Holly knew she was dreaming the moment she caught sight of her mother. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes flicked over the familiar face; the deep chocolate brown eyes and the lopsided grin. Her mom beamed at her with tears sparkling in her eyes.

"Hey Mom"

"Hey sweetheart"

"It's so good to see you...I miss you so much".

"I know baby, I miss you too".

Holly pondered why she had come to visit her in her slumber. When her mom had first passed she came to her frequently in her dreams, but as time moved on and Holly became stronger, learning how to cope without the hugs, advice and love that only Moms can provide, the visits became more sporadic. Now she would only appear to her daughter when she needed her most; the times she was stressed to breaking point, like her college finals, med school exams, her first day at work...come to think of it, they all centred around her study and work.

"Why are you here Mom?"

"Because you need me baby".

"Oh...?"

"Are you happy sweetie?"

"Well, sure, I mean, work's going great, I'm right where I want to be career wise and San Francisco is an amazing city. I've made some nice friends here too."

"I'm so proud of you Holly, you've worked so hard in your studies and you are amazing at what you do. I look down on you every day and wonder how I made you...I've seen all your achievements and I know how truly brilliant you are. But I asked you if you're happy. During all this time I've been watching over you, the happiest I've seen you was with her."

"Mom, please, it's complicated."

"Love tends to be, sweetie. Hollywood has a lot to answer for, fairytale love stories always seem so easy, but real love is so much more, well...messy."

Holly snorted. "Yeah, that's one word to describe Gail".

"I like her, she was good for you. You were finally opening yourself up to the world and trying new things with her. You were happy."

"And then she broke my heart".

"But she came back to you. And she loves you, unconditionally. I can see that. And I know you love her too."

"But it's just not that simple Mom. I couldn't pass up this work opportunity and she has Sophie now."

"You've always wanted kids, Holly, so you will be crazy about Sophie".

"You've seen her."

"Of course I have. Just because you left Gail in Toronto didn't mean I stopped looking over her. She's an amazing Mom you know".

"I knew she would be."

"Listen, Holly, I can't stay long, but I wanted to tell you something by Mom would always say to me. Grandma would say, "Mary, on your deathbed..."

"Ok, that's not morbid".

"Sssssh baby, don't interrupt the dead".

"Mom!"

As I was saying, she'd say, "Mary, on your deathbed, I promise you that you will not lie there thinking about how you wished you'd earned more money, or just worked that little bit harder. You will think about your loved ones and all those that you hold dear to you, and wish you had more time with them". I know your career is important to you sweetie, and I know how hard you have worked to get here. I have never been more proud of you. But just remember, that your work doesn't hold you in bed at night, and it will never love you back. Life is too short, as I found out, so please honey, just don't have any regrets about love".

Holly's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"This is exactly why you shouldn't have left me Mom, I need you here".

"I'm always here for you Holly, I never left, not really".

Mary held her daughter as she sobbed into her shoulder; she brushed the long dark tresses and kissed her cheek like only Mom's know how.

xxxxxxxxxxx

Holly woke with a start. Her heart sank as she realised it was a dream and that her Mom was still so far out of reach. When she rolled over, she saw the framed photo of her and Gail sitting on her bedside table and reached for it. Thinking about her mother's words, she knew what she would do...