The Dance We Shared

27

October 25, 1999

Stevie was in the kitchen, it seemed like she was always in the kitchen. She had a toddler on her hip and her two-month-old in the moby wrap. and she was somehow managing to do it all as well as stirring the cheese into the Velveeta mac and cheese she was making. They were in Phoenix because Barbara had a heart attack and while Stevie was home with the kids...all of them by herself...Lindsey was in California because of some meetings with the record company and he apologized profusely for not being there with her. Lori was in Texas for a funeral on her dad's side of the family and she wanted to be there too but Christopher said no, the funeral was more important. Jess was at the hospital twenty-four-seven since they found out what was happening and Chris and Stevie were taking turns watching the kids switching off on a daily basis. 

"JESSI COME DOWN HERE!" Stevie calls as she gets a couple of bowls down from the cupboard. 

Jessi comes running into the kitchen and she bounces at her aunt's hip and Stevie just sighs and fills the bowl handing it down to her.

"Sit at the kitchen table." She points to where Seth's high chair is. 

She makes a bowl for herself and then she brings it over to the table setting it down and then setting her son in the high chair. Once he's situated she finally collapses into the chair. 

"You okay Aunt Teeve?" Jessi asks.

"Yeah baby, I'm just...I'm tired." Stevie sighs scooping into the mac and cheese and then dropping it on the plate of Seth's high chair. He immediately starts grabbing at it with his fingers and starting to eat it.

"Why are you tired?" Jessi inquires.

"I'm tired because Everleigh can't tell me what she wants so she cries and I have to figure out what she's telling me through her cry. She sleeps most of the day, but at night she tends to cry every two hours. So she's been keeping Aunt Stevie up and Uncle Lindsey's not here to help and he usually is." Stevie explains biting into her guilty pleasure. She tries to eat healthily and stay in shape but she's at the point now where she's eating what she can when she can because having two kids is no joke.

"Where's Uncle Lindsey?" Jessi inquires.

"He' at work in California baby." Stevie sighs. 

"Can we take a nap this afternoon?" Jessi asks after a moment.

"Yes," Stevie says almost instantaneously.

***

Stevie was sleeping in the recliner, she had Everleigh on her chest, Seth was under her right arm, Everleigh facing him his little hand on her back and Jessi was curled up under her left arm. Jess walked in and smiled seeing the picture and he noticed Stevie's purse on the couch and he grabbed her camera out of it and snapped a picture of them, the flash startling Stevie awake but not disturbing the three children at all.  

"Daddy, what are you doing here?" Stevie asks.

"I needed a shower, Mom's out of surgery. She's in the ICU but she's doing well. That can't be comfortable." Jess points.

"I was fine until you work me up and now I've come to the conclusion that both my arms are numb." Stevie sighs. 

"Let me put Jessica on the couch." Jess smiles going towards them.

"Don't strain yourself." Stevie shakes her head.

"It's fine, I'm fine," Jess states pulling his oldest granddaughter into his arms and moving her to the couch as Stevie starts shaking out her arm. Jess helps move Seth as well allowing her to shift and sit up properly and to hold Everleigh in her arms and the baby starts screaming at the change of position. 

"Oh baby girl, shh...It's okay, okay." Stevie soothes kissing her little head. "What's the matter...you're clean. Were you just startled?" 

"When was the last time she ate?" Jess inquires.

"Holy Shit it's seven at night, she last eight at two...okay, let's get you fed." Stevie stands up and makes her way into the kitchen as Jess cradles Seth. 

***

As Stevie was feeding her baby her bottle, and Seth was chomping on some small bits of chicken nuggets because she was NOT cooking so fries and nuggets would have to do. And Jessi was more than happy with the dinner, Stevie started gnawing on her lip.

"What are you thinking about?" Jess questions biting into his own chicken nugget.

"I want to do something." Stevie states.

"What do you mean you want to do something?" 

"For heart disease. it's so prevalent in the world and I know I can't stop it but I want to help in some way. I mean you've had three heart surgeries, mom just had one, Lindsey's mom had one. his dad and his brother died from heart attacks...I just...I want to do something." Stevie sighs.

"You could use what God gave you." Jess states.

"What do you mean?" Stevie asks.

"Your voice. You can use your voice to bring awareness." Jess shrugs.

"But what, what could I do?' Stevie asks.

"You could hold a benefit concert," Jess replies.

"A benefit concert for the Arizona Heart Institute. All the money I raise, Lindsey and I will double and donate it to the Heart Institute." Stevie smiles.

"But here's your next question. When are you going to do it?" Jess leans back in his chair.

"I've got my album coming out and a tour so it might have to be at the end of next year." Stevie states.

"Which is perfect because it gives you time...well it gives Karen time to figure out logistics and all of that." Jess smiles.

"I guess you're right. Can you finish feeding her so I can go call Karen and let her know my plans." Stevie looks at her father.

"Of Course, go call her I'll watch them for a little bit, but then I've gotta go back and be with your mom," Jess states as Stevie stands up. Everleigh cries as the bottle is taken out of her mouth but once Jess settles it back in her mouth she's content and suckling again.