Heaven in Hiding (Negan)

Chapter 45

Negan held the baby girl as Prudence slept. He could feel eyes on him and he was right. Rick,Michonne, Daryl and Liz were watching him through the doorway. Negan just ignored them as he slowly rocked back and fourth with the small newborn in his arms.
"Darling you are just as perfect as your mother." Negan whispered to the baby. He started to hum Smoke on the Water as he rocked her to sleep.
Rick watched as Negan interacted with the newborn.
"He's a natural." Liz said to The trio with a smile. Daryl just scoffed and walked away as the couple stayed silent. "You guys can't deny that. Look at him."
"This don't change my mind." Rick said gruffly. Liz sighed.
"I know."
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My eyes opened to see Negan slowly rocking the baby.
"Well, mornin' Doll. Have a good rest?"
"Yeah. How are you doing?" I asked him with a small smile.
"I'm doing fucking fantastic. This little one is perfect. She needs a name though." He was right. I've been thinking of one and I think I got the best one.
"Jennifer." I told him and he chuckled.
"That's the one."
"Yup."
"Well, it's the perfect name." Negan nodded as he looked back down at Jennifer, lightly running his hand through her black hair. "She's got your nose." I laughed.
" Well, that sucks for her." I said as I went to reach for my water but Negan quickly grabbed it and handed it to me. We locked eyes for a moment before I brought the cup to my lips. I took a small sip and looked into my cup. "So, how long do you think they'll let you stay?" I asked sadly. Negan let out a soft sigh.
"Not sure Doll. I'm just happy they let me do this much." He said as he looked down at the perfect baby in his arms. I felt tears start to form in my eyes. I knew this time with him was going to be short lived. I knew our small family was going to be ripped apart. Negan would be thrown back into that cell and I'd go back to the sanctuary with Jenny. I'd have to take care of her all on my own and run a whole community. I could feel my breathing start to quicken as I panicked. Knowing this could be the last time we were together without bars between us. Everything Negan would miss knowing damn well he's always wanted a kid. Negan noticed and placed Jenny in the small laundry basket with blankets they gave us a a makeshift bassinet. He kneeled next to the bed and put his hand to my cheek.
"Pure, we've made it this far. And I know damn well I will do everything in my fucking power to earn their trust and get out. I'll be a shit shoveler the rest of my fucking life if I have to." The tears now streaming down my face as I broke into a full out sob.
"I just-I don't want to do this without you Negan. It's not -it's not fair." Negan let out a long sigh and put his forehead against mine.
"I know it ain't Doll. But it's how it has to be. We both know it. As long as you and Jennifer are safe then I'll be okay. I can promise you that. No more crazy Negan in the cell. Okay?"
"You-you promise?" I asked through breaths from sobbing.
"Have I ever lied to you Prudence?" I shook my head. "Then there you go." I smiled and wiped my tears away.
"I love you so much." I told him.
"Well shit Doll. I love you too." He said before our lips locked. The kiss lates a few romantic seconds before we pulled away,knowing damn well we had an audience. I looked out the doorway to see Liz giving us a thumbs up and Rick and Michonne talking quietly to eachother.

For the rest of the day we were just talking. I was telling him about the changes I've made and how the communities we take from are acting. The look in his eyes as I spoke was something I've missed. It was pure Interest. He was telling me how proud he was and how kick ass of a mother I'm going to be. He always knew how to make me feel better. There was a knock on the doorframe and I looked over to see Rick. I smiled at him.
"Hi." I said, preparing for him to take Negan away. He must have thought the same thing because he got up from my side and held his hands out to be cuffed. Rick looked a bit surprised before he cleared his through.
"We are leaving in the morning. I talked with Michonne and ya'll can stay together for the night. With guards posted of corse."
"Wait. Really?!" I asked surprised as I sat up straight.
"Yes, but come morning we are leaving. With him." Rick spoke as he motioned toward Negan.
"Thank you so much Rick! Really! Anything you want from the sanctuary let me know. We'll make it happen." I told him. Ricks eyes softened.
"Just take care of that baby." He said before let the room. I noticed Negans face as he watched Rick leave the room.
"What?" I asked.
"You and Rick seem to be awfully close." He said with a bit of suspicion in his voice.
"Well he's the only one I could talk to about baby stuff. Maggie wants absolutely nothing to do with me. I mean she hasn't even come to visit the baby. No one at the sanctuary is pregnant or trying. Liz tried to read baby books to help me but that only helps so much. And I think he does nice things for me out of pity." Negan walked back over to the chair next to my bed and looked like he was in thought. "Negan. You know I would never cheat on you. Right? I mean I have no interest in anyone else. Especially in Rick. It's weird but he's almost like a father figure."
"Yeah. I ain't worried about you. It's everyone else."
"I'm not stupid Negan. You taught me to be my bad ass self. I can handle whatever happens. Besides. Rick looks at Michonne the way you look at me. He doesn't have eyes for anyone else." Negan nodded.
"Okay." He said hesitantly.

After a few more hours we decided we should sleep. We both wanted to be awake as long as possible but he knew that wasn't a good idea for me. We both squeezed onto the small twin bed as I rested my head on his chest. I laid there listening to his heart beat as he rubbed circles on my temple with his thumb. God how I missed this. The simple shit we took for granted. I was still so damn sore from the birth but the pain was a far off hum as my eyelids closed. Falling asleep in Negans arms for the first time in what felt like forever.

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Negan stayed awake. Watching Prue sleeping peacefully in his arms. How he longed for this feeling as he laid in the damp dark cell. That was the one thing that kept him going. Knowing Prue was out there. Knowing she'd never forgive him if he did something stupid. Even tho he did. Well he tried.
The babies soft cries changed his trail of thought as he slowly moved from under Prue. Laying her gently on the bed as he walked over to Jenny. He picked her up and started to lightly shhh her. Her little eyes open and looking up at him.
"Hey there sweet pea." Negan spoke. The baby seemed hypnotized as she looked up at her dad. Her eyes still not fully pigmented. He smiled as he gazed into her eyes. He honestly couldn't believe this was happening. He had a kid. Not only that, it was with the woman he loved more then life itself. Slightly rocking side to side to keep the infant quiet he reflected on everything. His whole damn life and what got him to where he was. Carl flashed through his mind. He really did like that kid. He put himself in Ricks shoes for the first time. Imagining Jenny had died. How he'd probably have done worse the Rick has. If any harm came to Jenny he had no idea what he'd do. He had to admit that Rick was a better man in that aspect. Negan looked out the window to see the sun starting to rise. He knew his time was running out. The baby had fallen asleep in his arms.

Rick,who was outside the room, watched. Did this change his thoughts about Negan? Not even in the slightest. He did however start understanding how Prudence had fallen for the man. He was totally different around her then anyone else. It was time for them to leave. He walked into the room and Negan looked over to him,baby in his arms.
"Guessing it's time to go." He said looking down at the baby.
"Yeah. Put her down and hold out your hands." Rick told him. Negan nodded. He placed a kiss on the babies head before laying her down in the basket. He glanced over to Prudence who was fast asleep. "Say goodbye and let's go." Negan signed and walked over to Prudence. He kneeled down and moved her hair from her face. He lightly caressed her face and her eyes opened.
"Hmm?" She said waking up.
"I gotta go now Doll." He spoke softly. Her eyes opened and she sat up.
"I'm not ready. You can't." She said panicked.
"Doll, I have to. You can do this. You're a fucking badass. Okay? You got this shit in the bag." She took in a few breaths and nodded.
"I love you Negan."
"Love you too Prue. And Jenny over there. I'm sure our paths will get to cross again. Sometime." Their lips locked for a moment before Negan forced himself to pull away. He stood up and walked over to Rick who put the cuffs on.
Prudence watched as Negans figure got farther and farther away until he was gone. Before she even had time to grieve Jenny started to cry. Hungry probably. She got up and picked up the baby.
"We got this sweetheart."