Chapter Three

A/N: Hey guys! So those past couple of chapters have been basically set-up for what's to come next. The beginning part of this one is as well but the plot will really start to take off now. (Even though it is a shorter chapter than the others). So buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Silver light leaks through the white curtains which hang over our bedroom windows. With a deep yawn, I roll over and reach out with a blind hand, my eyes still closed. My fingers curl out, wanting to be closer to Ryan. I end up grabbing empty air.

"Hnn?" Cracking open a tired eye, I find myself alone in the bed. Ryan's half is neatly made up. There's a bright yellow sticky note laying on the pillow.

Jodie,

Sorry I wasn't able to say 'bye' this morning. The boss called me in earlier than usual. I'll see you when I get home tonight.

-Ryan

In the back of my mind, I feel Aiden stirring as if he's just woken up. Over the years, I've determined that he doesn't actually sleep but whenever I'm unconscious or sleeping, he gets weaker to the point of a near-sleep stage. So, in a way, he has also just awoken as well.

"Morning, Aiden." I say, stretching my arms above my head.

His ghostly voice whispers in my ears. Without me asking him to, he flicks on the bedside lamp and, a moment later, the hall light turns on as well. I smile at his eagerness to start the day and climb out of bed. I'm not entirely sure where he is at the moment so I raise my voice a little when I say, "If you're wondering, Ryan went to work early today. Looks like it's just you and me this morning." Although he doesn't say anything, I know that Aiden must be pretty happy to have me to himself for once. He hasn't ever since Ryan and I moved in together and, needless to say, the transition hasn't been easy on him. He's still pretty much a jealous mess...

I make my way into the kitchen and plop down in a chair, yawning again as I rest my head in my hands. A second later, I feel something land on the table and look up. A bowl and a box of cereal are sitting in front of me.

I arc an eyebrow, suspiciously. "Thanks, Aiden..." Grabbing the cereal, I pour some into the bowl and then stand to retrieve some milk from the fridge...but am stopped when the refrigerator suddenly opens on its own and the gallon of milk floats into my hands. "Okay." I set the milk down and fold my arms. "What's up with you today?" I demand. "Did you break something?"

But before he gets the chance to respond, the doorbell rings. Frowning, I jog across the living room to the front door and open it just an inch. Outside, a man wearing a casual, white tee-shirt and tan dress pants is smiling at me.

"Hello?" I ask.

"Good morning, Miss. Would you happen to be Jodie Holmes?"

I hesitate, not sure of how to respond since I don't know who this guy is. He might work for the CIA... "Um," I hate to say this because it's the oldest and cheapest trick in the book but- "Could be. Who's asking?"

He chuckles and reaches behind himself.

I immediately tense and feel Aiden do the same.

He produces an envelope, which has been folded in half, from his back pocket. "This got delivered to my apartment by accident. It's addressed to you."

To me? That's strange, all of our usual mail is addressed to Ryan... "Um, thanks." I say and take it from him. "I guess it got put in the wrong slot or something..."

He nods. "Good day."

"Um, bye." I close the door behind me, not fighting the odd smirk that crosses my face. "What a weirdo." I comment with a chuckle. Coming from the girl who lives with ghost... I shake my head and turn my attention to the envelope. It looks like a letter. My eyes widen when I see who it was sent from. "Cole sent this?" I gasp.


Dear Princess,

God, it's been a long time since we last talked. I can't tell you how much I miss having you around. I heard what happened after you shut down the Condenser. I'm so sorry about Aiden, I know you must miss him a lot.

Anyway, that isn't exactly why I've written you. Truth is, I feel just awful about giving you away when you went after your mother. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for putting you in danger like that. But I'd like to try and make it up to you. After I got checked out of the hospital, I wasn't able to work for a few weeks so I had plenty of time to do some...researching.

I was able to find more about your father, Jodie. More specifically, where he's buried. But that's not all I found. And you may want to sit down for this next part, Princess. When I looked into the cemetery where he's buried, I found that there's...someone else buried next to him. It's a small plot. There's no name but the date is right. I think it's safe to assume that it may be Aiden who's been laid to rest there.-


But after that last sentence, I can't read anymore. My heart is beating so fast I think I might even pass out. He found Aiden's grave? All of a sudden, my eyes are scanning the rest of the short letter for any indication as to where this cemetery is. Surely enough, a few lines later, there's an address and even plot number listed! "God, Cole, you're amazing!" I breathe. "Aiden, do you see this?!"

He doesn't respond but I'm too preoccupied to care.

I hurriedly finish reading the letter and make a mental note to write him back, to thank him and tell him that Aiden has returned. He deserves to know after all he's done for me. I also want to make it clear to him that I was never mad at him for turning me over. If he hadn't...my life would be so different now.

"Hey, Aiden." I mutter, setting the piece of paper down on the table. "Are you up for a visit to the cemetery?"