Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas close to reconciliation 'for the sake of the children' and speaking 'multiple times a day'... but mark joint birthdays apart

After four months of being separated, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, are 'working things out,' per People magazine.

Though there was no sign of them together on Wednesday, which is both of their birthdays, the report says there is 'hope.'

This comes just days after his Sunday Emmy Awards speech where he surprisingly thanked his wife, who was 6,000 miles away at an event in China, for 'her support.'

Baby come back! According to a report out Wednesday, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, both pictured here on Sunday but 6,000 miles apart, are trying to patch things up after a four month separation

'They're not giving up,' a source tells the publication.

While on the Emmys red carpet the veteran actor told the magazine that his personal life was 'going fine' and added 'we'll see how she goes.'

The report also reveals the couple that has been married for 13 years speak on the phone several times a day and a source says, 'It's not contentious between them.'

Smiling in April: The Douglases look happy at the Chaplin Award Gala in New York City

The couple usually spends their September 25 birthday together, but this year they are scheduled to celebrate it apart as she stays at home in Bedford, New York with their two children Dylan, 13, and Carys, 10, and he shoots his thriller The Reach in New Mexico.
The article blames their split on back-to-back illnesses.

He was struck with Stage Four throat cancer while she subsequently had to deal with her bipolar disorder.

Catherine was reportedly 'embarrassed' when Michael said he got cancer from the HPV virus transmitted through oral sex because he made it seem as if he got sick from her, when he actually contracted the virus before he met the Zorro star.

Looking good is the best revenge: The same day the Liberace star picked up his Emmy, his wife walked the carpet at the Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis in China

He didn't forget his lady: During his Emmy acceptance speech for playing Liberace in a cable movie, the icon thanked his Mrs. for her 'support'

Hurt feelings turned into anger. Michael 'couldn't take the stress anymore, he wasn't happy,' the article's source says.

'Any other couple would have slit by now,' explains the source.
'It's a testament to them that they hung on.'
Another source asserts that the two movie stars want to stick it out for their two young kids.
Adding to the stress is the fact that the Oscar winner's son Cameron, who he had with ex-wife Diandra Luker, has been in solitary confinement for two years and is not allowed visitors.

Friends of Michael's tells the weekly that Michael does want to work it out and notes that cancer and these recent marriage problems have 'knocked him around' and made him a 'different man.'
The source points out that the couple is dealing with a 'separation' and not a divorce. A legal separation has not been filed.
While Catherine is taking care of her children, helping them with homework and horseback riding with them and is not 'sitting around crying.' Instead she has been hitting her local Target and attending church.
Ten years ago the Red 2 actress famously said, 'I find divorces repulsive' and maintained it was in her 'genes' to stay married for life.

His heartbreak: The Wall Street star, pictured here with son Cameron in 2009, has been torn up over his oldest child's incarceration