She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "No....they're not."
"I knew it," he said angrily
"Buddy, I'm so sorry. Mommy made a lot of bad decisions when me and daddy were apart. But this baby is still your baby brother or sister."
"I don't care," he said coldly
"William. Please don't do this, they're going to need you."
"You upset all of us!" Will yelled climbing off the bed. "William don't you start this shit," Lindsey warned, standing behind him
He turned around startled to see his father.
"You apologize to her. Now," Lindsey said sternly, seeming extremely angry
"Lindsey it's okay-"
"No it's not! Quit babying him Stevie! He's being rude!"
Finally Will just apologized, although he was NOT happy with his mother he still didn't want her to get upset and have to stay here any longer. "I'm sorry."
"Louder," Lindsey told him
"I'm sorry."
"Thank you," his father nodded
He sulked
"Can you call Karen?" He whimpered
"No-"
"Lindsey." Stevie shot him down again and he eventually left back out to the hall to call her. Will wiped away a tear that had managed to fall down and sat in the chair by the window. "You know I love you right?" Stevie asked him quietly. He nodded. "I guess so."
"I do, and I'm really sorry I've hurt you."
Will climbed up in the chair next to the window, staring out into to the city around them
"What are you thinking about honey?"
"Nothing," he sat quietly
She tried to get up and walk to him but she could barely sit up. Her body still hadn't recovered completely from the sedatives.
"I'm going to go wait on Karen," Will hopped down and walked toward the door
"Will wait!" He stopped. "Can I have a hug?"
"Yes," he walked back to the bed and wrapped his arms around her waist
She hugged him tight and kissed his head. "I'll see you soon okay?"
"Okay."
"I love you." He opened the door. "Love you too." Then he was gone
Stevie laid back against the pillows, closing her eyes and letting the tears roll down her cheeks. Her sweet Will hated her!
She'd really screwed up. But she didn't know how to fix it! She couldn't fix the damage she'd done, but she hoped Will could forgive her.
What if Lee felt the same way?
She hoped not, maybe she was too young. Hopefully.
Lindsey returned to the room with Will, "Lee got sick, Karen can't come."
"What?? Is she okay?!"
"Yea, just running a fever."
She relaxed a little.
"Will, go get in bed with your mother, it's past your bedtime," Lindsey directed him
"But-" Lindsey gave him a look.
Will huffed and climbed in the bed
He kept his back to Stevie though. Stevie wrapped her arms around him gently.
Lindsey sat at the foot of the bed and rubbed Stevie's leg, watching his family sleep
He knew that Stevie was heart broken over how Will felt, all he wanted was to fix their relationship
"The doctor said you could leave tomorrow morning if everything looks good," Lindsey said softly
She lazily looked up at him and smiled.
"Is he asleep?" Lindsey toward Will
She nodded. "I think so."
"I'm not," Will mumbled
She laughed lightly then smoothed his hair back.
He moved his head away from her hand
She was hurt but accepted it-she didn't want to push him
Lindsey gently crawled into bed next to her
She'd given him a hard time lately but she really was grateful for him.
"I love you, baby," Lindsey kissed the back of her head
She smiled, "I love you too."
He draped his arm over her waist and tried to get comfortable with the tiny space he was given
She turned to him. "You don't have to lay here if it's not comfortable."
"I haven been close to you in days, I miss you," he pulled her tighter against him
She smiled at him, "I missed you too."
"I'm busting you out of here first thing tomorrow morning," He told her
She giggled, "I hope so."
"Can we sleep now?" Will groaned
They both smiled at each other almost laughing.
Will was in a deep sleep not long after, "I think he snores louder than you do," Lindsey commented
She smacked his arm
"What?" He whispered
"Shut up." She whispered back
Lindsey chuckled and kissed her head once more, "Let's get some sleep."
She nodded.
The doctor and nurses woke them up bright and early the next morning
They handed Stevie her discharge papers and soon she was cleared to leave
"Let's go," Lindsey sighed happily after helping Stevie dress
She took Will's hand and they all walked out of the hospital
Will climbed into the backseat and into his car seat, buckling himself up
"Home again, home again."
"Ready?" Lindsey looked over at her
"Definitely."
He smiled and drove them home
When they reached their house Lee was already at the window waiting for them, despite not feeling well
Lindsey smiled and pointed her out to Stevie, "Someone is waiting to see you."
Stevie smiled automatically
Will was sprinting toward the house, Lee meeting him outside and hugging each other tightly
The sight made Stevie almost cry
"Hi!" Will smiled as Lee dragged him inside
"Hey Will!"
Lindsey helped Stevie inside, her being a little weak from the drugs at the hospital.
She leaned on him for the most part. Her mind was awake but her body wasn't.
"Do I need to carry you?"
"Only if you don't hurt yourself."
"Oh please," Lindsey scoffed, scooping her up in his arms, "I'm going to put you in bed and I'll help Karen with dinner."
"My hero." She said overly dramatic then kissed his cheek when he pretended to look offended.
"Here we go," he gently placed her on the bed.
She smiled up at him as he got her situated and surrounded by blankets. "Thank you Linds.."
"No problem, beautiful," Lindsey bent down to kiss her
She kissed him back slowly, neither one of them really wanting to leave the other.
He cupped her cheek and sat down beside her, never breaking the kiss
She wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to pull him back with her but he reluctantly backed away. "I gotta help with dinner Steves."
"I know," she pouted, "just make sure that Karen is there to supervise you."
He laughed then nodded as he stood up. "What you don't trust my cooking skills?"
"Absolutely not!"
He fake pouted then smiled as he leaned down to kiss her head before leaving. "Rest for a while." She nodded and he left.
Stevie relaxed back against the pillows, extremely happy to be in her own bed
She fell asleep for nearly an hour before Karen came up to wake her.
"Stevie," Karen whispered as she shook her gently
She slowly woke up. "Hey..." she said groggily as she sat up.
"Hey, dinner is ready. Lindsey wanted me to come help you."
She smiled and thanked her as Karen then helped her get on her feet.
"You got it?"
"I think so."
"Hang on, I'm going to get Lindsey. I really don't want you falling down those stairs."
"Karen I'm fine I can walk."
"Are you positive?" Karen grabbed her hand
"I think so."
"Not good enough-Lindsey!"
Lindsey came jogging upstairs, "Is something wrong?"

"I don't want to risk Stevie falling down the stairs could you help her?"
Lindsey scooped her up in his arms, "Lets get you to the dining room."
"Be careful Lindsey."
"I have you, baby," he chuckled
"You're gonna have a hernia if you have to keep carrying me."
"Don't make me laugh," Lindsey acted like he was going to drop her
"Lindsey!" She shrieked and he just continued to laugh. "Jerk."
He made it to the bottom of the steps and placed her back on her feet
"Thank you honey"
"My pleasure," he took her hand and led her to the dining room
She sat down and helped Lee with her napkin while Lindsey went to go get Will.
"Come on, buddy," Lindsey made him get up from the couch
He slowly followed his father to the table.
"Eat your dinner," Lindsey told him as he placed his plate in front of him
He nodded
Lindsey sat next to Stevie and squeezed her hand
She smiled at him appreciatively
"Hi mommy," Lee said sweetly
"Hey sweet girl, are you feeling better?"
"Not really, but I'm happy you're home."
"Aww I'm sorry you're sick sweetheart. I'm gonna make sure you get lots of rest and get better soon. I'm glad to be home too."
Lee smiled and picked at her food, clearly not hungry
"Lee why don't you just drink your water and I'll make you some toast?"
"I don't feel like eating."
"Well you need to eat a little something, how about just one piece of toast and then I'll tuck you into bed to get some rest."
"Okay," she nodded
Stevie stood up carefully and made her way to the toaster. Lindsey watching her closely
"I can do it," he offered
"I'm alright it's not like it's a marathon."
"Okay."
She fixed Lee her toast then sat back down to eat her own food
Leelee began to nibble on the food, abruptly running to the bathroom and getting sick
Stevie immediately jumped up to follow her and ended up falling down straight to the floor from the suddenness. Lindsey was quick to her side as she cursed under her breath. "I'm fine! I'm fine! Go check on Lee!"
Lindsey nodded turning to check on Lee but finding Karen tending to her
Lindsey came back to Stevie who couldn't seem to get up off the floor. Will, despite being mad at her was trying his best to help her up.
"I'll help you Mommy," Will took her hand
She tried to help him out a little but couldn't seem to stand up. Eventually he helped her get back into her chair.
"Thank you Will."
"Welcome," he said simply, Lindsey came back with Lee in his arms. "I'm going to put her in bed then tend to you."
She nodded. "Are you alright Lee?"
She shook her head, "My belly hurts."
"I'm sorry baby, go lay down and maybe it'll feel better tomorrow. I'll bring you some medicine in a bit okay?"
"Karen is bringing her some." Lindsey said
She nodded then kissed Lee's head before Lindsey took her up the stairs.
Will sat across from her, quietly eating his dinner
"Thanks for helping me."
He nodded and shoved his mouth with food to avoid speaking
She smiled sadly at him.
"Can I go play?"
"Go ahead."
He put his plate on the counter and ran off to his play room. Lindsey entered and scooped Stevie up to take her to bed
"You shouldn't have jumped up like that."
"I saw my daughter getting sick? What do you think I was going to do?" Stevie asked
He sighed and changed the subject. "Did you get hurt?"
"No," she shook her head, "I caught myself with my hands for the most part."
He picked up her hands in his and sure enough they were red. He kissed them, then sat down beside her. "Lee is going to be fine. Karen just took her temperature and it's normal. It's just a cold."
"I hope so, I feel terrible not being able to care for her," Stevie sighed
"I know, and she knows you would be there for her in a heart beat. She understands."
"You think so?"
"Well...not the specifics of course but she understands that you love her and that if you could help her you would."
Stevie nodded and laid back down in the bed.
He smoothed the hair away from her face and look down at her lovingly.
"Can you bring her to me? I want my little girl."
Lindsey looked at her warily. "What if she gets you sick?"
"It's just a cold," Stevie told him
He sighed, "Alright."
Stevie sat up against the headboard and waited for Lindsey to return with her little girl
Soon he had brought her in there along with her little cuddle blanket.
"Hey baby," Stevie smiled, reaching for her
"Hey mommy.." she clung to her mother the second Lindsey let her go.
Stevie held Lee against her, kissing all over her face.
"I'm so sorry you aren't feeling well baby."
Lee nodded and looked up at Stevie, "I missed you."
"I've missed you too sweetheart."
"Are you home for good?"
"Yes mam"
"No more doctors?"
"Only when the baby is born." Stevie smiled.
"Okay," she laid her head in the crook of Stevie's neck
Stevie hugged her close then wrapped all the blankets around them.
She could feel Lee's breathing even out against her neck
She hoped her girl would feel better soon, she hated seeing her sick.
She heard a tiny knock on the door
She looked up
Will was standing in the doorway
"Hey Will.."
"Can I sleep in the treehouse?"
"It might be too cold with the breeze go ask daddy."
"He said I had to ask you," Will shrugged
She laughed quietly. "I guess so but wear warm pajamas"
"I will," he trotted off to his room, gathering his things and taking them outside
She smiled at him, hoping all he needed was time to forgive her.
Lindsey came in after cleaning the kitchen, "I'm going to put Lee in her bed."
"Do you have to?"
"She's been around you long enough, I don't want both of us getting sick."
She nodded reluctantly and he took Lee from her arms.
He laid beside her once he had tucked Lee in.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her against him.
"I have something I want to run by you," Stevie turned to face him
"Yeah?"
"I am putting Walsh on this baby's birth certificate."
Lindsey froze for a moment then nodded. "I guess it only makes sense.."
"And Joe is going to be in the delivery room....only Joe."
He sighed. "I guess that sounds right...."
"It would be less stress on me," She explained
"I understand."
"Thank you," she kissed him
He barely kissed her back and she more than noticed.
"I love you," Stevie laid her head against his chest
"I love you too-I don't mean to get upset but you have to understand this isn't easy."
"Trust me, I know. I'm carrying a child that isn't my husband's." Stevie replied
It came out more harshly then she meant it to and she realized it. "Sorry...." He just shook his head and squeezed her closer to him. "It's alright."
She kissed his cheek, "I do love them."
"I know."
"I just don't really know how to handle all of this, you know?"
She nodded.
"Neither do I," Stevie agreed
He sighed and just held her. "We'll make it. I know we will."
"I know," she kissed his chest, I just stress about the kids...Will knows that the baby isn't yours."
He looked down at her abruptly. "How?"
"He asked me at the hospital and I didn't want to lie to him, that's why he's angry with me."
Lindsey took a deep breath. "Great."
"What was I supposed to do?" She asked
He shook his head. "Nothing I just.....you're right to tell the truth....I just hadn't thought about explaining that part yet.."
"Well when would've been a good time? When the baby comes and the kids are asking why they don't look like Daddy?"
He sighed. "Stevie stop. I'm not trying to be rude I'm just telling you the truth-with everything that's been going on I haven't thought about how to explain it."
"Well you'll have your chance with Lee then because I will not have both of my children hating me."
He shook his head. "Can we just go to sleep. We still have some time to have this conversation with her and I'll try to help Will understand. He doesn't hate you."
"Oh please, he'll barely talk to me. I was hoping that you would say no about letting him stay in the tree house-I didn't want him to distance himself from me."

Lindsey furrowed his brow, "I did tell him no about the treehouse."

Stevie also grew confused, "He told me that you said yes, so I said yes?"
Lindsey looked at her for a second then jumped up from the bed and ran down stairs.
He sprinted out to the treehouse and climbed up, seeing Will sleeping all snuggled in his sleeping bag.
He sighed in frustration but decided to let it go. He could help Will not be mad at Stevie if he was mad at him too. He quietly climbed down out of the tree house and found Stevie at the top of the stairs trying to go down them.
"Hey, hey, hey!" He jogged up the stairs and pulled her away from them
She shot him a look of desperation. "Please tell me he didn't run away again??" She asked frantically. "He's fine, he's fine. He's sleeping. I can't believe you were going to walk down those stairs!"
"What did you think I was going to do?! Fly?!"
He gave her a look. "You're still weak get back in bed!"
"Bring him inside," Stevie demanded, turning back toward the bedroom
"Stevie, he's sleeping!" He followed her
"He lied to us, bringing him inside for his punishment."
"Put yourself in his shoes Stevie, what would you do if you went through what he has? If you knew what he does at his age but don't really understand any of it??"
"So this is my fault?!" Stevie threw her hands up
"No! But I can't punish him knowing that he's hurting."
Stevie huffed and laid down
"I'm sorry Stevie...can't we just let it go until the morning? Please?"
"Mmhm," she mumbled, turning her back to him
He laid back beside her and kissed her cheek.
Stevie focused get attention on the treehouse, looking through the window
She knew Lindsey had a point
"Talk to him first thing in the morning," She instructed Lindsey
He nodded.
Stevie relaxed back into him and fell asleep
Soon the morning came and Stevie woke up to the sun just barely peeking in through the window
Stevie turned over and found Lindsey on his stomach next to her
She gently ran her hand through his curls and smiled. For the moment, everything had a peaceful glow around it.
Lindsey took her hand from his hair and held it in his, kissing it and rubbed it with his eyes closed.
She smiled at him.
He held her hand against him and started to snore again
She looked over at the clock on the side of his bed and decided it was still early enough to sleep a little more.
"Come here," Stevie gestured for him to scoot closer, "I need you."
He barely moved at first then completely rolled over almost on top of her.
"Jesus, Linds!" Stevie chuckled
He laughed as he scooted over off of her.
"You have to be careful, this belly is starting to pop," she ran her hand over her stomach
He shook his head. "Pshh, whatever. It's no where near popping yet." He sat his hand overtop of hers.
"Yes it is," Stevie insisted
He scoffed. "It's barely there."
"I'm almost thirteen weeks," Stevie said
He just looked down at her stomach for the longest time before leaning down to kiss it.
Stevie rubbed the back of his head
He looked up at her and smiled. "What are you smiling about?"
"You."
"Me?" Lindsey propped up on his elbows
"Yeah, you."
"Yea, I would smile about me too," He chuckled
She smacked his arm and rolled her eyes.
"How's the morning sickness? I haven't seen out getting sick at all," Lindsey asked
She nodded. "I noticed that too, there hasn't been much, when there is it's not that bad. I felt a little queasy at dinner last night but not enough to hurt anything."
"I guess your body just kinda knows what to do after two kids," he laid on his back beside her, "I remember how terrible it was with Lee."
She laughed at the memory herself. "It was AWFUL. I swear I couldn't eat a thing for three months!"
"I felt so bad, I had gotten you into that position and couldn't do anything to help! Not to mention how awfully moody you were."
She giggled. "Yeah... it was your fault. But I forgive you." She joked and he just shook his head. "Uh huh."
"I got my little girl out of it," Lindsey shrugged, "it was worth it."
She smiled as she rolled into lay in his side. "You mean MY little girl."
"Our little girl."
She nodded affirmatively. "That's more like it."
He kissed her cheek, "Yea."
She tossed her arm over his side and spoke. "So....nap some more or get up?"
"I think I'm going to shower," Lindsey said, rubbing his fingers against her arm
She shook her head. "That was not an option."
"Get up."
"Lindseyyyyyyy" she wined as he suddenly yanked the covers off of them. "Hey! It's cold!"
"I have to speak to Will," he got out of bed
She sighed. "Okay.."
"I mean you did ask me to talk with him," Lindsey reminded
"I know, I know.."
"I'm going to shower first," He shuffled toward the bathroom
She nodded
Seconds later she heard the shower running and stream flowing out from underneath the door
She decided to try and get a little more rest
Just as her eyes were about to close Lee came slowly walking into their room
"Mommy?"
Stevie sat up on her elbows and looked at her, she had obviously been crying and was distraught.
"Lee what's wrong??" She panicked
Lee ran over to her and jumped on top of her, "Will said the baby wasn't part of our family."
Stevie's jaw dropped.
"Is it true?" Lee sniffled
"No! Of course the baby is a part of our family!"
"But he said it's because the baby isn't Daddy's," She cried
Stevie took a ragged breath and closed her eyes. "Lee, Will is right about that. Look, this baby isn't daddy's baby but they're still a part of our family."
"Why isn't the baby Daddy's?"
Stevie bit her lip. She didn't know what to say. Not a clue. Lindsey appeared from the bathroom at that moment and she knew by the look on his face he'd heard it all.
"Listen sweet girl," he sat on the edge of the bed, "remember when I didn't live with you guys for a little while?"
She nodded
"Well Daddy made a mistake and hurt mommy. Mr. Walsh, the real father of the baby helped Mommy feel better and he gave her a baby."
Stevie was close to tears at this point but was grateful to Lindsey's explanation.
Lee nodded and looked at Stevie, "Do you still feel better?"
Stevie forced a smile and nodded quickly. "Of course I do, I told you I would. I'm all better."
"Promise?" She held up her pinky finger
She connected their pinkies and shook them. "Promise."
Lee smiled and laid on top of Stevie, hugging her tightly
Stevie played with her hair soothingly and eventually looked up at Lindsey silently thanking him.
He nodded, she could tell that it was bothering him
But she decided not to talk to him until Lee was out of earshot
Will walked past them on the way to his room
Lindsey frowned, "Will!"
He poked his head in, "Sir?"
"Get in here."
Will slowly entered the room
He looked at Lee then at Stevie and decided not to do this right now, in front of them.
"Let's go to your room."
Will nodded hesitantly then followed his father out to his room
Lee looked at her mother, "Did I get him in trouble?"
"No sweetie, they just need to talk about something."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Leelee nodded and laid back down against Stevie.
Stevie ran her hand across Lee's forehead. "How do you feel today?"
"A little better," she was still a little warm
Stevie just hugged her tighter. "Lets go get you some medicine."
"Carry me," Lee clung to her neck
"I don't know if I can baby, I'll try."
Lee nodded
Stevie sat up and braced herself as she tried to stand with Lee in her arms.
"I'm sorry baby, I can't," She eased back down
Lee pouted for a second then just climbed back into bed and snuggled into her side. "It's alright I'll wait for daddy."
Meanwhile Lindsey and Will were having a heart to heart over the baby
"I just don't understand daddy, how can I be happy about the baby now?"
"Because they're your brother and sister," Lindsey said softly
"But they're not!"
"They could be," Lindsey rubbed his back
Will sighed, still very frustrated, "How?"
"They're still Mommy's baby. They'll need you if you accept them," he sat on Will's bed
Will took a deep breath and looked at his feet. "I was mean to mommy wasn't I?"
"Yes, very. She's very sad because of it," Lindsey nodded
He bit his lip thoughtfully as he took a moment to think. However much he looked like Lindsey, Lindsey couldn't help but constantly find him acting more like Stevie everyday, picking up a lot of her habits and attitude. Finally Will looked up at him, bringing him out of his thoughts, "I need to apologize to her don't I?"
"That's up to you, Bud. I think she'd like that very much."
He nodded, "I don't her to be upset."
"I don't either, let's go talk to her, okay?"
He walked behind his father back towards their room
"Baby?" Lindsey opened the door
Stevie poked her head up from where she was laying with Lee. "Yeah?"
"Will has something that he would like to say to you."
Will walked out from behind Lindsey and hesitantly looked up at you.
*her
"Hi Will," Stevie smiled softly
"Hey."
"Come here. Linds, take Lee her temperature is going up again," Stevie said
He went over and took Lee to go get some medicine. Leaving her with Will
"Tell me what you're feeling," She sat up
He shrugged as he went and sat beside her. "I guess I'm confused, I was mad but I'm not anymore, I don't know.."
"I was pretty mad at myself too, I still am. I wish that your Daddy was theirs too so badly," Stevie looked down, "I didn't want you guys to know."
He looked at her strangely. "Then why'd you tell me?"
"I couldn't lie to you baby. Never."
"I don't know how to feel," he said almost in a whisper
She looked at him sadly and grabbed his hand. "That's okay you know. It's normal. I don't either."
"What does Daddy feel?" Will questioned
"Oh honey I don't think daddy knows what he feels either but I know he feels love. I really can't tell you what else but he definitely loves me and you and Lee and the baby... I know that much."
"How can he love a baby that isn't his?" He straddled her lap
She looked at him and smiled, "Your daddy is the greatest man on Earth that's how...I don't know Will I really don't."
"You know he cries over a picture?" His attention directed to something else on his mind
Stevie closed her eyes and could just feel a few tears slip out. She quickly wiped them away as she nodded.
"I can show you," he took her hand
She was hesitant to get up but tried anyways
Will was very gentle and attentive to her condition, slowly helping her down the hallway, "I can help you down the stairs."
"I don't know if daddy would like that very much." It's true she remembers Lindsey almost had a cow over it last night but Will looks like this is important to him so she decided to try
"How can I help?" He asked, not wanting her to fall
"Just.......hold my hand I guess." She said a little nervously
Will took her hand in his tiny one and stepped down the first step
Stevie trying to follow him slowly but quietly.
Will let her take her time to get safely down the stairs, "It's in the kitchen."
Stevie was relieved to have made it carefully down the steps and now was just following Will
He led her over to the large cabinet and reached behind one of the hand painted plates, pulling out a sonogram
Stevie took the picture from him shakily.
It was of the baby they had lost long before Will or Lee came along...the one that Lindsey took the hardest. They had just joined Fleetwood Mac, and Stevie had conceived the baby, not being able to quit the band. She and Lindsey carried on as normal, over the moon about becoming parents....but Stevie had lost the baby as well as her relationship with Lindsey.
Stevie thought she was going to lose it right then but she didn't want to frighten Will or upset the baby so she just took a couple of deep breaths trying to collect herself. No wonder he had been drinking a lot lately, he'd been going through not only their current situation but from some of their decades old heartbreaks.
"Stephanie," Lindsey's voice was a mix between despair and shock, he had appeared behind her
She turned around quickly, their eyes locking.
He held his hand out for the picture
She just looked at him. "Lindsey.."
"Steph," he gently took the sonogram picture from her and headed toward his studio
She couldn't believe what had just happened. It all made sense now. The hurt, the arguments, even every petty little misunderstanding-it was more than just now, it was then too. She felt awful she hadn't noticed.
"Mommy, I'm sorry," Will tugged on her hand
She quickly refocused back on him.
"I didn't mean to upset anyone."
She leaned down to hug him. "No, no it's alright honey. You didn't upset anyone, but thank you for apologizing."
Will have her a smile and kissed her cheek
She just hugged him tighter until eventually she just had to talk to Lindsey. "Hey Will, how about you and me get daddy to drive us out to the beach and hang out later?"
"And Lee?"
"And Lee."
Will nodded and smiled, "The beach!" He said excitedly
"Yep! You go get ready and see if Lee feels good enough and I'll go talk to daddy."
He didn't even answer, sprinting upstairs to do as his mother asked
She smiled to herself a little then went off to find Lindsey
He had locked himself up in the studio doing God knows what. She could hear him on the phone with someone
She knocked on the door lightly
Lindsey ended the phone call quickly and opened the door
"..hey..." She wasn't really sure what to say.
"Hey...listen, now really isn't a good time," he said quickly
"Lindsey. We need to talk. There isn't a better time."
"I just need a bit," Lindsey tried to explain
"Lindsey.." she was pleading with him now
He sighed and opened the door
She stepped into the studio and closed the door behind her.
Lindsey took a seat at his soundboard and poured himself a whiskey
Which she quickly took from his grasp and dropped it in the trash can by the door before sitting down across from him
"Please don't start that," Lindsey sighed in frustration, "I wasn't planning on getting drunk."
"Well with you I never know do I? Look, we're taking the kids to the beach in a little while so I need you to be completely sober. Plus...we need to talk."
"We need to talk about our dead child in front of our children, makes sense," He said sarcastically
Her jaw dropped. "Lindsey. Stop. They're not around right now and obviously we have decades worth of things to talk about."
"No Steph, this is not just about decades of shit that has gone on between us! This is about you being pregnant with that bastard's child! This is about me wanting a baby and the one my wife is carrying isn't even mine!" He blew up, unable to hold anything in. This had been festering for a whole, could she really expect him to play the loving husband like he had been, being cool with whatever was going to happen?
She had tears threatening to spill, she knew this was coming-she was dreading the moment he couldn't take it anymore and here it was. She didn't know what to say, she had so much but couldn't actually say it. Plus 'I'm sorry' seemed pretty pointless, he knew she was. But what happened now? They were at a stand still.
Lindsey continued when she remained silent, "Yes I had sex with Kristen, and yes I would have gotten her pregnant if she could have, but I would have waited until everything was finalized! You fucked Joe AND GOT PREGNANT. I have to deal with this mess now so I won't lose my family!"
She bit her lip, the tears streaming down uncontrollably now. She thought he'd stayed for her, now she knew it had nothing to do with her. He just wanted his family-he would've left her for Kristen. She was still speechless. What could she say to any of that?
"Do you love me?" She cried
He looked at her like she was crazy. "Of course I love you."
She shook her head. "Are you still IN love with me?"
"Yes," he nodded, that he was sure of.
She looked at him, confused, "Are you sure?"
"I'm positive, my life with Kristen just seemed more stable."
She took a shaky breath and then hung her head in her hands. Trying to collect herself from her own thoughts.
"I just want a baby, you know?" He sighed, placing his hands on the back of his head.
"I'll try, we can try after this one if that's what you want I promise you I'll try."
"What is going to happen with this baby, Steph?" Lindsey asked, shrugging his shoulders
She looked at him funny, "what do you mean?"
"After they are born, how is all of this going to work out with Joe?"
"I don't know yet but we'll figure it out....they'll be here with us for the first part."
"I honestly don't trust you around him," Lindsey admitted
She looked at him hurt, "Lindsey, we were over when we started! I only went to him after because of the baby! There is no reason for you not to trust me!"
"You have a child together."
She looked down at her stomach then back up at him. "We have two."
"We're married."
"Exactly!"
"You're not married to him! He's going to be around here all the time! What if you get tired of me and want the thrill of sneaking around with him?!"
She just gaped at him. "Thrill? You think it was a thrill the first time? I'm sorry Lindsey some of us don't cheat for fun-sometimes we're hurt and lonely and confused.. I wish I could change it but I can't but I can promise you you won't have to worry about it happening again."
"I hope not," he stood up and walked out
She just sat there for the longest time, alone, thinking.
Lindsey would never fully accept this baby
After another long crying spell she decided to try and relax hoping that all this stress wasn't getting to the baby. She laid down on her side on the couch and fell asleep.
She woke up to Will patting her cheek, "Mommy?"
She sat up slowly. "Yeah?"
"Daddy said its time for bed. Will you read me a story?"
"Bed? What about the beach?"
"It's after nine o'clock, Mommy," Will told her
"Oh my gosh I am so sorry Will, I napped longer then I meant to how come no one woke me up?"
"Daddy said not to bother you," He answered
Stevie ran her hand through her hair. "I'm sorry buddy, I really wanted to take you out on the beach-how about first thing in the morning?"
"That's okay Mommy, it's a school day. We forgive you," he kissed her cheek
"Crap," she hugged him tightly then ruffled his hair. "Saturday for sure."
"Don't worry about it."
"I will worry about it but not till Saturday. Now let's go find Lee and I'll read you both a story."
"She's asleep. Daddy put her to bed after she got sick."
Stevie couldn't believe Lindsey hadn't woken her up, she was furious but she couldn't show it to Will. "Alright, what story do you want to hear then?"
"My story," speaking of the one he had heard hundreds of times when Stevie found out she was pregnant to his birth
She nodded then asked him to go get Lindsey so he could help her up the stairs to his room.
"Daddy!" Will yelled for Lindsey, too lazy to go find him
Lindsey came rushing in thinking something was wrong but relaxing as soon as he assessed that everything seemed fine.
"Bring me to Will's room please."
He nodded then scooped her up, silently carrying her up the stairs.
Will jumped in his bed and pulled the blankets back for her
Lindsey laid her down in it and left, avoiding eye contact with her the whole time.
Stevie kept a straight face for Will and pulled the blanket over them, "Ready?"
He nodded.
"Well, Daddy and I were in the middle of big tour when I found out about you. I had never been happier over anything in my life! Daddy cried when I told him that you were coming, I had never seen him so happy," she smiled, tickling his cheek, "I loved being pregnant with you, every time you would kick I'd immediately have a smile on my face! Daddy wouldn't let me do anything because he wanted to protect us from everything..." She trailed off, thinking about the current argument
Will nudged her gently getting her attention, "mommy-finish the story."
"Oh, sorry! Right, well I loved picking out your little bed and colors to create your room, it turned out to be my favorite room in the house! I would sit in he rocking chair every afternoon and sing to you in my belly, I could always tell when you were awake because you would respond by kicking. One night around ten you decided that you were ready to come out and meet us! I was much more calm than Daddy was! He almost left me here as he was in such a rush to get to the hospital! Luckily we made it just in time and the next morning at exactly six forty two I heard you cry for the first time! The nurse placed you on my chest and I was scared to hold you- scared of how much I loved you," Stevie looked down and saw his eyes drooping
"You changed our lives forever." With that he was finally passed out, still hugging her side but now deep in sleep. She leaned down to kiss his head then slowly got up and made sure he was still covered up in the blanket. "Goodnight baby." She turned off his lamp and turned on his night light as she walked out quietly.
Stevie entered their bedroom and headed for the bathroom, "I came to change. I'm staying in the guest room," she told Lindsey who was sitting on the bed reading
He looked at her strangely.
"I think we both need time to think."
He only nodded.
Stevie felt defeated at his lack of emotion
She changed into her nightgown and finally headed out towards the guest room.
"Oh and by the way we are going to the beach Saturday," Stevie said to him as she didn't look back
She could just picture him rolling his eyes and once again tears threatened to fall but she was tired of crying. She'd cried way too much lately. Not anymore, at least anymore tonight.
Her baby had to start being more of a priority as far as her health went
She decided to make sure all her babies were top priority, that being said, she stopped in LeeLee's room to check her temperature which thankfully seemed to be dropping.
"Will you sleep with me? I keep having nightmares," Lee pled, rubbing her eyes
Stevie immediately got into the bed with her and held her tight. "Of course sweet girl, I'm so sorry you're not well. But I promise you this, there won't be any more bad dreams as long as I'm around." She kissed her head. 
"They only happened when you went away," speaking of the hospital
"Well I can promise you I'm not going away again."
Leelee nodded and relaxed into her mother's side, lightly snoring
Stevie brushed her hair away from her face. She thought about going to talk to Lindsey but didn't know if she really wanted to right now.
Fighting and his current attitude did not seem very appealing to her right now.
She decided that she'd sleep with Lee tonight.
Sleep actually seemed very appealing to her at the moment, she hadn't been able to sleep the past few nights from her mind wandering
She snuggled up closer to Lee and made sure the blanket was wrapped around them both. She actually managed to fall asleep rather quickly.
She hadn't slept that well in days, maybe Lindsey's bad energy was having an affect on her body in more ways than one....