Stevie has just picked up probably more canvases than she needs but she wants to make sure she has enough. She has been so inspired lately and she is constantly in need of supplies. A kind man helps her load them into her deep purple Jeep SUV and she heads down the road. The closer she gets to home, the better she feels. A mixture of joy and relief washes over her as she leaves the tall buildings and concrete of the city behind in favor of big open blue skies, a long dirt road and cacti. She passes the crystalline waters of her manmade lake, smiling and waving at the horses playing in the dust as she makes her way through the gates.

Her desert haven lay before her and it stuns her every time. She is blessed to call the horseshoe shaped (for luck) pink stucco house with a terra-cotta roof and exposed beams home. There is a huge deck at the back of the house, a large pool and grotto sanctuary, a court yard and a fully-glass structure she uses as a studio for painting. Her house is her dream and she shares it with those she loves the most.

She giggles a little as she bumps down the road, not quite used to it after all these years. Her hidden-fractal crystal creates rainbows as it swings wildly, suspended from the rear view mirror by suede cord. The miniature dream catcher that hangs there as well, chimes a clumsy tune that clashes with the music on the radio. She comes to an abrupt stop before getting to the garage, nearly forgetting to press the button to make it open.

"That could have been messy" she says to herself, knowing she'd hear all about it when she gets inside had she run through it...again. She turns off the car and slams the door, skipping her way up the few steps into the house.

"You're back!" Her curly-haired housemate says, giving her a little peck on the lips.

"Hey you!" She says. "Where are the kids?"

"Doing god knows what" He replies.

"Lindsey..."

"Okay, okay. They're at a friend's house but they should be back in a couple minutes."

"Cool"

"So how'd it go? Get everything you needed?"

"Yes! And then some" she laughs, shaking her hair down from the bun piled on top of her head. She adjusts her black tube top, and kicks off her boots, making it so her skirt nearly touches the floor.

"Do you need some help bringing it in?"

"That would be great, thank you"

"No problem" he says. "Dinner is in the oven, I followed all of your instructions to a tee"

"Awesome job"

"Thanks! I'm a little hungry, want a sandwich before you go back to work?"

"That would be perfect"

She takes a seat at the counter and watches him make them each a quick sandwich. He plates them and sets hers in front of her.

"Water, juice, tea?"

"Tea"

"Camomile?"

"Hmm...maybe the lemon mint"

"Ooh, branching out!"

"Shush, I'm just already tired. I don't need to be falling asleep at 4 in the afternoon"

"Why? You used to sleep almost that long"

"That was before we had the twins." Stevie said. "Many, many, many moons ago"

"That's true." He says, preparing her drink. He pours hot water into her cup and loads her steeper with loose leaf tea. "There you go, honey"

"Wow, I feel like a princess"

"You are" he says, kissing her temple.

"Why weren't you like this when we were married?" She jokes.

"After all these years, this old dog finally learned some new tricks"

"I'm so very lucky to have you"

"Not as lucky as I am to have you" he tells her and she smiles. They hear the door open and the ruckus makes them jump. "And not nearly as lucky as I am to have them"

"Mama! You're home! Did you get any goodies?" Their tall brunette daughter asks. Her big blue eyes take her mother's breath away and it takes her a moment to speak.

"Yes, Callie. I have plenty of goodies...I might even be able to share!"

"Oh really? That would be so cool, mom!" Her twelve year old is so very rambunctious, enthusiastic and has the same wild and free spirit of her mother.

"Your father is going to help me bring it all in. After dinner, let's go out to the studio and look at it all"

"Alight!" She pumps her fist in the air. "Thanks!"

"No problem, dear" she told her and Callie passed her to get a glass of water and greet her father. "Dylan, did you have fun?" Stevie asks. Her son is also tall with brilliant blue eyes. He looks just like his father in every way, where as Callie looks like her mother, save for the blue eyes.

"Yeah, it was cool. Sean has a half-pipe so that was cool. Mad air. Gnarly" Stevie nods, unsure what most of that means. Dylan smiles. "In other words, I had a great time. We skated and it was pretty fun."

Stevie laughs, ruffling his shaggy waves. "That's totally awesome, dude"

"Too much, mom" he says, giving her a look.

"Okay" she says. "Any weekend plans, kids?"

"Sara wanted me to ask if she could spend the night Saturday"

"Sara...that's a pretty name" Stevie muses.

"Yeah, but can she come over? Please?" Callie begs.

"Daddy, what do you think?" Stevie looks to Lindsey and he looks back at her, giving her a mischievous smile. "Well?"

"Do all your homework and clean your room. If you do that, then yes"

"You're the best, daddy!" Callie squeals, hugging her father tightly.

"Yes daddy, the very best" Stevie says with a wink.

"Enough" Lindsey tells her and she stifles a laugh. The kids run off to their rooms to do their own thing which is usually listen to music or play video games.

"I'm sorry" Stevie says after their children were out of earshot. "I know that was mean"

"It's okay. You just...wind me up"

"I know. I know that's not how we work anymore"

"You're the one who has a boyfriend, not me"

"I would hope not."

"You know what I mean."

"I do"

"Oh, I needed to ask you. I was going to have a couple of guys from work come to dinner on Wednesday. Are you free?"

"Wednesday? No, I have a date with Brock"

"Can you reschedule?"

She shakes her head. "Honey, he says it's important." Stevie looks teary- eyed and Lindsey touches her hand, moving closer to comfort her. "What if he breaks up with me?"

"I doubt he'd let a girl like you go. Don't think about it that way. Isn't he the heir to something? Maybe someone died"

"Oh hush!" She says, slapping him playfully on the arm. She smiles, though she knows she shouldn't.

"At least you don't look so sad anymore. I will gladly take the abuse"

"You're too sweet"

"I'm here for you, always"

"I appreciate it" she tells him, their faces inches away from each other's now. Before she can do something she regrets, Lindsey moves away sensing the panic in her breathing.

"Um....so that's a no to Wednesday but how about a BBQ Saturday afternoon? Callie's friend will be here, we can have a little wine, turn on some music and just have some fun. You deserve it. You've been working non-stop"

"Says the man who stays in his office drafting plans all day and all night"

"I know. Pot, meet Kettle."

"You work too hard, Lindsey"

"We need the money"

"No we don't. Look at this house, it's huge and it's paid for. Our cars, paid for. Our other little investment properties, paid for and we got them at great prices. Our children don't want for a thing and our horses...they're not complaining in their climate controlled stables."

"I guess you're right"

"I'm always right, you should know that by now"

"And if I don't, you will surely remind me" Lindsey says, knowing he will get another slap. This time he leans into it and it earns him a peck on the cheek.

"You're my best friend, you know that?" Stevie says, her tone becoming serious but soft. She was speaking straight from her heart.

"You're my best friend too."

A/N: I have huge plans for this story but is it interesting? Thank you for reading!