Love's A Hard Game To Play

Songbird

Stevie jumped up from the sofa and ran to her bedroom to change. Lindsey followed her and he did the same.
They rushed out the door and by the time they reached the car, Stevie was hunched over leaning on the hood.

"Stevie? What's wrong?" Lindsey asked going to her side.
"I'm...fine." Stevie breathed in and out. "It's just...those Braxton contractions."
Lindsey pulled her into a hug; she buried her face in his chest as she sobbed. "Steph. Please calm down okay. Think of the baby. This can't be good for him."
Stevie nodded trying to calm down.
Lindsey then helped her into the car then ran around to the drivers seat. He turned the ignition then pulled out of the parking space and were on their way to the hospital.

Stevie had calmed a little but tears still rolled down her cheeks. Her hands rested on her belly as she felt the tiny movements of the baby.
Stevie got lost concentrating on her baby and before she knew it, they were pulling into the hospital parking lot.

Lindsey and Stevie walked into the hospital and went up to the second floor where Christine's room was.

Stepping out of the elevator, they ran into Mick who was waiting for them to arrive.
"What happened?!" Stevie asked.
"Joe went looking for you at Christine's after not finding you at your house. I told the police to wait to call you till morning after they found your house trashed." Mick said; he already knew that they knew about Joe's escape from the call to Lindsey that morning. "Christine called John and I and we rushed right over, then the ambulance brought her here."
"What...what did Joe do to her?" Stevie asked sobbing again. "Is she going to be okay?"
Mick sighed; he saw Stevie was already taking it hard, he didn't want to add to her pain. "He...he beat her, but she is going to be okay. She even got in a few punches. Christine said he left with a bloody nose and I'm sure by now he also has a black eye or two."

Stevie continued to sob. "I need to see her!"
Mick looked at Lindsey as he wasn't sure it was a good idea but Lindsey nodded.
"Okay, come on. I'll show you to her room." Mick said as he led the way down the hall.

The whole hall was deserted; the hospital made sure they all would have privacy while they were all there.

Lindsey held on to Stevie as they entered the room, he could feel her trembling.
Stevie gasped as she saw Christine lying on the hospital bed; Christine's face was black and blue, her eyes were closed.

Stevie stepped forward, her knees almost buckled but she reached out to grip onto Christine's bed. She sobbed harder, her whole frame shaking.

Mick, Lindsey and John, who had been sitting in a chair in the corner of the room the whole time, all looked on.

Stevie held one of Christine's bruised hands.
A moment passed when suddenly they heard. "Jeez Nicks...keep it down. I'm trying to sleep here." Christine mumbled as one eye opened and looked at Stevie. The other eye was swollen shut.
Stevie couldn't help but smile a little.
"How...how are you?" Stevie whispered.
"I'm fantastic!" Christine said with a grin. "The drugs they have me on are amazing."

John couldn't help but chuckle. "She's been like this since the paramedics arrived at her house to work on her."
"Hey, what can I say? I have to keep my sense of humor and sarcasm at an all time high or else my name wouldn't be Christine Mcvie. Especially in times like these." Christine said. "Also...did you see how hot those paramedics were!? God they were gorgeous!"
"Not my cup of tea, love." John said with a chuckle.

Lindsey and Mick laughed and were glad to see Christine doing well and being usual herself.
Stevie was happy to see that Christine was okay but she couldn't laugh or smile. Tears continued to roll down her cheeks and she looked at Christine with pain in her eyes to see her best friend like this.

Christine looked over at Stevie and said as she opened her arms. "Come here."
Stevie bent down and hugged Christine then very gently, laid down next to her.
Stevie sobbed and wrapped her arm around Christine's waist and cried on her shoulder.

Mick suggested that they should leave to the cafeteria to give Christine and Stevie some time alone. The men agreed and left the room.

"This is all my fault." Stevie said quietly.
"No Stevie! No. It wasn't your fault." Christine said.
"Yes it is. Joe was looking for me! You got hurt because he was trying to find me." Stevie said. "He's never going to stop until he does."
"Stevie...listen to what I said...this wasn't your fault. He won't get far; his face is plastered all over the news stations. The police will catch him. Then he'll be given more time in prison. He will never bother you again." Christine said trying to calm Stevie down.
Stevie was about to respond when a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. "Ahhhh....!" She cried out as she placed a hand on her belly.
"Love...this isn't good for you or for my little nephew. Please try to calm yourself. I'm fine, my face will heal. We both are safe." Christine said softly.
The pain eased and Stevie nodded her head.

It was quiet for a while except for Stevie's sobs.
Christine closed her eyes and began to sing Songbird. Stevie's sobs began to quiet down as the sleepless night caught up to her. She listened intently to Christine's voice finding comfort in how soothing it sounded.
Stevie drifted off to sleep and soon after so did Christine.