When I See You Again

Part 23

In the loosest clothes she could find and her hair up in a ponytail, Stevie was looking around the room next door to the master bedroom. She had just come home, but there wasn't that much time left before her due date. The first thing she had decide to start working on was the nursery. The guest room, which was going to be redecorated for the baby, was possibly the least cluttered one. She was still going to need help. 

Just as she thought of Rick, the doorbell rang and Stevie made her way downstairs, thinking it was him. He had come over a few times already and things were going slow, but really well. They did kiss that night, but nothing else happened. They hadn't attached any labels to their relationship yet, though, they wanted to see, how things would go first.

"You've got to be kidding me." Stevie said, when she opened the door for Lindsey. "I thought, I've told you-"

"Can we not do this again?" Lindsey asked. "I come in peace."

"What do you want, Lindsey?" 

He shrugged, swinging back and forth on the heels of his boots. "I came to make sure you're doing alright."

"I'm fine." 

"May I come in? Just for a few minutes." 

Looking at him for a second longer, Stevie invited Lindsey in. She wasn't about to offer him a seat, they remained standing by the front door.

"Glad to be home?" Lindsey didn't know, what else to say. 

"Yes."

He sighed. "This is really hard, Steph. Could you at least pretend not to hate me for five minutes?"

"I don't hate you, Lindsey. I simply have nothing to say to you." 

"I've been thinking." He began. "I can only apologize again for the way I behaved and you can forgive me or not, but Stevie, this is my child, too. If you no longer want me, that's fine. But I want to be a part of this baby's life." He didn't ask, he just took a step closer and placed his hands on her belly. "I want to help any way I can. I don't know, how prepared you are, but I'll get everything the baby's going to need. It's heartbreaking not being able to be around you right now, but I get it, I've brought this on myself. Please, Steph, I-" Lindsey stopped and lowered his eyes. "Did I just feel-"

A small smile crossed her lips as she nodded. "Here." She took his hand and moved it to where the baby had kicked.

"Please..." Lindsey could only whisper, his throat closed up. "We'll do this on your terms, but please, don't take this away from me."

Stevie sighed heavily, her hands now resting over his. "I would never do that, Lindsey. I was never going to do that. I'm happy that you want to be involved."

"Really?" He asked to make sure and she nodded. "Thank you." He breathed a sigh of relief and hugged her as close as he could, which surprised them both. "Sorry." Lindsey stepped back, but the smile remained on his face. 

The phone started ringing. Stevie excused herself and went to answer the call. It was Rick, telling her that he was running a bit late, but he was going to come over as soon as he could. Lindsey could easily hear her side of the conversation, although, he wasn't completely sure, who she was talking to. However, he had a strong feeling.

"There's only one thing I ask of you, Lindsey." Stevie said, when she returned. "Don't bring us up. We'll just be co-parenting, but that's all."

What else could he do, besides nod his head in agreement. "That's fine. I guess, I'll be on my way. You're expecting someone."

"Wait, Lindsey." Stevie stopped him. "He's not coming right away, so..." She shouldn't. "Would you maybe like to see the room I've picked for the nursery?"

Feeling his heartbeat pick up pace, Lindsey grinned. "I'd love to."