When I See You Again

Part 22

Fleetwood Mac's tour to promote Tango in the Night was finally over. Stevie loved performing in front of thousands of fans, but she couldn't wait go home and lie in bed until the end of her pregnancy. She swore to herself, she would never do it again. It was either going to be one or the other in the future. 

Aside from being physically exhausted, Stevie was getting really tired of people following her and Rick's every move. If she were completely honest, she did truly see him as a wonderful friend at first. However, she couldn't deny that he was also a very handsome man. A handsome man, who was fun to be around, who had been her biggest support on the tour. Although, she didn't dare entertain the thought, she doubted that Rick wanted anything besides friendship from her.

It was a tradition after every tour - a massive party for the band and crew. This time, things were a bit different. Knowing that Stevie couldn't really be involved, Mick had planned a dinner first, so she could attend as well. 

As usual, Stevie was the last to show up. Everyone was in great spirits, they had also clearly downed more than one drink already. She said, hello, to some people and scanned the gathered crowd for the band members. 

"Did you save me a seat?" Stevie sat down on seemingly the only empty seat on Rick's left. 

"Don't know, what you're talking about." He shrugged, a cheeky grin on his face. 

"I see, the party has definitely started." She chuckled, her eyes on Mick, who was telling one of his crazy road stories to whoever listened. 

"Well, you're nearly an hour late." Rick teased, giving her a look.

"What, you've already started missing me?" Stevie asked more so as a joke.

"I have." He replied honestly, holding her gaze. "And I'm going to miss you, when we all land in LA tomorrow and say our goodbyes."

"Well... who says, we can't see each other?" Stevie brought it up, looking away as if that was no big deal.

Rick studied her for a minute, his eyebrows slightly creased. "Would you-"

"Stevie! I thought, you weren't coming!" Christine appeared out of nowhere, her arms wrapped around Stevie from behind. 

"Wouldn't have missed this." Stevie smiled, easing Christine's tight grip. 

"Good! Good. I'll whisk you away later for some girl talk, I don't want to get in between this lovey-dovey stuff." She showed at Stevie and Rick with her hand then disappeared.

"Lovey-dovey?" Rick repeated, to which Stevie shrugged. "I mean, that's crazy, right?"

"I don't know. Is it?" Stevie wasn't sure, why she was being so honest, but she did know that it felt good, being able to talk about her feelings with someone openly. 

He looked around to make sure that nobody was listening in, then leaned in closer. "Do you want to get out of here?"

"Yes, please." Stevie nodded and pushed her chair back. 

Nobody noticed, when they upped and walked out. Side by side, they made their way towards the elevators, not a word said. Neither of the two was even really sure, where they were headed. 

"Should we... maybe talk?" Rick spoke up first, pressing the button of the floor they both stayed at. 

"I haven't just made things weird, have I?" Stevie asked, when the elevator doors closer. 

"Not at all, just..." Rick trailed off, chewing on his bottom lip. "I feel it too. I would have never brought it up if you hadn't done it first though. I mean, you're Stevie Nicks."

That made her laugh, she then somewhat carefully, laced their fingers together. They stepped out and Stevie invited Rick to her room. Once they were behind closed doors, they weren't really sure, where to begin.

"I just thought, you were being friendly." Rick said, when they sat down. 

"So did I." Stevie shrugged. 

"We've talked about a lot of things, but we've never really talked about your situation with Lindsey. I know, he came to see you, so..."

"That's true, but I'd like to think that Lindsey is in the past. We've tried a hundred times. We're just too different and at the same time so alike. I'm tired of constantly being angry, I don't want that in my life. Especially now." Stevie placed her hands on her belly. 

"See, that's why I didn't say anything, because I didn't know if you were trying to work things out."

"We're way past working things out. Just... too much has happened. I will always love Lindsey, but it has to be a different kind of love. Our love is exhausting. We're both so stubborn, things have to be our way. We don't talk and if we do, we don't listen. I need a partner, I need someone, who's the exact opposite of Lindsey." Stevie faced Rick to finish her thought. "Someone like you."

They were sitting close, their shoulders touching. There was clearly a lot more to say to each other, but they had time for that.

"Can I do something I've wanted to do since 1975?" Rick asked, then smiled seeing the puzzled expression on Stevie's face. "Can I kiss you?"

She nodded.