Once they had finished talking and had come to an understanding, Perry and Della gathered the children in the living room. The girls sat on the couch while the boys took a seat in two of the chairs. Della and Perry sat on the love seat, ironically. "What's going on?" Vivian asked.

"Yeah, you look like someone died," Maggie said.

"In dad's line of work, it's totally possible," Violet added.

"No one died," Perry said.

"Is this about you two fighting so much recently?" Max asked.

"Yeah, are you almost done with that?" Vinny asked.

"We know that we have been fighting a lot and that you all have had to endure it," Perry said. "That's not fair to you."

"Your father and I have talked about this, and right now, we think it would be best if we got some space from one another," Della said.

"What does that mean?" Max asked.

"They're splitting up," Maureen said angrily.

"You're getting divorced?" Vinny asked with worry.

"No, we're not getting divorced," Della said.

"We're separating," Perry clarified, "we need time and space to figure out why we've been having so many problems. Why our small problems have turned into big ones."

"Your father is going to be staying at a hotel and you'll all have the phone number and room number. You can stay there whenever he's able to have you over," Della said.

"Wait, why is daddy the one leaving?" Maureen asked, "this is his house."

"Actually, the house is in both of our names," Perry said. "It was my idea to leave. I don't feel that your mother should have to take all of you kids to a hotel."

"Why do we have to stay with her?"

"Because of my work schedule."

"She works almost as much as you do."

"Not anymore," Della said, "as of right now, I'm no longer your father's confidential secretary."

"So you'll be home all the time? Great," Maureen said. "I mean this is unbelievable. It's your fault, but daddy has to leave."

"Maureen Paulina Mason," Perry yelled.

Della held up her hand, "no," she said, "it's fine."

"I'm staying with daddy tonight," Maureen said.

"That's fine," Della responded. "Why don't you all go? I'm sure you'd rather have your father's cooking."

The kids had all agreed to go with Perry. They went up to pack their things. Perry looked at his wife, "why did you stop me from yelling at Maureen?" he asked.

Della stood and started walking away. She shrugged and turned around, "I don't know."

The kids came downstairs and hugged Della before going to Perry's car. Perry stayed behind as Maureen came down with more than her siblings. "It's only tonight," Perry said.

Maureen looked at her mother before walking towards the door. "You can blame me if you need to," Della said. The girl stopped, but didn't turn around, "you won't be the only one blaming me. I blame myself for how this all turned out. I don't like to fail and yet, I've failed as a wife and a mother. My husband is leaving and my children would all rather be with him. So if you need someone to blame, go ahead and blame me. I don't want you to lose what you have with your father." Maureen turned around and for the first time, actually saw her mother, "but just know, that no matter what happens, even if you choose to never speak to me again, I will always love you. You will always have a place in my heart, and you can always come home."

Maureen felt herself becoming emotional. She stared at her mother for a moment before leaving. Della walked her husband to the door. "I can't believe this is actually happening," he said.

"I know," Della agreed.

"You do know how much I love you, right?"

She smiled, "of course I do."

"This is all just temporary."

"Yeah," Della said, not entirely sure herself.

The two hugged one another tightly, "I don't want to let go," he whispered.

"Neither do I."

Perry kissed his wife for what could possibly be the last time, "I love you so much. We'll fix this," he said, "if I have to shut my practice down or close it completely, I will."

"I know," Della said.

"Are you going to be alright tonight?"

"I'll be fine," she said. "You'd better go before the kids get antsy. Just don't look back."

"I won't if you go inside when I turn."

That's what they did. Perry and Della turned and walked away from one another at the same time, without looking back. Della shut the door behind her and locked it. When she heard Perry's car drive away, she slid to the floor, put her face in her hands, and cried.