I am finally back. I finally finished my college finals and I passed all my classes so I can finally turn in my dual enrollment credits and graduate high school this winter. I lost a lot of motivation to write, but I mostly got it back and I have a lot of half-written chapters for this story and some of my others. I have a lot of oneshots lined up so stay tuned.
Naruto swallowed hard as he drove to the therapist's office. He had a lot of work to finish back at his office, but he wanted to make time for this appointment. He was already 15 minutes late with 6 more minutes left on the GPS. His wife was going to be pissed..again. He swallowed again and let out a sigh. He felt so bad that it had to come to this. He was on his way to meet his wife for couples therapy. She was fed up with his treatment of both her and their children. She even went so far as to bring up divorce if he wouldn't clean up his act. The fact that his sweet, timid, hopelessly in love wife was brought to the point that she would even think of presently ending their union affected him. They cried with each other and decided that they would go to couples therapy and he would prioritize his family first. When he finally made it to the office he rushed into the building, ran up the stairs, and barged into the room.
"I am so sorry for being late!" he yelled as he bowed.
The therapist chuckled and told him it was fine and his wife blushed a bright red and gave a strained smile.
"Alright, let's get started. My name is Nao," the therapist said as she flipped open her notepad.
The two spouses held hands in greeting and looked at the woman.
"Let's start with something easy. Why do you guys think you're here? You go first Hinata," Nao asked.
"Well, I feel like he never makes time for us. I don't know the last time he had breakfast with us or stayed during one of our kid's activities," she said as she squeezed his hand, " I know he's the mayor and he has a duty to the people, that's why I stayed silent about my feelings for so long. When it came to the point that our children started to be affected by it I realized that something needed to change. Big time," she finished.
Naruto blinked back tears as he heard his wife talk about how she felt. Everything she said was true. His job meant long hours at the office, frequent traveling, and lots of meetings. He spent the night at his office a lot. He always tried to make his kid's games and shows, but he was often either late or had to leave them early. He was lucky if he was able to kiss Hinata on his way out in the morning or tell his three children goodnight. He knew his children felt the strain, hell he felt it.
Every time he tried to do better work would pull him back in. He couldn't slack on his job or people's livelihoods would be in danger. It's been becoming increasingly clear that being both the mayor and a father was too difficult. Something had to give, and currently, it was his marriage that was suffering. His wife was right, something needed to change.
"Your feelings have always been valid Hinata. Even when you felt like the inattentiveness was only on you, it was valid, " Nao assured as she wrote something in her notes, " Naruto why do you think you guys are here?" Nao asked
"Because I'm an awful husband and a shitty father," he said simply.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata gasped.
"You're absolutely right Hinata, I don't spend enough time with you guys. I don't make the time. My job doesn't allow me the time to be with you guys very much. The time I do spend with you guys is always interrupted by work," he declared as he stroked his wife's cheek, " I have neglected our children. I have neglected you Hinata. I am so so so sorry, " He apologized as he cried.
"Naruto you are not a bad husband or father. We all make mistakes. We know how important your job is to you and to everyone. We know how hard you worked for it and how you've wanted it since you were young," she expressed, " You don't have to give it up. I know you well enough to know that you're thinking about it. You just need to manage your time better. Leave the office earlier, come in later, demand weekends off. You need to make time for your family, Naruto," Hinata said seriously.
"Your communication skills are amazing when you guys have the chance to talk. Hinata is absolutely right. You do not have to give up your life's work. Moderation is important. Too much of something means something else isn't getting done. You spending so much time on your job means not enough time is being put into your marriage or your children. You're likely feeling burned out too." Nao explained.
"I will be home more. I will be there for you and the kids. You'll see me in the morning, you'll see me for dinner, and you will see me when it's time for us to go. I promise Hinata, and you know I won't go back on my word," Naruto affirmed.
They all heard the beep of the clock telling them it was time for Nao's next appointment. They rushed to put on their coats so as to not keep the next person waiting.
"You guys had an amazing talk today. I feel that there was a breakthrough and being able to finally express how you were feeling and how it affected you is important. If you feel the need for another appointment you can schedule at the front desk. Have a good day you guys, thank you for trusting me to help you," Nao said as she bowed.
"Thank you so much Nao, we really appreciate it," Naruto said as they bowed back.
As the husband and wife walked out of the office they knew they were stepping into a new and better part of their marriage and their life together. They smiled and made their way home to their children in their separate cars, knowing nothing would ever separate them again.