Miss Katherine (AHS) {Discontinued}

Chapter Twenty (Murder House)

November 2011

Katherine finds herself sitting next to Vivien while Moira wipes the dishes.

'' She's a nurse in your department. I think her name is Angie something? '' Vivien speaks on the phone. '' She fainted during an ultrasound. Right, she's an ultrasound technician. So she quit? Would you ask her to call me, then? Vivien Harmon. Okay, thank you. ''

Constance enters through the back door, holding a plate. 

Vivien places the phone on the counter. '' Hi, Constance. '' She stands up and takes a few steps towards the elderly woman. '' I'm so sorry about Adelaide. I've been meaning to make a condolence call, and I've just been...'' 

Constance holds up her hand for Vivien to stop talking. '' Moira tells me that you've been suffering terribly. That every-time you leave the house, you're racked with violent morning sickness? '' 

'' Yeah. '' Vivien nods her head.  '' Well, you know, my mother always recommended a big platter of offal during the first trimester of pregnancy. '' Constance smiles. '' She preferred pork. '' She begins to unwrap the packaging.

'' Oh, well, how nice of you to think of me during this...'' Vivien says, but is interrupted by Constance again. '' I believe life is for the living, don't you? '' Constance reveals the organs. '' Sweetbreads. Now these two are thymus glands, one from the heart, one from the throat. And this is the pancreas. ''

Katherine and Vivien both look disgusted at the plate.

'' It's so good for mother and child. '' Constance smiles at Vivien. '' Full of protein, vitamin C, all the B vitamins and iron. And speaking of which...how is your other baby? She was such a dear sweet child, and such a comfort to me when Addie passed. '' Constance doesn't make eye contact with Katherine, not having spoken to her since the comment that Billie Dean made.

'' Well, she's been very upset. '' Vivien nods. '' Spending a lot of time in her room, she won't even talk to Katherine. ''

'' Sometimes, children going through transition just need alone time. '' Constance nods.

'' Well, I, um, can't thank you enough for the...awful. '' Vivien mispronounces. '' Offal. '' Constance corrects. '' Moira, why don't you saute these for Mrs Harmon's lunch? '' She passes the plate to Moira. '' Do 'em the way that you used to do them for me, remember? With sweet butter. ''

'' I'd be happy to do that for Mrs. Harmon. '' Moira nods towards Vivien.

Constance opens the back door, chuckling as she looks back at Vivien. '' We need that baby. We need another...sweet child around here. ''

Moira starts cooking everything but the pancreas. Vivien sits back next to Katherine.  '' Have you and Constance had a falling out? '' She asks the brunette, who shakes her head. '' No. ''

Vivien nods and takes Katherine's hand. '' Well, you're welcome to stay here for as long as you like, especially now that Ben isn't here to secretly judge you. '' Katherine gives a thankful smile to the older woman.

'' May I say something that could be considered out of turn, but that is sincerely heartfelt? '' Moira asks, and Vivien nods. '' I guess so. ''

Moira speaks as she continues cooking. '' Cheating on one's pregnant wife qualifies as an unspeakable criminal act. It's on par with murder. And I'll tell you one thing I know, if I know anything at all--Dr Harmon will cheat again, if given half the chance. ''

Vivien places her head in her hands and sighs, not wanting to hear what Moira is saying, but also knowing that the maid is correct.  '' I hope I haven't upset you, speaking my mind so directly. '' Moira says as she plate up lunch. '' Just a pinch of sea salt...a tiny squeeze of the lemon, if you like. Although I prefer without. And ma'am, I've left the pancreas uncooked. They say it's the tenderest organ of them all, especially when eaten raw. ''

'' Oh...Uh, no, I don't think so, Moira. '' Vivien shakes her head, eyeing the organs with great displeasure. '' Think of the baby. '' Moira adds.

Vivien gives Moira a smile and takes a fork from the table, she hesitantly takes a bite, surprised that she likes it. She makes a noise of satisfaction and nods her head, pleasing Moira. '' Do you want to try some? '' Katherine shakes her head. '' No thanks, it's all yours. '' She backs away from the plate slightly.

'' Oh, please do, Miss Katherine. '' Moira grabs a fork for Katherine and gives her a reassuring smile.

Katherine looks between the two woman and takes the fork. '' One piece. ''

'' Two. '' Vivien smiles, moving two pieces on one side of the plate.  '' Come on. '' Katherine counts to three in her head and eats two pieces at once, sticking them on the fork. As she chews, both women stare at her. '' How is it? '' Moira asks.

Katherine raises her eyebrows. '' Good. '' She shrugs. '' Surprisingly. '' Moira gives her a beaming smile and takes her leave.

After Vivien finishes her lunch, she asks Katherine to drive her to the clinic.

-

Vivien lays back as the nurse readies her equipment. '' So, who do you have with you today? '' The Nurse asks, putting Vivien at ease. '' This is Katherine. '' Vivien grabs her hand. '' She's like family. '' The Nurse smiles at them both. '' Okay, over 5,000 amnios, and not a single miscarriage, but who's counting? ''

'' And so this would--with the Down Syndrome...? '' Vivien asks. '' Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Spine Bifida. The amnio results should put your mind at ease. '' The Nurse says.

Ben bursts through the door. '' Sorry I'm late. Traffic was insane. '' He breathes out. '' You didn't have to leave work to come here. '' Vivien tells him, uncomfortable.

'' Of course he should. He's the daddy. '' The Nurse smiles. '' That's right. I'm the daddy. '' Ben says, staring at Vivien holding Katherine's hand.

'' We have to be nice to Mommy today. And keep her off her feet. '' The Nurse tells Ben, noticing his dislike of Katherine. '' Will do. '' Ben nods.

Katherine frees her hand from Vivien's and offers Ben the seat. '' I'll be outside. ''

'' No, stay, please. '' Vivien begs. '' I'll just be outside the room. '' Katherine reassures her.