My Exception (sequel to No Exceptions)

Nine

The rest of the day I began to feel progressively better. With pre-natal vitamins and morning sickness medication I almost felt human again. Apparently it was quite common to experience nausea, especially in the case of a twin pregnancy.

As it fully subsided I brushed my teeth and took little sips of water. After that stayed down I nibbled on some crackers. Taking a picnic blanket and sitting under one of the trees beside the heritage style building. I laid down with my head in his lap; Daryl stroking my hair with reverence.

Dr. Carson encouraged me to take up residency at the Hilltop due to the high risk nature of my pregnancy. Daryl had agreed with him, "we'll stay here, it's me job to keep our lil ones safe!"

I relished in the idea temporarily but knew I couldn't be selfish, "but they need us at Alexandria! Rick will be lost without you!"

He held his hand up to quiet me, "ye need me Rackel, that's all that matters right now." He was so protective, so fiercely loyal it drove me a little batty sometimes.

It's also one of the reasons I love him.

He placed his hand on my abdomen as I stroked his cheek. "Let's stay here for a few days and see how we go. We've only just found out and I might settle with this new medication. Let it sink in my love."

I propped myself on my elbows as he leant down for a kiss, warm and tender.  He scooted until his back was leaning against the tree trunk. I hummed Be Not So Fearful, Daryl joining in as we dozed off.

We slept for a few hours; we were left undisturbed as Dr Carson hadn't needed the room. As I dreamt the idea of my babies parentage was pulled to the forefront.

I'm standing in the middle of a dark room all alone. A blinding spotlight illuminates two boys dressed in identical outfits, crystal blue irises and sandy blonde hair sticking in all directions. They're crossing their arms and scrunching their noses at me playfully... Daryl's sons.

Another spotlight on the opposite side of me illuminated two girls dressed in frilly pink outfits, straight jet black hair cropped at the shoulders and rosy cheeks. Their Amber eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief... Negan's daughters.

I paused and looked back and fourth between my babies, unable to choose which way to go. As the seconds of deliberation passed, the further away my babies got from me; drifting further and further apart.

I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them to see Daryl standing next to my sons, Negan next to my daughters. Both were beckoning me to come to them as I froze, crippled with indecision.

Time had run out, both men raised their pistols and aimed them at each other, cocking them.

Pulling the trigger.

I woke up screaming; covered in a sheen of cold sweat. This immediately alerted Daryl who was immediately in protective mode. I crawled up his body and held him tight, needing the confirmation he was OK. He grabbed my chin and looked into my frantic eyes, "ye OK babe?"

"Yes," I lied.

But it wasn't cutting it for him. He gave me an eyebrow beat, causing me to elaborate. "Just had a bad dream, it happens."

He let go of my chin and pulled me in tight, "I got ye."

We held each other until interrupted by a man clearing his voice. I looked over my shoulder and smiled when I saw it was Aaron, holding a plate of sliced up honeydew. "My dear Aaron, you are a perfect human being!"

We laughed as he sat down beside us, holding the plate out to me. I didn't realise how hungry I was until the sweet distinct scent hit my nostrils. I picked up a slice and scoffed it, I'm sure I resembled a pig at a trough, not that I cared. Aaron chuckled, it was good to see the worry wrinkle he had between his brows disappear.

Aaron mock punched me in the arm and smiled, "so twins hey?"

"I guess so." I managed between hearty bites.

Rick immediately joining us, "typical Walsh! You guys never do anything in half measures." Before I could stop myself I snorted, completing the piggy illusion.

"I can't argue with that!" I instinctively caged my not yet existent belly.

Daryl placed his hand over mine and whispered into my ear, "ye gonna be a great Mum."

I rested my head on his chest, "you're going to be a fantastic Daddy!" Rick and Aaron nodded in agreement. I was thankful that the math hadn't sunk in yet; or if it had they were concealing it well.

Aaron chose to stay with us for now, but Rick had to travel back to handle thangs back home; his words not mine. I made him promise not to spill the twin beans as I wanted Daryl and I to do it.

I couldn't wait for Maggie and Glenn to get here, hopefully they were able to bring Skye with them. I wished I could tell her that she potentially had two half siblings on the way, but I'd still felt loyalty to Negan and his wishes.

It was just after sunset before Jesus returned to give us our own temporary room. "I hope you're comfortable here. We owe you guys a lot for leading the battle against Sanctuary; not that I agree with the methods there's no denying the outcome."

I gritted my teeth at the mention of Sanctuary's demise and piped up, "people didn't have to die like that, there was too much bloodshed in this world already!" Jesus was surprised by my passionate response and raised his brows at me, "were you one of the soldiers? I don't recall seeing you beforehand!"

I sighed sombrely, "I was Negan's wife."

"You were one of the wives?" It was obvious that the whole thing confused him.

The mention of his last polygamy flared me right up. "No! I was his ONLY wife. You guys turned up on my wedding day, killing my people. Killing my husband."

I watched him open and close his mouth, floundering with no idea what to say next. A pang of regret hit my chest; it wasn't specifically his fault it all happened. He had enough tact to look embarrassed, "at least you have two precious reminders of him."

I felt Daryl tense behind me so I attempted to veer off the subject. "Has anyone seen the Sanctuary after the fact?"

Jesus nodded at me, "they're slowly rebuilding; Dwight came a couple of weeks ago with an olive branch. Letting us know that they no longer bared us I'll will."

Did he say Dwight?

"Dwight's the new leader?"

Jesus nodded again, "I believe so; from why I could tell at least."

I hoped that he would be just and fair, running Sanctuary the way Sherry would've wanted. Daryl growled behind me; no love lost between them for multiple reasons.

My love grumbled, "shoulda killed 'im when I had the chance!"

I squeezed his hand, "I'm glad you didn't; it makes you the strongest man I've ever known!"

I need to give Dwight my condolences.

I addressed Jesus, "I'll have to go visit him at some point."

Daryl's nose flared, agitation rising within him, "like hell ye will!"

I scoffed at him but didn't pursue it for now; we were making it incredibly uncomfortable for Jesus. I knew we weren't going to get anywhere right then anyway.

"Thank you for the new room! I'm sure there's somewhere else you've got to be, and we don't want to hold you up!"

He let out a sigh of relief, "I'll see you guys tomorrow OK?" I smiled at him as he left.

Daryl whispered a warning into ear, "Don' think we ain't gonna talk about Dwight."