XIV. Opening Up

                                    

                                          
After a while, Lucy got herself together, as did Elijah. They were starting to get their things packed for the next day, so they wouldn't have to rush or hassle. 
                          
"Ya ready?" Elijah asked and she nodded. 
                          
"I am, but if you don't mind---I think I'll see my mom, first." 
                          
"Not at all," he kissed her on the temple. "I'll pull the car around. Take your time." 
                          
"Okay, thanks." 
                          
He nodded at her slightly and then walked passed her as he went for the front door, leaving her in the middle of the room. 
                          
She took a slight breath to herself, trying to prepare, before seeing her mother. She knew there was nothing to be scared of because, it was just her mom, but she was nervous. Lucy slowly, but surely made her way to her mother's room. She knocked on the door and Lori opened it. 
                          
"Hi, sweetie," she said with a sympathetic smile. She stepped aside and let her niece in. 
                          
"Hey," Lucy smiled weakly. "Thanks," she stepped inside and her eyes fell onto her mother, whom was in the armchair by the window. 
                          
When Stevie heard her daughter's voice she wanted to break down in tears. She didn't think she'd come by at all. Stevie got up and looked at her. 
                          
Lori could see that, they really needed to talk. She waited a second and finally said something. "I'm gonna head out. I have to check on Jessica. Call me later, Steves?" 
                          
"Yeah," she smiled weakly. "I will. Tell her I said, hi." 
                          
"Okay," with that Lori left, probably to go find Sharon and to give her niece and sister some time to talk. Lori disappeared and the girls were left alone. 
                          
"So..." Stevie smiled lightly, letting her hands fall to her sides. "How'd it go with your dad?"
                          
"Good," her daughter assured. "It was very nice. He told me some things and only because, I asked." 
                          
"Of course," Stevie put her head down a little. "You know," she paused. "You know that I never did any of this to hurt you, right?" 
                          
Her daughter nodded stiffly. "I know." 
                          
"I'm sorry, that I did and I'm sorry if you're mad or... I honestly don't know what you're feeling." 
                          
"I'm not angry," she said, causing Stevie to look up. "I'm not mad and I want you to know---that I've decided, I want him there for me."
                          
"I'm glad, doll. There's nothing I've wanted more."
                          
"He bought me the most beautiful guitar and it goes perfect with the new journal, you got me. It's cool how you're in sync." 
                          
Stevie nodded with a smile because, she and Lindsey have always been able to do things like that, even when they weren't planned. "Yeah, we're pretty in sync." 
                          
"Just not when it came to me." 
                          
Stevie looked up abruptly and noticed her daughter looking down. 
                          
"It wasn't your fault, baby. I just--he didn-" 
                          
"Didn't know about me. I know," she chuckled lightly. 
                          
"If I'd have told him, you'd not be standing here now. He and I would probably be divorcing now and you'd probably be in shreds. Or he and I would be yelling at each other." 
                          
"I know. I've run through most of the probabilities, myself. But did you ever think about the main one? do you ever think we could all be happy?" she asked, starting to cry. 
                          
Stevie nodded, tears that stayed at her brim started to fall. She started to walk towards her girl and she took her in her arms. "I did. That's why I feel so horrible. I've thought, what if I ripped you away from a happy life."