Heyo everyone! This is my Christmas present to you all, the second last chapter of this story! I hope you enjoy it, and have a very Merry Christmas and thanks to everyone who has reviewed! :)
Chapter 22- Letters
'Where have you been?' Danny asked as Tom crutchered his way back in the door. The others were all sitting in bed with trays of breakfast on their laps.
'Conversing,' Tom replied and Danny gave him a quizzical look.
'With who?'
'Just one of our fans,' Tom smiled, sitting on his bed, swinging his heavy leg up onto the sheets. Danny nodded, still with a confused look on his face, as the others laughed.
After leaving the hospital, amazingly dodging all the fans waiting for them, McFly and Harriet travelled back to their house to get freshened up before making the journey back to Harriet's house to see how the girls were. As Danny gave Harriet a quick tour of their house, the others sat in the kitchen, eating. Dougie's half eaten toast still lay on the counter from before they left, as did his blanket and pillow still laying on the couch. It was weird being back at the house. They hadn't even got to stay at Harriet's house for the night they wanted to.
'Are you okay with coming back to the house Doug?' Tom asked quietly, taking the cup of coffee Harry had made for him.
Dougie nodded. 'I'll be fine.' Tom nodded back at him, grimacing in worry. He didn't know how bad what happened to Dougie was. Nor did he know exactly what had happened. But he knew it wasn't good.
The five piled into Harry's car, Tom's still at the house. Harry, unable to drive because of his collarbone, gave the keys to Harriet, who seemed to have the least amount of injuries that would affect driving. For the whole drive, no one seemed to think about where they were going. Or the fact that Margaret wouldn't be there. Together, they laughed and joked, singing along to the radio, ignoring injuries, ignoring pain, ignoring the last few days. Danny, sitting in the front beside Harriet, took hold of her unused hand, stroking each of her fingers lovingly. Tom, Dougie and Harry smiled at each other, happy that this was the first time Danny truly did seem to be in love. Eating crisps, sweets and chocolate, everyone seemed happy enough. Dougie's head was leant on Harry's shoulder, Tom laying his head on the other side of Dougie, giggling under their breath. Danny, keeping his eyes on the road leant in for a quick kiss. The atmosphere in the car was happy. Bright. Loving. Until they laid their eyes on the house.
Dougie stiffened beside Tom and Harry. Harriet grasped Danny's hand tighter. Tom's leg ached. The house looked innocent. Untouched. But the grounds and bedroom were full of malice. Harriet turned the car off, and they all sat, unmoving in the car.
Tom cleared his throat. 'So err...shall we?'
The others nodded, all gingerly climbing out of the car, injuries paining. Walking past Tom's car, they slowly made their way inside.
'Melanie? Abigail? Margaret?' Harriet called and everyone fell silent. Nothing.
'Girls? Where are you?' Danny shouted, walking through the hall, quickly glancing in the lounge. Harriet and Tom followed, looking in the kitchen, their bedrooms and upstairs. Harry supported Dougie through the hall to the lounge.
'Harry, what's that?' Dougie asked, moving away from Harry and making his way over to the piano. Sitting on the shiny black wood was an envelope, and an old jewellery box they had seen upstairs the first time they'd been there. On the envelope were the names Dougie, Danny, Harry, Tom & Harriet, written in curly writing.
'Guys! In here!' Harry shouted, taking the box and the envelope and sitting them on the coffee table in the middle of the chairs.
'We can't find them,' Harriet sighed as she walked into the lounge. Harry held up the envelope.
'Oh no...' Harriet whispered, and Danny took her hand, leading her to the couch. Tom sat down beside Dougie and Harry, resting his leg on the table. Everyone was silent.
'Who wants to open it?' Harry asked quietly, turning it over in his hands.
'I will,' Tom murmured, taking the envelope and carefully opening it, gingerly unfolding the piece of paper. He began to read.
'Dear Dougie, Harry, Tom, Danny and Harriet,
We're sorry we had to leave it this way. But it was all getting much too hard staying here. After Margaret was gone, it was so difficult to stay. We miss her. And we know that by doing this, we will be back with her, as well as our families. We have decided to cross over. We're sorry we didn't get to say goodbye properly, but after all that happened, we do not want any more things going on at this house, especially if they hurt people.
We feel so guilty about what happened to you all, and we believe that by leaving, there will be no reason for Harriet to stay here anymore. We want her to come live with you. This house is full of bad memories and terrible happenings. It's time that we pass it onto another family, one who will be able to bring a new beginning with them. We hope you will understand.
But most of all, we are not only writing this letter to say goodbye, but to say thankyou. First to Harriet, for looking after us and accepting us into her home. We had some of the most enjoyable times living with you Harriet, and we will be forever grateful for everything you have done for us.'
Harriet let out a small sob, cuddling into Danny's shoulder. He stroked her cheek, motioning at Tom to keep going.
'To Dougie. Thankyou for understanding Margaret, and for forgiving her and for becoming her friend. She talked about you all the time. And we know that she would want us to thank you for being so understanding and so helpful.
'To Harry. Thankyou for listening to my story, and for making me feel like I had a friend. It really meant a lot, and I will miss you very much. Love Abigail.
'To Danny. Thank you for being such a great friend to all of us and for making us laugh and making us feel happy again. You have been amazing. So thank you.
'To Tom. You're the one who bought as all together again. And that means the world. Thank you so much for everything. Please, also thank the other man that was with you last time, he was lovely.
In general, we would just like to thank you all. For being friends, for accepting us, for leaving us with good times, and for reuniting us again. We love that you listened to our stories, and made us feel like we were worth something again. We're going to miss each and every one of you. And we will never regret the times with you. We don't know how to thank you enough for your support. We won't ever forget you. We love you. Each and every one of you. Thank you.
Lots of love from Abigail and Melanie (and Margaret) xx
Tom finished reading, a slow tear running down his cheek. Harriett's tears fell faster and faster, soaking Danny's shirt. Dougie leant his head against Harry's shoulder, feeling down. They were gone. They'd never see them again.
Harry put his arm around Dougie, who began to cry. Had he really been in love with Margaret...? He'd never have a chance to find out now. Harry's heart felt broken. He'd really begun to connect with Abigail since this trip. Tom was upset, but also in a way, glad. They were with their families now. And would hopefully be happy again.
Danny sighed, still comforting Harriet, who was devastated. He'd miss them. He really would. He'd been looking forward to coming down and visiting every so often. But now, that had all changed. It was all gone.
Tom gently took the box from the table, opening it. There were the photos of the girls they had seen on their last trip, with a folded up piece of paper inside.
'These are some things we would like you to have from us. For Dougie, we would like him to have Margaret's locket. It was given to her by Charlie, and she always said that she wanted to give it to someone who meant a lot to her,' Tom read, taking the oval shaped locket from the box and handing it to Dougie, who held it tightly in his hand.
'For Danny, Melanie would like him to have her hair piece, the silver barrette, as he always seemed to like my hair, or so he said.' Tom took a silver hair clip, with diamonds studded around the outside, in the shape of a circle, and handed it to Danny. He ran his finger over the smoothly cut gems on the outside, smiling a little. It had always made her hair look so pretty.
'For Harry, Abigail would like him to have the silver necklace with the ruby pendant. It was given to her by George as their engagement present. She would like you to look after it.' Tom handed Harry the piece of jewellery. Harry had remembered seeing it around Abigail's smiled at the tear-shaped ruby and put it in his pocket gently.
'For our lovely Harriet, we would like her to have Abigail's diamond ring. It was her mother's wedding ring. It is about time it was passed onto you.' Harriet cried harder as she took the ring from Tom, slipping it onto her right ring finger. It was a perfect fit. She watched it intently for a while, taking in the beauty of the elegantly cut diamond. She smiled.
'And for Tom, we would like him to have Melanie's charm bracelet, maybe it can be of some inspiration.' Tom read out, taking the last item out of the box. It was a silver bracelet, with a horse, treble clef, heart, moon, a book and a musical note hanging from it. He examined it quietly, holding it in his hand, before putting it in his pocket.
'Well,' Harry sighed, 'I guess that's it then.'
'Yeah,' Tom murmured, staring at the letter once more.
'I guess I'll grab my things then,' Harriet said, wiping her eyes.
'Are you sure you want to move now?' Danny asked her gently, and she nodded defiantly.
'After everything that has gone on here, I don't want this place anymore. There's no reason to stay here anymore.'
Danny nodded, giving her a hug. 'We'll come back tomorrow and get all your stuff, but for now, do you want to just take a bag of things for the night?' Danny asked and Harriet nodded.
'I'll help,' he said gently, helping her up and heading upstairs.
'I guess it's a good thing,' Dougie piped up sadly.
'Of course Doug, it wasn't natural for them to be here, and they needed to be with their families again,' Tom said, reaching over and grabbing Dougie in a hug.
'Just think Doug, they're all together again, with their horses, and with George,' Harry said with a small smile, rubbing Dougie's shoulder. Dougie nodded, his face downcast. Tom smiled as he looked around the living room. So many memories. Their first night there, singing, the piano, the TV and teaching the girls about the movies, the rats, their father. So many things went along with this room.
'Come on,' he said to Harry and Dougie, 'let's have one last look.'