Lindsey mindlessly strummed his guitar on the deck outside their room. It's drizzling and it looks more like San Francisco than Phoenix. He needed to clear his head, unable to sleep after Stevie's performance. He has some news of his own but chose to keep it to himself. He knew at some point he'd have to tell but last night didn't feel right. He pushes it from his mind for now as he continues to play, accidentally falling into a song. He quickly finds the pattern, the rhythm and sings softly into the morning air.

Can't you see that it's just rainin'
Ain't no need to go outside

But baby
You hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep you
Doin' what you're supposed to
Wakin' up too early
Maybe we could sleep in
Make you banana pancakes
Pretend like its the weekend now
We could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just rainin'
There ain't no need to go outside

"Oh hey" he says, putting his guitar down when he sees Stevie standing in the doorway. She's barely dressed, her silk robe left untied over her tiny slip.

"What are you doing?" She asks, her voice raspy.

"Couldn't sleep. What are you doing up?"

"Baby Buckingham." she says.

"Oh no..."

"Oh yes"

"As bad as the twins?"

"No, much better"

"Good!"

"Still not great, but I can manage"

"I don't know why they call women the weaker sex" he says, shaking his head.

"Patriarchy..." she says and he smiles.

"Alright, Gloria. No need to start burning your bras."

"Shut up" she says, chuckling at his remark. She kisses his lips. "Don't worry, I brushed my teeth"

"I wouldn't have cared either way." He says, shrugging.

"You're so gross" She wrinkles her nose and he pulls her onto his lap.

"No, I just love you"

"Aww, Linds..."

"Do you think you can eat?"

"I'm starving, so I hope so"

"Let's get some breakfast started."

"Bring your guitar. I'm the cook by default but you, my dear boy, are going to be my radio"

"Deal" he says. He follows after her, walking down the hallway to greet the dogs, and noticing an unfamiliar big, white, fluffy cat in the window sill. "Stevie...there's a--"

Before he even finishes, she giggles, knowing exactly what he's going to say. "It's Callie's. Don't be upset, we didn't know how to tell you"

"How long?"

"Only a few days. She named her Freya."

"Alright." he says, simply. He gets up on the bar stool, positioning his guitar and begins to strum again.

"Thank you" She kisses him once more, happy he didn't start yelling like he did when she brought home a third dog three weeks ago.

"It's turning into a menagerie. Dogs, cats, babies..."

"Dylan's turtle..." Stevie mentions, wincing at the possible blow up, but she knew she had to come clean.

"Oh come on! A turtle...Stevie, we have enough going on as it is."

The look on his face makes her laugh. "I'm sorry. He asked and I couldn't say no."

"Does he feed it himself? Does Callie care for her own cat?"

"Yes, I bought them both what they needed for their respective pets. No need to worry, Daddy. Mama handled it."

"We know what happened with Clio. She was supposed to be Callie's but she didn't take care of her and the responsibility went to you."

"She was five then. Now she's thirteen. She knew what it meant this time when she brought her home."

"Fine" he says

"I'm sorry I've been bringing home animals. Remember, we got Mocha when I was pregnant with the babies."

"How could I possibly forget? You were hysterically sobbing at the adoption table, heavily pregnant. The only way you would stop was to let you hold the dog"

"And I fell head over heels for her"

"Yes you did and I didn't have the heart to tell you no so we brought her home."

"I will try not to be like that this time. I already felt your wrath when I brought home Althea."

"I didn't come down on you too hard, did I?"

"I cried!" she says, laughing. "But it was hormones. It wasn't you."

"What is it with you and getting a million animals when you're pregnant?"

"Maybe it's a subconscious need to nurture" she suggests and he thinks it over.

"Hmm... I guess that sounds about right. Now we have kids for that."

"Aren't they the cutest puppies ever though?"

"Yes, honey, adorable" he says, playfully rolling his eyes. "Will you at least ask my opinion next time?"

"Of course" she says, finally starting breakfast. She washes her hands at the sink, then goes to get out all of her ingredients.

"Banana pancakes?" He asks, noticing all she put on the counter.

"What can I say? Your little song sparked a craving."

"You're so cute" he says, smiling. He picks at the strings, hearing footsteps behind him. "Good morning" he says as Callie and Dylan each give him a quick hug.

"Morning, mom and dad. What's for breakfast?"

"Banana pancakes"

"The healthy ones? Can't I have regular ones?" he groans.

"I'd really like you to eat with us but if you really don't like them, yes I will make you 'regular' pancakes"

"I will try them again" he says, not wanting to upset his mother. He had noticed it was a lot easier to push her to tears lately and he hated to see her cry, much like his father.

"Thanks, my special boy" she says, smiling at him and he gives her a hug too. "Your daddy knows about Flash, by the way"

"Did you spill? Mom!"

"He has the right to know"

"I wasn't mad." Lindsey reassured.

"Okay, cool." Dylan says, his shoulders relaxing.

"Why a turtle?"

The boy shrugs. "I don't know, they're cool."

"Yeah, they are" He has always been a boy of very few words so he chooses not to press any further. "Callie, you're quiet"

"Still tired but mostly hungry" she says, hanging onto her mother lazily. She was good about early mornings for school but on the weekend, she could sleep all day if she had no plans. Today she was extra tired and it showed. Stevie kissed her daughter's cheek and Callie smiled warmly.

"Would you like a cup of tea? I have a raspberry- white chocolate one you might like"

"Yes please, mommy" she says softly, sitting down next to Lindsey.

"Where's my music, Linds? You're supposed to be my radio" Stevie says with a wink.

"Where shall I begin?"

"Where you left off. You're getting to the good part"

It takes a second but it clicks. He smiles up at her, singing the words.

Just maybe
Halaka ukulele mama made a baby

He stops singing a moment, looking at his glowing lover. Callie is waking up a little as she sips her tea. She had already been told the secret and she nudges her brother to get him to listen closer. Lindsey picks up after a few lyricless bars.

Really don't mind the practice
Cause you're my little lady
Lady lady love me
Cause I love to lay here lazy
We could close the curtains
Pretend like there's no world outside
We could pretend it all the time
And can't you see that it's just rainin'
There ain't no need to go outside

Ain't no need ain't no need
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Can't you see can't you see
Rain all day and I don't mind

But the telephone's singing ringing
It's too early don't pick it up
We don't need to
We got everything we need right here
And everything we need is enough
Just so easy when the whole world fits inside of your arms
Do we really need to pay attention to the alarm
Wake up slow
Mmm wake up slow

But baby
You hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep you
From doin' what your supposed to
Wakin' up too early
Maybe we could sleep in
Make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it's the weekend now
We could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just rainin'
There ain't no need to go outside
Ain't no need, ain't no need
Rain all day and I really really really don't mind
Can't you see? Can't you see?

We gotta wake up slow

He puts down his guitar and Stevie claps while her pancakes are cooking in the skillet. "Perfect as usual, Mr. Buckingham" she praises.

"You're too kind"

"No, you're just very good. You know, you could have done this for a living"

"Maybe in another life" he says. "You could have too"

"Parallel universe." She continues to cook when finally Dylan speaks up.

"Wait...mama made a baby?"

"Thems the words" Lindsey says jokingly.

"Mom says there's a secret meaning in all the songs you sing to each other." he says and Lindsey gives Stevie a look. She raises her hands briefly in defense. "So...you're having a baby?"

"Yes, we are" she tells him and tears spring to his eyes. "What's wrong, honey?"

"I...I need to be alone" he says, leaving the kitchen quickly.

"No, Dylan..." She hears his door shut and she begins to cry. "Fuck" she says under her breath.

"Let me talk to him" Lindsey, offers.

"No, I can do it. It should be me." Stevie says. "Will you keep an eye on the food? I need to fix this"

"Sure, angel" He nods and she kisses his forehead. He grabs her hand asking for attention and she looks back at him with sad eyes. "Everything is going to be okay. He will come around" he tells her but he knows she's left unconvinced.