“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Peter waved as he grabbed his stuff and headed to his car. He needed to give it a chance; he was for certain that was the only way.
____________________
Megan rushed into the office; she looked around the waiting room and saw no sign of Peter. “I’m sorry that I’m late for my appointment. The name is Megan Prescott.”
“Yes Mrs. Prescott; your husband is already here. You can go on in.”
“Thank you.” She didn’t know what to expect when she entered the room. However, as she got inside and saw Peter and Dr. Andrews, she was relaxed. He stood up and smiled at her. “I’m sorry that I’m late. Traffic wasn’t on my side.”
“That’s alright; we were just getting reacquainted. Have a seat.”
Peter nodded at her as if offering her a greeting. She sat down and he joined her. “I hope that I didn’t miss much.”
Dr. Andrews cleared her throat. “We were discussing the events of this past weekend.”
“Oh;” she avoided eye contact with Peter. She couldn’t believe he willfully provided that sequence of events.
“How did you feel when Peter showed up at your hotel room?”
“I…” she frowned before she continued. She didn’t expect to get right down to it. “I don’t know how to answer that question.”
“It’s quite simple. What was going through your mind when you saw Peter?”
“I guess that I had a lot of thoughts going through my mind. I was surprised, angry, confused…happy.” She let her voice soften. She clenched her hands tightly together.
“You were happy? Explain that.”
“He’s still my husband and I thought that it spoke volumes that he was willing to come to Avery to talk to me. However, that was short lived when he up and hit an innocent bystander.”
“I told you; I thought that there was more to the situation.”
“I know, but it hurt me that you didn’t have more faith in me than that. I have never given you cause to believe I would ever cheat on you; have I?”
There was a long silence that was drawn out and Megan looked away. “Has she Peter?”
Megan looked up at Dr. Andrews and then her eyes fell on Peter’s. “No; she hasn’t, but in that moment that didn’t matter. Brandon and Megan were close at one time and I was worried that he had been the reason Megan wasn’t happy with her life.”
Megan’s jaw dropped. “I can’t believe you would think that; I haven’t mentioned his name for over 10 years.”
“I know, but…” he turned to her and shrugged. “Would you mention his name, if you were having an affair?”
“This isn’t all about me Peter; did you tell Dr. Andrews about Kristina and your kiss?”
Dr. Andrews’ facial expression turned from concern to confusion. “Kristina?” She jotted something into her notes and then looked at Peter. “Who is Kristina?”
“She’s an employee of mine. She’s just 18 years old and she has some issues going on in her home life. She allowed those issues to compromise her judgment. When she kissed me I immediately pulled away. It was Megan I turned to her.” He glanced at Megan. “I told you everything there is about Kristina. I also let her go; so she isn’t a problem.”
Megan nodded. “I know, but the point is it is no different than Brandon.”
“I never had feelings for her.”
“Brandon and I were over in high school. Any thought of him, other than a friend, has been over for years.”
“Just out of curiosity…have there ever been any other times, where jealousy was a problem?”111
“No;” Peter quickly blurted out, but Megan just slowly nodded. When he looked at her, she could tell that he didn’t understand how. “What? I never ever got upset about you being around a guy. I…” She looked down at the floor and the tears were undoubtedly about to flow down her cheeks. When she looked at him she couldn’t speak. “Megan, what are you talking about?” He had turned to Dr. Andrews and his expression was now more perplexed. “I don’t know what she’s referring to; honestly I don’t.”
“Megan?” Dr. Andrews spoke; her tone wasn’t judgmental, but laced with concern. “When has jealousy been a factor?”
“Her name was Brittany.”
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Peter stared at his wife; the minutes she said the words he only felt shock. He never knew she was jealous of Brittany. “Are you serious? Brittany was my boss’ wife. There was nothing going on, I…”
“Please Peter; let her continue.”
He nodded and leaned against the couch. “Brittany was a very beautiful woman. She was the type of girl that would walk down the road and instantly have 20 guys ready to follow her. However, she really only seemed interested in making eyes at one guy and that wasn’t her husband.” Megan looked up at Peter and he looked away. Until it was time for him to speak he knew he wouldn’t be seen in the best light. “She came over one night and said she had to talk to Peter. I left them, but remained near so that I could hear what she had to say. She said that she was going to leave her husband and she had him to thank. I couldn’t believe her nerve in coming to the house to make her plea for him.”
After she hesitated for longer than usual, he cleared his throat. “May I say something?”
“Go ahead Peter.”
“Megan, I had no idea that you ever felt this way. She was a friend and I was concerned for her. My boss wasn’t the easiest man to get along with. He constantly drank and one night I found Brittany; she had been beaten and I was trying to be a good friend to her. She didn’t want anyone to know. I couldn’t tell you.”
“Did she ever get a divorce?” Dr. Andrews asked as she continued to write notes in the folder.
“She did, but not until years later. I couldn’t take working there anymore, so I branched out on my own.”
“I had hoped that this would mean she would no longer be in our lives, but that wasn’t what happened.”
He looked at her and he felt bad that the tears were falling, but he was worried that he was not getting through to them. “She did keep coming around, but I couldn’t just let her fend for herself. She was blind and scared. She wanted to leave, but was afraid that he would find her and hurt her even worse; or kill her.”
“You spent so many times away from the house; that I feared you were seeing her.”
“Why didn’t you come to me? I could have explained everything.”
“Maybe I should have, but I was worried of the answer.”
“I was working late; every one of those nights that I was away. I swear to you.”
“Even the night that you left the hospital, when Jasmine was born? Were you working then?”
Peter knew what she was referring to. He had said that he would never leave her side, but a one night he broke his promise. “I had to think.”
“You had to think…were you alone?” He slowly shook his head. “Was she there?”
“It wasn’t like that; nothing happened, but yes…she was there. I left the hospital once during the two weeks you were there. I went to a bar and I drank; I know that I drank more than I should have, but it happened. I knew that I couldn’t go back and face you. I was mess; I was asking GOD why he took away our daughter. I didn’t know who to call. I knew that Brittany’s husband was out of town and so I called her.”
“You could have called Seth.”
“I didn’t want your brother to see me this way; I was supposed to be strong for you and Jasmine. She took me home and left; that’s the end of the story. Do you believe me?” He hated the fact that she wouldn’t look at him. “Megan…” he touched her arm and she turned to face him. “Do…you…believe…me?”
“I should have talked to you about it, but I do…I believe you.”
He closed his eyes and nodded. “Thank you.”
“I think we should stop here. The good news is that I see potential; you have had your first breakthrough with this tough conversation. Will you be able to come
back tomorrow?” Peter nodded and was relieved that Megan did too. “I will see you both tomorrow at the same time.” Before they left the room she stopped them. “Remember, trust is a big factor in making a relationship work, but as long as the love is there then it is worth taking the risk. See you tomorrow.” She smiled as they left her office. He knew that the subject wouldn’t be dropped, but at least he wouldn’t be thrown for a loop when it was brought up again.
Chapter 14
Over the next two weeks Megan and Peter met with Dr. Andrews three more times. She was pleased with the way the sessions were going. They made sure to touch on each aspect that they found needed cause and was helpful in the decline of their relationship. Megan feared when the topic approached Peter’s long work hours and Megan’s Bed and Breakfast work schedule, things would get argumentative again, but to her surprise it was quite the opposite.
They both admitted that they needed to take less time for work and more time for family life. She believed it all was sincere, on both their parts.
She was just about to lay Jasmine down in her crib when she heard her doorbell. After laying her down she glanced at her watch. It wasn’t late, by adult standards, but she wasn’t used to night visitors. When she saw Cassie on the front porch she was surprised. “Hey Cass; what are you doing here?”
They hugged each other briefly and THEN Cassie entered the foyer. “I’m sorry that I didn’t call.”
Megan laughed. “You don’t have to call, but it is a surprise.”
“Would you believe that I was in the neighborhood?”
Megan scrunched her nose. “Not really, but come have a seat and we can discuss it.” When they sat down Mean turned to her. “What’s up?”
“How are things going with Peter?”
“Um…okay; I guess.”
“That sounds convincing.”
Megan grinned. “Okay; truth…I think it’s going better than expected, but I’m confused as to why the need to ask this now.”
“I was wondering if you would come to dinner tomorrow night.”
“You could have asked me that over the phone.”
“Yeah; I realize that, but I wanted to see how you would feel if Peter was there.”
“I personally don’t care, but Peter might have a different say.”
“Nope, he’s already onboard with it. So, we’ll see you at 6:30?”
Megan couldn’t believe it; it was already decided. “I am thinking that I can’t exactly say no.”
“Do you want to?”
“No;” Megan replied with a snicker.
“Good.” Cassie stood up and smiled. “I better get back home; have a good rest of your night.”
“You too; give Seth and Savannah a kiss for me.”
“I will.” Megan waved as Cassie went to her car. She didn’t know what was going on, but she knew there was more going on than what Cassie was sharing. She would just leave it until then; soon she would find out what was going on.
____________________
Peter arrived at the same time as Megan and Jasmine. When Seth asked him to go to their house for dinner, he jumped at the chance. He wanted to continue to see them, every moment he could. He smiled as Megan got out of her car. “Hello.”
“Hey;” she seemed quieter to him, but he hoped he was just being paranoid.
He helped to get Jasmine out of her chair and then faced Megan. “So, do you think there’s more to the story than just having dinner?”
Megan laughed; which was a relief. “I would venture to guess yes.”
As they headed to the front door, he couldn’t help but feel like a family again; even if it was just for a few minutes. He knocked on the door and they waited until Seth opened the door. “Hello; glad you guys could come.”
“Thank you for inviting us.” Peter looked around; he couldn’t help but wonder why Cassie wasn’t greeting them. “Where’s Cassie?”
“Cassie’s not feeling the best today; we’re going to eat and I’ll wake her up a little later.”
“Are you sure? We can do this some other time.” Megan quickly replied.
“I told her that too.” He shrugged. “However, she hopes she’ll feel better after a nap. If you want to go on in and have a seat, Savannah and I will be in soon.”
Peter looked at Megan; she looked confused too. “Do you know what this is all about? Peter asked as they headed to the dining room.
“No, I was really hoping that you would.” She answered with a chuckle. “It seems strange though.”
“Yeah; I am sure they have their reasons.”
He looked up when he heard Seth and Savannah coming to the dining room. “Hey Savannah;” Megan kissed her as he placed her in her chair.
She looked at Jasmine and they began to jabber away. Half the words one couldn’t make out, but they seemed to know what they were saying to each other.
Peter looked at Megan and they both laughed. “Jasmine and Savannah are glad that you’re here.” Seth put the food on the table and sat down. “Do you mind if I say the prayer?” They both shook their heads as they grabbed hands. “Heavenly Father, we are blessed to have our family here this evening. Watch over Cassie and help her to feel better. Bless over this meal and the rest of this evening. We ask you this in your name. Amen.”
“Amen.” Peter whispered. He couldn’t wait to discover why they were really there. He knew that there had to be more to the story.
____________________
Megan stood up and started to clear the dishes. “You don’t have to do that sis.”
“Please;” she chuckled. “I’m a wife and a mother; I’m used to it.”
“I’ll go see how Cassie’s doing.” Megan put the dishes in the dishwasher. When she turned around, she jumped. Peter was standing inches from her. “You startled me.”
He laughed. “Sorry about that. Here are the rest of the dishes.”
“Oh; thank you.”
“I think that we’re about to find out the real reason we were brought here.”
“I think I already figured that out. I think that they may have news.”
“News?”
She shrugged. “It would make sense.”
“You think she’s…”
Megan held her finger to her lips. “We will see, but I wouldn’t be surprised.”
They left the kitchen and joined the kids playing in the living room. It wasn’t too long before they saw Cassie and Seth heading down the stairs. Cassie had a smile on her face, but her pale skin proved she still wasn’t feeling the best. “I’m sorry I missed dinner.”
She took a seat and looked at Megan and Peter. “How are you feeling Cassie?”
She glanced at Seth. “I questioned whether it was the best time to tell you this, but if I wait too long…I’ll start to show.”
Megan looked at Peter and gave a knowing nod. “You’re pregnant?”
She nodded and Seth took the seat next to her. “I’m 6 weeks along.” Megan jumped up and gave her a hug.
“Congrats Cassie;” she then turned to Seth. “Congratulations Seth.”
They hugged and then Peter followed in suit. “This is great news;” Peter added with a smile.
“So, you’ve been sick?” Megan asked as she turned back to Cassie.
“I have, but I was with Savannah too. I know it will pass. Seth has been great.”
“I really wish that I could help out more.”
Cassie laughed. “If I could give you the nauseas feeling, I would.”
He smiled. “I’m sure that you would.”
“I’m so glad you invited us here to give us the information.”
Cassie smiled at Megan. “I’m glad we did too.”
“We should be going; Jasmine needs a bath and it’s getting late.”
“Savannah will be getting tired too.”
Jasmine groaned about having to leave, but Peter picked her up and they left the house. “See ya both later;” Cassie hollered from the door.
�
��You were right;” he whispered while putting Jasmine in the car.
“I’m happy for them.”
“Me too, but you seemed to want to get out of there in a hurry.”
“I don’t know; I didn’t mean to look like it didn’t matter to me.”
“That’s not what I mean; it just looked like you wanted to get out of there. I’m sure they didn’t notice it.”
She hoped that they didn’t think anything about it; she was happy, but it was too much to take in. “We better go.”
“I’ll see ya next week at our session.”
“Goodbye;” she waved and got into her car. She felt a tear fall down her cheek. She shook her head when she realized what she was feeling. She was jealous of her brother and sister-in-law. That was the only explanation she had. She wanted her life back and yet…it was still too soon.
____________________
Megan positioned herself next to Peter as Dr. Andrews took a seat. “How have things been going since our last session?”
Megan looked at Peter with caution. She didn’t want to assume things were going well and find out that he wasn’t feeling the same. “I can’t speak for Megan, but…I think it’s going pretty well.”
Megan smiled with relief. “I have to agree.”
“That’s good to hear. I have to say, I have seen a huge amount of progress with both of you. Is there anything in particular you would like to discuss today?”
When Peter didn’t make a suggestion, she knew she had to say something. “I would like to discuss our daughter.” The words were barely above a whisper and she hoped that she didn’t have to repeat herself.
Peter frowned. “I don’t understand; Jasmine is…”
“I’m not talking about that daughter.” When their eyes met she saw sadness and she considered shrugging it off, but she couldn’t continue lying to herself. “I have to say this, because it is killing me inside. We have to talk about Jessie.”
“We talk about Jessie.”
“No…we don’t; we never discussed how the other person was feeling.”
“I…” he looked away from her. “I thought I was protecting you.”
“You weren’t protecting me; I wanted to know how you truly were feeling. I started to believe that you weren’t affected by it.”
Forever Love (Love Conquers All Book 4) Page 8