Timeless

11

1975-January-Lindsey

My baby is coming into the world today, January 17th. Everyone is almost all here. Christine, John, and Robin are already here. Robin is in the room with her. My mom and dad, Barbara, and Jess are on their way. John, Christine, and I are in the waiting room.

She's in so much pain and her screams are echoing down the hall and not being in the room with her is pure torture. I just want to comfort her and hold her and tell her that everything is going to be okay. I'm worried about her.

"How come you aren't in there. If that were me, John would be in their screaming just as loud." Chris asks.

"Fleetwood Mac came just at the right time, because when Stevie told me she was pregnant we had, well...have absolutely no money. I told her it wasn't the right time and we should consider adoption or abortion. I shouldn't have, but I did and she went home to her parents for most of her pregnancy. When she moved back home after Thanksgiving, I was booted to the couch and her best friend moved in. She got my spot in the delivery room as well. We live in a three-room apartment and I don't know how we're going to take care of that baby. I'm scared to death that we are going to get them taken away from us." I sigh tears welling up in my eyes.

"Mr. Buckingham." A doctor says walking out.

"That's me," I say running over to him.

"You have a baby girl. Six pounds eight ounces. Mrs. Buckingham is fine and you all can go in to see them. But Mr. Buckingham, she doesn't want you to hold her." The doctor says.

"Fine," I say angrily.

"Oh Lindsey," Christine says wrapping her arms around me.

Stevie's POV

Everyone's been here but Lindsey. Robin and Christine are currently with me. Christine is holding her.

"Chrissie, where's Lindsey," I ask wincing as I sit up.

"He's right outside." Chris answers.

"Why didn't he come to see her?" I question.

"I don't think he can force himself to come in and look but not touch." She says.

"Robin and I decided that he shouldn't because he wanted to give her away." I shrug.

"No, he doesn't but whatever. I'm going to go. Do you want me to get him?" Chris asks handing the baby back over to me.

"Yes, so we can discuss her name." I nod.

"I thought we decided Sara Grace." Robin looks at me.

"Well, he is her father. He should have a say." Christine spits walking out.

He comes in and stands at the door.

"Come here." I beckon.

"I'm fine." He sighs.

"Lindsey, you're hurting my feelings. Please come look at our baby. She looks like me with your eyes and your hair." I smile running my fingers through the short brown wisps.

"Well, you hurt my feelings when I was told I wasn't allowed to hold her." He spits and my heart falls.

"Please come here," I beg.

"I can see her just fine." He says.

"Well, what do you think of the name Sara Grace Buckingham?" I ask

"I don't like Grace." He makes a disgusted face.

"I picked that out," Robin says loudly startling the baby

"Well, what do you like?" I ask him, gently rocking her.

"Rhiannon." He says as I remember our conversation from a month ago.

"Oh, it's perfect. Sara Rhiannon Buckingham." I smile.

"I'm going to go, your parents will be here soon," Lindsey says looking down.

"No, please stay," I say tears forming.

"Stevie I can't. I can't stay here and not hold her. I'm sorry, I'll be here when you can be released tomorrow." He nods closing the door.

When he leaves I let out a sob and clutch her to my chest.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," I say to Robin between the sobs.

When my parents arrive, my mom takes her from the cot and looks at me.

"Please tell me Lindsey is just out getting you food." My mom says and I shake my head.

"Well, where is he?" She questions.

"Robin talked me into not letting him hold her because he originally didn't want to keep her. He came in helped me choose her name and left because he couldn't' take being here and not holding her." I cry.

"STEPHANIE BUCKINGHAM, ROBIN ANDERSON! I AM ASHAMED OF YOU! WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT HE IS HER FATHER AND HE HAS EVERY NIGHT TO HOLD HER." My dad bellows.