Disclaimer: I do not own AHS.
A/N: Thanks for all the great feedback guys! Super glad you love this interesting, morbid and quite possibly depressing story!
Ps. I only gave this a quick scan before I headed out to school so I apologize for any typos, misused or misspelled words! I'll go back and review it. Just wanted to update ASAP.
…
CH 4- All the Little Miracles
…
JULY 1974
Lana lay against the cushion of the recliner. Her feet were swollen and ached something fierce. Her entire body was uncomfortable. She could feel the movement of the new life growing from inside of her. It whirled and kicked about, knocking on her ribs and pressing against her bladder. It did as it pleased. Lana was told that she was to have a baby. Oliver didn't think she quite knew what this truly meant to her. She was happy because he was happy. But Lana did not know the reality of having a baby just yet. Her memory of Johnny's infancy was distorted and she couldn't quite pin point what it was to raise him on her own. All Lana could remember was her new life with Oliver, however, she did remember things from her past.
She remembered being a journalist and she remembered some of the people she frequented with. But in a way, it didn't matter to Lana. She was complacent with her new life.
When she first felt the baby move she was rather alarmed and surprised. Oliver calmed her down and explained everything to her in detail. Lana accepted her pregnancy as if it was something simple like getting a haircut. And whenever Oliver asked her if she was happy, she always said "Yes."
Johnny sat in front of the window watching the neighborhood boys play baseball out on the cul-da-sac. He had been defiant for the past month they had lived in Eureka, California and didn't do much but play with Scout and watch TV. He had warmed up a little more with Oliver and had come to terms with his mother's pregnancy. He wasn't too excited about the baby but didn't care much for it either. He helped Lana a lot around the house whether it was washing the dishes or picking up something she dropped and couldn't reach.
Oliver was in his study. He had obtained a new job in a psychiatric office for adults under the name Oliver Morgan. He had no problems with his fake papers and was practically hired on the spot. He was doing quite well for his family and was anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new member. The sex of the baby was unknown to them and Oliver couldn't wait to see what they were having. A part of him was expecting another boy but the possibility of having a daughter made him rather nervous. All the women he had in his life, he had harmed. He would never dare to harm his daughter but the thought of someone harming her the way he had harmed all those women angered him. Nevertheless, he was thrilled to be a part of this child's birth unlike he was with Johnny's. He wanted to do everything for that child that he wasn't able to with his first-born son.
Apart from caring for Lana and helping her remain calm through her pregnancy, Oliver made time for Johnny. He took him to the park where they played catch together. They took Scout for long walks and played games together. He purchased Johnny all knew things and everything he asked for. Johnny didn't ask for much but whatever he did, Oliver obtained almost instantly. Johnny hadn't warmed up to the neighborhood kids and often declined to go outside and play with them. The boys had noticed Johnny and had wanted to ask him to play but all were too shy to come knock on the front door of the Morgan home.
Oliver took a sip from his scotch and set the glass back down. He glanced out of his office to the living room where he could spy Johnny by the window. "Johnny!" He called out to him, "Come here please."
Johnny stood to his feet and followed his name into Oliver's study. "Yeah, Dad?"
Oliver smiled every time Johnny called him that. The boy was finally coming around.
"Its awfully boring in here. Why don't you go out and play with the other boys? It's a nice day out."
Johnny glanced over his shoulders. "That's ok." He said when he looked back at his father.
Oliver sighed. "Its important to make new friends. Don't you think?"
Johnny shrugged.
"Come here, son." Oliver pushed his rolling desk chair back.
Johnny went over to him and let Oliver sit him on his lap. "How come you don't want to make new friends? Those boys seem awfully nice."
Johnny shrugged again.
Oliver sighed and took his glasses off, placing them upon the luxurious wooden desk. "Making friends will make the move easier. It'll help."
"Help how?" Johnny gave him a light frown. He didn't like Eureka and wanted to return to Boston.
"Sometimes we need to socialize with other people. Its good for you." Oliver smiled at his son, "Making new friends might just be what you need. You might have things in common with them."
"Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know? Star Trek? Comic books? Maybe they like dinosaurs too."
"I guess." He said. He was still frowning but Oliver could see him coming around.
"When the baby comes, your mother will be very busy with it."
Talk about the baby made Johnny feel uncomfortable. "Why?"
"Well, because newborn babies need a lot of attention."
"They do?" His frown deepened. He didn't like the idea
Oliver chuckled. "Yes. They can't do anything on their own and it'll be nice for you to have some friends to play with when it gets too noisy in here."
"Babies cry a lot, don't they?"
"They do."
Johnny inhaled a deep breath. "Okay. I'll go make friends." He slid off of Oliver's lap and made his way out of the study.
"That's my boy." Oliver smiled proudly. He knew Johnny could do anything he set his mind to.
…
Johnny sat out on the edge of the sidewalk watching the small group of boys playing baseball. There were five of them, all Johnny's age. The youngest was about eight or so. Scout sat at Johnny's side, calmly watching the game before them. Johnny became nervous and only sat by the sidelines.
One of the boy's hit the ball wrong and it flew over Johnny's head and onto the front lawn of his home. All the boys stopped and looked in his direction, expecting a response.
"Hey new kid! Get the ball!" one of them called out impatiently.
Johnny scrambled to his feet and grabbed the baseball from the grass and tossed it with great force back to the pitcher. The kid caught it.
Johnny went back to sit down on the sidewalk and the boys continued with their game. Scout stayed on his spot on the grass next to his boy. His tongue out and his tail wagging. After a while, Johnny got tired of watching the boys play and returned inside. He had been too shy to ask to join their game and neither of them had invited him.
"Come on, boy. Let's go inside." He pet Scout's head and the two headed inside.
…
Oliver had dinner ready since Lana was too tired to stand on her feet. She was approaching her due date and only lounged around. She'd often snap at Oliver because of her raging hormones. He didn't take to heart but found it rather amusing.
"Johnny, wash your hands and come eat." Oliver ordered as soon as Johnny walked in through the door, closing it behind him. The sun had set and the streetlights had come on. The game had finished and all the boys ran home before they got into too much trouble for being out so late.
Johnny washed his hands and sat down at the dinner table. Lana was already seated. She looked at Johnny and gave him a soft smile. Johnny could see the tiredness in her eyes.
"Hi, Johnny." She said.
He smiled at her. "Hi, mom."
"Did you have fun with your new friends?" She asked him.
Johnny only shrugged in response just before Oliver set his plate in front of him. "I told you it be a good idea to make new friends."
Oliver sat at the head of the table. Johnny grabbed a piece of chicken from his plate and snuck it under the table for Scout who happily grabbed a hold of it and ate it in a one, two, three.
During dinner, Oliver discussed his new practice. He told his family about his new office and his patients but kept their confidentiality. He didn't drag on about their personal problems, just mentioned some of their personality quirks but didn't utter their real names to respect their privacy. He talked about building Johnny a tree house in the back yard before summer vacation was over and he had to start school. Johnny made a face at the mention of his new school. He was dreading it.
After dinner, Johnny helped Oliver wash the dirty dishes and clean up the table while Lana waddled her way to the living room to rest. Oliver was sure she'd burst any day now. When Johnny was done helping out, he went on the couch with Lana and cuddled at her side while they watched TV. Star Trek was always on after dinner. Reruns but neither of them minded.
Johnny rested his head against Lana as she wrapped an arm around him. In his hand he held a tiny toy car that he ran along Lana's pregnant belly back and forth. At one point the baby kicked and the car went over the bump as if it were a speed bump or a hill. Johnny stopped the car and his eyes widened just a bit. Of course he had seen the baby kick before but it still was all so new to him. Oliver watched from his spot on his recliner as Johnny slowly put his ear against Lana's stomach and listened intently. He then put his hand on it and felt the baby move around. Oliver smiled at this. Johnny was coming around. He could see it.
Johnny listened to the strange little movements from within his mother's stomach. He didn't know much about pregnancy, just that a strange little alien was growing inside of his mother and would come out any day now as his father so put it. Johnny didn't know how he felt about having a sibling. He didn't really care for the baby but it would be weird at some point, he was sure of it. He was used to having Lana's attention to himself and now this little invader was coming to steal his mother from him. Johnny grew a bit annoyed but once he felt the baby move again, he calmed down and snuggled back with Lana, putting his attention to the TV screen.
Later that night, Johnny sat in his parent's bed with Lana. She was tired and wanted nothing more than to rest. Oliver was finishing up some notes in his study. Lana was reading a Home magazine Oliver had purchased for her at the grocery store during their last visit. Johnny was lying on his back, looking up at the ceiling.
"Mom?"
"Yes, Johnny boy?" Lana set the magazine down and smiled at her son.
Johnny sat up to face his mother. Her eyes were so different.
"Are you going to forget about me when the baby comes?"
Lana frowned lightly, "Forget about you? Why would I forget about you?"
Johnny shrugged.
Lana took his hand and wrapped him in her arms. "You're my son, Johnny. I love you."
Johnny pulled back a little. "I love you too, Mom."
He glanced down at her pregnant belly. "Are you happy about the new baby?"
A wide grin crossed Lana's face. It was unlike the smiles Johnny remembered. "Of course I am. Our family will be bigger."
Lana noticed Johnny's fallen expression. "What's the matter?" She lifted his chin with her finger, "Aren't you happy?"
Johnny averted her eyes and sighed. He nodded so she wouldn't worry. He then made his way into her arms. "Things won't change much, will they?"
Lana held him close. "Do not worry my little boy. Mommy's here."
…
AUGUST 1974
Lana's painful screams during the night awoke everyone in the house. Johnny rushed to his parent's room in his pajamas, alarmed and scared. He stopped in the doorway when he saw his mother on the bed. She was drenched in sweat and the bed sheets were drenched in what appeared to be water. Oliver was at her side, placing a clean hand towel to her forehead. He was talking to her in a calm voice, reminding her to breathe and try to relax. It took him a moment to notice the boy standing in the doorway, paralyzed by the sight of his mother in pain.
Lana's eyes were closed shut and her teeth were clenched together. She tried to breathe but couldn't help but to cry out from the pain overcoming her body. She had felt a cramp in her stomach during the night as she slept at Oliver's side. The little cramp turned out to be a contraction that followed over and over again, stronger each single time. She let out a scream that caused Oliver to fall out of bed and scramble around the room before he realized what was going on and what to do.
Oliver opted not to take Lana to the hospital. He wanted a simple home birth for their new child and was confident that he could help her deliver the baby on his own. He was a doctor. He had been trained for such things in medical school and had spent many hours reading up on it. He was prepared for anything that could go wrong but expected everything to go right.
"Mom?" Johnny trembled, "What's happening to mom?"
Oliver looked up to see Johnny at the door with Scout was at his side. He looked nervous and kept out of the room.
"Its okay, she's just going into labor."
"Is she going to die?!" Johnny gasped utterly mortified.
Oliver reassured Lana before he left her side and hurried to Johnny. He knelt down and grabbed his arms, "Johnny, son, listen to me. Your mother is having the baby. She's not going to die. She's going to be just fine."
Johnny nodded but he was too distracted by his mother's suffering pain.
"Look at me Johnny." Oliver brought his attention back to him, "I need you to be very brave. I know you are but right now I need you to stay calm. Your mother needs me. Can you hold down the fort while I help her?"
Johnny nodded. "Y-yeah. Okay."
"Good. Now, go take Scout and wait in your room. Everything will be fine." Oliver ushered Johnny out of the room not wanting him to see his mother in that state.
Oliver closed the door behind Johnny. Johnny stood out in the hall with Scout, not knowing what to do. Scout perked up at Lana's screams and sat by the door, sniffing under it and howling when Lana screamed.
Johnny sat across the hall, against the wall. He brought his knees to his chest and hugged his legs. Eventually, as the minutes turned to hours, Scout went to Johnny's side and lay down. Johnny continued to listen to his mother's suffering and the words of encouragement from his father. Johnny became angry because he couldn't find a way to help Lana. He didn't know what to do and he became angry with the baby for hurting her in such a way. His hands clenched into tight fists.
Then, out of nowhere, Lana's screams stopped and there was a moment of silence. Johnny jumped to his feet and hurried to the door, pressing his ear against it. He listened closely and froze when he heard the sound of a baby crying.
"Oh my God, Lana…" Oliver said in awe as he held the bloody little infant in his bare hands.
Lana rested against the pillow panting heavily. Her eyes were set on the ceiling above her. Her entire body had gone limp as soon as the baby was out.
Oliver held the tiny little miracle in his hands, unable to stop smiling. He couldn't believe he was holding his new daughter. "It's a girl." He told Lana, "And she's so beautiful."
The newborn baby girl was scrunchy and red. She had soft, thin wisps of light brown hair on her head. She took in a deep breath and wailed as loud as her little lungs would allow. Oliver took her and cleaned her up. He checked her heartbeat and her breathing. She sounded and looked strong and weighed about seven pounds. He then wrapped her up and took her to Lana so she could hold her.
Lana was too exhausted to hold her on her own so Oliver helped her keep her arms up. "Look at her, Lana. Isn't she perfect?"
Lana glanced down at the baby. Her eyes scanned the little cherubic face that had begun to calm down and silence once she was in her mother's arms. Her cries calmed down to little whimpers and angry grunts of being disturbed.
"She's so small…" Lana said in a soft whisper. She was too exhausted to talk.
Oliver kissed the top of Lana's head and admired their new little girl before he remembered Johnny and went to the door.
When he opened it, he found Johnny standing there with red eyes. He had been up the entire night. "Would you like to meet your new sister?"
"Sister?" Johnny's eyes went from Oliver to his mother on the bed. She had a little wrapped bundle in her arms.
"Come on."
Oliver ushered Johnny into the room and sat him up on the bed with Lana. Lana smiled at Johnny and let him take a peek at the baby. Oliver took the baby from Lana and placed her in Johnny's arms. "Hold up her head."
Johnny held her as he was told and glanced down at the squirming baby in his arms. She didn't look like much. She was red and scrunchy and looked rather grumpy. She made little angry grunts and coos. The simple sight of her confused Johnny. He couldn't believe such a little thing was such a big deal.
"You're a big brother now, Johnny." Oliver said with a smile. "She's going to look up to you."
"She is?"
Oliver nodded. "And you need to take very good care of her. Can you do that?"
Johnny looked from his father down to the helpless little baby in his arms. He nodded. "I can do that."
Oliver grinned, "Now, she needs a name. What should we name her?"
"I- I get to decide?"
"Yes."
Johnny looked down at the baby in his arms. She calmed down and settled in his embrace. Johnny looked at the serene look of his baby sister's sweet little face. A small smile tugged on his lips when she opened her eyes and yawned lazily. And when she set those big doe eyes on him, she didn't seem so bad.
"Olive." He said.
"Olive?" Oliver was quite surprised at Johnny's decision. It was very much like his own but he didn't mind it one bit.
Johnny nodded with a smile knowing that just like his mother, he would too have to watch over his sister and keep her safe. "Yeah. Her name's Olive."
