Lindsey was in his car, in front of the school were Stevie worked. He was going to pick her up and they would go somewhere to spend some time alone. He almost got out when he saw she wasn't walking out on her own. Wonder who this clown is, Lindsey thought, as he watched Stevie give the man a hug and a smile, he hoped it was a friendly one.
"You're extremely rude, Bucks." Said Stevie, after getting into the car and greeting him with a kiss on a cheek.
"Sorry, I got distracted."
"By what?"
"By you and whoever that guy was."
She burst out laughing. "Tim? He's the gym teacher. We're friends, Lindsey."
"Why did you hug him?"
"Because we're friends?"
"You never went out with him?"
"No, gee... But I must say, it's adorable that you get jealous." She took his hand a squeezed gently.
"I'm not jealous."
"Yes, you are."
"Yes, I am."
She cradled his face in her hands and pressed a kiss to his lips. "I'm in your car, you can do as you please with me."
"Where would you like to go?"
"For starters, I'm starving!"
"Right, let's get you something to eat then." He said and started the car.
Once at a diner, Stevie couldn't pick anything, she wanted everything and Lindsey couldn't help but worry. "Are you ok?"
"Fine, I'm completely fine. Though I feel like I could eat everything that's on the menu! The last time I was this hungry was when I was carrying Amber."
His eyes grew wide. "You're not pregnant, are you?"
"We haven't slept together, how can I possibly be pregnant?"
"Oh, so you're telling me there's nobody warming your bed then? And if I play my cards right..."
"Linds, I know you've been around for what, three, four months? But we're both aware of our feelings and of course there isn't anybody, because I couldn't be with someone else."
"You love me?"
She wasn't sure if that was a question or a statement. "I do love you and I'm in love with you, and stop smirking because you know it, you just wanted me to say it out loud. And don't say anything back to that, I need food." She held her hand up and the waiter approached to take their order. "You can talk now."
"You're unbelievable, Steves, you know that?"
"And you're awfully obedient."
He reached across the table and took her hands in his, hoping she might listen. "I love you, too. I love you so much it hurts to think about it. You know... every day I spent away, you'd be the first thing I thought of in the morning and the last one before I went to bed. I never stopped thinking about and I never stopped loving you. I wished I could turn back time and choose to be with you, you were there, you wanted me and needed me, while nobody else did. I hate myself I missed out on Amber being a baby, I hate that I put you through all of it alone. I simply don't deserve you."
"No, you don't deserve me for what you did, but... There's been a lot of good you did for me too. Most importantly, Lindsey, you loved me for me. Your plan wasn't to drag me into your bed, you wanted to be with me and that's really special. You showed me what happiness is and you've given me the greatest gift in life. You gave me a daughter, Lindsey and she's the most precious thing in the whole world to me."
Lindsey was annoyed by the horrible timing their waiter had. "I see our moment is ruined, because you clearly won't listen to what else I have to tell you now, but... before you dig in..." They both laughed, then he asked for her attention. "Stevie, I... This is sudden, I get it, but... we know each other and I feel like it makes sense, you know?"
"Not really."
He smiled at her confused expression. "I want to ask you to date me. I want you to be my girlfriend."
She withdrew her hands from his grasp. "Aren't we past that stage? I mean... we have a child together."
"Well, what, you want to get married then?" They were both equally shocked by what he said.
"Not now, no. But..."
"In the future?"
"Of course."
"To me?"
"Are you proposing?"
"I don't have a ring."
"You'll get it later."
"Stevie, be serious."
"I am."
Lindsey sat back. "Did we just get engaged?"
"I guess so?" She started laughing and he couldn't not join in. "We're stupid!"
Lindsey shook his head and smiled at her. "We're in love."
