Broken Promises

Part 25

"Okay, what about this?" Lindsey handed Stevie what looked like a stack of papers bound together.

Taking a closer look, Stevie lifted her eyes up as she sat in the rocking chair, older than Adam. "These are Ella's drawings."

Taking them back, he turned one over. "From when she was 9 years old, Steph. She doesn't even know they still exist."

"And what if she does?" Stevie questioned. "What if we just throw them out and Ella comes asking, where her little pieces of art are?"

Biting his lip, Lindsey tried his best not to burst out laughing, he knew, she'd be offended. "We're trying to sort this room out for the baby, to turn it into a nursery. So far, we haven't gotten that far, Steph." He showed with his hand. "Look. This one's the keep and this one's the throw out pile." She wanted to keep a lot more things than get rid of. "Right now, there's not even a spot for the crib."

Thinking for a moment Stevie sighed heavily. "Fine."

Lindsey put the drawings away and moved on to the next sentimental thing, which he knew, he was going to have to fight Stevie about again. 

About two hours later, they'd gotten through the majority of the boxes, which occupied the room that was chosen for the nursery. Lindsey saw Stevie pick up a couple of items on her way out, but he smiled to himself and said nothing. 

"Are you hungry?" Stevie asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Lindsey looked up from the pile of parts, required to assemble the crib, which they had picked out together a few days ago. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I am." She nodded and while the question annoyed the hell out of her, she knew, he just wanted to make sure she didn't overdo it, however small the task might be. 

"I could eat." Lindsey said, flipping through the manual. "Whatever you want is fine. You know, I'll eat anything."

"I do." Stevie smiled and took a moment to just look at him before she walked out of the room and down the stairs.

She didn't want to jinx it, but Stevie was hopeful. Over the past couple of weeks Lindsey's visits had become a lot more frequent and much longer than the first time he agreed to stay. She took it as a good sign that he wanted to be around her, spend time with her. He had not mentioned separation once and she didn't think he was actually considering it either. However, their relationship was strictly on his terms and honestly, she was okay with that. She just wished he didn't have to leave, she wanted him to come home.

"Would you like to take a break? Our meal is ready."

"A break from what? Putting two pieces together?" Lindsey laughed, shaking his head. "I'm useless at this. I'm a thousand percent sure that putting baby furniture together was much easier 18 years ago."

"You're not useless." Stevie approached him and placed her hand on his shoulder as he sat on the floor. "You'll figure it out. Not on an empty stomach, though."

Tossing the manual away, Lindsey stood up straight, hands on his hips. "So many goddamn pieces."

Without really thinking about it, Stevie circled her arms around him from the back and Lindsey's hand covered hers, she turned her head and pressed her cheek to his back. "Come on, leave this for later."

Lindsey checked his watch. "It's past 7pm already."

Stevie shrugged and pulled away. "So? You can stay in the guest room if you like. Both Adam and Ella are out for the night, you won't have to answer any questions..."