Disclaimer: I don't own AHS.
A/N: Hi, guys! Saw some of you guys were missing this fic so I decided to update on my day off! Enjoy :)
.
CH 35- Home
.
Lux stood at Lana's side admiring her with gleaming eyes and a little impish smile pressed in a tiny rigid line. She looked up at her with wonder and much curiosity. Lana sat at the patio table with Jude and Kit while the two other children played on the lawn of the Walker home. Lana felt eyes on her and turned her head slightly to see little Lux there with her hands together before her. A shy little smile on her face.
Lana couldn't help but to chuckle softly, "Hi, Lux."
Lux stepped closer, suddenly excited that Lana had taken notice of her, "Hi, Lana."
Jude noticed this and frowned. She reached over and grabbed Lux by the back of the overalls and pulled her back. "Lux, child, leave Ms. Winters alone."
"Oh, no, it's quite alright." Lana said honestly. She didn't mind the child's sudden interest in her.
"Go on and play. Havin' ya standin' there is makin' me nervous."
Kit laughed but said nothing, only smiled at the situation.
"Yes, Mama." Lux said and gave Lana one last look before she ran off to play.
"She's a real big fan of yours." Kit commented.
"I don't see why. I haven't done the best by her." Lana responded.
"Hmm," Jude said, "That is the power of a child's innocence. They can forgive the unforgivable."
Lana nodded in agreement as she watched Lux join with Thomas and Julia near the tire swing. It had been decided, Lana was going to be a part of her child's life. She just didn't know how, it was to be decided between herself and Jude how the two women would care for the child. Lana wanted to visit her regularly. At least twice a month. The commute to Salem from New York was a long one and Lana knew Jude would never let her take the child to New York with her. They had to find a way that would work. Alas, Lana wanted Lux's life to stay as normal as possible.
"Tell me, Ms. Winters, because I'm curious." Jude spoke up, setting her glass of water down upon the table. "That book of yours—"
"What about it?"
"It's out in the world, is it not?"
Kit could sense the tension rising between the two women but decided to stay silent. They were the ones who needed to decide what was best for the girl.
"It is." Lana responded, knowing very well where Jude was going.
"I assume one day that book of yers will become an issue."
"You mean she'll find it." Lana referred to Lux.
"Yes."
"And you want to know what I'll do about it?"
"I can't imagine that book is filled with anything nice about her or her father."
Lana averted her eyes and bit her bottom lip. She shook her head. "When that time comes I will know exactly what to tell Lux. For now, it shouldn't be an issue."
Jude nodded.
"And as for her father?"
Kit grew rigid and stood from his seat. "I'll go check on the children."
Lana watched Kit stand and leave to meet the kids by the tire swing. They were far enough that they couldn't hear the conversation between the adults. "Jude, I don't think this is the appropriate time to speak about this—"
"Ya leave back to New York soon, do ya not?"
"I do."
"Then when would be the appropriate time?"
Lana inhaled the fresh Salem air. "I told Lux what little she needs to know about that man. Enough to satisfy her curiosity but between us, I would prefer it if she didn't know his name or anything else about him." Lana paused and thought about Oliver, "He was a sick man. A maniac. She is better off without him."
Jude nodded. "Once again, Ms. Lana Banana, that book of yers…"
"I know." Lana admitted, "That book will always come back to bite me. But like I said, I will cross that bridge when I come to it."
Jude nodded. "I just hope it doesn't come back to bite her."
Lana looked at Lux who was smiling up at Kit. "Let's hope not."
Lux wandered back to the patio where the two women were interlocked in an extremely serious conversation. Lux paused for a moment, a few yards before the table, when she caught her reflection on the sliding glass door. Lux stumped herself when she finally took notice of her own pale skin and dark brown hair. She looked at her little button nose and plump lips like those of the reporter. Thinking of the reporter, Lux's eyes wandered to Lana, whose eyes were locked on Jude during their continued conversation. Lux studied Lana's brown hair and her dark brown eyes and began to see her own similarities in her. She then looked to Jude with her golden blonde hair. They shared no similarities.
Lux suddenly felt a heavy feeling fall to the pit of her stomach. She felt rather confused and lost. As if she had never really belonged in Salem with Jude. Lux couldn't comprehend the feeling; it was an odd one.
"Goose? What's the matter child?" Jude's voice brought her back.
Lux turned to Jude to see her hand extended out to her. Lux took it without hesitation and snuggled up to Jude, suddenly forgetting the ugly feeling in her stomach. She inhaled Jude's familiar scent and felt suddenly comforted. Lux peeked out from Jude's arms to catch Lana's downcast eyes and wondered if hugging Lana would feel the same as hugging Jude.
Nonetheless, Lux wished she could simply have both women in her life.
.
During dinner, Lux plopped herself between Lana and Jude. She turned to Lana and stared at her. Jude noticed this and poked the girl, giving her a stern look. Lux returned to her meal but continued to steal peaks at Lana throughout dinner.
"Lana, what's New York like?" Lux peeped up sometime during dinner after she placed her cup of juice back on the table.
"Well, pretty girl," Lana began, "New York is very big and very loud but very beautiful. There are a lot of buildings and a ton of people."
Lux's eyes filled with amazement at the sound of such a place. She had never traveled beyond her home of Salem and couldn't even begin to imagine the wonders of New York. She knew Kit, Julia and Thomas had gone multiple times but Jude would never let her go.
"Do ya live in the city?"
"No, I live just a tiny bit outside the outskirts of Manhattan."
"Do ya live in a house?"
"Yes."
"Is it a big house?"
Lana paused and avoided Jude's gaze. "It is, yes."
Lux smiled. "I wish—" She stumbled on her words and repeated herself, "I wish I could see New York."
"Maybe one day you will." Lana gave her a smile.
Lana looked to Jude and held her stern gaze for a moment before she returned back to her dinner.
"New York's pretty neat." Julia spoke up, "Nana Jude, when are ya gon visit with us?"
Jude smiled at the curly haired girl, "Maybe soon, love. Maybe soon."
Dinner continued with no other problems or too curious questions from little Lux. When they finished, the adults cleaned the table while the children retreated to watch TV in the living room. Lux wandered into the kitchen with The Secret Garden in hand. She held it up before her and walked up to Lana.
She raised her little hand and tugged on Lana's jeans.
"Mama—I mean, Lana." She quickly corrected herself.
Lana glanced down from the sink where she had been washing dishes. The name had caught her off guard and she froze for a moment. Lux shied away a little and took a step back, rather embarrassed that she had called Lana the wrong name. It had happened to her before with her teacher. Her classmates had all laughed at her but it appeared as if Lana had been the only one who heard her.
Lana's heart broke upon hearing the child correct herself and wished she hadn't. Nevertheless, she smiled softly and asked, "What's the matter, Lux?"
Lux felt her shyness go away when she saw that Lana didn't mind her little slip and raised the book to show her. "Can ya read to me? S'almost done."
Just then Jude walked into the kitchen. "Lux, what did I tell ya about botherin' Ms. Winters?"
"But I want her ta read the book." Lux pouted slightly.
"I don't mind, really." Lana said.
"I can read it to ya before bed."
"But I like how Lana reads it..." Lux lowered her head and pouted out her lip, a little sad.
Jude hurt at the child's preference for Lana but gathered herself and exhaled. What could she do? She had to share the role of mother now.
Lana smiled and placed her hands on Lux's shoulders, "How's about I read it to you, Julia and Thomas later, hmm?"
Lux nodded and wandered out of the kitchen, rather content and assured.
Lana faced Jude once Lux was out of earshot. "Jude, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"About what?" Jude sounded tired and a little annoyed.
Lana braced herself for the argument that might arise with her following question. "I want to take Lux back to New York with me tomorrow."