Reflections on Romeo, Juliet, and Self-Love

Chapter 42: The Weight of Choices

Faith sat on the edge of the bed, her thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a gust of wind. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp, casting long shadows on the walls. Scott had just returned from his seminar in Austin, and the conversation they needed to have had been hanging in the air like a heavy cloud since his phone call a few days earlier.

Scott emerged from the bathroom, wiping his hands on a towel. He tossed it onto a nearby chair before settling beside her. The silence between them was thick, filled with the unspoken worries and uncertainties they both carried.

Faith broke the silence first. "So, what are we going to do?"

Scott sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've been thinking about it non-stop. It's a big opportunity, Faith. But... it's also a big change."

Faith nodded, feeling the weight of his words. She placed a hand on her growing belly, a reminder of the life they were bringing into the world. "I know. But we have to think about everything—where we'll live, where I'll work, how we'll manage with the baby. It's not just about us anymore."

Scott reached for her hand, his fingers warm against hers. "That's what scares me the most. I don't want to make a decision that will make things harder for you—for us. But at the same time, I don't want to miss out on something that could be really good for our future."

They fell into a contemplative silence, both lost in their thoughts. Faith leaned back against the headboard, her mind drifting to memories of their past. The trip to Europe with their families when they were just preteens had been one of the most formative experiences of their lives. She could still picture the sun setting over the Mediterranean, the way the golden light bathed the ancient streets of Barcelona, and how they had wandered through the narrow alleys of the Gothic Quarter, hand in hand.

"Do you remember when we went to Spain?" Faith asked suddenly, her voice soft with nostalgia.

Scott smiled, the tension in his face easing slightly. "How could I forget? That trip was... everything."

Faith chuckled, her gaze distant as she recalled the days they had spent exploring Europe, country by country, with wide-eyed wonder. "We were so young. I was so worried about my future, about what I wanted to do with my life. And there you were, dragging me through the streets of Verona to see Juliet's balcony."

Scott laughed, a deep, warm sound that made Faith's heart swell. "I had to show you the most romantic spot in the city, didn't I? And besides, it was the perfect place to tell you how I felt."

Faith's smile softened as she remembered the moment he was talking about—their first night in Spain, the cobblestone streets of Verona glowing under the light of street lamps, and the courtyard beneath Juliet's balcony, where tourists crowded to take pictures. Scott had pulled her aside, away from the crowd, his face serious but his eyes full of something she hadn't quite understood at the time.

"You told me you loved me," Faith murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I did," Scott replied, his voice gentle. "And you... well, you panicked."

Faith groaned, covering her face with her hands as the memory flooded back in vivid detail. "Oh God, I did, didn't I? I was so caught up in my worries about the future, about what I wanted to do, that I couldn't even focus on the moment."

Scott's laughter filled the room. "You almost knocked over a street vendor's stand trying to get away from me. The poor guy was so confused."

Faith couldn't help but laugh along with him, the memory no longer a source of embarrassment but a cherished reminder of how far they had come. "And then we ended up laughing the whole way back to the hotel. I was such a mess."

"You were," Scott agreed, his tone affectionate. "But that's what I loved about you. You were so passionate, so determined to figure everything out, even when it scared you. And somehow, despite everything, we managed to make it work."

Faith leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "We did, didn't we? But this... this feels different. We're not just making decisions for ourselves anymore."

Scott wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. "I know. And that's why we need to weigh the pros and cons, figure out what's really best for all three of us."

Faith closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his embrace. "So, let's do it. Let's figure this out."

They spent the next hour going over everything, laying out the advantages and disadvantages of the offer.

**Advantages:**

- **Career Advancement**: The new job offered Scott the chance to work in a prestigious position, one that would not only boost his career but also provide financial stability for their growing family.
 
- **Better Opportunities**: Living in Washington, D.C., would put them at the heart of political and governmental action, offering Faith the chance to pursue work in her field with a wider range of opportunities.

- **Networking**: The move would place them in a hub of connections that could benefit both of their careers, especially for Faith, who could expand her professional network in ways that California might not allow.

**Disadvantages:**

- **Relocation Stress**: Moving across the country while pregnant and setting up a new home would be stressful, especially with the baby due in just a few months.

- **Distance from Family**: They would be far from both their families, losing the support system they had in California, which would be crucial once the baby arrived.

- **Uncertainty**: There was no guarantee that the job would be everything Scott hoped for, or that they would be happy living in a new city so far from their roots.

Faith listened as Scott listed each point, nodding in agreement or offering her thoughts. They debated where they would live—whether to find a home in the suburbs of D.C. or stay in the city. Faith considered where she might work, contemplating the idea of joining a firm or taking a position with a government agency, something she had always been interested in but had put on hold.

"We could make it work," Scott said finally, his voice thoughtful. "We've made it through tougher times before."

Faith bit her lip, her mind flashing back to their travels in Europe, to the nights they had spent dreaming about their futures, unaware of the twists and turns life would take. They had always been able to adapt, to find a way forward, no matter the obstacles.

"But do we want to?" Faith asked, her voice soft. "We've built a life here, Scott. A good life. Moving to D.C. would change everything."

Scott looked at her, his gaze steady. "It would. But change isn't always a bad thing. And if it's the right move for us, for our family, then I think we should consider it."

Faith nodded, knowing he was right. But there was still a part of her that clung to the life they had now, to the comfort of the familiar. "We need more time to think about it. To really weigh everything."

Scott agreed, and they decided to give themselves a few more days to mull over the decision, to talk it through with their families, and to consider every angle.

Later that night, as they lay in bed, Faith found herself staring at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting back to that night in Spain, to the moment when Scott had first told her he loved her. She had been so scared then, so unsure of what the future held. But Scott had been there, steady and certain, guiding her through her fears with his love and patience.

"I'm scared," Faith admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Scott turned to her, his hand finding hers in the dark. "I know. I am too."

"But whatever we decide," Faith continued, "I know we'll figure it out. Just like we always have."

Scott squeezed her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "We will, Faith. We always do."

And with that, Faith finally allowed herself to relax, the tension easing from her body as she drifted off to sleep, knowing that whatever the future held, they would face it together.