Hey I said I'd continue this in Eric's p.o.v. hope up still like it! And thanks for reading

Gracie (Bonesmad)

February

2009

I sat there and held her hand my eyes never leaving her face. Just like I'd been told she'd done for me when I'd been in this same hospital. But this time I knew it was different this time she knew I was here. She knew I loved her. That I had loved her ever since we met twenty-nine years ago. God had it been that long? The doctors had told me I could try talking to her so I did.

"I can imagine going to work without you!" I said then, looking around making sure no one was around I whispered, "I can't imagine my life without you." she was so adamant that we keep out relationship between us. We had to keep it all a secret our feelings, our past our possible future. So I sat there praying. Praying that she'd heard me and praying that she'd wake up. I mean a story like ours couldn't end like this…

February

1980

"Where are you going Mama?" I asked putting down my crayon.

"I told you Eric Mama has gotten a new job at a house. I'll be back in about two hours. Be good for you sisters." She said kissing me on the forehead.

"Bye Mama." I said as I watched her walk out the door.

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"Eric querido I'm back." My mother called out.

"Hola Mama." I said. "How was you job?"

"Good Eric. I'm going to be minding a big house and the children that live there." then I got worried.

"Children?" I asked.

"Two boys and a girl." She walked over to me and kneeled down. "But don't worry bebé…" she put her two hands on my face. "… You will always be my number one boy!" she grinned. I couldn't help but smile. "The little girl is about your age. Her name is Calleigh."

"That's a funny name." I said scrunching up my nose.

March

1980

I sat up at the counter my mother had pointed me to. It was my first time at the house my mother worked at. She put a sandwich in front of me and kissed my forehead.

"We're in the kitchen querido." She called out. I wondered who was home, just as a person about my size burst in the door alone with more blonde hair then I'd ever before seen.

"Hi!" it said standing there. I looked properly it was a girl. Probably the girl my mother had told me about.

"Call darling this my son, Eric." She smiled "Eric this is Calleigh Duquesne." I smiled at but she didn't smile back.

"Hi." I said waving and she just looked at me, I didn't know what to do so I blurted out "Calleigh's a funny name." she frowned as my mother laughed.

June

1981

My father had thought me how to swim my mother told me, truth was I couldn't remember a time when I hadn't been able to swim. I loved being in the water. And the Duquesne's outdoor pool was the perfect. As I came up for air I found that I was facing her I grinned and flicked some water at her.

"Eric No!" she squealed.

"What it's only a little water?" I said swimming over to her I went to pull her in but she was too fast.

"Carmen help!" she called out.

"Eric leave Calleigh Alone, you know she doesn't like swimming." My mother laughed. She was always laughing at me and Calleigh. I didn't know why.

"Chicken." I smiled. I saw that look cross her face the one that always kinda scared me.

"What you say!" she said.

"Chicken… Pollo…" I goaded knowing she hates that name.

"Nobody calls me a chicken! 'Specially not you Eric!" she ran and jumped over my head into the pool. I laughed until it hurt.

"Ok you're not a chicken."

"I know." She grinned at me.

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"Eric pétalo…" my mother said opening my bedroom door. She always came to say goodnight.

"Yes Mama." She came in and sat on the edge of my bed.

"I wanted to talk to you."

"About what?"

"I think you shouldn't teach Calleigh so much Spanish anymore."

"Why she likes to learn it." I asked truly puzzled

"I know but her mother doesn't really like it. And we have to respect her mother." She said rubbing my hair.

"Ok Mama. I'll stop." I smiled.

"It will only be for a while." She smiled. And I nodded.

February

1982

"Had you a good party Cal?" I asked putting away my maths book.

"It was ok. Dad got a pony for the day which was fun but my silly cousins were there I don't like them. They think they're brilliant." She sighed.

"Why what's wrong…" I asked.

"They're just mean." She said, and looked back down at her homework.

April

1985

I picked up the phone knowing it was Calleigh. We had a secret ring. She'd let it ring twice then hang up and ring back exactly four minutes later.

"What's wrong Cal?" I said immediately.

"Eric, it's happening again…" she whispered. She didn't have to say it I knew exactly what she was talking about but I couldn't tell her that.

"What Call… are they shouting again?" I whispered back knew that the last thing she'd want is my mother finding out.

"He's really bad tonight… I'm scared Eric." I'd never heard her sounding so vulnerable before. I knew she hated sounding weak. She was always trying to act like she wasn't a girlie-girl.

"Where are the boys?" I asked.

"Benny went to D.J.'s but I couldn't because of dancing." I heard a bang at her end of the phone. Her parents were having some fight.

"Calleigh go out to the hut and wait for me I'll be a while but just stay there." I said knowing she'd be safe out in our tree house.

"Ok…" she whispered just as I heard a yell from her end. I jumped slightly. And I got so scared when she said "…Hurry Eric."

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I laughed as the movie ended. It was one of my favorites. I turned to find Calleigh was already asleep. I brushed the hair out of her face. She was wrapped up in my duvet on the couch. My mother opened the living room door and looked in.

"You're not asleep yet Eric?" she asked.

"Can Cal stay here for a while?" I said still watching Calleigh.

"Why Eric."

"I don't want her parents to scare her anymore."

"She can't stay here mi amor she'll have to go home. But I promise we'll mind her." she kissed my cheek.

"Thank you Mama."

"Ah Dios why did you put such a wise head on young shoulders?" she smiled and got up to leave

"Oh mama…" I stopped her.

"Yes?"

"Can I go to the library tomorrow? I want to get some books."

"Of course querido. Now get some sleep." She smiled. I didn't tell her the books were for Calleigh and would probably be about law since I didn't really think she have any interest in guns.