keep her warm at the same time. A cardigan covered her arms. Her hair was pulled back in a simple braid. She was ready for anything and everything he could possibly have planned.
Through the factory they continued, each turn making her wonder where they were going. Finally, he pushed the double doors opened to the blacktop loading dock where trucks brought in the latest hauls. But gone were all the vehicles. All the metal roller doors were closed. But the real shock was all the people.
So many people gather in one place. Loitering. Being noisy.
Sunny's heart thumped loud and hard in her chest. She searched Negan's face, worried she would find anger and confused when his countenance revealed nothing. She took in the scene again, focusing on the details around her.
Families were camped out on blankets, their kids running between groups finding their friends in a frenzy of excitement. The smell of popcorn wafted through the air. A large screen was hung on the factory wall.
He watched her working through the scene around them. Gauging her reaction. It really all came down to this moment for him. The rest of the night could be a disaster but it would all be worth it for just one second.
"Are we-are we having a movie night?" she asked cautiously, trying not to get her hopes up. It was too late though. Her hopes were high. For that to be true, would mean that he listened to her. That he was trying to do better. To be better. To make this place better for everyone. And he did it for her.
Negan shrugged. "Gotta keep the ants happy." It was mostly true. He recognized the wisdom in her words even if they did come from a fucking Disney movie.
He remembered, she realized, beaming. "Don't you try to shrug this off, mister. You didn't have to do all of this, but you did. It's amazing." She clasped her hands and bounced on her toes. "I'm so excited. What are we watching?"
He smiled down at her. She radiated such genuine warmth and happiness. He would do anything to keep her this way forever, even if it meant putting on ridiculous events for the workers. She was a benevolent queen to his tyrant king. "You'll have to wait and see. Let's go get some snacks."
A line of people along the side of the building chatted eagerly. The queue led to a popcorn machine that burst with fluffy buttery goodness. Everyone was holding tickets and smiling. Genuinely smiling. She'd never seen so many happy people here.
Negan took Sunny's hand, pulling her to the front of the line. She planted her feet, looking back at all the people patiently waiting. "Negan," she insisted. "The line starts back there. We can't cut."
He turned to look back at her and then past her at the back of the line. There was no way he was waiting in line with the rabble. Being the head honcho had to come with some perks after all. "The hell we can't."
She resisted when he tried to pull her again, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "It's not fair." Her head tilted up as he stretched to his full height. She could see the warning in his eyes as they flicked to the Saviors watching him then back to her. "Fine," she mumbled.
As people noticed their presence, they dropped to their knees. It was a sign of respect but mostly fear. She hated being a part of anything that broke these people out of their revelry. But she knew appearances were important. Perceived weakness could be life or death. All they had to do was get their snacks and sit then everyone else could go back to having fun.
He felt her stiffen as everyone dropped. Now was not the time to address this. There wasn't anything he could do to change it now. Unfortunately, it was something she would have to accept when they were together in public no matter how much it bothered her. Maybe in a world where the Saviors integrated with civilians or were banished to outposts, most likely, they could be normal again. For now, they had to pretend and treat this like any other date.
As they reached the front of the line, Negan paused. His stomach clenched as he turned to Sunny, his arm dropping to his side. He led her away from the crowd and asked, "Is this your first date?" He always forgot just how young she was and how this apocalypse cut short her life experiences.
"What?" she scoffed. "No. I mean, I cooked dinner for you...that was a date." Her cheeks were tinged with a hint of pink as she avoided his eyes.
"Sunny, no one ever took you to the movies?" He had thought to recreate a fun pastime for people. He hadn't thought about it being a first. He should have changed clothes or dressed up. Who knows when they would be able to pull something off like this again?
"I've been to the movies. I lived in a bunker, not under a rock." Her arms crossed. Lip pouting as she bristled against the line of questioning. He knew she had never been openly dated. Knew she was a dirty little secret for the only boy she ever fancied. She really didn't need the reminder.
"But never on a date."
"No, never on a date," she conceded. Why was he pushing this so hard? Why was it such a big deal?
Negan nodded, his fingers ran over his lips as he came to a decision. He cleared his throat and asked, "Sunny, will you go to the movies with me?"
"Don't be dumb," she said. She motioned to her belly. "I think we're a little beyond this now."
"I'm serious. Will you go to the movies with me?" he persisted.
Her mouth opened then closed, her brows knitted together. "Stop. Let's just go get snacks." She didn't like being teased this way.
His hands rested on her shoulders, preventing her attempts to brush past him. He pulled her close, his rough voice low and soft against her ear. "Sunshine, I'm asking if you will go out with me. On a proper date. You deserve a proper date at least once in your life. Let me give it to you."
She wrapped her arms around his waist. It didn't make sense. There was no reason for him to do any of this or to go out of his way for something as silly as a date. But he wanted to make sure she had the best of everything. He always did. Tears welled in her lower lash line as she nodded, her mouth spreading into a smile as she stepped back to look at him, to commit this moment to memory. "I'd love to."
Negan offered her his arm which she accepted with a giggle, tucking her arm in his. He walked her back to the concession stand. He approached the table and the terrified teenager behind it. "Two popcorns, a coke...What do you want to drink?" he asked Sunny.
"Oh-um-are there any Dr. Peppers?" She felt sorry for the poor boy shaking as he dug around in a cooler for her.
"Yes, ma'am." He pulled out their sodas then scooped their popcorn. His voice cracked as he continued to help them. "Anything else? Candy?"
Sunny looked down at a makeshift sign, her eyes alighting at the words that jumped out at her. "You have Little Debbies?"
The teen's eyes shifted from Sunny to Negan. "Yes, ma'am. Um-we've got Nutty Buddy, Cosmic Brownies, and I think Zebra Cakes."
Her mouth started salivating. Little Debbies were the first stash she went through of her father's hoard. How could she have known she should have savored them? Saved them. She didn't know it was the end of civilization. That the industrial revolution was going to come to a screeching halt. She didn't know it was the last mass-produced sweet cake ever. She finally had a second chance.
"A Nutty Buddy please." Heavenly peanut butter and chocolate layered between crispy wafers. It was everything her pregnant brain wanted. Sweet, salty, crispy, creamy...all in one. "What are you getting?"
"Gummy Bears." Negan took their bags of popcorn in one arm and soda cans in his other hand while Sunny grabbed the sweets.
"Really? Gummy Bears?" She bit her lip to keep from laughing. Her big mean man was going to eat tiny candy teddy bears.
"I'm not allowed to like candy?" He threw a quirked eyebrow at her.
She adjusted the blanket in her arms trying not to drag it on the ground or drop the candy. "I just didn't figure you for something adorable and fruity."
"What would you think I'd like?" He wondered at the assumptions she would make. This seemed like one of those make-or-break personality quizzes all the girls in high school used to make everyone take that didn't mean a damn thing, but everyone held as gospel.
Her eyes traveled over his long lean figure dressed in his typical leather jacket attire. "Dark bitter chocolate? Black licorice? Those super sour things."
He laughed as he led her through the crowds. "Bitter. Sour. Licorice? What the hell kind of person do you think I am? I like candy and sweets as much as the next person. I just prefer to indulge in other vices that don't cause cavities in a world without dentists."
"Yeah, those other vices have no consequences whatsoever. This is so much easier than yanking out a tooth." She circled her hand over her ever-growing belly.
"Tou-fucking-che, princess." He winked at her, dimples shadowed in the lights shining off the building. "You are the only sugar I really need. And I've got one hell of a sweet tooth for you."
Her eyes rolled to the heavens. "Oh my god. Please stop." She smiled and waved at one of her kiddos who sat on a blanket with her parents, their chubby little hand greasy with buttered popcorn. God, I hope no one heard us.
Negan laughed. He could almost see a blush crest on her cheeks. She may act like she hated the attention but he knew she loved it.
She followed him through the clusters of families. The energy was infectious. Spreading through the population faster than any plague. Everyone was excited. Happy to have a diversion.
Towards the back of the makeshift theater, a leather couch sat empty. Far enough away from the rest of the crowd but still close enough to have a good view of the screen. Two small TV trays were unfolded and waiting for them.
"Back row, raised seating. Just for you." He motioned for her to sit.
"Why thank you, sir." Setting down the snacks and laying her blanket over the arm of the couch, she sat down, glad to relieve a little bit of the ache in her back. Negan sank down on the soft cushion next to her.
The lights on the outside of the factory went out. Sunny looked up immediately to the night sky. It had been a while since she had seen the stars. She missed being able to climb on her roof and lay under them waiting for shooting stars to wish on. What did she wish for back then? Her family. Always for her family to show up. They never did. But now she had one. She just hadn't expected it to show up with the tall dark stranger wielding a barbed wire baseball bat. Funny how things work out.
The projector shone on the screen. Music blared out of speakers placed strategically around the area.
"Is it safe to have something this loud at night?" she whispered.
"It'll be fine. We'll probably have some new recruits for the wall which isn't a bad thing." He draped his arm around her shoulder.
She looked at his hand drawing circles on her arm. "Are you trying to put the moves on me? The movie hasn't even started yet. It's still the previews which I'm impressed that they stole the preview reel too. A plus for commitment. How do you even pull all of this off? Without me knowing?"
"Fuck yeah, I'm putting the moves on you. That's what the back row and blanket are for."
She swatted his wandering hand away. "I'm not making out with you in front of everyone."
"Not an exhibitionist? We'll see about that." He leaned in, whispering in her ear. "There's a first time for everything you know."
Her elbow collided with his ribs. "Stop avoiding my other questions."
"There's not much to tell. We gutted a movie theater and a couple electronic stores. The local high schools had some good sound systems we picked off. Everyone agreed to help keep it a surprise under penalty of death."
Her eyes widened. Lips parted as she gauged the weight of his words. He wouldn't. Would he?
"Sunny, I'm joking. Everyone wanted to surprise their families with something fucking fun. No one had a hard time keeping it a secret. But everyone knew by this afternoon when they started setting up."
Ignoring the previews of coming attractions that would never be seen, she asked "Is that why you wanted me to take the day off? So I wouldn't see?"
"Shh. Movies about to start." He turned to the screen.
Giggling, she nudged him with her shoulder. "You did! That's adorable."
He cut his eyes at her, his finger pressed against her lips. "Shh."
"What movie are we watching?" she asked, her lips squished against his finger.
"Are you going to talk the whole fucking time? It's a surprise. Just sit there and enjoy it before I take you back to the room and shut that pretty mouth for you." He passed her snacks over. "Here. Eat these if your mouth needs to move." He pressed popcorn to her mouth until she opened, glaring at him momentarily until the taste of salty perfection closed her eyes as she savored it.
He tossed a couple of fluffy white kernels into his mouth. Damn, that was good. So much better than the bagged ones made in the microwave. Or maybe the nostalgia made it taste better. Either way, this was worth all the effort and scheming.
Familiar tinkling music over melted chocolate appeared on the screen. He watched her eyes light up, her hand filled with popcorn paused in the air. Gasps and small cheers were heard peppered throughout the audience.
It had been difficult to settle on a movie. The movie theater had a selection of older movies they used during summer programs for daycares and camps. When he saw Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, he knew not only would it be family-friendly, Sunny would love it. Hell, even he had enjoyed it as a kid.
As they watched the movie, snacks in hand, loved one near, it almost seemed like they were in a drive-thru. It was easy to forget that a few feet outside the fences were monsters that would tear them limb from limb easier than Augustus Gloop could tear through a Wonka Bar.
Sunny's teeth sank into her Nutty Buddy, a little moan vibrated in her throat as all her taste buds rejoiced. It had been so long. Chalky protein bars had nothing on this perfect balance of sugar and more sugar.
She offered a bite to Negan who smartly refused. He knew better than to get in the way of her foodgasm, having once eaten her last bite of potato which resulted in a rush of hormonal tears.
She leaned her head on his shoulder, cuddling up to him. Draping the blanket over them, they settled back, bellies full of sugar and salt, and watched the rest of the movie. Everyone was riveted as the actors on the screen were in awe of the room containing trees, flowers, and grass that were all made of colorful candy surrounded by a chocolate river.
Negan had to admit Sunny was right. This kind of event would be essential moving forward. Making sure everyone was not only surviving but thriving. It was the only way they would be able to move forward.
The moon was high in the sky by the time the movie finished. Several parents carried their children back to their rooms, the little ones already asleep in their arms. Everyone helped gather trash and blankets or did their best to take down the speakers and screens so they could be used again in the near future.
"This was an amazing night," Sunny said. "Look at how happy they are." Her arms opened gesturing at the people around them, a contented smile tugging at her dreamy countenance.
Negan grunted and shook his head. He wasn't nearly as idealistic as his little wife. And he didn't need her thinking he was. "I don't care how happy they are. I only care how happy you are."
Ignoring his nonchalance, she leaned in, kissing him gently, her lips ghosting over his."Well, I'm very happy."
"How happy?" he asked, his voice tinged with a gravelly husk.
Sunny stood with some effort after disentangling herself from her husband. She reached out a hand, stumbling as she tried to pull him up from the leather sofa. "Come upstairs and let me show you how happy."
Needing no further invitation, Negan followed.
For the next week, everyone's spirits were high. Sunny was regaled by all her little toddlers about candy and Oompa Loompas. It was the first time for them to see a movie so big and to taste movie theater fare, something their parents would never waste precious points on.
A suggestion box Sunny placed in dorms was filled to the brim with movie suggestions and ideas for other social events. People were taking an active interest in life again.
She felt proud over the changes she had seen taken place here. Not only in the people around her but in Negan. And herself. He had shown her that he loved her, really valued her thoughts and opinions. Had anyone asked her months ago, if she thought this was possible she would have said no.
He'd been gone a lot this week, speaking in hushed tones with Saviors and his right-hand men. He was with them now as she waited in bed for him. It was hard for her to sleep without his steady breathing and heavy body next to her.
The bedroom door opened, a disheveled Negan crossed the threshold, his stubble a few days shy of an actual beard. "What are you doing up, sweetheart?" he asked.
"I couldn't sleep." She pulled back the covers, waiting for him to join her.
He climbed in next to her. "Why couldn't you sleep?" He spooned up behind her, holding her in his arms.
"Bad dreams." She didn't want to say anymore. It had been the same type of nightmare that had followed her her entire life. Running through mists, trying to find someone, anyone. Only to realize she was alone.
"Poor baby. You're safe now. I've got you. It's late. I'm tired as fuck." He kissed her shoulder, a soft snore following shortly after.
Tomorrow, Sunny resolved to tell him he needed a day off like he had for her. Anyone that crashed this hard was burning the candle at both ends. Now that he was there with her, grounding her, she closed her eyes and let sleep take her as well.
Negan shot up, his hands fumbling for a weapon from the nightstand. What the fuck was that noise?
"What's that?" Sunny mumbled from her pillow.
"Someone's at the door," he growled. "Stay here." He strode to the other room and wrenched the door open.
Dwight stood there looking every bit the dead man he was standing under the flickering fluorescent lights that highlighted the grease in his stringy hair.
"What the fuck? Why are you fucking waking me up in the middle of the god damned night?" Negan snapped.
"I wouldn't risk it if it wasn't important. Rick is gathering his supporters. They are talking war. They could strike any day." Dwight looked him in the eye. Something he tried to avoid but he needed him to understand this was not just a minor irritation. This was about to be a full-scale battle royal.
If Negan wasn't fully awake before, he sure as hell was now. His whole body felt like he was suddenly doused in ice water. "Fucking prick. First light, get the families, women, and children out of here. Take them to the furthest outposts. Make sure you take food and water." His heart hammered in his chest. Shit. He needed to get Sunny and the baby to safety. "I want all civilians out of here by the end of the day. If they stay, they fight. We'll talk weapons, supplies, and strategies when I get back."
"Where are you going?" Dwight asked. How could he leave at such a critical time? Was he tucking tail and running while he could? He wouldn't blame him but a man that cocky better have some bite to match all the fucking barking.
"I'm going to get ready for war." He turned and closed the door behind him. The click of the doorknob deafening in the darkened office. Fucking shit. He flicked on the light switch, his eyes squeezing shut against the onslaught of light. He had to start packing. Getting Sunny to safety was his first priority. Making sure she had everything she could ever need was second.
He grabbed a few bags. He shoved clothes, shoes, and toiletries in one. He raided her movies and books packing all her favorites. Baby clothes, gear, and formula were next. He loaded everything he could in his truck making multiple trips while she slept soundly unaware of the approaching danger. Unaware that the happy future they had been building was now teetering precariously on the edge of a cliff.
But like hell, he would let them fall.
"Sunny," he said in a low whisper as he gently stroked the soft skin of her arm.
She grunted and buried her face in her pillow.
"Babydoll, I need you to get up now." He nudged her hip, rocking her until her eyes opened one at a time before squeezing them shut again.
"It's still dark out. Why are you waking me up?" she whined.
"Sunny, we've got to go." He pulled back the sheets and laid out some clothes for her. He helped her sit up and tugged at her shirt.
She lifted her arms out of habit, her brain lagging as it fought its way out of a sleepy fog. "Huh? Go where? Why?"
"I'll tell you when we get to the truck. Get dressed, sweetheart. We leave as soon as you're done." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead before leaving the room.
Sunny pulled on the t-shirt laid out next to her. The urgency in his voice was enough to shake the last vestiges of sleep from her body. She tried not to panic, but her warning bells were blasting in her brain. She shimmied into the jeans, stretching the long blue band sewn to the waist over her belly. Socks were next. She shoved her feet into her tennis shoes, struggling to tie them as she bent over. Finally, giving in she propped her feet on the bed next to her and looped, swooped, and pulled the laces tight.
She walked into the office as Negan tucked a gun into the waistband of his jeans before picking up Lucille.
"Negan, what's going on?" she asked.
"I'll explain everything soon. Right now, I just need you to trust me. Okay? Can you do that for me?"
She nodded even though she didn't understand. But she knew he would only ask something like that if it was important.
Negan opened the door, taking a look at everything left behind. Their home. He didn't want to drag this out any more than needed but guilt tugged at him knowing she would want to take her time to make sure she had everything she could possibly want while she laid low. Time was not on their side. He had to have her home and be back before the mass exodus of civilians began. He threw Lucille over his shoulder and held his wife's hand as he headed down the hall.
Sunny followed Negan wordlessly as he led them through the stairwell and hallways until they were finally at his truck. It was still dark outside. Stars shone above while the promise of dawn lined the horizon to the east.
He helped her climb up before getting in the driver's seat and starting the engine. Pulling up to the gate, he noted the way the young guard's eyes widened when they saw who was asking to leave. Not waiting for the grunt to ask questions, Negan rolled down his window and spoke to the boy. "I'm taking my wife to visit a doctor in another community. I'll be back in a few hours."
The young guard looked at Sunny and her hands resting on her stomach in the passenger seat. He nodded and opened the gate for the old truck. Hopefully, he wouldn't look in the back where bags and baby stuff were tied down. He didn't need rumors of desertion meeting him when he got back. Morale would be low enough without lies adding fuel to the fire.
She stared at him as they pulled away from the Sanctuary. She turned to look back at the towering structure. In the bed of the truck, she saw bags packed in tight. In the back seat, a few boxes with her movies and books tossed haphazardly inside were lying open.
"Negan, tell me what's going on." She felt like all the air was sucked out of her lungs. What the hell was happening? " Why is all my stuff in the truck?"
His eyes glanced towards her before returning to the road ahead of them as he navigated the streets filled with debris. He let out a sigh, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the steering wheel. " Remember when we first met, the group that murdered all the people in one of our outposts?"
"Yeah…" She tried to remember. That was the reason he was gone for a few weeks and she thought something horrible had happened to him or that he didn't want her anymore. "It was awful."
"Well, how do you think I fucking felt finding you with them?"
The whole world stopped. He couldn't possibly mean- "Alexandria did that?" she asked weakly, unsure if she wanted the answer.
"Yeah. Fucking Rick. Now he's decided to have a pissing contest and has wrangled a few other groups to whip out their dicks too." He could feel his blood pressure rising. He should have killed his whole group in that lineup. Nipped it all in the fucking bud but people were a commodity now, and he thought they would have gotten the fucking memo about who was in charge in the past few months.
"So, he's going to fight you?"
"He's going to try." He looked over at her wide-eyed and nibbling at her bottom lip.
"Then where are we going?" She looked around as though a road sign with their destination would appear at any moment.
"I'm getting you and the baby the hell out of Dodge," he said.
She pivoted to face him. Hoping he was lying. "What? No! I want to stay with you."
"Honey, I can't do what I need to do if I'm worried about you. I need to know you are safe."
She shook her head. Flashes of her students and friends, the families they had just started improving their lives played in her mind. "What about everyone else?"
"We're evacuating all civilians to other outposts. Getting them away from The Sanctuary. I needed to get you home first. Sherry will be there to wait it out with you. Keep you company. You can paint each other's nails or whatever the fuck girls do at a sleepover."
"You can't seriously expect me to just sit at home and wait?"
He turned his glare on his wife. "Yes, I fucking do because that's exactly what you are going to fucking do." Threats started running through his head. He'd have to make sure it was very clear to Sherry what would happen if Sunny left.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. What was happening? Everything had been going so well and now this. Was this how life would always be? Just waiting for the other shoe to drop...the next crisis? She knew it was foolish to think their happiness would last forever, but she had hoped it would last a little longer. Her hands rubbed her belly and her heart dropped. "Negan, I can't do this without you."
He took one of her hands in his, bringing it to his lips and kissing it. "You won't have to. There is nothing more important than you and our baby. I have to fucking do this to make sure you two are safe and have the lives you fucking deserve."
She and the baby would be safe but he wouldn't. There were no guarantees he would win. No guarantee that something stupid wouldn't happen. No guarantees he would be back in time for the birth of their child if at all. "You don't have to do this. We can just disappear. Let Rick have The Sanctuary. We don't need it."
"You know I can't fucking do that. I can't abandon everyone who followed me."
Her lips trembled, vision blurred as her eyes watered. She quickly brushed away the tears that fell down her cheeks.
"Hey now." His hand rubbed her thigh, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "It'll be fine, Sunny." He didn't know who he was trying to convince more. Her or him. But he couldn't dwell on that. He had to focus on protecting his people. There was no way he was going to let some asshole like Rick or that hill-billy Daryl take everything he'd worked so hard to build.
They rode in silence the rest of the way. The only sounds were an occasional sniffle from Sunny who slid across the bench seat and leaned against her husband. She dozed off and on. Thinking and overthinking. Negan put his arm around her back, holding her close. His hand wrapped around her to cradle her belly.
Pulling up to her house, the sun rising on the horizon, Negan opened the gate with the remote Sunny gave him what seemed like a lifetime ago. He parked and helped Sunny out.
Sherry sat on the front porch, her brows drawn into a scowl. Cigarette in hand, she took a long drag before standing, throwing the butt to the ground, and stamping it out with her shoe.
"Well, holy shit. Long time no see." Sherry's eyes traveled up and down Sunny. "Apparently, a lot longer than I thought. How are you, honey?"
"Fine," she replied weakly.
Sherry glared at Negan, her arms crossing in front of her. "What's going on?"
"Help me fucking unload and I'll fill you in. Sunny, why don't you go inside for a minute?" He watched her bristle at his not-so-subtle attempt to get rid of her.
Sunny opened her mouth to argue, but her bladder had other plans. She turned in defeat as she was reminded that her body was no longer her own. She was at the mercy of the tiny being that resided inside her.
Entering the living room, she was surrounded by everything that should have brought her comfort. Everything that should have felt like home.
But it didn't. This place, any place without Negan, could have never be home now.
Negan tossed the last bag on the porch. "I'll be back when the dust settles. I need you to keep her safe and keep her here. Don't let her out of your sight."
Sherry nibbled at her thumb. "I'll keep her safe. But Negs, you be careful. Don't do anything stupid. Like getting yourself killed."
He chuckled, a smile creeping across his face. "You almost sound genuinely concerned."
"I am. You have a wife that clearly loves you, who is carrying your child. I get your need to protect The Sanctuary but is it worth never seeing them again?" Sherry asked in a hushed voice.
"Everything will be fine. Those pricks aren't anything we can't handle. We just have to lay down the law. Pick off a few at the top and put them back in line." He dismissed her worries, ignoring how they gnawed at him inwardly. He could not view this as anything but another lesson for Rick to learn. The minute he showed weakness would be the minute it was over for him.
Sunny returned and looked between them sensing the tension.
Sherry wrapped her arms around Negan. "Please be careful." She stepped to the side and grabbed a bag, ready to take it inside.
Negan approached Sunny. His hands rested on her belly before wrapping around her. "I've gotta go, baby." He kissed her forehead, relishing the feel of her in his arms, wondering when he would feel it again.
Tears rushed to Sunny's eyes. She wasn't ready. Not ready to let him go. Not ready to face the unknown. Her ability to remain calm, to put on a brave face shattered.
"No. Just stay here. You don't have to go. They can sort it out without you." Her words were broken with sobs as tears streaked her cheeks, soaking his shirt. "We can live here quietly. Forever." She clung to him, her fingers digging into his arms.
His heart clenched, his resolve faltered but he extricated himself from her embrace ignoring how it hurt. "Baby, if I could do that without feeling like a piece of shit, I would. Everything will be fine. I'll be back before you know it."
His heart shattered as she clung to him, sobbing. "I love you, Sunny." He looked to Sherry whose eyes shone with emotions as she watched. He motioned for her to help. She took Sunny gently by the shoulders and pulled her back.
"No," Sunny cried, reaching out for Negan as he walked away. She needed more time. She needed him.
Negan got in the truck and opened the gate. His eyes burned, his throat was tight. He turned and waved. His last view was Sherry wrapping her arms around Sunny as she screamed his name. He watched in the rear view mirror as she disappeared from view.
Author's Note- Never fear guys, this will have a happy ending...but to quote an 80s movie...it has to hurt if it's to heal.