Twisted

18

May 31, 1985

Stevie's nose grimaced as she tossed and turned in the early morning light. Lindsey could tell she was uncomfortable just by the way she was moving. It wasn't uncommon, she was just broaching 41 weeks. Effectively putting her overdue. Lindsey didn't understand if she was three weeks over due or if she was one week over due. At their last Doctor visit. She wasn't even dilated and her cervix wasn't even close to be effaced. Dr. Skye had told them that first baby's usually came late, and though a pregnancy typically lasted 40 weeks, 38 was considered full term. But what he did know was that this last week she had been extremely uncomfortable and he didn't know how to help. He sighed and got out of bed, because with her tossing and turning like that he wasn't getting any sleep. He took Tucker to the bathroom and then he made his coffee and went back upstairs. 

His first stop was the nursery. It had been done since March in a very gender neutral style. Three of the four walls were white. There was a dark green accent wall behind the white crib. The crib sheets were a light green color. The crib skirt was gray and white zig zag. There was a grey rug in the center of the room. There was a white dresser and a white cushiony glider. The glider had a green and white striped blanket draped over the back of it. It came with the the crib sheet set, but there would be no blankets in sleeping with baby until they were one year old. After he left the nursery he went to the master where Stevie's face was still scrunched up in discomfort. 

"Oh kid, you've gotta come soon. Mama doesn't have much left in her. She just turned 37 you know. That means she's old." He talks to her stomach and she walls off and whacks him in the arm. 

"I'm not old." 

"Geriatric Pregnancy remember...besides, I didn't know you were awake." 

"I've been awake since you left. I don't...something just feels weird. It's like no matter what I do, I can't get comfortable." She sighs.

"We should get some breakfast in you and then you gotta get ready for the garden party." He explains. 

"I'm so glad my mother agreed to let it happen at the Brentwood Gardens." Stevie sighs slowly easing up, with the help of Lindsey. Being only 5 foot 1, her belly just seemed really massive and the prior thoughts she had about having a small baby were no more. 

"Why?" Lindsey asks.

"I just don't think I have the energy to do it today. I mean, I can give my speech but putting it on and decorating, it's just seems like too daunting of a task." She sighs. 

"Alright, let's get you downstairs." He chuckles. 

"No, get me dressed first." She sighs.

"Are you sure?" He asks.

"Yeah, I'm sure." She nods. 

Her garden party dress was a chiffon long sleeve dress, the sleeves cuffing at the wrist.  The skirt landed at her knees and it was airy enough and comfy enough to get her through the day. She put her wooden brown clog sandals on her feet and she put her hair half up half down and curled it slightly. 

The party went over okay. It was hot, it was long, and it was boring because Stevie couldn't drink and that was what usually got her through the party. But she gave her speech and then as she ended she handed it over to Chris. It had been planned to a T. The thing that ended her speech was simply 'and if I'm right, I think my brother wanted to say something.' 

Chris spoke about how he wanted to bring new blood into the monarchy because with new blood meant new ideas and change. Then he proposed to Lori and Stevie took the microphone back.

"Lori and I have become really close in the last few months and I can't....Agh." She stopped and her hand found the underside of her stomach. There were gasps from the crowd-all knowing very well that the baby was due at any moment-and Lindsey was about to jump up on the stage with her but she recovered quickly. "I'm sorry...my um baby just decided that they wanted to do some kick-boxing. I'm okay, I promise...As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted." She stopped and looked down at her stomach, poking at it lightly almost as if she was scolding the child within her and then picking back up again. "Lindsey and I can't wait for Lori to officially join our family and I can't wait for my baby to have you as the fun aunt. Everybody have a great afternoon and enjoy the party." 

Stevie mingled for a little bit longer, but Lindsey watched her. Her mouth had said that it was just a hard kick, but her body and her eyes told a different story. As soon as she slipped inside the Brentwood castle Lindsey made his way there as well and when he saw her she had her hands against the wall and her forehead was pressed into it. 

"What's going on?" He asks touching her lower back.

"I think we have to go home." She gulps.

"What's wrong?" He repeats.

"I don't think they're kick-boxing." she gulps looking up at him a scared look in her eye and desperation on her face.

"Do you think you're in labor?" Lindsey asks lowering his voice. She just sniffles and nods and Lindsey wraps his arms around her. 

"If you're in labor, shouldn't we go to the hospital." Lindsey asks.

"No, Dr. Skye said only go to the hospital after my water broke. But we do have to call her so she can get everything set up." Stevie explains. 

"Alright, let's go home okay." Lindsey nods his hand rubbing her lower back.

"Oh." She groans into his neck and he tightens his hold on her and just rocks with her. If anyone were to see them it would just look like they were sharing a private embrace but the reality was Stevie was giving out quiet pained moans into his neck, tears soaking through his shirt.