If I Can't Have you

(49) Sort of together

"What happened between Margaret and Thomas?" Jemima questions, taking a seat in John and Esmés kitchen.

"Not much," Esmé responds.

"Esmé, I want to believe what he has told me, so please give me some sort of confirmation," Jemima persists and Esmé sighs, "well what has he told you."

"That he was drunk, he didn't do it willingly, and when he came to the realisation that she was touching him he gave himself a concussion pushing himself away," Jemima states.

Esmé hums, clearly remembering the situation in her head, "yes, that did happen, as well as him telling her multiple times to leave him alone and that he didn't want her near him."

"He loves you, Jemima, so effortlessly and so purely," Esmé tells her, "as much as I don't like him at the moment. I do like you, and I want you to be happy, even if it's with him. Give him another chance."

Jemima nods, "I don't think there's a part of me that doesn't want to give him another chance, but that's how it's always been, with every guy I've ever been with. I want to give them a second chance, and it blows up in my face."

"You give him a second chance, and I have no doubt in my mind that he'll do everything in his power to ensure that you won't regret it, nor will you be needing to give him another," Esmé shrugs, "love like this isn't common, Jemima. Everyone sees it, everybody knows it. Grab it, don't let it go."

"Thanks for the talk," Jemima says.

-

"Woah- are you okay?" Jemima asks, shocked to see Michael out of jail and walking the streets of small heath.

"What's it to you? You're not family," Michael scoffs, "you're not even with Tommy anymore. Family business isn't your business."

"I can sense that you're pissed off," Jemima sighs, "and you're not too sure how to regulate your emotions. But snapping at me isn't going to help. So if you feel like you want to talk, you can come to me, Michael."

"You're right," Jemima continues, "I'm not family, but that doesn't make me concern for the cuts on your face any lesser."

"I've had an argument with Mum," Michael responds quietly, "I said some things I shouldn't have."

"Who doesn't?" Jemima shrugs, "Polly is a reasonable woman, apologise."

"I don't think it's that simple," Michael admits, "I spoke to her horribly."

"Acknowledge your wrongdoings, apologise, it can't make things worse," Jemima tells him.

"She won't want to see me right now," Michael mumbles.

"She's your mother," Jemima states, "all she wants is what's best for you. She hasn't had the chance to be a mother to you, family's argue. So apologise, she's not going to not want you because of an argument, as long as you acknowledge that you were in the wrong, and you don't repeat your mistake. You're young, you're going to make mistakes, it's nothing anyone can hold over you for too long."

"Except I knew exactly what I was saying," Michael responds, "I'm not a kid, that thinks I said are inexcusable."

"Michael, it can't be any worse than what she's argued about with one of the boys, or what they've argued about with each other," Jemima says, "everyone voices their honest opinions, mostly unwanted but we get over it. It's just how it works. So apologise, it can be that simple if you want it to be."

Michael seems unsure but slowly nods, "thank you, sorry about what I said."

"It's okay," Jemima smiles, "see you're learning quickly."