The Pact

13

"Dinner was absolutely amazing Linds. Thank you. It's been so long since I've felt this beautiful and appreciated."
Lindsey took Stevie's hand as they strolled out of the restaurant to his car.
"I never want you to question whether you're appreciated. Or beautiful. You are both."
He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it.
He went around to open the car door for her.
"Get in. I have one last surprise."
Lindsey got in and fumbled around in the glove compartment.
"Here. You need to put this on."
He handed Stevie a blindfold.
"Linds? Really?" She asked.
"Steves. Trust me."
He took her hand and squeezed it tight. She put on the blindfold and tied it around her head.
Stevie was totally disoriented. She knew they went out of the parking garage and took a left but that was all. Lindsey put his foot the floorboard taking them farther away from the city and winding them further down the coast.
Stevie felt the car stop, she heard Lindsey put it in park.
"Okay I'm going to come get you. Keep the blindfold on."
Stevie heard her car door open.
"Here. Take my hand." Lindsey extended his hand grasping onto Stevie and helping her out of the car.
Stevie could hear the distant sounds of the ocean. She could even smell the salty air. Lindsey lead her up a pathway.
"Wait a minute." He said, dropping her hand briefly. She heard a lock click and the creaking of a door.
"Okay watch your step." Lindsey said taking Stevie's hand once again.
Lindsey closed the door behind them. The room was silent aside from a light crackling noise, she knew what it was immediately, candles. Stevie could see a glow through the blindfold.
"Stay here." Lindsey whispered. He dropped her hand once again. His footsteps growing farther and farther away. She heard him fumbling for a moment, pulling something out of what sounded like a paper sleeve. All of the sudden she heard the scratch of a record needle. She listened for a moment, letting the beautiful guitar melody fill her soul. It took her a moment to realize it was 'Stephanie'. Lindsey was playing their first record, Buckingham Nicks. It took her back immediately to their small apartment when he would play for her on their mattress on the floor. Tears began to fill her eyes. She was reminded of all the good times they used to share. It had been so long since she had heard it. He didn't know, but she used to play it every time she was missing him.
"Okay Steves, you can take the blindfold off now." Stevie slowly slipped the blindfold over her head. Lindsey stood in front of her anxiously, his hands clasped. She gasped and looked around in shock. Her hands covering her mouth.
"Linds..." Stevie couldn't contain her tears.
Lindsey stood there in the dark with nothing but tea lights illuminating the empty room. Behind Lindsey were floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. Even in the darkness you could make out the waves crashing against the shore.
"Lindsey... Where are we?"
"Home." Lindsey said walking closer to Stevie.
"What? What do you mean home?"
"Steves you've been so kind enough to let me stay at your place all this time. And I know you just bought your house. But, I wanted us to have a place to call our own. I sold the house I shared with Kristen. I wanted us to be able to start over. I hope it's okay... It was hard making this decision without your expertise. But I want you to design everything! I want this house to be your vision, your dream." Lindsey said smiling.
"Are you kidding? Linds, it's absolutely beautiful. Look at the ocean. I mean I don't think you can get a view more perfect than that!"
"Ah but I think you can." Lindsey put his arms around Stevie and kissed her. "I've got the most beautiful view in the world."
Stevie stood there for a moment, trying to collect herself and her thoughts.
"May I?" Lindsey reached out his hand inviting Stevie to dance.
Stevie flashed him a smile. Their record played softly in the background as they danced together. Lindsey put his hands on Stevie's hips, their foreheads touched. Neither of them saying a word. Stevie knew Lindsey had never been a great dancer, and nothing had changed, he still had two left feet. But this moment meant everything to her.
"Linds..."
"Steves..."
"I love you." They both confessed at the exact same time.