The Choices We Make
By Misha

Disclaimer and A.N in Part One.

Part Fifteen: Bitter Endings

"So, should I expect divorce papers?" Celeste asked caustically.

"No." Jake said quietly.

"Why not?" Celeste asked, raising an eyebrow. "I know you don't love me or value our marriage-I think I've always known that and I've finally stopped deluding myself. You never loved me, it was always her."

"Yes." Jake admitted. "But... Its too late. Too late for me and Liane. I have commitments, a duty, the vows you and I made, and to our son, and to Lianne's daughter. Duncan and Veronica need stability, not chaos."

Celeste sighed bitterly. She should have known. "So this is for them." She said finally. "If it was up to you, you'd leave, but..."

"I'm sorry I hurt you, Celeste." Jake said quietly. "I've treated you badly, was horribly unfair to you all along and I regret that."

Celeste nodded, sensing the truth, but it felt hollow. Oh, he'd stay with her, because of duty, but he'd never love her and he'd no longer even bother pretending otherwise.

"So I have to have that woman's daughter, the daughter you wish was yours in my house for the next two years?" Celeste said bitterly.

"Yes." Jake said simply. "Veronica is a part of our family, perhaps not by blood, but by circumstance, and you have to accept that."

"What if I refuse?" Celeste demanded, hating the idea of having to have Liane's daughter in her house.

"Then I'll ask for a divorce." Jake said coldly. "I'll stay with you, stay married to you, and I'll be faithful from this point forward, but Veronica is part of the deal."

Celeste sat there, frozen by the grim reality of her marriage. Jake didn't love her, barely tolerated her. Yes, he was offering her the security and the fidelity that she longed for, but at such a cost. Even though she believed him when he said that he'd be faithful from now, it still felt hollow.

It wasn't about her, it was about the children. Celeste tried to imagine having Lianne's daughter living with them, a reminder of where Jake's heart really laid and the life he wished he could have. Plus, she couldn't help but bitterly think about how he was replacing one daughter for another, this one shiny and perfect. It was just too ugly, too bitter and she couldn't do it.

"I suppose you'll want Duncan to stay with you." She said coldly.

Jake looked stunned, but then nodded. "I'd prefer that, yes."

"Fine." Celeste said quietly. "And you can keep the house."

"I don't want it." Jake told her quickly.

Celeste nodded, not surprised. The house had never been a home, not for her, not for Jake and not for their children, though for a while she had tried, but... Well, it was impossible to fight for something that had never really existed in the first place.

"I'm sorry Celeste." Jake said after a long moment.

"I'm sorry to." Celeste said quietly, standing up with dignity. "Good-bye Jake."

It was ironic that after everything, she was leaving now, just when Jake had resolved to stay with her, but...

Well, it was time, she couldn't live a lie any longer. She had spent too long as second best, she couldn't face a lifetime of it. With that she turned and walked out of the restaurant with out looking back.