*Lindsey's POV*
What am I seeing right now? I mean, I know what I'm seeing. Stevie has a very noticeable baby bump. There is no question that she has a pregnant belly. Stevie...baby! What?
My eyes feel as if they are about to pop out of my head. My mind is spinning. I blink a few times then my eyes take in Stevie.
My breath gets taken away; she is so so beautiful. She's always been beautiful. But seeing her with a pregnant belly...is just...wow.
"Linds..." Stevie says as tears roll down her cheeks. "...I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I just...like I said, I wanted to tell you in person. I'm pregnant."
It takes me a moment to find my voice. I step closer to and say. "Steph, how far along are you?"
"I'm eight months today." She replies. "You're going to be father, Lindsey."
I sit on her bed close to her and she takes both of my hands in hers. She then places them on her belly, careful of the fetal monitor on her belly and I feel the baby moving around.
"Say hello to our baby, Linds." Stevie says with so much emotion in her voice.
Tears roll down my face. I can't believe this. A baby. A baby that we have been waiting years for. Our baby.
God, I feel so horrible. Because of my behavior, Stevie and I got a divorce and I lost all these past months of being able to watch Stevie grow with our child.
"Stephanie...I..." I don't know what to say. I am so overcome with emotion. I don't know what I'm thinking but the next thing I know, I'm holding Stevie's face in my hands and I'm kissing her on her lips.
When I pull away, I immediately say. "I'm sorry Stevie. I just..."
"It's okay." Stevie says looking a little flushed. "It's a lot to take in. I thought you were going to be mad at me for not saying anything sooner."
"I would never be mad at you. Stevie...I'm so sorry for what I put you through all these years." I begin. "I am so sorry for ever putting a hand on you in a violent way. I know we've already talked about this, but, please forgive me?" I say as I hold her hands in mine.
"Of course I forgive you." She says, wiping her tears away. "I love you with all my heart. Just please don't break my heart again. Also, it's not just about me anymore. Our baby doesn't deserve to grow up in a toxic home. I mean, if we ever move back in together that is. But let's not talk about that just yet. Let's take it one day at a time."
I nod my head; after a few moments of silence where I'm still feeling the baby move around she asks. "Would you like to hear her heartbeat?"
"Her?" I asked with a smile on my face.
"Yes." She giggles. "We're having a girl, Linds."
Stevie then points to the machines next to her and asks me to turn a knob. When I do, the room immediately fills with a strong heartbeat.
More tears roll down my cheeks and bend down to place gentle kisses on her belly. Her fingers comb through my curls as I have my moment with our baby.
I'm going to be a father! The woman I am madly in love with is the mother of my child. I can't even begin to describe how happy I am.
After some time, I rise up and look at Stevie and ask. "Steph...what happened? Why are you here?"
Stevie sighs and says. "I was in preterm labor. But my doctor managed to stop the contractions. Once I'm released, I'll be in bed rest for the rest of my pregnancy."
My heart stops when she says preterm labor. But then I relax when she says the doctor has stopped the contractions.
"Stevie...now that I'm back, would it be okay if I stay in Phoenix?" I ask nervously. "I can stay at a hotel in the meantime. I don't want to miss whatever time you have left of this pregnancy. Plus, I want to help with whatever I can."
Stevie smiles and takes my hand again and says. "We'll figure it out once I'm out of here. For now, let's just...let's just get to know each other again."
So we do. Stevie and I talk; I tell her all about rehab and what treatment I went through in there. Then she tells me what her pregnancy has been like.
As she speaks, I look at Stevie with brand new eyes and even though we have a long road ahead of us to become a couple again, I can just tell that our future is bright.
Quick Update!
Hope you all are still enjoying this.
