Lucy found herself kneeling on gravel. Despite the sweat rolling down her face, she found herself shivering.
It was dark out, and she heard whistling faintly in the air. Eyes watering, she knelt there before she glanced over to her left. There knelt a man in jeans and a button up jacket. He looked to be in his forties, a wide forehead, thinning brown hair, and direct dark eyes. He knelt there not looking scared but angry. She stared at him confused before suddenly she saw a dark figure standing in the shadows. She watched the baseball bat rise above her view and came down with enough force to make the wind scream.
Then...
Lucy awoke choking back a scream. She jerked awake in the king sized bed she shared with Negan in the top apartment of the warehouse. Eyes widening, she looked around frightened, not completely sure of where she was. Looking over she saw Negan sitting in a chair right beside her. He had his boots up on the bed, and instantly sat forward.
"Baby?"
Lucy flinched away from him. Suddenly in her foggy memory she saw herself in this same exact bed, weakened with the fever as he laid on top of her. She remembered him calling her a bitch, and saying how he wanted another baby. She remembered how rough he was, and how bad it hurt. The memories weren't clear but she still felt him inside of her, pinning her down, and hurting her. Looking at him, she nearly screamed.
"Lucy?"
Lucy stared at Negan with frightened eyes. Instantly Negan's brow wrinkled seeing that something was wrong.
"Lucy, what's the matter?"
Lucy sat up, instantly feeling light headed. Staring at him, she felt tears begin to blur her vision.
"Don't touch me..."
Negan stared at her confused, sitting forward.
"What's the matter?"
Lucy sat up, gathering the sheets up like a frightened child. Staring at him, she felt tears roll down her cheek.
"You...raped me..."
Negan froze, instantly staring at her as if she was crazy.
"What?"
"You raped me..."
"Lucy...you've been sick...the doc didn't even know if you were going to make it. You've been unconscious for a few weeks now. The fever finally broke a few days ago but you've been in and out of it babbling nonsense...baby..."
He went to reach out but Lucy jerked away.
"Don't..."
"Lucy enough of this. You aren't thinking straight..."
Lucy stared at him. Instantly her face crumpled before she began crying. Overwhelmed, confused, and more than a little scared she broke down. Nothing seemed clear. Her mind was so foggy she could barley remember anything. Just kneeling and seeing that man, remembering the baseball bat, being pinned down...and somehow knowing this hadn't been the first time. Staring at him, she took a deep shaken breath. Negan reached forward, taking her arm.
"I would never...and I mean never hurt you. I'm your husband...I would never force myself on you. Honey, ask any man here...I'm against rape. I made it very clear I wouldn't put up with that bullshit at all here. Any man gets out of line with any woman here they are out...no questions."
Lucy sat there before her hand went to her temple, rubbing it.
"I..."
"Shhhh...you need to relax. You've been through hell. The doc gave you some heavy antibotiucs but he said there might still be an infection. I was scared shitless honey...I thought we were gonna lose you."
Lucy stared at him with untrusting eyes before he smiled, reaching over and stroking the side of her cheek gently.
"Baby, you gotta rest and push the fluids...doc said you aren't one-hundred percent yet."
Lucy roughly wiped her eyes.
"It...seemed so real..."
"Jesus I'm sorry...come here..."
Negan got off his chair and sat on the edge of the bed, gathering her up in his arms. Squeezing her, he stroked her hair, petting it as she tried not to break down crying. Suddenly Lucy hissed out in pain. Pulling her back slightly, he stared at her.
"What is it?"
Lucy looked down at herself before lifting her shirt, there, right below her breasts was an ugly yellowing bruise.
"What's this?"
Negan shook his head looking disgusted.
"I could kill that fucking doc, you rolled out of bed last week. Must hurt like a son of a bitch...I'm sorry..."
Lucy sat there, dazed as Negan brushed back her hair.
"Not that I wanna listen to a fucking thing he says but you need another week of rest and you should be tip top..."
Gathering her up in his arms, he carefully laid back, holding her against his chest as he continued stroking her hair. Lucy meanwhile laid there, stiff and still frightened before finally Negan raised an eyebrow and looked down at her.
"What's the matter?"
Lucy glanced up at him, not really knowing what to say. Instantly Negan stared at her, his eyes serious.
"You don't think I would ever hurt you...do you?"
Lucy stared up at him before slowly shaking her head. Smiling, Negan stroked the side of her head before kissing her softly.
"Good. That's a good girl..."
Continuing holding her, Negan slowly breathed in and out while Lucy laid against him, never looking so frightened before in her entire life.
Three days later...
Lucy stood naked in the bathroom. She had just showered, the water scalding and fogging up the mirror. She scrubbed the skin until it was raw. Now after finishing blow-drying her hair she stood there, gripping onto the sink for support. The fever was officially gone, but she still felt weak. The doc had swung by the day she finally became fully alert. She noticed how he wouldn't make eye contact with her and how quickly he had worked. He took some blood, looked her over and said she lost a great deal of weight and needed to take it easy until she gained her strength back.
Negan the entire time watched, arms crossed int he doorway. He hadn't left her side since. Flashes continued coming to Lucy. Foggy blurred images of herself pressed down on the mattress, or other times where all she could remember was his face above hers grinning. None of these flashes added up, but they seemed too vivid, so real. She knew something wasn't right. Still, he had been nothing but sweet and gentle since she woke up. He came in every evening, bringing her food, kissing her on the forehead, and laying beside her. He hadn't touched her once. The doc usually came mid morning and he would come back a few hours later. Lucy had wanted to talk to the doc but he looked too scared to even say anything. Today she felt strong enough to shower on her own. While underneath the warm water, she kept trying her hardest to focus on one of these memories. Was it her fever that caused these terrible disillusions or was it something worse?
She didn't want to believe that Negan, her own husband would do this. Nothing seemed clear, but so didn't her life just a few months before hand. She felt half there, underneath some thick fog unable to break free of. The Negan who had been by her beside for the past three days didn't seem capable of hurting her. Of rape, or even worse. Still, this was a man who she had watched beat someone to death simply to show his authority. How did those twins she gave birth to come to be? There was so much she didn't know and so much that didn't add up. Still, in these three days he was always there when she woke up. Bringing her food, juice, and sitting up with her looking so happy. He laid out fresh clothes for her, would stroke her hair, kiss her hands, smile, and seem so sweet and gentle. He would leave once the doc came, and she would be ordered to strict bed rest. During that time she would sit up in bed, not moving, not speaking, but thinking. She strained her memory trying to think of these hazy memories. Whenever he would return he would be all smiles, kissing her cheek, undressing in front of her, and going to shower. He would make her dinner, and sit in bed with her talking about his men. Lucy would tune all of this out. She would eat slowly, and respond only when he talked directly to her. Besides that she would take her meds, lay back, and lay against him before she fell asleep.
Today shortly after the doc left, she gathered some clothes and went straight to the shower. After she was finished, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Rubbing her temples she sighed. She knew these fevers were going to kill her. She didn't want to believe Negan was like this, but every time she looked down at her stomach where the bruises were slowly healing and the skin was still tender, she didn't feel so sure. Why these memories? The image of him laying on top of her smiling seemed so vivid. She knew it was only a matter of time before it became clearer. Feeling achy, and depressed she wanted so badly to believe Negan loved her and wouldn't hurt her, but just last night she repeated the same question she would have sworn she asked before. She asked if they knew anyone named Chris. Negan was was laying beside her, arms draped over her paused for a second before saying no. Lucy wondered if he was lying? Still, she wanted so badly to hold onto the idea that these memories, or thoughts, or whatever they were was just some nasty after effect from the infection and fevers. She was sick and weak, and knew that Negan was the only person in her life. He had kept her safe during all of this...but why did she think he was hiding something? Taking his red scarf that he had left behind in the bedroom, she looked at herself and sighed. Holding it in her hands, she shook her head.
"Don't be stupid Lucy...don't be stupid..."
That's when she thought of that man with the burnt face, or the other one who looked so dirty downstairs a few weeks before hand before the fever happened. They looked as if they knew something. They were frightened of Negan, but she knew they had seen something. Maybe, just maybe she could finally get some answers with them. But first, she needed to gain Negan's trust again. She needed to prove to him she was his pretty little wife, not the sick frail one he locked up here like some bird that might escape. No, if she was going to finally find out what Negan's motives were, she needed to be smart, she needed to think, she needed to stand by him. She softly said, before slowly going to work.
Later...
Negan unlocked the apartment door and stepped inside only to freeze. Lucy sat on the sofa, and she looked different. Very different. She was wearing those tight jeans that drove him crazy, boots, and a black T-shirt. She was wearing one of his leather jackets that was baggy on her, but draped off her shoulders. Her hair was pinned up, the red scarf around her neck. She had makeup on, most likely from the bag underneath the sink. This was the first time ever he saw her with bright red lips on and it absolutely drove him mad. She was sitting on the couch, legs spread, sitting forward, a smile on her face. Negan froze.
"Lucy?"
"You mean Lucille?"
Negan walked in, dropping the baseball bat to the floor with a heavy thud. It rolled across the hardwood floor before he grinned, rubbing his beard.
"Jesus woman...you must be feeling better..."
Lucy smiled, batting her eyelashes, leaning forward making sure her breasts were pushed up together in the tight T-shirt. Smiling, she cocked her head to the side.
"I missed you today..."
Negan grinned walking over, before slowly looking her up and down. Smiling, he reached out and touched the red scarf tied around her neck.
"That's a good look for you baby..."
Lucy smiled before reaching forward and taking him by the belt buckle. Yanking him forward, he laughed before she began undoing his belt, slowly lowering his zipper. "Lucy..."
"Shhhh..."
She smiled, giving a coy smile before reaching in and helping to pull him out. Instantly Negan stiffened, eyes widening before she took his penis out which was all ready rock hard. Gathering it in her hands, she lowered her head and carefully slid his cock right into her mouth. Gasping, Negan shut his eyes as he tilted his head back.
"Goddamn..."
Lucy's head began to bob as she licked down his shaft, carefully using her teeth before allowing her throat to relax as her head kept going up and down. Moaning, Negan took hold of her hair and pressed her head against him as he bucked his hips. Staring up at the ceiling, he instantly felt an orgasm beginning to build. Lucy's tongue and mouth worked like it had never worked before. Taking deep breaths, he couldn't control himself any longer. Instantly he felt himself building as he cried out and climaxed. Lucy withdrew after a moment, licking her lips and smiling before swallowing. Instantly he stared down at her, flushed, and more than a little out of breath. Lucy used her thumb to wipe the side of her mouth before smiling. Instantly Negan smiled.
"Jesus girl, what's gotten into you?"
Lucy smirked before Negan looked her again up and down. Smiling, he motioned to the bedroom.
"You wanna..."
He raised his eyebrows smiling before Lucy sat back.
"Sure...but...with these fevers and how sick I've been, I don't wanna take any changes right now."
Negan stared down at her.
"Huh?"
"Getting pregnant. With how I've been feeling...I wouldn't want anything to happen."
Negan carefully looked at her before nodding.
"Yeah sure honey..."
"Do you have any condoms?"
Negan laughed, before fixing himself and zipping up his fly. Sitting beside her, he put his arm around her.
"Jesus, I haven't used condoms since high school..."
Lucy smiled before looking at him.
"I know honey, I just don't want anything to happen..."
Negan reached over, cupping her breast before smiling.
"Okay baby, you got it...man, I gotta say...I like this look..."
Giving her a wet sloppy kiss, he got up and smiled before walking out. Once she heard the door shut, she sat back and nervously bit her nails, talking softly to herself to try to to over hype herself.
"See, he had no problem with you wanting him to wear condoms...if he wanted a baby so bad he wouldn't agree...you're being stupid Lucy..."
Taking a deep breath, she sighed, before standing up. Rolling her eyes at how silly she looked, she knew after some good sex he would agree to anything, even maybe allowing her downstairs. All she needed then was a chance to ask either one of those men if she got them alone. Then she could clear her mind and maybe start forgetting all of these nonsense and start her life with her husband.
Later...
Negan rolled off her and stared down at himself. Reaching down, he snapped his condom off which was filled full of semen. Tossing it into the wastepaper basket next to the nightstand. he sighed before looking over at her. Instantly, he stared down at her with that lazy handsome look of his he got whenever the sex was good. There he looked at least ten years younger as he smiled staring down at her.
"Baby, that was great...couldn't have done much for you though..."
Lucy smiled rolling over and drumming her fingers against his chest.
"Oh I'm fine...in fact I was wondering if maybe tomorrow we might get the chance to go downstairs. I really could use some fresh air. Maybe even a ride someplace...after being so sick I feel like I'm going stir crazy..."
"I don't know honey...I don't want you to push yourself, besides I gotta do a run nearby..."
"I can do with you, I can help...I promise I won't get in the way. Please?"
Negan stared up at the ceiling, almost lost in thought. Finally he glanced down at her and smiled.
"Okay, but I'm one mean bastard when it comes to business. You sit back and do as I say, things seem too much I'm having Dwight or Neil take you back. Okay?"
Lucy smiled nodding.
"Sure, thank you!"
Negan wrapped his arm around her kissing the top of her head before closing his eyes. Laying against his chest, feeling it rise and fall, Lucy listened to his breathing before smiling as she stared off into space. Tomorrow if she got the chance she would be careful and see if one of those men could help her out. She knew she needed to play her cards carefully since the loyalty with his men were strong. She knew her best bet was with the man who looked so filthy the day she got so sick. She wasn't sure if he was a prisoner, but if there was a chance she could find and talk to him maybe she would know. Wishing so badly she could just remember, tiny flashes went before her mind. She tried so hard to focus, but one part of her wanted so badly to believe that this was her husband. But something wasn't right. She knew it. Still, she wanted so badly to believe these horrible faint memories weren't memories at all. Just some terrible result of her fever that over time she would get her memory back and remember that this was her husband. That he would never hurt her and the only reason she actually believed he was capable of hurting her was just her own fears of not remembering him. Thinking of how willingly he was to wear a condom, how gentle he had been when the two made love, how he didn't have a problem with taking her with him tomorrow.
This couldn't have been a man who could rape or hurt her... Closing her eyes, she fell asleep listening to the sound of her husband's heartbeat.
The next day...
Lucy sat on Negan's lap as the truck was driven to the gated community of Alexandria. Dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt she had her hair in a ponytail as she sat there looking out the window. Both had gotten up early as Negan helped her up into the truck as several vehicles followed behind. Negan had his bat on the floor beside them as he smiled and seemed in higher spirits as Lucy looked out, watching the backroads unfold. Finally they reached high gates and the truck rolled up and parked.
"So, what are you doing here?"
Lucy asked. Negan smiled as he reached down, one arm still around her waist as he scooped up his bat.
"Well these people are a bunch of assholes. They killed a good number of our men and we have a new arrangement going. You just stand back baby, any of these jerks bother you let me know."
He brought the bat up, making Lucy feel slightly uneasy before he opened the door. Helping her down, he climbed out and walked over before using the bat to bang against the main gate. After a moment he began hitting it again.
"Little pig, little pig...let me in..."
Lucy looked around standing back before Dwight walked over to her. Lucy wanted badly to say something but just then part of the gate was pulled back. Standing there in silence, she nervously crossed her arms watching. Several people were up near the gate, and she heard Negan talking. That's when she saw the other man, he still looked filthy and was in that same dirty sweatshirt. Frowning, she knew he was too far away to talk, she needed to wait. The gate opened as people began to march forward. Just then Negan smiled and turned towards her. He was speaking to a handsome middle aged man in a blue shirt. Grinning, he waved her over.
"Lucy! Get that cute little ass of yours over here!"
Lucy walked over, boots clicking as she approached. Finally she reached Negan, nervously looking about. Smiling, he put his arm around her drawing her in close.
"Rick, I want you to meet my wife Lucille, Lucille...this is Rick."
Rick stared at her with lost frightened eyes.
Negan frowned.
"Lucy and me have been married for a while, you wouldn't believe the shit we've been through. Hell and back! Still, she's a loyal lady, and agrees with my way of doing business. Now please me a good host and show me and my lady around!"
The man named Rick lowered his eyes before walking forward. Negan kept his arm around Lucy as they walked, a huge smile on his face as he continued to remark about how big this place was. Lucy walked with him all the while watching his men enter the houses as the people who lived there stood back completely helpless. Walking with him, she looked around before they stopped in the street. Lucy saw people moving out furniture as Negan laughed.
"This is just the kind of thing that tickles my balls! A little corporation and we're pleasant as punch. You see we really are reasonable people once you know us. Honest."
He then walked Lucy over to a cooler, Using his free hand he opened it up and dug out a beer. Snapping off the top, he took a sip before offering it to Lucy. Smiling softly Lucy shook her head before Negan finished the rest of the can and tossed it to the side.
"Damn I love this place..."
"Negan..."
One of Negan's men came over holding a small video camera.
"Something you might wanna see..."
Negan let go of Lucy and stepped forward.
"Well, well, well what do we have here..."
Negan opened up the camera. Smiling, he looked at Rick as Lucy watched some men move out a mattress out of one of the houses.
"Got my fingers crossed for a little freaky deeky..."
Instantly Negan began watching whatever it was. He smiled.
"Jesus...is that you Rick underneath all of that man bush?"
Lucy dropped her eyes, embarrassed for this man.
"Shit...I would have not messed with that guy..."
Turning the camera, he began to film Rick.
"But that's not you anymore is it?"
Negan turned the camera on him for just a second.
"Nope!"
Rubbing his beard he shrugged.
"I really gotta shave this shit..."
He handed the camera over before Lucy stood back, arms crossed. Negan then looked around.
"Where's that sick girl? Seemed like a hell of a stressful night for her. The way she was carrying on...she was married to number two wasn't she?"
The man named Rick lifted his eyes glaring. Lucy stood back confused. Negan smiled.
"Careful how you look at me Rick..."
Negan smiled.
"So where is she?"
"Care to pay your respects?" Negan spun around as Lucy looked over.
"Holy crap! You are creepy as shit sneaking up on me wearing that collar with that creepy ass smile."
The priest smiled.
"My apologizes...I'm father Gabriel..."
Negan looked him up and down, with an untrusting smirk on his face, looking over at Lucy all humor left his face before he turned towards Rick.
"She didn't make it?"
The priest stepped forward. "Come, I will show you..."
Negan turned, motioning for Rick and that other man to follow him. Looking over, he smiled at her.
"Come on baby..."
He offered his open hand before Lucy eyed the houses.
"I'm going to take a look around, I'll be over in a bit."
Negan looked around before nodding.
"Stay close sweetheart, I'll be back..."
Lucy smiled before meeting the man named Rick's eyes. dropping her own gaze, she watched as they all began walking down the street. Seeing the man in the sweatshirt follow. She knew she would have to wait. Hands on her hips, she looked around before seeing the man named Dwight walking past one of the homes. Sighing, she knew with this one she would have to be more than a little careful. Walking over casually, she plastered on her best smile before walking over. Dwight was carrying a box full of lanterns.
"Need some help?"
Dwight looked taken off guard seeing her and quickly shook his head.
"Um, no ma'am, I'm fine." Lucy smiled.
"First thing, enough of this ma'am stuff...you're making me feel like I'm a hundred years old. It's Lucy."
Dwight met her eyes before nodding.
"Sorry..."
"Can I walk with you?"
"Where's Negan?"
Lucy motioned over her shoulder.
"He went with some priest and the other guy...I'm just taking a look around. Sorta feel like a fifth wheel over here, wondering if I can help?"
"Thank you but...Negan wouldn't like it."
Sighing Lucy took a lantern out of the box.
"I'm not useless, I can at least carry this while I walk with you."
Dwight looked more than a little nervous but nodded as the two began walking down the street as more of Negan's men continued carrying things out of the houses.
"So explain to me, what did these people do?"
"They stole and murdered that's what they did. They snuck into one of our bases and murdered dozens of our men in their sleep, burnt the rest alive."
"Jesus..."
"Yeah, don't let this innocent act fool you, they are cold blooded killers. Another group of them wiped out a while team of our men on bikes, just to steal our weapons so we're stealing them back."
"That's horrible..."
"Yeah well, I think each week when we come to collect they might learn their lesson."
"Dwight...can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"How did you get that burn on your face?"
"I got the iron."
"What's that?"
"I...I stole from our camp a while ago and disobeyed."
"Negan did this?!"
'Yep, but there isn't one day I hold it against him. There needs to be order and I went against my own people, the same people who have kept me safe. I deserved even worse." "You really can't believe that can you?"
"I do. Negan is a man of his word. His methods might seem a bit much but his men are loyal, and would die for each other. Some might think it's crazy, but they did things the same way hundreds of years ago, that's how we were able to build a future."
Lucy eyed him.
"I can barley remember anything...but has he ever done anything like that to me?"
Dwight glanced at her surprised.
"You are the most precious thing to Negan. When you went missing it nearly killed him."
Lucy nodded not saying another word before helping Dwight load the trucks. Faintly they heard the sound of gunshots...
In the cemetery
"This is a tragedy..."
Negan shook his head looking down at the graves.
"Number one was on me, lessons needed to be learned but damn I can't help but feel guilty..."
Rick didn't say a word before Negan shook his head.
"A fucking tragedy...God knows I've had enough of this. My wife Lucy...she was in a bad accident a while back. Was pregnant with twins. One died at birth, the other...a boy was snatched up by some people...I don't wanna say it but I'm sure he's dead. Hell of a thing to loose a child. Hoping we'll have another one soon but after all that bullshit you never know. You're one lucky bastard having your son. Someone to pass everything down to, to see a part of you live on..."
He locked eyes with Rick and smiled before suddenly the sound of gunshots rang through the air. Freezing, his face instantly turned stone set as he glared at him and slowly walked out.
Elsewhere...
"I gotta check this other house, want to come?"
Lucy knew she wasn't getting anywhere with Dwight. He was loyal and even through her husband had disfigured him he wasn't about to say one harmful word against him. Nodding, Lucy re-tied her ponytail and followed him into one of the large wide framed houses. Inside the house appeared very welcoming and comfortable. Looking around the living room she wondered if Negan and her owned a house like this before? Dwight meanwhile began looking through the kitchen. Just then a woman with tied up brown hair appeared at the top of the stairs, hands raised.
"Hello?"
Dwight quickly walked in front of Lucy as the two stared up at her. Instantly Dwight pointed his handgun at her.
"You alone?"
The woman motioned behind her.
"I have two little ones in the nursery, looking after them for Rick. Is everything all right?"
"Get down there on the double lady."
The woman looked frightened and quickly hustled down the steps before meeting Lucy's eyes. Dwight shoved her.
"Wait outside, don't go in until I tell you.."
"But the babies..."
"I said get!"
The woman hurried away before the sound of faint crying drifted down the stairs. The cry of a baby. Dwight and Lucy exchanged a look before Lucy held her hand up.
"Let me..."
Slowly she began going up the stairs.
Later...
"Where's my beautiful wife?"
Negan asked strolling down the sidewalk as he saw Dwight with several new boxes of supplies. Rick followed, holding the bat. Dwight pointed.
"She's inside."
"Well let me go collect her before we say our heartfelt goodbyes, come on Rick..."
Negan walked forward, thumbs hooked into his belt loops as Rick followed silently. Once inside Negan looked around.
"This your place?"
Rick nodded before Negan chuckled and looked around.
"Lucy?" He called.
"I'm up here." Her voice drifted down to them. Instantly Rick looked frightened as Negan hurried up the steps with him close behind. Walking down the hallway they entered the nursery. Lucy was standing at the crib where a little girl, about one sat next to a baby wrapped up in blankets. She had a gentle smile on her face, her hand reached down, gently stroking Judith's cheek. Negan froze in the doorway before slowly smiling.
"What do we have here?"
Lucy smiled and turned. Rick quickly pushed forward.
"These are my children Judith and...Nick."
"Judith and Nick, I like that. Catchy names Rick. Where's mom?"
Rick stared down at the carpet.
"She died having Nick."
"Ain't that a fucking shame...still three kids, you sure are lucky Rick."
Negan mumbled before looking down. Instantly his eyes drifted over to the younger of the two babies. His round face pale as his tiny eyelids were closed and a thick mop of dark hair all ready coming in. Both Lucy and Negan stood side by side staring down at the baby before Negan broke out of his trance. Putting his arm around Lucy he smiled.
"Come on Lucy my love, let's go..."
Together they turned, walking past Rick who glared at them.
Later...
Negan helped Lucy up into the cab of the truck before he turned and laughed telling Rick he almost forgot Lucille. Jerking his thumb in Lucy's direction with the door still open he grinned and said this little baby was named after her. Rick looked beyond disgusted before looking down. Negan took the bat and whispered something to Rick who appeared to be lost in a trace.
Lucy sat there, watching, her face uneasy as she waited for Neil, the driver of the truck they were riding along with. He was currently circling around making sure that Daryl fella was put back in one of the trucks. Sitting there watching, Lucy waited before something caught her attention. It was laying on the dash, a crumpled up little piece of paper. Frowning, Lucy reached forward and opened the tiny piece of paper. Written quickly almost as a scribble said the three simple words.
Don't trust him.
Lucy instantly felt her heart drop. Looking at it she knew whoever threw this in here was banking on the change that Negan wouldn't see it before her. Looking at it, she felt a horrible sense of uneasy before nothing Negan smiling and turning back towards her. Without so much as another thought she threw the tiny piece in her mouth and began chewing the soggy piece of paper like gum. In seconds it was completely gone. Negan then just seconds later climbed up into the truck and smiled. Neil sat down on the driver's side at the same time. Lucy swallowed, hoping he hadn't noticed and smiled. Negan smiled as she scooted over to the middle and tossed his bat down.
"Hope that wasn't too boring darling."
Lucy smiled before he snaked his arm around her as Neil started the engine and the truck began making it's way down the road. Sitting next to Negan, Lucy took a deep breath before he planted a kiss on top of her head.
"You have a good day?"
Lucy forced a small smile.
"Yeah, those babies are cute..."
"Yeah they sure, would be a shame if anything happened to them."
Neil laughed and Negan grinned, making Lucy sit between them too stunned to talk. At that exact moment Negan kissed her cheek, scratching her skin with his scruffy beard. That's when he whispered...
"Don't worry honey, we'll have ourselves another one one day, I promise..." With that Lucy stared forward, not exactly knowing what to say.
Later...
Rick had finished confessing to Michonne about Judith. He was now back in the nursery. Judith was sitting in her crib, chewing on a rubber toy block and gurgling staring up at him. Feeling his heart heavy, he leaned down, gently brushing her hair before scooping up the other baby. Gently he began rubbing the baby's back. The baby lightly stirred for a moment before resting against his shoulder.
"Shhhh, it's okay..."
Sighing, he held the baby and stared out the window unaware that he was holding Negan's son.