"There's my favorite guy." With one hand juggling a plate and champagne flute, the other fell on Lindsey's shoulder from behind.
He was sitting at the long table out on the patio, where the fairy lights were the only thing that lit the night air around them. It was just him, being that the kids had all resorted to the pool for a night swim.
"Hey..." he reached out, wrapping his arm around her waist as she lingered next to him.
She gave him a sweet smile as she slid right onto his lap. It took her a moment to get comfortable- tossing her legs over one arm of the chair so she could stare at him a little better. "I'm surprised you're not out there." She motioned towards the pool, where loud laughs were echoing and beach balls were bouncing back and forth.
"Why be there, when I can be here... with you?" He smirked, one hand on her back to feel the silk fabric of her black dress.
She had changed after dinner, and even though she looked incredible at that point, the dress she wore to renew their wedding vows was stunning. He couldn't take his eyes off of her all evening.
Stevie had spent a lot of time picking out the cream colored dress that had a lace top, a silky bottom and was the perfect mix of youth and maturity. And to top it off, her hair was in loose curls with a colorful flower crown that Evee had made her as a surprise.
It was magical- she was a magical woman.
She wrapped her arm around his neck, leaning in to kiss his cheek as she snuggled into him more. "It's a beautiful night." Stevie's head fell back lightly, looking up at the stars in the sky. "A full moon..." she added, wanting him to look up as well, but knowing he wasn't.
He was too busy staring at her.
"Almost as beautiful as you." Lindsey lightly swiped some of her loose curls behind her ear.
She giggled softly, holding up the plate she'd had. "You want a bite?" She used her fork to cut a little sliver of the chocolate cake and held it up for him.
He grinned lightly, taking a bite as he looked into those deep brown eyes. "Dance with me?" He rubbed her back a tad as he continued to hold her close.
She frowned playfully, "I just got my toes done..." she lingered with a smirk. "Don't step on them too much, the polish will chip." She was only teasing him.... Sort of.
He had always been a guy with two left feet- since the very beginning.
"I promise..." he assured, helping her stand back up.
Once she was on her feet, he slipped off the chair and led the way to the spot under the gazebo that the kids had designated as a "dance floor."
She was expecting to lead him, but to her surprise, instead of just wrapping both arms around her waist like always, he took one of her hands in his and slowly began to move her around.
It was perfect- his feet, his posture, his everything...
"You learned..." her forehead met his, gaze totally lost in those two storms.
"Elise told me," his voice was soft as he ratted out his daughter- in- law for spilling about Stevie's secret dance lessons. "I would've supported you." He would have, like he always did.
"I know," she sighed lightly, shaking her head a tad. "It was just... spontaneous and fun." She admitted. "I liked that feeling, but I like this a lot more." Stevie's hand met his chest, lightly patting it.
He grinned softly, rubbing the small of her back. "We had fun learning." He recalled with a faint chuckle.
She suddenly felt these butterflies form in the pit of her stomach when he pushed her out, still holding her hand as he spun her around and then relied her back in. "Lindsey..." she tossed her head back, a deep giggle escaping her once she was in the safety of his arms once more. "Thank you for today." Her voice grew gentle as this feeling of pure love and warmth washed over her. "This was such a great day." She added.
"No..." he lingered as he shook his head. "Thank you." He rephrased. "Thank you for all of this." He used one hand to motion to everything around them- the house, the kids, the happiness... It was all her.
He might have helped create the blueprints to give her the five bedrooms, the beautiful sunroom, the big master bathroom, the huge kitchen and spacious backyard, but after that, she build it.
She made the house, a home... Her two hands and creative mind made up the rest, and he was just along for the ride, nodding his head and agreeing with her ideas.
"We've done it all." Her hand slipped down, wrapping her arm around his waist to pull herself in closer.
He smiled lightly when her temple met his chest, which silently meant that she just wanted to be held. "We have..." he agreed as he looked down at her for a moment.
She was still timeless. She might have changed over the course of their fifty years, but she was still the woman he'd fallen madly in love with... in fact, he was far more in love in that moment than he was when they first got married, which he didn't think was even possible at the time.
"You still make me feel so young..." she whispered, feeling him leave little kisses on her head. "And so beautiful." She added, sleepy eyes falling closed as the sound of his beating heart soothed her.
"You are." He told her in a low tone as his hand met the back of her head, rubbing her long blonde hair. "You're so beautiful." Lindsey had always thought that, but to him, she just got prettier with age.
She glanced up at him, looking right into those eyes. "It's all been so worth it." Stevie brought her hand up to his face, cradling his chin as her thumb grazed his jawline.
He nodded, a very soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Every second."
