(Book 2) The Dark Side of Fame - Scarlett Johansson x Female Reader

Brain Power

July 2028...

Dr Vargo: Okay, so I'll call you with the results in a few hours. See you soon.
Me: Yeah, all good.

I wander back to my car, turning on the engine and turning out of the parking lot, paparazzi following me as always.

I reach the Starbucks drive thru and order, then take it and plant it onto the passenger seat, driving home and parking up.

Me: Babe?
Scarlett: Out here!

I wander into the back yard and see Scarlett in the pool with the kids, so I hand her her coffee and take my shoes and socks off, dipping my feet in.

Scarlett: How did it go?
Me: Same old, results this afternoon.
Scarlett: It's going to be fine, you're not getting any worse. Not that I've noticed anyway.
Me: Nah, same. We'll see I guess.

A few hours later, Dr Vargo calls back.

Me: "Hey Doctor, so what's the damage?"

I place the phone on speaker for Scarlett to hear.

Dr Vargo: "The first thing I'll say is that you need to be positive."
Me: "Sounds brilliant."
Dr Vargo: "The white spot is getting bigger, it's starting to spread. Your brain is slowly dying. I'm sorry."
Me: "So how don't I feel any worse?"
Dr Vargo: "That's a mystery I can't solve, but I'd be prepared for things to maybe start getting worse. The degradation levels we're seeing, it's quick."
Me: "So you're saying I'm going brain dead."
Dr Vargo: "That's not the scientific way to say it, but basically, yes."
Me: "And there's nothing at all that can be done?"
Dr Vargo: "You can try and continue to delay it with therapy and brain treatments, but research for a dying brain isn't exactly pumping. I'm sorry."
Me: "How long? Before it...gets me?"
Dr Vargo: "At the rate it's going, maybe a year or two, but I wouldn't like to say. I really am sorry, Y/N."
Me: "Over it. Thank you."

I end the call and sigh, then turn to Scarlett, who's literally sobbing her heart out. I pull her into me and let her cry into my T-shirt.

Me: You don't need to be scared, it's okay.
Scarlett: I can't do this without you.

I pull away and smile, then wipe her tears as best I can.

Me: You're the strongest person I know. You can do anything without me. And besides, I have like a year or something, you can't get rid of me that easily.
Scarlett: Y/N, the kids.
Me: We'll tell them when the time's right.
Scarlett: Why is this like this? Why couldn't we just have had a normal life?
Me: Me and normal don't go together. Some people just get dealt shit hands and have to do their best to navigate through life. And you've done that perfectly, you've raised our beautiful children amazingly, and 12 years with you has been the best 12 years of my life. I don't want this to be the thing that breaks us. It's me and you, always.
Scarlett: Yeah, it's just...
Me: No, I'm not dead yet. So as far as I'm concerned, we're good, and I'm going to be fine. Let's just go with that for now.
Scarlett: Okay. I'm so sorry, Y/N. I truly am.
Me: Nah, it's okay. I'm not scared, we've been here before in worse circumstances, this is child's play. We'll get through it until we don't. Okay?
Scarlett: Okay. I do think we should tell the kids soon.
Me: How soon?
Scarlett: They deserve to know now, you don't have long.
Me: I have like two years or something.
Scarlett: Honey, Rose still thinks you're going to take her to her first college game. And Cosmo thinks you'll be there when he signs his first record deal. They need to know now.