Not Now

Part 28

Lindsey's POV

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"Are you sure, I'm not troubling you, darlin'?" Grace asks me, sitting in the passenger's seat beside me.

"Don't be silly." I shake my head, glancing at her for a second. "Inviting you for dinner on Christmas is the least Stevie and I can do for you."

"You don't have to feel obliged, Lindsey."

Why are the women in my life are so frustrating? "Grace." I stop at the red light and look over at her. "We want you with us, no one feels obliged. You've been a part of our small family for several years now. I'd hate to imagine you home alone on a day like today."

"You're a sweet man, Lindsey Buckingham." She smiles, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

Soon, we arrive at our apartment. I've just realized that Grace has never visited us before, so I show her the way. The smell of a home cooked meal greets us the second I open the door and warmth fills my heart. A little more than half a year ago, I thought that I'd be spending the holidays with a pizza and my TV.

"Merry Christmas." Stevie appears, coming out of the kitchen, a gorgeous smile adorning her beautiful face.

I still can't believe the effect this woman has on me sometimes. She's changed into a pale blue pair of jeans and an oversized red sweater. Her hair is up in a ponytail and her face barely has any makeup on.

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart." Grace pulls Stevie into a warm hug and they hold onto each other for a moment. Stevie's short, like, really short, but even she has to bend down a little.

"I hope you like duck." Stevie says.

Grace replies with a hearty chuckle. "I just like food."

We've done some upgrades in our apartment, a Christmas present to ourselves. The small kitchen table we used to have is out, a new one, fit for six people at least, is in its place. I pull out a chair for Grace, offer her a drink, then move over to Stevie.

"Is there anything you need help with?" I ask, my arms wrapped around her middle from behind.

"No, dinner is almost finished." She shakes her head and turns, so I can give her a quick kiss. "Take a seat."

"May I ask?"

I look over at Grace and nod my head. "Sure."

"Are you two not close with your families? I mean, it's a family holiday."

I breathe out heavily and sit down opposite from her. "Well, we love and respect each other, but no, not really. Ever since Stevie and I moved here, we've pretty much become each other's family."

"You should at least give your parents a call. I'm sure they're waiting." Grace smiles somewhat sadly and my heart stings. 

I do miss my mom and dad as I'm sure Stevie does, too. However, no one supported us, when we decided to leave home and relocate far away from them. This gap opened up between all of us and with each passing year, it's getting harder and harder to try and close it.

"Linds, could you bring over the plates?" Stevie asks and I jump to my feet, picking them up off of the beautifully set table.

While I'm helping Stevie plate the food, my phone starts ringing and I excuse myself to answer the call. "It's my mom." I say out loud to no one in particular.

"Told you, she was waiting for that call." Grace gives me a pointed look and I walk out to the other room.

It feels great, hearing my mother's voice. The phonecall doesn't last very long, we quickly catch up and wish each other a very merry Christmas. I get a little emotional, but I try to mask it, when I return and retake my seat. Stevie passes me by and squeezes my shoulder, giving me a warm smile, before she too sits down.

"This is a feast!" Grace speaks up, making us both chuckle.

"It's nothing." Stevie waves it off.

I place my hand on her thigh under the table and press a kiss to her cheek. "Thank you, baby."

"Well, come on, dig in." She says and we do.

It's been one hell of a year. It started out rocky. Well, rocky is an understatement. I never would have thought that Stevie and I might break up, but we did and it was the most horrible pain I have ever felt in my life. Although, I've always known, since the day I met her, that she's the one for me. We both have our flaws, but I was a jerk to her. If I wanted to get her back, I knew that I had to change and I'd like to believe that I have changed. I showed how much I care about her, how much she means to me and I told her time and time again that there's no other woman for me. She came back. Stevie came back and the past several months have been wonderful. Our life together is changing for the better as well. The ground under our feet feels firmer. Who knows, maybe we will be blessed with a child soon as well. That's truly the only thing that's missing for me right now.

"Creep." 

Stevie's voice brings me back to the present moment. "Why?"

"You've been staring at me for the past five minutes." She says and I had no idea.

"That's 'cause you're the prettiest girl in the world." I forget for a second that we're not alone and cradle her face in the palms of my hands. "You're the only girl in the world." I say and kiss her lips.

Stevie suddenly becomes shy and looks away, while my eyes still remain on her. If she asked me again, if I'm happy with her, without hesitation, I'd say, yes. I've never been happier.

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THE END

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Thank you so much for reading this story! I loved writing this one.