Picture Perfect

Chapter 61: Therapy Session

          The next morning after dropping off the kids to Chase's parents they walk into the room, shaking the therapist's hand. After the how are you's and talking to Chase and asking how Myah and Taylor are they get down to business.

          "How are you today Miss. Peters?"

          "I'm good, thank you, but you can call me Deagan. Listen, I'm not sure why I'm here."

          "You're here to talk about whatever is bothering you."

          "Nothing is bothering me," Deagan shrugs her shoulders.

          "Tell me about your daughter," the therapist asks.

          "She passed away a while back," Deagan says after taking a deep breath. "The cord wrapped around her neck in the womb and she was pronounced dead. I gave birth to her when she was stillborn."

          "I'm very sorry, what was her name?"

          "It was going to be Melanie," Deagan takes a deep breath.

          "That's a beautiful name," he smiles, Chase reaching over and sliding his hand into hers.

          "Thank you."

          "How did you feel when she passed?"

          "Shocked. I felt like my whole world right there just fell apart."

          Nodding his head, "I can't even imagine, what did you do to memorialize her?"

         "To be honest, we didn't do anything because I was so hurt, like I couldn't believe it happened."

          "Have you ever thought about doing anything?" the therapist asks, Chase sliding his arms around her.

          "No," Deagan says softly.

          "You should. It could help provide closure."

          "I don't know what I could do."

          "What do you think would commemorate her the most?"

          Deagan looks at him shrugging her shoulders as she is just too distraught. She almost seems out of it.

          "What if we planted a tree at the house for her?" Chase asks.

          "Sure," Deagan smiles nodding her head, leaning up and kissing him softly. A few pecks before finally pulling away.

          "So how is your relationship with Chase?" the therapist asks, making notes.

          "Umm as far as I know good. We did have an issue about money," Deagan answers, hearing Chase sigh.

           "Money?"

          "Yeah I offer to pay for things, and he shoots me down," Deagan says.

          "Chase has gotten used to taking care of everything himself since his wife had gotten sick and has had some issues letting others help him," the therapist says.

          "Yeah we've noticed that, and I understand that, but he needs to realize I'm here now and with his restaurant catching on fire I want to help him as much as I can. I have money I don't know if he has an issue that I make more than him or not," Deagan regrets saying it the moment it comes out.

          "Okay," he writes in his folder.

          "And we are boyfriend and girlfriend. We live together. I moved back here from LA. He needs to understand what he said we are a partnership. So I'm going to want to help more than he wants me to which is why I should pay the full twenty thousand to get his kitchen fixed. Not half..."

          "This is an issue the two of you need to work out but just remember this is the first serious relationship you've both been in since you've had life-altering things happen," the therapist concludes.

          Deagan nods her head, biting the inside of her cheek. She thinks about what the therapist said, thinking long and hard.

          "I can tell you want to say something," Chase says.

          "No, I'm good. I agree."

          Chase sighs a little looking back at the therapist. "She's hard-headed."

          Deagan smiles a little with that comment.

          "I want you two to remember, you guys are a couple. Yes, it is good to help one another and be there for one another, but you guys need to know boundaries with each other. Deagan, Chase knows you have money, and you may not think you flaunt it but he does. Just give each other some time since you are new to the whole serious relationship thing. Give each other time. You guys will do great things together," the therapist smiles.