Sacrifice

Be honest

The conversation Stevie just had with Lindsey was a little too much for her and it was hard controlling her emotions. Although, she had to. Robert was to come home any minute and she didn't want to be questioned. She went to the bathroom downstairs and splashed cold water on her face, but her eyes gave everything away. She sighed, walking out and she saw her husband back already.

"What was Buckingham doing here? He drove by me, so I know he was here." He added. "And why were you crying?"

"He just wanted to hear it from me that I'm leaving." 

"What did you tell him?"

"Just what do you think I fucking told him?" Stevie yelled, throwing her hands in the air. 

"Why the tears?"

"Maybe because I'm walking out from something I've been the most proud of my whole life?"

"Didn't you choose yourself?"

"You didn't leave me much choice, Robert. You're a huge part of me and I don't want to throw that away. I love you and divorce is the last thing I want."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? I just told you."

"You never give me any good reason for anything, it's always simply, because I love you, Robert."

"Well, I do. I'm your wife, I don't know how that is surprising to you."

"You know, I was driving around and it dawned on me. The real reason why you don't want us to separate is because everything would be out in the open then. That you're Stevie Nicks, but your husband still walked out on you, that he cheated on you with some twenty seven year old and got her pregnant. Now, that would be embarrassing, wouldn't it?" She fell silent. "So, it's true?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm just shocked you're willing to give up the band! Or maybe you were planning on leaving anyway and this all worked out perfectly for you?"

"That is a load of crap."

"No, I don't think it is. I think I hit the hammer right on the fucking head."

"You're wrong, I don't want our marriage to fail, because we made a promise to each other."

"Tell me..." He walked up, towering over her. "Tell me you're in love with me. Don't tell me that you love me, but that you're in love with me."

"I..."

"Or better yet, I want to make love to you." He took her by the hand, leading their way to the bedroom. "Mmm, my beautiful wife. Nothing I love more than to be with you like this." He kissed her and she did her part perfectly kissing him back. "You want me, honey? Huh? Say it."

"I want to make love to you." She forced it out, letting him lay her down on the bed. At least he was gentle about this. 

"That didn't sound convincing at all, sweetheart." He brushed her hair away, kissing her neck, undoing the buttons of her blouse. He was kissing her chest, then went lower, kissing across her stomach and back up again, capturing her lips. "Who could ever say you're going to be sixty five years old, Stephanie. My my, you've kept yourself well." 

She knew this was a huge act, never had he in their twenty years spoke to her like that. They never talked much while having sex ever anyway, the best she could put it was 'just getting over with it' in their later years of marriage. 

"Touch me, baby... Didn't you hear me?"

She swallowed uneasily, bringing her hand in between them and felt him already hard. She unzipped his jeans, freeing him and began slowly stroking him. 

"Oh yeah, just like that..." He grunted. "That's my good girl." He said, giving her a quick kiss. "Fuck..." She was going entirely too slow for his liking, so he started thrusting into her hand himself. 

She felt tears spring to her eyes and she shook her head, pushing at his shoulders. "No, I can't. I just can't!" 

He was naturally left frustrated, but he got his point across the way he wanted to, as he sat, adjusting his clothes. "Now tell me I was wrong again."

"Fine! Yes, you're absolutely right. This is the last thing I want people to know about me, that I wasn't enough for my husband. I would be okay if it was someone who you knew for a long time, someone you cared for and you loved her, but this is the first girl you laid eyes on, Robert!"

"You mean, like you care for and love Lindsey?"

"Yes, like I care for and love Lindsey!" Stevie clamped a hand over her mouth, realizing what she just said.

"This is good, let's get it all out! So, how long have you been fucking him then?" 

"I was honest saying I've never cheated on you."

"Being in love with someone else isn't cheating? Think what you want, but I do love you and Heather, like you said, was just some girl, but now hearing you say that you always loved another man hurts me pretty fucking bad."

"And I was just overjoyed when I found out you couldn't keep your dick in your pants and were fucking around?!"

"I know you weren't, but this is different, when there are no feelings involved." Robert argued. "Be honest, were you ever in love with me? Why did you marry me?"

"Of course I was and that's why I married you. But it didn't last for long..." Stevie admitted, hugging herself around the middle as she looked away. "I quickly realized that there's just no other man for me, that no matter how hard I tried, there was only place in my heart for one man."

"Twenty years, Stevie. We've wasted twenty fucking years of each other's lives..."

"You were good to me, most of the time. And I wouldn't change a thing, if I could do it all over again, I would still marry you, I don't regret it, because some thing always kept Lindsey and I apart. If not for you, the last two decades I would have spent alone and nobody wants to be alone."

"Does he know how you feel?"

"No. I don't know... I haven't told him anything. We haven't been romantic in any way since I've met you."

They were both silent for a moment, before Robert asked. "Where does this leave us?"

"You hurt me just as much as I hurt you. And we're clearly not happy together anymore."

"No, we're not. I can't go on this way, Stevie."

She shook her head, sighing. "No, I can't either."

"I promise to keep the Heather story a secret."

"Are we really..." She didn't know how to finish, facing him. "Does this mean, we're..."

"I think that yes."

"We're... divorcing?" She voiced it, suddenly the whole thing becoming very real.

"We are."