It had been about two weeks since Stevie demanded Lindsey to see his doctor. He just told her he did like he promised and not another word was mentioned. Stevie was scared, she wanted to know, but she wasn't going to ask. Maybe if he hadn't said anything yet, things were just fine after all.
But when she arrived back home from one of her shopping trips and went to the living room, she was taken aback to see three sets of eyes looking up directly at her. She took slow steps to where Lindsey was sitting. He stood up to kiss her and asked to take a seat with him in front of her two other band mates.
"I feel like I have been caught doing something naughty and I was sent to the principal's office." She turned to Lindsey then back to Mick and John. "Please, do tell me what's this about."
"Steves, I called the guys to come over, because I... we need to discuss some things."
"I gathered that much. Do Mick and John know it already?"
He shook his head. "No. I wanted to wait for you."
"How about you start talking, mate." After what happened last year, everyone had been worried about Lindsey, nobody wanted to see him sick, especially now that he and Stevie got to a much better place in their lives.
Lindsey took a deep breath and talked more to his wife than band mates. "When we were in the car that day and when I felt not too good... you made me go to the doctor and I did. I didn't say anything yet, because I didn't know anything myself. The other day, I was about to go pick up Sara from school and my phone started ringing. I answered and it was my doctor on the other end. There's no need to get into details, but put it simply, I can't go on tour." He received three what's at the same time. "I can't tell you how sorry I am, but... It's not worth it. I love being on the road, but my children and Stevie are way more important. The doctor basically said, go on tour if you want to kill yourself, which I do not."
Being his usual self Mick was the first one to speak and not in the way he should have. "But Lindsey, it's all booked! We were going to make an announcement about Christine coming back after sixteen years, you can't just back off."
"Try and understand me here, Mick. I had a heart attack on the last tour, I was told there's a big possibility of it repeating and it might not go as well as the last time. Mick, I could freaking die! And all you care is about the fact the tour is booked and you're going to lose money. I don't really see your point, better a dead band member than losing cash?"
"But there's too much at stake! Fans have had a sense that Chris might be making a return this year, they would be disappointed if we pulled out from the tour right now."
John looked at one of his best friends for years and questioned himself why was that the case. "Are you fucking kidding me right now, Fleetwood?"
"I'm only being logical, John."
"Enough!" Stevie yelled and all three men turned to her. "Fuck you, Mick for saying that. Did you not hear what Lindsey said a minute ago? The doctor forbade him to play because he's not physically up to it! How can you sit here and be so fucking selfish and inconsiderate? I don't give a shit if we lose money, if fans are left disappointed, if we can't allow Chris a chance at being back in the band. All you ever cared has always been the materialistic side of this job. Well, here's what I have to say to you. My husband's health is in danger and you can sue the fuck out of me and I will gladly give you all my money that I have earned rightfully and with hard work, but Lindsey is not participating in this tour and neither am I. I really thought you might have changed, but I see you are still the same jerk you have always been." John, Mick and Lindsey were stunned after her outburst, she left the second the last word left her mouth.
"Great job there, Mick." John snorted and got up. "Think we're done here?" He asked Lindsey.
"We haven't sorted anything!" Mick protested, but Lindsey ignored him.
"We are done here." He didn't bother to accompany the two men to the door.
Lindsey ran up the stairs and to his and Stevie's bedroom. He opened the door and didn't expect to see here there, he knew she had locked herself in the bathroom. He knocked and got no response. It pained him to stand there and listen to Stevie sobbing on the other side of the door. He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled, then tried again.
"Open up, baby."
She did and walked straight into his arms. "I don't want you to die, Lindsey." She choked up and he caressed her back.
"Nobody said I will. This is exactly why I can't go on this tour." He pulled back and held her at arm's length. "Stevie, I know this is serious and you're terriefied, if I'm honest, so am I. I finally have you as a Buckingham." He half smiled and continued. "We're together and we have our daughter with us, things are going better than ever. I can't think of leaving this... you behind." Lindsey took her hand and walked her to the bed. "There's nothing more important to me. Yes, I get what Mick's saying. I have always loved performing for people and I care about them a great deal, thay pay lots of money to see us for those two and a half hours, but even though I am stubborn as hell and I think highly of myself, way more than I should, I have come to a decision that being around you for a couple more years is what matters to me. If I can't ever go out on the road, then so be it."
"Couple more years? Lindsey, I will hit you. Hard." She sounded serious, but there was some playfulness to her voice and he laught softly.
"I don't doubt it."
"You can't leave me yet, Lindsey. I'm not ready to face that."
"Don't think about that. I only have to take precautions so to say. No stress and rest was what the doctor told me."
"Yeah, he said the same thing the last time too!"
"Be a little more optimistic, baby. I need you like that. I need to see you smile and be happy, so then I am too."
"I'll try." She leaned to kiss him and he was resistant to let her go. "How is it possible for you to even think about sex right now?"
"I wasn't!" Stevie raised her eyebrow. "Ok, I was hoping to get lucky."
"You're horrible, Lindsey." She laughed and he was glad to hear it.
"It's your fault, you're simply too hot."
"I would believe it if you said that I'm enough good looking for my age, but hot is a little too out there, Linds."
"I'm only being honest." He shrugged. "You should accept compliments."
"I do, in my own way."
"By denying what I say?"
"I said, in my own way, didn't I?"
Lindsey enjoyed the feeling of just lying next to her and not having to be afraid that someone might walk in and they would be outed. He interwined his fingers with hers and spoke firmly. "At least believe me that I'm not leaving you in any way, Stephanie."
She nodded, not looking at him. A few tears rolled down the side of her face despite of what he had just said.
