The Past Within - Mialotte - TNN

Together

Mia and Charlotte sat in the waiting room of Dr. Peterson's office, the air heavy with unspoken emotions. Charlotte fidgeted with the sleeve of her sweater, her knee bouncing with nervous energy. Mia, beside her, sat quietly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. This was the first time they were going to therapy together, and both were unsure what to expect.

When the door opened, Dr. Peterson greeted them with a warm smile, inviting them in. Charlotte had been here countless times, but this time felt different. Sharing this space with Mia made everything feel more vulnerable, more raw.

They sat down on the familiar couch, Charlotte instinctively curling her legs beneath her, while Mia sat more stiffly, her posture tense. Dr. Peterson took her seat across from them, her notepad resting in her lap.

"So, Mia," Dr. Peterson began, her tone gentle, "thank you for joining us today. I know this isn't easy."

Mia nodded, her gaze fixed on her hands. "It's... something we both need to talk about," she said, her voice quiet but determined.

Charlotte glanced at Mia, feeling a rush of gratitude for her girlfriend's willingness to be here. She knew how hard it was for Mia to open up, especially about something as painful as the baby.

Dr. Peterson leaned forward slightly, her expression kind but probing. "Why don't we start wherever feels comfortable? There's no rush."

Mia's grip on her own hands tightened, and Charlotte reached out to touch her knee, offering silent support.

"I didn't realize how much it would hurt," Charlotte said, her voice trembling. "I thought, at first, that because of how it happened... I wouldn't feel this devastated. But I do. It's like—" she paused, wiping at her eyes, "—it's like I lost something I didn't even know I wanted until it was already gone."

Mia finally spoke, her voice shaky. "I—I had this dream, right after it happened. I keep having it. It's about the miscarriage. In the dream, I'm holding the baby, but then it just slips away from me, and I can't stop it. I wake up, and it feels so real."

Dr. Peterson nodded, listening intently as Mia opened up. "That must be incredibly hard, Mia. Losing a child is painful, no matter the circumstances. Grief can come in waves, especially after something so traumatic."

Mia exhaled sharply, her voice breaking. "I don't know how to deal with it. I thought I was okay, or I tried to be okay for Charlotte, but I'm not. I'm really not."

Charlotte squeezed Mia's knee gently, her own tears threatening to spill. "I should've asked how you were sooner," Charlotte said, her voice filled with guilt. "I've been so wrapped up in my own grief, I didn't realize how much you were hurting."

Mia shook her head, wiping her eyes. "It's not your fault, Char. We've both been struggling, and I didn't exactly make it easy for you to see how bad it was for me. I didn't want to put more on you."

Dr. Peterson interjected, her tone calm but firm. "It's important to remember that grief isn't something you have to carry alone. You're both going through this, and it's okay to lean on each other. Sometimes, the hardest part of healing is letting ourselves admit that we're not okay."

Mia looked at Charlotte, her eyes red but full of love. "I didn't expect to feel this broken about the baby. I didn't even know if we were ready for it, but... it's like this hole I can't fill."

Charlotte nodded, her tears finally falling. "I feel that way too. It was all so overwhelming, and now it's just... gone. But we have each other, right?"

Mia leaned into Charlotte, resting her head on her girlfriend's shoulder. "Yeah," she whispered. "We have each other."

Dr. Peterson gave them a moment, allowing the silence to linger before speaking again. "What you're both feeling is completely valid. It's okay to feel lost right now, and it's okay to grieve in your own ways. But the fact that you're here together, that you're willing to talk about it, shows that you're already taking steps toward healing."