The Giant Step Family

The Anniversary

Finn Knight rushes down the dark hospital hallways, he accidentally runs into multiple doctors completely knocking them against the floor. He shows zero care, his mind is already set on something more important than apologizing. The young giants heart pound against his chest, he's crying unsure of what he's about to witness. For all he knows his world has already changed, but he prays he's not late. She wouldn't leave without saying goodbye, Finn promised her he wouldn't dare leave her side. She's strong, the strongest person Finn has ever known and seeing someone so strong become weak breaks the giants heart, and dare forever leaving him behind without one last hug or kiss wasn't even a option. Finn spots several people standing outside a hospital room, it's his father, cousins, grandparents, and Meg. He stopped running feeling his legs become jelly, his whole body became incredibly numb. His family all were crying and hugging each other, one doctor held his head low explaining their situation. Finn couldn't read his lips nor hear the mans words, but he knew exactly what the mans was saying. Finn slowly walked close to them stumbling over his feet several times unprepared to deal with the emotional damage he will soon meet. Meg turned away from the crying family and saw Finn standing frozen, no words could even escape her mouth. She only shook her head, Finn knees buckled and he collapsed on the ground. His friend rushed by his side, she hugged him understanding no would could comfort him. "I want to see her." Finn's breathe shook. "Finn I..." Meg began, yet he looked at her with anger and pure grief. "I'm seeing her! I made damn promise I see her before she leaves!" Finn screamed lightly shoving away from Meg. "Where the hell were you?! She kept asking for you! WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU FINN! SHE NEEDED YOU!" David shouted soon as Finn got near. "YOUR A REAL PIECE OF SHIT!"David spat pushing Finn. "Let me see her." Finn tried entering the room, but David blocked the entrance. "No way, your have zero right seeing her now." His father spat. "Please move." Finn begged. "Like hell I will, out of the people here she needed you and it's too late Finn. She's gone and no matter what you will always be the reason she died alone." Finn heard enough, he grabbed David's shirt and threw his father out of the way. "You son of a bitch! If you ever say that again I will kick your ass and break every bone in your miserable body." Finn screamed. Everyone remained in shock seeing the father and son fight, Finn huffed and walked inside the room. The rooms small, not very wide, a huge window given a good view over the parking lot, and one small hospital bed. Lying down peacefully was a woman,  she had place skin, no hair, and very skinny, eyes closed. Finn kneeled by her, his hands gripped the beds rails and he couldn't bare looking at her. "Please wake up." He quietly cried, "Please open your eyes...I wanna say goodbye." He sobbed. "Mom?" Finn glanced at her, she looked at peace, something the woman's hasn't experience for a while.  "Mom you gotta wake up. We promised you wouldn't leave without saying goodbye first, and Knights always keep their promise right?" He said sniffling. He wasn't sure why she would leave him, he though his mother wouldn't go just yet. He sat with her for hours, never leaving her side. Only did few know his mother was pregnant with a second child, a boy it would be, but sadly died with the mother. Finn was exited he would be a big brother, his family would feel bigger and complete. Heck they even thought about getting a dog, Finn once smiled about having a dog, both parents, and a little brother. Yet here they are, a small broken family with no more hope left. That dream of a perfect family is forever lost, and nobody can fill the little void missing from Finn.
"Finn wake up! It's Saturday morning and I want breakfast!" Neal climbed over Finn's face, he sat himself on top of the giants messy head hair. Neal frowned after Finn slipped out a snore obviously in a deep sleep. Neal didn't blame Finn if he were sleepy, the Giant helped Meg all week with auditions and picking the cast members. No students will know who was chosen as the characters until Monday, Neal somewhat hoped he got the  role since he did actually try. Finn stirred around, he mutters a few words, but Neal couldn't understand them. "Big guy are you alright?" Neal patted Finn's head, his older brother whimpered gripping the pillow under his head. "Wake up mom please...!" Neal realized Finn's having a nightmare, after all the time he and Neal spent, Neal hardly ever hear Finn speak about his dead mother. "Finn open your eyes!" Neal jumped off the head and fell directly in front of huge face. Neal watched helplessly as Finn squirmed, his face twisted, he kept screaming and crying louder and louder. "FINN WAKE UP!" Neal screeched. Finally Finn bolted his eyes open, he breathed heavy and sweating terribly. Neal hasn't ever seen his brother ever look pale, terrified and absolutely sad before. Seeing him like that scared Neal. "Finn are you okay?" he asked. "I...I...just go Neal." Finn panted. "You had a nightmare, was it about your mom ?" Neal whispers gently. "Go away kid." Finn growled. "But your not fine, all those moments I had a brother who comforted me, and it's finally my turn to help you." Neal objected. "GET THE HELL OUT!" Finn roared scaring Neal. "Finn I wanna help." He squeaked. "I DON'T NEED ANY DAMN HELP! JUST GO AND SHUT YOUR STUPID MOUTH!" Neal slid down the bed using the blanket, he made it to the ground and ran towards the open huge door. He sobbed the whole way out of the room, why would Finn yell at him. He swung out of the room and into the hallway, Neal sat against the wall and hugged his knees crying. Having a giant scream hurt the child's ears, even worst terrified Neal to the point of feeling nauseas. Maybe he should take with Ingrid and Mike, surely enough they bring some comfort. He slowly walked in their room, Neal could only see Mike, his grandfathers large belly blocked any view of Ingrid laying by him. At the beds end was Greta sleeping away peacefully, he inhaled a deep breathe and made his way to the bed. The floor had socks all over the place and a large pair of mens shoes tipped over near the closer. Neal covered his nose hardly handling the overwhelming smell escaping the shoes. "Grandpa? Grandma? Are you guys awake." Neal nervously spoke loudly. "Ingrid...you say something?" Mike asked itching his head. "No dear." Ingrid muffled voice. "Down here grandpa." Neal shouted. "Hey sport." Mike greeted Neal and picked his grandson off the floor. "Is everything okay?" He asked sitting Neal onto his chest. "No...I." Neal began shedding tears, Ingrid flipped over and faces the little boy. She immediately sense something was terribly wrong. "Baby what's wrong?" She asked. "Few minutes ago I crawled up on Finn's bed, I was being goody attempting to wake him up and make me breakfast. All the sudden he began muttering words and had a total freak out. Finn began squirming and kept screaming about his mom. He was actually crying and looked really different. Never have I seen Finn seem that sad, even more worried and sad than when I was at the hospital. When he calmed down for a brief second, I tried talking with him but he started getting really scary. Each time I tried talking he told me to get out, than after trying to help again he yelled at me! He said 'Get the hell out, he doesn't need any damn out, and told me to shut my damn mouth'. Why did I do wrong?! I wanted to help!" Neal cried being cradles by Mikes hand, "Shhh buddy, you did nothing wrong." Mike kindly soothes Neal. "Than why he get angry?" Neal hiccuped. "I'm not... oh my God."Mike paused. "What's the matter Mike?" Ingrid asked. "Ingrid, remember what today is?" Neal got confused, he tried understanding what their talking a about. "Dear lord, how could we forget." Ingrid sighed. "Forget what?" Neal asked. The grandparents ignored Neal, they continued chatting. "Lets give him some time alone, Finn's never handle the anniversary very good." Mike told his wife. "Agreed, the three of us will spend the day at the mall." Neal heard enough, "What the heck are you guys talking about?!" He demanded answers. "Honey listen, 8 years ago today his mother Emma passed away from cancer. Finn took her death the hardest, every anniversary of her passing Finn always shuts himself down and pushes away friends and family. We are very sorry he snapped at you, he'll eventually realized his mistakes and hopefully apologizing. However he had zero right screaming and scaring you." Ingrid said rubbed Neal's back using her thumb. "I'm worried about Finn though. When my dad died I shut everyone out, Finn always said people should let others help! Heck one night the big guy said he let people help him!" Neal recalled the first night he met Finn, Neal had a terrible nightmare. Finn told the little human that he's never alone, Neal's confused why Finn wouldn't follow his own wisdom. "Finn's always been the person who helps others issues, he probably tried making you feel welcomed."Ingrid said. "I don't think he should remain alone. Can't we please keep him company." Neal begged. "Honey no, Finn already yelled at you and he'll definitely get annoyed if me or Mike try talking with home. Listen we're gonna get dressed, and spend the whole day together just the three of us! There's the mall, a small movie theater, candy stores, and that brand new restaurant inside the food court." Neal sighed very well knowing he's defeated, yet it would nice spending a day alongside Mike and Ingrid. "Alright, are you sure he's gonna be okay?" Neal asked. "Yes Neal, Finn always comes through." After that Ingrid and Mike got ready, Neal had asked Ingrid if he could borrow her phone for a few minutes while she got a shower. Neal told her he had to call friend about a group project, however the 12 year old completely lied. No matter what anybody said, leaving behind his brother all day still didn't sit right. Sitting in the bed, the child used both hands swiping the touch screen open. Thankfully Ingrid had person's number Neal wanted, he pressed the caller ID letting the phone ring. "Hello?" A familiar female voice answered. "Thank God you answered the phone!" Neal cheered. "Neal?! Why are you calling using your grandmas phone?" She asked surprised. "I don't have much time to explain! Today's Finns moms death anniversary, he's really depressed. I tried helping but he yelled at me, and my grandparents are taking me out." Neal quickly said hardly breathing between words. "Crap, didn't remember that's today. Finn's such a big idiot he treats everyone like pure crap during this day." Meg knows better than anyone, she's always been there helping Finn grieve. Meg once was the only person Finn would actually open up to on the anniversary, yet after being gone nearly 6 years she doubts he'll even give her a second thought during the day. "I called because he shouldn't be alone! Brother look out after each other no matter what! Could you please come visit him today, make me feel much better." Neal prayed she say yes, there's a slight moment of silence between the two. "Of course I will Neal." Meg said. "Thanks Meg! I gotta go bye!"
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Finn takes another swig of beer chugging it down, he rest his feet on the couches foot stand. Several bags of empty chips surround his whole body, his stomach could easily handle eating five giant Doritos bags. Every single anniversary Finn spends the anniversary same every year, sleep in, eats junk food, gets drunk which helps ease the pain. That's the issue, no matter what he does the pain never fully disappears. His mothers dead body haunts him each day, sometimes when he sleeps the nightmare take over. Some recall the memory of her dying, other are far worst. Rare occasions Finn will dream he's home, he'll be watching tv in the living room. Than a scream will echo throughout the house, it's always his mom begging Finn to rescue her. He would get up and chase after the scream. Every second that last it felt as if the door his mothers cries came from would move further away. When he eventually opens the door, she's always dead. Never can Finn save her, she died alone. All Emma wanted was her son, Finn failed her terribly. Worst, be completely failed his mother and unborn brother. The baby that never came died with his mother, Finn got excited over the idea being a big brother. Finally another kid he could play with, someone who would looked up to him, together they would be amazing duo. "Shit...empty again." Finn belched throwing the beer can across the room. He tried closing his eyes, yet each time he saw her corpse. When he thought of her corpse the giants heart ached. He only walked away from her for a few minutes, he wanted some alone time. Seeing her sick pained Finn, Emma promised she wouldn't leave without saying goodbye, but she did. "WHY THE HELL DID YOU LEAVE MOM HUH?!" Finn screamed flipping over the foot rest. "Did you it for damn revenge?! Got mad cause I left? Your selfish mom, how could you just freaking leave, and take my baby brother away! He never had a choice!" Finn shouted smashing a beer can under his foot. "It's bad enough I lost my mom and brother, I also lost my dad and best friend Meg! Now I'm sure Neal will never speak talk to me again cause I got mad!" Finn continued ranting, he stopped after the doorbell rang. He checked the clock which read 3:15pm, Finn woke up around eleven in a empty house. He found a note on the refrigerator saying they went to the mall and be back around five. So Finn wondered who's at the house, the Giant lumbers towards the door. "What the hell do you want?!" Finn screamed before opening the door, he sees Meg standing their. She has concern in her eyes as she sees Finn who has crumbs rolling down his shirt. "Oh it's just you." He sneered. Meg gripped the door when Finn tried shutting her out. "Neal's really concern about you despite how he was treated today by you." Meg sternly said. "I'm fine Meg." He swirled his worlds. "Your anything but fine, and I can smell the alcohol from your breathe." She said. "Please leave Meg, there's a time where I would actually cry me feelings out to you. Yet, someone abandoned me." Finn spun around waltzing himself through the living room, Meg quickly followed slamming the door behind her. "Thought we were done about the past." She said. "HAHAHAH! I lied Meg!" Finn snorted tripping over his own feet, he fell right onto the couch. Meg rolled her eyes as Finn dumped crumbs into his mouth from a almost empty chip bag. "I'm here for you Finn, not to argue about our history." She took a seat at the rocking chair. "I'm here drunk because of you!" He pointed a finger at her. "When my mom died I had my best friend! Sure I acted like jackass pushing away family, yet you were the only person who never blamed me. The family criticized me for not being there during my moms death, and not once did you ever treat me like  shit. Every year we get together, hang out, I cry while you comfort me during my most vulnerable times. Right there and than we fell in love, remember?" Finn's gave her a sorrowful look. "I remember Finn." She softly whispered. "We really loved each other, more than most couples at the school did. Our relationship felt so real, each time we kissed or held hands made me the happiest guy alive. It didn't even bother we kept the relationship secret, your dad really did hate me. Very understandable he get made if he found out his daughters dating. Still we stayed together, and one day our love disappeared."Finn said avoiding eye contact. "When you left it hurt like hell, than when my moms anniversary comes around the pain always gets worst.  Cause you weren't here. Knowing she wanted me before slipping away will never stop hurting. I failed mom and my baby brother." Megs heart sank. "Neals am gonna forgive you Finn." She said. "You don't understand, mom was pregnant. He died with her." Finn shuttered. "Jesus Finn, I never knew." She can't imagine his pain. "I told her she's selfish. I told my mother she's selfish for dying. What the hell is wrong with me?" He cried, Meg sat by him wrapping her arms him. "Nothings wrong with you Finn. She knows how much you loved her, good God you were her world. As of your baby brother, losing him was out of everyone's hands. Neal's your little brother now, and he loves you damn much he called asking me to see you. Your mother would be so proud Finn." She said shedding a few tears herself. "If anyone were being selfish it was me Finn. When you thought about making our relationship public I got scared, I blamed you for moving the relationship to fast." That fight was my fault." Meg said. Finn lightly smiled hugging her back, "I'm sorry if I made you feel that why. I'm even more sorry how I acted today." Finn sighed. "All's forgiven." Meg said. "A question Meg." Finn said. "Did you ever stop loving me?" Finn asked. Meg blushed brightly, "I always loved you. The real reason I never made contact after all these years cause I thought you stopped loving me." Meg said. "Meg, I could never stop loving you. No one else has your smile, personality, charm, or..." Meg pulled him close and pressed her lips against his. "Holy shit... did we just kiss?" Meg asked nervously. "I think so." Finn grinned. The two smiled at each other and talked nearly two hours straight, it wasn't long until Finn's grandparents and Neal returned. Meg said her goodbyes and left. Finn took Neal back to his bedroom, the Giant sat on his bed holding Neal close. "Neal I'm so sorry about this morning, I don't blame if you hate me." Finn said holding Neal close to his chest. "Finn I don't hate you! I was worried! Seeing my big brother all alone scared me more than anything." Neal said. "Dude your awesome." Finn chuckled. "I know." His brother smirked. "Tell all about your day! Tomorrow we'll hang out." Finn lyes backwards letting Neal sit on his chest. Finn smiled hearing Neal talk, he wasn't sure why, but him and Neal were always met to be brothers. The giant wouldn't change his relationship with Neal for nothing.