𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 | 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞

Chapter 33

Millie

Finn has said a few words, but nothing major. I've held him and given him space. Maggie's brought food we haven't touched. The only time we leave is to go to the restroom.

It's four hours later when her eyes finally open again. How many hours have we been here? I hold my breath. I think my heart stops too.

Please let her be okay. Let her know who he is. Let him be able to say goodbye.

"I...wish...you...didn't...have...to...look...so...sad..." she says, weakly smiling.

I feel the tension leak out of Finn's body.

"Mom. Hey. How do you feel?"

"Happy to see you," she replies.

I know I shouldn't. That I should be strong, but I can't fight the tears from falling down my face. Can't hold them back or reel them in.

And it's not all from sadness. I see the way she looks at him and it's beautiful. She loves him the way a mother should love their child. Thoroughly. Completely. To her, he's the most important person in the world and I'm so very happy they have that.

"Always trying to get on my good side," Finn tries to tease. I love him more for it.

She reaches for his hand. I didn't realize they'd let go. He gives it to her and she squeezes.

"Let me talk to Millie."

Her voice is so soft, I can hardly make out her words. Finn looks like he's ready to panic. His eyes wide as he looks from her to me.

"It's okay," she says. "It'll just be a minute."

I cry harder. I need to stop, but I can't make myself do it. I wipe my eyes as Finn stands up. He kisses her cheek. Stands and drops his forehead against mine.

No words are needed. We just lean into each other. "We'll be okay," I whisper.

He nods.

"I love you."

"You too." And then he's gone. I take his chair and have to lean in close so I can hear her.

"You're beautiful together." Her chin trembles, which makes me cry again.

"I love him. He's..."

"Frustrating."

I smile. "Yes."

"But he's wonderful too." Her voice sounds so proud in that moment. You wouldn't know she was sick. She's just a mom proud of her son.

"You guys think you fooled me in the beginning," she rasps. "You were only fooling yourself."

I nod because she's right. I'm not surprised she knows. I'm honored she sees it's real now.

"Take care of him."

The words snap me like a twig.

"I will." I can hardly get out between my sobs. I squeeze her hand and rest my cheek on it. "I will, I will, I will."

"Take care of you too. And let him. He doesn't realize it, but he's good at taking care of people."

"He is." I say this with as much conviction as she spoke with. "He takes good care of me."

"You have to be able to take care of yourself too. Both you and Finnie. It's okay to lean, but you both need to know how strong you are too."

"I—"

"Your mom loved you," Mary cuts me off. I gasp. My tears are running down onto her hand and I feel guilty, but can't make them stop.

"She loved you. It would be impossible not to. She might not always have known how to show it. She might not have always done the right thing, but she loved you. She loved you," she says again.

"Thank you." I say it over and over. Until my throat is raw. Until she knows how much those words mean to me because somehow they have to be real if she says it.

"He loves you," she adds. "And I love you. You're everything I could have hoped for, for him."

I can't stop myself. I stand up and lean down to rest my head on her chest. The tears don't stop. She shushes me. Runs a hand through my hair. It's the same thing Finn does and I wonder how many bruised knees and bad days she soothed for him this way.

Finally, when the tears are gone, I sit up. "Thank you. I love you too."

A quick nod is my reply.

"I need Finn."

Her voice is laced with pain. Broken and bleeding with it.

"I need my boy."

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