Lindsey came out of the bedroom finally and found Evie playing in the garden
"Hi daddy" she waved. "Hi baby! What are you playing?" He sat next to her
"Dollies," Evie got up and sat in Lindsey's lap
"Are you back now daddy? I missed you"
"I have to go away-just for a short while. I'm leaving tomorrow night."
"Daddy no!" She began to tear up
"I'll be back, I promise!" He kissed her head
"Daddy, why do you keep leaving? Don't you love me and mommy?" She sobbed into his chest
"I love you two beyond words! I have I take care of David back home, though. I promise that I will come back!"
"Daddy?" Evie asked after a minuet
"Yes baby?" Lindsey kissed the top of her head
"Why don't you love mommy's baby?" She asked seriously. "What do you mean?" Lindsey was baffled that she asked this question
"I heard what you said about them"
"It's a hard thing to explain, honey." Lindsey bit his lip, "That's why I have to leave and sort something's out so I can come back and be a good Daddy."
"Daddy what's a...te...termn...termination...?" She struggled with the big word
"Nothing you need to be concerned with." He began to get uncomfortable
"Is the baby going to die? Mommy cried because of that word?" Her lip quivered
"No, Evie. This is a very complicated thing."
"Mommy said I won't get to play with them though..."
"They aren't ready to come out and play yet."
"So do you love them?" Lindsey hadn't heard her ask so many questions
"Do you?" He asked
"Yes, they are my family...so why don't you?"
"I do, I do love them." Evie looked skeptical at her father
"Why don't we go find grandma?"
"Okay!" Lindsey took Evie inside and found Barbara and Stevie in the living room. "I made some cookies, sweetheart!" Barbara told Evie excitedly
"Stevie's, can I see you in the bedroom?" Lindsey asked
Evie went running to her grandmother, and Stevie turned to Lindsey confused
"Sure"
He took her hand and led her to the room, "I'm sorry that I can't be the person you need me to." Stevie simply shrugged and looked away from him.
"Baby, look at me." He rubbed her cheek with his thumb. She turned her head and did as he instructed, eyes brimming with unshed tears
"Forgive me."
"For what?"
"The baby."
