Heaven & Hell Go Hand in Hand like Fingernails on a Chalkboard

Chapter 9

The warm summer breeze danced across my dark, curly hair as I opened the door to the inn. I ran my hand through my hair and walked into the kitchen where one of the staircases was. The large house was quiet and somewhat dark.

Everyone must be asleep.

I looked towards the clock above the kitchen counter and read the time.

12:30 already? I was out with Kyle for 5 hours?

At the thought of Kyle, I smiled. On our way to the small restaurant we had stopped by to eat at, I had learned that we actually had a lot in common. And quite honestly, I loved it.

I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and made my way up the stairs and to my room quickly. As I entered the room, I caught a small scent of the cologne Ian wore every day. It was one of my favorites, and thinking about Kyle while I should have really been thinking about Ian, made me feel a bit guilty.

I pushed the feelings aside, threw some PJs on, and made my way toward my bed.

I'm so tired!

I fluffed my pillow a little bit, got under the covers and put my head to the comfy pillow. I sighed as I realized how busy my day had been today, and at just how exhausted I was. As I finally made myself comfortable, I closed my eyes and thought of nothing, and within a matter of a few minutes, I fell asleep.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

I groaned as someone knocked repeatedly on the door.

Ugh! Go die!

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

I groaned again as I pushed the covers off of me and looked at the clock.

Its only 9:45 in the fucking morning! Go away!

I then heard a spunky, yet extremely sweet voice come from the other side of the door.

"Ashley sweetie, someone called and said they were coming to visit you today. If I were you I'd hurry up and get ready on account of wanting to look mighty dandy when that young fellow comes through the door looking for me!" Bessie said excitedly through the door.

I rolled my eyes at the sound of her annoying voice but got out of bed.

Maybe its Kyle coming to see me!

With that in mind, I grabbed some clothes, and jumped in the shower. 20 minutes later I had my clothes on, teeth brushed, hair done, and makeup done.

I walked out of the bathroom and out of my room, and made my way toward the kitchen.

"Bessie who the hell called you earlier telling you-" I stopped and was cut off by who I saw downstairs.

He was in his uniform. His hair was cut short, had a slight tan, and you could also tell he had gained a lot more muscle from the last time I saw him. He still looked amazing as always and as I stared at him, I remembered how much of a family resemblance we shared, and just how much I had missed him while he was gone.

"…Matt?" I said softly as I ran towards him and jumped into his arms. I held onto him tight and he laughed the strong, glorious laugh I had almost forgotten.

"Hey sis, I can tell you've missed me!" He said softly.

I let go of him and stepped back, while smiling.

"Bessie, this is my older brother Matthew." I said as I kept my eyes on him, fearing that this was all a dream, and if I looked away, he'd disappear.

"Howdy! It's a mighty fine pleasure to meet you Matthew." She said as she shyly smiled at my brother.

"The pleasure's all mine Ma'am." He said as he waited for her to put her hand out first, the same way Ian did.

Bessie smiled again as she shook his hand. "Well I guess you two have a lot of catching up to do. Why don't you two go out for a walk around the lake? I'll be right here in the kitchen if you need anything." She said as she scooted us out of the inn and into the morning sun.

I smiled as Matt took my hand while I led him to the lake. We made our way to a grassy patch and sat down.

"I can't believe how much you've grown up Ash." Matt said as he looked at me straight in the eyes.

I winced as I stared into his bright brown eyes. Brown eyes I once had, but would never have again.

I smiled. "And I can't believe you're a marine Matt." I said as I playfully stuck out my tongue at him.

He rolled his eyes. "You know it's my calling."

"Yeah I know big brother."

I smiled and he chuckled.

For the next few hours, Matt and I caught up on just about everything that we had gone threw in the past few years. He was the only one from my family that knew I wasn't dead, and I had made him swear to me he would keep it a secret. He also knew about Ian, and how we were both angels.

After it finally became too hot to sit in the sun, we both decided it was best to head back to the inn. We were only a few minutes away when Matt stopped and looked down at the ground.

I stopped and put my hand on his shoulder. "Hey, you okay?" I asked him worriedly.

He sighed. "Yeah, but I have to tell you something important…"

"What?" I asked him as panic started to set in my stomach.

"I think you should sit down for this." He said as he tried to pull me down to the ground.

I shook my head and pushed his hand away. "No I think I'm fine where I am. Now what do you have to tell me?"

He sighed again. "You're not going to like this but…"

"But what?"

"Mom found out about you and told me that she was coming!"

"…What?"