Start Again

Part 8

Yawning, Stevie stretched in her bed almost kicking Lily off the foot of it. She apologized to her pet immediately, picking the puppy up and kissing it repeatedly. Swinging her legs over the edge, Stevie got up and with Lily in one arm, she pulled the bedroom door open and leaving it wide open, she went downstairs. Barefoot, only in her nightgown and her hair every which way, Stevie entered the kitchen for a cup of coffee. 

"Morning!"

"Jesus Christ, Lindsey!" Stevie shrieked, somehow having forgotten that now Lindsey, her ex boyfriend, her on and off lover for years - Lindsey Adams Buckingham - was now living under her roof. "God..." She clutched her chest, breathing heavily.

"Wh- what did I do?" Lindsey's eyebrows creased as he stood by the stove, staring at her, a spatula in his hand. 

"Nothing. Sorry." Stevie shook her head, waving it off. "I kind of forgot you came asking for a spare room to stay in yesterday." She laughed, walking over to the coffee maker. "You're cooking?"

"Yeah, I wanted to thank you." He nodded, a shy smile on his face. "Don't worry, I've gotten better since the 70's."

"I hope so." 

Silence settled, while Stevie waited for her drink and Lindsey resumed his task of making pancakes. Taking the cup with both her hands, Stevie went over to the table and sat down, taking a moment to admire him. She wished he was like that when they were first together. Clearly, being a family man changed him; definitely softened him. 

"I'm on a diet, you know."

Lindsey scoffed, putting a couple of pancakes onto a plate and bringing it to her. "One time won't do any harm, I'm sure. Don't think this will be the start of every morning." He smirked and Stevie rolled her eyes.

"I could get used to this." Stevie pointed out, sipping her coffee. 

Lindsey half-smiled and reached across the table, patting the back of her hand. "Eat before it gets cold." He said and went to wash the dishes, since he had already eaten.

That wasn't the kind of response Stevie had hoped for, but she let it slide. 

"I'll be leaving soon, I need to move my things out of the house." Lindsey said, drying his hands on the kitchen towel.

"Do you think I have enough space for everything?"

"Well, actually I don't have that much." Lindsey shrugged, leaning against the kitchen counter, crossing his arms. "I don't own that many clothes, most of my stuff consists of music memorabilia and my guitars. I'll take a couple, but I'm leaving the rest in my ho- in my studio I had built. When I find myself a new place, I'll get them then. Kristen's fine with that."

"Oh, okay." Stevie nodded once, shrugging her shoulders. She wasn't sure what else to say.

After a minute, Lindsey spoke up again. "I haven't see you like this in so long."

"Like what? A mess?" Stevie laughed, looking down at herself.

Lindsey shook his head and came to her, pulling out a chair to sit next to her. "I love Stevie Nicks, I mean, who doesn't? But right now..." He shrugged. "Now you're just Stephanie. You're- you're you right now. I love that. And I love the fact you're comfortable being yourself around me."

Casting her eyes down, Stevie smiled just a little, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. The moment had become... intimate and she wasn't sure how to deal with it. One minute he completely ignores her very obvious hint and the next, he's looking at her the way he used to forty five or so years ago, telling her he loves what he sees.

It took her a moment to realize he had laced his fingers through hers and they were now holding hands. It felt nice, it felt so natural to her that she didn't even really notice. 

"Steph, I-" Lindsey began, then instantly grew quiet. She looked up, looking at him hopefully, expectantly, but he sighed, letting go of her hand. "Never mind. It's nothing."

"No, what is it? You can tell me?" Stevie rushed, standing up after Lindsey. Closing her fingers around his upper arm, she made him turn around, but he just smiled at her, hoping it looked convincing.

"Really, it's nothing." He repeated himself. "I think I better get going. I've got other things to do as well, besides moving out. I should come back in the evening if it matters to you."

"Of course it does, you matter to me." Stevie added, biting into her lower lip. She didn't mean to say the last bit out loud. 

Lindsey stared at her for a few more seconds, before walking away, leaving her alone.