Stevie watched from the side as Lindsey posed in from of the camera with Arabella who was sleeping soundly in the palms of his hands. The baby looked so content, stirring only once as the camera clicked, settling easily. Lindsey lay flat on his back per the photographer's request and placed his daughter on his chest. He turned toward the camera and his face was so soft and serene. His eyes were crystal clear and blue. Stevie smiled at him and he smiled a little too.

"Straight face" the photographer instructed and he let his face relax. After a few more shots were captured, Lindsey sat back up, holding the baby in his arms, catching Stevie's eye. He looked so good with her in his arms.

The lights needed adjustment so they were both back in makeup to prepare for the family portion, the last of the afternoon. Arabella was asleep in her bassinet and Stevie was in the chair, waiting for the artist.

"I couldn't keep my eyes off you out there" Lindsey said, touching her shoulders and kissing the top of her head.

"I wasn't doing anything, just watching. I'm not that interesting."

"Yes you are, you're very interesting. Not only are you beautiful and talented but you're the mother of my child. I would have never gotten to do a shoot like this if it weren't for you bringing Arabella into the world."

"I feel like I should be apologizing then! This shoot has been a nightmare."

Lindsey laughed a little. "Okay, so it has, but never apologize for giving me the most important gift of all."

"You helped"

"You did all the work"

"Typical." she teased and he gave her a playfully offended look in the mirror. "So what are we doing after this?"

"We could go out to dinner..." Lindsey suggested and he could see how bad of an idea that was written all over Stevie's face. "...Or we could go home, put the baby down for a while and we could make dinner together, have some wine."

"One, one glass of wine." she said. Lindsey moved away to let the artist work, correcting lipstick, powdering Stevie's face. Lindsey sat back in awe of her. She was already like moving art, he had told her that before, but there was something so soothing about watching her be painted, the brush lightly sweeping across her face rather than on canvas. He snapped out of his trance when Stevie nudged him a little.

"What?"

"She said it's your turn now. Didn't you hear her?"

"No, sorry, I must have...been somewhere else."

"I'll say. Are you okay? You don't seem like you're on earth today." Stevie's face was one of concern. She massaged his shoulders as he was pat down with translucent powder and Lindsey couldn't help but moan a little. Stevie stifled a giggle, continuing to knead his muscles. He was tied up in knots, no wonder he seemed out of it. He must not be sleeping well, she assumed.

Stevie carefully picked up Arabella and made her way back to set when called, Lindsey right behind her. They were carefully posed then told to relax. Stevie sat with the baby in her arms and Lindsey was meant to be peering over her shoulder. Stevie looked over her shoulder and smiled at him. FLASH! Unexpected and enough to wake their daughter. She began to cry and Stevie bounced her, making soft sounds. She quieted a little and they took their positions again. This time, Stevie stayed staring at their baby, now sleeping soundly once again. The lighting was softened and intimate. Lindsey looked over her shoulder, getting quite the view of her cleavage. His lips curled into a mischievous grin as he pressed into her. The photographer snapped a few photos, his assistant keeping an eye on light and trying to take away any unflattering shadows.

"Lindsey, perfect, Stevie, you look tired! Look awake!" the photographer said and she huffed.

"You'd be tired too if you were nursing a newborn around the clock, all night long" she said under her breath.

"You look perfect. He's an ass." Lindsey reassured her, smoothing her shoulder.

"Again! Three more then we wrap!" The photographer took the last shots, counting down. "Last one, make it count" Without even thinking, Lindsey pulled her into him and kissed her neck. "Wonderful! This is the energy we needed!"

Stevie's cheeks and chest flushed, the bassinet was brought out by the assistant, and Stevie carefully placed the baby down. Moments passed and the set was collapsed down in preparation for departure. Lindsey stepped back, watching her, not wanting to get in her way. They were basically alone for the moment and there was a strange tension in the air.

"Stevie, I'm sorry. That was stupid."

"Don't worry about it." she mumbled.

"What?" he asked, touching her shoulder.

"I said don't worry about it" she said, her voice raised. She spun around to face him and her face was wet with tears.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing"

"I said I was sorry."

"It doesn't matter. I'm not mad at you for kissing me. It was beautiful."

"Then what is it? Do you want me to back off?"

"No..." she said quickly. "It's not like that. We haven't had that kind of intimacy in a long time and it made me feel things...things I haven't felt in a while, or maybe I was trying not to feel them."

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't know. I don't know anything anymore"

"Why do you say that?"

"I look at her then I look at you and I realize how much I miss you. You're an amazing dad, you're helpful and perceptive. You have given me a lot of space these past few weeks and it means the world to me. I can tell you want to be close and I do too. I would give anything to just forget any of this happened, but every time I close my eyes I just imagine you with another woman, promising her the same things you promised me."

"What can I do to make this easier? Sorry obviously means nothing."

"I want to see someone, a marriage counselor."

"We don't need that. Why don't we talk to your shrink friend instead of paying hundreds or thousands to some quack who will just pit us against each other?"

"Evelyn doesn't practice anymore. I am not burdening her with our problems. You said you wanted to make this easier and I want to be able to talk about our feelings over what happened in a neutral environment."

"Neutral for who?" he asked angrily. Stevie sighed, changing out of the borrowed clothes and back into the clothes she wore there. She picked up the baby and the bag and walking out to the car. He ran his hands through his hair, sighing, knowing he should have just agreed, rather than arguing over it. He went after her, unlocking the car and helping her get things situated. Arabella was put in her car seat and they pulled away from the building. The ride was dead silent. Every time he tried to speak, she would shush him and every time he tried to touch her, she would move away. She crossed her arms over her chest and bit her bottom lip, staring out the window. Once they made it home, she took the baby out from the back seat, tossed the diaper bag over her shoulder and walked up the drive to the front door. Once he unlocked it for her, she went upstairs, laid the baby down and sorted the clothing items out from the usual diaper bag items. She put the bag in the closet and went to shower and change. Lindsey paced the downstairs like a caged animal, determined to fix this before it was too late.