Expecting Better Novels & Stories

Are they waiting for a better moment? I thought I was a step ahead, but now I’m not so sure.

“Milestones. Proof that this fits into a familiar shape.” “And what do you want?” he asks. I don’t answer immediately. Because the truth isn’t a headline. “I want depth without acceleration,” I say carefully. “I want us to become—not arrive.” He nods. “Same.” Relief moves through me—not because we agree, but because we’re still listening inward instead of outward. Expectation, I realize, is often misplaced care. People project urgency because they don’t trust process. They’ve seen things drift. They’ve seen ambiguity stretch too long.

I hope tomorrow will be a better day for us. ************************************ How is it ?

"Great... But don't get your expectations too high." "Too late.”

I just knew it was too good to be true – almost as if it is a sore reminder of seventh grade. No expectations, no disappoints – unfortunately I expected more from him. Guess what? I got disappointed and it hurts but I will be fine. I am so done, so over expecting a lot from people and then being let down. The good thing is, I am not alone anymore for I have my little bundle of joy.

“You always just say the thing.” “Someone has to,” he said. “How is he handling it?” “Better than I expected,” I said. “That’s also a you thing,” he said. “The low expectations that keep getting exceeded.” I laughed again. “That is not fair.” “It’s a little fair,” he said. I looked at the city below me, all those lives going on in every lit window, indifferent and continuous. “I’m going to go back in,” I said. “Good,” he said. “Call me tomorrow. Tell me how it ends.”

That vase had been something we’d constructed together, and our initials were carved into the base. Adrian rushed forward, gripping my arm. He brushed a hand over my cheek as if nothing else mattered. "It’s alright. I’ll buy you another one. Lauren, I know you’ve blamed yourself all this time for not being able to conceive. If you can’t, then we won’t. We’ll just adopt." He paused, then spoke carefully, "I have a friend abroad. His whole family died in an accident, leaving behind a two-year-old boy. Lauren, you’ll love him."

We’re no⁠t the f‍amily we planne‌d to be. We’re better. Str⁠onger. More g‍rateful for every⁠ single m​om⁠en‍t​. And that’s more than I ever hope‌d f​o​r.⁠

All I can do is wait and hope that somehow, some way, things will get better. But deep down, I fear they'll only get worse.

"Now we wait. And hope." "I'm not good at hoping." "Me neither. But maybe we can learn together.”