Beauty and the Beast

9

December 1

Throughout the month of November, Lindsey and Stevie had gotten closer. He started spending time with her while she was in the Library. They'd spend their nights curled up on the couch together in front of the fire and he'd strum his guitar. Or he'd rub her feet. He'd even accompany her as she walked around the yard in the winter. 

He was watching from his window with Mick and John as Stevie and Christine were down in the courtyard. They were playing with Max, Chip, and Lily and Chip was about ready to throw a snowball at Stevie.

"I've never felt this way about anyone." Lindsey leans against the balcony. "I want to do something for her, but what?" 

"Well, there's the usual things. Flowers, Chocolates, Promises you don't intend to keep?" John lists.

"Promises I don't intend to keep?" Lindsey looks at John. 

"I promised Christine that in the new year we'd try for another baby," John explains. 

"You don't want another baby? You loved when Chip was a baby. Hell, I even loved it when Chip was a baby he was so cute and sweet." Lindsey laughs.

"There's just so much crying and pooping and crying." John lists. 

"Ignore him, it has to be something special. Something that sparks her interest...I got it! The library. She loves it in there, but Lindsey you have to admit it needs some work. She's been telling Sarah that she wanted to redecorate it but since the Castle wasn't hers she didn't want to touch the layout of it or anything." Mick points out. 

"But that's how my mother left it I..." He shakes his head.

"Lindsey. It's been 22 years. She's going to take such good care of it whatever she does to it." John sighs. 

"You're right. I'm going to give her the Library." Lindsey nods.

***

After they had finished eating dinner that night, Lindsey cleared his throat. 

"Come with me." He stands up and makes his way over to her end of the table where he pulls her chair out and holds his hand out for her.

"Um, sure." She nods.

When they get to the library doors, she looks at him. "Linds, this is the library." She explains. 

"Yes I know it's the library come on." He urges opening the door.

"It's yours." He says.

"What do you mean?" She questions.

"Well, it's...it's dusty and it's dirty and it's unorganized. You spend a lot of time in here and I want you to decorate it how you want. I can send for some paint on the weekly grocery run. Anything you want." He smiles.

"Really, oh thank you." She gasps throwing her arms around him. 

"I knew it would work," Mick smirks as he, Chip, John, and Christine look on. 

"What worked daddy?" Chip asks.

"Nothing you need to worry about sport." John pats his head. 

December 7

Stevie was out in the yard with the animals when Lindsey came up next to her. He squatted down to get level with the dogs and Max barked before jumping on him pushing him down into the snow.

"OH MAX!" He gasps as the dogs start licking his face causing Stevie to bust out laughing. 

"They like you Linds." Stevie grins.