Since Chad was basically living with Stevie at her new home for the past two weeks since they admitted their feelings to each other, he had a lot more time to work and the house was nearly finished. She loved it, she also loved having a man around all the time and taking care of a little girl, something she so (secretly) wished she still had a chance at, was making her heart sing.
Stevie was worried after that morning out, but Chad let it go, without mentioning it once and she was glad. Even if it wasn't anything big, actually, it wasn't anything at all, she wouldn't want it to damage their relationship in any way. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, there was going to be a lot of adjusting on both parts, but she hoped he wasn't alarmed by her being in the spotlight.
Now following Chad's voice into the kitchen, Stevie smiled to herself, watching him from a few steps behind. It just seemed so natural, he definitely belonged there with her. They were so aware of each other as well, as when she came in he was talking on the phone and she stayed quiet, but he turned around nevertheless, knowing she was there.
"James called me a few days back about getting together too actually... Yeah, I know it's been too long, but I've been busy... Tonight? Um, yeah, tonight I'm free... To be honest, I'd like you guys to meet someone..."
Stevie's heart started beating faster, she didn't know if she was ready yet to meet Chad's friends. What if they thought she was too old or not good enough looking to be with him, or just not good enough? She wouldn't want Chad to have to pick between her and people he'd known for years.
"She's very special, Harry."
She blushed at that, going to stand by his side, her arm around his back, his - around her shoulders.
"Listen, I'll talk it over with..."
"Say Stephanie."
Chad raised an eyebrow, as she shrugged. "...with Stephanie and if Amanda agrees to look after Greta tonight, I'll see you later... Okay, bye."
Putting his phone in his back pocket, Chad circled his arms around Stevie, cocking his head to one side. "Say Stephanie, huh?"
"I want to be... you know, someone ordinary. If I'm meeting your friends, I don't want them to think of me as Stevie Nicks and ask industry related stuff, I want them to see me as your girlfriend."
"I completely agree. So, you'd be up for it?"
"I'm not sure." She began fidgeting with her rings. "What if they don't think I'm worthy of you?"
"Now that's just silly. Honestly, I don't care what my friends think about our relationship, sure they can express their opinions, but the only one that matter's is yours anyway; what you think about us, if you're happy being with me. I hope you are?"
Stevie nodded, smiling a little. "You should know it."
"I do, but I'm still amazed that you allow me to call you mine."
"Chad, I love you."
"I'll never get tired of hearing that." He leaned in, pressing their foreheads together, as she pecked him on the lips.
"Okay. We can go out tonight."
"Right, I'll just call Amanda first."
Several hours later, after dropping Greta at his brother, Chad and Stevie were on their way to a restaurant to meet up with his friends. The place isn't fancy, it's very casual, more like a club, Chad said, when Stevie asked what to wear. It could be nice, she wondered, she sure hoped nobody or close to nobody would recognize her, otherwise her plan on not being Stevie Nicks would fail and she already knew that wasn't very healthy to her relationship.
Chad parked the car and got out, going around the front, to open the door for Stevie, as he then held out his hand for her. "Thank you." She gave him a chaste kiss once out of the car and then they were heading to the restaurant.
Once inside, Chad spotted his mates right away, Stevie trailing behind him, keeping her head down. "Would you relax?" He looked down at her, whispering. "They are going to love you."
"Hi, buddy!" Harry, the one he was on the phone with earlier, stood up to greet Chad, with a big bear hug.
"Nice to see you, Harry."
"And who do we have he-oh wow..."
"Well, this is the person I wanted you all to meet." Chad looked at his other two friends, James and Richard, with their wife and girlfriend, Emily and Jane. "She just won't come out of the hiding." He joked, taking Stevie's hand in his again. "This is Stephanie, and babe, these are my best mates."
It took the group a moment to get used to the fact their friend from high school was apparently dating a world wide superstar. "Are you judging me?" She asked in a small voice, her insecurities creeping in.
"My God, no!" Harry jumped in quickly. "I think we're just a little stunned. First of all, it's surprising Chad is seeing anyone at all, but then we find out it's one of the most famous people on the planet..."
"Please, don't say that." Stevie asked, smiling shyly. "That's why I wanted to be introduced as Stephanie, because I can be her and I want you all to see me like just... you know, just like any other person you meet."
"Well, then, Stephanie..." Richard began, scooting along the leather further into the booth. "Have a seat and tell us all about yourself."
After the initial shock and some getting used to, everyone started chatting, catching up and getting to know Stevie, while she was asking questions in return. It felt nice, it had been too long since she could sit down with a group of people, have drinks and talk about the most ordinary of things, unlike having to listen to one celebrity bitch and dirt all over another one. Are my friends going to treat Chad like his are treating me?, she thought to herself at some point, hopefully.
Two or so hours later, Chad excused himself, as he went to the restroom, while Harry said he was going out for a smoke and Stevie decided to join him, in need of a breath of fresh air, she added.
"So, what did you think about us?" He asked, putting a lighter into his pocket, after having lit up a cigarette.
"You're a fun bunch. I was so nervous about meeting you. You know... I wouldn't want Chad to be put into a situation where he'd have to choose."
"Let me tell you something..." Harry inhaled deeply and then blew the smoke out. "I've been best friends with him since high school. If unfortunately he was in that kind of situation, we'd lose."
"Don't say that, I don't want that to happen."
"Hypothetically speaking." Harry shrugged. "I've never seen him like this, he really loves you."
"You think so?" Stevie couldn't hide her smile.
"I know so. And it's great, he's been unhappy for too long."
"We basically just met, but I already can't imagine not being with him. He's... he's the one changing my life. I have to leave for Australian leg of the tour in a couple of weeks and I don't know how. I don't know how to leave Chad and Greta."
"Don't be too surprised if he says he's going with you." Harry laughed, throwing away what was left of his cigarette.
"Yeah, I might ask him to do so myself."
They went back inside, rejoining the others, as Stevie put her arms around Chad's neck from behind, bending down, whispering to him. "I love you."
He smiled, turning to look at her, kissing the back of her hand. "I love you, too."
A fairy tale, she had waited for far too long...
