Separated

Part 13

Lindsey had always been an early riser. He enjoyed the peace and quiet of the morning, that first cup of coffee as he sat alone, no one around to bother him. That particular morning, however, when Lindsey woke up, he had to look at his watch twice. It was nearly 11 am. The last time he had slept for so long had to have been in his teenage years. It also took him some time to understand where he was. He wasn't home, he knew that much. Did he really spend the night at Stevie's or was it just a beautiful, comforting dream? Looking around the room, the first giveaway of whose bedroom he was in, was a shawl draped over a lamp. Lindsey smiled to himself, pushing the covers off his lower, covered part. His feet landed on the carpeted floor and Lindsey stretched, once he stood up. His clothes were folded on a chair close by. On top of his jeans, he found a towel and a new, still packaged toothbrush. Lindsey dressed up and took the items with him to go to the bathroom, having to think for a second, which door it was exactly. Somewhat hesitant, he entered the bathroom, thinking that it had probably been a while, since a man disrupted Stevie's order in such a sacred place of the house.

Refreshed, Lindsey was ready to head downstairs. He heard Stevie's voice, then the twins joined in. He stopped for a minute and just listened. In that moment, it all seemed so natural. For just a moment he could pretend that this was his life, that he didn't have to go back to another house, which he called home. It both, warmed and hurt, his heart.

"Good morning." Lindsey finally made his presence known. 

"Morning? I'm nearly finished with lunch." Stevie teased, although she was doing the dishes after breakfast. 

"Sorry, I've no idea, why I've slept for so long." 

"No worries." She waved it off with a smile on her face. "You probably needed it."

Amber was comfortably sitting on her father's lap, beaming at him, her smile from ear to ear. Lindsey sensed that she was about to ask him something. 

"What is it?"

"I think, Jade and Stevie should sleep over at our house tonight." The girl suggested casually.

Lindsey, however, started coughing as the sip of coffee was only halfway down his throat. "You think, huh?"

"Yeah. Jade agrees!" Amber looked over at Jade, who was now suddenly feeling slightly shy, hiding behind Stevie. 

"I'd love to." Lindsey said, brushing strands of hair out of Amber's face. "But it's Sunday, sweetheart. Stevie and I both have to go to work tomorrow, we have to get up very early, you know. It would make our mornings too complicated." A pout formed on the girls face. "You understand that, right?"

"Yeah..." Amber nodded slowly. "Next weekend?" She asked hopefully, those same puppy eyes from last night.

"We'll see." Lindsey said, hugging her closer to his chest. "But you and Jade can still play a little, while I finish my coffee."

That was all the encouragement needed as the twins ran out of the room, the Yorkie following after them.

"Are you hungry?" Stevie asked, leaning against one of the kitchen counters. 

"Not really, but thanks." Lindsey declined. He knew, he and Amber had to leave soon, before his imagination went wild with this fantasy he had on his mind. 

"I'm glad you two stayed." Stevie admitted, casting her eyes down. Lindsey didn't reply, but she saw him approaching her. 

"And I behaved." He smirked, making Stevie chuckle a little. 

"I would have kicked you out of the bed otherwise." She reminded him of their agreement as the palms of his hands gently settled on her shoulders, before slowly travelling up to her neck. "You have no idea, what you do to me..." She whispered, unsure if the words stayed in her head or she spoke them out loud. The look on Lindsey's face provided her the answer. "I-"

"Jesus, stop worrying for a second about what you say." Lindsey playfully rolled his eyes, quickly capturing her lips, before she could get in another word. 

After a moment, Stevie pulled back. "I've thought of a perfect date."

"Yeah? Tell me." Lindsey's hands were on her hips and he hoped that she didn't realize it or at least, didn't care.

"You and I, just kissing." She shrugged, now causing Lindsey to start laughing.

"Sounds fantastic." He replied, kissing her once more, while they were still alone. Before he completely pulled away from her, he pressed his forehead to hers for a second, sighing. "I'll take you out on that date soon." He promised and left a small kiss on the tip of her nose.