Time Makes You Bolder (Sequel to No One's A Fool)

Chapter 12

1987

The next day, Stevie made the six-hour drive back to Scottsdale. Her mother was waiting at her house when she pulled in the driveway, and Stevie could barely contain her tears as she hauled herself out of the car and into the house. Barbara intercepted her with open arms, letting her cry for a few minutes, before ushering her upstairs to bed. Stevie fell asleep almost immediately, and Barbara let her rest, checking in from time to time. When Stevie finally awoke, Barbara brought her some tea, sitting on the bed as Stevie sipped it.

"How are you feeling, my girl?"

"I don't even know. Just, a lot of emotions." Stevie sighed.

"That's understandable." Barbara assured her. "This will all work itself out. You just need to rest."

"I just feel like... like everything is going wrong. Joe won't talk to me; Lindsey is out of the band. Did I run everything?" She asked, her lips trembling.

"You did not ruin anything, Stevie. These men are in control of their own lives, and they are making poor decisions. You are doing the right thing. You may not feel like it right now, but you will, soon. When that baby is on your chest instead of in your belly, it's all going to make sense."

"I hope so."

"I know so." Barbara told her, kissing her on the forehead. "Tell me what you're excited for about Wrenna being here." She was trying to refocus Stevie. "Why do you want to do this? What are you looking forward to?"

"Holding her. Just seeing what it's like to hold my own child." Stevie responded, one hand on her stomach.

"I think you're going to love it. You're not going to regret this, my girl. I can promise you that."

"I hope you're right."

"I am. You'll see soon enough."

~~~~~~~

Stevie spent the next few weeks trying to head Mick's advice to rest. She wrote in her journal, but didn't actively work on any songs. She painted and drew and took walks in the evenings. Lori drove out and moved in a week after Stevie, and friends came by frequently. Chris had all but moved back to Phoenix, bouncing back and forth between his parents and Stevie's house.

As promised, Mick brought the girls out for the baby shower. The morning of the baby shower, Stevie pulled him aside and asked him to be the godfather.

"You've been really good to me lately, and you're great with your girls. So I think – if you want – I'd like for it to be you." She explained. Mick teared up as he told her that yes, he would love to be the godfather to the baby.

After a few days of Mick and his girls hanging out at Stevie's house, Chris stopped him in the hallway.

"Mick, I just gotta ask – you're not here to do some weird shit, are you?" He asked.

"Like what?" Mick asked, looking blankly at Chris.

"I don't know. Like – are you here to be a friend? Or are you trying to be a hero?" Then, Mick understood.

"Are you asking me if I'm trying to make something happen with your sister, who is eight months pregnant?" Mick smiled.

"Yeah, that's what I'm asking." Chris looked him dead in the eye.

"Chris, I have adored your sister since the moment I met her. But we are well past the idea of dating. I have failed to protect her many times, in many ways. Not the least of which was a month ago, with Lindsey. It doesn't sit well with me. So no, I'm not trying to come in here and save the day, or even get into her bed. I'm just here to be a friend, and a good godfather. You don't have to worry about me doing anything weird. I can promise you that."