Ties That Bind

Chapter 8. Reality

After a five and a half hour drive from Los Angeles, the group of four made it to Scottsdale, Arizona and it was just about noon when they were pulling up to the Nicks Manor.

When Chris pulled over, Lori and himself jumped off the car first so that they could greet Barbara and Jess---but meanwhile, Stevie stayed with Lindsey for the moment simply because she wanted to get her things.

Getting out of the vehicle, "Let's go over some things before we get attacked inside," she set the seat up and she made her way out.

He got out and he followed her to the back of that car and he opened the trunk.

Gathering her things, "I know this is probably just a little awkward for you and I didn't want that," as she pulled her bags out. "But just in case, we've been dating for two weeks and we did offer you to come out here because you wanted to meet my parents."

Kind of chuckling, "Alright..."

Smiling, "As good a time we had last night and the road trip here---we've only been on one date and you've not even lived at my place for two weeks yet."

"I understand," he nodded. "Does this mean you wanna meet my family after this?" he smirked.

"If you really wanted me to," she replied because she almost didn't know how to respond to that. "Next thing; my first name is Stephanie, my mother calls me TeeDee. When I was little I would call myself TeeDee because I couldn't say Stephanie, then I became Stevie and that stuck. I'm only Stephanie to her when I'm really in trouble and my dad only calls me Stephanie because he loves the name."

"TeeDee, that's cute," he smirked as he grabbed her bag for her.

Rolling her eyes, "Don't call me that," she laughed a little. "So, we're gonna leave your things here and then we will slowly move you into spending the night," she kind of pressed her hand to the middle of his back and she started to guide him forward. "I don't know how much my mother and father will pay attention to us, given that Chris and Lori are about to tell them they're getting married."

"Well, question---if asked what I do... Should I just tell them I'm a member of Fleetwood Mac or tell them I'm a guitarist? That's just if they don't recognize me," he turned to walk backwards so he could look at her.

"Whatever you feel comfortable with," she shrugged a little.

"I'll just tell them I'm a guitarist because that sounds less conceded."

She kind of smirked though nodded. As she came to walk in front of him, she pushed open the front door and she made her presence known quickly.

"Stevie's been dating Lindsey Buckingham from Fleetwood Mac!" Lori beamed as she told their father.

Lindsey walked in with wide eyes, "My idea's out the door," he whispered.

"I'm sorry," Stevie whispered, almost mouthing to him.

"TeeDee---I haven't seen you in forever!" her mother flew towards her to wrap her in a warm embrace. Pulling away, she kissed the side of her face while swiping her blonde strands. "I missed you so much, baby---I didn't know you were coming."

"I missed you too," her hands landing on her mother's wrists to hold them in place. "I'm sorry I haven't come out here, but I've been busy so Lori told me to tag along."

"I'm glad she did," she assured. She then kind of smiled at the man and she approached him, but she kept her questions at bay for the sake of her daughter greeting her father.

She was forced to roll her eyes only because she knew her mother was more or less taken by looks than anything, but she had to admit, so was she. She then moved passed her mother and she smiled when her father came to view.