The Worst News Imaginable

Andrew

I stretched on the bed, my feet meeting a crisp spot in the sheets. My eyes were still heavy, sealed tight after what felt like a decade-long sleep.

Rubbing my face, I forced my eyes open. Sunlight was coming through the open curtains, but I must have been really tired because it hadn’t woken me up. Instead, I’d slowly come back to consciousness, embracing the morning only when I finally felt like it.

On the left side of the bed, Lanie stirred. She lay on her stomach, hands curled under her chin. Reaching over, I ran my palm down the length of her back. She looked so pristine and angelic sleeping there. For as long as we’d been dating, it was a shame this was only our second time waking up together.

I wanted her by my side every morning. In my bed. My kitchen. My office. I wanted her filling up every corner of my life.

Feeling my touch, she licked her lips and sleepily blinked her eyes open. I stayed where I was, head propped in my hand and watching her.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“H