Unexpected Turn Of Events

It's going to take time

Putting the last of Stevie's things into the trunk of his car, Lindsey reenters the house and finds Stevie standing in the hallway, looking up the stairs. He stands next to her, circling his arms around her waist, as he presses a kiss to her cheek.

"Alright?"

"I will be." Stevie nods, a sad smile on her face. Exhaling heavily, she takes Lindsey by the hand and they walk out together. Stevie stops to lock the door, since no one is home. 

Home... It's not her home anymore. It was, though, for a very long time and she'd be laying, saying, things were always bad. Quite the contrary, Stevie is leaving with a lot of wonderful memories; bringing up her and Jeff's kids there being on the top of the list of course. 

It was a quiet ride to Lindsey's. Stevie was looking out the window the whole time and Lindsey decided to leave her be. However, they didn't let go of the other's hand, unless it was necessary due to Lindsey driving.

"Maybe we should go up to my condo without your things. It's not just a place you come over to occasionally, it's your home now. I made space for you, so you can look around and decide where you want to put everything first, I'll return and grab your stuff later." Lindsey suggests and Stevie nods her head in agreement. 

"After you." Lindsey pushes the door open once he's unlocked it and even though Stevie has been at his place more times than she cares to count, it somehow feels different. "Steph?"

"I'm okay." She says. "Just... it's becoming very real all of a sudden." Again, she offers him a glimpse of a smile. "Show me my drawer." She laces her fingers through his and gives him a brief kiss on the lips. 

For the rest of the day Lindsey helps Stevie sort out her belongings. All of her clothes are now in the closet or in the three out of four drawers he has cleared out for her. She still has her jewelry and all kinds of her nick-nacks boxed, but she left it for another day.

"What do you want for dinner?" Lindsey asks around seven that same evening. "I'll order."

"Don't be silly, I'd be happy to cook for you." Stevie waves it off and goes over to the fridge. She opens it, then looks over at Lindsey. "You're not a bachelor anymore, you're going to have to start buying food."

Laughing, Lindsey shrugs his shoulders. "That's why I said, I'll order something. I've been living on take out for years or I eat at the pub."

"That's not going to work." Stevie shakes her head, slamming the fridge door shut. "First thing in the morning we're going to the grocery store."

"Yes, Ma'am." Retrieving his cellphone from the back pocket of his jeans, Lindsey waves it at Stevie. "So, what's it going to be?"

They settle on pizza. Stevie doesn't mind, but she usually cooked three meals a day for her family since she and Jeff got married. There are only two slices left, when Lindsey's done with the pizza and Stevie looks at him slightly shocked.

"Where on earth did it all go?"

Raising an eyebrow, Lindsey pats his stomach. "In here?"

"How do you manage to stay so skinny, eating that much?" Stevie herself only ate a slice and a half.

"Well, I know a pretty good way of burning those calories." He winks and Stevie looks away, blushing. "I'll do the dishes, you enjoy your wine." Lindsey kisses the top of her head on his way out of the living room and into the kitchen.

Stevie sips from her glass and relaxes, now a content smile on her face. She can't remember the last time Jeff just came up to her and kissed her hair for no reason. He would usually do that if he messed up and wanted to get back on her good side or he was showing off to his friends and colleagues. 

While Lindsey is in the kitchen, Stevie's phone starts ringing. She sees it's Max and answers right away.

"Hey." She greets him cheerfully. 

"Hi, Mom..." Max, however, doesn't match her enthusiasm. "Am I interrupting?"

"Never. What's up?"

Max struggles for a moment, then gives a long sigh. "I miss you. It's so weird not having you here. I'm by myself, Dad's God knows where and I just... I don't know what to do."

"Oh, honey..." Stevie feels the lump of tears in the back of her throat. "I miss you, too. But I'm not gone, you know. You can call me whenever you want, you can also come see me. I left your father, Max, not you."

"I know and I don't mean to make you feel bad, but I've had you for seventeen years by my side."

Swallowing her tears, Stevie composes herself, feeling Lindsey's hands on her shoulders as he stands behind her. "It's only for a short while. We'll figure something out, baby." Max doesn't even get mad for being called baby. "Lindsey and I haven't even discussed our living situation yet, I'm not sure if we're going to move or not, but be sure, there's always a room for you here." Lindsey nods to that, sitting down beside Stevie. "I love you, Max. It's going to be okay."

"I love you too, Mom." Max says, his voice not sounding as grim anymore. 

They hang up and Stevie brushes tears away. Lindsey pulls her into his arms and presses his lips to her temple. "Don't think I've changed my mind." She says. "I still want to be with you, it's simply going to take some time."

"I understand, don't you worry about that." Lindsey assures and tilting her chin up, kisses her lips. "Let's call it a day?"

"Let's call it a day." Stevie nods and they go into what is now their bedroom for the night.