They spent the next couple of weeks like usual... their new usual, that is. Stevie and Lindsey continued to go together to the therapy sessions, while also sharing a night alone at least once a week. And the kids had all really grown use to having their mother as a new constant, even Lola had become much softer and kinder towards her.
It was different, but a good, healthy kind of different. Life seemed so much lighter in those weeks that followed.
The only person that wasn't as laid back was Lindsey... It was eating away him, it really was. Every time he stared into her eyes, he felt this hint of guilt wash over him.
He wanted to tell, he really did, but he wasn't ready to ruin the relationship they had worked so hard to create once again.
He was really stuck between a rock and a hard place.
~~~
"Spin, spin!" Stevie held up one hand, watching Clancy do a couple of little twirls in the center of the kitchen. "That was a good one, sweet girl." She assured with a soft laugh.
The little blonde was wrapped in one of her mothers shawls as she danced around the room aimlessly.
"She rules her life like a bird in flight..." Clancy sang in a soft voice as she spun around again.
Tossing her head back, Stevie let a loud laugh fill the air around them.
"Mom?" Lola's voice caused her turn back around. "I think the cookies are done." She added as she put on the oven mitts and pulled open the door.
It was only a couple of weeks before Christmas and while Stevie hadn't really participated in their traditions the couple of years that led up to that moment, she was really looking forward to it that year.
"Be careful, honey." Standing on the other side, she held out a hand, making sure Lola didn't burn herself as she pulled the tray off the hot rack.
Trailing into the kitchen, Lindsey set his jacket down on the chair as his eyes scanned the room.
It was a good mix of chaos and peacefulness.
He loved it... he absolutely loved coming home to his wife and their three children, laughing and baking.
He took a moment to soak it all up- it almost felt like their life had never changed, or shifted.
It felt perfect.
"It smells really good." He announced, making his presence known after a couple of minutes had come and gone.
Biting down on her lower lip, Stevie sank back into the counter as her eyes met Lindsey's.
"Daddy!" Clancy shouted, running towards him with her arms up in the air. "Mommy and I were dancing!" She told him as he scooped her up.
"Oh, yeah?" With a soft smile trailing across his face, he never looked away from his wife.
She looked so happy... So beautiful.
"And we baked cookies, too." Lola had such a big smile on her face- it made her dads heart burst.
Nodding his head, he let out a light chuckle as he carried his youngest further into the room. "You guys did a good job, kiddo." He assured.
