H.E.L.P. ... I'm addicted

Part 15 - Stumbling

Tapping his fingers on the counter, Lindsey stared at the bottle of Jack Daniels, recently buying it during his relapse with his addiction. He couldn't believe that this was happening, that he was actually allowing the urge and the stress of her pregnancy to actually get to him this badly, knowing that he could very well lose her.

"I can't, I can't, I can't..." repeating to himself as he then began to pace the kitchen floor, Stevie's two dogs looking up at him with confusion. "Just one, maybe just one shot..." unscrewing the cap then screwing it back, cursing at himself then beginning to peel off the label in distress. "Come on, Lindsey, stop being such a pussy! You don't need this, you don't!" but he did it anyway. The warmth of the liquor trailing down his throat as he let out a content sigh, bringing the glass to his nose to take in the aroma. Yes, there was nothing like the scent of a good shot of Jack!

After a few more shots, Lindsey was angry with himself, quickly washing the glass then hiding the Jack under the sink behind a bunch of chemicals. Now was the trick to keep Stevie from finding it, or even her mother!

Feeling a tad woozy, he headed for the stairs, clinging to the rail as he slowly made his way in to the guest room. It was his luck that Stevie was once again sleeping, able to brush his teeth to rid more of the evidence, knowing she'd taste it on his lips. "I'm so sorry, baby," gargling with mouthwash then spitting it in to the sink, stumbling towards the bed. The detox he went through had really did a number on him, not able to control the tiniest amount of liquor. "Fvck..." blinking as he stared up at the ceiling, eyes too heavy to keep open as they shut, waking up later to a familiar pair of arms around him.

Stevie lay sound asleep beside him, seeing that he had been asleep longer than realized, the clock reading midnight and knowing it was not close to that when he hid that Jack! He turned to face her, the beauty that glowed against the white satin sheets. Lindsey would die  if she ever left him but also knowing that starting up his addiction again would be hard to stop, mostly because it helped with the strange turn their relationship took - though it began to ease up after the gardener incident. He was still apologizing till this day.

"I'm sorry, baby," whispering softly as he kissed her forehead, hand resting on her baby bump. "I love you both so much."

Just then her eyes opened, "What are you sorry for?"

"N-nothing, baby. You just go right back to sleep, okay?" playing with her hair.

"Lindsey, what? What is it?" noticing something different about his eyes.

"Just a headache, nothing to worry about. Hey, why don't I carry you to your room."

"No," cuddling against him, "...I'm warm here with you, which makes me wonder, how come you were in here anyway?"

"I wasn't about to disturb my princess."

She smiled, loving how he would call her pet names, touching his face. "You haven't shaved?"

Touching his face, he hadn't even realized it. "Hm, no, I guess not."

"That's a tad unusual, wouldn't you say? Mr. Clean cut is always shaved."

"I'll shave tomorrow," giving her lips a quick kiss, reaching for the blankets on the bed as he covered her. "Right now, I'm watching over you two," a hand circling her belly.

"I was thinking, you know, I don't want to find out the sex. I know that opportunity is coming up but I think I'd rather be surprised."

"It's your call my lovely," staring down at his hand that felt glued to her bump.

"Really, Linds, I feel as if something is going on with you..."

"Nothing is going on with me, angel, I am simply having sympathy pains. Remember what your mom said?"