“Are we okay?” Jae pressed as she watched Regina get ready for bed.“What do you mean?” asked Regina as she didn’t bother looking up from tossing her decorative pillows onto the floor and turning down the bed.

“I mean.. You know I am working hard for us, right? To fix this. To show I have changed. You and I… we are okay, right?”

Regina paused for a moment allowing the words to sink in and her thoughts immediately took off. No, we aren’t okay. I’ve forgiven you, but I am no better a person. She sat on the bed. “We are just fine baby. I know you’ve changed. I appreciate you.”

Jae sat next to her, “I want to be better for you. I have become better for you. I need for us to work.”

Regina fought back tears and slowly nodded her head. She recognized that now, more than ever, she had to make a decision about where she was headed in her relationships. Jae had done dirt, but she still deserved better. The two settled in for the night and as Jae was fast asleep, Regina weighed her options. She would spend the next month arriving at her final decision.

___________________________________

Bright and early one morning, Morgan opened her door to find Regina on her doorstep, unannounced. “Usually you call.. what’s up?” she asked hesitantly before turning around and walking back towards her bedroom.

“I wanted to talk to you face to face. You know, let you know what I decided.” Regina replied firmly as she followed Morgan and was speaking to her back.

“Cool, lets hear it.” Morgan stated dropping onto her bed and looking Regina directly in the eyes.

“Well.. I have really enjoyed our time together. I really care about you. I have done a lot of thinking… I believe Jae has changed. She’s been amazing lately.. really, you should see her.”

“Did you come all the way over here just to sing her praises?” Morgan asked with growing frustration.

“No! I just.. I just need you to know that.. she has changed.. she did change for me… but I..”

“Look” Morgan started beating her to her words. “I know what we did was wrong and I’ll understand you staying with Jae. I know I was hard on your before, but really.. I understand. It was fun while it lasted, ya know? Morgan completed her statement without even believing herself. She released a small laugh in attempts to lighten the mood.

Regina wasn’t sure how to respond yet. Instead, she leaned against the wall near Morgan’s dresser. When Morgan’s class ring caught her eye, she picked it up and examined it… then, she tried it on. “I didn’t come here to end things with you Morgan. I came here to tell you that I chose you. That I want to be with you.. I am the happiest I have ever been and I know it’s because of how you’ve made me feel.” She paused and waited for her reaction.

Morgan sat still for what seemed like much too many moments. “I love you… and I would never intentionally hurt you. I need you to know that.”

Regina exhaled, satisfied with knowing that Morgan wasn’t really prepared to just walk away from her. “I know you love me babe… I love you too.”

Morgan was shocked. Up until now, despite the many times Morgan had expressed or love for Regina, it was never reciprocated. Her heart melted a little bit… “You can have the ring, if you want. I never wear it anyway.” Morgan watched as Regina re-examined the ring, smiled and then slid it onto her finger.