Finding my mum

26- family Counselling

It was a few weeks after the incident in the park. We'd all been going to counselling but today was our first family session. Chloe and Ashley had had a few sessions together to talk about Eddie and how it'd affected them. Every time Chloe had come home from one, I could tell that she'd been crying and was absolutely drained. We only talked about it if she brought it up. Most nights after we'd had dinner, we watched tv or a movie to take her mind off the session.

I couldn't wait for the session to be over as the thought of being in a room with Ashley was making me feel sick. On our way to the session, Chloe was quiet and I could tell she was thinking about something.

Me: "what's up?"
Chloe: "I just wanna get the session over"
Me: "it'll be alright. Plus I'll be with you"
Chloe: "we've got this"

What I didn't know was that by the end of the session I'd have a massive bombshell dropped on me which would turn out to be the real reason that Chloe was so quiet.

Towards the end of the session Chloe was going quiet and I knew that I was about to be told something I wouldn't like.

Counsellor: "Ashley, Chloe is there something else you'd like to tell Ava before we finish today's session?"

They both looked at each other and I knew that Chloe would be the one selected to tell me.

Chloe: "we've been talking about everything through our sessions which has helped to make our relationship even stronger and "

I cut her off.

Me: "just tell me"
Chloe: "Ashley's moving back in with us. We've also been planning the wedding"

I was absolutely fuming. I soon got up and ran off. Chloe came after me but I couldn't look at her and definitely didn't want to talk to her. Every time she tried to stop me I shook her off. Couldn't she understand that I was hurting. She eventually stopped me.

Chloe: "talk to me please. I'm sorry"
Me: "what for? For lying to me? For not pre warning me? For going behind my back? Did you even think about how I'd react having it sprung on me? Do you not remember what he did and who was the only person who was there to support you?"
Chloe: "I knew that it would hurt you but we've both been given things to help us if we find a situation kicking off"
Me: "what happens if he kicks off when I'm not home then come back to you injured?"
Chloe: "that's not going to happen. We understand where each other were coming from and what we've been keeping to ourselves over the years"
Me: "but you can't promise me that it won't happen"
Chloe: "you just have to trust me ok. Plus I can't get married without my number one girl by my side"
Me: "you seam to have planned it without me"
Chloe: "it hurt not planning it with you. It would break me not having you there"
Me: "have you set a date?"
Chloe: "two weeks today"
Me: "we best get finished organising it then"
Chloe: "does that mean you're ok with it?"
Me: "not exactly but I can see that it's what you want. If he hurts you then he'll have me to deal with"
Chloe: "thank you!"

When we got back to the counsellor and Ashley they could tell that we'd been talking.

Ashley: "did you tell her the other part we decided?"
Me: "what?"
Chloe: "you know how I said it'd break me if you weren't there?"
Me: "yeah"
Chloe: "I have an extremely important question for you"
Me: "ask away"
Chloe: "I was hoping that you'd give me away? I know it's normally the father of the bride but we know that it won't happen. Plus you're the most important person in my life so I wanted you to do it"
Me: "will I have to make a speech?"
Chloe: "only if you want to"
Me: "of course I'll walk you down the aisle and give you away."
Chloe: "that means a lot"
Me: "I'm honoured that you asked me"