Torches

19

August 18, 1984

Stevie was in a staff meeting. It was a TA and Professor staff meeting in the really warm environment of the Psychology building. It was simply that the teachers and TAs were figuring out schedules and policy changes and course changes and so on and so forth. But Stevie felt like she was melting. Luckily she was sitting next to Lindsey and at one point she reached over and grabbed an extra manilla folder out of his briefcase that was sitting on the table and started fanning herself but at the same time, she was grossly nauseous. It was when the TA next to her opened up a bag of Doritos-snacks were allowed during staff meetings-that the smell wafted up and she shoved the folder at Lindsey's chest and ran out of the room towards the bathroom where she dropped on her knees and started throwing up. 

When she was finished she clutched at her stomach and then she slowly made her way back to the conference room. 

"Sorry." She says quietly.

"Ms Nicks are you okay?" The dean inquires.

"I'm...I don't know, I felt like I was going to pass out and I needed to get a little bit of air. I'm okay for now." She sighs shakily as Lindsey gives her a concerned look. 

"It is kind of warm in here. Let's open up these windows shall we." The dean nods as Stevie gives a slight smile. 

***

When the meeting finally adjourned Stevie gave Lindsey a look and then she bolted off to the bathroom and Lindsey fought so hard not to go after her because something was definately wrong. So he waited but he was wringing his hands the whole time. When she emerged he quickly led them out of the building and then towards his car. 

"What's going on?" He asks holding his hand to her forehead.

"I don't know." Stevie lays her head on his shoulder. 

"Are you puking?" Lindsey questions.

"Yeah, I am. It could be the heat, or it could be a bug. Honey my head is pounding and I just want to go to bed." She sighs.

"I understand, come on let's go home." He nods.

"Thank you." She nods climbing into his car. 

***

Two days later, Stevie is still curled up in bed and when Lindsey gets home from the staff meetings of the day he plops down on the bed.

"How was it?" She sks as Lindsey hands her the papers she missed. 

"It was a meeting. The Dean is worried about you." Lindsey states.

"I don't know what's going on." Stevie shakes her head.

"Well I was...I was thinking about this. Diana felt like this at one point...oh about two years ago now." He scrubs the back of his neck. 

"Lindsey are you suggesting..." Stevie starts.

"I think I might be." He bites his lip.

"I hadn't thought of that..." Stevie sighs.

"Do you want me to bring you a test?" He asks.

"Sure...and Clara. I wanna cuddle with her." Stevie nods.

"Alright, i'll do that." He nods kissing her head. 

Stevie and Clara were both sleeping curled up in the bed when Lindsey returns and he just crawls in with them and wraps his arms around his girls and Stevie startles awake. 

"I don't want to leave her but I have to know." She bites her lip. 

"I know, go ahead. We'll be right here waiting for you." He nods taking Clara into his arms. Stevie lets out a shaky breath and then crawls out of the bed and heads towards the bathroom. 

She emerges five minutes later and holds up the test crawling in on Lindsey's side of the bed partially laying on top of him. 

"So?" HE asks.

"We have to wait for ten minutes." She closes her eyes and lays her head on his shoulder. 

"How do you feel?" Lindsey sighs rubbing her back.

"In general...like shit, about the test, I'm just slightly nervous. How do you feel?" She questions.

"I feel like it's going to complicate things but at the same time it'll be okay. We could have a baby Steph. Clara can be a big sister and they'll be close only about two years apart. And then down the road, in a few years if we want to try for another we still have the means to do it. You're only 28. We have years. Sure this one was unplanned but we'll love them just the same and i'm kind of excited. Diana and I would've had at least two or three if she hadn't of been taken from us too soon and it would've been about now when started trying. Steph this baby is a miracle and they are going to be loved so much." Lindsey coos. 

"But i'm doing my doctoral and I..." She starts.

"You'll be okay. I promise you, that you'll be okay. I'm going to make it as stressless as possible." Lindsey kisses the top of her head. 

"Lindsey..." She trails off.

"Hmm?" 

"There's two lines." She looks up at him.

"You're pregnant?" He asks.

"I guess so." Stevie states.

"I love you." He says again. 

"I love you too." She grins as he plants his lips to her. 

They were throuroghly enjoying their kiss when Clara reaches up and starts smacking at Lindsey and Stevie. 

"Mama, Dada." She coos.

"Well good morning baby." Stevie chuckles pulling Clara up and squeezing her tightly. 

"Mamamama." She states nuzzling into Stevie. 

"She's not going to comprehend anything i'm going to tell her but I want to tell her." Lindsey bites his lip.

"She's going to have to get used to it." Stevie shrugs.

"Clara, you're going to be a big sister." Lindsey states. Clara cocks her head not knowing what he's talking about. 

"Clara, there's a baby in Mamas belly." He points to Stevie's stomach. 

"Ba-by." She points to the stomach. 

"Yeah, a baby, but hey don't you worry about it because you're still my baby." Stevie kisses her little cheek.

"Ba-by." 

"Yeah Ba-by." Stevie repeats as Clara giggles and starts jumping on Stevie's stomach which in turn causes her to quickly pull away from Lindsey and Clara and running to the bathroom to throw up.