Wide Open Spaces

Banana Pancakes

Lindsey mindlessly strummed his guitar on the deck outside their room. It's drizzling and it looks more like San Francisco than Phoenix. He needed to clear his head, unable to sleep after Stevie's performance. He has some news of his own but chose to keep it to himself. He knew at some point he'd have to tell but last night didn't feel right. He pushes it from his mind for now as he continues to play, accidentally falling into a song. He quickly finds the pattern, the rhythm and sings softly into the morning air.

Can't you see that it's just rainin'
Ain't no need to go outside

But baby
You hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep you
Doin' what you're supposed to
Wakin' up too early
Maybe we could sleep in
Make you banana pancakes
Pretend like its the weekend now
We could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just rainin'
There ain't no need to go outside

"Oh hey" he says, putting his guitar down when he sees Stevie standing in the doorway. She's barely dressed, her silk robe left untied over her tiny slip.

"What are you doing?" She asks, her voice raspy.

"Couldn't sleep. What are you doing up?"

"Baby Buckingham." she says.

"Oh no..."

"Oh yes"

"As bad as the twins?"

"No, much better"

"Good!"

"Still not great, but I can manage"

"I don't know why they call women the weaker sex" he says, shaking his head.

"Patriarchy..." she says and he smiles.

"Alright, Gloria. No need to start burning your bras."

"Shut up" she says, chuckling at his remark. She kisses his lips. "Don't worry, I brushed my teeth"

"I wouldn't have cared either way." He says, shrugging.

"You're so gross" She wrinkles her nose and he pulls her onto his lap.

"No, I just love you"

"Aww, Linds..."

"Do you think you can eat?"

"I'm starving, so I hope so"

"Let's get some breakfast started."

"Bring your guitar. I'm the cook by default but you, my dear boy, are going to be my radio"

"Deal" he says. He follows after her, walking down the hallway to greet the dogs, and noticing an unfamiliar big, white, fluffy cat in the window sill. "Stevie...there's a--"

Before he even finishes, she giggles, knowing exactly what he's going to say. "It's Callie's. Don't be upset, we didn't know how to tell you"

"How long?"

"Only a few days. She named her Freya."