**Lindsey's POV**
I woke up from my nap feeling a little better, with only some slight pain in my incision, to a ringing doorbell. I lifted my head off the pillow, blinking a few times and glancing at the clock.
"Oh my God," I said out loud to no one but myself, rolling over and sitting upright, searching for my tshirt. "Lane's here."
I ran my hands quickly through my hair, instantly becoming more nervous that I could remember being in my life. What if he didn't like me? What if I was bad at this whole Dad thing? I gulped- there was a lot riding on this afternoon. I wasn't sure if I should
The door to my room was slightly ajar and I could hear Stevie walk over to the front door and answer it. She was greeted by a loud "Mama!" and an excited squeal- I wasn't sure if it was her or Lane but I was already becoming emotional. That little voice. And that was my son calling Stevie his 'Mama.'
I heard them moving around in the living room, setting bags down and saying goodbye to MaryAnn, who I heard close the door behind her. I listened in awe as Stevie spoke to him so tenderly, and though I was unable to make out exactly what they were saying to one another their sweet conversation warmed my heart already.
It was only a few minutes before she knocked lightly on the door and peeked her head into my room.
"Hey," she smiled. I love that smile. It radiated from her eyes and brightened the entire room. She was so genuinely happy. "I've got somebody who wants to meet you."
I shifted nervously once again, wishing I was mobile enough to be up and around.
She opened the door all the way and there beside her stood my son. He was perfect. My heart felt like it was going to explode on the spot. I kept my emotions in check, difficult as it was, as to not overwhelm him. He stared at me and I started right back. He was this amazing little human, and Stevie was right- he was the spitting image of me. His curls were thick and unruly, Stevie's hand immediately gravitating to them, combing through them as an obvious natural reaction, making me smile as he was obviously comforted by her.
He was hiding somewhat behind her, his tiny hands clutching her jeans as he hung onto her leg. He had a little nose and her pouty lips, staring up at her with his big brown eyes as she spoke to him. "Say hi," she coached.
He looked at me and then back at her.
"Why are you so shy all the sudden," she questioned, gently nudging him out from behind her and taking his hand. She then focused her attention to me. "Lindsey, this is Lane."
I didn't do much better than Lane, still at a loss for words. "Hey buddy," I offered cheerily.
He squirmed around where he was standing, never letting go of Stevie's hand. I could see him watching me and waiting for a reaction from Stevie, all the while checking out the room. He was clearly very curious and quite smart.
Stevie gave me a look, encouraging me to continue with him. "So Lane, do you like pizza? Tonight we can order pizza and have ice cream and play with the new toys I got you. How's that sound?"
"Good," he said softly. He gave me a toothy smile, then looking at Stevie.
She was shaking her head at my in disbelief, but grinning from ear to ear in the process. I flashed her a half smirk and gave her a wink. She picked Lane up and he immediately clung to her, resting his head on her shoulder.
"But first let's lay down for just a minute, okay. You've had a long day morning with MaryAnn."
"No," he shook his head. "I want to play airplanes."
"You can lay with me," I piped up, then leaning towards him and turning my voice to a whisper as though I were telling him a secret. "And you can tell me all about airplanes while your Mama takes a nap."
He took a second to mull it over but Stevie jumped at the offer. I'd worn her out the last few days. She sat Lane on the bed and he crawled towards me in his socked feet before sitting back on his legs.
"What's wrong," he asked, stumbling over the 'R' sound and pointing at my casted ankle.
"Well, I broke my ankle," I explained. "And now I have to use crutches until my bone is fixed."
"Whoa!" he gushed, obviously all boy and very interested.
"And check this out, they had to cut me open," I began to draw up my shirt to show him my spleen incision but Stevie stopped me.
"Lindsey, no," she told me, then immediately redirecting her attention. "Lane, lay down." She shook her head, but I could tell she was trying not to laugh
He complied, although hastily, which amused me. He flopped down and though his head remained on the pillow he wiggled around nonstop.
"Does it hurt," he asked, pointing again at my leg.
"No," I told him, propping myself up to talk to him. "But I can't walk very well. That's why your Mommy has been here helping me."
He looked to Stevie for confirmation, still kicking his legs around in a semi circle.
"Lane Bodhi, sit still," she told him and he complied for the most part. "Remember how I told you we're going to stay here for a little while?"
He nodded his head eagerly that he did. "To take care of him!" Lane halfway shouted.
"Right," Stevie told him pulling him close and tickling him a little bit. "So we better take good care of him and take a nap so he can rest," she kissed his forehead, pulling him close.
"He kicks," she told me, "so we should probably crash on the couch. How are you doing? Do you need another pill?"
"I'm fine. And please stay, I'll be fine. I'm not even tired."
"You're as bad as he is," she laughed at me. "We'll just stay until he dozes off."
She lay down next to Lane on the opposite side of the bed and almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.
"So tell me about airplanes," I said to Lane in a whisper. "But we've got to be quiet so we don't wake Mama."
He began to fidget again rolling onto his stomach and coming closer to me.
"Did you know that you're my Daddy," he asked innocently. "My Mama told me earlier that you're my Daddy."
Part of me wanted to scream 'WAKE UP, STEVIE!' but I knew this was something I had to handle on my own, just one on one with him.
"I do know that," I told him with a smile, trying to remain calm. "And I'm so excited about it. You know, I'm so glad I found you."
He just looked at me, blinking heavily. He was on the brink of nodding off so I put my arm around him, continuing to speak softly to him while Stevie dozed peacefully beside us.
"You and I must make a pact, Lane. I'm sorry that I haven't been there for you in the past but thats all going to change now, okay? I'll reach out my hand to you. I'll have faith in all you do. Just call my name and I'll be there. I'll be there to comfort you and build my world of dreams around you. Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter, togetherness well it's all I'm after. I'll be your strength, I'll keep holdin' on."
I thought Stevie was asleep but I felt her place her hand gently on mine. I looked over at her and saw the tears flowing down her face as she lay there silently listening to my conversation with my son.
I clasp her hand and looked over at her. "I'll be there to protect you, with an unselfish love that respects you. And oh, I'll be there to comfort you. Build my world of dreams around you. Just call my name and I'll be there."
To my surprise she came a little closer on the bed, resting her head on my pillow and putting her arm around Lane. His eyes fluttered to sleep and I softly kissed his brown curls. This was moment was absolutely everything to me.
