POKER CHIP | myg sb!au (18+)

[PART 33]

Opening your eyes, you smiled softly with the ocean breeze slipping through your hair and dress. The sun felt warm on your skin but the breeze kept you amiably cool. Looking around, you found yourself on a beach. A vaguely familiar place.

Above the water, gulls circled, some dipping in briefly for their prize while others squawked from rocks nearby. When the lapping sea washed over your feet you looked down, admiring the blues and whites that cut the view of your sandy feet.

You felt calm, free of pain and worry, it made you take a refreshing breath; replenishing your lungs with sea-salted air. When you released it you felt lighter still.

Gathering your flowing white dress in each hand, you began to tread the shoreline. Playing the same game you used to as a kid, the one where you wouldn't let the water catch you as it washed in and out. You felt like a child, transported to your home and happy again.

When a particularly sneaky wave almost caught up to your ankles you shrieked joyfully as you skipped out of reach, only to hear a wonderful homely laugh follow. One you recognized in an instant. One that filled you with love, hope, warmth and happiness.

"You always were better at this game that I was, Red," your mothers's voice hit your ears like a sweet embrace and you looked up eagerly.

There she was, no more than ten feet away, her feet carelessly caught by the ocean waves. She wore the same ethereal white dress as you, her hair long just like you remembered it to be. She looked absolutely radiant too, with a bright, youthful glow to highlight a beautiful, loving face.

One you were lucky to have inherited many of your prominent features from.

No more pale, grey complexion, no heavy dark bags under her eyes or chapped, broken lips. She was the mother you always remembered, the one that lived on only in your memories.

You grinned instantly, rushing into her arms and happily welcomed by her all encompassing love.

"I've missed you so much," you croaked into the crook of her neck, locking your arms around her and refusing to let go this time.

"I know baby girl, I know you have. I'm so sorry I had to leave you," her hold tightened too but she still made room to kiss the top of your head. Exactly where she always would.

You just shook your head, "you didn't want to, you fought so hard for me," you muttered quickly, wanting her to know that you didn't blame her at all.

You couldn't.

"And you've been fighting hard too. I'm so proud of you," she moved back to cradle your face in her hands, showing you through your teary vision her love and pride.

"But it's over now," you whispered, not sad but relieved.

If this was Heaven, you'd made it out and you were happy to be here for all eternity. Blissfully living out your time together where you were happiest.

"It's funny how you always pick here," she smiled as she looked at the view surrounding you. Although there was a distinct lack of buildings or people, you knew exactly where you were. On the beaches of your hometown.

"I think it's where I'm the happiest," you murmured, awed too but the surreal view. "It's home."

"It was home," she somewhat agreed before turning back to you, smile soft and encouraging. "But it's not home anymore," she shook her head mildly, taking your hands into hers.

"No, this is where I belong. Here, with you," you denied, head shaking and hands tightening around hers.

"One day, but not yet baby girl. Your home is with him," she tilted her head, a glint of love and encouragement in her eyes as Yoongi's face flashed into your mind.

You always wondered what your mother would think of Yoongi. Would she love and accept him the way you did? Or would she have aired endless worry and concern for your life? Probably a bit of both but the look on her face now gave you an idea.

She'd seen it all, how you loved him, how you cared and learned from him. You had grown, she looked proud to see that, but not willing to allow you to let that go.

You blushed as your mother caressed your cheek lovingly. "He's your home now," she asserted, hands moving to encompass yours. "He's a good man, and he's waiting for you. You just have to wake up— It's okay baby girl, wake up," she breathed the words out as your eyes closed, your hands tightening in hers as if preparing for something yet to come.