Ray sat at the kitchen table Saturday afternoon trying to read the paper. He couldn't stop thinking about what Robert said. At first he was angry at Robert for telling him what to do but the more he though the more he knew Robert was right. He really hoped Debra would give him a chance to show her that he really could change. Breaking him from his reverie the kids came running through the door to give him a hug.
"Hey Guys, I didn't know you were coming back today." He said embracing them all.
"Mommy wanted to surprise you." Michael said.
"She did? Well this is a great surprise. I missed you guys a lot." he responded.
"We missed you too Daddy. Did you get all your important work done?" Ally asked.
"Uh, yeah so maybe next time I'll go with guys."
"Yah! That would be awesome." The twins echoed in unison.
"Okay, kids, go put your stuff away. Dinner will be ready in a little while." Debra said, she had been standing by quietly as Ray had talked with the kids.
Ray got up to greet Debra, "Hey Deb." He wanted to hug her, hold her forever but he didn't know if she wanted him too.
"Hi, Ray." She responded, "I'm gonna take my stuff upstairs. We can talk up there."
"Oh,okay but I'll take your bag." He offered.
"Ray, you don't have to do -" She began.
"I know but I want to. Please, I've done a lot of thinking and there is so much I want to say." He explained.
"Well, okay," she said, "Thanks,Ray."
Upstairs in the bedroom Ray began to unpack Debra's suitcase for her, "These go here right?"
"Uh, yeah, but Ray we need to talk. Do you think doing all this makes up for everything."
Ray stopped and sat down on the bed, feeling defeated, "No Deb. I don't think that. I just wanted to show you that I am capable of helping you, of wanting to help you. Actually I don't have all that much to say except that I love you and I am committed to change. But if you aren't willing to give me another chance then I guess there is nothing I can do."
Debra sat next to him on the bed and took his hand, "Ray, I love you and I don't want to get divorced. But you have to show me that you can change. But you are not the only one who needs to change."
"Look, my parents are the way they are. You know that." He said a little irritated.
Debra smiled, "No, not your parents, me. I need to change too."
Ray couldn't believe what he was hearing, "You're saying you need to change?"
"Yes, I do. I need to lighten up on you but it works both ways. Marriage is a compromise sometimes. We need to be team but I promise to back off, if you promise to really try."
Ray finally put his arms around her, drinking in the smell of her hair, "I promise you things are going to be different and just to prove that, I will get dinner for us and get the kids ready for bed tonight. Why don't you take a long hot bubble bath? You must be really tired."
Debra pulled away and smiled at him, "Thank you, Ray. I really appreciate it. I think I will go ahead and take you up on that." She stood up and began to take off her clothes and get a robe.
Ray walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and began kissing her neck, "I have been waiting to do this for 5 long days, Mrs. Barone."
Debra giggled, "Oooh, you've still got the moves Mr. Barone. You know the kids will be fine if WE take a bubble bath together. What do you think?"
Ray's eyes widened as well as his face into a huge grin, "I thought you would never ask."
