Beauty and the Beast

22

October 16

Stevie was sitting on the edge of the bed loomed over the crib just watching the baby sleep. She had one elbow on the edge of the cradle her head laying in her hand her other gently caressing her baby's cheek. The little baby is wearing a onesie that Margi made, but in all honesty, Margi made most of the baby clothes. What Stevie didn't make at least. It was a light pink long sleeve with brown polka dots on it. There was a little matching bonnet that went with it and little booties. The baby was only thirteen days old and even though Lindsey had laid her in there on her back, she had kind of rolled into the fetal position both hands pressed to her little baby cheek. Stevie was in her own little world just trying to ingrain the image of her baby into her head, even though she's already taken about a million pictures she's finding those moments to be precious

She jumps when she feels two hands encompass her hips but she smiles when Lindsey kisses her cheek. 

"I love her so much already Lindsey," Stevie says. 

"I love her too...and I love you." He kisses her properly.

"I love you too." She nods as the baby shifts and starts hiccuping. 

"Awe...oh, what's the matter?" Stevie asks collecting the baby into her arms. 

The baby quiets when she's content and comfy in her mother's arms. And Stevie smiles down at her.

"You just wanted to be held. Huh." Lindsey kisses the top of her head. 

"Lindsey, will you take her so I can take a shower?" Stevie inquires. 

"You never have to ask," Lindsey replies. 

Stevie places the baby into his arms and she slowly goes to stand up. Lindsey places his free hand on her back and rubs gently as she slowly wobbles to the bathroom. Even though she ices her stitches like she's supposed to and cleans the area thoroughly she's still hurting and Christine's watching her like a hawk and checking out her stitches and everything every other day. It's healing well and Christine says that the stitches should be taken out in a couple of days which Stevie is looking forward to, but she's also not knowing that most likely it's going to hurt and getting the stitches themselves was traumatizing.

***

When Stevie gets out of her shower she tightens her bathrobe and she slowly starts to emerge but she stops at the door at smiles at what she hears.

"You are the cutest baby girl ever. I love you so much. Yes, I do, yes I do. Daddy loves you so much." 

When she walks out of the bathroom, Lindsey is sitting on the bed with his legs apart and the baby is between them. He's tickling her belly and she's kicking her chubby-ish little legs. 

"She loves her daddy," Stevie smirks leaning against the bathroom door.

"Yeah but she also loves her mommy. Speaking of, I think she's getting hungry her tummy was rumbling a little while ago." 

"Mmm, bring her to me. I'll feed her." She states walking over to the couch and situating her black silk bathrobe. 

***

While Stevie's feeding the baby Lindsey clears his throat, "I know it's still way too soon to be thinking about something like this, but The curse is broken now and I really want to go into town. I want to see everybody and bring the jewels and...and properly meet your family." 

"Thanksgiving." Stevie states,

"What?" He questions.

"Thanksgiving. It's November 25th. We'll leave early in the morning, load up the buggy with the things you want to give to the people, at least some of the things anyway. Maybe save the Jewelry for Christmas but bring like the artwork that you were thinking about giving them, the clothingm the shoes, some of the silver that we don't use anymore that just sits in the attick all gross and dusty-have Sarah wash them first but none the less." Stevie states.

"Would your family be willing to have us for dinner on Thanksgiving?" He questions.

"They wouldn't mind. We could honestly show up any day of the week and they'd make room for us." Stevie shrugs. 

"Your dad and brother probably hate me." Lindsey sighs.

"They do, but once they see you with me and Bella, then i'm sure that everything will be okay." Stevie smiles. 

"But what about the servants?" Lindsey asks.

"Give them free reign of the castle. And while they might be servants they are our friends so maybe you should start refering to them like that." Stevie points out. 

"I guess...when we're down there though do you think we could get your dad to make us some of those teacakes. They were really good! What made him decide to bring me those?" He questions.

"Teacakes are my favorite out of all of the treats he makes. And it was my birthday the day before he came up here and he was honestly just probably thinking about me. The carrot one is always my favorite but he makes an assorted box which is what i'm assuming he made you." Stevie states.

"Yeah, the lemon one was really good. But so was the Carrot Cake." He points out.

"I know how to make them, I could make them for us, you just have to ask." Stevie replies. 

"Not while you're recovering." He shakes his head.

"Honestly Christine says I need to move around more so I think i'm going to go do that. Here you go, all fed and happy now you just need to burp her and keep her occupied." Stevie states handing the baby over to him. 

"How come you always give me the dirty jobs?" He pouts.

"Well you certainly can't feed her." Stevie pats his cheek and kisses his jaw before she makes her way over to her closet to figure out what it is that she wants to wear. 

She settles for a simple brown and cream house dress and a pair of wedges that she had Margi whip up for her and then she makes her way downstairs to start making the teacakes, lemon and Carrot Cake specifically.