I Think I'm In Trouble

LXXX.

~6 Months Later~

After settling Grace's minor affairs, she moved in with her aunt and had yet to talk to her father. But that was something she wasn't concerned about and her and her sister felt waiting was better. Neither of them wanted anything to do with him because of how horrible he did talk to his youngest daughter. His sons were explaining to him that he messed up and he approached the death of their mother in a really bad way. And they explained to him that Grace was old enough to understand she didn't deserve the treatment he gave. Also, they explained that she would come home when she was ready. She– herself, was keeping in contact with her brothers and when she wasn't with her aunt she was getting all love and affection from Nicholas' family. Especially from Stevie, above all.

—

In the last months, Stevie had been visiting her grandson and holding brief conversation with Kristen. Never did they talk about Robert, never did they talk about Lindsey, nor anything other than the baby and how Kristen or Stevie was. It was all just above a hi and bye, but that didn't bother either woman. They both felt it was better that way. For Jeffrey, he felt his mother was the strongest person in the world. She was a hero in his eyes because, what woman could really tolerate a woman who slept with her husband, had her child's baby and had a past with her present partner? All of it was weird and all of it stayed in their minds, but they never once brought it up or even mentioned the topic since it was so weird. It was gross in huge matter and just hard to live with.

Still, Stevie wanted her son to have custody of his child. Each time she had seen Kristen—she thought everything was relatively normal. But she had no way of controlling what was going on when she was not there. And yet she could sense something not right, though she had no idea what it was. She was still wrestling with the fact that her son had gone back into the service.

It was going to be the beginning of Febuary and in the beginning of January—right after the new year, Jeffrey left to go back to train and fight. He was bummed by the fact he couldn't have it both ways, though he wanted to have a good income to support his child. His job would keep them well and if something did happen, he was prepared for everything to go to his son and Kristen. Stevie on the other hand was not prepared for that at all, by any means. She was prepared to pay for everything and anything. She did not want her son halfway across the country fighting in a war. It was just not something she wanted and she prayed everyday for his return to safety. When Stevie went to visit her grandson, there was no issue whatsoever. Kristen never once tried to keep him away from her even after Jeffrey left. Whenever Stevie went she brought either Shannon, Sharon or Lindsey. Lori never went because she couldn't handle seeing Kristen.

The times that Lindsey went there were no issues and he didn't say much. But he would hold the baby and here and there and give him back to Stevie. He did not say anything above a hi and bye to Kristen and her the same. It was just their own awkwardness that neither wanted to deal with. And in all actuality, it was the best thing.

~:~

"Hey, are you okay?" Lindsey asked Stevie as they prepared for bed.

"Yeah," she nodded sure of herself, but really she was just trying to assure herself. "I mean, I don't know—how should I feel? I miss my son and I just want him home."

"I know, baby," he rested his chin on her shoulder as he stared into her eyes through the vanity mirror. "I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better," he locked his arms in front of her chest.

She placed her hand on his forearm and rubbed it gently—giving him a weak smile. "It's okay, this is how I was the first time he left, but it just killed me worst the first time."