Nothing To Fear

26. Reminiscence

Once Lindsey got the kids settled in the home, there was a knock on the front door. He was really hoping that it could possibly be Stevie even though that was beyond, who it could be. He just wanted to to apologize more and more because, all he wanted was her. He wouldn't settle for anything less, but it seemed he had no choice now. He opened the front door and was taken aback.

"Hi, Lindsey," a soft smile was across Lorraine's face.

"Uh, hi..." he didn't know why every time he saw her, he was shocked. It was about to become his normal even though he had hoped; not. "Wh-what are you doing here? what's up?" he leaned into the doorframe. He wasn't overly enthused to see her, but he couldn't exactly tell her that.

"I just wanted to apologize for the other night. I didn't know that Kristen's parents were trying to get us together," she kind of squinted.

"Well, it doesn't really matter. Kristen did ask and I should at least see her wish out," he walked away from the doorway mindlessly.

She followed him and shut the door behind herself. She could also tell he wasn't in the best mood and she didn't want to pry, but she needed her information. "I know you're not very keen on this wedding, but I really would like to get to know you better. Perhaps, we can at least make it through as friends."

Lindsey nearly scoffed because he still didn't want that. But she was being leniant.

"We're gonna have to obviously tell the kids and I just don't want them to be upset..." she continued.

He thought she was absolutely insane. He knew it had been clear, he didn't want to get married, but she was still pushing. He thought because, Kristen's parents were arranging and she was probably just as scared of them as he was. It wasn't that he was scared, but he really didn't like them. If it weren't for his kids, he wouldn't have any connection do the Messners at all. He would never want to hang out with them and it had always been awkward since they were nearly his age. That's another reason for his father in-law and himself to clash. He was twenty years Kristen's senior and that's about the age they probably were when they had her. He just knew he looked better than them because he was forty-nine.

"Lindsey?" she asked.

"Huh?" he shook himself. He has spaced off in his own thoughts, long enough to not hear her apparently.

"When should we tell them?" she asked, as an arm slid over his shoulder.

"Uh, I don't know, Kristen... it's not ideal right now and I don't want to talk about it," he shook his head and put it in his hands to rub his eyes.

"I'm not Kristen," she said softly, knowing she must have been in his thought. She didn't mind, but he did look stressed to her.

"What?" he creased a brow as he looked at her.

"You called me Kristen..."

"Oh um, I'm sorry. I just have a lot going through my mind," he rubbed his eyes and head again. He didn't mean to say Kristen at all, but Lorraine was starting to hold the same control, his wife did. She was a lot like her and he wasn't too into that. He loved Stevie because she was so different.

~

Lorraine was alone with the children at the Buckingham manner, while Lindsey went off to do some "errands." That's what he at least told Lorraine. Really, he was actually on his way to Stevie's. He really needed to talk to her and the last couple days he'd gone their, she had been gone. Her car was not in sight and it was like she was hiding. He wouldn't blame her if she was, but now he didn't even know if she was alive.

-

"Lorraine? where did daddy go?" Stella asked as she climbed onto the couch with her.

"He went to go do some things for work," she put on arm out to help her.