I Think I'm in Trouble {Reimagined}

LXXVIII.

After getting out of the shower and throwing a clean maxi dress on, Stevie was much more at ease as she made her way downstairs to retrieve her newborn from her mother.

"She is so precious," Barbara mentioned, giving her the baby back.

"She is," she smiled, pressing her lips to her face gently. "It's been so long since I've fallen in love this way... Of course, each of my children, they've left their mark on me and I will always be in love with them, but a brand new baby in her purest form..."

"I know exactly what you mean," she smiled. "I'm sure the father also has something to do with that feeling..."

Looking at her mother, she nodded, realizing that both Lindsey and Shannon weren't back yet.

Just then, Jeffrey and Nicholas made their way inside the house, handing plastic wrapped paper bags full of food.

"Hey," the older boy smiled brightly at the sight of his mother holding his little sister. "I hope you're hungry, we got a lot of food," he mentioned, settling it on the island.

Barbara started pulling everything out of the bags, trying to get everybody's things separated for them.

"I'll help you, grandma," Nicholas mentioned, smiling at the baby briefly before making his way to the kitchen.

"Everything is very hot, I hope everybody gets back in time," the older woman mentioned.

"I'll go get my dad," Jeffrey assured.

"I'll get him, honey, go wash up," Stevie claimed. "I was gonna go talk to him anyways..."

"Sounds good," he moved passed her to make it to the kitchen to meet his little brother and grandmother, helping them out since there was a lot of food to sift through and serve.

Stevie then made her way to guest bedroom and she knocked gently.

"Come in," he replied just below a yell.

She pushed open the door and she smiled gently. 

"Hey, you, you're home," he smiled. 

"I got back a little bit ago," she assured. "I heard you were napping before physical therapy..."

"Oh, yeah, you know how they kick my ass over there," he smirked. "I'm tired of it but I know it's all working..."

"I'd imagine," she furthered in.

He raised both his brows, acknowledging the infant in her arms. 

"We were just letting you know lunch is here..."

"Well, come in... Let me say hi," he asked, patting the side of the bed for her.

She took a seat on the edge of the bed, next to him and she was sure to let the baby face him.

Lily was sleeping soundly.

"She's beautiful, she looks just like you," he assured. 

She smirked. 

"Really," he assured. "Can I hold her?" 

"Sure," she extended her arms gently, allowing him to take her into his own.

"Hi, there, Lily," he whispered, being ever so soft with the child. 

It was a version of him she hadn't seen in many years and for a baby who wasn't his own, he seemed just as enticed and she was so grateful of that.

"Where's Lindsey?" he then asked.

"With your daughter..." she crossed one leg over the other.

"Oh, now she's my daughter again?" he retorted. "What did she do?"