My Exception (sequel to No Exceptions)

Twenty

"Negan. Tha, tha..." One, two, three, "that way." My finger raised towards Carson's barrack.

He bolted, Rick left in the dust. "CARSON! CARSON! CARSON! WHERE THE FUCKING FUCKITY FUCK IS MOTHER FUCKING CARSON?"

We were lucky that he was still in his office; he met us at the door, poking and prodding at me whilst Negan made his way to the bed.

"What's going on? What happened to her?" Carson started his exam.

"She fell. Hit her head really hard! Is she alright?" I was thankful he didn't tell them the truth. I couldn't handle them taking him away from me right now.

Carson shone his LED light into my eyes.

Holy shit that hurts!

"Did she lose consciousness?" Carson asked.

Negan paused, "yes."

"She has a grade two concussion. Has she had any other trauma to the head since you've known her?"

My husband's eyes widened, "she tripped and fell back at Sanctuary."

I wasn't completely with it, but I could feel Carson's mannerisms change, arms crossed and trying to space himself between us.

There was no time for this.

"My babies Carthen... please..."

Speak properly damn it!

The gentle doctor turned his attention to me, "okay Rackel, I'm going to do an ultrasound in a minute to see if the babies are fine, take a deep breath."

My grip on my husband's hand tightened; he was going to see these babies. They were going to be ok...

But they might not.
It's a lot of trauma to deal with.
He killed them!
THEY'RE DEAD!

Just the thought knocked the wind from me. I bit down on my tongue hard and tried to wait patiently for Carson to take his time getting the machine ready.

He finally switched the machine on, pressing the wand to my lower abdomen. Two little sacks turned up on the screen.

Baby one.

Ta-tump, ta-tump, ta-tump.

Thank you Jesus.

Baby two.

Carson jostled the wand; it may have only been a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity.

Ta-tump, Ta-tump, Ta-tump.

My two little soldiers marched on! My babies heartbeats thrummed as they stretched out, fluttering their little legs.

Looking over to Negan, I took in the most beautiful sight. My hard ass husband reduced down to a lip trembling, eye watering, smile cracking mess. "That is the most fucking beautiful thing I've ever seen!" He looked over to Carson, "they're alright?"

The doctor raised a brow at him, "you're very fortunate that they are. If this had happened a week or two later it might've been a different story."

Although Negan stood a full foot taller than Carson, the doc leaned over the bed, barely an inch between them, "should I be worried about her Negan? Was this just an accident?"

The air grew stale, both men unwilling to back down. I knew I should be running for the hills after what he had done, but I just couldn't. Too much had happened that night, I wasn't going to add leaving my husband to that mix.

I pushed them apart, my heart rate slowing at the news of my babies wellbeing. "I need tttto, rest. Thththis isn't hhelping." I grabbed Carson's hand, "thank you ssso much. Nnow what?"

My apprehension eased as my speech began to settle.

One less thing.

Carson checked my pupils once again, the pain slightly less than the first time. "Your pupils are responding to light, which is a good sign. Take small sips and I'll check on you in half an hour. If you can speak clearly by then you will need to rest. I'll see what I can rustle up."

I let go of Carson's hand and closed my eyes, sleep sounded amazing. Slumber pulled me under quickly, almost instantaneously.

Negan's calloused hands stroked my cheek, "you can't sleep yet baby, doctor's orders." His touch, I'd forgotten how his fingers felt across my skin. Live-wire over a metal surface, my body reacting to it before he even made contact.

I didn't know where Rick and Skye had gone at that point, but I was so thankful for the peace. As soon as the hour passed and I was able to form a coherent sentence, we settled in for the night.

My flawed husband nestled into me, "I'm sorry baby-"

I jammed my finger across his mouth, "not tonight. Just hold me."