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Chapter Fifty-Six: Evan

We eventually sat down and talked things through.

It was hard at first, but once we realized that we found common grounds and were finally able to understand each other's perspectives, the discussion flowed easily.

The disagreements were out of the way and the air was cleared, and I was relieved the argument didn't drag on any longer than I thought it would, because being away from her and knowing I had hurt her pained me in ways that I just knew I needed to apologize right away.

"I'm sorry," she said after she calmed down, her eyes still red and puffy. "This should be more about you and how I should apologize for what I did but instead I'm making it about me."

I shook my head at that "No, you're not. You were clearly just trying to help and if only I hadn't been such an asshole we wouldn't have come to this,"

She sighed "Let's just agree that starting now, every time we find ourselves getting into a fight we'll try to understand the other person's problem first and not get carried away?"

I nodded without hesitation "Of course, and despite how angry I was, you know I didn't mean any of what I said right?"

We were currently sitting down at the table in Maggie's backyard after she had invited me inside to discuss our issues more properly.

"I know you didn't," she said "I know you would never do anything to hurt me on purpose, and the fact you came here to apologize proves that. Plus I know you're not that kind of person, you don't spite just to hurt, you're not cruel and vindictive like that. You would never... hurt me."

My eyes bored into hers as I took her small hands in mine and kissed her knuckles "Of course I wouldn't. I care about you way too much to hurt you on purpose like that. I was just too caught up in the moment that I didn't even know what I was saying anymore, but you have to believe me when I say I didn't mean any of what I said."

Her eyes were glossy as I spoke my words with a firm and clear conviction, causing her to cup my jaw as she hovered the tips of her fingers on the expanse of my skin as my eyes closed shut at the feeling of her touch, leaning more into her palm.

"It's okay if you did, though." she muttered and before I could protest, she immediately shushed me "Hear me out, I know what you said hurt but I'm not going to sit here and ignore what you're going through so I could protect my pride. Regardless of whether or not what you said was thrown in the heat of the moment, it was something you repressed. You said it for a reason and you may have not meant to say it in the way that you did, but it's something that's clearly bothering you, and the last thing that I want is for you to ignore what you feel."

My lips parted at her words as she continued "And I know you regret speaking to me in the way that you did, but I have to realize what you felt was valid and there are more ways you can express them that doesn't have to come out as aggressive and resentful."

I was silent for a while before I nodded because despite feeling ashamed that I hurt her, I can't deny that what I said had some truth in it as well.

"It's just been hard, that's all." I confessed, "I blamed this arranged marriage because of the way they were tying me down because of my responsibilities as their son that I didn't even ask for. I hated the idea of people meddling in my life, and at one point, considered you as one of them."

"But it wasn't until I realized that if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to be strong despite everything I've gone through and to stand up to my parents like that. I was just too blinded by my own resentment that it took me a while to realize what I was spewing out."

Maggie did nothing more than just sit there and listen, quietly nodding her head as she smiled warmly at me, almost as if to say that I'm valid about what I feel. That all of this is normal and that I'm not being unfair. That whatever I'm going through matters.

"It's okay, I understand. I do." she reassured, leaning forward as she kissed me tenderly on my lips as my eyes fluttered shut "You know I'll always try to."

* * *

After Maggie told me what happened between her and Frank and the advice he lent as a way to appease the situation, I knew I needed to express my gratitude towards the man.

We invited him to sit down with us and reassured him we finally made up and it seems as though he was very much pleased about that "I'm glad to hear that you two reconciled." he said, pouring himself a cup of tea "Quicker than your past fights that's for sure."

We laughed, "It's different now that we're in a relationship." I said as I looked back at Maggie only to see that she was already staring at me, a small smile on her face. "It's hard to protect your pride when someone else's well-being is your priority."

"That's when you know you truly love someone, you can never avoid wanting to protect your own ego that's for sure, but the nagging guilt always lingers."

"It seems as though you know the feeling from experience." I noted as he chuckled along with Maggie, making my eyes dart between the two of them "What?"

"Funny that you say that because Frank here-" Maggie started with a teasing grin "Is actually married to a beautiful woman named Sharon for almost 30 years."

My eyes widened. "Damn, that's a long-ass time." I remarked which made them both laugh once more "How does it feel to be in a marriage for that long? You're practically the Lebron James of marriage at this point."

"Ah, that's where people get it wrong sometimes. Usually, when you say you're in a long-term marriage, a lot of people tend to assume you know the key elements of having a successful marriage." he wags his finger at that "The thing is, much like you two, I'm still learning."

"Just because my wife and I have been married for so long does not mean we know the secrets to having a perfect, fairytale love life, because to give you two a heads up, those things don't really exist," he said as I tilted my head at that, curious.

"Heck, to this day we still have fights about who should take the garbage out in the morning and who'll get the groceries once they get home from work." he continued "We still fight over the pettiest and most ridiculous things in the same way we did so when we were in our 20s."

"We still have our flaws and imperfections, but the thing is we just learned to tolerate habits that are bearable and to overcome those that would have ruined something special. But that doesn't mean we still aren't discovering more about ourselves as the days go on."

"We're still trying to find ways to resolve disputes that can get a little bit out of hand, but the one thing I know that will always come in handy at the end of the day is being able to compromise." he proclaimed "Having a mutual understanding and honestly, you can go a long way with seeing things from your partner's perspective and trying to empathize with them."

We wordlessly nodded as I felt Maggie intertwine our fingers from underneath the table, making me avert my gaze away from Frank to look down on our joined hands.

"Yeah, compromise." she reiterated as she looked back at me "Because isn't that what love is all about?"

I smiled softly at that, tightening my hold on her hand "Yeah, it is. Compromise."

* * *

"Evan, can I have a word with you?"

Glancing back at Frank as Maggie makes her way upstairs to her room, we had planned to just watch a movie after our discussion with him, but it seems as though it hasn't ended yet.

Maggie halts in her steps at the sound of Frank's request, but after giving her a self-assured look, she spares us one last puzzled glance before making her way upstairs.

It wasn't until we heard the sound of a door being closed when Frank finally decided to speak "You two have really come a long way ever since our last one-on-one discussion in this house happened, huh?"

I hummed in agreement "We sure have, but it seems as though I still came to you after getting into a fight with her." I noted, "Sorry to disappoint."

"There's nothing to apologize for," he said, "Unlike last time I at least now know that you don't mean any harm, you basically went from having her be guarded whenever you come to visit, to her throwing her arms around you after a fight as if she hasn't seen you in a decade."

I chuckled at that "Yeah, but still, I know fights between couples are normal but I just can't help but feel like it's more unbearable now than it was before. Like the pain of it all creeps in every part of my body and it suffocates me."

"Because it's different now that you've become more intimate and mature, this one is gonna be a challenge, but it's one that's gonna be worth it depending on how much you love her." he paused after a moment as he eyed me carefully "Which you do, don't you?"

I didn't need to take a moment to ponder over his question as I answered him quickly but surely "Yes, I do. More than anything, I really do."

That answer seemed to suffice for him "Then there's no need to worry."

I felt my shoulders slump back in relief "Then will that be all?"

He took a second to answer before he nodded, all the while as I was about to go upstairs and see Maggie, knowing she's probably already got some documentary about serial killers playing on the TV by now.

"Wait,"

Stopping, I turned to face Frank again as he looked up at me with a solemn look in his gaze, as if unsettled "Just be sure... to be careful, with her." he added "She's still coping with a lot of things, and although she may put on a strong front, Maggie is fragile. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt her but, for my sake, be patient with her. She means well more than anyone, and trust me, I know. I've known that girl ever since she was a baby."

Silent, I just shot him a small grin in return, not to casually dismiss his concern, but in a way, to tell him that yes, I know this, I've always known this, and it's basically etched at the back of my mind by now '"I will don't worry." I told him.

With that, we went our separate ways as I found myself standing in Maggie's room, and as expected, she was already browsing through the documentary section.

I smiled fondly at the sight as I approached her and sat on the edge of her bed as she laid on her stomach, glancing up at me as she beamed.

"Hey, is everything okay? What did you and Frank talk about?" she asked.

I shook my head, waving my hand dismissively "Nothing, he just told me how he was happy that we've come a long way ever since we got engaged, unlike back then you were so cautious when it came to me but now..." and to prove my statement further, she scooted closer towards me and wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me into a half hug as I grinned, amused.

"But now it's different," she finished. "So different, but in a good way."

"Yeah," I said, giving her a quick kiss on her forehead as a giggle slipped past her lips "I like how it's between us now though, how we've overcome our immense hatred for each other and even learned to welcome something much more beautiful in the end."

"Exactly, and I'm happy we ended up here." she admitted "Overcoming our differences may have been a struggle but at least we're here now."

"Yeah, at least we are." I muttered, stroking her cheek "At least we're here now, together."

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