I Can't Stop (Part 2)

Part 3

Looking through her bag to make sure she had the items Lindsey had requested, Stevie was headed for the front door, nearly bumping into it as it opened from the other side.

"Jesus!" Stevie exclaimed, clutching her chest.

Alice entered the house, when Stevie stepped back. "Are you okay?"

"I am, I just nearly walked into the door." 

"Were you leaving?" Alice asked, frowning. "I thought, we'd agreed I'll be coming over. Dad dropped me off and left already, I can't exactly go home now."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart." Stevie said, putting her things down. "I completely forgot." 

"What's going on? Are you sure you're okay?" 

"I, well..." Stevie trailed off. "Do you want to sit down maybe?" 

Alice shrugged and followed after her mother into the living room, which was still cluttered with unpacked boxes. "I see moving in is going well."

"I haven't had the time to sort all of this." Stevie shook her head, showing around the room with her hand. "It's Lindsey."

Fighting back an eye roll, Alice asked. "Are you two together or something?"

Stevie had to bite her tongue, she didn't appreciate Alice clearly having a problem with her and Lindsey in any way really. "He was involved in a car accident. He's in hospital and I was on my way to visit him."

"Hospital?" Alice's whole demeanor changed. "Car accident? Is he okay? Why haven't I heard about this?"

"Hospital, yes. He's spent the past three days there, but if he's doing as well as he is, he should be released soon enough to continue healing at home." Stevie started explaining. "Lindsey's doing okay. He's got broken bones, but otherwise, he's fine."

"I-I'm sorry I reacted the way I did..." Alice felt embarrassed. "Were you supposed to leave now?"

"As soon as Karen gets here." Stevie nodded. "But I'll give her a call, let her know that I'm not going today."

"No, you should go. Actually..." Alice started fidgeting with a ring on her finger. "I'd like to go with you. If that's okay of course." She quickly added.

Stevie was surprised that Alice wanted to come along. Before the girl found out, who her biological father was, she and Lindsey were really close. Stevie felt guilty that because she had kept that secret to herself for so long, she took away the relationship the two had. She shared that with Lindsey and of course he told her, it wasn't her fault, nevertheless, she felt like it was. Stevie wished that Alice showed interest in seeing Lindsey under different circumstances, but she couldn't ask for more. She knew, he was going to be happy about it either way.

Knocking on the door first, Stevie then opened it and smiled, stepping into Lindsey's room at the hospital. His grin shifted to a surprised look on his face, when he saw Alice come in after Stevie. She was somewhat shy, tucking a strand of her behind her ear, keeping her eyes down. After all, it was the very first time the two came face to face after Alice had found out the truth.

"I've brought your books." Stevie pulled a stack out of her bag and placed them on the bedside table.

"Thank you." Lindsey smiled gratefully, mindlessly taking her hand, giving it a squeeze. He then let go, remembering they weren't alone. "Hey, Alice." He looked over at her. 

"Hi." Alice replied, coming closer. "How are you feeling?"

"Good, good." Lindsey lied. He was in more pain than usual. "I'm happy to see you."

"Well, mom told me what happened and I just wanted to visit you." Alice pulled up a chair and took a seat. "Are you hurting?"

Stevie watched the two, standing on the other side of the bed. The shyness seemed to had gone away, genuine worry on Alice's face. 

"So so." Lindsey shrugged. "I'm better then I'm worse. I'll live."

"I'm going to find the nurse, to find out, how you're really doing." Stevie interrupted as she made her way out of the room, leaving them alone.

There was clearly a lot both Alice and Lindsey wanted to say, however, neither of them knew where to start. Lindsey spoke up first. "And how are you?"

"Um..." Alice shrugged. "I'm alright now, but I really wasn't, when I found out. I was extremely angry at mom, upset. But... she's my mother and I love her, I couldn't possibly be angry at her forever."

"Good. She doesn't deserve that." Lindsey said. "I want you to know that I'm sorry too, Alice. I had no idea either."

"I know. It's just so weird, you know. All my life, I've known you as Lindsey, mom's friend, band mate, my uncle Lindsey. It's a lot to have it all change just like that." Alice emphasized snapping her fingers. 

"I understand, trust me. But nothing has to change." Lindsey insisted, even though he didn't truly feel that. "I'm still that person. I wish things were different, but I don't expect you to start calling me dad. All I want, Alice, is to be a part of your life. I'm probably never going to be your first choice, but know that you can come to me with anything."

Alice half smiled, nodding her head. "I know. I know that it's important to mom too."

"It is." Lindsey agreed. 

"Funny, how she thinks she's so smooth, going to find your nurse." Alice said, using air quotes. 

Laughing lightly, Lindsey nodded. "Right?"

Speaking of, Stevie returned, ending Lindsey and Alice's conversation short. They couldn't voice it, but they were both happy, they had that moment alone. 

"I heard, you're not very keen on hospital food." Stevie gave Lindsey a pointed look. "You have to eat, you have to get your strength back, Linds." She softened, approaching him. 

"I'm alright." Lindsey smiled, looking up at her. "I'll eat all the food, once I get out of here. I promise."

"How will I know?" 

"Well, you're just gonna have to be by my side 24/7, I guess." 

Alice was no longer listening to their exchange, however, she didn't even realize she had a smile on her face, watching them together. She had a feeling, she was going to be seeing a lot more of Lindsey.