My Parent's Reconciliation Vacation (excerpt from Proverbial Woman), Part XIII

As he opened the door and she turned to enter, both were suddenly surprised by the romantic appeal of the set up. Noticing the table sitting just inside the opened doors leading out unto the Terrance, she immediately stepped inside and walked over to get a closer look.

Everything appeared just as it did downstairs. Including her favorite roses, which were once again placed as the centerpiece. The settings were returned to their usual places and their champagne flutes had been clean and placed out for use once again. Added additions included a tray of appetizers and an ice bucket with a new bottle of champagne inside.

Leaning on the handle as he closed the door behind him, he momentarily paused as he stood and watch her as she confidently moved about. Gradually descending into a contemplative state, he began to reflect on the feelings he obviously still has for her.

Peering down unto the floor, out of abandonment of his thoughts he reasoned, ‘there must be something of greatness in store for the price I’m paying for the love I have for this woman. In my heart I believe I’m a man of reason and principle. But this here challenges the very core of my existence, the defining of my being.

Lord, if humiliation and uncertainty is part of what lurks around the corner, or even the possibility of one day being alone. Either way, I’m not sure if I’m prepared to face the pain of losing my dignity once again. I’ve once heard that truth is capable of defying reasoning. If that is so, then there must be a clear answer to why I’m here with her right now. Though she is my wife, she is also someone who has betrayed me.’

“Why are still standing over there. And what are you thinking about?” she asked, as she reached over and grabbed a piece of shrimp from the tray.

“I’m thinking about us,” he answered.

“About us…what do you mean?” she inquired.

“Myself… as a husband. And someone who loves you.”

“I know. I think I understand,” she replied, as her mood suddenly changed.

“I hope so,” he added. “Because I’m fighting against everything I believe in as a man for the sake of this marriage. I look at you and think, ‘I love this woman so much. And yet I know she has betrayed the one true thing in my life that I treated as the most sacred. And yet I can’t bring myself to walk away from what we’ve built together.

I’ve lived my life believing I could handle anything that came my way. And all I wanted was to make you and the girls happy. But this…this has caused me to look at everything in a different light. I can feel something inside of me pulling at my heart. And it is trying to convince me of something different from what I believed all these years.

I’m questioning whether what I’m feeling is a part of love, or pride refusing to allow forgiveness? And yet at the same time, I’m wondering could this be what long lasting marriages are made of?” he added with a puzzled look upon his face.

“I don’t know.