Stevie was trying her best to get home for the holidays. She missed her family so much and she was dying to leave the city for a while before tour started up again. Everything was all packed and ready to go, Christmas presents had already been sent ahead of her to their destination, she just had to do this one last thing.

She called a car and waited for it, a present wrapped in shiny red paper with a big silver ribbon sat on her lap. She stare ahead, completely zoned out until she was shaken out of her thoughts by the phone ringing. The car had arrived, she was told. She put on her coat, and a red velvet beret, tucking the present under her arm with her bag thrown casually over her shoulder.

"Here goes nothing" she says to herself. The car ride felt much longer than it was. It must be the nerves. Upon arrival, the driver gets out and opens her door.

"Shall I wait for you, Miss Nicks?" The older man asks.

"Hmmm" she thinks, biting her lip. "I tell you what- wait here a little while and if I'm not back in...ten minutes, you can leave"

"Thank you, miss" he says and heads back to his side of the car"

"No, thank you. I appreciate it. It's Christmas Eve. You shouldn't be out driving me around, you should be with your family" She digs around in her bag and produces a few bills. "Here. Thank you again" she says, handing him the money and his eyes grow so wide.

"Oh my God, I can't take this" he says, tying to give it back to her.

"Yes you can, don't be silly. Merry Christmas...David" she tells him, finding his name on the badge pinned to his lapel.

"Wow, thank you so much, Miss--"

"Stevie, call me Stevie"

"Merry Christmas, Stevie" he says with a bright smile.

He gets back into the car and she turns to the door, present in hand. She takes a deep breath and knocks softly. She waits a couple minutes then hears the door unlock before it opens.

"Hi, Merry Christmas"

"Merry Christmas" They stand awkwardly in front of each other. "I'm sorry, come in" He stands aside and lets her pass, closing the door behind them.

"Are you alone?" She asks, knowing it was rude of her to ask. "I know it's none of my business..."

"Yeah, I'm alone. Carol and I are, uh, taking a break."

"Ah" she says, nodding. "Um, I brought you this" She extends the gift out in front of her, holding it in her small delicate hands.

"For me?" She nods. "Steph, you didn't have to"

"I wanted to, Linds. Open it" She urges and he takes it gently from her hands.

"Before I do, would you like something to drink? I can take your coat, you just make yourself at home." Lindsey says. He places the present on the coffee table and takes her coat from her, hanging it up in the hall closet. Beneath the coat she is wearing a dark red dress with a high neck and long sleeves, black tights and black suede platform boots. Her necklaces clipped about her throat are a jumble of different metal tones and styles but she could always make things like that work. Placing her bag on the floor, she sat down on the couch and he went to put the kettle on for tea. She crossed her legs, waiting for his return. She spotted his record collection across the room and decided to be nosy.

"Hmm..." she sighs, leafing through his vinyls, all in pristine condition. "The Rolling Stones, Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell...all the usual suspects" she says aloud, talking to herself per usual. "Oh!" She stops, finding a Holiday Collection. She pulls the record gently from its sleeve and dust cover, placing it oh so softly on the turntable. She places the needle down and the music fills the house.

I really can't stay (but baby, it's cold outside)
I've got to go away (but baby, it's cold outside)

This evening has been (been hoping that you'd drop in)
So very nice (I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice)

My mother will start to worry (beautiful what's your hurry?)
My father will be pacing the floor (listen to the fireplace roar)

"I see you couldn't help yourself!" He says with a chuckle, startling her.

"My goodness, you scared me!" She says, turning to face him.

"I'm sorry" he says, putting the tea down. "How about a dance to make it up to you?"

"You don't like dancing" She says.

"Call it my Christmas present to you since I didn't know we were exchanging gifts. I feel awful about it"

"Don't worry about it" She is touching his arm and he places a hand over hers. Warm and familiar. "I think I will take the offer for the dance, if it still stands"

"Of course" He pulls her to him swiftly, an arm firmly around her waist and she giggles at the sudden movement. They sway together in time and she places her head on his chest. Their hands clasp together so perfectly.

I wish I knew how (your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell (i'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)

I ought to say, no, no, no sir (mind if I move in closer?)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried (what's the sense in hurtin' my pride?)

I really can't stay (oh baby don't hold out)
But baby, it's cold outside

I simply must go (but baby, it's cold outside)
The answer is no (but baby, it's cold outside)

Your welcome has been (how lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (look out the window at this dawn)

"Are you staying in LA?" He asks and she looks up, shaking her head.

"No, I'm going home."

"Tell them I said hi"

"I will" she says and they fall back into rhythm with each other, body, mind and soul.

My sister will be suspicious (gosh your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door (waves upon the tropical shore)

My maiden aunts mind is vicious (gosh your lips are delicious)
But maybe just a cigarette more (never such a blizzard before)

I've gotta get home(but baby, you'd freeze out there)
Say lend me a coat(it's up to your knees out there)

You've really been grand (I thrill when you touch my hand)
But don't you see? (how can you do this thing to me?)

There's bound to be talk tomorrow (think of my lifelong sorrow)
At least there will be plenty implied (if you got pnuemonia and died)

I really can't stay (get over that old out)
Baby, it's cold
Baby, it's cold outside

"Thank you" Stevie says, as the song ends.

"My pleasure" He hands her a tea cup and she sips it, closing her eyes to focus on the warmth. "You look so beautiful" he tells her, stroking back a rogue fluffy curl.

"You know, you're the only person I ever believed when they told me that"

"It's been too long since I've said it."

"Yeah..." She sipped her tea again, staring into her cup.

"I didn't mean to--"

"No, it's okay" she says, cutting him off. "So, anyway...open the present. I hope you like it"

He picks up the box and unties the ribbon. She is frozen in anticipation as he unwraps the gift and opens the lid of the box. Inside is a dark colored finished wooden box. Easing it out carefully, he looks up at her. She's biting her lip and he smiles. He notices this pretty wooden box has a lock on it and he quickly finds the key tucked in a tiny envelope. She watches intently as he unlocks it, studying his expression when he realizes it's a music box.

"You don't like it..." she says, sadly. He can hear the tears in her voice and he looks up. "It's a dumb gift. I can take it back"

"Stephanie, stop. I love it"

"You do? You're not just saying that?"

"Am I ever one to waste a lie?" He asks jokingly, and she smiles weakly.

"Well, now I feel stupid" she says, wiping her tears.

"You're not, come here" He pulls her onto his lap and cradled her as he opens the box again.

"Do you recognize the song?"

"How could I not? I wrote it!" He exclaims and she laughs. "Stephanie"

"Stephanie" she repeats. She takes a look at the clock and realizes it's getting quite late. "I better be going"

"Do you have to?" he asks and she nods.

"I promised my parents I'd be there. I need to get some sleep before my flight"

"Alright" he says, nodding. "I wish you could stay"

"Me too" she confesses shyly. He gathers her things for her and joins her at the front door. "This evening was really nice, thank you"

"I hope we can do this again" he tells her and she nods eagerly.

"I think I'd like that"

"Merry Christmas, Stevie"

"Merry Christmas, Linds"

He opens the door for her and to her surprise, the driver was still waiting for her. She shakes her head, smiling.

"I said you didn't have to wait up" she tells the older man.

"But Stevie, how would you have gotten home? Everyone has gone for the night. I couldn't leave you like that"

"You're the sweetest man!" She gets into the car and David shuts the door behind her. She rolls down her window and shouts at Lindsey, seeing he is watching her from the porch. "That music box has a false bottom!"

"Neat!" He yells back and she hangs her head, knowing he didn't understand what she meant. She rolls her window back up and she is taken away into the night.

Lindsey goes back inside to finish his tea and gets ready for bed. He keeps thinking back to what she said and he picks up the music box. "False bottom, huh?" He says to himself, his brow furrowed. He opens it up and the plush interior lifts right out, exposing...paper? He takes out the folded piece of paper, sitting the music box back down. He unfolds it and a small picture falls out. He bends down to pick it up, realizing it's one of Stevie and himself on their first official date. He smiles, running his fingers over their faces in the worn photo. After a few minutes, he remembers the piece of paper that now lay abandoned on the coffee table. It's a letter! He reads over the words again and again, his smile getting bigger and bigger with each pass. He folds it back up, and rushes to the phone. It rings and rings and he's certain he's missed her. Tears begin to fall down his face as he tries one last time and this time she answers right away.

"I still love you too" he says, before she can answer and he hears her familiar infectious giggle.

"Oh good, you did understand! I was so worried you wouldn't get it!" She says finally.

"Well, I was curious, you piqued my interest. I went to investigate and I found your letter. My god, Stephanie, I didn't know..."

"I always have and I always will"

"Will you say it to me? I really wanna hear you say it"

"I love you, Lindsey. You will always have my heart. Forever and ever" Tears are streaming down her face.

"You have no idea how happy that makes me" he tells her, sniffling. He wipes his tears roughly with the back of his hand and laughs. "Please come back to my house" he says.

"I can't. The car left and he said the services all over the city are closed for the night. I'm sorry" She desperately wants to get to him but knows it's impossible. She wants to feel him, touch him, look into his eyes. He still loves her and she loves him.

"Can I come see you?"

"You can" she begins, wiping her tears away and willing herself to stop crying. "But I think I have a better idea"

"What's that?" He asks.

"Come home with me, for Christmas. My mother and father would love to see you. They ask about you all the time"

"They do?"

"They do"

"Okay...yeah, I'd love to"

"You mean it?"

"Let me throw a bag together and I can be there"

"See you soon. I love you" she says.

He smiles. "I love you too, Stephanie. Forever" They hang up and he pulls a small piece of luggage from the closet and tosses toiletries, clothes and other miscellaneous items into it. He tosses it into the backseat of his car and speeds to meet her.

She can't get the door open fast enough, both nervous and excited. As soon as she sees him, she jumps into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. "I love you" she tells him, looking straight in his eyes. He drops his bag, holding onto her tightly so she doesn't fall.

"I love you too." He says. He looks up briefly, noticing something hanging over his head. "Mistletoe" he says, pointing upward.

"Yep" she agrees, biting her lip.

"I guess I better kiss you then, it's a Christmas law." He tells her, drawn in by her radiance so much that he can't possibly look away now.

"Yeah, I guess you'd better"

He looks from her eyes to her mouth and back again before capturing her lips, giving her the most passionate kiss she has had in a very long time. They stumble inside, slamming the door, hands groping frantically. Their kisses become urgent, feverish and hungry. "I missed you so much" Lindsey says, pulling apart slightly.

"I missed you too"

"Merry Christmas" he says, taking her upstairs and laying her down on the bed.

"Merry Christmas" she says breathlessly, pulling him down on top of her with a firm grip on his belt loops.

The End

A/N: sorry for any mistakes. There was an open request for BuckinghamNicks Christmas one shots and I thought this would be fun! Let me know what you think! Merry Christmas 🎄