A/N: Meisner's presence continues to cause problems for Sean. Meanwhile, Olivia has a surprise for Sean.
*Sean's POV*
Once the girls were settled in bed, Sean headed for his own bedroom determined to get a full night's sleep. As he was grabbing his sleepwear he paused, sensing another presence. "You gonna follow me everywhere?" Sean asked with a sigh.
"I imagine it feels good to be home, Sean. But I'm not following you." Meisner replied. "I'm haunting you. There is a difference."
Sean turned to face him. "Well, it's annoying in either case."
"You know, it's been a while since I've seen her."
Sean frowned. "Seen who?"
"Diana. I was there when she was born. It's quite an experience" Meisner commented. "I'm not really used to bringing life into the world.
"Is that what this is about?" Sean asked feeling frustrated. "You want some thanks for being there when I couldn't be? Well, thank you, really. Thank you for being there. I really appreciate everything you've done for Diana and me." Sean turned away from him and started unbuttoning his shirt.
"It's too bad you didn't think of that." Meisner replied. "Before, you know, that betrayal thing."
Sean looked at him and let out a bitter laugh. "Now is this gonna be a regular treat with you? You're gonna keep showing up here and making me feel sorry? Because I don't do sorry very well."
"Do I look shocked?"
"Look, we had some good times together, and I really appreciate everything you've done for all of us. For Diana, for Adalind, and me. Did I leave anybody out? Because I would really like to be done with this, once and for all."
Meisner shrugged. "I'm not sure I can commit to a half-assed haunting, Sean." Sean sighed. Of course it wouldn't be this easy. "I mean, you wouldn't respect me if I were to take a cheap thank you and drift off into whatever awaits me. I think we have some real issues to work through."
"I'm tired. I just wanna get some sleep." Sean said, almost pleading with him. "I'd love it if you got the hell out of my room."
"Well, there's the problem. Am I in your room or am I just in your mind?" Meisner asked. Sean just stared at him. "Now, that's just awesome. Am I even here?" He said, sitting down.
"Ok. Fine. You take the bedroom." Sean told him before storming off downstairs. Breathing heavily, he headed straight for the bar. He wasn't going to get drunk, he just needed something to take the edge off.
"Now we're getting somewhere." Sean froze. Dammit. "I've heard the only way to battle your demons is to take a trip to their hell."
The sound of a gunshot had Sean woging as he spun around. As he did so, there were more gunshots and multiple Meisner's laying on the ground, dead. With every gunshot, another body appeared. What was happening to him?
Sean didn't have the best night sleep. Eventually the gunshots stopped, and the bodies disappeared. Meisner left him alone, but Sean was sure he would return. Despite the lack of sleep, Sean was grateful when the sun rose. It meant the girls would be waking up. Meisner hadn't bothered him when he was with them, so he was hoping their presence would keep Meisner away. Olivia was the first to wake, calling out for him. Sean felt himself relax when he entered her room to see her smiling at him. Diana woke up not long after that. He got the two ready for the day before the three of them had breakfast. Angela arrived while they were eating, and both girls were happy to see her. Eventually Adalind arrived to pick Diana up, and Sean headed to the hospital to visit his wife before he headed to work.
Later that day, Sean decided to seek help for his ghost problem. Luckily, Angela was willing to stay with Olivia for a little bit longer. Knowing his youngest was taken care of, Sean headed to meet an old…acquittance. "Things haven't been going so well for you." Steiger commented upon seeing Sean."
"They haven't." Sean confirmed.
"I voted for you. Why'd you quit?"
Sean sighed. "It wasn't me."
Steiger raised an eyebrow, looking sceptical. "Looked like you." Sean gave him a look and Steiger chuckled. "You're telling someone used a Verfluchte Zwillingsschweste on you."
"That's not why I'm here. I…I need your help." Sean said awkwardly. He hated asking for help or admitting weakness. But he needed this issue dealt with.
"Well, I didn't think you came in to buy a guitar." Steiger straightened up, crossing his arms. "What's the problem?"
"I'm being haunted." Sean admitted.
"Hmm. Anybody you know?"
Sean nodded. "Yeah."
"Were you responsible for the death?"
Sean clenched his jaw. "In a way."
"You wanna narrow that down a little?"
Sean huffed. "Look, I killed him to put him out of his misery. And this is the thanks I get. I just wanna know if it's real or if I'm losing my mind" Sean told him, starting to get worked up.
"All right, all right, all right." Steiger said in a placating tone. He sighed. "This isn't going to be simple. Would did you bring me in order to find out?"
Sean held up his right hand before pulling the ring off. "This was my father's. And his father's before him." Sean told him before handing the ring over. Despite the pain caused by that side of the family, Sean wore the ring as a reminder that he didn't need them, that he had made his own way in the world.
Steiger took the ring from Sean, examining it closely. "All right then. Let's go find out if this ghost is real." He stared walking towards a double set of curtains. "This way."
Sean followed, pausing as Steiger opened the curtains revealing a large glass box. He moved behind it, pushing it into the main shop. Sean stepped forward to take a closer look. "Aspirateur d'Esprits." Sean read out. He gave Steiger a confused look. "A spirit vacuum?"
Steiger nodded. "If any spirits are attached to you, this will pull them out." He informed Sean.
Sean sighed. "What am I supposed to do?" He asked, looking at the box sceptically.
"Take off your clothes and get in."
Sean stared at him in disbelief. "Seriously."
"You want to find if your haunting is real, don't you? If it's all in your head, nothing will happen."
With a sigh, Sean stared removing his clothes. He had to find out for sure. Once Sean had undressed, he stepped inside, and Steiger closed the door behind him. "You ready?" He asked.
Sean nodded. "Let's get this over with." It was hot inside this box. Was it supposed to be this hot?
Steiger flicked a switch and machine came to life. It was loud. Sean watched as Steiger adjusted different knobs and switches. Sean stared to feel unwell and in pain. It felt like…something was being sucked out of him. He groaned before crying out as the pain grew in intensity. "It shouldn't be too long now." Steiger informed him before giving him a thumbs up.
Sean clenched his eyes shut and gritted his teeth as the pain got worse. As he shouted out in pain, he became aware of some kind of mist inside the box with him. He stared at it in surprise. There was more pain, and he cried out again. As he opened his eyes, he saw Steiger fall to the ground. As the man stood up, Sean saw that it wasn't Steiger, but Meisner dressed as he had been the day he died, bullet wound in the centre of his forehead. Sean stared at him in fear as Meisner hit another switch. The noises coming from the machine grew louder. Sean yelled out as banged his fists on the door, trying to get out. This was it. Meisner was getting his revenge. The pain intensified and Sean felt himself starting to lose consciousness. The last thing he saw was Meisner's face staring at him.
When Sean regained consciousness, he was surprised. The shop was empty. Truly empty. There was nothing in it. As Sean slowly got up, he realised he was wearing his clothes, yet couldn't recall getting dressed. What the hell? Sean slowly walked towards the door, glancing outside. His gaze fell on the hand that once held his father's ring. It wasn't there. Hearing something behind him, Sean spun around, finding himself face to face with Meisner. "The mind is a terrible thing to lose." And then he was gone.
Sean had no idea what the hell happened. Maybe he was losing his mind. But he clearly remembered entering a shop, speaking with Steiger, the pain associated with being in the Aspirateur d'Esprits. It had to have happened. His ring was gone. But where was Steiger? What happened to his pawn shop? Rattled, Sean decided to get out of there. He needed to go home. By the time Sean arrived home, he'd convinced himself nothing had happened. None of the events of the past couple of hours occurred.
"I'm sorry I'm so late." Sean told Angela after entering the house.
Angela had been about to walk upstairs. She had Olivia and a bottle in hand. "That's fine Sean." Angela assured him. "I was just about to put this one to bed."
"I can do that." He told her.
Angela nodded, handing Olivia over to him. "I left a plate in the fridge for you. She's been fed, bathed and has a clean diaper. I'm a little late getting her to bed because we went to visit Mommy and she had a nap on the way home."
Sean pressed a kiss to Olivia's head. "Thank you. How was she today?"
"Good. Although there were some tears when we left the hospital." Angela informed him.
Sean glanced down at Olivia who was resting her head on his shoulder, sleepily rubbing her eyes. She was definitely ready for bed. Sean looked back at Angela. "Thanks again Angela. We'll see you tomorrow."
As Angela let herself out, Sean took Olivia upstairs. "Did you have a good day today?" He asked her as settled in chair in her bedroom. Olivia nodded. Sean shifted her so he was cradling her before handing her the bottle of milk. As she drank her milk, Sean gently spoke to her, telling her about his day. Well, not everything, of course. Once the milk was gone, he stood up and tried to lay her in her crib. But she was having none of it, she started crying and clinging to him. "Hey, what's all this?" Sean asked softly as he held her close.
Olivia quietened down, only letting out little sniffles as she snuggled against him. Sean returned to the chair, keeping his daughter close, gently rubbing her back and pressing little kisses to the top of her head. "It's alright. Daddy's here."
Eventually his little princess fell asleep, and Sean was able to transfer her to the crib without any fuss. He moved downstairs to grab the plate Angela left for him. Once he'd eaten his fill, he returned upstairs to start getting ready for bed himself. Hopefully, hopefully, he'd be able to get a good night's sleep. As he settled in bed, he sent a message to his wife wishing her a good night. The house felt so empty without her, the bed even more so. Sean hoped she wouldn't be gone for much longer. Dr Brody had discussed inducing Lorelei on Sunday if the twins didn't start to come on their own. In light of that information, Sean had advised his higher ups that he would be starting paternity leave on Saturday and would be on paternity leave for a minimum of two weeks.
Glancing at his phone, Sean was disappointed Lorelei hadn't replied, but she was no doubt sleeping. At least he hoped she was. She needed her rest. Rolling over to Lorelei's side of the bed, Sean buried his face into her pillow, inhaling her scent as he drifted off to sleep.
"Daddy. Daddy." Sean slowly opened his eyes as he heard Olivia calling out for him. He froze when he realised her voice wasn't coming from the baby monitor. His daughter was standing beside the bed. She beamed at him when she saw he was awake. "Hi!"
"Hi." Sean said returning her smile before glancing at the clock. It was five in the morning. He looked back at his daughter, a look of confusion on his face. "Is Angela here?"
Olivia shook her head. "No."
Sean frowned. "Who got you out of your crib?"
Olivia patted herself on the chest. "Livy."
Sean looked at her sceptically. "You got yourself out of your crib?" Olivia nodded. How did she do that? Sean rolled out of the bed, rubbing his eyes. "How did you do that?" All he got in reply was a cheeky grin, identical to her mothers.
After using the bathroom, Sean grabbed Olivia and carried her into her bedroom to get her dressed and change her diaper. Once that was done, Sean stopped before leaving the room as he turned back to look at the crib. If Liv was starting to climb out of her crib it might be time to get her a convert it into a toddler bed. Sean walked over and placed Olivia in the crib. "You wanna show Daddy how you got out of your crib?" He asked her.
That same cheeky little smile crossed her face. Sean almost stumbled back when he saw Olivia's blue eyes glow, the same way Diana's did when using her powers. The pieces holding one of the sides in place unlocked and the side swung down. Olivia got down on her hands and knees before crawling backwards out of the crib. Once she was clear, the side swung back up and locked into place. Olivia turned to look at him, her eyes returning to normal. Sean stared at her in surprise. Olivia had powers? Was this a new thing or had it happened before? No one had mentioned anything. Then again, his wife failed to mention she herself developed some kind of power.
Sean picked his daughter up. "Very impressive." He told her. "But no more jailbreaks, ok?"
A/N: Finally, we get to see some of Olivia's personality shining through. And some sweet Sean and Olivia moments.
