Destiny Rules

Chapter 4

Stevie sat nervously in her car outside her daughters music school. She was waiting to pick her up, along with Lindsey's son and their other friend for a playdate at her house. All week she'd been thinking about this and what it would be like to see Lindsey again. They'd spoken on the phone briefly the other day to coordinate the plan, but she knew his wife must have been standing beside him because he was very obviously not saying any more than was necessary. She picked up on the hint and followed his lead, not wanting to rock the boat or make things awkward.

"Hi guys," Stevie grinned as the three kids piled into the backseat of her car.

"HEY MOM," Lily cheered as she playfully pushed Will over further into the seat. Stevie shook her head, her daughter was like her in so many ways.

"How were your lessons today?"

"We're going to start a band," Will announced.

Stevie's eyes widened, "Oh, yeah? Just the three of you?"

Lily shook her head, "No, Emma is also gonna join too but she couldn't come to practice today."

"I see," Stevie nodded as she began to drive, "And what is your band going to be called?"

Will and Lily exchanged looks while laughing, "Fleetwood Mac."

"Very funny, you two," she rolled her eyes, "But your father and I already had that one taken, you'll have to pick something else."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's not that Stevie didn't want her daughter to enjoy hanging out with her friends, it's just that she wanted this playdate to end soon so she could be done with the anticipation over seeing Lindsey again. She had a bottle of wine waiting, just in case he'd decided to stay for a glass before going home.

Finally, the doorbell rang and she let go the breath she'd been holding in for far too long. Taking one last glance in the mirror, she fixed her hair and blotted her lipstick before walking to the door. She closed her eyes for a quick second to collect herself before opening the handle.

"Kristen," she blurted out, shocked to see the blonde staring back at her instead of Lindsey.

"Hello, Stevie," her grin oozed the fakeness Stevie knew she was giving her.

"It's great to see you again, small world, huh?" Stevie lied with a nervous laugh.

"Too small."

"Come in," Stevie motioned, stepping back so Kristen could walk in, "The kids are downstairs, let me call them up."

Kristen watched as Stevie headed towards a basement door, studying every inch of the woman who her husband once loved. She wasn't pleased to see just how good Stevie looked, she'd secretly been holding out hope that she would've let herself go and looked way older. But the truth was, she looked even younger than she did when Kristen last saw her ten years ago. She was practically glowing, her skin completely radiant, and her long blonde hair fell down her back in loose waves. Kristen couldn't help but notice the way her dress perfectly hugged her hips and curves. She wondered if she put it on especially for her husband...

"Will, your mom is here!" Stevie called down to the kids, "Come on up, guys!"

"So, how have you been, Stevie?" Kristen asked curiously.

"Great, busy! I'm sure you know all about the mom life," Stevie joked.

"Yes! And I've got three, so I've always got my hands full, though of course it does help having Lindsey. I'm sure it's exhausting doing everything yourself."

Stevie gave the younger blonde a fake smile, biting back the attitude she so badly wanted to shell out, "Oh, I wouldn't change it for the world."

"Oh, by the way, Lindsey's sorry he couldn't make it. He told me to say hello."

"Well hello back to him too," before Stevie could continue, she was interrupted by the three kids running up into the room thankfully.

"Kristen, this is Lily. Lily, this is Will's mom," Stevie pulled her daughter against her giving the girl a side hug and kissing the top of her head.

"Nice to meet you," Lily smiled nervously.

"Aren't you adorable," Kristen cooed as if she was talking to a baby, "Boys, are you ready?"

"Mom, wait til you hear what we started...a band!!" Will announced.

"Oh wow," Kristen's eyes went wide and Stevie couldn't help but grin at the woman's obvious disdain for what was happening here, "Isn't that funny?"

"Just like their mom and dad," Stevie chirped gleefully.

"Indeed," Kristen sneered, "Well thanks again for taking them, Stevie. Great seeing you again."

"Anytime. You too, Kristen, and do tell Lindsey I send my love."

"Of course," Kristen replied diplomatically, secretly fantasizing about attacking the woman across from her.

As they left, Stevie took another deep breath and headed straight towards that bottle of wine she had waiting. She knew she would need it for something. Before she could even take a sip, her cell rang and she answered it quickly, seeing Lindsey's number.

"Hello?"

"Stevie," his voice sounded low, "I'm so sorry. I wanted to come and I really wanted to see you but...Kristen needed me to do some favors for her at the last minute, I uhhh...."

"You don't have to explain, Lindsey," Stevie sighed, "It's fine, I know you're busy. Was nice to see Kristen again too."

That lie certainly wasn't fooling either one of them, but he decided to let it go, "Stevie, I really want to see you."

"I...uh, yeah, I'd like that too."

"Really?" He asked, the relief evident in his voice.

She laughed softly, "Yes, Linds, really."

His heart skipped at the use of her old nickname for him. "I just...it would be really nice to catch up."

"Well I'm sure the kids will have another playdate soon, did you hear they've started a band?"

He grinned widely, "A band?"

"History repeats itself," she laughed, "Well, hopefully not really..."

"I'm sure they'll do better than their parents."

She bit her lip at the sudden sentiment and softness she heard in his voice, "I'm sure," she repeated blankly.

"I don't want to do this over a playdate with the kids," he admitted, "Can we... maybe just meet up ourselves?"

"Oh. Yeah, I'd like that."

"I'd invite you over here but..."

She cut him off, understanding exactly, "Why don't you come over here? One day while the kids are at school?"

"How's tomorrow?"

She laughed, "Eager, are we?"

He chuckled back, making her smile widen, "I've waited ten years, Nicks, I think I've used up all my patience and cool."