Unconditional

A Texting Dual

*I'm sorry, I miss you, I love you*

....was the text message sent to Daniel's phone. It had been a long month in the Lomaz home, until the very last week when Patricia decided to go to her mothers house. One of the seemingly most strongest couples had come to one of the biggest obstacles ever.

One night Patricia went out with her friends, one of which was engaged to be married the following week, the ladies engaged in bachelorette games. A lot of alcohol and many *to-do's* on the list of games. Patricia knew what she could handle and what she chose not to deal with for the sake of her marriage. Even with the strong persuasiveness of her girls and even sister, she still held strong. However, too much alcohol was consumed and she knew she had to stop drinking, meaning she had to participate in the *to-do* list.

"Ohh my, go up to a stranger, kiss them, then have them buy you a drink..." Lisa read from the list.

Patricia said no she wouldn't do it , yet she knew that another drink would put her over her limit. Mustering up the courage, Patricia still declined her friends. The respect and love she had for Daniel was way too deep. A stranger, a male, tall, tanned, and built, like a Brad Pitt mixed with Idris Elba, approached the group of women.

"I overheard someone wouldn't follow through on their end of the deal!?..." the man said.

"Ohhhh yeah! Mrs. Patricia here didn't!"

"Well, how about we change that..."

"No, no I'm good, I'm too committed to my husband..." stated an intoxicated Patricia.

The man pulled Patricia up close to him, and engaged in a kiss. Patricia pulled back, yet the man pulled her in for more. Patricia then stood back and ran to the restoom. Angry tears started to form, yet she held them back. She messaged her loving husband, Daniel *babe something happened and I have to tell you now*

Daniel immediately responded. *what's wrong my love?*

*a man kissed me...not once either and I feel so horrible I'm so sorry baby.*

*we will talk when you get home.*

Patricia didn't ever think that it would happen to their family. The tension was so thick inside of the Lomaz house. Patricia looked at the picture frame of their family photo, then glanced over at the wedding photo. A sad smirk reached her face but with Daniel's pacing, her smirk immediately disappeared. "Daniel talk to me..."

"Well why didn't you just leave earlier? Or punch that dude in his mouth? Instead you stood there? Is that what you were saying..." said disappointed & essentially hurt Daniel.

"I backed up and he pulled me back in and I ran off. I was so stunned that it happened. I didn't ever expect something like that to happen! I'm sorry! My lips are yours baby."

"Yeah? Well not tonight. I'm sleeping in the guestroom tonight. I just need to get my thoughts in order. And figure out how I'm, well how WE are going to handle this issue. Goodnight!"...Daniel stormed off, leaving Patricia with her face buried in her hands still shouting "I'm sorry!"

It had been a week since Daniel & Patricia even kissed on the lips, let alone had more than a 30 minute conversation. Finally one week, Patricia decided to go to her mothers house. Her heart had become too heavy to bear with Daniel's treatment towards her. After constant apologizing, & reasoning, Daniel just wouldn't budge. He was hurt yet he knew the love for his wife was more than any minor slip up could withstand. He remembered the day he had stepped out on their relationship, before the marriage, and how quickly Patricia forgave him. Even though every night she cried quietly in her sleep & her heart would pain when the random thought of him stepping out, came to mind. But she knew that they could overcome his indiscretions and they did. Daniel also realized that Patricia did not once bring up that fact. Nor did she throw in his face how quickly she once forgave him for doing a whole lot more than kissing.

Daniel's heart felt heavy. He finally started to feel Patricia's pain, the pain from the past and the pain she was feeling at the current time. Daniel stared at the message from her and replied *I forgave you that night, I just had a bad way of proving that so I'm sorry. I need you back home like yesterday.*

Patricia smiled upon receiving the message and got right back in her vehicle and sped home. Before she got out of the car, Daniel was already standing outside of the door with open arms.

"What took you so long..."cried Patricia.

"You're here now, that's all that matters. Just us and ours. I'm so sorry...." a tearful Daniel exclaimed.

Trust, honesty & loyalty goes further than "a moment".

¤