Thank you everyone for reading this story and leaving brilliant reviews, It really means a lot to me. Here's your final instalment of the fic. Thanks again for your support! xx

This Chapter is also from Aaron's POV

Chapter 22

Aaron's POV

This is weird. I've never felt anything like this before. It's almost as if I'm floating...Stupid right? But there's something ahead of me. A really bright light and it's coming towards me with some speed. Part of me thinks it's another train..The last one obviously didn't do the job. But there's no sounds, no familiar rumbling, no blast of the train's horn.

It sucks me in, and eventually, I'm standing. I don't have a clue where I am, everything around me is blindingly white. Have I actually died? Is this what they call heaven? Then I see it. The outline of a figure coming towards me, whispering my name. It sounds like...Wait, Jackson's dead. It can't be him...

The figure gets closer, and becomes more clear. It IS him. It is Jackson! I run to him and he puts his hands out to stop me. I can tell by the look on his face he's angry with me. Even in the Afterlife he's a grumpy sod! Who knew?

"What the hell were you thinking Aaron?"

"I-I don't know.." I sigh.

"Suicide? Throwing yourself in front of a train? Are you mental? What about your Mum? What about Cain?"

"What about you?" I ask, staring at Jackson, tears filling my eyes. "You think I could go on with my life knowing that the only man who I have ever loved and ever will love burned to death at the hands of my psycho ex-boyfriend? You think anyone else is gonna want these damaged goods?" I ask. "Raped three times, stabbed five, beaten within an inch of my life and..oh yeah; throat slashed open! Someone's really gonna want to love me when they see that slash mark aren't they? It's there permanently Jackson! No-one could have dealt with that...Apart from you."

"You aren't damaged goods babe." Jackson sighs, reaching out for my hand.

"To you I'm not, no. To anyone else I would be. Can I ask you something? What was it like? I've been torturing myself wondering what was going through your head."

"It was horrible Aaron" he sighs. "I knew it was useless the minute I was locked in there. I was never going to get out. But I didn't care about myself anymore. I wasn't scared of dying. I was scared for you. What he was going to do to you."

"Stupid question, but..If you burned to death, why aren't you.. well, burnt?" I ask. Everything about him is still as perfect as it was the day I met him, there's not a scratch on him.

"It kind of fixes itself. Everything fixes itself when you cross over so to speak."

"So why am I still covered in blood and scratches then? Why can I still see the bruises that Ed left behind?"

"You're not dead yet. You're one tough cookie Livesy! You're kind of...well, teetering on the edge if you like. Only you can make the decision of what to do, but before you do, I want to show you something."

The brightness slowly faded around us and we found ourselves standing in a hospital room, me lying on that bed again, Mum by my side, holding my hand and sobbing, willing me to pull through.

"What the hell is that thing?" I ask Jackson, pointing to a large metal contraption that's screwed into my head.

"You've got a serious neck injury. It's a frame to support your head until they can work out how bad it is. Have to tell you though babe it doesn't look good."

"Just another scar to add to the collection then. Oh Jackson this isn't fair! Why can't I just die and be done with it?"

"Obviously something is holding you back. Your love for me is what made you do it, but maybe your love for those around you is stronger and that's what's making you hold on."

"I don't want to hold on! Look at her!" I sob, pointing to my Mum. "She's in a right state! I can't keep doing this to her! Jackson what if this neck injury turns out to be permanent? What if I'm paralysed? I've already ruined her life enough and I'm not ruining the rest of it!"

Jackson nods his head "Only you can let go babe."

"How?" I ask, tears rolling down my face.

"You come with me. If it's what you want."

"Adam's up there, right?"

"Yeah. And Clyde."

"And Ed I bet!"

"That's up to you. It's..It's hard to describe but it's kind of like a dream. You control it, you see who you want to see up there. That's why you saw me first. You wanted that to happen."

"So what happens now?" I ask

"You make that decision Aaron. But you have to be sure. Once you come with me you can't go back."

"I need to set her free Jackson. I can't subject her to a life of looking after me. She won't be able to cope. I won't be able to cope."

I approached my Mum, giving her a small kiss on the cheek. She shuddered. I knew she felt it. She knew it was me saying goodbye to her. I think deep down she knew that I couldn't live without Jackson. I hate what I'm doing to her, I really do, I hate what I'm doing to Cain, but I'd hate myself more if I didn't let go now, and made that possibility of being totally dependant on them take over their lives.

"I love you Mum..I'll always be with you" I whisper, before turning back to Jackson and taking his hand in mine.

The heart monitor flatlined, and my Mum's frantic wails were the last thing that I heard before our surroundings faded.

I never used to believe in the afterlife, thought it was a load of rubbish to be honest with you. Once you're dead, you're dead, you know? But I'm so pleased there is actually something out there, and it brought us back together. I don't regret what I did. I know I broke my Mum's heart, and I know that there'll be people who won't understand why I did what I did, in such a horrible way aswell, but I'm back where I always wanted to be, In the arms of the man who I love, the only man I'd ever want. And having Adam back too. And Clyde! This is the first time in a long time I've been truly happy. I expect Grandad's up here somewhere, propped up at the nearest bar! I hope I see him. my last words to him were cruel, nasty...I should have made it up with him. If I knew what was going to happen..I would have done it in a heartbeat.

Jackson's looking at me; oh god that smile. I've missed that!

"You ready?" Jackson asks

"Yeah. Yeah I'm ready." I smile.

I take his hand again and he leads me back towards the light. Shadrach, you scruff bag, get me a pint in!

This is how it's supposed to be. This is the life that I want.

Aaron & Jackson. Forever.

THE END