Here is chapter 4. It didn't take as long as chapter three so I hope you enjoy it if you've still got patience with it because I'm not quite sure where this is actually going... I know, I'm so strange. lol

Chapter 4: Goodbye

Solange POV

After I'd gotten off the phone with dad about what happened, I went back into the living room. Well, actually I stood in the doorway when I saw Nicholas sitting on the sofa watching what looked like home movies of Lucy and Poppy. I smiled as I watched him just sitting there and I thought I saw a tear roll down his cheek. He was in so much pain over Lucy's death I felt helpless towards him. I couldn't help him as much as I would like but I can help him a little bit. He's always been there for me so now it's my turn to be there for him. I left him to his thoughts of the DVD's and went into Lucy's old bedroom.

The box of stuff for Nicholas was on a small table to the side of the room so I went towards it, opened it up and went through some of the stuff in there. There wasn't a lot but there was enough to know she had lived a pretty good life since moving away. There were pictures of her and Poppy, a few letters that were never sent, although they look more like drafts than normal letters to send, a locket with a picture of the two of them that I'd gotten her for Christmas one year, a CD and a DVD. The CD had a picture of Poppy on the front and a couple of her friends and on the back; it had songs that they sung (either solo or together). They all looked happy and serious, as if they were telling the world that music was their life. The DVD just has 'Nicholas' written in it so I thought I'd let him watch it. Without thinking, I picked up the box and carried it downstairs to where my older brother was still sitting on the sofa eyes fixated on the TV. Lucy and he mum were talking about something and the angle of the camera seemed to show that they'd forgotten to turn it off. I was about to tell Nick about the DVD when I heard the biggest shock of my life:

"I've practically just said my ex-husband raped my daughter on camera and since we don't know how to delete it anyone could find out," Lucy just said Poppy was raped. Nicholas tensed up straight away and looked like he wanted to kill something and anything willing to get in his way. I stood as still as possible, not wanting to provoke him, but immediately knowing what his new goal in life was going to be... Find the man who raped Poppy and kill him. I gathered some courage and spoke. "Nicholas?" he turned his head slightly but enough to see the pain in his eyes that he couldn't have stopped what happened. "It's not your fault,"

"I should've been there Sol, but I wasn't. And do you know what's even more painful? A couple of years ago he practically asked her if she'd want him to adopt her, although I don't know if he did or not since they turned off the camera without an answer."

"Nicholas, what could you have done? You didn't know she existed let alone what was happening to her all this time,"

"I just wish I'd notice the change in Lucy's blood before she left,"

"Nick she was only a few days pregnant at the time. Stop blaming yourself. Anyway I thought you might like this," I said handing him the DVD. "Maybe it could explain a few things," he smiled and gave me a hug before I got up to leave and give him time with my best friend but he grabbed my hand.

"Don't go, Sol. Please, I want you to stay," he practically begged me not to leave him. Not being able to refuse that look on his face I sat back down while he swapped the DVD's round. After a couple of minutes, the screen finally showed the picture. Lucy. She was just sitting in the living room, on the sofa, with her hands folded on her lap. Her face was pale and she looked so weak she was having to lean back on the sofa, half-lying, while taking the deepest breaths I'd ever heard. Nicholas went stiff as she started talking to the tape as if it was him she was talking to.

"Nicholas, if you're watching this it means that my time is up. Mum would have either sent you this tape or you found me just in time, I really hope it was the latter because I can't bear the thought of never seeing you again," a tear rolled down her cheek, Nicholas' cheek, even my cheek.

"I've tried so hard to find a way to tell you everything that's happened to me in my life since leaving you and Sol and everyone else, but it's been so difficult, I feel that all I've done is make you miserable and make my life worse. It's been roughly sixteen years and not one day did I stop thinking about you for one minute. How could I when the first thing I see in the morning is the picture of you by my bedside next to the picture of the little girl who is your spitting image? That's right my love, we have a daughter. Her names Poppy which I'm sure you should know by now if mum sent you the letter I wrote. If she didn't I hope you will get it soon and so you can understand it all more. I hope even one day you will meet her, as I fear she's going to suffer the bloodchange and become like the rest of the Drakes," I could clearly see the shiny trail of tears that started sliding down her cheeks as she struggled to keep under control and finish what she started. Next to me, I felt Nicholas stiffen even more so it practically felt like I was sitting next to a statue. However, she still continued, since she obviously couldn't see what was happening now:

"Nicholas I'm dying and I know now that I can never get better and, unfortunately, never be going back to Violet Hill. Never visit the farmhouse you all live in, in the woods and most unfortunate, I'll never get to feel your arms around me again," the sobs finally came out as she broke down in front of the camera, which only lasted a couple of minutes before she regained control. That's my best friend, always staying strong.

"Anyway, I don't matter anymore. It's Poppy I have to worry about and I'm scared that when I'm gone she'll have no one to talk to anymore. She's had a hard life and I don't know how to make her feel better. Not ever since Ash, who not only interfered with our lives and ruined everything but he took my son off me, telling the court I was an unfit mother who was too ill to look after a child such as Jamie. I'm not even going to tell you who Ash is because I'm sure you already know," she gave a little laugh as if trying to lighten the mood, "I mean, you always liked going through my DVD's so I'm sure you would've wanted to watch Poppy growing up to get at least a small idea of what she's like. She's a good girl, very musically talented. But I'm sure there's one thing you want to know right now. Ash asked Poppy two years ago if she would like a father since I never told her about you or vice versa. I think you deserve to know he didn't adopt her, only because she hated him and said she didn't want a father who would only be related by marriage. She only wants to know her birth father and that's why I'm calling out for your help now. I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for keeping her a secret from you all these years but to tell you the truth I was scared, so scared that you were going to come and take her away from me because we all know she would've been safer growing up with you. The only thing I can do is hope you love me enough to forgive me and look after her. Tell Solange I love her and I'm sorry. Give your family my best wishes and love. But most importantly remember that I love you so much Nicholas Drake, it hurts. Forever and always," she blew a small kiss before the screen went black, just reminding us that, that DVD is the last thing Nick's ever going to have to hear her voice again, but it was a voice filled with pain and regret.

Before I knew it, Nick turned and wrapped his arms around me crying on my shoulder, staining my t-shirt with tears but I didn't mind. I felt my own tears welling up again. Why was dealing with death so hard? So painful? My heart felt like a stake had been plunged through it and my head was pounding it was like have a band of drummers practising up there. If I felt like that, I could only imagine how my big brother was feeling. We sat there for a long time, until I could see the sun coming up through the window and nudged Nick slightly. He looked up, noticed Logan, Connor and Quinn walking into the room, panicked. What they said made me realise it wasn't about the sun rising.

"Nicholas, we don't want to worry you and place don't stake us," Logan said and I felt Nicholas tense. This could not be good. Logan hesitated which caused Nick to snap.

"Damn it Logan what is it?"

"Poppy hasn't come home yet, so she's been out all night without contacting anyone," Connor finished for him, "and the suns coming up so we don't have time to go out looking for her," Nicholas didn't care he just shot up but he was clearly weak and stumbled. I felt drowsy and couldn't keep my eyes open, as I was weaker, only slightly but too weak to even stand. Quinn came over and picked me up then carried me down to the cellar while Logan and Connor were helping Nick as well as each other. I just closed my eyes and welcomed the sleep. I was exhausted.

OK I get it may be slightly bad, OK very bad short chapter but I wanted Lucy to say her final goodbye. Its rubbish, I know so if you comment (which you know you want to do) please be nice OK? Any Ideas? Can anyone figure out where this is going?

Seriously thinking about discontinueing with this one?