Magnet and Steel

15

May 14, 2003

Stevie's baby was super active so she was rubbing her stomach and rolling her head back and forth because it was slightly uncomfortable and she was staring at the kitchen. Because she wasn't going to be able to do it and she felt really bad because the kitchen was awful and she wouldn't even want to cook dinner in it. She heard the couple walk into the house and she whimpered as they found her in the kitchen. 

"Hey guys, so first of all thank you for coming, I know it's a lot and you're probably exhausted but I'm glad you came out. First things first, your kitchen. It is a very difficult project no matter what because of the space because I can't increase the space but the big issue is that I'm out of money." Stevie sighs her hand still caressing her bump.

"So what do you mean, out of money where did it all go?" Crystal asks.

"It went to the floor joists. This entire kitchen at any point could've fallen into the basement because it didn't have the proper supports." Stevie states.

"But I was hoping you could be able to at least do a face lift it was on our must haves for a reason." 

"And I understand that I do. I wanted to give you a face lift for the kitchen, but I can't I don't have the money for it. If there was more money to be had I could do it." 

"There isn't any more money and if there was we'd give it to Lindsey to find us a new house." Crystal argues. 

"Either way, I have to put a lid on the kitchen." Stevie tells them. 

When she gets home that night Lindsey is sitting on the couch with his feet on the coffee table. "You did not make Crystal happy." 

"Their budget didn't make me happy." She huffs falling back into her chair, Sulamith coming in and jumping on her lap. 

"So what happened?" 

"I'm not even supposed to be telling you this, but I can't do their kitchen because of money restraints." Stevie shrugs.

"You don't want to cook dinner do you?" Lindsey chuckles.

"No, he's so active today and it's kinda hard to breathe." Stevie shrugs rubbing her stomach.

"So shall I take you to a Mexican resteraunt?" 

"Yes please." She nods.

***

May 16, 2003

Lindsey was on a high, he had been told by Crystal and Daniel that Stevie couldn't give them another bathroom, but he had just shown them a house that met all of their requirements except the budget; But it was only 259,000 dollars and Lindsey knew that Stevie would be able to add value to the house so he wasn't worried about it. But right now they were at the house wiating for Crystal and Daniel to come by for the reveal. Baby Buck wasn't active today letting Stevie finally have a moment to relax but she was worried. When the homeowners arrived, Stevie let out a breath and began her tour. 

"So here's your basement." Stevie brings them downstairs.

"This is so nice." Crystal coos. 

Stevie couldn't do a lot but she was able to put a door not the oldest brother's bedroom and she created a new laundry room and playroom for the kids.

"I love it Stevie, thank you so much." Crystal coos.

"Of course, I'm going to get Lindsey." Stevie nods going back to the hall to retrieve her husband.

'She did a phenomenal job. But I know Daniel, that you don't want to do any work and you still have some work to do around this house. But I know Crystal that you don't want to move even with the issues you have. But sometimes you need to do what makes sense and I think the home I showed you makes sense. I know this is going to be hard but this is your new value. 225,000 dollars." 

"It's really gone up that much?" Crystal asks.

"Yes, so Steph, they have a decision to move...I mean make." Lindsey replies. Stevie just gasps and smacks him on the chest. 

"Sorry, slip of the tongue." he defends.

"Alright well we'll let you talk about this." Stevie smiles grabbing Lindsey's arm and pulling him out into the hall.

"Steph you did a great job, but I hate to say it, these people really have to move." Lindsey whispers to his wife.

"Yes i't's a squeeze but she loves it here." 

"Yeah she does, but he's ready to go." 

"I think this could go either way." Stevie sighs.

Once the decision is made, they chose to sell the house and go, Lindsey and Stevie found themselves curled up on their couch at home.

"You really did a great job but they did need to move." 

"They really did need to move." Stevie nods in agreement running her fingers through his chest nest.

"What are you thinking about?" Lindsey sks.

"Well, I'm thinking about how tomorrow I want to go into town and put a dent in our finances." She sighs. 

When they got married, and though they've only been married for two months, they sat down with an accountant. Stevie had her own account with the money that she made from the show, 25,000 an episode so at this point it's about 275,000 dollars. Lindsey had his own account with money from the show, he only made about 23,000 dollars leaving him with 253,000 dollars. But then they had a joint account. The money they made in the off-shooting season, which comes from Stevie's designs and showrooms and all of that stuff goes into the joint account as does Lindsey's commissions for the houses he finds for people who are not on the show. It's complicated and it didn't make sense to either of them, all they knew was that it protected their assets in the event of a divorce. 

"You want to go nursery shopping don't you?" Lindsey asks playing with her hair.

"I do, I really do.I already have it planned out in my head." She nods.

"Do you wanna tell me about it?" Lindsey asks.

"No, no I do not." She shakes her head.

"Alright we can go tomorrow but I want to go bright and early, ten in the morning."He tells her.

"Fine." She sighs. 

"Good," He chuckles bending down and kissing her.