Settling Down

26

August 12, 1994

Stevie fussed over her girls and her partner one last time in the limo as they pulled up to the venue. Surprising everyone, this benefit blew up so it was being highly publicized. Several other big name musicians had asked to perform as well so it was a whole thing.  Stevie was wearing a mid thigh length black dress with a detailing on the breasts and one of Lindsey's black blazers. A pair of platform peep toe high heels on her feet.  Her hair was wavy and down. Stella was dressed in a two tone high-low dress. The skirt was light pink chiffon with white flowers on it and the top was a lace white color. She had a pair of brown sandals on and she was wearing a jean jacket over it. Her hair thrown over her shoulder in a fishtail braid. Emily looked gorgeous in an emerald green mid-thigh length dress. She was also wearing a pair of heels. They were silver. Her hair was pulled back in a low prom-like bun slightly off to the side. Little eight month old Cora was wearing a pink dress with her blonde curls pulled up into a pebbles hairdo.  Lindsey was handsome in his uniform minus the police hat. He hated the police hat. 

Lindsey stepped out onto the red carpet first and then bent back in grabbing Cora. She was happy at first but when she saw all the people and she heard the snapping of the camera, it was in the middle of the day so there wasn't a flash, she immediately buried her face in Lindsey's shoulder. He laughed kissed her head as he held out his hand to help Stella out. Then Emily. The girls stood off to the side and Stevie climbed out. The fans went wild and then the family of five made their way down the red carpet. They paused right in the middle and posed. Lindsey holding Cora, Emily wrapped around his arm. Stevie was holding Stella's hand. 

***

Stevie, being the headliner was the last person to perform. It was around 9:30 at night, Cora had fallen asleep long ago. Stevie opened up with Stand Back and then when the music stopped she smiled at the audience. 

"Thank You All for coming out tonight. But I want to give a very special thank you, to all of our Police Men and Women tonight. Thank You So Much for being here! Lindsey and our girls are out here tonight and they were what started all of this. I"m just happy that Lindsey isn't on call, because when he's on call...I think I can speak for all of us Police Spouses out there, It is awful getting that phone call in the middle of the night. So tonight, I'm dedicating this show to all of our Police Officers, but more importantly for the families of our Police Officers." 

As the show came to an end, after Edge of Seventeen to be exact, Stevie cleared her throat. "So before I take off for the night, I'd like to bring up...Police Captain Larry Grisman and his family, and of course...My family....I'll give them a moment to get up here." 

Lindsey and the girls are escorted up by security and Larry and his family join them on stage. Stevie hugs Captain Grisman and his wife, and then she hugs and kisses her girls and Lindsey and then she goes over to the microphone. 

"So tonight, I am happy to say that we were able to raise 5 million dollars for the Santa Monica Police Department. So, Lindsey, I'm going to take Cora from you, and tonight I'd like to present you, and Captain Grisman, this is a giant check." Stevie smiles grabbing Cora and cradling her closely as a giant check is brought out. The check is presented to the police officers and then Captain Grisman makes his way up to the microphone. 

"I have no idea how to thank you for this Stevie. I honestly don't know what we're going to do with all of this money." 

"We're going to buy new cars." Lindsey says from behind his shoulder.

"Lindsey says we're going to buy new cars. We do. The Santa Monica Police department does need some new cars. We really do appreciate it." Captain Grisman smiles. 

***

When they get home that night, Stevie doesn't even bother wrestling Cora out of her dress, instead she just lays her in her crib. And the girls go right up to bed. Stevie and Lindsey meet back up in the kitchen. He had poured a glass of wine for her, because he knew that she was going to be wound up and he knew that even though she was leaving in the morning she'd want to settle down and relax with a glass of wine and maybe a bath before they went to bed. 

"Thanks honey." She smiles taking the glass from him. 

"I can't believe you raised 5 million dollars." He shakes his head. 

"Well, it was a mixture of the fans buying the tickets and then everyone that performed tonight donated some money." She shrugs. 

"So how much did you put into it?" He asks. 

"Wouldn't you like to know..." She winks.

"I think it's about time we share finances." Lindsey states. 

"What do you mean?" She looks at him.

"I thought about doing it onstage tonight, but I didn't know what the answer was going to be and...even if you say no. I still plan to be with you and love you. But anyway..." 

"Lindsey are you..." He starts digging in one of his pockets and going down one knee..."Yes, Yes I'll marry you." 

He barely made it onto his knee, but he slowly rose up and smiled. 

"You will?" 

"Why did you think I wouldn't?"She inquires. 

"You've said it interviews previously that you never wanted to get married and have children." He shrugs. 

"But I wanted to have a baby, with you and I do really want to marry you." She nods. 

"I love you." He smiles. 

"I love you too!" She kisses him before she even looks at the engagement ring. 

The End