(A/N: writing this was probably the most difficult thing I’ve had to write and that’s a good thing! for the person who requested it, I wanted to make sure that this did their personal experience justice SO prepare to cry because i sure did)
request: @sparkled-night Hi, a bit unusual,but I just visited my grandma,the person who I used to be the closest with,we had a really tight bond,she used to say that she wanted to see me getting married and having kids,but shes in a severe stage of alzheimer now,so even if she gets to see it happening,she wont remember and its heartbreaking.So I really wanted to know if u could write something with Tom about a reader whose grandma has it, and they go visit and she has a lucid moment and its all fluff and angst.Thankss x
You stood in your bedroom, staring at the mirror in front of you. Every time you went to visit your grandmother, it just got harder and harder.
Your grandmother had Alzheimer’s and she had very few moments where she remembered you, though you were never there to see them. Before she was diagnosed, the two of you were beyond close. When you were a kid, you’d spend every Summer with her. Picking flowers, having picnics, going to museums and a bunch of other fun stuff.
As you grew older, she’d always tell you how excited she was to see you get married and have your own children. Now, however, she rarely remembered your name and if she did, she’d think you were your mother.
“Love, are you ready to go?” Your boyfriend’s voice knocking you out of your thoughts. “Yeah. As ready as I’ll ever be.” You answered. “I don’t have to come with you. If you want to be alone, I understand.” Tom told you. “No, I want you to meet her. It’s important, even if she doesn’t remember.” You said.
You and Tom have been dating for over a year and a half. You’ve told him all about your grandmother and all of the fun times you had with her before the Alzheimer’s got worse. Whenever your mother would call you to tell you how she was doing, Tom was always there to comfort you whenever he could.
You took a deep breath before you took Tom’s hand and exited your apartment.
You and Tom arrived at the care facility your grandmother stayed at and your heart was pounding in your chest. Before you entered the building, you stopped Tom. “I know this is going to sound dark and very The Notebook, but if by some chance I ever get Alzheimer’s when we both get old, you remind me every single day about us and about you.” You told him.
Tom looked down at you before kissing you softly. “I’ll remind you every single second how much I love you.” He told you. You gave him a sad smile before entering the building.
You led him to the room your grandmother’s in and knocked on the slightly open door, very lightly. Your mom turned around and smiled at you and Tom. “Hey, guys. I’m glad you came today.” She said greeting you both.
You each took turns hugging her and then quickly grabbed Tom’s hand again. It kind of like being a security blanket for you.
“Mom, Y/N is here.” Your mom said to your grandmother, letting you sit in the chair next to her. Your grandmother turned her head to look at you and a smile formed on her face. “My Y/N, you’ve gotten so big!” She said.
Your eyes went wide, completely overcome with emotion, before looking at your mom and you couldn’t help but tear up. “Y-You remember me?” You stammered. “Of course I do.” She answered.
“Who’s the young man behind you?” She asked, looking at Tom. “Oh, uh, grandma, this my boyfriend Tom. We’ve been together for almost two years.” You answered. “It’s really nice to meet you.” Tom said to her. “Well, pull up a chair for him Y/M/N. Let the boy sit.” Your grandmother told your mom.
You and Tom sat next to your grandmother, in front of the sitting area that was in her room. It was surprising to you and your mother that she was lucid and could remember you both. And you were very grateful that Tom had come with you, so he could properly meet the woman who you’ve looked up to for so long.
“Are there going to be wedding bells in the future?” Your grandmother asked you and Tom. “Oh, I don’t know yet. But I do know is that I love Y/N very much.” Tom answered. “Well, when you two do decide to get married, Y/N has really liked the ring her grandfather gave me when he proposed. So when that day comes, come to me and get that ring.” She said to him.
You laughed lightly and tried not to cry tears of joy at the fact she remembered that small detail. Then, in what felt like a split second, she turned to your curiously and furrowed her eyebrows.
“Y/M/N, who’s this?” She asked you. Your face fell and grief instantly flooded your mind. “Y/N, let’s let her rest.” Your mother said to you, placing a hand on your shoulder.
Tom grabbed your hand and helped you up from the chair. You quickly left the room and exited the building, just needing some fresh air.
You got outside and you finally let out all of the tears you were holding in. One minute she was there and the next she was gone. Right in front of your eyes.
Taking a seat on a nearby bench, you placed your head in your hands and just cried, but tried not to alert the people walking by. You felt someone sit next to you before an arm was wrapped around you. Knowing it was Tom, you moved closer to him so that your head was resting on his shoulder.
He knew that when you got upset like this that you didn’t really want to talk about it. So, his grip grew tighter as he helped you off the bench. “Let’s get you home, love.” He whispered to you.
Sitting in the passenger seat of the car, you looked out the window with a blank and numb expression on your face. Though your hand was wrapped tightly around Tom’s.
The drive back to your apartment seemed to be much quicker than usual. All without saying a word, you got out of the car and entered your house. You didn’t even bother waiting for Tom before you decided you needed to just take a shower.
You stood under the hot water and cried again. The sound of the running water covered up the sound of your cries.
Your grandmother going from knowing who you were for all of fifteen minutes to thinking you were your mother, had more of an effect on you than you could have realized. Since she was diagnosed, you knew it was going to happen sooner or later. It started out with small things; not knowing what she went to the store for or if she took her medicine that morning or not. Then it progressed quickly and without notice.
Realizing you’ve probably been in the shower for too long, you turned the water off and wrapped a towel around body tightly. You exited the bathroom and saw Tom sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked quietly. You walked over and sat down next to him. “It’s just, one minute she remembered, as if nothing changed and then she doesn’t remember who I am.” You said. “I don’t know what you’re feeling or going through, Y/N, but I’m going to be here for your every step of the way.” Tom said.
You looked at him before resting your head on his shoulder. “I love you, Tom.” You whispered. “I love you too. I always will.” He replied quickly, placing a kiss on the top of your head.
Though you were going through one of the hardest moments of your life, you knew that you could count on Tom to make you feel better. He was that person for you. The one person who could make you smile no matter what you were feeling and that was something you were determined to keep.