Heimat AU: Mikey's Rescue

Chapter Six: The Nightmare

"Not all parks will be that way, Mikey, I promise." Maia said as she brushed her teeth. Mikey smiled at the way her voice sounded with the toothbrush foaming up her mouth. "Next time, nothing bad will happen."

She spit and rinsed and then smiled at Mikey. "No one is going to hurt you if I can help it."

Mikey nodded, and stood on the stool to brush his teeth.

They were at a hotel, and Lauren wanted nothing more than to be in the camper van. But Wade had suggested he buy her a weeks' stay at the nicest hotel so he could show stability and access, and blah blah. Lauren was doing whatever he asked, she needed help.

She smiled as the two children started giggling in the bathroom. It was a great sound; it was the best sound. To hear those two getting along and Mikey finding joy in anything was the best sound.

The came out of the bathroom and Mikey instantly grabbed his new stuffed triceratops that Lauren had bought him today. They had went back and he had gotten the shirt back. A new one, and Mikey was happy.

Lauren then had seen stuffed dinosaurs and bought Maia and Mikey each one. Mikey hadn't known what it was, but the second that Lauren had gave it to him he felt better. Hugging the soft dinosaur to him gave him comfort. Rubbing his cheek against the softness gave him comfort. He never wanted to let it go. Ever.

Maia grabbed some books and was excited. They had gotten eight new books and she couldn't wait to read them all. Mikey looked at the treasury of tales book that Lauren had picked out for him. He knew how to read, but he wanted to sit in Lauren's lap and have her read to him.

But, would that be okay?

He chewed his lip and glanced at Lauren as Maia flopped on her lap, chattering away. Lauren was chuckling and laughing along with her daughter. He wanted that. He wanted to sit on Lauren. And feel her arms hug him close. It felt nice...but should he? Could he?

Maia was giggling and her mother said something funny again. Mikey shuffled from foot to foot. What should he do? Should he just go to bed?

"Mikey, baby, do you want me to read you a bedtime story out of there?" Lauren had been watching his struggle. She knew he was watching her, and Maia and it nearly broke her heart that he was scared to ask for comfort.

Mikey looked up at them and nodded before he lost his nerve. He climbed up on the bed and handed the book to Lauren. She smiled, warmly and held out her arm. He smiled and crawled into her lap and cuddled up to her. He felt warm and safe as her soothing tone read out three stories. His eyes getting heavier and heavier.

"I think it's time we all call it a night." Lauren said softly. Both kids had their heads resting on her shoulders, almost asleep.

"Nah, ma, I'm awake." Maia said, sleepily. Lauren laughed.

"Sure." She whispered.

"Maybe...just a little tired." Maia said, smiling.

Mikey could barely keep his eyes open.

Maia crawled off her mother's lap and into the next bed. "Can Mikey sleep with me? I'll keep his nightmares away." Maia said, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"Yes." Mikey said. "Please?"

"Of course my little beans."

She stood up with Mikey still in her arms and sat him on the bed. She pulled the covers down and both children slipped under the covers. Lauren tucked them in, gave them each a kiss on the forehead and called it a night herself.

***

Mikey was being punished. His father was angry. So angry. He had forgotten to scrub a spot of dirt out of the kitchen floor. Would it be the cane this time?

He was waiting. He was in the basement.

He heard the door open. The handle turning and his stomach dropped.

In walked his father. "Be ready for punishment." His tone rang out.

"No...no...no...no...I'll be good." Mikey whimpered instantly.

"I'll be good."

"I'll be so good."

"Please, I'm so sorry."

Maia opened her eyes. It was still dark, she looked around and Mikey was curled up in a ball and crying and whimpering. What was wrong, was it a nightmare?

"I'll be good. Please daddy, I'll be good."

Mikey seen his father roar in anger. He grabbed his son by the arm roughly. Something snapped and the child screamed, but he didn't care. "You're not good! And you know better than to use the term 'daddy' NEVER AGAIN!"

Blow after blow.

Maia was scared now. Mikey wasn't coming out of it. He wouldn't wake up.

"Mikey! It's Maia."

She shook him, and when that didn't work, she had to shake him harder. "Mikey, please.... please."

Mikey's arm hurt worse than it ever had. He was crying, trying to stop the pain, ignoring the cane that was falling on him over and over. It was nothing compared to the pain in his arm. "You ruined my life!" His father said and slammed his son to the floor. "And you'll pay every day for that."

"Mikey!" Maia was crying now. Lauren was in such a deep sleep that she didn't hear the children's struggle. Maia looked over and was just going to get her mother when Mikey grabbed her arm. His eyes were open, and he sprung up and into her arms. "Mikey." Maia sighed, relief flowing through her. "It's okay, just a nightmare. I promise, just a nightmare."

He nodded and looked at his arm. A bandage was there from the bite, but it was healed now. That had been years ago. He had been bad. He just seemed to never be able to be good. He hugged Maia and shook and tried to calm down.

"Mikey, I'll keep you safe." Maia whispered to him. She laid back down, bringing him with her. "Just lay on me and forget what you seen." She said and she began to sing. Any calm song she knew she sang to him.

His eyes grew heavy again and sleep overtook him while he was smiling. Feeling safe with Maia. Thoughts of his father long gone.