«Mother», Jane said, making an effort not to fidget with the curtain of the bay window.
Anna smiled at her and Jane thought she wouldn't be able to carry on with what she meant to say.
«Yes, my sweet girl».
«You know I love you», Jane paused and looked at her mother's eyes.
«I know. I love you too». Anna touched her face.
«And I want nothing but the best for you.»
Her mother nodded.
«I know of a place where you can be happy, and they can help you».
It had been really hard for Jane to say those words, each of them heavy with the possibility they would push her mother away from her and from reality once again.
«I'm listening», her mother said, her voice more open than what Jane had expected.
«You can live there, they have beautiful lawns, a vegetable garden, and there's art classes. I have visited it myself and I think you might like to live there».
Her mother kept looking at her.
Jane ventured a little bit further.
« And when you're not feeling very well, they will help you too.»
Anna's eyes hardened at those words. Those were the moments she was most afraid of.
«Not like how they did it at the hospital, I promise», Jane squeezed her mother's hands, wanting to make up for any reassurance her words might lack.
« It's called Aster House and it's run by Romilly, she's a friend of Dr. Mac. You can talk to her, if you want, and…and visit».
Anna lowered her gaze. She knew it was a lifetime opportunity but she was still afraid nevertheless.
«It's true that there aren't many flowers like that here, but it's a beautiful name, isn't it? Did you know Aster means 'star'? It comes from the Greek», Jane said, smiling weakly. Her love for words had come from her mother and she meant to appeal to that. «It's said those flowers mean patience, elegance, love of variety, and daintiness or faith, wisdom, and valour, depending on the book», Jane let out a small laugh.
Her mother chuckled too.
«I… I think I would like to talk to that lady. Romilly, is it?», she said, more seriously.
«Yes, she's nice. You'll like her.», Jane said, «and she reminds me of Aunt Helen, in a way. She gets things done.»
Jane wasn't sure if she should regret the words she had just said. They had never talked about Aunt Helen since her death.
«I'll probably like her then», Anna smiled at her daughter. «I miss Helen», she sighed.
«I do too».
«Everything will be alright, my dear girl», Anna kissed her daughter's forehead and hugged her.
Jane didn't reply, choosing to hug her mother back instead.
A/n: And here is the conclusion to this month's fic. I hope I was respectful to all the characters, especially Anna and her particular circumstances. I believe the show was and I aim to do the same.
I hope you liked it.
Thanks in advance for feedback.
Bring on March.
