“What about her?”
“Jason is excited to get to know her,” the therapist said. “And he wants to make up for lost time.”
Jessica swallowed hard. “I’m happy for Jason,” she said.
“But I’m also scared. I don’t know what it’s going to be like to have her in our lives. And there’s something more.”
Jessica lapsed into silence.
“It’s okay, Jessica,” the therapist encouraged.
“This is the time to say what you want to say.”
“All these years, Jason and I could never have children. We went for fertility testing. I was the one at fault.
The doctors said I would never have children. We tried everything: fertility treatment, IVF, everything, and it didn’t work. I felt like a failure as a woman.
I’ve kept that pain hidden all this time. Now, to hear of Jason’s betrayal makes it all the more painful. It makes me feel like a failure as a wife.”
“It’s so good that you got this off your chest, Jessica,” the therapist said.
“Now we can begin to work on those thoughts you’ve had about yourself. We can help you see that those judgments of yourself are false.”
“Yes,” Jason said. “Oh, love, I have never, ever, not once, thought of you as a failure.
Not as a woman, not as a wife, and I never will.”
“You don’t have to forgive Jason for his indiscretion; that is entirely up to you,” the therapist said. But you are going to have to make an adjustment. It’s important to know that Skylar is part of your extended family now.
She has the right to know her father and to have a relationship with him.”
Jessica nodded. “I know.”
“Jason needs to learn how to balance his relationship with Skylar with his relationship with you,” the therapist said. “And you need to be willing to give him that space.”
Jessica took a deep breath.
“I’m willing to try. I don’t know if I can forgive him, though. I’m willing to try, however.
I will try.”
“That’s all anyone can ask,” the therapist said.
The therapist spent the rest of the session helping Jessica and Jason to develop a plan for moving forward. They agreed to communicate openly and honestly with each other and to give each other time to heal.
It was going to be a long and winding road, but Jessica was determined to make it work. She loved Jason, and she wanted to stay married to him.
And she knew that it was important for Skylar to have a relationship with her father.
Jessica and Jason left the therapist’s office with a renewed sense of hope. They knew that it would take time to rebuild their relationship, but they were committed to making it work. They were determined to create a new normal for their family and to give Skylar the love and support she deserved.
If only it were that easy, however.
It took two months before the barrier inside Jessica’s heart began to dissolve, and she felt she could trust Jason again. His over-time excuses had ceased since that night at the restaurant, and he had been spending time with Skylar with Jessica’s blessing.
She still could not bring herself to see Skylar. Until one morning, she thought of Musa and their adventure together.
She rang his number. “Musa! Yes, same time, same place.
This time, though, instead of me coming out, I’d like you to come in for a proper dinner. Please bring your wife,” she said.
And so Jason, Jessica, Skylar, Musa, and Debbie—Musa’s wife—found themselves around the dining table the following evening over roast lamb.
“So, Musa,” Jason said jokingly after all the introductions had been made. “How did my wife manage to get you to chase me all over town?”
“Well, same as anybody can get somebody to do something: cold, hard cash,” Musa replied with a smile.
They all laughed.
“She could have taken an Uber,” Jason said, winking at Jessica, “it’s cheaper.”
“Don’t even mention that word in our presence!” Debbie said. “Uber is a dirty word in our household.” They all laughed again at that.
“No Uber driver would have done what Musa did for me, irrational as it was,” Jessica said.
“Well, I was happy to help, Jessica; you seemed determined to follow through on your plan, no matter what. Mine is not the most glamorous job in the world, but it keeps me busy.
And I’ve met all sorts of interesting people, such as you all.”
“I’m sure you have. Have you ever had any other dramas?” Jason asked.
“A few, but nothing too serious,” Musa replied. “One time, I had a passenger who was drunk and belligerent.
He kept trying to grab the wheel, so I had to pull over and call the police. But other than that, it’s been a pretty smooth ride. Excuse the pun.”
“I think it’s cool that you get to meet so many different people, Musa,” Skylar said.
“Thanks, Skylar.
It’s definitely one of the perks of the job,” Musa said.
“So, what’s your favorite part of the city?” Jason asked.
“That’s tough to say,” Musa replied. “I like different parts for different reasons. I like the downtown area for the excitement and the energy.
But I also like the quieter neighborhoods, where you can get to know your neighbors.”
“I like the mix of the old and the new in this city. There’s so much history, but there’s also so much innovation happening,” Jessica said.
“I love the diversity of the city. There are people from all over the world living here,” Skylar added.
“Skylar is thinking of staying on longer.
She’s doing excellent work for us at the company. We’re thinking of keeping her on,” Jason said.
“Skylar,” Jessica said. “I would like to welcome you to our home and especially to our family.
You are welcome here anytime you want. If you need a place to stay, consider this your home.”
“Thank you so much, Jessica, that means the world to me. I’m so grateful,” Skylar said
“I’m so glad that you’re in our lives, Skye,” Jason said.
“Thanks, Dad,” said Skylar.
Musa raised his glass.
“To family and friends, old and new,” he said.
“To family and friends,” echoed the others, clinking their glasses together and taking a drink.
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