Torches

17

May 24, 1984

Despite school being out of session, Lindsey was still at work sitting through staff meetings and protocol changes for next semester and so on and so forth which found Stevie at the airport waiting for her parents with Clara by herself. She was sifting through the baby bag looking for the toddler's little picture book as the girl was currently trying to break free from Stevie's hold when she feels a hand fall to her shoulder. She gasps and then jumps looking up at the person who was touching and then she grins and stands up with her baby and the baby bag still tucked to her and she throws her arm around her mother.

"It's been too long." Stevie smiles.

"It's only been about six months though." Barbara chuckles. 

"I know but a lot has changed in six months." Stevie sighs.

"Tell me about it, you're living with a man and you're helping him raise his daughter." Barbara points to the little girl.

"Yeah, this is Clara." Stevie shifts the baby and shows her off to her parents. 

"She's adorable." Barbara coos grabbing her little hands as Clara laughs. 

"Alright, come on Barb, let's let the baby breathe." Jess states.

"But Jess she's so cute and I just want to snuggle with her." Barbara smiles. 

"She might not let you, let's head home and we'll see what happens. Um, I have Lindsey's SUV with me." Stevie motions to the gate enterance. 

***

When they get to Lindsey's house Jess nods in approval. "So what does he do to own this house?" 

"He's um...well, you're going to be so mad at me." She sighs.

"Why?" Barbara questions. 

"He's a professor...Clara's mother was a detective." Stevie explains.

"Is that how she passed away?" Barbara sighs.

"Yes, she was killed on the job." Stevie nods letting them into the house. 

By the time Lindsey gets home, Stevie and Barbara are in the kitchen cooking and Clara is laying with Jess on the couch both sleeping peacefully. 

"Honey, i'm home." Lindsey says kissing Stevie's cheek.

"Hey Linds. This is my mom Barbara and my dad and Clara fell asleep on the couch. It was so cute, he played with her and then when he decided he wanted to take a nap she crawled right up onto his chest." Stevie kisses Lindsey properly. 

"It's  a pleasure to meet you." Lindsey grins when he and Stevie pull away. 

"Yes, you too." She grins.

Lindsey and her parents got together amazingly and Stevie couldn't have been more thrilled. She was worried there for a while especially because he's a professor but Jess just looked at him and looked at the way Stevie was looking at him and brushed it off. Laying in bed that night, Jess and Barbara in the guest room that Stevie occupied prior to moving in with Lindsey and Stevie and Lindsey in their bed little Clara snuggled between them-it was a particularly difficult bedtime tonight so they just gave in and let her hunker down with them-Lindsey was just holding and relishing in his girls. 

"I like your parents. They seem really nice." Lindsey sighs as Stevie nods against his shoulder. 

"Yeah, they like you. I was little worried about their reaction when I told them that you were a professor." She replies. 

"But you're what, 26 so it's not that big of a deal." He shrugs.

"Right, i'm an adult I can do what I want." She states.

"You have a year left are you excited?" He questions. 

"To tell you the truth, I'm worried." She bites her lip.

"Worried about what?" 

"I'm worried that my dissertation is going to kill us." She kisses his shoulder. 

"Why would it kill us?" 

"Because i'm oppinionated and so are you and the fact of the matter is we're probably going to fight about it." She sighs.

"But when it comes to your dissertation I'm always right. You may be right every other time we fight but I'm right during your dissertation." He tells her.

"Okay, I guess you have a point." She sighs. 

It was then that in between them the little toddler started whining and thrashing. 

"Oh, oh, oh baby what's the matter?" Stevie asks shifting her up into her arms. 

"Do you think she's teething?" Lindsey questions.

"It's highly possible but she's not feverish." Stevie sighs kissing her little head. 

"Mamamama." Clara babbles and Stevie and Lindsey freeze staring at each other. 

"Lindsey." She shakes her head.

"I know, it's okay. I'm okay with it." Lindsey sighs.

"Are you sure because I don't want to step on anyones toes and I know Diane's parents aren't going to be to thrilled about the idea. Her mom liked me but her dad didn't and I..." Stevie starts.

"Stop it, I loved Diane, I miss her like crazy but at the same time I love you and I can't wait to see how you help me raise her and you're going to be a great mother to her. I can promise you that." Lindsey kisses Stevie as Clara settles down against her chest. 

"I love you Lindsey." She smiles. 

"I love you too Angel, let's get some sleep. While we can. I don't know if she's going to sleep much tonight." Lindsey points as Stevie nods and sinks down into the pillows closing her eyes. 

***

The next morning, Stevie was making breakfast when her mother emerged from upstairs. 

"Morning baby." She smiles.

"Yeah, morning." She sighs.

"Uh-oh someone got up on the wrong side of the bed." Barbara tsks. 

"Clara was up all night and we don't know why. She could be teething but she wasn't feverish and she's not trying to chew on everything. Which is what she does when she's teething. I know, I've been with her since she was three months old. She ended up sleeping with us, but she didn't really sleep." Stevie explains. 

"Oh i'm sorry baby. Sometimes toddlers are just clingy." Barbara shrugs pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"Yeah I got that." Stevie sighs as Lindsey comes downstairs and thrusts the baby into Stevie's arms.

"I'm going to shower she won't let me put her down." He tells her.

"Alright." She sighs. 

"See, clingy." Barbara grins as she rubs Clara's back who nuzzles into Stevie's neck.