Just like two kids going to a school dance, Karen dropped the couple off at the restaurant- sending them off with a playful wave, blowing a little kiss and telling them to call when they were ready.
It wasn't normally like that, of course. It was usually just Stevie and Lindsey on their date nights, but since he definitely wasn't cleared to drive yet, they were stuck relaying on other people... It was weird, mostly to him, who felt like he really couldn't get five minutes alone with her.
It wasn't long until they were sitting across from one another at the circle table in the crowded, yet elegant restaurant.
"Are you okay?" She wondered, having spent a moment watching him look around the room.
He glanced over at her, finding it impossible not to smile when his eyes met hers. "Yeah, I'm good." Lindsey knew she was still anxious, but he could feel the tension getting better between them.
It was feeling less forced than before. He was enjoying being in her company and he could tell she was, too.
She chuckled softly, nearly rolling her eyes at herself as she slipped her reading glasses on. "I'll stop asking, eventually." She assured as she looked down at the drink menu in her hand.
She was certain that he was getting fed up with it. He normally would tell her to just knock it off, in the most loving way possible, of course.
He smirked softly, scanning over her face before he asked, "Are you okay?" Lindsey was sort of messing with her, but also not.
She was so worried about him and he felt like he needed to worry about her, too. After all, she was the one trying to keep their entire life afloat while he relearned everything from the last four decades.
She looked at him over the edge of her glasses, seeing this genuine look written on his face.
He cared- he'd always cared, but after more than forty years together, things changed and sometimes, on the occasion, it felt like he didn't.
"I am so happy that we're here... together." Stevie was okay- she was better than okay, simply because she still had him.
His eyes stayed locked with hers, finding it hard to stay on his side of the table.
She had always been sensitive and sentimental, but with age, she'd become more so. She was so gentle and reassuring, he loved that.
There was no worry, or fear, which was a constant state of mind in their twenties. They didn't know how they were going to buy groceries back then, now they didn't have any concerns.
It was easy to be happy.
"But think about what you want." She added, biting down on her lower lip as she motioned towards his menu. "I'm hungry..." she admitted with a soft laugh, trying not to dwell on her previous statement.
She knew he was thinking about it- she could always tell when his mind was working, even though she sometimes couldn't determine exactly what he was thinking
It wasn't until after they had ordered, and gotten their drinks before he finally decided to ask something deeper than how he normally liked his meat cooked...
"How did we survive forty years, five kids and the music industry?" He had been thinking about it for days, mainly after Nora had played him a couple of records.
It seemed like so much... so much effort, so much work and he was certain they were worth it, but how could they do it? How'd they make it as coworkers, and spouses, and parents? It seemed overwhelming.
She chuckled lightly, nodding as she pushed her glasses to the top of her head. "Wasn't always easy, that's for sure." She wasn't going to sugarcoat it... but she also wasn't really to tell him the entire truth, either.
She was still so on the fence. The kids, all of them had made it seem like life would be better if she just kept some of the ugly parts to herself, but her subconscious knew that it wasn't fair... Their life hadn't always been love letters, fancy date nights and butterfly kisses.
"You had been asked to join the band, so right before we met with them, we got married." She told him. "We both knew it would be difficult and it was our way of telling one another that no matter what happened, or where we ended up, we'd be with each other in the end." Her voice was soft and her eyes were gentle.
He cracked a grin, heart growing soft as he just listened.
She was a talker- she'd always been a talker, and right now, he found it fascinating... More so than ever before.
"And it was rough sometimes." She clarified. "But in the end, after long days, we always found our way home." Stevie's eyes met his once more, wishing so badly that he could just remember it all... It would save them both from any more unnecessary heartache.
He already knew it all before. He had lived it and experienced it- there was no awkward conversations or unbearable moments of admitting life mistakes. They'd done it together... all of it.
"Well," he nodded, lips still turned up. "Whatever we did, we did it right." Lindsey couldn't think of anything that summed it up better.
She giggled a tad, bringing her glass of red wine up to her lips. "We tried." Stevie replied, taking a sip as their eyes stayed locked.
She wasn't sure what it was, but the way he was looking at her made her feel young... It made her feel wanted.
He looked at her like he was in love... Something that had become rare.
"I really like you." He told her, which caused a faint laugh to escape her.
She nodded, reaching across the table to take his hand in hers. "I really like you, too." She did like him, but she loved him more...
~~~
"You're sure it's okay that I sleep in here?" She had to ask, just to make sure that he didn't feel like she was invading his space... making him uncomfortable was the last thing she wanted to do.
It was nearly midnight and for the first time since they'd been home, the house was empty. Everyone had left earlier that afternoon, even Nora went out with her friends and left a note, saying she'd be home the next morning.
She knew, better than anyone, that they needed some time alone, even if Stevie was putting on the breaks.
He chuckled, nodding his head lightly. "It's more than okay, Stevie." Lindsey didn't want her to go back to the guest room, not even a little.
She smiled softly, slipping under the covers with her reading glasses in hand. "I've really missed you." Stevie whispered, head falling back against the headboard as she looked over at him.
Without much hesitation, he leaned over and wrapped his arm around her waist and felt her curl in a little closer. "I missed you."
