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“Yeah, you’ve got a pretty good friend group. They added me to a group chat to ask if I needed anything.”

“So, how do you feel?” I pulled back to look her in the eye, watching as her face shifted as she tried to find the words.

“That you’re too good for me and that it might be time I find a therapist.”

“Me too.”

“Like you agree I should be in therapy or that you need to be in therapy?” she asked with feigned offense.

“Well, both. I know postpartum can be hell for some people, so getting that support network set up beforehand would be good for you.” She rolled her eyes. “But I could use it too. To deal with the stress of work, to help me balance things. There are counselors on the team, so it’s just a matter of going to their office.”

Leah nodded and pulled me with her so we were lying back in bed.

“So the solution to my somewhat self-centered panic attack is therapy and testing different support techniques?”

“I think so.”

“It sounds so simple, I feel stupid for making a fuss earlier.” We both laughed and cuddled up together, Leah’s towel just barely holding on.

“Let’s get your pajamas on, then get some sleep.” I pushed off the bed and went over to our bag to pull out her clothes. But when I turned back around, Leah had tossed away her hair towel and was toying with the hem of the one around her body.

“Or, since this is probably the closest thing we’ll have to a fight, especially once we get into therapy, we could have makeup sex?”

I dropped the clothes and crawled onto the bed and over her, pulling the towel off her as I went. Leah might not realize it, but this, this company, this humor, was what she brought to our relationship. And it was worth so much more than any amount of money I could spend on her.

The Execution

The Dastards Team Chat

Me: First, I wanna thank everyone for your support while I’ve been distracted

Gallagher: Ah shit, Cap's getting gushy on us again

Taylor: Let him be

Me: And I’m going to need to rely on that support more often going forward

Brooker: Oh shit, are witnessing emotional growth?

Sosa: Shhhh, if you point it out he might revert to workaholism

Carter: Anything in particular you want help with?

Me: Once we’re back for training, I want everyone to get more practice in with Dyer, build up some synergy with him. He’ll start a lot more while I’m on paternity leave

Fuller: Delegating * and * taking time off??? Are we sure this is Cap?

Ricci: Maybe we should have lost a game sooner? But are you still doing the Milan tournament?

Jimenez: I don’t think growth works like that

Me: Still doing Milan, but I don’t think Leah will join us. We’ve already got so much going on, I don’t want to add any more to it

Ricci: That’s nonsense, tell her winning this tournament is irrelevant

Taylor: Speak for yourself, I’d still like to win

Ricci: Ah, but she doesn’t need to feel that pressure. You and me are good enough to cover any lapses from Cap