Wide Open Spaces

I Will Possess Your Heart

Lindsey left early to go into the office and Stevie was left alone with the kids. She desperately needed to go to the store; the house was almost always empty with two hungry teenagers running around. She had the kids take their showers, get dressed and she poured them bowls of cereal so she could get ready herself. She put on a black dress with a black jacket and knee high boots. She brushed her long blonde hair and put on a little makeup. She went down to check in on the kids, grabbing her bag and her grocery list.

"Mom, I can help you carry the groceries home" Dylan says. "You shouldn't be lifting anything heavy"

"I appreciate your help, baby" Stevie said, giving him a loving smile. "Cal, are you ready?"

"Yeah" she says, gabbing her iPod and purse. Stevie follows them out, locking the house up. "Are we going to be getting a lot?"

"No, daddy has my car to go to a site today because his is in the shop. I'm only getting what I can carry" she says with a chuckle.

There was a little market not far from their house and Stevie liked going there in the morning to look at their selection of produce. It was ever changing, it seemed and always so vibrant and beautiful. The children were perfect angels on the walk, much to her surprise, as they had been full of beans lately. They talked about school and what sports teams and clubs they wanted to join. Stevie was so happy they were adjusting. She knew they had to miss Phoenix but they didn't show it. When they arrived, Callie and Dylan took separate baskets and walked by her side. If she wanted something, one of them would retrieve it for her and put it in one of their baskets.

"You're both being so helpful!" Stevie praised.

"You need the help now" Dylan said, giving her a warm smile. He wore an almost proud expression, much like his father and she kissed his cheek.

"My sweet boy. Someone is going to be very lucky to call you theirs one day."

"Mom, don't get mushy!" He says and Stevie giggles.

"That's what moms do, baby" Dylan shrugs, returning to his task.

"Callie, thank you as well. I know you and your brother don't really like running errands with me."

"That's not true, mommy. I really like doing this stuff with you."

"Really? I thought you'd be much too cool to hang out with your mother now."

"You are not like other moms" she says and Stevie smiles.

"I hope that's a good thing"

"It is, don't worry" Callie says, taking her mother's hand. Stevie momentarily leans her head onto her daughter's shoulder. Callie could feel the affection in the gesture and squeezed her mother's hand.

"I love you both so much."

"All three of us" Callie corrects.

"Yes, all three"

They walked around silently for a few minutes, Death Cab For Cutie playing above. It was different than the Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and Joni Mitchell that usually floated about the store. Stevie could hear her daughter softly singing the words.

How I wish you could see the potential
The potential of you and me.
It's like a book elegantly bound but, in a language that you can't read. Just yet.
You gotta spend some time, Love.
You gotta spend some time with me.
And I know that you'll find, love.
I will possess your heart.

"When do we get to find out what's in there?" Dylan asks suddenly as he goes through to the organic greens section.

"We know what's in there, Dylan. It's a baby." Callie jokes and he gives her a very unimpressed look.

"Duh" he says to his sister.

"Enough, you two. Please be nice."

"We are" they say in unison and Stevie shakes her head, stifling a giggle.

"So..." Dylan says.

"So...." she mimics. "I already know" She smiles to herself, waiting for a reaction.

"You have to tell us!" Callie says. "Is it a girl?"

"Its a boy, isn't it?" Dylan asked.

"Well, one of you is right" Stevie stroked her bump, feeling the baby kick. "You're riling them up in there." The kids go directly to her belly to feel, smiling at her.

"This is cool but it's also really weird" Dylan says. "I'm so glad boys don't get pregnant"

Callie laughs. "I think it's amazing. Like, two people can take the love they have for each other and make another person....so pure."

"That's beautiful, sweet girl" Stevie is so struck by what Callie said, she hugs her. "Oh, you are so precious. You and your brother are definitely made from pure love, just like this little one. What your daddy and I had back then was...it was the most incredible thing I've ever experienced. Our love was so immense, there was literally no way to fit it inside both of our bodies. We had to give it to you." Tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm sorry" she said, wiping the tears she hadn't yet shed.

"It's okay, mommy. Do you still feel that way about dad?"

"Nothing beats new, young love but yes, definitely. Even after 20 years, I am still so in love with him. Being away from him, like today is torture because he will be gone until late. He can be a room away and I miss him, but I'm also comforted by the fact that he's close."

"I can't wait to be in love" Callie says dreamily.

"It will happen, I know it will. Take your time. Don't give your heart away to just anyone." Callie nodded, hugging her mother again and Dylan just watched, shaking his head. "Yes, son?"

"I'm just thinking that the baby needs to be a boy because I can't handle all the sappy stuff" Callie shoves him playfully and they all laugh.

"I'm sorry. I won't be 'sappy', anymore." Stevie says and goes back to her shopping. She passes by the tropical fruit, looking for a ripe cantaloupe. She had been craving it for a week and could not get enough. She feels eyes on her and looks at her children. They're both doing their own thing- Callie looking at the potted plants and Dylan looking through all the 'junk food' a health food store had to offer. She knew the stare wasn't coming from them but she had to be sure. No, this stare felt different. She felt for her necklace, cursing herself for forgetting the black tourmaline Lindsey bought her some time after he had been told of her pregnancy, knowing she would appreciate the added 'protection.' She looked around, not seeing anyone. She took a deep breath. "Maybe I'm just paranoid." And then she saw him...

A/N: sorry I didn't post yesterday, I was so busy and couldn't sit down to write. Also, sorry for an grammatical errors you may find. I will fix them. :)