Broken Promises

Part 18

"Where do you think you're going?" Lindsey stopped Stevie the second they stepped through the doors of their home.

"To the kitchen?" Stevie asked back, her eyebrows slightly creased. "I'll make us something to eat."

"Upstairs. Now." He ordered, leaving her with her mouth agape. "Don't look at me like that. You heard what the doctor said."

"Lindsey, I'm fine. Besides, when you return to your tour, who do you think is going to take care of me?"

"I'll hire someone." He shrugged, wrapping his arm around her, he led them up the stairs. 

Hearing their parents' voices, Adam and Ella emerged from their rooms. They were clearly worried as they took up the empty side of the bed once Stevie lay down.

"I'm fine." She couldn't count how many times she'd said that in the last 24 hours. "Honestly. The doctor said so, too."

"And he also ordered your mother to stay in bed as much as possible." Lindsey added, giving a pointed look to both their children. "I don't want her up on her feet unless absolutely necessary. I'm sorry, but you're gonna have to stay around and help out. I'd do it, but I've got to leave tomorrow."

"Lindsey." Stevie looked at him, reaching for his hand. "Please, stop worrying."

He sighed, giving her hand a squeeze. "I'm going to make you a snack."

"Uh, dad, I think, I better do it." Ella said, somewhat carefully. "Mom doesn't need food poisoning on top of everything."

Stevie tried to keep herself from smiling, but Lindsey noticed. Although, he wasn't offended. He couldn't cook to save his life. "Alright, but I'll at least make you a cup of tea or something."

"Thank you." Stevie nodded, accepting his offer. She knew, he wanted to be helpful in some way. "I'll be here, since I'm not allowed to move."

"Damn straight." Lindsey gave a single nod of his head and walked out of the master bedroom, Adam and Ella right behind him.

Stevie wished it was under different circumstances, but it was nice to know that Lindsey still cared so much about her. She didn't want to call him, when she was brought to the hospital, she asked the kids not to either. Not because she didn't want him around, but in case he didn't want to come. She knew that it wasn't right, but she hoped that the baby would help bring them back together.

"I'm scared." Ella admitted, when it was just she and Lindsey in the kitchen. 

"I am as well, sweetheart." Lindsey stood, leaning against one of the counters, waiting for the water to boil. "But the doctor assured us that everything's fine."

"Yeah, but..." Ella trailed off, cutting up a tomato. "I found mom in the bathroom. She had fainted. I tried talking to her, I tried shaking her and she just... she didn't move." Her last words came out as a whisper. 

Lindsey closed the short gap between them and embraced his daughter, holding her firmly. "I'm so sorry that you had to see her like that." He pulled back slightly, holding Ella at arm's length. "But if not for you, God knows what would have happened."

"She should have told us. About the baby." Ella added, sniffling. "We should have known, what was going on. We should have insisted-"

"Ella, listen." Lindsey interrupted. "Please, don't blame this on yourself or your brother. You're the last people on earth to be blamed for this. It's... it's between your mother and I. You don't need to know, but it's not your fault."

"I wish, you didn't have to leave." Ella hugged her father again, suddenly feeling like she was five years old, lost little girl. 

"I know." Lindsey nodded, stroking her back, hoping to soothe her. "I've got another month and a half left of this tour. I'll be back in no time."

Taking a step back, Ella wiped her tears away and shook herself mentally, taking a deep breath. "I better finish this up." She said, moving back to the cutting board.

Later that same night, when Adam and Ella had locked themselves in their rooms, Lindsey pushed the bedroom door open carefully, quietly, in case Stevie was asleep. She wasn't and their eyes met, he gulped. 

"I'm uh-" He faked a cough, standing in the doorway. "I-"

"Lie with me?" Stevie asked, she could tell, he wasn't sure if them being together right now was okay.

Stevie was already in her nightgown and even though Lindsey was exhausted, he kept his clothes on and got in beside her. They were silent for a long time, lying side by side, face to face. There were so many things they wanted to say, yet, somehow the moment didn't feel right. Eventually, Lindsey made the first move as he got closer, his fingers disappeared in her hair and she scooted towards him. He slowly leaned in and enveloped her bottom lip with his. His intentions were unclear to her, so she waited for him to either deepen or break the kiss.

Lindsey parted their lips and pulled back. "I think, I better sleep in the guest room."