Unexpected Turn Of Events

You are my life

"I'm leaving early tonight." Lindsey tells Jason, having just served his last customer. 

"You're the boss." Jason shrugs with a laugh. "Doesn't seem like it's going to be a busy night anyway."

"Right." Lindsey nods. "I need to get home before Stevie starts working on dinner."

"Why? A dinner date with your lady friend?" Jason teases, nudging Lindsey with a smirk on his face. 

"Not exactly, but I've got plans for her."

Holding up his hands, Jason says. "And I don't want to hear any more!" 

Lindsey laughs, patting his friend on the shoulder on his way.

Just like he hoped, Stevie hasn't started dinner when Lindsey returns to the condo. She seems surprised he's home earlier than usual and it immediately raises questions. 

"Have I forgotten something?" Stevie asks, sipping from a cup of tea she's just made for herself.

"No." Shaking his head, Lindsey bites his lip somewhat nervously. "I have a surprise for you."

"Oh?" Stevie's face lights up. "What's that?"

"You do know what a surprise means, don't you?" Lindsey gives her a look and Stevie rolls her eyes. "If you need a change of clothes, go change and we're leaving."

"Well, at least give me a hint? I can't show up at a restaurant in sweatpants, can I?"

"Sweatpants?" Lindsey raises an eyebrow and laughs heartily. "Babe, you do not own sweatpants." He then adds. "Don't worry, we're not going out or anything."

"Fine, I'm going like this then." She says, looking down at herself - jeans and a simple white top will do.

Stevie forgets her tea, too excited to know what Lindsey's surprise is. They leave the condo and get into his car, their hands clasped all the way to whatever their destination is.

"We're here." Lindsey announces as Stevie looks ahead, her eyebrows slightly creased. 

"Um, where are we exactly?" She climbs out of the car nevertheless. 

"We're home." Lindsey smiles, confusing Stevie further. "This is our home, Steph." 

"But... what? When? Ho-"

"Less questioning, more going inside." He pats her behind, showing her to start walking. "Oh!" He stops, fishing inside his pocket for a key and handing it to Stevie.

Still just as lost, Stevie slowly slides the key inside the keyhole and turns, then pushes the door open. "You... you bought us a house?"

Lindsey nods his answer. "It's not too grand, but it's bigger than the condo and when all of your children are there, it gets a bit crowded. Here, we'll have plenty of space for everyone."

"You should have told me. Are you sure you can afford this? I wouldn't have let you buy a house, Lindsey! You shouldn't have." Stevie shakes her head, however, she starts exploring as well.

"That's exactly why I didn't tell you." Lindsey shrugs his shoulders, following after her as she goes into what is the family room. "I have been saving money since I was a teenager." Lindsey jokes, but it's quite true. "I never had the need to buy expensive things so I could show off." He adds. "Oh, and I sold the condo. We've got a week to move out."

"Lindsey! Are you serious, a week?! How are we going to manage that? All of our things! And do you think Max will be able to pack his own belongings, also-" 

Placing his hands on her shoulders, Lindsey shows Stevie to take a deep breath. "Relax, sweetheart." Leaning in, he presses a small kiss on her lips. "It's going to be fine. I wanted us to have our home; not mine or yours. Yes, I can afford it. Yes, we have enough time to get our things and move out of the condo and move in here."

Breathing out heavily, Stevie steps a little closer and hugs Lindsey. "I worry all the time, you know. It's my job, being a mother and a wi-... a girlfriend."

"No need to, baby." He smiles reassuringly, kissing her lips once more. "What I want to know is if you like it? I hope you do, because if not, we've got a massive problem."

Chuckling lightly, Stevie nods her head. "From what I've seen already, yes. I like it." Standing on her tiptoes, she cups his face and gives him a kiss. "Thank you."

It's Lindsey's turn to sigh in relief. "Good, I'm glad."

"So, can we take a little tour?" 

"Of course!" Lindsey takes Stevie by the hand and shows her the rest of the house; all of its bedrooms, bathrooms, the family room and the kitchen, as well as the small backyard, where Lindsey knows Stevie would soon have beautiful flowers and such growing.  

Coming back downstairs, Lindsey says. "Oh, there's something else I forgot to show you."

"What's that? Is there a dungeon of some kind?" Stevie laughs, but sees Lindsey getting serious and her smile fades. "Linds?"

Taking in a deep breath, Lindsey gets down on one knee. "There's only one thing missing in my life for it to be complete." Reaching into his back pocket, relieved he hasn't lost it, he reveals a beautiful diamond ring. "Will you marry me, Stephanie?"

Stevie draws in a sharp breath, clamping a hand over her mouth. "Lindsey..." Tears well up in her eyes and she wants to ask if he's for real, but she can't speak. Firstly, she nods, then a quiet, yes, escapes through her lips.

"Yeah?" 

"Yes!" Stevie exclaims this time, nearly knocking Lindsey over as she wraps herself around him. "I'll marry you and you will never ever get rid of me."

Laughing, Lindsey pulls her even closer. "I would never dream of doing that." Pressing his lips against hers for a passionate kiss, he then says. "I've been alone and lonely for too long. Meeting you has changed my life completely. You are my life."

THE END

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