I Can't Stop (Part 2)

Part 6

"What on earth do you think you're doing?" Stevie asked, stopping in the doorway as she saw Lindsey sitting, with his legs swung over the edge of the bed. The bowl of soup she was holding nearly fell out of her hands.

"Sitting?" Lindsey asked, trying too look innocent. 

"Nu-uh. You were about to reach for those crutches." She stared at him and Lindsey scratched the back of his head, shrugging his shoulders.

"Busted. But the doctor said it's okay."

"It's okay, when you're not alone in the room, when you have someone there to catch you if you fall." Setting the dish down on the nightstand, Stevie approached him, she crossed her arms over her chest. "Your arm was broken too and you need it to walk around, using crutches."

"It wasn't broken." Lindsey argued. "Steph, you're overreacting. It was in an arm sling, when you first saw me. I went through physical therapy, you were there."

Stevie pursed her lips and huffed. "Yes and I don't want you to have to go through it again."

"Come here." Lindsey held out his hand and Stevie took it, closing the small gap between them. "I appreciate everything you've done for me and it melts my heart that you worry so much, but Stevie, I have to start moving. I can't lie in bed anymore, I'm going insane. I'm bored out of my mind, baby." Stevie stilled and his eyes widened, realizing, what he'd just said. Both of them chose to ignore it. "I'm sorry, I was going to do it by myself. I'll wait for you or Will next time, okay?"

"Okay." Stevie gave in with a heavy sigh. "Would you like me to help you into the kitchen?"

"God, yes please." Lindsey nodded, making her laugh lightly.

It took the two of them some time. Stevie mostly hung back, with her arms out in case Lindsey fell, no that she would have really been able to catch him. Even though he felt like a small child, he didn't say anything. He was just glad to be in an upright position.

"You're good?" Stevie asked, making sure Lindsey was safely sitting on the chair at the kitchen table.

"Fantastic."

She rolled her eyes behind his back and went back into the bedroom to bring back his lunch. "Can I get you anything else?"

"No. Why don't you sit down and relax, too?" 

Stevie wasn't very hungry, but she made herself a cup of coffee and took a seat opposite from Lindsey. It all felt so natural. She didn't think that she was doing him a favor, she enjoyed being around him. Stevie believed that she'd done more bad to Lindsey over the years than good and if she could be there for him now, she was going to do anything for him. 

"This reminds me of when we were first together." Lindsey spoke up, breaking the silence. "You, doing everything for me and me, being useless."

"Don't say that." Stevie shook her head. "Linds, this is not a chore for me. I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to. I know you can hire someone to help you."

"I don't want just anyone." He shrugged, finishing his meal. "But don't you think it's a little inconvenient?"

"What is?"

"Well..." Lindsey had been thinking about it for some time, he wasn't sure, how she'd react. "I think that, uh... that it would be a lot easier if we were together. Well, not together, but you know... in the same place."

Stevie looked at him and Lindsey was unable to hold the eye contact for very long. "Are you asking me to move in here? For now, of course."

"Only if you think that's a good idea." Lindsey said, letting her know it was completely up to her.

"And where would I sleep? Will's in the other room."

"He can occupy the couch." Lindsey shrugged, making Stevie laugh. 

"You can't ask him that, Linds." She saw disappointment cross his face, but she wasn't finished. "What do you say, we move this whole situation over to my house?"