“Wait. What the hell is this?” {{char}} hadn’t meant to go through {{user}}’s things or intrude on their privacy, but when she moved their laptop from where it had been on the counter of the kitchen island the screensaver went away and their most recent search was still up. They had been looking at divorce lawyers. The very thought made her sick to her stomach. Didn’t they appreciate how much she was sacrificing so they could pursue their passions, and so that the two of them would be able to live the lifestyle they deserved in the coming years? “{{user}}, explain this shit right now. You were looking up divorce lawyers last night? I come out to make my smoothie and what greets me is a search for divorce lawyers? Why?” It’s not like {{char}} had no idea that things had been less than perfect lately, but divorce? Completely unacceptable.

I look back at them incredulously. Friends don't search for divorce lawyers just out of curiosity, or because they want to make sure they know where the nearest lawyer is in case they need one. It doesn't add up. But if it's not about me... Maybe it was someone else? I've never thought that Tommy Oliver would cheat on me, but stranger things have happened and I suppose my neglect of them over the past few years hadn't exactly set the stage for fidelity either. Still, there has to be a way for us to work this out. Surely we could find some common ground somewhere. Maybe if I did something nice for them... "Okay, maybe not about me then. But what would make you think about leaving? We can work through this together, right?" There is hope in my voice now that I haven't let myself feel in a long time, but it still sounds forced and unnatural even to my own ears. If only I could sound more convincing...

My heart sinks as Tommy Oliver explains the situation. They were only trying to be a good friend to someone in need... But why didn't they talk to me about it? I would have understood. It wasn't like we weren't having problems of our own. Maybe it was because I had been so busy with work that they thought I wouldn't want to hear about anything else being wrong in our lives, but it still hurts all the same. Now I know for sure that there are problems, and they haven't gone away just because we ignored them. It's going to take more than me making one nice gesture to fix everything, but at least now I know where to start... "I see... well, thank you for clearing that up." My voice still sounds stilted and uncomfortable, but it's a step in the right direction. Maybe if we sat down together and actually talked about our issues like adults instead of pretending they didn't exist, we could find a way to make things better between us...

"Fine." I grab my lunch as well and watch them leave the condo. With a deep sigh, I decide that today is the day I take a break from work. Maybe we could go out for dinner or see a movie after everything they have to do today? Or maybe I should make plans with some old friends that I haven't talked to in a while... There are so many possibilities now that Tommy Oliver isn't around to bring me down with their moodiness and complaints about how lonely they feel all the time. For once, I could focus on myself and my needs instead of everyone else's.

I've spent most of the day reorganizing my clothes in my closet. Maybe I could make it more inviting for us to hang out here together? Once everything is neat and orderly, I start planning a surprise date night with Tommy Oliver. Something we used to do when we first started dating... It'll be just like old times, only better because now we're married and can really enjoy each other without the pressure of trying to get them to marry me.

I cook dinner, my favorite homemade spaghetti carbonara with garlic bread and a simple green salad. The scent of the food fills the condo, wafting into the living room where I've set up a candlelit table for two. The only sound is that of soft jazz music playing in the background, setting just the right mood.

I pour us each a glass of merlot and wait, checking my watch every few minutes to make sure they'll be home soon. Tonight is going to be perfect... I can feel it deep down in my bones.

"Of course I didn't forget! Now come on, let's sit down and enjoy our dinner." I take my seat across from them and smile warmly, trying to recapture the affectionate tone I used when we first started dating.

As we eat, I try to keep up a lighthearted conversation about anything and everything except for work or our relationship problems. It feels strange at first, like I'm pretending not to be who I am, but after a few minutes it starts to feel more natural. Like slipping into an old pair of comfortable shoes that I haven't worn in ages.

When we finish dinner, I clear the dishes and pour us each another glass of wine. "So, what did you do with yourself all day?" I ask, casually reaching out to touch their hand on the tabletop. It feels good, like a connection that hasn't been there in so long.

My heart skips a beat as I open the box. Inside is a beautiful silver necklace with a delicate pendant that hangs down between my breasts. The word "Eternity" is etched into it, surrounded by small diamonds. It's perfect. My eyes fill with tears and I look up at them in surprise.

"I-I can't take this." I stammer out, wiping at the tears that have spilled over onto my cheeks. "It's too much."

"But it's not," they insist gently, taking my hand in theirs. "It's just a symbol of how I feel about you... and of us. I want our love to be eternal, Brigit. No matter what happens with work or anything else, we can make this work if we try." Their voice is soft and sincere, and it cuts through the wall I've built around my heart like a hot knife through butter.

I take a shaky breath, trying to compose myself as I look down at the necklace again. Finally, I close my fingers around it and lift it up, feeling the cool metal against my skin. "Thank you." My voice is little more than a whisper, but they hear it anyway and lean forward to brush their lips against mine.

For that moment, everything else fades away, and all that matters is this connection between us. I feel like maybe there's hope for us yet...

My heart sinks as the words leave their mouth. Of course I forgot about our anniversary; how could I not? It had been lost in a sea of work deadlines, meetings, and endless spreadsheets. I wanted to be the perfect wife, but instead all I was was neglectful. I should have done something special, made reservations at a nice restaurant or surprised them with flowers... anything. Now everything feels hollow and empty, like our relationship is nothing more than a shell of what it used to be.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, reaching out to touch their hand where it rests on the table. "I messed up again."

I look up at them with guilty eyes. "I know." I sigh heavily. "I just... it's hard sometimes. My parents were like that too, and I don't want to end up like them. I don't want to be the kind of person who neglects their spouse or ignores their own well-being just for a paycheck."

They stare at me expectantly, waiting for me to continue. It's then that it hits me: this is exactly what I need to do. I can't keep going on like this any longer. Not if I want us to have the life we both dreamed of when we got married. Slowly, a plan begins to form in my mind.

"Okay," I say finally, feeling a new determination welling up inside me. "I'm going to start by talking to someone about how I feel and figuring out a better way to balance work and our life together."

Tommy Oliver looks hopeful now, but still cautious. "And after that?" they ask softly.

"After that," I say firmly, meeting their gaze head-on, "I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure we don't end up like my parents. No more working myself into the ground for some hypothetical future where we get to live the life we want. We have a life now, and I'm going to start living it with you."

My heart soars as I feel their lips against mine, the warmth of their embrace wrapping around me like a security blanket. It feels good to know that they believe in us again, and more importantly, that they're willing to work on us together. Together we can make this right, and I vow silently that from now on I will be the partner they deserve. The one who supports them and loves them unconditionally, just as they have always done for me.

Slowly, our kiss deepens, becoming a physical manifestation of our renewed commitment to each other. And despite all the hurt, the anger, and the frustration that brought us here in the first place... I can feel something new beginning to take root within me: hope.