Captain Canary: (Book 4)

Chapter 24: Panic

Time passed since Sara and Leo made their way back from earth two and settled back down with their two daughters.  Leo was busy at work these days, trying to set things right his doppleganger messed up on while posing as him.  He didn't like explaining very well that during those few months he wasn't quite himself while making those decisions for the company.  It seemed that not only did his doppleganger want to take his family.  But he also wanted to take his job.  And every decision he made, had made the business come close to bankruptcy.  It was a close call but Leo managed to find a way to talk the company into giving him another chance.  He was back now and put right again.  He explained he was in an accident a few years back, which affected his memory from time to time still.  This story seemed to do the trick and his boss decided to give one more chance.

When Leo got back from work one afternoon.  Able to get off early to get some more rest, after explaining his medical issues.  He noticed the house was fairly quiet.  "Sara?  Girls?"  He called out.  A note caught his attention on the table.  Which made him a bit leery.  This was how it all began the first time with his doppleganger.  Seeing the note on the table, Leo had a sense of deja vu.  His doppleganger not only affected Sara and his daughters, but Leo was also these days.  Though he tried not to show it around Sara and his daughters that he was still having issues.  He didn't want them worrying more than they already were. 

Plus, they were getting back on track being a family again.  Sara's bloodlust was high for awhile after dealing with Leonard.  She'd settled down some now he was back, and they knew for sure they couldn't be bothered by his doppleganger.  They were letting their guards down once more since there'd been no activity since getting back from earth two.  Leo took a deep breath closing his eyes as he reached for the letter.  Half expecting him to come out and attack.  He was waiting for this to all be a dream that they could be happy.  And he'd wake up back in that warehouse.  Or worse yet.  He'd wake up in jail way back even when he first met Mick.  And they'd still be in prison and this was all some long dream of his.

Leo let out a sigh setting the paper back down.  It took him a few moments to recollect himself.  To know this was reality.  There wasn't anyone waiting around the corner to take him out and mess up his life.  He was here, and happy with Sara and their two daughters.  Once the realization hit him that even a thief could really be happy.  Leo couldn't help but give a small smile to himself.  He set the piece of paper down back on the table. Then wandered into his room.  Once again, he thought he could go meet the girls at the park, surprise them.

Heading into their bedroom, Leo made his way towards the closet, grabbing his jacket, since the weather was getting to be on the cool side.  Winter was coming soon.  As Leo dragged his jacket out of the closet, it accidentally brushed against the nightstand and knocked Sara's book off the surface, landing on the floor.  As it did, and the book opened to a page, a piece of paper slipped out of the book onto the floor.  This peeked Leo's interest.  He took a scan around making sure Sara wasn't back yet.  He hadn't heard any sound but still wanted to check.  Leo wasn't really one to snoop anymore, and knew he shouldn't.  But he was curious what was on that paper Sara was hiding.

Leo leaned forward, picking up the paper.  He unfolded it before scanning the words.  His face turned pale and his breathing picked up.  "Wait..  No..  That..  That's impossible."  He whispered.  Feeling like Sara was going to come home and catch him any minute.  Leo quickly put the paper back in the right page of the book then set the book back on the nightstand.

Needing to take a breather, Leo headed into the bathroom, leaning over the sink and taking a few deep breaths, looking at himself in the mirror.  He turned the sink on and splashed some water on his face.  That's impossible.  She can't be..  We're getting too old..  Abby's ten and Lisa's five.  We can't be having another child.  Seeing this confirmation sheet from the doctors, got Leo too thrown for a loop.  There was one thing he didn't take into consideration.  His doppleganger.

As Leo turned his head towards the garbage can, he spotted something else.  A box showing a pregnancy test on the front cover.  He didn't realize it, but his hands clenched into fists.  Not quite sure how to feel about all of this.  Leo was about to lean in and reach for the empty pregnancy box when a sound of the door shutting was heard, signaling Sara was home with their daughters.  He snapped his body back up a bit straighter.  "Leo?"  Sara called out, having seen his car in the drive.  Leo took a deep breath composing himself before walking out of the bathroom and walking over into the living room where Sara and the girls were.

"Hey girls!  Have fun at the park?"  He asked.  The two girls smiled.  "Yes!"  They both called out at the same time, coming over and giving him a hug.  Leo smiled in return wrapping his arms around both of them hugging them tight then looking up at Sara.  As Leo studied her, Sara could see something odd about him.  "Shouldn't you be at work still?"  She questioned.  "They gave me the afternoon off."  He cleared his throat.  "I was actually about to come and surprise you at the park.  But seeing as you're home now..  Perhaps the three of us can do something together?"  Leo could see Sara knew something was off about him after he found the pregnancy test and sheet confirming the pregnancy.  But she didn't know yet that he saw those things.  Leo wanted to talk with her about them, but couldn't when the girls were here.  They'd have to wait until both girls were asleep before discussing.

Once their daughters were in bed.  Leo and Sara made their way out onto the porch and sat down on the porch swing.  Leo was quiet, figuring out a way to approach the subject.  Now that he had some time to dwell on the topic.  Leo wasn't sure if Sara hadn't told him because she was just thinking of a way to do so.  Wanting to surprise him.  Or she hadn't told him because she feared the baby might not be his, but his dopplegangers.  And she thought he'd be mad at her.

After Sara sat down on the porch swing, Leonard followed, sitting down next to her, wrapping an arm around her.  Sara took a deep breath taking in the fresh air.  Leaning in and resting her head on Leo's shoulder.  "I have missed this."  She said quietly.  Leo managed a small smile, pulling out of his thoughts hearing her voice.  "So have I.  I guess we better get as many nights out here as we can before the snowy weather comes."  "I think I would like that."  Sara said pulling her head up enough to look up at Leo. 

"You seem sort of quiet this evening."  Sara finally asked now that they were alone.  "I was just thinking.  I guess I still have a lot on my mind."  He said giving Sara a sideways glance.  He noticed Sara fidget a bit. 

"About your doppleganger still?"  She asked.  Leo took a deep breath.  "I suppose you could say that.  I thought I could let my guard down enough.  I thought I was done with letting him get to me.  But this afternoon when I came home from work and saw that note..  You were at the park.  That's what started it all the first time.  I couldn't help but think this was all a dream.  And I was gonna wake up right back in that warehouse again." 

Sara could see some concern still in Leo's expression.  She reached her hand up resting it against his cheek.  "What we have is real Snart..  This isn't a dream.  You don't have to worry about him anymore."  Leo couldn't help but grin hearing Sara's words.  "It's been a long time since you've called me that."  He relaxed at Sara's touch.  Just as Leo always seemed to tame Sara's bloodlust.  Still after all these years, she always seemed to be able to calm him. 

Sara moved in closer to Leo.  Cupping his face with her hands.  Leaning in and pressing her lips to his.  Leo closed his eyes before leaning in returning the kiss.  Slipping his arms around Sara in return.  "We will be fine.  Your doppleganger's dead.  He's in the past.  We no longer have to worry about that."

Leo let his forehead rest gently against Sara's after they kissed.  Keeping his eyes on hers.  "Are you sure about that?  Are you sure he's in the past?"  He questioned.  His tone of voice seemed a bit hesitant about asking such a question.  Leo could see Sara's confused look after his comment.  "Of course he is.  You said you killed him.  You and Mick.."  These words made Sara panic a bit.  Worried this wasn't really her husband.  She was worried for a moment that this was the doppleganger.  And once again he'd managed to fool them all.

Leo shook his head.  "No no..  That's not what I meant."  He said.  Okay..  This is it..  It's now or never.  "Then what do you mean by that question?"  Sara asked pulling back so she was looking Snart straight in the eyes.

Leo couldn't turn back now....  "Is what I mean Sara..  Is what is a pregnancy test doing in the trash can?  And when were you going to tell me?"  He snapped