Finding Simon Petrikov

Epilogue

Marceline's POV

The pink human baby resting in my arms whimpered slightly as I set him down in the bed of grass. I rubbed the top of his white bear hat gently as a sign of comfort and goodbye. Inside the bundle it lay in was the very last two cans of formula left, and a small note that said his name was Finn. I suggested the name myself when he was born while Betty and Simon couldn't think of one. I was very proud of that fact right now. I wished I had more time with him. As annoying as the baby was when it constantly cried at night and when it was my turn to change it's messes, he was sort of... Cute.

"I wish we could keep it." Marshal said sadly from behind me.

I nodded sullenly as I made my way back to the bushes where he stood waiting. We would wait here until somebody came to pick him up. "We can't keep him though. It's too unsafe with the war going on and the food supply dwindling rapidly. It's already becoming hard to find food for ourselves now."

He gripped my hand in his tightly. "I know. Was Betty and Simon sad to see him go?"

"Yeah," I said, my gaze locked on the baby who had now fallen asleep in the grass. "But as parents, i think they knew this was the best choice for their child."

Then we sat in silence as we waited for somebody to come along and pick little Finn up. Many mutations and strange creatures passed by, not even sparing the poor thing a second glance. Eventually, he began to stand up and walk around, trying to grab onto people's legs as they passed. It ended gross with him falling back into his own poop. Finn began to wail.

I cringed slightly, wanting so bad to help him when the rest of these jackasses wouldn't. But Marshal grabbed the sleeve of my jacket, pulling me back. My boyfriend knew me too well. He knew I wanted to help but I shouldn't. I sighed quietly in impatience and sat back down in the bushes, the pointy branches poking into my skin. I pushed them away, still watching the poor boy cry his eyes out as he sat back in his own waste.

I felt awful. I was his freaking god mother for crying out loud, and I couldn't even take care of him now because we had to give him up.

"The sun will be up soon." Marshal said after a few hours, staring over to the horizon blankly.

I nodded. "We should go then. So we have enough time to get home."

Then, I slowly stepped out of the bushes, making sure no one else was around, and patted the baby's head one more time. Finn stopped crying and smiled up at me. I quickly wiped away the tears forming in my eyes, then joined arms with Marshal. And for the last time, we made our way back down the path and away from the child in the blanket. Closing my eyes, I silently hoped he would be alright, and that whoever found him, would take care of him and love him just as we did.

"Be good, Finn." I whispered to myself.

*****

10 years later

'My dearest Finn,

I would like to start off by telling you, how sorry I am that we had to give you up. And believe us, your parents and I never wanted that for you in the slightest. But we really had no choice in the matter though. We loved you with all our hearts. To leave you behind was what was best for you. We knew it would keep you safe. I sincerely hope that you understand that. I hope you don't feel abandoned. And I hope you are happy with your new family too. They seem very nice from what i've seen. That is all I ever wanted for you.

I will not explain what the specific reasons are as to why we gave you up, because that is a very long story that I hope to tell you in person one day when I can finally meet you face to face. Alas, that is a long ways away from now.

The main thing I would like to say in this letter, is that these reasons were very unfortunate and very untimely. But know, that in the long journey ahead of you, there will be things in this world that are out of your control. Some good and some not so much. And believe me, there is so much more good in it than there is bad. It just takes a little more work to see that.

I have been silently watching over you for quite some time now from a distance, so you haven't been entirely alone either. And I am so proud of the smart, brave, handsome young man you've become. Happy 10th birthday, Finn. We miss you and love you very much. Be good. I think you have the potential to become a great hero one day. And we will be so happy and proud. I will be watching always. All my love.

Your godmother,

M.

P.S: your father and I found this sword for you to use whenever. It's a bit battered, but it's sturdy and should work well to your advantage. Don't poke your eye out either. (Your mom told me to write that part, but I think you're smart enough to know to not hold it by the sharp end.)'

I slowly set the letter down along with the crudely wrapped sword down on Finn and Jake's doorstep. I could see Finn through the window as he sat at the kitchen table while Jake cooked their dinner, but I wouldn't knock and disturb them. Not yet. When the time was right, I would see him in person. Then I flew away. And just in time too, because my godson had just opened the door.

I quickly perched myself upon the roof of their treehouse, watching below intently. He picked up the letter first and took it out of the envelope. I studied his face carefully as he read it. He wiped the tears from his eyes. Then went inside with the sword. From the window of his bedroom, I could see him stuffing the letter into his green backpack which sat on his bed lazily.

I smiled and flew back home. My work here was done.