*Lindsey's POV*
After a two hour flight and waiting thirty minutes to rent a car, I am finally pulling up to the Nick's house.
It's just after two in the afternoon and I know Stevie has to be up by now. As I pull up, I notice it looks too quiet.
The car isn't in the driveway; maybe they went to the grocery store or some other outing. I sigh that their not here but I park the car and decide to wait for their return.
I get out and sit on their porch. I become a bit nervous as the minutes tick by.
Something stirs to my right and I look up to see what's it is.
"Buckingham..." Christine says as she approaches me, her voice a little guarded. "What brings you by?"
"I, uh, I came to see Stevie." I say nervously. I know how much Christine loves Stevie. They are like sisters so she has always been protective of her. I know she knows what I've done. I'm pretty sure everyone does by now. I feel so ashamed but I'm here to make things right. "Do you know how long they'll be out?" I ask.
Christine says, her arms crossing in front of her. "They've been gone a while now. I don't think they'll be home until late tonight."
"May I ask where they went? I need to see her right away." I plead. "Christine, please. I know I messed things up. I hurt Stevie both physically and emotionally. I owned up to those horrible mistakes. I got the help I needed. The one thing that I can promise you is that I still love Stevie with all my heart and I'm here to make it up to her! I need to show her that I have changed and I want to give Stevie the life she truly deserves. The life I should have gave her all this time. Please, tell me where she is."
Christine bites the inside of her cheek as she is deciding whether or not to tell me.
Christine sighs as she puts her arms down. "She's at the hospital. She's on the third floor. Room 301."
"Hospital?" I say as I begin to panic. "What...what happened?"
"Stevie wasn't feeling too well and it was best if she went to the hospital." Christine says calmly. "Go to her Lindsey."
I want to question her some more but I want to get to Stevie as soon as possible. "Okay, thank you Chris. Thank you for telling me where she is." I say sincerely as I beginning to walk away.
As I get to my rented car, Christine says. "Hey Buckingham!"
I turn around and face her waiting for her to go on. She gives me a smile and says. "I'm glad you want to make this right. But, if you ever hurt Stevie again, I will track you down and kick your arse myself."
Even though she sounds calm and has a smile on her face, I know she is very serious.
I smile warmly and nod. "I promise, you won't have to do that. I'll see you later."
I get into the car and try to stay in the speed limit. But knowing that Stevie is in the hospital makes me want to go a hundred miles an hour to get to her faster. I hope she is okay.
I finally pull into the hospital parking lot. I find a parking spot then rush inside. As I ride the elevator to the third floor, my nerves are shot. It seems as the more I want the elevator to go faster, the elevator seems to be taking its sweet time getting me to my destination.
I watch the numbers light up and finally the elevator stops at the third floor. I rush over to the desk I see and ask the nurse where room 301 is. The nurse I asked tells me where to go and I run towards the room.
I see Barbara and Jess walking the opposite hallway away from Stevie's hospital room. I wait till they turn a corner then make my way towards the room.
My hands begin to sweat; I don't know what I'm about to walk into. So many different types of illnesses rush into my mind and some are the worst of the worst and I pray that Stevie isn't sick and that she will be okay.
I take a deep breath and knock on the door softly.
*A Few Moments Before*
*Stevie's POV*
I ask my mother to help me lay on my side. I sigh in relief as the new position helps relieve my back for a moment. My mother makes sure the fetal monitor is still in place.
When I got to the hospital a few hours ago and I was in preterm labor. My doctor managed to stop them and if the medication he gave me continues to work then I'll be able to go home by the end of the night.
I am so happy about that, however, my doctor has put me on bed rest for the final weeks of my pregnancy. At first, the thought of being in bed for almost twenty four hours a day for the next six weeks wasn't something I wanted to do. But, I know in order to keep my baby safe and sound inside me a while longer I will do anything. I want my baby girl to cook a little while longer before she makes her grand entrance.
Yes, at first all I wanted was for her to be in my arms but, having gone through this makes me rethink that. At least I know she is healthy and her heart is strong. I've been hearing her heartbeat since they placed the fetal monitor on my belly. Her heartbeat is the most beautiful sound in the world.
Now that I'm laying on my side, I get comfortable enough to want to try to sleep.
"Teedee, your father and I are going to grab some coffee from the cafeteria. Would like us to bring you anything?" She asks.
I shake my head and say reply. "No mama. Thank you."
"Alright. We'll be right back." She says. "Try to get some sleep okay."
"Okay." I say as I begin to drift off.
I don't realize that she turns down the volume to the fetal monitor. I can still faintly hear the baby's heartbeat. I hold on to that beautiful sound as I drift off to sleep.
The next the thing I know, I hear a soft knock on the door. I stir and wake up. My back is facing the door and I don't have the energy to turn around.
"Come in." I say over my shoulder. It must be my doctor to check in on me.
I hear the door open and when I hear the voice coming from the doorway, my eyes open wider. I am more awake than I was before and my heart begins to pound against my chest.
"Steph?" Lindsey says.
I look over my shoulder as best I can and say. "Lindsey, what are doing here?"
"I was released this morning from rehab and I went straight to the airport. I had to come see you. I had gone to your parents house. I knew you all weren't home and Christine saw me and well, after a bit of talking, she told me where you were." He says.
I keep my back to him; I'm scared to turn around. I'm nervous for his reaction.
"Stevie, are you okay?" He asks as I hear him coming closer to me. "Why are you here?"
I stay in position. I take a deep breath and say. "Linds...there's something you should know. I wanted to tell you a few months ago but, this was something that I wanted to do in person."
"Steph, do you...do you have some type of serious illness? Is it...cancer?" He asks, his voice full of fear.
"No." I say quickly so he won't worry. "Linds..."
I begin to sit up and I finally turn over. I lay back onto my pillows, putting both my hands on belly. Lindsey stares at my belly with wide shocked eyes.
