I've Loved You Ever Since

Part 27

AN: Nothing important in this chapter, but there's a small hint of how Stevie feels about Lindsey.

~

The doorbell announced the arrival of Lindsey's mother. Stevie immediately tensed up, which didn't go unnoticed by Lindsey. He gave her a quick kiss, promised that everything was going to be alright again and went to answer the door.

"Hi, honey." Stevie heard Ruth's voice. "I'm so glad you weren't busy tonight. I've missed you!"

"Hi, mom." Lindsey replied, sounding somewhat embarrassed after being called honey. "Let me take your coat."

"Thank you, darling." Stevie could hear the smile in Ruth's voice. "Oh, what's this?"

"What's what?" Lindsey asked, hanging his mother's coat in the closet. 

"Have you taking a liking to women's boots?" Ruth laughed, pointing to the pair by the door. "Oh... You've got a lady in here, huh?"

"Mom." Lindsey pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath. "Please, don't-"

"Well, who is she?" Ruth continued, walking into the living room, but she didn't find anyone there. "Where are you hiding her?"

"Hi, Ruth." Stevie appeared and put the biggest smile on Lindsey's mothers face. 

"It's so wonderful to see you! Let me take a good look at you." Ruth first pulled Stevie into a tight hug, then held her at arm's length. "You get prettier every time I see you."

Stevie blushed, catching a glimpse of Lindsey smiling. "Thank you." She said, looking at him briefly again, he mouthed, told you.

"You should have told me you had company." Ruth turned to her son. "I could have come at a different time."

"It's alright." Stevie waved it off. "We didn't have any major plans, dinner and a movie." She shrugged and Ruth gave her a suspicious look. "We were actually about to sit down and eat. If you like-"

"No no." Ruth shook her head. "I was just with friend, I'm full."

"You two catch up." Stevie showed between Ruth and Lindsey. "I'll be in the kitchen."

Left alone, Lindsey and Ruth sat down after he'd offered his mother a drink, but she declined. A drink was the last thing on her mind right now. Lindsey stayed silent, but Ruth knew her son all too well and she knew, when he was trying to hide something from her.

"So, Stevie's here." Ruth began.

"Yes, we're friends." Lindsey shrugged. "You were with a friend, but I'm not asking you any questions."

"Right, but if you had been with us, you wouldn't have seen us stealing loving glances at each other." Ruth pointed out.

"Are you here because you've missed me or are you here to grill me?" Lindsey tried steering the conversation away from Stevie, but was unsuccessful. 

"She's a great girl, Lindsey." Ruth said, laying a hand over his. She lowered her voice. "Is she still with that Tim guy?"

"Tom." Lindsey corrected. "And no, they haven't been together for months."

"Well, then what are you waiting for!" Ruth exclaimed, she was one of the very few people, who knew. 

"How are you doing, mom?" Lindsey ignored his mother completely. "Everything alright? How's your blood pressure?"

"Fine." Ruth waved it off. "But you know, I'm not getting any younger. I'd love to meet your kids, honey." 

"Oh my God..." Lindsey sighed heavily, hiding his face in his hands. "If I tell you that we're kind seeing each other, but not really, will you give it a rest?"

Ruth smiled, shrugging her shoulders. "For now."

"Are you sure, you're not hungry, Ruth?" Stevie joined them, having heard bits and pieces of their conversation.

"Don't worry about me." Ruth assured, patting the empty space beside her. "Come sit with us." Stevie was getting nervous again as she walked around the couch and sat down. "So, Lindsey tells me you two are dating."

"Lindsey!"

"Mom!"

"Oh, come on." Ruth laughed, putting her arm around Stevie, while she held Lindsey's hand at the same time. "I always knew this day would come."

"I'd like to point out that I didn't say, we're dating." Lindsey gave Stevie an apologetic look. She didn't seem mad, though, a tiny smile on her lips.

"Well..." Stevie shrugged, shifting her gaze from Ruth to Lindsey. "We're not dating yet, but..." Her smile widened a little, causing Lindsey's heart to start beating a lot faster. "Soon, hopefully." She added.