Love Takes Time

Count on Me

  Lindsey POV

  After hearing the alarm go off, Lindsey manages to lift his head off Stevie's pillow and sit up. Most of the nausea has seemed to been lifted by the extra sleep. It didnt hurt getting to smell Stevie's scent on her pillows. Any little bit of her has a calming affect on him. After shutting of the alarm he sees a note on the table next to the bed. Along with the note is a glass of water and what appears to be 2 aspirin. He immediately swallows the medicine and drinks the glass of water. He picks up the note and reads Stevie's adorable scrawl

  Dearest Lindsey

  I left you a plate of food and kept the coffee warm for you. I called Stan and told him you are sick this morning and would be in for half a day. He said that would be fine. After you get yourself around come find me at the hospital. There is no way I can get through the service for Bette without you! Be strong for me baby, I need and love you more than you know. Your the man of my dreams.

  Love
          Stephanie

  Lindsey holds the letter to his chest and swears he can smell her perfume on the paper. He knows very well that she is the woman of his dreams as well as the love of his life. With resolve to never let her down again he rises and starts his day. After eating his breakfast and getting some coffee in him, he goes home and gets ready for work. The strong black coffee along with the biscuits and gravy have calmed his stomach and woke him up at the same time. Before he knows it he has arrived at the hospital with a half hour to spare before the service.

  After clocking in and checking in with Stan, Lindsey hops on the service elevator and goes up to the fourth floor. After exiting the elevator he walks around the corner and by the public elevators and immediately sees her. Stevie is walking by the nursing station escorting Louise as she ambulates now just using a cane.

  He is thinking about the fact that Louise will probably be going home soon when Stevie turns her head and notices him. Lindsey can tell by gazing into her big brown eyes that she is sad but the sweet smile she gives him a warm feeling knowing he is looking at the most beautiful creature on God's green earth.

  He can feel himself grinning like an idiot as his feet move him closer to her just like the magnet and steel he's always felt that pulls them together. Before he can speak he hears her raspy voice say

  "Louise would you like this handsome rock and roll maintenance man to accompany you to the chapel?"

  He sees Stevie wink at him silently thanking him as Louise replies

  "Oh I'd love that, thank you Lindsey!"

  Lindsey replies as he takes Louise's arm

  "I'm so happy to see you up around my dear, you ready to go home?"

  Lindsey walks her to the elevator as she responds

  "It looks like I might have to stay with my sister June for awhile but I'm happy to leave here."

  "Especially with poor Bette passing, it just doesn't make any sense to this old lady."

  As the two enter the elevator and descend to the main floor Lindsey's thoughts take him back to the dark despair he felt yesterday. As the elevator stops and Lindsey once again offers his arm to Louise. She accepts his help and they walk the short distance to the chapel. As Lindsey helps her to sit at one of the pews, Louise whispers