Stevie had tired herself out, pacing back and forth. Rick was going to pull into the driveway any minute and she was anxious for his arrival. She wanted to sit down, but knowing, how difficult it was going to be to get up again, Stevie resumed her aimless walking around.
No later than ten minutes, Stevie stilled for a moment, hearing a car, then went to stand by the door. She had never had the habit of biting her nails, she always fidgeted with her jewelry, but she didn't have any on right now and she didn't know what to do with herself.
"Welcome back." Stevie smiled weakly, once she was finally face to face with Rick.
"It's so good to see you." He beamed, embracing her. "It feels like we've been separated forever."
Laughing lightly, Stevie shrugged her shoulders. "It's really just been a few days."
"How are you doing?" One of Rick's hands were on her waist, the other rested over her belly. "How's the little one?"
"I'm fine. We're fine." Stevie added.
Rick picked up on the change in her. Maybe she was simply tired, but when she smiled, her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, her hold on him wasn't as strong, her eyes avoided his.
"What's going on?"
"Why don't we take a seat." It wasn't a question. She didn't take his hand as she normally would have.
Rick knew that whatever Stevie was about to say, he wasn't going to like it. She was clearly struggling to speak up, looking down at her hands, tucking a strand of hair away from her face. It took a minute before Stevie took a deep breath and locked eyes with him.
"I want you to know that this isn't easy for me." Stevie began, covering his hand with hers. "But I don't want to drag this out, Rick. We're both emotionally involved, but..." She shook her head, looking at him apologetically. "This is not going to work. You and I." She added. "I'm sorry that I've made you believe that it might." She pulled her hand away and shifted her gaze down to the floor. "I thought, you were the kind of man I need. I know you are. Any other woman would be glad to have someone like you by their side, but I'm not her."
Swallowing the lump in his throat, Rick stuttered, asking. "W-what happened, while I was away?"
"Nothing happened." And it wasn't a lie. At least, not a very big one. "As much as I try denying it, as much as I hate admitting it..." Stevie shrugged and faced him again. "I'm still in love with Lindsey. I'm not saying that I want to get back with him right this second, but I also don't want to hurt you even worse than I have already."
Keeping quiet for a moment, Rick couldn't help but let some of his anger show. "So, that's it? Just like that? While I wasn't here, you'd decided that you're still in love with another man? That same man, who has repeatedly hurt you over the years, lied to you-"
"I understand." Stevie interrupted. "I get that you're upset and honestly, so am I. I genuinely believed that something could come out of this, but I realize that no, not really. I will never be able to give you my whole heart, because Lindsey has a huge part of it. Don't lie to me and tell me, that's enough. I know that it isn't. It can't be."
"Stevie, I don't want to just end things." Rick disagreed, shaking his head. "Tell me, what do I have to do? I'll do it. I don't want to give up. Do you want me to fight for you?"
"No." Stevie replied calmly. "I don't, Rick. And you shouldn't. I feel like for the first time in a very long time, I'm doing the right thing. I know, how this will end. If you're honest, you do as well."
"I can't believe that you're doing this to yourself yet again." Rick sighed heavily, getting up on his feet. "I hope, you don't regret this." Stevie wanted to say something back, but she wasn't quick enough. "I'll see myself out."
Stevie remained sitting by herself for a while longer. She wasn't quite sure yet, how to feel. In a way, she was relieved, but at the same time, she wondered, whether she'd just made a huge mistake.
The ringing of the phone brought Stevie back from her thoughts. She rose to her feet slowly, carefully and went to answer whoever was calling.
"Steph, it's me."
"What do you want, Lindsey?" Stevie asked, sounding a bit agitated.
"Is this a bad time?"
"No, I'm sorry." Her tone of voice softened slightly. "Well?"
"I've got to tell you something."
She wasn't planning on blurting it out, but it came out naturally. "Yeah, so do I."

YOU ARE READING
When I See You Again
FanfictionWith things getting worse and worse within the band, Lindsey rethinks his place in Fleetwood Mac. The only one keeping him is Stevie, who also happens to be the biggest push out of the band for him at the same time.