They both decided to just drop it after that, going back to enjoying the sunny afternoon, which wasn't unusual. They could go from fighting to getting along just fine within minutes and that's how it had always been, unless it was really bad... and there were times when it had been, but by then, those types of falling outs didn't occur very often anymore, luckily.
And the truth was, Stevie was just trying to get under his skin. She knew what it took to push his buttons and she did it well, when she wanted to. That just happened to be one of those afternoons, especially after he'd asked about George... She knew what he was trying to insinuate- it was the same thing both of her daughters and Kim had warned her about, but it was tiring.
She didn't want to worry about it, not when she was there, with him... She could stress about marriage when she got back home.
So, they spent all day out on the water, both of them drained from the sun by the time they slipped back through the front door. They were supposed to go down to see some band play on the beach, but since Stevie had started complaining about the light sunburn on her cheeks, Lindsey told her that they could catch it another night that week.
So they were back before ten, in their pajamas and lounging around.
"I am exhausted." Stevie whispered, wrapping her shawl around her shoulders tighter as she slowly fell into the couch.
He was sitting on the other side of the old sofa, one elbow resting on the arm as the other hand held onto the remote. "Me, too." Lindsey nodded softly, eyes traveling from the movie he'd flicked on, towards her.
She had a cup of coffee in hand- one of the few people he knew that could drink it at any time of the day as she worked on covering her legs with a throw blanket. "I just talked to Becks." Stevie announced, turning to look over at him once she was comfortable.
He chuckled, leaning his head to the side to lay back on the cushion. "What's Rebecca up to?" He was the only person that could get away with calling her that and not receive an eye roll.
"She wanted to make sure we weren't arguing too much." She smirked softly, bringing her cup up to her lips to take a sip.
"Us?" He raised a brow lightly as a soft grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Arguing?" Lindsey teased, which caused a giggle to escape her.
"We don't ever do that." She shook her head playfully, shrugging her shoulders as her eyes stayed locked with his.
He had the deepest blue storms and in moments like that, they really captivated her. It felt like she was back on the boat, looking down into the crisp water as the waves rocked them.
"I assured her that we're okay." She continued after a moment of silence.
He nodded, eyes scanning over her face lightly.
Her long blonde hair was framing the circumference perfectly, and there wasn't a trace of makeup. She had always been very beautiful, but to him, seeing her like that was the most special.
She was so real, but sometimes the stage lights and the fifteen people following her around all the time caused him to forget that.
"I am really going to miss you." He admitted, creasing a brow softly.
He couldn't stop thinking about it... It was eating away at him. No more mornings in that old creaking house, or late night movies, or dinners on the patio.
No more being together for their two months out of the year.
She cracked another soft smile, looking at him over the edge of her cup. "When will you have time to miss me?" She replied, shaking her head in disbelief. "You have such exciting things happening, Lindsey." She added when she realized how serious he was being. "This will be a distant memory before you know it." She wasn't sure she believed that, but it was worth mentioning... maybe it would make him feel a little better.
He bit down on the inside of his cheek, eyes falling to the floral pattern of the sofa- it was that old. "I have always looked forward to this time with you." Lindsey had said that a million times but this was the first that she actually believed him. "And I don't know what I'm going to do without you." He was feeling a little emotional, which didn't happen too often, so when it did, it always surprised her.
With tears in her eyes, she let out a really throaty laugh. "By the time July rolls around again, you will be far too caught up with your new grandchild." Her voice had grown incredibly gentle, even cracking. "Carol already told me how excited she is and I know you are, too." She reached out, pushing his arm playfully.
Stevie had run into his wife after a show a couple of weeks earlier and since they'd spent over thirty years being cordial, they chatted for almost half an hour over a glass of wine... Like two old friends.
"This is so hard." It was hard, for both of them, but it was more obvious for him.
She leaned forward slowly, setting her cup down on the wooden coffee table in front of them. "Lindsey, think of all the things you have missed out on while you've been here... with me." She brought her hand to her chest, trying her best not to let the tears roll down her cheeks. "This should be your time..." she lingered, "With your wife." That part pained her, it really did, but it was the truth.
"Oh, joy." He mumbled with the most gentle sigh. "I really shouldn't make you feel bad for this." Lindsey shook his head, feeling awful for even doing that to her... He didn't have any right.
Her hand met his knee, giving it a soft squeeze as she curled in closer. "It'll be okay." She whispered, wrapping her arm around him as she stared up into his eyes once more. "Everything will work out exactly like it's supposed to." She added with tears running down the curve of her red cheeks.
One hand met her face, thumb grazing under her eye as the other hand slipped around her back. "I'm sorry." He was... for everything.
There was a time when he could have changed everything... It didn't have to end like this and now that she was stepping away, he was just realizing it.
He had over thirty- five summers to make things right between them and he didn't.
"I love you..." Stevie whispered, pressing her lips to his softly. "But you already know that."
