Let Me Help You

I didn't mean to

"I feel gross."

"You're only pregnant."

"Only pregnant?!"

Lindsey regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. "Sorry, I didn't mean to say that." He put his hand on the small of her back, leading the way out of the airport as they had just landed in Phoenix. Stevie wanted to come back home before she had the baby, because she had no idea when the next time would be.

"I think I'll go straight to bed once we get to my parent's."

"Do you honestly think your mother won't order you to do that?"

"You're probably right." They clasped their hands not to lose each other, making their way outside, where Stevie's father was waiting to pick them up. "Daddy!" She squealed, being enveloped by Jess, who had a big smile on his face.

"Hello, my sweetheart. You've never looked more beautiful."

"Not five minutes ago she said she's gross." Lindsey said, taking a step aside from Stevie not to get hit.

"You're lucky I'm carrying extra weight. I can't be chasing you around." She looked pointedly at him.

"Hey, my grandchild is not extra weight!"

"And I'll stop calling it that, once I get some rest and food. I'm so tired." Stevie's voice sounded whining, as she was being lead to the car by her father, with Lindsey behind them, carrying their bags.

"Well, your mother has a feast ready for you, so don't you worry about that."

"Oh, good! It's not like I get fed at home."

"People might start thinking that I'm the worst possible husband, Stevie." Lindsey knew she wasn't being serious, she just really loved complaining about everything lately.

Stevie was the first one to walk through the door to her parent's house and as soon as she did, Barbara pulled her in a hug, almost squashing her. "I love you too, Mom, but I still have two months before my due date, I don't think any of us would appreciate it if I pushed the baby out right now in the hallway."

"Eww, Steph." Lindsey made a face, tossing their things aside, to receive a hug from Barbara too.

"You look fantastic!" Stevie's mother held her at arm's length, taking in her daughter's appearance.

"I look fat."

"You have a beautiful baby boy growing inside you, honey."

"I know, I know..." Stevie sighed, walking to the kitchen, where Barbara went back to setting up the table for dinner. "It's just that I'm so exhausted and I still have weeks ahead of me. I've never imagined being pregnant was going to be so hard."

"But don't you feel it's worth it? When after a long day, you lay down and you put your hand on your belly and the baby senses it, starts showing it by moving around?"

"It is." Stevie nodded, getting emotional. "I'm such a crying mess lately!"

"That is to be expected. What about Lindsey?"

"He's not pregnant, Mom."

"Well, aren't you being funny?" Barbara just smiled, putting cutlery next to each plate.

"Lindsey is amazing. He's going to be the most incredible father. He's already talking about how we're going to have ten children." Stevie laughed, using a tissue to dry under her eyes from a moment earlier.

"We'll see what he's going to be saying, when your little one wakes up in the middle of the night and demands to be entertained."

"Right now Lindsey is prepared to be doing all of it!" She said, rolling her eyes, knowing that will hardly be the case. "He says I'm doing the biggest part in carrying our son and then he's going to stay up every night, so I can rest."

"Aren't I the best?" Lindsey came into the kitchen, after bringing their luggage to the guest room.

"If you keep to your word." Barbara pointed out. "Have you decided on the name yet?"

"No. I find it hard to name our baby when we don't know him yet. What if we name him something that won't fit who he wants to be when he grows up, his personality..."

"Sweetheart, your father and I named you Stephanie if I remember correctly."

Lindsey bit on the inside of his cheek, otherwise he was going to burst out laughing and that would leave him sleeping on the couch tonight.

"I didn't go far from it though." Stevie shrugged, letting Lindsey take her hand as he took a seat next to her.

"You named yourself after a boy."

"Mom!"

"I'm sorry." Barbara put a hand to her chest, looking at her daughter apologetically.

"Can we stop talking and start eating?" Stevie asked impatiently, growing a little annoyed, she had been lacking a sense of humor recently.

After dinner, Lindsey and Stevie went outside onto the front porch, each holding a cup of tea, as they sat on the wooden steps, taking in the atmosphere, just how homely and nice it felt. Sometimes she wished to move back to Phoenix full time, but she hadn't had the courage yet to bring it up.

"I think your mom's right, we should talk about names."

"But what if..."

"Don't be silly, besides it's possible to legally change your name." Lindsey rolled his eyes, only because Stevie wouldn't see.

"Alright. Any ideas?"

"To be honest, only one. I'm not even sure why, but I really like Ernest. We could call him Ernie, which sounds like some cuddly teddy bear, until he's five or so."

"Cuddle teddy bear Ernie doesn't sound too bad." Stevie leaned her head on Lindsey's shoulder and he naturally put his arm around her, pressing a kiss to her hair.

"I mean, if you don't like it..."

"No, no actually I do. Ernest Buckingham sounds brilliant!"

"Honestly?"

"Mhm." She nodded. "You should know that I would tell you if I didn't like it."

"Oh, trust me."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Stevie sat up straight, giving him a look.

"Nothing, honey." Lindsey stopped breathing for a second, before she relaxed again and asked for help to stand up. "Bed?"

"Bed." She yawned, lacing her fingers through his as they made their way up the stairs and into their room.