Reaching Lindsey's apartment, he only let go of Stevie to unlock and open the door. "This is home," Lindsey gestured toward the apartment.

"Woah! You've certainly gone up in the world since our minute place!" Stevie looked around in wonder at the roomy apartment

"Hey, I loved our apartment!" Lindsey squeezed her shoulder gently

"Yeah, I did too...." Stevie said sadly, looking down.

"Hey, that's in the past now, right?" Lindsey shrugged, trying to lighten the mood,

"Right," Stevie nodded, wiping away tears that threatened to fall

"Come on, let's get you showered, changed, and fed...when did you last eat?" Lindsey asked knowing full well he probably didn't want to know the answer

"About three days ago..."

"Steph," Lindsey gasped, tears welling in his eyes.

"I couldn't make it to the shelters in time for the meals. Everything was gone by the time I got there," Stevie explained

Lindsey led her into the bathroom. He remember how much she loved to take baths before they moved in together. "Wanna take a bath?" He smiled softly.

"I'd love that."

"Okay go wait in the bathroom and I'll run the bath for you" Lindsey leaned in and kissed her forehead

"Thank you for doing this" Stevie said nervously

"Please don't ever thank me...it's my pleasure"

Stevie went into the bedroom and waited for Lindsey, he came out and he saw she was just standing there

"Honey why aren't you sitting?" He gestured to the bed

"I...I didn't think you'd want me to dirty your sheets up..."

"Don't worry about a little thing like that. Sheets can always been changed." Lindsey placed his hand on her shoulders and sat her on the bed. "I'm going to run your bath, I will be right back," disappearing into the bathroom.

Stevie didn't know what to do, she just sat there awkwardly, playing with the material of her dress

"I can't let him do this, it's to much" Stevie said quietly

Checking the bathroom door she got up and snuck to the door that would let her from the bedroom, she had to leave...

Just as she was about to open the door see heard Lindsey speak from behind her

"What are you doing?" Lindsey called out

Stevie stopped dead in her tracks, "Leaving."

"Why?"

"I don't have a way to pay you back for anything-any of this."

"You think I care about that? Stephanie, I made a promise to take care of you and that's exactly what I intend to do. Now get your ass in that bathroom and let me help you."

Stevie looked at him for a second before walking towards him and engulfing him in a hug

"Thank you!" She said looking up into his face

"You are so welcome" Lindsey looked back at her and moved some hair from her face

It was the type of moment that would have led to a kiss, but Stevie couldn't bring herself to do it.

"I'm ready for that bath," she smiled softly.

"Of course, right this way."

Lindsey led her into the bathroom and helped her take of her stained, sticky dress. He had to refrain from gasping at the sight of Stevie's body, she was extremely skinny.

He could see her ribs and her bump looked like it had been attached because it didn't merge with any fat what so ever

"What?" She asked suddenly self conscious

"Steph, there's nothing to you...this isn't healthy"

"Lindsey, I couldn't afford to eat, what could I do?" She tried to cover herself but he took the dress away again

He traced her rib cage with the back of his fingers, rubbing his thumbs across her hip bones. "I'm going to take care of you." He told Stevie, looking into her eyes.

Stevie shivered at his touch, she had missed these intimate moments so much

"I can't ask you to do that?"

"But I want to" his whole hands on her hips now

"And what happens when she gets here? What then?" Looking down at her belly between them

"I'm not going to kick you out when she gets here or anything. It will be an adjustment....but I think we can do it," Lindsey kissed her forehead and helped her ease down into the tub.

He lathered up a wash cloth and began to wash away the coffee from earlier, then working on her arms.

Getting her to lean back a little he poured water over her hair, once it was wet he squirted some shampoo onto his hand and rubbed it well into Stevie's locks

"How's that?" He asked

"So nice!" She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of the hot water running over her head

"I'm going to pamper you," Lindsey told her, rinsing the shampoo out of her hair.

One she was all clean he grabbed a towel that he had warmed and wrapped it around after helping her stand.

"I'll go find something for you to wear."

Lindsey came back in with one of his longer t shirts, he dried her off and removed the towel

"Lift" Stevie raised her arms and Lindsey pulled the shirt over her head and pulled it down

"It's a little short isn't it?" Stevie asked trying to pull it down

"Hey, it's not my fault there's a baby in the way pulling it up" he joked

"It'll work just fine," She giggled, being cut off by a yawn.

"I'm not being mean, but you aren't allowed to sleep until you get some food in you."

"But I'm so tired!" She yawned again

"Nope! Food first, then sleep, come on" taking her hand he lead her through his apartment to the kitchen, making her sit on a bar stool

"What do you fancy?"

"Right now, anything," Stevie replied honestly.

"I don't have a gourmet meal or anything prepared so a few sandwiches will have to do I'm afraid," Lindsey said

"That's perfect."

Lindsey got to work fixing Stevie a sandwich, he remembered she loved Jelly sandwiches, so he prepared her a few of those, and placed them in front of her

"Mmm" Stevie said after a mouthful, enjoying the taste of food after a fast

Lindsey sat with his head on his fist simply staring at the woman in front of him

"What?" Stevie noticed him staring, suddenly feeling self conscious.

"I've missed you." He said simply.

"I missed you too, Lindsey," she reached across the table and took his hand in hers.

Having already gulped down her sandwich, Stevie got up from the seat and walked round to Lindsey, wrapping her arm around his shoulder and placing her head on top of his

"Let's get you in bed. I would imagine you haven't had a good sleep in a while," he stood up and took her hand, leading her into the bedroom.

"Thank you, Linds, but I can take the couch."

"No, I want you comfortable tonight! You can sleep in the bed! I'll take the couch" he insisted

"Thank you!" She sat down in the bed and Lindsey pulled the covers up, tucking them under her chin

"If you need anything at all, you call me okay?" He kissed her head then went to leave the room

"Lindsey?" She spoke up, causing him to turn

"Yes?"

"Will you hold me?"

Lindsey thought for a minuet before speaking

"Steph I'm not sure that's a good idea"

"Why?" She asked a little hurt

"I just don't feel comfortable with that, I'm sorry," he sighed

Stevie turned her back to him, "Goodnight."

"Night."

Lindsey walked out the room and sat down on his couch, leaning his head back against it he though whether rejecting her plea to hold her was heartless...after all she had been alone on the streets for months with no one

He felt down right guilty about it, causing him to stand up and head back in to the bedroom.

He wordlessly climbed into bed and pressed his front into Stevie's back.

"I'm sorry," he kissed her shoulder

"Linds?" Stevie mumbled after falling asleep within seconds

"Mmhmm" he wrapped his arms tighter around her

"Thank you!" She said moving as close to his back as she could

"You're welcome." He closed his eyes, tears welling as he felt every bone. "I'll take care of you." He whispered

"Us...take care of us..." she mumbled sleepily

"Both of you, I know" Lindsey stopped talking before he completely lost it in his emotions

It wasn't long before he heard the woman in his arms breathing softly, she was finally at peace and asleep

"I love you so much, Stephanie," Finally letting the tears fall from having his love safe in his arms again.

Authors Note: I love all of the positive feedback from you guys!! Uber thank you to my cowriter Laceandpaperflowers