High Priestess

4.3

July 31, 1978

Stevie was hot, the room they were sitting in was hot. It was mostly wood paneling with very few windows. It was a courtroom and she was at one table sitting next to John McVie and a prosecuting attorney that she had met briefly. His name was Pete and they were prepared to do what John called a double whammy. The hearing they were at was going to be a divorce hearing but it was also going to be a sentencing hearing. The police had arrested Mick Fleetwood at approximately six-thirty in the evening on June 20th and here they were a month later with a court date. 

"Your honor, Mrs. Fleetwood is not an eligible witness for the drug hearing. It's spousal privilege she legally can lie on the stand." Mick's asshat Lawyer, that she knew-she had given him head multiple times for Mick-states.

"Mr. MclIntok, as the judge I'm going to say that despite the spousal privilege, given that part of this case is about Spousal abuse, and a divorce hearing, Mrs. Fleetwood has to testify." The judge replies.

"But she was just released from a mental institution." Mick's lawyer growls.

"A mental institution that Mr. Fleetwood had put her in unwillingly." Pete tries to fight. 

"Mrs. Fleetwood will be a witness upon a Psych evaluation do I make myself clear. Now, onto the Divorce part of this hearing, it is stated that you and the defendant don't share a child but it's clear that you are pregnant Mrs. Fleetwood, so we cannot proceed until a Doctor does an amnio to determine parentage." The judge states.

"Ugh, your honor. Mrs. Fleetwood has a holistic birth plan. She doesn't even have an OB she has a midwife and a doula. She plans to give birth at home with no hospital interference. Is it possible to go ahead with the divorce now, but wait to debate custody until after the baby is born?" John breaks in.

"Under different circumstances, I would say yes, but I'm sorry Mrs. Fleetwood. It'll have to be done. I can set you up with an OB and an appointment through the court if you'd like." The judge looks at her.

"Yes please," Stevie mumbles sadly. She was sick of hospitals and poking and prodding. 

***

August 14, 1978

"Mrs. Fleetwood, when is your baby coming into this world?" The judge asks after reading the file the OB had handed him.

"Well, I'm due the first week of November, but I think she's going to come on Halloween," Stevie answers honestly rubbing her stomach. She was now 26 weeks. 

"Well, trick or treat...Congratulations to you and Mr. Buckingham. Now that there is proof that Michael Fleetwood is NOT the father of Stephanie Nicks-Fleetwood's baby we can get down to business." 

Stevie really didn't pay much attention to what was going on around her until she was being the one questioned, but when it was finally time to find out the verdict, Stevie perked up. 

"We find the defendant Michael Fleetwood, guilty of First Degree Domestic Violence, Guilty of Involuntary Mental Treatment, Guilty of Possession of drug paraphernalia, guilty of felony drug possession, guilty of cocaine possession, guilty of amphetamine possession, guilty of date rape drug Rohypnol, and guilty of drug trafficking." The jury states. 

"Very well, Michael Fleetwood will be sentenced to 20 years in California State Prison. Moving onto the Divorce papers, do you agree that since a prenup was not filed for the marriage, as a result of Mr. Fleetwood's sentencing all of his worldly assets and possessions will be passed onto Stephanie Nicks-Fleetwood." 

"But..."Mick's lawyer starts but the judge glares at him and cuts him off. 

"Mrs. Fleetwood has agreed to leave the business and the house in Mr. Fleetwood's name. Their joint bank account will be split in half, she will keep half of the assets, he will keep the other half of the assets. She will be taken off of the account after the division of the finances. The only thing Mrs. Fleetwood will be taking from Mr. Fleetwood's house is her possessions that were left there when she was forced to leave the house. As there are no children between the pair Child Support will not be factored into the divorce. Mrs. Fleetwood has requested that she not be paid Alimony. It has come to light during this case that their marriage was a contractual marriage and it has been stated by not only Mr. Fleetwood but Mrs. Fleetwood that the contract is voided due to the fact that he didn't hold up his end of the bargain and while I think it was inappropriate for Mr. Fleetwood to insinuate and push a contractual marriage, all that Mrs. Fleetwood is requesting is for Mick to pay her lawyer and court dues. At this time both parties can sign the papers, and Ms. Nicks since you never changed your name when you got married, I'd like to introduce you to the courts as Stephanie Nicks. The court is now adjourned." 

Once Stevie had gotten up to turn her papers into the judge she walked passed Mick in his bright orange jumpsuit and she slid her wedding ring off of her finger and she just walked away from him and it felt like the whole world had been lifted off of her shoulders at that moment. After her departure from Mick, she thanked John and Pete and then she walked right into Lindsey's arms and he kissed her head.

"Let's go home." He states.

"Do something for me?" She asks.

"What?" He inquires.

"Marry me before Halloween." She looks up at him.

"We can arrange that, but let's wait a while okay. You just got divorced like five minutes ago." Lindsey smirks.

"Okay, I can wait but I have to be a Buckingham before she's a Buckingham." Stevie holds his hand on her stomach. 

"You'll change your name for me?" He laughs.

"I didn't love Mick and it was a contract, I love you and I want to share your name with you," Stevie assures.

Lindsey just smiles and motions with his head and the two of them head home.