Disclaimer: I don't own them. Got it? Good. But I do own Sara, Peyton, and Nathan.

The two weeks that Julie was in New York passed by in a blur. She stepped out of the terminal looking for Sara. She found her standing at the baggage claim waiting for them. It didn't seem like that long ago she had left. She had tried to call Adam while she was gone. He wouldn't answer his phone or the house phone. She had called Charlie and he said that he hadn't heard from him.

Something was off and Julie wanted to figure out what was going on. Sara drove them home in silence. Like Fulton she didn't talk much, they were a good match. As they pulled up to the house Julie saw the mailbox stuffed with mail. Newspapers littered the yard. Had Adam not come home at all while they were gone?

She pulled out her phone and dialed Charlie's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey."

"Hey, you home?"

"Just got here. Have you been able to get in touch with Adam since I talked to you the other day?"

"No. It's weird, it's like he's dissapeared. Why?"

"He hasn't been here either. It doesn't look like anyone's been here since I left."

"Do you want me to come over?"

"No. I'll just try to call him again. Maybe the thousandth time is a charm huh?" She asked with a laugh.

"Maybe. Call me if you hear anything."

"I will."

Julie shut her phone as she started pulling bags from the backseat.

"Do you want me to stay for a while?" Sara asked once everything had been brought in.

"Nah, go ahead and go home. I'm gonna order a pizza and maybe watch a movie with the kids. Go spend time with your husband."

"You don't have to tell me twice. I'll see you later." Sara before hugging her.

Julie watched her leave from the front porch. Peyton came out holding an envelope.

"Momma what does this say?" She asked holding it up.

Julie took it from her not knowing to expect. Her name was written across the front in Adam's hand writing. She opened it as she made her way back into the house. Peyton went into the living room where Nate was sleeping in his play pen. She played quietly as Julie set the envelope down long enough to order dinner. Once she was off the phone she picked up the letter again.

Dear Julie,

There isn't a right way for me to say this so I'm just going to come out and say it. I'm sorry for the way I've treated you. I've been a terrible husband and father. I don't want you to think that anything that is going on is your fault. Because you are a wonderful person. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life.

I don't deserve you. We both know I have issues that I have to deal with. You shouldn't have to deal with me while I go through it. I want you to know that I don't regret marrying you or having Peyton and Nate. I know that you'll raise them to be kind and wonderful people.

I did a lot of thinking the night before you left. I realized I wasn't being fair to you. I've been holding you back for years. I'm so sorry for not believing in you. You deserve better than that. I hope one day that you can forgive me.

I'm having divorce papers drawn up and you should be getting them in a week or so. I hope when you find love again that the person treats you better than I have. I'll call you when I can. I still want to be in the kids lives. I couldn't bear to think that you would raise them on your own. I'll be staying with Colin and Susan for a while. Call me if you need anything.

Adam

Julie closed the letter with tears in her eyes. Peyton came into the room to let her know that the pizza guy was outside. Julie paid him but she didn't remember much after that. She didn't remember putting the kids to bed half an hour later. What she did remember was that she spent all night crying because their wasn't anything she could do to save her marriage.

Adam had walked out on them. How was she going to tell Peyton? She was smart for four. She would know something was going on when Adam didn't come home after a few days. She still had to tell her family and friends. How was she going to do that? Half of her friends were friends with Adam too. She couldn't expect them to pick sides.

She felt like her world was caving in around her. She would cry now and get it out. After tonight, she would pull herself together and make it through this with her head held high. She wouldn't cry again. She couldn't afford to, she had two children to raise. She had to be strong for them.

XXXX

Adam had thought long and hard about who he could ask for a place to stay. His brother was a lot like their dad in some ways. He was a hard ass who had a tendency to push his kids too far. Maybe a little time spent with Colin would set both of them straight. Colin wasn't too old to be lectured by his older brother on his parenting skills. And Adam needed to be knocked down a few notches himself. So they would both get something out of the situation.

He had been staying with them almost three weeks when Charlie showed up. He gave Adam a hard look once he opened the door. Colin and Susan were at work and the kids were still at school so now was a good time for the tongue lashing he knew was coming.

"The kids are fine. Julie's holding it together really well. I can tell she misses you though."

"I miss her too." Adam said as they sat on the couch.

"What made you finally leave?"

"Julie thought what was going on was her fault. I couldn't stand doing that to her."

"How are you?"

"I feel like scum. I couldn't even make my marriage work."

"In your defense your parents didn't set the best example."

"My mom tried. I swear I still hear my dad's voice in my head. He sounds just like he did when we were in PeeWee's."

"That can't be healthy."

"You had a bad childhood too. How did you not turn out like I did?"

"My mom wouldn't let me. I also had the Ducks."

"So did I."

"We were the only stable thing you had. When we weren't together you were so withdrawn. I remember Julie calling me while you two were in college because she was worried about you. I had to reassure her that it wasn't her. It was just that you weren't used to being on your own."

Adam nodded wondering why Julie had put up with him for so long. She must have really loved him. At the time he had loved her too. He'd had eight years of something wonderful. Which was more than some people could say.