It had been a week and a half since the incident with Negan. The community was mourning the loss of two of their strongest members.
Currently, Amanda was laying in bed besides Rick. Amanda was half asleep, shifting around in bed. She opened her eyes as she felt Rick wrap his arms around her body, pulling her close. Amanda had lost the baby due to a plethora of issues - mainly due to stress from Negan.
Their relationship was strained due to Amanda having overwhelming guilt.
"Good morning." Rick said softly as he kissed the top of her head, "I guess afternoon." He corrected, looking at his watch
"Hi." Amanda said quietly as she turned her back to Rick, closing her eyes again as she hugged her pillow.
Rick sighed softly as he kissed her shoulder, "What's on your agenda for today?" He asked softly
"Stay in bed and rot." Amanda mumbled into the pillow
Rick laughed softly as he placed soft kisses on her body, "Amanda, c'mon." He said softly as he stood up, grabbing her hand and helping her stand, "I'm gonna go patrol the gate for a while, why don't you go spend some time with Judith?" Rick asked softly as he stroked her hair back, kissing her forehead.
Amanda nodded as she looked up at him with sad eyes, "okay." she said, giving him a small smile, standing up. She stretched before she walked into the bathroom to get ready for the day. She smiled softly seeing Rick had left a note on their dresser that said 'Have a great day, I love you!'
Amanda pinned the note to the wall before she walked downstairs. She strapped Judith to her body and began cleaning the house quietly. After about 45 minutes, Amanda heard commotion outside. She sighed softly as she looked out the window seeing Negans men outside. She chewed her lip as she chose to ignore them. She hummed softly as she began making cinnamon apple bread.
Rick walked up to the house, "smells good." he said as he stepped inside, kissing Amanda, "Negans on his way over." He said quietly
"Okay." Amanda mumbled as she nodded, boiling some pasta. She mashed up some tomatoes for a sauce and placed it to cook on the stove. She sighed quietly as Negan walked inside
"Mandy, Mandy, Sweet like Candy!" Negan sang, stepping inside the home, "You have a lovely home, Ms. Amanda. It smells phenomenal in here!" He shouted
"You hungry?" Amanda asked Negan, draining the pasta. She served him a plate of spaghetti, passing it over to him
"I don't trust you, Ms. Amanda!" Negan laughed as he stared down at the plate
Amanda nodded, "fair enough." She said, taking the plate back and taking a forkful. She chewed quietly as she wiped off the fork, handing it back to Negan, "I've got apple cinnamon bread in the oven." She said as she wiped her mouth
"You are such a gracious host! Rick! What a lovely wife!" Negan grinned as he played with his fork, "Amanda, you've picked up fairly quickly the new routine of things. What a smart girl." Negan said
"Things could be worse." Amanda said honestly as she sat Judith down in her highchair, "They're not good, by any means. But, it could be worse." she said, serving Judith some spaghetti
"If you have any suggestions on how I could make things worse, let me know!" Negan grinned, "What's worse than killing two of your men?" Negan asked
"Cutting Carls arm off." Amanda admitted
"You see? I'm cooperative, Amanda." Negan said as he finally took a bite of his food, "Mmm, Rick, you gotta try some!" Negan yelled
"Not hungry." Rick said, clenching his jaw as he glanced over at Amanda
Amanda washed the dishes quietly, looking up as men walked inside the house, "Hey, Negan? Can I just request that they don't take too much of Judith's formula or diapers?" She asked
"Mmm... Let me think about it." Negan said as he wiped his mouth, looking over at Judith.
Amanda pulled the bread out of the oven and watched Negan nervously as she cut a slice, serving it to him.
"Which room is hers?" Negan asked Amanda
"Second door on the left. Right by the stairwell." Amanda said
"Alright. Nobody goes in that room! You understand? You see baby shit, you leave it!" Negan shouted, nodding at Amanda.
"Thank you." Amanda said, looking up as a man came out of hers and Ricks bedroom. She chewed on her lip as she saw the man holding up a pair of black laced panties, "Nice." Amanda said as she inhaled deeply
"Not many women in our camp." Negan said, looking at the man holding her underwear, "Amanda, how would you like to become a Savior?" He asked, "I need a strong woman in my corner. Cooking my meals, killing my walkers."Negan said as he grinned over at Rick
"I thought I already was a Savior? Isn't that what you said? I work for you, I'm a part of you." Amanda said, telling Negan whatever he wanted to hear, in hopes that he wouldn't be too aggressive and kill anyone else.
"Mmmm, mmm, mmm. Rick, I see why you married her! Smart! Smart!" Negan laughed as he looked at Amanda in amusement, "We have ample supplies for you. What did you do before this?"
"I was in the Army then I became a nurse." Amanda said as she wiped Judith's mouth for her.
"Amazing. We have an army and we have a medical team. I mean - you can be both if you want! Or neither." Negan said, "Whatever you wanna be, you can be!"
"I'm comfortable here, thank you for the offer." Amanda said, smiling at Negan. Amanda had her hands placed to her side, gripping the blade of the knife she had used to cut to bread. She had blood trickling down her hands, but she didn't seem to care. She was too preoccupied with keeping Negan distracted so he didn't destroy the rest of the community.
Rick heard soft drips and he glanced over, seeing Amanda's hand was bleeding. Very calmly, he walked over and took the knife from her hand, placing it in the sink, "Why don't you go wash up?" He said, kissing the top of her head as he handed her a towel
"Thank you." Amanda said as she gave Negan a polite nod before walking upstairs. She walked into the bathroom and washed her hands off gently, exhaling softly. She looked up as a man walked in, looking around the bathroom.
"I like your necklace." Dwight said as he reached over, touching Amanda's neck
Amanda tilted her head away, closing her eyes, shivering under his touch
"What's wrong, huh?" Dwight asked
"Your face is repulsive." Amanda said, avoiding his look
Dwight leaned in, "Your people did this to me." He snarled in her ear
"Was it not deserved?" Amanda asked
"Everything alright?" Rick asked, stepping inside the bedroom. He clenched his jaw, looking at Dwight. He bounced Judith on his hip, his eyes darting between Dwight and Amanda
"I was just telling your wife that I think her necklace is so pretty." Dwight said, "She was very ungrateful with her response."
Amanda backed away from Dwight, looking at him with disgust as she walked towards Rick. She took Judith, putting her in the sling. She carried her downstairs, rubbing her back as she walked outside. She sat on the porch, watching as men carried mattresses towards their vans.
"Beautiful sight, isn't it?" Negan sighed as he walked up to Amanda, "Working together for a common cause!"
"Mmhmm." Amanda nodded, looking up at Negan, forcing a smile. She jerked up when she heard a gunshot. Amanda held Judith close to her body as she ran down towards the infirmary, "Carl, put the gun down." Amanda begged
Rick ran inside after Amanda, standing in front of her to protect her and judith, "Carl, please."
"No, dad, they're taking all of our medicine! They said half!" Carl said as he kept the gun pointed
"I decide what half is. If they want to take all the medicine, so be it." Negan said, looking at Rick, "This little hormonal outburst reminded me of something! Rick, you have a shit ton of guns." He said, "yours and ours... show me." Negan said, walking behind Olivia to the armory. Negan looked around before looking at the log book that Olivia kept, "Two guns are missing. A beretta and a .22 glock." He said, turning his attention over to Rick
"Not all our people are here." Rick said
"You better find it. In the mean time, Amanda! Let's take a stroll. Me, you and Judith. Rick? You have one hour before I kill Olivia. Find my guns." Negan snarled, placing his hand on the small of Amanda's back and walking outside with her, "Can I hold her?" Negan grinned, looking at Amanda, "She is just... darling!"
Amanda inhaled deeply as she nodded, carefully handing Judith over, "She's sleepy right now, so she might be a little fussy." She said, looking surprised when Judith rested her head on Negans chest, "Maybe she senses that there's some good in you." She said hopefully
"She needs a strong man, Amanda. Someone to teach her right from wrong. Your people are weak, I mean, look at Olivia! You don't see the irony in having a fat woman keep track of rations?" Negan asked
Amanda laughed softly as she shook her head, "That's not funny, Negan." She said, "But I can't be angry at you." She admitted, "We killed your people, you killed ours. I don't necessarily agree with the whole head bashing and looting but, I can't discredit you." She said, taking Judith from his arms, "But, I think you underestimate us. We'll play along but at the end of the day, we're gonna kill you."
Negan growled at Amanda, "I'm so turned on right now." he admitted
Amanda rolled her eyes, "Alright, Negan." She said, bouncing Judith on her hip before walking inside the house. She sat down on the stairs, sighing softly. She watched as the men began to get in their trucks and leave Alexandria.
Rick walked inside the house, his eyes glossy with tears. He avoided Amanda's gaze as he tried to step past her
"Come her." Amanda said, standing up. She opened her arms, embracing him in a warm hug. She laughed as Judith began playing with Ricks hair, "She loves you. We love you."
"I'm failing everyone." Rick said softly
"You are not, Rick. You're keeping us alive. You're bargaining. I'd rather give away half my stuff for eternity than watch everyone I love die." Amanda said, kissing his head
"I can't stop thinking about Shane." Rick admitted softly, "I always wonder what he would do... How he would handle this situation. I-I feel like he was right when he said I'm not meant for this."
"You're keeping his daughter alive, Rick. You're keeping everyone alive." Amanda said calmly
Rick nodded, "yeah, i guess." he said, "I'm gonna go upstairs and lay out some sleeping bags. They took the beds." He sighed, walking upstairs
Amanda walked into Judith's room, sighing softly as she laid Judith down in her crib for a nap.
~*~
That afternoon, Amanda and Rick left Judith with Olivia and went on separate runs. Rick went out with Aaron and Amanda left with Heath. Amanda was gone for one day before she returned home, a car full of supplies. Amanda walked inside the house, sighing as she saw the home was empty. She walked upstairs and took a quick shower before coming downstairs to cook dinner, in case Rick and Carl came back. Amanda was wearing black yoga pants and a black cropped top, revealing her abdomen.
Amanda was peeling potatoes when Negan walked in, escorting Carl. She dropped her knife, rushing over, "What's going on?" She asked worriedly, pulling Carl into her body. She cupped his cheeks, examining his face, not seeming to be bothered by the fact he didn't have a bandage over his eye, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Amanda." Carl mumbled, looking away from her
"Where's Rick?" Negan asked Amanda
"I think he's..." Amanda said but rolled her eyes as Negan cut her off
"Dooooon't care. Where's Rick?" Negan asked
"On a supply run." Amanda said, "Why do you have Carl?" She asked
"Your pal climbed into the back of one of our trucks and gunned down some of my men." Negan said, "Smells good, what're you cooking?" He asked
"I found a turkey on our run, I cleaned it up and I'm cooking it. I'm making some mashed potatoes too." Amanda said
"From scratch?" Negan asked, looking into the kitchen, "I came at the right time!" He grinned, "Mind if i go wash up?" He asked, walking upstairs without another word.
"Carl, what's the matter with you?" Amanda scolded
"Something needed to be done. You're buddy buddy with Negan and my dads too afraid. Two people died! Two! Beaten to death in front of us." Carl shouted
"Carl, nobody is friends with Negan. Have you ever heard the quote 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer'? I do this so I can monitor him." Amanda said, walking back to the kitchen and continued cooking.
"Where's Judith?" Carl asked
"She's with Olivia." Amanda said, washing her hands off, "I just hope Rick comes home tonight." Amanda said, making some lemonade
"Mandy, Mandy! Sweet like Candy!" Negan shouted, walking down the stairs, "Carl, Carl, hair long like a girl!" Negan sang, "Smells so delicious down here! I might have to get me a vacation home down here! Hot water and AC? Plus, a home cooked meal for me?" He said, sitting down at the table
Amanda inhaled deeply as she carved the turkey, putting some on a plate along with some mash potatoes and a home made biscuit. She served Negan before serving Carl. She inhaled deeply as she looked out the window
"Mandy, come sit, eat." Negan said
"I'm not very hungry." Amanda said
"Sit!" Negan shouted, pulling the seat out besides him
Amanda inhaled deeply as she sat besides Negan, serving herself a small plate. She watched as Negan and Carl ate, bouncing her knee nervously
"This is nice." Negan said, "us, together, as a family." He grinned, "Amanda, if you come be my wife, you could have more people help you with chores. And we have orgys all the time."
Amanda scratched her arms, looking up as Spencer walked up the porch steps, "Oh, jesus christ." She said in annoyance, sighing as he rang the doorbell, "I don't think he's here for me. Negan? Why don't you chat with Spencer while I clean up."
"God, you're so sexy when you boss me around." Negan sighed, wiping his mouth, "I'll be back, holler if you need me." Negan grinned, walking outside, "Who the hell are you?" Negan asked Spencer
"I'm Spencer Monroe. Hi." He said, matter of factly, "I brought a house warming gift." Spencer smiled, showing Negan a bottle of whisky
"I LOVE it here!" Negan said, sitting down on the rocking chair, "Amanda!" Negan shouted
"Yeah?" Amanda asked, jogging outside
"Bring us two glasses. With a little ice. Make it quick." Negan said
Amanda inhaled deeply as she walked inside, grabbing two short glasses. She placed two ice cubes in each cup before walking back outside. She placed the glasses down on the side table before she walked back inside.
"Thank you, baby!" Negan shouted at Amanda, smiling as he poured himself and spencer a glass
"You know, my mother use to run Alexandria?" Spencer said
"What happened to her?" Negan asked
"She died.. Not long after Rick arrived. Same with my brother and dad." Spencer said
"So, Rick shows up and suddenly you're an orphan? How SAD!" Negan sighed dramatically, "I love it here. I wish I was playing pool, though. That's all that's missing."
"The house across the street has a pool table in the garage." Spencer said
"It's too nice to be cooped up in the garage." Negan sighed
"We can bring it outside. Carl! Come help me." Spencer said, walking towards the garage of the house across the street. Together, Carl and Spencer dragged the polo table.
"Beautiful! Beautiful!" Negan said, walking over, "Let's play!" He grinned, shooing Carl away
"So, Negan, I've been wanting to talk to you.. My mother use to run this community, she has history in congress.. She was a great leader.. I think I have the potential to be just as good." Spencer said, "Maybe even better."
"So.. What do you want from me?" Negan asked
"I want you to help me run Alexandria. At some point, Rick is gonna try and kill you. But not me. I can provide for you." Spencer said
"But, Rick is our scavenging for me right now, as we speak. What are you doing? Standing here? Complaining? Wanting me to do the dirty work for you?" Negan asked, "Or do you not have the guts?" He asked, his knife landing in the center of Spencer stomach. He dragged his blade across, making a horizontal line through his stomach, "My apologies, you DO have guts! How embarrassing." Negan said, watching as Spencer hit the floor
Amanda pulled Carl into her embrace, watching as Olivia ran to the front steps of the Grimes home, "Hey." Amanda said soothingly
"I just put Judith down for a nap. She's in her room." Olivia said nervously
"Thank you." Amanda said, jumping when she heard a gunshot. Her eyes went wide as she looked at Rosita. Amanda pulled Carl closer to her body, almost to shield him, as she stroked his hair, "It's okay." Amanda said quietly, lost in her own world with Carl for a moment. She snapped back to reality hearing another gunshot along with a loud thump. Amanda looked down, gasping when she saw Olivia on the floor, a bullet hole in her head, "Oh, no." Amanda said worriedly as she pulled Carl away from the body.
"Who made this bullet? Tell me now or Arat will kill another person!" Negan screamed.
Amanda looked around, exhaling deeply, "It was me! I made it." She lied, pushing away from Carl. She walked down the porch steps, "I made it."
"No, you didn't." Negan said firmly
"I did." Tara said
"Warmer, but not quite there." Negan said, "Arat!" He shouted
Arat quickly grabbed Rosita, pinning her to the ground. She made a small incision on Rositas cheek, "Who made the bullet?" She hissed
"It was me!" Eugene cried out, closing his eyes
"There we go!" Negan said, looking up as Rick ran over, "Rick!" He shouted
Amanda ran over to Rick, pulling him into her arms, "I'm so glad you're back." She said fearfully
"Hey, hey.." Rick said soothingly as he rubbed her back, "What're you doing back, Negan?" He asked
"You sound so ungrateful! Here I am, returning your son, who hopped onto a truck and killed two of my men! Then, I killed this guy who wanted me to take YOU out and finally, Lucille was shot!" Negan screamed, "So, I will be relieving you of your bullet maker. Thank you, Rick. We will be in contact soon." He said, "Amanda, thank you for being a gracious host." He said, "Think about my offer." He said, walking to his truck
"What offer?" Rick asked
"Nothing." Amanda promised, kissing Rick softly, "Let's talk later." She whispered softly, rubbing his back, leading him to the house
"Okay." Rick said, walking inside the house with Amanda. He exhaled deeply as he paused seeing Spencer, laying on the ground.
Amanda sighed softly as she took her knife, stabbing Spencer in the head gently. She laid his body back down, nodding at some of the members in the community who were preparing to take his corpse. She walked inside the house, wiping her eyes sadly, "We can't keep living like this."
"What else can we do?" Rick asked
"We can fight. Us and the Hilltop. Jesus said he trades with other communities. Maybe we can all band together and fight." Amanda begged
Rick nodded, looking at Amanda with soft eyes, "Okay, we'll go to Hilltop tomorrow." Rick said quietly, walking over and kissing Amanda's head softly, "we'll fight."
—-
ugh sorry it took me so long to push out this chapter. my daughter had her 2nd birthday and my family came down to see her. it was like pulling teeth tbh