Patience

9

Tori was shocked that their orders were very similar for a second time. They both ordered the Chicken Alfredo, they both ordered a raspberry iced tea and a glass of red wine, the only difference was that Stevie got the squash soup while Tori got the salad. They had made small conversation most of the night. They found out that they had the same favorite color-purple-they found out that they hold their pens the same way and they write similar to each other. And they found out that they both follow astrological signs and have an affinity to candles and dogs and Tori expressed how she would like a dog but her landlord doesn't allow pets.

"So, about last night," Stevie says after they've both started on their main dishes. 

"I really don't want to talk about it, Ms. Nicks." She shakes her head.

"Would you stop calling me that?" Stevie asks trying not to cry.

"No, no I won't because that's exactly who you are," Tori tells her.

"I'd prefer if you called me mom." Stevie plays with her napkin.

"But you're..." She starts.

"Yes, I am." Stevie grabs out the picture again. 

"This doesn't prove anything. And even if you are my mom, what makes you think we're going to have a relationship?" Tori will admit that did sound snappy and it was kind of cynical but she was enjoying the reactions coming out of the older woman and she could tell that what she just said had stabbed her in the heart. 

"I...I, please?" She asks.

"Please what?" Tori questions.

"Just give me a chance," Stevie begs.

"It's kind of hard to give someone a chance when the person stuck to her hip 24/7 thinks I'm a Psychopath. I know what a Psychopath is. I've watched every episode of Criminal Minds, Law and Order SVU, NCIS...I know what a Psychopath is and she clearly believes I am one so it's probably best if you just stay away from me." Tori shrugs popping a piece of chicken in her mouth. 

"Karen means well." Stevie defends her assistant. Her right hand falling to Karen's left forearm.

"Well, I'm glad that you think so. I really shouldn't stay any longer I have to get up for work tomorrow." Tori tells her.

"You have to drive me home." Stevie grabs her arm.

"I don't have to do anything." Tori shakes her head.

"Please drive me home? I only live in the Pacific Palisades." Stevie pleads.

"That's 30 minutes away." Tori slouches back in her chair.

"Please. I'd rather not call for a car." Stevie begs.

"Fine. I'll drive you home." Tori gives in. 

After Stevie had forked over her credit card they were sitting in the car and Tori had opened her GPS app on her phone.

"Um, what's your address?" Tori bites her lip.

"It's..." Stevie starts. 

"Stevie are you sure that's a good idea?" Karen warns from the backseat. 

It pisses Tori off, and she resists the urge to kick the two of them out of her car but she just bites her lip and goes to shove her phone into Karen's face, but Stevie grabs it and types the numbers in as Tori drives away. As she's pulling up to the gate Stevie mumbles some numbers, her birthday to be exact 091693 and she pulls up to the front door. 

"Get out." Tori demands.

"Wait can I..." Stevie starts.

"NO, Get Out! I never want to see you again." Tori spits.

"What? Why?" Stevie asks her heart, shattering.

"I will not be around a woman who can't trust me. Most of my marriage was with a man who started not trusting me and all it got me was hurt. I will not relive that again even if it's from a woman. So unless her attitude changes or you fire her I do not want to see you." Tori growls pointing at Stevie's front door. 

Tori has to hold it back when she sees the tears fall from Stevie's eyes and she'll admit that it was harsh of her to say that to the older woman but it was the truth. A lot of her abuse from her husband, yes came from her not doing things the way he wanted it, or on time but the other part of the abuse came from him not trusting her and pretty much keeping her on house arrest. It took a lot for Tori to even warm up to Mallory and as much as she would like to warm up with Stevie and to actually find out if Stevie Nicks is her biological mother, she's scared to. Especially after the way, Karen's been treating her.

When the two women are out of the car she squeals out of the driveway and she keeps it together fine until Landslide comes onto her car speaker through the aux cord and she has to pull over and cry. 

***

Stevie was heartbroken and she was pissed storming into her house drawing attention from her family in the living room. 

"THIS IS YOUR FUCKING FAULT! GET OUT!" Stevie screams.

"Stevie, I'm just trying to..." Karen starts.

"NO, I DON'T NEED YOU TO TRY AND PROTECT ME I'M A BIG GIRL. SHE'S MY DAUGHTER KAREN AND NOW SHE NEVER WANTS TO SEE ME  AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU'VE BEEN TREATING HER. JESSIE'S BEEN NICE, LORI'S BEEN NICE...BUT NO, YOU HAVE TO GO AND PISS ALL OVER ON IT. HELL, IT'S YOUR FUCKING FAULT LINDSEY'S GONE TOO." She screams. A lot of the reason that she had gotten Lindsey fired is that he and Karen had gotten into a knockdown drag-out before Muicares and Stevie didn't want that to be the norm for tour life. 

"What happens if she turns out not to be your daughter?" Karen questions.

"You know what Karen I don't know...but I know she's my daughter. I can feel it. You're finished here for the holidays. I will call you in the new year to inform you if I'll still be needing your services or not." Stevie hisses walking into the living room where she knows her family is. 

But all she does is runs straight into her baby brother's arms and starts crying into his chest.