Millie

Chapter Twenty- Goodbyes

Wren appeared on the porch, with a bag of snacks, just as Mary and I had begun to enjoy the sunset. She was still under my arm, my body holding hers together it felt like, and I didn't want to let go.

"Shall we head out" Wren asked.

I hesitated. She noticed it. I didn't want to say it out loud, my fears that Mary wouldn't be here when we returned.

Grandma Jameson came out onto the porch at the perfect moment "Kate, would you assist me to get Mary back to bed" I asked.

Wren looked between us and then to Mary, noticing as I manoeuvred her, the way she no longer sat without support. She saw the reason for my hesitancy.

"I'm okay" Mary whispered a little breathlessly.

"I can do that" Wren offered, rushing over and dropping the bag she had in her hand. "I can help" She insisted.

She assisted me to sit Mary up in her wheelchair so that we could wheel her back through the house safely. Kate Jameson lead the way opening the doors for us as we got her back to her room.

Mary opened her eyes briefly and looked between us, with a smile that lifted her lips ever so slightly "You look good together" she observed through painfully irregular breaths "I love you" she whispered, her eyes not leaving Wrens.

"We love you too" Wren said kissing her cheek "so much"

Wren and her great grandma Kate watched as I moved around Marys room, collecting all the things I knew we needed. I gathered her night dress, her night meds, her lotions that made her feel human, and I turned on her diffuser that Willa had bought her to help her keep calm and sleep better. The scents of lavender, bergamot, chamomile, cedar wood and clary sage would forevermore be the gatekeepers to my memories of Mary.

"How do you know all this" Wren whispered as I showed her how to undress Mary carefully and prepare her for bed.

Mary's eyes were now shut, and it would seem to anyone else that she had fallen asleep, in this case though, it was another moment in her transcendence.

I glanced over Mary's head "I've been here for weeks remember. I've helped Willa get Mary to bed more than once"

"You have" Wren asked, a little taken aback. I could tell she felt something of guilt, for not being around.

"Don't do that" I asked her.

"Do what" she returned.

"Blame yourself in anyway for not being here"

She didn't say a word, only followed my lead. We assisted Mary into bed, one of us each side, and Kate fussing over the sheet placement. Once she was tucked up. I gathered the medication, and remembering Willa's instructions, I prepared it.

"She will require this in another hour" I whispered to Kate.

She nodded and took the medication in her hand "Thank-you Millie. I appreciate the help"

I waited until we were out of ear shot of Mary before adding "Call Willa and Allie home. It won't be long"

Wren grabbed me by the forearm "What" she asked "how do you know"

"I just have a feeling" I say quietly, reaching for her and bringing her into my arms.

"But it's too soon" Wren sobbed.

I stroked her hair, and down her back in soothing motions "I know baby. I know" I whispered, with a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"The girls are on the way back" Kate informed us.