~ 3 years later ~
Barbara was chasing after a toddler around the house. She loved her granddaughter with every piece of her heart, but keeping up with Amber was always a challenge. The little girl had everything except a father, which saddened Barbara deeply. She sighed, willing those thoughts to go away, as she went after Amber and picked up the toys she had left behind. They were alone in the house, Jess was at work and she had made Stevie go out and enjoy herself with a couple of friends. When the doorbell rang, she frowned. She wasn't expecting anyone.
If she hadn't a heart of gold, Lindsey knew the door would have been slammed into his face and if he was honest, he deserved that. "I'm sorry to show up unannounced."
"What is it that you want, Lindsey?"
"I want to talk to Stevie."
"She doesn't."
"Please, let me see her." He pleaded.
Barabara saw the same boy in those eyes, now in a man's body. His voice was unsure and he was nervous. "My daughter isn't home at the moment."
"When should she be back?"
"You're getting me in trouble, young man." Despite of what he did to Stevie, she always had a soft spot for Lindsey, she knew her daughter loved him and he loved her. She took a step aside and let him in. "You can wait inside."
"Thank you."
Lindsey followed Barbara into the living room and took a seat on the couch, his eyes setting on the pile of kids toys in the middle of the room. That moment it hit him that he didn't even know if he was a father to a boy or girl, but the lack of toy cars gave him a pretty good idea.
"Can I get you anything?"
"No, thank you, I don't want to bother you." He was rubbing his hands together, avoiding to look anywhere but his feet.
"Why are you here, Lindsey? What is it exactly you want to talk to Stevie about?"
"I want to say I'm sorry."
"You could have done that over the phone."
"No, I need to see her, I need to make her believe me."
"She doesn't owe you anything. You made your choice."
"Sadly..."
Barbara felt sorry for him. It was obvious he regretted the decision he had made a few years back and it was eating him up. She knew all hell would break loose when Stevie returned home. She couldn't help herself and not ask about him.
"How you've been, Lindsey?"
"Not good." He half smiled, shaking his head.
"Oh?"
"Yeah... I've moved back here. Los Angeles wasn't very welcoming to me."
"It's a shame."
"I was stupid to think it would work."
"You were chasing after your dream, it's not stupid."
"I realize now I was chasing after the wrong one."
While they were talking, Amber woke up from her nap and not finding her grandma next to her, she made her way downstairs, with a teddy bear under her arm. She stopped once she heard another voice coming from the living room, she wasn't familiar with it. She got as close to the door as she could and tried to peek, but Barbara noticed her right away.
"You're up already, sweetheart?" She showed Amber to come in and the girl ran to her grandmother, eyeing Lindsey suspiciously. "You're being rude, darling. We have a guest."
She spent a moment making her mind up before finally saying something. "Hello."
"Hi." Lindsey smiled brightly at her, the same blue eyes looking back at him, unmistakable curls in two messed up pigtails. At the same time his heart was breaking, this beautiful girl was his and he missed out on so much. "What's your name?"
"Amber."
"It's very pretty, just like you and your mommy too." He said.
Amber only got closer to Barbara, whispering her a question of who this man was. "Lindsey is a friend of your mommy's." She wasn't sure what else to say, looking at him with apologetic expression.
The girl kept her eyes fixed on Lindsey, he had no idea what was going inside her childlike mind, he smiled at her and she did too. She got up from Barbara's lap and walked over to him, showing him her teddy bear. "Bella."
"Your teddy's name is Bella?" Amber nodded. "Did you know Bella means beautiful?" Lindsey was so out of his depth, he didn't know how much she understand and how much she could tell him, but he was desperate to have any contact with his daughter.
"Yes."
"You're a smart girl then. Did your mommy teach you?" She nodded again and it was about as much as he could handle. He hung his head low and allowed a few tears fall down. He felt her chubby hand on his and looked up in surprise.
"You sad?"
"No, Amber, I'm not sad." He tried his best to convince almost a two and a half year old child. "I promise you, I'm fine." She smiled and gave him her teddy bear. The girl was oblivious to the situation, Lindsey barely keeping it together, while Barbara took another tissue.
The three of them turned their heads all at once as they heard the front door open and close. "Mom, it's me!"
"In here, Stevie."
She hadn't even made it to the living room when Amber ran to her and demanded to be picked up. "Hey, baby! Oh, I missed you so much! Did you miss me?"
"I did!" She nodded eagerly, her curls bouncing.
"Let's go say hi to grandma." Stevie smiled at her daughter, but it soon faded as she saw someone, she definitely didn't think she would see ever again. "Lindsey?"
"Stevie..."
