AN: Yes, it's short but I wanted to keep the focus on the scene in order to progress the story.

The sun was what eventually woke her the next morning. The cast of light shone bright upon her tired eyes. It took Elizabeth a moment to recount where she was. Given the trouble she endured falling asleep, she was surprised to find herself in her living room.

She turned her attention to the kitchen, the source of her children's conversation: hushed and secretive. It was her first reminder of the night before, and she felt it. Her body became laden with grief. She was angry at herself that her kids were a witness, unsure of what they heard, and embarrassed by its substance. She sat up and walked around to the kitchen. She didn't want to face them, so she went upstairs and got dressed.

Henry was gone, and at that moment it felt like more of a plus than a disappointment. She didn't want to address last night, not now, not ever. If it meant normality, she was happy to oblige. There was a logic behind the facade.

She didn't say anything when she entered the kitchen-she was hoping she could avoid conversation altogether, but knowing her kids...That wasn't going to happen.

Elizabeth followed the usual routine starting with coffee.

She felt her children's eyes studying her. She knew they surely had questions, she did, as well. Though, in the spirit of avoidance Elizabeth grabbed her thermos and toast, and headed for the door.

Stevie's voice stopped her.

"So...I guess I'm the spokesman, but, um...Last night?"

Elizabeth stepped back into the room, and for the first time, noted her children's expressions. The anger on Stevie's and the fear on Alison and Jason's.

"Are you guys...Okay?" Stevie asked.

"Stevie," Elizabeth addressed, "I need to go."

"Can you at least answer my question...I mean, we all saw," Stevie scoffed

"Not now, Okay? I need to go," Elizabeth responded.

"Yeah...Okay," Stevie mumbled, "Just pretend that nothing goes on around here."

"What?" Elizabeth's voice became quiet.

"Don't you think we deserve an explanation?" Stevie continued.

"No," Elizabeth replied, "I don't think you deserve anything. What happened last night was between your dad and me-"

"We were there-These two-" Stevie pointed to her brother and sister, "They heard everything."

Elizabeth swallowed, collected her things once more and said, "I need to go."

"Because that's nothing new," Stevie mumbled.

"Stevie, I'm sorry I'm not perfect," Elizabeth defended.

"All we need is an explanation, mom," Stevie replied.

"Stevie, I told you-"

"Or how 'bout, where's dad? Do you know where dad is?" Stevie added.

"I don't know," She admitted.

Hmmm…" Stevie sighed in judgment.

"Stevie, please, just drop it," Elizabeth yelled, I'm not perfect, I'm sorry, everything's my fault. So could-"

"-Are you getting a divorce?" Jason blurted.

His eyes stayed averted from her, gazing at the wall, While Alison's stared directly at hers, darkened with concern.

"No, no, we're...Why would...No, no," Elizabeth responded the best she could, "...I have to go."

She stepped outside feeling relieved. She didn't want to deal with Stevie, although, she knew her daughter's anger was justified. The truth was, she didn't know what was going to happen, and as far as she was concerned, divorce was a possibility. As much as her old self would've hated to admit it, now that admission felt a little freeing.

And so, she stepped into the motorcade and headed toward her refuge.