A/N: I'm sorry but Roanoke was messy trash. Brad and Ryan, y'all hurt my feelings. The plot was horribly messy and not in the way Freak Show was and the finale wasn't much of a finale. I wish we could have learned more about the lost colony and of Gaga's character. Like what the heck? It felt short handed.

I mean I think it would have been cool if they hadn't gone with a reality TV thing during modern times and instead based the plot around the lost colony in their time. I mean that's what I thought was going to happen when the lost colony was revealed as the theme. It was a disappointing season but luckily The Walking Dead is so damn good right now I'm not too bummed out.

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NINTEEN

The Apple

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The rain seemed never ending that November in the year of 1966. Tons of water dropped upon Boston with no remorse, drenching everything in its path and flooding the streets, making it almost impossible to leave the house or even want to leave the house. The Peyser-Winters residents were one of many that tried to keep warm and dry that chilly November. The house was littered with scented candles and the fire was always burning.

The day Johnny got up and took his first steps was one of those rainy days and one Lana almost missed. There were reruns on the television and Wendy was playing music in the kitchen. She was home early that day due to the weather and Lana was relieved she was at home with the boy.

Lana was on her way out to cover a story when she saw the heavy rains and knew traffic in the city would be worse than hell. Now, rain normally wouldn't stop her ambition, it was the sight of Johnny's elbow dimples that did her in. A rainy day at home seemed much better than covering a story that would end up in the corner article of the last page of the paper. So Lana closed the door and stayed home.

Sometimes Lana felt like motherhood put a hold on all else. Her career didn't seem as important and neither did the fame. Her selfishness had dwindled at the sight of those blue eyes and the need to follow every daft story came to a halt when she asked herself what the child would do without her.

Johnny was first in Lana's life. She had even lowered Wendy down from the pedestal to place the boy on top. Lana felt guilty but she knew Wendy had done the same. The boy had become their main priority and those first steps brought a new faze to their lives. One, which made Lana realize that her baby wasn't much of a baby, and two, that a lot, more of their things were in danger of being broken.

His steps were shaky but he was so sure of himself, holding no fear while he darted in the direction of his mother. When Wendy came into the room she made a fuss and made a note to get the camera.

"I told you he'd walk when he was ready." Wendy beamed.

Lana snorted, "I'm sure I told you that." She welcomed the now walking boy into her arms.

Johnny was so delighted with himself. He clapped his hands once he was in Lana's embrace.

"See? That wasn't so bad, was it?" Lana asked him, "Now you get to wreck even more havoc through my home."

And so Johnny's new reign over the household began. His shaky steps gathered strength after multiple practice attempts. He went from three shaky steps to four and then more. Of course he would still lose balance and topple over but he never cried when his little hands hit the floor. He just got back up.

He followed his mothers around the house with newfound enthusiasm, extremely pleased with himself. Wendy bragged to the other teachers of her "nephew" finally beginning to walk. The way she spoke about him, the other staff members could have sworn she was talking about her own son. Even Lana had told her boss, Lou, about Johnny's milestone. She looked very proud when she did and was relieved as well.

There was always worry in the back of her mind when it came to Johnny's health. Physical and mental. His father was clinically insane and Lana held a fear deep down inside of her that Oliver had in a way passed his insanity down to the boy. The thought left Lana sleepless at nights and gave her nightmares.

She questioned her fears, wondering how such a sweet boy could grow up to be a monster? It didn't make sense, she told herself. Oliver was a monster because he grew up to be one due to his upbringing. If he had been loved, if he had been cherished by his mother, he wouldn't have been so. Well, she was going to make sure her son wouldn't be.

But Lana wasn't the only one with worries. Wendy too often sat distracted in her classroom while her students read silently to themselves. She had never met Johnny's father, she had only seen him in the newspaper after the events happened. From his photo he appeared to be a fine and handsome man; he looked intelligent, with a good head on his shoulders. He appeared to be the type of man she guessed would be open minded to the world's new changes. He looked…sane.

Oliver Thredson was indeed a handsome man but he was nowhere near sane. He might have been quite intelligent but he sure didn't have a good head on his shoulders. His mind was filled with perverse thoughts and he did so well to hide them. It was what scared Wendy. That he looked so normal, so handsome, so welcoming. She couldn't blame Lana for trusting him and ultimately falling into his trap. But alas, he was Johnny's biological father and Wendy couldn't help to wonder what other traits he had passed down to the boy.

However, Wendy's concerns didn't run deep as Lana's. She didn't worry about Johnny growing up to be insane like his father. She was curious as to if he would grow to share his father's interest in medicine. If he would grow up to wear glasses and have darker hair like his father. She wondered if their mannerisms would be the same, if they would share any allergies or tastes in food. Those were the kind of things that plagued Wendy. Things she knew there was no way of asking Lana.

Wendy almost wanted to laugh at the thought of asking Lana if she knew if Bloody Face had any allergies or liked to play chess. It was a ridiculous thought but Wendy was curious to know how far the apple had fallen.

.

He went about the house with little wobbly steps, arms up in pure delight and a grin so wide it was contagious. Wendy encouraged the boy, standing at odd ends of the room, calling his name and making little noises to catch his attention. She was extremely delighted with his brand new milestone and boasted about it to the faculty at her school.

Lana on the other hand became more concerned for her fragile belongings and her furniture. Nothing was safe now that the boy was walking. He was clumsy and often stumbled when he went too fast but he was mobile. Lana also found him to be like a cat, always standing in the way and getting in between her feet. Nonetheless, she was relieved he was walking.

The rain was pouring that weekday morning, like always. Lana was in the kitchen attempting to make an omelet that already had a few pieces of the egg shell inside it. Johnny sat in his high chair trying to reach his feet to yank off his socks.

"I'm watching you, boy." Lana warned him, "Don't think I'm not."

Johnny whined a little and continued to squirm. Lana opened the fridge and grabbed a little cup of yogurt, opened it and placed it on the high chair in front of him.

"Here, eat this." She turned her back to him and sighed, "But we both know you're just going to make a mess with it."

"It's not a mess, Lana. It's art." Wendy came into the kitchen ready for her class.

Lana scoffed, "Art my ass." She looked over her shoulder while she whisked the omelet. "You try selling that at any museum and then come tell me about it."

Wendy laughed, brushing the back of Johnny's head. His hair was growing wild and curling at the ends. She could eat him up. "Lana, you're cruel. You're supposed to encourage your son not put him down."

"I doubt he cares. All he wants to do is run amuck and kill my plants."

Wendy kissed the top of his head. "Like you aren't doing that already?"

Lana exhaled, "I'm going to pretend you didn't say that."

Wendy stood next to her at the stove. "Haven't given up, have we?"

"I don't know what you mean."

Wendy grinned at Lana, "This is why I love you."

"Huh. And I always thought you loved me for my mind."

"Even better." Wendy kissed her cheek.

Johnny watched his mothers from his high chair and faked a wail. Both Lana and Wendy turned to see him covered in yogurt.

"Do you think it bothers him when we kiss?" Wendy asked Lana, both of their eyes still on the boy.

"I don't see why it would. He's still too little to understand."

"I don't know. He always makes a fuss when we do."

"Maybe he's jealous."

Wendy raised a brow, "Jealous of what?"

"That you're stealing me from him."

Wendy laughed, "Is that so?"

"It's so." Lana confirmed.

In a way Wendy knew it was true. Johnny did cling to Lana the most. It must have been the connection they shared while he was still in the womb. Maybe that or maybe he could just sense that she was his real mother.

It was odd the way Johnny sought them out in different ways. When he woke during the middle of the night he would not settle until Lana cradled him close. When he was being naughty, it was Wendy's arms he found comfort in after a good scolding. He wasn't even fifteen months old but he was already learning who to turn to for what.

"Well, if it is or not, it'll have to be discussed later. I have to get to the school and this rain isn't going to make it any easier."

Lana followed Wendy out to the living room. "Would you call me crazy if I said I felt guilty for missing out on work today?"

"Why would I?" Wendy looked for her car keys. She was sure Johnny had flung them somewhere. "And why would you?"

Lana leaned against the walkway between the living room and the kitchen. She looked over at Johnny who was sticking his hand in the yogurt cup and then shoving it into his mouth. "I feel like I should be out there…"

Wendy sighed, "Lana, one day won't hurt you."

Lana exhaled, "You used to encourage me, do you remember?"

"That was before we had a little baby to worry about." Wendy went up to her, "Don't worry babe. Your stories will pick up again soon."

Lana nodded but said nothing further on the matter. She couldn't make Wendy understand how much of a failure she felt by putting her career on low. Hell, she was supposed to be on television by then and she wasn't.

So Lana faked a smile and saw Wendy off.

.

Wendy spent the majority of her day distracted by thoughts of Lana and her journalism. Johnny really seemed to put a halt on her life but Wendy knew somehow it was for the better. Lana would have her time in the sun.

"Miss Peyser?" Came little Molly's voice.

"Yes, sweetheart?" Wendy snapped out of her thoughts.

"I don't get this word." Molly showed Wendy the book she had been reading.

"What word?"

Molly pointed at it, "This one."

And so Wendy's day as a beloved teacher went on without any further interruptions until lunchtime came around.

Wendy found herself in the teacher's lounge showing some fellow teachers a photo of Johnny standing on the front porch of the house. Lana could be seen on the sidelines, standing there, looking in a different direction.

"Oh, he's so precious, Wendy. How old is he now?" Miss Reinhart the second grade teacher asked.

"He just turned a year on late October."

"Such a little cherub." Mrs. Cole commented.

"And when are you planning on having one of your own?" Mrs. Redding asked with no mal intent, just plain curiosity and a little teasing amongst friends and colleagues.

Wendy felt short and her smile faded a little. How badly she wanted to say that Johnny was hers, she just hadn't given birth to him but she did consider herself his mother and she was. She just couldn't tell them that. But Wendy knew she was just afraid to. There was still so much to lose if she.

"Oh, I don't know."

"Oh, it's such a wonderful thing having one of your own." Mrs. Redding said with a soft sigh while she fixed her glasses.

"Not everyone wants to have kids of course." Mrs. Cole replied with a light frown, "My husband and I are far from ready."

"But what else can you do when society expects you to do nothing but marry and have kids?" Miss Reinhart asked, "My parents are hounding me on marriage. I'm twenty-three, I'm still young."

"Times are changing. It wasn't like it used to be." Wendy replied, "Women can do as they please."

"That's dangerous talk there, Peyser." Mrs. Cole joked.

The bell that signaled recess and lunch was over rang, calling the teachers back to their classrooms to greet the children.

"Best not to dwell on it." Mrs. Cole placed her hand on Wendy, "It'll happen when it happens."

Wendy forced a smile and nodded but said not much else on the matter.

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Johnny tried to climb onto Lana's lap while she typed away on her typewriter. Lana had been attempting to write something other than a news article. Perhaps a substitute for what she had been hiding on the top shelf. She grabbed Johnny around the belly with one arm and hauled him up onto her lap. He excitedly slapped the desk with his hands, happy to be included in whatever Lana was doing.

"I need some inspiration here…" She sighed, "What do you think?"

"Muh-muh." He reached for her face.

Lana grabbed his hand and kissed it. "I have no clue either."

The front door opened and Lana sighed, "Looks like Mama's home." She stood from the desk with Johnny and went off to greet her. Neither woman brought up her worries of the day to one another.

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Thanksgiving finally arrived later that week. Lana had asked Wendy to pick up the cooked turkey she had ordered on her way home from the bakery and made the rest of the food herself from a cookbook Wendy had gotten her the week before for such an occasion. Johnny sat in his high chair, whining and fussing. He wanted Lana's attention. Wendy had gone out to pick up a pie from the bakery. Lana wasn't too confident in baking one and she sure didn't have the time to do so while Johnny demanded her attention.

Johnny continued to whine for her, big blues growing watery with tears.

"In a minute, Johnny." Lana checked on the yams questioning if they looked right. "Are they supposed to look like this?" She asked herself.

Johnny cried louder.

Lana sighed and threw the hand towel on the counter, "Okay, okay." She went over to Johnny and plucked him from the high chair, sitting him on her hip.

He immediately smiled.

Lana shook her head at the boy, "You must be very pleased with yourself, aren't you?"

Johnny only giggled and babbled some nonsense. He watched Lana continue to cook and tried to reach out and grab almost everything. When Lana tried to sit him back in his chair he cried. So she gave him a slice of apple, stuck it in his mouth and let him suck on it. Distracted, Johnny no longer tried to stick his hand in the cooking mashed potatoes.

"Oh thanks goodness." Lana sighed with relief when she heard the front door opening.

"You will not believe how packed the bakery was." Wendy said totally amused as she set the pie on the table. She then tugged on her scarf in attempts to take it off. Her hair was messy from the winds outside and she was calming down from a shiver. Lana didn't even want to think about how cold it was outside.

"Here," Lana handed the boy to Wendy, "Take this."

Johnny's mouth opened in a wide grin when he was handed to Wendy.

"Hi, baby boy." Wendy kissed his cheek, "Are you driving your mother insane?"

Johnny squealed.

"I'll take that as a yes."

"I could have told you that." Lana sighed.

Wendy sat Johnny on her hip and went to Lana's side. She looked at all the food and kissed Lana on the cheek, "It looks great, Love."

"You think so?"

"Yes. Let's just hope it tastes great."

Lana rolled her eyes, "Shut up."

Wendy laughed while Johnny threw his half chewed apple slice to the floor.

"Johnny." Both Lana and Wendy sighed in a disapproving manner.

"So," Lana continued, "Where's the bird? In the car?"

Wendy bit her bottom lip, "Well…"

Lana didn't like the sound of that. "Well, what?"

.

Later that evening Lana found herself sitting in front of her vanity mirror pinning her hair up into a ponytail, silently seething in annoyance. When she finished, she let her hands down and sighed, thinking of the turkey order that had been cancelled and all the food that she had cooked that now sat in plastic containers in the fridge.

"You might as well put a bullet to my head."

Wendy popped her head out of the bathroom, "Lana, relax. You've survived past years, you'll survive this one too."

"I'd rather be locked at Briarcliff and flogged by a nun…" She mumbled under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." Lana stood from the vanity and went to the bed where Johnny was napping. He was dressed in his holiday best but had dozed off during the process of being dressed. She watched over her son for a moment.

Wendy returned to the bathroom and emerged minutes later. She looked at Lana and covered her mouth to suppress a sigh. Her heart just wanted to break at the sight of the reporter she adored so much. She hadn't bothered to tell her until last minute that she had accepted her mother's invitation to Thanksgiving dinner despite the fact that they already had plans.

"So, what crazy story are we going to tell your family this year, hmm?" Lana asked without bothering to look at Wendy.

"What am I this year? Your roommate? Your friend?" She met Wendy's eyes, "Your life partner?"

"Lana, please don't…"

"Right." Lana gently picked up Johnny from the bed. He stirred for a moment and nestled his head on Lana's shoulder, "Let's not ruin dinner, shall we?"

"Lana."

Lana walked past Wendy and out of the room.

"Why do you have to make this a thing every time we go with my parents?" Wendy followed after her.

"I don't make it a thing." Lana retorted, "I just want to know what I'll be telling your relatives when they hound me about our lives."

"They're not going to hound you." Wendy assured her. "Please stop worrying about this."

"It's easy for you to say."

Wendy cupped Lana's face in her hands and smiled, "It'll be fine. Stop worrying so much."

Lana couldn't help to smile either and nodded. "Okay, I'm sorry."

.

The two women found themselves parked outside of Wendy's parent's home later that night. The rain had stopped falling for once. They could tell from outside that the home was alive with Wendy's relatives. All the cars parked outside were a testament to that as well.

Wendy sat behind the wheel. She glanced over her shoulder to see Johnny sitting in the back seat buckled up and fast asleep. He hadn't woken up once since they left home and both of them knew he would be up all night but didn't bother to wake him. Wendy then looked at Lana whose eyes were set on the windows of the house where behind the curtains she could make out the shadows of the residents inside. Wendy knew she was nervous. Ever since Johnny was born Lana had to defend herself as a single mother and all the questions that came with it. She never told people upfront she was a single mother. People often figured it out on their own.

Wendy set her eyes on the road ahead of her and without thinking it further; she turned the ignition back on. Lana's head whipped quickly to her. "What are you doing?"

Wendy smirked playfully at her, "Having Thanksgiving with my family."

Lana bit back a laugh but her smile was undeniable, "But we didn't even get the turkey?"

"I hear that new Chinese place is open now. Wouldn't hurt to try it out."

Lana smiled adoringly at her, "Sounds good to me."

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Johnny was wide awake at the restaurant, sticking his hand into a bowl of noodles and then stuffing it into his mouth.

"He slept all evening." Wendy mentioned while taking a bite out of her food.

Lana looked over at Johnny who sat in the booth next to her. "Yes, I know."

"He's going to be up all night."

"Yes, he is."

Lana met Wendy's eyes and they both laughed.

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When they arrived home, Lana set Johnny down upon their bed with a bottle in attempts to get him to go to sleep but he was bright eyed and bushy tailed. She continued to untie his shoes and undress him.

"I'm sorry you had to miss time with your family today." Lana told Wendy.

Wendy stood in front of their shared closet while she changed out of her clothes. "It's fine. I'll call my mother in a bit to let her know why we didn't show up."

Lana left Johnny on the bed and went to Wendy, taking her hand and kissing it. When she let Wendy's hand gently drop to the side, she was greeted by Wendy's lips upon hers. "If I had to choose, you know it would be you." Wendy whispered to her. "It'll always be you. I know that now."

Lana closed her eyes and let Wendy kiss her over and over. She wanted to believe her and in that moment, she did.