Lost and Found

twenty

I woke up expecting to hear the cries of my daughter which ultimately led to me flying out of the bed in panic when I realized I couldn't hear her at all. I grabbed my phone from my bedside and checked the time and was in shock to see it was already nearly eleven am. I rushed into Scarlett's nursey only to find it empty. I ran into my living area as fast as I could, trying to find my little girl.

The sight that met my eyes made me feel incredibly stupid. Lindsey was lying on her back with Scarlett sat on top of her. She was doing sit-ups but not taking them seriously, instead she was trying to kiss Scarlett every time she sat up. Scarlett was loving the attention and giggling and clapping every time. I let out a deep sigh. If I had even remembered that Lindsey had stayed over and noticed she wasn't in the bed beside me when I woke up, I would have saved myself a lot less stress and panic.

"Good morning Addie." Lindsey said suddenly noticing I was in the room. "Look who it is Scarlett!"

"Mama!"

She rolled off Lindsey and toddled over to me where I instantly scooped her up. Having my baby in my arms was always the fastest to stop my nerves.

"You been playing with Lindy?" I asked her as I took in her sweet, sweet, baby smell.

"You still seemed tired so I just got up with her and gave her breakfast. Then we just played for a bit. I'm glad you got a lie in for once." Lindsey said now standing up from the floor.

We both stood there awkward and unsure of what to say to each other. Technically, we hadn't really spoken through anything yesterday and although, we had slept in the same bed and I desperately wanted to be in a better place with Lindsey- realistically, nothing had changed. I didn't even know what Lindsey's thoughts were on the situation.

"Addie?" Lindsey called and I blushed suddenly realizing I was staring at her.

"Fancy getting ready and letting me take you to lunch?" She asked and I realized she was already changed for the day and she'd also got Scarlett dressed for me.

"Take me out? B-b-but Scarlett?" I stuttered out suddenly nervous. It was Lindsey though. One of the few people I felt totally comfortable and safe around and yet, I was still nervous.

"Yes, take you out. We've still got a lot to talk about and I thought we could do it over lunch. And of course, we're taking Scarlett with us, silly- I'm well aware that you two are a package deal, that doesn't bother me, you should know that by now." Lindsey explained. "So, will you go out with me? For lunch?"

I giggled seeing that Lindsey was now the nervous one of the two of us which definitely made a change.

"Scarley, go play with Lindy so Mama can get ready."

Neither of us had a car so we just decided to walk to some of the restaurants that weren't too far from my apartment. I was pushing the stroller and Scarlett was babbling away more to herself than to anyone else while Lindsey just walked beside me. We ended up heading to a pizza parlour that I had never been to before but seemed to be pretty new. Scarlett and I didn't exactly have a budget for eating out regularly.

The waitress doted on Scarlett- bringing over some crayons and paper for her to scribble on while we waiting on our food. Lindsey kept smiling at me and then looking away while I did the same to her.

"Sooo." Lindsey dragged out. "We need to have that big serious talk we've both been avoiding."

"I know we do but I don't know where to even start with it all."

"You want me to start?" I nodded at her. "Well I know I already apologized but I won't ever stop saying sorry for hurting your feelings, especially when I knew deep down how I was acting would hurt you."