If Anyone Falls

Time Away

Telling the kids that Stevie left didn't go too well. They both cried and wanted to know why she left without saying goodbye. Lindsey tried to explain as best he could so they would understand. So he just told them that there was an emergency she had to deal with and that she had to get back to her own life but that she will visit whenever she could.
Lindsey was wreck; he tried to sort out his feelings. He was a mess.
After dropping off the kids at school and placed Stella in her play pen, he called his brother and told him that Stevie had left, what he was feeling and what had happened on her last night in his home.
"Jeff, I feel really...I feel like I cheated on Kristen. That night it just happened. It was...see and this is where I get so confused and feel guilty. It was amazing and...I realize, I'm still in love with Stevie. But, I feel it's wrong because Kristen passed away almost three months ago. I'm a widower and now a single father. I shouldn't be in a relationship right now. I mean what will people think. They'll say things like, "oh well, his wife just died and he moved on quick" They'll think the worst of me." Lindsey said feeling exhausted by the end.
"Lindsey, I can't even imagine what you are going through or know how it feels to lose a wife. I know you loved Kristen but, not to sound heartless, she's gone. And I'll be honest, I knew you have and always will be in love with Stevie. If you feel it's too soon to move on then that's fine and it's understandable. Just some words of advice, you don't have to be in a relationship but don't let Stevie go again. Talk to her and explain what you are feeling. Hopefully, she will wait till you're ready. As far as other people goes, who cares what they think! They don't know your situation. All that matters is your friends and family. We all know what the situation was when you told us about Kristen, we still supported you even though we didn't agree with what you did to Stevie but well, here we are."
Lindsey sighed and spoke to his brother for a bit longer.
After hanging up with his brother, Lindsey picked up Stella and headed down to his home studio. He had already placed a second play pen with a few baby toys in his studio. He put her down and he sat down by the sound board. His mind raced as usual. He put on their record Buckingham Nicks.
After it was over he decided to go over to Stevie's house and lay everything out on the table. He hoped that she wouldn't slam the door in his face.

Stevie landed in Maui and arrived at a rental home that Karen booked. It was by the beach. It was a private beach and Stevie was grateful for that. She had told Karen everything that happened and cried on her shoulder.
Stevie wanted to be alone and gather her thoughts and to re-energize herself.
Karen had her own part of the house and left Stevie alone most of the time until dinner time or whenever Stevie needed something done.

The first week there Stevie cried her heart out. Lindsey's words hurt her deeply and couldn't help but feel like a home wrecker. She couldn't believe she had given into her emotions after years of trying to convince herself that what she felt for Lindsey was locked away in her heart.
After that week, she felt a bit better and spent her energy to focus on herself. She would go for evening walks along the beach as the sun was setting and loving the feeling of sand underneath her feet. She would write in her journal and of course she would write songs; and was glad there was a grand piano at the beach house. She would spend her nights after dinner playing the piano; sometimes she would play old songs and others she would create something new.

Lindsey had gone to Stevie's house that day and found no one home. He called Karen knowing Stevie wouldn't answer him.
Karen told Lindsey that she went on vacation to get away from things for a while but didn't tell him where and that she needed to be alone. Stevie would talk only to her mother and to Christine.

Like Lindsey, she wanted to sort through her feelings as well. There were days where she missed him and the children terribly that it hurt.
But she did her best to be positive and make the best of her time on the secluded beach.