The nurseries were finished at both Stevie's house and Joe's, he spared no expense making sure that his baby had everything they wanted! Stevie had held out until now, just wanting to meet her baby.

Stevie sat on the couch, rubbing her aching back while the children were chased around by Lindsey, Will having made a quick recovery. A storm was raging outside, one of the worst that had been in California in a while. Roads were closed, phones not working, and the power was out.
She could hear Lee squeal as Lindsey tagged her in their game of tag hide and go seek
"Linds, I hate to break up your game, but could you come here for a second?" Stevie called out for him
He entered the room in seconds
"Yeah?"
"Today is my due date, do we have everything prepared to go? I just wanted to talk with tit before I forgot or didn't have a chance. I've been wanting to ask you, are you going to be in the delivery room with Joe and I?"
He hesitated for a moment.
"You won't hurt my feelings if you don't feel comfortable," Stevie took his hand in to both of her's.
He looked up at her timidly. "I don't know.."
"I don't want to pressure you but we don't have much time," Stevie rubbed her belly
He laughed a little, "yeah..."
Just then a bright flash of lightening followed by cracking thunder rang out, causing Will and Lee to glue themselves to their parents.
They both chuckled as both kids desperately tried to hide from nothing in particular
"It's okay," Stevie soothed, pulling the children closer to her as they snuggled into her sides.
Another crack of lightening startled everybody as they all four jumped at the loudness.
"Lets do something to take our mind off of the storm," Lindsey suggested
The kids nodded in agreement frantically.
Stevie didn't move a muscle at first, she felt an odd sensation in the bottom of her stomach but didn't think anything of it, refocussing all her attention on the kids.
"How about Candyland? I'll go get it so Mommy doesn't have to move too much," Lindsey suggested, earning three nods
He went and got the game.
"Popcorn?" Stevie asked innocently, biting her lip like one of the kids would do
He laughed a little "I don't see why not."
"Thank you," she said sweetly
He nodded and kissed her head before he walked off into the kitchen. He came back only seconds later with an embarrassed look on his face. "Um..Steves sorry, I forgot the power is out and the microwave kinda needs electricity to run.."
"We could try to pop it over the fire?" Lee smiled
Lindsey nodded "We can try"
"I think there's some that you pop on the stove in the pantry, that would work better than a bag," Stevie said, remembering seeing it from when she'd have midnight cravings
He nodded and ran off to go find the jiffy pop.
"Mommy, when is the storm going to pass?" Will asked, feeling stressed about the commotion outside. "It's supposed to clear the day after tomorrow."
He huffed, "That's not soon enough.."
"I know! And I know that it sucks that we can't go anywhere!" Stevie agreed
They both nodded.
Lindsey returned with the popcorn, "This probably isn't the smartest idea."
Stevie laughed. "We'll see."
Lindsey braved the fire, using a pot holder to hold the pan over the fire.
The kids laughed and giggled as it popped, Lindsey would flinch every time it did so.
Stevie couldn't help but laugh
"Ookay, I think it's done," Lindsey said, placing it on the table
The kids hoorayed loudly as they waited for it to cool
Stevie had another twinge but passed it off as sitting up all day
Lindsey came and sat beside her as they both watched the kids watch the popcorn fascinatingly.
"I guess the game is out of the question now?" Lindsey chuckled
Stevie laughed a little. "Yeah.." she felt the twinge again and bit her lip, there was no way. What was she thinking of course there was a way-today was her due date! And she had no clue how long she had until the time came.
"You know, I think I'm going to lay down for a bit," Stevie announced
Lindsey looked up at her then his facial expression changed to worry when he saw the look on her face. "You okay?"
"Yea, my back is just killing me," Stevie held it as she heaved herself up
He jumped to his feet to assist her. "Hey hold up let me help you."
"I just need help with the stairs-and a back rub would be nice," She added
He nodded then turned to the kids, "hey guys why don't you eat the popcorn and come get us when you're done mama is going to lay down for a bit." The kids nodded and turned their attention back towards the cooling popcorn
Stevie took his hand as they slowly made their way up the stairs and to the bedroom
Right before she got to the bed a cramp hit her hard and she had to lean over to ease it which of course frightened Lindsey.
"Steph?" He placed his left hand on her back, still holding hers in his right
She squeezed his hand and finally moved to sit on the bed. "I'm fine, it was nothing."
"Obviously," Lindsey scoffed sarcastically
"I really don't need you to be an ass right now."
He sighed "I just worry."
"Don't, I-" another odd sensation swung through her and stopped her mid sentence. She knew what was happening now, for sure.
They both looked down at the floor where Stevie was standing in a puddle of fluid.
She started to hyperventilate and panic. "No, no Lindsey this can't happen not now with the storm! We can't get to the hospital, we can't call the hospital, this can't happen now!" She had tears flooding down her cheeks, she looked up at him fearfully.
"I mean who the fuck actually gives birth on their fucking due date?!" Stevie freaked, Lindsey easing her down onto the bed
He couldn't help but freak out a little himself but he was trying to keep himself composed. "Steph calm down okay, please just...don't freak out."
"Oh really?! I thought I'd have a good laugh instead!" She yelled at him
He took a deep breath and ran out of the room and down the stairs he grabbed Will and pulled him aside from Lee. "Will I need to tell you something and I need you to be a man about it. Look mommy is having the baby right now and I gotta go help her I need you to watch Lee and keep her down here. No matter what, you two cannot come upstairs okay? Can you do that for me?"
Will's eyes grew wide as he nodded, taking Lee and the popcorn into their play room, telling her that they were building a fort and sleeping in it.
Meanwhile Lindsey was frantically running around the house looking for things he might need. He was going to have to deliver this baby.
"Lindsey!" Stevie cried out from upstairs, causing him to drop everything and run to her
He ran in the doorway. "Steph!"
She was laying on her side, curled up as best she could, "I need you to help me with something."
He looked at her strangely, "what?"
"I need you to run me a bath. I need to relax-there's no way I'm going to deliver in this state," she slowly sat up
He shook his head, not understanding. "I thought it was coming now..?" She shut her eyes tight. "Lindsey it's not like I just stick toast in the toaster! It takes time! It could be hours. Please just do this for me.." he nodded then ran into the bathroom to start the bath.
Stevie pulled her shirt off and worked on her pants, being fully undressed and in the middle of a contraction by the time Lindsey returned
He took a deep breath for his own sanity before he ran to comfort her. He cupped her face in his hands and made her look at him. "Hey...hey look at me, it's going to be okay. Honey everything is going to be fine."
Stevie let out a whimper, "I need you to get some kind of covering for me to deliver on so I won't ruin the furniture. Sterilize some scissors and get a clothes pin for the cord. I'm sure you know to get towels and warm water-oh! And get something for the placenta," Stevie instructed
Lindsey wanted to throw up at that moment but knew he needed to stay calm, so he nodded.
"Help me to the bathroom, please?"
He picked her up and carried her carefully into the bathroom
"Thank you, please come sit with me when you have everything," Stevie pled as she sank down into the water
He nodded. He ran down the stairs to finish collecting the supplies and soon returned back upstairs.
Stevie was laying back with her eyes closed as her hands rested on her stomach. "Lindsey, come here," she held out her hand
He came and kneeled beside the tub.
She took his hand and looked over at him, "Are you going to be able to do this?"
He only nodded, "I think so..."
Stevie grimaced and grunted as another contraction took over
Lindsey leaned over the tub and kissed her cheek, "I don't know how great a doctor I'm going to be but I can promise you this-you're going to be fine you and that little baby."
Stevie nodded and let out a cry that she had been holding in, "I need to stretch out!"
"Stretch out."
"I'm in a motherfucking bathtub you smartass!"
He nearly fell back on his butt. "Sorry! Sorry! Wasn't thinking, do you want me to take you back to the bed?"
She nodded, reaching up for him to help her out
He helped her up and wrapped a towel around her before carrying her back to the bed.
"Can you light candles? There's too much light in here," Stevie asked, taking off the towel and laying it underneath her as she laid down, still leaking some amniotic fluid
He only nodded, "on it."
Lindsey lit candles in every corner of the bedroom, making sure that the lighting was to her standard
"Lindsey that's fine....just...come sit with me?"
He sat next to her on the bed and kissed her hand, "Baby, we need to see how far along I am-I don't think we have much longer," Stevie said uneasily
He looked at her, confused. "Um... Steves I have no clue what I'm doing..."
"Well that makes two of us!"
"You've already given birth twice before! What are you talking about??"
"Both of them were in a hospital with doctors! All I had to do was push them out!"
"That's all you have to do now! Right?"
"I don't know what I'm doing!"
"Great!" He yelled sarcastically, "we're screwed!"
"Stop yelling!" Stevie cried, beginning another contraction
He mentally cursed himself. "I'm sorry I'm sorry, I'm just freaking out!"
She held her stomach and moaned, rocking side to side with the pain
It was then she realized there was zero chance of an epidural.
"Lindsey please get me an ice pack."
He ran down the stairs almost falling flat on his face to get the ice pack.
Will poked his head out of the play room, "Is the baby here?"
"Not yet buddy, soon though. Keep Lee occupied. I'll come get you soon!"
"Okay," he nodded, disappearing into the room again
Lindsey ran back to Stevie
She instructed him to lay the ice pack on her lower stomach, wanting to try to at least relieve some of the pain
He put the ice pack on her and sat back beside her
"This baby better come soon, I'm almost out of energy."
That brought a whole new wave of panic. What if something went wrong during the delivery? That was something Lindsey did NOT know how to deal with, he wasn't a doctor.
Stevie reached over and squeezed his hand, "I'll be okay."
"How do you know?"
"I have you, and you won't let anything happen to your family."
He let a tear slip then wiped it away. "You're right, you're right. I promise I won't."
Stevie tenses up and cried out, "It's time," holding the bottom of her stomach. "I don't want to be on my back," she shook her head
Lindsey stood up quickly, "what should I do?"
"Help me to my feet."
"You can't have a baby standing up??"
"Watch me," Stevie dared as he helped her up. She bent over slightly to place her hands on the bed. "Linds, I need you now."
"Tell me what to do!"
"Just rub my back. I need to push with the next contraction," breathing heavily, "just check for the head when I say."
He shakily stood by her and rubbed her back quickly and soothingly.
Stevie gritted her teeth as another wave started, her legs shaking as she pushed, Lindsey was having a hard time hearing and seeing her yell in pain
He bit his lip then spoke, "Come on baby, you're doing great!"
"Lindsey this is just the first one!" She screamed at him
"I'm sorry! I don't know these things!"
As the pain passed, Stevie moved into a squatting position, scared that her legs would give out
Lindsey took her hand and squeezed it.
"Start getting the warm water," Stevie told him, swaying side to side, willing the baby out
He ran to grab the water.
After several more painful, long pushes, Stevie had finally begun to crown. "Lindsey!" Stevie's voice was hoarse as the contractions were on top of each other
He kneeled down to try and catch the baby.
She bit into the pillow she was holding onto as she tried to muffle her voice so the kids wouldn't get scared. Lindsey turning white as she tore and more blood and fluid started to come, "That's it!" He encouraged
Eventually she pushed the baby all the way out and he had to catch them, a whole new cry tearing through the room.
Stevie placed her head against the bed, completely exhausted, "Boy or girl?" She asked out of breath
Lindsey cut the chord and did everything the best he knew how. He wrapped the baby in a towel.
Stevie began to sob as she finally realized what just happened, "Its a girl, Steph," Lindsey smiled, looking down at the baby in his arms
He turned her around carefully and draped a blanket around her, and handed the baby to her.
"Hello, beautiful girl!" Stevie cried, unwrapping her to see that all ten toes and fingers were counted for. "I can't believe you are finally here!"
Her voice was rough and hoarse but strained to the sweet tune of baby talk. She comforted the sobbing baby and held her close. "Shh...it's okay baby mommy's here...mommy's right here."
"Steph," Lindsey kissed the side of her head as he wrapped his arm around her
She had continual tears just pouring down her face. "She's so beautiful. She's so perfect..." He smiled at the look in her eyes. "She looks just like you, brown eyes and all."
Stevie winced, ready to deliver the placenta, "Lindsey," she said urgently, handing the baby to him
"What is it?"
"I need to push again," she sat up on her knees, pushing the bowl under her to catch the afterbirth. Lindsey sat back in amazement of his wife, literally creating and delivering another human basically by herself and now finding the strength to finish the process
Finally the placenta came out and she laid back down trying to catch her breath.
"Okay, enough of that," Stevie lightly chuckled. "As much as I want to hold her forever, I need to get cleaned up and put back in bed."
Lindsey helped her up.
"Just help me in bed, get me a wet cloth, please," she said
He ran off to grab it
Stevie was took it from him and began to clean herself off, "I need one more favor," Stevie requested
He nodded, "yeah?"
"Get a bowl of warm water and another cloth so I can clean the baby."
He grabbed the other bowl he'd gotten earlier and filled it up with warm water. Seconds later he brought it and the rag back to her.
"Come here, sweet girl," Stevie scooped her daughter up in her arms and gently ran the wash cloth across her delicate skin
"Are the phones still down?"
"I think so. Can you get me a nightgown and a pad?" Stevie didn't take her eyes off of her daughter
He nodded and ran off to get what she'd asked for.
One the baby was all clean, Stevie wrapped her in a warm towel, "I bet you're getting hungry, huh?"
The baby whimpered softly and nuzzled closer to her.
Stevie sat up and held the baby against her breast, leaning back to relax as she nursed.
Stevie sat up and held the baby against her breast, leaning back to relax as she nursed.
Lindsey came up and sat beside her slowly. "How do you feel?"
"I'm exhausted, yet so unbelievably happy," she smiled down at her daughter. "We had a girl name picked out, but I think she looks like a Stella."
He smiled, "You're right....I'm sorry Joe couldn't be here."
"Honestly...I'd rather you have been by my side anyway."
He nodded, "I know..It's just...he's gonna hate he missed this.."
"It's not really something I could help," Stevie shrugged, "Could you help me dress and then get the kids?"
"Of course."
Lindsey held the baby while Stevie got herself situated, "Okay, give her here," taking the baby into her arms and he went down to get Will and Lee
Soon they all re-entered the room. Both the kids eyes went real wide as they saw the baby.
"Come said hi," Stevie whispered as the baby slept in her arms. The children were uneasy from seeing their mother in such a weak state
Lindsey encouraged them forward, gently. "It's okay."
"Hi, Mommy," Will said quietly
"Will, come say hi to Stella."
He walked up to the side of the bed and looked timidly at his new sister. "Hello," he whispered
Stevie smiled as he gazed down at her and urged Lee to come closer
Lee shook her head and hid behind Lindsey
Lindsey picked her up and brought her closer to them
She hid her head in the crook of his neck, peaking out at her sister
"Look Stella it's your big sister Lee."
Will reached out and gently stroked Stella's foot with his finger
Stevie grinned
"This is Stella," he said more to himself than anyone else
Stevie just smiled. Beyond happy at this point
"You can sit beside me, you won't hurt me," Stevie told him, knowing that's what he was afraid of
He carefully sat down beside her.
"Do you want to hold her?"
He nodded slowly, unsurely
Stevie supported the baby's head as she slid Stella into his arms
Will just stared down in amazement
"You're shaking," Will looked up at Stevie
This got Lindsey's attention and Stevie just shook it off. "I'm fine."
Will nodded and stared down at his sister again, "You made us wait a long time," speaking to Stella
She only stared up at him with wide eyes.
Lee wiggles out of Lindsey's arms and stood beside Will, still nervous about seeing her mother so weak and her new baby sister
But she took a step forward and leaned closer. "Hey baby.."
"She won't kill you, Lee," Will sassed
Lee just rolled her eyes and everyone laughed
Lindsey sat down at Stevie's feet and sat Lee in his lap
"Can I hold her?" Lee finally asked
"Yea, baby. Sit in my lap and I'll help you," Lindsey kissed her head
Will handed Lee and Lindsey Stella carefully
"Was I this small?" Lee asked
Stevie just laughed, "you were a little bit smaller."
Lindsey wrapped his arms around Leelee and Stella and helped support the baby's head.
Stevie took a mental snapshot in her head because the moment was so precious
"Are you okay, Mommy?" Will looked up at her, knowing that babies weren't normally born at home like this
She just ruffled his hair, "I'm fine honey. I'm fine."
Will nodded, not going to speak of the horrible noises he heard from the bedroom when he was downstairs.
Lee looked down at Stella lovingly
"She looks like you did when you were a baby," Stevie told her
"Really?"
"Yep," She nodded
Lee smiled, "Cool!"
"Okay guys, Mommy has obviously had a hard time so let's let her rest."
They both nodded and Lee handed Stella back over to her mother.
Lindsey tucked the kids in and returned to Stevie
He shut the door quietly. "Hey."
"Hey," she said quietly
He came and sat beside her as they both stared down at Stella intently.
"God Linds, thank you so much!" Stevie leaned her head against him
He looked down at her strangely. "For what?"
"You were so brave, you delivered her!"
He almost laughed, "Um, Steves I don't know if you were at the same delivery I was-honey you did everything and you were amazing." He kissed her head
"Oh please, I'm surprised that you'll ever want to have sex again after seeing that."
"Who said I did?" She smacked his arm limply and he chuckled. "I'm kidding I'm kidding."
Stevie winced as she chuckled, still being so sore
He rubbed her shoulder, "are you okay?"
"I'm so sore."
"I'm sorry baby, is there anything I can do?"
"No, I can't take anything."
He furrowed his brow, "I'm sorry, well, I can hold you." She smiled up at him faintly.
"As tempting as that sounds, I want to sleep, so you can hold the baby?"
He nodded, "Of course, yeah go ahead you need to rest. I'll hold her."
Stevie kissed him lightly, handing Stella over to him.
He took the baby gently then wrapped Stevie's blanket tighter around her before he got up to go rock Stella in the nursery.
"Hello," he smiled, "I've waited a long time to meet you, and I must admit, you caused quite a stir before and while you were being born," he chuckled, "I don't mind one bit though, you are my wife's daughter and remind me so much of my kids that I can't help but love you."
Stella reached up for him and all he could see were those wide brown eyes that looked like they went on forever.
Stella clutched his thumb in her tiny hand, not even big enough to fit all the way around
He leaned down to kiss her head.
He grinned when he noticed that Stella had Stevie's eyes mouth and nose as well
Soon enough Stella herself had drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
He laid her against his chest, remembering that his previous babies liked to sleep like that
His heart ached a little as he couldn't help but think of the child they'd lost before Stella but he loved that something good had come out the past horrible year. He loved Stella.
He didn't care if she was not his, she felt like his daughter, he knew it as soon as he had her in his arms as she left Stevie's body. She was no different from William or Leelee.
He hated that Joe had missed her being born, in a way he was glad that he had been there with her but he also acknowledged how awful he knew Joe would feel about missing his daughter's birth.
"I know your Daddy is going to adore you," Lindsey whispered, kissing her head
He stood up and walked her back over to their bedroom and sat beside Stevie just watching her.
She looked absolutely exhausted, but he couldn't blame her; she had just spent hours in labor.
He laid down beside her and carefully held Stella in between them.
It was as if Stevie could sense hat Stella was there, placing her hand on the baby's stomach.
Lindsey smiled, if there was one thing she was good at it was being a mama
Stevie's sleep was short lived when Stella decided that she would showcase her lungs and wake up her parents
Stevie sat up as quickly as she could without hurting herself and quickly took Stella from a groggy and slightly still asleep Lindsey. "Shh...it's okay sweet girl, mommy's here. What's wrong?"
"I think she's hungry again."
Stevie nodded and started to feed Stella again. "Lindsey you should go back to sleep, one of us has to be able to watch the other two in the morning. Get some rest. You don't have to watch me all the time, I'm fine."
"You just gave birth, Steph. I'm not leaving you to do everything."
"Well you can't really help me with this part so please rest."
"Let me know when she needs changed," he finally agreed, snuggling back down under the blanket
She smiled, "Hey Stel... you're absolutely perfect do you know that? Beautiful, beautiful little girl." Stevie quietly whispered to her daughter
Stella began to fall asleep, latching back on to keep eating every time Stevie moved her away
Stevie was dying for some sleep right about now but knew she'd have to wait until Stella was ready to go back to sleep.
Stella fell back asleep soon after and stayed asleep when Stevie laid her next to Lindsey.
Stevie couldn't believe how quickly everything had happened. She wasn't sure why she was so surprised it was her due date, but to actually give birth on that date was never something that had happened to her, Will was early and Lee was late.
"You know how to make an entrance," Stevie whispered
She smiled as one of Stella's little hands stretched out and laid on her cheek, Stevie thought her heart was going to explode.
"I love you, sweet dreams."
When morning came they were all surprised but happy to find that the power had turned back on
"I need to call Joe," Stevie as she fed Stella
Lindsey nodded, "Yeah. I'll go get the phone"
"Thank you."
He returned only moments later with the phone.
Stevie dialed the number and held her breath as it rang
"Hello?"
"Hey Joe."
"Stevie! Hey are you okay? I've been worried sick with the storm and everything."
"That's what I called for...I had the baby last night," Stevie bit her lip
The line was silent.
"Joe?"
"I......I'm here...I just...wow.."
"She's perfect Joe," Stevie cooed, smiling down at Stella
"How did you get to the hospital?"
"I didn't go to the hospital..."
"What do you mean?"
"Lindsey had to deliver her here."
"I'll be right over."
"The roads are still dangerous, Joe. She'll still be here tomorrow, we just need you in one piece."
"Steph, my daughter is finally here, I have to come! I'll be careful but I'm still coming!"
"Just don't drive like a maniac."
"Promise. I'll be there soon."
"Be careful," Stevie said worriedly. Lindsey sat beside her, he couldn't lie by saying that he wasn't jealous his wife was showing so much concern for another man
Joe hung up and ran to his car. Stevie handed the phone back to Lindsey, "He's coming over.."
"I wouldn't have expected anything different."
"Are you okay?" She knew he might get jealous when Joe finally came
"I'm fine," he nodded
She rubbed his arm with her free hand. "I probably look like crap." She muttered to herself not thinking before of anyone coming over
"You just had a baby at home with basically no help, I wouldn't expect you to look like Miss America, if it makes you feel better I think you are the most beautiful like this."
She rolled her eyes, "Of course you'd say that."
"And I mean it."
Stevie smiled, "Thank you."
He nodded and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you for everything, Lindsey. I have no clue what I would have done if you wouldn't have taken me back when I was pregnant."
"You'd be with Joe, I'd be drunk." She looked at him strangely. "It's the truth, not a pretty one but you know I'm right. You don't like being alone. But we don't have to worry about any of that now. Because I'm here and I love you, you, and Will, and Lee, and Stella."
"You love Stella?" Stevie asked, her voice trembling
"Absolutely." He answered without hesitation
Stevie smiled and kissed him gently, "I love you so much."
He grinned, "I hope so we are married you know."
"Okay smartass."
He laughed and hugged her gently around her waist.
"Will you go down and let Joe in when he gets here?" She asked uneasily, not wanting him to be uncomfortable with it.
"Of course." He kissed her head and stood up. He leaned down to kiss Stella's forehead and then left the room.
"I know this is going to confuse you, but the man that is on his way to meet you is your daddy, and I know he loves you more than anything else in the world!" Stevie cooed at Stella, "You are very lucky to have Lindsey and your daddy to protect you!"
"Most girls only get one daddy, you're going to have two that love you very very much. I hope you're okay with that."
Stevie heard the doorbell downstairs, wincing as she sat up moor and tried to make herself look presentable. "Your daddy is here." She heard them traveling up the stairs
Joe almost ran into the room, stopping short when he finally saw them
"Hi," Stevie said softly, "I have someone that wants to meet you."
He took slow steps toward them, almost not believing his eyes. He was a dad
"This is Stella."
"She's.......she's perfect....she's so... can I hold her?"
"Of course, she's your daughter," gently lifting Stella into his arms
He sat down beside her as he carefully cradled his little girl in his arms.
"Her timing was not ideal," Stevie chuckled
He nodded, tears forming in his eyes. "I can't believe I missed it...I should've been here."
"I am not mad at you at all. No one could have planned that this would happen the way that it did."
"I know....I just still can't believe I missed it...."
"I'm so sorry, Joe. Besides, I'm sure you wouldn't have wanted to see me like that anyway."
He turned a little red, "Yeah...how did...did everything go....you know, without having a doctor.."
"Well, it hurt like hell," she chucked, "but it was rewarding."
Joe smiled down at Stella, "It sure was."
"Now the pain was a different story."
He frowned, "I'm sorry."
"It was worth it," she waved him off
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Thank you."
"Thank you! You gave me a daughter!" Stevie replied
He hugged her and stood up still holding Stella. "She looks just like you."
"That's what Lindsey said."
"Well it's true."
Stevie smiled, "I'm so happy that she is here."
"Me too."
"I hope you don't mind her he name, I remember you suggesting it and I crossed it out...but it was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw her."
He just smiled, "I love it. It fits her so well."
"I think so too."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm extremely sore and tired. Giving birth on my bedroom floor wasn't my idea of the perfect delivery."
He winced a little himself at the idea. "Sorry, do you think you're okay? Like you and her-everything seem fine?"
"Perfect," Stevie smiled
"Good."
"Everything went perfectly."
"Have you called the doctor and told them yet?"
"No, I haven't," Stevie said quietly
"You probably should."
"I know, I just haven't exactly gotten the chance to."
He nodded, "I know, I know. Just saying."
"I personally don't think we need to."
"At least to let them know she's here."
"Will you call?"
"Sure."
Stevie took Stella back into her arms and kissed her head
Joe went to call
Will and Lee had snuck their way into the room, wanting to get another glimpse of their sister.
Stevie saw them and smiled, "Come here you two, come on."
They both climbed up on the bed and sat on each side of Stevie.
She handed Stella to Will.
"Let me show you how to support her little head," Stevie helped him move his hand to support her neck and head.
He nodded, "She's so small."
"Yea, she is."
Lee stared at her curiously
"She's going to be pretty," Lee stated casually
Stevie nodded, "Just like her big sister."
Leelee giggled, kissing her baby sister on the cheek
Stevie smiled down at them.
Joe came back into the room, "The Doctor said that both of you really need to be checked out."
She rolled her eyes but nodded, "Okay-when the roads clear we will."
"I can take you," he said
"How do the roads look?"
"I got here," he shrugged
She bit her lip. "Can you go get Lindsey?"
"Yes."
He left the room to go get Lindsey. Soon after he left Lindsey returned. "You need me?" Stevie sat up a little more "Yeah, Joe got concerned and called the doctor and he said me and Stella need to come and get looked at soon. Do you think it's safe to make the drive? Joe said he'd take us but I don't want to go if it's too dangerous."
"You guys seem to be doing fine so I think that it would be fine to wait."
She nodded, "Okay. I'll tell him."
Lindsey kissed her on her forehead and went back downstairs
Joe re-entered the room, "Hey sorry, had to go to the bathroom. What's up?"
"We aren't going now."
He looked at her strangely. "Why not?"
"Lindsey thinks that we are safe to wait until the roads are safer."
He got momentarily red then shook his head. "So.. Lindsey is the one who gets to make decisions about our baby?"
"I'm his wife, he does have some say so," Stevie replied
He sighed, "Aren't you supposed to have some kind of maternal instincts...? Are you 100 percent sure you two are okay?"
"She's acting like a normal baby, and I feel fine, very sore, but fine."
He nodded, "Okay-I trust you...but we'll go tomorrow right?"
"If the roads are safe," Stevie agreed, nodding
"Alright.."
"I think she needs changed," Stevie said, pointing to a bag of diapers
He walked over and got it for her
She took it and laid Stella down in front of her
Joe watched her, and took mental notes on how to change the diaper.
"Would you like to stay tonight? You can help with changing and feeding..."
He rocked back and forth on his heels. "If you two are okay with that?.."
"Of course we are."
"I meant Lindsey."
"He will be," she shrugged
He sighed, "I'm not gonna do something that will cause a problem Stevie."
"Go talk to him, it'll be good for all of us."
He looked at her like she was crazy but finally relented. "Fine.."
Joe met Lindsey in the kitchen, being offered a drink, but declining. "I wish I had some cigars for the proud papa," Lindsey grinned lightly
Joe smiled, "Yeah...I am proud... but um Lindsey I think we need to talk..about what's going to happen with all this..I need you to know that I don't feel the way I used to for Stevie and I've moved on. You don't have to worry about us. But I love my daughter and I want to be with her as much as I can, that being said can we try to get through this situation civilly? Cause I really don't feel like getting punched in the face again." He laughed lightly.
"I have accepted the fact that you are the father of my wife's daughter. I have forgiven you and moved on...we can be civil," Lindsey nodded
Joe sighed in relief, "Thank you, now I don't want this to seem like an ambush but Stevie asked me if I'd like to stay the night so I can help her and learn how to change Stella and feed her. I said I would if you were okay with it..?"
"Of course, she's your daughter."
"Okay thank you. I really appreciate it, if I'm in your way just let me know."
"There will be no problem on my part."
"Okay.. I guess I'll sleep on the couch."
"You can take a the guest bedroom that's right down the hall from us."
"Okay..thanks." He went to go tell Stevie
She was sitting up in bed feeding Stella
He just stood in the doorway until she noticed him.
"Hello," Stevie whispered
He looked up from the floor and noticed Stella had fallen asleep in her mother's arms.
"Hey."
"How long have you been standing there?"
"Awhile..."
"You just wanted to see my boobs," Stevie joked, chuckling lightly
He shook his head, "No sorry just...this is going to sound weird but it was cool watching her.. I've never really been around babies a whole lot."
"Well that makes me feel safe!" She laughed
He laughed, "Hey you gotta start somewhere. But you'll never have to worry over her Steph, when she's with me. I promise I will take care of her."
"I trust you."
He smiled, "Thank you...I talked to Lindsey, we're good. I can stay."
"He's not always an asshole, you know."
He laughed a little, "yeah.. so hey I got a question obviously I can't 'feed her' feed her but are we going to start using formula at some point? For when she's with me?"
"Yes, when she's a little older."
He nodded, "So..until then she needs to stay with you?"
"Yes."
He nodded, not really liking the situation but understanding.
"Oh, you have the next diaper duty by the way."
He crinkled his nose in mock disgust then chuckled, "Alright."
"If you can't handle it then let me know."
"Oh please. I can do anything."
"Changing new born poop is another story," Stevie said seriously
He just laughed
"Thank you, Joe."
"For what?"
"Sticking by me."
He smiled, "Of course."
Stevie smiled and wished him a good night
He did the same and kissed Stella goodnight.
Stevie laid Stella beside her and smiled, life could be easy now.

Authors Note: I know that this is a really shitty ending, but I didn't know what else to do with this story as I got bored with it. I'm so sorry! Thank you all for your votes and comments!