Thank You For Saving Me // Stauren

chapter sixty eight

Steven's P.O.V

"Is Lauren coming?" I asked Emily after coming out of the bathroom, finally in my usual clothes.

"Should be... I only texted her like ten minutes ago. She said she was feeding Nova, remember?" She replied.

"Oh. Yeah, yeah I remember." I sigh, rubbing my face.

"So, you sorted it out? She seemed pissed yesterday." Emily asked, I replied with a nod.

"Yeah... but she's still a bit annoyed. I guess she's just stressed. Addy can go home today..." I answered her question, mostly with white lies as I haven't talked to her nearly at all, so I don't know if she's still annoyed.

She nods, "how many times have you been with Addy? Or even Nova?"

"Um... I've been with Nova a bit... but I've only been with Addy maybe- maybe two, three times? I only got to hold her yesterday... she's tiny." I mumbled mostly, realising that I haven't been with my daughter.

"Well, you're going home in like, an hour so you'll be able to see her tonight." She smiles warmly at me, packing a lot of my stuff up for me.

"Why have you been here? Why didn't you look after Nova and Lauren be here? Not that I don't want you here. It's just confusing." I ask, generally confused at why she's been spending so much time with me.

"Well... we've been talking to whole time you've been here. And I've been taking your mind off of being in here. But if Lauren was here she would just constantly worry and make you worse. I'm not saying that she shouldn't be here because she should. I just don't think she's in the right state of mind." She answers, I nod in response. "Plus... with her you can't talk about your plans for the future. You know, because you want it to be a surprise but not to scare her."

I chuckle, "yeah, you're right. Let's just go home... or to yours at least..." I say, standing up and out of the room with my bag.

"Let me carry that." Emily demanded almost, reaching out to grab the bag.

"Nah, I've got it. You sound like me to Lauren." I laugh, feeling like the role has reversed.

As we were walking down the hall and heading to the exit, I saw Lauren walk through it with Nova in her arms, in a rushed manor. "Laur?"

"Oh. Hi there you are. I was trying to get here as fast as I could. You know, so I wouldn't miss you." She chuckled nervously.

"Well you didn't." I smiled, placing a kiss on her head then on Nova's. "So, is he doing okay?"

She nodded, rubbing the small child's back before looking up at me. "He's stubborn."

"So like you then?" I chuckled, hearing a small laugh from her. She seemed drained. Like she hasn't had any sleep. There were also visible bags under her eyes, more visible from the lack of makeup she's been wearing. She generally hasn't had time to. None of us have had time for anything. It's just been chaotic lately.

"Don't get cheeky." She giggled, "anyway, I'm going to see Addy so, if you want to take Nova home and spend some time with him you can." She added with a smile.

"Um... sure..." I mumbled, not knowing if I could trust myself to handle such a small bundle. I slowly took the child in my arms and held him carefully, eating a smile from Lauren. But that's what I don't understand. She's been so sad the last few months, then she gets frustrated, now she's happy again? You can't just change. Not at the rate she was. I was happy she wasn't sad anymore, but I was also worried about what she was hiding. Or keeping away.

"I'll see you later..." she beamed, pecking my cheek and then Nova's.

"C'mon Nova..." I mumbled, rocking the young boy lightly in my arms, trying to settle him. "You weren't like this with mommy... so why me?"

"Hey..." Emily smiled sympathetically as she walked in, "still can't get him to sleep?"

"No... and I've tried everything! I changed him, gave him the pacifier, all sorts!"

"You tried feeding him?"

"Yes... but he just keeps refusing it. And clearly not wanting it." I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

"You want me to call Lauren? Maybe she could-"

"No! No... I wanna show her I can do it. Because I can. I just need to get my head around it..."

"Steve. You've just got out of hospital from a car accident that happened less than a week ago. We know you can do it, but you don't have to do it now. Give yourself time. Okay? Then you'll get used to it..." Emily said to me, trying to calm my fears.

But the crying didn't ease, he just continued. I ended pleading with Lauren to come home as quick as she could to help. Eventually when she got here, she showed me a way to hold Nova so he will sleep. She also explained that because he's only little still, he might not want as much food. I was happy he stopped crying, but I was still surprised by how Lauren is still so calm. It was almost scary. Like she's been doing this for months.

"Babe?" I mumbled into the back of Lauren's neck as we lay in bed.

"Hmm..." she replied, interlocking her fingers with mine that were gently resting on her waist.

"You feeling okay?" I whispered, peering my head over her shoulder to see her eyes closed as she nodded.

"Just tired" was the only thing she replied with, slowly turning around to snuggle into my chest.

I sighed, "I don't just mean now... You'd tell me if something was wrong, right?"

"Right"

A/N:

Okay so it's getting boring I KNOW UGH.

but I have a few ideas kiddies.
I'm gonna try and use them but until I write them, you have to read this short shitty update lols.

Okay bye

Vote and comment because I'm thirsty 🥂