After that, Stevie distanced herself from Lindsey for the rest of the afternoon. She was upset with him, and instead of ruining the day by arguing more, she decided it would just be better if they didn't talk for the time being. So, Stevie took part in all the little shower games, even the one where everyone took turns measuring her baby bump, while Lindsey sat with the boys, making occasional runs to the bar to get another pitcher.
It kept them both occupied, so much so that their children didn't even think twice about the state of their parents relationship.... that was something they had mastered in all the years leading up- hiding their arguments, that was.
It wasn't until almost the entire banquet hall had grown empty before Stevie's eyes finally drifted back towards her husband. She didn't necessarily feel bad for him- he had brought it on himself, but he did look a little sad, which didn't set easy with her.
She knew she had been a little harsh with her choice of words, but sometimes, on rare occasions in a marriage, that was the only solution... If she wasn't mean, he wouldn't know how much he had hurt her feelings and boy, did hurt her.
"How are my boys?" Both of her hands met Kash's shoulders, rubbing them for a moment before she fell into the chair next to him.
"We're good, ma." Levy was sitting on the other side of her, a beer in one hand and the lavender bath salts he had won in the other... he guessed how round her bump was right off the bat, just for fun and of course, he got it right. It was luck.
"Did you have a good time?" Crosby gave her a warm smile from across the table.
Nodding her head, she glanced over at Lindsey for a brief moment. "I had a great time." She assured, looking back at her oldest to let off a soft wink.
"Well, you look beautiful." Kash brought his drink up to his lips, a cheesy smile crossing his face as he took a long sip.
Reaching over, she pushed him playfully. "You're funny." She teased, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth as her chin fell in her hand.
"He's right," pushing himself out of the chair, Levy leaned down to his kiss her head as he patted her arm. "You look great, mom." He told her right before he headed away from their table to find himself a drink.
Before Stevie knew it, all three of her boys had scattered, which left her and Lindsey sitting in silence. It didn't feel hostile, or anything crazy like that... they had been married far too long to let things get too petty that quickly.
No matter how upset he had made her, she still felt the most comfortable with him.
"Let's talk." Lindsey didn't hesitate to slip out of his chair and slide into the one right next to her.
He had giving her space all afternoon, and he as much as he understood where she was coming from, he also wanted to clear the air as best he could.
"The kids want to go to dinner after we get everything cleared up in here." She mumbled, leaning back in the chair.
She had both of her hands on her bump, just to feel the little flutters.
He tried not to roll his eyes... the very last thing he cared about was what they were going to eat in that moment. "I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you." He admitted, eyes melting right into hers.
Lindsey didn't care if she wasn't ready to talk, because he needed to, so if she just sat there and listened, that worked just fine for him.
"Lindsey, can this wait?" She whispered, eyes still burning into his.
Shaking his head, he raised a brow softly. "No, Steph, we have to talk about this before I leave in the morning." He would have been damned if he'd left her there, thinking about how bad of a husband he was for "making out" with one of her closest friends.
She was the only woman for him.
"You act like I've never been mad at you." She didn't understand why he was so determined to make things right... They had fought a thousand times before, and he didn't care that much then.
He scoffed, trying hard not to let out a really frustrated sigh. "I don't think this has anything to do with what I did, anymore." He didn't seem annoyed, even though he might have been a little... he wanted to be more sympathetic.
She was usually a more rational person- one of those kind of people who listened carefully and hardly ever jumped to conclusions. But the way she had snapped at him just wasn't normal... something else was really bothering her.
"Oh, please." She turned around slowly, just to make sure everyone was still occupied enough before she said anything she wouldn't want her boys hearing. "It's all about what you did, Lindsey." Stevie fell back into the chair a little further, a sharp breath escaping her as the baby started to kick right in her ribs.
"Stevie, I want to fix this..." he lingered, letting one hand fall on her thigh as he moved in a little closer. "The only way I can do that is if I know how you're feeling." He felt her index finger trail along the curve of his hand.
She was starting to soften, quickly.
Biting down on her lower lip, Stevie knew she was going to become emotional... that was her knew thing. "I just... I don't feel like myself anymore." She hadn't admitted that to anyone, not even him and she told him everything. "I feel so uncomfortable, Lindsey." The tears were streaming down her cheeks within a split second, but she tried hard to hide that from everyone else.
Giving her leg a gentle squeeze, Lindsey used his other hand to wipe away some of the tears. "Honey, come back home, please." He knew that it went far beyond that- she wasn't only uncomfortable in her own skin, but also within the situation she had found herself in.
Sighing heavily, she gave him a very weak smile. "I want to, of course I do, but..." She trailed, not sure she had a great reason anymore.
She didn't feel welcome there at that time, or maybe she never really had. Her relationship with her oldest was steadily getting better each day, but no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't seem to find common ground with Lucy.
A part of her wasn't even sure why she felt like she needed to stay in Chicago with them, but then another part knew that they deserved to experience everything that came with becoming first time parents.
"I'm sorry, baby." He was sorry- he was sorry for everything. "But you've done more than enough for them, and it's time to worry about yourself." He assured.
"I know." Nodding her head softly, she tangled her fingers in between his.
Before Lindsey got the chance to reply, Levy's voice caused them both to pause. "Hey, folks." He let off a smirk as he wrapped one arm around his mother's shoulders from behind and kissed the side of her head... he'd been drinking, quite a bit.
"Yes, dear?" Chuckling softly, Stevie winked lightly in her husbands direction, silently telling him that they could finish their conversation later that evening.
"We're ready to go out for dinner." Levy moved to one side and helped Stevie out of her chair, while Lindsey pushed himself up as well.
But just as he stood, Lindsey's chest grew tight- a feeling he had never felt before. He came to a sudden halt when his entire side started to go completely numb.
"Dad?" Levy turned around right in time to catch his father before he hit the floor.
