Too Perfect ✹ Shyland

3

Ryland's POV

Seeing how hurt Shane was after I got upset with him hurt me more than he could've expected. I knew that once we'd talk, something would happen..... whether it would be separating, or making up..... I was scared to let the truth out.

We took Annie and Reid to my sister's house before we headed to the beach together. Shane held my hand as I drove us, and I felt mixed emotions. I knew something would end up happening that would change how perfect everything seemed, and I couldn't stand the wait.

"Are you okay?" He asked me. "You seem really quiet..."

"I'm okay..." I said. He didn't believe me. "I just feel really bad about our fight..."

"Baby, it happened.... and we've learned from it...." Shane was being so sweet. "Okay?"

"I was...I was just in a really bad mood, and when I got home and saw that happening.... I flipped out..." I sighed. "I found out something at work..."

"What?" He asked, and I started crying. "Ry..." He rubbed my thigh gently, trying to comfort me.

"Why did you hook up with her?" I asked, wiping my eyes. Shane sat back, sighing loudly. "Why? How could you?"

"I was drunk.... it was so long ago...." He tried to justify it. "Lisa came up to me at Playlist, and she was drunk... It just happened.... It meant nothing!"

"Baby..... You could've told me this..." I said.

"It was the night we learned Reid was on his way...." Shane said. "We were both happy... and I had such a bad hangover that morning that I didn't remember a thing.... I'm so sorry...."

"I get it.." I said. "I'm not mad... I was... but I had bigger things on my mind..."

"Is something else going on?" Shane asked. I couldn't possibly tell him, but I knew I had to eventually.

"I'm terrified..." I said.

~

Shane and I cuddled up together under a beach umbrella, talking and enjoying each other's company as I kept contemplating when to tell him.

"Ry... You're being really quiet again..." Shane said, seeing that I was spacing out. "You're not acting like yourself...." I sat up, putting my hands to my eyes.

"I'm not sure if...." I hesitated. "I'm not sure if it's the right time to say anything...." Shane sat up next to me, wrapping his arm around my waist. "I know you're trying...."

"At being a father?" He asked, and I nodded. "We're both too new to this...."

"I'm just really protective of them.... You are too... Seeing that Annie is almost old enough for preschool, and Reid will be one before we know it.... We don't have long before they won't need us..."

"Won't need us?" Shane asked with a smile. "They're always going to need us....."

"But what if they need us... and we're not around? We're..... dead?....." I asked.

"By then...." He said. "They'll know what to do...."

"I hope so..." I sighed.

~

We left the beach and headed to my sister's house to pick up Annie and Reid, when Shane stopped us.

"What if Morgan watches them over night?" He asked. "We can.... have some time to ourselves...."

"No... as much as I'd love to... I want to be with my kids, and I'm not feeling the best..." I said. "I think we should just pick them up and see what else happens..." We stopped by to get the kids, and on the way home, Annie fell asleep in the car.

"How sweet...." Shane smiled. "Annie's holding Reid's hand..." I parked the car in our driveway, and slowly picked up Annie, who let go of her brother's hand. Shane carried in Reid, and we put them to bed. We kissed both of our kids goodnight, then left to go to bed.

    "Goodnight Shane..." I kissed him gently before he pulled my head to his chest.

    "Goodnight..... Ryland....." He whispered. "I love you..." Shane tightened his grip, which hurt my shoulder. I cringed, and he opened his eyes to look at me. "Are you okay?" I started crying out of instinct. "Ry.. what's wrong?"

    "I'm fine..." I whispered.

    "Baby, I know that's not true...." He brushed the hair from my face. "Are you in pain?" I hesitated, but then slowly nodded. "Where?"

    "Right here...." I gulped as I moved his hand to my chest. "And here...." I moved his hand to my shoulder, and then laid my head against his chest again. "I'm scared..."

    "Why are you having pain?" He asked.

    "I don't know..." I said. It was a lie, but I couldn't tell him now..... not yet. "The pain just started to get worse... a few weeks ago..."

    "Why didn't you tell me?"

    "I don't want you worrying..." I said. "So, please..... Don't worry..."

    "Is that why you were so quiet?" I nodded. "Ry...." He sighed, then kissed my shoulder gently to prevent hurting me. "I don't want there to be secrets between us... is there something I need to know?"

    "There's a reason why I've been working more...." I said. "And it's not just because we have two kids...."

    "Okay..." Shane said. I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I opened my mouth again and tried to let the words escape. As air came out, that was all..... air. Pure silence escaped my lips, and I was starting to cry again. "Baby...."

    "I hate that.... you have to be put through this...." I said. "It's my problem.... you shouldn't have to worry..."

    "Ry, I'm your husband..." Shane smiled softly, trying to comfort me. "Nothing is going to change that.... and your problems or my problems.... will always be our problems...."

    "I... I don't think you understand the situation completely.." I gulped.

    "Then tell me..."

    "I'm-" I choked on my own words, but realized it wasn't the words that were tightening my chest and causing me discomfort as I tried to speak. "I'm-"

    "Ry? Baby, breathe...." He sat up, trying to calm me down, but I was lightheaded. "Shit.." Shane called the police, and moments later, my eyes fell shut as I was wheeled outside on a gurney.