Author's notes: Oh my god I can't believe I missed our dear Jeffrey Dean Morgan's birthday which was 22 April. Wishing him a happy birthday! (very late) And I'm very grateful he played this awesome character, Negan! ❤

…

Quinn and Negan, Commonwealth

Our way back to the Commonwealth was a long one. I asked Jesus about Aaron and Gracie. He said if everything settles down and another peaceful phase starts, he will get married to Aaron. Gracie was over the moon happy, she couldn't wait for another wedding to attend, she loved ours so much. Also, she loved the idea that she is getting another dad. After I calmed down from crying, I was smiling happily, listening to Jesus going on and on about the heartwarming news. Carol was smiling the entire time too.

I hope the peace lasts finally. We were running for long enough. I didn't even see a walker on our way back. Maybe they are finally getting less and less around this area? We have been killing them for so long… They should run out eventually. At least I was hoping. Of course, new walkers could appear anytime as people were still killing each other, but I had a feeling for a long time that walkers aren't the real threat. The living are. Always have been.

…

1 month later

Negan and I moved back to our apartment at the Commonwealth. Ezekiel offered us a better place, but we were okay with what we already knew. Carol and Jesus went back to Alexandria, but Carol dropped by once every week with news. I wrote a letter to Gabriel, Aaron, also one for Daryl and all the kids, which Carol kindly delivered for me. About Eugene… he didn't want to see anyone but I wanted to see him. After we moved back, a week later I decided it was time to see him. I went to his house, but Max still said he didn't want to see anyone. I felt a little bit disappointed that he turns down a pregnant woman, but I understood him. I let him be. I wrote a letter to him too, in case, which Max gave him as I left.

I reached the time period when the baby could come any minute. Negan was so excited and nervous that he was running around all day, granting all my wishes. He even managed to get me ice cream in the middle of the night, I had no idea how he did that. I was just hoping he didn't break in anywhere. Carol brought me cookies once, but the ingredients at Alexandria were still limited, so she couldn't bake all the time like she used to at the Commonwealth. Ezekiel sent me his best wishes through Carol. He was busy with leader duties and he was avoiding Negan as much as he could. Which I understood perfectly, that's why I was so grateful he still had some good words for us.

…

And then the day came.

I had no idea that morning that I was going to have the baby that day. I woke up, went to pee, like I usually do, then as I washed my hands my belly started hurting. I made some noises in pain and Negan appeared immediately by the door.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I think… it might be time," I said.

I told Negan we had plenty of time because labor can last even 14 hours or so. He packed my stuff and hurried to the hospital to let them know. We didn't have cars or carriages but fortunately, we were close to the hospital. So a nurse came back with Negan and they brought a wheelchair in which they took me to the hospital. Negan was glued to my side, he was holding my hand and caressed my back all along. At one point I thought he was more nervous than I was, which entertained me pretty much. They placed me in a room and a doctor examined me. It wasn't Yumiko's brother, it turned out they had quite a bunch of doctors there, which made me feel a little bit better. I didn't really like Yumiko ever since she punched Carol for Connie's assumed death, so I tried to avoid her.

My doctor was a kind lady. She said everything was fine and the baby will arrive in a couple of hours. I was left alone with Negan in the room. I was lying in bed, trying to tolerate the pain when Negan sat down by my side.

"You know… We never actually discussed names," he said.

"Yeah… I'm sorry. I thought we have plenty of time and then everything went to hell, and I didn't really think about it," I admitted.

"Well, it's quite due now, don't you think?" he asked smiling handsomely.

"Yeah, you're right," I said painfully but still smiling back at him.

"Does it hurt so much?" he asked.

"Yeah, it hurts pretty badly. Let's just discuss the names," I said trying to distract myself from the pain.

"Okay… uhmm…" Negan started thinking but I interrupted him almost immediately.

"You know, actually, I got an idea…" I said.

…

Everything happened so fast. As I was trying to bear the pain, suddenly the door opened. Eugene poked his head in with a half smile.

"Wrong time?" he asked trying to joke. I smiled, but he looked terrible. His hair was a mess and even though he shaved his face he still looked really weary. His eyes were cried out with huge dark circles under them. Max stopped by the door awkwardly.

"Eugene," I breathed. "I'm so happy to see you. Well, I'm almost about to give birth but of course, come in," I said trying to joke too. He smiled and came closer. He took my hand.

"How are you feeling?" we asked each other at the same damn time, then we started chuckling.

"Whoa, should I leave?" asked Negan.

"No, you stay," I stated. Negan chuckled and stayed on his butt.

"So how are you?" Eugene repeated.

"Ugh… I have seen less painful days… but what about you?" my smile faded away. "I'm so sorry about what happened…" I said as I placed my other hand on his hand.

"Thank you, Quinn. You know… I'm sorry…" his smile vanished from one moment to the next, he became very serious and emotional suddenly. He took his hand back quickly. "I'm sorry, I can't be here… I'm sorry…" he said and hurried outside.

I didn't understand.

"I'm sorry too," said Max quietly, still standing by the door. "I think you reminded him of Rosita… Eugene told me he was with her all along helping her through her pregnancy."

"Oh, shit," said Negan.

"Oh no, I didn't mean to…" I said but Max interrupted me.

"Of course, it's not your fault. It's okay, I got him. I'll take him home," Max said kindly and left. I let out a huge sigh while struggling with my tears.

"I didn't picture our reunion like this," I said.

"He's going through a hard time. He will be around again when he is ready," said Negan gently. I nodded understandingly then I let out a painful groan. Negan took my hand again and caressed it with his thumb.

"I think I'm still happy I got to see him," I said.

"Yeah. Give him a little time. He will be fine," he said.

…

Another couple of hours passed when I got another visitor.

"How are you doing, honey?" asked Carol hurrying right next to me.

"Hurts… but I'm happy you're here," I said.

"Of course, we are here," she said as she caressed my cheek.

"We?" I followed her eyes to the door. "Daryl!" I gasped. He was leaning against the doorframe, resting his painful ankle.

"Hey, Dixon," said Negan as he stood up and let Carol sit in his place. Daryl greeted him with a nod while limping closer to my bed.

"How's your ankle?" I asked.

"It's okay," he growled. "What's goin' on?"

"The baby is going on," I said chuckling. "It hurts like hell."

Daryl limped closer and took my hand.

"I'm so glad you're here," I said. "But how?"

"Eugene fixed the radio connection in all of the communities. He gave us a call as soon as he learned the baby is coming," said Carol.

I smiled to myself. He wanted to be here. Eugene was still helping me even though he wasn't emotionally ready to be here. My heart was melting. I turned my eyes to Daryl again.

"Long time no see," I said.

"Yeah," he smiled slightly. "Everything good?"

"Yeah, except this… fucking pain…" I said painfully.

"It'll go away soon," Carol said soothingly.

"Mhhmmmm, okay… what about the kids?"

"Maggie and Hershel came over, they are looking after them. Everything is okay, don't worry about anything now. Just focus on this baby," said Carol smiling.

Maggie was looking after the kids so Carol and Daryl could be here. It felt like she was doing a favor for us, which made me happy. After all that happened… I was really grateful. I smiled to myself at this thought. The doctor came in to examine me again.

"We will be right outside," Carol reassured me as they left. Carol and Daryl wanted to come back, but there were a doctor and two nurses, so they were asked to stay outside, out of the way. It would have been too crowded. Carol was a little bit grumpy about it but did as the doctor said. Negan stayed. And it was time. The doctor prepared everything and the next thing I know I was pushing.

…

Negan wanted to stay by my side. He was holding my hand the entire time. I might have broken his fingers, I was squeezing so hard. He said it was okay. I told him not to look. He did as I asked. He stayed by my side, not looking at the horror that was going on down there. Not like he hasn't seen worse, but I didn't want him to see this mess.

…

It can't be described how it felt when I first saw her and they placed her in my arms.

…

Negan and I were both crying from happiness. She was perfect. When Negan finally got himself together I turned to face him.

"Do you want to hold her?"

"Is that even a question?" he asked as he was already taking her from me. He held her like she was made out of porcelain. I could tell he was melting from the cuteness in his arms and I couldn't stop smiling seeing them like that. He started talking gently to the baby. "Hey there little one. I'm daddy. Happy birthday, darling," he said smiling the entire time.

"You did not just say that," I said chuckling softly.

"Hell yeah I did," he smiled at me, then turned his eyes back to our little daughter.

"How long have you been waiting to crack this joke?" I asked smiling.

"Not giving away all my secrets. Like two months," he said, making me laugh.

"Worth it," I said.

He couldn't take his eyes off of our little baby and couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

"Okay, that's it. She's mine. I'm never giving her back," he stated. I chuckled.

"We'll see about that when she starts screaming in the middle of the night," I said joking.

"Mine," said Negan with a playful stare as he hugged our little daughter very gently.

…

We were moved back to our room and soon enough Carol and Daryl were allowed to come in.

"Where is she?" Carol was out of her mind from happiness. Daryl was limping right behind her. "Oh my god, look at that tiny little baby girl," said Carol melting away with tears in her eyes. She held her in her arms in an instant. And I couldn't believe my eyes but Daryl seemed to be moved too.

"Don't you dare to cry, because I'll cry too," I said.

"Who's cryin'?" asked Daryl as he sniffed and got himself together like nothing happened. Both of them were staring at the baby lovingly.

"What's her name?" asked Carol as she handed the baby to Daryl. I exchanged glances with Negan.

"Her name is Carla," I said smiling.

"Because of Carl?" asked Carol. I nodded. "Oh my god…" she said and turned away as she started crying. Daryl's eyes were filling with tears too and this time he couldn't stop them. He handed the baby to Negan while hiding behind his hair, then he turned away too, and quickly wiped his tears.

"Carl meant a lot to Negan, and he was the bravest little kid I knew… I thought we could honor his memory like this," I explained to the moved bunch. Negan was moved too but he managed to hold his tears back this time. Not like the first time I told him my idea. He cried for long minutes. He was smiling now at the reaction of Carol and Daryl.

"It was the best idea," said Negan.

"Her name is Carla…" said Carol to Daryl. "I just can't… oh my god… it's so perfect. Judith will be blown away if she learns this."

"She definitely will be," said Daryl.

"Alright, I think we should go and let the mom rest," said Carol composing herself, smiling at the baby.

"Mom… I can't wrap my head around it," I said.

"You'll get used to it quickly," said Carol. She came to me, kissed my forehead and left.

"Goodnight, mom," said Daryl smiling as he gently caressed my cheek, squeezed my hand a little bit, then left too, slowly limping after Carol.

"'night, grandpa," I said.

"Grandpa?" asked Daryl as he stopped and turned back to face me.

"You're walking like an eighty-year-old grandpa," I said jokingly.

"Haha… just wait till you get out of that bed," he said as he continued his way out.

"Can't wait," I replied. He showed a middle finger without looking back, making me chuckle.

"Hey, be nicer to the lady," said Negan jokingly. Daryl glanced back by the door, scoffed, and left. I was so happy they made it here in time. And I also got to see Eugene, even if it was just a short time. I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

Negan spent the night in the hospital with me, sleeping on the bed right next to mine. I was sleeping for 10 hours straight. And I was the happiest mom the next morning.

…

Author's notes: Listen to "Never Grow Up" by Taylor Swift. ❤

Thank You for reading! ❤