"Millicent is at your dad's?" Juliet said as she heard her husband enter their home. He went to the doorway of their bedroom.
"Yeah," Shawn replied. "She packed a whole duffle bag of her dolls so that will keep them busy for the week."
"Good," Juliet smiled softly, not once looking in her husband's direction. There was a suitcase lying on the bed, and Juliet was busy packing clothes into it. "She really shouldn't be involved in this."
Shawn sighed. He and Jules both knew that it was impossible to keep their daughter out of involvement. If they did decide to go through with the divorce, it would be much more involvement than either of them would like. Millie was only six years old, Shawn did not want to have to explain to her that sometimes the happily ever after of a story does not always last.
"When's your flight?" Shawn asked sadly, leaning against the doorframe.
"Eight."
Shawn frowned; he did not want this. He did not want Juliet to leave for Miami to visit her parents and to "sort things out". He thought that it would be better if they sorted it all out together. They still loved each other, it was just… strained.
He bitterly thought that this must have been what his dad felt like when his mom left him. He sure didn't help, being the selfish teenager he was.
"This doesn't have to happen," Shawn said, walking over to her.
"We've tried everything else for a year now, Shawn," Juliet reminded him. Of course he remembered it, all the counseling and "talking things out" that didn't help a scrap. "I think the best thing is to take some time from each other."
He sighed, defeated, "I don't want this to happen to us, Jules. I still love you."
Juliet closed her eyes and ceased packing for a moment; she only resumed after she replied, "it's for the best."
Shawn recalled everything and right now he was recalling a time when whenever he told her he loved her, she would always respond with an "I love you, too." Always. Not now.
He knew that if she did leave it would be even more difficult for them. It might even involve divorce papers (which consequently involved their child). He didn't want that. He couldn't go through that with Jules.
Shawn watched her pack the clothes she will need for the week. With every sock and shirt placed, it was another more painful throbbing sensation in his heart.
"I don't want it to end like this," he said.
"Me neither," Juliet replied.
"Then stay!" Shawn suggested enthusiastically, letting his heart cling o the false hope that she will take him up on that offer.
"It's not that simple, Shawn," Juliet snapped. Zipping her suitcase closed. She picked it up and lowered it to the floor, rolling it behind her as she passed Shawn to the hallway and on to the living room.
"I'm sorry, Shawn," Juliet turned to him, as he trailed her, taking out the car keys from his jacket pocket and heading to the door where she now stood. "Everything is just so confusing now, but I'll be back in a week. I just need some space right now."
"Okay."
"And Shawn," she stopped him before he left through the door, he shifted to her direction. "I still love you, too." She then kissed him swiftly on the cheek and began walking to the car to go to the airport.