As they bid each other their goodbyes, there was an unusual amount of tension. Not that there had ever not been tension between them. However, this time there seemed to be more. They went into their separate rooms.
Stevie drew herself a bath and lit candles. She carefully placed them around the tub. She took in both of the aromas: Ginger and vanilla.
As she began to sink into the tub, the tears began to swell. The only way she knew she could fight them was to be completely submerged in water. As the water surround her face, the tears began to fade.
After drying off, she felt the need to call him.
"Hey" he said, on the other end of the line.
"Hey."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just lonely." she sighed.
"Do you want to talk?"
"I don't really..."
"I meant in person." He said, knowing how she hates talking on the phone.
"Please."
"I'll be there in a minute." He hung up.
Stevie tried to compose herself a little. Towel drying the parts of her hair that were still wet. She wrapped her robe around her figure, tightly as she waited by the door. Finally, the knock came.
Stevie answered, and he entered with open arms. She rushed into them, wanting to stay in that moment forever. "How are you feeling, Steph?"
"I hurt, internally and externally."
"Wanna talk about it."
"I just want to stay-"
He cut her off "here with you, forever."
"Yeah. Can we move this to my room? I'm really sore and don't-"
"Try anything. I know. I wouldn't dream of it, babe."
They drifted off to sleep in each other's arms. Both of them dreaming that they had their baby girl back.
-----------------------------------
Carter imaptiently waited in the lobby, for the sweet married couple that she had met the night before.
She picked at the red nail polish that remained of her thumb. Letting the bits and pieces fall onto the brightly colored carpet.
One of the many elaborate elevator doors opened. A man and a woman walked out in thick sunglasses and hats.
Their walking was synchronized, like it was almost planned. The woman approached Carter, pulling her shades down just a bit, so she could see Carter.
"Carter Harris?" The woman asked.
"Yes. Can this wait ma'am, I'm looking for someone."
"Are you now, darling?" The woman revealed her entire face.
"Holy shit! You're Stevie. You are Stephanie Lynn Nicks. You were born May 26, 1948." Carter stood up to greet her, "I just realized I said 'shit'. Oh, I know how you don't like cursing! I feel terrible, Ms. Nicks."
"Carter... Breathe. You really know a lot about me. "
"Wait, how did you know my name?"
"We had drinks last night."
"No. I had drinks with a cute married couple."
Lindsey took off his glasses. "Exactly. Except, we're not married, or a couple, and the only cute one in the scenario is you, B..." He corrected himself, "Carter."
"Fuck. I did not just have drinks with you guys. That's insane!"
Lindsey beamed. "Actually-", he was cut off by Carter's phone.
"Oh. It's my mom, I have to take this." She accepted the FaceTime request. "Hi mommy! Guess who I met?!"
"Who?" An all too familiar voice asked. Carter turned the phone around so her mother could see.
"Hello, Carol." Stevie said, enraged, "We were just having a chat with YOUR daughter."
