Chapter 45
(Victoria)
"Michael?" I woke up to Michael holding me. I turned around and saw that he was sleep. He looks like he hasn't slept in days. I've only been gone for one day though. Maybe he does still love me. It's been awhile since I've seen him lose sleep. I pushed his hair from his face. Michael's nose twitched. I couldn't help but to giggle. He woke up scratching his nose.
"You're awake!" Michael gasped and held me close again. "I missed you so much."
"It's only been a day."
"A day without you is like ten years. Never leave me like that again."
"Don't cheat on me again."
"About that, Victoria... I have something to say."
"What is it?"
"I am so sorry for how I've treated you. I'm sorry for cheating on you, V. I love you entirely too much." His voice cracked. The last time he cried in front of me was when I gave birth. I smiled at the memory. "I know why I did it." I looked at him. "I felt like we lost the spark. I felt like we had just become that couple that takes care of the kids and doesn't have time for one another."
"But I still tried to make an effort, Michael... Why were you pushing me away?"
"Because I was in too deep. I was with all of these other women so much, being with you was mediocre."
"Seriously?" My heart dropped.
"I'm sorry."
I don't know what to say. I became mediocre. "Why didn't you talk to me about this?"
"I didn't it know how to. You looked complacent. You were fine just taking care of the kids. I didn't want to interrupt that. I decided to make sure I was still desirable and I was... I was in too deep. I'm so sorry, V. I should have talked to you about it. I should have made it known to you instead of going to sleep with so many different women..."
"I don't know what to say, Michael." I sighed deeply. This is weighing so heavy on my heart. "We have to go to counseling."
"For what?"
"Michael, I'm so close to divorcing you... You have no idea. My mother called a lawyer and we met with him shortly after you left. And you know my mother is ready for me to divorce you. You could only imagine the look on her face after the lawyer suggested counseling."
"Oh." Michael sighed.
"So, we're meeting with a counselor at three this afternoon."
"That was quick."
"It's better than you signing divorce papers."
-
(Michael)
"Camille, thank you so much for watching the boys for us again. I owe you big time." I told Camille as she got in her car.
"It's no problem, Monsieur. You and Mrs. Jackson will be done by what time?"
"Six or seven." I knocked on the back door windows. "You guys be good, okay?" I told Michael and Prince. They nodded, but their eyes were fixed on Victoria.
"I love you all so much." Victoria reached in to kiss both of them.
"Love you too." They said in unison as Camille drove away.
"Thank you for doing this for me, Michael." Victoria got in the car.
"If it's going to help our marriage, then there is all the more reason to."
-
When we got to the office, there was no other couple but us. I guess this is strictly private or something. Victoria signed us in.
"Are you Mr. and Mrs. Jackson?" The receptionist asked.
"Yes." Victoria answered.
"Dr. Moore is expecting you." We followed behind the receptionist as she led us to the back. "Dr. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have arrived.
"Thank you, Halle."
"Enjoy your session." Halle said as she went back to the front. I followed behind Victoria and sat down beside her.
"It's great to see you in person, Mrs. Jackson." Dr. Moore smiled at Victoria. "And you must be her husband." She shook my hand. "So, how have the two of you been?"
"A little stressed, but I'm good." Victoria replied.
"And you, Mr. Jackson?" All attention was on me.
"I'm alright. I'm so much better now."
"Why is that?"
"Because Victoria is back home." I smiled in Victoria's direction."
"You were gone? For how long?" Dr. Moore asked.
"Just a day." Victoria answered.
"Why did you leave?" Silence filled the room. Neither I nor Victoria spoke. "Mr. Jackson, why did Victoria leave?"
"I made some mistakes." I sighed.
"What kind of mistakes?" Dr. Moore asked as she wrote on her notepad.
"Some big mistakes."
"Do you care to share?"
"Aren't we supposed to sign a confidentiality agreement before we get into anything?" I asked.
"We are." Dr. More continued writing.
"Where is it?"
"Halle didn't give you one?"
"No." Victoria and I replied.
"I need a receptionist who can remember things." Dr. Moore mumbled as she pressed a button on her phone.
"Yes, Dr. Moore?" Halle answered.
"Halle, I need a confidentiality agreement back here." Dr. Moore sighed.
"I thought I gave them one."
"You did not."
"I'm sorry. It must have slipped my mind. Here I come."
Dr. Moore hung up. "We'll resume once we get that agreement signed."
"Is she forgetful?" Victoria asked.
"Very. I keep telling myself I should get someone else, but Halle is the sweetest."
"Quite understandable." Victoria glanced at me.
"Here you go, Dr. Moore. I'm so sorry." Halle rushed in.
"It's okay. Thank you." Dr. Moore handed the papers to me and Victoria. We took turns skimming over them, signed them and handed them to Halle. "Halle, please don't forget to put that in the file I created for them, okay?"
"Got it."
"Don't forget." Halle shut the door. "Now, where were we?" Dr. Moore looked at her notepad. "Oh, your big mistake. What was so bad about it that made Victoria leave, Mr. Jackson?"
"I cheated." I admitted.
"Cheated?" Dr. Moore looked at me as though I was kidding.
"Yes."
"Mr. Jackson, look at your wife for a second or two. Mrs. Jackson, stand up and twirl around or somethin'." Victoria shyly did as she was told. "What would you have to cheat on if you have this to come home to?" She asked me. "Don't you have two children together?"
"Yes." I nodded.
"She doesn't look like she ever had a child, Mr. Jackson. She clearly did not let herself go like most women. She'd be quick to snatch up if the two of you divorced... So you can't say you cheated because she let herself go, because it's clear she did not."
"I would have loved her even if she had."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"Why did you cheat on her then?" There goes that question again.