Life Change

WC 416

Life Change

They had a great little place. Beth decorated so well and it was comfortable. Why did she want to change things so much that would cause them to move? They talked about this at length before they married and both agreed. Now, after five years, he didn't know what was going through her mind. As they lay quietly in bed, she brought it up. It wasn't the first time, but now, she seemed serious. They planned to travel this year--first to Paris and then thirty days through Europe on a Eurail Pass. The passports were on the way and they were to make reservations this week. Could they go if he said yes? He didn't think so.

Weren't babies a way to ruin a beautiful marriage? He had seen it in so many other families, including with some of his college friends. Once they had one, life was never the same. Partying and visiting ground to a halt. They couldn't find a sitter, they didn't have the money, the baby was sick, and a plethora of other reasons. It seemed like a prison sentence. The responsibility was one he was sure he didn't want. He was sure he before they married. Now she wanted to change him.

Beth was frustrated. Still she argued that raising a family was why people married, and they would be so happy with a little one of their own. She believed the purpose of marriage was to procreate the species and raise children to be responsible citizens. He knew she was right about that, but he wasn't sure how responsible he wanted to be.

He hadn't stopped being interested in adventure and learning about the world. A child would curtail that. What if the baby was born with some disease? What if it wasn't perfect? What if it was a girl? Could he handle that? He wanted Beth as a life partner without interference and was afraid that she would shift her interest to the baby and ignore him. Would he lose Beth if he said no?

Beth turned to face him and pulled him to her. He wouldn't be losing her; he would be gaining a baby to love. She would always love him and wanted his child to express her love even more. It was a corny argument from ever so many TV shows and movies, but it was effective. He wrapped his arms around her. They would start looking for a bigger place this weekend.