Don't Give Up

Only if

The phone call didn't last very long. Stevie was left speechless, hearing Lindsey's voice on the other end. She barely mumbled a few responses back to him, while he apologized several times, admitted he was wrong and begged to see her. Stevie didn't say no, she said, not tonight. She was overly emotional and she needed some time to collect herself. She said, tomorrow. 

"I don't think I can do this." 

"Yes, you can, Mom, you have to." Julia told Stevie once again. "You wanted to see Dad, didn't you? Well, here's your chance. Just please, don't argue - talk it out."

"Have you met us?" Stevie managed a weak smile, glancing at her daughter. 

"I can go with you."

Shaking her head, Stevie replied. "No. I need to see him alone. God knows there's lots for us to talk about."

Nodding in agreement, Julia gave Stevie's hand a gentle squeeze, saying. "Well, we're here. I'll be waiting, take as long as you need."

"Okay." Taking a deep breath, Stevie opened the door of the passenger's side and climbed out, stopping to look at the tall building in front of her. 

Taking out a small piece of paper out of her purse, she made sure that she was standing in front of the right door, before Stevie pressed the buzzer and waited. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while waiting, biting on her lower lip. It felt like she had been waiting for a couple of minutes, when the door opened eventually and Stevie was met by Lindsey. She couldn't keep it in, breaking down in tears the moment her eyes fixated on his. She stood there, crying, covering her face with one hand while Lindsey reached to take the other. 

Before long, Stevie felt Lindsey's hand resting on her belly, when he said, unsure. "You're... you're pregnant."

Nodding her head, Stevie finally looked at Lindsey again, wiping her tear-stained cheeks. "I am. I'm fifteen weeks."

Wheeling himself back into the hallway of his condo, not letting go of Stevie's hand, he shut the door, then sat her on his lap, hugging her close. "I'm so sorry..." He said, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Oh God, baby, I'm so sorry!"

"It's not all your fault, Lindsey. I didn't fight you nearly enough, I just... gave up. I honestly believed you wanted nothing to do with me." 

"I never meant it, any of what I said to you over the past couple of months. I simply thought I was doing you a favor by letting you go. I realize that all I've done is caused you so much pain." 

"I don't care what happened, Lindsey, I'm just so happy that you're letting me back in." She smiled through her tears, as she cradled his face in her hands and gave him a small kiss on the lips. "My God I've missed you so much..." She sniffled, casting her eyes down before locking them with his again. "Maybe we should get more comfortable."

"I enjoy feeling you."

"Feeling?" Stevie asked, a fresh set of tears coming. 

"Yes." Lindsey smiled, nodding. "I can feel you sitting on my lap and however weird it sounds, it's the most amazing feeling ever." Stevie chuckled at that, unable to resist pecking his lips again. "But sure, we can move from the hallway." Stevie stood up and allowed Lindsey to show her the way to his living room, where she took a seat close to him, once he got himself situated. 

"What made you call me?" Stevie asked, having calmed down a little.

"Mark." Lindsey answered honestly, seeing Stevie's confused expression. "He came here yesterday, I don't know how he knew where to find me, but he did and we talked. Well, he talked. A lot. I never thought I would say this, but he opened my eyes. He made me realize what I was doing. He's the one who's been by your side through this and he's seen you hurt." Lindsey grew quiet for a moment, getting emotional himself. "He told me about his wife and I just... I thought of never being able to see you again and..." He let a tear slip, lifting his eyes up to look at Stevie. "And that's the last thing I want, Steph. I'm so sorry for everything I said and did to you. I'm sorry for those goddamn divorce papers, clearly, I wasn't thinking straight. I'm sorry for everything."

"I'm sorry, too." Stevie said, but Lindsey cut in.

"There's nothing for you to apologize for."

"Yes, there is. I'm sorry for just leaving you. I had to look past my hurt feelings and insist on sticking by your side, but I chose the easy way and I left. I'm sorry about Mark." Lindsey didn't interrupt, but he was afraid of where this was going. "I was so vulnerable when I met him. He cared for me and... Even though he's a good friend to me, he shouldn't have happened."

Swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat, Lindsey asked hesitantly. "And by that you mean..."

"I haven't slept with Mark." Stevie answered. "A couple of times we kissed. I kissed him the first time, I have to be honest with you. But he's too good of a man to have let it be anything more. I apologized to him too, because I know there are feelings involved in this mess."

"He said, he's fallen for you and that is why he came to me." Lindsey told Stevie and she didn't seem too surprised. "You knew, didn't you?"

"I did." Stevie nodded, letting out a deep breath. "I'm sorry for all this."

They both grew quiet, sitting side by side. There was so much left to say, but for the time being, this had been a massive leap in the right direction. 

After some time, Lindsey spoke up. "We're having a baby."

Hearing that made Stevie smile. "Can you believe it? I was already pregnant when you had your surgery, obviously." She laughed lightly, placing both her hands on her already visible bump. "I just assumed that I'm starting menopause. I didn't really sit down and think through the obvious."

"You're beautiful." The corners of Lindsey's mouth curled up and he reached out to touch her, lifting her hand up to his lips. "I love you so much. I'm sorry."

"We're both sorry. Repeating that won't change anything, so... let's not, okay? Let's just focus on getting back to how we were."

"Only if you promise to let me come home with you." Lindsey couldn't help but smile at the thought of coming back to his family.

"Right now if you want." Stevie's eyes sparkled at the thought, as she leaned in for a proper kiss.