Stevie woke up at four in the morning, she had fallen asleep in bed, she hadn't heard Lindsey return last night, and he wasn't next to her

Standing up, she walked downstairs after checking on the kids

Flicking the kettle switch on she decided to make herself some tea

She rubbed her bump as she stared aimlessly at the backyard, deep in thought

She heard the click of the front door and closed her eyes

"Honey, is that you?" Stevie asked

"Yep..." she heard him slur

"You're drunk," Stevie said, it wasn't a question, it was a statement

"One point to Stephanie"

"You don't have to be an asshole."

"You don't have to be a bitch" he shrugged and she turned round

"I wasn't!"

"Right, sure..." he rolled his eyes

"Go sober up before the kids wake up."

"I think I'll have some more whiskey"

"Lindsey, please. I'm not in the mood," she held her head

"Are you ever" he went to the cupboard

"Lindsey, I'm begging you."

"Geez! I'm getting some food"

"Fine."

"I'm going to go see my kids" he said

"Okay."

Stumbling up the stairs he walked into the kids room

Evie was sitting up in bed looking very sick

"Baby?" Lindsey asked

"Daddy, I don't feel well."

"Why baby? What's wrong?"

"I feel like I'm gonna be sick."

Lindsey lifted her up and took her to the bathroom

She threw up right as they made it to the toilet

"Shhh...it's alright baby..." he rubbed her back as she held his hand

She began to cry softly. Lindsey grabbed a wash cloth and wiped her mouth

Evie began to choke on something that had gotten stuck at the back of her mouth, Lindsey doing the only thing he could think of and trying to get it out with his fingers

"What the hell are you doing to my daughter?!" Stevie yelled

"She's choking!" Lindsey replied

Lindsey grabbed what was stuck, Evie stopped choking and Stevie snatched her up

"Careful! She's sick!"

"Get away from her, go away!" She held Evie close to her

"Mommy, stop," Evie whimpered

"What?" She asked

"Daddy was helping."

"I've got you now" Stevie said making sure she was okay

"What about the baby?"

"What?" Stevie asked

"You'll get sick."

"I'll be fine sweetheart, I can look after you without daddy's help"

"Daddy isn't helping?"

"No baby, I can do it" Evie stared at Lindsey

Evie nodded, not feeling like arguing

Evie yawned and asked to be put back into bed, Stevie doing so, tucking her in

"I love you, mommy."

"I love you too Evie"

Lindsey walked over and kissed Evie's head

"I love you baby!"

"Will you read to me?"

"Can I read to her?" He asked Stevie

"If that's what she wants."

Lindsey sat in the rocking chair by the bed, opening a book and starting to read to his daughter, he only got two pages in before she was fast asleep

Lindsey closed the book and placed it on the nightstand. Lindsey stood and kissed Evie on her head.

Walking out the door he pulled it to, Stevie standing in the hallway

"She's asleep."

"Good..."

"When she wakes up Ill bring her some medicine."

"It's fine Lindsey, I can do it"

"Why won't you let me help her?"

"Because I can manage!" She told him

"I feel like you don't want me near her."

"I...I don't..." she told him truthfully

"Why?"

"Because you are a fucking drunk!"

"I've sobered up!"

"Yeah, until when hmm? The next time we have a small disagreement, then you get drunk and nasty again?"

"I hurt you!"

"Big woohoo, you've done that all your life! Open your eyes Lindsey!"

"Then why don't I just leave you here? You can hide and I'll leave. Just let me help when the baby gets here."

"Because you have my son!"

"You can look after him, I'll send money."

"Oh, so you can really just leave without him? You'd want him soon enough, he's all you have left of Jen!"

"Jesus Christ, woman! What do you want me to do?!"

"You know what? Fuck you!"

"Great answer!"

"You need help! You drink to much!"

"I barely drink!"

"Yes you do! I've seen you drunk so much recently!" She argued

Lindsey threw up his hands, "Have you ever thought that I might be just a tad bit stressed?!"

"We're all stressed Lindsey!"

"The police are looking for me! Do you not get that?!"

"You don't know that!"

"I broke you out of the facility!"

"Then take me back..."

"You know that I won't...."

"Why? We can't live in hiding, and this isn't healthy for you..."

"I won't lose you or the baby to whatever the hell they are going to do to you!"

"Can you answer me a question? As honest as you can?"

"Yes."

"If I wasn't pregnant with your child, would you have still got me out? Are you with me for any other reason other than that you knocked me up?"

"Of course I would gave gotten you out! I'm in love with you!"

"Take me back Lindsey?" She asked

"No. Completely out of the question." Lindsey shook his head

"Why? I can't put you through this anymore"

"I'd go through this for the rest of my life if it meant keeping you out of there."

"You are going to drink yourself to death because of it!"

"I'll quit drinking."

"I can't believe that" she shook her head

"I don't want you to feel like a burden. So I'll stop drinking."

"I'll believe you, when I see it. Now I need sleep"

Lindsey nodded his head sadly, checking on Evie and David once more before retreating to the couch

Stevie went back to her room and fell into a restless sleep

She dreamt of Lindsey leaving her and taking David to escape his constant heartbreak and stress that came with loving her

Waking with a start she ran to check on David, who wasn't in his crib

Panic struck her as she raced downstairs, finding him asleep on Lindsey

Calming down quickly she couldn't bring herself to disturb them, so she took herself back off to bed, finally sleeping properly knowing they were still here

The next morning she was awoken by David placing his tiny hand on her cheek

"Well hello there my darling boy..." she smiled down at him

David broke out into a toothless smile, kicking and gurgling happily at her

"Yes! Mommy is happy to see you too!"

The smell of breakfast got her attention

Lifting him up and putting him on her hip, she walked downstairs to locate the smell

Lindsey was carefully watching the food cook on the stove, not wanting to ruin her breakfast

Flipping the bacon over, he popped the toast down on the toaster, filling a glass with orange juice

Once everything met his standards he went to wake Evie, noticing that Stevie had been watching him the whole time

"Shit! How long have you been there?" He asked obviously nervous

"Long enough," she replied simply

"I know it's not a lot to eat, but it's enough for you and Evie," he explained nervously

"Don't you need something to?"

"I think there's enough bread left for a ham sandwich."

One thing she could always count on with Lindsey that when it came to being healthy, he was never selfish, he would always feed them before himself

"Have a seat, I'm going to get Evie."

He walked to the kitchen door then back tracked to the table

"I'm sorry, I forgot, could you go and get Evie please?" He asked her taking David

Stevie nodded, standing and disappearing around the corner

Minutes later Evie came into the kitchen, hugging Lindsey's leg, but he didn't quite hug her back

"Are you feeling better?" He asked

"Yes thank you daddy...up..." she reached her arms up

"I'm busy at the moment Evie, go to mommy"

"Daddy is feeding David," Stevie explained as she lifted Evie

Evie just nodded sadly, looking back over her shoulder at Lindsey

"Daddy cooked breakfast!"

"Yay, I'm hungry...daddy sit next to me" she patted the chair

"I need to go and bath David, he missed his last night"

"Okay..." she said sadly. After Lindsey had left, Evie turned to Stevie, "Why doesn't Daddy love me?"

"He does baby" Stevie stroked her hair

"Then why won't he stay around me?"

"I...because I told him he wasn't allowed to"

"Why?"

"Because I'm worried he's going to hurt you"

"Is Daddy a bad man? Like Jimmy?"

"No baby...nothing like Jimmy, I just don't trust him right now"

"Then I won't trust him either."

"You can't tell him that though Evie"

"I won't."

"You still want to call him daddy? Or is Lindsey more comfortable?"

"Lindsey."

"Okay sweetheart"

Neither of them knew that Lindsey was listening through the door

Tears streamed down his face as he listened. Finally making his presence known.

"I'll get some plates for you to eat on." He said casually, not wanting to start a fuss

"Thank you" Stevie said

Lindsey walked over to Evie, placing a plate down in front of her

"Everything alright kido?"

"Yes." She said curtly

"Baby?" He crouched down to her level

"What."

"It doesn't matter" he got up before either of them could see his tears fall, he was almost out the door when he heard Evie whisper

"Mommy, can we move away from Lindsey?"

"No, baby. Mommy doesn't have money and we can't leave David." Stevie explained

"We can take David with us"

"No, baby."

"Is he my real my daddy?" She asked

"Yes."

Lindsey breathed relief, he didn't want Evie to hate him anymore than she already did

Lindsey composed himself and returned. "Breakfast is served!" He tried to be cheerful, placing their food on the plates

Stevie thought he looked a little strange but she didn't say anything

With David on his hip he made a bottle up for him

"Let's eat, bud!" Lindsey cooed as he sat at the table

"Can I do it?" Stevie asked

"No, I've got him"

"I want to," Stevie replied

Lindsey stood up with David

"Here you go buddy, Auntie Stevie is going to feed you" Lindsey said handing him over

"Auntie Stevie?"

"It's only fair" Lindsey said

"Only fair? What the hell are you talking about?"

"I heard everything Stevie..."

"I mean what do I have to do to earn your love? Why should I stick around if you treat me like shit? Yes, considering you are carrying my baby I should stay, but I'm getting really tired of this bullshit."

"Lindsey, leave her alone!" Evie yelled

Closing his eyes he mentally counted to ten. Stevie could see him physically trembling

"Linds...?" She stood up worried

"I can't do this anymore," shaking his head

"What does that mean?"

"You turned my own daughter against me! After everything I've done for her since you we're pregnant with her, and you turn her against me? How could you do that to me..."

"Lindsey..."

"After everything I've done for you...you still hate me."

"Go away Lindsey!" He felt Evie push at his hips

Tossing David's bottle on the table he stormed out

"Evie!" Stevie scolded

"He was mean!"

Stevie told Evie to stay put as she chased after Lindsey

She saw him walking down the driveway, seeming extremely tense

"Lindsey, where are you going?"

"Don't know, don't care."

"Come back inside" she walked over to him, still with David

"Not now."

"Lindsey please, I'm sorry about Evie"

"I need to be alone right now." He didn't look at her

"Are you going to drink?"

"No, Stephanie, I am not going to drink."

"Are you going to go sleep with someone else?" He turned around and looked at her after that question

"You think I'd do that?"

Stevie shrugged, moving David to the other hip

Lindsey simply shook his head as he turned and continued walking

"Lindsey please..."

"Go back inside." His voice was cold

"No Lindsey!" She walked after him

"Stevie, leave me alone!" He turned abruptly to face her

"I don't want to" she got closer to him

Lindsey rolled his eyes, "I just want to be alone."

"Fine, don't bother coming back!" She said turning around

"Give me my son then"

"David isn't going anywhere with you."

"Why not?"

"He's not safe."

She hadn't ever seen so much hurt cross his face before

"Stevie...I'm not happy with you anymore..." he said sadly

"I'm sorry you feel that way"

"What hurts me the most, is you were in a mental hospital, and I never once said that my kids weren't safe with you"

"Yes, well that's over now."

"And so are we."

Lindsey turned and walked out the driveway, walking around aimlessly

Late that night he was strolling through town when a police car passed him, turning around and flashing their lights

He debated on running, but if they wanted him it would only make it worse

They pulled over in front of him and got out, "Lindsey Buckingham?"

"Yes."

"You need to come with us."

Lindsey got into the car without a fight, deciding to go willingly

Once at the police station he was taken in for questioning

"Where is Ms. Nicks?"

"She's safe" Lindsey said simply

"You need to tell us where she's hiding."

"Why? They were hurting her..."

"Who was hurting her?"

"The doctors at the facility"

"In what way?"

"They gave her electroshock therapy, when they knew full well she was pregnant, we almost lost the baby!"

"Mr. Buckingham, we need to know where she is."

He thought for a moment before sighing

"I'll take you to her..."

Lindsey felt like he was betraying Stevie by doing this

Within the hour he was back at the cabin and walking through the door

Stevie was sitting on the living room floor playing with David and Evie

She heard the door open

"Lindsey, did you come home?" She shouted

"Stevie, don't freak out," Lindsey walked in, followed by two policemen

"Lindsey..." she picked David up and held him close

"Steph, we need to go with them."

"No! Why would you do this to me?" She cried

"They found me..."

"Why did you tell them where I was?" She was sobbing now

"I think they're going to help us get out of this. We need to tell them what that place did to you."

Stevie looked at the policemen waiting for them to say something

"Please come with us."

"Are you sending me back?"

"Not if you tell us everything that happened."

Stevie nodded and got up from the floor

"Can I bring my kids?"

"Of course," the officer nodded. Lindsey picked up Evie

Evie started to wriggle

"Evie, stop right now!"

Staying completely still her lip trembled

Lindsey did the only thing he could and tried to hug her close

They were taken to the station and taken down for custody

Stevie wouldn't say a word to Lindsey, only asking for him to let Evie go

"Then give me David."

"He's fine with me" Stevie said plainly

"And Evie is fine with me."

"She obviously doesn't want to be held by you, look at her!"

"She'll be fine!"

"Fine...whatever" Stevie snarled

Stevie was taken back for questioning.

"Ms. Nicks, we have been building a case against your facility. We need your statement to finally shut them down."

"Okay... well ask what ever you want and I'll answer! I hate that place"

"What treatments did you undergo?"

"Electroshock therapy, and ice baths mostly"

"Was that for all patients?"

"I don't know, I was kept in isolation..."

"What were you given to eat?"

"Yogurt" she said shyly

"How many times a day?"

"Once, sometimes none..."

"But never more than once?"

"No never, I used to ask for more because of the baby"

"Did they ever acknowledge the baby?"

"No...I was the patient, not the baby"

"Was there ever any concern for the child?"

"I mentioned them, but was told I shouldn't be a mother so it would be better if they..." Stevie cried

"What were they going to do when you gave birth?"

"They made me sign papers to put them up for adoption"

"Were you given a choice?"

"They basically told me it was that or I wouldn't give birth at all...they tried to get my ex boyfriend to sign too"

"I know that this is painful to talk about, Ms. Nicks. But we have reports of inappropriate touching between staff and patients...did any of this occur with you?"

Stevie just looked down and nodded

"Will you please tell us what happened?"

"I...I need Lindsey..."

"We'll get him for you."

Moments later Lindsey walked into the room, not entirely sure what was going on

He sat next to her, grabbing her hand

"What am I in here for?" Lindsey asked

"I need you to be here with me..." Stevie told him

Stevie looked at the policeman to let him know to continue with his questions

"Will you tell me what happened?"

"When they would get my washed in a morning, it would always be a male, and he would always grope my breasts..."

She saw him write something down on paper, "Continue..."

"Sometimes when I was sleeping he would put his hand...down there..."

"Did it ever continue further than that?"

"He used to make me touch him, whilst he was touching me"

"Did it ever result in intercourse?"

"Almost once..."

"What did he say to make you do that?"

"I don't understand that question?"

"Was it consensual? If not, how did he threaten you?"

"You seriously think I would want that?" She was shocked

"I don't mean to offend you, I had to ask."

"I was tied to a bed all day every day, I couldn't have stopped him"

"Did he ever say anything to you?"

"Like what?"

"Threats, his name, anything at all?"

"I didn't know his name, but he said if I ever told anyone what he did, that he would hurt my baby...and tell Lindsey I was a whore"

"Would you be able to identify him?"

"Yeah. I think so" Stevie said

"Are you willing to testify in court?"

"No...I can't...I'm scared..."

"I think that we can cut a deal here. Neither one of you serves jail time if you testify."

"What if I don't?" Stevie asked

"Then it will be much more difficult to cut a deal."

"Are you saying if she doesn't testify in court then we will both go to prison?" Lindsey asked

"I don't make the rules. But our DA is willing to get you a deal under those circumstances."

"Can just one of us go?" Lindsey questioned

"To prison?"

"Yes?"

"I will get in touch with the DA."

"Thank you, I'm willing to go if it means Stephanie doesn't have to testify"

"You may have to carry both of your sentences."

"As an estimate, how long would that be?"

"I'm not completely sure."

"It doesn't matter, just give me a rough time, I know you know..."

"At least two years."

"Shit...alright thank you" he looked at Stevie who was just staring at him

"That depends on the judge's stance in this."

"I understand that completely"

Stevie closed her eyes, "I can't do this."

"Can't do what?"

"Let you go to jail for me."

"We aren't together anymore, you don't get a choice, I'm doing it"

"I'll testify."

"No you won't! I won't let you go through that, I told you I would always protect you"

"We aren't together anymore, you don't get a choice." She quoted him

"Don't you dare to that!"

"I'm going to testify."

"Fine!" He sighed

"We will issue you a court date. You may go home."

"Ms Nicks, are you okay going home with Mr Buckingham? Or would you like us to hold him here for the night?"

"I'll be alright."

The family were driven back to the cabin, where Lindsey walked straight through and outside, plonking down on the grass

Stevie went up to the bedroom and laid the kids down, returning downstairs to start dinner

She looked through the window and saw Lindsey was looking at something he was holding

Her curiosity got the best of her and she walked outside to see what he was holding

When she got closer she realised he was holding the sonogram she had given to him

"Lindsey?"

He quickly shoved it back in his pocket

"Hmm?"

Stevie kneeled beside him and pulled it back out of his pocket, "What's up with this?" She asked gently

"I was just looking at it..." he tried to take it back, worried she would bend it

"We never really talk about them..."

"I just...I just wanted to know where I went wrong in my life"

"You and me both."

"You are okay, you've got two kids that adore you and I know the third one will to, you've got parents who would do anything for you, nice house you can stay at"

"You could have all of that too."

"I thought I did at one stage" he brought his knees to his chest

"You still have it. We just have to change."

"I was going to ask you to marry me this weekend..." he ignored her

"Lindsey...."

"I found a lake when I was out the other night, I was going to take you and the kids there, and ask you to marry me, I had the ring ready"

"I didn't know...."

"Well now you do..." he shrugged

"I do..." Stevie nodded sadly. "I have something that I'd like to bring up."

"Okay, go ahead"

"What's going to happen to this baby? When this mess is over with I am moving back to Phoenix. Where does that leave you?"

"I'll send money, you won't ever struggle don't worry"

"I want full custody, you can visit on weekends."

"I won't fight that..."

"Well then it's settled," she shrugged and then stood, bending down and kissing his head, "Goodbye Lindsey."

"I have something to ask you..." he said taking her hand

"Yes?"

"Will you...will you have David?" His voice cracked with emotion

"Not if you don't want me to."

"I'm not a good dad, your right. I...I don't think I should have a child..." a tear rolled down his cheek

"You are an amazing father...sometimes your temper gets the best of you."

"Yeah well you certainly bring that out in me" he chuckled "You've just made me realise that those kids deserve more than me, David never really bonded with me no matter how I tried, and Evie...well my baby girl doesn't even want me anymore..."

"That might be partially my fault."

"Nothing is your fault, please don't think that"

"I turned her against you."

"She must have had it in her head to start with, I don't blame her"

Stevie nodded sadly, "You know I'll take good care of David."

"Yeah I know...you know, I really thought we were going to make it this time..."

"I did too, but we always find a way to fuck things up, don't we?" Stevie sighed, laying down on the grass next to him

"Unfortunately we do, yeah..." he laid down too and rolled her so she was on top of him, moving the hair from her face with his palm, then bringing her face forwards he kissed her slowly

Stevie slowly pulled back, "We can't," She shook her head, "Its too painful."

"I only wanted to kiss you..."

Stevie closed her eyes and brought her lips back down to his

He slowly brushed his tongue against hers and sighed softly

Cupping his face she moaned, rubbing herself against him out of habit

He moved his hands down to her backside, pulling her tighter against him just a little

Stevie broke the kiss once more, "I can't do that."

"What?" He asked holding her

"I don't want to start anything."

"Okay...I'm sorry..." he looked away

"It's alright, I'm not innocent either." Laying her head down on his chest

"I love you so much, I hope you know that"

"I love you too," Stevie closed her eyes, tears silently spilling out

"Will you take this?" She looked at him and he was holding a beautiful ring out to her

"Of course." She nodded

"You don't have to wear it or anything...it cost me everything I had..."

"I'll wear it."

She took it from him and slipped it on her finger, looking down at it

"It's gorgeous."

"I had it made for you" he told her

Stevie smiled softly, "You put a lot of thought into it."

"Well I wanted it to be perfect, like you" he smiled back

"You should know by now that I am far from perfect."

"You are to me, you always have been, ever since I was sixteen"

Crying softly she kissed him, "I'm so in love with you."

"The feeling is so mutual" he kissed her back