Their closeness was short lived, and though they were kind and cordial to each other, Lindsey began to pull away from her again. He would tell her he was busy when she would ask him to go out and do things with her but she knew he wasn't, or cut meals short just to go hide in his studio or his room. Their original bedroom was still the way it lay for two years, neither one moving back in. It was hard on her, watching her husband practically run away. Her stress levels were through the roof and she was suffering just as much heartache as she was years ago when they had first "separated".

Stevie called a car and arranged for it to take her downtown, hoping to shop for the baby. She was far too excited to get to work on the nursery even though she had already decided the baby would be in her room for the first few months at least. She knew the perfect place to put the baby's crib and all of the supplies she would need for late night diaper changes. She had already ordered a rocking chair to be delivered in a few days from a catalogue. She couldn't wait to see just one little indication that there would be a baby coming. She made herself a quick omelette and went upstairs to get dressed.

By the time she came back down again, Lindsey was in the kitchen, sitting at the table and eating a bowl of cereal, reading the newspaper. She walked past him in a long black dress and a shawl, holding up the skirt as she was still barefoot. Her burgundy boots were in the foyer, waiting for her. Lindsey watched her, trying not to catch her attention. She looked beautiful and Lindsey sighed, lowering his head again. He focused on the last remaining flakes of cereal in his bowl and squeezed in beside her at the sink to rinse his bowl before sticking it in the dishwasher.

"Thank you" Stevie said.

"For what?"

"Helping me by not leaving it in the sink."

"It's nothing."

"Well, it's something to me." she said, taking a sip of her water.

"Where are you going today? You seem dressed up."

"I decided to do a little shopping for the baby. I'm already half way through this pregnancy and I have nothing but a rocking chair that hasn't been delivered yet."

"Oh" he said. "Are you going with a friend?"

"No, alone. I called a cab."

"Are you sure that's wise? I don't like the idea of you not having someone with you."

"When I asked you, you didn't seem too eager to come with me. What am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know. Be careful."

"I will." She put her boots on, bracing herself on the wall for balance. He watched her over his newspaper again, studying her every move. He noticed she was a little bigger than he remembered and became disappointed in himself for pulling away from her. He wanted to be involved but he had to come clean first. There was so much he hadn't told her, but when could he? He didn't want to stress her out but he couldn't continue on like this. He's living a lie.

----

Stevie happily walked down the sidewalk, a couple of bags on one arm, full of teeny, tiny clothes. She chose a dresser and a bassinet from a show room, both perfectly white and sweet in design. She indulged herself by looking at every single items for hours, thinking long and hard about which one would be perfect for her baby. She must have looked crazy as she spoke to herself, but more to the child growing within her. She was secretly hoping for a little girl but resisted buying anything pink and frilly just yet.

She made her way to a little coffee shop, stopping in for a cup of tea and a scone. She sat down, putting her bags on the floor by her seat. The waitress took her order and promptly brought it to her. She stared out the window, watching people go by. She felt normal for the moment. There were no fans asking for autographs or pictures, she was just a mom-to-be, simply glowing from her shopping experience. She tore her scone apart with her fingers, eating bits here and there, lost in thought. She sighed as her mind drifted to Lindsey. She wished he were there with her, just as excited about shopping for their baby as she was, or at the very least, willing to spend time with her.

An hour later, her tea cup was empty, her scone was devoured and she was ready to go home. She stood up to go to the bathroom before she called a cab home and was struck with an awful pain. She clutched her stomach, wincing as the intensity grew. "No" she said softly. Her mind found the worst possible scenario and as it played in her mind, she began to cry. The waitress came by to give her the bill but when she saw Stevie's face, she was visibly shaken.

"Miss, are you okay?" Stevie shook her head. "Can I call someone for you?"

"Call my husband. I can give you the number."

"Okay, can you write it on my pad?" The girl pulled a small pink notepad from her waist apron and a pen. Stevie sat back down slowly, still in agony as the pain did not cease. She scribbled their home number down, then the number to the studio. "What's your husband's name?"

"Lindsey" Stevie wept, whimpering a little.

"I'm Stephanie, by the way. I will be right back."

"Thank you." The girl with the matching name pat her hand and left, running to the phone attached to the wall. She picked up the phone and dialed the first number. It rang and rang. She hung up and called the second. It rang for a long time as well and the waitress' face blanched. What was she to do? She tried the second number again and finally someone answered.

"Stephanie?"

"Yes? How did you know my name?"

"What? Who is this?"

"I'm Stephanie. I'm a waitress. I'm calling about your wife, she's at my shop."

"My wife's name is Stephanie. Did she give you this number?"

"Yes and she asked me to call you. I came to give her the bill and she wasn't okay. She's in a lot of pain and--"

"What's the address?" he asked, running his hand through his hair. He grabbed a piece of paper and wrote it down. "Damn, I won't make it there any time soon, it's rush hour." he said, looking at his watch. "Call an ambulance and tell her I'm coming."

"Okay sir."

"Stephanie, if you can do one last thing?"

"Of course."

"Please tell her I love her and I'm sorry."

"Will do."

"Bye"

Stephanie looked over at Stevie and immediately dialed 911. By the time the ambulance arrived, Stevie was unconscious and Stephanie was in quite a state. She was only seventeen and had never seen anything like that before. Unfortunately, Stephanie had to go back to work, her eyes glued to the window. She watched as the doors of the ambulance closed and sped off to the hospital, scared and worried, hoping everything would turn out alright.