2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Alyssa and Sam have a breakthrough in their relationship only to have it disturbed by news of Mary Lou Morrison’s pregnancy. What do you make of Sam’s decision to marry Mary Lou? Where does that come from? Are there alternatives? Your thoughts about how he delivered the news to Alyssa and her reaction?

Sam and Alyssa. They have had to work through so much, just to get to the point where they can acknowledge they have feeling for each other. I wish Sam would not have made the decision to marry Mary Lou. I don't know why. He could have acknowledged the baby and supported Mary Lou and the child without marrying her. It showed real strength of character for Sam to face Alyssa and deliver the news in person.

I hated this part of their story. It is stupid for Sam to think that he could be happy in a marriage of convenience when he was in love with someone else. Sam rationalized his decision by his past, but it didn't work for me.

I hurt for Alyssa. She finally gets to the point that she can commit to Sam and he pulled this crap.

Mary Lou's goal was to capture a Seal and she was willing to get pregnant to do that.

Sam was honorable in the way he delivered the news to Alyssa. He didn't have to go in person. it was the right thing to do.

Sam’s decision is borne from some outdated notion of “doing the right thing.” I know he thinks this is the right thing for the child but this is headed for disaster, primarily because Mary Lou had an agenda and it had nothing to do with loving Sam.

His handling of Alyssa was classy, even though it was heartbreaking.

This was really heartbreaking, but Sam is doing the honorable thing and taking responsibility for his actions. The child is not to blame for the parents' choices.

Of course, it is obvious that any marriage between Sam and Mary Lou is doomed from the start as he is in love with Alyssa, and it seems to me that Mary Lou trapped him. She wanted to be a SEAL's wife and this was her way of getting what she wanted.

I am glad that Sam told Alyssa in person. It prevents any additional angst and miscommunication. There had been more than enough of that between them already.

I just want to thump Sam over the head and tell him that he doesn't have to marry Mary Lou. His responsibility is to the child and he can support that child without marrying the mother. He can be in the kid's life without marrying the mother. A child from a home with parents that barely tolerate each other (you know that's what will eventually happen) is not a happy child.

I was happy that Sam didn't take the easy way out and call Alyssa to break up with her. He came to her and explained what had happened and what he was doing about it. I felt bad for both of them.