The kids are ready and Lindsey has hurried them into Stevie's Jeep. He runs back in, realizing he left his wallet and he catches a glimpse of his ex wife.
"You washed your face" he remarked.
"I didn't feel like piling it on after all" she said.
"I'm glad" He flashed her a boyish smile and left to keep an eye on the kids in the car. Stevie emerges from the house a few minutes later, dressed in leggings and a long top with strappy crisscross detail on the back. She wore flat shoes and her thick blonde hair fell down her back, her bangs brushed ever so slightly to the side. Her bag is thrown over her shoulder as she climbs into the driver's seat, greeting everyone with a dazzling smile. She pulls out her mirrored aviator sunglasses, placing her bag in the backseat with the kids.
"Everyone buckled up?" Lindsey asks.
"Duh, we're gonna need it with mom driving" Dylan's jokes.
"Hey!" Stevie exclaims, backing out of the drive way.
"Remember when mom was driving dad's car and when she got out it rolled backward down the hill at nana's house?" Dylan asked his sister.
"Oh! Or the time she forgot to press the button to open the garage and went through the door?" The kids are laughing hysterically and Stevie blushes. Lindsey places his hand in her free one and smiled at her.
"How about the time when--"
"Alright, that's enough." Lindsey says, silencing the kids.
"Thank you" Stevie says.
"You're a good driver, you're just forgetful. That's all"
"Yeah...that's all" she says sarcastically. She should be used to hearing the comments about her driving but somehow it still bothers her and he knows it.
"What does everyone want to eat?" Lindsey asks, changing the subject.
"McDonalds!" Dylan says.
"Wendy's!" Callie says.
"How about breakfast first?" Stevie says.
"Moooooom!" They whine.
"Guys, you could have pancakes or eggs or whatever you want. Breakfast first, junk later"
"O-kay" the kids say with a sigh.
"Music?" Stevie asks and in the rear view, she sees Callie and Dylan nodding. "Linds, would you do the honors?" She hands him her pink iPod and he plugs it into the auxiliary cord he keeps in the car. He hits shuffle and the first song that plays is by Taylor Swift. Both Stevie and Callie squeal with delight while the boys groan.
"Really Stevie?"
"What? I think she's good."
"Whatever you say."
She turns it up as the pace starts picking up and Callie sings along. Stevie smiles, hearing her daughter's sweet beautiful voice and she decides to join in on the chorus.
If you can see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can't you see
You belong with me
You belong with me
Walkin' the streets with you and your worn-out jeans
I can't help thinking this is how it ought to be
Laughing on a park bench, thinking to myself
Hey isn't this easy
And you've got a smile that could light up this whole town....
Their daughter continues to sing and even Dylan joins in, shocking his parents.
"Are you okay?" Stevie asks, noticing Lindsey has grown quiet.
"Yeah, just listening to the music"
"You're not complaining...you always complain when we play my music"
"That's not true"
"Nine times out of ten"
"The pre-teen pop stuff isn't my scene"
"I know...is there something on your mind? You can talk me. No matter what."
"I know, but really, Stephanie, I'm totally fine" She looks at him a moment longer, even after he's turned away to look out the window.
Oh, I remember you drivin' to my house in the middle of the night
I'm the one who makes you laugh
When you know you're about to cry
And I know your favorite songs
And you tell me about your dreams
I think I know where you belong
I think I know it's with me
Stevie picks back up in singing with her daughter, unknown to her, Lindsey is mouthing the words.
Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can't you see
You belong with me
Standing by and waiting at your back door
All this time
How could you not know
Baby you belong with me
You belong with me
You belong with me
Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me
You belong with me
"I thought you said you didn't like T-swift" Callie said, teasing her brother.
"She's okay. At least she's hot" Dylan said casually.
"Oh my god, my baby boy is interested in girls?!" Stevie says, shocked. "Oh my gosh, I can't handle this...Linds did you hear what he said?" She touches his shoulder and he turns to face her. "Did you hear?"
"He's almost thirteen, Stevie. He's growing up"
"I don't like this"
"It's perfectly normal. He's a great kid"
"I know, I just miss when they were babies. So simple."
"Much simpler but we can have lots of fun with them now"
"That's true" she says. She pulls up to their destination and the kids jump out, waiting for their parents. They're chattering animatedly and it warms her heart. She gets out of the car, grabbing her bag and going about her little routine of making sure she had everything. She complimented her daughter's outfit, played with her son's hair and was being her usual sweet, loving self. Always cuddling her children. Lindsey watches her, smiling. She slides her hand into his and gives it a little squeeze.
"You're such a good mama" he tells her, leaning down to whisper in her ear.
"Thank you. You're a great dad. I really couldn't imagine doing this with anyone else"
"Neither could I" He pulls her into his side and she tilts her head to make contact with him, a contented look on her face.
Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me
You belong with me
YOU ARE READING
Wide Open Spaces
FanfictionAU; Stevie, a painter and Lindsey, an architect, are divorced, co-parenting their pre-teen twins in Phoenix, Arizona. Buckingham Nicks.
