He just came back home from the studio. He was meeting Mick to talk about possible reunion of the rumors five and maybe making another record. Mick was all in and even John and Christine didn't hesitate to agree. Now they had only one member to convince. But that could wait. All he wanted to do now is take a shower and eat.
15 minuts later, he stood in his kitchen eating sandwich and drinking beer. That's when he heard his doorbell ring. He went to check who it was and when he opened the door he couldn't believe his eyes.
In front of him stood a little girl, no more than four years old and she was holding a big teddy bear.
"who are you"
"I'm Clara"
"ok Clara. Do I know you?" asked Lindsey.
"oh come on Linds, let me in. I came to visit you." she responded with a smile and not waiting for his response she went inside.
" ok little girl. I don't know who you are and I should call your parents."
" I don't remember the number" said Clara
" We'll that's amazing. Listen you can't stay here. Your parents will be worried about you."
" My mum will be home tomorrow. I'm staying with my aunt. Don't worry Linds. Every thing will be fine."
" hey, you know my name. Does it mean that I know your parents? "
" Maybe" the girl giggled " Linds? May I have some juice?"
Lindsey decided to let it go and took Clara to the kitchen. He poured her orange juice and took a seat next to her.
"so kiddo, how you got here? It's dark outside."
"I took a bus here." she responded smiling.
"how old are you?"
"I'm four. But enough with the questions. We need to make some cookies."
"What? I can't make cookies"
" oh Linds. I will teach you. Me and mama make cookies all the time."
And they did. They make cookies and drank milk and watched a movie. Every time he would asked her a question she would changed the topic. So he enjoyed his time with this little girl and didn't question her further. He watched her now, sleeping on his couch with teddy bear in her arms and couldn't believe it has happened to him. He had no idea who she was but he had a feeling that he should know her very well.
It was around two in the morning when his doorbell rang again. He opened the door and there stood Stevie. Even though she was crying, she still looked as beautiful as he remembered.
" Lindsey I know it may sound crazy but do you have a little girl here? Around four?"
"Clara? She's on the couch." he said and moved so Stevie could come in.
She didn't wait for him and ran toward his living room. The moment she saw Clara peacefully sleeping, she collapsed to the floor and started to cry heavily.
" I was in San Francisco and Lori was staying with her. She called me and said Clara disappeared. I've never been more scared in my life."
Before he had a chance to answer Clara started to wake up.
"Mama" she screamed and launched herself into stevie's arms.
"oh baby. You can't dissappear like that. Mama was so worried. I thought something happened to you." stevie said, stroking the girl's hair.
"I'm sorry mama. I wanted to see Linds."
In that moment Stevie looked at him and smiled. She took his hand and said to her daughter that she need speak to him and they will be gone only for a minute. They went to his kitchen and sat around the table. Silence surrounded them for a moment. Until she finally spoke.
"inauguration" she said. One single word that changed everything.
"Stephanie, how could you not tell me?"
"I'm so sorry"
"Sorry? I'm a father and I didn't even know. You think sorry is going to fix it?"
" I didn't know how to tell you"
" I'm pregnant. We're going to have a baby. How hard is that?" he screamed.
Then he looked at the doorway and saw Clara. She was standing there in tears. And suddenly he wasn't angry anymore. Anger wouldn't change anything. He smiled and opened his arms for Clara and she ran into them happily. He was hugging his daughter for a first time and he couldn't believe his happiness. He looked at Stevie. She was smiling as well.
" I love you Clara" he said. " I love you both very much."
" We love you to daddy" Clara answered. "isn't that right mama?"
"Yes. We love you too Linds."
