When I See You Again

Part 30

"I've brought you breakfast." Lindsey said, when Stevie returned from the bathroom, her back arched, taking slow steps towards the bed.

Stevie got back under the covers and Lindsey placed the bowl of oatmeal in her lap. She picked up the spoon and eyed the oatmeal, scrunching up her face. He remained silent, looking at her as she dipped the spoon in and let go of it.

"What's wrong?" Lindsey asked, doing his best to stay calm. 

"It's... nothing." Stevie forced a smile, bringing a spoonful of oatmeal up to her mouth, before she dropped it back into the bowl. "I don't want it, Lindsey."

He sighed. "You particularly asked for it."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry." She smiled at him sheepishly. "I thought, I wanted it." 

"Alright." Lindsey stood up and took the bowl from her. "What do you want then?"

"Uh..." Stevie took her sweet time thinking. "How about eggs? Sunny side up?" He nodded and turned to head out of the bedroom, before her voice stopped him. "No, scrambled." 

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. No. Maybe. Yes."

Taking a deep breath, Lindsey faced her again. "So, is this your final answer?"

Stevie gave a nod of her head, her teeth sunk into her bottom lip as she tried to keep a straight face. "Yes, please."

"Fine." Lindsey said and rushed out of the room, so she didn't get a chance to change her mind once more.

It had been two weeks since Lindsey had practically moved in with Stevie. They pretended that it was just a better arrangement with the baby coming soon. In all honesty, though, they both loved being back together like this. Stevie was pleasantly surprised at how patient Lindsey was with her, tending to her every need and craving. He was a huge help too, his hands worked miracles on her aching back and her swollen feet. She appreciated everything he'd been doing for her lately and he didn't think it was a big deal - he was simply taking care of the woman he loved. Sure, her mood swings and her mind changing constantly on the smallest of things, annoyed Lindsey, but not to the extent it would have a year ago. After a few deep breaths, he'd usually find it endearing. And at the end of every day, when they talked each other to sleep, while his hand was placed protectively on her belly, feeling the baby's response, it was absolutely worth it.

"I think, I may have overcooked the eggs a bit." Lindsey said, handing the plate over to Stevie. Never had he ever cooked as much in his life as in those past several weeks.

"I'm sure it's fine." Stevie smiled at him, pulling him down for a kiss before he got too far away. 

Lindsey sat down by her feet, letting her eat in peace, until Stevie broke the silence herself. "Could you please pack a bag for me, for when it's time to go to the hospital? I feel like it can happen any day now and I wouldn't want to do it then."

"Uh, sure." Lindsey shrugged, getting back up. "But do you trust me with packing?"

"No." Stevie replied honestly. "But I don't have the energy to do it myself."

He laughed lightly at her answer and went into her closet. He'd been in there a few times before, it just never had seem so incredibly large before. Hands on his hips, Lindsey looked around for a bag first. He bent down to pick one up and brought it out for Stevie's confirmation that it was okay.

"Linds, that's a handbag."

"What do you need a handbag so big for?" Lindsey frowned, looking it over.

"Things." Stevie replied with a shrug, almost finished with her breakfast.

Bringing a couple more, Stevie picked one at last, which came as a huge relief to Lindsey. From inside the closet, Lindsey raised his voice, asking, what she needed exactly. He rolled his eyes at her response, when she said, she didn't know, she hadn't done this before.

"Well, you need clothes, I suppose. How about this?" Lindsey held up a dress, which Stevie had likely worn in 1977 for the last time at best.

"First of all, that's a stage dress, Lindsey. Second of all, you're insane if you think it would fit me." She couldn't help but chuckle at his struggle.

"You're going to shrink after you give birth, though, right?" He genuinely had no clue.

"Well, not right away, no." Stevie shook her head. "Once the baby is out, I won't just magically become skinny again."

Lindsey noticed something in her voice as she looked away. He creased his eyebrows, her dress still in his hands, he walked over to her. "Steph?"

"Hmm?" She avoided his eyes.

"You're not worried about the baby weight after, are you?" She shrugged, dragging the fork across the empty plate, creating a horrendous sound. Lindsey took it from her and put it on the nightstand. "But you do realize that I'm not worried about it, right?" She shrugged again and he sighed. "Steph, don't." He placed his hand on her shoulder and pulled her in a bit closer. "Baby, I love you. I've never loved your size, I've always loved you. You've always been the most beautiful woman in my eyes, Stevie, that's never going to change."

"You say that now." Her voice sounded small, her head hanging low. 

Cradling her face in his hands, Lindsey tiled Stevie's head up, so she would look at him. "Don't get mad at me for saying this, I'm only repeating your words, okay? You keep saying you've swallowed a beachball, but I still love you, don't I? Besides-" He pulled back and looked down on her larger breasts. "This pregnancy brought a long some advantages."

A small chuckle escaped Stevie and she finally locked eyes with him for longer than a second. "Those might shrink."

"I don't care, honestly." Lindsey added, pressing their lips together for a lingering kiss. "I love you. Steph?" He dipped his head lower, when she looked away again. "Repeat after me, Lindsey loves me with all of his heart."

She smiled at his silliness. "I love you, too." 

Kissing her on the forehead, Lindsey rose to his feet. "Alright, we need that bag packed."