Stevie was still feeling out of sorts almost a week later. The thing she noticed more than anything else was how tired she was. She tried to make it a point to go to bed a little earlier and fully wind down before bed so she would sleep through the night. Nothing was really helping. The morning of the craft show was a difficult one. She felt like she was running on empty, even after having several cups of coffee that made her more jittery than anything else. She wasn't sure how she would make it through the day let alone that night when her paintings were going to be shown in a local but well known gallery. Both she and Lindsey would be in attendance as there would be party in her honor. She got dressed for the first event of the day, did her makeup, curled her hair and pulled on her boots. Lindsey had decided at the last minute to come with her and she welcomed the help. She had so much to set up and was really hoping to get it done as quickly as possible.

They pulled the Jeep up to the convention center's service entrance and Lindsey helped her unload her totes and unwrap the breakables. It took seemingly forever and they both worked up a little bit of a sweat. Lindsey opened a bottle of water and shared it with her. She looked pale again and he pressed a kiss to her temple and rubbed her back.

"Are you still not feeling well?" he asked.

"I have no idea what's going on. I'm going to ignore it and just enjoy the day."

"Alright, I will leave you alone about it."

"Thank you" She got up slowly, her head pounding as if she's had too much to drink. She could feel the familiar unsettled feeling grow in the pit of her stomach but she managed to keep it at bay for most of the day. She kept herself busy, constantly talking to people in a group in front of her booth and her sales were going well. She excused herself for a moment leaving Lindsey to tend the booth.

She had been gone for nearly a half hour when he began to worry. Still, he sat in his seat, waiting for her to come back thinking she might have been caught by a friend. It seemed as if she knew everyone, everywhere she went. He always liked that about her, she was a magnet or a flame that would draw everything to her. She dazzled in a crowd. He spoke to a few women about her work as they approached her table. He finally spotted Stevie coming toward him and she sat next to him without a word until the women had left.

"Thank you for taking care of the booth for me. I'm sorry I was gone for so long."

"Are you okay?" he asked and she shook her head.

"To be honest, I feel terrible."

"Maybe we shouldn't go tonight"

"I have to. My work is being shown, the party is for me. I can't just not show up."

"I know. I just think it's a bad idea."

"Why don't we wrap up here and I promise I will rest when I get home. Is that a deal?"

"Okay, deal" he said kissing her cheek. "I hate that you feel so horrible."

"It's okay" she said. He helped her load everything back up and it didn't take nearly as long to close up as it did to open. He drove her back to the house and drew her a bath so she could relax for a while. He took care of the kids and made lunch for Stevie's parents. They all sat in the kitchen chatting and having a great time, Stevie could hear them from the bathroom and smiled to herself as she sunk down into the bubbles. Her iPod was set up in the dock and she was listening to a playlist Lindsey had made for her. The Weepies weren't a usual choice but she particularly liked this song. She found herself humming along as she bathed herself, feeling much better than she did just an hour ago.

I went to the market
though it was threatening rain
I was late to the station
so I missed that train
And the streets filled with umbrellas
and we all looked the same
But I'm the one who's waiting
'til the sun comes out again

I was made for sunny days
I made do with grey, but I didn't stay
I was made for sunny days
And I was made for you

"Aww that's sweet" she says aloud, listening to the words. She began washing her hair, working up a rich lather.

Found a book you gave me
When we were first in bloom
When I thought that you might save me
from the dark side of the moon
Instead we both went walking
through the shadows and the gloom
And we never did stop talking
And you still light up the room

Oh, the nights are longer
Oh, you make me stronger
And the late light lingers on the grass
And the nights are dark but then they pass
They don't seem so deep
I'm still losing sleep but I don't mind,
no I don't mind

She quickly found herself in tears for no reason. Was she really getting that emotional over this song? She rinsed her hair and applied conditioner, leaving it to really soak in for a while.

Got you a winter jacket
that our baby wears around
And we chase him through the springtime
and the sleeves drag on the ground
And every hour we're working
and work and play are bound
And every day is Sunday
'cause the sun comes dancing down

She finished her bath and rinsed her hair. She carefully got out of the tub, towel dried her hair and body and slipped on a robe. Lindsey came into their room to check on her, kissing her wet hair as she moisturized her skin in the mirror.

"You look like you're feeling a little better"

"I do. Thank you for everything"

"I didn't do anything"

"You did. You brought me home and took care of me, the kids, and my parents."

"You didn't feel good and since you're so set on going tonight, I figured I'd at least try to make you feel up to entertaining"

"I appreciate it. Thank you, Lindsey" she says, kissing his lips softly.

"I love you"

"I love you too"

------

Stevie wore a long black dress and heels, her hair pinned back on one side and falling into soft curls. She wore dark eye make up with a deep red lip and Lindsey hadn't been able to keep his eyes off her all night. The party was in full swing and Stevie was taking tiny sips from a glass of champagne. She had been holding onto it for over an hour without much movement of the liquid. Lindsey whispered something into her ear and led her out onto a large glass balcony. The lights of the city below looked like millions of candles from up there and it was a magical sight. She looked over the railing, breathing in the night air. The breeze blew her hair back ever so slightly and she looked so beautiful. Now was his moment. He pulled the small box out of his pocket once again, as he had tried to do for days now. He took a deep breath and spoke her name into the darkness. She turned to face him, a glowing halo falling around her. She was radiant, her pale skin illuminated from within.

"You look so beautiful tonight" he told her.

"Thank you. You look handsome too"

"Thank you. I uh..."

"Why are you so nervous?" she asked, smiling and stroking his face.

"Stephanie, I...baby, I'm so fucking in love with you it hurts to be without you. I know it's only been six months but these past 20 years have been the best of my life. I found myself with you, I grew up with you...you gave me my kids and I'm so incredibly lucky to know you and call you mine." He got down on one knee before her and she started to cry. He took her hand in his, kissing her knuckles. He let go briefly to remove the ring from the box. "Will you marry me?" he asked. She was shaking and he ran his thumb over the back of her hand to soothe her. "Be my wife again."

She looked deep into his eyes, tears continuing to flow down her cheeks. A million thoughts ran through her mind and she couldn't speak. He stared at her expectantly. She exhaled, not realizing she had been holding her breath. She opened her mouth and Lindsey's lips began to curl into a smile.

"No" she said softly and everything stopped.