I love her and I just want her to be happy.
I have only been with my girlfriend for 3 months. She is a terrific mother of 3 really great kids. I love her and I love her children with all my heart. She is the sister of one of my own friends. I met her through him when one night she asked if we wanted to come over to her house and have a couple beers and play Guitar Hero. She asked me to stay the night with her that very same night. It was nothing sexual nor would I have asked for it to be. It was, in a sense, truly love at first sight.
I have a father who is an alcoholic and the same burden was, not so heavily, passed onto me. Not in a sense of being an alcoholic but more of not knowing when enough is enough. I drank rather often throughout the coarse of our relationship without any complaint or, for lack of a better word, warning that she had any problem with this whatsoever. <--Not trying to make and excuse for myself by saying that just to clear things. I did get drunk on weekends and would have a few (2-6?) beers on weekdays. I was getting out of line but did not come to that realization. (Or better yet was too inebriated to care) Three weeks ago I had more than my fair share of whiskey and beer. I woke her from her sleep for a very foolish and non-important reason. She did not know that I had been drinking as much as I have admitted to you until after this night.
We got into a very big argument as to whether I had been drinking or not. I was in a drunken denial, slurred speech and all. I made myself look like the fool that I am. I went back to my house and I called her. We got into yet another argument. I awoke the next morning and my roommate enlightened me with the information that I was verbally attacking her. Very badly. I do not know what I said nor do I want to know.
Since that day I have been sober. Three weeks have passed. Not much to brag about but it is a step in the right direction. Aside from my drinking I am, not to sound egotistical, a great guy. A perfect catch if you will. Her children in 3 months love and honor me as a respectable adult figure in her household. She has even exclaimed that they listen and act better for me than anyone, including herself. Her family and friends have told me that they have never seen her as happy since her and I got together.
Now to my dilemma. She has been hurt in the past by the 2 fathers that she shares children with. Both of which were given second chances to change their ways and both of which failed. She has a major issue with dropping/forgiving/forgetting things. She tells me she loves me and I believe her without a doubt that she does. She is different, though. She knows it. She says she is scared to bridge the gap that I caused. Afraid my drinking will resurface again someday and does not want to put herself or her children's feelings and emotions in jepoardy. I have never been more certain of anything as I am with knowing that I will never again be a drinker, even socially. It is not what I want. I want her and I and the children to be a family. I want us to all be happy together.
A few days ago she said she thinks we should slow down and take a break so she can have time to get things in order as far as work, her children, etc. Two days ago we finally sat down and talked about our feelings and what we should do with our relationship but the kids were coming home from their dad's and our conversation was never fully finished. During that conversation we decided we should not see each other. We both love and care for each other, though. That night she asked me to stay the night for the first time since the break started.
I am very confused throughout this whole situation. Any advice at all is very much appreciated.