Wide Open Spaces

Heart Of Gold

Stevie had been dropping subtle hints for over a week but she didn't seem to be getting through to him. Maybe she was being much too subtle. She stood in her attic studio, sipping her tea and staring through her painting, rather than at it. She was deep in thought. She heard footsteps and turned around. Lindsey!

"Hi, baby" she said, being extra smiley.

"Hey, angel! I just came to check on you! Are you ready to come down?" He beamed, her smile was infectious.

"Yes, I think I am"

"Great, I've been checking on dinner and everything looks alright. All that's left to do is make the sides. Callie started on mashed potatoes and Dylan asked if the lemon merengue pie in the fridge counts as a side..."

"And you said no, right?"

"Um....yeah, yeah. I said no..." Lindsey said, very unconvincing.

"You did not!" she says, giving him a playful shove. "Let me guess, you said 'ask you mother', didn't you?"

"Okay, I told him to ask you"

"Linds, you know that's dessert, why can't you say no to him?"

"He's my baby boy, and that pie looks so good. I want a piece too" Lindsey couldn't stop smiling at her as she became consumed with giggles. "You should stop doing that or she might fall right out"

"If only I could be that lucky!" she joked. "Let's go find Dylan so I can be the bad guy"

Lindsey leads her down the narrow stairs, a hand constantly on her shoulder or side. He was terrified of her falling and strange, irrational fears would plague his mind. He would monitor her in the bathtub, saying she could fall asleep and drown; he would ask her not to go by herself to the market, fearing that she could go into labor alone or something could happen and she wouldn't be able to make it back home. She understood and was appreciative, rather than continuing to argue with him that everything was fine. She wanted to soothe his worries the very best she could.

The children spot their chiffon clad mother right away, anxiously waiting on her to join them.

"I've missed you today!" Callie says, hugging her. "You've been working really hard lately, mama"

"When inspiration strikes, you have to go with it, no matter what. I am sorry I've been up there so long, though. Tomorrow, I will be more present."

"Did Dad ask you?" Dylan asked cautiously. The reservation apparent on his face.

"Did Dad ask me what?" Stevie asked, smirking at her tall, wavy haired son.

"Never mind" he says.

"I'm just teasing you, don't clam up" she said, squeezing him lovingly into her side. "Pie isn't a side, Dyl, but I promise it will be dessert"

"That's cool. I thought I'd give it a shot considering you ate chocolate pudding for breakfast three days in a row" Stevie blushed and Dylan kissed her cheek.

"I'm totally at the mercy of my cravings!" she says, hands raised in defense and Dylan laughs.

"It's okay mom, I get it. Are you ever going to tell us what's baking in there? I wanna know already!"

"A baby is baking in there"

"You keep saying that but you already told us you know. No secrets, remember?" Callie chimes in.

"Two against one" Dylan says. "Please?"

"Two against two" Lindsey says.

"Dad, no fair!" Dylan groans.

"You will find out in a few weeks. Will you grab plates and silverware so I can set the table?"

"We can do it mama!" Callie says and Stevie smiles at her helpful children.

"You're such gems! I'm such a lucky lady!"

The kids set the table, talking and laughing in the living room afterward, waiting for dinner to be finished. Lindsey is humming a familiar tune as he starts making the Macaroni and cheese. "I want to live, I want to give. I've been a miner for a heart of gold." he sings softly. "It's these expressions I never give, That keep me searching for a heart of gold."

"And I'm getting old." Stevie sings with him, and Lindsey smiles at her.

"Keep me searching for a heart of gold and I'm getting old." Lindsey sings back. "I've been to Hollywood. I've been to Redwood. I crossed the ocean for a heart of gold. I've been in my mind,
It's such a fine line that keeps me searching for a heart of gold."

"And I'm getting old." Stevie sings again, nudging him with her elbow and Lindsey laughs.

"You are not!"

"Yes I am! Come on, keep singing with me. I'll sing more of the words this time." He nods and she continues to sing. "Keeps me searching for a heart of gold."

"And I'm getting old." Lindsey nudges her this time and she kisses his cheek.

Stevie quickly finds a harmony with Lindsey and finishes the song, looking up at him. "Keep me searching for a heart of gold. You keep me searching and I'm growing old. Keep me searching for a heart of gold. I've been a miner for a heart of gold."

"Not too shabby, Nicks" he teases.

"Not too bad yourself, Buckingham."

"Food's done. Wanna call the kids?"

"Well, wait a minute. I wanted to ask you something."

"Oh, really?" He suddenly had a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Not that, Linds. I'm serious."

"Okay, what is it? I'm all ears."

"I, uh, I think I want to go back to Phoenix." The second the words leave her mouth, his eyes grow wide. "Just for a little bit, to have the baby" she tells him quickly. "Not forever"

"Jesus, you scared me!"

"I'm sorry"

"That's what all those hints were? We have accumulated about a hundred cacti and they're scattered all over the place!"

"Those were a few of my hints, yes"

"You couldn't just ask?"

"I was trying to be subtle" she says and he chuckles.

"Real subtle, Steph. Really, it doesn't sound like a bad idea. I can take some leave and we can go at the end of the week or beginning of next. The house is done, the kids are going on break soon so this could be good."

"You think?"

"Yeah, it'll be great."

Tears well up in her eyes and she kisses him. "Thank you. I love you"

"I love you too, babe." She stands in front of him looking deep into his big blue eyes, bursting with excitement. He gives her another kiss. "Call your parents, I know you're dying to"

"You're the best!"

Lindsey calls the kids for dinner and Stevie goes in search of her cellphone. Even from upstairs, he can hear her squealing and it makes the whole hassle of the upcoming trip worthwhile to him already.