Wide Open Spaces

Training Wheels

Dylan was brought home and Stevie made a room up for him downstairs so he wouldn't have to tackle the large staircase just yet. Everyone fussed over him, even little Iris who was constantly giving him cuddles and kisses. He greeted his little sister with a kiss on her cheek once he had lowered himself onto the large sectional couch. He winced and Stevie had to look away before she was overcome with emotion. He was a strong kid, she knew that, but it was hard to watch her son struggle with all of this. Iris's blonde curls were ruffled by her brother and he laughed when she reached out a chubby hand to touch his cheek.

"Looks like she missed you, Dylan" Callie says, carefully sitting on the couch near him.

"Did you?"

"Of course I did. We're twins. It was like the other half of me was gone."

"That's sweet but you're gonna make me yack with all that mushy lovey mom stuff!"

"Hey!" Stevie exclaimed, feigning offense. "I'm allowed my moments of mushy lovey mom stuff, especially now."

"Next time I almost knock my block off, I'll ask Dad not to call you" Dylan joked.

"There better not be a next time, mister." she playfully scolded, pointing a finger a him. "Now is there anything I can get you? Water, juice, one of those sports drinks you always have around?"

"I guess a Gatorade or something. A blue one"

"Coming right up" she says, leaning down to kiss her son's head. "It's so good to have you home" She leaves to go to the kitchen, pouring his drink into a glass with ice then returns to him. He nods his gratitude and takes a sip, sitting it on the table.

"Steph, can I talk to you?" Lindsey said, getting Stevie's attention. She nods and follows him to a separate room in the house.

"Yes?" She asks.

"I, I've been thinking..." Lindsey begins and instantly her eyes fill with tears. It sounded ominous and frankly, it frightened her. They were doing well, was he having second thoughts?

"Don't say it" she begs.

"Don't say what?"

"Don't say it's over."

"Honey..." he says, pulling her into an embrace. "I wasn't going to say that. God, I've already lost you before and I won't lose you again. No matter what happens in the future, we can get through it. We've talked about this"

"I know" she says, sniffling.

He pulls back from her and looks into her watery eyes, stroking the side of her face. "All I wanted to do was ask you out, away from our eavesdropping children" He says with a chuckle.

"Ask me out?"

"A date. You and me. We can even wait until the kids go to bed and do it here since I know you will be nervous about leaving Dylan" He smiles at her. "What do you think?"

"Perfect"

"I want to reconnect. I want to get away from this Brock mess and just forget. We have fought way to hard for this to be the end."

She didn't know what to say, everything else would have seemed...wrong. She rose up onto her top toes and kissed him softly on the lips. "I love you" she whispers.