Chapter 137-Being happy

One month later

Negan's P.O.V

Negan sat on the porch as the sun was rising in the air. "You're up early," He looks at Daryl as he walks up the porch.

"So are you," Negan says.

"I'm always up early," Daryl says. "I was gonna go on a hunt. Why are you up?"

"Nervous, scared," Negan says.

"I understand the feeling," Daryl says. "Wondering if you're gonna be a good father?"

"Yeah," Negan says as Daryl sits down.

"I had a pretty shitty, Dad."

"I know," Negan says. "I've seen your back."

"Yeah, so when Alicia told me she was pregnant, the first thing that came to my mind was that I was going to turn out just like my Dad."

"You're a great father," Negan says. "Your kids adore you."

"Your kid will adore you," Daryl says. "You're gonna be a great father. Hopefully, your kid doesn't talk as much as you, though."

Negan chuckles as the door opens, and they both look at Kate, who is breathing heavily. "I need to get to the infirmary."

Daryl and Negan quickly stand up. "I'll get June," Daryl tells him before he leaves, and Negan helps Kate walk to the infirmary. He gets her in the bed as June comes in with Tobias.

"At least it's almost morning," June says. "How are you doing?"

"I'm not doing too bad," Kate says. "How do I look?"

"I need to get her pants off," June tells Negan, who nods as she helps her get Kate's pants off. After looking at her, June looks at Kate and Negan. "It's gonna be a long day."

"Great," Negan says.

Beth's P.O.V

Beth was working in her office when the door opened, and Maggie walked in. "Kate's in labor," Maggie tells her softly.

"Can you hold down the fort here?" Beth asks her.

"Yeah, I can," Maggie says. "Do you know who's going?"

"Earl, Tara, Kenneth, and I," Beth tells her. "You going to be okay?"

"I'll be okay," Maggie tells her. Beth nods as she leaves the room, and Maggie sits down.

Lydia's P.O.V

Lydia sat on the porch of the infirmary. "What are you doing out here?" She looks at Morgan as he walks up to her.

"I'm just waiting until something happens," Lydia tells the man, who nods as he sits down beside her.

"I remember when my wife had our son?"

"You were married before, Rosita?" Lydia asks Morgan, who nods.

"Her name was Jenny, and my son's name was Daune. I lost Jenny right at the start and Duane a few weeks after. I remember the day my son was born like it was yesterday. I was at work, and my phone started ringing. It was our neighbor, a good friend of ours. I picked up the phone, and she said that Jenny was in the back of her car and she was on her way to the hospital. I was about to be a father. I ran out of work, I didn't even tell my boss, and I got in my car and after I got to the hospital and she had Daune. That was one of the happiest days of my life," Lydia smiles as she stares at him. "These last few months have been hard on everybody. I know you especially, Robert, and now this baby. It shows that there is still hope for everything we've been building for the new world. There is still hope."

"My mother will come back someday," Lydia says.

"When she does. We'll be more prepared," Morgan says. "But right now, let's live in this day. We'll worry about your mother when that time comes."

Lydia nods. "Can you tell me how it was built? The new world, Arya's told me stories but only from what she's been here for. You were here for the war, right? You found Alicia's group with Daryl?" Lydia asks.

"Sure, I can tell you."

Carl's P.O.V

Carl climbed off the wagon. Rick climbed off behind him. "We'll meet you in the big cabin," Enid tells Carl while holding Robert. Carl nods as he walks towards the infirmary.

"I'm gonna go find Daryl," Rick tells his son, who nods as he pushes the door to the infirmary open and walks in. Negan looks at the door and smiles.

"Hey, kid," Negan says as he walks up to him and hugs him.

"How's it going?" Carl asks quietly while looking at Kate, who is talking with Rosita.

"She'll be ready to start pushing soon," Negan tells him.

"You'll be a father in a few hours. How are you feeling?"

"I'm pretty damn scared," Negan says with a chuckle.

"You're gonna do great," Carl reassures him. "Let's just hope that he gets Kate's manners."

"Why does everybody keep saying that?" Negan after with a grin. "I have great manners."

"You're full of shit," Carl says as Gabriel walks in.

"Gabby boy," Negan says. "I was hoping I would see you."

"I wouldn't miss this," Gabriel tells him as he pats his shoulder.

"So you guys have a name?" Carl asks him.

"We do. You'll know what it is when the little firecracker is born," Negan tells him.

"Alright, she's ready. Everybody besides Tobias, Negan, and I need to leave," June tells the boys, who nod as they leave with Rosita.

Alden's P.O.V

Alden sat on his porch. He looked up when he heard footsteps and saw Connie. "Hey," Alden says. Connie smiles at him as she waves. She motions to sit beside him. "Yeah," Alden tells her. She nods as she sits down. She pulls out her notepad.

"You okay?" She wrote.

"I was just thinking about Luciana," Alden tells her, and she nods as she lays her hand on his leg. "I'm happy for Negan. I really am, but I can't stop thinking about the child I never got to meet."

Connie nods as she writes something down and shows Alden. "You would've been a great father, and maybe you will be someday."

"Maybe," Alden says. "You know, I think this is your first time at the campgrounds. How would you like a tour?"

Connie smiles as she stands up and takes Alden's hand.

Rick's P.O.V

Rick and Daryl were sitting in the big cabin talking when the door opened, and Beth came in. "Hey, we didn't know if we would see anybody from Hilltop," Daryl says as he stands up and hugs her. "How's Maggie doing?"

"I think she's still processing. She doesn't seem angry about it," Beth says as she sits down. "We knew this would be hard for her."

"Yeah," Rick says. "But she knows that the Negan in the infirmary isn't the same one who killed Glenn and Abraham."

"She does," Beth says. "Earl, Kenneth, and Tara are here as well."

"How's Tara doing?" Rick asks.

Beth stays silent for a moment. "She's getting by. It hasn't been easy."

"I don't think it will get easier."

"Me either," Daryl says.

Maggie's P.O.V

Maggie stood on the balcony watching Hershel as he played with kids from the Hilltop. She turned her head and looked at Al as she walked outside. "It's been two months. Why are you still trying to talk me out of this?" Maggie asks her wife.

"He doesn't need to know more. It will be easier for him if he doesn't know," Al says.

"How, Al?" Maggie asks as she turns to face her. "He can't go to the Campgrounds and see his friends because we're too worried about them letting something out. When he's with the kids, we make sure someone is watching them, so they don't tell him anything. He's a smart kid. He's got Glenn's intelligence, and he'll figure it out sooner or later. He'll figure out why Negan can't look at him, why there is so much tension between Negan and me. It's better if he hears it from me. At least then I can help him understand and make sure he doesn't do something stupid as I did," Maggie says.

"I should have a say in it."

"He's my son," Maggie says and then freezes as she realizes what she said. "Al-"

Al turns around and walks away, and Maggie sighs. "Shit."

Negan's P.O.V

Negan stared at the baby girl in Kate's arms as his girlfriend held their child. "I'll go get the others. Javi and Gabe should be here by now," Tobias says as he leaves the infirmary.

"She won't bite, Negan," Kate says. "Come here," Negan nods as he walks closer, and Kate holds the baby out to him. Negan takes his daughter.

"Hi, darling," Negan says with a smile as the door opens, and Daryl, Alicia, Carl, Gabriel, Shane, Rosita, Morgan, Javier, and Gabe come in.

"Looks like we got lucky. She alrighty looks like Kate," Shane says.

"Hopefully, if you ever have kids, they'll look like Madison," Negan says, and Shane chuckles.

"Her name?" Javier asks.

"Rose," Negan says as he looks at Rosita. "After the woman who saved her and her Mama and brought me back from a pretty dark place."

Rosita smiles. "I hope she does have Kate's looks then."

Negan laughs. "Her full name?" Gabe asks.

"Rose Carl Smith," Negan says, and Carl smiles. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for this asshole. I figured I would give him some credit."

"You should be building a statue in my honor," Carl tells him.

"Too much work," Negan replies. Negan hands Rose back to Kate, who nods takes. "How about you to get some sleep? I'll be right outside."

Kate nods as she lays her head back, and Negan leaves with the others.

Rosita's P.O.V

After leaving the cabin, Negan had asked Morgan and Rosita to stay for a moment. "They wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for you," Negan says as he looks at Rosita.

"It wasn't just me," Rosita says.

"I know," Negan says. "But you kept her safe in those woods," Negan says before he looks at Morgan. "You were one of the first people to give me a chance when I first started living here. You came to make sure I was okay after I killed Brandon," Negan says. "I owe you two a debt I can never repay, which is why Kate and I want you two to be Rose's godparents."

"Of course, we'll do it," Rosita says. "Just try not to die. If the whispers ever come back, I might need a shield," She says with a smirk making Negan laugh.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Negan's P.O.V

That night Negan sat on the porch of the infirmary with the door slightly open, so he could hear Kate and Rose. "How's it feel to be a father?" Daryl asks him as he walks up the porch.

"Scary as hell," Negan tells him. "Can I ask you something?" Daryl nods. "When did you forgive me?"

Daryl stays silent for a moment. "The day Rick blew the bridge up," Daryl answers. "So many people could have come to help me, but you were right behind Shane. It didn't matter what you did to yourself before, you came to save the man who tried to kill you, and you protected his son. I knew then for sure you had changed, and I knew then that I forgave you," Daryl tells him. Negan nods.

"You think your kids will still see me the same when they know what I did?" Negan asks.

"If they don't, then I failed as a parent," Daryl says. "They love you. You're family. Nothing past or future will ever change that, now get in there and be with your kid and girlfriend."

Negan chuckles and nods. "You got it, boss," Negan says as he stands up and walks into the infirmary. He sat down and watched his sleeping girlfriend and daughter and, for the first time since Laura died. He was truly happy.

Thanks for reading. Negan is a father, and there will be a few more chapters before we continue the whisper war. I have a plan for a chapter mostly focused on Maggie that I want to do. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.