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Steve searched her eyes, as if he were trying to read her mind. He couldn't miss her sincerity or her determination. Donna was a strong woman, but he didn't know if she was strong enough to do what she intended. He did know she was going to try. Finally, he said, "That's a mighty high price for one slip isn't it?"
Donna snuggled into his chest. "My darling husband, when you slip, you can expect a very had fall. You have to expect things to get broken, unless there is someone there to catch you, sometimes twice.
Epilogue:
Donna and Steve watched as Steve Jr. stood in his cap and gown and delivered the valedictorian address at his high school graduation. Steve had his arm around her and ever so often, he would pat her affectionately. It had been a very hard six years. It had been almost three months before Steve had resumed sexual relations and it had been over a year before sex was 'good.' One bonus was that she learned she enjoyed anal sex, when she was properly prepared for it.
The move across the country to a small town had also been very hard. However, it had let them have a fresh start. The kids had hated it at first, but had learned to love it. Because Gil's company settled rather than go to court, a wise decision with all the publicity that Gil's trial and 30-year sentence produced, the tape was never made public. The seven-figure settlement and the sale of his construction business had allowed Steve to start over in a bigger and better way.
After years of marriage counseling, Donna believed their marriage was in good shape. She had lived her new rules and had never resented them. Steve and his happiness remained Donna's top priority and if she hadn't yet managed to fill all of the hole she'd created, she had found that she derived great satisfaction working on new ways to make him happier. The reason that she had never felt any resentment for some of the attitudes, moods and rules that Steve had forced on her was that she never lost sight of her admiration of him, and what he'd sacrificed to keep her.
It also made it easier that they could fight over the things they'd always fought over. As soon as Donna moved back into their bedroom, the laptop was once again banished. Steve threw seven kinds of fits over the change in their menu, but Donna had stood her ground. The real difference from before 'the slip,' was that when Donna decided to stand her ground she was always convinced it was what was best for Steve and their marriage.
Donna patted Steve's leg as Steve Jr. finished. It hadn't been a long speech, just thirteen minutes. Her whole 'affair' from the time Gil had turned on the cameras until she begun to get dressed lasted four full minute less than her son's address. Yet those few minutes had turned her whole world upside down and almost destroyed it. "I so proud of our son, honey, almost as proud as I am of you. I love you Steve."
Steve was watching his son, and it was impossible to not see his contentment, "I love you too honey, you've made me the happiest man on the planet. I don't see how life could get any better."
Donna swallowed the lump in her throat and thought, 'But it will, I'll make certain of that! I promise!'
- COMMENTS
Anonymous1 day agoThis is quite a good novella in response to the writing prompt!
Excellent that both realize so thoroughly that life and its problems (like the things they have always tussled about) will still be there while they work on this particular problem, and it will not be quick.
Good enough that I will look at your other works, thank you for this effort.
Five for you
Anonymous19 days agoGood story. Given the circumstances, Donna's confession (admittedly after blackmail threat so maybe a low bar), and her active contrition (not just remorse), reconciliation while it still takes work, is a no brainer once Steve has time to think it through. And for those who would burn Donna? God have mercy on you. 5 stars.
TrainerOfBimbos2 months agoI really liked this story, if anything the problem I have with it is that Donna is too perfect of a remorseful spouse. Hell, even the circumstances surrounding her infidelity clearly portray her as a victim of Gil (if his actions later didn't make that clear). And while I agree that HER ACTIONS after that really are the measure by which the reader will judge her worthy of forgiveness or a second chance, I feel that you went a bit fucking ham here dude and I suspect you did it to placate the "BTB" crowd, which I think is also a fools errand since they will never be happy with any kind of reconciliation story. As for me - I enjoy both types of stories so I try to judge the on heir merits and this one has a gripping storyline for the most part because I too was interested in just HOW such a hard ass as Steve was going to find his way back to his obviously remorseful wife Donna. I mean, people complain about Steve's character being too mercurial and angry, but if he WASN'T like that, then a lot of the tension around what appears to be an obvious reconciliation story would vanish. Instead, it was held almost right up until the end. It was great, no sexual innuendos intended by my previous sentence. I don't know if you're still reading these comments or not, but this is a very rare 5/5 from me. Everything here was great.
Anonymous3 months agoWell done. A real journey. Honest struggle and earnest desires to find a way through together if possible and certainly in ways that are best for loved ones.
Donna showed real repentance and commitment to making any agenda possible and forestalling any recurrence. She showed taking responsibility and shouldering the burden.
I think Donna too quickly dismissed the possibility of being drugged. She could not recall details etc of experience with Gil. Keeping in mind Gil was a serial blackmailer roofying women would fit right in. He certainly was not beyond making sure she had more to drink and taking advantage of her misplaced trust in him and his knowing his the alcohol affects her. People who do accept responsibility as Donna does tend to be overly harsh and take more than if their share. She didn't want Steve to think she's making excuses and is disgusted with herself and feels she's failed her vows, Steve and herself. As such she blames herself for what is very much like a "date rape" kind of situation
We all fall short. Donna had a "slip" of under 9 minutes with dubious consent issues. She subsequently tried to beat the burden to cause no further harm. Then when blackmailed confessed, showed integrity and love in apologizing taking responsibility trying to make amends preventing recurrence caring for and loving Steve putting him foremost and working to restore her self respect. That is a worthy loving wife. Steve should in addition to working in his hurry trust etc issues needs to deal with his having taken short in his vows as well. Especially given the dubious consent around the incident but even without her immediately lashed out at Donna when she came to him as her husband being blackmailed into being a whore, not even waiting for an explanation. He voted to love honor cherish... for better or worse. This is not to say situation is his fault but we all fall short. Seeing how can help us forgive ourselves and others. This is not being a doormat, rather letting go and observing clearly enough to see whether healthiest to move on together or apart and to release that which causes the ongoing pain and damage spring that which has occurred to be felt and healed when ready.
