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earwigficmirrorTitle: Picking Up the Pieces
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
empressearwig
Prompt: 56 - Breakable
Pairing/Character(s): Alexis, Ric, Lainey, Bobbie, Mike, Kate, Morgan
Rating: G
Disclaimer: They're not mine.
Word Count: 1581
Spoilers/Warnings: Part of the extended Lanaverse.
Summary: “Jason?” Ric asked incredulously. “Did it not occur to either of them that if something were to happen to Sonny, odds were it would happen to Morgan, too?”
Author's Notes: Written for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
theechochorus.
They assembled in Alexis’ office.
Bobbie looked exhausted, the strain of caring for Carly and Morgan showing clearly on her face.
Mike looked equally worn, as though he’d aged years in the month since Sonny’s death.
As always, Kate was cool and composed, hands folded carefully in her lap. She and Mike spoke in low tones, trying not to disturb the quiet of the room.
Ric was sprawled out in a chair, reviewing case files. Since the shoot out, he’d been staying with Alexis and the girls, helping out, because there was rarely a night when Kristina wasn’t waking up screaming for her father. It meant that neither he, nor Alexis, were getting much sleep.
Finally, Alexis walked into the room, accompanied by Lainey, Carly’s psychiatrist. Alexis directed Lainey to an open chair and seated herself behind the desk.
“We’re sorry to have kept you waiting,” Alexis began. “But Lainey, Dr. Winters, wanted to have a few more moments with Morgan before we got started.” She flipped open the file on her desk, but didn’t look down at it. She’d long ago committed it to memory. “As you all know, we’re here to try to determine what is best for Morgan under these tragic circumstances. Dr. Winters, do you want to start by giving us an update on Carly’s prognosis?”
Lainey nodded and opened her own case file. “I’ll just do a brief overview so that everyone understands what happened. After being notified of Jason and Sonny’s deaths, Carly suffered a mental breakdown. Given her history of breakdowns, this wasn’t entirely surprising. However, this one has resulted in a delusional state that I’m not certain if she will ever come out of.”
“That implies she wasn’t delusional before,” Ric muttered.
“Ric,” Alexis warned sharply. “Please continue, Dr. Winters.”
“Certainly. As best as I can tell, Carly believes that she is happily married to Jason Morgan, and that they are raising Michael…”
Bobbie gasped.
“…together. She doesn’t seem to be at all aware that Michael has been comatose for nearly two years, or to be frank, that Morgan even exists.” Lainey shut the file and looked around the room. “Does anyone have any questions for me?”
“I do,” Kate spoke up. “You really have no way of knowing whether or not Carly will ever recover?”
Lainey shook her head. “No, I’m sorry I don’t. Carly seems to be experiencing a total break from reality, and those are fairly unpredictable. She could come out of it tomorrow or she could be like this permanently.”
“Right,” Alexis said briskly. “Which is why it’s crucial that we figure out what custody arrangements are best for Morgan and for Michael, who will need someone monitoring his care.”
“Who did Sonny and Carly appoint legal guardian?” Mike asked. He gestured towards himself. “I mean, I know it wasn’t me, but was it Bobbie?”
“Here’s where things get more complicated,” Alexis said. “Naturally, Sonny’s will named Carly the boys legal guardian in the event of his death, and jointly, they named Jason as the boy’s guardian should something happen to both of them.”
“Jason?” Ric asked incredulously. “Did it not occur to either of them that if something were to happen to Sonny, odds were it would happen to Morgan, too?”
Alexis spread her hands in a gesture of helplessness. “I couldn’t tell you what Carly or Sonny’s rationale was for that decision.”
“Does that mean the boys don’t have a legal guardian?” Bobbie fretted nervously, shooting a worried look at Mike.
Alexis nodded. “Basically, yes. The court will most likely appoint either you or Mike as Morgan’s closest blood relations as guardian, however.” She turned towards Lainey. “Dr. Winters, I believe you had some thoughts on this?”
“I did,” Lainey confirmed. “More than anything else, what Morgan needs right now is stability. To see familiar faces, to be around people that love him and that he loves.”
“Surely, both Mike and I would meet those criteria,” Bobbie interjected. “Neither of us have been strangers in our grandson’s life.”
“Oh, I know that,” Lainey rushed to clarify. “Morgan speaks quite happily about the time he spends with both of you.”
“But you don’t think living with either of us is what he needs?” Mike surmised with a sigh of resignation.
“I’m sorry, but no, I don’t,” Lainey said apologetically.
“If not his grandparents, who?” Kate asked with confusion. “Surely you don’t mean me. I love Morgan dearly, but I don’t think he’d even want to live with me. I’ve never gotten the impression that he’s all that fond of me, something I always attributed to his mother, frankly.”
Lainey shook her head. “No, Ms. Howard, I didn’t mean you, though you’re wrong about Morgan. That child was so starved for love and attention that anyone who gave him the slightest affection was immediately latched onto.”
“So who does that leave, Dr. Winters?” Ric asked impatiently. “I do assume you have someone in this room in mind.”
Lainey shifted her focus towards Ric. “I do indeed, Mr. Lansing.” A hint of a smile crossed her face. “You and Ms. Davis, actually.”
Both Alexis and Ric shot straight up in their chairs.
Alexis recovered first. “Dr. Winters, you cannot be serious.”
“I assure you I am.”
“Why”” Rick asked bluntly, leaning forward in his chair. “You are aware that Alexis and I have been divorced for quite some time, are you not? How would it make sense for us to have custody of my nephew?”
Lainey nodded. “I am aware of that reality. However, you are currently living with Ms. Davis, are you not?”
“That’s temporary,” Alexis objected. “Ric is only staying with me to help my daughter Kristina adjust to life without her father.”
“I understand that,” Lainey said. “And you should note that I’m not suggesting this arrangement on a long term basis, but as long as you and Mr. Lansing are living together, why not use the stability of that to help Morgan? Kristina is his sister, Molly is his cousin, Ric is his uncle, it’s probably the closest thing to a normal family that he could be a part of.”
Ric and Alexis traded frustrated glances.
“Dr. Winters, I don’t think you understand how Carly feels about Alexis and I,” Ric tried to explain. “If she came out of her current state and found out that Morgan had been in our care she’d be furious.”
Lainey frowned. “You believe that Carly would put her own feelings about the welfare of her child?”
In unison, the room answered, “Yes.”
Lainey blinked. “Well, regardless, I think being around children his own age, particularly his sister, would be the best thing for him. Short of that, I think he would be fine if he were in either of his grandparents care.”
Alexis turned towards Bobbie and Mike. “What do the two of you think about all of this?”
Bobbie and Mike looked at one another.
Bobbie turned back towards the group. “I’m a little surprised by what Dr. Winters is suggesting, honestly. But I suppose there’s some merit to it.”
Mike nodded. “Bobbie and I love our grandson and I’m sure I speak for Bobbie when I say that either of us would willingly take him into our homes, but maybe he’d be better off with you Alexis.”
“Being around Kristina would probably be really helpful to him, and might help Kristina as well,” Lainey added, sensing that Alexis was weakening.
Alexis and Ric shared a long look, which Alexis broke with a heavy sigh.
“If, and I mean if, I agree to Morgan moving into my home, for how long a period of time are we discussing?” Alexis asked cautiously.
“I couldn’t really say,” Lainey explained. “I’m certainly not suggesting Morgan stay with you forever, but until he gets more used to being without his father and mother.”
“Dr. Winters, did you lose a parent as a child?” Alexis asked pointedly.
Confusion crossed Lainey’s face. “No, I did not.”
“Well, as someone that did, let me assure you that it will take more than a few months for Morgan to adjust to life without his parents.”
“I didn’t say that I expected him to adjust to it overnight or even that he would in a few months.” She looked back and forth between Ric and Alexis. “Look, both of you have seen Morgan since this happened. Does he resemble the child that was there before?”
“No,” Ric admitted. “But that’s to be expected isn’t it?”
“Yes, but…” Lainey started, only to be cut off by Alexis.
“You know what, fine.” Alexis threw up her hands. “Morgan can stay with me for awhile.” She turned to Ric. “You don’t mind staying for a while longer, do you?”
“No,” he said slowly. “Are you sure about this?”
She smiled weakly. “What’s one more traumatized child, right?” She turned to Kate, Bobbie, and Mike. “I’m still going to need plenty of support from all of you. Morgan will need all of his family.”
“Of course,” Bobbie rushed to agree. “That won’t be a problem at all.”
“Excellent,” Lainey said. “Bobbie, Alexis, do you both want to join me while we talk to Morgan about this?” She rose. “I really think we’re doing the right thing here.”
“I certainly hope so,” Alexis muttered as she also stood.
Hopefully this wouldn’t hurt Morgan anymore than he already had been.
Carly might have been broken, but that didn’t mean her son should be too.
Author:
empressearwigPrompt: 56 - Breakable
Pairing/Character(s): Alexis, Ric, Lainey, Bobbie, Mike, Kate, Morgan
Rating: G
Disclaimer: They're not mine.
Word Count: 1581
Spoilers/Warnings: Part of the extended Lanaverse.
Summary: “Jason?” Ric asked incredulously. “Did it not occur to either of them that if something were to happen to Sonny, odds were it would happen to Morgan, too?”
Author's Notes: Written for
theechochorus.They assembled in Alexis’ office.
Bobbie looked exhausted, the strain of caring for Carly and Morgan showing clearly on her face.
Mike looked equally worn, as though he’d aged years in the month since Sonny’s death.
As always, Kate was cool and composed, hands folded carefully in her lap. She and Mike spoke in low tones, trying not to disturb the quiet of the room.
Ric was sprawled out in a chair, reviewing case files. Since the shoot out, he’d been staying with Alexis and the girls, helping out, because there was rarely a night when Kristina wasn’t waking up screaming for her father. It meant that neither he, nor Alexis, were getting much sleep.
Finally, Alexis walked into the room, accompanied by Lainey, Carly’s psychiatrist. Alexis directed Lainey to an open chair and seated herself behind the desk.
“We’re sorry to have kept you waiting,” Alexis began. “But Lainey, Dr. Winters, wanted to have a few more moments with Morgan before we got started.” She flipped open the file on her desk, but didn’t look down at it. She’d long ago committed it to memory. “As you all know, we’re here to try to determine what is best for Morgan under these tragic circumstances. Dr. Winters, do you want to start by giving us an update on Carly’s prognosis?”
Lainey nodded and opened her own case file. “I’ll just do a brief overview so that everyone understands what happened. After being notified of Jason and Sonny’s deaths, Carly suffered a mental breakdown. Given her history of breakdowns, this wasn’t entirely surprising. However, this one has resulted in a delusional state that I’m not certain if she will ever come out of.”
“That implies she wasn’t delusional before,” Ric muttered.
“Ric,” Alexis warned sharply. “Please continue, Dr. Winters.”
“Certainly. As best as I can tell, Carly believes that she is happily married to Jason Morgan, and that they are raising Michael…”
Bobbie gasped.
“…together. She doesn’t seem to be at all aware that Michael has been comatose for nearly two years, or to be frank, that Morgan even exists.” Lainey shut the file and looked around the room. “Does anyone have any questions for me?”
“I do,” Kate spoke up. “You really have no way of knowing whether or not Carly will ever recover?”
Lainey shook her head. “No, I’m sorry I don’t. Carly seems to be experiencing a total break from reality, and those are fairly unpredictable. She could come out of it tomorrow or she could be like this permanently.”
“Right,” Alexis said briskly. “Which is why it’s crucial that we figure out what custody arrangements are best for Morgan and for Michael, who will need someone monitoring his care.”
“Who did Sonny and Carly appoint legal guardian?” Mike asked. He gestured towards himself. “I mean, I know it wasn’t me, but was it Bobbie?”
“Here’s where things get more complicated,” Alexis said. “Naturally, Sonny’s will named Carly the boys legal guardian in the event of his death, and jointly, they named Jason as the boy’s guardian should something happen to both of them.”
“Jason?” Ric asked incredulously. “Did it not occur to either of them that if something were to happen to Sonny, odds were it would happen to Morgan, too?”
Alexis spread her hands in a gesture of helplessness. “I couldn’t tell you what Carly or Sonny’s rationale was for that decision.”
“Does that mean the boys don’t have a legal guardian?” Bobbie fretted nervously, shooting a worried look at Mike.
Alexis nodded. “Basically, yes. The court will most likely appoint either you or Mike as Morgan’s closest blood relations as guardian, however.” She turned towards Lainey. “Dr. Winters, I believe you had some thoughts on this?”
“I did,” Lainey confirmed. “More than anything else, what Morgan needs right now is stability. To see familiar faces, to be around people that love him and that he loves.”
“Surely, both Mike and I would meet those criteria,” Bobbie interjected. “Neither of us have been strangers in our grandson’s life.”
“Oh, I know that,” Lainey rushed to clarify. “Morgan speaks quite happily about the time he spends with both of you.”
“But you don’t think living with either of us is what he needs?” Mike surmised with a sigh of resignation.
“I’m sorry, but no, I don’t,” Lainey said apologetically.
“If not his grandparents, who?” Kate asked with confusion. “Surely you don’t mean me. I love Morgan dearly, but I don’t think he’d even want to live with me. I’ve never gotten the impression that he’s all that fond of me, something I always attributed to his mother, frankly.”
Lainey shook her head. “No, Ms. Howard, I didn’t mean you, though you’re wrong about Morgan. That child was so starved for love and attention that anyone who gave him the slightest affection was immediately latched onto.”
“So who does that leave, Dr. Winters?” Ric asked impatiently. “I do assume you have someone in this room in mind.”
Lainey shifted her focus towards Ric. “I do indeed, Mr. Lansing.” A hint of a smile crossed her face. “You and Ms. Davis, actually.”
Both Alexis and Ric shot straight up in their chairs.
Alexis recovered first. “Dr. Winters, you cannot be serious.”
“I assure you I am.”
“Why”” Rick asked bluntly, leaning forward in his chair. “You are aware that Alexis and I have been divorced for quite some time, are you not? How would it make sense for us to have custody of my nephew?”
Lainey nodded. “I am aware of that reality. However, you are currently living with Ms. Davis, are you not?”
“That’s temporary,” Alexis objected. “Ric is only staying with me to help my daughter Kristina adjust to life without her father.”
“I understand that,” Lainey said. “And you should note that I’m not suggesting this arrangement on a long term basis, but as long as you and Mr. Lansing are living together, why not use the stability of that to help Morgan? Kristina is his sister, Molly is his cousin, Ric is his uncle, it’s probably the closest thing to a normal family that he could be a part of.”
Ric and Alexis traded frustrated glances.
“Dr. Winters, I don’t think you understand how Carly feels about Alexis and I,” Ric tried to explain. “If she came out of her current state and found out that Morgan had been in our care she’d be furious.”
Lainey frowned. “You believe that Carly would put her own feelings about the welfare of her child?”
In unison, the room answered, “Yes.”
Lainey blinked. “Well, regardless, I think being around children his own age, particularly his sister, would be the best thing for him. Short of that, I think he would be fine if he were in either of his grandparents care.”
Alexis turned towards Bobbie and Mike. “What do the two of you think about all of this?”
Bobbie and Mike looked at one another.
Bobbie turned back towards the group. “I’m a little surprised by what Dr. Winters is suggesting, honestly. But I suppose there’s some merit to it.”
Mike nodded. “Bobbie and I love our grandson and I’m sure I speak for Bobbie when I say that either of us would willingly take him into our homes, but maybe he’d be better off with you Alexis.”
“Being around Kristina would probably be really helpful to him, and might help Kristina as well,” Lainey added, sensing that Alexis was weakening.
Alexis and Ric shared a long look, which Alexis broke with a heavy sigh.
“If, and I mean if, I agree to Morgan moving into my home, for how long a period of time are we discussing?” Alexis asked cautiously.
“I couldn’t really say,” Lainey explained. “I’m certainly not suggesting Morgan stay with you forever, but until he gets more used to being without his father and mother.”
“Dr. Winters, did you lose a parent as a child?” Alexis asked pointedly.
Confusion crossed Lainey’s face. “No, I did not.”
“Well, as someone that did, let me assure you that it will take more than a few months for Morgan to adjust to life without his parents.”
“I didn’t say that I expected him to adjust to it overnight or even that he would in a few months.” She looked back and forth between Ric and Alexis. “Look, both of you have seen Morgan since this happened. Does he resemble the child that was there before?”
“No,” Ric admitted. “But that’s to be expected isn’t it?”
“Yes, but…” Lainey started, only to be cut off by Alexis.
“You know what, fine.” Alexis threw up her hands. “Morgan can stay with me for awhile.” She turned to Ric. “You don’t mind staying for a while longer, do you?”
“No,” he said slowly. “Are you sure about this?”
She smiled weakly. “What’s one more traumatized child, right?” She turned to Kate, Bobbie, and Mike. “I’m still going to need plenty of support from all of you. Morgan will need all of his family.”
“Of course,” Bobbie rushed to agree. “That won’t be a problem at all.”
“Excellent,” Lainey said. “Bobbie, Alexis, do you both want to join me while we talk to Morgan about this?” She rose. “I really think we’re doing the right thing here.”
“I certainly hope so,” Alexis muttered as she also stood.
Hopefully this wouldn’t hurt Morgan anymore than he already had been.
Carly might have been broken, but that didn’t mean her son should be too.
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Date: 2008-11-21 11:14 pm (UTC)I can't wait to read more of your stories!
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Date: 2008-11-24 04:21 pm (UTC)I'm sorry about killing off those characters, but I just wanted a mob free world to see what happens. So mostly it's just characters I didn't want to write had to die. Or in Carly's case have breakdowns.
I hope you enjoy!
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Date: 2009-01-04 08:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 09:37 pm (UTC)