The next day came and Zac was in the closet packing himself a few bags. Fatima jogged up the steps after hearing Mason wake up from his nap. She picked him up as he laid his head on her shoulder while she walked back into the main bedroom.
"You're still tired but you just had to get up" she says to him as she kneeled over on the bed and grabbed her phone. She heard the shuffling in the closet and went to stand at the door, seeing Zac.
"You're packing? Everything?" She ask as she began to feel a ways
"I'm just packing enough so I don't have to come in and out bringing something everytime" he explained
"I mean it's just downstairs" she says
"What's downstairs?" He ask not looking at her.
"That's where you're taking everything to right?" She ask adjusting Mason on her hip.
"No the west house" he says standing up from his kneeling position
"I thought we said downstairs?" She says now feeling a ways.
"You didn't say at all. I assumed that literal separation was the best approach, so I'll be staying over there" Zac says
"Oh" she says lowly as Mason turned his head a few times before resting it back on her.
"When are you leaving?" She ask
"Whenever you decide we should talk to the kids. The sooner the better right?" He ask truthfully
"Zac I don't want it be hostility or any tension between us" she says
"But there's been tension so this would be no different, that's what we are trying to work on" he says " And I'm not being hostile. I respect your decision and it is what it is. We'll figure it out." He says zipping one of the bags up
"I really didn't want you to leave the house but, I guess it makes some sense" she says
"So you wanted me downstairs just so what? We can find ways to argue while standing in the kitchen? No" he says "Let's really take the time and space" he tells her
"Okay" she says. Fatima asked for the separation, knows they need it but seeing Zac not giving an ounce of pushback did not settle right in her heart compared to previous interactions.
"I'll be here most days anyways. We do have four children and one just happens to be a baby" he says lightly laughing
"I have responsibilities. Everything will be taken care of like it always is, just not staying here. That's our space, that's where the line has to be out" he says and she nods feeling like she has wanted to let a tear fall but she didn't. This is what they needed but no one said it would be easy.
"Yeah... you're right" she says reluctantly. Mason was becoming fidgety in her arms so she tried to adjust him again but he started whining with his legs stretched.
"If you want to get down just say that" she says letting him slide down her slide and onto the floor.
"Do we want to set up checkpoints or -
"Checkpoints like what?" He ask
"Just to see how the separation is going on both ends" she explains
"Are we staying separated for a month, two or there is no clue?" He ask
"That's why I think the check ins would help. Maybe after a month, see what has happened and go from there. I don't know Zac. I really don't." She says "I know we need to do this but I just- " she stops her words to get herself together. She couldn't hold her emotions any longer.
