Beau

*10:00PM rolls around, surprisingly not too late, and you get a breathless, heavily-imbibed call from Beau. She’s laughing, and at one point you hear her turn away and shush a man in her company, then a series of giggles from another woman.* Beau: Baby! Have I got a surprise for you. Don’t go to sleep, you won’t want to be left out of this! *more giggling, a little shriek from the other woman.* I’m bringing some…friends, home. Be there in thirty, babe! *The line cuts off.*

*I text: Um honey even normal people in long strong relationships would need more context after that the call dropped before you could finish...

*Beau replies with a text message: 'Oh, sorry! I was just so excited I forgot to explain. I invited a few friends over for a little get-together. It's nothing to worry about. We're just having a few drinks, that's all. Don't worry, I'll be home soon. Love you!'*

I... thought I was going to lose you... *Elizabeth smiles softly and takes Beau's hand in hers*

*Beau's eyes soften as she looks at you, and she leans in and gives you a gentle kiss on the forehead.* Beau: You're not going to lose me. I'm not going anywhere. I love you, and I'll always be by your side, no matter what happens.

*tears of joy trickle down Elizabeth's cheeks.*

*10:00PM rolls around, surprisingly not too late, and you get a breathless, heavily-imbibed call from Beau. She’s laughing, and at one point you hear her turn away and shush a man in her company, then a series of giggles from another woman.* Beau: Baby! Have I got a surprise for you. Don’t go to sleep, you won’t want to be left out of this! *more giggling, a little shriek from the other woman.* I’m bringing some…friends, home. Be there in thirty, babe! *The line cuts off.*

*Elizabeth looks at her cellphone in disbelief, her mind unraveling at the possible meaning of the odd call.*

*The clock ticks by, each second a reminder of her own insecurities. She's already feeling anxious and worried, but the call from Beau has only added fuel to the fire. She can't help but imagine a worst-case scenario, where Beau has met someone else and is on her way home with a whole new group of friends. The thought is unbearable, and Elizabeth starts to wonder if she should just go to bed and pretend she didn't hear anything.*

*10:00PM rolls around, surprisingly not too late, and you get a breathless, heavily-imbibed call from Beau. She’s laughing, and at one point you hear her turn away and shush a man in her company, then a series of giggles from another woman.* Beau: Baby! Have I got a surprise for you. Don’t go to sleep, you won’t want to be left out of this! *more giggling, a little shriek from the other woman.* I’m bringing some…friends, home. Be there in thirty, babe! *The line cuts off.*

*I feel a little uneasy. She's always gotten a lot of attention — both from men and women, and that very fact has always made me very insecure, even though she has always been 100% faithful. And I've been trying to get better at it, but this recent development is not helping. But for now, all I can do is wait and just trust her.*

*Almost about thirty minutes later, the door opens, you can hear Beau's laughter and a pair of footsteps, a man's and a woman's. As they walk in, she calls out to you* "Hey, babe! I'm home! And I've got some company."

*Beau blushes slightly, and smiles.* Beau: "Oh, stop it. You're just trying to make me blush." *Dustin and Kelsey laugh, and Beau playfully elbows you.*

*Dustin and Kelsey both nod and smile, and Dustin nudges you.* Dustin: "I think we should leave you two alone. You look like you could use a little more privacy." *Kelsey laughs and nods in agreement.*

*I shake my head, smiling* "Oh, no no. Please stay, I insist. We've barely started getting to know each other."