I wake up earlier than I wanted to. I never got around to discussing things about the schedule so she tells me about it in the car on the way to my appointment. Lindsey is a bundle of nerves never getting to go to an appointment before.
"Stevie, you and Lindsey have been invited to David Letterman."
"When?" I turn around in my seat to look at her sitting in the back seat of Lindsey's SUV.
"The 12th and 13th."
"The 12th and 13th of...?" I ask, praying she's not going to say January, next month. That's very short notice.
"January"
"Karen, why didn't you tell me about this one first? I've been worrying about the one at the end of April when I will be huge!"
"You're much smaller right now, I didn't think it would matter." She tells me and I stick my tongue out at her. "Are you guys going to do it?"
"It could be really fun, Steph. Just you and me" Lindsey says. "Landslide."
"Fine. But I'm wearing black"
"Naturally" she says, nodding.
"It's slimming" I say and Lindsey laughs.
"You're right baby. Very slimming" he says but he's only doing it to humor me. I'm satisfied anyway.
-----
The appointment goes well. The boring stuff like urine sample and blood pressure are out of the way. I've requested an ultrasound since Lindsey has never gotten to come to one and then we hear the heartbeat.
"Is this daddy?" The ultrasound each asks.
"Yes" I respond for him.
"I have done all of her ultrasounds and this is the first time I've seen you"
"Yeah, I--" he begins but I interrupt.
"Yes, he was away on business. On the road, y'know?"
"Oh okay, well welcome." She smiles at him and he turns to me, mouthing his gratitude for my response. "Ready to see your baby?"
We nod, Lindsey takes my hand and kisses it. She puts the gel on my belly and moves around the transducer. Lindsey is watching in awe. "There she is"
"She's so beautiful" Lindsey says, watching our pale angel move and kick against the pitch black darkness.
"She's getting big in there now" the tech says, taking her measurements for the doctor. "Let's hear that heart beat" She flips a switch on the machine and her freight train heart beat fills the room. I look to Lindsey and he is properly crying.
"Such a strong heart! That's the best song I have ever heard in my entire life" His words touch me deeply and I pull on the neck of his shirt to make him kiss me.
"I love you"
"I love you too. You are giving me the most precious gift in the world"
"I only wish I could give you more" I say sadly.
"You and this little girl are all I need" he tells me and I nod. I know he would love more children but I turn 50 in a few months. I know our time is limited and she is a miracle on her own. The tech gives us our new printed pictures of our daughter and we are told to take our time and leave when we wish.
After our appointment, we go out for lunch because once again, I'm told I'm getting grouchy. No amount of snacks is helping, I need real food. We order our food, I'm having a glass of water with lemon and they are having a delicious smelling white wine. I'm jealous, extremely jealous.
"What about solidarity, Linds?" I say in a serious tone and he pushes his glass away.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking"
"What a terrible thing to do to me." I smirk, letting him know I'm kidding.
"When she's here, I will buy you any bottle of wine you want"
"I'm holding you to that" I say.
Something catching my attention out of the corner of my eye. A baby! A beautiful little baby in a stroller just opposite us. I try to get Lindsey's attention but he is too engrossed in his conversation with Karen. I cannot look away from her. I get up to go to the bathroom and I know I have to go past this young woman and her child on my way. I know it sounds weird but I'm dying for a closer look. I'm about to pass the table when the baby tosses a toy out. I bend down and pick it up, handing it back to the mother who look frazzled with her other children.
"Thank you" the woman says "Thank you so much"
"You're so welcome. What adorable children you have!"
"Thank you again!" She says, giggling. Then her face changes. "I'm sorry but are you...Stevie Nicks?" She whispers and I'm appreciative she didn't cause a scene. I nod. "Oh my gosh! I love you...I mean--" She turns bright red.
"No it's okay. Don't be embarrassed"
"My littlest one, right here, is called Rhiannon"
"I'm so flattered." Her eyes are bright blue and she has the most kohl black hair I have ever seen. "She is quite striking."
"Would you...like to hold her?"
"Can I? Oh yes, I would love that" Her children are now sitting quietly, eating their food that was just dropped off. She takes her out of the stroller and hands her to me. I press her to my chest and feel her grab onto me with both hands. "Oh my gosh" I say softly, tears springing to my eyes. The little girl's legs find their place above my bump and I know the young woman has noticed something very different about me. I can see it in her eyes and she gives me the sweetest look. "You are a gorgeous little thing!" I tell Rhiannon. "And so smart! Look at you, taking everything in!" I've held onto her for several minutes now and I feel like I should give her back. "Thank you for letting me hold her. No one around me has little babies anymore"
"Im sure one day soon" she says simply and I smile.
"Have a great day"
"I will. I'm so happy I got to meet you. I know I shouldn't be telling a stranger this but my husband left us and I'm doing all of this on my own. You really brightened my day"
"Three children, on your own?"
"Yes, and it's been really hard."
"I can tell you're doing an excellent job. I know you will find your way. You are caring and kind. You've already won the game, my dear" I touch her arm and I can tell she appreciates the gesture. "Take care of yourself and don't forget that you matter in all of this too." She nods and takes my hand. I squeeze her hand and stay with her for a moment longer. Our time together ends and I go back to my table, forgetting about the bathroom.
"Where were you, honey? I looked up and you were gone" I sit down and I cover my face to stop everyone from seeing I'm in tears. "Are you okay?" I nod, sniffing and wiping my eye. "Um, I have to do something" I find the manager and I do the only thing I can think of, even if it's small. I pay for their meal, give a nice tip to the waiter taking care of her then say to give her the change. I'm asked if I'm sure, I'm very sure. I go back to my seat, eating my main course and looking forward to dessert when she suddenly comes to my table and hugs me so tightly.
"Thank you! Oh my god, thank you!" She says, crying onto my shoulder.
"It was nothing"
"You are seriously an angel. I'm so lucky to have met you today. Everyone says don't meet your idols because they always let you down but you haven't. You are more than I could have ever imagined!"
"That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me"
"Your baby is so blessed to have you as their mother" she whispers. We pull apart and she smiles, squeezing my hands. "I hope our paths cross again"
"Me too" With that, she is gone and I'm in total shock.
"Um....what just happened?" Karen asked me.
"One of the most beautiful things that has ever happened to me" I say, sitting down. I begin to tell them all that happened between she and I at her table, how I got to hold her baby and that I paid her bill. They were sitting there staring at me wordlessly until I finished.
"You have such a big heart, Stephanie" Lindsey said, kissing me.
"I truly believe I never would have met that woman if it wasn't for her" I say, putting my hand on my small bump. "She has made so many incredibly magical things happen"
"I cannot believe that happened. Wow!" Karen says.
"Neither can I"
After lunch I'm still reeling from all that has happened. I hold this experience with me through the day and into the evening. I think about them as the days pass and pray they will find their way in this world.
A/N: Cute stuff, my favorite kind 💗
