Chapter 1! Here we go...
# Italics = Someone's thoughts.
# (#) = Change in POV.
# (***) = Time passing.
I hope you're liking it so far!!! Remember to R&R!!!
Oh where oh where could my baby be
The lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I'll leave this world
Oh where oh where can my baby be - Pearl Jam
Chapter 1: When I'll leave this world
"Beep beep beep beep beep..." Charlie's alarm clock went off at exactly 6:30am, just as it had for the last week. He lazily turned it off and sat up. Rubbing his eyes he went downstairs. He stopped when he reached the photo of me in the hall. He shivered slightly and ran his fingers over the frame gingerly.
It had been this way for a week. Me watching him try to return to normality. Watching as he failed miserably. I had had a week to come to terms with my death and come to terms with it i had. I knew nobody could see me. It came with the territory. Ghosts were doomed to spend the remainder of eternity haunting/watching those they left behind. I didn't take me long to come to terms with it all but it was killing me all over again to watch Charlie suffer!
I floated down the stairs beside him. I hadn't left his side in a week and that was how i intended it to stay. I would spend the rest of his life watching over him. Nothing would deter me from my goal; making sure Charlie didn't live his life like he had died with me.
Of course, i wasn't obligated to stay. The first day i arrived at Charlie's house in Forks i left almost straight away see mom in Phoenix. I had arrived just in time to see the doctor tell my mum something, i presume it was about my death. It was sad. Mom bawled the whole time. At least she had Paul though. Charlie didn't have anyone and that was the main reason i went back. I also couldn't shake the feeling that i had arrived in Forks for a reason. Surely the powers at be wouldn't place me there unless it was for a reason. Charlie was that reason, i was sure of it. I was sent to make sure he was alright and to guide him silently towards his happiness.
Charlie walked in to the kitchen and turned the radio on. Ads were playing and he opened the cupboard and bought out a box of cereal. Same box everyday. Sitting down at the table he slowly began to munch away at his Cornflakes. Suddenly a song started to play, it was by Pearl Jam but i couldn't quite remember the name. Then the words started.
"Oh where oh where could my baby be" I remembered the name of the song... Oh dear. Charlie listened tentatively to the first few lines before the tears rolled down his cheeks. I hadn't seen him cry yet so i wasn't really expecting it. Charlie wasn't the crying sort. He pushed his bowl away and buried his face in his hands. I rested my hand on his shoulder but of course, he didn't notice. I might as well not have been there for all the good i did.
It took about an hour before Charlie stood up and got changed for work. When he finally arrived at the police station he was half an hour late. No one seemed to notice, or if they did they didn't say anything. After i made sure Charlie was ok and settled in at his desk, i left to wander around town for a bit. I did this everyday. I called it my 'Me time'. As much as i loved Charlie there was only so much i could take of his moping at one point in time. Also, the fact that i was dead wasn't going to stop me from having fun.
Lately i had been visiting the hospital a lot. I liked to be there when people passed away, not in any sort of sick way, i liked to be able to help those of them that came back. I remember wishing i had had someone to show me the ropes when i started out, someone to tell me what was what So that was what i decided to do.
Today was a good day at the hospital though, no deaths apparently. Though, i had noticed that there were a lot less after the arrival of a new hot shot doctor a couple of days ago. His name was Doctor Cullen and he had just moved here from Alaska only a short while ago. They used to live here apparently, until for whatever reason, they decided Alaska was better. Now they were back. I had seen him once or twice around the hospital.
He was extremely handsome and had lovely blonde hair and amber eyes. He seemed different though, yet i couldn't figure it out. He was so mysterious, and not in a good, sexy way! I had taken to quietly following him around the hospital, careful to stay out of sight. No one had been able to see me yet but i couldn't shake the feeling that i really didn't want him to notice me (if he even could). Though after the first day i had started following him he would glance behind him every now and then, forcing me to hide behind a wall or some other obstacle.
Today i went straight to the corridor with his office. He appeared to be inside talking to someone. I lent against the wall to hear better. I could pass right through if i wanted but i had a feeling that that wasn't a good idea.
"Carlisle, do we really have to go?" The unfamiliar asked.
"Edward, Charlie is one of my old friends, It is only right that we pay a visit of condolence!" Dr. Cullen, or Carlisle as i now knew he was called, sounded rather angry at this 'Edward'. I was also surprised to learn that Carlisle knew Charlie. Also that there was going to be a gathering for people to pay their respects! Why didn't i know this?! Oh that's right. I'm dead. No one talks to a dead person.
"What's wrong Edward? It isn't like you to complain like this." Carlisle's voice became soft and concerned. I lent in closer to hear as their voices dropped.
"I just have a really weird feeling about this Carlisle." Edward mumbled, slight confusion and worry hanging from his words. I wanted to burst in there and comfort this unknown person. It wasn't right to hear such a beautiful voice sound so confused and worried.
"I know, i shouldn't have said that, i just... I just wanted tell you was all. Of course we'll go, I'm sorry." Edward sounded like he was trying to smile.
"Edward, my son, no need to be sorry, you had every reason to be concerned. When you're worried it tends to be with good reason. However, i think we should still go and we can just take it as it comes." Carlisle said. Son?! Carlisle had a son?! Surely he wasn't that old?! This boy sounded like a teenager at least.
I heard the door of his office open and i slipped silently round the corner. the boy, Edward, appeared first. He was beautiful. More beautiful then Carlisle even. He had bronze hair that was nicely wind blown to the side, the same amber eyes as Carlisle and a lovely crooked smile plastered across his face.
If i had needed to breathe i surely would have died now. I felt as though gravity was pulling me towards him, i had to stop myself from walking over to him. Something told me that wasn't a very good idea. Carlisle followed him out and they both walked away down the corridor.
Slowly i made my way back to Charlie at the police station. Hopefully i would find out what they were talking about eventually.
(***)
Charlie woke the next morning earlier then usual at 5:30am. I followed him down the hall like i did every morning, except this morning instead of going to have breakfast first, he had a shower. I found this odd, usually Charlie liked to have his showers when he got home from work; they calmed him. Today was different however, i could tell something was up.
When he was finished in the shower Charlie walked back to his room to get changed. I went downstairs to give him some privacy. When he was done he came downstairs. When i saw him i had to do a double take. He was wearing a suit. Charlie never wore suits. Ever! Something weird was going on and i wanted to know what.
He grabbed his car keys and headed out to the cruiser, not even stopping to have breakfast. I followed wearily and sat in the passengers seat. I loved the cruiser, it was always so safe looking and smelt like Charlie. He drove for about 15 minutes before pulling up outside his destination. A house seemingly in the middle of no where.
The house looked more like a shack and was in need of some maintenance. It was two story but not very tall. Made completely out of wood, it blended in with the surrounding forest. It looked strangely familiar and i was sure i had been here before. I was having a hard time remembering anything before my accident now though.
As Charlie and i got out of the car, a women about Charlie's age ran outside and down the steps towards us. She pulled Charlie into a deep hug before letting him go to 'inspect him'.
"My, how handsome you look Charlie! It's been to long dear. I'm sorry we had to meet under such terrible conditions!" The lady looked SO familiar but i couldn't quite place her. She too was dressed rather formally in a nice light blue dress that fell midway down her calf.
"You as well Sue, feels like forever since I've seen you last." Charlie replied. Then i remembered. Sue Clearwater. Her son was friends with Jacob Black, an old friend i had hung out with when i came for visits as a kid.
"Well, do come inside. Everyone will be arriving shortly." Sue said, ushering Charlie up the steps and into the house. I didn't remember what the house looked like very much, but from what i did remember it was exactly the same. Same white curtains hanging from all the windows. Same old red fruit covered couch(i had forgotten how much i hated that thing!).
Sitting on the couch Charlie rung his hands nervously. I sat down next to him and rubbed his shoulder. He wouldn't notice, so it did no good but i was doing it for myself as much as i was doing it for him. I didn't like seeing him upset. Didn't people realize he had enough to deal with at the moment! He didn't need any more stress!
"Billy and Jacob are on their way over right now. Everyone else will be here in about half an hour." Sue said, settling herself down in the armchair opposite the couch.
"Charlie..." Sue began.
"If you don't mind me asking, why are you doing this?" Sue mumbled, looking down at her hands in embarrassment. Charlie raised his head to look at her.
"I thought it would be nice to give everyone a chance to pay their respects. Bella had a lot of friends here, even if she didn't remember them very well. A lot of people cared for her." Charlie managed without faltering once.
"I know that but, Charlie you're acting like it's definite! There is still a possibility! You need to stop this!" Sue said angrily. I stood up, towering over Sue still sitting in the armchair. What right did she think she had to make Charlie upset and what was she on about?! What wasn't definite?! There was still a possibility of what?!
"STOP IT SUE! What i do is my own business! Can't you let me grieve!" Charlie was on his feet yelling now. After he calmed down he returned to his position on the couch, i sat down next to him.
"I'm sorry Charlie. We're just all very worried about you is all." Sue said apologetically. She came and sat on Charlie's other side on the couch. I smiled at her, hoping Charlie would find a great friend and confidont in her.
"No, I'm sorry Sue. I was overreacting. It's just that this is still so fresh for me." Charlie mumbled, finally collapsing and burying hi face in his hands. Suddenly someone cleared their throat. We all looked up to see Billy Black and his son Jacob standing in the doorway. Billy smiling up at Charlie from his wheelchair. Charlie stood and wandered over to both of them, grabbing Billy in a tight hug.
"Great to see you Billy." He said, releasing him from their bear hug.
"Woah! Jacob you've been growing again! When you gonna stop mate?!" Charlie laughed. I laughed too. It was good to see him in good spirits again and Jacob really was massive.
Standing over six feet tall he was a rather interesting sight. His dark hair and eyes made only more prominent by his deeply tanned skin. I hadn't seen Jacob in over 10 years. Last time i had seen him he was my height and we were making mud cakes in his backyard. He really was a sight for sore eyes. I hadn't seen anyone i had actually been close to since i arrived, other then Charlie of course. I walked over to Jacob who just stood there smiling right through me. I reached out to touch him when we heard a car pull up outside.
"Well, that will be the first lot. Everyone stand here, Charlie you at the door with me to great people. After greetings we'll have lunch." Sue quickly switched into hostess mode, telling people where to stand and what to do. I just stood behind Charlie eager to see who 'The first lot' were.
It was Charlie's work buddies, the guys from the station. They stood at the door, single file. One at a time they came up to Charlie, shook his hand and spoke their condolences. Mean while, i was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with this. I needed to get out of here. I didn't want to hear anymore of this.
I wandered out of the house, down the steps and towards the forest. One of my favorite past times when i came out here to visit was to go for hikes. The way the leaves on the trees blew in the wind and the way the sun only shone through to the forest floor in brief rays took my breath away every time.
Now. i walked into the forest and sat down on a log just inside the tree line. More cars were arriving and after a while i lost count of how many people i had seen enter the house.
The number of people that had turned up had surprised me. I didn't even know this many people knew me, let alone cared enough to come pay their respects.
Looking to my left i saw a big oak tree that had a hole in the center of it's trunk. I slowly stood and walked over to the tree, peered inside the hole and immediately drew back, shocked by what i had seen.
A family of squirrels had nested in the trunk and were sleeping on a bed of pine needles and small twigs.
Carefully i reached my hand into the hole slightly, curiosity getting the better of me.
"I wouldn't do that if i was you." A voice from behind me said. I spun around, shocked to find myself face to face with Edward Cullen. If my heart had been beating it would have been drumming double time.
"Squirrels are known to be highly aggressive if disturbed. " Edward spoke again, his lovely voice drawing me in so i hung on his every word.
"My brother tried to do that once and got a face full of squirrel." He laughed. I laughed too. I couldn't help it, after all it was rather funny.
"You have a nice laugh." He smiled and i swear my knees buckled slightly as the most dazzling crooked smile appeared on his face.
Being the klutz i was i couldn't do anything but smile back up at him, as a slightly awkward silence fell over our area of the forest.
"Well, i better head off. They're serving lunch inside if you're interested." He smiled one last smile before turning to walk away.
"Nice meeting you." He said before jogging over to a silver Volvo parked behind all the other cars in the driveway. Not only was he good looking but he had a great car too. Must be pretty rich.
I watched him pull out of the drive before heading back to Charlie and SUe inside. It was only as i was coming up the porch steps that i realized something.
Edward Cullen could see me.
*** AN-
SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO UPDATE!!!
I could make excuses but you've heard them all before.
I would just like to say that lately I've been spending every possible moment on Fanfiction so any lack of update is my own fault as a crappy writer.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed. R&R PLEASE!!!
Your crappy writer: Quilyrulz :]
