Wide Open Spaces

Just The Way You Are

Lindsey was working non-stop and for sanity, he needed a day to relax and enjoy life. The kids were just waking up when he goes in to tell them of his plan. They're so loud that they wake Stevie, who comes stumbling down the hallway in her silk robe, a camisole and pajama pants.

"Good morning, babies" she says, stroking the faces of her children.

"Morning, mom." Dylan says, his curly hair wild from his constant tossing and turning.

"Good morning, mommy" Callie says, giving her a quick hug.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready for daddy to take you to school?"

"About that..." Lindsey says, pulling her aside, allowing the kids to get ready.

"Oh, god...what?" She asks. She knows what's coming. "Not again, Lindsey..."

"What do you mean 'not again'? I called them in sick so we could have a little fun as a family."

"Don't you remember what a disaster this was last year?" She asks, raising her voice. "You called them off sick to take them to this big, awesome amusement park then they got so sick the following week. You tempted fate!"

"I didn't tempt fate, honey. Shit happens. Don't you want to hang out with the the kids?"

"Of course I do." She lowers her voice again. "I miss them every time they leave my sight."

"Are you really mad at me?" He asks, giving her the sweetest look of his life. His eyes are the biggest and bluest she's ever seen them and despite her efforts to look stern, she smiles. God he's still so cute!

"No, I'm not mad, but I'm giving them an extra vitamin c boost before we go. You know it terrifies me when they get sick"

"I know. It scares me too but they are always fine."

"You know we haven't always been so lucky. I couldn't hold them in as long as I should have" She suddenly looks very sad and he lifts her chin to look into his eyes again.

"We aren't going to play the blame game. It was beyond your control. They came early but they're fine now. Healthy, strong, a pain in the ass..."

She chuckles lightly. "I know..."

"Please, don't go back there."

"I won't."

"So how about we get ready, grab a bite to eat and hit the road?"

"Alright"

"I love you"

"I lo--...I know" He smiles at her and she goes back to her room to get ready. Lindsey stands there a moment to watch her.

"Beautiful" he says to himself, going back to his side of the house. He pulls on a pair of jeans, a tee shirt, and a pair of simple black ankle boots. The kids knock on his door and they steal his phone and his iPod to listen to music while Lindsey goes to check on Stevie. The dogs are running around crazy, playing with toys strewn all over the place and the plants have just been watered, judging by the water droplets in the hallway. She was in a hurry, but didn't want to neglect a single thing in the house. Her door is open so he walks in but instantly regrets it as she's barely dressed. "Jesus, Steph, I'm so sorry!" He says, putting his hands over his eyes and turning around. She giggles, her cheeks pink with surprise more than embarrassment.

"Nothing you haven't seen before" she says.

"I uh, I just came to check on you. Don't you ever shut the door?"

"Haven't you people ever heard of closing the goddamned door? It's much better to face these kinds of things with a sense of poise and rationality" she sings and he laughs.

"That song is so old!" He says.

"Not so old. The babies were here"

"They're almost thirteen!"

"Oh, don't remind me. You're breaking my mama heart"

"I wouldn't want to do a thing like that"

"Are you going to uncover your eyes? I'm decent now"

"Promise?"

"Yes I promise. I didn't think I looked that bad"

"You don't. If anything you look too good" he says and she giggles, blushing again.

She pulls her top down over her stomach and adjusts her many necklaces. "I can't believe how big they're getting. I remember them being babies like it was yesterday"

"I know, it's amazing how things change, how fast time flies"

"Yes it is."

"You want a baby" he says and she breaks eye contact. He knows he's right by her reaction and his eyes go wide. "You think about it, don't you?"

"All the time"

He doesn't want to ask but he has to know. "Have you and Brock discussed it?"

"He shot me down instantly. He doesn't want kids. I mean, he loves Callie and Dylan but I guess he's not really the dad type. I mean you've seen him, the way he is"

"Yeah I have" he says, rolling his eyes.

She shoves him playfully, smiling. "I get it, you know? It's a big responsibility."

"Right"

"Do you ever think about more?"

"I love what I have. Plus, I don't think I will ever get to that point with anyone again"

"Never say never"

"I guess" he says, an awkward silence falling over them.

"So where are we going?" She asks, changing the subject.

"There's this arcade thing that had go carts and mini golf. I thought they would like that and it's not too far away"

"That sounds like a lot of fun"

"I thought so too." He said.

"Do I look okay? I still have to do my makeup up but..."

"You look great" he says softly, admiring her beauty. She still captures his attention after all these years.

"Thanks" she says, smiling. She sits at her dressing table, and he watches her apply her makeup with skillful hands.

"You really don't need all that"

"Brock likes it when I wear a lot" she says.

"Brock isn't here right now" he says and she gives him a look in the mirror. "I mean, you're beautiful. I don't know why he thinks you need to paint yourself up like that"

"I don't know" She shrugs.

"If you don't want to wear so much, don't. I like the way you are all on your own. You've never needed make up to impress me"

"I appreciate that." She puts her makeup brush down momentarily. "You know, that's something I miss about being with you. Ever since we met, you have always loved me as I am. I could be wearing a tee shirt and sweat pants, hair a mess, no makeup and you have always made me feel so..." Tears sting her eyes. "So beautiful" she says, her voice fluttering. "It's like that song, y'know?"

"When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change. You're amazing just the way you are"

"That's the one" She is about to ruin all the work she has done on her make up so she grabs a tissue and dabs delicately under her eyes.

He places a hand on her shoulder and she looks up at him. "That will never change"

"Thank you, Lindsey" she whispers and he knows she means it. He smoothes her back and leaves the room. She will never know how much he loves her but what he doesn't know is she still loves him just as much.