Wrapped Up in a Warm Hurricane

by: Liv-x-Case-Benson & dcmasters

Ch. 2: Support

Sara sighed. "What happened? Was it a guy you'd been seeing?" she asked, hugging her.

Catherine instinctively pulled her daughter closer. She'd talked about this with Lindsay before when they'd had 'the contraceptive talk' and knew it wasn't what she wanted.

"My boyfriend."

"Did you...want it to happen?"

Lindsay nodded. "We were so careful."

"But you didn't plan on this? Lindsay, I don't see happy tears from this, and I know it's a hard question, but...is he still in the picture?" Sara asked.

Lindsay shook her head. "We broke up a month ago. He was cheating on me with my best friend."

"Oh, I'm sorry, sweetie!"

Catherine rubbed her daughter's back. "It's going to be ok, Lindsay. Why don't you go and have a nice long soak? You must be exhausted after your drive."

Lindsay nodded, hugging her mom, then Sara, as she went into the bathroom.

Sara sighed. "I didn't mean to upset her. I just wanted to know a few things is all," she said, wrapping an arm around Cathrine.

"It's fine. We both needed to know," Catherine sighed, "this has never been what she's wanted."

"Do you know what she wants?"

"She always said she didn't want to fall pregnant young to the wrong guy. She wanted to wait until she was married, had a decent job with a decent wage and felt settled."

"So...do you think she wants to keep it?"

"I don't know. Maybe. But she'd still want to study if she did."

Sara sighed. "Which means we might end up with two kids in the long run. I'm not saying I wouldn't do it if you wanted to. But our baby and..."

Catherine frowned. "And what? That baby would be family. My grandchild. It's different."

"They would all be our family."

Catherine sighed. "I'm sorry."

Sara hugged her tightly. "It's all right. I only meant that we would be helping Lindsay take care of her baby too, not that we couldn't help. And, as you pointed out, it will be your grandchild, so...of course you'll want to be close by."

"I meant our grandchild."

Sara smiled. "Yes, ours."

Catherine gave a small laugh. "What was I saying this morning?"

"I don't remember..."

"About I was sure Lindsay wouldn't come to me in a crisis..."

Sara shrugged. "Honey, you're her mom and she loves you. Who else was she going to turn to?"

Catherine kissed Sara gently. "You always know the right thing to say."

Sara smiled, kissing her gently. "Sometimes I have a stroke of wisdom here and there."

"We should probably get dressed..."

Sara nodded. "I love you."

"I love you too," Catherine smiled, leading Sara to get changed. Once she was dressed, she went to the kitchen, then knocked softly on the bathroom door.

"Yes?" Lindsay asked. "What is it?"

"It's Mom. Are you decent? I made you some tea."

Lindsay stepped from the bath, pulled the plug and wrapped a towel around herself before opening the door, drying her hair. She smiled. "Thanks," she said, taking a sip. "You know, I'm really hungry. I, uh, I haven't eaten since before I took that test yesterday. I've just been so nervous and scared and...I don't know what else."

Sara walked up to Catherine's side.

"How about I cook? Anything you like."

"I wouldn't be opposed to a late breakfast," Lindsay said. "Pancakes, bacon, eggs...the works. It's been a while since I've had a home-cooked meal."

"Coming right up," Catherine smiled, kissing Lindsay's cheek as she left for the kitchen.

Lindsay offered Sara a smile.

Sara smiled. "I'll let you get dressed and you can join me in the living room," she said, kissing her other cheek as she walked away.

"Did you want the works too?" Catherine asked as Sara walked past.

"Please," Sara said. "Unless it's too mucch to cook."

"Never," she smiled. If there was one thing she loved besides her job, it was cooking for her daughter.

Sara smiled, kissing her neck gently before going to sit on the couch.

Lindsay joined Sara five minutes later dressed in loungewear, sitting next to her. "I'm sorry for turning up unannounced."

Sara shook her head. "Don't worry about. It's important. We can talk more about things after breakfast. How are your classes going?"

Lindsay just gave a weak smiled, diverting her eyes.

"Things were going ok until..." Sara brushed it off. She pulled the folder from under the coffee table, pulling out a picture to show her. "I don't know if this will make you feel any better, but we have one more visit before they decide..."

Lindsay shuffled closer to look with a smile. "She's cute."

Sara smiled. "Yes, she is."

"I... I changed course six months ago... don't tell Mom."

Sara nodded. "Changed to what?"

Lindsay looked a little hesitant. "Forensic science and psychiatry."

"You want to follow in her footsteps?" Sara asked.

"You can't tell her. If I fail..."

Sara nodded. "Ok, ok. But what do you think would happen?"

"I just don't want to let her down, disappoint her."

"Hey, she's your mom. You could never disappont her. We just just want you to be happy. How are those going?"

"Everything was going fine until..."

"...something changed, You were sick. Your period stopped. So you took that test, rested on the proof and came to us. Do I have that right?"

Lindsay nodded. "I just wanted my Mom," she whispered, eyes filled with tears.

Sara hugged her tightly. "Shhh. Hey, it's going to be ok. No matter what, we'll be here for you. Promise."

"Sorry. I just keep crying."

Sara shrugged. "It's ok. Your hormones are going to go crazy."

"When I did the test, I didn't know what to do. All I knew was that Mom, and you, would help me."

Sara smiled. "And you're absolutely right. Uh, your mom said you'd always had different plans before having kids... Do you plan on keeping it and raising it? It's just a question. We'll be here for you no matter what."

"I... I don't know. "

"You don't need to decide now. Just keep it in mind, ok?"

"Thanks," Lindsay smiled.

"Breakfast!" Catherine called.

Sara smiled, hugging her. "We're coming!" she said, standing.

"I'm sorry if I've ever given you a hard time. You're great for Mom," Lindsay said softly before entering the dining room.

"Thanks," Sara said. "I know everything was rushed, not to mention out of the ordinary, but we wasted too much time being afraid of being rejected by the other..."

"I understand," Lindsay smiled.

"I hope it's ok," Catherine smiled, placing their plates in front of them before she sat down.

Sara smiled. "Looks great."

"What are we talking about?"

"Have we decided on a name yet?" Sara asked.

"Depends if you want traditional, different, modern."

"Somewhere in between."

"Hmm... Freya?"

"Hmmm...that's a little too much. I like the idea though," Sara said.

Catherine nodded, continuing with breakfast. "Flo?"

"Uh...Celata...? Sasha?"

"I love Sasha," Catherine smiled.

Sara smiled. "Should we spell it with "sh" or "ch"? Both can make that sound."

"I like sh."

"I agree," Lindsay added.

Sara nodded. "Sounds good."

"So, Lindsay... how's your course?"

Lindsay looked up from her food. "Ok, up until about a month ago."

"Oh? Anything I can help with?"

Lindsay shook her head. "It was about a month ago when things went...weird. I thought it was just stress until last night."

"I'm always here, for anything. Even if you just want a chat on the phone, or a cuddle with a film."

She nodded. "I still don't know what I'm going to do. I want to finish school, but..."

"If you want to keep the baby... Sara and I could look after him or her whilst you finish and you could see if you can get your course transferred here, then you'd be here in the evenings, or on weekends if you want to stay here. No pressure. I just want you to know you have our support whatever you decide."

Lindsay smiled. "That's what Sara said too, but I'm still not sure what I'm going to do."

Sara sighed. "The longer you take to decide...say it turns out you don't want to keep it, the harder it will be, but I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other. It's your decision."

"I could take you for a scan? Make sure everything is ok before you make any decisions?"

Sara nodded. "That would be a smart thing to do."

Lindsay bit her lip. "Okay."

"How many weeks are you? Roughly?"

"Five or six..."

Catherine nodded. "Whatever you decide after the scan, we'll do it together."

Sara nodded. "Absolutely."

Lindsay nodded, continuing to eat.

"Uh...do you want me along, Cath? You keep saying 'we' like you don't want me involved," Sara said. She knew Catherine's concern was Lindsay's welfare, but it still hurt a little.

"As long as that's what Lindsay wants," Catherine smiled as Lindsay nodded.

Sara nodded, standing and putting her plate in the sink. "Cath, she came to us because she needs our help. You're free to tell me if you want to go solo in parenting, you know," she said, pulling her shoes and jacket on.

Catherine gave Lindsay a weak smile as she stood to pull Sara into the corridor. "I'm sorry. I want you with us. I just don't kmow what Lindsay is comfortable with."

Sara nodded, sighing. "I know, ok? Though, gotta admit it does feel good having you worry over me a bit. I'm sorry. I understand what you're saying, I do... It's just I don't want to have to remind you to be a mother and a wife when you're concerned for Lindsay and her child. You're bound to get wrapped up. But I was going to go out anyway for a few things."

Catherine brushed some hair from Sara's cheek, kissing her forehead. "No matter what, I'll never stop worrying about you."

Sara nodded, holding her close. "I love you. Do you need anything?"

"Lemonade and ginger biscuits," Catherine smiled, "I love you too."

"Should we get provisions for Lindsay? You know, in case she decides to keep it. Books on it. Or wait?"

"Probably best to wait. You're so thoughtful," Catherine smiled.

Sara smiled. "Anything you need, Linds?"

"Milk chocolate please."

"You got it. I'll stock up. Be back in a bit," she said, kissing her wife again before she left.

"Have you told him? The father, I mean?"

Lindsay sighed. "I tried. He wouldn't hear a word of it. Besides, he's not the type to say, 'Oh man, you're pregnant? Marry me?' He's a good guy, but not responsible. Well, or he was...until he slept with my best friend."

"And would you want a baby on your own? Not that you would be with Sara and I, but... you know what I mean."

"Without a father?" she sighed. "I don't know. I mean, we were usually careful. I-it must've been that night were were at a party. We had a couple drinks, but a couple guys got violent so he lead me away." She rolled her eyes. "Such a gentleman."

Catherine pulled Lindsay into a hug. "I love you, Linds."

Lindsay hugged her close. "I know we talked about everything, but it was once without protection. I-I mean, I know it's possible in just about any circumstance..."

"I... have you... been checked?"

Lindsay shook her head. "I know I should."

"How about we make you an appointment for both then? With one of the obstetrics and gynae doctors?"

Lindsay nodded. "Okay."

"If I'm being too... unbearable just tell me and I'll give you space."

Lindsay shook her head, pulling back a bit, placing a hand on her stomach.

Catherine kissed her forehead. "Feeling sick?"

Lindsay shrugged. "A bit, but I-I think I might want to keep it. I know it'll be hard and you'll be there to help, even though it's my responsibility, but..."

"I'll always be here, Lindsay, no matter what you need."

"But it's not your job. You'll already have a baby to look after..."

"Exactly, so I'll already have everything you need. And I want to. But please don't call me Nan."

Lindsay smirked. "I won't, but then what will we call you?"

"Can I think about it?"

Lindsay nodded. "I haven't been really sick, which is good."

"I've got Sara getting lemonade and ginger biscuits just in case."

"Hey Mom? You know, the reason you're here? Well, what happens if they find us?"

"They won't. I've changed my name to Sidle. Plus, they wanted me out of Vegas. Off their turf."

Lindsay nodded. "Good."

Catherine reached to brush Lindsay's cheek with the back of her thumb, smiling before she went to do the dishes.

Sara walked back into the house fifteen minutes later, well, more like stumbled. Her ankle was sore. "Why does this place suddenly remind me of New York?" she asked, wiping the blood from her head as she dropped the bags.

Catherine walked out into the hall. "Oh my god, what happened to you?!"

Sara sighed, collapsing into a chair. "Mugged isn't the word here. I still have my phone, car and money. It was...oppurtunity. He didn't say anything about you. He was caught on the camera..."

"Do you want me to call a doctor?" Catherine asked, rushing over to assess Sara.

Sara shook her head, then rethought, nodding. "Maybe for my ankle. Just a kid. I waited until the cops took him. Well, pinned him, more or less. It's a first offense I could tell by how scared he looked. I'm not pressing heavy charges, but he will be charged," Sara said, wincing as she pulled off her shoes.

"Lindsay, can you grab me the First Aid Kit from the bathroom?" Catherine called as she looked at Sara's ankle, kissing it gently, "Looks like a bad sprain, but we'll get a doctor to be sure."

Lindsay brought her the First Aid Kit.

"Thanks, honey," she smiled, cleaning up Sara's head, dressing the cut.

Sara winced. "Ow!"

"Sorry," Catherine said softly, kissing Sara gently.

Sara smiled softly. "I'm sure I have bruises, but I can still move so I doubt anything's broken."

"Yes, but we have Sasha tonight, so I'd rather know now if you need to go to the hospital."

Sara nodded. "That's right..."

"I'll be right back," Catherine smiled, disappearing to call the doctor.

"Can I get you anything?" Lindsay asked.

Sara smiled. "Maybe a couple bags of ice," she said slowly moving to the couh to put her foot up.

"You got it," Lindsay smiled, taking the shopping to put away, returning with some ice, placing it gently on Sara's ankle once she'd wrapped it in a towel, then smirked, "Mom says she doesn't want to be called Nan."

"Figures, it implies she's old," Sara said.

"What do you think she'd prefer? Grandma?"

"Hmm...I still think Nana's cute, but I doubt she'd go for it."

"We'll see. Coffee?"

"Please."

The doctor came a short while later, clearing Sara's ankle as a bad sprain and telling her to rest.

Lindsay went for a lie down, feeling exhausted from a mix of pregnancy and her early morning travel and by 4pm there was a knock at the door and Sasha was in Catherine's arms for their last weekend. "Well hello there. I have missed you," she fussed, walking through to Sara.

Sara smiled. "Hi baby girl."

The baby looked over in the direction of Sara's voice. "Oh, you want to go to Sara, huh?" Catherine smiled, passing Sasha to Sara.

Sara smiled, hugging her close. "Hi sweetheart. How are you, huh?"

Sasha smiled back, cooing at Sara.

Sara smiled, reaching in the bag of stuffed animals beside the couch, pulling out a puppy and setting it on her lap. "Is that a puppy, huh?"

Sasha pulled it into her mouth.

Sara laughed. "You just eat everything. Good thing there's nothing that can come off of him and hurt you."

"I love you," Catherine smiled, kissing Sara gently.

Sara kissed her, leaning into her. "I love you too."

"You're so good with her. I always thought you would be."

Sara kissed Sasha's head.

"Hey, is this Sasha?" Lindsay asked.

Sara looked in Lindsay's direction. "Yes it is."

"May I?" Lindsay asked.

Sara nodded, handing Sasha to her.

Lindsay smiled as she took her. "Hello. I'm your big sister, Lindsay. It's nice to meet you."

Sara smiled, her head on Catherine's shoulder.

Catherine watched them as she whispered. "How are you feeling? "

Lindsay smiled. "Better."

"Good. I've made you an appointment for Monday morning."

Lindsay smiled, kissing Sasha.

"I'm going to make a start on dinner."

Sara smiled. "What are you making?"

"Grilled chicken salad."

"Sounds great to me."

Catherine smiled before heading to get dinner started.

After dinner, Sara made up a bottle for Sasha. "Want to feed her, Linds? For practice?"

"Are you sure?"

Sara nodded, limping back over to the couch to put her foot up.

Lindsay paced as she fed the baby, talking quietly.

Sara smiled. "Doing great."

"I think she's fallen asleep"

Sara smiled. "She likes you."

"Really? You're not just saying that? "

The brunette shook her head. "If she doesn't like you, she screams."

"Oh dear," Lindsay smiled, "how's the ankle?"

"Better..."

Lindsay smiled. "Do you think I'd be a good mom?"

Sara nodded. "Yes, you'll need to get used to a few things though."

"Like what?"

"Well, for one, getting up at all hours."

"That's ok, I don't sleep much anyway."

Sara smiled. "Your mom could show you the nursery if you want to put her to bed."

Lindsay nodded, finding Catherine, who showed her through. "Lindsay..."

"Yeah Mom?"

"I'll always be proud of you, no matter what happens in your life."

Lindsay nodded, laying Sasha in her crib. "I know that, but are you trying to convince me of something?"

Catherine smiled, shaking her head. "No honey. I just wanted to make sure you knew. I wasn't exactly a great mom."

"Well, yeah, but...you worked a lot..."

"I should have put your needs first, and I'm sorry."

"But Mom, how could you with a job that required so much of your attention? Not saying you weren't great at it."

"I wanted to give you everything I never had."

"I do. I know you love me," Lindsay said.

Catherine smiled, pulling Lindsay into a hug. "You're such a great kid."

"Why?"

"Because you're intelligent, beautiful, caring... you have this warmth about you that could calm anyone... I'm so proud you're my daughter."

Lindsay smiled, hugging her tightly. "Would you keep it if you were me?"

Catherine held her close. "It has to be your choice. But if you're thinking about not keeping it only because you'll think you'll be on your own, you won't. I'm here."

She nodded. "I know. It's just...I'm having second thoughts."

"That's perfectly alright. Lindsay, I..."

"You what...?"

"After I had you, I fell pregnant again. There were complications. All I'm saying is... I know what it's like to be on both sides."

"When? Can I ask what happened?"

"When you were fourteen. I wasn't sure what I wanted, but I went for a scan anyway and the baby wasn't... forming properly," Catherine replied, a glint of a tear in her eye.

Lindsay hugged her tightly, kissing her cheek. "But if if wasn't for that, you might not be married to Sara and have this little princess."

Catherine nodded. "I know, and I'm so lucky to have the three of you."

Lindsay smiled, hugging her again. "Maybe the four of us. I-I still don't know."

"It's ok to be unsure. We'll go to your scan, then you can decide once you know everything is ok."

Lindsay nodded. "Do you want me to keep it? I mean...now?"

"It's not up to me, Lindsay. It's your baby, your decision."

Lindsay nodded.