TITLE    : I Was Being Stupid
STORYID  : i-was-being-stupid
SUMMARY  : A story of a cheating wife.
AUTHOR   : AnAverageGuy61@lit
DATE     : 2023-01-11
CATEGORY : loving-wives
FLAGS    : 
TAGS     : |husband|wife|lover|cheating|


<strong><u>I Was Being Stupid</u></strong>

<em>My wife cheated, the marriage broke up and it was all my fault....or so she said.</em>

<em>This is not a BTB or RAAC type of story, it's my interpretation of how a couple may sort things out. Some of the processes may be wrong, after all it is a work of fiction.</em>

My marriage to my wife Elaine broke up after 18-years. She cheated and I found out about it.

We had been married for 18-years and were the parents of 16-year old twins. Kevin and Laura were good kids, I felt sorry for them when we divorced.

It all started when I received a text message with a picture of Elaine kissing some guy when she was supposed to be on a girl's night out. I knew I could trust the sender as it came from my brother Joe. When I saw the picture I phoned my brother straight away.

"When did you take that Joe?"

"About 10-minutes ago. Elaine and the guy were in the pub, they didn't see me. They both arrived about 8pm and left just after 9.30pm." It was now 11pm and Elaine still wasn't home. I told Joe I would deal with it, he said he was there for me if I needed anything. I went to bed at midnight, I heard Elaine come home about 2am. I didn't want to start a row at that time of night with the kids in the house, so I decided to wait and have it out with Elaine when we were alone.

At work the next day I did all I could to find out who the mystery man kissing my wife was. I found out he is Jack Cunningham, a manager where Elaine works.

Until I got a chance to speak to Elaine I carried on as normal at home, Elaine was talking to me as if everything was normal between us. That evening the kids went out for an hour, I asked Elaine about her night out, I was giving her a chance to tell the truth. All I got were a pack of lies about them all going to a club until the early hours.

"So you didn't happen to see Jack Cunningham then?"

"No I did not. What are you accusing me of Dave?"

"Not accusing you of anything Elaine, I just asked a question that's all."

"No you did not. You practically accused me of seeing someone else. For your information I am not seeing anyone else, you had better drop this shit before I get really pissed off with you."

"Okay. Okay." I put my hands up. "I get it you are not having an affair." I walked away to my office thinking "<em>Lying bitch."</em>

On Thursday I had a meeting with a client, stupidly I had left some papers I needed at home. I left work early enough to stop and get the papers before heading to see the client.

As I pulled up outside our house I noticed Elaine's car on the drive. Letting myself into the house quietly I soon became aware of why she was at home, the sounds of sex from upstairs echoed around the house. I crept upstairs and peered into our bedroom, they were so into the sex they never knew I was in the house.

I shot some video with my phone. I watched as Elaine howled and begged her lover to fuck her harder. "Pound that big cock into me!" She screamed. From what I could see his cock was no bigger than mine. I got the papers and left for the meeting, how I got through the meeting with the client I will never know. As I drove back to the office I decided I was not staying married to Elaine.

That night I claimed I had work to do. At my computer I split our finances 50/50 after cancelling the joint credit cards. I started looking for somewhere to live, two apartments looked suitable so I made appointments to view them on Saturday.

I asked my boss for a few days off, I gave him a very short version of events so far. Friday night Elaine tried to instigate sex, I turned her down saying I didn't feel well.

The second apartment I looked at suited my needs, I signed a lease for a month with the option to extend if I needed it. The real killer was the house was mine anyway. My great-aunt left it to me when she passed away. As I was about to get married I got the house, my brother got the large sum of cash.

A quick call to my brother ensured I had all the help I would need to move out. I waited until the kids had left for school and Elaine left for work. Joe turned up and helped me move everything I wanted onto the van. I did a final check and left the house, I had left a letter for Elaine on the kitchen table. With everything from my office, tools from the garage and most importantly all my clothing. I knew it would be missed later that day, I didn't care as it would be in my apartment.

Elaine called me twice that evening, I just ignored the calls. I answered the phone when Laura called me.

"Hello."

"Dad, where are you?"

"I'm at home, why do you ask?"

"Well I'm at home, you are not here."

"I am at my home Laura. I don't live there anymore. If you want to know why, ask your mother. Remember I love you, bye." I hung up.

10-Minutes later Laura called back.

"Dad I cannot believe you accused Mum of having an affair then left home. Are you really going to get a divorce because you think she did something wrong? Mum's right you're an arsehole. Goodbye dad, I hope you enjoy life on your own!" I didn't think my kids would disown me immediately.

I settled into my apartment and got used to the single life, thankfully my brother and his wife invited me over for dinner several times. Three days later I got a call from Elaine

"You bastard! You could have had the decency to tell me you cancelled the credit cards, I found out when I tried to pay for the shopping. I have never been so fucking embarrassed."

"Sorry it must have slipped my mind."

"Why did you cancel them?"

"That's what you do when you get a divorce."

"Dave, I don't want a divorce."

"I don't want a cheating wife but I got one."

"For god sake. Will you get your head out of your arse and come home? I am not cheating on you!"

"Sorry but no. I know different Elaine."

For the next week all I got were calls from Elaine, my parents and her parents telling me the same thing. Get my head out of my arse and go back home.

Two days later I filed for a divorce. I listed irreconcilable differences as I hoped it would go through quicker. Elaine was served at work. My solicitor said I would get stuck paying child support for a few years, I didn't care, I just wanted out. When the kids left home I planned on moving back there as my name was on the deeds. From that day on I had no calls from anyone. My kids had stopped calling me, they both ignored my calls and text messages. It didn't surprise me as Elaine had probably filled their heads with her lies.

When I was out shopping one Saturday I bumped into my kids, we spoke briefly, they agreed to join me for a burger.

"Look I know you think I am being a hard nose about things. Can I have a chance to explain?"

"That's an understatement!" Laura practically spat at me.

"This mess all started when I got sent a picture of your mother passionately kissing a guy she works with. Naturally she denied anything was wrong. A few days later I had to call in at home for some papers, your mother was in bed with the same guy. The evidence is with my solicitor, if your mother tries to fight the divorce i have told him to produce the picture and video.

Kevin was upset and Laura was in tears. "I'm sorry Dad. Mum told us you made the story up. She said you did it to get a divorce as you were probably seeing someone on the side."

"I can assure you both I am not seeing anyone on the side, unlike your mother."

"So what do you plan to do then Dad?"

"I am going to divorce your mother. When you kids have left home I will move back in telling her it is my house and she has to leave."

"Is it your house Dad?" Kevin asked.

"Yes son. It was mine before we got married."

We sat and talked for a while, by now both of my kids knew the truth. They were both pissed off that Elaine had lied to them, trying to turn them against me.

"Dad. Mum has lied to us both. Can we come and live with you?" Laura sobbed.

"I don't have room in the apartment for all three of us." I replied. It was then I had an idea that might just work.

"If I came back home so you could live with me, your mother would have to leave. As you are both 16-years old i think you get to choose who you live with. Let me check and make sure I am right, if I am I will call and let you know."

Both of the kids nodded their heads in agreement. They swore not to tell Elaine that we had met, or what we were planning. That night I got a text from Kevin. When they got home some guy had just left the house, neither of the kids knew who he was. Elaine said he was a work colleague. When they described him to me I knew it was Jack Cunningham.

Over the next few days there was a flurry of calls between myself and my kids. My brother Joe knew what we were planning, he roared out laughing when I told him. I checked with my solicitor and he confirmed that the kids were old enough to decide who they stayed with, if it was me then Elaine would have to move out. He altered the divorce petition to state that I was staying in the house with the kids, as was their wish. Elaine would have 24-hours to move out.

I met with the kids in town as arranged. Joe was on standby with the van. Thankfully Elaine was alone when we arrived at the house, she looked surprised to see me walk in behind the kids.

"So you have finally come crawling back then?"

"No actually I haven't. You see the kids now know that I am telling the truth, here this is for you." I handed Elaine an envelope.

"What is it?" She asked as she snatched it out of my hand.

"A revised divorce petition. Now that the kids know the truth they want to live with me. As this is MY house you are going to have to leave."

"You can fuck off Dave! I am not moving anywhere."

"I'm afraid you are Elaine. If you look closer you will see a notice of eviction, you have 24-hours to leave this house. Now Joe is on his way over with my belongings, he has offered to take your stuff to the apartment I'm renting. My kind gesture to you is the rent is paid for the next month, after that it's over to you.

Elaine pleaded with me to let her stay in the house. When that didn't work she begged the kids to believe her side of the story.

"Too late Mum. Dad has evidence. That's how we know you are lying."

"Evidence. What evidence?" Elaine demanded to know.

I walked Elaine out to the garden, when I showed her the picture and video of her and Cunningham. The colour drained from her face.

When Elaine realised she wasn't going to win she caved in and started to pack her stuff, Kevin and I dismantled the bed for her. I wasn't sleeping on it after she fucked Cunningham on it. With my stuff unloaded and Elaine's all packed Joe set off for the apartment, Kevin went along to help his mother.

Laura gave me a hand to unpack some of my stuff, I was putting my office in place when Kevin arrived home.

"Alright son?" I asked.

"Yeah, not bad Dad. Mum was crying when I left. She told me to ask you if there is any way you can forgive her so she can come back home."

"Sadly not. You see, I can't trust your mother. I can't live with her wondering if she is somewhere with someone she shouldn't be with. No sorry I cannot take her back. I will go over tomorrow and explain it to her."

We were sitting down eating pizza when my parents called in to see the kids, they were surprised to see me there. I explained what had happened. My parents didn't apologise for taking Elaine's side, they were concerned for the kids. On Sunday morning I went to see Elaine, I needed to tell her we were done.

Elaine was surprised to see me standing there when she answered the door.

"Dave, what are you doing here?" I looked into the apartment and saw Cunningham sitting on the sofa in his boxer shorts.

"Doesn't matter Elaine. I hope you and shithead are happy."

"What did you come over for?"

"When Kevin got home last night he gave me your message. I was going to talk to you about us. On the way over here I almost decided to give you another chance. Now I see you and Jack are cosy so I won't bother." I turned and walked away, I was furious that Elaine could cry to Kevin and have that arsehole over on the same night.

"That was quick Dad. What did Mum say when you told her?"

"Your mother answered the door and I could see Jack sitting on the sofa in his boxer shorts, it was obvious he had stayed the night. So much for her wanting to get back together with me!"

Kevin called his mother and tore her a new one over the phone, he let her know that she was a lying cheating slut.

The divorce went through and six months later I got the final decree in the post.

"How do you feel Dad?" Laura asked.

"Not sure really. I never imagined I would ever get divorced. I'm not happy, but then again I am not sad either. Your mother got what she wanted. My only regret is I didn't get my revenge on Cunningham."

The fact that Jack seemed to have got away unscathed didn't sit well with me. I decided to do something about it.

Needing to know more about him I found his Facebook profile, why I never checked before I will never know. It turns out Jack was married with two young kids. He had moved to the area and his wife Susan was a schoolteacher, she was going to follow once their house was sold.

I managed to get an email address for Susan Cunningham, I sent her a message asking her to call me.

"Mr Whitman, I got your email about Jack. Is everything okay? He's not hurt or anything?"

"No Mrs Cunningham he's not hurt. I have some news for you, I don't think you will like it." I explained what had happened while Susan, as she insisted I call her listened quietly.

"I take it you have concrete proof of the affair, Mr Whitman?"

"Yes I do. Hang on, I will send you the picture." I sent Susan the picture Joe had sent to me. "I also have a short video of them having sex in my house. It's not pretty but I can send you that as well."

"Please do, Jack has screwed around before. He promised that he would never do it again after I caught him. I will use the video to divorce his sorry arse. I'm sorry for everything, please send me the video when you have a moment."

I must have been smiling when I walked downstairs, Laura asked me. "Are you okay Dad? I haven't seen you smile like that in ages."

"I'm fine. I just had an interesting chat with Jack Cunningham's wife."

"I'm guessing she knew nothing until you told her?" Kevin commented.

"Apparently not, although she did say it wasn't the first time he has cheated on her. Maybe now he will suffer as well."

Laura answered the door a few nights later. "Mum! What the hell happened to you?"

I turned to Elaine standing in the doorway, her lip was split open and she had a black eye.

"Jack flipped and went mad. His wife found out about us and is divorcing him. I never knew the bastard was married. He said one of you must have tipped her off, he attacked me before storming out."

"Where is he now?" I asked.

"I don't know Dave, he just got up and left."

I took Elaine to the hospital to get her checked out. It took some explaining to the nurses that I didn't hit her. Naturally they called the police who wanted to talk to me. After I explained that we were divorced and Jack Cunningham had attacked Elaine they went to speak with her. The doctor said Elaine could go home as long as she rested. I took her back to the house. I can be a bastard, but I'm not totally heartless.

Elaine slept in the spare room that night. The following day a police officer arrived to let her know they had arrested Jack Cunningham. Elaine would need to go to the police station to make a statement. Elaine spent another two nights in the house before she went back to her apartment. During those two nights we talked and she revealed that Jack didn't admit to having a wife and kids, he told Elaine that he loved her.

I found out through the kids that Elaine wasn't sleeping well and drinking too much. They asked if she could stay at the house for a while, at least until the trial was over. Kevin admitted his mother's drinking was worrying him. Despite what she had done, he didn't want to lose her to the bottle. I relented and Laura made the spare room up for her mother. I made it clear to Elaine we were not getting back together as a couple. This was just support for a short time only.

I went with Elaine when she gave her interview to the police, her solicitor said he was certain to be found guilty. What didn't help Jack's case was he assaulted one of the officers who arrested him. Things seemed to be getting worse for poor old Jack. Susan called to let me know she was filing for a divorce, although she was going to wait until Jack was convicted.

When I said Elaine could stay with us until the trial was over, I forgot how slow the British legal system works. It was 4-weeks later that Jack finally got to appear in court. I attended court with Elaine as she was going to be called as a witness.

Listening to Elaine's testimony was uncomfortable for me, in another way it was also eye opening. I had never asked Elaine why or how long she had been having an affair with Cunningham. Despite being married Elaine fell for Jack's charm a few weeks after starting to work with him, at the time he told her he was single. The night my brother Joe saw them together was their first real date, Elaine told the court Jack took her out for dinner then onto a club for drinks and dancing. That explained why she got home late that night. Their first time they had sex was the day I found them in bed.

Questions from Jack's lawyer revealed that Jack was a frequent visitor to Elaine's apartment, he stayed over on three or four nights a week. Then Elaine was asked about the night of the alleged assault.

"My divorce was final so I chose to spend time with Jack. We were sitting together sharing a bottle of wine when Jack's phone started ringing. Jack was getting agitated throughout the call, when he hung up he started shouting at me. He accused my ex-husband of telling his wife about us. Until he said that I always thought he was a single man. As silly as it seems I wouldn't have started the affair if I knew he was married. We argued about it and I asked Jack to leave, I suddenly realised what I had stupidly thrown away for a cheat. Jack slapped me across the face so I slapped him back. I remember him punching me and I must have blacked out, when I came around he had gone. Confused and unsure of what to do I went to seek help from my estranged family."

"You are sure it was Mr Cunningham that assaulted you?" The lawyer asked.

"As we were the only two people in the apartment I don't see how it could have been anyone else."

The jury had heard all of the evidence, and they retired to reach a verdict. We had to return to court the following day for the verdict. When asked the foreman of the jury stated they had reached a verdict on which they all agreed. Jack was found guilty on all charges.

The judge then revealed that Jack had a criminal record for violent offences going back some 7 years, given his history he was sentenced to 2 years for the assault on Elaine. The assault on the police officer earned him a further 8-months inside.

As we were okay to leave the courthouse I ushered Elaine outside, she didn't utter a word and stayed silent throughout the journey home. I knew when we got home the kids would be waiting for us. Elaine allowed me to open the front door, once she stepped inside she bolted upstairs to her bedroom.

Laura went to follow her mother. "No. Leave her be, for now." I raised my hand to stop Laura.

"How did it go Dad?" Kevin asked. I gestured for them to take a seat at the dining table.

"Jack got 2-years for the assault on your mother, punching the officer who arrested him got him another 8-months."

"Oh okay. It's just the way Mum rushed upstairs I thought he had walked free."
<hr pg="2" />"No he isn't free. Your mother has had a stressful few days. In court she had to reveal a lot about her affair with Jack, most of it I didn't know."

"Such as?" Laura wanted to know.

"The night your uncle sent me the picture of them together was their first date. When they left the pub Jack took your mother to dinner and then onto a club for drinks and dancing. The first time they had sex was the day I saw them upstairs. Your mother said they did not get together again until after I filed for a divorce. Once your mother settled in the apartment Jack was a regular visitor. As you know he flipped the night his wife called to say she was divorcing him, that's when he attacked your mother. He said it was because either one of us three had let her know what was going on. Your mother admitted under oath that she thought he was single, she didn't know until that night he had a wife."

Laura sat up. "Does Mum know it was you who told his wife?"

"She does now. I told her the other night it was me. I apologised for letting his wife know, if I hadn't then Jack probably wouldn't have attacked your mother like he did."

"So what happens now Dad?"

"I'm not sure I follow you Kevin. What do you mean what happens now?"

"I mean what happens to Mum?"

"I guess she will go back to the apartment now it's all sorted out. Not tonight obviously as she is in no frame of mind to be alone."

Laura looked across at her brother. "Yeah about that Dad. Do you think you could let Mum stay here?"

"What? What are you both getting at?"

"It's just......It's just that we, me and Kevin would like it if Mum could stay here. You know like she is now in the spare room. It's great for us having you both around."

"I can't see it working, Laura. What if one of us starts dating? It wouldn't feel right to bring a date home if your mother is here, and I am sure not going to let her bring a date back here either."

"As you both are not dating it shouldn't be a problem Dad."

"You are asking me to allow your mother to live here in the spare room. Are you forgetting we are divorced?"

"No Dad, we haven't forgotten. We just thought if Mum stayed here you might, you know, start getting along again."

"So you want me to ask your mother to stay in the hope we start dating, is that it?"

"Something like that. Be honest Dad, do you still love Mum, even a little bit?"

"Well yeah I do love her, if I didn't I wouldn't have helped her through this. The point is love is not enough. I can't trust your mother. If she went out shopping or was late home from work, I would start asking myself if she was seeing someone. I cannot live like that, it's not fair on me or her."

Laura shrugged her shoulders. "Okay it was just a thought, that's all."

"Just wait a minute. Have you said anything to your mother about this?"

"No. it was just we were talking the other day and Mum said a few things, that's all."

"What did she say?"

"She wasn't specific. In a roundabout way Mum admitted she screwed up big time and would forever regret what she did. Please Dad. Will you just talk to her and see what she says? If she turns you down, then you haven't lost anything."

"Okay. Okay. I will talk to her about it, Just not right now though. God my head hurts." I raised my hands up to my forehead.

Both of the kids looked at me then smiled at each other.

"Laura, go check on your mother. Tell her I am sending out for Chinese food if she wants to eat with us."

Kevin spoke up. "Sorry Dad. We didn't mean to ambush you like that. It's just having Mum here has been like old times, I guess we didn't think it out properly."

"That's okay Kevin. I can see why you both made the suggestion. As stupid as it is, I have sort of enjoyed your mother being here as well."

"Mum said Chinese is fine and she will be down in a while."

"Is she okay?" I asked Laura.

"Yeah. She is just getting changed, I think she needed to be alone and have a good cry."

The food arrived a short while later. I paid the guy and turned to go back indoors, Elaine chose that moment to walk downstairs. She had removed what little make-up she had been wearing, dressed in jeans and a baggy sweatshirt she smiled and went through to the kitchen.

The kids kept looking at Elaine and myself as we ate our food, Elaine seemed to be distracted.

"Is everything okay Mum?" Laura asked as she placed her hand on her mother's forearm

"Huh. Oh yeah. Sorry I was just thinking about something, that's all."

While I tidied up the kitchen Elaine and the kids went through to the lounge. I could hear them talking, I wasn't able to hear what they were talking about. I hoped the kids hadn't said anything to Elaine about our earlier discussion. When I joined them in the lounge there was an uncomfortable silence, Laura broke the ice by switching on the television. We all watched the TV until the three of them went to bed, I said I would be up shortly. As I walked upstairs I was thinking about whatever the kids were talking to Elaine about earlier, it was a relief to find she was in her own room at least.

Elaine was still in bed when the kids left for school in the morning, I was sitting in the kitchen when she came downstairs. Elaine helped herself to a coffee and sat opposite me. We sat in silence for a while.

"Dave, can I ask you for a small favour?" I nodded my head, dreading whatever I was going to be asked.

"Can I stay here until later today? I just want to see the kids before I go back to the apartment."

"Yeah I guess so. Actually I need to talk to you about that."

"Oh. I can leave sooner if you would prefer that."

"It's okay if you stay and see them. It's the kids I wanted to talk to you about. Well not them, but more about something they asked me." Elaine had a nervous look on her face.

"The kids asked me if I would agree to you moving back here, obviously you will stay in the spare room."

"What? Really?" Elaine was clearly shocked at the suggestion.

"They asked me if I was okay with it. I did tell them it could be awkward if we started dating other people." I looked at Elaine for a response.

"You would let me move back here after everything?"

"I'll be honest I hadn't given it a thought, until the kids mentioned it. I explained to them that although I do still love you to a certain extent, the problem is trust. Right now I don't trust you. Sorry but that's how I am. The other problem I have is I don't know why you did what you did."

"I understand that. Jesus, why was I so fucking stupid? I wish I could go back and tell Jack Cunningham to piss off and leave me alone. For what it's worth Dave, you did nothing wrong to make me have the affair. For God sake, I don't even know why I did it. If me being here will be awkward then we had better tell the kids no, I will sit with you later when we tell them."

"Do you not want to try living here then? I know it won't be easy. If you want to go back to the apartment I will understand."

"No. I wouldn't mind moving back home and seeing how it works out."

"Alright. Before we tell the kids I want to say a few things, it's more like some ground rules for both of us. The big one is if either of us starts dating, we do not bring the dates here. If this doesn't work out this is my house and I am not leaving. Although I am prepared to try this, you have to know that you will be staying in the spare room."

"Dave, I am not looking to date anyone. Me bringing someone back here will not be a problem. If this doesn't work out I am prepared to leave, all I ask is that you give me time to find somewhere to live. I'm okay with being in the spare room, but I have to ask, is this what you want Dave? What happens if somewhere down the line we end up getting intimate or even end up in bed? I got used by Jack, I am not putting myself through that again."

After some more discussion we both agreed to try the kid's crazy idea, I'm sure neither of us knew what to expect. I suggested to Elaine that we go and get her stuff from the apartment. After taking a shower, separately, we headed off. Even now I still wasn't sure this was a good idea. I had trouble working out if Elaine was okay with it or not, she didn't turn the idea down but at the same time she didn't act like a giddy schoolgirl. As Elaine's car was still at the apartment, I suggested to Elaine that she should try and start it, after all it hadn't moved for weeks. Thankfully it started on the second attempt.

When we had everything loaded into the two cars we looked around the apartment to ensure we hadn't missed anything. Satisfied I locked the door. I planned to take the keys back to the letting agent before the end of the week.

By the time the kids arrived home from school Elaine had all of her clothes sorted and put away in the wardrobe and dresser, when they entered the house there was nothing to indicate Elaine had moved back home. Elaine sat with the kids as I started to get dinner ready. Elaine joined me to help out with the cooking. Laura was the first to notice something, after getting changed she came into the kitchen.

"Mum, why are all of your toiletries in the bathroom?" Before Elaine could utter a word Kevin appeared with a smile on his face.

"Okay you two. Let's eat then I will explain it to you both."

We finished eating and I decided to explain things now rather than later. "As you have worked out your Mum has moved back home. We have both agreed that if it doesn't work your mother will move out. If we start dating other people, neither of us will bring any dates here. As for what happens we have no idea, I think it's safe to say neither of us anticipated living under the same roof again. There are no promises, but if we start dating again or get together as a couple we will move at our own pace. One thing we don't want is for either of you alone, or collectively trying to push us back together."

Elaine looked at the kids. "I agree with what your Dad said. There are no certainties with this situation, I am not going to push for a relationship, at least not right now. If it happens, it happens and we will deal with it in our own way. For now, just accept that I am back home and leave it at that please?"

Both kids agreed and were smiling when they headed upstairs to get on with their homework. Elaine and I cleared up the kitchen and watched TV for the rest of the evening.

Elaine found another job, she didn't want to return to her old employer for several reasons. Her new employer was in the same office complex as the company I worked for. And no, I had no involvement in getting Elaine the job. Although I never mentioned it, I think she took the job to be closer to me. It also allowed me to keep a watchful eye on her.

The first few months of having Elaine back in the house were strange for me, I think it was the same for her as well. We remained friendly and civil to each other despite there being no intimacy between us.

Over time I found that I had forgiven Elaine for her affair, I certainly hadn't forgotten it though. Some months later we finally got back together as a couple after a party hosted by my brother. Both being worse for wear after drinking too much we ended up in bed. When we woke the following morning you could feel the nervous tension in the air. "It was bound to happen sooner or later." I said as I hugged Elaine.

That was the turning point in our relationship, from that day Elaine moved back into what we again called our bedroom. Naturally the kids were pleased. It was several weeks later when Laura asked the one question we hadn't thought of.

"Are you going to get married again?" Elaine and I looked at each other as if for guidance.

"No I don't think so." Elaine replied. "It's not that I don't want to, I just don't see the need. I am happy with us being a family again. Being married didn't stop me from getting a case of the stupid's last time. I don't think it would be fair to expect that from your Dad, besides which, outside of this house nobody needs to know. Whatever happens we are still your parent's." I nodded in agreement and stood up leaving the room, I could see the confused looks on Elaine and the kid's faces. They still looked confused when I entered the room minutes later.

"You can have these back, it might help with the charade." I opened my hand to present Elaine with the engagement and wedding rings I had taken back when we divorced. That prompted some tears and a hug from Elaine.

Five years later we are still living together. Since the day Elaine moved back home she has given me no reason to suspect she has cheated. If we go out for the evening she always refuses any offers of a dance, with the exception of my brother Joe or her father.

My brother Joe, did ask if I thought I had done the right thing. I gave it some thought and assured him that I had. Laura has recently got engaged, the wedding is planned for the summer of next year. I overheard Elaine and Laura talking the other day.

"Laura take some advice from someone who knows. Whatever you do for god sake do not make the same stupid mistake I did. I got lucky and got my family back, it could have ended so differently." Laura smiled and hugged her mother, I was sure she would never make the mistake her mother did.

