I don't like being a single father. I hate being solely responsible for a four-year-old and a six-month-old. I have to fit school, doctor appointments, and work all in an eight-hour period. Tusk isn't doing so hot and we spent last weekend at Dodgers Stadium with the USC marching band trying to give it a push. We didn't get to even see the kids; Stevie and I barely spoke, and we haven't really since she told me she was going to New York. We've never been good in the communication department.

It's almost Thanksgiving. Stevie was supposed to be coming home. Our families are coming to our house, but I can't cook a turkey. And Stevie has to do something with Tom Petty. A video or something. She idolizes him so I'm happy for her. Honestly, but I miss her, and I want her home.

***

The next morning, there's an unsettling feeling in my stomach but I go about my day. I drop Sara off and take Mason to his well-baby appointment. Then Ginny goes to the Vet and I go to the grocery store. Leaving Ginny in the car, I strap Mason in the cart and as I'm going through the aisles my eyes stop on a magazine.

Stevie Nicks and Don Henley out on a date. The Rhiannon wailing lead singer of Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles crooner and drummer were spotted getting cozy on a romantic dinner in New York. The Fleetwood Mac beauty has just given birth to a son in June and has been married to Lindsey Buckingham the guitar player of Fleetwood Mac for a number of years, but could the duo be 'going their own ways' Lindsey had been spotted playing Mr. Mom for a number of weeks now.

Anger bubbles up inside of me as I snatch the tabloid from the shelf and chuck it in my cart. I make sure it's hidden when Sara climbs into the car because as much as she loves to read, I can't have her reading that about her mother. The pictures are disturbing enough as is. She doesn't need to see her mother cuddled up to another man like she's supposed to be cuddled up with me.

"Daddy tomorrow is the last day before we go on Thanksgiving break. Do you think Momma will pick me up with you?" Sara asks.

"Sweet girl, I don't know. Mom's got a lot of work she has to do." I sigh pulling out of the parking space.

***

Stevie didn't come home on Wednesday and I was left picking Sara up by myself. My in-laws had gotten into town and were staying with Mason.

"Lindsey, I haven't seen Mrs. Buckingham around in a while," Angeline says as Sara says goodbye to her friends for a long weekend.

"She hasn't been here for a while." I sigh.

"Well, if you want to talk about it. I'm all ears." Angeline smiles.

"Daddy, Momma didn't come?" Sara asks running over to me. The smile that was once present on her face slowly falling.

"No baby, mom's not home yet." I crouch down to her level.

"But she promised me she'd be home today." Sara pouts.

"I know sweet girl. But we still have some time. She might be home tonight." I sigh.

"Okay," Sara says in a small voice. I've never seen her so hurt before.

Angeline lays a warm hand on my shoulder and she gives me a meaningful look. When we get home my mother, Jeff, Greg, and Meredith are waiting for me.

"Grandma! Nana!" Sara yells running to them. It at least caused her to perk up a bit.

"Sara sweetheart go upstairs for a little while. We have to talk to daddy." My mother says playing with Sara's brown waves.

"Alright," Sara says dashing up the stairs.

My mother motions towards the couch and I reluctantly sit down like a child about to be scolded.

"What's this?" Jess asks handing me the magazine about Stevie.

"Honestly, I don't know. As much as I'd like to know I'm going to wait until after Thanksgiving. It's Masons' first and I don't' want to ruin anything. It's already going to be tense anyway. I wasn't too happy about her going to New York with Jimmy Iovine In the first place." I lean back.

"When my daughter gets home, I swear I'll." Barbara starts.

"Mom no..."I shake my head.

"And why not?" Barbara questions hands going to her hips.

"Like I said. It's Mason's first Thanksgiving." I sigh.

***

Mason was enjoying tummy time and I was bathing Sara. My mother and in-laws and brothers were going out to dinner and then shopping so I could get the kids to bed easier than I would if they were still here. As I was drying Sara a shrill cry echoed through the house. I bolt into the living room and see Stevie struggling with Mason.

"Baby it's mommy" Stevie says as the cries get louder.

"Steph, he doesn't remember you." I say as Sara comes out and immediately runs and attacks her mother's leg. Mason is still flinging around in his mother's arms.

"Da!" The baby yells.

I spring into action and grab him. He quits almost immediately. Stevie bends down to Sara's level and hugs her. Tears are in her eyes and I just look at Mason.

"Sara, I think it's time for you to go to bed." I say

"But Mommy just got home." Sara pouts.

"I know, but your daddy's right. I'm here until Sunday evening though so don't worry. We'll have plenty of time together. Come on I'll tuck you in." Stevie says wiping her eyes. When they're up the stairs I look at Mason.

"You know Mace, I'm not too happy with her either but that was uncalled for. You didn't act like that with Nana and Papa. Or are you just mad that your mommy hasn't been here?" I scold. He just grunts in response.

***

That night, we were getting ready for bed when Stevie just stopped.

"I carried him for nine months. I gave birth to him. How come he doesn't remember me?" Stevie asks.

"Stevie, he's six months old. You've been gone for a month. You said you'd be home on weekends. I saw you for one weekend they haven't seen you in a proper month." I sigh.

"But he's my baby." She cries crawling into bed.

After seeing that article it feels wrong sleeping next to her, but our guest rooms are filled. The next morning, I wake up first and grab Mason.

"Now, you be nice to Mom." I warn after feeding and changing him as I carry him into our bedroom.

Stevie is still fast asleep, laying on her back-light snores coming from her mouth. I place Mason on her stomach and he starts fussing and hitting her on the chest.

"No Mason, that's bad," Stevie says sternly grabbing his chubby hands.

He pouts and grunts but eventually he falls asleep on her. His knees tucked up under himself. Stevie sighs most likely uncomfortable for the knees in her stomach and wraps her arms around him. Eventually, she wakes up fully and carefully gets herself out of bed. Still holding our son against her stomach, she somehow manages to slide her black silk robe on and we head downstairs. Sara is watching the parade with our families.

"Stephanie," Barbara says sternly.

"What's the matter with you?" Stevie cocks her eyebrow.

"Oh Stevie, you must be remembering what it was like when you were pregnant." Meredith coos.

"No, he's not kicking my ribs. Why are you so chipper? It's morning and you're normally not this nice." Stevie says sitting down on the armchair.

"Well um, Greg and I are having a baby." Meredith coos. Well, I guess marriage counseling worked.

"Congrats." Stevie smiles sweetly.

"Thank you, I'm due in May." Meredith smiles.

"So, Stephanie, how is your album coming along?" Barbara questions as Stevie rubs Mason's back.

"It's wonderful. Yesterday I recorded my first ever music video with Tom Petty. My first single is a Heartbreakers song. And I've been talking to Don Henley from the Eagles about doing a song together. I've found two amazing back-up singers Sharon and Lori. I've only been working on it for a month, but I have a great feeling about it." Stevie shares excitedly moving abruptly and waking up our son.

"Oh, I'm sorry baby boy," Stevie says shifting the baby.

"He's probably hungry again. I'll feed him." I say taking him from his mother.

***

After a lovely dinner, Stevie and I are up in our room

"Stevie," I sigh opening my nightstand drawer and getting out the magazine.

"What?" She asks stopping her hair brushing.

I hold out the magazine and she takes it and starts reading the article.

"Lindsey..." She starts.

"What's the duet about?" I question.

"Well, it's a love song." Stevie hangs her head and starts picking at the lace hem of her short nightgown.

"A love song you don't want me to sing on." I nod.

"Lindsey....it's not that trust me," Stevie begs.

"Do you have feelings for him? Because that picture says you do." I state

"We had fun, we went to dinner and dancing and it felt amazing. We've never done that as a couple and I had so much fun." She explains.

"Okay," I say and roll over shutting the light off.