Lindsey came back to Stevie's house; he let himself in using the extra key that Stevie had given him and went in search for Stevie and Emmaline.

Lindsey found Stevie putting Emmaline in her crib. Stevie kissed Emmaline's forehead then turned on the baby monitor. She grabbed the other and was about to walk towards the door when she saw Lindsey standing in the doorway.

She narrowed her eyes and walked past him and into her room. She was about to close the door when Lindsey stopped it with his foot.
Stevie stared him down trying not to break, but as she looked into his blue grey eyes that showed sadness, regret and love, she broke down. She opened the door more then let Lindsey in and wrapped her arms around him.

She sobbed into Lindsey's chest and he too was sobbing. "I'm so sorry Stephanie. I know I messed up when I left without a word. I'm not making an excuse or anything, but, I just needed some space. This is a lot to take in. I know I was wrong." He said.
Stevie broke away slightly and said. "I understand that you needed some space. You should have just told me. But, you're Emmaline's father and you can't just runaway. You and I have to be strong for our baby girl. Please Lindsey, don't do it again."
"I promise Steph. I won't do it again." Lindsey said gently.

Stevie rested her head on Lindsey's chest and both relaxed. Stevie chuckled through her tears and said. "Who would have thought that you and I would have a reasonable conversation instead a full blown argument."
Lindsey chuckled back then looked into Stevie's eyes. "We've come a long way. I love you Stephanie." He said.
"I love you too." Stevie replied.

Lindsey leaned down and kissed Stevie's lips. Their kissing grew more passionately both losing their breath quickly. They broke apart and Lindsey said. "I need you Stephanie!"
"I need you too Linds." Stevie said. "Please make love to me!"

Lindsey thrusted one last time before emptying himself inside Stevie. After, he stayed inside her for a few moments so both could catch their breath. Lindsey kissed Stevie's lips then he pulled himself out and laid next to Stevie. Stevie laid her head on Lindsey's chest and was lightly running her bright red nails across his chest.

They relaxed but not for long when Emmaline's cries came from the baby monitor. Stevie jumped up and quickly grabbed her robe then pulled it on.

She rushed to Emmaline's nursery; Emmaline was standing up, holding onto the cribs bars. Tears rolled down her tiny chubby cheeks. As soon a she saw Stevie, she reached one hand out for her.

Stevie lifted Emmaline into her arms; Emmaline laid her head on Stevie's shoulder and she calmed down. She instantly put her tiny hand on Stevie throat and immediately felt the vibrations coming from Stevie. She had gotten used to doing that as a way to comfort herself.

"It's okay baby. Mommy has you." Stevie said. "I love you."

Emmaline still baby babbled even though she couldn't hear herself. So, Stevie got the surprise of her life when Emmaline mimicked Stevie.

Stevie pulled Emmaline away from her so she could look at Emmaline. She sat down on the rocking chair and kept Emmaline's hand on her throat and she repeated. "I love you."

Emmaline smiled and hummed it back; it wasn't words of course but it seemed as if Emmaline was trying to copy the vibrations coming from Stevie's throat.

Stevie smiled down with tears in her eyes. "You are going to be okay baby girl. I know you will. I'll make sure of it!"

Stevie walked back to her bedroom where Lindsey had put his clothes back on. He smiled as Emmaline reached for him. He took her into his arms and Stevie said. "I'm going to take a quick shower. I'll be right out."
"Alrighty." Lindsey said. "We will be waiting."

Once Stevie walked into the bathroom, Lindsey let out a sigh as he looked at Emmaline. "I wish this didn't happen to you kiddo. Daddy loves you." He said. He hugged his baby girl and hoped they would get through this.

A few weeks had gone by and Stevie had hired someone to teach her ASL (American Sign Language) and to also teach Emmaline.

The person Stevie hired was named Julian Meyer. She has been teaching ASL for more than fifteen years and was one of the bests. Julian was impressed by Emmaline of trying to copy the vibrations from Stevie. She had not seen anything like it and was very optimistic that Emmaline would be able to speak just like any other child.

Stevie learned quickly and was happy to able to communicate with her daughter. Emmaline however took a little longer of course but once she learned the eight basic signs, she became a pro.

Another development was that Stevie had stopped breastfeeding and she was relieved that Emmaline didn't give her any trouble transitioning into using a bottle. Also, she was beginning to eat some mashed up food. Her favorite at the moment was mashed bananas.

Karen was also learning ASL; she wanted to learn so she was able to communicate with Emmaline and be able to understand what Emmaline was signing. After all, she would take care of Emmaline on her own and she didn't want to be bothering Stevie too much about which sign was what.

The one person that was not on board and who wasn't learning how to sign was Lindsey. For some reason, he couldn't bring himself to learn. He felt if he did then it would make it real that his daughter was deaf. He was terrified that this was his daughter's fate. Not being able to hear.

Stevie was angry of course; she didn't understand why Lindsey was so reluctant. Every time she would talk to him about learning to sign, they would get into arguments. Sometimes Emmaline would be in the room as they argued and even though she wasn't able to hear, she could tell by the atmosphere of the room and their facial expressions that her parents were angry.
Emmaline would cry out when they argued.

Stevie was so angry with Lindsey that she refused to let home stay over night and she would hardly speak to him while he was visiting Emmaline.

Emmaline would sign to Lindsey but of course he didn't know what she was signing. He would grow frustrated and would leave the house.

Emmaline was now eight months old. One day while Emmaline was napping, Stevie and Lindsey were having yet another argument.

"Lindsey! I don't understand why you won't learn how to sign. Don't you see Emmaline and how happy she is that she can communicate with us! She tries so hard to get you to understand her and all you do is runaway!" Stevie said as tears threatened to fall. "Why do you always do that?!"
"Stevie...Emmaline will be able to hear again. I've been doing some research and there is always different surgeries we can look into." Lindsey said desperately. "I refuse to accept that she's...that she's deaf. She is going to be normal again!"
"No! Absolutely not!" Stevie yelled. "I will not have my daughter go under the knife and have her in pain! And what are you talking about Lindsey? Emmaline is normal! So what if she's deaf! So she has to speak to us in a different way, but make no mistake Lindsey, she is normal!"

Lindsey was about to respond when Stevie began to sway. She quickly held onto the counter in the kitchen and slowed her breathing. She closed her eyes in concentration.

"Stevie what's wrong?" Lindsey asked worriedly.
Stevie shook her head as she answered. "I don't know. I haven't been feeling well lately."

They soon forgot about their argument and Lindsey helped Stevie upstairs to her bedroom then helped her lay down. He took care of her, bringing her a glass of water and making sure she was comfortable.

Emmaline woke up from her nap and Lindsey went to get her. She was signing to Lindsey but he was at loss. He didn't know what she wanted.

Lindsey walked back into Stevie's room and asked. "Steph? What is she signing?"

Emmaline was opening and closing her tiny hand. She did it a few times and Stevie said. "She wants milk. Could you please make her bottle?"
"Of course." Lindsey said as he placed Emmaline next to Stevie.

He left the room and Stevie smiled at Emmaline who now had her hand open and was tapping her thumb to her forehead.
"Daddy will be right back. He's getting you some milk." Stevie said as she signed.
Emmaline smiled and signed milk again.
Stevie chuckled then pulled Emmaline closer to her.

Emmaline looked at Stevie and did the same sign for daddy but this time instead of tapping her forehead, she tapped her chin. She was signing mommy.

"Good girl! You're learning so fast!" Stevie said as she signed. Even though some of the signing was advanced for Emmaline, Julian suggested to always sign in front of Emmaline. It was crucial and should be able to learn faster when she was older.

"Ow!" Stevie cried out as a pain shot through her abdomen. She held her stomach with one hand. She breathed in and out hoping the pain would subside.

Emmaline's brow furrowed then she made two fist while extending her index fingers then tapping them together.

Stevie nodded then said while signing. "Yes baby. It hurts."

Lindsey was finally making his way upstairs when he heard Emmaline cry. He ran into Stevie's bedroom and found Stevie curled into a ball holding her stomach. Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"Stephanie! Baby, what's wrong!?" Lindsey said in a panicked voice.
"I...I don't know! It hurts so bad!" Stevie sobbed.

Lindsey grabbed his phone and called an ambulance. He then called Karen to come to
Stevie's as soon as possible. She told him she was close by and she should be able to beat the ambulance.

After hanging up with Karen, Lindsey went back to Stevie who was still sobbing in pain.
Lindsey took Emmaline into his arms and tried his best to comfort both of his girls.

As they waited all Lindsey could think was, Please god! Let Stevie be alright! Don't let another bad thing happen to the ones I love! I promise I will change! I will learn how to sign without complaint. I will stop running away from my problems and my responsibilities. Just please! Don't let anything bad happen to Stevie!

How are you all liking this story so far? And what do you all think is happening to Stevie?

I have two different scenarios playing around in my head and I'm not sure which to go with just yet but don't worry, I won't keep you all waiting too long for the next update. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Also, I have started a new story called,
It Takes Time. Please check it out!