Ties That Bind

Chapter 9. Fluidity

It was later that evening that the Nicks women would be in the kitchen making dinner with Lindsey holding a very intelligent conversation with Jess in the living room, all the while Chris and Lori had gone to the market to get wine and other booze they liked as well as small things Barbara had asked for.

As she helped her mother in the kitchen, Stevie kind of flowed around but lingered a lot with hints of hesitation.

"So, mom... Are you happy about Chris and Lori?" she asked, popping a sliced piece of bell pepper in her mouth since her mother was chopping vegetables to prepare dinner.

"Yeah, honey---I was just a little shocked. They've not been together that long," as she puffed a cigarette.

"Mom, they've been together for two years," she smiled a little. "You and daddy married a month after knowing each other," she rose a brow. "I think they've waited a sufficient amount of time."

"It was a different time," she shrugged.

"Correct, but if it were me and up to you---you would have Lindsey and me married by tomorrow, or perhaps the first boyfriend I was ever with."

"That's not true," she shook her head. "It's pretty clear that you don't wanna get married."

"But if it were your choice, I'm saying. Oh, and by the way, I didn't say I wouldn't ever get married, but you're right, right now I don't have the desire. I wanna accomplish stuff before I do anything like that and quite frankly, I am happy where I'm at. So are Chris and Lori. And Lori is not really your responsibility, but you love her like a daughter, but just like a mother and daughter in-law, you're gonna bug each other. Just think, you've always wanted grandchildren and that has always been your favorite thing to talk about. Maybe in a couple years they'll give that to you."

"Your father told me that same thing," she arched a brow.

"We know how to work you the right way, that's all," she smiled and rested her head on her mom's shoulder. "But I did miss you very much and I'm happy to be here."

"I missed you too, honey," she brought a hand up to the side of her face after setting her cigarette in an ashtray to rest. "I'm happy you came."

"Y'know, I wasn't going to come but I did and I'm glad I did because you and Lori wouldn't be getting along the entire weekend and she would have come complaining to me on Monday. Glad I could assess the problem now."

Laughing lightly, "You would make a good family therapist, TeeDee," she smirked. "How much more of school do you have to do to get your doctorate?"

"Ah, like a lot," she smirked. "No, um... Just about a year or so left. That's two or three semesters left, depending on how hardcore I wanna go."

"You've done so well and I'm so happy you've kept the desire to keep going."

"I appreciate you guys paying for it," she smiled.

"We told you we always would---I really wish your brother would take a few courses on something, even one would be fine with me."

"He told me he would start next year," she assured. "I don't think he wants to take so many because I probably scared him with the workload I put on myself," she smirked.

Giggling lightly, she kind of agreed. "But besides Chris and Lori and school... How are you doing and what is this new relationship like, my love?"

"Everything started out a little rocky and school has been the toughest it has been since a few semesters, but Lindsey's really loosened me up. I don't feel as worried since I started going out with him," she assured, speaking her own truth because since their date the previous night---it felt like the world turned upside down and she was calmer than ever.