She was on lying on her stomach, feet in the air and chin in her hand as she stared down at him with the most gentle brown eyes. "I have to go home..." she smiled lightly, using one hand to run her fingers through his curls.
It was already ten in the evening and though she really wanted to stay the night, she had to remind herself that she had other responsibilities. Stevie had already been gone for most of the day, having left both kids with Christy and her mother to swim and play games... And even though she was certain that they were all having a great time, she knew it was time to get back.
She had promised them that she'd be there when they woke up, ready to watch cartoons and make whatever they wanted for breakfast. And she never, ever went back on promises- not with her kids, at least.
"Oh, Steph..." He was on his back, one arm tucked under her to rub the silk fabric of her dress. "A few more minutes?" Lindsey smirked, leaning up to press his lips to hers.
She chuckled, sinking down further to lay her head on his chest. "I suppose a few more won't hurt." Stevie snuggled into him more, a deep sigh escaping her when he wrapped her in his arms tight.
"I was thinking..." his lips met the top of her head, using one hand to push some of her blonde curls back. "Maybe we could all doing something this weekend?" Lindsey was stretching a bit- he knew that, but it was still worth a try.
For the first time he ever, he understood what it felt like to be away from your children and he didn't like it.
Pursing her lips to one side, she paused for a moment. "Linds..." she reached up, taking his hand in hers as her eyes traveled to his.
She wanted it to be that simple, she really did, but it wasn't. It could be rocky with the two of them and she would survive it, but Stevie couldn't bring her kids into that mess all the time...
When she had left for France, she had told herself that Lindsey was either going to be in their life, or he wasn't. He didn't get the opportunity to play part time dad- she wouldn't allow it, so for them to find themselves back in that spot was difficult for her.
She wanted to make sure they were serious about staying together before she brought the two humans she'd vowed to protect into the chaos.
They came first for her, always.
He nodded his head, the hand that had been in her hair, moving down to her cheek. "I know..." Lindsey assured, silently telling her that she didn't have to defend her reasoning once more.
She had made it clear, and even though he was a little upset about it, he also understood and respected her decisions and feelings.
"Thank you..." she whispered, leaving a trail of kisses on his jawline.
He let out a soft laugh, almost certain that in that moment- her brown eyes locked with his, and that gentle smile on her face, that he had just fallen in love all over again. "No," he shook his head lightly, not daring enough to break the eye contact. "Thank you, beautiful woman." Lindsey's voice was so soft and gentle, it made her heart skip a beat.
A little grin trailed across her face, only pushing herself up a tad to look down at him. "For what?" She wondered, biting down on her lower lip as she gently traced along the curve of his nose.
"For everything." He emphasized in the most genuine way. "I am so lucky..."
~~~
Hurrying into the living room early the next morning, Lyric let off a big smile when her eyes landed on her mother, who was waiting on the sofa with a magazine in hand and the morning news on the television.
"There you are!" The little girl teased, carrying her teddy bear and baby blanket in with her.
Tossing her head back, Stevie let out a laugh. "My sweet girl." She dropped the paper on the couch, holding out her hands for her baby.
She rushed over, jumping right onto the couch next to her mom. "I missed you." She told her, head on her arm as she curled in close to her side.
"Oh, I missed you the most." Stevie was certain of it. "What did you do last night with grandma and Christy?" She wondered, looking down at her four year old to assure her that she'd given her all of her attention.
Creasing a brow, Lyric thought about it for a moment before she replied. "Grandma took us to dinner and then she walked with us by the beach." She mentioned, an excited tone lingering in her soft voice.
Barbara's laugh caused both girls to look up, a soft smile dancing across her tired face as she trailed in from the kitchen. "I chased you down the beach," she corrected in a joking manner as she carried her cup of coffee to the accent chair.
Lyric couldn't help but grin, nodding softly. "That's because you're the best grandma in the world." She was teasing, but not, in a way.
She thought of Barbara just as she thought of Stevie- they both hung the moon in her eyes.
Chuckling softly, Stevie slowly began to push herself up off the couch. "I'll be back, ladies." She mentioned as she wrapped her robe around herself tighter to venture into the other room.
It only took a moment for Lyric to journey across the living room and curl up in a blanket by her grandma, head on her chest and eyes on the cartoons.
"What do you want for breakfast?" Barbara asked, running her fingers through Lyrics crazy curls to try and tame them a tad.
"Hmm," she thought about it for a second. "We can wait until Pierce is awake and then see what he-"
"Mom?" Stevie's voice cut off the little girls words.
Creasing a brow, Barbara looked up, eyes instantly melting into her daughters from across the room.
"Something is wrong..." she announced in the calmest tone of voice as her hand met her tummy.
