Chapter Text
Chris laughed to himself and send a quick text. “Stretch Jealous?”
“Stretch?”
“Yanno, your tall, handsome, drink of water.”
She responded with an eye roll emoji and he knew there was a grin on her face.
“That's 11 photos since the Emmys. I'm sure he's behind it.”
“Yeah well, he is my husband. The chatter was getting loud, you know how it is.”
“Haha, I don't. My gurl doesn't pitch a fit but is that why you deactivated Twitter?”
“Yeah, but can we talk later?”
“Sure thing.”
Mariska set down her phone and looked over at Peter who was staring at her. She gave him a smile. “That your boyfriend?”
She looked away from him and sighed, “Why do you always have something to say?”
Peter shrugged, “Can I ask you something and you be honest with me?”
She huffed out a breath and nodded. “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way but do you see us as an inconvenience?”
Looking at him in confusion, she can't believe the words he was saying. “I don't know what you mean?”
“Do you wish that things were different and he was yours? That he was the one you married and had kids with?”
She was shocked, almost heartbroken at the question. “Of course not! Do I make it seem like I do?”
He didn’t answer, only looking down at his hands and then out the window next to him.
“I promise you that our family means more to me than anyone else.”
“You say our family, but part of me thinks that it only includes the kids. Yes you love me, but only as their father and not as your husband.”
Mariska didn't know what to say. This is not the conversation that she thought she would be having on a ski lift, 30 feet in the air. “Peter, I love you as my second half, as the man that made me a mother and most importantly as my husband. I am a little shocked that you feel like I don’t.”
He nodded only half believing her. “I just wish I believed you more than I do. I guess that’s partially my fault too. To me, I look at us and see more than my wife and more than the mother of my kids. Maybe that's just me, I just don't feel like we are on the same page as to how we view each other.”
She took a deep breath and tried to find words. As much as she has gotten used to his comments and concerns when it comes to her relationship with Chris, this was new. Not only that, it was harsh and that scared her because what he was saying is serious. “Okay, can we talk about this when we get home? We leave tomorrow and I’d like to enjoy the rest of the trip with you.”
He nodded and left it at that. Mariska picked up her phone and powered it down. If she really wanted to enjoy the rest of the trip, she couldn’t have any more distractions.
The couple landed at JFK airport and waited for their car to pick them up. Dressed in casual clothes it wasn’t hard to blend in until someone stopped her when they were almost to the exit.
“Mariska! Can I get a picture with you!?” The girl exclaimed.
She smiled, “of course, but I have to be quick.” She leaned down and took a picture and began to walk away.
“Thank you! I love watching you and Chris! I’m so happy he’s back!”
She smiled at the mention of his name. “That makes two of us! Have a good evening!” The minute she walked away she could tell Peter's whole attitude changed.
She glanced up in his direction and saw him shaking his head. “What?”
“One day, that’s all I can ask for and I don’t even get that.” He groans as he throws his bags in the trunk.
She didn’t want to fight so she let it go. When she climbed back inside she looked out the window and prayed for Monday to come.
Monday she walked onto the OC set to film her next scene and saw Chris sitting in a chair, alone, watching her approach him.
“How was your trip?” He asked, smiling up at her.
“Amazing!” She responded. It wasn’t technically a lie because she did have a really good time when Peter wasn’t making snide comments.
“I wondered why I didn’t hear from you again?” He grinned, knowing he was the problem.
Mariska looked, checking to make sure no one was around, and sat down across from him. “Because god forbid I enjoy one vacation with my husband without you coming up and causing an argument. And what the hell was that nickname you called him?”
He was shocked at her combativeness. Usually, she just let it go but he could tell she wasn’t having it. “Rish, what’s going on? You know I’m just teasing you.”
She cocked her head and felt the tears well in her eyes. This is not how she imagined her afternoon. “He just… He just asked me some things that made me second guess some things. That’s all.”
“I’m sorry, you know I don’t wanna cause problems between you two. Should I call him?”
She chuckled, “whatever you do, please do not call him. It’s nothing, really.”
“Okay.” He leaned in and kissed the top of her head, “let’s get to work.”
—-
Mariska walked in late Monday night from work and saw a note on the counter that read:
Baby,
I’m sorry, I overreacted this weekend. I know you love me and the kids more than anything. There are just times that I get jealous of all the attention you two get and wish people look at us that way. Please forgive me!
Xoxo,
Peter
It was sweet and unexpected. She knew it took a lot of him to admit that he was jealous. As she poured herself a glass of wine, she reflected on her life over the last two decades. The number of things that she has accomplished, and the number of people that she has met just blew her mind.
But right now at this very moment was she happy with her personal life? In a sense, yes but things could be better.
She works long hours and when she finally does get home, much like tonight, there is no one awake. Her priority is the kids and when she and Peter do find time, it’s mostly spent talking about their upcoming schedule.
They needed time to sit down with one another. To show each other that they mean everything to each other and get back to a place where they are truly happy. The last 17 years have been the best years of her life but the last 3 seem to have been the most stressful.
They had long conversations about Chris’ return and even talked about therapy. Peter assured her that it wasn’t going to be a problem but the last few months have been rough.
She knew that scenes were coming up that would alter both her personal and professional life and that was something she was not looking forward to. Well, that's a lie, She is looking forward to the scene for their characters but not for the repercussions that it was going to cause in her real life.
When she walked into her bedroom she quietly stepped into the shower and relaxed under the hot water. When she was finished she noticed that the bedside lamp dimly lit the room.
“Hi.” She whispered as she walked out of the bedroom door.
“Hi. How was your day?”
She climbed in bed and rubbed lotion in her hands, “It was long. I’m glad to be home. I have to be back at 11 tomorrow.” Peter sat up on his elbow and ran his hand up and down her thigh.
He looked up at her and the minute their eyes met she knew he was upset. She moved under the blankets and turned into him. “Thank you for your note. Peter, I want you to know that you mean everything to me. Even if we didn’t have kids, I promise you that you would be my number one.”
He nodded, “I know and I have nothing against Chris. I know he would never do anything to come between us. He’s just as lucky to have you as I am. Even though I’m the lucky son of a bitch that gets to do this.” Peter climbed on top of her and kissed her neck.
Mariska chuckled, little did he know that he wasn’t the only one.