Well, today was Friday and that meant we were headed to Rebecca's aunts' house to see the kids.

   I didn't have to worry about waking up on time because I barely slept.

   I still wasn't sure how I felt about the whole thing but, that didn't matter. All that mattered was getting to see the kids and introducing them to Candy.

   I stood over the stove, flipping pancakes, when Candy walked into the kitchen.

"Are you cooking?" She asked in disbelief.

   After Rebecca left, I kinda shut down. I didn't drive, I didn't cook, I spent most of my time hammered and I didn't smile much. I was truly broken inside but, I've felt different since going up to the beach house. I felt like my old self again and I was actually kinda happy.

   "Yep, coffee's ready and the pancakes are about done." I said, flipping them one last time.

   She grabbed a cup of coffee and sat at the table. I set two plates before joining her.

   She smiled as I set one in front of her. "These look great."

   I smiled back as I sat down. "Just wait till you taste them."

   I watched her take a bite, then groan. "These are amazing."

   I patted my shoulder. "You still got it."

   She laughed. "Honestly, I didn't even know you could cook."

   "Of course I can cook. I used to cook for Rebbe-" I stopped myself before I could finish that sentence.

   Candy gave me a sad look.

   "Sorry." I said, looking down at my plate.

   She shook her head. "Don't be... how're you feeling about today?"

   I shrugged. "I don't really know. I'm excited to introduce you to my kids... but, I'm nervous."

   She took my hand in hers. "I'm here for you, you know that."

   I smiled and kissed her. "I know."

   She returned my smile.

   After getting ready for the day, we hopped in the 'Cuda and headed off for Rebecca's aunts' house...

I parked in front of their house, looking up at it.

Candy turned to me. "You ready?"

I just nodded before getting out.

She took my hand in hers as we walked up to the door. I knocked a couple times and soon enough the door opened, aunt Lucy's shocked face greeting us.

"Skylar? What're you doing here?"

"Who is it?" I heard aunt Kiki ask from the living room.

"Uh, Skylar." Aunt Lucy shouted back, not taking her eyes off me.

Then, Rebecca walked up behind her with a smile. "Took you long enough."

She invited us in and I introduced Candy. "This is my girlfriend, Candy."

They shook her hand. "Nice to meet you two." Candy said.

Aunt Kiki smiled. "Likewise."

Aunt Lucy nodded but, still seemed shocked about the whole situation.

Then, I turned to Rebecca. "Candy, this is Rebecca."

Candy shook her hand. "I've heard a lot about you."

Rebecca chuckled. "Only good things I hope."

Candy nodded. "Of course."

Then, an awkward silence fell over the group. It was broken up, though, by the sound of running feet.

I turned to see Max and Anna running towards us. "Mommy!" Anna squealed.

"We missed you so much." Max added.

I smiled as I knelt down and pulled them into a hug. "Oh, I missed you guys to."

I felt a few tears well up as I released the hug.

"You guys got so big." I said.

They smiled up at me, then Max turned to Candy. "Who's the new girl?" He asked.

Candy laughed. "Candy, I've heard a lot about you guys to." She said as she bent down to shake their hands.

"Guys, this is my new girlfriend. So, I want you to be nice to her." I said.

They smiled at her. "I'm Max, it's a pleasure to meet you." He said.

"And I'm Anna." She added.

Candy smiled as she shook each of their hands.

After spending some time with the kids, I decided to head out for a smoke.

"I'll be back." I said as I stood up and kissed Candy on the forehead before heading outside.

I sat on the front porch and lit my cigarette, a few tears streaming down my cheeks.

It was a bittersweet moment. On one side, I got to see my kids after all this time, which was great. But, on the other side, I knew they would be leaving with Rebecca in a couple weeks.

Then, I heard the door open. I wiped my eyes as I stood up, coming face to face with Rebecca.

"Oh, hey." I said, avoiding eye contact.

She gave me a small smile. "Hey, mind if I join you?"

I sat back down. "You smoke?"

She chuckled. "No, but, I wanted to talk to you."

I nodded, exhaling smoke.

"So..." She started.

I looked at her, a slight smile spreading on my lips. "So?"

She smiled back. "Candy, huh?"

I laughed a little. "What can I say? She's really sweet."

She laughed in return before looking down. "Where'd you meet her?"

"Twist." I lied.

She nodded. "Well, she seems nice."

"She is, and she's smart and funny... I got lucky I guess."

"Was she the first one after... you know?"

I just nodded, exhaling some more smoke.

"Hey, two out of two ain't bad."

I laughed and she joined me.

"So, you're really leaving in a couple weeks?" I found myself asking.

"Duty calls."

"What about the kids?"

"Well, I can't leave them here."

I shook my head and stood up. "Why not? I could watch them for a little while."

"I'm sorry, Skylar-"

"Bullshit, they're my kids to."

She stood up now. "Well, what'd you expect? I'd just come back down here and start up a family with you again? I'm sorry, Skylar, but that ship has sailed."

"Hey, you left me, not the other way around."

She shook her head and let out a bitter laugh. "You let me."

I angrily flicked my cigarette into the street. "That's bullshit and you know it. I have a life here, I couldn't just pack up and leave on the drop of a hat."

"I didn't ask you to, Skylar, I just asked you to support me... like I supported you."

"How was I supposed to support that? The love of my life flying halfway across the country and for what? A fucking job!"

"Oh, thats rich coming form you! I watched you almost single handedly destroy our marriage countless times. And, I didn't give up on you, on us. I adapted."

I shook my head in disbelief. "You keep seeming to miss the part where you left me. You made that choice and you walked out that fucking door! Leaving me with nothing. No kids, no home... nothing."

Before she could respond, we heard the door open.

We looked over and saw Candy standing in the doorway. "Uh, am I interrupting something?" She asked.

Rebecca shook her head before looking back at me. "Have a nice fucking life." She said before brushing past Candy and back into her aunts' house, slamming the door behind her.

I felt the tears start to well up again. Then, I screamed before collapsing to the ground, letting the tears flow free.

Candy was by my side in a second. "Hey, what happened?" She asked softly.

I just shook my head.

She rubbed my back as she helped me up. "C'mon, let's get you home."

I cried myself to sleep that night, Candy holding me the whole time.

Just when I was starting to feel good again, Rebecca had to ruin it. Again.