Stevie had fallen asleep at Lindsey's side, waking about an hour later for a contraction. "Are you okay?" Lindsey held her hand as she breathed deeply

"She's going to be here soon..." she squeezed his hand as another one rippled through her. "We should time these," Lindsey said nervously, seeing the pain slowly dissipate

"We've got a while yet, when I feel them getting very close we can time."

Nodding he kissed the top of her head, "I'm glad that you came to me, Stevie...I'm sorry that I was so terrible to you."

"It doesn't matter Lindsey...and you're the only one I'd ever go to." This caused him to smile brightly, pressing his forehead to hers, "From now on you are always welcome here."

"Thank you!" She kissed him softly "I'm going to need help after she's born, with myself I mean."

"I will take care of both of you."

"She won't be with us for long, baby."

"Yes, she will."

"Linds, she's already got a family."

"Then we'll make up some excuse."

"We could get in trouble..." she said worriedly

"We both want this baby..."

"I know we do...but I didn't think you would be back in my life, and I wanted her to have two parents, so I signed papers..."

"Do you think that we could talk to the couple?"

"We could try...now I'm with you, I don't want to give her away." She cried

"I don't want to either," rubbing her late stomach

"Can we talk to them today?"

"Of course we can! If the baby will wait that long!"

"They will have to, if they find out she's been born they will want her straight away!"

"I will offer this family millions for this baby."

"That's so sweet, thank you for caring for them, when they aren't even yours."

"I love both of you...I love you so much."

"I love you too." She smiled and brought him towards her, kissing him more firmer than the last

"Let's give them a call and set up a meeting, hm?" Stevie left the room and made her way to the kitchen phone, calling the couple from her contacts book, finishing up and walking back to Lindsey

"And?"

"They are on the way right now..." she said nervously

"Let's get you cleaned up." Lindsey took Stevie upstairs and undressed her carefully, getting her into the shower

"Thank you," Stevie winced, holding the bottom of her stomach

"Does it hurt a lot?" He asked, reaching in and putting his hand under her stomach

"Mmhm," nodding with her eyes closed

"Shhh, it's okay." He said, beginning to rub little circles

Stevie groaned softly, "I'm okay..."

"Baby,  what's wrong?"

"Contraction," tilting her head to the side as she swayed

Placing a hand on her back and the other under her stomach he breathed with her "Just let it pass on by, we've got to work on getting this baby back!" Straightening herself up, Stevie nodded, "I can do this. I won't take no for an answer."

"That's my girl!" He kissed her before helping her out the shower, getting her into a dress that was left behind from before

Stevie tried to make her hair presentable as she pinched her cheeks, giving them color. "I'm so nervous..."

"I know, baby, but this is all so we get to keep our girl!" He kissed her head, just as the doorbell rang

"I think that I should get it," Stevie carefully walked downstairs and opened the door

"Stevie! Hi!" The female of the couple greeted her

"Hello," she said softly, "please come in..."

The couple were led in, taking a seat onto the couch, Stevie sitting opposite "Thank you for coming at such short notice."

"Anything to see the baby's progress," the male smiled

"T-that's what I wanted to speak about..."

"W-what about her...?"

Lindsey came in and sat next to Stevie, taking her hand before she spoke again "I've changed my mind...I want to keep her..."

"Stephanie, we had an agreement!" The man jumped up

"I know...but I don't want to give my baby away..." she started to cry

"Thomas," his wife spoke up, "...we can't take them from her..." she cried softly while looking at Stevie

"We've signed papers! She's signed them! One of those papers states that once signed she's not allowed to backtrack!"

"Unless we say otherwise.... I can't take this baby from her. We both know what that's like."

"We've been trying for a baby for seven years! How can you do this to someone?" Thomas asked Stevie

"Thomas, leave her alone," his wife begged, "Remember all the babies we lost? How they were taken from us? This woman will feel the same way."

"This is why it hurts...it's another one. We'd brought everything, her nursery is all decorated..." he sobbed

"And we can keep looking!" She said in tears, "maybe this one wasn't meant to be."

"Well I hope you're happy! Ruining lives!" Thomas turned back to Stevie

"Thomas!" His wife scolded, "Im sorry, Stephanie, we will handle the paper work."

"I'm so sorry...I was fully expecting to hand her over, but Lindsey came back, and he wants her too."

"Do you live here?" The girl asked

"This is my house, Stevie will be living here." Lindsey said, wrapping his arm around stevies shoulder

"And you'll help her with the baby?"

"Of course, you have my word that we will take care of our daughter."

The woman cried softly and hugged Stevie, "Take care of them...please," she whispered.

"Oh, I promise I will!" Stevie hugged her back "Thank you, I'm so sorry." She added

"I understand...we'll handle the paperwork." Thomas didn't say anything, just took his wife out, Stevie went to the window, where she saw the woman on the floor by her car, heart wrenching sobs coming from her lungs

Her husband gathered her up in his arms and tried to comfort her, tears rolling down his cheeks as well. Stevie jumped as she felt Lindsey's hands on her shoulders, "I know that it's painful, but we walked away with our baby."

"But we just took theirs away...you heard how many they've lost..." she cried, leaning back against him

"It's okay..."

"Linds, hold me..." she begged

"Always," taking her upstairs and laying her on the bed, "Jack should be awake soon."

"Good, I want to see him..." she said, staring at the ceiling, Lindsey kissed her cheek, "I am going to go out and get some baby supplies, okay? I'll take Jack with me."

"No, leave Jack here, don't leave me alone right now..."

"Okay, baby," nudging her cheek with his nose, "Do you think that you can manage him?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine with him, just hurry back." She gave him a kiss as he quickly left, Jack waking not long after

"Mama!" He called out for Carol Ann

Stevie walked into his bedroom, seeing him sitting up in his cot "Will I do?"

"Yay!" Reaching happily for her as he stood in his crib

"You're getting a big strong boy!" Stevie cooed as she reached down and lifted him up

Holding him was awkward, her belly getting in the way, especially as a contraction ripped through her as she held him on the stairs. It caused her to topple forwards, grabbing onto the railing and holding Jack tightly. Placing his hand on her face, Jack looked concerned, babbling at her

"I'm alright baby...just getting ready for your sister!"

Taking him downstairs, she cut up a banana and began to feed him, sneaking a few pieces herself, "Hey, don't look at me like that. Your sister is hungry," Stevie chuckled as Jack have her a glare after she stole another bite. Taking a piece of banana he reached up to her, pushing the piece Into her mouth and giggling

"Yummy!" Stevie laughed, pretending to bite his fingers, Jack gasped, checking his fingers, then bursting into laughter, accidentally swallowing some banana the wrong way

"It's okay!" She patted his back. He began to panic as he choked, wiggling in his seat, Stevie leaned him over, patting him a little harder. A little chunk of whole banana came flying out, Jack reaching for Stevie as he cried

"You're okay!" Stevie held him against her, "I wouldn't let anything happen to you." Jack stopped crying, feeling safe in Stevie's arms as he listen to her heartbeat

"Let's finish up and wait for Daddy!" Picking him up she placed the bowl in the sink and picked up Jacks milk bottle

"Here you go," kissing his head as she relaxed on the couch with him. Drinking his milk he began to get sleepy, playing with a lock of Stevie's hair. She began to doze off herself, waking up every so often for contractions.

Lindsey woke her coming into the door with an arm full of bags and boxes. "Baby?"

"Mmm..." she said, opening her eyes to adjust to the light

"I'm back and I think I bought the whole store," he chuckled

"Oh my god!" She laughed, seeing all of the bags which were practically bursting

"I bought different sizes."

"She's small Lindsey..." she reached up to touch his face

"I got all kinds, baby. Let's wash them and get the nursery set up, does that sound good?"

"Sounds perfect! Linds?" She said standing up with Jack

"Yes?" Kissing the top of her head

"Who am I putting on the birth certificate?"

"Me," he said without hesitation

"Really?" She smiled up at him

"Of course!" Lindsey carried the bags upstairs, "I'll put these in our room."

"Thank you." Stevie walked up the stairs with Jack, following Lindsey

"Baby, why don't we lay down? You look tired."

"Yeah I could do with it! I had my first mommy scare earlier!"

"What happened?"

"Jack choked on some banana earlier."

"I'm proud of you for handling it," kissing both of their heads

"Thank you! Mr here, didn't like the fact I was sneaking some, did you?" She smiled at Jack who was infatuated with her. Shaking his head, he laid it against her. "When is Carol Ann coming to get him?"

"She's gone away for the weekend, so he's all ours."

"He'll be a big brother soon," holding her stomach and helping Lindsey separate the baby clothes for the wash

"He will! Even though he's only a baby himself!" Lindsey chuckled, turning when Stevie gasped loudly

"What? What's wrong?" Lindsey rushed up to her

"These booties!" She squealed holding the booties up he'd just brought

"Jesus, you scared me!"

"Sorry, but they are so adorable!"

"I thought you might like them so I got a few more pairs," kissing the crook of her neck. She groaned involuntarily, alerting them both "Sorry..." she apologised

"You're perfectly fine. I got a bassinet for the baby to sleep in until we can set up a nursery."

"That would be lovely, I'd like her close to me."

"Me too," rubbing her shoulders, "How far apart are your contractions?"

"About fifteen minuets now." She rubbed her belly, where the baby was kicking violently

"Should we go to the hospital or are you still wanting this home birth?"

"I want to do it here, with you still."

"Okay," kissing the side of her head, "Ill take care of the laundry, you go lay down and get some rest."

Making sure Jack was settled into bed, Stevie went to lay down, stretching herself out. She tried to sleep but was too excited to meet her little girl. "Mommy is so ready!" She spoke to her stomach though the baby wouldn't move as she had started to dilate. Lindsey joined her a few minuets later, seeing that Stevie's stomach had visibly dropped a little "Im going to have a check, baby..." he told her

"Please don't make it awkward," she warned as she laid flat on her back

"How would I make it awkward?" He asked, bunching her skirt up

"You always giggle when you get nervous."

"I do?" He giggled, then realised he'd done it and giggled some more

"I told you! Now just do it!" She huffed

"Hey! Don't get stroppy...you forget I've been down here, plenty of times." He kissed the inside of her thigh, by her knee cap. "I know..." He rolled his eyes and just decided to shut up, checking how far she was dilated "You're fine at the moment." He said pulling her skirt down back down

"I love being pregnant, I'm sad it's ending."

"I get it. But imagine how amazing it will feel having your daughter in your arms."

"I'm so ready."

"It's magical Stephie! I can't wait to have another child..." he said getting a little emotional

Kissing him softly she rubbed her stomach, "I want to take a bath."

"That's okay, I'll run you one!" Lindsey went to the bathroom and ran her bath, going to get her when it was ready

She was curled up on her side, suppressing her groans as a contraction peaked

"Baby..." he quickly ran over rubbing his hand on her hip "What's going on?"

"Hurts..."she grumbled

"Let's get you in the water!" He scooped her up, and got her in, quickly undressing and getting in behind her

"What will we do about Jack waking up during delivery?"

"Let's just hope he doesn't wake up yet!" Lindsey chuckled

"Lindsey, I'm serious."

"Stevie, calm down, I know my son and I know that he sleeps a lot."

"I just worry. It wouldn't be a good environment for any of us."

"Baby, relax and stop worrying!" He said, moving her hair away and kissing her neck

"I'm just scared that he'll wake up while I'm giving birth."

"Then we will deal with it then. You worry to much."

"Sorry..."

"Don't apologise, its nice you care about him."

"I'm also worried about you having to leave me to go comfort him. I don't think that he should be around me when I'm in labor...it'll scare him and distract me."

"Stevie, do you want to go to a hospital?" He said finally

"No...I just worry..."

"Look, I'll phone my friend, see if he can look after him."

"Thank you," picking up his hand and kissing it

"Stay where you are." Getting up from the bath he wandered shamelessly naked into the bedroom. Stevie laid her head back with a groan, a contraction making itself known as she tended up. Lindsey came back a minuet later "Mick will pick him up in an hour."

"Mick?! Lindsey!"

"What?!" He questioned

"Lindsey, he assaulted me and fired you from the band!"

"Stevie, he's all that's around!"

"Do you trust him?"

"No Stevie, I don't trust him!"

"Jack can stay..."

"Stevie, you said you didn't want him here!"

"I don't know what else to do!" She cried

"Oh baby, don't cry..." he crouched down

"I can't help it!"

"Stevie, calm down!" He tried to take her hands that were flailing around. He rubbed her stomach as he kissed the side of her head, "I'll call Carol Ann." She nodded and he left again, Stevie decided she wanted to get out of the bath, standing up she reached for a towel. She felt the baby shift suddenly, a puddle forming around her feet, "Lindsey!" She screamed, holding the bottom of her stomach. "What?! What...shit..." he said, noticing the puddle

"Help me!" She begged, feeling him lead her over to the bed. "I need you to stay calm for me, Steph, okay?" He propped pillows up and laid towels down, getting her onto the bed

Nodding, Stevie took deep breaths, "Can I put on a shirt?" He searched for the longest baggies shirt he owned before slipping it over her head. "Thank you," kissing him softly, almost biting his lip through a contraction. He chose not to complain, pulling back and checking how far she was dilated

"Lindsey, I won't make you do this," she panted

"Do what, baby?"

"Deliver them. I know I can do this."

"Why wouldn't I deliver them?" He asked almost offended

"I didn't know if you were uncomfortable," clutching her stomach as her pain became pretty rapid

"This is our baby, nothing about bringing them into this world is uncomfortable."

"Thank you," hugging him tightly, "It won't be long now."

"You can do this! We can do this together." He propped her legs up and widened them. Laying back against the pillows Stevie began to sweat, "I'm so tired."

"I know honey, I promise you can sleep as soon as she's here." Stevie suddenly started wailing, "Lindsey!"

"Breath, Stevie. In through your nose, out through your mouth..."

She squeezed his hand tightly, "Fuck!"

"You're doing great!" Lindsey pushed her hair from her face

"I wanna start pushing soon," gripping the sheets in her hands

"Let me see..." Lindsey checked how far dilated she was, seeing that she was ready "When you feel the need, push!" Nodding, Stevie clutched his hands, "I feel it..."

"Alright, push for me, baby!" He held her hand tightly, knowing she was struggling with the pain. Tossing her head back she tried not to scream, her thighs trembling as she pushed

"That's it honey! You're doing so good!" He encouraged, holding the back of her calf

"No-no! I can't do this!"

"Yes! Yes you can! You're so strong!" He brought her forehead to his own. Stevie gave him the most passionate kiss she could muster before returning to pushing. Lindsey checked on her again, squeezing her hand "She's crowning, baby!" Stevie could definitely tell it, feeling the burning ring as she tried to stop pushing, "No! It hurts too much!"

Lindsey remembered what the doctor had said a while back about her internal damage "I know it hurts, but a few more pushes and I should be able to gentle pull her out." Gritting her teeth together she pushed and screamed and cussed and cried at Lindsey until she could no longer do it

"Stevie you can't stop...I need to get her head out."

"I don't have the strength," she cried pitifully

"I know, but we can't leave her there..." Holding onto his hands, she gave it all she had

"That's it! Her heads out honey!" He smiled, whilst Stevie cried in pain. Jack started crying from the other room, Carol Ann still had yet to arrive to get him.

"Just ignore him Steph, he'll stop." He tried his best to get the rest of the baby out. Stevie tried to give him little pushes as her body couldn't give anything more

"Don't push anymore, you're bleeding...I'll just try and wiggle her out."

"Please hurry," Stevie begged, Lindsey put his hand behind the baby's neck and his other on her back, gently wriggling her out. A loud cry filled the room, Stevie sobbing as she pulled the baby onto her chest.

"You did it!" Lindsey cried, holding Stevie's head and kissing her. "Oh my God! She's perfect!" She baby immediately calming at her mother's voice

"She is...I'm so proud of you...she's beautiful." Lindsey said, his voice cracking Stevie kissed him once more, asking Lindsey to cut the cord. Lindsey used the scissors he'd had sterilising, and cut the cord "Stevie, can you do one more thing for me?"

"Hm?" She answered, fawning over her baby girl

"I need you to push the afterbirth out." He stroked her cheek. Wrapping the baby in a towel, Stevie gently laid her beside her. "I'm ready..."

"This is the easier part, but it will still hurt you, so just breath and when I squeeze your hand, push." She nodded and he took her hand, giving it a squeeze. Stevie used whatever strength she had left and pushed, looking over at her baby girl and knowing that all of this was worth it

"You're done, baby!" Lindsey kissed her head before disposing of everything, quickly going to grab Jack who was still crying. "Baby girl," Stevie kissed her daughter's head. "Lindsey, help me clean her up?"

"Yeah, can you hold Jack?" He held him by Stevie but she shook her head

"I'm not sure..." feeling weak after the birth

"Alright." Lindsey sat Jack on the bed as he helped Stevie clean the baby

"Lindsey....I have a daughter...."

"I know you do, and she's beautiful." Jack crawled over to look

"Careful, Buddy..."

"Baby?" He pointed before poking her arm

"Baby." Agreeing with him

"Ugly..." he turned his nose up

Stevie looked very offended, "Jack...."

"Stevie, he didn't mean it."

"I-I know..." Jack crawled over to Stevie and tried to snuggle her but she refused to wrap her arms around him

"I wanna see your sister right now..." He sat and blinked at her before going in for another hug, Lindsey picking him up before he could get rejected again

"Lindsey, can I have time alone with her?" Lindsey nodded and left the room, looking at his son "I think we just got pushed out buddy." Jack laid his head on Lindsey's shoulder, wanting comfort

"Hey, it's alright...you've still got me!" Lindsey wrapped his arms around his son. "Dada," Jack smiled

"Yeah daddy's here! You will always be daddy's main man!" He kissed his sons head and made him a juice bottle

"Lindsey!" He heard upstairs about ten minutes later. Walking back upstairs, he went into the bedroom, "Yeah?"

"I don't know what I'm doing..."she was on the verge of tears as the baby wouldn't latch to her breast. "Don't cry, baby...it's alright." Lindsey sat on the bed taking Jacks bottle and putting a tiny drop of juice on his finger, smearing it on Stevie's nipple and holding the baby there, waiting. The baby latched on, Stevie sighing in relief as her breasts grew painful, "Thank you, baby."

"Always! talk to me before you cry Steph...I hate seeing you cry..."

"I love you, Lindsey...."

"I love you too..." he leaned over and kissed her head

"Thank you so much for all of this..."

"You made her, I should be thanking you!"

"You delivered her and took us in..."

"I'm crazy in love with you, I want you, and I want a family with you..."

"I want the same," kissing him softly

They were interrupted by the doorbell, Lindsey knowing it was Carol Ann

"Bye, Jack," Stevie smiled softly, Jack turned away from her, holding onto Lindsey

"Jack?"

"M-mean..." he said

"What?"

"Mean." He scowled and pointed at Stevie

"Baby, no..."

"Stupid." He pointed at the baby, his lip quivering, Lindsey took Jack out of the room before things escalated, sending him on his way with Carol Ann

Walking back to Stevie in the bedroom, "I'm sorry about Jack." He apologised

"It's okay..."

"It's not, its just he loves you, and you pushed him away when he wanted comfort..."

"I don't mean to be mean, but I just wanted to spend the first few minutes alone with my baby."

"I get that honey, just don't forget he's our baby too."

"I know that...."

"Anyway, it doesn't matter, I'll go find her some clothes..."

"Thank you, baby," she kissed his cheek, Lindsey walked into the baby's room, picking out a little pink onesie he'd brought, grabbing a diaper her returned to Stevie

"Lindsey, I'm so in love...."cooing down at her daughter

"I knew you would be." He smiled and sat down "Want me to dress her?"

"Yes, baby."

He hadn't really held the baby yet, but as soon as she was in his arms he started to cry. "It's okay, Lindsey..." Stevie reached out and touched his back. "She's....she's so perfect..." he brought her up and kissed her little nose

"I've never felt this kind of love before..."

"I have, but I thought this would feel different..." Lindsey admitted

"What do you mean?"

"I thought I'd feel different...because she isn't mine..."

"You mean you don't love her like you do Jack?"

"No, baby..." he took her hand

"If you feel that way...we can go..."

"Stephanie, I love her exactly the same..." he smiled through tears, resting his cheek against the baby's head

"I love you...forever..."