Fall From Grace

Broken Hearted

Christine and Karen were happy to see the change in Stevie.
Stevie began to do things with Christine; they had a spa day, they went shopping, they spent most days down by the beach; just relaxing and talking.
Their nights were spent watching movies, writing songs together, singing and having a glass of wine before bed each night.
Stevie had returned to herself before Lindsey left her broken.

Mick had called Christine the day after Lindsey's wedding to check in on how she and Stevie were doing on their getaway. He didn't know that Stevie had been in the hospital or what Lindsey had done.
Christine informed him of everything that had happened.
Mick was furious. "Chris, you should have called me straight away to tell me! That bastard was right in front me! I would have kicked the shit of him for hurting Stevie that way. No wonder he asked me if I had spoken with Stevie. He wanted to know if she was coming."
"I had the same idea as you, but I couldn't leave Stevie. But trust me, next time I see Buckingham he'll need a body cast. And how dare he think she would be there after what he did." Christine said.
They spoke for a bit longer then hung up.

They were in Hawaii for three weeks before it was time for Stevie and Christine to go home. Stevie going back to California and Christine would be flying back to England.

Once back home, Stevie bought a condo by the beach, Karen took care of the move and were settled into Stevie's new home in no time.

Stevie had met with her record label as well; she will be releasing a box set that would be released next year. It will be a three disc box set; she named it Enchanted.
She decided to hold off on adopting. She would wait until after the release of the box set and the tour that will soon follow.

She was really excited about it; even though she had said she wouldn't think about Lindsey anymore, he still made an appearance in her mind from time to time. But she wouldn't go to pieces like she had before; now she threw herself into making this box set and for now, Lindsey was no longer thought of.

Three weeks had passed and the box set was taking shape. She was going through photos that chronicled her career. She was choosing some to put into the booklet that would come in the box set.

During the day she would be hard at work and by night she would go straight to bed, which was unusual because she was a night owl and wouldn't go to bed early normally.

One day, on her day off, Mick called Stevie to invite her to a small get together that he would be having at his L.A. home with a small group of friends; he was hesitant to say that Lindsey would also be there but assured her that she didn't have to be near him if she didn't want to and Christine and him would protect her from him if he gave her any trouble.
Stevie did want to see Mick, John and Christine who was in town for a visit but didn't want to see Lindsey. She gave in and told Mick she would be there.

Stepping out of her shower, she put on her robe and wrapped it around her.
She walked to her closet and reached for a blue sundress, she put on her under garments. After putting on her bra she noticed how tight it was and how sensitive her breasts were; she shook her head; had they grown too she thought to herself.
She then put the sundress on. She decided to go for a walk on the beach before Mick's get together and didn't want to wear her usual black wardrobe. She stared at the mirror and looked at herself up and down. The sundress she was wearing used to fit her loosely now it felt a bit snug.

Stevie was confused; she couldn't possibly have gained weight. She was on a diet; has been for a while and was exercising; she should be losing weight, not gaining.
Maybe she was just bloated; then she groaned realizing it was her cycle that was to come. Her cycle had always been irregular so when she got them, it surprised her. Always thinking each time would be her last. Although, she did just have one not too long ago. She pushed the thoughts of her cycle from her mind for now.
Sighing she walked out of her closet and headed out the door to the beach.

She walked along the shore for a few minutes, she felt so calm being near the ocean; she was happy with her decision to move near it.

She made her way back to her condo and decided not to change. She felt confident in her sundress.
She rinsed her feet off of the sand and put on some black flats.

Karen drove her over to Mick's a few minutes later.
She got off the car and walked to the door and knocked.
Mick quickly opened the door and gave her a hug. "Stevie! How are you love? You look amazing!"
Stevie blushed and said. "I'm doing well and thank you Mick."
He led her to the living room then through the kitchen and made their way outside towards the pool area where everyone was at.
Christine immediately brought Stevie into a hug and pulled back. "Oh Stevie you look wonderful! It's so good to see you."
Stevie hugged Christine then John.

Lindsey was on the other side of the pool talking to Waddy; Stevie noticed that Lindsey had a black eye.
Mick came up behind Stevie noticing her staring at Lindsey. "You can thank me later love."
Stevie couldn't help but smile. Mick continued, "He didn't get upset by it either; he knows he deserved it."
She turned around and gave Mick a hug. "Thanks Mick!"

The get together went on and Stevie grabbed a glass of wine. She took a couple of sips then felt her stomach turn. She stopped drinking but still held it in her hand.
Stevie looked over and saw Lindsey staring at her, she looked away; the next moment she looked and saw a young women sitting next to Lindsey. Her arms wrapped around him.

Tears sprang into Stevie's eyes, she quickly turned away. Not thinking, she drank the rest of her wine and poured herself another glass.

A few glasses later, Stevie began to feel tipsy and her stomach turned even more.
"Stevie, are you alright?" Christine asked. "You look a bit pale."
Before she could respond, a rush of nausea hit her.
Stevie sprang up and ran inside to the closest restroom.
Christine followed.
"Stevie?" She said through the restroom door.
Christine waited for her to answer but didn't hear anything but the sound of Stevie retching into the toilet bowl.
The minutes passed when Stevie finally came out of the restroom; she was pale and had sweat on her forehead.
Christine's brow furrowed and put an arm around Stevie's shoulder. Stevie leaned her head on Christine and said. "That wine didn't agree with me. I have to go home, I don't feel well at all; I'm going to call Karen to pick me up."
"Nonsense, I'll take you home." Christine said.
"Are you sure Chris? I don't want to take you away from the party." Stevie said weakly.
"I'm sure Stevie, come on let's go. You head to my car and I'll go tell Mick and John know that we are leaving."
Stevie nodded her head.

Stevie made her way outside and bumped into none other than Lindsey.
"Steph?" He said as he spotted her.
She lifted her head up and said. "I told you, that you don't get to call me that anymore. Ever."
"I'm sorry. Ah...Stevie, I am really sorry about before; I didn't mean to disrespect you that way."
"It doesn't matter now." She said simply.
Lindsey was about to say something when Waddy and Christine came walking out the door together.
"Hey Stevie, I hear you don't feel well." Waddy said. "I'm leaving too but only for a beer run. Anyway, I hope you feel better." He gave her a hug goodbye. She smiled and said. "Thanks Waddy, I'll see you next time."
Then turned to Lindsey, "Say, why don't I get some cigars too while I'm at it, so we can celebrate the father to be?!"
If Stevie was pale already, she was even paler now after hearing that. Her throat closed up, she stopped the tears from forming.
"I have to go. I'll meet you at your car Chris."

After walking away did she let her tears fall.
She leaned on Christine's car and sobbed her heart out, her face in her hands.
Christine took Stevie into her arms and held her close. Stevie buried her face into Christine's chest.
Christine didn't say anything; she just held onto a broken hearted Stevie, just being there for her, for there was nothing she could say to mend her friends broken heart.