03-01-2026, 09:28 PM
Cade pulled her close instead of pushing her away. She had expected the push away or some show of guilt because he had brought Laney up. She had been the first one he had been with since her passing. She did notice how he looked up and sank deeper into his pillow. He was probably feeling a little down about it, but it could be worse for him.
Anna didn't just listen to his words. She listened to how he said them. Their son had died a infant and spent most of his life in the NICU. It had to have been extremely hard for them. It was hard enough that Laney had ended her life after the passing of their son, but he had always smiled when he saw his parents. A child on the verge of death smiling. That was something bright in the darkness.
Cade smiled when he spoke of Laney. It was evident that Cade loved her and still did. It wasn't something Anna would take away from Cade. He would always love her and he should, regardless of where things went with them. After he finished, Anna let the silence stand for a bit, allowing herself to absorb what he had said, and allowing Cade to deal with whatever emotions may have been brought up.
"They both sound lovely," she said. "I'm so sorry they were taken from you so early. I'm sure it must be hard - even now." Anna had no idea of how it would feel to go through that. "How did you meet Laney? College? High school sweethearts?"
She had never asked for this story and had always wondered, but hearing Cade talk about her already had been a unique experience, and perhaps doing it himself was therapeutic too. She wanted to focus on the positive things, and through hearing about Laney, she could learn more about Cade. "Let me know if I'm asking to much." She added. She wasn't trying to hurt him, but it seemed a good time to ask about such things.
Anna didn't just listen to his words. She listened to how he said them. Their son had died a infant and spent most of his life in the NICU. It had to have been extremely hard for them. It was hard enough that Laney had ended her life after the passing of their son, but he had always smiled when he saw his parents. A child on the verge of death smiling. That was something bright in the darkness.
Cade smiled when he spoke of Laney. It was evident that Cade loved her and still did. It wasn't something Anna would take away from Cade. He would always love her and he should, regardless of where things went with them. After he finished, Anna let the silence stand for a bit, allowing herself to absorb what he had said, and allowing Cade to deal with whatever emotions may have been brought up.
"They both sound lovely," she said. "I'm so sorry they were taken from you so early. I'm sure it must be hard - even now." Anna had no idea of how it would feel to go through that. "How did you meet Laney? College? High school sweethearts?"
She had never asked for this story and had always wondered, but hearing Cade talk about her already had been a unique experience, and perhaps doing it himself was therapeutic too. She wanted to focus on the positive things, and through hearing about Laney, she could learn more about Cade. "Let me know if I'm asking to much." She added. She wasn't trying to hurt him, but it seemed a good time to ask about such things.