Lingering in the doorway, propped up against the frame, Stevie's eyes scanned over the living room as a soft smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
All three of the kids were sitting on the fur rug playing board games, while a movie played as background noise.
It had been late by the time Stevie and her mother had gotten home. They had lunch and talked for a little while longer, though it wasn't nearly as intense as the beginning of their conversation had gone. But it was still nice and it still meant something... Stevie needed it and in some ways, so did Barbara.
"Hey, mom." Crew's voice pulled her back into reality, after she'd zoned out for a moment.
"Sit by me, mommy!" Clancy had this big smile on her face as she moved over to make room for Stevie to join them.
With a soft laugh, she pushed herself away from the doorframe. "Did you have a good day?" She wondered as she trailed further into the room.
"We made sugar cookies with grandpa and miss Karen." Her youngest had a voice full of enthusiasm- she was so happy, yet so unaware.
There was so much happening in the world around them, and all Clancy cared about was Christmas lights, sugar cookies and board games.
"That sounds like a good time." She assured as she lowered herself down to sit on the rug. "How about you?" Her eyes casually drifted towards Lola, who had been incredibly quiet the last couple of days.
She didn't want to talk to Stevie, it was obvious.
"Have you had a good day?" She repeated with a very soft, very welcoming look lingering in her dark brown eyes.
She was trying so hard- she really was, but it felt like she was constantly running in circles with Lola. Nothing was ever good enough, which in turn made her feel like she was really failing them as a mother.
With a simply shrug, Lola nodded her head softly. "Yeah," that was it- that was all she had to say.
Pursing her lips to one side, Stevie's eyes scanned over her daughters sweet face.
She had never loved anyone like she loved Lola... no one. From the moment she had laid eyes on that six pound, four ounce little angel, she was captivated.
It didn't seem possible to so easily devote your whole life to someone, but that's what happened. When she stared down into those little blue eyes- she knew that she would always, no matter happened, make sure that baby was happy and healthy... But she had made that promise with all of her babies.
"I love you, Lola." Her voice was low as she slowly reached out to run her fingers through her daughters curls.
Glancing up, Lola's eyes grew dim when they met Stevie's. "I love you, too." She repeated something that she hardly ever said to anyone, especially not to her mother.
But Lola knew what Stevie needed to hear... She could tell by the look of defeat and sadness written across her face.
"I just don't really like you...." she added with a nod of her head.
~~~
"Hello?" His voice filled the other end of the phone on the very first ring- he'd been waiting to hear from her for days.
Sitting up in bed a little further, Stevie couldn't help but crack a faint smile.
She had typed in his number probably, at least ten times and then she'd delete it, only to dial it again. It wasn't until after she'd gone over everything she'd wanted to say, multiple times before she finally got the courage to just call.
