Heaven in Hiding (Negan)

Chapter 60

It was the day. Jenny's 7th birthday. I was up since the crack of dawn making her cake. I was just starting to make the lunch when a knock came to my door. It was Michonne with Negan.
"Hey there Doll, where's the birthday girl?" He asked as Michonne let him go.
"She's up in her room. She doesn't know you're coming she'll be surprised." He smirked and nodded before giving me a quick kiss and made his way upstairs. "Thanks again Michonne. I appreciate it."
"Yeah. I'll be back with the kids in about an hour."
"Alright. I'm making the lunch now so they better be hungry." I laughed. She just nodded and walked off. I closed the door and went back to the kitchen. I was chopping vegetables and fruit and felt strong arms wrap around my waist.

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Negan nuzzled into Prues neck leaving light kisses gaining a giggle.
"Can I help you?" She asked flooding Negan with memories. That was always the first thing shed say to him when he found her at the Sanctuary. Her hands on her hip accompanied by an eye roll.
"You can always help me," he said grabbing her waist and turning her toward him. She smirked up at him and tip toed up to him. Giving him a quick kiss.
"No can do. People are going to start showing up. It's Jenny's day, not yours." She said playfully pointing the knife at him.
"Yeah yeah I know. Who alls coming to this thing?" She put her finger to her lips in thought. God she was so fucking cute, Negan thought. Why she waited all these years for him to get out of that cell was beyond him.
"I know Michonne is bringing Judith and RJ. Gracie is coming but not sure if Aaron is. I mentioned it to a few at her after school care friends parents. They didn't seem to keen on coming though."
"Not surprised. It's probably because I'm here," Negan said feeling a bit guilty his presence is going to hinder his daughters party.
"Jenny doesn't mind. She'll be so happy you're here this year. First year she doesn't have to spend her birthday in your cell." Negan sighed and nodded. "Why don't you make sure she's actually getting ready, I'll finish up here." Negan agreed and went upstairs to Jenny's room. He stood in the doorway and watched as she slipped on her shoes and tried to tie them. He could tell she was getting frustrated and then She muttered.
"This is bullshit." He smiled proudly before he knocked on her doorframe. She looked back with a big smile.
"Need help sweet pea?" She nodded. Negan walked over and kneeled in front of her. "Didn't your mom teach you to tie your shoes?" He asked.
"She tried. It's hard." She said puffing her cheeks the same way her mother does when she's upset. Negan chuckled.
"Here. Take one lace in each hand like this." He showed and she did the same with the other shoe. "Go over and under," she copied him. "Make a loop de loop and pull." He said in a sign song voice. "Now you're shoes are looking cool." He watched as she did the same thing and tied her shoe. Her eyes got big then she smile went from ear to ear.
"I DID IT!" She shouted and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank you daddy!"
"You're welcome Jenny."
"I'm going to show mama!" She said and bolted out of the room. Negan knelt there for a bit thinking about all her firsts he had missed. Her crawling,walking and her first words. But he didn't miss this. In fact Prue missed it. He got up and made his way down and saw his girls together. Prue must have heard him because she looked over at him amused.
"The hells that face for Doll?" He asked.
"You sang her a song to teacher her how to tie her shoe?" She asked him with a smile.
"Damn straight I did. And it worked."
"Make a loop de loop and pull now your shoes are looking cool!" Jenny sang holding her tied shoe up.
"And you know that song why?" Prue asked walking over to him.
"I was a school coach remember? I know things." He said wrapping his arm around Prues waist. In this moment Negan was content. He was relishing every single moment he had of this.

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The doorbell rang and Jenny ran to the door to open it.
"RJ! Judith!" She shouted happily. I walked over and saw Michonne with a small bag.
"What's that?" I asked.
"A gift. It is Jenny's birthday." She said with a smile handing it to me.
"You didn't have to you know." I told her as I set it on the counter nearest to me.
"I know. But I did. Where's Negan?" She asked glancing around.
"Kitchen." I told her. The kids ran past us and out the back door to play in the yard. A knock at the open door reveals Aaron and Gracie. He was also holding a small bag.
"Where's Jenny?" Gracie asked with a smile.
"Out back." I told her and she ran right by me.
"Is that for Jenny?" I asked looking at Aaron.
"It's a birthday party. She needs a gift." He laughed handing it to me.
"Doll, now Jenny said she it was allowed but I think it ain't." Negan shouted from the kitchen.
"Oh lord." I said under my breath and went into the kitchen and looked out the window, the others following. Jenny and the kids took all the pillows from the couch outside to play with. I let out a sigh. "It's her birthday. I guess I can wash them later."
Negan, Michonne and Aaron looked at each other before giving a nod. A knock pulled us from the awkward situation and I looked out. It was a kid from her class and her mom.
"Is this Jenny's party?" The mom asked nervously.
"It is. Come on in. The kids are in the back." I told them. She smiles and her daughter runs in and out to the back. Slowly more and more of her friends and the parents showed up. The dads talking with Negan and laughing. The moms and kids seemed to be having a good time too. The snacks were going fast so that's was good too. I even had to put a table for the gifts people brought for Jenny.
"So Prudence," Kelly said making me look over at her. "You really stayed with him the whole time he was locked away?" She asked motioning to Negan.
"Yeah, I did." I told her with a smile.
"I can see why," she joked. "When I heard people talking about him, they made him seem like a huge monster. But," she said looking over to the kids and Negan,who was showing them how to play football. "He seems harmless. And he ain't bad to look at." I laughed.
"I wish everyone could see Negan like this." I told her with a sigh. "He's an amazing dad and he's always been good to me."
"I bet he's good in bed too," Heather laughed. I blushed a bit taken a back by her comment.
"I mean. Yeah." I laughed.
"He has to be. You're young and he quite a bit older." She said. "I'm sure he knows a thing or two." She nudged me with her elbow playfully. I coughed on my water and she laughed. I banged on my chest to stop my small coughing fit.
"You okay Darlin'?" I heard Negan shout from across the yard. I looked over to him and nodded. He gave me a wink and went back to playing with the kids.
"Wow. To have that spark after everything you two have been through. It's like a romance novel." Kelly spoke. "My husband doesn't even put his laundry in the basket." I chuckled.

Soon it was time for cake. Everyone gathered around as we sang Happy Birthday to Jenny.
"Make a wish!" RJ shouted excitedly. Jenny's nose scrunched as she thought then she took a deep breath and blew out her candles. Everyone clapped and I started cutting the cake. I felt a hand squeeze my hip and I glanced back.
"I'll pass the cake out. You just cut em. Okay Doll?" He asked. I smiled back at him and handed him a plated slice. We passed the cake out and sat next to each other at the picnic table. "I'd say the party was a fucking success. Wouldn't you?" He asked.
"Yeah, I can't believe all these people came." I told him.
"I think it proves people don't think of me as a monster anymore. Well, most people." He said glancing at Michonne and Daryl.
"Right. Either way I'm glad you had a whole day with Jenny."
"Agreed. She's a little badass just like her mama. You saw her tackle that boy when we were playing football. I was so damn proud." He chuckled.
"That I did." We watched as Jenny opened her gifts and then people started to slowly leave. Judith,RJ,Michonne and Daryl were all that was left. They helped clean up and I thanked them.
"It's time for me to bring him back to the cell." Michonne said.
"I know. Can he at least put Jenny to sleep?" I asked her. She looked over at Negan and Jenny. He was wiping her face and she was giggling.
"He has 20 minutes." I nodded and let him know.
—————-
Negan ran his hand over his beard and sighed.
"Jenny. Let's get ready for bed. Want me to help you?" He asked and her face lit up.
"Yeah! Come on!" She shouted and grabbed his hand pulling him upstairs. "I need a shower tonight. Can you set it up for me?" She asked him.
"It would be my pleasure sweetheart." He said as he turned the knobs to get the perfect temperature. In she hopped and Negan sat outside on the toilet. "So Jenny. Does your mama ever talk to anyone?" He asked.
"Sure. She talks to lots of people. She likes to go around and help everyone."
"Ain't that the truth. One of the reasons I love her." A small pause. "Does she bring any boys home?" He asked her.
"No. It's just me and mama here. Some boys try but I've seen her hit them." Negan chuckled.
"Good to know. You almost done?" He asked. A moment later the water turned off and the towel was pulled into the shower. She walked out and got dressed. Negan tried to dry her hair with a towel. "Damn. Your hair is almost as long and as annoying as your mothers." He laughed.
"I like it long!" She puffed her cheeks out.
"Hey now I never said it was bad. Just stating a fact kiddo." He finished and tossed the towel over the shower rod and watched as she brushed her teeth then trotted off toward her room. She grabbed an arm full of stuffed animals and hopped into bed. Negan pulled the covers over her and have her a kiss on the forehead. "I love you Jenny. Don't ever forget that. Okay?" He said. She looked up at him and grinned ear to ear.
"Oh I know. Mama tells allllll the time." She wraps her little arms around his neck then lets go. "Best birthday ever." She said with a yawn as she laid down. He stroked her hair for a little before she was out like a light. He gave her one more kiss before he walked downstairs. Everyone waiting. He sighed.
"Alright boss. Take me away." He joked holding out his wrists. Michonne cuffed him. Negan looked at Prue who was obviously upset. "Come on Doll. I'll see ya tomorrow."
"Yeah. Love you." She said with a small wave as he was escorted out.
"Feelings mutual Darlin'."