Stay With Me a While

Part 3

"You're going to regret this."

"Don't try and talk me out of this, Karen." Stevie glared at her assistant. "Because you just might."

"You do realize that it's not just Lindsey, you'll be spending time with, but his whole family. Including that-"

Stevie held her hand up, zipping up her suitcase. "She's a lot of things, I know, but let's not, okay? You'll be there with me, so you're going to have to behave." 

Karen sighed heavily, folding her arms over her chest as she watched Stevie from the doorway. "I bet she's worse now, compared to when I had to stomach being around her during Say You Will recording."

"Well, she's Mrs. Buckingham, she has to make sure everybody knows that." Stevie shrugged, picking up her journal, she put it in her bag. 

"Maybe she wouldn't have to if you weren't such a threat."

"I'm not a threat!" Stevie disagreed, rolling her eyes. "I haven't been a threat for a long time, Karen."

Her assistant laughed, shaking her head. "I think, you forget that I've spent enough time around you and Lindsey to know that's not true."

Stevie gathered several items from her bathroom, she opened up the suitcase again. "My relationship with Lindsey has improved, I'll give you that, but the way we act on stage... it's for the fans, you know. We broke up in 1976, but nobody seems to accept that."

"Whatever you say." Karen gave a shrug of her shoulders. "Have you got everything you'll need?"

"If I don't, you'll be a dear and come get it for me." Stevie smiled, her hands by her sides, indicating she was done. "Let's do this, before I change my mind."

Lifting Stevie's suitcase off the bed, Karen carried it out of the master bedroom and made her way downstairs. Stevie took another look around, making sure she wasn't forgetting anything. She then picked up her beloved dog and followed her assistant to the car.

Fastening the seatbelt, Stevie took in a deep breath to calm herself down. She'd be lying if she said, she wasn't nervous, but she kept reminding herself that this was a good thing. It was good for the band, it was good for her and Lindsey and eventually for the fans. With Sulamith in her lap, Stevie watched her house disappear out of her view, knowing that they'll be arriving at Lindsey's in no time.

"Have you got a leash for Sula?" Karen asked, glancing at Stevie.

"Why would I need it?"

"Well, don't you think Kristen won't appreciate your dog, walking all over her marble kitchen countertops?" 

Stevie burst out laughing and shook her head. "This is my little baby." She stroked the pet's fur, speaking in her high voice. "And my baby can do whatever."

Karen didn't reply, but she seriously doubted that. Soon, they were pulling into Lindsey's driveway and Stevie felt butterflies in her stomach start awakening. It seemed like it was just now that the realization hit her. She hadn't spent so much time with Lindsey in years. Touring together didn't really count, they had separate hotel rooms, she could always escape in case things got a little too heated. She wasn't going to have that now. 

Grinning widely, Lindsey was already outside, waiting by the front door. Karen got out of the car first and gave him a wave, moving to take their things out of the trunk. Lindsey rushed to Stevie's side and opened the door for her, holding his hand out to help her out. Once her both feet were firmly on the ground, he embraced her tightly, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"I've got you now." Lindsey winked, holding Stevie at arm's length.

"Enjoy it while it lasts, Buckingham." She smiled at him, rubbing his arm. "You're gonna have to let me go eventually."

"Yeah, I've done that before." He said, not really sure why. "Come on, let's go inside. I'm going to show you around. Oh." He then stopped and took over Stevie's things from Karen.

"It's quiet in here." Stevie took off her sunglasses and rested them on top of her head. 

"Everyone's out at the moment. Will's at a friend's house, Kristen and the girls are shopping for some things for school." Lindsey explained, which relaxed Stevie instantly. She didn't want to face his happy family life right from the get go. "I'll show you to your rooms."

Stevie allowed herself to be led by Lindsey up the stairs, his hand on the small of her back. He opened the door to a beautiful, spacious room, although, the white décor felt a bit clinical, Stevie thought. 

"Karen, you're next door." Lindsey said, setting Stevie's suitcase down. "I think, you'll find everything you need in here."

"Thank you, Lindsey." Stevie put Sulamith down on the floor, then looked over at the bed. "I might need a ladder to get in."

Lindsey laughed lightly, shrugging his shoulders. "Holler and I'll come, give you a push." They stood, no more than a step separating the two. "I've missed you, Steph. I'm really happy you're here."

The sincerity of his words reflected in his eyes and she smiled, opening her arms for a hug. "We're gonna have some fun to make up for the lost time."