When I See You Again

Part 24

Nothing could wipe the smile off Lindsey's face. Things with Stevie went really well, much better than he had expected. He was surprised, when she asked him to stay a bit longer as well. However, he was left speechless, when she asked for his opinion on the nursery. They didn't know if they were having a boy or a girl, so they decided to keep the room gender neutral. 

Lindsey was happy, but he couldn't stop thinking about the person, who was coming to see Stevie. He knew it was a man, she gave that away, but was it Rick? He didn't ask even if he wanted to. It would destroy him, seeing another man be a part of what was supposed to be his family.

The second Lindsey stepped into his house, he was met by Cheri. "Hey." She locked her hands around his neck and kissed him, although, he wasn't very responsive. "You're back later than you said, you would be. I had lunch made."

"It's fine." Lindsey waved it off. "I'm not even that hungry."

"Did you eat, while you were out?" She asked, following after him. 

"No. I had a big breakfast." Lindsey lied, hoping to lose Cheri along the way to his studio. 

"Why are you going to lock yourself up in that cave, Lindsey?" She caught up with him instead, her arms wrapped around him from behind, making it difficult for Lindsey to walk.

"I've got work to do." He replied and freed himself from her hold. 

Sighing, Cheri didn't say anything, but she did continue walking behind him. Lindsey hoped their conversation was over, when he entered his studio, but he noticed Cheri leaning against the doorway.

"What?" He asked, beginning to sound impatient.

"Come on, Lindsey. You know what." Cheri whined, approaching him. "You can talk to me about it. Besides, I'm kind of going to be a stepmother, right?"

She frowned, when Lindsey started laughing. "You're crazy if you think that Stevie's going to let you anywhere near her child."

Cheri pursed her lips and crossed her arms. "Well, you're going to have the kid here on occasions, no?"

"I don't know, how things are going to work." Lindsey sighed, leaning back in his chair. "First of all, I wanted Stevie to let me be there. We'll see, how it goes later on."

"So, did she? Let you be involved?" Cheri added, thinking about sliding into his lap, but Lindsey crossed his legs one over the other. 

"Yes." Lindsey nodded, without thinking of elaborating. 

"What did you talk about?"

"Oh my God, Cheri." He pinched the bridge of his nose, taking in a deep breath. "Things went fine. Don't act like you're interested."

"Act like I'm interested? Lindsey, I am! I'm not acting." She shook her head. "That baby's half of you and I care about you. I want you to be happy."

"Right." He muttered under his breath.

"Why did you even want me back?" Cheri raised her voice, hands on her hips. "You can't even endure one simple conversation with me!"

"It's not that. I just have a lot on my mind. I'm sorry."

"Yeah, that's what you keep saying!" Cheri yelled at him, already on her way out.

Lindsey didn't even consider rushing after her. Why did he want her back? It came from a moment of weakness, of anger as well. When Lindsey went to see Stevie, while Fleetwood Mac were still on tour, for a moment he felt like he'd lost her for good. He was alone and lonely, that was never good. So, he came home and picked up the phone. Cheri was eager to come back. End of the story. Was Lindsey regretting, calling her? Absolutely. Even if Stevie made him promise, he wouldn't bring up their relationship, if she pretended not to want or need him anymore, Lindsey wasn't about to give up so easily. Stevie just didn't need to know that.