Webs And Wishes - Tom Holland

Chapter 27.

Three months later.

"Lily! Lily Carson!"

I spun at the mention of my name, spotting a small girl waving a piece of paper in the air. She couldn't have been more than eight.

She panted like a puppy as she approached me, clearly having sprinted a pretty big distance.

"Can I... have..." the little one simply produced a pen, pressing it into my hand.

I giggled, my tongue poking out slightly as I signed her paper.

"You're a good runner, kid." Her face lit up at the compliment. She threw her arms around me, beaming up at me.

"Thank you so much! Can I ask you a question?" Her eyes widened hopefully.

"Go ahead."

"Did you love Tom?"

The smile fell from my features. Tom. I breathed deeply, squinting a little at the child. Kneeling down to her level, I nodded.

"I did. I do. Very much. And if you ever find a guy or girl you like very much, you should try really really hard to hold onto them, because it's hard missing someone." The girl pondered this for a second, and then hugged me once again.

"I like you very much. You're very nice."

Her mother smiled down proudly at her, taking her hand.

"Now, now Emma. I'm sure Lily has places to be. Say thank you."

"Thank you Miss Carson." I nodded gratefully, and the family drifted away from me.

With a sigh, I continued on my walk. Filming of Far From Home had been postponed, so I was kind of aimless at the moment. Luckily, after the photo shoot I had attended with Daya, I had got a contract as a model. It wasn't exactly what I wanted to do, but it brought in enough money to keep afloat for now.

I gazed up at the pristine white building in front of me. With a slight smile ghosting my lips and a bouquet of flowers in my hands, I walked in.

The stairs were familiar by now. Three flights up, third door on the left - I'd been here everyday for months, after all.

I set the flowers down gently on the table.

"Hey Maurice, I brought you these and a coffee. You've been on the night shift right?"

"Thanks Lily. Visiting the usual guy, I assume." Maurice passed me a sticker and went back to work.

"Yeah..."

I walked in to see the love of my life.

Tom.

The monitor beeped reassuringly. Every time I came to visit I was so scared that he would leave me. Yet, after three months, he still laid in this bed, in this hospital. In this coma.

I settled into the familiar chair, the smooth plastic moulding to my shape from the regularity of my presence. I ran one finger along his jaw, noticing how slim he looked, how dull his skin had become. I didn't expect being fed through a tube would make him look healthy, but I didn't expect for him to look this bad either.

Still, it was better than him not being here at all.

My fingers settled between his warm ones. Damp tears pricked my eyes, a bitter smile crossing my face.

"I told myself I wouldn't cry for once..." I murmured to his still figure. "I really need you to wake up Tom. I miss you.

And our daughter is gonna need a dad... I'm three months gone now. She's showing. I say she, it's not like I know te gender yet. Just feels like a little girl I suppose. The modelling agency aren't too happy about the bump, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I don't know if I can have this baby alone though.

I guess I always have Daya - you were right, she's a good one. I'm still living with her. I feel kinda bad, but she insists it's a pleasure. I'm still gonna keep paying rent. I wouldn't let her refuse it.

The movie needs you too you know. They said they'd hold out for six months, and then they'd have to look for a new Spider-Man. I begged them to wait longer, but even Jon won't wait forever.

I will. I'll wait forever if I have to. I just have to tell you I'm sorry. I'm sorry for leaving, and for not understanding why you said what you said. It doesn't matter to me anymore. I just really need you baby. I need you."

The tears were in full flow now, one or two dropping onto his pasty skin.

"Wake up, please..."

I closed my eyes, looking up to the sky. I never believed in God, but I needed someone to help right now. I just wanted my boyfriend back.

"Please, God, just let him wake up."

I let cool air fill my lungs, the lemony scent of disinfectant tickling my nose. I kept my eyes closed, almost laughing at how ridiculous I probably looked.

The beep of the monitor changed.

My eyelids flew open, immediately drawn to the screen. But it hadn't stopped. My fears of a flat line hadn't become truth. His heart hasn't stopped, it had sped up.

Ignoring the pounding in my ears, the sound of hopes rising once more after a month of almost giving up on him, I looked down at him.

His eyes were open.

He was awake.

"You're awake."

"You're awake."

I blinked, and then I realised.

"Ah you're awake! MAURICE HE'S AWAKE!"

I clutched him tightly, my head pressed against his chest. Sobbing into his shirt, I held him like I'd never let go.

"I'll never let go... ever again... I promise..."

Maurice tipped water towards Tom's dry lips gently. He gulped it down gratefully, then, his voice hoarse from neglect, he spoke.

"Lily?"

"Yes, yes my love I'm here." I grinned at him, laughing delightedly at his confused face.

"Oh I missed you."

I pressed my lips to his forehead.

He's finally awake.