Wide Open Spaces

We've Only Just Begun

Lindsey hopped in the car to meet Stevie at their rental property. She told him nothing more than to be quick about it and he didn't know whether to panic or not. Why so vague? He pulled into the driveway and out comes Stevie with a young couple. The two people with her, towered over her and he chuckled.

"Lindsey, hey!" She says, kissing his lips, a hand placed on the back of his neck.

"Hey, who have you got with you?"

"Oh, right. This is Alex and Joel." The pretty brunette woman and the handsome blonde haired man shake his hand. "Aren't they the cutest? They just moved from San Francisco just like us!"

"Small world. Nice to meet both of you"

"Likewise." Joel says.

"So what made you come out here?"

"Well, Alex is actually from here and I got a job offer. I graduated from college with a degree in accounting and financial planning" Joel tells him.

"And I'm a writer, well, I'd like to be" Alex says shyly.

"Don't be so modest, babe. You're a very talented writer." Joel gives her a kiss on her temple and Lindsey and Stevie smile at each other. They're so similar to themselves at that age. They made small talk for a few minutes then made their way back inside the house to discuss details.

"The reason I asked you over, Linds, is because they want to rent our little house"

"This is a great house, guys. It actually used to be ours around your age. This is where we began our life. We moved here from San Francisco many years ago. I got a job offer from my boss and he put me in charge of his office out here. I was so green, hardly any experience and it was certainly an adventure. Stevie is an artist, as I'm sure you know, and we were expecting our babies who are now thirteen years old. It's crazy to think how long ago it was!" Stevie slipped an arm through Lindsey's waist, leaning into him. He plants a soft kiss on the top of her head and she looks up at him lovingly. "We love this house and I know you guys will too"

2002;

"It's only temporary" Lindsey says, watching Stevie unpack knick-knacks from their boxes.

"I still want to fix it up. This is our home. Our babies will be coming home from the hospital to this house."

"I know, I just don't think you should get too attached"

"Let me lay down my roots. I've already been uprooted once and I want to feel comfortable. I'm pregnant, I want stability."

"I understand" Lindsey sits down next to her and helps her unwrap some of her glass angels.

"Thank you" she says, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"I love you and I want you to be happy. It wasn't the best time to move away from everything we knew and since we've planned this little adventure, the pregnancy has been harder. You've been so strong for me and have worked so hard to be positive...I'm so grateful to you for taking this chance with me."

"I told you I'd be here forever. I will always stand by your side. I love you too"

"So what can I do to help?"

"Well, you can help me up to start off with." She says with a giggle. He gets to his feet and extends a hand. "Being six months pregnant with twins isn't so easy"

"I wouldn't think so but you make it look effortless"

"If you're trying to win brownie points with me, you're going to have to try just a little bit harder" she jokes.

"I will keep that in mind. I'd love to win big with you tonight." He pulls her close and starts leaving sloppy kisses on her neck.

"Linds, not right now"

"Come on, beautiful. I know you want to. This has been my favorite of your cravings" He continues to kiss her, letting his lips drag across her skin. He finally reaches her face, capturing her lips. She might just give in, having allowed him to slip his tongue into her mouth. After a few moments of sensual kisses and hands traveling wildly all over her body she places a hand between them and pushes him away. "What's wrong, angel?"

"Nothing, baby. I just need to get this done. I'm compelled to turn this house into something by the time they decide to come. They don't have names, they don't have rooms or clothes, or toys either for that matter. We are so unprepared"

"There's time"

"What if there isn't? I'm really scared they'll come early. I just feel it."

"I trust your instincts but you've got to calm down. Let's focus on something else. Where shall I put this one?" He asks, picking up a carved wood angel. The detail was exquisite and even he liked this one.

"Hmm...maybe on the mantle. I can just see it being really beautiful there once the lace curtains are up, the crystals are set out, some greenery to give this place a little life and...oh, I just can't wait!" Her excitement makes Lindsey love her even more and he smiles at her.

They spend the next couple of hours unpacking, stopping for lunch before starting again. They work into the night and he can tell she's getting tired. He finds the record player in one of the boxes and sets it out on a haphazardly placed side table. The records take a little more work to locate but he finally does, leafing through them to find the one he's looking for.

"Ah-ha!" He says to himself. He pulls it from its sleeve, puts it on the turntable and places the needle down. Music fills the room and Stevie looks up, smiling.

"Oh, Lindsey!" she exclaims, getting up slowly. He motions for her to come near and he envelopes her in his arms. They sway lazily, looking into each other's eyes.

We've only just begun to live
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we're on our way
We've only begun

Before the risin' sun, we fly
So many roads to choose
We'll start out walkin' and learn to run
And yes, we've just begun

Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watching the signs along the way
Talkin' it over, just the two of us
Workin' together day to day
Together

And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow
And yes, we've just begun

Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watching the signs along the way
Talkin' it over, just the two of us
Workin' together day to day
Together
Together

And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow
And yes, we've just begun

The song ends and she gives him a kiss. "We're really doing this. Our own life."

"Unbelievable." He gives her a tender kiss on the lips and she closes her eyes, taking in his touch.

"What was that for?"

"For luck" he says and a smile spreads across her lips.

"I love you"

"I love you too. We've only just begun."