Stevie felt her face being tickled with something like a feather. She brought her hand up from under the covers, rubbing at her nose to stop it, but the sensation overcome her again, now also a small voice, quietly saying... "Steeeeevieeeee..."
She opened her eyes at last and saw Greta, kneeling by the side of the bad, tickling her face with her own strand of hair. Stevie smiled weekly, scooting back to make space for the girl. "You're up awfully early, sweetheart."
"No, look." Greta pointed at the digital clock on the nightstand. "It says it's after eight. When it's after eight, Daddy says it's not early anymore."
"You're only four, how do you know that already?"
"Daddy taught me."
"Of course he did." Stevie murmured to herself, hugging Greta as she lay down on her side. A moment later, Chad stretched his arm, wrapping it around both of them. "Seems like your Daddy's up too now, honey. I'm sure he won't mind keeping you company, while I sleep some more."
"Nuh-uh, Stevie. It's Sunday. Sunday is pancakes day!"
"Since Daddy is such a know-it-all, I'm sure he also knows how to make pancakes too."
"Daddy does know that." Chad joined in the conversation at last. "But it's like a tradition, Greta and I always go to this place every Sunday for pancakes and milkshakes."
"You two are mad." Stevie said, sandwiched in between Chad and Greta, feeling like she was about to get baked herself. "It's so early. I don't get up until noon. You guys go without me."
"No! Daddy told me it's a special place for special people. You are special, Stevie, so you go."
She opened up her eyes again, smiling at Greta, her heart melting into a puddle. "I am?"
"Uh-uh." The girl nodded.
"Well, fine I guess, how can I say no after that?"
"Great!"
"How about you go brush your teeth and get dressed?"
"Okay!" Greta nodded and jumped out of bed, running to an already finished guest room, which was more like the girl's room.
Stevie turned around, looking pointedly at Chad. "Daddy's gonna have to make it up for me, for this rise and shine little trip."
"Now?" He raised an eyebrow suggestively, his palm sliding over her hip.
"Not now, you horny man." She rolled her eyes and pulled away, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, as she stretched some. "I don't mind going, but I'm a bit worried. I wouldn't want some photographer ambushing us. They're everywhere and they don't care that my high time was the 70's, apparently they're still interested. And now? When I'm out with you and a little kid?"
"Just stop for a second and breathe. It's going to be fine."
"Yeah, well I wouldn't be so sure." Stevie sighed, getting up on her feet, as she went to the bathroom to get ready.
It's a lovely morning, Stevie thought, when they were on the road, maybe I'm really wasting so much, sleeping in all the time. The sun was shining and it wasn't too hot yet, as the wind was blowing, the radio on - it all brought so many memories of the time when she was young and Lindsey and her used to do something like this. He often surprised her on her days off, trying to somehow make it up for those long hours she had to work to support both of them. She wasn't exactly thinking about their relationship at the moment, as she more wonder how little it actually took for a person to be happy. Family. Family would have been enough for her, she told herself silently.
"Stevie?" She felt Chad's hand grip her forearm. "Baby, are you with us?"
"I just... I got lost in my thoughts." She forced a smile and the three got out of the car.
Even though Stevie tried to keep a low profile, not wearing any makeup, having her hair in a ponytail as she wore her usual black clothes, still, as soon as they walked in, some people looked up, starting to whisper.
"You two go find us a table, I'll order the food." Chad said, as Stevie took Greta by the hand and the girl led them to where she and Chad would always sit if possible.
"You are going to love it, Stevie!" Greta said loudly, as Stevie hung her head low, trying to hide herself from the other customers. "Stevie?"
Chad came to rescue, sitting next to his daughter. "Shh, sweetie. It's rude, being so loud. We don't want to disturb others that are here."
"I'm sorry." She said and leaned closer to Stevie, whisper-shouting. "I'm not going to speak so loud, okay? I'm sorry, Stevie!"
She only laughed softly, waving it off. "It's okay."
A young girl, their waitress, approached the table with their food and placed the plates down. "I'll be right back with your drinks." She said, paying close attention to the blonde. No, couldn't be..., she shook her head and went to get the milkshakes. But when she came up to them again, she asked anyway. "I'm sorry, but there's no way you are Stevie Nicks, right?"
Several heads turned, as Stevie managed a small smile. "It's me." She gave a small nod. "Thanks, this all looks great." She showed at the food, hoping the girl would go away.
"It is great! But it's so cool to have you here!"
Stevie looked at Chad apologetically, turning back to the waitress. "Um..." She read the name tag. "Jessica, would you maybe like an autograph?" Knowing that usually was enough for fans to stop bothering her. She loved them, she really did, but not at 10 am on Sunday, when she was having breakfast with her boyfriend and his four year old daughter.
"For real?! Of course!" The squeal got even more attention, as Stevie quickly scribbled down on a napkin with a pen Jessica handed her, and then gave the piece to her. "Thank you so much! My mom won't believe it, she's a huge fan!" Jessica left them alone at last after that.
"I'm so sorry." Stevie said, reaching for Chad's hand across the table.
"It's fine, you can't help it who you are." He shrugged, as he began eating and silence fell upon them.
On their way out, Stevie was stopped by a few other people, who expressed their admiration for her, asking for autographs, while Chad and Greta waited. The girl didn't mind of course, but it bother him a little. Was it how it would always going to be? Could they ever leave the house, just being an ordinary family? Stevie sensed it, as they walked to the car. She got in, while Chad put Greta in the car seat and went to the driver's side, climbing in as well.
Before he started the engine, Stevie put her hand over his, asking for his attention. "I'm sorry I ruined it. I really hoped we could have a nice time out all together."
"It's not your fault, but... well, I didn't like it."
"I don't really like it myself either."
"It's... you know, can we ever go out? Can we ever do stuff together?"
She wished she did, but she didn't have an honest answer for him, letting him start the car, as he pulled out of the parking lot and brought them back home, the whole journey spent in silence.
