[COLOR=fbf8f4][right][sub]TIMESTAMP: Thursday, around 11 AM
Introducing: [b][color=#8CBBD2]T[/color][color=#90BAD2]h[/color][color=#95B9D3]e[/color] [color=#9FB7D4]E[/color][color=#A4B7D4]l[/color][color=#A9B6D5]l[/color][color=#AEB5D5]i[/color][color=#B3B4D6]o[/color][color=#B7B4D6]t[/color][color=#BAB2CE]t[/color] [color=#C0AEBD]F[/color][color=#C3ACB5]a[/color][color=#C6AAAD]m[/color][color=#C9A8A4]i[/color][color=#CCA69C]l[/color][color=#CFA494]y[/color][/b] 
& [b][color=ffd4d2]Ms. Jennifer Jennings[/color] [/b]
[sup](Couple & Family Therapist)[/sup] 
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[center][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/brutalbx][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/211015/b5878257bfbd9cdd76a67a003c983966.png[/img][/url]  [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/211015/52f6860b6ef04523593be20b787cf5af.png[/img]  [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/lovelycomplex][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/211015/450efa6a0ce5a6f0235bac836bcc1708.png[/img][/url]
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[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/230514/750cd48ebeacc26b59c6006c018f5cc5.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/KphrF3e.png[/img]

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[indent][indent]With her headsets on, listening to [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OeiYxdteTQ]C’est La Vie[/url] by Weathers, Amberly Elliott stared out the window of the passenger seat of her father’s vehicle as they made their way to Edenridge Psychological & Wellness Services, PLLC. Her green eyes boredly scanned the area of her new home. The only time she had to be in Edenridge was for Horsemen practice and games but now due to her parents' ongoing marital issues, she’d be staying long term with her father. Away from her friends. Away from her life. Away from what was normal. 

Most of her friends were in Pinehurst which was just a hop, skip and a jump away if she took an uber or stopped procrastinating and got her license. But that really wasn’t the point, was it? The point was her dad thought it was a wonderful idea to go back to his hometown where there was a mass shooting that happened only what? Two years ago? A place known for psychos, killers, and gang violence. The most Pinehurst had was rich people backstabbing one another and throwing their money around to fix their problems. All that was dull in comparison to Edenridge stories. 

As for her mother, she wasn’t taking this court mandated order well. She worked more than her father, and because of her health record, it made sense for the primary guardian of Amber to be him, even if without her, they wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle they lived. There was a time where her dad was a hockey star, making bank and winning praise. The prime of his life and her mother worshiped the ground he walked on. Then he suffered from an injury and her mother had to pick up on hours and rearrange their dynamic, making big moves so that she, her lover, and child would never have to worry about instability. That came with the price of her own mental health falling.

Somewhere along the way, they forgot why they loved each other and their days were filled with countless, pointless arguments. They danced in circles stabbing each other verbally until both just gave up, resigning from the fight to be alone. Amber knew when they were alone they both fell apart and that’s because both wouldn’t shut the fuck up and actually listen to each other. Sighing in annoyance, she laid her head back and closed her eyes, letting the music drown everything out. 

This was her life now. 

[color=b8b4d7][i]C’est la vie.[/i][/color] 

Curt was under no delusions about his family's situation. The next phase of their lives was make or break. It was becoming increasingly more difficult for him and Holly to remain cordial and civil when in a room together, which was a god awful shame. Curtis loved her with all of his heart, he had most of his life. She stood by him when he was an amateur, desperate to go pro. She stood by him when he was at the peak of the sport and she stood by him when he was at his lowest ebb, unable to play the game he loved and watching as he was forced to say goodbye to a piece of himself. God, how did it come to this?

He remembered seeing her for the first time; it was high school and he was coming off the ice before the end of practice because his cousin Gray needed him. Gray had some issues with his brain and sometimes he needed an anchor to weigh him back down onto reality. Curtis was that anchor most of the time. As he was departing the ice, Curt saw the brunette girl in the bleachers, her head in a text book and she was wearing a light summer dress. Why she was dressed like that in the middle of December he didn’t know. What he did know delm that moment was that he was going to marry her and she was going to have his children. Which she did when Holly gave birth to Amber, his heart.

[color=8cbbd2]“Alright sweetie, we’re here.”[/color] Curt pulled the car up outside the therapist's office, directly behind Holly’s car. He turned and looked at his daughter, lost in her own world as she listened to music. He really didn’t want to hurt her but he knew that he was. How could he not be? Curtis and Holly were on the brink of divorce, they were in and out of litigation and Amber was stuck in the middle. It made him question where he was even a good father.

Glancing at her dad and reading his lips, Amber didn’t say anything in return. Instead, she left the car and shuffled to the therapy clinic with her father catching up swiftly. Once they went through the reception desk and all the necessary protocol steps, like if they had the proper insurance on record, they waited in the lounge for a couple minutes before one of the administrative assistants came to retrieve them. As they were led to their designated therapists, Amber glanced into a room, colorful and designed like a daycare, to see a brunette woman who carried herself shrewdly yet lovingly talk to a little girl, who held tightly onto a pure white teddy bear. The plaque beside the door frame said: Lydia Anderson, PHD PSYD. 

In time, Amber was directed one way and her father was taken the other. There she saw an older asian woman waiting for her expectantly. Shannon Ramsey was her name and if she thought she would get her to talk, she had another thing coming. 

God, she hated therapy. 

Walking around the family [url=https://imgur.com/mORBY3X]therapist’s[/url] [url=https://imgur.com/GGxrUeO]office[/url], Holly Elliott, the architect of the upcoming Hotel Encanto, took in her surroundings as [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/78/a3/ac/78a3acc2247f6323c48bbebeb01fc7fb.jpg]Ms. Jennifer Jennings[/url] prepared chamomile and lavender herbal tea to calm her client’s nerves. Holly grabbed a picture off the desk to see the other woman tightly hugging a [url=https://assets.popbuzz.com/2019/01/who-is-asa-butterfield-dating-1547227924-view-0.jpg]boy[/url], a boy that looked familiar. The kid looked like a little dweeb, and there was no doubt he got picked on at school. Even with that being said, there was one thing she could acknowledge. He was loved fiercely by his mother. 

Where did she see this kid before? 

Taking a moment to think on that, Holly put the picture frame down and continued to observe the person that was her psychologist by examining her room. Greenery was particularly placed to give the room a sense of growth, capturing the essence of nurture while promoting relaxation and creativity. There were gentle colors that popped throughout the room too. That was a tell tale sign that the person who designed this room had a bright, sunny disposition. Holly’s eyes continued to wonder at the artwork. Another splash of personality. 

[i]It’s when we start working together that the real healing takes place[/i] — David Hume. 

Scoffing at that and taking a seat on the three person sofa, Holly dressed in all white inhaled and exhaled as she stood out like a sore thumb. Glancing at her watch, she impatiently clicked her tongue. Examining her manicure nails, she wondered to herself if she simply left, how bad would that look on her? These sessions were mandatory, which was stupid and a waste of her time. Quite frankly she didn’t want to be here. It wasn’t even a session her daughter would be in. Once Amber got here she would go straight to Shannon Ramsey for a one on one session, where she can talk freely away from her parents. 

Why would they do that? 

Her time already was limited with her daughter and now they wanted her to have separate counseling? Anything her daughter had on her mind, she could say to her. There was no need to have secrets in this family. Let alone, separate sessions to talk about emotion and whatever bullcrap they’re trying to sell.  

[color=ffd4d2]“Sorry for the wait! But I’m back now,”[/color] Jennifer gleamed, entering her office. She held a tray of a couple of tea cups and with a bounce in her step, she made her way to her side table. Placing the tray on it, she proceeded to give her client her tea. It wasn’t until Holly grabbed the porcelain glass that she recalled who the boy was. Curtis’ star player’s best friend. Oliver. She remembered seeing this woman at horsemen games. It all made sense now. 

With the sudden realization that her husband might be friends with their therapist and that treatment might go in his favor, yet again, Holly straightened her posture and gave a charming smile, masking her irritation, [color=d2a38c]“Do you like your job?”[/color] 

[color=ffd4d2]“Pardon?”[/color] Jenny grabbed her own tea, caught unaware. Taking a seat on a solo chair across from the beautiful woman, Jenny curiously waited for a response.  

[color=d2a38c]“Your job. Is it fulfilling?”[/color] Holly motioned at the room with her free hand and proceeded to probe. [color=d2a38c]“It mustn’t be easy, trying to fix everyone’s problems.” [/color]

[color=ffd4d2]“Oh,”[/color] the compassionate and serene woman smiled, taking a quick sip of her drink before placing it down on the coffee table. Clasping her hands together, she perked up and shook her head, [color=ffd4d2]“I don’t fix problems, Mrs. Elliott—”[/color] 

[color=d2a38c]“Holly.” [/color]

[color=ffd4d2]“Holly,”[/color] Jenny repeated, giving her an apologetic glance. [color=ffd4d2]“I’m here to help explore your thoughts that affect your emotions and experiences, focusing on your marriage and your family. I want to help you and your husband—”[/color]

[color=d2a38c]“Don’t call him that,”[/color] the bitter woman dressed in white rolled her eyes, clicking her tongue once more. After putting her tea down untouched, she leaned back in her seat, crossing her legs and arms, defensively. Holly continued to sharply watch Jenny. Stubborn and perturbed. She listened attentively but begrudgingly. 

[color=ffd4d2]“Sorry, um… father of your child?” [/color]

[color=d2a38c]“I’ll allow it.”[/color] 

[color=ffd4d2]“Okay, well, I aim to help [b]you[/b] heal and in order to do that, I want to guide you through your vulnerability, and unpack anything you need to with Curtis and together we will process the hurt and figure out how we’re going to move forward.”[/color] Jenny fiddled with her hands. Abentminded, she reached for her cup again and took another sip. Nursing it in her grasp, she let her smile never fade. It was tender and loving. Her eyes filled with understanding.  

Holly was quick to catch Jenny calling Curt by his first name. They were [i]definitely[/i] friends and he likely pulled strings so that they didn’t have some rando giving them therapy sessions. Of course this shit would be biased and in his favor. He couldn’t stand risking someone liking her more than him. 

[color=ffd4d2]“I do find it fulfilling by the way,”[/color] Jenny added. 

[color=d2a38c]“What?”[/color] Holly gave her a perplexed expression, having already forgotten her own words and was now focused on her hate for the man that was stealing her baby away. 

Jenny cleared her throat. [color=ffd4d2]“You asked me earlier if this job was fulfilling. It is. When people get to a place where their damage no longer controls their lives, I can’t help but smile for their happiness and their success. As a parent myself, I don’t want any of my unresolved issues to impact how my son sees me and I’m sure you understand that better than anyone.” [/color]

Instead of saying anything in return, Holly silently acknowledged the other woman’s wise words with a nod. They sat there drinking their tea in the calm, in the silence. The silence was driving Holly mad to the point she couldn’t contain her temper. Abruptly, she hissed, [color=d2a38c]“Where the fuck is he?”[/color] If she could make it on time, why couldn’t he? 

[color=8cbbd2]“Sorry I’m late Jen!”[/color] Curtis entered the room swiftly. He paused at the door as he watched Amber ascend the stairs behind it towards Shannon Ramsey’s office. He gave his daughter a little wave before closing the door. [color=8cbbd2]“Had a last minute conference call at work.”[/color] The former pro hockey player strode into the office and took a seat next to his wife. [color=8cbbd2]“Hi Holly, it’s good to see you. You look great.”[/color] He didn’t know what the correct procedure was in this instance. Curt wanted to be nice and keep things friendly despite their issues, they were still a family, they still had a daughter and he wanted to make sure that whatever happened between them that Amber was taken care of. 

[color=d2a38c][i]Jen[/i].[/color] 

That was more casual than she anticipated. Holly forced a smile on her face as she greeted the man that just entered the room. [color=d2a38c]“You too.”[/color] She was wasting her goddamn time sitting in this office if her therapist was fucking her husband. [color=d2a38c]“Okay, can we begin, please? I have a meeting shortly after this that I can’t miss. It’s for my biggest project yet.” [/color]

[color=ffd4d2]“Of course!”[/color] Jenny freed her hands from tea and gestured for the man to take a seat near his wife. Holly made sure to sit on the end so there was space in between them. [color=ffd4d2]“You two sound awfully busy but I’m glad you’re making time to come here and talk with me.”[/color]

[color=d2a38c]“Not like we have a choice,”[/color] Holly grumbled under her breath.  

There she went. Acidic would be a great way to describe Holly’s tongue when she was in one of her moods, although Curt had learned recently that that’s not what he should refer to them as. His wife had some serious problems going on inside of her and him being passive about them did not help. [color=8cbbd2]“We want to do the work, Jen. We both want what’s best for Amber and to do that we need to find some stable footing between us.”[/color] He looked over to his wife and reached out his hands, resting it between them on the couch. Curtis didn’t expect her to take it but he wanted her to know that the option was there. [color=8cbbd2]“So where should we start?”[/color] 

When Curt offered his hand, there was an impulse in Holly to immediately take it. She wanted to take it so badly and she wanted to go home. Even with how desperate she wanted her husband back, she knew she needed to be strong and show him she could stand on her own. That she wasn’t weak and that she didn’t need his support. The two voices inside her head were arguing and while the noise grew louder, she focused on Jenny, uncrossed her arms and held her own hands, clasping them tightly, desperately together and resting them on her lap. She was going to be okay. She needed to be so the court could see she was not a danger to her husband and her child. Her core was shaken at such a small gesture and all she could think about was when this session would end so she could leave and breathe. She couldn’t breathe being this close to him. 

[color=ffd4d2]“Well let me piggy back off of that, what are your expectations coming here? You want what’s best for your child, but what else? How definite is your end result?”[/color] Jenny looked between the couple. Her eyes fell on Holly, who surprisingly kept quiet, not wanting to answer first, scared to be so openly vulnerable in front of a stranger.

Curt brushed some of his salt and pepper hair back before looking over towards Holly. It was unlike her to be as quiet as she was being. She was usually so forceful, like a hurricane. She swept up everything in her path, she took no prisoners and she made sure you knew that she was that bitch. That was the Holly that he was madly in love with. The Holly that sat with Curt now, she wasn’t that person. [color=8cbbd2]“I guess for me, I want us to work this out and be a family again.”[/color] He moistened his lips as the dry mouth that came from nervousness began to take hold. He wasn’t used to being so upfront with his wants, needs and feelings. [color=8cbbd2]“And I know that it’s a journey and can’t happen overnight, so I’m willing to do the work. But I’ve also made peace with the fact that if we can’t be together, we need to find some way of being there for Amber. She needs us.”[/color]

Jenny nodded at Curt and unlike other counselors, she didn’t write anything down. She gave them her undivided attention. [color=ffd4d2]“And you Holly?”[/color]

[color=d2a38c]“I’m not an easy woman to love,”[/color] Holly admitted, her tone layered with sadness and venom, all in one. [color=d2a38c]“A lot has happened from when I first met Curtis to now. To me, the past is behind us. I’m a different woman. I will never be the same because I can’t be.”[/color] Holly loosened her grip, trying to ease the tension in her shoulders. She needed to relax. [color=d2a38c]“I didn’t expect to be where I am or even in the field that I do now.” [/color]

Once upon a time Holly wanted to be a photographer but god, she was awful at taking pictures of buildings that didn’t even move. Her parents wanted her to be in the medical field but how could she take care of anyone else if she couldn’t keep her emotions under control? So, she focused on what she was good at which was drawing and made that into a stable career. [color=d2a38c]“But that’s okay, because I needed to do the things I did for my family. Do I want to save my family? Abso-fucking-lutely. But if I’m not worth my family’s time, I guess I need to look into that and see if this is even worth it. As long as we figure out a good coparenting dynamic, that’s all that matters, right? Everything else is left to too many uncertainties. The one thing I know is Amber is my everything and I will do what I need to, to make sure she is given the world.”[/color]

[color=8cbbd2]“What do you mean ‘not worth my family’s time’? Holly, Amber loves you. Worships you. Things may be hard now but how I feel about you has never been in question.”[/color] Curtis was a difficult man to anger. He had learned through years on the ice how to compartmentalize and then unleash it in a constructive way, which in his world meant a really hard body check against the backboards. [color=8cbbd2]“Sorry.”[/color] Curtis leaned back against the couch and placed both his hands on his lap. [color=8cbbd2]“It’s your turn to speak. To say how you feel. I shouldn’t interrupt.”[/color] 

[color=ffd4d2]“No this is good,”[/color] Jenny interjected. [color=ffd4d2]“If things get too bad then of course we can take turns, but I believe in things happening organically, naturally. So, Holly,”[/color] the kind therapist looked at the woman who was now glaring at her husband, and gestured to her to take the stage.

[color=d2a38c]“Yeah, fucking right,”[/color] Holly cursed, her hands no longer clasped and her attention completely on the man beside her. [color=d2a38c]“You don’t love me. You love the little girl that followed you to the ends of the Earth. I’m not that girl anymore! I literally have no control in my life, I’m losing everything and just like that, you’re the one with the power even though I busted my ass for you and my child. All for what? For you to move to this hellish town to prove a point that you win and you’ll always win. As if,”[/color] Holly gritted her teeth and looked away from him, her fuming anger on her sleeves with no place to go besides out.

[color=8cbbd2]“I don’t…what?”[/color] Curtis was taken aback a little by Holly’s words. He didn’t know where this was coming from, then again maybe that was part of the problem. For sure, there had definitely been a lack of communication in the last few years of their relationship. [color=8cbbd2]“You think this was about winning? It’s never been about that Hols. I came here to feel useful. To give these kids the tools they can use to succeed. I spent my entire life, my entire life, dedicating myself to a sport and it got snatched away from me. I was lost and god I put you and Amber through hell and I regret that every fucking day. But this was something I could do to fill the hole inside of me.”[/color] He gripped onto the sofa firmly, trying to push his aggression into its soft fibers. [color=8cbbd2]“I am genuinely sorry that you have these feelings, I really am but I honestly don’t know what else I could’ve done to make you happy. I thought we were happy.”[/color]

[color=d2a38c]“Stop with this self righteous crap, Curt,”[/color] Holly clicked her tongue, the negative energy emitting from her soul and filling the room with displeasure. [color=d2a38c]“You really care about every kid on your team? Give me a break. Not once have you asked Amber if she wanted to skate. If she wanted to live your dream.”[/color] Holly stared at her hand, at her wedding bands, before glancing back over to him, [color=d2a38c]“If it helps you sleep at night that you’re making a difference, good for you, but don’t make yourself out to be some messiah or something. I don’t have a problem with you being a coach. I’m happy that you’re excited to get out of bed but don’t make it out to be anything but selfish.”[/color]

[color=ffd4d2]“Okay, time to cut in,”[/color] Jenny chirped, sipping her tea as she took in the intensity of these two. [color=ffd4d2]“Let’s take two steps back. Instead of the now, I want to know about the then. If you could think about things you love about each other, what would it be? How did you guys fall in love anyways? Tell me your story.”[/color] She hoped redirecting them could help them see that they both were still very much in love with each other. If not that, it would give them time to calm down.

Curtis glanced over at his wife, her rage palpable in the air. He had no idea she held such malice towards him but her words were stained also with truth. He was selfish. She had dedicated so much time to allow for him to chase his dreams that he had neglected hers. If he could cross paths with his sixteen year old self today, he would slap the shit out of him and tell him not to be an idiot to the woman of his dreams.

[color=8cbbd2]“Erm..well, we met in high school. I was playing hockey for the Monarchs and it was my only focus, you know? The rest of the guys were partying and just enjoying our privilege but not me. I just spent time on the ice, practice, practice, practice. Ever since I could hold a stick all I ever wanted or cared about was getting to the NHL…then I saw Holly in the stands.”[/color] His light blue eyes drifted once again to the mother of his child and they softened as he thought back to the day they met. [color=8cbbd2]“It was the middle of winter. Everyone had gone home for the day so I took the chance to practice solo on the ice. I was practicing the triple deke and Incubus was playing on the sound system when I got a call to go pick up my cousin Gray. On my way to the dig out, I noticed Holly, sitting alone, head in a book and despite the cold in that room, I was all of sudden just filmed with warmth. I just had to speak to her.”[/color]

[color=d2a38c]“The cold never bothered me, but that’s beside the point,”[/color] Holly took the baton to continue telling their story. [color=d2a38c]“I wasn’t having the best day that day. I guess now that I think about it. Control in my life wasn’t something I ever had. I read different things just to figure out what I like. That wasn’t something my parents wanted me to like. Like Greek mythology and gothic architecture. I bounced through hobbies too and for this day in particular, I wanted to see the ice. In that random decision, I found Curt instead,”[/color] Holly didn’t look at him. Instead she buried the shame she was feeling and started picking at her nails, so much for getting them done at the salon. 

[color=d2a38c]“When you skate, you look so happy and free. I guess that was what I fell in love with first and then,”[/color] she smiled to herself as the cuticles of her ring finger began to bleed. [color=d2a38c]“You turned out to be a goofball who loved to just do things and so we did just that, we did whatever was on our minds. Until your injury.”[/color] His injury changed everything. Holly didn’t have much direction besides what people told her what was good for her and what was to be expected of her. Curt was the first thing she decided on her own and she put all of her into that decision. She got herself to a place where she would do whatever Curt wanted, if that made him happy. All she wanted was him to be happy. 

Yet she didn’t realize that took a toll on her because the things they used to do, that she loved, like hiking up mountains and getting glimpses of sights she would’ve never seen if it weren’t for him, became non-existent after his depression took over. She let her rose colored glasses blind her from the fact that the woman he loved was someone who wanted to do absolutely everything, try every food, go out and get the newest toy to try with him, audacious, bold and full of wonder in her eyes, all the while always being there to take care of him. She wasn’t that woman anymore. All she wanted was to rest and be in his arms. All she wanted was to know Amber would be okay and that she did everything she could to give her the resources and tools she needed to be happy. All she wanted was her family to be happy. 

She shouldn’t discredit him though because throughout their marriage he held her close and tight when the weight of the world became too much and when she questioned everything she did and everything she didn’t do, he was there. When the world became too heavy, he was there for her and maybe that was part of the problem. Maybe she needed to learn to live without him to see what was in her control and what wasn’t. Maybe she needed to let him go. Holly bit her cheek as she stared at the blood, streaming down her finger about to stain her white dress.

[color=ffd4d2]“Oh, here take this,”[/color] Jenny was quick to push the napkins close to the couple. Holly didn’t budge to reach for it. [color=ffd4d2]“I’ll be right back. I’ll get a first aid kit.”[/color] With a bounce in her step, the therapist disappeared from the room, leaving the two lovers alone. 

Curtis reached out for the tissues and pulled them towards the couch as he himself shuffled closer to his wife. [color=8cbbd2]“Baby, here.”[/color] He offered her one of the embroidered handkerchiefs. [color=8cbbd2]“I don’t know what’s gonna happen to us. I know what I would like to happen but that’s not important right now. We need to get to a place where we can start, for Amber’s sake.”[/color] He leaned forward to wipe away Holly’s tears. [color=8cbbd2]“Whatever it’s worth to you, I want you to know that I still love you and I still want to be your husband. And I’m so sorry for making you feel like this but I’m gonna put in the work to make this right. I promise, I’m gonna try.”[/color] 

The tears dropped on her expensive dress as she reached for the tissues to wrap her bleeding finger. Grabbing the handkerchief from him, she dabbed her face and looked at him with yearning and desperate want. [color=d2a38c]“I’m sorry too, for not being exactly what you want or need. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to a place where you’ll love me for me…”[/color] but she would try. She would try to find a happy medium where her flaws weren’t so glaringly obvious and that her being this deeply damaged wouldn’t get him to walk away just like her father did, [color=d2a38c]“I want to be a good mother. I want to be a good wife. But I’m failing at that… and I’m sorry I’m the problem.”[/color] She sniffled, sinking deeper and deeper into her self loathing. 

[color=8cbbd2]“No, Hols. We’re both a problem. You’re right. I am selfish and indulgent and I need to be better.”[/color] He took a hold of her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. [color=8cbbd2]“We need to be better. For our little girl, she needs her Mom and Dad and if we keep fighting each other she’s gonna end up without either of us.”[/color] Amber was the key to it all. Inbetween the moments of anger or the briefest of one’s that could tip towards reconciliation, their daughter had to be first and foremost in their thoughts.. Until they could get back onto the same page, this was all they could do. Curt brushed her soft, warm cheek and smiled. [color=8cbbd2]“I always loved you in white. I’m sorry I ruined your dress.”[/color] He thought a little humor might help to lighten the dark mood that had entered Jenny’s office. [color=8cbbd2]“Wouldn’t be the first one and I definitely don’t want it to be the last.” [/color]

Holly’s smile brightened as he complimented her. Against her better judgment, she turned to him and pulled him by the collar into her lips. She closed her eyes and felt his lips against hers, rough and delectable. A kiss that likely wouldn’t happen again for a while. She loved this man. Her whole body, soul and heart belonged to him but she knew that she needed to only take him in doses so she could be better, for their daughter. It wasn’t about her. It wasn’t about him. It was about all of them, together, as a family.

Pulling away from him when she could hear the doorknob move, Holly pretended it never happened and went back to their daily schedule program. Grabbing the first aid kit from the therapist, Holly focused on cleaning her finger and wrapping it with a bandaid, [color=d2a38c]“Sorry, bad habit of mine. I’ve gotten it more under control but sometimes it just happens.”[/color]

[color=ffd4d2]“I understand, I’m just glad you got in a better headspace to stop,”[/color] Jenny acknowledged the change in tone and demeanor in Holly, curious what happened while she was away. [color=ffd4d2]“Next time, we will try the timer method which will allow you two three minute increments to talk before the other speaks. I don’t like that method but we can see if that’s what you guys prefer.”[/color] 

[color=d2a38c]“Next time?”[/color] Holly looked up from her hand to Jenny. [color=d2a38c]“Wait, we're already done? I feel like we barely scratched the surface.”[/color] The architect was shocked how fast time flew. She expected this to feel a lot longer, dragging out and boring her to death but instead she felt like she had a moment with her husband, which she hadn’t had in so long and she wanted to stay. She didn’t want to leave him.

[color=ffd4d2]“Yeah, sadly it is,”[/color] she wasn’t going to mention that due to Curt being late, it did take away from their time but she was still content with what she saw today. [color=ffd4d2]“but I do think we’ve covered a lot and I do have homework for you two! I know, oh my god, homework. It’s like we’re in school again,”[/color] Jenny giggled, amused at herself.  

Curt was so taken aback by Holly’s kiss that he barely registered Jenny coming back into the room. For the whisper of a moment, he felt like he had his wife back but the coach of the horsemen knew better. It had become somewhat of a recurring theme since the beginning of their separation that Holly and Curt would fall back into each other's arms in a physical sense. The amount of blazing rows that had turned into quick hotel room purchases and fiery, passionate lovemaking was growing by the week. He knew it wasn’t healthy. He knew it had to stop but he couldn’t say no to his wife. He was so madly in love with her, so desperate to be as close as they once were. He wanted them, to be them again.

[color=8cbbd2]“Homework?”[/color] Curtis finally snapped out of his daze. [color=8cbbd2]“I mean if it is like high school then I guess Holly is doing mine like she used to.”[/color] He was deflecting as always. [color=8cbbd2]“That’s fine. We’re willing to do whatever it takes Jen.”[/color] He returned his steely gaze to his wife. [color=8cbbd2]“Do you want to take Amber tonight? She’s upstairs, her session should be done soon too.” [/color]

[color=d2a38c]“I’m actually in town tonight. I have dinner plans with my client to go over the hotel blueprints,”[/color] Holly sighed, realizing another chance she had with her daughter was out of reach because she couldn’t refuse the offer from her client. This client specifically was a powerful man. [color=d2a38c]“I’m staying at an Airbnb. It’s small but if she doesn’t mind, we could bring it up. But if I have to wait until Saturday, I understand that too.”[/color] Holly’s gaze went from Curt’s handsome face to Jenny’s eager one. They probably should get going. Placing the first aid kit on the table, Mrs. Elliott stood up and instructed her lover, [color=d2a38c]“We’ll talk about this outside, for now…”[/color] 

No longer angry at Miss Jennings for clearly having a friendship with her husband, Holly caught her attention and wondered what homework she had in store for them. At least in Holly’s eyes, this session was the first time she felt her and her husband making progress. She had faith these therapy sessions would help. Maybe she was getting ahead of herself but she got to kiss her husband so that’s all that really mattered. They, for a moment, had bliss and she got to open up to him on things he had no idea she was bottling up. Progress was progress and that’s all that mattered. [color=d2a38c]“Homework?”[/color]

Swiftly, Jenny went to her desk and grabbed two composition notebooks and handed one to each of them. [color=ffd4d2]“Relationship journals. I only expect one entry each week. If you want to write more, that’s entirely up to you. Your first prompt will be a letter to each other. Letters are an easy and natural way to share your thoughts. If you want to write anything else, things to consider would be a daily record of the best things and the toughest things you’re going through. Maybe that’ll help you both see each other's struggles better. Lastly, individual assignments.” [/color]

Jennifer started with the fiery spitfire woman that was Mrs. Elliott. Her attention never wavered from the person she was talking to. [color=ffd4d2]“Holly, while I don’t expect you to write anything about this, I want you to really reflect on the things you have control over. And what control even means to you. I’d like to follow up on that next week since it seems to be where the root of your problems come from. And Curt,”[/color] Jenny gleamed at him, crossing her arms and giving him an almost challenging look, [color=ffd4d2]“I want you to try something new. Not hockey related. I want you to get out of your box. To think beyond yourself you have to look at what's around you. Go beyond what makes you comfortable. If you want to write about it cool, but you don’t have to. I still want to know what it is you did and how it made you feel.” [/color]

Going to the door, Jennifer Jennings opened it for the two of them to take their leave, [color=ffd4d2]“Sound easy enough?”[/color]

[color=8cbbd2]“Sounds good to me.”[/color] Curtis nodded his head as he pulled himself to his feet. He turned to watch Holly for a moment longer. Even now, amongst the weeds and encroaching woods of fear, he still found her to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Curt had no idea what the future held for him and his wife but he knew that all he wanted was for them to be a family again with their baby girl. [color=8cbbd2]“How about after the hockey game on Saturday, the three of us go out for some food and then we talk with Amber about staying with you for a few days. Does that sound good?”[/color] He spun on his heel to look at their therapist. [color=8cbbd2]“And I expect to see you there too Jenny. At the game not the meal.”[/color]

Holly wanted to believe she made peace with her jealousy but seeing Curt’s relationship with Jenny only made her flare up again. [color=d2a38c]“Maybe you should invite her to dinner. She’s probably a better mother too,”[/color] Holly snapped. Holding her relationship journal close, just like she would hold her books when they were younger, hugging them for stability, she stormed out, knowing she ruined a good moment but also knowing she couldn’t take it back. 

Maybe they wouldn’t be okay after all.

[color=ffd4d2]“Give it time, Curt. She loves you very much,”[/color] Jenny apologetically smiled at the man, who seemed to be constantly tiptoeing through a landmine field. [color=ffd4d2]“We’re definitely getting somewhere!”[/color]

[color=8cbbd2]“I really hope so.”[/color] Curt wasn’t surprised by Holly’s outburst. Unfortunately, he had seen them too many times to count. Even after nearly twenty years together, there were still things about his wife that he didn’t know, things she kept private and no doubt a contributing factor to her mental health struggles. He despised the fact that he couldn’t be there for her in the way she needed him to be. [color=8cbbd2]“Thanks for today Jen.”[/color]

[color=ffd4d2]“No, thank you. I’ll see you at the game.”[/color]

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