"I need more time to think." Doug's voice pleaded on the phone.

"Doug, you've had three days!"

"Fine, come on over just before 3, we will talk, the kids will get home at 3.30." He snapped, then the line went dead. Nikki felt her body calm just slightly.

Diane gave her a questioning look and she nodded.

"I am going to see him just before 3." Nikki said aloud as she put the mobile back into her pocket. A slight feeling of relief flooded through her body.

Diane hugged her reassuringly, yet it didn't quell any of the nerves in her stomach.

The last three days had been bittersweet for Nikki. Whilst she was with Diane, and wasn't lying about it, she didn't have a family. It hadn't hit her until the first morning, when she had woken up in bed with Diane and not Doug. Diane has been woken by Nikki crying uncontrollably and no matter how much she apologized, Di wouldn't take it.

She was still trying to get her head around how fast her world had been turned upside down. One moment she was married, the next… well, she wasn't quite sure. From that first morning, it had been everything you would have expected. Happiness, guilt, sadness, yet one particular thought kept coming back to her. Four days ago, she was considering stopping whatever she had with Diane. Yet here she was now, because her life hadn't worked out – how was that fair on Diane? She just tried to shake the thought out of her head.

Nikki pulled up at the curb and looked at her watch. 2.48 perfect timing. She swallowed trying to beat the butterflies down; this was stupid, having nerves, he was still her husband, and they were still married.

"Nikki." Doug answered when she knocked on the door.

Nikki followed him through into the hallway. Forcing herself to take one step, then another.

"Did you want a coffee or something?"

"A cup of tea would be nice." Nikki replied, walking into the lounge room.

A few minutes later, Doug entered carrying two cups and he set them down on the coffee table.

"How have the kids been?" Nikki asked. She could hear the desperation in her own voice.

"They've been okay; they think you're at your mum's."

"How are you?"

"Angry, upset, do you want me to go on Nikki?" Doug replied his voice ice cold.

"Doug, please."

"Nikki, don't beg and say you're sorry, I've already decided that I can't take you back. I am going to file for divorce." Nikki's heart stopped; her whole world stopped suddenly, it all felt like lead.

"I can't get past that you have lied to me for all these years, Nikki. I have tried honestly, but I just can't." Doug continued.

All Nikki could do was nod silently. Suddenly there was a yell from outside and the door opened.

"Mum!" Claire yelled, and ran to give her a huge hug; the other kids soon followed. A feeling of happiness washed over her, for a moment she forgot what was really happening, she was lost in that world. When they had all settled down, Doug spoke up.

"Girls, boys, we need to talk to you." Four sets of eyes were on Doug. Nikki couldn't look at him.

"Your mother and I are getting a divorce."

Stunned silence, that's was what it was; then suddenly everyone was talking.

"No, no mum!"

"Dad, not again please!"

"Why?" That was Jill her oldest daughter, always the logical and calm one, if she wasn't going to be a copper then it would be a waste.

Doug looked pointedly at Nikki. She took a deep breath and started to speak.

"Sometimes, love isn't enough to keep a marriage alive. Sometimes you fall in love with other people."

"I still love you all kids, but I can't live here okay, I really can't anymore." Nikki's voice fell away.

There was another agonizing five minutes, before Nikki made it to the door and into the car. Once there she turned the engine on, and drove; she didn't want to think. In a matter of minutes she was at Diane's place and ringing the door bell. The key was being cut today.

"Nik, how did it go?" Diane asked pulling her into a hug.

Suddenly all her feelings and thoughts got on top of her, she needed to get them out.

"Di, please, we need to talk."

"What's wrong?"

"Before Doug threw me out, I was going to leave you. I was going to stop whatever we had, and not continue. Yet Doug threw me out, and I came to you. It's not fair for you that I am here."

"Nik, I don't mind, honestly please."

"No I can't. I need time. Di, I need to sort out my life, I'm sorry." With that, she ran out the door, her heart breaking for every step that she took further from Diane for the second time in her life.