February came, two month had passed since Lindsey's return. Stevie let him come around three times a week to spend some time with Amber and herself if she was honest. She missed him, his attention, his sweet words, his blue grey eyes, she missed him. With every visit of his, she would remember something that they did together. She felt herself falling in love with the same man for the second time, not that she had ever stopped loving him, but Lindsey had changed, he grew up and she wanted him in her life.
Amber turned two and a half on one of the days Lindsey was allowed to show up. He brought her another teddy bear, a friend for Bella, he said, and she didn't let go off the plush toy since the second she got a hold of it. He was sure she got bigger every time he came and Stevie rolled her eyes every time he mentioned it. She loved seeing Lindsey with their daughter, he was good with her, he was wonderful and there was already a bond between them that would remain unbreakable. Only if I knew how to explain to a two year old that this man is her daddy... Stevie thought silently as she watched them play on the floor, in the middle of the living room.
Hours went by and when Stevie checked what time it was, she realized it was well past Amber's bed time. She didn't know how to break up what was happening in front of her. Lindsey noticed her crossing one leg over the other, then back again, her hands together and the separated. He knew her too well.
"Is there something you'd like to say, Steves?"
"Well, I just realized my baby should have been in bed already a long time ago."
"No!" Amber wailed. "I want to play!'
"Sweetheart, but you have. You've been playing with your new teddy and Bella for hours. They're not going away, baby, they'll be here with you tomorrow when you wake up."
"And Curly?"
Stevie raised her eyebrow. "Who's curly?" Amber pointed at Lindsey and Stevie's heart melted.
"I... I don't know, angel." She looked over at him. "Will Curly be here tomorrow?"
"If only your mommy let's me, sweetheart." His eyes shone with love. He had never felt anything like what he did for his daughter.
"Mommy?" Amber looked up at Stevie, her eyes big and pleading.
"I... sure." She couldn't say no to that. "But be a good girl and let me put you to bed now, ok?" The girl asked to be picked up and when Stevie did, she planted a big kiss on her cheek. She was almost out of the room, when she turned back to Lindsey. "You want to come with?"
"If that's alright?" She didn't reply, so he took it as a yes.
Stevie got Amber into her pajamas and tucked her into bed. Before she was able to stand up, Amber spoke. "Story?"
"Maybe not tonight, sweetheart? I'm very tired."
"I can tell you a story."
"Really?" The girl's eyes went wide and Lindsey chuckled at that.
"Sure, I'm a great story teller!"
"That you are..." Stevie muttered to herself. "I'll leave you two to it then. Sleep tight, baby." She pressed a kiss to Amber's head and left after adding. "I'll be downstairs."
It didn't take more than ten minutes for Lindsey to come back to the living room. He didn't make himself known for a moment, he simply watched Stevie from the doorway, he missed her a lot. Even though he was around her often, he knew she still didn't trust him and most likely didn't want anything to do with him.
He didn't want to startle her, so he let her see him first before speaking. "Out like a light."
Stevie smiled. "Thanks."
"You don't have to thank me." He sat dawn beside her.
"Thank you for coming back."
"I didn't think you wanted me back."
"I didn't. And I was angry with you for so long, but seeing how you are with Amber after just a couple of months... It makes me happy."
"I can't tell you how grateful I am, Steves, that you let me into your life, that you let me see our daughter. I did you wrong, I acted like no man should and you're still that good of a person to find it in you and forgive me."
"Don't mess up again, please... I won't be able to forgive you again."
"I'm not planning to." He said and she smiled, he could tell she was tired. "You should get some rest."
"Will you come back tomorrow?"
"Of course if I'm still allowed."
"You know you are." They stood up and she accompanied him to the door.
"You're too good to me, Steves."
"Right?" They laughed a little at that and kept their eyes on each other, neither of them saying a word. He didn't want to leave just yet and she didn't ask him to.
This can go two ways, he thought, as he slid his arm around her and drew closer. "Can I..." He didn't continue as she mindlessly bit her lip and then he kissed her.
"Leave." She said breathless. "Because I'll ask you to stay."
Lindsey smiled. "Would it be so bad?"
"No, I know it would be amazing, but..."
He touched her cheek with the back of his hand lovingly. "I'm only teasing you."
She stole another quick kiss and it left him a little surprised. "Go!"
