Heartbroken

Happiness

"I'm still not sure if your mother likes me." Sharon said, serving the table as they were waiting for Stevie and Lindsey to come back from their trip. 

"What makes you say that?"

"I don't know really, but sometimes the looks she gives me, Taylor... She's so tiny, but she's absolutely terrifying!" 

Taylor laughed, nodded his head. "And that is why I and my siblings were very well behaved children. But don't stress about it, babe. She's going to love you very soon." He pressed a kiss to her cheek and went to the kitchen to check on dinner. 

No more than an hour later, a car pulled into the driveway and Taylor informed everyone about the arrival. Lynn was given a bouquet of wildflowers that was almost as big as she was and Alice stood next to her, holding a big framed picture of her, Lynn, Taylor, Stevie and Lindsey, which was taken on the last Christmas morning. It was hard to decide on the gift, but Stevie loved nothing more than her family. Taylor knew she would understand.

"Well hello there, my beautiful angels!" Stevie greeted the girls, getting hugs and kisses back from them. "Those are gorgeous!" She referred to the flowers and Lynn presented her with the bouquet. "Oh, are these for me, sweetie?"

"What are you supposed to say, Lynn?" Taylor was trying to help her out, while standing in the back. 

"Happy birthday, Nana!"

"Yes, you got it, baby." Stevie pulled her in yet another hug, thanking. 

"I have a present for you, Mommy!" Alice said, secretly a little jealous of all the attention Lynn always got.

"Well, what is it, sweetheart?" 

"Open it!" It was wrapped in beautiful red glittery paper. 

"Oh, it's so big." Lindsey bit on the inside of his cheeks, trying his hardest not to make a joke about what she just said. He heard her say it in a completely different context just this morning.

They all went to the living room, scattering on the couch and floor, as Stevie carefully ripped the paper open, revealing the picture. She started at it for a long moment, unable to look away. She traced their kids' faces with the pad of her finger, seeing five happy people staring back at her and she smiled, with tear filled eyes. At that moment she missed the son they lost more than ever before.

"Do you like it?" Taylor asked, breaking the silence.

"I love it, this is such a beautiful gift. Thank you." She sniffled, wiping under her eyes as Taylor and Alice came to envelope her in their arms. "You two are my most precious gift to begin with." 

"No crying, Mom, okay?" She nodded, smiling weakly. "Good, now let's go. The food will get cold."

The whole family sat around the table in the dining room and began eating, talking about the past couple of days and how Stevie and Lindsey in particular spent them. Stevie of course had more questions to Sharon, which she was gladly answering, very slowly but a bond between the two women had started to develop. 

Taylor cleared the dirty plates, Lynn and Alice left the table to go play and Sharon made tea, a home made apple pie to go with it. "You sure know how to cook, Sharon."

"Thank you, Mrs..." She stopped mid-sentence, receiving another look. "Stevie."

"Damn right."

"I'm just not used to calling my boyfriend's mother by her first name."

"We're no ordinary family, Sharon. And besides, Mrs. Buckingham makes me feel so old."

"You love being Mrs. Buckingham." Lindsey smirked, nudging Stevie. 

"Since we started talking about this... What did she say, Dad?"

"You knew?"  

"I might have." Taylor nodded. 

"Who else knew?"

"Nobody. Taylor is the only one I trust." Lindsey joked, only partly... He knew any other person close to them would have blurted it out. "And to answer your question, son, she said yes."

"Well, congrats you two!" Stevie smiled somewhat shyly, after Lindsey kissed her. "So, when is the wedding?"

"We haven't even thought about it yet, but I don't think it will take us very long. I for once don't want anything over the top, family and close friends." Stevie said, surprising both her son and husband-to-be again. 

"I'm so happy for you." Taylor then looked at Sharon and at his parents again. "We have some exciting new of our own."

"What, you're getting married too?!"

"No, but... We're expecting a baby." 

"No..." Stevie's jaw dropped.

"Yes, Mom."

"Oh my God!" She jumped up to her feet, hurrying around the table, squashing Taylor and Sharon into a hug. "Our news are nothing compared to yours! How far along are you? Can I feel your bump? Oh my, this is exciting!"

Sharon understood what Taylor meant by saying Stevie was going to love her soon now. "I'm ten weeks and you couldn't feel anything yet, but once I start growing, I promise you, you'll be the first one to feel it."

"You made me so happy!" Stevie gushed, drawing Sharon into another hug. "I can't wait for the little one to arrive."

Lindsey was better at containing himself, as he congratulated the couple as well. "What a great time for the Buckingham family." 

"Don't cry, Mom. We had an agreement." Taylor smiled, taking her by the hand. 

"You grew up too fast, my sweet little boy." She bent down, kissing him on the forehead, then looked at Lindsey. "Do you think you could get me pregnant too?"

Lindsey put a hand over his mouth not to spit his tea everywhere, as Taylor joked. "I think it would have happened by now, judging by how you're at it all the time."

"Let's leave it to the younger generation, Steph. Suddenly, I'm more than okay with being a grandfather."

"Fine." She pouted, not truly meaning it. "You better call her Stephanie then."

"We don't even know what we're having yet, Mom. And you already have Lynn."

"Gee, I'm not going to get my way tonight, am I?"

"Oh yes, you are." Lindsey winked, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

After another half an hour or so, Alice came downstairs, saying she was tired and so where Stevie and Lindsey. They said their goodbyes and got in the car to head home. As soon as they walked through the front door, Alice climbed up the stairs and went to her room, leaving Stevie and Lindsey alone. 

"I haven't seen you so happy in too long." He said, settling his palms on the small of her back. "This content smile suits you well."

"And it's thanks to you and our perfect son."

"I love hearing you say that I have something to do with your happiness."

"Not something, a lot, Linds. So much... After everything we've gone through? I can hardly believe we are where we are today. We've come a long way." 

"And it was worth it. You were worth it."

She stood on her tiptoes, leaving a lingering kiss on his lips. "Our love was worth it." 

THE END

Thank you so much for reading this story! At times, this was the hardest one I've had to write, but I really enjoyed it. I always try to think of something different. Hope you liked it too.