The cabin bestows a welcoming aura that both find essential at this time in their life. It is lightly decorated leaving the natural elements shine: the wood on the trim and floors; the metal on the door hardware and stair-rail, the steel on the ceiling of the decks, and the masonry on the walls and fireplace.
The snow is coming down steadily as the fire crackles. "It is so peaceful here in this little hideaway." He replies honestly continuing the small talk. "I order supplies from the store down the hill and they deliver the same day. Bessie has been great."
Paulina stands up and paces in front of the fire. "You're a stand up man." She stops to stare at the kitschy mantel motifs. "You just needed a little growing up. Being a parent will do that do you…"
Her mind is trying to decipher all these feelings and thoughts that have abruptly bubbled to the surface. She has become an expert at living her life as a fraction of her true self.
"Paulina… what is it?" He can tell she has more to say, but is being overly cautious.
"This really isn't the right time." Paulina keeps her back to Jake running her hand thru her blonde locks.
"Right time for what?" Jake throws another log on the fire.
"You are grieving over Vicky." She is entranced by the number of snow globes displayed on the mantel.
"And you are married to Joe, the police captain. Now that we stated facts, what exactly are you trying to say?"
One of the girls releases a cry and Paulina escapes the conversation hustling rather swiftly towards the nursery. She returns shortly with Michelle on her hip. Jake's smile is from ear to ear.
"Now that is a beautiful sight. She is going to love you… both of them will." He whispers as he walks past her to retrieve Bridget. Paulina puts Michelle on the ground to let her play with a toy while making bottles. She already loves being apart of their lives.
"You know, it doesn't hurt like it used to… grieving for Vic. She wants me happy. I know that." Jake expresses genuinely, beside her in the kitchen, preparing their favorite snack: Cheerios.
They all sit on the floor playing and laughing symbolizing some normalcy. Jake uses this time to get answers to various questions he has thought of since finding the girls.
"Now what were you trying to say before. What have I missed in Bay City? And I am referring to you. Your life, Paulina. I want to hear everything about you." They both move to the couch leaving the girls to play with their toys.
She leans back putting her head on the pillow. "Remy and Nick are going to college in Chicago. Dante is thriving and.. and…. Everything is fine." She states without any inflection causing Jake to pry even more.
"Now, give me the truth." He raises his eyebrow seeking answers. She finds him amiable and completely engaged.
"Jake, you could always do that?" She moves to rest her head in her hands getting choked up. "I think my marriage is in trouble." A cry slips out from Paulina. "Joe has been… absent."
"Absent in what way?"
"When we are together at home, he's not present. He's distant." Paulina shakes her head repeatedly.
Jake keeps his eyes on the girls and mouths silently, "Is he having an affair?"
"I don't know, but that could be what's going on. We haven't been intimate in months." She cannot believe she just blurted that fact out covering her mouth in a haste.
"Months!" Jake makes eye contact with Paulina. "How is that possible? I mean, look at you!" He is shocked by the announcement.
Paulina's baby weight is all lost just as she wanted, in a healthy manner after the diet pill struggle. Jake has been celibate since Vicky's death. So he has a good reason, but Paulina's situation is uncalled for.
"This is awkward to talk to you about this…" She paces barefooted behind the couch. "You and I…" she stops to look at the girls quickly before continuing, "how much do you want to know?"
"This is the most adult conversation I have had in weeks. Tell me all." He reaches behind him and squeezes her hand for reassurance.
All have had dinner. Girls are in bed for the night, hopefully, and Paulina and Jake are relaxing on the deck out back with the baby monitor on the table between them.
With melancholy in her voice, "This view is amazing, Jake. It's just so very peaceful."
"It has been therapeutic. A great place for the girls and I to get to know one another. Figure each other out… determine next steps." There is a silence between them as they listen to the night sounds.
"Paulina, you gotta finish. It sounds like you need me as much as I need you."
"Always…" She turns to look at him seeing the reflection of the moon is his eyes, "But, you are the one who called me, Jake." She utters with a fake smile.
"Yes, but let's talk about you first." They both take a drink of their hot cider.
Paulina reclines back in the comfy chair, "I'm a great full time mom; I manage a restaurant, which is not truly mine. And I don't remember the last time my husband touched me."
"What do you remember?" He leans forward on his elbows.
"We've been married for a little while now. We've obviously had struggles, but it seems like we no longer have any…"
"Passion? For how long…" Jake is surprised in how that could be accurate. Flashes of them together from their past at their townhouse come to his mind. The electricity was always intoxicating between them...
"Yes. He is definitely passionate about his work. But any look of passion, romance in his eyes for me is no longer…" She pauses before continuing, "There or maybe it never existed. He works a case to the point of pushing me to the curb. He questions Dante's whereabouts all the time as if he has lost all trust in me." She holds the hot cider between her hands in discontentment.
"Okay. Let's breakdown this down." Paulina agrees. "First he seems like the same old Joe when it comes to you, work, Dante – except for: One. Passion, intimacy. And then two. Overall trust."
"Pretty much." She exhales heavily, "Our chemistry that we may have once had has seemed to fizzle out. It has been pretty lonely, especially with you gone. I miss you." She does miss him; the unequivocal ability to share anything and his undeniable frankness.
"I miss you too, Cupcake." Paulina adores her nickname, especially when Jake says it to her. "How long can you stay?" Jake inquires as the sun goes down. Paulina doesn't answer right away as she rubs her hands together nervously. "I understand if you need to return."