December 31, 2015
"Honey, you're going to be late. Get out of here!" She tosses him his keys and shoos him out the door, waving at him as he pulls out. Emmeline was officially moving in, and Stevie was completely beside herself with excitement. The work Lindsey had done with her was going well, and she needed to be in Los Angeles to work on her career. Lindsey had moved in over the summer, and with Emmeline's visit, the house didn't feel so empty.
Her things had already been shipped down, and Stevie heads upstairs, keeping herself busy decorating her daughter's room. Art on the walls, framed photos, candles, and cashmere blankets are scattered everywhere, and she straightens everything up, unable to stop singing and smiling.
All she'd ever wanted was to fill this house with her own family. It took her 67 years, but the feeling of having everyone together under her roof was undeniably overwhelming. This is how everything was supposed to go.
Finally, she hears keys jingle downstairs and the door pushes open.
"Mom? Where are you?" Emmeline's voice rings through the house, and Stevie's heart swells. She'd only recently started calling her that. She'd been given a lot of titles, but none made her feel like that one did. She hurries to the stop of the staircase, pausing for a minute to see them.
Lindsey is still fumbling with her things, and Emmeline drop her bag and jogs up the stairs and grabs Stevie, hugging her tightly.
"I can't believe I live here now."
"I was sort of just thinking the same thing." Stevie steps back, holding her daughter at arm's length and smiling. "We're so glad you're here."
Emmeline rewards her with a huge smile and jogs back downstairs to help with her things. They bring her bags upstairs and start to help her get settled, chattering away about their plans.
"The only thing I'll really miss is my dad," she says.
"Go visit any time you want," says Stevie. "And you know he's welcome to come down here to see you play."
"I know. And I'll probably go back soon. It's going to be weird. He's the only family I knew for most of my life." Stevie looks a little sad, but doesn't say anything. Emmeline takes a minute, then starts talking again. "What are we going to do tonight?"
"Well, we can go to a party and wear fantastic clothes and stay out all night. Or we can order in, drink champagne and celebrate in the living room. We know what Lindsey wants to do," she says, teasing him.
"I'm really not in the mood to shave," he confirms. "But I'll take you two out if that's what you want to do."
"It's okay. I'd rather hang out here anyway," she says, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I'm kind of tired."
"You've had a big day. Change into something comfortable and we'll go order food," says Stevie, hugging her. "Welcome home, baby."
They leave her alone in her room, heading to the kitchen and deciding on their dinner. While he places the order, Stevie pours a cup of tea and sits at the island, waiting for him to finish. He hangs up the phone and looks at her. "A New Year's Eve at home with two of my favorite girls."
"I wish we had the rest of the kids this week."
"I miss them. But we get them next week and Aspen will be gorgeous. We'll ski and throw snowballs at them and it'll be great."
"Well, you all can ski. I'll be by the fire, thank you very much."
"Oh come on. Even a small hill?"
"I'm 67 years old and I have bad hips. Do you want me in a walker?"
"No, I'm still enjoying your flexibility," he says, ignoring the look she's giving him and walking over to kiss her. She kisses him back and wraps her arms around him, sighing happily.
"I never thought we'd be vacationing with our kids."
"Took us long enough."
"She actually moved in, Linds," she says, still sounding slightly stunned.
"She did. She adores you," he says, leaning back and brushing the hair from her face.
"She adores you, too, you know. It's just more complicated, since she's already got a great dad. That doesn't mean she can't have two," she assures him, lacing her fingers between his.
"I know. Listen, I didn't expect her to be this open to us. any relationship we have with her is a bonus. This is good. I'm not complaining about anything, Stevie. Life is pretty close to perfect right now."
"What would make it perfect?"
"Putting a ring on your finger."
"Getting married? We haven't really talked about that."
"I know. Why not?"
"I wasn't sure if it was too soon for you. It's only been a year."
"Sure. But it's not like we're dating. We've known each other for fifty years and we're living together with our daughter. Plus, I'd really like to see you in a long white gown," he says, kissing her forehead.
"You're serious."
"Well, I'm certainly not joking. What do you think?"
"I think it's about time!"
He pulls a ring out of his pocket and kneels, and she stands up, already choking up.
"Stephanie Lynn, you are my heart. I'm sorry it took us so long to get here, but I have never been happier, and I never want this to end. Will you marry me?"
She nods, unable to speak as he puts the ring on her finger. He stands and she throws herself into his arms, laughing and crying at the same time. Just as he kisses her, Emmeline walks into the room. "What is going on?"
Stevie holds up her hand, staring at her ring as she shows it to her daughter.
"God, it's about time!"
They laugh and hug each other, Stevie still staring at her hand.
"Life is officially perfect," he says as Emmeline walks out into the living room.
All she can do is smile.
