The Taken | Completed

Chapter 21

"Mum? Can you stay actually?" Leanne said as Natalie was about to leave.

"Yes of course baby girl, but whats brought this on?" Natalie turned to sit back on the edge of the bed, where she had been sitting previously.

"Nothing, I just want you here," Leanne replied, but additionally with a face the screamed desperation.

"It's alright love, I'm not going to leave, but 'nothing' wouldn't have caused this, so please tell me,"  Natalie's face fell at the sight of her daughter in such desperation of something so small.

"I guess it's just, " She sat up, leaning closer to her Mum, "after today, I'm too scared, to lose you, " Leanne looked up and into Natalie's eyes with a small forced smile across her face and a tear or two falling gently down her cheek. She pulled her sleeve down and raised it to her right eye to wipe the tear and a heartbroken Natalie pulled her into a hug.

"Listen honey, I never ever want to lose you," Natalie begun, with her own tear's running from her face onto Leanne."And," she sniffed,"I don't think that will happen for a long time," Natalie continued, making herself more upset over the thought.

"But one day, you'll die," Leanne sobbed so hard it was barely audible, "and... I-I'll be a-alone,"

"You won't be alone," Natalie cried, not so much over being scared to die, but more about leaving Leanne behind. " You'll have a partner, and probably, knowing you, you'll be a mother yourself," Natalie laughed through her tears.

"Which will make you a grandmother," Leanne giggled past a broken voice.

"Oh please, not yet," Nat laughed again breaking away from the hug. "I would advise you give it another ten years, but your life is up to you, and I won't ever be angry at you, for things like that,"

"I know, which what makes you the best mother ever," Leanne smiled."So, can you stay tonight? Just till I feel better?"

"I'm staying as long as you need me to, "