Stevie woke to Leelee snoring in her ear, Lindsey's arm as her pillow, and no blanket. "Shit," she whispered as her bladder screamed for release...this was not a good idea. How the hell was she going to get up?
She nudged Lindsey.
"Hmm?" He grumbled, keeping his eyes closed
"Lindsey.."
"Yes?"
"I have to go to the bathroom."
He lifted the children off of her and nodded, saying that it was all clear for her to get up
She sat up from the floor.
"Let me wake the kids so I can help you get up," Lindsey began to shake Will
"No, no-let them sleep, I'm fine."
"Baby, you can't strain your body," Lindsey gently rolled Will over and say up
"I'm not Linds, promise. Let them sleep-they were tired."
He ignored her protest and helped her to her feet, "Does your back hurt?"
"Just a little, nothing I can't shake off."
"Let me know if it gets too bad. I'll start on some food and you go lay down when you get finished," Lindsey kissed her head and disappeared toward the kitchen
She smiled as she watched him walk away, glad they'd finally gotten to a genuinely nice place in their relationship, if only for awhile. Glad to be rid of heavy drama.
Lindsey knocked on the bathroom door soon after she entered, "Joe is on the phone for you."
She sighed heavily, she should have known that wouldn't have lasted long. "Just a minute."
Stevie washed her hands and opened the door, taking the phone from him.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Steph," Joe greeted, "listen, I was wondering if I could come over? I got something else for the baby...and I haven't been to any of the ultrasounds."
"Um...sure I guess that's fine. Maybe a little after lunch today? I don't have another ultrasound until later this week but I'll give you the details this afternoon."
"I could take you out to lunch, my treat," he offered
"I appreciate the offer Joe but I don't think I need to be out and about that much, it's hard enough to just get around the house..but I can get something set up for us here."
"I'd be more than happy to bring something for everyone, you just tell me what to get," Joe graciously offered
She laughed a little. "I'm going to hate myself when I'm fighting off the baby weight later but I think pizza sounds great...if that's okay."
"That's more than okay! What kind would you and Little Walsh like?"
She bit her lip a second, his comment momentarily silencing her to her thoughts-which she soon pulled herself out of and back to reality.
"Um..just cheese sounds good."
"That good with the other three in your brood?" He chuckled
"Yeah, they've been begging for pizza anyways.." she laughed a little
"Sure thing, I'll see you soon," Joe hung up
She smiled as she put the phone down
Lee walked up to her, hair a mess and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, "Bathroom," she said groggily as she walked around her mother and shut the door
Stevie giggled and shook her head.
Will came in basically asleep, walking right into Stevie
"Hey honey!"
"Morning," he mumbled, clearly taking after his mother when it came to mornings
She ruffled his hair and kissed his head.
Will wrapped his arms around her as best as he could and leaned against her
She smiled at him warmly
"Let's go back to bed," Will suggested
"No baby, we've slept awhile."
"Well I'm going back to bed," he trudged toward the stairs
"Will, come on honey I'll make you a snack."
He huffed and nodded
She took his hand and led him to the kitchen and helped him onto the stool.
Stevie tried to hold back a giggle as his head would fall forward and he would jerk back up as he tried to stay awake.
"Alright alright, go lay down a little while longer."
He perked up and ran to his room. Lindsey laughed and shook his head, "I wonder where he gets that from."
She shot him a look but couldn't help but laugh.
"You've become better since the kids, but I still have trouble sometimes."
She nodded. "I'm sorry..."
"I wouldn't have you any other way," kissing her head
She smiled at him faintly.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"Baby, you can tell me," he rubbed the sides of her belly
She placed her hands over his. "I'm alright, really."
"You'd tell me if something was wrong, right? Do you feel okay?" Placing his hand to her forehead
She nodded. "I'd tell you anything, I'm fine."
Lindsey kissed her head and nodded, "Go have a seat."
She went and sat in the living room on the sofa.
Minutes later he brought her eggs, bacon, and ham with coffee in her favorite mug. "I've become better at this over these past few months."
She smiled, "Yes, you have. Thank you honey."
Lindsey smiled proudly and mentally patted himself on the back, "Is there anything else I can get you?"
"I don't think so."
"I'm going to round up the kids and get them taken care of, okay?"
She nodded thankfully as she dug into her food.
Lee came zipping out of the playroom after Lindsey told her to meet him in the kitchen....he was going to pry Will out of bed.
"Why'd you call me daddy?"
"Breakfast is ready downstairs."
"Yay!!"
Lindsey stood and faced his back to Will, giving him a piggy back ride downstairs
Stevie reprimanded gem as soon as they came into the room. "Lindsey! What are doing?? Don't do that down the stairs, what if you slipped!"
"I got it Stevie," he insisted
She gave him a look and he only rolled his eyes
Lindsey let Will down and followed him closely into the kitchen, "Alright you two, grab a seat."
They took their seats at the table
Lindsey put their plates in front of them and leaned against the counter, "Anything you guys would like to do today?"
They shook their heads, really just focused on eating.
"I'll let Mommy choose then...she'll probably choose the book store," he smirked, trying to get them riled up
Will looked up immediately. "No way!"
"Well then we need to come up with something," Lindsey shrugged casually
Will looked at Lee, silently asking her for an idea.
"The beach?"
Lindsey smiled. "That sounds good-let me ask mommy."
Stevie was still on the couch watching television
Lee ran in and sat beside her.
"You finished breakfast that fast?" Stevie pushed her wild hair out of her face
"No-can we go to the beach today?"
"I don't think that would be a problem, but Mommy has a friend coming over so you, Daddy, and Will can go."
"Awwwww mama.......come on." Lee whined
"I'm sorry baby. Mr. Walsh wants to see how the baby is doing."
She looked down and sighed. "Okay...."
"Maybe another time," Stevie rubbed her back
She nodded then walked out
Lindsey and Will were sitting in the kitchen discussing a toy that Will had been begging for
"Mommy said we can go but she can't." Lee said as she reentered the room.
"Why not?" Lindsey furrowed his brow
She shrugged.
"Hang on a second," he walked into the living room, "Why aren't you going?"
Stevie sighed. "Joe is coming over for lunch to check on me and the baby.."
"And when were you planning on telling me this?" Lindsey asked
"I haven't had the chance, obviously I was going to tell you."
"Well you had a pretty good chance when I gave you breakfast," He pointed out
She sighed, "You're right I just got distracted. I'm sorry. At least I told you now. Is this okay?"
"Don't really have a choice now, do I?" He shrugged
"I can call him and tell him not to come honey it's not that big a deal. Just talk to me."
"No I wouldn't want to interrupt your time together," Lindsey spat and walked back to the kids
Stevie bit her lip and wiped at a tear that slipped from her eye as she shook her head.
She had no clue why Lindsey was upset....was he still angry about the whole baby situation?
She sighed and decided to try and talk to him.
"Will take Lee and go play," Stevie instructed as she walked into the kitchen
Lindsey looked at her skeptically as she turned to face him once they'd gone.
"What?" Lindsey asked
"What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing, just figured we could spend some time with our kids," he shrugged, "you know, since you haven't been up much."
"Lindsey please, don't do this right now."
"I'm just so tired, Stephanie," Lindsey sighed
"I know, and I'm sorry. But you've got to stop getting mad over the things I can't control"
"I'm allowed to be frustrated, you know? You can't expect me to play the loving, supporting husband all the time."
"Play?"
"You know what I mean," he held up his hand
"Yeah, I think I do." She stormed out
"Jesus," he threw up his hands and followed her
"Steph, you know that's not what I meant."
She went to go up the stairs and turned around. "No I really don't."
"I meant  that I can't be supporting and loving all the time."
"Maybe you never really were. Please just be honest with me. Have you really been happy?"
"As I can be in this situation," Lindsey shrugged
She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tight.
"I don't want to lose you but it's hard."
"I know....I know-I'm sorry."
Lindsey nodded and rested his chin on top of her head
"Do you want me to cancel?"
"I can't keep Joe from his child."
"But I could reschedule?"
Lindsey shook his head
She pulled away from him to see his face. "I love you Lindsey."
"I love you too."
She kissed him briefly. "I guess you guys will be on your way to the beach then?"
"I guess," Lindsey replied
"Take lots of pictures for me?"
"You got it," he gave her a chaste kiss
She hugged him once more than followed him back to the kitchen to tell the kids to get ready.
"Mommy are you going now?" Will asked
Stevie shook her head. "No buddy, but daddy is going to take lots and lots of pictures for me!"
"Why not?"
"I have to stay here so that Mr. Walsh can check on the baby."
He looked down at his lap and nodded
She came over to him and hugged him tight. "I'm sorry buddy, we'll do something when y'all get back."
"Sure."
She kissed head then hugged Lee.
"Go get ready guys," Lindsey ushered them upstairs
They both took off
Lindsey chuckled and shook his head, "I fall more in love with them everyday."
"Me too, I didn't think it was possible to love some one so much."
"I didn't either."
She leaned into him and laid her head on his shoulder. "I love you like that too you know."
"I know, and I can safely say that  I return that feeling," Lindsey rubbed the back of her head
She kissed his shoulder then pulled back as the kids ran back into the kitchen at super speed.
"Woah there, slow down," Lindsey exclaimed happily
"Daddy! Will stole my favorite boogie board and he won't tell me where it is!" Lee yelled impatiently
"Will, is that true?"
"No! I don't know what she's talking about!"
Lindsey looked at him skeptically and was about to interrogate him when he felt Stevie nudge his side. "Lindsey...it's in our room.." she whispered to him. He looked at her strangely. "The boogie board?" She nodded.
"Why would it be there?" She shrugged. "It's good and solid for me to put my feet on." He shrugged. "Okay I'll go get it." She stopped him. "Well you see, I spilled coffee on it."
"So..." he was NOT following.
"I put in the washer because the outside was fabric and I thought it would be okay..the washer tore it to shreds because it kept getting caught on the edges... it's in the trash in our room.."
Lindsey groaned and sighed, "Lee we will go out and I will buy you a better one."
"But daddy it's my favorite! It's got Cinderella on it!"
"We'll find another one."
She huffed then went to pout.
Lindsey just turned to Stevie and  couldn't help but laugh
"Oh Linds I feel terrible," Stevie told him
"She'll get over it-I just can't believe you actually put it in the washer."
"I didn't know what else to do."
He laughed and pulled her into a hug.
"Please fix this!" Stevie said
She laughed a little herself at her own stupidity. "I will honey, I will."
"And don't tell Lee that it was me."
He shook his head. "She wouldn't talk to you for a month." She smacked his arm, "Its not funny!"
"Well I didn't try to wash the boogie board," Lindsey shrugged
She glared at him momentarily then fell back into him gently, smiling.
"We have to get going, baby."'
She sighed. "I know I know. Don't stay gone too long."
"I can't promise that, they've been locked in the house a long time."
She nodded as she leaned back away from him. "I know..."
"We'll bring home dinner," Lindsey kissed her head and walked upstairs to check on the kids
She went and sat on the living room couch and waited for them to come down stairs to say goodbye.
"Bye, Mommy," they both hugged her
"Bye guys!" She kissed their cheeks.
"Bye baby!" Lee kissed her mother's belly
Stevie smiled widely as her heart swelled at the sight.
Lindsey kissed her cheek and packed everything and everyone into the car
Once they'd gone the house was WAY too quiet for Stevie's liking.
She decided to take a bath and listen to some music while she had free time
She carefully and slowly climbed the stairs and then proceeded to the tub.
"Alright Bub, let's see if we can get in...we'll worry about getting out later."
After she'd filled the tub up with water and bubbles she slowly balanced herself into the water.
Stevie smiled and sighed when she felt relief in her aching back
She'd loved the time she got with her family but she did somewhat miss her solitude.
The baby seemed to like the fact that their mother was relaxing, as they began to become active.
She ran her hands across her stomach soothingly as she felt little kicks here and there.
Stevie dozed off in the tub, only being woken up by the cold water
A shiver ran up her spine.
"Time for us to get out," she spoke to her belly
She sat up carefully and then safely maneuvered her way out.
"That wasn't so bad was it?" Rubbing her bump as she wrapped a towel around herself
She got out and was startled by the sound of the doorbell ringing throughout the house.
She threw on her robe and rushed to open the door, taking her time with the stairs, however.
Joe was waiting on the other side of the door with a large pizza
"Hey"
"Hi," Stevie opened the door wider for him to enter.
He came in and looked around. "Where is everybody?"
"The kids wanted to go the beach."
"Then I probably should have gotten a smaller pizza," Joe chuckled
"Oh crap sorry, I forgot about that!" She shut the door behind them.
"Don't worry about it. I'll leave it here for them later," He waved it off
She smiled at him thankfully. "Thanks."
"No problem, how are you?" He gestured toward her belly
"We're good. Just took a nice relaxing bath, there was lots of kicking involved though."
Joe chuckled, "How is everything going, you know, Doctor wise."
"Great. So far no more complications. I've been able to move around a lot more on my own too-I've been careful though."
"That's good-I'm glad. Have you guys started on the nursery; I'd like to pay for everything."
"Joe, please you don't need to-"
"It's my baby, I want to do something."
"I'll call you before we start. I've got some ideas but we haven't bought anything yet."
"I'd like that," he smiled, rubbing her belly
She felt a kick and grabbed his hand to place it near the spot where he could feel it.
"Hey, baby," Joe chuckled, placing his other hand on the other side of her belly.
Stevie smiled at him widely as the baby continued to kick at the sound of his voice.
"Do they like me?" He asked excitedly
She nodded. "I think so."
Joe smiled brightly, getting on his knees to kiss her belly, "I love you."
The next kick was in the ribs and Stevie took it hard, grabbing onto his wrists to steady herself.
"Woah, you okay?"
"If that was an 'I love you too' it was a loud one!"
Joe looked like an excited little boy
Stevie shook her head. "Help me to the couch?"
"Of course," he slowly led her to the living room as if she would shatter
She laughed a little. "I'm not made of glass you know."
"I don't want to hurt you."
"Me? Or the baby?"
"Both of you."
She smiled at him faintly and let the odd silence just hang in the air.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Joe asked
She shook her head. "I don't think so."
"When is your next ultrasound?"
"Next Wednesday...three o'clock."
"I'll pick you up around 2:20?"
She nodded. "Sounds good."
"I can't wait to see them," Joe smiled softly
"It won't be too long and we'll be meeting them in person."
"God, I can't even describe how happy I am for that moment to come," Joe shook his head
She laid her hand over his and squeezed it. "You're going to be ecstatic!"
"Beyond ecstatic!" Joe laughed
She rolled her eyes playfully. "You're right, over-the-moon."
"God Stevie- I can't tell you how much this means to me."
"I could say the same to you. I know we've been on rocky terms lately but...in all honesty, you made me a mom again Joe and I will forever be grateful to you."
"You're making me a father for the first time-I can't even think about the baby without bursting with happiness!"
She smiled.
"Thank you, Steph."
Joe hugged her tightly
She hugged him back gently as to not squish the baby.
"Sorry, did I squish you?" He talked to the baby
Stevie shook her head. "They're fine."
"I get carried away."
"We all do."
"I love them so much," he caressed her stomach
It was then she remembered she should probably go finish getting dressed, as she was still in her robe.
"Will you excuse me for a second? I have to finish dressing, I had just bathed when you arrived."
He stood up and helped her to her feet. "Oh! Yeah sure, sorry!"
"No problem at all," she made her way up to her bedroom
She decided on the simple red dress Lindsey had bought her the other week. It was plain yet not too casual.
She slid it on and slowly returned to Joe, "Your cheeks are flushed," he pointed out
She put a hand to her cheek, realizing he was probably right.
"Do you need water or something?"
She quickly sat back down, feeling as if she'd over done it a little today. "Um, yeah, water please..?"
"Anything else? You don't look so hot," he kneeled beside her
She shook her head and waved him off. "I'm fine, just some water please.." he didn't look so sure but left to grab a bottle from the fridge.
Joe rushed back to her and opened it for her, "Here you go."
She took it from him quickly and downed nearly half of it in one gulp.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
She was breathing heavily but the water had seemed to help. "Yes, I just need to slow down.."
"Do you want me to help you lay down?"
"No, Joe, really I'm fine." He gave her a look, not at all convinced.
"Maybe just for a minute," she bit her lip
He nodded.
Joe helped her lay back on the couch
He placed a pillow under her head and smiled as her breathing became less shallow and slower.
"Let me go get you some pizza," he stood
He came back with a slide for each of them on some paper plates he'd found in the kitchen
"Thank you," Stevie sat up some
He nodded and handed her her plate.
"Joe," she said softly
"Yeah?" He looked up at her.
"The last time I was in the hospital...who was that woman with you?"
He looked at her strangely then remembered.
"She's a friend."
She gave him a look. "Joe."
"I was seeing her but I didn't think she'd be good material to have the baby around so I ended things."
Her heart warmed and broke a little at his words.
"Only the best for our baby, right?"
They both smiled at each other reassuringly.
"How are Leelee and William?"

"They're better I think. They're adjusting to the baby better. They're happy for the most part."
"And Will-is he out of his funk completely?"
She sighed. "Not completely but he's better."
"How is he toward the baby?"
"He's sweet, not overly but he loves them."
"I'm glad," Joe nodded
"Me too."
"And Lindsey...."
She bit her lip. "He's good, we have our moments occasionally. But he's doing better."
"How do you think he'll handle the baby when they are born?"
She took a moment to herself before she finally answered. "If he doesn't leave me I think he'll be loving and caring and a good step-father." Joe looked at her strangely. "What do you mean 'if he doesn't leave' you?" She shook her head, "Lindsey goes on his emotions a lot...he's abrupt in his decisions...it's nothing, it's just a fear I have.."
"Have you talked to him about it?" Joe became increasingly worried
She nodded, "A little, not a lot....you don't need to worry. Anything between Lindsey and I will not impact the welfare of the baby."
"I don't want you to be alone with two kids and a baby to take care of."
She smiled at him weakly, glad to know he still cared. "I'll be fine."
"Just let me know if I need to kick someone's ass."
She laughed a little. "I will."
"I have something for the baby," Joe stood, "I need to get it from my car."
"Aww you shouldn't have."
"I always get something for them when I come," Joe smiled
"I know, it's very sweet."
He smiled and walked out to his car, returning with a stuffed elephant
Stevie saw it and gushed, "Oh my goodness! That is adorable!"
"I was going to put it in the nursery at my house, but I thought that they might use it more here."
She smiled at him warmly
"I love it."
"So I did good?" He sat down beside her
She nodded quickly. "Definitely! It's so cute!"
He smiled proudly
She kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome."
"Do you want to go over name possibilities..?"
"Of course!" Joe nodded vigorously, "What did you have in mind?"
"Honestly not a lot but that's why your here."
"Well I honestly have a list," he chuckled, pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket
She laughed a little.
"There's a separate list for boys and girls," He added, pointing to the one labeled 'girls'
She nodded.
"Aaron is nice," Stevie said, pointing to it on the list of boy names
He smiled, "I knew you'd like that."
"I personally like Stella for a girl," Joe added
She nodded, "That's cute."
"But you can pick whatever you like," Joe told her
"Well unlike you I haven't put nearly as much thought into this but I do have a few ideas."
"Let's hear them," he shrugged
She bit her lip, "Emma or Emmaline for a girl....."
"Beautiful," he smiled, wrapping his arm around her
She smiled back at him, "I like them, boys.....I'm not so sure... I do love Aaron though."
"Really?"
She nodded, "Absolutely!"
"Well you choose the girl name!"
She laughed lightly, "Joe, we don't even know what we're having yet!"
"Well we didn't want to know!"
She nodded. "I know I know.."
"If you'd like to know, we can make an appointment," Joe offered
She shrugged, "Its up to you."
"I like surprises."
She sighed.
"Do you wanna know?"
She bit her lip. "Kinda but at the same time I don't.."
"I will leave it totally up to you," He rubbed her back
She closed her eyes and fake whined. "Oh come on, you know I can't make a decision to save my life. You pick."
"I don't want to do something you won't like..."
"I guess we can wait.."
Joe nodded
"Are you sure?"
She nodded, "I'm sure, I can wait. It won't be too much longer."
"I can't wait until they are here."
She sighed contently placing her hands over her stomach. "Yeah...it'll be something."
"Agreed."
Just then the door opened and Lindsey and the kids came rushing in. Stevie and Joe just both now noticing the pouring rain storm that had started up only ten minutes ago.
"Mommy!" Lee ran in
"Hey baby!"
"Mr. Walsh," she said quietly
"Hello miss Lee, how are you today?" He stuck out his hand for her to shake.
She hesitantly took it
Lindsey stood off near the doorway watching them.
He tried to keep his cool
After Lee shook his hand she sat on the other side of her mama and hugged her tight. "It started pouring down rain mama!"
"Did my little dove get wet?" She kissed her cheek
She nodded vigorously. "We were still at the beach! We got soaked!"
"Poor baby!"
"Will got stung by a jelly fish!"
Stevie's eyes almost popped out of her head and she almost jumped straight up of both Joe and Lindsey hadn't predicted her reaction and stopped her. "Lindsey!!! What happened? Is he okay?! Where is he??"
"Babe, he's fine! I got him some pain medicine and I'm going to run him a bath with Epsom salt," Lindsey took her face into his hands
She could feel her heart doing back flips in her chest and she tried to slow her breathing as much as she could. She nodded, "Okay, okay..." she noticed they were both practically on top of her in alarm and she shook her head. "I'm fine. How is he?"
"In a little pain, but I'm taking care of that," Lindsey kissed her forehead
She nodded and watched him walk away then turned to Joe, "Sorry-I shouldn't have gotten so worked up."
"He's your son-it's expected."
She took a deep breath. "Yeah..."
"Do you want to see him?" Lindsey asked
"Yes please."
Lindsey nodded and walked up to Will's room, "Come downstairs, bud, your mother wants you." Will looked down, "I don't want Joe here."
Lindsey sighed, "William."
"What."
Lindsey walked up the stairs to kneel down in front of him and whisper, "Look Buddy-I don't want him here either but sometime you have to deal with people and Joe is going to be someone that neither one of us like but we have to see from time to time because Mommy has to. And we love mommy right? We're going to be here for her?"
"I didn't want this baby, I didn't ask for this to happen and now I have to live with it. I don't think she cares."
"Will, I understand I do. But believe me, she does care. Your mama cries over the hurt you two are going through in all this-almost every night. She cares. She cares a lot."
"Then why doesn't she show it? Nothing has changed."
He shook his head. "She thinks she has to be strong in front of you. If you see her upset, you guys get upset too. What's that going to solve? You're right when you say nothings really changed-cause that's not going to happen. Joe and this baby aren't going anywhere. But your mama has changed. And Will, honestly, she's scared. She's scared and hurt and she needs us right now."
"Well I need her-she isn't there."
"She's trying."
"So not going to the beach today was trying?" Will sassed
Lindsey was starting to get frustrated. "Will-you don't understand. If your mama doesn't meet with Joe every once in awhile he will take the baby from her. Do you know what that would do to her?"
"He didn't have to come today."

"Will! Can you stop this?? This is stupid! Look, you want someone to blame-blame me. Mama came and asked me what I thought and I told her it was fine. Okay?? It's my fault just blame me!" He was trying really hard not to yell.
Will's lip trembled, locking himself in his room and crying
Lindsey sighed then reluctantly returned to Stevie.
"Where is Will?"
Lindsey scratched the back of his head nervously. "He um...he's not feeling good. He said he wanted to see you though." He hated lying but this had to get fixed.
"Joe, I do hate to rush off, but I need to go to Will," Stevie apologized
He nodded and stood up. "Of course, don't worry about it." He took her hands and helped her to her feet. "See you next Wednesday?" She nodded, "See you then." He gave a curt nod to Lindsey and saw himself out.
"Let's go," Stevie took Lindsey's hand
He helped her up the stairs.
Stevie tried to open his door, finding it locked, "Linds?"
Lindsey went up to the door and knocked on it. "Will open this door now."
"Go away."
He banged on the door. "William! Now!"
"No!"
Finally Stevie tried by herself, knocking gently on the door. "Honey can I talk to you for a second?"
"So now you wanna talk?!"
She stepped back from the door abruptly, tears filling her eyes. "Will?"
"Leave!"
Lindsey shook his head sadly. Stevie just looked at him, confused.
"Lindsey what's wrong with him?!"
He took her into his arms and pulled her away into their bedroom. "He got mad cause Joe was here."
"This again?!" She threw her hands up
"Steves calm down, you know he doesn't like him, what do you expect?"
"We've been over this! I thought Will was okay!"
"Not with Joe.."
"This is ridiculous," marching back up to Will's door, "William Gregory Buckingham, open this door right now!"
He flung the door open and Stevie jumped back as she saw the nasty sting he'd gotten from the Jelly Fish.
"Baby," she said softly, walking toward him
He ran to hug her but flinched away because of the pain. "Mommy, it really hurts!"
"Let's get you taken care of and then we'll talk," Stevie held out her hand for him
He took it slowly and Lindsey ran the bath for him.
"Let's put some Epsom salt in there for you," she grabbed some out of the cabinet
She sprinkled it into the water quickly.
"Alright, get in," Stevie helped him in
He cried silently as the water got his sting
"Shh, it's okay," Stevie soothed, rubbing his back with a warm cloth
He buried his face in his knees and shook. Stevie got worried. "Lindsey!" He rushed in. "Is he okay?"
She turned to look at him. "Linds, I don't know, do you think we should take him to the hospital?"
Lindsey nodded quickly, gently scooping Will out of the bath tub and having Stevie wrap a towel around him.
"I'll get Lee in the car, can you get him dressed?"
"Just grab his robe," Lindsey nodded to the Spider-Man robe hanging on the door.
She nodded and got him dressed into it. She took his hand and walked with him down the stairs.
"Mom," Will groaned, throwing up when they got to the bottom of the stairs
Stevie shrieked. Immediately calling for Lindsey and holding Will close to her trying to comfort him.
He was trembling in her arms, slumping down on the floor against her legs. Lindsey ran in, kneeling down beside him.
Lindsey scooped him up and took him to the car then ran back to help Stevie up.
"Where is Lee?"
"I got her in the car, come on!"
Stevie almost beat him to the car
"Take it easy." Lindsey tried to calm her down but she didn't slow one bit. He finally hopped into the car and sped off towards the hospital.
Will began to become very lethargic, throwing up two more times into a beach towel. Stevie cradled him against her, ignoring the difficulty of her big belly.
"It's okay baby, it's all going to be okay-calm down honey..." she ran her hands soothingly across his back.
"Mommy, what's wrong with him?" Lee asked fearfully
"It's his sting baby.."
"B-but he was fine?"
Stevie wanted so badly to give her an answer but she didn't have one.
They arrived at the hospital and Lindsey grabbed Will from her
"Stevie watch Lee!"
One of the nurses who delivered Will and Lee moved the car for Stevie and helped them find Lindsey and Will.
Stevie told her thank you and ran into his room
Lindsey was standing out in the hallway, pulling her back as she ran in, "Don't go in."
She looked at him like he was crazy. "Why not??"
"They're working on him."
Her jaw dropped. "W-what do you mean?"
"He's very sick, baby, you saw him," Lindsey held her against him
"Why can't we be in there??"
"They need room to work, Steph."
She only shook her head.
Lindsey held Lee in one arm and wrapped his other around Stevie.
Both cried and cried and Lindsey had no clue how to console them.
The doctor came out, closing the door behind him. "Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham?"
Stevie immediately turned to burry him in questions.
"Steph, let him talk."
She reluctantly quieted herself.
"Your son is having a severe allergic reaction to a jellyfish sting. This is causing nausea and cramping, he's stable as he can be but we have to monitor his airway for swelling or any other body parts."
Stevie shook her head. "When can we see him?"
"Half an hour, we need to give the medication time to take action."
She only nodded disappointedly before turning back to bury her face into Lindsey's chest.
"If his body has another reaction it could take longer... I can't guarantee the medication will work. It's a new drug used to counteract allergic reactions, but it's not made for something this severe."
"How severe is it?"
"I'm afraid we would have lost him if you would have waited another hour...."
Lindsey could feel a sob run through Stevie's body.
"He's stable now."
He nodded and asked the doctor to keep him updated.
"Come on, Steph," he led her toward the waiting area
She shook her head. "I can't leave him!"
"You can't go in there, baby."
"I still can't leave him!" She went back and stood outside his door, trying to peek in through the little sliver of a window through door.
"Stevie," Lindsey rubbed her arm
She just glared at him.
"Think about the baby."
She shook her head and sat in the chair by the door.
Lindsey sat on the floor beside her with Lee in his lap.
All three of them just waiting until they could see Will
Lee had fallen asleep against Lindsey, crying herself to sleep.
Finally Lindsey looked up at Stevie and placed his hand on her leg to get her attention.
She looked down at him, her eyes seemed lost
He gently positioned Lee upright against the wall beside him. He kneeled up on his knees and took his face in her hands. "Hey." She was looking at him but her eyes seemed void, like he wasn't really there.
"Steves."
"I was mean to him," she sounded heartbroken
"No...sweetheart don't start this, that's got nothing to do with any of this"
"I could have lost him!"
He held her against him tight as she cried.
A nurse approached them, "You can see him now."

Stevie nearly knocked Lindsey over with how fast she stood up.
Lindsey picked up Lee and brought her with him.
Stevie opened the door and froze.
Will was laying in the huge bed, causing him to look like an ant. He was hooked up to several machines and fluids, looking deathly pale.
He was out of it, covered in a cold sweat and trembling.
She covered her mouth with her hands as she slowly approached the bed.
Lindsey was almost brought to his knees at the sight of his son
Stevie just sat down beside him in the small hospital chair and hesitantly picked up hid hand in hers.
Lindsey laid Lee at the foot of his bed and stood at Will's side.
Stevie bit her lip to try and stop the crying.
He was mumbling incoherently, moving his head side to side, almost a sick shade of green.
Stevie tried to get through to him. "Will... baby, it's okay now. Honey, you're going to be okay. Just wake up for mommy? Please."
"Hold him, let him know you're there," Lindsey told her, his voice weak and shaking
She carefully maneuvered her way around the wires and machinery and climbed into the bed with him, carefully wrapping her arms around him.
Will seemed to know that she was there because he weakly rolled his head toward her and rested it against her chest.
She smiled faintly as she ran her hand through his hair soothingly. "I'm right here baby. Me and daddy are right here."
"I don't understand-he just got sick all of the sudden," Lindsey shook his head
"You heard the doctor Lindsey, he must be allergic to some kind of bacteria in the sting...if he hadn't gotten stung we would've never known."
"I shouldn't have taken them to the beach-it was calling for rain, why would I take them to the beach?!" He began to cry, pulling at his hair as he frantically ran his hands through it.
She looked over at him.
"Hey. Stop that. You told me not five seconds ago not to play the blame game and I am NOT going to let you. He loves the beach Lindsey, you were being a great dad, this is not your fault."
He plopped down in the big chain in the corner of the room, "I can't stand to see him like this."
"You think I can? Lindsey this is our job. This is what we're here for-I know you're hurting, I am too but we need to comfort him."
He nodded, trying to shake off his feelings, Lindsey sat next to him and rubbed his stomach gently like he used to when will was a newborn. "Daddy is here, bud."
Slowly Will's eyes started to open and he looked around the room hazily.
"Mommy?" Softly crying out for her
She squeezed his shoulder slightly to let him know she was there. "I'm right here baby."
His eyes rolled back and he was out again, the medicine keeping him from feeling too much.
She sighed and kissed his head.
"At least he isn't in pain," Lindsey pointed out
She nodded.
Lindsey continued to rub Will's belly, "Have you felt any cramping?" Lindsey asked Stevie, seeing her under a good amount of stress.
"Only slightly but I'm paying attention to it. I'm okay."
"Baby, I wish you'd get that looked at."
"It's just stress. It's fine."
"If it gets any worse I am locking you out of this room until you get checked out, got it?"
She looked up at him sternly and shook her head. "You wouldn't dare. Nothing could keep me away from my boy. He needs me Linds."
"So you'd lose this baby to stay with him?"
She fell silent and looked at him like he was crazy.
"You have to take this shit seriously."
"Lindsey stop. You'll wake the kids."
He closed his eyes and mentally counted to three
She only shook her head. She knew he was only trying to take care of her, but she needed to be here for William.
The doctor came in, "The medicine is working, it'll take a while. Now....he has had as much pain medicine as his little body can safely tolerate, I have to take out the IV. He's going to be in a lot of pain after this."
Stevie bit her lip and hugged him closer.
He switched the pain medication for fluids and rubbed Will's leg. "He's brave."
Lindsey nodded then stood up to shake the doctor's hand and thank him. "Hey can I speak to you for a minute outside?" The doctor nodded. "Of course."
The two men stepped out into the hall. "Hey, listen my wife is pregnant and she's been having these cramps occasionally. She says it's just stress but it has me worried. Do you think you could get her checked out while we're here?"
He nodded, "Of course. I'll get a nurse and wheelchair over here and we will get everything take care of."
"Thank you."
The doctor clapped him on the back and returned very shortly with his nurse and a wheelchair.
They all re-entered the room and Stevie looked at the wheelchair confused. "What's going on? Where's he going?"
"He isn't going anywhere, but we need you to come with us."
She looked at them like they were crazy. "I can't just leave him."
"It won't take long-he should still be sleeping when we get back," the nurse encouraged
She turned her gaze towards Lindsey and glared at him.
"Please, Mrs. Buckingham."
She huffed then slowly got up and into the wheelchair.
They wheeled her down the hall and into an examination room where a OBGYN would take a better look at her.
The fact that she was extremely pissed off though was not helping.
"Hello Mrs...." The OBGYN trailed off, not catching her name
"Buckingham."
"Mrs. Buckingham, I'm Dr. Carter. What's this I'm hearing about cramps?"
She sighed, "It's nothing really, I just get them sometimes when I'm under a lot of stress. My husband is just over dramatic."
"Well let's make sure it's really nothing before we blow it off, okay?"
She nodded.
Dr. Carter showed her to lie back as she inched up her shirt and squirted the gel on. "Is this your first child?"
"Third..."
"You're a trooper," she made small talk as she got the machine and transducer set up
Stevie offered her a polite smile as she finally finished setting everything up.
Dr. Carter pressed the transducer to her stomach, moving it around slightly before finding the baby.
Stevie smiled as the heartbeat filled the room.
"It's a little slower than I'd like....I can see the placenta slightly tearing away from the wall, it's not enough to need surgery, but you HAVE to keep the stress to an absolute minimum, got it?"
Stevie's eyes got wide. "W-what??"
"You will be fine, I just don't want anything leading to preeclampsia. No more stress."
Stevie shook her head, "I can't believe this..." she thought back to the last couple of days, she hadn't been as precautions as she had been.
"Please don't get upset, I know it's not easy to hear this but if you take it easy then everything will be FINE!"
She nodded slowly. "Okay. Thank you, Dr. Carter....can I go see my son now?"
"Of course," getting the nurse to help Stevie to the wheelchair and back to Will
She couldn't believe what she'd just heard. Honestly it scared her to death. She was glad to see however that when she made it back to Will's room he was still asleep
"He's been out like a light, what did the doctor say?" Lindsey asked as Stevie climbed into bed with Will again.
"Nothing."
"Steph." He said warningly
She looked up at him, "They said that their heartbeat was a little slow and that..the placenta is starting to tear away from the wall-she said it wasn't bad but I couldn't have anymore stress..."
"And I will make sure that you don't have to go through anymore stress, baby. We are a team."
She looked back down at Will and smoothed some of his hair out of his face before she finally looked back up at Lindsey. "Thank you. For everything. For what you said, for forcing me to get checked out. Thank you for taking care of me."
"It's my job as your husband and a decent father to make sure that you are looked after."
She smiled at him.
Will began to groan and move slightly
She rubbed his arm. "It's okay buddy, take it easy."
Lindsey took his hand, careful not to disturb the IV. "William."
He slowly slipped back into consciousness.
Lee had woken by up and was patting his leg. "Mommy," Will cried, leaning his head against her
She held him gently. "Shhh.... it's okay baby..."
He was trembling in her arms, soaking them both as he was going through a cold sweat
She got worried and asked Lindsey to go get him a cold wash rag.
"Will?" Lee asked fearfully, sitting quietly at the end of the bed
Stevie shook her head. "He's okay Lee, he's just sick." Once Lindsey came back with the rag she asked him to call Karen to come get Lee.
"I don't wanna leave him!" Lee cried
"Honey you don't need to see him like this, and you don't need to get sick."
Her lip trembled, breaking their hearts but she reluctantly agreed
"Come here baby girl." She motioned for Lee to come closer and she kissed her head. "We'll all be home soon."
"Nothing bad is going to happen to him, right?" She asked
"Of course not baby. He's going to be fine."
"Can I give him a kiss?
Stevie bit her lip then nodded.
Lindsey helped Lee reach Will without messing any wires
She kissed his cheek gently. "Bye Will, I love you."
"Love you," he mumbled the best that he could
Stevie and Lindsey smiled at them lovingly.
Karen rushed in, covering her mouth at the sight of Will, "Is he going to be alright?"
Stevie only nodded. Lindsey walked Karen and Lee out into the hallway and explained as much as he could.
"Poor baby," Speaking of Will as she rubbed Lindsey's back
He nodded, "Thank you for coming to get Lee."
"It's my job," Karen smile
"Well you'll definitely be getting a bonus considering how much you have to do for us. We really appreciate it."
"It's no trouble-just focus on Will."
He nodded. "Bye."
"Bye Lee."
"Bye Daddy."
They left and Lindsey returned back to Stevie and Will.
She was stroking his hair as he groaned in pain
He came up and carefully crawled in on the other side of them.
"Daddy's here Will."
Will turned his face towards Lindsey.
Lindsey kissed his forehead and held him close to him
Stevie snuggled into them.
He began to whimper and move around in pain
Stevie jumped up. "I can't just sit here anymore-they have to help him more than this! He's hurting!" She ran out into the hallway looking for the doctor Lindsey ran after her.
"Stevie you heard them-his body can't handle more."

"Time has passed since then and they need to help him!"
"I know-go be with him. I'll take care of this," he rubbed Stevie's arm
She jerked against him still looking for the doctor. He finally turned her around to face him. "Stevie. No stress. Remember what the doctor said."
She looked down at her stomach and nodded, returning to Will and trying to calm him
"M-mama, you left me.."
"I went to go get you some medicine," Stevie explained
He just scooted closer to her.
Lindsey came back with a nurse, "We can give him more medication to put him back to sleep."
Stevie looked at the nurse warily. "Is all this sedative good for him?"
"With his size and age, there's only so much we can do that his body can handle."
She nodded reluctantly, Lindsey coming to hug her supportingly. Knowing she didn't like the situation.
"Mommy make it stop," Will begged, clutching her shirt tightly
"Shhhh.....it's going to be over soon honey."
He was wheezing and coughing, alarming everyone
Stevie and Lindsey were immediately escorted off the bed so that the nurses could tend to him.
A nurse ushered them out into the hallway and rushed back in, machines beeping and alarming.
Stevie was starting to go into hysterics, Lindsey doing everything he could to calm her down.
"Think about the baby," he kept repeating against her hair as he hugged her against him
She just beat her fists against his chest in frustration. "I'm trying, I'm trying! I can't help him Lindsey! I can't help him! I'm his mama! I'm supposed to be able to help him!"
"Baby no one but the doctor's can help him! You can't control this!"
She cried and cried until her voice was just a hoarse noise that was barely audible.
"Baby we have to be strong for him, he won't feel safe if he sees us like this," Lindsey rubbed her back
"I can't help it...Linds... I love him so much and he's...I can't help him..." she was whispering now.
"I know exactly how you feel, and I know that it sucks, but he will get better."
"Will he?"
"Baby-yes."
She buried her head in his neck as he rubbed the sides of her belly soothingly.
"Baby, the doctor is coming," Lindsey pulled back
She turned around quickly, grasping his hand between hers as the doctor approached.
"His body is still reacting to the sting, we had to had to insert and intubation tube so he could breathe properly...his throat began to close up."
Stevie just shook her head defeatedly. Praying so hard for good news.
"He's going to be okay, it'll get worse before it gets better."
Lindsey only nodded.
"Can we see him?"
"Yes, you can. He's under the sedatives again though."
They both rushed into the room
Nurses shooting them sympathetic glances.
Stevie collapsed, Lindsey catching her as he became weak in the knees himself. There laid Will with the tube down his throat and honestly looked dead.
There were no words from either of them. There was nothing they could say.
"Let him know we're here," Lindsey moved them toward the bed and sat Stevie in the chair beside the bed
She had a hard time even looking at him though, shaking her head and crying.
"William, we're here," Lindsey sat beside him and began to run his stomach again
Stevie eventually stood up and bent down to hug him the best she could, shaking the whole time.
Lindsey and Stevie stayed with him through the night, Lindsey making Stevie lay beside will in the bed so she wouldn't hurt so much in the morning. "You're gonna be okay, Will."