Adjusted expectations

Anthony yelled out "Sh*t!" when the realization hit him, before he slammed his fist against his own leg. "I am such a fool. I really don't deserve to be with her. I was only busy with finding a way to kiss her that I completely forgot what was actually important. How can I be such a disappointing fiancé on the very first day I manage to get her to accept my proposal. What a lousy husband she must think I would make."

After letting out this entire rant, where he was judging himself oh so harshly, he finally revealed what made him be so angry with his own actions. "How could I forget to walk her home?!?" As he turned himself around to face the door, placing his forehead against it as he alternated between gently hitting his head against it or his fist, he said, "I just stole a kiss and waved her goodbye like an idiot. I didn't even offer to take her home or carry the dishes for her. Even though she cooked for me. Why couldn't I have at least offered to bring the dish over tomorrow when I go to pick her up." Then as he turned around and slumped down to the floor, leaning against the door he said, "I just had my way with her and took what I wanted and then showed her the door."

After this breakdown moment he decided to not just sit there and continue to blame himself and throw himself in a cycle of doubt and pity. Instead, he grabbed his phone from his pocket and called Rebecca up. She answered with a confused tone in her voice as she said, "Hello?".

Anthony immediately started his frantic apology and explanation. "Hi! Yeah, it's me. I just wanted to call to say I am sorry. I was just so distracted after our kiss that I completely forgot to offer and take you home. I let you walk by yourself with that heavy oven dish. I am an idiot and I wouldn't blame you if you were upset with me. But I want you to know that this was a one-time mistake. I won't do it again. I am quite new at this and I will make mistakes from time to time, but I will do whatever I can to be the best husband I can be to you."

However, where Anthony thought his explanation would make things clear to Rebecca, it only caused her more confusion. With a baffled stare Rebecca said, "What are you talking about?" Then she chuckled before she added, "Why would you walk me home silly? We live in the same building. And the oven dish was a lot heavier when it was full. So, if I could carry it by myself then, why would I need your help with it now? Don't overthink too much and don't blame yourself unnecessarily for these small things. It isn't just you who is new to this and is doubting themselves. I too haven't been someone's fiancé before. I too will make mistakes and am trying to navigate myself through all these changes. Heck, I just had a breakdown during our first date. But you didn't start blaming me or get upset with me because I didn't get things perfect the first time, right?" As Rebecca was saying this, Anthony was trying to protest and argue back, but Rebecca didn't give him any room to do so and only allowed him to answer her question after listening to all of this. A question Anthony could only answer in one way.

"N-no. Of course not. I could never be upset with you. But-" However Rebecca didn't let him continue his little blame game and quickly interrupted him after she had gotten the answer she was waiting for as she said, "Good. Then you should also understand how I feel. Like I said back then, all I need is for you to be you and I will be me, and we will take things one day at a time. Besides, I know I agreed to marry a guy who is the sole definition of kindness but who can also be a bit clueless at times. So, I have adjusted my expectations accordingly. That is why you should stop with the blame game, and I will do my best to not blame myself when I make a mistake. Although I have to be honest that I don't even consider this a mistake on your part."

Hearing Rebecca say this, Anthony had to accept that he had been completely defeated by her. There was no way for him to argue back anymore and she had managed to dismiss all his worries and doubts in that moment, just like he had done for her before. He smiled and said, "Well if you don't consider it a mistake, I guess I should stop considering it one as well. Thank you for calming me down and I will see you tomorrow." Rebecca smiled as she put the key in the lock of her front door before she replied, "Yes. See you tomorrow. Good night."

With another seeming crisis averted, their first date, and their first day as an engaged couple, had come to an end. Though there had been confusion along the way, they had managed to come out of it as a stronger couple. One that understands each other even better. A process that is bound to continue.