Unexpected Turn Of Events

Always on your side

If it weren't for Stevie, Lindsey wouldn't be standing on the doorstep of the house she and Jeff still share. She called him the night before, asking him to visit her and without hesitation he agreed. Supposedly, Jeff shouldn't be home yet and Stevie told him not to worry about her children.

Still, Lindsey's palms are sweaty as he reaches to ring the doorbell. His heart skips a beat, when he sees Stevie. He can't stop himself from smiling and she mirrors his expression. They haven't seen each other since she left the hospital and it's been too long for both of them.

"Hey." Stevie says at last and lets Lindsey through. "Nobody's home." 

That's all Lindsey needed to hear, stepping closer to her, his palms cupping her face as he leans in for a kiss. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too." Stevie pecks him on the lips, then smiles at him. "I love you."

Lindsey stills, taking a few deep breaths. "Wh- what?"

"I fell in love with you, Lindsey, and it feels wonderful to be able to say that to you."

Minding her injured ribs, Lindsey embraces her as close as he can, burying his face in the curve of her neck as he inhales deeply. "Say that again, please."

"I love you, Lindsey. I love you." Stevie repeats, her lips breaking into a smile again. "That's why I asked you to come see me."

"Yeah? Go on." Lindsey nods his head, encouraging her.

Stevie slowly shows him the way to her room and they sit down on the bed, not an inch separating them. "I probably should have talked to you first, but..." Fidgeting with one of her rings, Stevie finishes. "I told Jeff I want a divorce. The kids know too."

It takes Lindsey a minute. The silence is too much for Stevie as she tries to sit and wait patiently for him to say something. She understands she's just given Lindsey a serious bit of news, so she gives him time.

"Because of me?" Lindsey asks after a while. "Is it my fault that you're separating from your husband?"

"Well..." Stevie doesn't really know how to answer. "You made me realize that I'm not happy anymore with Jeff, you've shown me how a man is supposed to treat his woman. You reminded me what's it feel like to be in love. Then there's that part of course where Jeff cheated on me and got another woman pregnant. His daughter is eight years old."

"Steph..." His heart aches for her, he knows she must be trying to stay strong. Finding out something like that would break anyone. 

"It's okay. I'm dealing with it the best I can, I think I'm doing an alright job." She smiles weakly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm not expecting anything from you, Lindsey." She then says. "My feelings for you are real and I wanted you to know that. And yes, I'm going to divorce Jeff either way. I don't believe that we're going to just jump into it and start our life together."

Again, another moment of silence. 

"Well, why not?" Lindsey reaches for Stevie's hand, bringing it up to his lips. "I was so scared that you didn't have feelings for me as strong as mine are for you, but hearing that you love me too... I do want to start our life together, baby. There's nothing I wish for more."

"You mean that?" Suddenly feeling shy, Stevie hides behind her hair, but not for long, as Lindsey brushes it away and kisses her lips, lingering. 

"I knew I had feelings for you from the beginning, but I understood what this was or what it was supposed to be for you, so I didn't pursue anything. I was afraid of getting rejected by you." Lindsey tells her honestly. "You're unlike any other woman I've met, Steph. There's just you, the one."

"I told myself I wouldn't cry." Stevie chuckles tearfully as Lindsey pulls her into his arms again. 

"Not a problem if those are happy tears." He feels her nodding her head and he presses his lips to her temple.

They're forced to part at the sound of the front door opening. They both sigh in relief when Ruby comes into view. She seems to be a little taken aback, seeing Lindsey so close to her mother. 

Nevertheless, Ruby enters the room, greeting Stevie with a warm hug, as she then looks at Lindsey. Her eyes remain locked with his for long enough to make Stevie nervous, then she says. "Don't break her heart." 

Ruby leaves with that.

Stevie and Lindsey face each other, both at a loss of words. "That... that was terrifying." Lindsey says, causing Stevie to laugh. 

"She's always been very protective of me. All of my kids really." Stevie adds. "They're the best thing to come out of my marriage to Jeff. I know that no matter what, I will always have them on my side."

"You know who else will always be on your side?" Lindsey asks and it's a question they both know the answer to. 

"You." Stevie replies and he confirms it with a kiss.