Trigger Warning:
6 Months Later:
Negan came downstairs carrying Lucy and Liam. Harlan was over at the Infirmary taking care of Michonne, who just welcomed a baby girl named Grace with Rick. "They want the boob." He said handing them over to Melanie, whom was working on making everyone some lunch.
She smiled and laughed. She was feeling better over the last few months since talking things out with the guys, and taking a low dose of antidepressant.
She sat down cuddling them both for a minute, and pushed her top down. She had her hair braided back into a french braid draped over her left shoulder.
"Can we talk?" Negan asked sitting down on the coffee table, glanced at Charity, Ford, and Sarah playing. He looked up at her.
"Sure." She glanced at the kids, then at him, smiling slightly. "Whats up?"
Negan took the ring off his chain around his neck. He removed it from the chain. "Mel.. I had a lot of time to think since… Everything that happened. Will you...consider being my wife again?"
Melanie watched him for a minute. "Negan.." She bit her lip. Harlan and her had called it off a few months ago, they did love each other but they had hit a rough patch when Liam when he wasn't gaining weight, and having a hard time digesting food - they came upon the diagnosis that he had celiacs disease.
They managed to overcome it, but agreed to part for a while to focus on the kids. They all still lived together, and were friends. "I…." She looked down. "I do love you." She chewed on her lip.
"But.." He watched her, and rubbed his face slightly.
"Negan…. Have you really changed though?" She sat back. "I know being in jail sucked, and then I slept with Harlan…" She looked down. "Can you really handle not being in charge?"
"If it means that I get another chance with you.. Melanie. I fucked up, and really screwed everything up last time….I was horrible." He sighed. "I should have not scared you or done what I did.. I'm sorry." He shook his head. "It's a slight relief not being in charge... Besides. I like working with your dad.." He smirked slightly.
Melanie nodded. "I want to rebuild our relationship. I want to get married for real." She said softly. " I want a courtship.. I..Our last relationship was really….just Sex... "
Negan watched her and smiled slightly. "I can do that."
"Hold onto my ring?" She smiled. "I'll give my answer soon."
"I will." He promised and put it back on his chain.
She leaned forward, holding the babies tightly, and kissed him.
He smiled and kissed her back, holding her for a moment, then letting her go. "Unless.. You and Harlan decide to work out.."
"I'm not sure.. We.." Melanie sighed, "I don't think so." She finished feeding them, and settled them down. "Feel like some daddy time with the kids? I need to go for a walk.." She fixed her shirt and bra.
"I can hold the fort down." He grinned. "Dad time is the best." He sat both babies in his lap.
Melanie leaned down and kissed his forehead, watching the kids for a minute.
"Thank you." She smiled and walked into the kitchen, finished working on lunch. She let the younger kids sleep, while Sarah played with a game boy that Aaron found, with Paul. She made Harlan a lunch, and walked to the clinic, leaving Negan with the kids.
She smiled walking inside. "Hey."
"Hey." He smiled looking up from his desk. "How you feeling?"
"Really good." She smiled and handed him the plate with a sandwich, a tomato, and some green beans. "Thought you'd be hungry."
"Take a seat." He smiled, taking the plate. "Thank you."
"I'm really sorry… " She said sitting down. They ended on good terms, but were really good friends. He as even her kids godfather, minus Liam. Liam was his child. Negan was okay with it. He expected it actually.
"Mel. You apologize every-time you see me." He looked turning his chair to her. "It's okay." he smiled and sighed softly.
"We had a good thing. But, It's okay. We just haven't clicked..If we do one day, that's amazing. If not.." He squeezed her thigh. "You gave me a son, along with four amazing god-children that I have considered my real children also."
Melanie wiped her eyes. "You're so good to them.."
"Mel.. I love you like a friend. I love all those kids." He smiled. "We are good." He pulled her chair close, and hugged her.
Melanie wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back. "I do love you like a friend too. Thank you Harlan.." She smiled slightly. She kissed his forehead.
Harlan kissed her cheek. "We are okay." He promised.
"Good." She smiled slightly. "He… wants to start our relationship back up." She played with her hands. "I told him I wanted to really get to know him again, and really have a real relationship."
"That would be a good start." He smiled, rubbing her back. "You both can make it work."
"I hope so." She smiled slightly. "I hope you find someone also." She said hugging him again.
"We shall see." He smiled back, finished his lunch and walked back home with her. "Grace is beautiful.."
"I can't wait to meet that little girl." Melanie smiled looking up at him.
Harlan wrapped an arm around her and walked her up the stairs and into the house.
Negan was playing on the floor with the kids, and tickling them. Liam and Lucy were sleeping. Charity was giggling and running away from Negan as he crawled around on the floor after her. Sarah and Ford giggled watching and cheering him on.
Melanie smiled, watching, with Harlan in the doorway of the living room.
"He really is great with them." Harlan muttered gently.
"He is.." Melanie smiled slightly leaning against the door frame. She kept watching and keeping quiet with Harlan.
