Until the End of Time

17

December 22, 1989

"Are you serious?" Stevie asks her toothbrush hanging out of her mouth. 

"Steph, I'm sorry Mick just called, It's so last minute I know. And I know that our families are here but the kids have to go see Kristen." Lindsey sighs. 

"But Lindsey, they're supervised visits. I have to stay there with them. I've avoided your ex-wife for three years and I've certainly never met her family." Stevie spits and wipes her mouth.

"Steph it's just dinner and gifts and you don't even have to stay. The social worker will meet you there. You drop them off with her and then come back home and she'll drop them off here." Lindsey tells her.

"So do I just let them out at the curb?" Stevie questions wiping her mouth.

"No, you walk them up to the front door and that's it. Stop worrying about it. It'll be fine." Lindsey rubs her back.

"She doesn't even know I'm pregnant Lindsey. What will she say and what will her parents think. You said they're super religious what are they going to think about their grandkids being raised with a baby that was born out of wedlock." Stevie sighs.

"Stop it, Angel, it's all going to be fine. But you need to hurry so you're on time to pick the kids up." Lindsey kisses his head. 

Stevie was dressed in a white long sleeve chiffon top with red flowers on it, and a pair of maternity jeans her cream boots on, and her bump was tight against the shirt. The reason being is that Stella gets upset when Stevie hides the baby bump, she doesn't understand why, but it's easier for Stevie to just wear something tight around her stomach to avoid a confrontation with Stella.

***

It was awkward walking up to the front door of Kristen's-formerly Lindsey's-house and she was fighting the urge to close the front of her black peacoat, but the problem was that she couldn't close her jacket as her belly was too big. 

"I really don't want to be here." William whines.

"Me either," Stella pouts.

"Kids, you are legally required to spend the weekend before Christmas with your mother, it'll be fine." Stevie tries to assure them to the best of her ability. 

Stevie rings the bell as an older man opens the front door. 

"Hey, kids." He cheers pulling them into the house.

"Is it the social worker dad?" Kristen calls coming around the corner. "Oh, it's you. Where's Lindsey?" 

"At work. So I guess I have to stay here until the social worker comes then don't I." Stevie sighs crossing her arms over her chest causing her stomach to push out a little bit more.

"Agh Kristen, who's this?" The man questions.

"Grandpa George, this is our Stepmom, Stephanie." William sighs.

"And our baby brother or sister.  They know what the baby is but they aren't telling us until Christmas." Stella points out. 

"You're pregnant?" Kristen questions.

"That's what it looks like, yes." Stevie states. 

Kristen was going to say something when the bell rang again and Kristen pushed passed her to open the door. 

"I'm sorry I was late, there was an accident by my building. Stevie, you can go." The social worker smiles.

"Great, I have to go cook dinner. Our families are here for the Holidays and tonight I'm making meatball stew and biscuits. By kids, I'll see you guys later." She waves as Stella quickly hugs her and kisses her stomach. 

***

Stevie's the only one around when the kids get home, as the extended family went out to do some last-minute shopping and the social worker looks panicked. 

"What's the matter?" Stevie questions as Stella runs into the house and pushes past her.

"Um, Ms. Messner told her that once the baby got here you wouldn't love her anymore." The social worker sighs. 

"But that's not true." Stevie shakes her head.

"I know, and I told her that but I think it needs to come from you. Have a good evening and Merry Christmas." The social worker smiles.

"Merry Christmas." Stevie sighs shutting the door.

"Stevie, I don't like going to mom's." William just wraps his arms around her and buries his face into her shoulder. He's fourteen and he's normally not very affectionate unless something went terribly wrong so on the rare times that he does wrap his arms around her she doesn't question it, she just gives him as much love as she can. 

"Hey, I'm going to go talk to your sister, there's snacks and leftovers in the kitchen if you want anything. We're the only ones here. Dad's still at his interview, it airs at eleven if you guys want to stay up and watch it. Everyone else went last-minute Christmas shopping." Stevie explains. 

"Okay, thanks, mom." William pulls away and heads towards the kitchen. 

Stevie cautiously climbs up the stairs and makes her way to Stella's room. She had left the door slightly open and Stevie peered in. Stella was laying on her stomach cuddling one of her stuffed animals close to her. Stevie bit her lip and looked around the room. The walls were painted a sky blue and her bedspread was brown and light blue striped. Her clothes were scattered over the floor and the Dark wooden dressers were open things spilling out of them. 

"Stella, I think I need to have a talk with you." She pushes into the bedroom. 

"Go away, I don't like you anymore." She whimpers.

"Now, that hurt my feelings." Stevie crosses her arms and goes to sit on the edge of the bed. 

"I don't care." She states.

"Do you want to tell me what's going on?" Stevie sighs. She knows exactly what's going on. 

"Not really," Stella shakes her head.

"Come on." Stevie pokes her shoulder. 

"Mom said you weren't going to love us anymore after this baby comes because this baby is actually yours and we aren't." 

"Stella baby, that's not true. Not true at all. You are my kids. That's never going to change. I love you." Stevie tells her.

"But mom said..." 

"I don't give a rats ass what your mother said. Your mother isn't me. Your mother doesn't know how I feel." Stevie points. 

"Do you promise," Stella asks.

"Yes, I promise." Stevie nods.

All Stella does is wrap her arms around her and hugs her tightly.