Whatever It Takes

Part 12

Lindsey dragged his feet, following Stevie around as she moved from one clothing store to the other. This was not his idea of fun, but it was his fault that suddenly almost none of her clothes fit anymore after all. So, he kept his mouth shut and carried her purchases, being the obedient husband she needed him to be.

"I need to find something for your birthday." Stevie said, stopping to take a closer look at a dress that caught her eye. 

"I told you, I didn't want a party." He never did. "I'd much rather keep it simple, do something as a family. We could still cancel and go on a trip."

Stevie looked at him, shaking her head, before she moved on from the dress, having decided that it was not what she was looking for. "Invitations have already been sent out, your birthday is in three days."

Lindsey sighed, putting the shopping bags down for a minute, while she inspected the stitching on something else. "What are you going to say, when someone notices the lack of champagne in your hand?"

"I'll tell 'em I've quit drinking." Stevie shrugged. "And you're going to be a supportive husband and sip on some juice too." She laughed at his shocked expression. "I'm kidding. You're free to do whatever you want."

"People will get suspicious." Lindsey added, picking the items he'd put down up again to follow Stevie out. "I don't mean to offend you, but it's kind of obvious."

"Are you saying, I'm fat?" Stevie spun around to glare at him, he gulped. 

"No. No!" Lindsey shook his head. "I'm just- what I'm trying to say- I, well-"

"Relax." Stevie smiled, cupping his cheek, she pecked him on the lips. "I'm not offended."

"Christ..." Lindsey breathed out heavily. "You're difficult to deal with as is, but when you're pregnant... Whew!" He whistled, shaking his head. "I have to think carefully before I say anything. Half the time I feel like I'm defusing a bomb!" 

"Well, I appreciate you trying." Stevie said, entering another store. "But... I do seem-" She paused. "Bigger, right? I barely showed at four months with Avery."

Lindsey swallowed uneasily, wondering if this was the time he had to consider, what he was about to say, too. Stevie stopped moving and turned to face him again, she cocked her head to one side, waiting for him to respond.

"Be honest." Stevie encouraged him to speak.

Lindsey let out a breath he was holding and nodded his head. "Yeah, you do."

"Hm..." Stevie lowered her eyes, she placed her hand on her bump. "You don't think- no..." She frowned. "I mean, it's possible, but-"

"What? What?" Lindsey repeated impatiently. "What is it?"

"What if I'm carrying twins?" Stevie looked up, her eyes grew wider as did his. "I can't- I-" She shook her head, scaring herself. "Me? Where am I supposed to house two babies? Do you have any idea how massive I'm going to be?"

First things first, he had to calm her down before he could start freaking out as well. "Hey." Lindsey placed his hands on her shoulders, he leaned in closer so she'd focus on him. "This is just a wild thought. The doctor hasn't mention anything about twins. There's no way a professional could miss an extra baby. Right?"

Stevie thought about it for a second, she shrugged weakly. "It's extremely rare, but it happens. Lindsey, I-"

"No, this is crazy." He assured, forcing out a smile. "One baby, that's all we've signed up for. I mean, we're old! We can't handle two-"

"Lindsey!" Stevie interrupted him. "You're supposed to be calming me down."

"Right, yeah." He shook himself mentally. "We have an appointment next week and the doctor will tell us that we've only temporarily gone insane."

"Uh-huh." Stevie gulped, mimicking Lindsey's deep, even breathing to compose herself. "I think, that's enough shopping for today." 

"But you haven't found-"

"Enough for today." She repeated and he didn't question her again as they made their way back to the car or during the drive home.