Work Text:
Magdalene Masters knew her husband Vlad had quite a bit to be enraged about. Between his brutal addict father, moreover, the exceedingly inconsiderate Jack Fenton?
Yes, her partner had quite a lot of anger issues. But, as a wife and a mother, she'd done her most beneficial to be supportive of her husband. She was doing all she could to help him deal with his ire appropriately.
The last few months, however, hadn't exactly been smooth sailing. First, due to the amount of pressure the couple was under with running their commercial enterprise, Vlad had continual nightmares of his abusive childhood.
Not to mention? Their corporation Vladco had recently launched a new venture to enrich the lives of those in correctional institutions. In hopes, they'd transform the inmates into better people upon release.
Unfortunately, this indirectly leads to his onetime friend Jack perpetually bombarding him with letters. Each was imploring him to assist the Fentons out of their life sentences in correctional institutions.
Vlad's mental health wasn't in an ideal place. Taking a deep breath, she approached her husband in his home office. "Vlad? How are you holding up?" Vlad looked up at his stunning wife. In his opinion? His wife was an angel sent by God to help him in his darkest hour. She also felt God played a part in their lives.
In his wife's family, religion was highly significant. In fact? Mag had a talent for reciting Bible verses from reading it so much. In addition, she made sure her family took their faith quite seriously.
Because of Mag's faith, Vlad felt his life considerably improved. However, even having faith didn't always help deal with some of life's problems. Or at least it didn't help him always.
"Hello, Mag. How are you today? Also, how are our children?" he inquired, looking up from the documents he'd been studying. His wife smiled radiantly at him and then replied.
"I'm satisfactory at the moment. The children are down in the game room. Since we arranged a play date with their friends, also it's a great chance to get honest feedback on that brand-new video game we're testing for the company."
"Yes, that is quite a benefit indeed. Anything else I should know?"
"Well, Ian's handling the performance reviews for you quite nicely. Stacy is taking care of some of the legal matters involved with our new Ukraine and South Korea."
"Well, they're our best friends and topmost employees. So, therefore, that's fantastic to hear."
"Yes, it is. However, I came to ask if you completed your therapy homework that the Therapist assigned you during last week's visit."
"I'm not sure what you mean, Mag."
"Vlad, you know perfectly well that you're to keep a journal regarding your feelings. So he assigned you to write down what makes you angry and why.
Have you done that? Seeing how our next appointment is coming up."
Sighing, he shook his head. "I didn't start due to that imbecile. Jack sent me three letters this week. Honestly? How brain-dead do you have to be when I never answer them?"
"Well, Jack Fenton was never the sharpest tool in the shed. Between you and me? The penitentiary therapist informed me Jack doesn't even understand the gravity of being incarcerated."
"Well, he lacks the brains to understand what being in the slammer means," scoffed Vlad.
"True enough, sweetheart. I've got a question for you. Have you started taking the new medication your psychiatrist prescribed for your nightmares? I believe it's called prazosin."
"Not yet. I've not had time yet to pick it up from the pharmacy. However, I'll get it by Saturday. It's just been too hectic to go pick it up."
She looked disappointed. "Vlad, you know how I feel about putting things off. Also, I'm anxious about you.
Even your mother and sister raised concern that you've had these horrific nightmares for months. It isn't healthy when you don't get proper sleep. Furthermore, I don't want you to take your anger of the past out on anyone. Especially the children."
"You think I like dreaming about how my father beat up my mother? Or how he stole from his children's trust funds to feed his addiction to heroin? You think I like remembering that last birthday before he was incarcerated?"
"No, I don't think anyone wants to remember being abused as a child. Nor would anyone approve of a parent stealing from their children as if they're a bank."
"He abused our family, not just physically, but in every word!"
"I know, Vlad, I know. But unfortunately, sometimes, people only think of physical abuse, overlooking verbal, emotional, or psychological. Some even miss gaslighting.
Nevertheless, they're all extremely detrimental to one's well-being. Plus exceedingly challenging to overcome. This is why therapy is so important if you've any chance to heal and move on from the trauma."
"It's not as easy as people think, Mag. I mean, so many people think putting the past behind you is as easy as snapping your fingers, except its not. It's a prolonged and painstaking process.
Sometimes I feel too much damage has happened to put it in the past. But, unfortunately, childhood trauma is likely to last well into adulthood."
"I'm aware of that, as I've studied up on mental health for a while now. I know the healing process can't begin until you're ready. Not any sooner. I'm also aware of a relationship. Both people have to listen and communicate properly. Plus, take a hard look at themselves even if they don't like what others say.
After all, we can't see ourselves as others see us. Nevertheless, its essential to see through another eye. It opens your eyes to character flaws you aren't aware of or might be in denial of."
"True, Mag, very true."
"I'm also aware, dear husband, that holding onto anger is a poison to your body. I acknowledge again it isn't easy to let it go or forgive those who are wrong us. But, again, that's something we must do in our own time. When we're ready for it. You've every right to be angry at your father and Jack Fenton.
However, it would help to forgive those who wrong you sooner or later. Plus, reconcile with those you've wronged. So I'm willing to give you all time you need. However, please take the rest of the afternoon off. I order you to get your meds, then spend the rest of the afternoon writing down your feelings."
"Well, I can't argue with my wife. You may be an angel, Mag, yet I don't wish to see your devil side when you get angry."
"Fair enough," as they kissed. He picked up his jacket and left to do what his wife ordered. Hopefully, they all could move past their anger sooner rather than later. Time would only tell.