Locked In

 This little story was inspired by a post I saw earlier today and I just couldn't help but turn it into a Johnny story! If I ever wrap my head around a complete series for him, this will likely be included.

“Damn it!” Ophelia Gage huffed as she tried to fix the loose door handle on her daughter’s bedroom. 

Johnny could hear here from his place in the living room with Clara. Making sure their three year old was occupied, he went to see what she was up to. “What are you doing? I told you I’d take care of that today.”

“Okay, but when Johnny?” Ophelia glanced up at her husband from where she was crouched in front of the door. “You know I want to have all of this done sooner rather than later.”

“Yeah, I know.” He ran a hand through his hair knowing it probably wasn’t a good idea to argue with her at the moment. 

“Can you look at it now?” Ophelia accepted his hand as he helped her stand. She was about a month away from their second baby’s arrival and had been on the warpath about getting things cleaned, fixed, and ready. There was just something about having a toddler and newborn that was making her a little more anxious than when Clara was born.

“Yeah, I’ll look at it now.” He took the screwdriver from her hand and scratched his head as he looked at the door in question.

“Thanks babe.” She kissed Johnny’s cheek and headed for the living room to check on Clara before she started to work on dinner.

Johnny had the door handle completely apart and back together within an hour and it appeared to be back in working order. At Ophelia’s request, he took care of a few other minor projects before they called it a night.

~~

The next day, Johnny headed for the station and hoped that he was successful in convincing Ophelia to take it easy until he had another day off.

Ophelia had indeed listened to Johnny and decided to take it easy for the day. Even though she had a mile long list of things she wanted to do, she knew it wasn’t a good idea this close to delivery without him close by. She and Clara had played and even taken a short trip to the park nearby before it was time for lunch and for Clara to take her nap. 

Ophelia had decided to lie down herself and dozed for about an hour when her bladder decided she needed to get up. As she was leaving the bathroom she heard knocking coming from Clara’s room and her little voice calling. “HELLO!!! Can anybody HEAR ME??” I’m STUCK!”

“You’re stuck?” Ophelia chuckled and went to open her daughters door only to find that it was locked. “Baby, you just locked the door. Turn the button in the center like Mama showed you.”

“I did push it Mama! I’m stuck!”

Ophelia headed for the bathroom to grab a hair pin and try to turn the lock herself. She worked on it for about 15 minutes, but started to panic. Clara talking to her from the other side didn’t help much.

“Mama, why did you lock me in here?”

“Sweetie, I didn’t lock you in. The door handle is broken.” Trying not to lose her cool completely, she took a breath. “Clara I’m going to go call Daddy.”

The phone in the kitchen of Station 51 rang and was quickly answered by Roy. “Hello?”

“Roy? Oh, I’m glad you guys are there. Is Johnny around?”

“Uh, yeah he’s right here.” He furrowed his brow and turned to Johnny. “Ophelia.”

“Ophelia? What’s going on?” He could hear the hint of panic in her voice as she explained what was happening. “Alright, we’ll be right there. Let me tell Cap what’s going on.”

“What happened? She sounded like she was ready to cry.

“Uh, the doorknob in Clara's room malfunctioned and she’s locked in her room.”

“Oh, you mean the same doorknob you fixed last night?”

“Yeah, that doorknob.” Johnny rolled his eyes and headed for Cap’s office as Roy followed him with a smirk on his face.

~~

When they arrived at Johnny’s house, they found Ophelia leaning against the door with her arms crossed. “John Gage, I want to be really angry with you right now, but I want you to get her out of there first.” She pointed to the door as she stepped out of his way.

“I know, I’m sorry babe.” He knelt down in front of the door and thought for a moment. “I’ll try taking it apart, but we may need to pry it open or break it down.”

“Daddy?!” Clara knelt down on the other side of the door and slid her little fingers underneath the door. “Daddy, let me out!”

Johnny reached down and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “I’m working on it baby.”

“Ophelia, we’re going to need to get her away from the door. Can you get to her window from outside?” Roy asked.

“I think so.” She headed out onto their patio with Roy behind her. After navigating her belly through some bushes, she was able to see right into Clara’s room and gave Roy a thumbs up.

“Johnny, she can see inside, tell Clara to go to the window.”

“Clara, Mama is outside of your window. Go stand over there and talk to her.”

Clara quickly went to her window, amazed to see Ophelia out there. “Mama, why are you outside?”

“Your door is broken and I can see you this way.” Ophelia explained. “Stay here by me.” She told her when she started to head back for the door. 

“Mama, am I going to be in here forever?”

“No, not forever. Daddy and Uncle Roy are fixing it.”

“Okay.” She started to play with some of her toys nearby before coming back to the window. “Mama, I want to go into your kitchen.”

“You want to go into the kitchen? Well when the door is open you can, but stay here.” She could hear Roy talking to Johnny, but couldn’t quite hear what he said.

“Ophelia? Is she away from the door? He’s gotta kick it in.” Roy called.

“Yeah. Ophelia stay here by Mama please. Daddy’s got to break the door.”

“Break the door?” She asked just as the loud banging started. “Daddy is being too loud!” 

“I know, just stay here, you’re okay.” Ophelia tried to comfort her as the little girl covered her ears.

The banging continued for another minute and then Ophelia heard the crack of the door as it swung open. She moved back through the bushes and headed inside as Clara came out of her room.

Clara ran to the door and looked at where the door had been broken in. “You broke it Daddy!”

“Yeah, I guess I really have to fix it now don’t I?” He scooped her up and gave her a kiss. “I’m sorry you got locked inside.”

“It’s okay, can I have a snack now?” She wriggled out of his arms and ran off to the kitchen.

“They have a one track mind don’t they?” Roy chuckled.

“Yeah and hers is usually on food.” Ophelia grinned. “I wonder where she gets that from?” She glanced at Johnny who just shrugged.

“So, you gonna fix it?” Roy asked as he examined the broken door.

“Uh, I think I’ll get a professional to replace it.” He turned to Ophelia who smiled and wrapped her arm around his wait.

“I think that’s a good idea babe.” She kissed his cheek. “I know you tried, but uh...I don't think we need a repeat of this.”

“Yeah, well hey, we better get back to the station.” He gave her a quick kiss and started to gather their things when there was a crash in the kitchen.

“And I have to go deal with what, I’m going to guess, is a package of cookies all over the floor.” Ophelia ran her hand over her face. “Thank you guys. I’ll see you when you get home.” She kissed Johnny once more and headed for the kitchen.