That Summer

And the Days Go By...

A/N: Just a quick lil update to get the people goin... apologies for the delay, especially with that cliffhanger. I'm a little uninspired and might end soon, but please let me know if you have any thoughts or requests! <333

"Sharon, you CANNOT tell Karen, Lori...anyone!" Stevie paced around her kitchen in her robe while Sharon sat at the breakfast table. Emma stayed upstairs, still horrified about what just occurred.

"Stevie, I won't say a word...but how the hell do you think you're going to keep this a secret much longer? You two can't hide your relationship forever!"

Stevie looked at her and shrugged, "I have no clue, Sharon. I mean, in my head I know this can't last forever. She's 27, she needs to live her life, and she can't be bogged down by a fucking 60 year old woman! What if she wants kids...hell, she's not going to live a roadie life with me when I get up and go for 6 months at a time! I just don't know, Sharon...I thought I'd have more time to figure this out, but the weeks really flew by fast."

Stevie sat down and put her head down on the table. Sharon rubbed her back to comfort her, aware that this wasn't easy and knowing how quickly Stevie tended to fall in love.

"I'm gonna break her heart, Sharon, aren't I?" Stevie asked, muffled from her head still down on the table.

"Not necessarily, Steves. I mean, maybe she feels the same way. It's a summer fling! I mean, it's a little odd that you fell in love with your assistant, but you've done worse..." Sharon giggled, attempting to lighten the mood. Stevie lifted her head up and playfully smacked Sharon's shoulder.

"Tom figured it out back in Florida. He noticed me fingering her under the dinner table."

"Oh my god, STEPHANIE!" Sharon gasped. Stevie laughed, still a little embarrassed about the whole ordeal.

Sharon put rested her hand on Stevie's, "Well, your secret's safe with me... but you have like a month before Karen comes home. You're gonna have to decide if you want to keep this going after she's no longer your assistant, or you gotta talk with her sooner than later because it's only going to hurt you both to drag it out when there's an impending end."

"I know." Stevie responded with barely a whisper, sadness seeping through her voice.

"I knew you'd never wear a zebra print bra..." Sharon raised her eyebrows at her.

"Oh my GOD, Sharon! Let it go!" Stevie put her face in her hands.

"I'm joking with you! But it's so much funnier now...and I gotta say, Steves, this whole thing is pretty hot. Now you know you still got it!"

Stevie smiled softly, "I have to admit, not worrying about my body or post-menopause and having someone touch me and love me like she does has been pretty fantastic. I've sort of felt younger throughout this whole thing...I forgot how old I felt a couple months ago."

"You're always going to look better than the rest of us, Steves, please." Sharon rolled her eyes.

"It's true, Sharon! 60 really fucked me up. But I've sort of gotten my confidence back this summer. It's been...nice. Sweet, even."

Stevie heard her bedroom door squeak and Emma's footsteps come downstairs. She and Sharon both sat up, waiting for her to come into the kitchen.

Emma slowly entered, now in pajamas and wrapped in a big blanket. "Hi..." She whispered. Stevie smiled and patted the chair next to her, signaling for her to sit.

"Look, I'm sorry for intruding on you two," Sharon started, "your secret is safe with me, but for the love of god, answer the damn phone so nobody else comes over here!" Emma smiled as Stevie stroked her hair and nodded at Sharon.

"I think this is beautiful, and I only wish you two the best for whatever this is." Sharon got up and kissed Stevie's head before turning for the door.

"Shar, you can stay! You don't have to leave..." Stevie called after her.

"No, no...you two deserve your time back! I'll tell everyone else you're fine and that the phone was unplugged or something." Sharon smiled, "Enjoy yourself, ladies..." She sing-songed as she opened the side door to leave.

As soon as she was out the door, Emma moved onto Stevie's lap and looked into her eyes. The two of them smiled silently as Stevie brushed the hair out of Emma's face. "What are you thinking, baby?" Stevie asked her.

"How absolutely terrifying that was! Thank god it was only Sharon!" Emma laughed. Stevie smiled, still pondering the situation in her head. She knew she wanted to wait to resolve this, and for now, she was going to try and enjoy these next few weeks. But time was creeping up on her, and she knew she had to think about what she'd say when the time came.

"Can we go back to bed? I think Gone with the Wind is on..."

Stevie shot up quicker than a bullet flying through the air and grabbed Emma's hand as she ran back upstairs, the two of them giggling. They both jumped up on the bed, resuming their cuddling position under the covers, settling in to do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day.