I Can't Stop

Part 31

"Well, look who's here!" Joe Walsh's voice separated Stevie and Don, who were swaying in a hug backstage before the show.

"Hey, Joe." Stevie smiled, stepping into his open arms. 

"I didn't know you were coming." Joe pulled back, keeping Stevie at arm's length.

"I didn't really know I was coming either." She shrugged. "Looking good."

"Me?" Joe waved it off. "Have you looked in the mirror lately?" He held her hand up and spun around.

"Hey." Don interrupted, sliding his arm around Stevie's waist to pull her closer. "She's my wife. It's your own fault that you were too afraid to take your shot." Don said with a smirk on his face. It was no secret that Stevie was popular among the men in the band and not only in Eagles. 

"Yeah, yeah." Joe rolled his eyes, holding his hands up in surrender. "Are you going to stick around for the show?"

"I am." Stevie nodded. "I'll be standing in the wings."

"We could have done something out there on the stage if we knew you'd be here."

"Maybe next time." Stevie smiled, laying her head on Don's shoulder, he pressed a kiss to her hair. 

"I'm sorry to break the two of you up, but we're gonna have to go on in a few." Joe said and Don gave a nod.

Stevie and Don shared a quick kiss before he had to leave her alone. Thankfully, not for long as Lori joined her shortly. It had been some time since Stevie saw Don perform with the band. She'd always enjoyed their music, just that their touring schedules seemed to always clash. It felt good as she stood there, watching the show. She didn't allow her mind to wander, she didn't think about Lindsey, for the time being she had no doubts about coming to Don and wanting to fix their marriage.

"Before this next song..." Don began speaking to the audience. "I'd like to say a few words. Yesterday, exhausted after the show I came back to the hotel, thinking it's going to be another lonely night. However, I was very pleasantly surprised to find my beautiful wife, knocking on my door. The night turned out... differently than I had expected." He paused for laughs from the crowd. "It's not easy, when you've got two touring musicians in the family and it's wonderful, when we get to spend time together, of which we cherish every minute." Don glanced at the side of the stage, where he caught a glimpse of Stevie. "She's here tonight." Every single fan of the band knew exactly, who the wife of Don Henley was and when he announced her presence, the audience started cheering loudly. "I could ask her to come out of the shadows, but she won't. So... this is Best of My Love and this one's for you, baby."

Don hadn't even started singing, when Stevie's eyes brimmed with tears. She felt Lori's arm around her shoulders and she leaned it, quickly wiping under her eyes. 

We try to talk it over
But the words come out too rough
I know you were tryin'
To give me the best of your love

Stevie hung her head low, shielding her face with her hair. To most it was just a beautiful ballad, but to Stevie it was so much more. Don was speaking to her through the song and the words stung. 

But here in my heart
I give you the best of my love

Stevie hurt him, badly. The lyrics were a painfully beautiful way to let her know, how Don felt, despite them trying to talk things out the night before. And for the most part, they did, however, the damage was already done and Stevie began doubting, whether they could ever truly be okay again.

But every morning'
I wake up and worry
What's gonna happen today

Even if the song lasted for a couple short minutes, for Stevie it felt like it was the longest, hardest conversation they had ever had about their relationship. The music soon faded and it was replaced by the fans clapping. Stevie wouldn't normally do it, it wasn't planned, but she was Stevie Nicks after all, who was going to stop her? Letting go of Lori, Stevie stepped forward and soon she was on stage in front of thousands of people, yet she could only see her husband. Don didn't expect her to come out, but he smiled widely, when she did, enveloping her in his arms.

"That was..." Stevie stopped, whispering for only Don to hear. "My God, that was beautiful. I'm sorry, Don, you'll never know, how sorry I am."

He kissed her briefly, then pressed his forehead to hers. "We're going to be okay. I love you."

It felt like they were the only two people there, neither of them aware of the rest of the band or the crowded arena, the cheering, yelling and clapping, hundreds if not thousands of phones held up in the air, capturing the moment...