After four years of dating and a daughter that was now two years old, you’d think you would be married. But, that was far from the case. Despite all the discussions about marriage and how life could be in the future, James would always end up shutting it down.

Your parents were very judgmental about your situation. They were heavily traditional and believed in the benefits of marriage. It seemed that most people around you were the same way. People would judge you whenever you stated that you were not married, but had a child. The constant pressure of your social circle weighed down on you and your life.

The civil discussion between you and James started to develop into nasty arguments. It was always a common occurrence, to be arguing with him over the status of your relationship and how it’s affecting your life. Most times, James would just ignore you or change the subject, but other times, he’d argue back.

One night, the both of you were arguing once again. James was ignoring you as you continued to spit out reasons to get married. Your voice was loud, waking up your daughter. She wandered into your guys’ bedroom, holding her blue teddy bear and a blanket, a frown adorning her little face.

“Mommy? Daddy?” Your daughter calls out to you both quietly. You instantly stop yelling and turn your attention to your child. James does the same, you both feeling immediately terrible that you woke up your daughter.