Landslide (Original Series Prequel 2)

Epilogue: I've Been Afraid Of Changing (Finale)

Los Angeles, California
Saturday, December 28, 1974
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"I think we should do it, Linds, I really do. We can add something to this band. Seriously."

Stevie sat sprawled on the couch, a burning joint in her hand and Ginny faithfully curled up at her side, and Fleetwood Mac's album The Pious Bird Of Good Omen was playing. The song that was playing was "Like Crying", and she couldn't believe anything could cut so deep at the right time...

She's got so much blues.
Her best friend can't help her.
Her best friend's a woman.
How can a woman help her?
Woman's got the blues.

She just feels like crying.
She just feels like dying.
Woman's got the blues.

"I do see what you're saying, but...I mean...do we just sucker in, give up Buckingham Nicks and say yes to three random Englishmen - I mean, two Englishmen and one English woman."

"I do," she said, sliding up into a sitting position. "This is excellent music, and I really do think it's worth exploring, at least. And we could at least earn some real money for once!" She saw the look on his face at that last comment - he was trying not to wince. "We can even fix the reverse in the car once and for all," she added, smiling and trying to recover from her comment. "When did they say they wanted to go to dinner?"

"I spoke to Mick Fleetwood on the phone, and he said let's go out on New Years Eve," Lindsey said.

"I have to work New Years Eve...but I should be done by about seven." She sighed, then rose from her seat and crossed to him to take both of his hands in hers. "What's the story with the girl? She needs to meet me first?"

"Mick Fleetwood says that John's wife wants to meet you to make sure you get along, so there won't be any chick drama, I guess." He grinned at the way she giggled; it felt so good to hear her laugh again.

"Oh...no pressure there," she said, rolling her eyes. "But seriously, let's go to dinner with them and check it out, okay? If we hate it we quit and we pocket the dough. You know what I mean?"

"I'll call Mick back and tell him Mexican food," Lindsey said. "El Carmen...you need some cheering up and I know a burrito will do it." He gave her a playful wink.

"If three successful musicians from England are paying the check," Stevie insisted, "then I'm going all out and getting a chimichanga!" She laughed again and so did he, and he pulled her into his arms as the next track on the record began to play. Peter Green, the founder of Fleetwood Mac, was singing "Need Your Love So Bad", and on this second round of playing their songs, skipping around now after listening to every album in its entirety back to front, she'd decided this one was her favorite...

"Need someone's hand to lead me through the night...I need someone's arms to hold and squeeze me tight...Now, when the night begins, I'm at an end...because I need your love so bad..."

Ginny climbed down from the couch and Stevie lifted her into her arms, finally feeling well enough to lift her after recovering from their loss. Lindsey held the two of them in his arms, and they began to slow dance, Stevie's head dropping to his chest.

"I need some lips to feel next to mine...I need someone to stand up and tell me when I'm lyin'...
And when the lights are low, and it's time to go...
That's when I need your love so bad..."

"You're going to look amazing standing out on stage with the band playing around you, singing that beautiful song you wrote about the snow-covered hills." Lindsey kissed the top of her head and held her closer, careful not to squash the dog between them.

"You're going to be amazing on guitar out there...and look amazing too." She nestled into him even closer.

"I love you, Stephanie," he whispered down into her hair, kissing it again.

"I love you too, Linds." Her eyes fluttered closed, the warmth he'd promised her four years ago in a motel room bed in the middle of the night surrounding her once again as they looked ahead to the next phase of their lives.

"Need your soft voice, that talked to me at night...I don't want you to worry, baby...I know we can...make everything alright...Listen to my plea, baby, bring it to me...Because I need your love so bad."

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The End of Buckingham Nicks...

...but only the beginning...

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