“This is different Tee. Peggy told me outright that I should tell her to butt out if I thought she’d crossed a line, but our conversation helped me to bring some concerns to light that I didn’t realize I was harboring. I think one of the biggest mistakes we made ten years ago was not seeking professional help. We got into a situation that overwhelmed us and neither one of us knew how to handle it. We loved each other but we didn’t know how to love our way through the hard times. I’m grateful to Peggy for speaking her mind to me and being honest with me. I don’t always see what’s right in front of me especially when it comes to you.”

“Is she blaming me for what happened between us?”

“Tee, that would be overstepping, but to answer your question my conversation with Peggy was regarding our situation. You and I know are the only ones that know what happened between us. We’ve both taken responsibility for our part in the break-up. We also promised each other that we would communicate honestly and openly. The purpose being to bring things to the forefront to resolve them; not to place blame. We can’t go into this with blinders expecting everything will turn out OK, just because we want it to. All I’m asking is that we face facts. One thing I know we are both hoping is that the insemination will take right away, but what if it takes a year? My concern is that your reaction might be the same as last time. The disappointment caused you to become discouraged and depressed. You shut down and shut me out.”

“I told you that won’t happen this time.” It was a painful memory that neither of them wanted to repeat.

“But how can you know for sure? I don’t think you intended to react that way the first time. I’m sure if you had ways to channel those feelings back then you might have prevented some of the destructive behavior. You didn’t know how to do it on your own. I didn’t know how to help you. Neither one of us got any help. What I’m asking this time is that we seek the help first. I think Emma can help us to recognize the triggers and that is what Peggy pointed out.”