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

To The Very End

Christmas Day 2028...

Me: Merry Christmas, babe.
Y/N: M...mer...merry Chris...mas.

I stroke the side of Y/N's cheek, her speech is starting to go too, and we're back to using the iPad again to talk in full sentences.

Me: That sounded pretty good to me. You wanna get up and open some presents?
Y/N: Yeah.

She grabs the iPad beforehand and types.

Y/N: You didn't get me anything, did you?
Me: I got you a little something, and the kids wanted to try and make everything a little more normal.
Y/N: But this is going to be my last Christmas, it's a waste of money.
Me: Then let's make it the best Christmas possible.

I kiss her cheek and get out of bed, moving around to her side to help her get up too, helping her over to the bathroom for her to rest on the basin. We both brush our teeth, then make our way downstairs, the kids having already made pancakes for breakfast. Y/N sits at the breakfast bar, and digs in, the kids each hugging her.

A little after breakfast, we make our way to the tree, unwrapping gifts. I hand Y/N the gift from the kids.

Me: Open it.

She does so, and reveals a journal, inside the kids had written their favourite memories.

Cosmo: You can add to it Mom, you can add in everything you want to, and we can get help write it.

She smiles sadly, and takes Cosmo's hand, kissing his head as I hand her my gift. She opens that too, revealing a tiny necklace.

Me: You have to put it to your eye and look inside.

She does so, inside showing the first photo of us we ever took. A tear falls from her tired eyes as she puts on the necklace, hanging next to her 'Scarlett' one.

Y/N: Thank y...you.
Me: You like it?
Y/N: Mhm.
Me: Okay good. So my Mom's coming later.

She rolls her eyes and sinks into the couch. I hadn't spoke to my mother since what happened to Cosmo on the tennis court, but with everything happening, it seems unfair to hold a grudge. And who knows? Maybe she'll see Y/N and realise she shouldn't have been so harsh.

Rose: Mema's coming?
Me: Yeah, just to bring some presents over and catch up. Is that okay?
Cosmo: Yeah, that's okay. She hasn't met Jess yet either has she?
Me: She hasn't, you're right.
Rose: When is she coming? I'll stay with Mom.
Me: She wants to spend time with all of us, including Mom.
Rose: She hates Mom.
Me: I think she recognises the situation and wants to try and work things out. I hope anyway.
Rose: Well when she doesn't, I'm not picking up the pieces.
Me: And nobody's asking you to, honey.
Y/N: Rose.

Rose sits beside her and watches her write on the iPad.

Y/N: Life's too short to hold grudges, sweetie. Who taught you that?
Rose: You did.
Y/N: So you have to be happy to see Mema, hopefully she'll be there for you.

A little while later, my Mom turns up, carrying bags upon bags of gifts for the kids, and a bag for me and Y/N. I hang her coat up on the hangers, and follow her inside, where the kids all say hello, and she sits opposite Y/N. A look of upset spreads across her face, as if she had no idea how bad it had gotten.

Mom: It's so good to see you both. Hi, Y/N. You remember me?
Y/N: Y...yeah.
Mom: Good, thank you for having me back.

Y/N just nods, and goes back to scrolling social media.

Me: Oh Mom, Hailee, Florence and Reef are coming in an hour or so, it's kind of tradition. Is that okay?
Mom: Of course, honey. It'll be nice to see them again. Y/N, how are you feeling?

Y/N just nods. I know that means she's sick of talking, but she's sucking it up for the sake of the kids.

A little while later, Hailee, Flo and Reef arrive to lighten the mood. Reef instantly goes to play with the kids, and Hailee goes straight to Y/N, kneeling in front of her and placing her hand on her cheek.

Hailee: Y/N?
Y/N: Hi Hai...Hailee.

Tears form in Hailee's eyes at the fact that Y/N has tried to speak.

Hailee: You don't deserve this, you really don't. I'm so sorry, babe.

She takes Hailee's hand in hers and just looks at her dead in the eyes.

Y/N: Be happy it is...n't y...you.
Hailee: If it meant you'd still be you, I'd take it.
Me: We all would. You wanna help me with the drinks?

Hailee nods and follows me to the kitchen.

Hailee: She's much worse than even just last week.
Me: I know. I don't think we have much time left.
Hailee: No?
Me: Her eyes are glazed over 24/7. She has no idea what's going on half of the time and the other half she's asleep. I think we're working on days, not months.
Hailee: They said she'd have like a year though.
Me: That was best case scenario.

She puts her head in her hands.

Hailee: I can't believe this is happening.
Me: You can stay in the guest house for as long as you need. If you need to spend time with her then that's the best option. LG is coming tonight, I haven't told her because I know she's been avoiding her, she's scared she'll be too upset.
Hailee: That's kinda selfish of her.
Me: She's been doing a lot of that lately. Her sister only gets an update whenever she calls me, Y/N won't answer the phone to anyone, not even Ollie.
Hailee: I get it.
Me: I think she's confused about it, more than anything.
Hailee: Scarlett, I know we both care for her, but thank you for being there. She deserves to be with you till the end. I didn't ever deserve her.
Me: You've been a really good friend to her, remember that.

Just then, LG wanders in the door quietly, and comes into the kitchen.

Lady Gaga: Hey, sorry. I had dinner with my Dad. How is she?
Me: Go and see for yourself.
Lady Gaga: Do I really want to?
Hailee: You're gonna get a shock, she's a lot smaller than she used to be, and pretty sunk in. She can't really speak either, just to prepare you.

LG swallows thickly, then heads into the living room, with us in tow.

Lady Gaga: Y/N?

She looks up at LG, then instantly starts crying. LG pulls her into a tight hug, not wanting to let go.

Lady Gaga: We're all here, it's okay. You're okay.
Y/N: Sorry.
Lady Gaga: You have nothing to apologise for. You're so brave, so brave.
Me: She is. LG, can I show you something?

She nods and follows me into the studio.

Me: I tripped on a cable a little while ago and found this.

I start playing the song I'd accidentally found on my birthday, and LG starts crying as soon as she hears what Y/N's voice used to be. The song ends.

Me: I want you to release that for her, when she's gone. Maybe even collaborate on it with Hailee or something. But she'd want that. I wasn't supposed to see it, I don't think she wanted me to see it so soon, but I'm scared she's not going to get the chance to release it.
Lady Gaga: I'd be honoured.
Me: Thank you LG, really, for everything.

We head back inside and spend the night catching up on old memories and making Y/N laugh, before everyone retires to either the guest house, or a guest bedroom. I wander into the bedroom, to see Y/N floating in and out of consciousness.

Me: Y/N? Hey, keep your eyes open for me. Y/N? Y/N!

She doesn't respond, and her breathing starts to get shallow, until her eyes stay open, and she stares at me and smiles.

Y/N: I l...love you, S...Sc...Scarlett. I love you.

Her eyes close for the last time, and her breathing slows, until it stops completely. She's gone, my girl.