If Anyone Falls

I Have To Tell You Something

Karen had arranged a private plane to fly them back to California early the next morning. Stevie had a doctors appointment as soon as they landed.
Stevie slept on the plane on and off; only waking up when she had to run to bathroom.

Stevie sat on the examination table feeling extremely nervous. Her blood was drawn and was asked many questions.
It was lucky for her that the lab wasn't backed up, so her results would be ready in no time.
Karen sat right beside her feeling nervous for her beloved boss.
What felt like an eternity the doctor finally entered the room.
"Good morning Ms. Nicks! We have your test results."
Stevie closed her eyes, took a deep breath and opened her eyes again.
"Congratulations Stephanie! You're pregnant!"
Stevie cried tears of joy. Her head in her hands.
Her doctor told her to lie back and he felt around her abdomen and measured her stomach and from what she told him of her last cycle he said. "Alright let's see here. You are measuring between, 6 to 7 weeks."
For moment she felt panic. She wasn't out of the woods yet. She wasn't going to be completely happy about this until she was in the second trimester; which would be for another 6 or 7 weeks.
Her doctor scheduled her for her first ultrasound when she reached 10 weeks. He told her to rest as much as possible and not do anything strenuous.

Stevie sat quietly on the drive home. She was lost in thought; her hand already resting on her non existent bump.

Finally home, Stevie decided to take bath and relax in the tub. Her mind wandered to Lindsey. She missed him so much. She wanted to tell him that he was going to be a father again. But no, she would wait till she reached 13 weeks. She just hoped that he would be happy about this and not turn her away.

Lindsey sat at the dinner table with his children eating lasagna. They were chattering excitedly telling their father about their day and what they learned in school.
Even though he struggled a bit being a single father, Lindsey enjoyed every moment with his kids. There was still healing to do but they were well on there way.
After putting the kids down to sleep, Lindsey sat outside of his bedroom balcony. His nights were pretty much the same. He would think of Kristen, then his mind would move on to Stevie. He missed her so much that his heart ached that she wasn't in his arms.

When he would fall asleep, he would dream of Kristen and he saw her as he remembered her. Full of life; her laugh and smile, her blonde hair blowing in the wind. In his dreams, Kristen would tell him it was okay to move on. She would tell him that he and Stevie would make this time, always saying, "Don't fuck it up Buckingham!" before he would wake up.
He didn't know if she was really "visiting" him in his dreams or it was part of the deepest parts of his mind; hoping that a relationship with Stevie was the right thing.

Stevie woke up around noon with a smile on her face; today she had reached 13 weeks, the second trimester. Stevie still had morning sickness but it wasn't as bad as before which she was really happy about. She was starting to think that she would just move into the bathroom to save her trouble of running to the toilet.
She also had gained the weight back that she had lost due to the morning sickness.
She reached over to her nightstand and picked up the ultrasound photo of her then 10 week old baby. She got to hear the heartbeat for the first time and cried tears of happiness to hear such a beautiful sound. The only other person besides Karen she has told the news to was her mother. Barbra was over the moon; she was very happy she was going to be a grandmother.
She placed the photo back inside her journal that was laying on the nightstand and got up to take a quick shower. She walked back into her bedroom and went into her closet. She picked out what to wear; she was glad most of her clothes still fit since she mostly wore black leggings and lose fitting blouses. Only having to buy, at the moment, new under garments.
She took off her robe and stood in front of her full length mirror in her underwear and bra.
She placed her hands on her growing baby bump which now began to pop and very noticeable, only hidden by her blouses.
She sighed, even though she made it to 13 weeks, she was still worried because something could always go wrong. She pushed those thoughts out of her mind; she would try not to think such negative thoughts.
She looked at herself one final time and got dressed.
She went into the kitchen and grabbed a yogurt and some fruit that Karen had already cut into pieces for her. She sat on the kitchen table and decided today was the day she would tell Lindsey the news.

As she finished the last bit of her yogurt she heard a knock on the door. She walked to front door and opened it.
"Hey, I...I'm glad you're finally home."
She bit her lower lip nervously and said. "Hi Lindsey. Come in."
He walked in the door holding Stella in his arms; she was looking around taking in the new scenery having not been to Stevie's home before. She was now nine months old.
Stevie smiled at her, Stella staring intently back. "Hey baby girl, how are you?"
Stella smiled back at her recognizing Stevie's voice. She reached for Stevie.
Stevie took Stella into her arms and held her close. "I missed you too."
Stella was talking in baby talk excited to see Stevie again.
Lindsey's smile was big with tears in his eyes. He thought Stevie was the most beautiful woman there ever was and seeing her hold his daughter melted his heart.
"Let's go sit in the living room." Stevie said.
They both sat down on the sofa, they both were nervous, acting as if they were on their first date or something. It was quiet for a few minutes.
Stevie finally spoke. "How did you know I was home?"
"Well, I...I didn't know if you were but something told me to come here. I just had a feeling."
"Well, I'm glad you came. Um...we need to talk."
Lindsey sighed and said. "Yes, we do."
Just then Stella yawned, closed her eyes and snuggled closer into Stevie's chest.
Stevie looked down and smiled.
Lindsey stared too, smiled then couldn't help but notice her cleavage. "Are her breasts bigger?" He thought to himself and quickly looked away.
"Can I go first?" He asked.
"Sure."
"I don't want to lose you again. I don't regret that we made love that night. I did love Kristen but I only loved her as the mother of my children. I still cared for her deeply and I think that's where the guilt came from. I love you Steph, I'm in love with you. It's always been you; you are my soulmate. I want you to be a part of my life; of my children's life. This isn't an official proposal but I want you to be the future Mrs. Buckingham someday."
Stevie had tears running down her cheeks. He reached over to wipe her tears with his thumbs.
"Steph, say something."
"Oh Lindsey, I love you too. I want nothing more than to be with you. So, where do we go from here?"
"Well, I, okay let's just make this official but of course let's take things slow. Let's be a couple. Be my girlfriend Stevie? We can discuss moving in together later. And like I said, we will be married in the future. Of course if you...want to that is."
Stevie smiled and said, "Yes, Lindsey Adams Buckingham, I will be your girlfriend."
Lindsey brushed her cheek with the back of his hand and leaned in to kiss her.
There lips met and they kissed each other gently at first then the kiss deepened.
Stevie all of sudden pulled away and breathed in and out as a sudden rush of nausea hit her.
Lindsey noticed she had gone pale.
"Linds...get...Stella...please." She said in between breaths.
Lindsey took Stella out of Stevie's arms as gently as he could and she jumped up from the sofa and ran to the bathroom down the hall.
Lindsey was worried about her so he laid Stella down on the sofa where she turned her little head to the side and continued napping.
He made his way to where she ran to and was about to knock when he heard her retching.
"Stevie? Are you okay?" He said through the door.
"I'm...fine. I'll...be...right out." She replied just above a whisper; Lindsey straining to hear her.

A few minutes later the door opened. Lindsey was waiting for her to come out. He noticed sweat on her forehead and how tired she looked.
She made her way out of the bathroom and looked up at Lindsey with a small smile.
"Steph, what wrong? I didn't know you were sick."
"Lindsey, I need to tell you something." She grabbed his hand and led him back to the living room. She sat him down on the other end of the sofa the sofa and said. "I need to grab something from my room, I'll be back."
Lindsey was so confused.
When she walked back down she was holding her journal. She sat down on the coffee table so she could face him.
Lindsey, feeling her energy was becoming a nervous wreck. "Jesus Stevie, just please tell me. What is it?"
"I haven't been feeling well these past few weeks. That's why we came back so I can see my doctor. We came back a few weeks ago." Stevie paused then continued. "I'm...pregnant."
Opening her journal she reached in and pulled out the ultrasound photo.
She placed it in Lindsey's hands who stared at it wide eyed.