Page 42 of Everlasting Vows

But I realized that I want our marriage to work

Which means I need to put the work in, too

I put my phone on the counter and go about my nightly routine as I wait for my sister to respond. My phone lights up as I spit out the last of my toothpaste.

Callie

You sound like you could do with a hug

Want me to come over?

I smile at the message. It’s late, and she’s offering to drive two hours to see me. I don’t deserve her.

Abbi

Don’t you dare come here

It’s late

And I’m okay

I feel as though a weight has been lifted from my shoulders

Callie

I’m glad you guys are working through things

I’d really like your marriage to work

You guys are like my gold standard

I suck in a sharp breath. I don’t want to be anyone’s gold standard. It’s bad enough that Prue thinks our marriage is unshakable.

Abbi

No marriage is perfect all the time

Especially not ours

Not anymore

Callie

Yeah, but you guys still love each other enough to work through your problems

So many people just give up when things get a little hard

Abbi

You remember I gave up and asked for a divorce

Callie

Well, yeah

But you guys haven’t divorced

And you’re both trying to fix it