July 1998
Stevie was seven months pregnant and Kristen was due any minute. She tried to be excited for her and Lindsey, but as the days passed and she realized that he'd be the father to someone else's child, she found it a lot harder to be excited for them. She knew that was selfish. She knew it wasn't that innocent baby's fault that he was being brought into this dysfunctional situation.
Stevie was shaken from her thoughts when the phone rang. She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. It was nearly one in the morning.
"Hello?"
"Hey," Lindsey said, and he almost sounded out of breath, "the baby is coming. I...um...can you just...be here?"
She wasn't sure what she was supposed to say. She hadn't been expecting to be asked to actually be there when Kristen and Lindsey's baby was born.
"Linds, I don't know...."
"Please, Steph. I wouldn't ask if I didn't need you here."
She took a deep breath, "okay, I'll be there as soon as possible."
"Great. I'll see you soon," Lindsey said before he hung up, presumably to go be at Kristen's side.
Stevie got out of bed to get dressed and called herself a cab. She hated herself a little for agreeing to this, but it was too late now. Why was she always so fucking weak when Lindsey said he needed her?
She shook her head and slipped on her shoes before heading downstairs to wait on the cab. She didn't have to worry too much about hiding, since it was one am in the middle of the week. She headed outside and got in the cab, telling the driver where to take her. She sat back in her seat and watched the city, trying to keep her brain quiet for a little while. Max must have been sleeping because she couldn't feel him moving around much. He was usually curled up on her right side this time of night anyway. She tried not to jostle him around too much as she paid the cab driver and headed into the hospital.
She went up to the maternity ward and as soon as she stepped off the elevator she was enveloped in a hug from Lindsey. She hugged him back as best as she could with her baby bump in the way.
"Hey, are you okay?" She pulled back to look at him.
Lindsey nodded, "I'm nervous."
"Shouldn't you be in there with her?"
"She said I was driving her crazy and to get out and come wait for you. So, that's what I did." He runs his hand through his curls and Stevie notices he looks completely frantic.
She sighs to herself before she reaches out to take his hands, "hey, don't be so nervous. You're going to be an amazing father and this little boy is going to love you so much."
Lindsey laces his fingers with hers and looks at her, "you think so?"
"I know it."
He kisses the back of her hands before Kristen's mother calls him back into the room, telling him that it was time for her to push. Lindsey gives Stevie one last glance before letting go of her and going to be with Kristen.
Stevie went to sit down by herself, feeling slightly awkward being surrounded by Kristen's family. She curled up in the chair and fell asleep, her hands resting protectively over her stomach.
A couple hours later, Lindsey came to get her. He stroked her hair gently and her eyes fluttered open. She stretched and smiled a little, "is he here?"
"He's here. All the family has seen him and gone to go get some rest. Would you like to come meet him?"
"Yes, of course." Lindsey helps her up from her seat and leans down to kiss her stomach before leading her to Kristen's room.
"How did you do during the delivery?" She asks as they walk down the hallway.
"Well, I didn't pass out, so I'm counting that as a win," Lindsey replies with a laugh. He walks into Kristen's room and Stevie follows behind him.
Kristen smiles tiredly when she sees Stevie; a little bundle wrapped in her arms, "hey!"
Stevie walks over and give Kristen a hug before peeking at this baby. He looks more like his mother, but he has Lindsey's dark hair and blue eyes.
"Do you want to hold him?" Kristen asks.
"Of course!"
"William, meet your aunt Stevie," Kristen says as she hands the baby over to Stevie.
Stevie takes the baby gently and grins, "hi William. It's so nice to finally meet you."
She can feel Lindsey's eyes on her and when she briefly glances at him, she notices him smiling at her holding his son.
Kristen glances at Lindsey, "honey, could you go get me some water please?"
"Sure," Lindsey makes a quick escape from the room.
Stevie is bouncing the baby gently, "he is beautiful."
"Thank you." Kristen clears her throat before she speaks again, "Stevie? I hate to ask this of you, but could you....talk to Lindsey? He hasn't held William yet."
Stevie looks at her surprised, "he hasn't?"
Kristen shakes her head, "not once."
Stevie hands the baby back to his mother and kisses them both on the cheek before walking out of the room to wait for Lindsey to come back.
"Hey, what are you doing out here?" He asks when he gets back with Kristen's water.
"You haven't held your son yet?" Stevie stands there, staring him down.
"Well, I haven't really had a chance...."
"Oh, that is some serious bullshit, Lindsey. You're his father. What the fuck is wrong with you?" Stevie crosses her arms and waits for his response.
"I just....I feel disconnected from all of this," he tries to tell her.
"How could you feel disconnected from your own son?"
Lindsey takes a deep breath, "you're not his mother."
Stevie shakes her head, "well in two months, I'll have our son. In the meantime you need to get your ass in that fucking room and hold that baby. Don't be an asshole. You have to care for that child, Lindsey!"
"Okay, okay. I get it. You don't have to yell at me."
She gently pushes him into the room and follows in behind him. She takes the water and gives it to Kristen before gently taking William and placing him in Lindsey's arms. She wasn't leaving until she knew Lindsey had held his first born son.
Lindsey took the baby gently and looked down at him, holding his little hand as the baby latched onto his finger. Stevie saw him smile a little and felt relieved.
"Hey there buddy, I'm your daddy," he said, talking quietly. Kristen had fallen asleep almost as soon as her son was in his father's arms. Stevie figured she was able to relax now that she knew she would have some help overnight from Lindsey.
"Just sit down in the chair and rock him. If you need a break, the nurses can always take him to the nursery. Try to keep him close. He'll need to eat soon." Stevie gave Lindsey all the directions she could. The rest was up to him.
"Are you leaving?" Lindsey asked; looking at her panicked.
"Yes. Your other son needs me to sleep. You'll be okay."
"Will you be back tomorrow?"
"No, you three need some time to be a family," she says. The words sting when they come out of her mouth.
Lindsey nods a little and whispers, "I'll miss you guys."
"We'll miss you too. You take care of them and I'll see you soon." Stevie leans down and kisses them both on the forehead.
She heads out the door and waits for a cab downstairs. This had been a lot harder than she was expecting. As soon as she's in the car, she starts crying, her heart aching knowing that this was all real and now Lindsey had a baby with another woman.
