A/N: Okay, it was brought to my attention that I may have miscalculated the time Johnny was born. When I counted, it landed me in late March/early April. Lana's supposed to be 4 months in October and 5 in November so if I misspoke in the past chapter, my bad lol I'll go back and edit that. March makes 9 but I was like super set on April so I tried to stretch it the best I could lol but yeah, that makes sense, right? Anyway, on with the next chapter!
Ps. I don't know much about midwives in the late 60s so bare with me here lol.
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TWENTY-NINE
All Hallow's
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The closer the days grew to Halloween, the more anxious Lana became about seeing the midwife. On the day she was to arrive, Lana spent the morning munching on Halloween candy Oliver had purchased for the children. He found her in the living room with multiple empty wrappers on the coffee table.
"Lana," He sighed, "Those are for the kids."
Lana glanced up, an unwrapped chocolate in her hand. "I know. This ones for the baby." She said casually and returned her attention back to the tv screen as if she wasn't in any sorts of trouble.
In fact, before Lana nervously began to eat the Halloween candy, she had tried to sit down and write something on her new typewriter but the midwife's arrival loomed heavy on her mind and she couldn't concentrate.
Oliver shook his head disapprovingly and took the bowl away. "Too many sweets can't be good for either of you."
Lana frowned at this, a bit annoyed that Oliver had taken the candy from her. He had been rather strict when it came to her health and wellbeing and it was beginning to irritate her. Not because he was overbearing but because the hormones set her off so easily. She shook her head, not wanting to fight him on it. She'd just go find the bowl later anyway.
Oliver took the bowl of candy and placed it on top of the fridge. He glanced down at his watch and sighed. She would be arriving any moment now and he hoped Lana would handle it well. Oliver went back into the living room where he saw Lana with her hand upon her stomach; she had that same look upon her face and he knew the child was restless. "I wouldn't doubt you have him hopped up on sugar." He teased her gently.
"Ha-ha. You're hilarious, Doc." She glanced away, hiding her eyes from him.
Oliver cleared the wrappers aside and sat on the coffee table across from her. "You know everything will be okay, right?"
Lana's gaze met his and she nodded slowly. "Yes. I trust you."
"She's here to help you. The both of you. Tell her everything you're feeling and any concerns you have."
Lana nodded and smiled. "Thank you."
Oliver was about to answer when the doorbell rang. They both turned to the door and Lana felt her heart skip a beat.
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The midwife was an older woman in her fifties. She was kind and looked much younger than she was. Lana found that she had a very earthly vibe to her and she liked the soft tone of her voice. Lana's heart beat ever so fiercely at the thought of having another stranger so close but Ms. Nora's presence was a soothing one.
Oliver waited in their room while Lana and the midwife took their time in the study. Lana sat on the cushioned chair she sat in during her sessions with Oliver and quietly watched as Ms. Nora took her pressure and did a variety of other small prenatal exams.
"How are you feeling?" She asked when she was done with their first visit. It had gone faster and smoother than Lana anticipated.
"Tired." Lana admitted, remembering Oliver's advice, "And hungry. Actually, I'm quite hungry all the time." She frowned, "Is that...normal?"
Ms. Nora laughed lightly, "That's very normal. Dr. Thredson informs me this is your first?"
Lana became shy but smiled and nodded silently.
"Don't worry. The fear is normal too." She began to pack away her things in a brown medical bag.
Lana relaxed at this. "I don't think I'm ready." She found herself admitting.
Ms. Nora gave her a reassuring smile, "Oh, darling. To be honest with you, no mother is every truly ready. When the moment comes, you'll know."
"What moment?" Lana asked, curious and a bit confused.
Ms. Nora finished packing up her things, "Well, when you hold your little baby for the first time, of course. You'll know exactly what to do."
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Ms. Nora's words left Lana pensive for the remainder of the day. She stayed back in the living room contemplating their conversation while Oliver walked the midwife to her car. He had multiple questions of his own from a medical standpoint as well as a first time father. However, he didn't want Lana to concern herself with his worries so he decided to ask them out of earshot.
To Oliver's relief, the midwife found Lana to be doing quite well despite her lack of medical attention in the first few months of pregnancy. He had relayed some of Lana's fears regarding hospitals but didn't dive deep into her trauma and there were no questions asked either.
Oliver returned back inside with lists of healthy foods for Lana to try as well as some at home exercises to keep from growing too lethargic and bored.
"What she say?" Lana asked curiously when Oliver came back into the house looking like the proud father to be.
"She said," He kissed her forehead, "To leave the candy for the children." and retreated to his study, leaving Lana frowning and confused.
"That sounds like a lot of bull." She called after him and leaned back on the sofa, muttering to herself.
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HALLOWEEN 1966
The children didn't even wait until sundown to run out of their homes dressed in their costumes to beg for candy. Lana had been a bit shy about helping Oliver pass out what was left of the candy to the children but he had encouraged her. So they sat on the porch of their home to enjoy the holiday.
Lana watched Oliver pass out the first rounds of candy until she felt confident enough to do it herself. She was all smiles when the children ran up to her to collect their treats. Oliver figured she felt comfortable around them for children posed no real threat. Their innocent joy was contagious and carefree. They held no ill intent or hatred. All they wanted was candy.
It was then Lana noticed one of their neighbors walk by with their dog on a leash. He eyed the couple on the porch and gave Oliver a silent nod. Oliver raised his hand and gave him a short wave hello.
"I wonder what your neighbors think about me living with you." Lana pondered out loud after she had given two little girls their candy and watched them pass by their neighbor and head down to the house next door. She hadn't thought to do so before since she never left the house but now a lot more of their neighbors were noticing her presence during her morning and afternoon walks.
"Um, well, I believe they think we're married." Oliver answered her; he had left his glasses inside, "A man and a woman living together? It's people's first thought."
"How long are we planning on lying?' Lana teased as she dropped a handful of candy into a child's pail. They'd be out of candy shortly at the rate she was giving them out but Oliver didn't mind.
Oliver grew nervous. He felt the box pulsing in his pocket. All that time he had been waiting for the right moment to propose but he couldn't find a conventional way to do so. Then again, was anything with Lana conventional?
"I'm not saying we should keep lying." The words just spilled out of him.
Lana watched the children run down the walkway, giggling to themselves. She found that she couldn't wait to see their little one running about as he enjoyed the festivities for himself one day. Lana grew hopeful and excited for their child with each passing moment. She tried not to think of the doubt that still loomed in her mind because Ms. Nora's words had calmed many of her fears. Maybe one day when the child was old enough he would come to understand why his mother woke in the middle of the night screaming in fits of fear. Maybe then Lana would feel better equipped.
Nonetheless, she was hopeful.
"Are you trying to propose to me, Dr. Thredson?" Lana joked the same way she had once before during a car ride when she asked him if her presence would put a hold on his life.
Oliver remained silent. A small group of children came running up to the house calling out, "Trick or treat!"
Lana smiled, gave them their candy and complemented their costumes. Once they ran off content, she noticed his silence and looked to him. The playful smile was still upon her face but he held no smile. He just looked deeply into her eyes. Lana's smile slowly faded.
"Oliver?" Her voice was almost a whisper.
"If I did, would you say yes?" He repeated the same words he had in that car ride.
Lana wanted to laugh, thinking that he was joking with her like he had done so before but that serious look on his face kept her from doing so.
Oliver looked down and reached into his pocket, bringing out the little velvet box. "You asked me that day at the park what last name our child would have. Well, I want him to have mine but…" His eyes slowly met hers, "I want you to have it as well."
Lana swore her heart stopped beating when he opened the little box and exposed a simple yet brilliant engagement ring. She couldn't find the words to react; it was as if she was mute once more. A couple of kids ran up the walkway, noticed the distracted adults and dipped into the candy bowl for themselves. Lana did a double take when the kids ran off, suddenly brought back down to earth by their shrill laughter.
"You want to marry me?" She asked.
Oliver smiled sheepishly, "I have for some time now if you couldn't tell."
Tears formed in Lana's eyes. "Even though I'm damaged?"
Oliver frowned at this, "You're not damaged, Lana. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." Tears ran down Lana's cheeks when she heard him speak those words. "And I mean that. I'm not proposing for the sake of appearances or because you're having my child. I'm doing it because…" he paused, suddenly embarrassed, "Because I fell in love with you."
It was true and Oliver couldn't pinpoint the exact moment he had. He searched his mind for the memory but found that each one had caused him to fall deeper and deeper.
He was about to continue his speech when Lana slowly leaned in and kissed him softly. There were so many thoughts running through her mind in that moment, so many fears but a life by Oliver's side was one she wanted. He had saved her life when no one else thought her worthy of living. He had cared for her when she couldn't even care for herself. He would drive away the winter and bring forth the spring with his bare hands just for her, if he could.
When Lana pulled away, he had grown silent, mesmerized by the feeling of her kiss. She searched his kind eyes and spoke so surely of herself, "Yes."
"What?" he asked, unsure if he had heard her right.
Lana smiled, "I said yes."
