~*~Chapter Nine~*~
Miranda had been getting up at night to feed Nic, the same as she had with Cassandra. She had kept him on a schedule since returning from the hospital. Over the six weeks that they had been home, he had been growing up happy and healthy.
Being home was different for her; they had a real home this time. She didn't know how Peter had managed to finish the nursery before they had brought Nic home from the hospital, but he had. The nursery seemed to be Nic's favorite place. She didn't know if it was the crib or the toy mobile above his bed, but he seemed to know that was his space.
The usual crying a lot had been going on, too, and between constant shifts of waking up in the night for diaper changes, feedings, and putting him back to sleep, Miranda was exhausted. She sometimes felt like crying herself, but she kept going.
Peter noticed that Miranda was looking very tired. He was working full-time and sometimes over-time at the repair shoppe to pay all the bills. He knew that Miranda wasn't getting proper sleep. Nic seemed to have his days and nights mixed up. "Hey, honey," Peter said as he wrapped his arm around her as she stood over the baby's crib. "How's Nic?"
Nicolai appeared to be sleeping peacefully, but Miranda had a hard time taking her eyes off their precious son. She was a wonderful, loving mother, and Peter couldn't have been more proud of his beautiful wife and his infant son.
"I just got him to go to sleep," she said softly.
She hadn't been sleeping much lately because of the dreams. They had been coming ever since the night at the hospital when she thought she heard them trying to take Nic from her. The combination of not getting sleep from caring for a new baby and the dreams, was making her exhausted. She was still hearing and seeing things, none of which were making any sense to her.
"Miranda, is something wrong?" Peter asked. He knew something was up with her, but he wasn't quite sure if it was the adjustments they were dealing with due to having a new baby or if Miranda had something else on her mind. She had been acting strangely ever since the night their son arrived. She had dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. Peter was worried about her.
"I can't sleep anymore," Miranda admitted tiredly, her voice sounding so hollow and like it was missing life. "I close my eyes and he's there. I can hear him. I can see things but they are not all that clear. I'm afraid to go to sleep anymore."
She was afraid that whomever it was would try to take baby Nic. "He's a bad man. I know he's coming to take Nic. I can feel it," she told Peter in an urgent whisper.
A shiver ran down her body. She couldn't shake the feeling of danger. She didn't want to sleep at night for fear they would come to take Nic. She knew the property that they were on though was very safe; after all it belonged to Roman. He had gifted them the property and a loan had been taken out to build the cottage that they called home. Letha and Roman were not far in case they needed them. Destiny too lived very close by. They had several hands of protection available to them; she just did not know how to explain to Peter what was going on in her head.
"Your stepfather?" Peter asked. Miranda hadn't mentioned him in a very long time. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time she had mentioned what had happened before she came to Hemlock Grove. They'd been so happy and in love since their wedding day. The past and everything that happened before had sort of just faded into the wood work. He couldn't believe how it was coming back to haunt them now.
Was Miranda talking about the past... or had she really seen her stepfather at the hospital? He was unclear if Miranda was talking about a dream, a memory, or an event that had recently happened. Whatever the case, he wanted to help her. She was so tormented, she couldn't even sleep.
She tried to remember the sound of the man's voice and the nurse's, but none of the nurses that she had talked to after Nic's birth had sounded like that frightening voice that haunted her every thought. "I-I don't know," she replied. "I can't get a clear image of his face in my head. I just keep hearing that conversation over and over again; it just never goes away. I'm scared, Peter."
Every little noise in their comfortable cottage made her skittish. She wanted to run to the baby's crib every time. In fact, that's what she did. Peter was usually at work and had not witnessed it. Anytime Nic cried, she would move so fast, she had to mentally memorize the layout of their cottage so she wouldn't knock things over in her haste to get to her son. She always feared that someone was coming to take him away.
"I'm here, Miranda," Peter said, wrapping loving arms around her. "I'd never let anyone or anything hurt you and Nic. I will protect you. I told you that from the very first... and I still mean it."
"Roman wouldn't let anything happen to you either. He's not very far. Just over the ridge," Peter reminded. Roman had generously given Peter and Miranda land near the river as a wedding gift. Not long after, Roman had built an extravagant modern home for himself and Letha in very close proximity. There was a small guest house close to Roman's just beyond the gate where Shelley and Norman resided. It was all very cozy, but secluded. Roman didn't want anyone snooping into their business. He was extremely protective of those he loved as was Peter. They had no choice but to be. There were evil ones like Olivia and Dr. Pryce that could destroy their lives. They had learned the hard way to be selective about who they let enter their tight circle of family and friends.
Their cottage was two-story and built of solid wood. It was in a perfect location, nestled near many trees and close to the river. Hemlock Grove and it's city life was nearby but not too close. It's twinkling lights could be seen just across the water. They even had a huge tub in their bedroom and the hot tub out back, just as Miranda had wanted. Their home was perfect and suited for them. Now that the babies had started coming, Peter had set up the perfect nursery for their baby son. The cottage was big enough for many children, just as he and Miranda had wanted. As happy as they had been since their marriage, now something from the past appeared to be coming back to haunt them, but what was it? Could it be a threat from the future?
She buried her face in his chest, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm scared of what he could do. What if he takes our son?" she asked him, her words muffled against the fabric of his shirt.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to sleep at night if I'm so worried," she said. "I am so afraid that something bad will happen. I know that you and Roman will protect everyone, but I'm still terrified."
"He? As in your stepfather? You've seen him around here?" Peter asked as he pulled back a fraction and looked into Miranda's eyes. If Miranda's stepfather was anywhere near the premises, Peter would have to put Roman on alert.
"I can see someone's face... It's not clear. It's always when I'm asleep... like I can feel them nearby," Miranda said in a whisper. "I want it to stop. He could be somewhere in Hemlock Grove; I don't know for sure. I don't want to take a chance, if he's here in town somewhere..."
Peter took Miranda's fears and premonitions very seriously. "I think we should call Roman," said Peter. "We need to put him on alert. Maybe he has some idea of what we should do next. You stay here with Nic, and I'll be right back." He gave Miranda a tender kiss, then he walked out to the patio.
A moment later, Roman answered the call. "What's up?" Roman said. It was an ongoing joke with them. If Peter wanted sex, he'd say, "Me," then they'd figure out a time and a place for their little rendezvous. But this time, Peter wasn't calling in need of some lovin'. He had other things on his mind.
"Miranda's having dreams," Peter said into the phone. "I think something is going to happen."
"I've been having dreams, too," Roman revealed.
"You?"
"Yes, haven't you...? About a little boy. He's scared," Roman stated.
"I have been having the dreams, too... but I thought they were just that... dreams. I didn't know they meant anything."
"You should have known."
"We always share the same dreams... and now Miranda's having dreams about some guy. She says he's going to take Nic," Peter revealed. "I am worried, Roman... and Miranda's totally freaking out. She hasn't been sleeping."
"Maybe it's the guy in my dreams," said Roman. "You saw him, didn't you?"
Peter nearly dropped the phone. "Yeah, I saw him. He's a scary fucker. What are we going to do?" Peter asked with worry.
Miranda was still standing in the nursery with baby Nic, watching him sleep. He had no idea that there was danger lurking somewhere and it scared her... but she did know that Roman and Peter would figure something out. She was really worried. The awful feeling would not leave her. She felt she had to check everywhere to make sure the bad man wasn't hiding in the shadows, whomever he was. She could feel that he was possibly nearby.
Peter walked into the nursery, still holding the phone. He was pale and his face was drained. "Miranda, Roman and I... we've been having these dreams," he revealed. "About this guy. He's evil... and there's this little boy..."
"I didn't think it meant anything... The dreams. They were just dreams or so I thought. I guess I was wrong, because Roman's been having them, too. They always mean something. I don't know who this guys is... or what he wants. Maybe he wants Nic," said Peter as he looked down at his little sleeping son. He'd never let anyone hurt his little boy. He had to do something. He had to stop this guy... whoever he was.
"He's here, isn't he?!" Miranda whispered in alarm. "The awful man is here! He's going to take Nic from us!"
The tears starting to fall from her eyes. "How do we stop this?! How do we make him go away?!" Miranda cried out.
"We have to figure out who is ... and what he wants..." Peter stated. "We have to figure out who the little boy is. Roman's been dreaming about him, too. We can feel the little boy's fear. He needs our help."
"What little boy?" Miranda asked in confusion. She had no idea who this man was or what he wanted; the one whom Peter and Roman were seeing.
"The little boy with blond hair that Roman and I have been dreaming about..." Peter replied. "He's with the man... and the man is angry and cruel. The little boy is afraid."
"What are you going to do to help him?" she asked. She hadn't been dreaming of a little boy with blond hair though. Who was this child?
"I am afraid there is not a lot we can do until we find out who the man is and where he's located. We don't have a lot of leads right now to help us find the man or the little boy. All we have is our dreams. If you can remember anything more, it might be helpful. I need something to go on," said Peter. "Until then, Roman's increasing security around the cottage and the surrounding area. You know how he already obsesses. He's driving Letha crazy; he never lets her go anywhere or lets her do anything. He constantly worries about her and Cassandra's safety. With Letha pregnant, he's even more worried."
"I- I don't have anything else..." Miranda replied quietly. "...yet. That's all that I've seen, so far."
"Don't worry," Peter said as he wrapped his arms around Miranda and held her close. "We'll figure all this out... and our son will be okay. I promise."
He gently lead her out of the nursery and into the living room. "Let's try to relax," he urged. "All the answers will come in time." Peter had faith that they would solve the mystery...eventually. They always did.
Miranda really hoped that they would find the answers they were going to need. It seemed like they were going through was so much right now and she was afraid for her baby son. With a bit of reluctance, she allowed Peter to escort her into the living room, away from their sleeping son.
Once they reached the living room, Peter eased Miranda onto the couch beside him and held her in his arms. Gently he stroked her hair as they cuddled. He hated that she was going through so much turmoil and longed to make her feel better.
She buried her face in his chest as she felt the tears come. She was so scared. She wanted to know that the evil man from her dreams wouldn't come to take Nic away from her. She didn't like him at all.
Peter held Miranda as she cried. Her tears wet his shirt. "Shhhh," he said softly as he held her close. "I would never let anyone hurt you... or our son. Roman and I always protect the ones we love."
She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him so tight. "This awful feeling just won't go away... I can't place it. There is something more out there and I know it," she whispered. "There are missing pieces; a lot of missing pieces."
"I wish I could help you find them," said Peter as he looked into Miranda's sapphire eyes. If there was a way, he would, but he wasn't a mystic. He didn't have all the answers, like his cousin Destiny. He wanted to help, but he couldn't. All he could do was hold Miranda and try to make her feel better.
"I know that you can't find them for me," she said softly. "I just wish I knew what to expect, because I won't feel better until I know we are safe."
Tenderly, Peter wiped her tears away. He held her a long time... for what seemed like hours. No words were spoken, he just held her and comforted her. She was leaning against his chest as he half-sit/half-lay on the couch.
She rested her cheek against his chest as she tightened her arms around his waist. She wished she could just fall asleep and wake up in the morning and feel better. Why did sleep always elude her?
As they sat on the couch holding each other, Peter got an uneasy feeling... almost as if someone was there in the room, watching them. It originated from all Miranda had told him about her abusive stepfather. When Miranda first came to Hemlock Grove, she had been afraid that her stepfather was following her and that he may hurt her. He wondered if her nightmares and worries for Nic may have originated from her abusive past at her stepfather's hands. All he could do was wait. Hopefully Miranda would be able to tell him more about the man who had been haunting her dreams. He had to be patient. He didn't want to cause her any further trauma. He knew that once Miranda felt safe, it would all come pouring out... then he and Roman would have something to go on.
After awhile, Miranda found herself getting sleepy in Peter's embrace. Her eyes started to close as her head rested on his chest. It wasn't long at all before she had fallen asleep. Her only movement was her breathing as she slept. Memories returned to haunt her as images began to tumble around in her head. Miranda became suddenly trapped in her own terrifying past...
