Author's Note

I just want to thank everyone for the amazing reviews...please keep them coming.

This chapter is full of angst, and the song used in it is "To Where You Are" by Josh Groban.

Chapter 8

"A Breath Away's Not Far to Where You Are"

Lucas left the beach house early on Saturday morning so that he could go to his old house. He was going there to clean it out, and so he could get the things he wanted to keep. If it were up to him he would keep everything and live there on his own, but the courts would not allow it. In fact, the house was going to be put on the market any day now. Lucas prayed that the house wouldn't sell.

He first made his way into his room. He packed up all of his belongings that were in there, even taking his pillow, bed sheets, and comforter. He knew they wouldn't fit his new bed, but they still were a reminder of the life he once loved. He made sure to grab all of his clothes, books and pictures. The last thing he packed was the brown teddy bear that sat on his dresser. His mother had given him that bear when he had his tonsils taken out when he was seven, and he cherished it ever since.

When he finished his room he made his way into his mother's room. He knew it would be hard going through her stuff, and he wished he had some pills, but he had taken the last two the night before. As he entered her bedroom the first thing he noticed was the picture on her nightstand. It was a picture of the two of them together taken on one of their outings to the beach right before she got sick. He remembered that day like it was yesterday; it was the last time he was truly happy. His mother got sick right after, and his life began to spiral out of control.

He felt the pain burning up inside, and the tears threatening to fall. He wanted nothing more than to feel numb. He realized that that picture was causing his pain; he had to get rid of it. He threw the picture against the wall, causing all the glass from the frame to shatter. He thought it would make him feel better, but it made him feel worse. He felt so bad what he had done to his mother's picture. "I'm so sorry, Mom," he said as he held the picture in his hands.

He noticed the shard of glass that was poking the palm of his hand, but not hard enough to draw blood. He knew just how to ease his pain. He slid the glass along his wrist and watched as the blood began to trickle from the wound. He was mesmerized by the sight of the blood…until he heard a knock on the door. He figured that if he ignored it they would go away. There was another knock, and moments later someone entered the house. He was shocked to see Haley stranding in the doorway.

Haley gasped when she saw all the glass and the blood. She quickly ran to his side and grabbed his wrist. "Oh my god…Lucas…what happened?"

Lucas looked up at her with tears on his eyes. He felt ashamed at what he had done. He couldn't tell her the truth. "I dropped the picture, and when I tried to pick up the glass I cut my wrist."

Haley ran into the bathroom to get some first aid. When she came back she wrapped a towel around his wrist. "I have to stop the bleeding," she said.

"What am I going to do, Hales? I ruined it," Lucas sobbed.

Haley pulled her friend into a hug. "It's okay, Lucas…we'll get a new frame for it. Everything's going to be okay." Haley cleaned up the wound, and then put gauze over the gash on his wrist.

"Why did you come here, Hales?" Lucas asked when she finished taking care of his wrist. He was grateful that she showed up when she did; there's no telling how far he would have gone.

"I thought you could use a friend today," she replied. "I can go if you want."

Lucas shook his head. "I need you Hales."

Haley helped him clean up the mess from the picture, and together they finished cleaning out the house. Haley comforted him when his tears subsided, and Lucas was grateful that he didn't have to do this alone. He felt close to his mother as he went through her things.

Who can say for certain

Maybe you're still here

I feel you all around me

Your memories so clear

Deep in the stillness

I can hear you speak

You're still an inspiration

Can it be

That you are mine

Forever love

And you are watching over me from up above

Fly me up to where you are

Beyond the distant star

I wish upon tonight

To see you smile

If only for a while to know you're there

A breath away's not far

To where you are

Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing
All power can't be seen

As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me everyday
'Cause you are mine
Forever love
Watching me from up above

And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave

Fly me up
To where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far

To where you are

I know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

A tear slid down Lucas' cheek as he stood in the grass and stared at his childhood home. They had loaded everything into his truck and locked the door for the final time. Haley stood behind him and rested her chin on his shoulder. She couldn't keep her tears from falling as she would never forget all the dinners she shared with Lucas and Karen. She would never forget all the good times she shared with her second family. She went back to the car so that Lucas could have a few moments to say goodbye.

Lucas smiled as he looked at the rose bushes that he and his mother planted in front of the porch. He hoped that whoever bought the house would cherish them as much as he did. He knelt down and picked one rose from each bush. "I promise to take care of them, Mom," he whispered. He rose to his feet and stared at the house for a few moments longer. "I spent the best years of my life here, Mom. I'll never forget that, and I'll never forget you. I love you, Mom." He wiped away a few stray tears before heading back to the truck. "Goodbye Mom."