We Didn't Agree To This

More than you will ever know

Breathing out heavily, a smile settled on Lindsey's face, as he simultaneously closed his eyes. It currently was four in the morning and assuring Stevie he could take care of both babies for a while so she could sleep, Lindsey had been trying to do just that. After a long battle, he managed to lull Jamie and Celine, their beautiful baby girl, to sleep. He was exhausted, but he knew Stevie was even worse, so he had to man up and look after their children even if for a few hours. 

Hovering above the cribs for a moment, he made sure the babies were asleep, before sitting down in the rocking chair, pulling up a blanket to his chin. He shifted, attempting to get more comfortable and the chair just barely creaked... 

The Buckingham kids chorus started once again. Jamie's eyes shot open, followed by the showcasing of his capable lungs and that was all it took for Celine to follow her brother's suit.

"You have got to be kidding me..." He murmured to himself, getting out of the rocking chair.

Only a minute later, Lindsey saw Stevie entering the nursery and he opened his mouth to tell her to go back to bed, but she held up her hand, shaking her head. "You need help. Obviously." She emphasized. "Besides, three full hours of sleep with two infants is like a perfectly nice eight hour one without them." She smiled, kissing him on the cheek, before tending to her baby girl. Celine instantly stopped crying, once she was in her mother's arms, causing Lindsey to stare, mouth agape. "Well, she's certainly a Mommy's girl."

"But I tried for so long."

Stevie just shrugged her shoulders, as she rocked their daughter, seeing that Jamie also quietened down. "Let's go back to bed." Stevie said and Lindsey didn't object, suddenly, desperately wanting to lie down.

They both sighed at the same time, once they got in bed, laughing lightly. Parenthood was certainly not easy, but it also brought a lot of joy. It was a hard decision to make, but definitely the right one, when they decided to become parents to Jamie as well. Just the tiniest glimpse of a smile on the boy's face every time made it worth it.

Jamie was situated in between Stevie and Lindsey, while Celine was already snoozing, lying on her father's chest. Stevie turned on her side, taking the sight in. She smiled to herself, thinking what a long way they had come.

"Have you ever had the slightest idea that this is where we would be two years later, after that first time we got introduced to each other?" Stevie asked.

"Most definitely I had not." Lindsey shook his head, making small circles across his girl's back. "This was... this was meant to be like a business deal or something - purely a publicity stunt. We were supposed to stay married for a couple of months and after that, we go our own way. But... it didn't take me very long to actually start liking you. I mean, you're beautiful, you're fun, you're talented. What's there more I could have asked for?"

"What made you realize that you liked me?"

"Uh, well... Every time Don Henley had walked through the front door, I wanted to push him right out through it."

Chuckling, Stevie said. "It seems then, it wasn't much different for me. God... The first time Carol and I came face to face, I instantly decided I didn't like her. At first, I told myself that it was just her personality or lack there of." Lindsey raised an eyebrow, facing Stevie, but she shrugged again. "It's true. Anyway. Then I realized that it's not because of that. It's because she gets to be all over you."

"Oh, so you wanted to be all over me?" He smirked, teasing.

"Well, of course." She nodded, trying to keep a serious face. "I thought it was stupid, I didn't believe that people could fall for each other so quickly."

"Neither did I, baby. Looking back on it, this fake marriage, only at first of course, might have been the best decision I have ever made in life, when I agreed to it. Because God knows, I thought it was fuc-, I thought it was stupid." Lindsey stopped himself, minding the children, even though they obviously didn't understand yet. 

"I thought it was stupid, too. But the fact you're so handsome, made it a lot easier for me to agree to it." Stevie joked, well, not completely, as she reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his.

"I should have known you're with me only for my looks." Lindsey fake pouted for a moment, before he smiled again, soothing his thumb over her skin. Her eyes filled with tears, as she looked down, trying to hide them from him. "What's the matter, Steph?"

Wiping the tears away quickly, she shook her head, saying. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I'm just so happy, Lindsey. You and our babies make me so happy."

"The feeling is mutual, babe." Lindsey smiled lovingly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm so thankful to have you three in my life. Everything else simply pales in comparison. I would do absolutely anything for you." His words only made her cry harder. "Please, stop crying. I know you're not upset, but it still breaks my heart, seeing you cry."

Sniffling, she used the back of her hand to dry under her eyes once more, as she took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "I just love you so much."

"And I love you, too, Stephanie. More than you will ever know." He added and once the two of them grew quiet another pair soon filled the silence. Again.

THE END

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Hey! Thank you so much for reading this story. I have definitely struggled with it more than I have with others, that's why it had so many turns, I guess, and I tried to come up with the best ending for it. I do hope you liked it. Thanks!