i had some help | book four

chapter two

Her eyes wanted to flutter open but she couldn't muster the energy to open them fully and be present. Feeling her body being lifted off the couch, she let herself fall into his arms and Morgan took her to bed. As the blanket hit her body, she opened her eyes and yawned grabbing his attention. "Sorry babe, the meeting ran late," he whispered.

She immediately looked at the time: 11:40. Then she sat up and just looked at him waiting for a present or a wish for their anniversary. He chuckled looking at her before going to change. She debated on getting out of bed to grab his present, perhaps he hadn't seen it. Tiptoeing out of bed to not grab his attention, she grabbed the box and placed it on her side of the bed on the floor.

Tucking herself back in bed and under the covers, she heard the water start signaling he was brushing his teeth. Grabbing her phone, she checked the camera to make sure Luna was safe and sound asleep, which she was. Letting out a deep breath, the water stopped as he walked over to the bed and made his way to his side of the bed.

She eagerly waited for him to speak but no words came out, just a gentle kiss on the forehead as he snuggled himself under the covers. He turned the light off making her frown.

"What?" he questioned curiously at her expression.

She debated on saying anything. Surely this was a joke? Staying silent, she lay down and shut her eyes hoping for the nightmare of a day to be over. He cuddled up against her body and wrapped his arm around her body while she tried to go back to sleep. Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. She attempted to stay still but her eyes were wide awake from the revelation: he forgot.

Turning her bedside lamp on, she faced him making him open his eyes, "Laney what are you doing?".

Giving him a blank stare, she looked at the time: 11:58. She could feel anger fuel her fury that she wanted to unleash on him, but for her best interest, she decided not to so Luna wouldn't stir awake too. 11:59.

"Laney turn off the light," Morgan complained to her.

She furrowed her eyebrows, "Is that all?".

He gave her a quick kiss, "And I love you? Seriously Laney, it has been a long day".

12:00.

She was pissed off now, grabbing the box, she placed it on the bed. The blue wrapping paper confused him but he sat up and began to slowly unravel it. Her face was visibly turning red as her body heated up.

As he opened the box, she could see the color get completely wiped from his face as he saw what it contained: a snowglobe with a picture of him, her, and Luna at the Rockefeller Center.

She climbed out of bed restraining the urge to throw a pillow at him, "Happy anniversary asshole".

It hit him. The cake. The ask about plans for the day.

"Laney come on-".

Walking out of the bedroom door, she slammed it shut making the room shake. She had no words for the disappointment and anger flowing through her body. How could he have possibly forgotten?

Making her way to the guest bedroom, she stopped in the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine, which was filled to the brim unconventionally. Leaving the bottle on the counter, she downed the glass and put it on the counter next to the bottle. She wanted him to understand the wrath she felt in the morning. He was bound to get the silent treatment.

The bed was still disheveled from the last time she had taken refuge in the guest bedroom. The last time was when Morgan had forgotten about a date he had planned for her and prioritized going to a boy's night. She was dressed up and even shaved her legs, but instead, she practically cried herself to sleep. It wasn't fair anymore.

Despite having her own occupation and traveling needs, she was always ready to make time for him and actually remember. And their fifth wedding anniversary was the biggest cherry on top. At this point, she was questioning a lot of things. And their marriage was one of them.

When was the last time he took her on a date? When was the last time he changed Luna's pull-up or gave her a bath? When was the last time he cooked for them? When was the last time he willingly set time aside for the family? Laney could feel tears well in her eyes: she could not recall the last time. It frustrated her to feel such negative emotions on such a meaningful day, but she wanted something to change. This wasn't what she signed up for.

She hates comparing their relationship and their lives to other couples but at this moment she couldn't help it. Thomas always made time for Lauren and the kids. Thomas always helped Lauren out with the kids. Morgan and Laney have one singular child. How hard was it for him?

Unhappiness is a familiar feeling nowadays but she needed to see something change or she wasn't going to stick around for long. She didn't sign up to be a single mom. She didn't sign up to be in a one-sided marriage. It was just unfair. She wished she could have blamed it on management or some big career event, but she couldn't. At the end of the day, she had no one to blame but him.

As her head hit the pillow and she git comfortable in the bed, she closed her eyes taking in the silence. Her stomach was uneasy from the realization she just made as she connected the dots of her inner reflections on her marriage. She was looking for someone to blame for him. An excuse he would be able to use to justify his actions. But she truly had no one to blame except him And that was the worst part.