Where I Belong

Part 6

"Of course I'm going to be there!" Lindsey accepted the invitation without even having to think about it. "Can I help with anything? Do you need me to bring something?"

"No, don't worry about it." Callie replied. "We've got it, but thanks. Just come alone if that's possible. I wouldn't want anyone to ruin such a special evening."

He wished. "Yeah, we'll see about that."

"Gotta run. Jack's finished with dinner. I'll see you soon, dad, I love you."

"Love you too, sweetheart."

Lindsey almost dropped his phone at the sound of Kristen's voice. He didn't realize she'd come into the room. How much did she hear? He hoped, she didn't hear the part where Callie asked him not to bring Kristen with him.

"Who were you on the phone with?" Kristen asked.

Lindsey looked back over his shoulder. "Who do you think?" He turned his head back straight, rolling his eyes.

"What did you talk about?" Kristen walked around the couch and sat down, leaving a gap between her and Lindsey.

"Callie's having a gender reveal party." Even if he wanted to, Lindsey couldn't keep it to himself. "It's not really a party, just family and a few of her closest friends."

"Oh, so I guess, I'm not invited then."

Exactly, Lindsey thought. "Well, you're my wife, so..." 

"When is it?" The last thing Kristen wanted to do was hang out with Lindsey's daughter and his ex, but she was not going to let him go by himself either.

"Uhh, next Thursday." Lindsey answered, praying that she was busy on that particular day.

Kristen's eyebrows shot up, confusing Lindsey. "And you said, you'll be there?"

"Yeah." Lindsey nodded, still lost as to why she was clearly overreacting. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Next Thursday." Kristen repeated, giving him a minute and a chance to remember what that day was. When he failed to respond, she spoke up again. "Lindsey, it's our wedding anniversary."

Shit!

"You forgot." Kristen stated, arms folded over her chest. "I can't believe you! Do I seriously matter so little to you? Lindsey, I'm your wife!"

 "I'm sorry! I'm sorry, okay?" He repeated. "There's a lot going on and I- yeah, I forgot our anniversary and I'm sorry." There was no point in trying to come up with a lie.

"You're going to call back and say that you can't go, right?" Kristen wasn't asking, she was telling him that that was what he should do. "Lindsey?"

"She's my daughter, Kristen." Lindsey said. "It's my grandchild we're talking about here." Maybe she'd understand. It was a valid reason, wasn't it?

She hated being reminded about it. Her husband was not supposed to be becoming a grandfather any time soon. "And? I'm your-"

"Wife, yeah." Lindsey sighed. "We can celebrate another day." He suggested. "We can go away for the weekend if you like, do something fun just the two of us."

"No." Kristen shook her head. "I don't want to do anything on any other day!" She disagreed. "Are you really choosing her over me?"

"Callie is my daughter." Lindsey reminded yet again. "There is no choice between you and her. Whether you like it or not, I will always pick Callie over you."

In total disbelief, Kristen got up to make some much needed space between them. "Are you going because Stevie's going to be there too? Is that what this is all about?"

"Oh my God!" Lindsey exclaimed. "You obviously haven't heard a single word I said! Why do you always have to bring Stevie into our arguments? I haven't even mentioned her!"

"Well, if you dropped your lovey-dovey shit, maybe I wouldn't have to keep bringing her up. Ever thought of that?" Kristen asked with a shrug of her shoulders. 

"I'm not having this conversation again." Lindsey held up his hand, standing up too. "Think whatever the hell you want." He was on his way out, however, he stopped to add. "Again, I apologize for being such a shit husband, but I'm not changing my mind, Kristen." He said, shaking his head, and when she just stared at him, saying nothing back, Lindsey turned to leave the room.

As Lindsey was on his way to his studio, he wondered just how much his forgetfulness was going to cost him.

~

AN: I'd say it's a safe bet that Mrs. Buckingham will definitely be unavailable.