In a Heartbeat (MxM)

Chapter 49

He stared at my hand for a bit, before stepping forward, cautiously wrapping his hand along my wrist. "You've already met her before. She was Luna when you were here."

"I know," I told him, flipping my hand around to properly hold his hand. "But she probably doesn't remember me much. I've only ever talked to her a couple of times with my mother."

He frowned at that, but I squeezed his hand, pulling him towards the hospital. "Let's go," I urged, Xavier already twenty yards ahead of us.

He hummed as I pulled him along like a petulant child refusing to go to school, until we finally caught up with impatient Xavier who led us through the hospital with ease, knowing the way like the back of his hand.

He paused at the nurse's station to wave at the workers, before reaching one of the doors, turning towards us with a grin.

"You ready?"

Vince sighed. "I guess as ready as I'll ever be."

"I've got you," I said, patting his arm. Xavier entered first, pulling Vince by his other wrist, as I followed behind.

I hadn't really known what to expect when coming here. When most people heard the term 'hospice,' many assumed that they were bedridden, practically a lobotomized patient that had no sense of consciousness. And a part of me wondered if that was what the bond had reduced their mother to as well, an empty vessel that was on the brink of death.

But I, and certainly not Vince had been expecting this. Sure she was frail-looking and bedridden, but she was conscious, staring at us back with those kind gentle eyes that I had remembered her for all those years ago. Even despite the obvious graying of hair, the aging in her face showing, she still looked the way I remembered her.

"Mum," Xavier went up to her, kissing her forehead before squeezing her hand. He helped sit her up before gesturing to us. "Look who I've brought."

Next to me, Vince shook, his breathing coming in sharp gasps as he looked at her. When the residual shock on his face seemed to vanish, I could sense his anxiety rising.

Feeling the shame and regret rolling off of him, I frowned. I gripped his hand tightly, placing my other hand along his upper arm, practically leaning my whole body into his, hoping that the steady lull of the bond would ease those troubling thoughts.

He should've been happy to see her, especially with her this aware, considering how many years her actual mate and her late husband had passed. But I could tell he was feeling guilty, and all I wanted was for him to see his face light up again, to enjoy the moment with his mother and brother, especially if this would happen to be their last moment together.

Their mother, Marie blinked a few times, whether in disbelief or confusion, she gasped when she realized who was standing before her. She turned to glance at Xavier while squeezing his hand tightly, as Xavier nodded, smiling softly next to her.

"Oh," she said softly, reaching a shaky hand out to Vince. "My boy. My sweet boy."

He didn't move, frozen in place. As much as I wanted to go near her and introduce myself, I told myself I'd stay with Vince, that I'd face this with him together. And I would wait until he's ready. But I wasn't sure if he would, considering he was shaking like a leaf, his hand clenching mine so tightly like he was trying to ground himself.

She frowned when Vince didn't move, then turned to look at Xavier. He pursed his lips before looking at us expectantly.

"Vince," Xavier prompted, but as I looked up at Vince, his lips were quivering, his eyes blinked rapidly. I turned toward him, hoping he'd look at me and start to relax. But instead, he stepped back, clenched his jaw as he yanked his hand out of mine.