Lindsey was a wreck, jumping into the car and heading to the hospital. He couldn't focus, his mind going a mile a minute. He swerved in and out of traffic to get to her, illegally parking in the fire lane once he arrived. He pushed his way to the desk and demanded to see Stevie. The nurse, cool as ever, didn't bat an eyelash.

"Sir, you're going to need to calm down, take a breath and tell me who you'd like to see. I'm more than happy to help but as you can see, it's been a busy afternoon."

"Stephanie Buckingham. She's beautiful, so beautiful, and blonde, petite. She's pregnant and she came by ambulance. She was in a lot of pain, of some kind." he told her, clearly panicked and fearful as tears spilled down his cheeks.

"What's your name?"

"Lindsey, I'm her husband. Please, is she okay? Is the baby...?"

"She's in room 304. I can take you to her."

"Thank you!" he said, following behind the tall, thin nurse. She pushed the door open and Lindsey caught a glimpse of Stevie.

"The doctor will come in later to update you but for now she can rest." Lindsey nodded, not fully registering what she said and she left him alone with his wife.

"You've had quite the day, haven't you?" he said, taking her hand in his. He sniffed, sitting down in the chair beside her. On the couch by the window, her shopping bags were lined up so nicely with pink tissue paper sticking out of the top. He smiled, dying to see what all was inside. "Looks like you did a little damage. Can't wait to see the credit card bill." he joked. "I should have gone with you today. I feel like this is my fault. All the stress isn't good for you or our little one. I'm so sorry." He stroked her cheek, touching her soft curly hair. She looked so peaceful and he wondered how scared she must have been. He put his head in his hands, planning his next move. He couldn't come clean now. He couldn't let anything happen to that baby, now or ever.

All night long, he sat there waiting. Sometimes he would doze off, other times he would be very alert. The nurse came in and out, checking her vitals every now and then. The doctor had come by to check the monitors, and make she she was getting enough fluids. Lindsey would watch him go about his work, eager to ask questions. Morning came and he plucked up the courage.

"Doctor Isaacs, I need to know something...please."

"Mr. Buckingham, I wish there were something to report. When she first arrived, she wasn't conscious. All we could do was check her vitals and keep an eye on the baby. From what I see in the chart, and what I know from the brief, non-invasive exams I have performed, everything is going smoothly and neither are in any danger. When she comes to, I will come back and we can perform an ultrasound and full exam"

"Okay" he says. The doctor leaves her room, making his rounds. Some time later, Stevie stirred. Lindsey stood, watching her come around. She opened her eyes and he started to cry.

"My god, I've been so worried." he said. Stevie slowly became aware of exactly where she was, placing her hands over her stomach. "The baby's okay. I can let the nurse know you're awake now and they can do a full exam."

"I'm so glad you're here. I was afraid you wouldn't come."

"Honey, why wouldn't I? I care about you, Stevie and I want you both to be healthy. When I got the call, I lost my mind. I knew something would happen if you went alone. I wanted someone to be with you, I wanted someone to take care of you...I've let you down so many times, that person should have been me."

"Please don't blame yourself. This is just one of those things. I have no idea what happened but if the baby is okay, why does it matter? You're here now and that means a lot to me. I just feel like every time we get close to the fire, we take a few steps back because we're afraid to get burned."

"You're right. I want to be here for you but I'm scared you'll push me away. You don't need me. I know you're scared too. I haven't given you a single reason to trust me. I don't act very much like a husband anymore."

"No one is perfect, I just can't deal with the constant back and forth. One day you want me, the next you don't. How am I supposed to handle that? I want to know, Lindsey..."

"What?"

"Should we stay and try to work this out or should we just try our best to raise this baby to the best of our ability, apart? Do we keep fighting or do we give up?"

"It seems like you've already made up your mind if you're even asking me this question."

"I haven't made up my mind about anything, I wanted your opinion. I'm sure you've thought about it too. God willing, we have a little less than four months until this baby is here. We have to have some sort of plan. We can't go into this unstructured."

"I know that but..."

"No buts, Lindsey. We can't fight all the time or freeze each other out. He or she will see that and then what? That's a terrible environment for a child."

"So you're super mom now?"

"Hardly, I've just been thinking, really searching my soul, and I thought you could shed some light...but I guess not." He sits down beside her, not saying a single word as he stares blankly out the window. Frankly, that's all she needed to know.

Perhaps it was time they threw in the towel. Too many years had passed, too many walls had been built and what should have been an eye-opening experience, ended up as a door-closing one.