Beauty and the Beast

16

April 15

She had stayed about three months down on Evercrest but within those three months, a lot happened. Her father had a heart episode in February which led her to stay until April, but she also found out that she was with child. She tried to keep it to herself for as long as she could but it was in the middle of March when she and Lori had figured it out together. She was experiencing dizzy spells, fatigue, and nausea. She went to the doctor and today marks the beginning of her 13th week. 

"Should you be riding in that carriage in your condition?" Jess asks as they get ready to see her off. He had made a full recovery and was back to a semi-normal way of life. 

"I'll be fine daddy, and I'd rather ride than walk." She sighs climbing up onto the carriage. 

"Stevie, if he lets you try to come down some more. Especially when that baby comes. You better not keep me from my grandchild." Jess scolds.

"I won't. I probably won't make it down until the baby is born though." Stevie smiles.

"Drive safe." He smiles as Stevie waves and yanks on the reins.

***

She doesn't know what to expect when she gets back to the castle, but when she does arrive, it's dark out most likely around nine in the evening, which she expected because she didn't leave until the afternoon and because it's way up in the mountains, it's about a half a days ride. She slips into the castle, the only sound coming from the squeak of the front door. It's dark and quite eerie much like it was the first night she approached the castle but she hangs up her little shawl and grabs the box that she brought back from home and heads up to her bedroom. 

When she enters her bedroom she sees the fire in the fireplace glowing and Lindsey is passed out on the little loveseat, his long limbs dangling as he's on his stomach. It looks downright uncomfortable but her heart flutters knowing that he's in her room. She sets her box down by the door and she walks towards him. He's snoring lightly his guitar laying on the floor. She purses her lips. She grabs an extra blanket out of the closet and drapes it over him. 

"Well, baby this is your daddy." She whispers to her stomach before getting ready for bed herself. 

She wakes up in the morning to a very pretty, but sad melody coming from the guitar. She sits up and listens intently and when he finishes she sees him sniffle and scrub at his face. He bends down and she hears him say, "Show me, Stephanie." 

"Turn around." She says as his head perks up and he whips around. 

He practically tips the couch over the way he clambers over top of it and swan dives onto her bed. He takes her into his arms and pulls her onto his lap. He rocks back and forth with her for a while before kissing her. 

"You came back?" He asks.

"Of course I came back. I had always planned on coming back but then my dad got sick. He's better now. But Lindsey there's...there's something I have to tell you." She looks down and starts playing with the top of the blanket. 

"What?" He asks worry filling him. 

"Give me your hand." She requests. 

He holds it out for her and then she places it on her stomach. He takes a moment but then his head cocks to the side and he pushes her down into the bed. He smooths her nightgown out from around her stomach and sees the small bump that's forming. 

"Steph is this...our baby?" Lindsey asks.

"Yes. It's our baby." Stevie nods.

"They were made according to the doctor in Evercrest around January 16th. And they'll be here around October." Stevie explain. 

It was at that moment where tears started to come to his eyes and he placed his lips against her stomach. He was scared that she would admit that she loved him in time and both she and their baby would be stuck much like Chip is and the new baby coming to Mick and Sarah would be. 

"How do you feel?" Stevie asks him.

"About the baby. I'm scared because I don't want to screw up being a parent. But Steph, I'm happy I am." Lindsey nods.

"Really?" Stevie questions.

"I love you, Steph and this baby is just an extension of my love. I know that we don't have the most conventional setup, but I'm happy." Lindsey nods. 

"I'm glad." Stevie smiles as he hovers over her and kisses her. 

"How are you feeling?" Lindsey questions his hand still caressing their baby growing in her belly.

"I'm okay. The occasional dizzy spell or the occasional heartburn." She smiles.

"Isn't there something that says the more heartburn a mother feels the more hair the baby is going to have," Lindsey smirks.

"I've heard of that yeah. But with you as their daddy, I can see why they would have a lot of hair." She lifts her arms up and runs her fingers through his slightly messy curls.  

"Me what about you, your hair is super thick?" He laughs.

"Okay so maybe it's not just you." She giggles. 

"I hope she has your hair." Lindsey runs his fingers through the blonde locks.

"She, you want a little girl. I always thought kings were supposed to want boys so they can rule the land after you die." Stevie grins. 

"Well, it's not the 1200s anymore. I think a little girl would be a fine ruler of the kingdom. Certainly better than me because I'm hoping we can raise her better than I was raised." He shrugs.

"I don't think you were raised bad, I just think you got the short end of the stick and then you were thrust into power before you were ready." Stevie rubs her belly. 

"What do you think it is?" Lindsey inquires. 

"I think they're hungry," Stevie smirks. 

"Well then we should go make her some breakfast then," Lindsey smirks grabbing her hands and pulling her out of the bed.