"...and they lived happily ever after," Stevie closed the old book of fairytales, her babies were tucked tightly in on each side of her.
She kissed each of their heads and smiled.
"Mama, how come daddy spent all day in the studio?"

"He's just worried about mommy, it'll be alright," she replied to Lee, stroking her hair out of her face. Lee-lee frowned. "Why is he worried? Are you alright?"
Stevie swallowed nervously and nodded. "Yes sweetie I'm perfectly fine."

"You'd tell us, right?" Will made his concern known. Stevie strained to smile. "Of course." She hated lying. Absolutely hated it. But it wasn't their place to worry about this. "We love you, mommy," Leelee smiled, draping her arm over Stevie's middle. She hugged both of them tighter to her, as close as physically possible. "I love you too guys, so much."

"Mommy-" will tapped her arm "I can't breathe." They all laughed and she relinquished her grip a tiny bit. "Sorry babies," Stevie smiled, "hey, why don't you guys go get daddy and see if he wants to play a board game?" They nodded enthusiastically and ran out. "We'll be right back!" She smiled when she heard the pitter patter of their little feet trotting down the hall to fetch their father.

Stevie racked her brain for something to do with the children, she felt terrible that they had to stay cooped up in the bedroom if they wanted to spend time with her.

She was still wrapped up in her thoughts when the kids came running back into the room and jumped on the bed, and startled her. "Oh my goodness you two scared me! Where's daddy?"
Will looked down as if he had failed at some great mission. "He said he didn't feel like playing.."

"That's perfectly alright, my little prince. Would you like to help me make cookies?" She bopped him on the nose. His face immediately lit up. "Yay!!"

"Come on you two-just let mommy get up," Stevie eased to the edge of the bed. Will looked a little concerned considering she'd been in bed for an ample amount of time. "Are you supposed to get up mommy?"

"No, but just don't tell Daddy,"  Stevie smiled and pushed herself up, a little weak from not walking in days. They nodded and held her hands into the kitchen.

"What kind've cookies are we gonna make?" Lee asked. "Well, what kind would you guys like?" She shrugged.
"Chocolate!" They yelled in unison.

"Shhh, okay! Chocolate it is!" Stevie giggled. She really hoped they could be quiet enough for this as she quickly grabbed all the ingredients they would need. "Okay! Will, will you get me a stool so I can sit?" She pointed toward it. "Yes mam!"
She smiled at his gentleman manner and thanked him after he'd pulled the stool over to her.

Stevie hopped up on it, "Thank you my sweet boy," she kissed his head. He blushed and both the kids sat up on the counter to help her.

"Lee, can you crack the eggs?" Stevie handed her the carton. "Of course I can! I'm a big girl mommy! Watch!" She quickly picked up an egg and cracked the yoke into the bowl. Stevie clapped excitedly, "Yay!!! Great job sweetie! I'm so proud of you!"

"What can I do mommy?!" Will asked excitedly. "You wanna mix the ingredients now that they're all in the bowl?"

"Okay," he nodded, grabbing a spoon and sticking it in the bowl. She watched him quietly and grinned at how content he seemed. "Having fun?" She smiled, stroking his brown curls. He looked up at her and smiled. "I love you." He hugged her side after he was done mixing the dough. "I love you too mommy."
She almost cried, she started to actually wonder if Lindsey was right-she already had so much, could she really risk it? Risk her precious little babies for another that she may not even be able to have? Stevie eased off of the stool and kneeled in front of them, "You two are the most important things in my life, please do not forget that. I love you both so much," she pulled them into her arms and kissed them each.

Will and LeeLee held onto their mother tight. Deep down they could tell something was wrong with her but they hadn't a clue what, and on top of that she had told them everything was fine-why would she lie?
"I love you too mommy." LeeLee answered before she went back to take a bite from the cookie dough. Will pulled back a second to look his mother in the eye. "I love you too."
She smiled and then slowly stood up to her feet, while Will then went to grab a bite from the dough himself.

As soon as she was on her feet....her eyes met Lindsey's... She wasn't even totally sure how to describe the look on his face but it frightened her.

"Come join us, Daddy!" Lee ran up to him, holding out her arms to be held. Thank God for her, it saved Stevie from a major lecture....for the moment.

He bit his lip and made brief eye contact with Stevie before turning to LeeLee. "Sure thing sweetheart."

"Almost ready to go in the oven, we just need to put them on a tray," Stevie told him, ignoring the fact that a good chunk of it had already been consumed.

He nodded then turned to Will, "Hey buddy, why don't you and Lee spoon these onto the cookie tray while me and mommy go talk for a minute? Then I'll come back and put them in the oven."

"Make sure you spread them out evenly when you put them on the tray!" Stevie called over her shoulder as Lindsey pulled her into the living room. She tried to prepare herself once they were out of the children's sight. She shut the door behind them once they were in the living room.

"What the hell is wrong with you?! Are you trying to die?!" He waved his arms around and tried to keep his voice down.

"I was trying to keep our children occupied while you shut yourself up in the studio. I tried to see if you wanted to play a game so we both could spend time with them, that way I wouldn't have to get up. But no, you didn't want to. So, I took them to make cookies; I don't want them being cooped up in the bedroom all day so they can play with me. I could barely get them to stay still when I first started reading to them. Please don't ruin this, Lindsey, it means a lot to all three of us. And plus, I'm sitting down," she argued, keeping her cool.

"I don't care if you are sitting down! You are on BED REST! And this is not my fault-" she glared at him. "Oh so it's my fault??" She asked, he shook his head. "That's not what I said!" Lindsey defended.
"Yeah well it sure sounded like it!" He ran his hands through his hair. "Stephanie! Stop! Please just THINK for a second!" She snapped at him. "I'm tired of thinking! That's all I do all damn day Lindsey and with what's going on right now it's hard," she was starting to cry, "It's really hard." He stepped forward and took her into his arms. "Shh, I know. I know. I'm sorry... and...we can finish the cookies, but this is it Stevie. You are on bed rest, and I need you to be as safe as possible. Okay?" He felt her nod and nuzzle her head in the crook of his neck.

"I'm going to the bathroom to freshen up, go watch the kids. And DON'T put the cookies in the over by yourself, wait for me," she said as if she were talking to Will or Leelee. He nodded reluctantly. "Alright." Stevie disappeared into the bathroom down the hall and Lindsey made his way back in the kitchen to supervise the kids.

"Lee! That's too big!" Will shouted, trying to help his little sister. "No it's not!" But of course, Lee was not having any of that.
Lindsey laughed a little and then stepped in between the two to stop this argument before it escalated.

"Maybe we could break it down a little bit, the smaller they are, the more that will fit on here...which mean more cookies!" Lindsey say excitedly.
Lee thought for a moment then nodded and made the blob of dough smaller.

"Thank you," Lindsey kissed her head, "those look great you two!" He praised them; Stevie was watching from the door way, she loved watching her husband interacting with the kids. He took the tray in his hand and began to open the oven and Stevie cleared her throat. He froze and turned to face her. "Oh, Stevie-I was just waiting for you so we could put the cookies in the oven!" She gave him a look. "Mhmm."

Stevie walked over to him and took the tray from him, holding it in one hand while bending down to open the oven door with the other. She felt a slight discomfort when she bent down and winced. This did not go unnoticed by Lindsey but he wasn't about to bring it up in front of the kids.
After she placed the cookies in the oven she set the timer for twenty minutes and set the kids up with a cartoon in the play room. "Alright guys when the timer goes off come get me and daddy." They nodded and continued to watch their show as Lindsey and Stevie went off towards their bedroom.

She eased down on the bed and carefully swung her lungs up on to it. "Go ahead, say 'I told you so'," she sighed. He nodded as he sat down beside her. "Alright, I told you so."

"Shut up," she glared at him, pouting and crossing her arms. He chuckled a little and turned to lay on his stomach as he draped his arm across her waist. "Are you okay? I saw you when you put the cookies in the oven."

"I just felt a little twinge, it's gone now. I'm just tired from not being out of bed in a while," she looked down at him, playing with his curls. He nodded. "You sure? Cause if you even just suspect it could be more than that we can go to the hospital."
She laughed a little. "Lindsey, if I thought something was wrong I would tell you."

"I know, but I have to make sure that you are taken care of properly. I don't want anything to happen," he started smiling, "Oh, and by the way, if you thought I was paranoid during your other two pregnancies, just you wait." She giggled. "Oh believe me I already know!nBut thank you. I do appreciate how much you care-it means the world to me that you're willing to stand by me through this."

"Who do you think I am, of course I wouldn't leave you. I just have to come to terms with possible outcomes of this one. I don't mean to distance myself," he rubbed her arm. She nodded. "I know, I know you don't mean to. You just need your space sometimes and I respect that. I understand. It's just a little confusing to the kids."

"I'm trying, i just don't realize that I distance myself sometimes. Like today when they came to ask about he game, I didn't even pay attention to what was being said," Lindsey sighed. She shook her head. "See, I'm not sure how to explain that to them...."
"I'm sorry."
"I know."
There was a moment where time seemed to stop and he just laid there looking up at her and then she leaned down and kissed him.  He sat up on his elbows and met her lips, bringing one hand up to cup her cheek. Stevie leaned as far as she could but eventually she couldn't anymore and he had to sit up to bring them closer. She felt Lindsey chuckle against her lips and pull her into his arms, hoping that the kids wouldn't barge into their room. She pulled back a second to catch her breath and spoke, "How long do you think we have?"
"Till that timer goes off." He shrugged. "Good," she smiled and pulled him closer to her. Just then she thought about something and pulled back from him once more-this time creating more distance between them. "Wait. Lindsey... What if.... I don't know if I can.."

"Oh, right," scratching the back of his head. "That's alright, we have to keep you two safe," he nodded. She shook her head. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have started that..." He tried to play it off. "Stevie, really, it's fine."
"I'll call the doctor tomorrow and ask."

"No, don't worry about it," knowing she was quite private about their sex life. "We'll live." She smiled and took his hand. "Thank you Lindsey."

"It's no problem," he kissed her knuckles and grinned at her. "I love you." She grinned right back at him. "I love you too"

They both jumped when the kids came running into their room, "The cookies are ready!" Lee jumped on the bed, followed by Will. Stevie laughed and started to get out of bed when Lindsey grabbed her wrist. "Stevie, sit this part out? Please? We can bring the cookies up here?" He could tell that she was disappointed by this part, but reluctantly agreed to stay in bed. "Okay."

The kids drug Lindsey into the kitchen and went to open the oven by themselves with out oven mitts to protect their little hands. Luckily, Lindsey stopped them and told them to stand back while he handles the dangerous part. He grabbed the tray carefully from the oven and sat it down on top of the stove.

"Okay kiddos get two cookies each and then get two for mommy."

"Can we get two for the baby as well?" Will asked, inspecting the cookies to see which ones would be perfect for his mother. Lindsey laughed, but cherished the sweet demeanor of his little boy. "That's very sweet Will but I don't think mommy can eat all those cookies but maybe three would be okay."

"Okay," he smiled, getting his caring nature from Stevie. Will always made sure that everyone was taken care of, especially his mother.

Lindsey watched him go over each cookie until he found the perfect three.

The three of them then made their way up the stairs and into Stevie and Lindsey's bedroom to deliver their mother her cookies and to eat theirs as well.

"Did they turn out well?" Stevie sat up in bed. "They're perfect. You guys did great." Lindsey sat down beside her and the kids gathered around them. "We got you some cookies mommy!"

"Thank you," Stevie smiled as Will passed her the napkin filled with cookies. She took a bite as they all awaited her approval. "Mm, you guys did amazing! These are delicious!" Stevie praised, seeing their babies faces light up at her approval. She hugged them tight, "Okay y'all finish your cookies and then you need to get to bed!"

"Can we sleep with you tonight?" Lee asked, cookies crumbs tumbling out of her mouth. Stevie looked up to Lindsey for an answer "I don't see where that's a problem, come on, I'll go help you change into your pjs," he hopped off the bed and scooped Will and Leelee into his arms. They headed off to change while Stevie finished her cookies.

In all honesty, the cookies weren't that bad. The noticed that she got three and Will and Lee only got two each. It would melt her heart if she knew that they thought of the baby too when bringing her the cookies. She smiled and waited until she heard their footsteps coming toward the room.

"Mommy, are you sleepy?" Will asked as he climbed up on her side of the bed. "A little bit. Are you?" She stroked his head as he and Lee snuggled between herself and Lindsey. "Nope! But I'll lay with you guys til I am!"

"Thank you my sweet boy," she smiled and pulled the blanket over him. Lindsey turned the lamp off and settled himself in the bed.

"Love you," Stevie yawned. "Love you too." Lindsey reached over the kids and kissed her forehead. "Ew," Lee grimaced as they kissed again right over her face, they both laughed and Will giggled. "Sorry, baby," Stevie pulled both of them closer to her. She kissed their heads and Lindsey snuck his arm around all of them the best he could.

He couldn't imagine what it would be like if something unfortunate did happen with this pregnancy. Lindsey knew that he wouldn't be able to carry on and take care of the kids properly. He really didn't think he could. He knew he would NOT be a fit father if something happened to Stevie. He hugged all of them as close as he could.

"Daddy you're hurting me," Lee patted his face in the dark. Lindsey chuckled, "Sorry honey."

"It's okay," she kissed his nose, snuggling closer to him. Stevie smiled and patted Lindsey's hand in the dark.

He felt all three of them relax, chuckling when he heard Stevie snoring, wondering how Will was sleeping through it. Eventually all of them drifted off.

Lindsey woke up the next morning with no blanket or pillow, Lee had stolen it and used it in place of her stuffed animal and own pillow. Will, Lee, and Stevie were cocooned in the blanket, tightly snuggled together, He shook his head and held back a laugh.

Leelee's head was buried in Stevie's neck with Will's leg sticking out of the blanket, draped over both of them. Stevie's arms were around both of them, her hair appearing as if she had stuck her finger in an electrical socket. He carefully got up and went downstairs to start some breakfast. Lindsey struggled to remember what Stevie had taught him about cooking breakfast. Still being frightened of the popping grease from the bacon. He started up the bacon cautiously and then attempted to make pancake batter.

Stevie had written all of the instructions to breakfast and dinner on sheets of paper when she was put on bed rest so he could put them on the refrigerator, that way he couldn't, hopefully, poison anyone. He tried to get it done rather quickly to avoid anyone waking up. But he wasn't that lucky. As soon as he turned away from the counter he saw Will standing in the doorway rubbing his eyes.

"Shh, hey buddy, are you the only one up?" Lindsey asked softly. He nodded as he sleepily walked over and stood beside Lindsey at the counter.

Lindsey lifted him up to sit on the counter and kissed his head, "Any chance you know what to do?" Gesturing toward the stove. Will bit his lip and shook his head. "No.... But I can flip the pancakes!" Lindsey shushed him and then laughed quietly. "Well if we ever get to that point then you can help flip them."

"Do I need to go get mommy?" Will asked, seeing his father struggle. "No no Will we can do this. We're gonna have to learn sometime. I was trying to bring mommy a surprise breakfast in bed."

"Well I'll make sure she gets it," he stared confidently. Lindsey smiled. "That's my boy!"

"I'll get the tray ready," Will said. "Alright-I'll turn on the burner and put on the skillet."

"Deal," he nodded and went to work. They were a little loud despite trying to keep it quiet.

Finally Lindsey got everything under control and helped Will set the food up neatly on the tray, "Tip-toe," he whispered, and together they made their way upstairs to the bedroom.

Lindsey slowly opened the door to the bedroom, "Wakey, wakey," he smiled. Neither of the girls budged.
"Like mother like daughter.." He mumbled quietly and then Will shouted. "Hey! Wake up mama! Wake up Lee!" Stevie bolted straight up and Lindsey almost felt bad until she broke out into a wide grin. "Good morning!" He walked over to her and say the tray on her lap. "I tried my best."

She looked at him sleepily and tried to smile but it turned into a yawn. "Good morning, oh boys this looks absolutely amazing!" LeeLee sat up and scooted beside her mother and started to pout. "Hey! Where's my breakfast??"
Will quickly pulled out two little pancakes that he and Lindsey had been sure to set aside for Lee. "Here ya go sissy.

"Thanks," she smiled and tucked into her food. "Lindsey you did all of this yourself?" Stevie gasped. "Well.." He started his sentence but never got to finish.
"I helped him mommy!" Yelled Will. "That's my big boy!" Stevie smiled, kissing both her guys on the cheek, then trying to sneak a kiss to Lindsey's lips but the kids caught it. "Ewwwww"

"You guys are ew," Lindsey grimaced. They all laughed and Stevie shook her head. "I love on you the same way? What's wrong with kissing daddy?"

"It's just gross," Lee stated, Lindsey chuckled and Stevie just took another bite of her food.  "Is it good?" He asked, she nodded and looked up at him thoughtfully. "Finally! Success!" She giggled and hugged his side.

"How are you feeling?" He kissed the top of her head. "Alright. A little sleepy but..well rested."

"Are you okay from the little episode yesterday? Any soreness,pain?" He worried, she nodded and cut her eyes at him as to gesture towards the kids and mouthed the words 'later'.

She could see Lindsey visibly wince, forgetting their rule of mentioning Stevie's condition around the kids. She rubbed his arm to let him know it was alright and he just held her hand.

"I love you, baby."

"I love you too."