The days following Lucy's accident, Harlan was forced to operate on her. He examined her, frowning, looking at her bruised face, and shinned a pen light into her eyes before explaining that her skull was fractured, it wasn't bad, but bad enough. That a small part of her skull might have to be removed to let up on the pressure that might have begun to swell by the trauma. Still, he tried to tell Negan he wasn't a surgeon. That they didn't have the proper equipment, and that he might very well kill her. In the end Negan insisted, telling her he might as well try.
When Harlan nervously said she might die despite all of his efforts, Negan simply clapped him on the shoulder, and told him to try. He was hoping they could hold off, at least until the baby was born, but that was months from now. That he wanted his wife to survive, and wanted to at least in the end say that he tried everything possible. When Harlan tried to say something again, Negan glared at her, before pulling out his buck knife from his belt and waved the large blade in front of his face.
"Try, or I'll kill you."
Two days after, Lucy's shaved head was bandaged, and Harlan, who looked white as a sheet, wiped his brow, and explained to Negan he tried his best. It looked good, but he was basically guessing. The surgery had taken place in his brother's lab, where Negan had sent out several men to gather equipment from three major hospitals in the area. The few people with minor medical backgrounds all assisted, knowing what was on the line. In the end a power tool did the job, and Lucy's heart rate remained steady as did the baby's. Hoping he didn't cause any brain damage, Harlan said he removed a small piece of her skill, smaller than the size of a quarter and would simply monitor her. In the end, Negan said that was fine. Now it was just a matter of time until she woke up. So time passed. Lucy woke from this terrible nightmare that seemed to haunt her whenever she fell asleep. Her left eye was still badly blurred, and she wasn't exactly sure when or even if her sight would return in it fully at all. She had lost track of time laying in Negan's quarters.
She had drifted in and out of it for what seemed like days, maybe even weeks. Whenever she was fully aware, she found herself always in fresh clothes, and IV sticking out of one of her hands, and half of her head bandaged. At first she couldn't seem to move. She wasn't sure if this was from her injuries, or the drugs they were giving. She was in a great deal of pain, but usually the horrible throbbing would force her to black out, in which whenever she did awake she would see the light from the parted curtains shift and change. Judging from her clothing changes whenever she was able to look down at herself, she was being taken care of, and by an expert. Once or twice she saw the doctor, a man she could have sworn she had met before, maybe when all of this began. He was a kind man, with scared eyes who often shinned a pen light into her eyes, listened to her heart, and spoke words that seemed muffled to Lucy's ears. She wanted to speak, and found she could not. For a horrible time she believed she was in fact paralyzed. That the blow to the head had left her basically a vegetable. Trapped within her own body. For a while whenever she was alert, she tried with all her might to move her arms and legs and found them like useless heavy pieces of wood. Whenever she tried to do this, or even move her head and speak the white lighting pain could come and she would pass out.
She saw Negan there, usually in the background watching her, or sitting by her bedside, holding a hand, she no longer felt. It wasn't until recently when she found very little function begin to return when she was able to slightly move her fingers, and shift her legs. Things seemed a little clearer, as was her hearing. Still, the only way she judged she had been her was by glancing down at her body. Her stomach still wasn't exactly showing, but she knew her body and figured at least a good few weeks had passed. She wasn't sure how permeant this was. All she did know was that her plan had failed. He hadn't killed her, and yet again she was brought back here. She was truly starting to believe she was in fact dead, and that this was Hell. Today she awoke, feeling a little more alert. The first thing she saw was the ceiling.
Slowly her eyes scanned over, there she saw Negan laying beside her. He looked as if he had just showered. His hair combed back, his skin freshly shaved, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. He laid beside her, hiked up on one elbow, carefully staring at her. Lucy looked at him, feeling only her eyeballs shift in her skull. She felt pretty numb, and figured it was whatever was dripping into the IV bag that was hooked to her arm. Staring at him, she knew here she was yet again...trapped. Slowly her lips parted, feeling dry. Her voice was horsed, barley above a whisper.
"Why...don't you let me just die?"
Negan smirked before reaching over, gently stroking her side with his large tanned hand.
"Because Lucille...can't you see? We're meant to be."
"You just want me to give you a baby..."
Negan gave a sleepy grin as he continued rubbing her side.
"Well, that's partly true. The rest is the simple fact that I'll die trying to show you how much I love you. How else can you explain the universe bringing us together over and over again despite the odds?"
"Because I'm in Hell, and this is my punishment."
Negan chuckled lightly, lifting his hand and gently touching her face. Instantly Lucy felt sickened, shutting her eyes for a second, she tried everything not to scream.
"I had a wife once."
Lucy opened her eyes and stared at him.
"What?"
"Her name was Lucille. When I first met you I was pretty spooked. I mean what are the chances? We weren't married long, but she got real sick...cancer. Ate her up, and I watched her suffer...the night she died, she caught me with her nurse. I never once had been unfaithful until she got sick. The last thing she saw was catching us in the act. Few weeks later, all of this shit happened and everything fell apart."
Lucy couldn't believe she saw tears in his eyes as he blinked, looking down. Lucy glared at him, not knowing where she would find the strength to even keep this anger from sending her into a stroke. Laying there, she took deep breaths, beginning to feel her head ache again.
"Tell me something? Did you beat her? Rape her? Impregnate her, and hold her against her will. I'm sure you were a real sweetheart Negan. A regular husband of the year. I wonder what sweet Lucille would say knowing you've been raping and beating a teenage girl against her will, despite how many fucking times she tries to kill herself just to rid herself of you."
Negan's expression didn't change. Instead he gently cupped the side of her face.
"I never raised a hand to Lucille, but I hurt her more than I ever could by being unfaithful. I know i've done wrong by you...but you're the only thing I care about in this God forsaken world. I feel a whole lot is about to come down, and I need you by my side."
"Fuck you."
Negan sighed before his hand traveled down to her stomach.
"You'll see we belong together. I promise."
Lucy stared before Negan smiled, using the back of his fingers to stroke her skin.
"I'm sorry baby, but we had to shave all of that pretty hair off you. Harlan, the doc had to remove a tiny part of your skull about a week ago. You're still in recovery, and got some bruising going on. You should have seen the doc, he was scared as Hell to even operate, kept saying he didn't have the equipment, and didn't know what he was doing. I knew better, I knew you would pull through. You got a long road ahead of you, but he said if you take it easy you'll be fine."
Lucy continued glaring at him before he laid his head back down against the pillow beside her. Staring, he smiled.
"I got you some scarfs to wrap around your head when you're healed up a little bit better, and I got you this..."
He raised her left hand, showing a sparking diamond wedding band. Lucy looked at it, as he held up her hand by the wrist. She had slight feeling it in, and knew it was only a matter of time before her strength came back completely. Looking at the ring, it looked as if it would have cost a pretty penny at a top end jewelry store somewhere. Lucy stared it at, before he gently placed her hand back down.
"Thought you would like that."
Lucy didn't say a word before Negan rolled over closer. Nuzzling against her neck, his lips began slowly kissing her, up and down against her ear lobe, down to her jawline, before traveling to her neck. Stiffening, Lucy stared up at him before he cocked his head to the side.
"Hold on a second baby..."
A few minutes later Negan carefully went around, and wheeled over a wheelchair, before lifting her under the arms, being mindful of her head, and got her positioned. Lucy found herself able to sit up in the wheelchair Negan had ready for her. He carefully lifted her into it, making sure she was able to hold her head up, before wheeling her across the room where the full length mirror was. Lucy was dressed in long shirt, feeling her head ache, as he wheeled the IV pole along with her. There he stopped her, putting the break on the wheelchair. Lucy stared at herself and couldn't believe it. Her head was completely shaven, and bandaged at the front with gauze.
She had ugly purplish bruising around her eyes and nose, and circles that were ten times darker. She sat there, looking too skinny, and too frail. She sat there, looking at herself and saw how badly bloodshot one of her eyes were, as if all of the blood vessels had broken inside it. Sitting there, she felt herself shake as she tried to control herself. Lip quivering, she took deep breaths, before Negan knelt beside her, taking hold of her arm.
"You see, this is what you did to yourself. You're lucky you're able to still see...walk, and talk. You could have sent yourself into a coma, or even worse."
Lucy's eyes shifted with pure hate as she glared at him.
"You did this..."
Negan's grip on her arm tightened.
"No baby, you did, and if you ever think you can try that shit again you're crazy. You are going to be my wife, have my baby, and stay by my side...you hear me?"
His voice raised slightly, having a slight edge to it. Lucy continued staring at herself, unable to even recognize her own reflection. Instead she simply sat there before Negan took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, just enough to make her feel it. Staring down, Lucy felt so tired. Her head was starting to ache, and she had no idea if she could do this any longer. Staring down at him, a single tear slowly rolled down her face. There Negan reached up, using his thumb to wipe it away.
"Clark is going to keep an eye on you for a bit. I got some business to attend to..."
He wheeled her back, and scooped her up as if she weighed nothing before carefully laying her back down. Gently, he touched her forehead, before leaning down and kissing it.
"The doc and I are coming back in an hour, you just rest and we'll..."
He stared down at her before finishing.
"Talk later. Rest up."
Pulling up the sheet, he smoothed it around her, before lifting her hand and kissing it. Lucy laid there, watching him before he grinned, making her stomach turn. With that, he opened the door, revealing Clark, a middle aged man with a red beard, before muttering something he couldn't hear to him. Clark's green eyes stared at her, instantly making Lucy uncomfortable. With that Negan left, shutting the door behind him, leaving the two alone.
"Damn woman, I heard you were in bad shape...but I had no idea."
Lucy remained silent, just laying there staring. Clark walked forward, before waving his hand in front of Lucy, looking for a reaction. Instead, she remained still, slowly breathing in and out glaring. Smirking, Clark shook his head before slowly reaching down. There, he cupped Lucy's breast, giving it a dull squeeze. Instantly, he looked giddy with excitement before he looked around, staring down at her.
"Been dying to get watch duty for you. Negan doesn't exactly let any guy watch his pervious little wife...I can see why."
Lucy laid there, knowing something was wrong. That's when Clark nodded, nearly laughing.
"You're all fucked up, but that's okay. I used to work in a nursing home. I dig chicks who do the dead fish act, trust me."
When he saw he wasn't getting a reaction, instantly he looked frustrated.
"Aren't you going to say something?"
Lucy didn't. That's when his face crumpled up before he curled in a tight fist and punched Lucy right in the stomach. The feeling of it, knocked the breath out of her. Lucy's entire body shook like a rag doll, as her eyes widened with tears, and a soft whimper escaped her mouth before Clark licked his lips and began to breath heavy.
"My, my, my what a fine little piece of pussy you are. It's a shame Negan thought he could keep a sweet little piece of pie like yourself all to himself."
That's when he took out a knife, not as large as Negan's, but big enough. He grinned, slowly undoing his belt. Lucy laid there frozen, eyes widened, as he slowly pulled his belt through the loops before unbuttoning his pants, and yanking down his fly. Looking around with frantic pure panic, Lucy tried to will herself to move. Instead she felt frozen, restrained to this God forsaken bed, paralyzed, unable to speak, nor move. Her head thudded loudly as her fingers barley grasped at the smooth sheets, as she tried anything to get enough strength to yell. He smiled, looking ten times crazier than Negan did, as he pulled his pants down, still holding onto his knife before crawling on top of the bed, pinning her down. Feeling his weight, Lucy's limbs screamed in protest, as he roughly spread her legs, and began lifting up the baggy shirt. Licking his lips, he hovered forward, blade ready, before he smiled, his hot stinking breath hitting her face as he began working himself out of his slacks.
Lucy braced herself, ready yet again to be raped when suddenly the door banged open, sounding off like thunder. Lucy froze, as did the man who instantly tried tucking himself away in his open pants, as he shot up, turning white as a sheet. Lucy's eyes shifted to the side as she watched Negan, dressed in black jeans and a white T-shirt come charging inside, eyes direct, and outraged. The doc, and two other guards stood behind him looking like frightened children.
"Negan I..."
Negan stepped forward, boots making a loud hollow thud before he pulled out his knife and plunged it straight into the man's Adam's apple. The man's eyes widened, as he gurgled on his own blood. A fine spray of red mist went across Lucy, and the sheets, before the man clawed at the blade as he convulsed, and fell backwards, legs up, as he thudded against the floor in a slump. From this position, Lucy couldn't see him. Instead she laid there stunned, hating to admit, she was actually happy to see Negan for once. She didn't know if she could take being raped by another man again. Negan glared, chest huffing and puffing, before he turned. Two of his men stood in the doorway speechless before he roared, face flushed, and the cords of his neck standing out.
"Get this rapist FUCK out of here NOW!"
The men nodded, heads bowed down before they hurried inside, not looking up as they bent down, scooping up the man's dead body, and both carrying him out with record speed. Lucy meanwhile laid there watching, still covered in blood before Negan turned, and locked eyes with him. Instantly she saw what she guessed was pity showing in his wide eyes, before he leaned down, to scoop her up. Harlan quickly came in, trying to tell Negan not to move her, when Lucy cried out. Freezing, Negan stopped before Lucy motioned with her head down to her stomach, She spoke softly, her voice almost completely gone.
"He...hit me...hard..."
Negan pulled back the shirt, where all ready an ugly bruise was forming on Lucy's stomach. Face tensing, he turned and shouted for Harlan to come over. That's when Negan lifted his hand which had been holding her underneath, it was slick with blood. Lucy saw how frightened Negan's eyes were before everything began to slowly fade away. Feeling relief, she let this darkness overtake her, thankful she was escaping the pain.
Later...
Lucy slowly opened her eyes before she heard a soft drumming. As her eyes opened wider, she saw a monitor rolled up beside her, and Harlan moving a paddle across her stomach, his eyes intense, and scared. Negan sat on the other side of the bed, gently petting her hand. Harlan pointed.
"Baby is fine, heartbeat is normal, just a little bleeding which is fine...everything looks okay..."
Negan glanced down at Lucy, seeing that she was awake. Sadly smiling, he lifted her hand and kissed it.
"Baby is still on board honey...you're going to be okay."
Lucy found herself dressed in loose fitting sweats, and a new baggy T-shirt. Her head no longer aching, most likely from whatever was given to her in the IV. She felt swimmy, and drugged. Blinking slowly, she stared up before Harlan nodded.
"I'll come back in the morning, if the bleeding gets any heavier call for me, besides that lots of rest."
Negan nodded as Harlan brought down her shirt, wiping the gel he had smeared across her stomach. Wheeling the monitor away, and pushing it across the room where the wheelchair sat, he began to put his things away while Negan watched. Once he finally had his bag, he nodded to Negan who lifted his hand. A moment later, Harlan was gone. Looking down, he sighed.
"You okay?"
Lucy just stared up at him before Negan sighed. Then, completely out of nowhere, Negan snapped his eyes shut, completely breaking down. His entire body shook, as loud alarming sobs began to escape him. Lucy laid there frozen, having truly never seen him face to face break down like this. Tears squeezed between his eyes, as he moaned deeply and gathered her up in his arms, grasping onto her tight. Lucy laid like dead straw against his arms, as he moaned even louder, crying and clutched her like a child would a doll.
"Lucille...I'm sorry...please don't leave me...please..."
Lucy laid there, being squeezed in his arms knowing that what she was trapped with, was very simple. Negan underneath it all was a deeply disturbed man, and the only part of him that seemed half human was whatever part of him that was obsessed with her, or the memory of his wife who shared her same name. It wasn't about power, or sex, or owning her. It wasn't love, nor lost. It was the guilt over what happened with his first marriage, and how in his sick and twisted mind, if he kept her like some sort of China doll, unable to break...things would seem possible for him. Pulling away slightly, feeling more of her strength she looked at him, and saw how bloodshot and tear filled his large hazel eyes were.
"You're insane aren't you?" Negan looked at her, tears spilling down his face before Lucy sighed.
"I'm not you're wife Negan...don't you see what you've done?"
"I can make things better...I promise you I can."
Lucy laughed, feeling as if she herself was going half mad.
"Look at me, how much more do you think I can take? How much more will it convince you that I want to be rid of you? That I rather die than be touched by you again..."
Negan held her closer, before sniffling.
"I'll show you we belong together, if it's the last thing I do."
Negan brought her in closer, holding her tight all the while Lucy stared over his shoulder, knowing this was her punishment. She was in Hell, and could never escape this mad man. Hearing him cry even harder, Lucy found her hands slowly rising, it took a lot of effort, and she found herself having to focus ten times harder than usual as they slowly came up, both slightly shaking. Her left hand still displayed the sparking wedding ring, before finally both touched the sides of his face, just beginning to feel slightly rough, like sandpaper as she cupped the side of his face, causing him to look up and open his eyes. He was still crying. Slowly, she used her fingers to wipe away the stream of tears from the bottoms of his eyes, before both stared at each other, for the first time ever, not knowing what to say.