Angel by Sarah Mclachlan echoed around the church, as the coffin was carried into the church by Amelia's brothers and Brax. The men put the coffin down gently at the front of the church and sat on the pews at the front.

Brax sat beside Roberto and Eva right at the front, with Casey, Cheryl and Heath the other side. Amelia's brothers sat in the pew behind with Harry and Lynne. Charlie, Ruby Bianca Colleen and Irene where sat in the next pew and Colleen, Marilyn, Alf, Sid and Roo where sat further back. The rest of the pews were filled with Amelia's colleagues and friends from Mangrove River. Then right at the back were the River Boys. Elijah was stunned by the amount of people who had turned out to mourn this young woman.

Every one of these people had been touched by Amelia one or another. Brax hadn't spoken a word to anyone all morning. And now he was at the church he still hadn't spoken, he just sat quietly and stared at the white coffin with gold handles and name plaque. Standing on the top was a beautiful picture of Amelia in her bikini laughing. There was also a beautiful arrangement of white and deep red roses.

As the music stopped Elijah stood at the front of the church "It's always hard to say goodbye to a loved one, and I must admit it makes my job so much harder when it is someone so young and full of life. As I look around at you all sitting here today, it's now I realise just how special Amelia Braxton was. Although I didn't know her very well my self, I know the people whose lives she has changed. And Ruby Buckton was one of them"

Ruby stood up nervously and made her way to the front of the church "I wasn't sure what to say today, then my mum reminded me of a poem which was given to me when my dad died. It helped me so much and I really hope it helps you through to-

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there.

I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there.

I did not die.

After Ruby's poem they sang Amazing Grace, which brought a tear to Brax's eye because the last time he heard this it was being sung by Amelia at Tegan's funeral. Casey, Heath both stood to give a speech, so did Charlie.

Brax found it almost unbearable to hear these people's words. He hadn't prepared anything himself. Brax's plan was to speak from the heart, he took a deep breath as he watched people staring at him, with pity in there eyes.

"I…I'm suppose to come up here and tell you about how amazing Milly was, but you already know that. People expect me to feel heart broken and sad, I just feel cheated and angry. She was my entire world, my reason for living, and she was taken from me just like that. I'm meant to tell you how lucky I was to have known her, but I don't feel lucky. How could I?" Brax had tears in his eyes "I'm sorry I can't do this" Brax said as he walked up the isle and disappeared out of the church. Heath stood to go after him but Cheryl grabbed him "He needs a few moments to himself, leave him" she whispered.

"I think we all know how much this loss has affected Brax" Elijah had reappeared at the front again "He did however give me a song to play" Elijah pushed the play button James Blunt- Goodbye my lover, echoed around the silent church.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Brax watched each individual blade of grass blowing in the breeze. It felt good to breathe again while he was sat in the church he felt like he was suffocating. As he closed his eye's he was surprised to hear a familiar voice next to him "What in god's name was that?" As Brax's eyes shot opened he couldn't believe what he was seeing, sitting there next to him was Amelia "Twenty years we have been together and you couldn't even throw in a soppy love poem" she teased as she hit his arm playfully. Brax smiled "I told you I wouldn't say goodbye" he replied simply.

"Too right you won't say goodbye I'm not finished with you yet" Amelia grinned as she put her head on Brax's shoulder; Brax rested his head on hers and closed his eyes.

"Stay with me Mill" he said softly.

"Brax are you Ok honey" as Brax opened his eyes he saw Lynne standing in front of him. He looked beside his and realised Amelia was gone.

"Yeh, I just couldn't breath in there" Brax stood up and faced her.

"We're going to the cemetery sweetie, are you coming?" Lynne reached out her hand and Brax took it gladly. While somebody else was leading him he wouldn't need to think, he could just simply focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Most people were shocked to arrive at a plot that already had a gravestone on it; they were even more shocked when they read the markings on it

Blaydon James Braxton

23rd May 2009

Born Asleep

Too Beautiful for our World

Standing at this open grave brought back far too many bad memories for Brax and the rest of his family. It had only been a few years ago since they laid Blaydon to rest. Lynne had kept hold of Brax's hand, she was gripping it tightly. The open grave had brought back a lot of memories for her as well. Lynne was like a surrogate mum to Amelia, she was the one Amelia would turn to for advice or a shoulder to cry on.

After the funeral everyone made their way back to the Braxton house. Brax decided to go and fetch Scarlet from the Walker's Farm. Indi and Romeo had offered to have her until the service was over. Brax watched his daughter as she giggled and babbled away in her car seat.

When Brax arrived home he could he noticed all the people and wasn't sure if he could face them all yet. So he started the Ute up again and made his way to Angelo's with Scarlet. As he unlocked the door, he smiled to himself as he remembered the day he first showed Amelia round the place.

Brax put Scarlet's car seat on a table and headed towards the bar, he got himself a beer before returning back to the table he smiled as he watched Scarlet giggle and laugh at him.

"You were always happier when it was just the two of us" Amelia smiled as she sat on the chair beside him. "You can't hide away forever you know"

"I'm not hiding, it's just quieter here" Brax replied as he took a swig of his beer.

"You will have to let me go eventually, you do know that don't you?" Amelia's tone was a little more serious now; Brax looked her in the eyes.

"I know baby, but I just need a little more time" he replied. Amelia nodded and rested her head on his shoulder again; she too was now smiling at her daughter.

Ok so here is my second chapter. If you haven't already guessed it Amelia is being portrayed as a ghost to start off with. And for those of you who are worried Charlie will be a rebound girlfriend. I can assure you that won't be the case. This fanfic will be set over 5 years and will see Charlie and Brax grieve, heal and move on together.

Please R & R

Love Nikki x

Coming up-

Camanelli's Revenge!

Lynne lashes out at Eva when she is rude about the River boys!

Brax continues to hide himself away so he can cling on to Amelia!