As I Am (Part 2 of There You'll Be)

Thank You

(Evelyn)

Today was the day. The day I dreaded for a week, at least. I would be discussing the future of the Bagans family with Zak. I was so emotional thinking about us divorcing but couldn't think about anything but Jay. He told me he loves me. I love him too. I'm just not sure why it took me 7 years...

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I arrived at my former home and smiled to myself when I saw my kids playing in the backyard. Zak opened the door and it was almost if I'd never lived there. I felt like a stranger. Zak pulled me into his arms in a hug.

"Hi Ev.." He said as I inhaled his scent. I felt myself choke up. "How are you doing?' he asked me as we sat on the couch

"I'm shattered. I'm broken hearted. I'm angry but okay." I told me wiping my eyes.

"I'm assuming you saw the article..."

I shook my head.

"Evelyn, I love you. I really, really do. I love the life we created. I love our kids..."

"But.."

"But I also really like my freedom. I like my independence. My playboy ways."

"I knew they never died."

"Why did you stay with me so long then?" he asked me.

"I wanted to believe the things they said weren't true. I wanted to believe you were different. For a while, I thought you were."

"Evelyn. I could never be what you want or deserve. I thought I had changed too. Turns out you can't teach an old dog new tricks."

I started to sob.

"How many?" I asked.

"How many what?" he asked.

"How many women and when?" I asked getting ticked.

"If I had to guess, 54 over the last 7 years. Mostly on investigations. Especially during your pregnancies."

"Did you take any to the museum?!" I asked.

He was silent.

"ZAK. I ASKED YOU. DID YOU TAKE ANY TO THE MUSEUM?!"

He nodded.

"HOW MANY?!"

"23. 23 different women. After hours. When you left at night and I said I was still working."

"OH MY GOD. FUCK YOU. FUCK YOU ZACHARY BAGANS. FUCK YOU. I WAS FAITHFUL THE ENTIRE FUCKING TIME. HOW COULD YOU?! WHEN I WAS PREGNANT? WHEN I WAS HOME WITH OUR KIDS. WE JUST GOT REMARRIED. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! HOW DARE YOU." I said yelling.

"Thats why I am telling you now that I want a divorce. It was nothing you did. I just don't want the commitment anymore. I still want to see the kids but I could never ever give you my whole heart and you deserve someone who can." he said with tears rolling down his face.

"Someone like Jay." I blurt out.

"What?"

"Jay. The guy on your crew. The guy who has been my very best friend since meeting you. I always tell him he will make some woman very happy someday. I think that woman actually might be me after all."

"Evelyn...I..."

"Jay and I slept together before I came over. He kissed me last night after coming over to console me as a friend. I kissed him awake this morning and we made love."

There was silence.

"Zak?"

"No, Evelyn. That's actually amazing. When I imagined you with someone who loves you with their whole heart like you deserve, I always thought of someone like Jay."

"You mean you don't care that we had sex?"

"No because we aren't together now."

I gave him a hug. "Thank you. As much as I am hurt by all your doings, I'm grateful to know that you and I will still have a good relationship. For the kids sakes."

"Of course. Evelyn, it's not that I don't love you. I'm completely enamored by you but I love you enough to let you go and be with a man who loves you wholeheartedly."

I squeezed him tighter.

We spent the rest of the time discussing this divorce. We called our families, the Travel Channel producer and the guys to come over for a meeting to break the news.