AN: This one is a bit longer, but I hope you enjoy!
"Hello everyone, we are lucky enough to have a small group this session. We will be able to make better acquaintanceships. Welcome to your first day at Merrygrove. I hope you found your rooms adequate. This is our first group meeting; we will have one each morning and evening. You will find that your personalized schedules have been placed on your nightstands upstairs. This meeting will be a quick introductory meeting before we have lunch. Let's start off with introductions. We will go clockwise around the room, sharing our names, how long we've been married, how we met, and how we make our living," Dr. Merrygrove dictated with a rehearsed voice.
The first couple was probably in their early 50's the introduced themselves as Marvin and Patty Pompeux who had been married for 27 years, met through their parents (practically an arranged marriage), and Marvin was a lawyer, Patty a housewife and a proud D.A.R. member.
Second was a couple about Shawn and Juliet's age, James and Caitlin Suess who had been married about 4 years, met in college, had a 3 year old daughter and owned a bakery together.
Next there was Peter and Sarah Baker, in their early 40's, who had been together since they were three, had seven children and lived on a farm.
Then there were two kids hardly old enough to drink, Josh and Mandy Blanco, married for less than a year, met in high school, and Josh was a mechanic and Mandy basically leached off of her parents.
Finally Shawn gave their rehearsed speech. "I'm Shawn Spencer and this is my wife Juliet. We have been married for five years. We met at college, UCLA our sophomore year and I am a Chef at a diner and she's a Kindergarten teacher."
"Great. Now let's go around the circle once more, saying one thing we love about our spouse, Marvin, let's start with you," Dr. Merrygrove stated.
"Well," he cleared his throat; "she is good at making toasts at our public meetings.
"That's a start," Merrygrove looked worried, "Patty?"
"He plays piano well."
"Ok, James?"
"She's the best baker I've ever met!"
Caitlin cut in, laughing and poking James, "Hey that was mine."
"Very good. Peter, how about you?"
"Well, she's very patient with the kids and helping them."
"Good, Sarah?"
"He always does what he thinks is best for everyone."
"Very nice. Josh?"
"She's smoking hot!"
"Josh, can you find something else more than appearance?"
"Dude, she can get us free beer at the bar."
Mandy punched him in the arm, "Why do you always have to be an ass?"
"What," he spat back.
Merrygrove cleared his throat, "We do not promote violence here. Mandy, do you have anything nice to say about Josh?"
"Yeah, even though no one expected it, he actually got some motivation together and graduated High School."
"Ok, how about we come back to you two tomorrow? Juliet, what about you?"
"Shawn never ceases to make me laugh."
"Ok, and Shawn?"
"Juliet is the strongest and most intelligent person I have ever met," he smiled as he picked up her hand in his.
Juliet smiled back.
"Great. It's 10:30 now, let's take a quick break and reconvene at 10:45."
…
"Now we will do an activity. One problem that many couples run into is that they allow themselves to become distanced from one another. They don't take the time for the simple things, like a kiss or an 'I love you' anymore. I realized doing that may be difficult at first for some of you so I have arranged this as a starting point. First face your spouse and hold their hands stepping as far away as you can while still holding their hands. Now look into their eyes, neither your eyes nor your hands are to lose contact until the end of the activity. You are to have a conversation about anything you like while doing this, and when I say step, one person will take a step closer to the other. Until you end up with your noses touching in the final round. Are we all ready? Begin."
Shawn took Juliet's hands in his. "So this is nice," he awkwardly started, struggling to keep eye contact.
Juliet laughed, "Yeah."
After about 30 seconds of silence Shawn offered, "So in our big rush today, we forgot to eat breakfast, and my stomach is yelling at me for that."
"Yeah, mine too," Juliet replied. Oh my goodness, this is so awkward she thought, trying desperately to maintain eye contact without Shawn reading her. Neither of them maintained eye contact too long in real life, for Juliet is was mainly because she was afraid that if she did Shawn would divine every last thing about her. All those embarrassing thoughts she had of them. Like the fact that even though she told him not to, she would have given anything if he had just kissed her when they were 'close talking', and that holding his hand after they arrested those roller derby girls and Shawn arranged a special skating time for them had made her day. Or how many times she wished that she could jump in his arms when she was having a rough day. Or even how much it hurt her inside when he turned her down for Abigail. Abigail her eyes narrowed.
"You ok Jules?"
"Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking."
"Oh, about what?"
"Nothing," Juliet blushed and looked down.
Without letting go of her hand, Shawn took his under her chin and brought her eyes to level with his, "You can tell me. You can trust me."
"Step," Merrygrove inserted.
"Who's going to step," Shawn asked.
"Uh- I will, we'll take turns."
"Ok," he paused for a couple seconds, "Jules?"
"Yeah?"
"You do know you can trust me, right?"
Juliet was having a hard time concentrating; she kept getting lost in his hazel eyes. "Yeah," she took a deep breath, "I just don't know if I can trust myself."
Shawn didn't know how to reply, so instead, with a wrinkled brow, he just peered into her crystal blue eyes, wishing he really were psychic so he could know what she was thinking. "You're ok though, right? You're not having problems with Richard, are you?"
Hurt that it was the first thing he thought would upset her, Juliet wrinkled her brow, "No, we're fine."
"Then what's wrong?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Step."
Shawn stepped closer, "Why not? Communication is key."
"Shawn stop," Juliet demanded, trying not to get frustrated.
"I don't understand."
"Of course not, you'd have to have the maturity level of a five year old to understand."
"What? I wasn't acting immature."
"Alright Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, let's change the topic. We want to relax; the goal of this is to build your relationship. Why don't we talk about the first time we met," Merrygrove offered.
"It might be better off if we just don't talk."
"Mr. Spencer, communication is key."
"Ha, hear that Juliet ? Communication is key."
"Oh, yeah, real mature Shawn," she scowled.
"Step," Merrygrove cleared his throat.
"Sorry, Dr." Juliet answered.
"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Shawn."
"But he- sorry Shawn."
"It's ok, Lovemuffin."
Juliet waited until Merrygrove was out of earshot and answered, "You call me that again and I will-"
"Jules, don't waste your breath trying to threaten me. We both know, way down deep you are the most loveable person ever."
Juliet didn't reply. She didn't know how to. That meanest thing he had ever said, and he said it in such a way she couldn't refute it. He frustrated her so much. She was about to yell at him, but then Merrygrove cut her off with, "Step."
They were now nose to nose and her heart skipped a beat. Even though she currently hated Shawn with every fiber of her being, she really wanted to close the small gap between their lips. She couldn't help but break eye contact as she looked down at his lips, longing for them. What's wrong with you? You're with Richard. You want Richard.
Shawn cleared his throat, and for some reason thought it would clear the urge to kiss her from his head. What the hell is wrong with you man? Come on, pull yourself together. This was your choice from the beginning. You missed your chance. Fate did that for a reason. You belong with Abigail. You can't fight fate, so stop trying. "So, uh- we haven't done close talking in a while, huh?"
Juliet smiled, her heart racing. "No," she paused for awhile, "Look, Shawn?"
"Yeah?"
"I-"
"The activity is over. Let's sit down and reflect."
Juliet closed her eyes. Maybe outside forces are conspiring against us. Opening her eyes, she faked a smile to Shawn who let go of her hands, and taking the small of her back lead her to their chairs.
….
THIS WEEK'S TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR MR. & MRS. SPENCER
Monday:
8:15-9:15: Breakfast
9:30-Noon: Group Meeting
Noon-1:00: Lunch
1:10- 2:20: Yoga with Instructor
2:30- 3:30: Meeting with Counselor
3:45-4:30: Trust Activities with Counselor
5:00-6:00: Dinner
6:15-8:00: Group Meeting and Reflection
8:15-10:45: Group Lounge Time
11:00: Curfew. Please Be In Your Room By This Time.
Tuesday:
8:15-9:15: Breakfast
9:30-Noon: Group Meeting
Noon-1:00: Lunch
1:10- 2:20: Canoeing with Instructor
2:30- 3:30: Meeting with Counselor
3:45-4:30: Communication with Counselor
5:00-6:00: Dinner
6:15-8:00: Group Meeting and Reflection
8:15-10:45: Group Campfire
11:00: Curfew. Please Be In Your Room By This Time.
Wednesday:
8:15-9:15: Breakfast
9:30-Noon: Group Meeting
Noon-1:00: Lunch
1:10- 2:20: Yoga with Instructor
2:30- 3:30: Meeting with Counselor
3:45-4:30: Teamwork Activities with Counselor
5:00-6:00: Dinner
6:15-8:00: Group Meeting and Reflection
8:15-10:45: Group Lounge Time
11:00: Curfew. Please Be In Your Room By This Time.
Thursday:
8:15-9:15: Breakfast
9:30-Noon: Group Meeting
Noon-1:00: Lunch
1:10- 2:20: Canoeing with Instructor
2:30- 3:30: Meeting with Counselor
3:45-4:30: Trust Activities with Counselor
5:00-6:00: Dinner
6:15-8:00: Group Meeting and Reflection
8:15-10:45: Group Baking Party
11:00: Curfew. Please Be In Your Room By This Time.
Friday:
8:15-9:15: Breakfast
9:30-Noon: Group Meeting
Noon-1:00: Lunch
1:10- 2:20: Yoga with Instructor
2:30- 3:30: Meeting with Counselor
3:45-4:30: Communication Activities with Counselor
5:00-6:00: Dinner
6:15-8:00: Group Meeting and Reflection
8:15-10:45: Group Dance
11:00: Curfew. Please Be In Your Room By This Time.
Saturday:
8:45-9:45: Breakfast
10:00-Noon: Group Meeting
Noon-1:00: Lunch
1:10- 2:20: Nature Hike with Instructor
2:30- 3:30: Meeting with Counselor
3:45-4:30: Group Teambuilding Activities
5:00-6:00: Dinner
6:15-8:00: Group Meeting and Reflection
8:15-10:45: Lounge Time
11:00: Curfew. Please Be In Your Room By This Time.
Sunday:
8:45-9:45: Breakfast
10:00-Noon: Group Meeting
Noon-1:00: Lunch
1:10- 2:20: Lounge Time
2:30- 3:30: Meeting with Counselor
3:45-4:30: Group Games
5:00-6:00: Dinner
6:15-8:00: Group Meeting and Reflection
8:15-10:45: Lounge Time
11:00: Curfew. Please Be In Your Room By This Time.
"Wow, isn't this going to be fun," Shawn wrinkled his nose.
"Shawn, it's not meant to be fun, it's work."
"How are we supposed to get any work done with such a strict schedule? And how the hell does doing yoga help a couple out?"
"It teaches them to relax and focus, and you're a psychic, it's not like you have to look for clues like I do. If I can figure it out, you can."
"Ouch, well, you know, clues do help. What's with the attitude?"
"We're going to be late."
Shawn rolled his eyes, "Let's go."
…
"Dr. Merrygrove, I didn't realize you would be our counselor."
"Yes, Mrs. Spencer, normally I am not. But every session I seek out the couple I believe has the most potential and personally counsel them."
Shawn shot a quick glance at Juliet, who was thinking the same thing, the winning couple.Shawn cleared his throat, "Can I ask why you think we have the most potential? Out of all the couples, we were the ones arguing during the activity."
"Yes, but arguing is something you can get past, if your relationship is built upon love. Your love is there, it's just hiding."
"And what makes you think that the love is there for us?"
"The way you looked into her eyes. You peered into her soul and weren't disgusted at all by what you saw. You saw her completely and loved her before you started thinking. The raw emotion is there, it's just hindered by your mind, by fears, by insecurities."
Shawn cleared his throat and looked down.
"See that? You're even insecure about admitting you love her. When was the last time he told you he loved you, Juliet?"
"Um- I- I don't know."
"Precisely, therefore he doesn't do it enough. That is beside the point for today though. Today we are going to look at the core of your problems. But before we can do that we have to see what problems you are having on the outside."
"Can you explain that?"
"Certainly Mr. Spencer. All these problems and arguments you are having on a daily basis can be narrowed down to a couple core problems. To find the core problems I need to hear a variety of your problems. Let's start with you Mr. Spencer, name some things about Juliet that really bother or upset you, situations if you have to."
"Um," Shawn looked at Juliet.
"Don't look at her. She'll have her own turn. It's best to be completely honest, that's how you solve the problems, honesty."
"Ok, well- uh- I guess that she gets so wrapped up in her work that-"
"I get wrapped up in my work? You get just as wrapped up in yours, we both love what we do-"
"Mrs. Spencer, this is Shawn's turn."
"Sorry."
"Like I was saying, she sometimes forgets to separate it from the rest of her life, or even notice the rest of her life."
"Alright, can you give us an example."
Shawn cleared his throat, nervously. "Well, I guess, this one time I had made her a romantic dinner and she came home from work and was so absorbed in her work she didn't even notice it. I had spent hours on it, Crab-cakes, Champagne, strawberries, everything. She didn't even acknowledge it."
"Do you remember this Juliet?"
"No."
"It was right after we watched the roller-derby game, remember?"
"That-that was for me?"
"Seriously Jules," Shawn asked frustrated, "Who else would it be for," he added desperately.
"I-I," was all Juliet could say so she closed her mouth and fell silent. That was for me? I thought- but- wow. And then the skating after. Holding hands. If only I saw it then. – No! Juliet, it would have never worked out. Surely if it was supposed to it would have already happened. Plus, there is so much to risk here.
"Anything else Shawn?"
"Yeah. She's too afraid to take risks."
Juliet flinched is he reading my thoughts right now? Oh my God, this is awful.
"And she's too perfect."
"Too perfect? Really Shawn? You just talked about all my faults-"
"Only two."
"My faults and the said I'm too perfect? Yes, that makes sense. Because I can be this awful person and person stuck on myself and perfect at the same time-"
"I never said you were stuck on yourself, why are you putting words in my mouth-"
"You are just coming up with shit as an excuse because you don't want to admit that our biggest problem is that you are afraid to commit and settle down. You are afraid of life, afraid to grow-up. You have had 57 jobs since high school for God's sake," Juliet began to cry, accidentally turning this argument into a real one about why she was afraid to be with Shawn.
"Commit and settle down? I have committed to you; we're married. I have NEVER cheated on you. I gave up my dream career to settle down with you, you think I want to work at a diner?" Shawn shot back, wondering when this turned into a real argument. What she was saying really stung him.
"So now you're blaming your failed plans on me? I didn't tell you to come to Santa Barbra with me."
"There you go, putting words in my mouth again."
"Alright," Merrygrove tried to bring them back, "I see there is a lot of pent up anger. Releasing this anger is very healthy, but it has to be done in a productive way and we're starting to steer off course."
Shawn glanced over at Jules, who looked very shaken and was in tears. Taking a deep breath, he took his hand in hers. Glancing up when he did so, she gave him a forced smile of gratitude.
"Juliet is there anything else you'd like to add right now, and let's try to use non-fighting words."
"Not right now. I'm too upset, confused. Can we just be done for today?"
"Some times it's better to fight through that."
"I'm really not up to it today."
"Ok, well, Shawn is there anything you'd like to say first?"
"Um-" Juliet glanced up at him, he rubbed his thumb against the back of her hand to try and comfort her, "Just that I truly am sorry for upsetting you. I hate seeing you cry."
"That's good, a foot in the right direction. Juliet do you accept?"
"I do. I'm sorry too. I just don't want to fight anymore."
"I know."
"Very good. Now, let's see a kiss. Just giving each other a kiss every so often can do wonders."
Shawn looked nervously at Juliet, who tried not to make eye contact. Picking up the hand he was already holding, he kissed it then let it drop.
"Shawn, give her a kiss on the lips."
Shawn took in a deep breath and made eye contact this time. Closing his eyes, he gave her a quick peck. His mouth watered just from the brief nanosecond their lips were together. The touch of her soft lips on his and the smell of the pineapple Chapstick made him yearn for more.
"Shawn, give her a real kiss."
Oh my God. Juliet thought. This time there's no way around it. Merrygrove's going to see to it that he really kisses me. her heart raced, Just close your eyes. Don't kiss back, it'll make it more awk-
Juliet's thoughts were obliterated when Shawn's lips pressed against hers and his hand slid to nape of her neck. He began to stop after a second, but something inside Juliet told her she couldn't let that happen. Instead she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in closer, kissing him back and deepening it. She needed more, she ached for more, but Shawn pushed away.
AN: Review, please!