Timeless

67

2018-Lindsey

69, 68, 40, 36, 31, 21. As we exit the stage after performing at the MusiCares Grammy person of the year, I look at every one. 

My 69-year-old wife looks gorgeous as ever with a giant smile etched into her face. Mick is beaming with pride. John is teary-eyed, Christine is grinning like a Cheshire cat. Sara is pregnant with baby number four. Ryder is now nine, his little brother Merrick is seven, little sister Mara is two and Sara is due in July. Mason is wrapped around Violet like a shield. Back in November, they miscarried. Violet was five months along, it was a little girl, they named her Grace and buried her. Stevie finally told the kids about her miscarriage after Joshua. Violet only confided in her mother in law for two months. Just recently breaking from his shell Noah is on the floor at age eight playing with his seven-year-old sister Evelyn, and his four-year-old little brother Rhen.

Joshua performed tonight to honor us. He's one of the biggest rock stars today. He has his arm around his brand new of one month wife Kitty. She's a fashion designer working with Margi Kent, Stevie's stylist. She's twenty-five and Stevie quickly fell in love with her. Emmeline and Carson McVie started dating at Christmas. The best thing is that they're all clapping for us.

"Congratulations daddy, you all deserved it," Emmeline says coming over and hugging me. Quickly pulling away and going to hug her mother. 

"It really was a great honor but as much as I would love to celebrate I am exhausted. Can we go back to the hotel?" Stevie asks. The poor woman just finished 150 dates on a tour for her newest album 24 Karat Gold. 

"I agree. We're all grandparents now, it seems odd having an after-party." Mick chuckles.

"I am not a grandparent yet." Christine pipes up.

"If you want to celebrate McVie, there's no stopping you." Mick hold his hands up.

"I am quite tired though." Christine actually yawns. 

"Yes, I think my kiddos need to go to bed. It's way past their bedtime." Violet chuckles.

"Nana, do we have to?" Evelyn looks at my wife.

"Yes, sweetheart. We have a long busy day tomorrow." Stevie explains encasing her arms around my waist. 

When we get to our hotel room, Stevie gives me a seductive look.

"Lindsey, tomorrow is our forty-third wedding anniversary and we won't get to celebrate it. So tonight,  I have a surprise for you. But you need to wait, I have to make a call." Stevie says kissing me. 

She's out in the hall for a half an hour and then when she comes back, she places her iPhone on her side of the bed and she kisses me again. 

"I'm going to get ready. Lindsey, I love you." She says almost sadly.

"I love you too." I smile.

She's in the bathroom when my iPhone rings from inside her purse. I had her hold onto it tonight. Digging through it I pick it up with a raised eyebrow reading Irving Azoff. 

"Irving, I just saw you, what's going on?" I ask answering the Fleetwood Mac manager.

"Lindsey, you screwed up. You really did it this time." He scolds.

"What did I do?" I ask in shock.

"Stevie never wants to be on stage with you again." He states.

"She what?" I question sitting on the bed.

"You smirked during her speech and you got in a fight with Karen earlier today. She said it was you or her, and frankly, Stevie Nicks is a better seller than Lindsey Buckingham. I'm sorry but you're fired. It was Stevie and Mick's decision." Irving explains.

"Well, alright," I say hanging up slightly stunned.

The shower stops and my wife peeks her head out.

"I hope you're ready, I'll be ten minutes." She smiles, unpiling her hair from the bun on top of her head.

When the bathroom door shuts again, I shake my head and collect my luggage and belongings. I  leave the room and walk down the hall to Emmeline and Carson's room. I knock and as soon as Carson opens the door he takes one look at me and sighs. 

"I am going to sleep in my mom's room," Carson says.

"Why?" Emmeline comes around and stares at me. Her face falls and she places a hand on his shoulder. He kisses her and pats my shoulder before walking out. 

"What happened?" Emmeline asks. 

"Your mother got me fired. I am no longer a member of Fleetwood Mac because of YOUR FUCKING MOTHER." I say tears welling up in my eyes. 

"Oh daddy, are you sure it was momma that got you fired?" Emmeline asks.

"That's what Irving said," I answer tears streaming down my face.

All Emmeline does is bring me over to her bed and climbs into my lap like she did when she was little and wraps her arms around my neck. Letting me cry into her shoulder.

My phone starts ringing in my hand and Emmeline takes it from me. 

"It's my mom." She sighs.

"Let it ring, infact...turn it off," I demand furiously wiping my eyes. So much for a farewell tour.

The next morning, I make sure to board the plane before anyone and Emmeline sits next to me. As Stevie boards, her eyes are red and tired. Almost like she hadn't slept all night.

"Emmeline, can I talk to your father?" Stevie questions giving the all too familiar "mom" look to our youngest daughter. 

"No," I speak up before Emmeline can even open her mouth. 

"Lindsey please, I had something special planned and when I was ready you were gone. I called and called and you didn't answer. I was worried sick." Stevie's crying. 

"You got me fired." I spit crossing my arms staring daggers at her.

"What...Lindsey," She starts.

"Irving called me last night. I know Steph. You never have to sing on stage with me ever again." I spit.

She walks away, but she's sobbing. Part of me feels bad but the other part says she deserves it.

When we get home, I make myself comfortable on the couch. Some wedding anniversary this turned out to be.