I'm sitting on the floor cross-legged with the ornament box in front of me. My belly isn't too big but you can definitely tell that I am pregnant. All of the kids are here Lindsey is fighting with the tree. We have an artificial one, it's giant though and could almost pass for the real thing.

"Steph do you have ornament's ready?" He asks.

"I do, but the Angel has to go on first and then the lights. Mason, how are the lights coming?" I ask looking towards my son.

'They're um...coming." He says looking down at the giant knot in his lap.

"Here I'll help you." Lindsey laughs getting off of the ladder and going over to Mason.

When they finally get the lights on the tree, Sara, Mason, and Josh start putting the ornaments on when all of a sudden I stop. I push my dark green cardigan out of the way and look down at my black tank top.

"Lindsey come here," I state.

"What's up, do you need help getting up?" He questions.

"No, just come here." I smile.

He groans but then walks over and sinks to his knees in front of me.

"What?" He asks.

I don't say anything I just take his hand in mine and place it on my stomach. As soon as the light pressure lands on my stomach we feel a small foot push against my skin.

"The baby's kicking." He beams.

"Dove's first kicks." I chuckle.

"Wait, the baby is kicking? Mom, can I feel?" Sara asks rushing over.

"Of course, you all can," I state as my family crowds me. Each one puts their hand on my stomach where she's kicking at and Sara beams.

"Hi baby, I'm your big sister. If you ever need help covering for anything you come to me." Sara says to my stomach.

I laugh and while I'm laughing she kicks harder causing me to laugh more.

"Mom they know you're happy." Josh states.

"Of course they do. They know everything I'm feeling." I explain.

***

Christmas came quickly, and now we're into the New Year. So far 1998 hasn't gone to plan. We lost a Grammy award and Christine quit, saying she wanted to raise Graham in England and we were to call her as soon as the baby was born. The only good thing is that I'm going on eighteen weeks and this baby is very healthy according to my doctor. I've released a box set, and I am going to be promoting it with two shows. Woodstock in March and VH1 Storytellers in the next few days. I am abundantly showing. We've said nothing to the general public about the baby, but I think people are starting to figure it out.

My children are getting annoyed because my back is starting to hurt. Sitting with Joshua at his swim meets are not in my favor and Karen is trying her best to accommodate me at rehearsals by giving me a chair. I honestly don't know how my performances are going to go. As I'm getting ready for VH1 I get a sudden burst of energy.

"Stevie are you okay?" Karen asks.

"I'm just so excited and full of energy. Lindsey and the kids are here and Dove is moving a lot." I explain placing my hand on my stomach. It'll be the last time I touch it until this show is over.

"Well, we need to move. Stand Back starts in two minutes." Karen scolds.

The concert goes well and I make it through without touching my stomach, but when Edge of Seventeen starts the baby is moving so much and it's quite uncomfortable when her elbow or knee, whichever part of her it hits me in the rib several times. I fight my hands from going to my stomach. Everything goes well until I get to my closing song, Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You, I lost it.

"Many years ago, I toured with Joe Walsh and he took me to a park where he had a fountain that said for all those too little to get a drink. His baby daughter was killed in a car accident and he had the fountain in her honor. I was so moved that I went back to the hotel and wrote this song.

At the end of the song, my hormones get the better of me and I started to cry and my hands found my bump.

That night getting back home, I immediately kicked my boots off. The high heels killing my legs and back.

"Maybe you should ditch the boots, Angel." Lindsey sighs.

'Yeah Mom, you're scaring me." Sara states.

"I'm fine. I did it with each of you." I point to them.

"Yes, but you were younger." Mason chimes in.

"Excuse me!" I gasp limping to the stairs.

"Just saying." Mason laughs.

"If you need me, I'll be in the bath." I groan slowly going up the stairs.

As I'm halfway through my soak, Lindsey walks into the bathroom.

"Hey, baby." I sigh

"Hi Angel, the kids went to bed. How are you feeling?" He asks sitting on the edge of the tub, his hand disappearing under the water, taking my foot into his hand and expertly starts kneading it.

"Mhm, I'm just achy. Dove is sleeping. Dove is a good nickname for the baby. She was moving like crazy during Edge of Seventeen." I smile.

"What if it's a boy?" Lindsey questions.

"I don't know but mother's intuition tells me it's a baby girl." I smile

Rolling over, I groan. I love my growing baby but my body hurts all over.

"Happy Valentines Day Angel," Lindsey whispers wrapping his arms around me.

"Thanks." I smile kissing him. We were interrupted by a hard punch.

"That was not a foot." Lindsey chuckles.

'No, That was an elbow." I groan rubbing the spot.

"Well, someone doesn't like to be left out." Lindsey laughs as I lay on my back.

"Happy Valentines Day Baby Buck. Mommy and I can't wait to meet you and I'm sorry we weren't' talking to you. In four more months, you'll be here and we'll actually get to see you." Linsdey says to my stomach.

I'm stroking my belly when a soft knock comes at the door.

"Come in," Lindsey yells laying back.

"Mom, Daddy I got it!" Sara yells running in and practically jumping on the bed.

"Got what baby?" I ask sitting up against my pillows.

"I am going to be Job shadowing at Cedars-Sinai, then when I graduate this year I'll be interning there while I go to Med School." Sara smiles.

"Oh, that's wonderful." I coo as she hugs us both.

"I am so excited. Maybe I'll be working when my baby sibling is born." She gushes.

"Maybe, so what are our plans for the day?" Lindsey asks.

"Sam and I are hanging out. What about you two?" Sara questions.

"Whatever this baby lets us do. Groceries hopefully." I chuckle.

"You ARE getting big pregnant aren't you." Sara laughs.

I'm in my seventh month now. Twenty-eight weeks. Baby Buck is getting bigger and somersaults are occurring in my Uterus quite frequently. It's kind of getting uncomfortable. We see my doctor every week now. I've been given the okay to fly VIA helicopter to and from Woodstock. And as I am getting ready for the show, my stomach is very visible.

"Angel, it's pouring out. Are you sure you want to do this?" Lindsey says coming into my dressing trailer.

"I have to. Besides, Baby Dove is excited. Moving all around, waiting for Momma to go sing for everybody." I smile placing his hands on my stomach.

"Just please be careful." Lindsey sighs kissing me.

"I will," I say

After my first song, I do an intro. For the first time, Lindsey and I agreed to talk about Baby Buck.

"Welcome Everyone. I have to share with you that I got to fly in on a helicopter and see all of you guys from the sky. It was so incredible. I want to tell you a little bit about this show because this is in fact my last show of the tour and for a little while because I'm having a baby and this show has been really fun for me because it's been backing up a box set instead of a record. So on this tour, I have been able to do many different songs." I smile as my next song starts.

After Edge of Seventeen, I can't contain myself.

"I am standing in a pool of water. Not my water, but rainwater. But my baby does like that song. It's moving around a lot. Besides that, the fact is, I am so proud you all came and we spent the day together and the rain made you all beautiful so take care of yourselves."

My last song is Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You and just like Storytellers I'm an emotional mess.

"Mom, the reaction to the baby was amazing. Everyone was so excited,: Mason cheers hugging me after the show.

"I know, but I think people still suspected it." I smile.