The kitchen was a mess when Karen got down there, which was just seconds after the sound of glass breaking caught her attention from upstairs. She hadn't ran that fast since her mandatory high school gym class and her heart was beating a mile a minute, panicking the entire way.
Luckily, when she found Stevie, she was on the floor, picking up the larger pieces as thrown roses and a puddle of water surrounded her. And George was already in the foyer, mumbling under his breath and slamming the front door on his way out.
It was clear what had happened and instead of prying for all the details, Karen simply made sure the older woman was okay, then she began picking up the broken glass that was once Stevie's favorite vase.
She'd gotten it twenty years earlier as a Mother's Day present from the twins and used it every time anyone special sent her a bouquet. She had a million others, but that was the one she always went back to.... ironic, actually.
"You alright?" The brunette let out a sigh, finally standing back up after wiping up the floor.
Stevie was leaning into the counter, running her hand under cold water to subside the pain from the cut she'd gotten. "I'm fine." She shrugged, a soft chuckle escaping her. "It's whatever." Stevie added as she stared down into the sink.
Things like that really didn't bother her anymore. If a man had done that when she was thirty, she would have been so shaken up and sad, she'd be nearly inconsolable. But now she just looked at it like she had lived and she'd learned... He wasn't the man for her and she wasn't the woman for him, so to be devastated just seemed like a waste of energy.
"He's lucky I wasn't down here." Karen on the other hand, wasn't as calm about the situation. "He's way too fucking old to act like that." She added as she set the wash cloth into the empty side of the sink.
With a soft smile, Stevie nodded her head lightly. "Don't get yourself all worked up over it." She knew that it was impossible for her, but she also didn't want her to worry. "Will you drive me to Lindsey's condo after I get a bandaid?" She wondered, really not too phased by any of it.
It was just one less problem she had to worry about.
Karen couldn't help but smirk, not surprised but also kind of taken back by her lack of concern. "You drive me crazy." She admitted in a joking manner as she shook her head lightly.
"I know," she laughed a little, and then she let out another heavy sigh. "But I just really miss him." She repeated for the tenth time since they'd gotten off the plane.
Rolling her eyes, Karen nudged the older woman lightly. "Get your things and let's go."
~~~
Nervous might have been an understatement, because Stevie was actually on the edge of the seat the entire drive across town. She wasn't sure what to expect, and not because she couldn't even remember the last time she'd even been to his condo, but because he had also planned to speak to Carol that day as well.
She wasn't sure what was waiting for her there... if anything.
"I'll have him drive me home." She assured, giving Karen's hand a gentle squeeze before she slipped out of the passenger side door.
"Text me if you need me." The younger woman waved lightly, leaning back in her seat as she watched Stevie begin to head through the parking garage.
Stevie could remember when he had first bought that place in Santa Monica. Ann had just left for college and Adam was in his second year at USC, so things at home were a little bit rocky.
Lindsey said all Carol did was pace around the house, bored out of her mind and not leaving him alone long enough to work. So he had this crazy idea to buy some beach front property, even though it was only fifteen minutes from his home... It was his escape and his wife didn't approve, but Stevie liked it.
She liked how quiet it was, and though she'd only been there a couple of times in secret, she still knew how to get through the complex and right to his door.
Her knuckles met the wood a couple of times and then she stepped back slowly, not surprised to see that his door was the only one without a plant, or a welcome mat... it was just plain.
Within just a couple of seconds, the sound of the lock turning caught her attention and then he was standing in the doorway, a smile greeting her immediately. "There she is..." Lindsey was in a pair of sweatpants and an old teeshirt, welcoming her in right away.
"Hi, honey." She came through, giggling lightly when he slipped his hand around her waist to keep her from getting too far.
"I've missed you." He told her the same thing that she'd been driving Karen nuts with.
Biting down on her lower lip, she watched him use his free hand to shut and lock the door behind them before she replied. "You couldn't have missed me as much as I missed you..." that sounded pretty cheesy, but it was true.
He chuckled, patting her hip lightly. "Sure." Lindsey teased as he slowly leaned in kiss her lips. "Whatever you say." He added in a playful tone as he gave her a subtle wink.
She paused for a second, eyes melting into his as she felt him wrap both of his arms around her waist to hold her close. "How did things go?" Stevie was nervous to ask and it was kind of obvious.
A part of her was worried that she was getting her hopes up... What if he had excuses? What if he didn't talk to Carol? What if he wasn't totally sure that Stevie what actually what he wanted?
That was what had her feeling so anxious in the car the entire way there... the "what ifs" had been eating away at her all afternoon.
He nodded softly, shrugging a shoulder. "She saw it coming." Lindsey admitted in a really mundane way.
And that's just how it was- nonchalant. They didn't yell, or accuse, or name call... In fact, there was a couple of tears from both of them. Then, in the most genuine way, Lindsey thanked her for giving him the family he loved and she did the same.
When you know something has run it's course, fighting to save it isn't always the answer and they both were at the point their marriage.
Why fight over something that had already ended?
"Is she okay?" Stevie had to know... she cared, too.
"She's okay." He assured, carefully pushing some of her loose curls back behind her ear. "Now what happened here?" He creased a brow, not meaning to change the topic, but doing so by holding up her hand that had the bandage.
Biting down on her lower lip, she slipped her arms around his shoulders and pushed herself up on her tip toes. "Oh, it's nothing." Stevie whispered, still looking into her favorite set of blue eyes.
Raising a brow, he nodded lightly. "No secrets..." he reminded her with a gentle smirk.
"No secrets." She repeated, sinking into him completely. "And I'll tell you all about it...." She assured. "Later."
