The kids had been in town all week and though, at first, they came with the intention of staying down the road to keep from interfering, Stevie insisted they stay at the Inn. And of course, she got her way... Laura and Drew were right across the hallway in that suite and Mallory took up residency in the spare room in Stevie's, which meant there had never been a dull moment that entire week.
Stevie took the girls to all the best shops on the island, they had dinner together every night and found something exciting to do during the day... Stevie absolutely loved having them there and they totally loved her right back.
Mallory was still pretty young- she was only twenty, so for her, it felt like she had a motherly figure in her life once more. And Laura was at the peek of maturing from a college student to an adult, who was trying to find her way in the hectic world around her, which meant she was also really looking forward to the guidance from Stevie... Believe it or not, neither of the girls were upset or angry that their father was moving on in life, which was such a sigh of relief.
But before their mother passed, she had seat down with them and reminded them that Lindsey was still pretty young... He was only forty- five at the time and he had every right to keep going. She told the girls that their father could very well meet someone, fall in love and still have a thirty year marriage, or more even.
She didn't tell them that there would be a new baby and the woman would live all the way on the other side of the country, but she also wasn't a fortune teller... That was just an added bonus for Mallory and Laura, who were beyond thrilled when Lindsey told them.
And who were they to try and put a damper on his happiness? Lindsey had given them the world and it was only right that they cheer him on in the next chapter of his life.
He was happier than they had seen him in so long and they both knew they had Stevie to thank for that.
~~~
"You have to sit still." Stevie's loud laughs filled the air around them, one hand resting on Mallory's shoulder as the other held onto the hair brush.
They were out in the living room- Stevie was sitting crisscross applesauce on the sofa and Mallory was right in front of her on the floor, letting the most contagious giggles escape her... She was a ball of sunshine, who thought just about everything was funny and to her, Stevie was hilarious.
"Okay, okay." She tried to be calm for a moment, but she still let out a little cackle as she began to lean back once more. "I'm being serious now." Mallory smirked, which caused the older woman to grin as well.
Pursing her lips to the side, Stevie carefully began running the comb through Mallory's long blonde hair. "I'm sure." She teased, brown eyes slowly traveling up to see Lindsey coming through the room.
He was in a pair of sweat pants and a hoodie, juggling two cups of hot tea in one of his hands as the other held onto the saucer of little brownies that they'd made earlier. "For the ladies." He grinned softly, giving Stevie a faint, playful wink when his eyes locked with hers.
"Thank you, dad." Mallory watched as he carefully set everything down on the coffee table in front of her, a very thankful smile on her face.
Biting down on her bottom lip, Stevie nodded in agreement. "Yes, thank you." She told him as she began to carefully twist one half of Mallory's hair into a perfect braid.
It was just the three of them hanging out that evening, being that Laura and her husband went to have dinner with some of his friends from college about an hour off the island and that sounded like a total drag to Mallory.
So instead, she offered to make them dinner, Stevie baked dessert, and Lindsey was in charge of the dishes. After that, they ended up in the living room with a movie that Mallory picked out on the television.
It was easy and fun- something they had all been worried about it not being at the start of week.
"There's room for you..." Stevie lingered playfully as she motioned towards the spot on the couch that was empty.
Lindsey chuckled softly, moving the pillow to the side so that he could take a seat next to her. "Is there any other movie we can watch?" He very slightly poked fun at the old Disney flick that Mallory picked out, which caused Stevie to nudge his arm.
"This is a good one." She gave him a little smirk as she started to tie the first braid with a ponytail.
"Yeah," Mallory rolled her eyes playfully, glancing over her shoulder to give him a set of narrow blue eyes. "It's a good one and you're being picky." She added, which caused Lindsey and Stevie to both let out soft chuckles.
She had the most personality ever... Stevie just totally adored her.
"Alright," he held up one hand in defense as he slipped the other around Stevie's waist. "I'm out voted, I see." He grinned as he lightly rubbed her hip.
Nodding her head, Stevie was just about to agree with that sentence when the phone started to ring.
"Here, baby." Lindsey patted her side, letting go of Stevie to reach out for the phone on the stand next to him.
Creasing a brow, Stevie took the phone and pressed it between her ear and her shoulder. "Hello?" Her voice was soft, looking over the edge of her glasses as she finished off the second braid.... They were a little crooked but not terrible.
"Hi, mom..." Brooklynn's voice sounded different- she sounded distant, actually.
"Hi, baby." Stevie's heart sank into the pit of her stomach, glancing over at Lindsey for a brief second.
"I haven't heard from you all week..." She told her, even though she knew that Stevie couldn't have forgotten.
They talked almost every day and for her not to answer or return calls was crazy Brooke.
"And then I hear from dad that you're getting a divorce and you're pregnant...?" She scoffed, beyond shocked. "Thanks for letting us know, mom."
