Stevie curled the cord of the phone around her finger, listening to the soft voice on the other end of the line describe Kim's effort to sneak a bottle of champagne into the hospital to celebrate the new year.
"The things that man would do for you..." Stevie murmured, her words meant to chastise but slipped out like a sigh.
She could hardly believe it was six years ago that Robin first met Kim. She and Lindsey had just taken up with Fleetwood Mac, suddenly inundated with long white limousines and venues bigger than they'd ever imagined, so Stevie hadn't even realized the two had started dating until Robin brought him along to one of their label parties. The girls had giggled in the corner of the bar, Robin grinning madly and unable to keep a smile from her face for more than a few minutes at a time. They'd been sisters in everything, she had mused funnily to herself, so it only seemed fitting, if she was spending her life with a man named Lindsey, that Robin would find one named Kim.
And then only a few years later, Stevie had stood behind her, a bouquet of roses in her hand. Looking out into the gathered guests, she found his bright blue eyes instantly, sharing a glance as fond memories of the three of them tearing up San Jose filled the space between them—until her eyes found Don, unseeing as he focused on the bride and groom. In that moment, everything she'd chosen to give up crystallized sharply in her mind, and Stevie felt it might swallow her up in pale tulle and white satin ribbons.
As though summoned by her very thoughts, Lindsey pushed open the doors to the small drawing room, eyes scanning until they alighted on her, reclined against the small chaise by the window. He started towards her until Stevie pointed at the phone, silently mouthing her friend's name. His eyes widened in understanding, and he nodded, beginning to back away before his sock-clad foot blindly slammed into the ornate marble fireplace.
"Ah, shit!" He swore, reaching down to grasp his injured toes.
Stevie cringed.
"Is that Lindsey?" Robin asked against her ear, "put him on!"
"Linds!" She called to the man muttering painfully to himself across the room, "Robin wants to say hi."
If he was surprised, he didn't show it. Leaning over the back of her chair, he pressed their heads together, phone resting between them.
"Hey Robin," his uncharacteristically gentle tone proving a stark reminder of the painful situation.
Robin, however, was having none of it.
"Hey Fuckingham, it's been a while."
Stevie held back a grin at Lindsey's put upon expression.
"Sure has. How's our mother-to-be?"
"Baby's been a little restless, but—Steph, I forgot to tell you—I felt him kick yesterday! It was almost like a butterfly." In talking about the baby, some joy finally crept into Robin's voice.
"That's amazing." Stevie exclaimed.
After a moment, Robin changed the subject.
"So, Stevie tells me you're trying to get the chateau chef to run away with you."
At Stevie's giggles, Lindsey broke into a smile, playing along.
"I tried my best," he commiserated. "Apparently, I wasn't convincing enough. Something about leaving behind her family?"
"Did you tell her it's always sunny in California?"
"I'll try that one next time," he assures her as Stevie snorts at their banter.
"Alright, well I won't take up any more of your time. But it was great to hear your voice."
"Same here, Lindsey."
