Lotto

25

December 23, 1981

As soon as Lindsey's alarm clock went off she whined. School let out on the 22nd at noon for Christmas break and as soon as Stevie left the school she just felt odd. Odd to the point that Lindsey was still at work when they were let out so Stevie took Freya to McDonalds and once they got home they ate their food and took a nap together on the couch. Stevie half-assed dinner and threw a couple cans of Campbell Chicken Noodle Soup in a pot. And then when she went to bed it seemed like she was up every hour on the hour to go pee.

"Am I going alone to pick your family up, they land at noon?" Lindsey asks.

"Lindsey I feel like shit. I don't even want them coming here incase I give them anything." She sighs.

"How long have you been feeling sick?" Lindsey asks placing his hand on her forehead.

"Since yesterday. I think one of those germ-monsters at school gave something to me." She sighs.

"Well, just...just don't breathe on them. Don't hug them, don't touch them, to cook the food, make our moms do that." Lindsey shrugs.

"Easier said than done." Stevie shakes her head.

"Hey, I'll pop a bowl of cereal in front of Freya and I'll take her with me. Why don't you just stay in bed and relax hmm?" Lindsey asks.

"Okay." Stevie nods.

***

Stevie didn't stay in bed she made got dressed and made her way downstairs but as soon as she saw the coffee pot and the coffee sitting in it she gulped as the urge to vomit filled her. It was odd because usually she couldn't function without coffee in the morning but she settled for tea and as she was dumping the coffee out in the sink it was making her gag terribly.

She settled on the sofa with her pillow from upstairs and her blankets and she turned on I Love Lucy until her family walked into the house.

"Hey, Lindsey said you weren't feeling good." Barbara comes up to her and Stevie holds her hand out to her mother.

"I'm not, I think one of the kids at school got me sick. John Toulsmann puked at school a couple of hours after he met with me. Literally in my friend Christine's music class." Stevie sighs.

"Well, have you puked yet?" Barbara asks.

"No, but Lindsey made coffee this morning and I had to dump it out because it made whatever this is feel ten times worse." She groans.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry." Barbara rubs her back.

***

On Christmas as Freya was opening her gifts Stevie was curled up with Lindsey on the couch watching the feeling of miserability washing over her. Until Ruth said, "Freya what was your favorite gift today?"

"The babydoll Santa brought me." Freya responded and then Stevie's eyes bulged out of her head. She hadn't gotten a period in December, and her sickness came out of nowhere.

"You okay Steph?" Lindsey asks,

"No." She shakes her head climbing over him to run to the bathroom where she threw up everything she had eaten the day prior.

As she was throwing up she felt someone kneel down next to her and take her hair out of her hands holding it back for her.

"What's going on Steph? Because I don't think this is the flu." He sighs in a hushed whisper.

"I don't know," Stevie answers wiping her mouth in just as small of a whisper.

"Could you be pregnant?" He asks a wince present on his face because they hadn't broached that topic since the fight in 78.

"I could be, I haven't had a period this month." She tells him.

"Okay, so tomorrow I know your mom wants to go shopping to get some of the after Christmas deals go with her and get a test okay." He suggests.

"Lindsey I'm scared, I don't want another baby." She tells him.

"I know you don't but you just might be having one. And if you are it's going to be great and you're going to love them with your whole heart.

"Why can't you learn to wear protection?" She questions.

"Because it's gross and I really don't like it." He huffs.

"Such a man." She rolls her eyes standing up and rinsing her mouth.

"Are you okay dear?" Ruth questions.

"No, I just got sick. I'm so sorry guys I don't mean to ruin Christmas I just...I need to go lay down." She sighs.

"Don't worry about it baby. Ruth and I will handle dinner just go get some rest alright. We'll save you a plate and if you feel up to it later you can eat it alright?" Barbara asks

"Okay, I'm so sorry Freya." She looks at her daughter.

"It's okay mama. I understand." She smiles

***

Lindsey had Freya laying in bed and he was tucking her in that night when he asked, "Did Santa bring you everything you wanted for Christmas?"

"No."

"No, what didn't he bring you?" Lindsey asks her.

"I asked for a brother or sister for Christmas and I woke up and mama didn't have a big belly. Like she did in that picture she showed me."

"You asked for a brother or sister for Christmas?" Lindsey's eyes go wide.

"Mhm, All my friends have little brothers or sisters. I'm the only one that's alone and it makes me sad." She explains.

"Oh honey." Lindsey pulls her into his arms.

"Good Night Daddy. I love you."

"I love you too baby girl." He kisses her head.

"Tell mama I love her too?" She asks,

"Of course I will. Goodnight sweetheart." Lindsey kisses her forehead again and he goes to walk out of the bedroom.

When he gets to the master Stevie isn't in bed, but she is in the tub.

"My boobs have changed. They're heavier...sore...I'm probably pregnant." She concedes.

"That's a good thing angel." Lindsey sits on the edge of the tub.

"We've established I don't want another child."

"No, I know. I but I asked Freya if she got what she wanted for Christmas and she said no so I of course asked her about it and she said that she asked Santa for a brother or sister for Christmas because all of her friends had brothers and sisters but you didn't have a big belly when she woke up this morning." Lindsey explains.

"Oh god, even if I'm not pregnant that means we have to try doesn't it." She sighs.

"Do you really want my honest answer."

"Yes." She tells him.

"I think the reason so many people have pestered us about having more than one child is because Destiny wants us to have more than one child. If you are pregnant this baby'll be a blessing. I can almost guarantee it." He takes her hand.

She just sighs and closes her eyes nodding lightly.