It's Not Easy

Don't ever leave us again

What that morning did to us as a couple, I have no idea, all I know is that after that we became so much closer again. Stevie’s show that night was in the same city, which meant we had the whole day to ourselves and we spent it accordingly. When we finally got out of bed, we went out for breakfast, well lunch, together, did some sightseeing and were taken to the arena for the show. I watched it from the same spot, but nothing happened once all the songs were sung, she barely even acknowledged Don and I can’t lie, that made me extremely happy. We returned to the hotel room right after, kept each other awake for the better part of the night and the next day parted at the airport, shame we boarded different planes.

It’s holiday season and even though I promised the kids time and time again that their mother will be back before the Christmas shopping, they still asked if I was sure. A few days back, Stevie called me and said she’s supposed to be home on Sunday, but she would do her best to catch a flight that would take her to Los Angeles earlier and we would see her Saturday, but I should keep my mouth shut, so she can surprise Sara, Alex and Layla.

I came downstairs earlier than usual, I’m definitely like one of the kids, only the thought of Stevie coming home is exciting and I couldn’t sleep any longer. I don’t even know if she got on that plane or not, but I’m hoping, pacing from one corner of the house to another. Seems like I only sat down a moment ago, when I hear the front door open and I jump to my feet and to the hallway.

“You’re home!” I try to scream and whisper at the same time, enveloping her in my arms and giving her a kiss before anything. “I missed you so much, don’t ever leave us again, quit music, be a housewife.”

“It’s sure nice to be welcomed this way.” We spend another minute close to each other, then she pulls back. “The memories of our day together kept me going for the remaining weeks.”

“I’ve been thinking about nothing but that and the rest of the time we were on the phone.”

“I love you.”

“Every night before sleep, I would turn to your side of the bed and say that out loud.”

Her mouth opens, more in surprise I think, than to actually say something. “Lindsey…”

“Well, I do love you and I was missing you badly.” She pulls me close to herself again.

“You’re… oh god… Linds, you’re a sweetheart.” She kisses me, lingering for a moment. “I will give you a proper greeting later tonight.”

“I’ll remember that.” I give her a wink and pat her behind. “Now, go. I know you want to see them.”

“Aren’t they still asleep?”

“Trust me, they won’t care to be woken up, when they realize you’re back.” She lets out this weird squealing sound and runs upstairs, I follow a few steps behind.

All three of our kids have had their separate rooms for a while now. Sara wanted her pink and girly things, Alex with his sport attributes and Layla, she’s still very much our baby, so we didn’t have a choice really other than separate the three.

Stevie goes in to see our youngest first. She sits on the bed and brushes Layla’s messed up curls from her beautiful angelic face. Her eyes open and go wide instantly, she springs up and her little hands wrap around Stevie’s neck. “Good morning, baby!” Stevie beams, pressing tiny kisses all over Layla’s face and they both chuckle at each other. “Did you miss me?”

“Missed you!” Layla shows it with another tight hug, which looks more like she’s trying to strangle Stevie.

“Shall we go say hi to your brother and sister?”

“Yes!” She jumps off the bed and takes Stevie’s hand, and mine on their way out of the room. Layla is such a precious little kid, sometimes I start thinking that we almost didn’t have her…

Our next stop is my dimples. I pick Layla up and Stevie goes over to Sara, who’s sleeping in a tangled mess of sheets. I swear, this is how I find her every single morning. It’s a very well known fact that Sara’s favorite song is Gypsy, so what better way than to be woken up with a verse from it. The reaction is very much the same from our older daughter, with a lot more words before, after and in between, I missed you, mommy!

Finally, all four of us go in to wake up the heaviest sleeper of the Buckingham family, Alex is even worse than Stevie. A war could begin and he would sleep through it. Before Stevie thinks of a nice way to bring our son back from the dreamland, Sara runs and jumps on the bed and drops herself across poor Alex. Layla, of course, copies her sister doing the same.

Once everyone is up, we go to the kitchen to sit around the table. Stevie cooks us breakfast and we spend the morning catching up. Layla is making a mess of her plate, while Alex and Sara try to speak louder than the other, telling Stevie all about what went on while she was away. I don’t mean to say we ignore our children, never, but as their going on about something, Stevie and I keep glancing at each other from opposite ends of the table, sharing a smile or mouthing an I love you or I missed you.

Moments like these are what I live for.