Nothing To Fear

22. Lost In Love

When the next morning arrived, Stevie and Lindsey were still asleep though Stella was awake between the two. She didn't really worry much and she was content playing with her doll.

Only soon after, did Stevie wake up. She smiled at Stella and Stella grinned in return.

"Hi Stevie," she beamed in a whisper.

"Morning," she turned her head to see Lindsey still sleeping. "Come on," she motioned to slip out of bed so they wouldn't wake him.

Stella followed her governess.

When they got downstairs, they entered to the phone ringing.

"Hello?" Stevie answered it.

"Hey, it's Will..."

"Hi honey, what's up?" she asked.

"Lorraine is going to take us out for a little while. She is gonna pick up Stella, is that fine?" he asked.

"I'll be right back, your dad is still asleep, but Stella is awake," she explained.

"'Kay," he was to then let his grandparents know the plan. Lorraine was helping Leelee get ready for the outing.

Stevie had set the phone down and gotten upstairs once again to gently wake Lindsey. "Linds?" she softly said as she put her hand on his shoulder.

"Hmm?" he jolted from his deep sleep.

"Sorry to wake you, but Stella is gonna go with Lorraine. She is going to take the kids out, I guess."

"Alright," he kind of creased a brow to himself. He didn't mind, but he wasn't too keen on Lorraine having a huge conversation with Stevie. "Do you know where?"

She shook her head. "M-mm."

"Okay," he sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Stella is getting ready," she hopped up from the bed to go tell William they were set and their father said okay. She raced down the steps and picked up the phone. "Hello?" she asked.

"Yep," William responded.

"Your dad said it was alright."

"Cool! see ya in a bit," he hung up the phone.

In a matter of seconds, Lindsey was coming down the stairs with Stella in front of him. She was wearing her outfit to go out. It didn't match perfectly, but it was fine since she would be wearing her coat in the cold. Lindsey was still in his sweatpants and T-shirt. He and Stevie would be working on the last little bit of paperwork.

...

At a quarter to noon, Lorraine pulled up in Stevie's courtyard. She would just get off quickly and get Stella since it was still chilly and the kids were warm in the car. She knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

Stevie opened the door and Stella was right behind her. "Hi," she smiled.

"Hi Lorraine!" Stella kind of yelled as she jumped into her arms.

"Hey!" she smiled in return as she scooped her up off the ground. "I just came to get you, is Lindsey busy?" she asked Stevie.

"He's kind of working, do you want me to grab him?" she asked.

"I don't wanna bother him, do you know when I should have the kids back by?" she asked as she let Stella slide down from her grasp and onto the ground.

"Just when they get tired," Stevie kind of shrugged.

"Okay sounds good, thanks. I appreciate it," she smiled. "Come on, Stella," she gently wiggled her fingers for the young girl to take her hand.