"You aren't giving up on her." Lindsey's voice was stern as he shook his head, staring across the room at Karen.
She was slouched down in a chair, blanket covering her legs as her eyes remained heavy. "I never said that I was giving up on her." She argued in a low tone.
"It sure sounds like you are." It was too late for him to be in such a mood, but there he was at two in the morning, getting everyone worked up.
"We can talk about this after we've gotten some rest, Lindsey." She was too tired to argue with him anymore than she already had. "Just try to get some sleep, please." She motioned towards the couch, silently begging him to just settle down for a couple of hours.
They had all taken up residency in one of the family rooms- a room that made it possible for everyone to stay the night in comfort, though peace was a totally different story.
"I can't sleep." He rubbed his temple lightly as he slumped down on the sofa in defeat. "I..." Lindsey was suddenly at loss for words, which didn't happen very often.
"No one is giving up on her, Lindsey." Barbara had a cup of coffee in hand as she stayed on the sofa across the room, also wrapped up in a blanket to stay semi comfortable. "Stevie's always been my wild child..." she chuckled softly, tears in her eyes as she stared into his deep blue orbs. "Always unpredictable and fashionably late," she cracked another grin, the tears finally rolling down her cheeks. "She'll come around- we just have to stay strong for her, and I promise.... my girl won't let us down."
~~~
"I need to talk to you." She was standing on the front step, staring right into the eyes of her very best friend.
Robin smiled softly, pulling open the front door just a little further to welcome Stevie into her home. "I was just thinking about you..." she winked playfully, watching the blonde slip into the foyer.
Stevie let out a soft laugh, kicking her heels off and pushing them in the corner, before she replied. "I thought my ears were ringing." She had to tease just a little before she dampened the mood.
"You look gorgeous, Steph." Robin complimented as she led the way into the kitchen, where cookies and coffee were waiting.
"Thank you," her voice so gentle- something was on her mind, for sure. "I maxed out my credit card buying this." She motioned towards one of the dresses she'd bought a few days earlier.
Shaking her head lightly, Robin laughed as well. "We can always count on you to be unpredictable.... And fashionably late." She repeated the same words Barbara had a million times before, which really made Stevie giggle.
There were very few people in the world that could make her belly laugh, but Robin was one of them... She was the best, which was why Stevie had come by to begin with.
"I, uh...." She paused for a second, suddenly growing much quieter. "I need your advice, Robin." Stevie already had tears in her eyes as she thought about how she was going to word all the things she wanted to say... There was so much and so little time, it seemed.
Setting a cup of hot coffee down in front of her, Robin nodded her head gently. "Anything, Steph." She assured.
Her eyes fell to the counter as she carefully poured a little sugar into her mug. "Do you ever feel like there's more to life than this?" She asked as she slowly glanced back up. "I mean, what if life had taken a different turn, and we had met other people, and we became something else... something fantastic." She lingered as she paused for another long moment to figure out what she was supposed to say next. "If you had this life and a life totally opposite, yet also very fulfilling, what life would you pick?" She wondered, hoping that was enough for an answer.
Creasing a brow, the other woman stared into Stevie's brown eyes for a really long minute before she replied. "I don't know what you're talking about," she admitted, though she was still so sympathetic and very soft. "But I would tell you that you need to follow your heart..." she wasn't sure what was happening, which was very uncommon, but she understood....
"But..." with tears building up in the brims of her eyes, Stevie let out a really deep sigh. "But what if there's two people, who mean the absolute world to you and you can't decide where you need to be, and who you need to be with..." she knew she wasn't making it easy for advice, but she needed to hear what Robin had to say.
It would impact her decision making by a ton, considering this was the only person truly holding Stevie back... She wasn't ready to leave Robin.
Reaching across the counter, she tangled her fingers in Stevie's. "I can't decide for you...." Her other hand met the blondes cheek to wipe away some of the tears. "But remember that no matter where you are, or who you're with- you always have someone right behind you, cheering you on and holding your hand, even if you can't see me." She let out a soft laugh, trying her best to lighten it up a little. "You know what's best for you, and I know that you'll make the right decision."
With a very tear filled laugh, Stevie reached out to pull her in for a hug. "I love you." She whispered, closing her eyes and taking in that moment for as long as she could.
"I love you, always."
~~~
Pulling his keys out of his pants pocket, Lindsey trailed through the parking lot.
He had waited a little while longer, hoping that she'd show up. He kept telling himself, five more minutes, but...
Maybe it wasn't meant to be, or maybe she'd decided her family was worth fighting for. He didn't know, but whatever it was- he promised himself that he wouldn't be upset with her. He understood.
But just as he was about to slip into the drivers seat of his car, the sound of her voice caught his attention.
"I'm sorry that I'm so late." She was standing a couple of feet away, a very weak smile trailing across her face. "I promise, it won't happen again..." she lingered, which caused them both to let out a soft chuckle.
Lindsey closed the car door, a smile dancing across his handsome face as he watched her head closer. "I'd wait around forever for you."
