A/N: Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing! Super thankful for all of the feedback. I've been going back and reading a bunch of my fics to refresh my memory so look out for some more comebacks!
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TWENTY-EIGHT
Spellbound
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Lana was smiling when Oliver lead her into his study with his hands over her eyes as he guided her into the room. She had almost forgotten their argument from earlier that morning and stayed in her room when she heard the front door of the house open. She hadn't been expecting him so soon in the day but figured he was still angry over her refusal to see a medical professional. Lana was a stubborn one, she was realizing that day by day but the hormones set off her anxiety and she couldn't help it.
Alas, Oliver smiled brightly when he saw her, as if he had already forgotten everything from that morning.
"Oliver," She laughed, letting him lead her towards the desk, careful that she didn't trip over anything, "What's gotten into you?"
"I have a surprise for you." He answered with a sense of excitement in his tone.
Her smile brightened even more, "A surprise for me?" Oliver motioned for her to sit down on the swivel chair of his desk. The typewriter he had purchased her was sitting proudly in front of her. "I don't think that's necessary." Her voice lowered, remembering her emotional behavior from that morning.
"You deserve it." To Oliver, Lana deserved the world and he was so eager to give it to her, "Ready?"
"Ready." Lana answered a bit nervously and he took his hands off. Lana slowly opened her eyes, landing them upon the beautiful gift presented before her. "Oh my goodness." She said in an amazed whisper, "Is this my surprise?" She glanced up at Oliver.
"Yes." He stated firmly, "It reminded me of you as soon as I saw it."
Lana gently placed her hands on the mint and white typewriter, perfectly knowing what it was. "I used to write back then, didn't I?"
"Lana, you still can write." He placed his hand on her shoulder, giving her an encouraging smile. "I know it's been a while but I really think it would be good for you to start writing again. Maybe not journalism but I'm sure fiction writing should be fun for you to try out."
Lana frowned, she had no idea where to even begin. "But I-I wouldn't even know what to write?"
"You can write anything you'd like. Just whatever comes to mind. Besides, I know you've been a bit bored while I'm at work. This should help with that too." He gave her shoulders a soft squeeze.
Lana smiled at him. "Thank you, Oliver. Really, thank you."
Oliver leaned down and kissed her cheek softly, "No need. I just want to see you happy."
"I am." She replied truthfully with that gorgeous smile of hers, "I really am."
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Oliver was the first to walk out of the study. Lana followed after him in a little waddle, hand on her belly. It felt like the little one had gained a pound or two, at least to Lana it felt so. "Do you really want me to start writing again or is this your apology for wanting to spank me this morning?" Lana asked teasingly.
Oliver frowned, rather embarrassed. "I shouldn't have said that." He turned around and placed his hands upon her shoulders, "I'm sorry." His eyes fell upon her stomach, visible and round from behind her shirt. "I'm just concerned for the both of you. You already know how I feel. Not only as a medical professional but as a father as well."
Lana saw the look in his eyes and her mood softened. "I don't want them to take us from you." She buried herself in his arms, inhaling the scent of his cologne. Oliver always made her feel safe. Thinking of life without him made her feel so lost.
Oliver hugged her to his chest, "I would never allow that. You have to trust me." He could feel the small velvet box from the jewelry store burning in his pocket, waiting for it's time to shine.
Lana exhaled, "I trust you." She really did. With her entire being.
Oliver pulled away to look at her face, feeling himself fall further into those brown eyes. "I'd move heaven and earth for you both. Don't forget that."
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Lana sat with her typewriter that evening in Oliver's study while Oliver made dinner in the kitchen. She poked at the keys and typed out her name a couple of times, getting the feel for it. Her mind was a total wall and she had no idea where to even start but she was excited to have that distraction.
She felt the little baby move, kicking out a leg or an arm against her side. Lana sighed in relief. The little one had been awfully still that morning and she had felt guilty about denying him the right to a healthy beginning. Oliver was right about the midwife; it was the responsible thing to do. She supposed it would be better than going to a hospital; at least she'd be safe in their home.
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That night Lana dreamt of the woman she used to love. In her dream she could see her face and hear her voice. She could feel the feeling of her lips upon her neck as she whispered her name but when Lana woke, the woman's face was a blur and her voice was silent. Lana got out of bed, careful not to wake Oliver. She sat in his study, staring at her typewriter. Lana lifted her hands, placing her fingers upon the keys and slowly typed one single name.
Wendy.
Lana stared at the name on the sheet of paper, eyes boring down on the five little letters and she felt a hatred grow in her chest. Lana ripped the paper from the typewriter, crumpled it up and tossed it in the small trash bin by the desk, wishing she had never remembered.
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The cold and cloudy October day smelled of rain and wet soil. It was a scent Lana found that she truly enjoyed. It was Saturday and Oliver had decided to take her out to a pumpkin patch just on the outskirts of town. He had noted her rather depressed exterior that morning and decided a day out would do her some good.
Children ran around the farmland, laughing and giggling in utter delight while their parents followed soon after. A group of older teens hung around the hay bales joking with one another as they secretly passed around a silver flask. Families purchased seasonal snacks from food stands and rode on the hay rides, enjoying the fall festivities. There was a petting zoo and a caramel apple stand as well as a pumpkin carving station. Lana held Oliver's hand, not wanting to venture too far from him. She hadn't told him about the dream she had the night before; she had already decided to abandon her past and only look forward.
"There are so many children here." Lana commented as they strode through the patch on the hunt for some pumpkins to decorate their porch. She said it with a small smile.
"I'm sure we'll bring our little one with us next year." Oliver commented casually, looking over a medium sized pumpkin. He let go of Lana's hand to inspect it further.
Lana placed both hands on her belly. "Won't he be too little?" There was concern in her voice but excitement too.
"We should expect him sometime in the spring. In April if I'm not mistaken. He won't be walking but I'm sure he'll enjoy it just fine." He gave Lana a smile and then moved on to another pumpkin. He was pleased to hear Lana agree to the midwife that morning and as soon as he heard her come on board he made that call before she had the chance to change her mind yet again. They were to expect her visit on Monday.
Lana inspected some pumpkins on her own and picked a small one up. The pumpkin was slightly the size of her belly. "Do you think he'll like Halloween?" She wondered out loud.
Oliver smiled again at her question. It was clear that Lana was coming around to raising the child. Of course it was already decided that they would raise him but hearing her talk about him just confirmed it that much more.
She smiled teasingly at him, "Of course he will. Children adore this holiday." He leaned in and kissed her lips again. She smiled whenever he did so.
"Well, let's make a decision on these." She looked back down to the pumpkins.
Lana hadn't been able to make up her mind on which pumpkins she liked best so Oliver ended up taking a wheel barrel full to the car while she munched on a caramel apple and held a little bag of popcorn in the other hand. "I shouldn't let you eat so many sweets." He commented as he hopped in the driver's seat.
Lana offered him some popcorn, expression innocent and calm now that she was being fed. The popcorn and the apple weren't the only treats she had indulged in during their stroll through the patch. Oliver smiled sheepishly and took some popcorn.
"I can't help it," She shrugged, "This kid has me starving constantly."
"That's a good sign." Oliver backed the car out of its parking space.
"Hmph." She pouted slightly and ate some popcorn for herself. "Says you. You're not the one gaining all the weight in your midriff."
Oliver laughed, "Well, I suppose that's true."
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When they arrived home, Lana picked a place for each pumpkin on the porch and Oliver obliged. She was excited to join in the festivities like the majority of their neighbors had already done so. After Briarcliff, Lana just wanted to live normally.
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That night, Lana cuddled next to Oliver on the sofa, listening as he read to her a chapter from Bram Stoker's Dracula to celebrate the season. He had been in the middle of a sentence when the doorbell quickly rang multiple times. Lana instantly jumped up to her feet, fear quickly covering her face. As soon as Oliver saw the look of utter fear consume her, he knew what she was thinking.
"Who is that?" Her voice trembled and she stepped back.
Oliver stood from the sofa, setting the book aside. "Stay here." He ordered, his tone serious.
Lana's heart began to accelerate and her mind raced. She felt her ears go hot as the panic began to take over. Oliver went to the window by the door and carefully peeked from behind the blinds. It was then he heard the shuffle of multiple feet running away followed by muffled laughter. His shoulders relaxed and he let go of the breath he had been holding. Ding Dong Ditchers.
Oliver pushed away from the window and returned to the living room where Lana stood in the middle of a panic attack. "Hey," He went up to her, "Everything's fine. It was just a group of kids playing pranks." He walked her over to the sofa and sat her down. "You're okay."
"Kids?" Lana asked, tears forming in her eyes. She had been sure Sister Jude had found her and was ready to barge in with orderlies hot on her trail.
"They tend to get rowdy the closer it gets to Halloween." He shook his head. He knew Lana suffered from post traumatic stress and he knew her anxiety caused her to fear irrational things like the sudden ring of the doorbell but it was nothing but a couple of neighborhood kids up to no good.
"I thought-I thought they…" She closed her eyes and regained herself, suddenly feeling foolish for her reaction. "I'm sorry."
Oliver brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. His beautiful Persephone truly lived in her own her hell, bounded by the terrors of her past. How he wished he could truly take her out of her fears and tornment for good.
Oliver remembered the little velvet box that awaited. He would do anything for her.
