The Deal

December 2014 - 1

"Are you going to tell me what you're doing?"

Kristen stood in the doorway of their bedroom, not really understanding what was happening there. Her husband had just gotten back home, after finishing the first leg of Fleetwood Mac's world tour, and instead of unpacking he seemed to be packing.

"I think you know what I'm doing." He didn't even look up as he spoke, going into the closet without another word.

Shaking her head, Kristen couldn't help but roll her eyes. She had been finding Lindsey coming back home in various states over the years. Usually it had been exhausted - even though he would never confess that. Or he had been glad that he was back home. Yes, he needed a couple of days, sometimes one or two weeks, to unwind, but after that, they were back to lead the perfect family life, she had always wanted.

Ever since she had left for LA the life she lead now had been what she wanted to achieve. A husband, who ideally earned enough money so she didn't need to work, a nice house, children, and a dog. All she had wanted was what every girl in her hometown had been dreaming of, what most of her friends from years ago were most likely still dreaming of. But she had it all, things were good. And one of Lindsey's moods were not going to destroy that.

"Honey..." She tried, but stopped when seeing his shoulders tighten.

"What?" He finally turned around, finding her leaning against yet another doorway.

"Okay, I get it, you want some time."

Years of living with Lindsey Buckingham had taught her when to relent. Kristen knew the signs when it was better to back off and leave him alone, just to avoid a screaming fit, or him storming out of the house and into his home studio. She had studied him, adapted well to everything that he wanted in her. Over the last fourteen years, nearly fifteen, she reminded herself, she had become the perfect wife, whenever her husband had been home, or on tour.

She had learned to look away when Lindsey seemed too close to Stevie on stage, or during interviews. When listening to his latest solo record, she had been boiling on the inside. But she had smiled at him, telling him she loved it, when in reality she had wanted to burn the whole thing. She had wanted to scream at him that he had made his choice, that he had married her, not Stevie, and that he should finally get over her. She had given him everything, while the woman he was still pining after had pushed him away, time and time again. But that wouldn't have done her marriage any good, so she had taken it with a smile.

"I'll be at the stables for a while." Kristen informed him, even though she didn't think he really cared for that.

And it didn't. Lindsey didn't even acknowledge what she had told him.

If he was honest, he was glad she had left him alone. He couldn't help but roll his eyes at her last words. That woman was supposed to be happy that he had come back home after months of being on the road. Not that he really cared if she was happy or not that he was back.

All she seemed to care about nowadays was her dogs, her horses, and her so called design business. Lindsey had long since lost count over how many times he had needed to bite his tongue to keep from laughing where his wife was concerned. The things she had in her shop, the way she sometimes dressed, it all reminded him about Stevie.

He didn't know if it was to keep him, or to remind him about what he had given up. What Stevie had made him give up for the time being. But that was soon to be over. But from the way Kristen had reacted, he doubted that she was still very much aware of what they had once agreed on. After all, they had a deal.