Chapter Three: Pregnancy & Papercuts.

It was raining still. Harder than before, from what she could tell. Every now and then, the outside world would flash brightly; claiming it's territory and keeping them bound on the inside. Keeping them in their rightful place. She wasn't much of a storm fan, but then again; not many people were. The strikes of lightning always reminded her of just how weak she truly was.

As every thunderous roar echoed, she jumped. She kept telling herself; get a grip, it's just a storm. She tried to convince herself that she was safe here, but who was she kidding? This was a mental institution, full of mentally insane beings seemed too dangerous to be out in society. Murderers lurked in the same room as she did. Granted, they were mainly all heavily medicated, and the only one who probably could ever make a move without someone realizing too quickly, was the chronic masterbater, and well... His attention was always somewhere else.

Carolyn gave another sigh, her eyes pitching across to the spot where the doctor was; watching them set up the screen for the movie. She calmed a little at the sight of him, and her lips involuntarily moved into a doubted she could ever repay the doctor for all he had done for her so far. He had already began to pinpoint things that could be the origin of this fascination, which in turn meant she could somehow be... fixed. She had all the hope in the world, all thanks to him.

"What are you smiling about?" A voice muttered, which stole her attention from the working doctor. Carolyn's eyes fell onto the messy red haired reporter, her skin pale and tight looking on her bones. There seemed to be a grey look about it, but Carolyn chose to ignore it. How the others were doing with their health, Carolyn didn't care.

"Just watching doctor Thredson." She mused, giving a small shrug of her shoulders.

"Bloody Face's psychiatrist?" The girl then went on to ask.

How much Carolyn wanted to speak 'and mine' was too much to describe. She managed to refrain the urge, and merely nodded with a smile.

"He's nice... Not like the others, especially the doctors." One in particular; Dr. Arden. Carolyn almost shuddered at the mere thought of his name.

Lana gave a small smile in return, and nodded her head. She didn't say anything more, just sat in Carolyn's company for a number of minutes; finishing off her cigarette before leaving. Carolyn paid no attention to where she went. Her eyes were firmly on Kit Walker talking to the French maiden she had once considered a friend. If she had of watched Lana, she would have seen her approach the doctor. She would have seen them talk, and then seen him walk out. She may have also seen the small look he gave in her direction. And might have even seen the barely there, but unmissable smile he gave just by looking at her.

—xXx—

Oliver stared at the steering wheel, his lips pressed into a thin line while his eyes tracked over the file in front of him. It had taken severe research on his behalf, but after a mere hour; and a hell of a lot of patience, he had found a hit.

Mr. Samuel Valentine.

21A Avon Street.

Somerville, MA.

Sure enough, it was only five miles away; and it shouldn't have taken so long to find him due to their names. But that was exactly why it took Oliver so long to find him. His name wasn't Valentine, at least... Not anymore. Now, he was known as Mr. Samuel Edgeworth. A respected store owner, and loving husband to a Mrs. Irene Edgeworth. Oliver presumed that he had taken her name, rather than she taking his. He could only wonder why...

Oliver pursed his lips, and flicked the page of the file he had printed off in a quick haste. The ink was still drying, and bits were smudged at the top from where he was hurrying.

On this sheet of paper, was Carolyn's birth certificate, along with other medical notes from the day she was born. This was the first thing he had looked for when researching for her father. Once he had found that, he had searched everywhere for Mr Valentine.

Carolyn Annabeth Valentine.

9.9 oz (280 g) - 26 weeks.

8:14 pm, Saturday July 19th, 1941.

Father: Samuel Russell Valentine.

Mother: Evelyn Beatrice Valentine.

Premature birth of child, caused by increased heart rate by mother. Induced at 7:30pm at request of mother. Momentary relapse of mothers heart; risk of failure. Father present for birth.

Oliver flipped the page.

Evelyn Beatrice Valentine.

T.O.D: 5:00pm, Wednesday September 21st, 1949.

C.O.D: Heart failure.

A.O.D: 28 years old.

Lifelong heart problems as a child. Diagnosed at age 13 with severe high blood pressure. Final stage of heart failure: Chronic heart failure. Patient was admitted with a cough, rapid weight loss and lack of appetite. Two weeks of treatment given. Shortly after family visited, on 09/21/1949 patient was found dead in her room. Heart ultimately stopped due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Patient passed in her sleep.

Flicking the page over, Oliver read over the final piece of the puzzle once more. Making sure he had the right man.

Marriage certificate of

Mr. Samuel Edgeworth (nee Valentine) & Miss. Irene Edgeworth

Married by Vicar Daniel Harper at Somerville central Church at 2.00pm, Tuesday 9th June, 1953.

Signed:

Vicar: .

Husband: Samuel Valentine.

Wife: Irene Edgeworth.

Witness: Earl Edgeworth

Witness: Vanessa Edgeworth.

Final signature:

Mr Samuel Edgeworth

Mrs Irene Edgeworth.

Oliver's eyes moved from the file towards the standard All American home on Avon Street from his vehicle. The house was warm looking, and welcoming. Flowers lined the porch of the home, and a small american flag blew in the wind. It was white, with sky blue shutters on the windows, and two benches either side of the front door. From his car, Oliver could see shadows prancing about inside. Slowly, Oliver opened the car door and locked it behind him.

Walking the short distance from his vehicle to the front door didn't take long, and soon he found himself face to face with the white shutter door. Pulling it open, he let his hand rattle against the wood before stepping back; allowing the shutter to close once more.

Holding the file protectively under his arm, Oliver waited patiently. He'd be lying if he were to say his heart wasn't beating twice as quickly by now. He'd also be lying if he said his hands weren't sweating just a little.

From the inside, Oliver could hear voices questioning who could be at the door, then light laughter as a sarcastic reply was given. The door was pulled open, and Oliver's eyes met a frail looking woman, probably in her late thirties, early forties. Her hair was curled, and blode. He couldn't help but compare her to the Marilyn Monroe style. She wore a loosely flowing floral dress, and her lips were bright red; curved into friendly smile. Overall, she was a picture perfect looking mother type.

"Can I help you?" She asked, her plucked eyebrow kinking skyward.

"Hello, sorry to intrude... I'm doctor Oliver Tredson. Is Samuel Edgeworth available?"

The woman looked over her shoulder, and then turned back to the doctor.

"Is it important?"

"Very." Oliver replied without hesitation.

She nodded again, and pulled the door open more, moving forward and pushing the shutter open. "Come in, he's in the main room."

Oliver bowed his head, and took a step over the threshold into the home. It was warm inside, and smelt like cookies and freshly cut grass. The woman closed the door behind him, and happily lead him throw the small hallway and into the main room.

"Samuel, you have a visitor. Says' it's important!" She called, taking a step back to allow the doctor to head in first. He did, and she followed.

Oliver's eyes lingered on the many paintings, and pictures scattered across the walls. Pictures of a male, and the woman who answered the door happily cuddled up, grinning like two lovebirds. Then his eyes fell onto a male, sitting on a cream leather chair; a newspaper on his knee, and a pipe in his mouth.

"This is doctor Tredson, was it?" The woman asked, to which Oliver replied.

"Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?"

Oliver cleared his throat and smiled. "A coffee would be appreciated, thank you."

"Coming right up! Make yourself at home, doctor." She chimed, patting his shoulder and then heading off to where Oliver could no longer see her. He was left alone with the male sitting before him, giving him a skeptical, wary look. Oliver shifted under his gaze, and gave the most professional smile he could muster. He couldn't help but think this is what it must feel like for boys asking the father permission of a maiden for their hand in marriage.

"Doctor, eh?" Samuel asked, folding his newspaper up and putting it onto the dark coffee table in front of him. Oliver nodded, moving forward and holding out his hand. Samuel merely looked at it, then eventually took it; giving it a firm shake.

"Did I miss another check up?" He then queried, humor thick in his voice.

"No," Oliver paused. "It's nothing to do with your health..."

Samuel grunted, and moved back to relax in his chair. "Take a seat, boy."

Oliver awkwardly moved to rest on the matching sofa, which was covered by a handmade cover; many colors consisted within this thing. Reds, greens, golds. It was surprisingly soft, considering it had looked firm and uncomfortable.

Shifting the file onto his lap, Oliver adjusted his glasses and looked up as the woman returned. Handing him a cup of boiling warm coffee on a saucer, where two lumps of sugar rested, and a spoon.

He gave a polite thank you, took a small sip and then rested it onto the table. The woman moved to take a seat on the arm of Samuel's chair.

"What brings you here?" She asked, her head tilting to the side in curiosity. "If it's about his health, I've been making sure he's been taking his meds. Every time I tell him he needs to go for a check up, it's always the same ole' 'no, no. I'm fine, woman. Now go make me food." She gave a laugh, while Samuel rolled his eyes.

"Irene, quieten down."

She laughed again, giving a small fluff of her hair. "See? He wasn't this stubborn when I met and married him, but what a stubborn 43 year old he is now, I tell you that!"

Oliver chuckled along, though it was all in vain. This was the new wife, and this was indeed the man he was looking for.

"I'm actually here on behalf of Carolyn."

The woman's eyebrows knitted together in confusion, while Samuel's face paled. Realization fell over his face, and he seemed to become almost instantly uncomfortable in this doctors presence. As if he had just met his maker. Oliver took great pride in this, for this man should be ashamed of what he had done to his offspring.

"Who's Carolyn? We don't know any Carolyn, do we Samuel?" Irene went on to ask, her eyes turning to look at her husband.

Samuel gave nothing away. "Irene, go make us some snacks in the kitchen. Give me and the doctor a minute."

She seemed like she wanted to protest, but eventually obliged and exited the room. The doctor gave a polite smile as she passed, and then returned his eyes onto the fleeing father of his patient. Once Samuel was sure she was out of hearing range, he spoke.

"Is she dead?"

Oliver couldn't help but frown.

"No. She's well in health wise."

He seemed to relax a little. "She was always good at keepin' her health that one."

"So it seems. So, you are infact Samuel Valentine?"

"I was." He corrected. "Edgeworth now."

Oliver nodded, shifting a little closer on the sofa.

"Carolyn is my patient at Briarcliff, Mr Edgeworth. She's been admitted on the terms of being insane..."

Samuel sighed, and leant back in his chair. His eyes drifted off to look at the ceiling. At this angle, Oliver could point out some similarities he shared with Carolyn. The defined cheekbones, especially. Everything else, she must have gotten from her late mother.

"Am I the reason to her insanity?" Samuel then asked after several more moments of silence.

"I believe you may be one of the factors." Oliver replied.

He sighed yet again, and moved a hand to ruffle his hair.

"Never meant any harm to that kid. Hell, she's all I think about before I go to sleep." Samuel muttered, looking the doctor dead in the face. "Find myself wonderin' what she'd look like. Me or Evelyn."

Oliver moved the file onto the table, and pushed it towards him. Samuel glanced at it, then looked back to the doctor; where Oliver nodded for him to look. Cautiously, Samuel took the file and opened it up. There he was met with the mugshot of his daughter. His breath seemed to hitch within his throat.

"She's the spittin' image of her mom."

As Oliver predicted. He couldn't help but give a sympathetic smile; though that didn't excuse the reason as to why he was here.

"I think if you were to visit Carolyn, it would benefit her recovery greatly." Oliver then said as Samuel looked over the photo.

Instantly, Samuel looked up and shook his head. "Oh no, I can't do that."

"Why?" Oliver protested, finding his own fury seeming to grow at his decline. How could a father refuse a haven to helping his daughter recover?

"You don't understand. When her mother died, it killed me. Seein' her face every morning, roaming around trying to be happy and hugging up to me... Have you got a wife, doctor?" Samuel then asked, his eyes telling the tale of his past sorrow.

"No."

Oliver hadn't taken much thought into ever getting married. There was really only one sort of love he longed for, and it wasn't the love of a wife.

"Then you can't understand just how much it is to lose someone you'd give everything up for. When I left Carolyn-"

"Abandoned," Oliver interrupted, his voice strong and dominating.

"I didn't mean any harm to her. I figured she'd notice I was gone, all my things were gone and then go next door to tell the neighbours!"

"But she didn't." Oliver snapped, taking the file that Samuel had put back onto the table. He flicked the pages and then pointed to black text. "She was found in the apartment, barely alive. In dirty clothes, in the freezing cold, and she was slowly starving. If it wasn't for her school noticing she was no longer attending, they might not have found her alive at all. If you do not owe her a small hour visit for this, then perhaps about the years of torment in an orphanage, or forever hoping that her father might one day decide to be a man and come back."

Samuel seemed to stunned into a silence while Oliver composed himself. He was looking down, as he should be. He should be feeling guilt. He should feel like a failure. He was the lowest of low in Oliver's books.

"I can't go see her." Samuel spoke, finally.

"And why not?"

The front door opened, catching both males attention. In ran a small girl, her hair as blonde as the sunlight, and smile just as bright. She was dressed in a light blue dress, with frilled socks and white pumps. On her back was a large pink bag. It almost looked as though she was about to keel over by it's weight. She couldn't be anything more than five.

"Daddy!" She squealed, running over to Samuel.

"Hello princess." He greeted, pulling her up onto his knee. He placed a gentle kiss onto her head. "Fun at school?"

"Yeah! I made a painting of an elephant. Peter says it looks like poop."

Samuel gave a small chuckle, and held her even tighter. "Peter's just jealous of your skills, darling. Where is he?"

"He was racing me home; but I think he gave up." The little girls eyes turned to the strange man sitting on the sofa. Her head tilted. "Who's he?"

"This is doctor..." It dawned on Samuel there that he didn't know his name.

"Thredson." He answered, giving a polite smile.

The little girl blushed, and looked to her father. Leaning up, she whispered into his ear. Samuel cracked a smile, and then looked to the doctor again.

"She thinks you're superman." He said. "Because of the glasses."

Oliver awkwardly adjusted his thickly framed glasses, and smiled towards the girl. He had never been compared to some comic book superhero before. He would have presumed superman was a little before her time, due to it being created in the 30's.

Another child walked in this time. He was older looking, perhaps nine, maybe ten. No more than ten, he observed. He held the dark black hair of the father, and the same facial features. Mostly dressed in denim and a blue shirt. He gave the doctor a glance, but said nothing. He just moved on up the stairs and closed a door. Oliver presumed it was his bedroom. He was reminded of the many times he had entered his foster home like that.

"Hey, princess... Do me a favor and go help mommy in the kitchen. Let me and superman finish our talk."

She giggled and jumped down. She paused in front of Oliver, and stared at him in the eyes. Oliver shifted awkwardly under her gaze. She said nothing, and then rushed on out the same door her mother had vanished a while ago into.

Silence consumed the room, to which Oliver leant forward and took the file.

"It seems I found the answer as to why you won't visit." He said. "You've moved on."

"You don't understand, Thredso-"

"Don't I?" He snapped, standing up and glaring down at the elder man. "All Carolyn ever wished was for her father to love her, and while she rots away in a mental institution hoping to seek redemption, the one key that could help that is off playing happy families because his newly found wife is still breathing. Tell me, would you leave those two children if Irene were to pass?"

"Of course not." Samuel spat, sitting forward, trying to defend his territory.

"What makes Carolyn any different? She is your flesh and blood, she was like them when you left her. You say you were mourning the loss of your wife, but if you truly loved her; you would have looked after the one thing left of her." Oliver took a small breath. "Evelyn fought to be put into early labour due to her blood pressure, didn't she? Because she feared it would harm the baby. She loved Carolyn, but you... You left behind the one thing she would have died trying to save."

Oliver couldn't help the disgust coming out in his tone. "I hope she is watching you, Mr Valentine. And I hope she see's just the sort of man she married. If a man is what you really are. I will see myself out. Good day."

Oliver turned and left the home, closing the door behind him. There, he strode back to the car and sat in it for a number of seconds. Trying to calm the anger down that was rising within his veins. Absentmindedly, his hands ran through his slicked black hair and his eyes moved to the mirror. He had to keep telling himself he didn't skin men, it wasn't needed. But Oliver couldn't help but feel the temptation brewing. Before any rash decision could be made, Oliver brought the car to life and drove on, intending to return to Briarcliff. He wanted to see Lana. Perhaps she could calm this rage forming inside of him.

—xXx—

Oliver hadn't seen Carolyn at the movie. He presumed she had decided to stay within her cell. The need he felt to go and check on her was burning; but that had been subsided when Lana had chosen to sit beside him.

It wasn't until the morning that he had seen her again. She was sitting in her usual place in the day room, smiling happily to herself as she watched the smoke from other patients dance in the air. When he had approached her, she greeted him with her usual warm welcome and happily followed him to his office. Once they were behind closed doors, Carolyn relaxed almost instantly, and he too felt himself become at ease.

"How are you feeling today, Carolyn?" Oliver asked as he took his seat in his chair.

"I'm good. And you?" She replied, crossing one leg over the other and folding her hands over it.

"I'm... Well."

It was odd, having a patient return the question he had given. Never in his practice in being a doctor had he have someone wish to know how he was feeling. It was odd, and different. He wasn't sure if he liked it, or found it somewhat troubling. He would probably go with the first.

"So, what methods are we doing today?" She asked, giving a happy-go-lucky smile.

"Well, I thought it might be at an advantage if we go over a few things again." He spoke while taking out a few files from his drawer.

Carolyn nodded eagerly, and scooted the chair a bit closer to the desk. She always enjoyed these moments, even though they had only started a few days ago. She always found comfort in his office. She felt safe. Be it from the clutches of the doctors, or nuns; or the world in general. Oliver gave off the aura of being in control, and she liked it.

"So, you were telling me about your mother and father last time. Is there anything else that is troubling?"

Carolyn pursed her lips, and glanced down towards her shoes.

"Well, when my father left... I was placed into an orphanage where I lived in hope my father would return. Any chance I got at being adopted, I'd refuse to go. I lived the remainder of my life there, until I was eighteen and was released to go on my own. By then, I was already in a stable relationship with Carlos..."

Oliver was writing things down. Her story, along with other medical notes which could result in an obsessive disorder reaching this point.

"When things got bad, Carlos even tried to help me try find my father. We failed, obviously."

Oliver paused, debating on whether or not he should tell her of his previous day encounter with her father. Judging on the way she spoke of him, and the longing she had for his love; he decided not too. He didn't think her knowing that he had a new family, and was now giving the love she had wanted to another child would benefit her. He continued to write.

"Carlos and I were trying for a baby; and then..." She paused, a blush seeming to look over her features.

Oliver paused again and looked up. His brown orbs staring at the blushing maid. Clearly telling the doctor of her and her partner trying for a child was embarrassing to her.

"I became pregnant." She muttered, her blush slowly fading, as did her smile. "I couldn't wait. But the first 12 weeks are always wary when it comes to pregnancy. I lost the baby, and my depression grew. Something that could love me the way my father never, something I could love the way I wanted to love my father was taken from me... Just like he was. Eventually, I found bloody face. I hoped it was him, I really did. Avenging my baby on women who could perhaps keep a child after the first 12 weeks..."

Oliver by now had put the pen down, and had removed his glasses.

Carolyn shook her head, and cleared her throat. "And now, here I am."

Oliver took a few moments to compose himself, but eventually he nodded and picked up the file. "I didn't see any notes on a loss pregnancy in your medical records." He slowly began to flick through them, looking for such a file he might have missed.

"I asked for them. Seeing as they were on me, I was allowed to take any records I wished. It was my right, afterall." She answered. "I took them, and then I burned them."

Oliver nodded, and continued to flick through the pages.

"How did Carlos take the loss?"

"He tried to comfort me, but it didn't work really. I only found solstice in bloody face when he made the seen."

"Perhaps he too had been affect- ouch." Oliver suddenly cut off, dropping the file and holding her finger. Carolyn's eyes shot up, and noticed the thin line of blood now forming on the doctors finger. It poured from the freshly made cut, and began to stream down his forefinger.

"Forgive me. Papercut," he chuckled, moving to look for a tissue to clean it. Carolyn was quick to comply. She moved from her chair and rushed forward, taking his hand within hers and pulling out a tissue from her pocket. An unused one, of course. She held it onto the wound for a number of seconds, before wiping it away and checking it over.

All Oliver could do was stare in complete silence as the scene unfolded before him. She was tending to a small, simple cut on his finger, muttering things under her breath as she did. Carolyn's attention moved to his drawer, pulled it open and found a band aid. How she knew he kept a medical case there, he would never know. Perhaps she saw him putting it there when he moved into the office? She gently wrapped the tip of his finger up, and smiled.

"There, all better." She muttered; bringing his finger to her lips and pressing a gentle kiss onto the band aid. She looked up at him, and saw the look of surprise all over his face. Realization slowly brew onto her features, and she backed away.

"I'm sorry... Natural habit." She mused, brushing down her uniform and keeping her eyes on the floor. "I don't know what came over me."

"It's alright." Oliver whispered, almost breathlessly. "You shouldn't apologize for being compassionate."

Carolyn looked up again and smiled at him. A genuine, lovely smile.

"You're too kind to me, doctor."

As you've said before, Oliver thought, still stunned. He couldn't help but give a smile in return. Just then, Carolyn jumped and looked to the radio; which he had put on when he arrived earlier that morning. She looked to him again. "May I?"

Oliver's eyebrows creased in confusion.

Carolyn took that as a yes, and moved to the radio. She turned it up, just enough for them both to hear it clearly.

"I love this song." She concluded, turning to smile at him.

"Elvis?" Oliver asked.

"Correct. Now, name the song." She grinned, as if she was playing a game.

"Falling in love?" He asked. Oliver didn't know. He wasn't much of a music fan. He was usually far too busy to pay attention to music; he just liked it playing in the background so he wouldn't be surrounded by silence and loneliness.

"I can't help falling in love with you." She corrected, taking a small step forward. "You got part of it."

Oliver somewhat nodded, and let his hand rest onto the table, as if to hold himself up.

"Dance with me?" She then asked, outright and blunt.

He would have choked, if he hadn't already been in a state of awe.

"What?" He wanted to make sure he heard her correctly.

"Dance with me, please?" So he did hear her.

Oliver cleared his throat, and looked anywhere but at her.

"I can't dance."

"Then I'll teach you." She sparked. It seemed he had no option.

She held out her hand, where he cautiously looked at it. After a few seconds of debating, he gently pressed his hand into hers; where she brought herself closer to him.

"Hand onto my hip." She instructed, and he did as he was told.

She kept a tight grip onto his hand, while her other hand rested onto her shoulder. "Just follow my steps."

And Oliver did just that. When she stepped forward, he stepped back. When she stepped back, he stepped forward. Soon, they were in full slow swaying. He caught on rather quickly, Carolyn noticed. It must have been the doctor thing; learning quickly. He was obviously smart. Going through med school, and becoming the great doctor he was today.

"You're doing great." She praised, looking up into his eyes. His cheeks seemed to flush a little. If even a little, but Carolyn saw it. She couldn't help but smile.

"Because I have a great teacher." He replied.

She let out a subtle laugh, and closed in on him. She rested her head onto his chest, keeping him close to her. He was taller. So tall. He wasn't quite sure what to do here, so he did what he had seen in movies. He rested his chin onto the top of her head, and pulled her in closer. Awkwardly, of course. Carolyn felt the tremble in his hand as he pulled her in; but she didn't mind. She was finally in the arms of someone. The thing she had missed most since being in this hospital. Idly, her eyes fell to a close as she breathed in the doctors cologne.

Her lips mouthed the lines of the song, as he swayed them to the gentle music.

"Take my hand, take my whole life too... For I can't help, falling in love with you. No I, can't, help, falling in love... with, you."


A/N:

Sorry for the wait, I hope I didn't leave you in suspense for too long.

Carolyn's dad's a douche, right? But then again, he had his reasons.

Do you all think she may become cured if her father were to grace them with his presence?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and questions.

Please do leave a review. They really do help with muse.

Until next time,

I love you all.

-C.H