Lips Of An Angel

Promise

The Christmas tree at the grand entrance of Stevie's house was dimly lit, she had escaped to the foie to breathe, while the party went on in the rest of her house. Nobody noticed her absense that is, except for Lindsey. Eyes searching the room, the blonde was no where to be found. Would it be excessive to go find her? He hoped not. Her glanced at the clock and noticed it was almost midnight. Technically he should be going home... but not before seeing his ex-lover one last time before leaving. It was an easy find, all he had to do was walk out of the living room, down the empty hallway and there she was, sitting on the stairs, staring at the lit tree infront of her.

"hey beautiful" Stevie turned around startled at his presence, when she looked at him she smiled... a sort of sad smile.

"Hi." Her voice was dull and wavering, Lindsey made his way over to her, slowly and easily, he sat down of the step next to her. Neither of them spoke for a while. They just sat there together. It was enough, wasn't it?

"What are you thinking about?" Lindsey asked, his voice as caring as ever.

"Nothing..." Her eyes dropped to the floor, paying close attention to the breathing patterns of the man sitting next to her.

"Come on stevie... it's just me." It was true. It was just him, and on the most recent tour, they had had what Stevie refers to as the "talk". They were closer than ever... but much to the common misconception, they hadn't been "romantically close" in 16 years. It hadn't mattered how badly either of them had wanted it.

Stevie looked up at him gently, and blinked a few times.

"Do you remember our Christmases we used to have together?" Stevie asked. Her voice was laced with longing, like a child.

"Of course." Lindsey replied never taking his eyes off of hers. He took her hand in his and interlocked their fingers. That was better.

He continued, "how could I forget it." Stevie smiled sadly at him, "sometimes I forget about those times... I forget that it was just us." Lindsey pulled her gently to him so her head was resting on his shoulder.

"it feels so long ago." Lindsey replied, but he had almost forgot about her gift. He pulled out a black box from his pocket, "Merry Christmas Stevie."

"Lindsey..."

"Just open it."

Stevie again, smiled sadly and took the tiny black velvet box from him and opened it slowly. She gasped immediately when she saw the contents, it was a ring. No not an engagement ring. But a beautiful diamond band.

"I-"

"It was made especially for you."

"Lindsey... it's beautiful." He took it out of the box and she held out her hand. He slid it on her ring finger making her heart stop.

"I got this as a promise."

"A promise?"

"Like, I Lindsey Buckingham promise, to never give up on what we have."

"So, what is it that we have?"

"Each other."

With that Stevie placed her hand lightly on his chest, and stared into the deep depths of his eyes.

"I loved you... a lot Lindsey. You have to know that... and I assume you loved me too..."

He shook his head, "I don't believe in falling out of love."

Stevie's body shook at his words. He hoped she would respond, but she remained silent. He kissed her on the cheek, lingering there for way to long, taking in her scent, tasting her skin, before getting up to leave. "Goodnight Stephanie." The front door closed and caused her to flinch. Damn. Stevie stood up and raced outside.

"Lindsey wait!"

He turned around abruptly, thanking god in his head.

"Stay."

After going back inside, they had retired to Stevie's bedroom, escaping the guests. Neither of them knew what would happen. Lindsey walked around the room clad in chiffon, the mattress too inviting. It hurt Lindsey, he figured more than it hurt Stevie. He just wanted to be able to hug her without there being a question of why. Just because he loved her. Just because he wanted to. He walked around the room finally making his way back to Stevie shaking his head, "Matress isn't on the floor."

She smiled, "I guess you could say that I've grown up."

"I don't know if I like that." Lindsey smiled to himself as he watched Stevie giggle at his comment. She was beautiful. Lindsey had noticed that with age, Stevie grew to be more gorgeous than ever. This of course made it difficult for him to concentrate. It was as if she had cast a spell over him.

He made his way over to her slightly and carefully. Stevie gasped almost silently as he placed his hand on her delicate shoulder. He stroked his thumb over her collar bone and watched as her eyes fluttered shut with every movement.

"Is it ok if I kiss you?" Lindsey asked. He was nervous, clenching his jaw waiting for the answer. Stevie blushed, it was one of those moments where she didn't know what to do. She looked down at the ground and shook her head, "no" she whispered. There was a moment of silence before Lindsey brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"I'm sorry."

"No, Lindsey it's fine." She lied. It wasn't. she wanted to cry. "You should get home to your family." He shook his head questioning why he came in the first place.

"Why Stevie?" he whispered

Stevie shook her head and sighed, a tear fell from her eye and Lindsey caught it with his finger. He hated it when she cried. "It's ok sweetheart you don't have to tell me." Stevie was silent, never had she felt so pained. Here was the man she loved and she couldn't kiss him... she feared telling him why she felt so strongly.

"Linds... I haven't been with anyone since our last time in 97." He tried to conceal his shock. he placed a hand on her cheek, "angel" he whispered. It was almost too much. "I'm scared Linds."

with that Lindsey pulled her to him and held her close. Had it really been 16 years? He burried his head in her hair and began kissing her neck. He made his way up to her face and kissed her cheek, he pulled back... and Stevie nodded.