The next evening after work, Jackson strode into the house and called out for Harper.

"I'm in the shower!" She called back from upstairs. A few minutes later she appeared at the top of the stairs in a robe and towel tied around her head turban style.

"I'll be down in a minute."

Jackson went to the kitchen and got a blond beer out of the fridge. He popped the lid off with a bottle opener and tossed the lid into the garbage bin. He drank deeply from the bottle, the aromatic, fresh and fruity flavour hitting his tongue. The beer was malty and slightly sweet with a hint of bitterness that evaporated quickly making it a satisfying drink, easing the stress of the day.

He let out a content sigh as his body relaxed. Harper entered the kitchen and started pulling plates out of the cupboard.

"Could you grab the cutlery Jack?" She asked matter of factly. Even though her outward appearance was calm and in control, she was a nervous wreck on the inside, not knowing how Jackson was going to react. Everything inside her was bouncing around, the butterflies in her stomach were whipping themselves up into a frenzy.

He nodded putting the beer down on the counter and got out a couple of knives, spoons and forks from the drawer. He followed her into the dining area.

Harper had set up the dining table elegantly as always, even if it was just a simple meal between them. The huge rectangular glass table had a two dark grey place mats, with white linen napkins neatly folded and threaded through pewter rings. Grey smoked glass wine glasses sat in front of the plates that Harper had put down. A simple spaghetti bolognese was placed in the middle on a warming plate. A small bowl of freshly shaved parmesan was next it. A small bowl of simple salad nestled alongside it, with chunks of tomato, cucumber, and shredded lettuce leaves, tossed with white wine vinegar and oil, with a small sprinkle of salt and pepper.

"Dinner smells great." Jackson said with a smile. Maybe things were going back to how they were supposed to be? He had a small flicker of hope ignite inside him. Harper flashed him a small smile but her eyes remained cold as she went back to the kitchen, returning with an open bottle of Devil's Corner pinot noir and the beer that he was drinking earlier.

She poured herself a glass of wine and swirled the wine around in the glass. She took a deep breath enjoying the herbal lavender and lanolin fragrances. Harper put the glass down and smiled at Jackson.

"Are you ready to eat?" She asked him. Jackson nodded and proffered his plate. Harper heaped the pasta and sauce on to his plate.

"Parmesan?" She queried, waiting for his nod before she garnished his meal. She served herself and sat down.

They started eating in silence. The bolognese sauce was rich and flavoursome, with hints of red wine, garlic, and herbs clinging perfectly to the pasta.

"This is fantastic Harper." Jackson complimented her, he felt like his world was whole again. "Feels like we haven't sat down to eat in ages."

Harper nodded. "In a way it does."

She finished her mouthful of food and patted her lips delicately with the heavy linen napkin.

"Jackson," She said seriously, picking up her wine glass and taking a sip. "I need to talk to you."

His normally anxious wife looked surprisingly put together. Jackson put down his cutlery and wiped his mouth with his napkin. He leaned back in his chair and waited patiently.

Harper took a deep breath.

"I'm leaving."

"What?" Jackson questioned in disbelief. He couldn't quite believe what she was saying, although he had heard it all before. Usually, it was a huge drama, screaming and crying that all accompanied the threat of her leaving. In the past it had always come from an emotional place, this time was different. Harper seemed more in control and determined.

"I've made my mind up," Harper replied resolutely. "I need to move out."

"You're serious?" He said with a smile playing on his lips, it felt like a joke.

"Yes."

Jackson looked into her serious blue eyes. Although her cheeks were a little flushed, she simply stared back at him, without a flicker of fear.

"And when will this be happening?" He asked dismissively as he began eating his meal again.

Harper patted her lips with her napkin again and placed it on the table.

"As soon as I can." She replied, her voice wavering slightly. "I really need to do this Jack."

"Uh huh," He grunted back at her as he finished his beer. He continued eating. Jackson knew deep inside that she would never really leave him. She didn't have anywhere to go, no money, nothing. He was all she had.

"Can you get me another beer?" He held out the empty bottle to her. "Thanks."

"Sure Jack." Harper replied, her voice tinged with confusion. Why wasn't he reacting the way he did in the past? Was this a good thing or was this just the calm before the storm?

She got up from the table and took the empty from his hand. She stood next to him for a moment as if she was willing him to look at her. Jackson kept his gaze forward and continued his meal. Harper lingered a little longer.

"The beer isn't going to get itself Harper!" Jackson snapped, in between mouthfuls of food.

Harper spun on her heel and stalked furiously to the kitchen. She opened the fridge for roughly, making all the bottles in the door rattle against each other. Harper threw the empty beer bottle into the bin with such force that it shattered.

"Asshole!" She muttered under her breath. He didn't really believe that she was going to leave! She'd show that arrogant son of a bitch that she was more than capable of taking care of herself.

Jackson chuckled to himself when he heard the crash of glass. It sounded like Harper was pretty angry. She strode back into the dining room and slammed his beer on the table with so much force that it frothed over. She turned on her heel and left the room, Jackson could hear her angry footsteps thumping upstairs.

Harper paced in her room angrily. It was so like Jackson to simply ignore everything that she had said to him and just continue on like nothing had happened. She started texting furiously.

Harper: He doesn't believe that I'll move out! >:( I'll show that self absorbed asshole!!

Sebastian: Lol! Can't wait to see how he reacts on Sat when you actually leave him!

Harper: He can go get stuffed! He doesn't think that I'll do it.

Sebastian: You will Har-Bear! *Rob Schneider "you can do it' gif*

Harper giggled as she looked at her messages. Sebastian always cheered her up.

Harper: Baby!! I can't wait till we can fall asleep in each others arms! <3 I'm so excited for the weekend. I told Jack that I'm moving out!!

She stared at her phone and wondered why it always took so long for Brooklyn to answer her. Usually, she didn't mind, but right now she was feeling a little bit insecure and needed her girlfriend's comfort.

Brooklyn checked her phone as she lay in bed with Mia, who was sleeping softly against her shoulder. Her brow furrowed and she put the phone back down on the nightstand after she cleared the message off her screen.

After all this time, She thought cynically. I never thought that it would happen. But we'll see whether she actually goes through with it.

She snuggled up to Mia and closed her eyes, trying push thoughts of Harper out of her mind.

After Harper made her revelation about leaving, Jackson waited to see what would happen over the next few days. None of her things were being packed, yet she still had a determined resoluteness about her. He kept a close eye on her, still not believing that she would actually go through with moving out.