He's A Monster

I'm never leaving

Danielle's perspective POV

I've officially spent five hours listening to my mother cry, grip me like a koala in full-on panic mode, and mutter dramatic declarations of love as I lay on the hospital bed. Marshal, of course, is smirking behind her, clearly entertained by my near-suffocation. Honestly, part of me wanted to shove him just a little.

"I love you! I love you! Don't you dare leave me! It's not right to bury your child before you!" my mom wailed, hugging me so tight my ribs begged for mercy.

I rested my hands gently on her back, trying to focus, mostly wondering why she hadn't asked what even happened or why I was in the hospital in the first place. Oh, right... apparently shaking my hips too enthusiastically at the dance was now a hospital-worthy offense.

Please, Danielle, never do that again, I muttered to myself.

Finally, her death grip loosened, and I blinked up at her worried face. I glanced down at my arm to see the needle wiggling slightly.

"Fucking hell, you two better get married already," she announced suddenly.

My eyes went wide. Marshal coughed into his fist, trying to look innocent.

"What?"

"Married! You better! Or I swear, hunny..." she trailed off, muttering words I probably shouldn't repeat in a PG setting.

I buried my face in my hands, laughing nervously. Oh great, my mom wants babies? What is my life?

Marshal, still smirking, glanced at me like I'd lost my mind entirely. And honestly? I probably had.

"Well, at least make me grandbabies!" she added cheerfully.

"Oh, god, moooom!" I groaned, dragging out the word for dramatic effect.

She plopped down on the side of the bed, legs crossed, hands in her lap, smiling softly at the floor. "You two... you're like your father and I.. Inseparable. Always on each other's side, no matter what. I can still remember our goodnight talks, hours and hours until one of us passed out."

Her hand found my ankle, holding it gently. "That's why it hurts to see you here, Danielle. Lying in the hospital, looking at me with those beautiful eyes, that grin of yours, even though I know Marshal is hurting too."

I looked at Marshal. He had bent down, one knee on the floor, hand on my mom's thigh, taking her hand in his own. My mom's eyes softened as he stroked her palm.

"Don't cry, mis—" Marshal began before my mom interrupted him. 

"You remind me of him," she interrupted softly, "so kind, polite, caring. I can see how much he loves you, Danielle. The way he lights up when you're near, the way he takes his hands out of his pockets just to be closer. You make each other happy, and I don't want you to lose that. Years you've lived without someone to protect you... now you have him. And I know, when you lose him, I'll never see your smile again."

I blinked back a tear that had slipped down my cheek.

 "I'm not leaving her," Marshal whispered, his voice low, full of resolve.

Mom nodded, tears in her eyes. "'I'm not leaving.' 'But it feels like you're already gone.' 'I love you.' 'I love you more,' and just like that. That was the last thing Danielle's father and I said before his funeral."

Marshal's eyes flicked to me, noticing my tears. My mother rarely spoke of the past, and I realized just how much weight these words carried.

She never talked about my father, she never talked about her past. I didn't know me Marshal and I were like her old past.Does that mean we're just a shitty memory that hurts her?Should we just leave?

Then, with a deep breath, my mom grinned mischievously. "And that's why I want to be a grandma! You two are perfection. The baby will be gorgeous, no doubt about it."

I coughed, half laughing, half groaning. Marshal chuckled, getting to his feet and gently letting go of my mom's hand. "I want some babies," she said again, clearly amused.

"Mom! You sound like a pedo!" I blurted out, smacking my leg gently.

"Hey!" she retaliated with a playful smack, glaring at me with mock indignation.

Marshal crossed his arms, grinning, his white teeth glinting under the hospital lights. "Don't worry, Miss. I plan on making you a grandma and Dani a mom for sure."

I coughed again, eyes wide. "What!?"

Yeah... already in the hospital, and somehow the conversation had shifted to grandbabies. Hospital 101: Stay alive, avoid future embarrassment, and never let mom see you again.