My Exception (sequel to No Exceptions)

Twenty One

I'd only been drunk once, I was sixteen and wasn't told the punch was alcoholic. The morning after made me question every life choice I had ever made.

The feeling I had that morning pales in comparison.

I could feel my heartbeat in my head, ice picks sticking in the back of my sockets. Negan's body heat melting me, queasiness exacerbated. I slowly rolled out of bed, the immediate temperature change helping my nausea.

As soon as I stepped out the door, the wind swept me. Unfortunately, while it helped my tummy, it made my head throb. I felt broken in every sense of the word. I knew what I needed to do, but doing it was a different story.

I'd known that Negan was capable of unspeakable cruelty and violence. He'd beaten one of my friends to death with Lucille for christ's sake. But, as his hand collided with my face, I felt defeated.

I knew he loved me, I knew he was sorry for what he did, but could I forgive him for lashing out like that? The choice had to be made not only thinking of me, but my babies as well.

So many impossible choices, compelling arguments for both sides. But my heart ached whenever I thought of a life without my husband in it. A gaping pit settled in my stomach, holding onto the railing for support.

I can't leave him.

But, he can't know that.

He can't do that again.

We needed to communicate, time would heal this slowly. None of this was going to be easy.

Nothing worth having will be handed to you...

"Rackel!"

My pain now thrummed with a new life. Betrayal had a habit of doing that to people. Foolishly, I turned my head away from Rick and thought that he'd leave me alone.

"What are you doing out of bed?" His tone reminded me of Shane's, it was the exact intonation he'd use when I'd been caught out doing something.

This just added fuel to my fire, "why didn't you tell me?" My fury barely contained, grinding teeth together to prevent saying something I'd regret.

When he reached me, Rick leaned in so close that his hot breath steamed my face. He checked me all
over, looking at my head injuries, "how did this really happen? I'll kill him; hell I would've done it already if it wasn't for Skye."

As he attempted to go for the door I grabbed the back of his button down, "dont you dare touch him!" Despite my injured state I squared my shoulders and thrust my finger into his shoulder blade. "He's my husband Rick! I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Carson, I fell and hit my head. The rest is none of your concern."

Eyes sharpened at my evasive response; I could tell he knew. "What are you doing Rackel? Daryl loves you, everything was going great!" He hissed at me, making me flinch, "and you're gonna give that up for someone who beats you? Negan..." his name made his lip curl, the name bitter cud on his tongue. "You're going to give up everything, for Negan?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat, "I love him Rick. He's my husband, and I'm willing to abide by my vows: til death do us part."

Rick stood, leaning on one side, "This is going to kill Daryl. You know that don't you?"

The tears flowed, my blubbering burning my chest. Yet, he continued on his diatribe, "you need to know that there's a wrong choice to make here! If you pick that asshole in there, you are making the WRONG choice. You should've heard how he talked about you to Daryl, like you were fucking livestock!" He snickered at me, "is that what you want Rackel? You want to be Negan's prize mare?"

Truth of the matter, I knew he would've done that, in those exact words. It was completely believable that he'd dangle me in front of Daryl again. Jealousy was a powerful force in my husband, a vile green demon that reared it's ugly head at the slightest hint of insecurity.

I threw my hands up in the air, "what do you want me to say Rick?"

"He wants me to leave princess." His baritone made me shiver, immediately wondering how much he had heard.

Rick cocked his Colt python whilst still in the holster, "I think that'd be best. Can't have a wife beater in my town." He mock bowed, eyes squinted, "you understand?"

Negan sauntered over to Rick, draping his arm over my shoulders. "I'm here to take care of my spouse Rick. In sickness and fuckin' health, isn't that what they say? And I distinctly remember hearing Rackel say that is none of your god damn fucking business! Or am I paraphrasing?"

My husband kissed me on the top of the head and held me tight. I looked up to my brother's best friend, "he's my husband, and wherever he goes, I go." Clenching my jaw I stared him down, "I would really like to stay here for the sake of my children. What's it gonna be?"

Rick growled, "why are you putting this on me?"

"Putting this on you?" I was incredulous, my voice pierced my ears, but I couldn't stop, "YOU kept my husband away from me, FOR A WHOLE MONTH! And now you want to shift this to me?"

Whole body tremors ensued, words not enough to release the pressure building within. "You let Daryl screw me, knowing that my husband was locked up in a dingy cell!" I could feel Negan squirm at the confession.

Not the best way to bring that up.

"So, what's it gonna be?"

Rick pulled out his python, "he's not staying here. But, you need medical care."

Negan broke off from me and stood nose to nose to his aggressor, "well you might as well shoot me now prick. Because there is no fucking way I am leaving her side, unless it's in a casket."

"You've got two days here. Two days before I blow your brains out." Rick snarled, holding his position.

My love clicked his tongue to the roof of his mouth three times before breaking into a Cheshire grin, "well Rick the prick. Until then..."

We walked back into Carson's office, Rick staring daggers at us the whole way before storming off. This was far from over, husband unruly, leader out for blood and ex-lover up in the air.

What the hell now?