The Dream Is Not Over

Dodging Disaster

Outside, Lindsey brings me a a glass of sparkling water garnished with a lemon wedge and mint leaves. I thank him, taking a sip as I scan the yard. River and Olivia are probably still upstairs, I don't see them and Christine is talking to John, glass of wine in hand. Mick comes around the corner and he makes eye contact for a split second before looking away. Lindsey follows my gaze and takes my hand in his, lacing his fingers with mine.

"Don't do anything," I whisper and he sighs.

"I'm not going to."

"You promised," I remind him. His grip loosens on my hand, and I'm worried he's going to go over there. His eyes are boring holes into the man.

"Stephanie," he hisses, "I said I wouldn't so I won't."

"Thank you." I lay my head against his upper arm and he smiles, leaning down to kiss my hair.

"I know my eyes should have been on Olivia and River but I couldn't stop looking at you. You are so beautiful."

"Thank you, Linds, but yes, your eyes should have been on them instead."

He chuckles, pulling me into him. "Let's get these kids sent on their honeymoon then we can have a little celebration of our own," he purs, kissing any part of me he can reach.

That sounds nice, we haven't connected in that way in a long time, it feels like. We've been so busy and so much has happened- it's been impossible especially when we still haven't started planning the nursery and buying things for this baby. We only have 8 to 10 weeks left until she could decide to come. My eyes glaze over, deep in thought, and I hear my name being whispered. I wake up from my trance to see kids are finally outside and Olivia's cheeks are flushed, while River looks proud of himself. Even Al notices, nudging Sue who chuckles lightheartedly.

"Told you they were going to do it," Lindsey says and I blush.

"Hush! I don't want to hear about it."

"I know you remember our wedding night. It was—"

"Exhausting!" I exclaim and he laughs.

"It was, but ohhhh man, was it worth it? Definitely. You were so adventurous...and limber. Every guy's dream and you're all mine."

"And what am I now? Boring and stiff? A cold fish?" I tease him, taking a sip of my water, and his eyes widen.

"No, never, I just...it's been...and I...oh, god." he says, realizing he can't correct his mistake.

I giggle. "I'm just messing with you. Jeez, Linds, you're sweating bullets."

"It's best not to piss off a pregnant woman. I remember when I brought home the wrong ice cream!" he says and I nod, blushing with embarrassment.

"I might have been a little too hard on you."

"A little? Angel, no offense but I haven never seen anyone get so wound up about ice cream."

"I asked for strawberry with the little pieces in it. Not Neapolitan. That has three flavors, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry."

"I thought it would take care of your craving for chocolate ice cream when that came back. You never ask for strawberry."

"So instead of doing what I asked, you took the easy way out. I asked for one thing!" I can feel myself getting upset allover again and I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry."

"And you did go back to the store and pick up the right one."

"I tried to fix it."

"And you did." I say, smoothing his cheek. I kiss his lips softly, looking into those brilliant blue eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too and I will do absolutely anything to make you happy."

"I love you too." Our lips press together once again and as they separate, we big feel a presence. Lindsey turns his head and scowls. He keeps me as close to him as possible and I begin to feel anxious. "Hi, Mick."

"Hello, I uh, just came to confirm that the Maui house is set up for Olivia and River. They can stay there as long as they'd like."

I resist the urge to groan. There goes my romantic evening! Lindsey is going to be on and on about Mick all night, especially since Sue and Al decided to go home after this little shindig is over.

"Thank you, that's generous." Lindsey says, forcing a smile.

"I try to be."

Lindsey's grip tightens on my hip. "I'm not so generous."

"Oh, that's not true!" Mick tries to laugh it off but my husband's eyes are fixed on the tall Englishman.

"It is, it definitely is. What's mine is mine. Call that greedy, but I call it the sanctity of my marriage."

"Lindsey, you promised," I beg and he reluctantly tears his away from Mick.

"Steph, I'm sorry, why don't you go lie down? You look tired."

And leave you out here with him, I don't think so! "I can handle a couple more hours as long as you're with me." I kiss him more passionately and I feel the tension melt away. "Please be nice," I whisper and he nods, pressing his forehead to mine.

"Beautiful wedding. I think I will try to mingle with the others now." Please do.

"I'm grateful he's giving the kids a beautiful place to stay but I can't forgive what he did, Steph. I love you and I don't want anyone trying to get between us."

"They won't, Lindsey. There is no competition."

"But he thought there was. He thought we were done. We revived our marriage all while he was waiting for us to fail so he could swoop in and 'save' you from me."

"I don't want to talk about this."

"I know, baby, but I have to. If I don't, it's going to fester. I know I was out of line but seeing him just pissed me off." He scrubs a hand over his face and thorough his hair. "But on the other hand, I'm afraid that if I fight with him, there will be an opportunity for him to take you from me anyway. Maybe you'll be so mad that you'll really be done this time. I feel like either way, I lose. Lose my mind, or lose the love of my life."

"Don't think that way!"

"I can't help it. I love you so much and we're having a brand new baby..." He puts his hands on either side of my growing belly. "We have both worked so hard to heal and we are finally getting back to a place that's healthy."

"We are," I confirm.

"Then, sometimes...sometimes, I still feel like I'm on probation."

"You aren't. We are fine. Our marriage is prefect right now."

"Then he kissed you."

"I wasn't happy about it, clearly. I love you. I don't want or need anyone else. My family doesn't include him. He is a friend and nothing more." His eyes are full of worry and fear. I can tell he's thinking. "We can talk about this any time you want but can we please wait until after the reception? All I want is to be happy for our son and our daughter in law."

"Okay, of course. Of course we can do that."

I thank him with a kiss and place my hand on his chest. "I have never loved you more than I do right now."

A/N: currently working on another chapter after this one so bear with me ❤️❤️ hopefully it will be up today.