"Have there been any changes at home?" The teacher pried. She furrowed her eyebrow at the way Jack and Kate looked to each other, both unsure how to answer.

"We broke up," Kate finally said, trying to ignore the way Jack flinched at the words.

"I've been a little absent," Jack admitted.

"That certainly explains the lying." The teacher explained.

"So this is normal?" Jack asked hopefully.

"Not quite, but it is understandable." The teacher paused, studying the parents in front of her. Kate was absolutely the prettiest parent she had seen, wearing a black blazer and black pants that cropped around the shins and her hair in a tight chignon. Despite her makeup, Kate looked tired and the teacher knew this was weighing heavily on her. Jack had the same worried expression in his oxford shirt and slacks. She couldn't help but wonder what they would look like if they were still romantically involved; instead she focused her energy on the task at hand.

"Please, what can we do?" Kate's voice shook.

"Most children this age respond well to co-parenting. If you can manage a relationship between yourselves, participate in activities together. Eat dinner together. The better your relationship with each other is, the easier it will be for him."

Kate and Jack stared at each other, dumbfounded. Kate couldn't place her feelings. She had missed Jack and the breakup had destroyed her and Aaron. Still, she knew that it was in the best interest of her son.

"We'll figure it out," she said softly.

"Please don't punish Aaron for my mistakes," Jack added when he saw the guilty look on Kate's face. "And this is my fault; not Kate's," he added with a soft squeeze to Kate's hand.

They walked out of the school in silence. Kate stared at the ground and Jack knew all too well that she was fighting tears. He wished he hadn't ruined everything, that he could wrap her into his arms and never let her go. He wished he was still the one to comfort her instead of making it worse.

"Hey," she said as she unlocked her car "we should make a plan and schedule so Aaron knows what days—"

"— we don't need separate days, Kate. You heard her, it's best for us to spend time with Aaron together. As a family."

"If we can manage," she reminded him.

"If we can survive each other on an island we can both take Aaron to the park." He watched the wheels turning in Kate's head.

"You can join us for dinner," Kate said softly. "If you want, I mean..." She hated how nervous she was around him now. It was Jack. She knew him. And he knew her. There had never been any discomfort between the two and it broke her heart to realize how far they'd come. It only convinced her further that they'd never be back together.

"Of course. I'd love that," Jack said eagerly.

"After Aaron goes to bed we can sit down and make a plan," she added. "I don't read Alice in Wonderland as well as you anyway," she muttered. "Maybe you could read to him before bed? If it's not too much trouble..."

"Hey," he grabbed her arm gently, making her look up at him. "You and Aaron aren't too much trouble." Kate bit her lower lip and he knew she was trying not to smile. In the sunlight he could make out the dark circles she tried to hide with makeup and suddenly he realized how tired she looked. Not that anyone would notice underneath her beautiful looks but Jack knew. He knew her every expression, every tone, every inch of her. "Are you feeling okay?" He asked, using his hand to move her face side to side.

"I don't need examined, Jack."

"You look tired," he explained.

"I'll see you tonight," she ignored his words, giving him one of those smiles that melted his heart. Without another word, she slid into her car and drove away.