My Gift Is You {A Taron Egerton/Rocketman Fanfic}

11. Just Old Scars

"Mom....?" I couldn't believe what I was seeing. After all these years, she's suddenly back with this huge smile on her face like she never went anywhere..... she's back when I'm doing so good. I'm finally soaring like a butterfly free from its cocoon, spreading my wings and being me. Doing what I love and finally freeing myself from all the emotional turmoil she caused me. And this happens....?

"Hi sweetheart. You're so grown up... and so very beautiful. You look just like me when I was your age." I could barely say another word. My hands were balled at my sides, tense as I've ever been. My eyes were welling with tears and all I wanted to do was run. It was all coming back in full force. When she left me at Uncle Elton and Uncle David's, promising she would be back once things were better. But that's the thing. It never happened. I never saw or heard from her again. Until today. On the set of a film that means the world to me. That's given me so much.

"How.... how did you find me?" The words leaving my mouth were so monotone. But I was lucky to even get them out. I was stuttering. Something I haven't done in years.

"Are you alright love?" Taron suddenly appeared next to me with his eyes boring into mine, seeing the pain and hurt on my face and my tense posture. Then his eyes went to the woman who used to be my mom, standing in front of me with that same smile on her lips. And he knew. Just from the way he looked from her to me, he knew who she was.

"Is this your boyfriend honey? He's a cute one isn't he?" My eyes widened from her causal way of talking to me, like we had never separated. Like she never left me for her own selfish needs, having no idea what kind of affect she left on me. I was afraid of myself for so long, so afraid of what would become of me. What if I turned out just like this woman standing in front of me today? And the most terrifying thought was, what if I was just like this with my kids someday? I was terrified to ever be a mother for that reason alone.

"Yes.... he is. But..... what are you doing here? Does Uncle Elton and Uncle David know?" Taron's hand suddenly took mine in a comforting way, squeezing gently, like he was letting me know he wasn't going anywhere. It brought me some comfort, like he always does. But looking into my mother's eyes, brought back memories. Ones I had buried so deep within myself, unable to reach. Until this very moment.

"No. No they don't. I didn't want to alarm anyone. I just.... needed to see you. I heard you got your first major job and I just wanted to see you in action. Doing what I know you love." How did she find out all of this about me? Was she spying on me? How would I not have noticed?

"Guys! Is everything alright? I need you both back on set. Filming is about to start." Dex's voice barely registered in my ears. I was so focused on..... my mom. I couldn't tear my eyes away. I hadn't seen her since I was 10. But she still managed to look the same. She was always a beauty. Even at her lowest points.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart. I didn't mean to take you away from the job. But love? Please.... let us talk some more. Even if it's very brief. I would love that." She handed me a folded up piece of paper, softly putting it in my hand I finally extended out towards her.

"Okay...." She seemed to ease some herself from my barley auditable word I managed to mutter at her, taking one last look at me, before leaving the set to head off to whatever life she's been leading all these years. And me? Well I could barely move. I was frozen on the spot.

"Love....? Are you okay?" And that's when it happened. It all came to the surface. And I flung my arms around Taron, briefly seeing the alarmed look on Dex's face from beside us. We had drawn in a crowd as well. Jamie, Richard and Angie were slowly making their way towards us with sad looks on their faces from my crying, most likely putting two and two together. These four? Are the only ones I've ever opened up to about my personal life. About her.