Unexpected Turn Of Events

Go, now

Stevie winces at the brightness of the morning as she slowly opens her eyes. It's somehow harder than usual, she groans too. She's in bed, wearing an ugly gown she knows for a fact she doesn't own. The room she's in is very grim too, she notices. 

"Steph?" At least the voice is familiar.

"Lindsey?"

"It's me." She sees him nod as he approaches her bedside. "I was so worried about you." He kisses her forehead. 

"What happened? Where am I? I..." Stevie frowns. "I'm in hospital?"

"You are, baby." Lindsey confirms, pulling up a chair. "You don't remember?"

"The last thing I remember-" She stops, her eyes welling up with tears. "I found out something last night, grabbed my keys and got into my car to see you."

"You were involved in a car accident."

"Oh God... I was drinking." Stevie says as a matter of fact. "I'm so stupid, I shouldn't have got behind the wheel!"

"No, you shouldn't have. You could have called me instead. But it wasn't your fault. The other car crashed into yours. Fortunately, the collision wasn't too bad and everyone's fine. The driver who caused the accident barely has a bruise on him. Although, you've suffered fractured ribs, some bruising and concussion. The doctor said you should be fine in no time." Lindsey explains, all the while clutching Stevie's hand in his. 

Stevie stays silent for a few minutes. She was so overtaken by her emotions that she wasn't thinking straight. How could she be so reckless? "How did you know I was here? About the accident?"

"You really don't remember, do you?" Lindsey shifts in his seat. "You woke up once already. It was Jeff the hospital called for obvious reasons. When you saw him, apparently you screamed at him things, not making much sense. You were asking for me. The nurse actually said, begging."

"Jesus..." Stevie sighs, closing her eyes. "I bet that went down really well with Jeff."

"What happened, Steph?" Lindsey asks, his voice soft as he reaches to stroke her hair. "Another fight?"

"Not yet." Stevie shakes her head, then adds. "At least, I don't remember us having one." Another moment of silence. "I know the truth. I went to Jeff's office at his request and... I saw a child's drawing on his table. It was tucked under a pile of files and I knew I should have just left it, but... Mommy, Daddy, Aimee written above three people, all holding hands together. Then I flipped it over and Aimee was wishing her Daddy a happy birthday. It was signed by Daddy's favorite girl..." Tears escape, but Stevie doesn't bother wiping them away. However, Lindsey does, he hates seeing her so upset.

"You're saying that... that..." 

"That Jeff has another child with someone else. A daughter, Aimee. I felt it in my heart, something wasn't right, something he wasn't telling me." Turning her head, Stevie looks at Lindsey, saying. "I can't believe he would do something like that to me. How long? How long have I been living this lie? How old is this girl?" In a whisper she adds. "Why?"

Lindsey wishes he could get in beside Stevie and comfort her, but he's afraid of causing her physical pain. Instead, he stands up and kisses her lips, then again, before drawing back a little, but their faces are still just inches apart. 

"Because he's an idiot. He doesn't realize what a wonderful woman he has at home. I will never understand why he had to look elsewhere or let you do that. If you were mine, I'd keep you at arm's length at all times, terrified that someone might steal you away from me."

That gets a tearful smile from Stevie as she brings her hand up to caress the side of his face. "Say it." Lindsey doesn't catch on right away. "Say what you wanted to say yesterday at the house before Jeff interrupted you."

His heart skips a beat and he's instantly nervous. Should he make up a lie? Should he be honest? How would things change for them? Would they change?

They're eyes are locked and neither looks away. Inhaling deeply, Lindsey speaks up at last. "I love you." He smiles just barely. "I'm in love with you."

Stevie's eyes close and a fresh wave of tears spill. He risks it and leans in for a kiss. She reciprocates and he feels beyond relieved. 

"I've been denying it for too long." Stevie smiles, brushing her thumb over Lindsey's cheek. He's holding his breath, waiting for her to continue. "Lindsey, I-"

Lindsey groans, why does this keep happening? Much like the day before, the door to Stevie's room opens and in walks Jeff, followed by Max and Ruby. Lindsey feels awkward, standing up straight as he tries to pull away, but Stevie holds onto his hand firmly.

"Are you okay, Mom?" Even though it confuses him, Max ignores that the man whom he knows to be his guitar teacher, was just leaning over his mother and is currently holding hands with her. 

"How are you feeling?" Ruby acts the same, Stevie's well being is a lot more important right now.

"I'm alright. They say I've got some fractured bones, but I'll live." 

"Stevie, I should-" Lindsey can't stand Jeff glaring at him. He obviously knows. If he doesn't, he's an idiot.

"You're not going anywhere." She shakes her head. "Jeff, leave." She says without even looking at him. "You and I are going to talk privately."

"Are you serious right now?" He crosses his arms over his chest.

"I'm dead serious. Go. Now." Stevie repeats and everyone grows quiet, until Jeff unfolds his arms and marches out of the room with a loud slam of the door.

"I could have come back later." Lindsey tells Stevie.

Stevie knows there will be a lot of explaining to do to the children, as she takes a moment to look at them. She then faces Lindsey again. "You and my kids are the only people I want with me right now."