Dreams

9

Carolina stands in the hallway on the top floor of the hotel, waiting on Stevie to open the door to her penthouse suite. She's in her favorite leggings and oversized sweater, but her hair is clean and hanging down her back and she has fresh makeup on. When stevie opens the door she's in her bare feet and her own pair of leggings, one of her classic black tunics hanging down to her thighs.

"I was about to open the wine without you," Stevie smiles as she opens the door wider and motions for Carolina to come in.

"Sorry, Stella called," Carolina apologizes as she steps into that suite, running her finger tips along Stevie's stomach as she passes her. The suite has been transformed with shawls on the lamps and  a grand piano in the corner of the living room.

"The traveling with a piano thing really isn't a myth," Carolina grins as she kicks out of her shoes and turns to face Stevie.

"No it's not," Stevie laughs, "where did you hear that?" She watches Carolina closely as she moves to the kitchen and opens a bottle of red wine she had sent up earlier.

"Stella," Carolina shrugs, "she's a big fan. Has been for a few years."

Stevie walks her glass of wine to her and smiles as Carolina takes it from her, fingers lingering on hers for a moment. "That's sweet. I don't know why she'd choose an old lady to like when she has a sister like you, but it's sweet. She's a great kid."

"Please," Carolina rolls her eyes as she clinks her glass against Stevie's. "Old where? You're one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen, Stephanie. And hey, if I got to choose a role model for her, it would still be you."

Stevie wrinkles her nose up and grins, then takes a long sip of her wine. As much as she'd like to spend the evening throwing compliments at each other, they have things to talk about. "Was she there last night? When he hit you."

"Stevie," Carolina lets out an exasperated sigh at how blunt she is. "It's nothing we need to discuss. It's not a big deal."

"Bullshit," Stevie shakes her head, "your entire god damn face is bruised, Carolina. Did Stella have to watch it?"

Carolina closes her eyes and shakes her head. "She was asleep," she mumbles.

"One blessing," Stevie sighs, "you can never go back. If you go back he'll do it again, and it'll be worse." Stevie tries not to let her thoughts wander to Lindsey as she speaks to her. How many times has she gone back to Lindsey? What a hypocrite.

"I won't, I'm not," Carolina shakes her head, "I signed the divorce papers yesterday. He saw them on my desk, that's why he was angry."

"Oh, honey," Stevie sighs as she steps into Carolina and rubs her thumb over her lip. "We are changing the stage configuration so you don't have to face the audience with your right side until you're healed. Eilynn will do your face with pancake to cover it up some more."

Carolina almost asks Stevie how much experience her makeup artist has covering bruises, but she thinks better of it and stops herself. "Thank you," she nods instead, "I'm sorry I've messed everything up."

"You haven't messed anything up," Stevie stops her, "quite the opposite. I'm proud of you for getting the hell away from him. Now come on, let's get something to eat. I'm starving."

"Hey, I have a question," Carolina smiles as she relaxes a little, flopping down on the couch as Stevie looks through the room service menu.

"Yeeees?" Stevie quirks an eyebrow as she looks over menu at the younger woman.

"What's this about my baby sister asking for your phone number? Should I be concerned I have some competition?"

Stevie does her best not to smirk. "Competition for what, pretty girl?"