Stevie's first weeks on tour were harder than she expected. Being away from her daughter was torture, especially not knowing what was going on with the band in her absence and all of the meetings Lindsey was attending without her. He did his best to call her every night she was away but it wasn't so easy. Sometimes she would be out or already asleep when he tried to call up to her room.

Things back home were not much easier, Lindsey fought tooth and nail to finish production himself. Finally Mick allowed it and Lindsey wrapped it up quickly. It was finally ready for release. He knew that would cause a lot more problems down the line as up next would be talk of promotion by way of a tour. He and Stevie still spoke about it often and he didn't want to tell the band they were out without her. He wanted to look like the united front they were. He had secretly been tweaking some of Stevie's demos to create an album of their own, at their own pace and they were sounding so great. He was careful not to let anything slip to the others, not even Christine, as she would most likely tell John and John would tell Mick. When the couple left, Lindsey wanted it to be first hand news, right from the horse's mouth.

---

Arabella went to bed early and Lindsey turned on the tv for a little background noise. It was strange without Stevie around. She was always singing, dancing or at the very least talking herself through the day and after Arabella went down, it was too quiet. He never thought in his life that he would deem time to himself a bad thing. He looked at the clock and realized she should be off stage by now. He missed her terribly and he was dying to talk to her.

He dialed the number she had given him in a rush the night before and waited as it rang. The front desk picked up, and he quickly told them who he was looking for, a Miss Kay in the penthouse suite. He smiled as the man quickly connected him.

"Hello" she said, her voice hoarse.

"Hey, baby"

"Oh, Lindsey! Oh my gosh, I missed you so much! I'm so happy you're calling me! It's so nice to hear your voice!" she said practically all in one breath and he laughed. Her tone was instantly more chipper when she realized who was on the line. "So please tell me, how are you, how's the band? How's Arabella? Does she miss me? Is she eating well? Is she being a good girl?"

"Whoa-whoa-whoa! Wait a minute!"

She giggled on the other end of the line and she took a breath. "I'm sorry. I just feel like we haven't really spoken in forever. I have so much to tell you but I need you so tell me all of that first."

"Alright. So Arabella is doing amazing! Of course she misses you but I talk about you all the time and she's very enthusiastic. I don't know where she gets it from!" he said with a smirk. "She's eating very well, getting so big, and she's been such a good girl. She's talking so much now. It's really taken off."

"Can I talk to her?"

"No, she's asleep but maybe in the morning I can call you again?"

"I'm leaving early tomorrow for the next city. I don't like this, Lindsey. I want to come home."

"I know, baby, but you're doing great. The reviews are raving!"

"Really?"

"Yes, honey"

"Okay." She sounded disappointed so he changed the subject.

"I'm doing great, our songs are sounding incredible, when I have time to work on them, and things with the band are kind of settled for now. The album is ready for release, it got the green light from the label so it's only a matter of time."

"Do the others know?" she asked.

"Know what?"

"About us?" she said in almost a whisper.

"Well, we've been married for years, sweetheart. I don't think we are much of a secret considering we have a rambunctious little girl running in the studio at times."

"You know what I mean" She laughed and he was glad he could take some of the worry away from her, if even for a moment.

"No, I haven't said a thing. I'm waiting for you."

"Oh good..."

"You don't seem like you want to tell them now"

"No, it's not that, I'm just nervous. I feel physically sick just thinking about facing them and saying, 'I know we've held up production and dragged the album out for over two years but we're out and you have to find a new guitarist and singer...also, we're taking our songs'."

"We won't do it like that. Just relax. Finish up your shows and we can tackle this later."

"I worry about it constantly. I know once it's over it will be a lot better but until then, I will be driving myself crazy"

"I know. Try to be strong, put on a great show then come home to the baby and I." She smiled and twirled the telephone cord around her finger tip. "So what was it you wanted to say? You said you had so much to tell me about."

"I think it's best to do it when I get home."

"Are you sure? I have time to talk."

"I know, but is kind of important and it's not really a phone conversation."

"Okay, honey."

"I'm sorry to cut this short but I've got to go. I love you and I can't wait to see both of you as soon as I land in LA."

"We can't wait to see you either. We love you too. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Lindsey hung up the phone and sat with his chin on his fist. Distance was not a friend of his, especially when he would do just about anything to have her home again.