Let Me Help You

I hope you know that

"Mama, up!" Ernest was tugging at Stevie's skirt for the past five minutes and she had been trying to explain to him how it's not going to happen.

"No, baby. I'm sorry." She shook her head, taking his little hands in hers. "You see, Mommy's got a really big belly right now and can't bend to pick you up, sweetheart." His lower lip started trembling and it about broke Stevie's heart. "Hey, now... You're a big boy! You're almost two years old! Big boys like you don't cry, Ernie."

"What's up with my, champ?" Lindsey came in to the living room, after swimming in the pool, as it was a particularly hot day of August.

"Lindsey!" Stevie shrieked and startled both him and their son. "You're making a mess! How many times have I told you to dry off before walking into the house?"

"Oh, relax..." He rolled his eyes, scooping Ernest up, who immediately pushed at his father's chest.

"Daddy cold!"

"What was the crying about?"

"He wanted me to hold him and I highly doubt I'm capable of doing that."

"You see, son..." Lindsey looked at their boy, then pointed to Stevie's still growing belly. "Your little sister is in there and Mommy's got to keep her safe. She can't pick you up, because she might accidentally fall over and it would hurt your sister. You don't want that to happen, do you?" Ernest shook his head, trying to reach his mother still. "You want to say hi to the baby?" Stevie walked over to them and Ernest leaned over, nearly falling out of Lindsey's arms, and put his little hand on Stevie's belly. "You love your sister?" The boy nodded enthusiastically and his parents smiled. "Good. Don't forget that when you're both older and you want to kill her."

"How about you shut your mouth, Buckingham?"

"Why don't you shut me up?" He looked at Stevie smugly, but she didn't hesitate, grasping his chin with her fingers and planting a big wet smooch on his lips. Lindsey wiped his lips off with the back of his hand, his face scrunched up. "The hell, Steph?"

"Well it shut you up, right?"

Lindsey lowered Ernest to the floor and gave her a lot more loving kiss. "This is how you do it."

"I've got a two year old and I'm about to have another one, I know how to kiss, Lindsey."

"Jesus Christ..." He sighed, rolling his eyes again. God, she was difficult when pregnant. "Have you made anything for lunch? I'm hungry."

"So am I, honey. So am I."

"So, no then?"

"No."

"I can order something or we could go out?"

"I'm not up to going out."

"You haven't been out of the house for days."

"Because it's too fucking hot outside and I get all sweaty and sticky, I hate it."

"What if we go out later? For dinner to one of those little restaurants along the water that you love?"

Stevie thought for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, but later. I'll go lie down for a while now."

"Need my assistance?"

"I think I'll manage." She started taking one step at a time and Ernest was by her side, mimicking her. Lindsey had to fight hard to hold back laughter. His wife and son, limping up the stairs together.

On the way to the bedroom, Stevie stopped by Ernest's room and wanted to lay him down for a nap, but he shook his head, clinging onto her like he was doing earlier and she had to take him to bed with her.

"And here I was hoping for a nice hour of sleep." Stevie sighed, smiling at Ernest, who took up Lindsey's side of the bed, already snoozing. She loved their son more than anything, he was the light of her life. The boy hardly ever left his mother's side, he always had to know she was around and it made her the happiest she had ever been. Although, as much as she was looking forward to having their girl, Stevie was a little nervous about how things would go from there. Ernest was turning just two and they were having another baby, who would need all of their attention. She was giving herself a headache, thinking of how to divide it equally.

Lindsey knocked on the bedroom door softly, before opening and when he went inside, Stevie was still asleep and Ernest was watching her, utterly mesmerized. He couldn't stop himself from smiling at the truly magical bond between the two.

"Hey there, little guy. Trying to wake up Mommy? Well, it's going to be a lot harder than just lying here silently." Lindsey sat Ernest in his lap, kissing his head. "Isn't she the prettiest sight you've ever seen, son?"

Stevie smiled weakly, with her eyes still closed. "Stop that, Linds."

"I'm just being honest."

"What time is it?" She yawned, rolling onto her back and stretching a little.

"After 6pm."

"Oh God, you shouldn't have let me sleep that long! And just for how long has Ernest been lying here wide awake? He could have rolled off the..."

"Steph, slow down, baby. He's fine, everything's fine." Lindsey reached for her hand and brought it up to his lips. "Feeling rested?"

"Oh, yes. Naps are wonderful."

"Are we still going out?"

"Mhm. Just give me time to get ready. I need to change into something else."

"Sure. We're not going anywhere."

An hour later, the Buckingham family were walking along the shore, to a nearby restaurant. Stevie was already dreading when she would have to walk across the sand, it was going to exhaust her completely. Lindsey took her hand and Ernest, copying his father, ran to her other side and did the same.

"You're going to help me too, baby?" Stevie laughed a little at how determined the boy was to help his mother through the sand, stomping his tiny feet into it.

When they left to head back home, the sun was setting and the sky was absolutely breathtaking. Stevie had to stop for a minute. While she was taking in the scenery, Lindsey and Ernest were splashing each other in the water, their clothes completely soaked, the little boy giggling the whole time.

Stevie stood back, watching them, never in a million years thinking that this would be her reality. When Ernest got tired from running, he slumped down on the sand and Lindsey wrapped his arms around Stevie from behind, kissing her on the cheek.

"I love you."

"Love you, too." He kissed her again and took her by the hand, after helping their son stand up. "Did you have fun?" Lindsey asked, as they began walking home, hand in hand and Ernest already asleep on his shoulder.

"I had, I'm glad you made me leave the house."

"I hope this wasn't too much for you."

"No, Linds. Don't worry so much, I'm not going to break in two."

"You're my whole life, you, our son and our girl. I hope you know that."

Stevie smiled, leaning her head on Lindsey's shoulder. "I do." She loved when he would get emotional and say something like that. "And I feel the same."

They shared a brief kiss and returned home in comfortable silence.