Torches

13

December 22, 1983

Stevie had Clara sleeping attached to her chest. Ever since Lindsey introduced her to the baby wrap it's kind of grown attached to her body. She's not cleaning, she had already done that today, she was now currently cutting out sugar cookies. She was going to make two batches, one for her family and one for Lindsey's simply because she's trying to make his family like her. 

She was pressing the Christmas tree cutter into the dough when she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She screeched and jumped turning around to see two men and three women. One of the women with a three-year-old attached to her leg. 

"Who are you?" The oldest woman questions.

"My name is Stephanie Nicks... I'm Lindsey's...I'm his girlfriend." She sighs her hand finding the baby's little butt and rubbing it gently to soothe the baby who was clearly startled by the screech even though she wasn't woken up completely. 

"And where is Lindsey and why are you in his house by yourself?" The oldest woman states.

"I'm watching Clara. He leaves her with me. Quite a lot actually. He's at a work Christmas Party. He wasn't expecting you until tomorrow." Stevie explains.

"And he didn't bring you with him? Some boyfriend. I'm his older brother Greg. This is our oldest brother Jeff. His wife April, their daughter Cory. This is my wife Maggie and this is our mom Ruth. it's nice to meet you." Greg holds out his hand.

"It's nice to meet you too. Can I show you guys to a guestroom or something?" She asks.

"We know the way, we just didn't know why there was a woman in Lindsey's house." Ruth pats her shoulder and Stevie nods turning back to her cookies. 

Stevie's sitting down on the couch reading a magazine with Clara still cradled in the wrap waiting to listen for the timer on the cookies when Lindsey's family comes back downstairs. 

"So Stephanie, tell us about yourself." The other brother, Jeff, states plopping down next to her. 

"Oh, what's there to tell. I'm twenty-five years old. I'm living with my two best friends on the weekend and I tend to stay here during the week. Convenience with Clara and all. I have a degree in Psychology and Speech Communication, Masters, and Bachelors. I'm currently between jobs. Waitressing mostly. I'm cleaning houses." Stevie shrugs.

"And how did you meet my son?" Ruth inquires.

"I um...I was cleaning here. I answered an ad in the paper. I've been working for him since July but we didn't start dating until the end of November." Stevie tells them. 

"Well, as long as you get along with my grandbaby that's all that matters. Can I hold her or is she..." Ruth starts.

"I mean you can, but I don't know if it'll wake her up or not. If it does you're the one that's putting her back to sleep." Stevie explains gently removing the baby from the wrap and handing Clara over to Ruth. 

***

The Buckingham's and Stevie were making idle chatter when the front door opened Lindsey cocked his head at seeing everybody in the house. 

"Um...you all aren't supposed to be here until tomorrow." Lindsey looks around taking his peacoat off and hanging it up in the hall closet. 

"Tell that to me. I was minding my own business making Christmas cookies, and listening to Christmas music when I felt someone touch me and I freaked out." Stevie explains. 

"Well everyone, I'd like you to meet my Girlfriend Stevie Nicks," Lindsey states going towards her and placing his hands on her shoulders kissing the side of her mouth as she closes her eyes and smiles into him. 

"She's really sweet. I like her." Ruth states.

"Helluva good cook." Greg holds up the half-eaten cookie and bites into it.

"Trust me I know...speaking of, what did you have for dinner?" Lindsey questions.

"I just ordered some pizza. There are leftovers in the fridge if you want some." She states. 

"Good. The catering at the party sucked." Lindsey states making his way towards the kitchen where he raids the fridge for the leftovers. 

He walks back into the living room stuffing his face when he looks at Stevie and then the baby. 

"Steph, do you want to get her ready for bed, or do you want me too?" Lindsey questions.

"I'll put her up and then I'm going to get my stuff and head back to my own apartment." Stevie sighs.

"NO! You're staying here tonight." Lindsey tells her.

"Oh, I really don't want to intrude." She shakes her head.

"You aren't intruding. You were going to be staying the night anyway. It just means my parents get to experience your amazing blueberry pancakes in the morning." Lindsey states.

"Fine. I'll make you blueberry pancakes. Alright, I'll put the little munchkin to bed." Stevie smiles standing up and heading over to April who's cuddling the baby. 

Upstairs, Stevie dresses the baby in a polar bear onesie and she does the little nightly routine, books, and songs, and then she heads to her and Lindsey's bedroom and changes into her red nightgown and starts in on her journal. 

***

Lindsey comes up the stairs and crawls into bed with her a few hours later. "I thought you snuck out the window." 

"Nope, just writing and prepping things for Spring Semester. Did your family head to bed?" Stevie asks.

"Yeah, they did. I wanted you to stay here tonight so I could give you your Christmas gift. However, I can't give you half of it because my family is down the hall." Lindsey smirks.

"Oh, well what's the half that you can give me." Stevie questions latching onto Lindsey's chest.

"This." He states reaching into his nightstand drawer and handing her a small box. 

"What is this?" She inquires.

"Open it." He urges.

"Fine." She groans ripping open the paper and revealing a silver crescent moon necklace.

"Oh Lindsey, it's gorgeous. Thank you so much. I love it." She sits up abruptly and hands it to him. 

"Do you want me to put it on you?" Lindsey chuckles.

"Of course I do." Stevie grins turning around. 

He clasps the necklace around her neck and then they share a sweet kiss. 

"We should let out baby sleep with us," Stevie says after a moment. 

"Well, she is nine months old...I guess we can do that, let's just try not to suffocate her." Lindsey smirks kissing her cheek.