Stevie awoke the next morning, stiff as a board. Her body had really taken a beating from the night before but somehow being wrapped in Lindsey's arms made it all worth it.
He had woken quite a while before but he didn't dare move
"Morning" he said into her hair
"Morning"
"How you feeling?" He asked
"Like I've been punched in the face"
"Not funny, Steph," Lindsey scolded
"I know, I just really don't know what to say to you. I feel ashamed about this whole thing."
"Why honey?"
"Because I choose him and not you, I know for a fact you would never ever raise your hand to me, or threaten my child"
"Stephanie, I'll admit that I was angry...but in the state you came to me in last night I hold no resentment towards you."
"Thank you, Lindsey." She clung to him, burying her head into his neck
"I'm telling the truth though when I say if I ever see him again..." Lindsey held himself back before he got angry again
"I know!" She answered then added, "Linds? What about Emma? Was that her name?"
"Don't worry about her," Lindsey replied
"How can I not?"
"She's nobody Steph"
"Nobody that answered your phone and came out of your room naked" Stevie said with some sarcasm
"Answered my phone? Did you phone me?" He asked
"Yes, after Jimmy pulled my hair. I wanted to hear your voice," Stevie told him
"Steph, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
"You weren't to know, you just make me feel safe that's all, and that's what I needed"
"I'm not going anywhere again, and neither are you" he kissed her head once more
"You there's a possibility that Jimmy will come here looking for me," Stevie raised her head to look at him
"I do, and I'll be ready for him. He's not going to get away with doing this to you," Lindsey told her. He got quiet and she could tell that something was bothering him badly
"Linds?"
"Steph he didn't-he didn't....rape you...did he?"
Stevie looked at him and then placed her hand in his
"Why ask a question that you wouldn't be able handle an answer to?" She placed her head against his
"I need to know Steph, did he?" Lindsey became increasingly distress. He didn't seem angry, he seemed devastated
"There were times when I wasn't exactly completely willing..." Stevie finally stated, and waiting for Lindsey to speak again.
"Stevie," Lindsey broke down, holding her tiny body tightly against him. She's never seen him cry like this before, he was a complete mess.
"Baby, it's okay...I'm alright" she tried to convince him but his body just continued to wrack with sobs
"Linds...please don't cry!"
"I shouldn't have let you go with him! I shouldn't have left you in the first place! I promise, Stephanie, I promise I'll be here for both of you!" He clung to her tightly. Her body was sore from being thrown against the wall, but she bared the pain to comfort him.
