My Exception (sequel to No Exceptions)

Seventeen

My lover's light snores filled the air; a picture of contentment. I snuggled into him and just watched his chest rise and fall, the consistent movement aiding me in finding my own slumber.

Knock, knock.

Tilting my head toward the door I wondered if I'd just imagined it. After a minute of silence, I buried myself back into his side, the warmth radiating off him exquisite.

Knock, knock.

The repetition finally roused me, the drowsiness dissipated. I gently separated myself from Daryl, wrapped myself in my gown and answered the door.

Skye stood there arms crossed, stance meek. She was casually dressed in jeans and a black hoodie. The black haired beauty peeked around me towards Daryl, "Rackel? Can we talk?"

I raised my brow at her speculatively, pulling at my satin sash, "care to tell me what's going on sweetie?"

All that I got out of her was a waving gesture, urging me to follow her. I held my hand up to her, "just wait for me to get dressed. I'll be out in a minute."

As I took a breath, I considering my options. It was obvious that Daryl wanted me to wait, that he wanted to tell me himself. But, I couldn't help but feel a tether pulling me in another direction; I couldn't explain it but I knew I needed to go with Skye.

I gave my sleeping prince a kiss on the forehead, got dressed, picked up Daryl's pack and headed out into the night.

"So what's going on Skye?" I needed to know, even though I was afraid of the answer.

It was weird seeing my bubbly young woman so strung out. All her gestures jerked, eyeballs flicking from point to point. Something major was weighing on her mind, but she wouldn't ease.

"We need to get to Alexandria," she rapidly  tapped her thigh, her fidgeting not aiding in my high strung condition.

But I had to trust her, she wouldn't be withholding something this big without good cause.

The cold air gave me goose pimples, heightening my senses. The sound of crickets screeched at me, nature's warning against my task. I stopped and cupped my hands over my ears, focusing on my current goal.

After a moment my audible senses settled, dropping down to a dull drone. Releasing my ears I knelt and threw the bag off my shoulders. I shoved my hand into the front pocket and pulled out the keys to the van.

He's always so prepared.

Luckily the van was parked almost directly in front of the gate. If someone happened to hear the loud Diesel engine roar to life it would be too late to stop us. Glenn must've been in on it, opening the gate as soon as I powered the vehicle up. The lack of immediate reaction my only solace.

The car ride was full of unanswered questions, opened mouths with no follow through. I couldn't come up with any idea of what could be the matter. Daryl had come back to me, and Dwight was being cared for.

Except that he might not be...

"Is this about Dwight?" I swallowed the lump in my throat, "is he alright?"

The silence that followed was agonising.

My driving was the only thing preventing me from falling apart.

Focus on the road Rackel! Just focus on the road.

When we made it to Alexandria we were let in by father Gabriel. A nod the only interaction shared, another oddity blaring at me. The queasiness increasing every moment.

I was so dazed I don't remember how I got to the holding room. Skye jostled my shoulder, snapping me back to the current moment. "I'm sorry, what?"

"He's in there," she continued a conversation I hadn't absorbed.

I shook my head, "what's going on Skye? I'm so stressed I'm nauseous!"

She flicked her jet black hair out of her eyes, her dark blue irises shimmered with a glimmer I couldn't place. "You're just going to have to trust me!" Her slender fingers brushed the door, "I'll be right out here if you need me." Skye picked up the car keys and sorted through them until she found the right one. She placed it in the lock and turned it to the left.

Hesitation made me falter; what if the Dwight in there was twisted beyond recognition. What if he couldn't be helped?

He's your friend. He needs you right now.

The doorknob squeaked as I rotated it, the door creaked open.

It can't be...

There was a tall willowy man with salt and pepper hair, right where I thought Dwight would've been.

And those eyes...

Those fiery Amber eyes that haunted my dreams focused on me, his mouth curving into that signature smile.

"Hello princess."

I rubbed at my face, expecting the mirage to evaporate in front of me. I stumbled over my own feet, slowly making my way to the apparition.

My heart skipped a beat as my palm touched stubbled flesh. I ran my hands over his visage like a blind person reading braille, ensuring every groove, every inch was the face of the man I'd married.

Although it was slightly sunken, there was no denying who he was. The impossible had come to fruition.

My Negan had come back to me.

I bowled him over, latching on to him with every fibre in my body. My first response was laughter, belly shaking, shoulder heaving laughter. These things don't happen.

Negan joined in after sitting up, his hands grasping at my thighs. "Jesus H Christ baby! You've bulked up; you nearly knocked my entire block off with that tackle! What are they putting in your oatmeal at the Hilltop?"

Any other time I would've been offended, but it dawned on me.

I placed my hands on my pot belly, making circles around them, "well I am eating for three you know."

His eyes lowered to my little Buddha belly. It was one of the rare occasions of unadulterated emotion for him. Eyes glistened and hands trembled, placing them on me, reverence prevalent in the gesture.

"Are you serious?" My husband's voice squeaked.

I nodded, tears shared for the moment I wished that could've been had in different circumstances. But, there was no need to tarnish such things with hindsight.

My yin found his rightful place entwined with me, picking a curl and twirling his finger around it like a telephone cord. In that moment everything was forsaken for him, there was nowhere else I'd want to be.