Stevie stood in the kitchen, in front of the stove making breakfast for Lindsey. She was draped in a flowing silk dressing down, belted above her bump. Two months had passed and she was getting bigger by the day. Her hair was unstyled, and her face was bare of makeup. She was tired but happy.

"I thought I was the early bird" Lindsey said, kissing his wife's cheek.

"Well, apparently so is our little girl."

"Don't keep mommy up, she doesn't like that." Lindsey rubbed her belly, greeting the baby. "And she will let you know too. Don't make the same mistake I did, kid."

"Hey! That's enough!" Stevie joked and he kissed her again.

"What's for breakfast, mama?"

She looked over her shoulder at him. "Whatever I thought sounded good. You weren't up to give your opinion."

"Were these normal, edible cravings? I just need to know whether I should start pouring my cereal now."

She giggled. "They're always normal, Linds. French toast, bacon...I made some muffins earlier, they're blueberry."

"Alright then. I really wish you would have woken me up. I could have cooked for you or at least followed your instructions."

"That's sweet of you, but I'm fine, really you don't have to worry about me."

"Any day now" he said.

"I can't wait to meet her."

"Neither can I. Did you have any ideas for a name?"

"I'm not sure. I think I want to see her first."

"Years ago we discussed Sara, and Amber."

"We did but, I think she needs something grander, princess-y."

"Hmm...then I should head to the bookstore for a book of names." Lindsey said. "We don't have much time."

"I'm sure we will figure it out."

"What a change! When we were first married, we needed to nail down those names right away, now it's no stress. We're only down to the wire." He joked as she turned off the stove. She started plating up food, piling it on a plate and Lindsey's eyes widened, hoping it was for him. No such luck. She then made Lindsey's, not as full as hers but still hearty, knowing he had the appetite of ten men. "Hungry?"

"Shut up" she said, a crooked smirk on her face. "But about the name thing, I guess I'm just happy she's coming. After that, nothing else matters."

"I understand. It's amazing to me that you can love someone so much but you've never met them before."

"Isn't it? To think that she could be here any day, it's just..." A single tear fell down her cheek and she stroked her stomach.

"Baby..." Lindsey got up, kneeling by her chair. He stroked her face, looking deep into her eyes.

"I've always wanted this with you"

"And here she is. Don't cry, honey."

"I can't help it" she said, and he smiled.

"I know, but at least they're happy tears."

She nods, wiping them away and Lindsey leans forward giving her a proper kiss on the lips. Her fingers find his curls and she caresses them. "I hope she has your hair, your eyes..."

"I hope she has your everything." He kissed her again. "Now let's eat. I'm sure she's hungry if you felt the need to prepare such a spread"

He sat back down to eat, engaging in normal conversation about everything from songs he's working on, what's going on at band meetings, to finishing touches on the nursery. She laughed more, smiled more and the more he looked at her, the more he fell in love with her. Every time he looked at her, he swelled with pride and Stevie felt it.

"Linds?"

"Hmm?" he said, chewing a mouthful.

"How about one last party before the baby comes?"

He swallowed, looking up at her. "Won't that be too stressful? You're due soon."

"I think I can hunt up a dress and I thought we could have one last hurrah before the house is taken over by baby toys"

He chuckled. "That does sound pretty good"

"What do you think?"

"Well, we can set it for Saturday night but if you don't feel good or you're tired--"

"Or in labor" she interjected.

"Yes, or in labor, then its cancelled."

"Fine by me." she said. She had finished her food, rinsing her dish and placing it in the dishwasher. "This might be the best gift you've ever given me."

"You know, I still haven't given you, your anniversary present."

"You haven't?"

"Nope, maybe it will go with your dress for this weekend. Only a couple of days away and I won't have my lady wearing rented jewels."

"Jewelry designers do that for events, Linds. Perfectly normal."

"Well, I hope you like these enough to keep"

"I'm sure I will."

"Can I give you part of it now?" Once again, blue eyes met brown and she nodded. Lindsey rinsed his dish as well, loading it into the dishwasher. He jogged upstairs and he didn't come down for several minutes. When he did, he had changed his clothes, looking handsome as ever and his hair was tamed ever so slightly.

"What's all this?" she asked, motioning to him.

"I just wanted to look a little nicer for you, is that a crime?"

"Mmm, not entirely but if it is, I have an idea for your punishment." she whispered seductively and he leaned down to kiss her, as she was in bare feet.

"Here, sit. You shouldn't be standing." He watched her sit down and he kneeled before her again, just as he had when he soothed her tears. "As amazing as that sounds, I have wanted to do this for a really long time and, well..." He had no words so he simply presented her the small box and opened it, letting the ring do the talking.

"Linds!" she gasped, tears welling up in her eyes. "Oh my God..."

"When we first got married, we had nothing and your parents made our dreams come true. I never got to buy you a fancy ring but as the years have gone on, and we've made a better name for ourselves, traveled to distant lands and experienced a lot of what life had to offer together, I thought it was time I get you the ring I always wanted for you. I know it's a little showy but I--"

"I love it." she said, kissing him passionately. Her hormones took over and she deepened the kiss, her hands roaming his body, tugging at the hem of his tee shirt.

"Hold on, hold on" he said, finally finding the strength to pull away and she giggled. "Let me put the ring on first."

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't be sorry, that was...that was...wow!" He tried to focus, pulling the ring carefully from the box and praying it fit her, as she was so far along now and prone to swelling. He breathed a sigh of delighted relief when it slipped on easily. She admired it a moment, then looked into his eyes. "I love you, Steph and I want you to remember that. No matter what happens, I love you more than I've ever loved anyone or anything in my entire life. You're it for me and I'm so amazed by you. Soon we will have the most incredible extension of our love in our arms, and that's so much more than I deserve."

"After all we've been through, we both deserve this. We get a chance to start again, this time as a family." She was crying and her eyes showed all the love she had for him as well. He laced his fingers with hers, and she practically leapt on him, kissing him even more passionately than she had before. They rose from their positions and made their way slowly up the stairs, never breaking a single kiss, never losing physical contact. Lindsey dug in his pocket, and found what he was looking for. He unlocked the door and they both pushed through it, into their old bedroom, the linens soon becoming disturbed after three long years.