The Pact

1

"Hey, Steves, it's me." Karen said letting herself in.
"Hey, sweetie. Thanks for coming over and helping me." Stevie said taking her in a quick hug.
"The movers are supposed to be here in a few minutes. I figure I'd have them start in the basement and work their way up."
Stevie sighed and wiped her forehead.
"You're stressed, I can tell."
"I haven't been this stressed since the last Fleetwood tour." Stevie said sarcastically. This is exactly why I retired."
Karen laughed.
They were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Ugh it must be the movers." Stevie walked over to the door. "Hi guys. Everything should be packed up in boxes that are labeled. You can start in the basement. Thanks!"
About 10 men came through the door way and began frantically moving about Stevie's house.
She followed them down to the basement.
"Please be careful with the stuff in my recording studio!"
Karen came walking down behind her sensing she was on edge.
"Stevie, why don't you go up the bedroom and make sure everything is ready up there. I'll take care of everything down here."
"Karen are you sure?"
"Yes Stevie of course, go lay down or something, you're so tense!"
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Stevie walked into her room flipping the light on, she sighed. So many memories were made here. So many songs were written here, so many tears were cried here, so much love was made here. She sat down on the bed, now nothing but a mattress. No silk sheets, no satin pillowcases, no velvet blanket. It wasn't her bed anymore. She sat down at the foot of the bed, her eyes scanning the room, soaking it in one last time. She looked down and something caught her eye. She bent down to take a closer look, the corner of a white envelope was sticking out between the bed frame and the mattress. She slowly pulled it out and examined it, turning it over. It was unmarked. She racked her brain trying to figure out what was inside the little white envelope and then all of the sudden it hit her. She carefully opened it up, pulling out the paper inside.

July 1997

Lindsey took a deep breath and reached his hand out to knock on the door. His heart was beating out of his chest, sweat built up around his forehead but he was ready for this.
"Come in." He heard a voice say from the depths of the house.
He slowly opened up the front door, shut it behind him and removed his shoes. His eyes scanned around. He spotted her in the living room sitting in a chair. He began to make his way over to her.
"Thank you for coming Linds."
He sat down in a chair across from her.
"Thanks for inviting me. This is really important to me Stevie."
Her lips arched in a slight smile.
"God where do we start?" Stevie asked laughing nervously.
Lindsey chuckled, "Here I'll start."
There was a short silence as Lindsey began trying to figure out how to get out the words.
"I guess I should start with I'm sorry. God Stevie I'm sorry for everything, and I know it's not even sufficient, but I am truly. I'm sorry for how I treated you. I was a self-centered, controlling, misogynistic asshole- and I could go on. I was so jealous of you, after we broke up it killed me to see you move on, to be successful, be with other men. I was fucking rude and cold to you. I wasn't supportive of you during some of your hardest times, I'm so sorry. The drugs, the alcohol, my ego got the best of me, and it's not an excuse but it's the truth. I was so immature and stupid, I'm so ashamed of my behavior. I burned so many bridges and hurt so many of those I love, including you."
"Linds." Stevie was kind of taken aback, for the first time Lindsey was actually owning up to his actions. She looked into his eyes, he had changed. "I'm sorry too Lindsey. I held so much resentment toward you. I did things out of spite and frustration. I tried to make you jealous, I knew exactly what to do to set you off. We were always in constant competition with one another, I didn't care what I had to do to be first. I said things I didn't mean, and I wish so badly I could take them back. I wanted to hurt you like you hurt me. My biggest regret is us, and how we ended."
Lindsey looked up. Even his eyes were different, they were still intense, but also gentle and kind.
"I would like to make amends Steves, I mean if you want to."
Stevie couldn't help but smile, it had been too long since he had called her that.
"I would very much like that Linds."
Lindsey reached his hand out to Stevie and she grabbed it tight.
"I don't expect you let your guard down and trust me right away, I want to earn back your trust. I know it's going to take time."
Stevie nodded. "I've missed you so much. Not just you physically but YOU. When you were on drugs you were a totally different person. I was too..."
"I know Stevie, I know. I didn't even recognize myself. I've changed, and I want to show you that."
"I would love nothing more." Stevie gave his hand a squeeze.
Stevie and Lindsey spent the night catching up. The more they talked the more Stevie saw the real Lindsey. The Lindsey who was witty and charming, passionate and intellectual. By this time Stevie had the fireplace going, it was dark. The ember light illuminated the silhouettes as they now accompanied each other on her couch.
"So Linds... Are you seeing anyone?" It had been the question Stevie had been dying to ask.
Lindsey laughed and scratched his head. "Uh- no, I am not. Are you?"
"Oh no, you know me, my music is my love. I don't have the time for any of that."
"You really haven't changed have you?"Lindsey said laughing. "But Steves... Don't you long for someone to share your life with?"
There was a long silence.
"I just figured that after all of my failed love attempts maybe it was a sign that I was to be eternally single." She tried to lighten the mood.
"But aren't you lonely? Don't you crave human touch, affection?"
She paused again, deeply pondering his question. Her answer was yes, but after happened with Lindsey she vowed never to let a man get that close to her. He hurt her so bad, she never wanted to feel like that again.
"I have an idea..." Stevie said picking up a pen and pad of paper. "Let's make a pact."
Lindsey looked at her, mesmerized by her disheveled hair and eccentricity.
"What are you suggesting Nicks?" Lindsey said raising a brow.
"I propose that on my 60th birthday if we both are still single, not married, no kids, we'll get together."
"Get together? You mean like get married?"
"Yes Linds, get married! What do you say?"
Lindsey didn't even have to think.
"I gladly accept your proposition."
"Really?" Stevie asked.
"Really." Lindsey smiled.
Stevie took the pen and paper and began scribbling down a rough contract: I Stephanie Nicks and I Lindsey Buckingham do declare that if the two listed individuals are not yet wed by the night of May 26th, 2008 the two listed individuals must be required to take the other's hand in marriage.
"Okay. Here. Look it over and sign." Lindsey took the pad of paper from her and his eyes ran it over. He took the pen and signed his name at the bottom. Stevie did the same and then put it in a white envelope, sealed it, and put it in safe keeping.