Heartbroken

Emptiness

Taylor put the last of his and Lynn's things in the trunk of his car and closed it with a slam. Stevie was leaning against the doorway, watching her son leaving again. He was on his way into the house, but he stopped looking at Stevie.

"Mom, are you... you're crying?"

"No." She lied, only forming the word, but not making any sound.

"Aw, come here." Taylor laughed softly pulling her into a hug. "You don't have to get this upset, we'll be living twenty minutes away from you."

"I got so used to you and Lynn living with us. Honestly, I can't see any point in you two moving out."

"I'm turning twenty seven this year, Mom... When I go on a date, I don't want to start things off by saying, hi, I'm Taylor, I'm twenty seven, I have a daughter and I live with my parents."

"Maybe she'll live with her parents too."

"Oh, stop." If it hadn't been Stevie, Taylor would have definitely rolled his eyes. "I'm not even going to say that you're welcome to visit us any time, because I know you'll be there all the time anyway. But you'll get used to us living separately too. You're going to love it, having the house to yourself. And Dad..."

Stevie knew exactly what he was implying. "That is none of your business!"

"Then keep it down, please."

"Wow, well that's embarrassing..." Her cheeks turned pink as Taylor laughed again. "I'm just going to go inside and hide somewhere."

Lindsey joined them, looking confused, clearly not having heard the whole conversation. "Why is she going to hide?"

"Because I said you two are really loud in the bedroom."

"Steph, wait! I'm coming with you!" Lindsey joked, but remained where he was. "Everything's packed?"

"Yeah, and in the car."

"I'm truly proud of you, son."

Taylor half smiled, the exact same Lindsey would have. "Thanks."

"I wish it had been slightly differently, but you did what you wanted, you were determined and you worked hard, you've earned money and now you have no one to thank for what you've got already, you are only twenty six after all."

"That's not true. That determination, the drive to do what I feel is right, what I believe in, is all from you and Mom. You're my greatest example."

Lindsey patted him on the back. "You're welcome here anytime."

Once Taylor untangled Lynn from Stevie, he put her in the car seat and fastened the belt. He hugged his parents, promised he would call and got in the driver's seat. Lynn was frantically waving at Stevie and Lindsey as Taylor began driving away. The gate closed when the car pulled out of the driveway and Stevie sighed heavily. She knew this time was completely different, but she loved having her son at home and letting him go once again wasn't easy.

"Don't be like this." Lindsey pressed a kiss to her temple, as she circled her arms around his middle.

"The house will seem so empty again."

"It will be fine. Sure it will take some time to get used to it, but I promise you, it will be just fine, Steph."

"At least I have you here." She smiled, tilting her chin up, as he pecked her on the lips. "I can't believe you've been living here for a month already."

"Am I good company?"

"If you didn't go to sleep before midnight, you'd be the best company."

"Or maybe it's your own fault you go to bed when the sun raises?"