With her suitcase in hand, Stevie slowly trailed down the walkway towards the patio steps, though her eyes stayed fixated on the water the entire time.
It was a beautiful evening- the sun just starting to set as this light breeze caused her long blonde hair to flow around her face... It was her favorite place in the whole world.
It was small and sweet. The fairy lights they hung the summer before already lit and the door half open, waiting for her to come inside.
With a soft smile dancing across her face, she paused to pick up the gnome that had tipped over before she let her heels hit the wooden steps.
The windows were cracked open, the lace curtains she'd picked out a million years earlier also fluttering in the wind. Everything was old in that house- she'd decorated in the 70's and most of it hadn't been updated.
It was like a little time capsule that only the two of them shared.
She let out a very soft sigh as soon as she came through the door, this nostalgia hitting her all at once.
They had spent one whole summer- the first summer after they'd bought it picking out paint and floor tiles, hanging up curtains, building the furniture and shopping for the most perfect decor... That was the only time they'd ever really decorated a home together.
It was special- the most special place on earth, in her opinion.
Trailing further into the house, she headed down the hallway, the sound of the wheels from her suitcase rolling on the hardwood floor.
His bag was in the master bedroom, sitting on the perfectly made bed.
She stared at it for a second, biting down on her lower lip before she continued down the hallway until she'd reached the second bedroom. It was a room that had hardly ever been used- in fact, she could count on one hand how many times someone had slept in that bed in the last forty years.
But this trip was different... it wasn't like all the years before.
This was it and then it was over, for good.
She left her bag on the couch, wrapping her shawl around herself tighter before she headed back out of the room. It wasn't until she'd gotten to the living room, when she heard the creaking sound of patio door coming open once more.
He was standing in the doorway, holding a to- go bag and a dozen red roses. He was wearing a black t- shirt and a pair of jeans- nothing fancy, but he still looked so handsome to her.
"I was hoping that I'd beat you here." The way his lips turned up caused her heart to sink... That smile was one in a million, always had been.
Biting down on her bottom lip once more, she slowly trailed closer as she held out an arm.
Lindsey didn't hesitate to set the stuff in his hands down on the accent table by the door. "I'm so glad you came." He wrapped her in his arms a moment later, one hand meeting the back of her head as the other found her waist.
"Me, too." She admitted, even though she didn't want to.
"You look beautiful." Lindsey kissed the side of her head, still holding her close as he stared down into his favorite set of brown eyes.
Her hand fell on his chest, patting it softly before she pulled away. "I need to see what kind of wine we have." She announced as she freed herself from his arms.
She kept his hand in hers though, waiting for him to pick up the bag with his other hand, while she carried the flowers.
"They're beautiful." She led the way, fingers laced with his causally. "Thank you.." She let him go once they'd gotten into the kitchen.
It was nothing overly extravagant- in fact, it was the exact opposite. It was just a small house on the ocean in Maui- the first ever home that either of them had ever bought. And it was perfect to them.
It was two bedrooms with creaky floorboards, a million windows, glass french doors and a view that was impeccable. They're finest investment.
"Of course, Steph." He leaned into the island, watching as she began to scan over the wine bottles on the rack.
She was wearing a black sundress, along with her cream colored shawl covering her shoulders to protect them from the sun. And her long blonde hair was in curls down her back, sunglasses resting on top of her head.
She was the most stunning woman in the world, even though she was also the most complicated.
"Red is okay?" Stevie glanced over her shoulder, just than realizing how intently he'd been staring. "What?" She creased a brow, turning around and bringing a hand up to the back of her head. "Is my hair tangled?" She wondered, slowly combing her fingers through the strands.
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, you're perfect." He was like that when they were alone- sweet and sensitive... If he was like that all time, her choices in life would have been a lot different. "And I'm so glad you're here." Lindsey repeated.
Swallowing hard, she turned back around to gaze out the window. "This won't be the same." She admitted as she watched a bird fly by the glass. "I'm only staying two weeks and then it's over." She added. "And then I'm done." Her words weren't shocking, but they still broke his heart.
She had been telling him for months- since the moment she'd gotten engaged that she was ready to sell... They needed to sell that house, and she still believed that, she really did. But she wanted one more summer with him.
Just the two of them.
