Francine had been wrong. Jace did not come home. Instead, he rented an apartment. Francine was shocked. How could he do this to her? To their children? What would the neighbors say?

Jace continued to pay for the children’s private school and pay the bills, but he refused to give Francine extra spending money.

“But what about the girl’s getaway? I don’t have money for that,” Francine cried.

Jace shrugged and said,”If it’s important enough you will find a way.”

Francine pleaded for just a little extra, but Jace stood his ground.

Jace picked up the children every other weekend.

Francine would ask for more money.

“Money doesn’t grow on trees, Francine,” Jace told her.

How could she keep up with the other mothers? They were always showing off their new jewelry, the vacations they went on, or their new clothes.

Francine realized Jace was not going to budge. She had no choice, but to get a job is she wanted nice things.

Francine found a job as a yoga instructor in a wellness center that none of the mother’s used.

Brittany had more responsibility at home. She would fix dinner and make sure Lance did his homework, alongside all her school activities.

Brittany missed her father terribly. She was stressed with all she had to do. She rarely had downtime to recharge.

As the separation dragged on and Francine had less money and free time, she found herself interacting less and less with the other mothers at the school. In fact, she had caught them snickering and whispering behind her back. She didn’t need them anyway, she huffed.

So instead, Francine found herself spending more time with Heidi, even confiding in her. She whined about having to work and that Jace wasn’t giving her enough money.

“Jace is even dating!” Francine cried,” It’s as though he forgot he has a wife and kids. I told him he better not bring those women around the children.”

Still, things weren’t as bleak as Francine would be. Her life was not over. She found she actually enjoyed teaching. People looked to her to guide them, wanted to be like her. She began to teach more classes. She practiced meditation, became less angry.

Francine stopped asking for more money from Jace when he picked the kids up.

Jace noticed a difference in Francine, also. She was civil when he picked the kids up, calmer.

Jace missed his children.

He agreed to spend Winterfest with the family.

Lance was excited when he opened the door and saw his father.

“What did you get me? Where’s my presents,” he asked excitedly.

“We have to decorate the tree first,” Francine insisted.

Francine put holiday music on as the family gathered around the tree.

They talked about past Winterfests and laughed together.

The family opened gifts and ate a ham dinner.

Francine took lots of pictures.

“Are you going to stay the night, Dad?” asked Lance.

“Uh, not tonight,” Jace answered.

Lance frowned.

“It’s late. I should be going,” Jace said. He hugged the children and left.

Jace drove to his apartment. A sadness washed over him. He sat in his car and thought about his evening, his family.

He turned on his car and drove back home, to his family.

Francine was surprised to see him.

“Did you forget something?” she asked.

Instead of answering, Jace wrapped his arms around Francine and kissed her.