"The first time I get a call from your mother and she's upset, she's coming home with me." Lindsey was leaning up against the kitchen counter, arms crossed over his chest as his eyes stayed glued on his son.
It was a little passed midnight, but since Stevie and Lindsey were still stuck on California time, falling asleep at a decent hour was just impossible.
"I promise, we'll take great care of her." Crosby had assured his father of that since his parents landed earlier that afternoon... It was like Lindsey thought they were going to take turns making fun of her, or something.
He sighed, nodding his head softly. "I'm just worried, that's all." He didn't want to leave her, but also knew that he couldn't stay cramped up in that apartment with her, either... They would be really sick of each other at the end of it, that's for sure.
"Why?" Crosby was sitting in a kitchen chair, turned away from the table to stare at his father.
"She's my entire world, you know that." He didn't know what else to say, because that was it, that's why he had been so protective of her.
He couldn't imagine what he would have done if something had happened- he would have been totally lost, which was why he was so iffy about every detail of that situation... He wanted her to make it back home to him.
"I know." He assured, but that just wasn't good enough for Lindsey.
"No, I don't think you do." He shook his head, another really heavy sigh filling the air around them. "You need to step up, Crosby and I mean it." Lindsey had decided that if he was going to head back to California without his wife, he was going to make sure his son knew what he expected. "Your mom doesn't know this city, okay? She has no friends here, no family... just you and Lucy." His own words scared him... he couldn't believe she was staying with them. "That means that you need to help her, hang out with her, make sure she feels like she's welcome here." He motioned around the room, but he really meant something much bigger... He meant their lives.
He knew that Crosby could be a little stand off-ish, especially with his mother. Lindsey just wanted him to know, a head of time, how disappointed he would have been if Stevie told him that she felt out of place, or lonely.
He would have been totally pissed.
"Pops," holding up his hands, Crosby gave him one of those cheesy grins. "I will treat my mom like the queen that she is." He tried hard not to sound sarcastic, because he knew that if he did, Lindsey would fight her to get on the first plane back home.
Raising a brow a little, Lindsey grabbed his bottle of water off the counter. "Great, I'm glad we're on the same page." He assured as he started to head through the kitchen and down the hallway.
Since the apartment was so small, all Lindsey had to do was take two steps to the left and he was in the guest bedroom, where Stevie was curled up under the comforter.
They had gotten in earlier that day and since her hormones were still through the roof, she cried the entire plane ride... she also got sick, but that was their secret. Either way, it was a mess, which made him feel ten times worse about leaving her the next day.
He wasn't ready, but he also didn't want to stay there, either.
"Are you okay?" She whispered, eyes still closed as she listened to the sound of his feet hitting the carpet.
Sinking into the bed next to her, his lips turned up. "I'm alright." His voice was soft as he took in all of her features.
He still thought she was the most gorgeous woman in the world, even with age and a little puffiness around her cheeks... She took his breath away.
"Why are you staring?" She mumbled, a little giggle following her words.
Pushing some of the loose curls behind her ear, his lips met her forehead. "I was just thinking about how beautiful you are." He knew that would make her blush... It always did, no matter how many times he had said it.
She couldn't help but chuckle as she tossed one leg over his middle and slid in close. "I'm gonna miss you." Stevie's hand fell on his chest, rubbing up and down slowly.
Taking that same hand in his, he planted soft kisses on her knuckles. "I'll me back to see you."
Sitting up a tad, she looked down at him. "Promise?" She smirked, even though she knew that he wouldn't miss much.
"You know I can't stay away from you for that long."
~
The next morning came way to fast. The sound of the alarm clock was just dreadful and the car ride to the airport wasn't much better.
Lucy and Crosby bickered the entire way- they were almost worse than Stevie and Lindsey, which really said a lot. They fought over the turn lane he should have been, what coffee shop they were going and which route was quicker... It gave his parents a headache and it wasn't even eight yet.
"We'll see you later, Lindsey." Lucy gave him a quick hug as they all stood out on the sidewalk right outside the airport.
"Bye, dad." Crosby did the same before he stepped back, motioning for his wife to get in the car to give his parents a moment alone.
"I love you." Stevie held out her arms, a tear filled laugh escaping her once he wrapped her in his.
"I love you, more." He grinned, pulling back just a little to kiss her lips. "Call me if you need anything." He lightly patted her side as his hand slid down her curves.
"I only have one of those boys... you still have two at home." She joked, a little smile trailing across her face. "I'll be sure to keep an eye out for an SOS." She said it, though she knew that Crosby was the hardest one... She wouldn't have had to think twice about staying with either of the other boys, which was sad to admit, but it was true.
They were different- they shared a different relationship and she was worried that her decision to stay wasn't the wisest.
"I appreciate that." He gave her a subtle wink before he backed away. "See you later, alligator."
Pulling open the door to the backseat, she waved softly. "After awhile, crocodile."
