I know I have been out for long but I was really busy and this short story just popped into my head after watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Disclaimer: I definitely don't own anyone except my own…

Today was the longest days of my life.

It started out as an ordinary day.

I got up in the morning, I made breakfast, I promised my wife I'd be home early and I went to work.

Sure it was an ordinary day. Just like all the other days of my life.

But I never knew it was anything but ordinary.

It was around four when I got a call from Lilly

"Hello" I said into the phone irritated

She knew better than anyone to disturb me when I was at work.

"Michael, I'm sorry to disturb you, but –"she stopped midsentence.

"What?"I asked, more attentive, as Lilly's voice seemed tense. She was never tensed

"Michael, Mia-she collapsed. She is in hospital now"

I froze for a moment.

I ran out of the office telling my secretary to cancel all my appointments for the rest of the day.

I was in the hospital in 15 minutes. I found Lars waiting for me. He quickly took me where to where she was.

Lilly was pacing around the waiting room

"Lilly, what happened?"I asked her

Emily was fast asleep in her arms.

"Michael, I don't know. She is in the ICU now and I don't know anything yet"

I sat down on one of the chairs and placed my hands on my face.

Everything was fine today morning.

What happened?

Suddenly, the door to ICU opened and a doctor walked out. He looked about thirty and had glasses on.

" ?"He looked at me inquiringly. I nodded.

"I am .I am your wife's doctor. Please follow me"

I nodded at Lilly and followed him to his office. He motioned me to take a seat.

"Well , as you know you that your wife has stage five metastatic melanoma, which has spread to her brain, skin and liver. It has reached an advanced stage and she doesn't have too long to live.6 months at the maximum"

It took a minute for me to process this.

Mia has cancer? My Mia?

Then something in the doctor's words caught my attention.

As you know? As you know?

"What do you mean, as you know? I didn't know Mia had-had cancer"

The doctor looked at me

"I'm sorry but are you telling me Mia never told you? She was diagnosed 4 months ago"

4 months? I remember Mia seemed really tired at that time, but she said it was just stress

"I suggested she start treatment, but she refused. Chemotherapy and radiations. She said she didn't want them and you'd agree with her"

I received the second shock of that day.

"Anyway, she is conscious now. You can see her"

He patted my shoulder and walked away

I was down on the chair.

Diagnosed four months ago. The words swarm in my head

I got up and went to the was lying on the bed, several machines attached to her.

I sat beside her. Her eyes were open and she looked at me sheepishly

"Hey"she said, stretching her hands towards me

I caught it and sat beside her.

"You really scared everyone" I said

"I guess my secret is out in the open" she said

"Yeah"I said

I wanted to yell at her, yell at her for keeping out on me this long. For keeping this to herself. For leaving me alone to figure this out

"How's Em?"

"She is at kindergarten. I will have to pick her up"

"What are you going to tell her?"

I looked at her, worry etched on her face.

What am I going to tell our six year old daughter? How do I tell her that her mother is going to be dead in the next six months and neglected to inform me, her husband?

"Don't worry. I'll tell her something" I will have to tell my daughter something

There was an awkward silence. She was the one who first broke it.

"Michael, about this cancer thing-"

"It's fine. I get that you didn't want to tell me. We agreed that we'd respect each other's privacy and I do, so it's fine."

Mia took my hand and smiled. A weak smile

"Well, Lilly wants to see you too. She's been worried sick" I abruptly walked out of the room and informed Lilly that Mia was awake.

She breathed in relief and went into the room

Mia was discharged two days later

What do you think? Love it? Hate it? Whatever you think, please just let me know. It keeps me going.