I pull into our driveway as someone pulls out. Looking at the front door, I see Stevie standing their curiously.

"Lindsey?" She asks as I walk up.

"Stevie," I say but back away slightly when I smell another man on her. Pine, Alcohol, and Musk.

"Who were you with?" We ask at the same time

"Don Henley, we drove all night from New York." She says reluctantly.

"Of course. Don fucking Henley. Let me guess, you shacked up on the high way. Real classy." I scoff.

"Well...who were you with? I smell peach and cinnamon. I wear Jasmine and Tuberose so I know you weren't spraying my perfume on you." Stevie stomps her foot.

"No one you need to worry about." I spit.

"I have every right to know." Stevie spits back.

"I'll tell you who I was with if you tell me how many times you've slept with Don Henley." I counter.

"I...Lindsey...six." She mumbles.

"Six. Wow." I say walking into the house.

"Lindsey who were you with?" Stevie chases.

"Angeline Curtis." I hiss.

"Sara's teacher!" Stevie yells.

"Yeah, we're friends," I reply.

"I'll have them transfer her out after the break." Stevie states firmly.

I grab her arm harshly.

"You will do no such thing. Sara loves that class and her best friend is in it with her." I spit.

"Wait...Lindsey, you're hurting me." I let go she falls down the stairs like three steps. "She has a best friend?"

"If you were home you'd know...I'm sleeping in the studio tonight." I hiss running up the stairs.

In my bunker the words to my earlier sentence is complete.

Two kinds of people in this world

Winners, losers

I lost my power in this world

Because I did not use it

And I go insane like I always do

And I call your name,

She's a lot like you

Two kinds of trouble in this world

Living, dying

I lost my power in this world

And the rumors are flying

And I go insane, like I always do

And I call your name

She's a lot like you

I've never been so ashamed in my life. I knew what I did was wrong but everything with Don was so nice. He's so sweet. I just never thought that it would come back to haunt me. My arms already bruising, and my tailbone hurts. I've never seen Lindsey so angry. I guess I deserved it though.

I'm wearing Lindsey's brown sweater, I think he wore it today because it still smells like his sandalwood cologne. Looking around our bedroom, I spot Lindsey's acoustic and I pick it up. The words flow instantly.

Temptation falls in your path

No hesitiation, why you ask

You have another waiting at home

And yes she matters to you

Kind of woman that'll haunt you

Kind of woman that'll haunt you

She matters to you

Kind of woman that'll haunt you

She matters to you

You didn't mean to meet her you cry

Oh but the sun goes down everynight

She came to you when you were alone

And yes, she matters to you

Kind of woman that'll haunt you

Kind of woman that'll haunt you

She matters to you

I promised myself along time ago

It would be difficult to let you go

If not at least withing the touch of my fingers

It was close to being in heaven

Kind of woman that'll haunt you

To being in heaven

Kind of woman that'll haunt you

Is to be in heaven

Kind of woman that'll haunt you

I know, I know

Sleep doesn't come easily for me, so at around six I give up and go downstairs. I make tea and coffee and start on French toast. The cinnamon smell causing my heart to ache. I know what I have to do and it's going to hurt bad. My eyes are red and puffy, and I know trouble is brewing when I hear small feet run into the kitchen.

"Mommy." My daughter yells.

"She's grown about the size of my hip, her long brown waves gorgeously rest against her back. She runs to my arms and I struggle to pick her up, but I do. Saying goodbye is going to be so painful.

"Oh sweet girl, I've missed you." I coo squeezing her tightly.

"Momma are you sad?" Sara asks.

"A little bit. See, I have to go away for a while. I'm leaving after Christmas and you won't see me for a while. I haven't told anyone yet though, so you can't tell anyone. Like when momma and daddy told you we were going to have Mason and you couldn't tell anyone. Same goes for this. Pinky promise?" I ask

"Pinky promise. She agrees locking fingers.

"Alright, let's go check on your brother. Then when we come back down French Toast should be ready." I smile setting her back down.

Upstairs, my baby looks up at me with the perfect Buckingham blues. He's the spitting image of his father.

"Well good morning Mason. How come you didn't tell anyone you were awake?" I ask reaching into the crib to get him.

"He normally doesn't" My mom comes in

"Mom hi," I smile going to hug her

"Your father and I have the monitor. We knew Lindsey would be back late." My mom gives me a look.

"You knew." I gasp.

"Your father insisted said it'd give you a taste of your own medicine." My mother scolds as Sara walks in with a diaper.

"Here mommy. Daddy says that he needs to get changed every time he wakes up. He even lets me help change him." Sara says pulling a stool to the changing table.

"I'm going to go get his breakfast ready." My mom says.

"Can you pull the French Toast out of the oven." I ask

"Of course. You bake it?" My mom says shocked.

"Yes, it's healthier and it cooks more evenly." I explain.

I'm drinking my tea and feeding Mason when Lindsey comes into the Kitchen.

"Good morning Darling." I say pouring him a cup of coffee.

"Steph, can I talk to you?" He says motioning to the living room.

I follow and he sits me on the couch.

"I'm sorry about last night. I was wrong to grab you like that. How badly are you hurt?" He asks.

"I'm just bruised is all." I sigh.

"Alright. But I'm not sorry about going out." He shakes his head.

"I know, you had every right. My mom even told me that daddy allowed it. But Lindsey, I think we need a break. I'm leaving after Christmas and I don't know when I'll be back. We both need to spend some time apart. And reevaluate everything. I love you so much and I'm not asking for a divorce. I will be back, I just can't tell you when. As far as I am concerned I will always be Stephanie Buckingham. But I have to go away for a while for my own sanity. We can't keep doing this around in circle thing. I already told Sara but please. Let's not ruin Christmas by fighting. Tonight, and until I leave we'll share a bed and we'll be a loving married couple. Can we do that?" I say biting back tears.

"I guess. I don't think I like what you're insinuating, but I want to make you happy and separating will make you happy we can separate." He replies.

"No divorce?" I ask

"I can't promise anything but, I'll let you make the first move." He sighs.

"Seal it with a kiss?" I ask hopefully. He shakes his head and walks into the kitchen.

Christmas is okay, we at least get along. Sara gets a doll house and I got a very pretty silver diamond moon necklace from Lindsey. I leave with a very heavy heart on January 1st.