With her cup of coffee in one hand, and a throw blanket in the other, Clancy slipped through her parents bedroom and out onto the balcony.
It was just a little after eight in the morning, but the couple had already snuggled up on the patio sofa, a blanket covering their legs, coffee in hand as Lindsey read the morning paper aloud, since Stevie had forgotten her reading glasses in the kitchen.
"This is sweet." Clancy made her presence known as she trailed further outside, taking a seat on the chair across from them as the morning sun beamed down perfectly.
She had been home for six months, recovering and enjoying her time back at the place she felt she belonged the most... With her family. But like all good things, her time in California was drawing to a close and getting back to Paris was inevitable... for the time being, that was.
"Did you sleep well?" Stevie had one arm draped around the back of the sofa, casually running her nails up and down the back of Lindsey's neck.
Nodding her head, she sank back in the chair slowly. "I'm gonna miss waking up here..." she motioned around her- the weather, the house, the people... it was all perfect.
"Oh," Stevie sighed softly, biting down on her lower lip as her eyes traveled to her husband. "Sweet Clancy..." she lingered, already having felt incredibly emotional about having to bid their fair-wells to her once again.
It was great having her back home- it really was, but it was a nightmare when she left, especially this time. She'd been home for so long and Stevie had gotten into this groove of taking care of her, which she loved.
She loved feeling needed, and when she had kids at home, she was. Of course, they would always need her regardless, but it felt good to have them at home.
She was already missing their late night conversations, movie dates in the den, glasses of wine in the middle of the night when neither of them could sleep, and the giggles.
Nothing made her as happy as the sound of her children's loud laughs.
"Mom and I are going on a long vacation once our nest is empty again." Lindsey teased, chucking lightly when Stevie swatted his leg. "All alone." He clarified.
Clancy couldn't help but laugh, nodding her head lightly. "You both really deserve some time together." She was the most gentle child of theirs.
The only one who had never been married, or even been in a long relationship, never experienced any true heartache, and hadn't really been exposed to how cruel the world could be, yet she was the most understanding.
Stevie smiled lightly, head meeting Lindsey's shoulder as she sank down to be closer. "We can do two days alone, and then we invite all of you to meet us, wherever we are." She was kidding, sort of.
The thing about having kids and now, a grandchild, was that having vacations that consisted of just the two of them was great, but it could get a little boring as well. They spent a lot of time at home, alone these days, so to get their kids together and go on new adventures, was really a highlight.
Clancy smiled in return, but sat up in the chair to wave at the girl on the other side of the French doors. "Good morning." She patted the arm of the empty chair next to her as she watched Vivian slowly trail out onto the balcony.
"There's our other sunshine." Stevie had the sweetest smile on her face as she watched the youngest take a seat.
"Good morning, Viv." Lindsey motioned to the croissants on the glass table- the ones Stevie had insisted he go get that morning, since they were both of the girl's favorites.
"Good morning," she was also wrapped in a blanket, messy curls pulled back in a clip and tired eyes still adjusting to the bright sun.
She had been staying with them, on and off since they'd gotten home from Paris. She was usually there at least four nights a week, and they had even turned their guest room into her room.
She had become their fifth child and she fit in like she had always been there, with them.
"Your last morning in a California..." Stevie pursed her lips to one side, shifting lightly as her eyes fell to cup of coffee in her lap.
Both girls frowned softly, but Lindsey wrapped his arm around her shoulders just a moment later. "Mama's having a mama moment." He teased, leaning down to kiss the top of her head as she tangled the fingers of her free hand in his.
"It's going to be so boring around here with just us." She frowned playfully, which caused the other three to chuckle in return. "But it'll be great for you." Her eyes met Vivian's, another warm, but slightly sad smile traveling across her face.
"They're going to be painting by the Eiffel Tower and eating way better croissants." Lindsey could see it- the sudden shift in mood between all three women, which meant the tears were only around the corner.
"Mom..." Clancy creased a brow, pushing herself up and slowly venturing towards the older woman. "We still have a whole day together." She didn't hesitate to fall right into the blondes lap, almost spilling the coffee but Lindsey happened to catch it in time. "There's room..." she motioned to Stevie's other knee, which encouraged to Vivian to hurry over.
Stevie tossed her head back, letting out a deep laugh as both girls wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"You have to come visit us." Vivian was feeling a little sad as well, but excited at the same time.
It was Lindsey that mentioned that Vivian should take art classes, and then it was Stevie that told her that she should go back with Clancy... "It will be an adventure," that's what she said.
Lindsey couldn't help but smile as he leaned into the arm of the sofa, watching them all share a moment.
There'd been a lot of moments in the last couple of months that pulled at his heartstrings. Like when Lola spent the weekend with them and they all crashed in the living room for the night, watching movies until almost three in the morning.
"I'm going to miss you both, so much." Stevie gently swiped Vivian's hair behind her ear, seeing the tears fill those sweet blue eyes.
"We're gonna miss you way more, mom." Vivian assured.
"The most ever." Clancy quickly added with a voice full of enthusiasm.
Lindsey creased a brow, tossing out a hand playfully. "What about your poor old dad?" He was kidding, of course.
He knew that his relationship with the kids was special, but no one compared to Stevie.
She hung the moon and he loved that, almost as much as he loved her.
Clancy giggled lightly, reaching out to mess up his curls lightly. "I always miss you, daddy." She really did.
It was weird being so close to them her entire life and then waking up one day and not having them at arms length. It was hard and the more she stayed home, the more she realized it.
Being away from her parents was not something she planned on her entire life.
"But he has to stay with me." Stevie mentioned, giving him a soft wink. "He can't leave me for Paris, too." She smirked, eyes melting into his from across the patio sofa.
He shook his head, biting down on the inside of his cheek. "I am, where ever you are." Lindsey told her as he brought her cup up to his lips to take a sip.
"Aww," both of their daughters said it in unison, which caused Stevie to giggle.
"Well," she nodded, patting their backs at the same time. "We have a special brunch to get started on." Stevie mentioned. "A celebration for our two favorite artists."
