Warning! Really sad chapter! I had to stop halfway through because I was crying my eyes out and I don't cry easily... This is the first chapter I've cried at so tissues at the ready!

CHAPTER 25

(Poppy's POV)

I was sat in the warm sun, the grains of sand getting in between my toes and the waves rolled up the beach. I was wearing a white summer top and white shorts the same as Em who was building a sand castle not far from me. It was peaceful just the two of us... The beach went on for as far as I could see and it was beautiful.

"Look Poppy!" Em said cheerfully showing me her work of art

I stood, my feet sinking into the soft, warm sand with every step I took. When I reached Em I held her in my arms, I'd missed this so much. She had a rosy glow to her freckled cheeks and her hair flew slightly in the gentle breeze.

"I've missed you" I said softly

"I missed you too Popsicle" She grinned

For so long I'd wished I could just hear those words again, see her again and now I never wanted to let go. Tears ran down my cheeks slowly and Em looked at me.

"Why are you crying? Are you sad?" Emily asked

"No... I'm happy angel" I said stroking her hair gently

"You cry a lot don't you?" She asked

"Why do you say that?"

"I've seen you, you bring me pretty flowers and then you cry... So does Rachel" Em said

"I'm sorry... I just miss you. I love you so much" I told her tearfully

"I love you too" She said

"You have to go back..." Emily said

I shook my head softly "No" I said

"I need to show you something..." She said

Em pulled away and took my hand, she led me down the beach and then suddenly we were in hospital. I could see myself laid in bed, I looked terrible... Rachel was holding my hand sobbing, Adam was asleep in a chair beside her and Lara was asleep in another chair beside him.

"You have to go back, Rachel needs you... They all do..." Em said

She sounded so grown up... I wasn't use to be told what to do by my little sister.

"Can't you come with me?" I asked

"No... It doesn't work like that. I'm dead... I'm gone... You're not. You have a choice, you can go back and live... Or stay and die..."

After those words we were stood back on the beach. How did that even work? How did any of this work?

"I can't go... I can't lose you again..." I sobbed

"You won't. I can see you... Hear you... I'll always be with you..." Emily said

"Its not the same!" I cried "I can't hold you tight..."

"It doesn't matter... Rachel can't take losing you too, you have to look after her for me. She was good to us"

"I don't want to go... I miss you..."

"You have to... You have to move on... Live your life. I'll always be with you... I'll see you again one day, when the time is right. We'll all be together but for now you have to go and be happy..." Em said

"I can't be happy without you" I cried

"You can. Just remember I'm okay, I'm happy and I'll see you again one day..."

"Okay" I agreed "I just need 10 more minutes"

I laid down in the sand and Em curled into me, I held her so tight. It was such a horrible feeling knowing I was going to lose her again...

"Are you sure you're okay by yourself?" I asked "I can stay if you want..."

"I'm not alone... There's loads of other people... Kids, adults... You just can't see them yet because you're not fully here" she explained

I held her for as long as I could, the time seemed to fly by... It just wasn't long enough.

"It's time for you to go" Em said gently

The tears got worse.

"It's okay..." She soothed me

I held her tight for a second longer because releasing her.

"Tell Rachel that I love her and I'll see her again aswell" Em asked

"Course I will... I love you so much" I told her

"I love you too. Trust me... I'm always here" She said

I let go of her hand and walked into the see, when I was knee deep I turned to look at her. She was waving and smiling.

"I LOVE YOU!" I yelled back to the beach

"I love you too" she said again and then she faded away

I kept walking until the water was too deep...

Then I woke up back in hospital. My face was soaked with tears as I continued to sob. My body was too weak to move...

"Poppy?" Rachel asked

"Em said she loves you" I cried

A/N: If there's any horrendous spelling mistakes it's because I couldn't see the screen properly through the tears. Oh god, I'm bawling my eyes out like an idiot! Um let me know what you thought? Reviews are really appreciated :) xxxxx