Here is another chapter more as usual for the quantity ;). Hope you like it. Sorry again that it has been so long since last update but things are really going hard so i don't have a lot of time for me... :( I hope you'll still read and review please! it only takes a min :)

Chapter 18

(-That's when my sister saw me...) How come you're not surprised?, Timothy added seeing no reaction from Mel.

-Most kids can see spirits, since they're the only ones to see them, people usually say it's just imaginary friends, but in reality it is ghosts. Your little sister is five if I remember well, -Timothy nodded- then it makes sense she can see you, explained Mel.

-Well it sure doesn't make sense for my mom, replied the boy sadly.

-What do you mean?, asked Mel even though she already guessed what the problem was.

-It wasn't the first time Lily saw me and every time she would tell our mom and dad and they would get really mad at her, saying that she knew I was dead and that making fun of me, of my 'memory' was something very mean. Lily kept swearing she was telling the truth but they always ended up punishing her in her room and she cried a lot after that.

Timothy was very sad and had tears in his eyes again, Melinda figured he felt bad seeing her sister treated that way and he probably felt responsible and guilty for it. Mel was starting to get more clearly the reasons why the little boy was still here... He was truly heartbreaking and Mel started to have tears in her eyes too. Seeing this, Jim got up and went at the other side of the bed -as he knew where Timothy was by following Mel's look- he sat down behind Mel and wrapped her in his arms. She laid against him and put her hand on his, appreciating Jim's comfort.

-But this time something was different, Timothy said, when I noticed Lily was looking at me, I put a finger on my lips to tell her she shouldn't say anything about me. I didn't say it loud 'cause I thought she would answer to me otherwise.

Mel smiled at the boy wisdom, she noticed that Timothy kept his head down.

-But?, she asked.

-But Lily nodded just when my mom was watching her.

-So she understood Lily was 'talking' to you and got mad at her?, asked Mel.

-No, that's the difference, said the little boy sounding a bit lost, this time she just looked at her a long moment then she followed Lily's look and looked in my direction. When I thought she would start to yell at my sister, my mom reached her, knelt down and simply hugged her. She held Lily close a while and then she carried her in her room to put her back to bed. When my mom left her room, I went to see Lily. She sounded a bit sad after my mom left so I asked what was wrong since I thought she would be happy that Mom didn't get mad at her this time. She told me that she missed our Dad, she wanted to see him very bad. I gently caressed her hair to console her. After a moment she said she was very glad to see me as it had been long since last time.

Mel was surprise to hear this 'cause she thought, seeing the obvious connection between the two, that Timothy would go see her sister very often or even stay with her most of the time. Seeing that Melinda sounded surprised and was about to say something Timothy cut her short.

-The reason I kind of stopped going to see my sister is because it always ended up with her crying from our parents yelling at her. But I was often close by, watching her sleeping or at school or playing at the park but I tried to stay far enough so she wouldn't see me. I talked to her last night because Mom hadn't got mad at Lily so I thought it was ok to show myself. Plus she really sounded sad, I couldn't leave her like this.

-You really are a sweet boy and a great brother, pointed Mel before asking: Did you managed to console your sister?

Timothy looked his hands for a while.

-I did, that's part of why I came back to you. I'm going to need your help to hold my promise, the boy finally said, raising his head to look Mel in the eyes.

-I'll do my best, you know this, right? As the boy nodded Mel went on. So... what did you promise Lily?

-I told her I will find a way to bring Mom and Dad back together...

-Are they separated? I thought you told me your parents and Lily were living together in Seattle.

-They are. But ever since I'm gone they aren't acting the same. They seem distant and they're often mad at each other. Like when Dad said he wanted to come here, well not here but at the holiday's camp, I was home this day, Lily was taking a nap, and my Mom told him she didn't wanted to go and that even if my dad wanted to it was out of question for Lily to go too. They started to fight and yell at each other. It even woke Lily up but they didn't mind, they only stopped when my sister started crying 'cause all this was scaring her. I know it's all because of me and I don't want Lily to pay when it's my fault, finished the boy sadly.

-Oh Timothy, sweetie don't even think this! Your parents have a hard time dealing with their loss. It has nothing to do with you. You didn't chose to die, it's not your fault! Answered Mel vivaciously. But you're right, she added more softly, it really shouldn't be your sister suffering from your parent's grief. I have to talk to your dad or find a way to make him understand I'm saying the truth and that it's important for his family. Maybe it will make him think about all you said and perhaps they'll be able to work things out when your dad will come back home, explained Mel hopeful.

They all stood quiet for a while, Melinda and Timothy lost in thoughts and Jim, well just being there for his wife since had gave up a long time ago on trying to understand when Mel was talking with a ghost, although he did understood most of this one.

-Maybe I can help for the 'make him understand' part, suddenly let out Timothy getting up.

-How? Timothy. Wait!

But the boy was obviously in a big hurry and didn't took the time to answer before leaving.

Mel stared at where Timothy was a second ago a moment, then she sighted and leaned against Jim's chest comfortably. As Mel stood silent, Jim leaned over to look her face to see she had her eyes closed so he just took her in his arms and lied down in bed, Mel still lying on his chest. She opened her eyes and looked up at Jim, smiling.

-So... how did it go?, he asked carefully, afraid something went wrong even though she sounded peaceful.

-Fine, she answered still smiling, I don't think he'll ever go back to Gabriel again.

-That's good, replied Jim, truly happy and relieved.

-Yeah, it is. But I still have to find a way to help him. It seems like he find a way to make his dad understand I'm telling the truth but I couldn't get what it is, said Mel seriously.

-He looks like a very smart boy I'm sure he'll manage something. You think he's going to come back soon?, Jim asked.

-I really can't say. He left pretty fast, Mel answered, why?

-I just... I would like to stay a few moments just with you and... enjoy the good news, admitted Jim.

-I would love that.

And Mel leaned on her elbow to give Jim a long and tender kiss. They hold each other close and both slowly drifted into a sweet sleep.

About an hour later, Violet was about to enter the room when she saw the two sleeping peacefully, so she first knocked softly on the door to announce her. When she entered the room Mel and Jim were just starting to wake up.

-I'm so sorry to wake you up, just take your time. I'm going to let this here but you really have to try to eat it, it's important. And remember to drink as much as you can, the nurse finished looking Mel right in the eyes.

Mel nodded so Violet put a meal tray on the table, smiled at them and left the room.

Mel yawned and looked up to see Jim yawning too. They smiled at each other and slowly begun to sit up. After a few minutes trying to wake up properly, Mel was about to start eating, well try to eat at least since she wasn't that hungry, when Violet came back in the room.

-Mr Clancy, I've just checked and we can't get you a meal, so if you want something to eat you'll have to go to the cafeteria, she said pretty strongly.

-Oh, it's ok for now. I'm not that hungry anyway so...

-I would go there if I were you, just to get some fresh air and walk a little. I guess you're going to spend the night here so you should take some space before.

The nurse was acting rather roughly, but Jim understood something.

-You'll be ok if I go for a little while?, he asked Mel.

-Yeah, sure, don't worry, she answered.

They looked at each other understanding each other. Jim got up and kissed Mel's cheek, and started to go away when Mel hold his arm, bringing him back close to him to kiss him properly.

When Jim had left the room, Mel looked strangely at Violet.

-So what's going on?, Mel asked a bit rudely.

Violet slowly closed the door before talking...