Are you alright?

                                    

                                          
Some time later...
                          
Stevie sat on the bed in her and Lindsey's bedroom with one of her older journals' in her hands. She skipped through pages of it, stopping on an entry, which clearly wasn't written by her. It was Lindsey's handwriting and it was from a year ago.
                          
Remember, you asked me to write everything down. The following are your words, baby, not mine;
                          
I've been in labor forever now. I love our baby, but it's really about damn time he came out. I'm such a bitch to everyone, but I can't help it. I'm so uncomfortable, I'm tired and I'm in pain. Lindsey, you have two options; one, you get a vasectomy and two, we never ever have sex again. Jesus... what the hell is wrong with me? I've gone through this two times already! I shouldn't have agreed to the third. My GOD, this hurts and I want to cry and scream, but I'm too fucking exhausted. It's your fault, Lindsey. I blame YOU. It's fun and games for you, it's pushing out an actual human being out of my own body for me. Fuck, you Lindsey, fuck. you. 
                          
Stevie felt bad for him. She cursed at him about a hundred times and he took it all, holding her hand and kissing her sweat drenched hair from time to time. The arrival of Adam was not a pleasant experience, until Stevie got some much needed rest after he was born. Of course she loved their son with everything she had, but she swore to never have another child. Lindsey didn't exactly protest; after all, he was a father of four, since he had adopted Maria and Liam.
                          
The opening of the bedroom door distracted Stevie from her journal, as she smiled at Lindsey, who walked over to her, sitting down beside her. Hugging her around the shoulders, he kissed her temple, saying. "I was wondering where you disappeared to." He then added jokingly, kissing her again. "My runaway bride."
                          
"Huh, well, I think it's a bit late for that." She said, holding up her left hand, where he slid his ring on her finger just a few short hours ago.
                          
"Yeah, you're stuck with me now."
                          
"I'm fine with that. Raising three kids on my own? I don't think so."
                          
"So, all I'm good for is helping raising the kids?"
                          
"Pretty much." Stevie shrugged, then suddenly erupted into a fit of giggles, when he began tickling her. 
                          
After a moment, once they settled down, Lindsey asked. "Everything okay? People notice when you're not around."
                          
"Everything's just fine. I needed a minute away from everyone." Standing up, Stevie held out her hand for Lindsey. "Let's go entertain our guests."
                          
They decided a while ago that they would get married on Adam's first birthday, both being rather special celebrations. That way they could invite their friends and families and do it all at once. It wasn't because they didn't want people to come over, but Stevie felt (and Lindsey agreed) that they weren't exactly young anymore, that this day was important for them and if others wanted to join in to celebrate with them, then great. 
                          
Returning downstairs and going out into the backyard, Stevie saw their youngest sitting on Barbara's lap, as she was talking to the boy and as if he understood, he giggled and involuntarily nodded his little head at all the right moments. Stevie couldn't help but smile at the scene, feeling Lindsey wrap his arms around her from the back, as she leaned her head on his shoulder. 
                          
"We make beautiful children." Lindsey stated as a matter of fact, kissing her on the cheek. 
                          
"Yes, we do, but don't you get any ideas, mister." She warned, bopping him on the nose with her finger. 
                          
"Well... it's our wedding night after all." 
                          
"And I have a full box of condoms waiting for you."
                          
Lindsey burst out laughing, shaking his head at her. "My God, Steph, I love you so much."
                          
The photographer, hired for the event, noticed and snapped a picture of the two, unbeknownst to them, in which they came out looking so genuinely happy. 
                          
Eventually Adam started fussing, searching for Stevie with his eyes, as she came to his aid shortly. "What's up, baby? You're hungry, huh?" Taking him from Lindsey's brother, Jeff. "I hope you weren't too much trouble for your Uncle?"
                          
"Oh no, not at all." Jeff shook his head. "He's a very calm little boy."
                          
"Until it's three or four in the morning!" Despite saying that, Stevie kissed Adam's cheek and took him back into the house and the nursery to feed him. 
                          
Lindsey joined them not much later, making sure the boy wasn't sleeping, he said. "Let's go take our picture that you wanted." Getting up from the rocking chair, Stevie handed Adam over to Lindsey, before she went to check her appearance in the mirror. "Babe, you look perfect." Lindsey said, scoring a kiss on the lips. 
                          
~
                          
A few short weeks later, Stevie had just returned from the studio, carrying a still wrapped picture in her hands. Lindsey noticed how excited she was, when he came down from upstairs after putting Adam down for a nap.
                          
"Where do you want to hang it?"
                          
Going into the family room, followed by Lindsey, Stevie pointed with her finger. "Right there." She said, having made space for it already.
                          
Tossing her handbag away, Stevie began unwrapping the framed picture, a smile spreading across her face; Stevie with Adam in her arms, Lindsey's arm wrapped around her back, his free hand placed on Liam's shoulder, who stood in front of them, with Maria by her and Ella by his side. Stevie wanted Lindsey's daughter included as well. Looking at all of their happy, smiling faces, nobody could ever suspect the heartbreak they'd gone through not that long ago. Even if well over a year had passed, Stevie still wasn't able to forget about it completely, overcome with emotion, a tear escaping her eye as it fell on the glass, as she was staring at the picture.
                          
"Are you alright?" Lindsey asked, enveloping her in his arms. 
                          
Tilting her chin up, she smiled, giving a small nod of her head. "I've never been better." Standing up on her tiptoes, she pressed their lips together. 
                          
~
                          
THE END
                          
Thank you so much for reading this story and for your wonderful feedback!