Chapter 2

She left for home, and I felt this emptiness that was palpable. We called each other every day and again every night. We would put Skype on our laptops so we could video chat each other and fall asleep with the other one. It was the one thing we had that felt like we were together. The feelings of doubt and wanting to stay single evaporated before I knew what to do with them. My kids would talk to her on the phone and Skype also. They cared about her and hoped she’d come back. The bond was there for all of us. Within a month, she moved in.
The honeymoon period seemed to last the entire year, and before we knew it she was pregnant. This was a big deal because she could not get and remain pregnant, but somehow this one stuck. Unfortunately, this good news would not last. I had this ex wife that recently came to visit the kids after a year long hospitalization. The visit seemed to go well, and she and my new love seemed to get along. I thought that was perfect. However, I still wanted to finalize my divorce to her so I could have a more honest relationship with my new love. She knew the situation and was aware I was separated (for years) and she was supportive of my divorce. I met with an attorney and he helped me draft a fair and equitable divorce draft. I wanted the kids with me, I felt they would do better in school and be better adjusted. I didn’t have the health issues their mother did, and would be available for them more. That was my reason behind wanting them with me. I also wanted them to be able to see their mom’s side of their family because kids need their family.
My lawyer tried to get my ex served before Thanksgiving, but the address she was supposedly staying was not a good lead to find her. He wanted her served before the kids left to visit their family over Christmas. He had a bad feeling about the visit, as did my pregnant girlfriend. They both advised me to not send the kids out. I felt them seeing their family was important, and I allowed the trip to happen. My lawyer felt this was the best place to serve her, we knew when and where she would be, and was the likeliest opportunity to start the divorce process. I tried my best to keep my kids from seeing what happened, I felt it would be quick and easy and thought after the initial shock of everything, my ex would be okay with the divorce. She had a new guy, and we were getting along pretty well as co parents. I was wrong, it incited a fury from my ex wife that I have never seen. This was bad.