Wow, it's been over a month since I last posted. Sorry for the long wait! I won't go into my excuses but I am back now! One thing before you read on, I want to apologise in advance for this chapter being pretty dry and I know it's not written that well. I was having trouble getting the flare for writing again but I will try harder next chapter.

I own nothing Twilight!

Previously: Bella had been experiencing strange things in relation to the ghosts that she has seen in Forks. One made her physically sick and another slashed her wrists whilst she was asleep. On the way to school one morning she saw a vision of a deer causing a car crash. She was confused – she hadn't had visions like that before and it had felt so real. At school Edward tried to reassure her when she got another vision– this time it was from a little girls' point of view, but her and her family were also in some sort of accident. A third vision came after that, which showed a devastating outcome to the crashes she had seen in her visions. This last vision showed that her father was to become a fatal victim of the accident, as well as the little girl and her family. Without thinking Bella knew she had to do what she could to save them, and with Edward and Alice in tow they went to where the accident was going to occur – only they were too late. Whilst trying to help at the scene Bella was warned of an explosion that was about to occur – but was almost caught up in it herself. It didn't take long for her to recover, however, and her first thought was Charlie who was unfortunately already in spirit form...

Chapter Eighteen

Julia

I could hear my heart beating; the whooshing of my blood filled my ears. Everything seemed to slow down and as my tears spilled down my face, the world blurred into fuzzy outlines.

I heard noises, I felt touch, but I couldn't respond. I didn't want to. As I looked into my father's eyes I saw nothing but love which made it hard for me to look at him. I knew what was happening but I didn't want it to be true so I looked away and stared at the ground.

"I won't be far, sweetheart," Charlie's voice pulsated though me, sounding like an echo of himself. Suddenly all the noises going on around me started to sound distant. I looked around and realised that we were standing in our kitchen, not in the clearing of the trees.

The kitchen looked almost the same but there were subtle differences. There was no dishwasher, the refrigerator was full of paintings and drawings and on the table was an old fashioned walkman that looked oddly familiar.

I blinked. "What on earth..." I muttered to myself.

It was then I noticed a little girl leaning against the wall. Her pale face was tear stained and her red lips were trembling. I stepped forward curiously. When she looked up at my father, with her chocolate brown eyes, I gasped. It couldn't be...

My father had changed from the Charlie I had seen just moments before. He was baring the moustache he had grown when I was a child.

"But daddy, if you are here and we are in Phoenix then it is far," the little girl said brokenly. "I don't want to go."Her lip trembled more. "Not if you are not going!"

Charlie bent down to the girls' height. "You have to go, Bells," he said softly. "But I will still see you as often as possible. And we get the whole summer together!"

Shaking, I walked forward and stood at the side of them. I realised that they couldn't see me so I got as close as I could. I wasn't sure what was happening, but I grasped that I was in my past.

The younger me sniffed a few times and nodded. "But I am going to miss you, daddy," she said, her voice trying to clear of tears. "Why can't you just come with us?"

Charlie sighed sadly. "I just can't, kiddo," he said. "But no matter what, your mom and I both love you. You know that right?" The smaller me nodded. "And you know that it's not your fault?"

A single tear spilled down the little girls' cheek as she nodded again. "I love you to the moon and back, daddy."

Charlie pulled her into a tight hug. "I love you too darling," he said, his voice seemed to quiver. "If you ever get scared just think of me, and you will feel better again. I will always be in your heart even if we can't see each other."

I watched, tears threatening to spill down my own cheeks, as Charlie's eyes watered up and tears splashed on to the smaller me.

I closed my eyes. I had never seen my dad cry, not even at my mom's funeral.

When Charlie pulled back the tears were gone, and a brave smile spread across his face. He wiped the tears on little girls face and kissed her cheek.

"Miss you already, daddy," the girl whispered, as she wrapped her arms around Charlie's neck.

"Miss you too, Princess," he whispered back. "But I'll always be here, no matter what..."

...

I took a deep gasping breath, as if I had just woken up from a terrible nightmare. I blinked a few times, trying to catch my breath and figure out what was going on. But all I could focus on was Charlie. I looked around but I could only make out fuzzy shapes and distant noises. I couldn't see my father in spirit form but I knew I couldn't just sit on the ground to wait to see what would happen next – I needed to find him. I tried to get to my feet but something held me there. I shouted, fighting to get free. I had to be with my father, I had to make sure he was okay but I couldn't move.

"Look at me," a voice said firmly. "Look at me, Bella." It was a command, firm yet soothing. I gave up trying to fight and looked up into Edward's eyes.

"He's not gone," Edward told me. "But there is nothing you can do for him just yet."

As the words slowly eased into my brain, slowly I began to realise the truth. I didn't have that horrible, heart wrenching sense of loss inside my gut; I didn't feel hopelessness like before when I saw my father's spirit in front of me sounding so calm about having just died.

"His heart," I uttered faintly. "It's beating?" I knew that Edward would be able to hear it over all the noise.

I kept my gaze fixed into Edwards, looking to see if there was any hint of a lie there. "Yes," he replied. "But he is weak. He needs the hospital. There is only so much Carlisle can do here...it has already been a close call."

My whole body sagged in relief. The whooshing in my ears died down and my mind began to focus again.

"Then why aren't we moving?" I asked. Why were we just sitting there?

"We are waiting for Alice to bring the ambulance around," Edward explained.

"Why can't you just carry him to the ambulance?" I asked. They could probably lift the ambulance to my father if they so wished but I knew they wouldn't.

"To get your father to breathe, Carlisle had to open his airway..." Edward trailed off. I raised my eyebrow. "It's not uncommon in emergencies, but he had to cut his throat to get access to his trachea. He's okay, he is unconscious and not aware of a thing, but Carlisle doesn't want to move him quite yet."

My mind was racing. I didn't know what to do or think. I just wanted to scream.

"I am going to have to leave you for just a second, okay?" Edward said, his voice reminding me of his presence. "Alice needs help and I need to go and find Carlisle's medical bag."

I nodded absently and waited for Edward to go before I got up myself. I hurried over to Carlisle and my father and stood over them, looking down at my father's unconscious body. My eyes widened at the sight of the clear plastic pen cover that was stuck in the father's throat.

"Is that..." I blinked at the pen cover then met Carlisle's eyes.

"I had to help him breathe," Carlisle explained. "He'll be just fine," he added as I sat on the ground next to Charlie. I was good at detecting lies, but with Carlisle I could never be sure. He was, after all, probably centuries older than I so his lying skills were by far better.

"You saw him in spirit form?" Carlisle asked after a minute. I took my father's hand and nodded. "Yeah," I said. "He said he was okay." I paused, then decided not to tell him about the vision I had. "He looked annoyingly calm," I went on. "My mom was the same and it annoyed me." I laughed softly. "I can be so selfish sometimes."

Carlisle touched my shoulder in comfort. "That's not selfishness," he said. "That's love."

I rolled my eyes to the sky, willing the tears to stop. "Thank you," I said. "If it weren't for you...I seem to owe you for both mine and Charlie's life. What would I do if I hadn't bumped into Edward the other day?" My first day at school seemed like years ago. So much had happened and it had barely been a full week.

"I am sure you would have managed fine," Carlisle said. He paused for a second and looked over my father, his lips moving as if counting his heart rate. "You saw this happen before it did?" he asked me finally after he seemed satisfied Charlie was okay. "A vision, like Alice's?"

"Something like that," I answered slowly, unsure of what I had seen. "It was odd...I still can't explain it but I knew there was going to be a car crash...I knew Charlie and a lot of others were going to die...and I knew about the fire...But I couldn't stop it in time..." I trailed off, my voice thick with tears, but there was anger there also.

"It's not your fault, Bella," Carlisle said firmly. "This would have happened even if you hadn't seen it coming...In fact it would probably have been worse."

I shook my head, disagreeing. I had yet to see the full extent of the devastation that had been caused. I had yet to know the number of fatalities, the lives that were lost just like that.

At least Charlie is alive, I selfishly thought.

Then I remembered one other fatality that was my vision, but the one whose ghost I never saw.

"The little girl died on route." I remembered Deputy Mark's words. "Whole family dead..."

"Emily," I said suddenly. "What happened to the little girl?"

Carlisle looked up at me. There was confusion in his eyes. He didn't know. "I am not sure," he said, furrowing his eyebrows. "She was with you?" It was a question.

"Yes..." I let go of my father's hand. I knew he was going to be safe, I knew there was nothing I could do. I stood up and looked towards the road.
"Bella...?" Carlisle was cautious. "Don't, Bella, stay with me and your father. Edward will be back soon."

I stepped away from him and my father. I had to find that little girl, she was in my care and I lost her.

I ran towards the flames that were licking the side of the road but stumbled to a halt when the heat got too much. The orange blaze was mesmerising, the flames were so beautiful in a terrible sort of way.
Where had I last seen Emily? She was with me until I put her down to find my father. I took a step backward, my eyes still transfixed on the flames. I took a breath then I ran in the direction that Edward pulled us to before the explosion. My legs hurt as I was running, but I didn't stop.

"Emily?" I called. My heart was pounding, I had to find her. I wouldn't let the vision come true.

I reached the trees, but there was no one there. I considered going further in, but something told me it would be a waste of time.

I looked towards the accident, where the fire was still burning strong around both the minivan and the Beetle. My heart sank. If I was scared at Emily's age I would have wanted my mom.

Without a second thought I ran forward, almost tripping over my own feet as I darted towards the scene where the cars were glowing orange with flames. I couldn't see Edward anywhere, nor could I see the ambulance that Alice was supposed to bring to my father.

I slowed down and tried to edge over to the other side of the road but the fire was spreading toward a fire truck almost blocking my path. The flames had spread out into the road, making almost any access to the minivan impossible.

I looked around desperately but there didn't seem to be anyone else nearby; there was no one on this side of the fire so I decided to go back to where Carlisle was and try and reach the other side of the minivan by cutting through the trees. I turned to walk away toward the trees but I ended up walking straight through Ryan.

I shuddered, chills shivering through me. I turned quickly. "Ryan," I breathed. "What..."

"There," Ryan interrupted, pointing towards the side of the minivan where the flames were still lapping quickly. I had to squint so that I could see clearly, but I saw what he was pointing to.

"No, Emily!" I screamed, as I watched the little girl disappear behind the worst of the flames.

I hurried forward without thinking and managed to get as close as I possibly could, but there seemed to be a ring of fire circling around the van and Emily had managed to get in the middle.

Before I could step over the smaller flames, something hard grabbed me and I almost toppled over as I was dragged back.

I looked up to see Edward's grave face. "It's not safe," he said firmly.

"I can't just leave her in the flames," I protested.

"I will get her."

I heisted, as I recalled all the folklore I had read on vampires. So far nothing had been true, everything was just myths that people made up to create fantasy and scare people, but the one that stuck out in most books and movies was that fire was deadly to vampires.

"You could die just as easily," I said as I managed to free myself from his grip, and made to jump over the small flames. But Edward was in front of me before I could.

"Please, Bella," Edward pleaded as he put both his hands on my shoulders to keep me from moving. His liquid gold eyes melted into mine, making me forgot, just for a second, what was going on.

It was the heat that caught my attention back to the present, so I quickly nodded and before I could say "be careful" he had already jumped over the flames.

I paced back and forth as I waited for Edward to come back with Emily. Agonisingly it took longer than I expected, but eventually Edward appeared by my side with Emily in his arms yelling to get down.

"I think she was talking to her mom," Edward said above Emily's yells. "That's what took so long, she wouldn't come with me." He looked down at the little girl who looked even smaller in Edward's arms. There was a hint of a smile on his face which made me curious. "She wouldn't go with me," he went on. "She said, "Mommy said not to talk to strangers – go away!" then she went quiet and I figured she was talking to her mom who probably told her it was okay."

Edward and I walked away from the road side and up the road before Edward granted Emily's wish to be let down. She didn't speak to me or Edward and ran off into the trees.

Edward took a step forward, as if to stop her but I pulled on his shirt. "Let her go," I whispered.

We stood at the road side, watching Emily make her way to through the trees where the spirit of her mother stood waiting for her.

"I can't read her mind," Edward said casually as he turned to me. "Just like I can't read yours." There was a frustrated glint in his eye just like the one I saw the first day we met.

This would have been a big deal, but I couldn't find the energy to look surprised. Edward seemed to understand so he changed the subject. "Her mom's over there, isn't she?" He nodded toward the trees where Emily stood, talking to the badly burned woman.

I nodded; I couldn't seem to find the words to speak anymore. I watched as Emily spoke to her mom, but I couldn't hear what they were saying. I bit my lip so I didn't cry again, but I realised that no matter what happened, there was another little girl that was without her mom. I always said it was hard dealing with children spirits, but it was equally just as heard dealing with spirits who were parents, especially to smaller kids. And this was the first mom I had met since my own mom passed.

"She is asking for her father," Edward went on. I drew my eyes away from Emily and her mom, and looked over to the minivan. Edward and I shared a look and my stomach turned.

"Is he dead?" I asked at the same time Edward asked, "Do you see his spirit?"

My heart sank. Both our questions were answered. Yes he was dead, but no I didn't see his spirit. Not only had she lost her mother, but Emily had also lost her father. It just wasn't fair, how could you get over losing both parents on the same day? Emily was so young, it just didn't seem fair that she had to say goodbye now.

After a few minutes Edward spoke. "Alice has managed to get the ambulance to you father and Carlisle," he said. "We can take him to the hospital now."

I had almost forgotten about my father, I had almost forgotten what had happened to cause this mess. "What about everyone else?" I asked. "There were so many people around when..."

Edward looked at me. "The second explosion was from the Beetle. The gas that had leaked wasn't cleared away and the fire from the minivan caught onto the car and the gas tank exploded. Those who were nearby were knocked off their feet and..." Edward's gaze softened. "How many died isn't clear, but I only found two breathing near the minivan...and one from the Ford..."

"Vicky," I breathed. Edward nodded.

"She is alive but only just," he said. "I called for more help but...It's such a small town and most of the people that are trained for emergencies were already here. The only people left are the people who volunteer, so they are on their way but we have to wait for more transport to get people to the hospital safely."

"This is such a mess," I uttered. "How can this be happening?"

"I know, but we have to go, Carlisle is anxious to get Charlie away." Edward took my hand. "He is going to stay and do what he can. Alice is going to drive and I have had enough medical training to make sure your father is okay."

"Really?" I asked. "You have had medical..." I shook my head, did it matter? "We should take who else we can. That way we can shorten the amount of trips to the hospital."

Edward was already pulling me away, and led me toward Emily. I let go of his hand and stood by her. "Emily," I said tentatively. She turned and looked up at me. "I am going to the hospital, do you want to come?" I didn't want to tell her what to do; she might not have liked me bossing her about.

"Go on, Emily," her mom said. "You can't stay here."

Emily nodded her head slowly. "You will find daddy?" she turned back to her mom who nodded. I caught her mom's eye as I offered my hand to Emily.

"She will be safe," I said. "Come find her when you can." The woman smiled then looked at her daughter. "I'll be back, Emmy, just be safe!" She disappeared and Emily sniffed.

"Come on sweetheart, let's go."

-x-

We took Vicky with us in the same ambulance as her conditioning was deteriorating. Edward and Alice ripped open the car door and managed to get her on a spinal board and braced her neck. She was unconscious and no one was around to witness them do it. Carlisle set up a second gurney beside Charlie in the back of the ambulance, and before we left he attached a bag of saline to her so she was getting fluids. Edward stayed in the back, squeezed between the two gurneys, while Emily and I sat in the front with Alice driving. It would have looked comical with Alice so tiny at front of the wheel of an ambulance, but there was no humour as we tore off and sped toward the hospital.

When we arrived we were ambushed by a flurry of medical teams. They took control and didn't even comment on the makeshift unorthodox double patients that were loaded into the ambulance. I picked up Emily and held her for comfort and followed them through the ER doors. Emily buried her head onto my shoulder and hummed softly. She was so calm, so peaceful that it was soothing. But at the back of my temporarily tranquil mind, I was worried. Did Emily know that her mom was dead? I couldn't be sure. She hadn't mentioned it, and I wasn't sure if I should tell her just yet.

Alice and Edward walked behind us talking in a whisper. I had shut off so I didn't hear what they were saying, and headed towards the doors that said "resuscitation".

I sat down with Emily on my lap at the three waiting chairs that were situated against the wall near the doors where Charlie and Vicky were taken, and closed my eyes, tilting my head back and prayed that everything was going to be okay. I wanted to go into the resuscitation room but I knew I would be kicked back out. I wanted to go back to the scene of the accident but I knew it was pointless.

I saw the accident coming but I couldn't do anything to stop it. I was useless, and people died because of me.

"They didn't die because of you," Edward's cool voice said. My eyes flew open and I stared at him.

"I thought you said you couldn't read my mind!"

Edward stared back, confused. "You said that out loud, love," he said softly. "You're exhausted, you can barely think straight. Maybe you should go home and sleep for a bit?" I could tell from his tone that he knew my answer so I didn't bother replying.

"Then what was the point in the vision?" I asked, frustration building up in my voice. "I mean what's the point in seeing something like that if I can do nothing about it?"

Alice appeared by us and crouched a little lower so she was at Emily's height. "Let's go find a machine to get you something to eat. You like chocolate?" Alice held out her hand and Emily took it slowly. Emily turned back to me looking for reassurance and I nodded. She smiled a little as she walked with Alice.

I sighed once they were out of sight. "She can't be more than five, yet she is going to face things that some grown people have never had to deal with," I said, an ache in my heart.

"But she is alive," Edward replied. "And with the right support she will get through it."

"She was supposed to die," I said in barely a whisper. Edward turned in his seat and lifted my chin up so I would look at him.

"What do you mean?"

"In my vision thing, where I saw Charlie dead, Deputy Mark got a call on the radio to say that "the little girl died on route"."

"Then that is at least two lives you help save," Edward said. I laughed bitterly.

"I saved? I did nothing, you and Alice pulled her out and Carlisle saved my dad!"

Edward's cool hand touched my cheek. "You saved them," he argued. "If you weren't so determined after your first vision, then they might be dead now."

"Alice would have..."

"That vision was forced. She was searching for it and that's the only reason she saw the accident."

I knew he was trying to make me feel better, but I didn't want to take credit for something that I didn't understand.

"I shouldn't have had that vision in the first place," I said, whilst I stared forcefully at the wall as if it had answers on the posters that scattered it. "I don't get premonitions like Alice. I don't see the future. What is happening to me?" It was more of a rhetorical question, but I really wanted to know the answer.

"I don't know, Bella, but I am here for you. We will figure it out together - and Alice, she is probably the best person to help you right now, she sees the future all the time, she can answer any questions you might have."

His words reminded me of something else. I turned slowly to face Edward. "I saw the past, too," I told him as I remembered the memory of the day I left with my mom to move to Phoenix.

"What do you mean?" Edward asked. I quickly explained the vision, or memory, that I had while I saw Charlie's spirit. I explained it from the point of view from the vision, as my own memory of that day was a little foggier.

After I had finished explaining, Edward fell silent without any questions. He looked deep in thought and the silence made me quite content. After a few minutes of silence, my head settled naturally on Edward's shoulders. I was worried that the closeness between us would make Edward uncomfortable but he didn't flinch away from my touch. As the peaceful silence continued, my eyes became heavy. The day's events were again almost forgotten, as my eyes struggled to stay open, but when Edward's relaxed stance abruptly changed, I bolted up and turned to him in alarm.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my brain now fully alert.

Edward smiled reassuringly so I didn't get too worried. "Nothing," he said softly. "But let's go for a walk. Maybe you should get something to eat?"

"Why?" I didn't want to be too far from Charlie, and his tone was too casual for something not to be wrong.

"Charlie's fine," Edward said quickly, as he glanced at the resuscitation door. "But some of the others from the accident are coming in..." He trailed off but I knew it was bad and he didn't want me to be there when they came through the doors.

I nodded absently in agreement, my mind wandering back to the vision I had of the victims of the accident before it had even happened.

Edward stood up and held out his hand to me, which I took gladly. We walked through the almost deserted corridors and stopped by a group of seats by some vending machines and a pay phone. I sat down on the padded purple seat but Edward remained standing.

"I am going to find Carlisle," he told me. "Will you be okay for a few minutes?" Concern filled his eyes but I smiled to prove I was okay.

"I will be fine," I said. "Where are Alice and Emily?"

Edward raised his eyes to the roof and raised his eyebrows. "Two floors up in the children's ward." He paused. "Emily led Alice there whilst speaking to someone...someone she couldn't see..."

"A ghost?" I frowned. "Maybe a hospital is not the best place for a young girl who can see ghosts. Is she okay?"

"She's fine," Edward told me. "Alice is going to ask her how much she understands."

"What about her family? What will happen to her now?" My gut wrenched again when I remember that both her parents were gone.

"The staff are aware and are contacting social services."

I shook my head and began to protest when Edward touched my cheek softly. "Don't worry she won't go into care if she has family that can support her. The last thing she needs is to be in the system. Something will be sorted out – she'll be just fine."

"Eventually," I muttered. Edward rubbed his thumb over my cheek and bent down and lightly kissed my forehead.

"I will be right back," he whispered. "Get something to eat and drink – it will do you good." He handed me some money including quarters for the machines.

Edward was gone by the time I looked up and I sat back on the chair with a sigh. I pulled my feet up off the floor and lay my head on my knees.

-x-

I was staring at a "give blood" poster without blinking for what seemed like an hour when someone walked by in front of me. I didn't pay much attention until I heard my own name.

"It's Bella, right?" a woman's voice interrupted my day dream. I blinked a few times and turned to my right. Emily's parents were standing together in front of me. Both of them appeared very badly burnt but they looked more anxious than anything. I recognised the man from the vision I had from Emily's point of view; his eyes were the same blue as Emily's and seeing them made my heart sink.

"You can see us, just as Emily can?" the woman asked. I nodded once. "You can help her understand about all this? You will be able to tell her what is going on? No one else can see us..." She closed her eyes. "We thought she just had imaginary friends. We didn't think for one second that the people she talked about were real!"

I laughed stiffly. "That's what my parents thought," I said. "But I will do what I can to help Emily."

"I wish I hadn't doubted her," Emily's father said sadly.

"Don't dwell on the doubts," I told him. "Remember all the good things."

They both nodded. "Will she always be able to see ghosts?" the father continued.

"I don't know," I answered. "A lot of children are able to see spirits but eventually they lose the gift because they simply don't believe anymore. Emily might be the same...but she might be like me. Only time will tell."

"I hope she doesn't lose this incredible ability," the man said. "Think of the good it can do."

"Let's go and find her," Emily's mom said anxiously to her husband. "She needs us."

They went away just as quick as they had come. Something inside me squirmed. Seeing Emily's mom's spirit was bad enough, but seeing her father as well felt like a kick in the gut. I knew he was dead, but having it confirmed with my own eyes just made me feel utterly useless, and it broke my heart to be reminded over and over that Emily was now left with no parents.

As I sat dwelling on what had already happened, my head started to spin, so I got up and put quarters in the drinks machine and pressed for a bottle of coke. It fell to the bottom with a thud but I left it there so I could get something from the food machine. I placed the quarters in and made my choice. It was all snack food, such as chocolate and chips, so I selected a bag of chips and pressed the correct combination of buttons. But the machine didn't move and the chips stayed in place.

I looked at the machine but it said that my credit had been spent. To my annoyance and embarrassment, my bottom lip began to tremble and tears sprung to my eyes.

I took a deep breath to steady myself, then I placed more quarters in the machine and pressed the buttons for the chips. The machine made a disgruntled noise but the contents inside didn't move yet my credit was gone. I furiously pushed the credit return button over and over but I didn't get my money back.

"Stupid thing," I raged. "I have paid double - just give me my chips!" I waited for a few seconds as if it would answer me. I could feel the anger boil under my skin. My breathing got faster, and my hands started to shake. I began to bang the machine with my fists in frustration and when nothing happened, I started kicking the bottom to vent my anger.

"Is it too much to ask for?" I shouted at the machine, my voice trembling hoarsely. "I just want the chips, that's all!" I knew I sounded pathetic and my anger was out of proportion, but I didn't care so I kicked the machine one last time before I slid to the floor in defeat. Tears engulfed me before I could stop them, and sobs escaped my mouth.

Everything that had happened today was just too much for me to come to terms with. I couldn't shake the guilt that swarmed me when I thought of my visions. Even though I didn't understand them, I knew that having seen an event that was going to happen, I knew there was a chance to stop it. Yet that didn't happen. My visions were pointless and the outcome was the same.

So many "what ifs" circled my head. What if I could have been there before the deer had run out into the road, what if I had a chance to warn the people involved. It didn't matter which way I looked at it, it boiled down to the fact that my visions were pointless.

I let out a roar in frustration and banged my fists on my knees. "What is the point in my gift if it doesn't really help anyone? All my life has amounted to what? Letting people die? Do I really help anyone, or just make the situation worse?" I hissed to myself.

"Of course you help people, Bella," a soft voice said from above me. I wasn't as startled as I should have been and looked up slowly. I was slightly surprised to see who the voice belonged to, but I was too tired to have much of a reaction.

"I wondered if I would see you again," I said, my voice sounding stiff from crying. I cleared it quickly and sat up a little straighter, wiping the wet tears off my face with the back of my hand.

The woman that stood before me had changed since I last saw her, but my slow brain reminded me that it was probably because when I last saw her she had a costume on. Now, though, she was in a black pant suit with a white blouse. Her dark curly hair was swept into an elegant bun and peeping out of her pants was red stilettos. "Are you really a gypsy or was that a facade?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

The woman that told me about my ability to see spirits was now standing before me, her spirit brighter than most I had ever seen. I had a feeling that I would only ever see her again when she had passed from the human life, and I knew that she was going to linger on earth instead of passing through The Light.

"I came from a family of gypsies," she told me with a smile. "Real gypsies, not those frauds who pretend to see the future. From time to time I dressed up in my over the top clothes and helped pay the bills for my mother and father."

"You knew I was coming that day, didn't you?" My mom's and my vacation in California took a turn for the better when we visited a small gypsy tent where the gypsy told us about my gift and what I was going to do in the future. It was the first time my mom accepted my gift and I couldn't have been happier. She changed my life in just a short few minutes. She had such an effect of me, because after I had met her I become more confident in myself. But now, I should have known that meeting her wasn't just a coincidence all those years ago when I was seven.

"Of course," she said. "I saw you coming before you were even born." She smiled. "But you saw me coming as well, didn't you? You weren't so surprised when you saw me just now."

I shrugged. "I wasn't surprised, but I didn't see you coming...not like you saw me... How long have you...erm..." I nodded toward her in suggestion.

"How long have I been dead?" she finished my question. "A year – I woke up one day and..." She pointed to herself. "Poof! I was like this."

I bit my tongue when I almost asked if she had seen it coming, so instead I asked, "You didn't see The Light?"

A soft chuckle escaped her. "It might have been my time to leave the human world, but for now I am needed in the spirit world."

I raised my eyebrow in question.

"I still have things to do," the gypsy replied evasively. I knew she was closing me off so I changed the subject and got to the point as to why I guessed she was there.

"So these visions I have been getting today, can you tell me what they are and why I am getting them?" I sounded more angry than I had meant too – I knew it wasn't her fault, but my frustration from earlier was creeping back.

The gypsy contemplated for a moment, her kind, trusting face soft in thought. When she spoke again she looked at me with her grass green eyes. "Your ability to receive these visions is a progression from your natural gift of seeing and guiding spirits. You have had visions before, but visions unlike the ones you saw today. Everything you have seen and will see in the future is in relation to spirits – present and future spirits. This is to say that the visions you receive will involve spirits that have not crossed over into our realm, and present sprits that have already passed but are earth bound. For example, your very first vision today was from a sprits point of view, but this sprit had yet to pass. The second vision was from a spirit that had also yet to pass into the spirit world...but your vision saved that particular life, therefore, the spirit lives on but nothing changes."

My seemed to blank as I tried to process what she was telling me. I wasn't sure I fully understood, and too many questions inflicted my brain at once.

"The first spirit..." I whispered. My eyes widened when I realised that she meant. "Vicky...she was the eyes I saw my first vision through...she was the first sprit? She died?" The gypsy nodded. "No! She can't be...she's alive; we took her to the hospital! She was going to be okay...Wait, she wasn't the first to die...the biker guy was, then her husband, John. I don't understand...how did I see her...spirit...death...whatever it was I was seeing."

The gypsy shook her head. "You didn't see the first sprit to pass, but a sprit. It was all in connection to the accident." She clasped her hands together. "Bella, you were always meant to get the gift of foresight, but when was never clear...It seems that the accident triggered them to come now. I believe the reason for this was to save a life that needed to be saved."

"I was always supposed to get visions...I needed to save a life that needed to be saved...I have NO idea what you are talking about."I had never been so confusion. "I saw visions of people that were going to die anyway...and I could do nothing about it? Then what was the point? Whose life was I supposed to save?"

"The one that was supposed to die," she told me. I stared at her and it took me a few seconds to realise what she meant.

"Emily was supposed to die?" It was more of a question than a statement.

"The word "supposed" is quiet a fixed term for this subject, but it doesn't matter anyway as the child in question is currently alive and well, she is playing contently in the playroom in the children's ward. This is due to your visions – without them the outcome would have been much graver and like your vision showed you, a whole family would have perished in the accident."

"Charlie was supposed to die too..."

The gypsy nodded. "He did die, but your visions saved him. That doctor wouldn't have been there to resuscitate him if you hadn't been able to warn him what was going to happen. You have saved two lives today, Bella, two more lives that would have died if it hadn't been for your visions."

I made a face and grumbled. "That's what Edward said," I muttered. It still didn't seem right to me. I had a vision and if I could save two people then why couldn't I save them all?
"You think Charlie and Emily should have died, and two others lived instead?" Her tone was contradicting. I was immediately defensive, and shot up onto my feet.

"Of course not!" I yelled at her, angry that she suggested such a thing. "Of course not," I said again, my tone was softer now, apologetic. "But I don't see why I could only save them and not others."

I walked down the corridor a little and sat back on the purple padded chair.

"Your vision wasn't meant to save everyone because as selfish as it sounds, people die every day and accidents like that do cost lives. You cannot feel guilty for seeing the outcome of a terrible fate, because no matter what, even if you could turn back time and do things differently, the outcome will always be the same – people will die and there is nothing you can do about it. The best outcome has already happened and it wouldn't have without you."

"It just seems selfish that's all," I said with a sniff. "Don't get more wrong, I am glad Charlie and Emily are alive, but it feels selfish that the rest had to die too."

"You will learn over time how your gift works, and you will learn that some things are just meant to be. Your gift is very special, Bella, and although you may not see the use now, you will one day realise what is truly special about it." The gypsy sounded so sure and comforting that I couldn't help but nod along even though I disagreed with her. I wasn't sure I wanted a new gift, and even worse that it was a gift that I didn't really understand or see the point of. But for now I knew it was best just to agree.

"Okay, visions aside, can you tell me what is going on with the ghosts in Forks? I have spent the best part of the week being sick because of a ghost. Then my wrists were slashed and just a little while ago I was in a memory projected by my father...Please tell me that is not another so called gift!" I didn't think I could take any more if it was.

"Yes and no. It's not a new power like your visions, but it is new in terms of you never actually experienced anything like it until today."

"So it is new then?" I asked, my eyes rolling.

The gypsy laughed. "I suppose it is. This is different from what I have just explained about your visions. What you have experienced is projection. This means a ghost can project things that they have experienced on to you. This means what caused their death, memories, or even feelings. As you have already seen it can be quite physical." The gypsy looked at me apologetically. "I am sorry that you had to experience what you did and not knowing what was going on, but you handled it very well. Unfortunately your first experience was through a ghost who is very powerful because of his age."

"Yeah I figured that out for myself," I muttered. "Why is it so real, though? I mean I felt so ill when Henry made sick, and I was physically bleeding when I got my writs slashed in my sleep...and the memory from Charlie? I actually thought I was there..."

"Well, you are connected to the people when they project these things to you. You may not notice a physical connection but you are bonded and due to that bond you can actually experience things that they have, so you will feel like you are actual in a memory, and you will feel very ill if that is what they are projecting to you...although it is rather unfortunate that you also have to suffer. I can't make it better but I can reassure you that this bond is not dangerous and no matter what you go through – it is not real. Do not fight the bond, let whatever it is play out and that way you will be able to help the spirits in need."

"But why are they so darn cryptic? Making me ill or slashing my wrists isn't very helpful and seems quiet harmful to me! Why can't they use words? I am not a mind reader so how am I supposed to help?"

The gypsy looked at me sadly and I knew what she was going to say. "That's for you to figure out," she told me with a sympathetic glace.

I sighed heavily. "Can you at least point me in the right direction so I know how to help them? The boy won't speak to me, the woman disappears from me every time I open my mouth and Ryan...well, he doesn't want my help."

"You already know what the boy wants, and you're the only person who can help him. Ryan will tell you what he wants when he is ready...and the woman..." She smiled. "You will figure her out. Find a connection and you will be surprised to find that you get more answers than you were looking for."

I stared at her blankly. "What's that supposed to mean?" I felt put out as I never get straight answers from anyone.

The woman shrugged. "If you look in the right places you will soon find out. Find the connection," she repeated again. "Look beyond the obvious."

"Can you at least give me a hint?" I was too tired and had information over load to understand what she meant.

"I have to go," she replied, dismissing my question. "I will see you again no doubt." She began to walk away, so I got up and quickly followed her.

"Wait," I called. She had left so much hanging in the air. "What about everything that's just happened? What about Emily? If I was supposed to save her – what am I supposed to do now?"

The gypsy stopped and turned. "Emily will be just fine. You have already done your bit by saving her life. Now she can grow up and live a happy life."

"She won't lose the gift of seeing sprits, will she? That's why she needed saving – she will be just like me?"

"No, she won't stop seeing them, and yes she will be just like you. Like I said before, the accident triggered your vision. It wasn't just a coincidence that Emily was in the car...just like it wasn't a coincidence that I met you all those years ago." She gave me a look of goodbye but I wasn't ready to let her go yet – I had too many questions.

"Wait," I called again. She turned to me patiently, but my questions disappeared. She wasn't going to tell me any more than I didn't already know. "Can you at least tell me your name before you go?" I finished as an afterthought.

The gypsy smiled delightedly. "My name is Julia," she said. "Goodbye, Bella – take care."

I watched as Julia disappeared around the corner, and seconds after Edward appeared in front of me.

"A ghost?" he asked as I blinked away from the corner where Julia disappeared.

I smiled wearily. "Not only was it a ghost, it was the woman that told me about my gift."

"The gypsy you and your mom met in California?"

I nodded. "The very same."

Edward looked more surprised than I did. "What did she want?"

I shrugged because I wasn't really sure myself. "I think she wanted to reassure me about my vision things...and told me about my expanding gift."

"What did she say?" Edward radiated as he got closer. After everything that had happened today, Edward still looked as if he had walked straight off a catwalk. It wasn't fair. I must have looked such a mess standing next to him.

"To sum it all up, she said that it was a normal progression of my gift, that I can see visions from sprits both in the present and the future...and that the ghosts can project things to me. Like Henry did...and the woman...and my father. She was very cryptic...most ghosts are. All in all, it means I have a lot of figuring out to do." I didn't mean to sound so pissed, but I was fed up and wanted answers quicker than I could think of questions.

"So it's not just how powerful a ghost is, but it's actually part of your gift?"

"Something like that...she said that the accident triggered it because Emily was in that accident. She was supposed to die, as was Charlie, but my gift saved them because Emily needed saving." I shrugged. "It's all very complicated and sounds very selfish but that's how I interpreted her explanation."

"I am sure there is more to it than that; you just need to figure it all out yourself." Edward took my hand and led me back to the purple chairs as we sat down together.

"Are you sure you can't see ghosts? Because you sound just like her..." I shook my head. "It doesn't matter just now anyway. What have you being doing?"

Edward tucked the front part of my hair that was hanging over my face, and swept it behind my ear. "Helping Carlisle. More...people have been brought in." I could tell from his tone he was about to say "bodies".

"Their all dead," I said in a monotone. "Julia - the gypsy - pretty much already told me that. Emily's dad, Vicky...I am guessing a few emergency service men?"

Edward nodded solemnly. "I am afraid so," he said softly. "And there are more to come."

I sniffed back the lingering tears from before and nodded. "I suppose I knew that anyway. Now what happens?"

"Families are notified, although, we live in such a small town everyone is bound to know anyway. Other places such La Push, Port Angeles has come to help, and there will be a press conference once the death toll is confirmed and families are informed."

I let out a sad sigh. "I just wish that..."Edward put a finger over my mouth.

"There was nothing you could have done," he said, interrupting me. "Come on, let's find Alice and Emily. The social workers are already here and they are looking for Emily."
We stood up and walked through the empty corridor. "What will happen to her?"

"She has family in Seattle and they have already been told...they will most probably take her back with them."

We reached an elevator and Edward pressed the up button. When the door to the elevator opened an old man in a bathrobe tottered out. He dragged an IV pole with him and slowly eased passed us. I watched him walk through the corridor and it reminded me of another spirit that I still needed to cross over into The Light. I still had to help the man I met when I was in hospital earlier in the week. All he wanted was for me to pass on to his wife that he was okay and everything was going to be fine. I knew that it was important to him so I put it on a mental check list that was forming in my mind. I felt like I had more to do within just a week than I had to do within the last year. I had never been so busy where my gift was concerned.

I quickly followed Edward into the elevator and it closed on us just as Edward pressed for two floors above us. When the evaluator pinged, we stepped out into a brightly painted corridor. There was no doubt this was the children's ward, and automatically it made me smile and forget about the day's events.

But as we walked through the brightly painted corridor, my smile faded and my stomach did a flip. There was a reason I avoided hospitals, and it wasn't because I saw just any type of spirits. It was because I knew that I couldn't avoid seeing spirits of children. I stopped dead and froze up. Edward quickly turned, sensing my alarm.

"What's wrong? Do you feel okay?" He gave me a quick glance to assess if I was hurt in anyway.

I shook my head stiffly. "Could you get Alice and Emily? I will wait by the elevator."

"Why? What's wrong?" Edward sounded worried.

"I just don't want to go near the actual ward..." I sounded too selfish so I didn't finish. If I had to help one type of ghost, it would be the children. But at that very moment, seeing more children ghosts was the last thing I could handle.

Edward looked at me uncertain, but nodded. "I'll be right back," he said then swiftly walked down the corridor.

I hurried back toward the elevator and counted seconds in my head to stop me from thinking about how selfish I felt.

I got to fifteen when something cool touched my shoulder. "Ready to go?" Edward's cool voice whispered in my ear. I opened my eyes and nodded. Alice and Emily were with him and they were looking at me curiously but didn't say anything. Emily let go of Alice's hand and ran forward and clasped her hand around mine.

"He said we were alike," said Emily as she peered up at me with a smile. I glanced at Edward, then Alice but they looked blank.

"Who did, sweetie?" I asked.

"Ryan," she replied. "He said we were alike. He explained that I was special like you. He said that you saved my life but couldn't save mommy or daddy." Her smile had faded.

My confusion disappeared "Ryan said that, did he?" I raised my eyebrow and glanced around but I couldn't see him. "And do you understand what he said?"

Emily nodded knowingly. "Yes," she said. "It means that I can see mommy and daddy because they are ghosts but only you and I can see them. Ryan said that no matter what anyone tells me otherwise, ghosts are real and I can see them because I am special...like you."

She sounded beyond her years. I was amazed how much she had already taken in. Of course I knew that she was at an age that she believed in the Easter bunny and would believe in him until it was proved he wasn't real. But that was a blessing in a way, because Ryan was right, no matter what anyone else says, she will always know that it's true – ghosts are real.

"Have you seen your mommy again?" I asked whist I searched the corridor again.

"Yes," she said softly. "And daddy, too."

A lump formed in my throat as her voice broke with sadness. I squeezed her hand tight. "You know that you will have to say goodbye to them soon?" It was no use pretending otherwise, and getting her hopes up that they will never leave wasn't a good idea.

Emily looked at me with tear filled eyes and nodded.

"I explained that to her," Alice said. "I figured it was best to tell her sooner rather than later before she gets accustomed to having them around."

"What will happen to them now?" Emily asked.

"What did Ryan tell you?"

"That they will be happy and safe and will always be watching over me...Is that true?"

Looking at Emily now reminded me of myself at her age. I knew that no matter what I told her, it would never be enough because there would always be apart deep inside her that wondered what was beyond the Light. At just five she has had to deal with the fact that she now has lost both her parents, but on top of that she can see them as clear as she did right before the accident. Does knowing the truth make it any better? Does knowing that there is more than just life and death make things easier? Questions like this rose in my mind every time I helped someone move on from the death of their loved one, but I could never figure out the answer until now.

"Yes, they will be okay," I said finally. "When my mom died I didn't want to let her go even though I knew where she was going. I felt it was harder at the time, but in reality it was easier. We have a gift, we can see and help the people that have left this life and are about to move on to another. You mom and dad will be just fine, they will be safe where ever they are going, but they will always be with you no matter what...even when they go, they will never truly leave you."

-x-

It was chaos in the ER when we arrived, so we retreated into one of the doctors' offices. The social worker joined us and talked Emily through what was going to happen. She listened patiently, nodding along in agreement but I wasn't sure how much she was really taking in. The social worker explained that her mom's sister and family were coming from Seattle and she was going to live with them.

Alice, Edward and I sat quietly by the desk and were about to leave when the door burst open. Everyone apart from Alice and Edward jumped in surprise, and we all turned to see who had interrupted us.

"Emily," the woman called as she stumped into the room. "Hello sweetheart." The woman's voice was tearful, and it took me a second to recognise her.

"Mrs. Jackson?" I said as I stood up. I watched as Emily ran to Mrs. Jackson, the mother of the little boy who died a few years ago. Edward and I had just been to her house to see if the little boy ghost was her son.

"Aunt Suzi!" Emily gushed as she rushed over to the woman. Mrs. Jackson had tidied up a lot since Edward and I had visited her. She had washed her blonde hair, put on make-up and dressed nicely. Her face was filled with sadness but she had much improved in just a few days.

Mrs. Jackson caught Emily when she hurtled into her and picked her up into a hug. I exchanged a glace with Edward.
"I knew I had seen Emily from somewhere," he whispered. "She was in one of the photos in Mrs. Jacksons living room...She must be Emily's fathers sister...the one that came around every week."

I nodded in understanding. The social worker got up from the desk and cleared her throat.

"You must be Mrs. Jackson, Joe's sister?" the social worker said.

Mrs. Jackson held Emily on her hip and nodded. "I am," she said with irritation in her tone. "I suppose the reason you didn't call me is because custody has already been arranged. Emily will be going to live with Jodi's sister?"

I could understand Mrs. Jackson's irritation now. She wasn't even considered to be placed as Guardian for Emily but I didn't understand why not. I looked at Edward for an explanation.

"Later," he mouthed.

"It has been decided that for Emily's best interests she will live with her Aunt and Uncle in Seattle," the social worker said nodding. "They are coming over as we speak and are planning to stay for the..." The social worker looked at Emily then quickly looked away. "They will be staying for awhile."

"And I don't get a say in this? Emily is my niece, too. Why can't she stay with me?" Mrs. Jackson looked deeply upset.

"Well, Mrs. Jackson there has been no firm decision, and you can take the matter up with my colleagues, but for now Emily will be staying with her other Aunt and Uncle." The social worker sounded final and Mrs. Jackson nodded.

"Emily, do you want to get something to eat? You must be so hungry!" Mrs. Jackson's tone was friendly now, a smile fixed in place.

Emily looked at the social worker, then me then back to her Aunt. "Okay, Aunt Suzi," she said. "Maybe we will see mommy and daddy there." She sounded so casual but everyone froze into place. The social worker frowned, Mrs. Jackson was wide eyed and Alice, Edward and I exchanged looks.

"I don't think so sweetie," Mrs. Jackson said softly, her voice barely a whisper. She looked at the social worker.

"Remember I explained that to you, Emily?" the social worker asked. "I told you that you wouldn't see them anymore." She turned and picked up a thin book that was on the desk. "I read this book to explain where mommy and daddy went." She opened the book and flipped to a page. "See, they went to heaven." She pointed to a picture.

Emily shook her head with a smile. "They are not in heaven silly!" she said as if the social worker was completely insane. "They are still here in the hospital, right Bella?"

I could feel my face go red as everyone stared at me but I was used to these stares, they came with the territory when people thought you were insane.

"Um..." I wasn't sure what to say. Did I tell the truth? If I didn't Emily would be made out to be a liar, or they would think she didn't understand about her parents death which I couldn't have. "Yes," I agreed with Emily. "They are here...I have seen them and so has Emily."

Mrs. Jackson looked at me then Edward as if she has just realised who we were. "You two were at my house the other day...you wanted to know about my son." She paused as her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean you have "seen them"?"

I didn't like been put on the spot but I knew I had to explain. "Mrs. Jackson, the other day when Edward and I visited you, we were asking about your son to see if he was the ghost of a boy that I was seeing – which he wasn't. I am able to see the spirits of people that have passed, and so is Emily. She and I can see her parents because they have not moved on yet."

The room was eerily silent and everyone was still looking at me. I felt like a monkey in a zoo and I was feeling flustered.

"You see ghosts?" the social worker asked bluntly. She looked as if I had told her pigs had sprouted wings and were flying around outside.

I nodded. "Yes," I agreed. "Both Emily and I can see spirits."

"You saw Jamie?" Mrs. Jackson asked hopefully. Grieving mothers were always quicker to believe than most people.

"I am afraid not," I said sadly. "The boy I have seen was not you son."

"But you have seen my brother?"

"I did, too," Emily said quickly. "And mommy."

"And these ghosts, are they here now?" the social worker asked sceptically. She looked around the room as if she expected to see something.

"No," I said trying to be patient. "But I am sure they will be back."
Mrs. Jackson put Emily back on the ground. "And what do they want? The ghosts? What do you mean "move on"?"

Before I could answer Alice chimed in. "Some ghosts linger on earth instead of moving on into The Light. Mostly it means that they have stayed behind for a reason, like to say goodbye, or make sure a loved one is okay, and Bella helps them move on...and maybe Emily will one day too."

I nodded in agreement. "Emily's parents have stayed to say goodbye, and to see that she will be okay. They will go when they are ready."

There was a long silence. The social worker was shaking her head to herself, and I knew she didn't believe a word of it, and Mrs. Jackson looked shocked.

"Mrs. Jackson, why don't you and Emily go to the cafeteria? You both look like you could get something to eat," Edward said kindly.

Mrs. Jackson blinked and stared at Edward for a moment. "Yes, yes, I think I will," she said quickly giving the social worker a side glance. "Maybe I will find some alcohol somewhere...I need a stiff drink." She laughed hollowly and then pulled Emily out the door. I knew that the spirits of Emily's parents should be helped by Emily herself.

When the office door banged shut behind them, the social worker cleared her throat. "Well, I better, erm...paper worker, I have lots of paper work to do." She looked at me as if I was crazy, and then looked at Edward, the way I guessed I looked like sometimes, then left the room, too.

"Well that went...well," Alice said. "And as far as I can see, Emily will be staying in Forks with Mrs. Jackson but I never saw any different from the beginning. I saw the social workers decide to ask the other Aunt instead but I never saw Emily leave Forks."

I sighed in relief. My gut feeling was that Emily and Mrs. Jackson were supposed to be together.

"Why wasn't she asked in the first place? Surely Seattle is a little bit too far for her to move to?" I asked Edward. It didn't seem fair that Mrs. Jackson wasn't even considered for Guardianship over Emily.

"The social workers know of Mrs. Jackson. It's a small town, so it's not really a big secret how much she has let herself go...not that it's a surprise. But a few years ago before her husband left he tried to get her to counselling which she refused. Doctors were involved, as were the social workers. They were concerned for her welfare, they even considered putting her in hospital against her will but she proved that she could take care of herself – she just didn't want to. They couldn't really do anything - she was just sad but the social workers made a quick decisions earlier that she wasn't fit to look after another child."

I folded my arms over my chest. "That's not really fair," I said. I shook my head. "At least she will get her chance and she will get to prove that she is fit enough."

"Exactly," Alice agreed. "I love when my visions show something positive."

My body sagged when Alice reminded me of my own visions and the reality of what had happened today. "I want to see my dad now," I said. "Is he okay?" I looked to Edward for my answer.

"He is in ICU," he told me. "But you will be able to see him."

-x-

Edward told me that I didn't have to see my father if I didn't want to. I wasn't sure what he meant until I actually saw him lying there. I peered into the glass window of Charlie's room and was rooted on the spot in shock. Wirers were everywhere, and half of his face was burnt. I had not noticed it before back in the trees, but Edward explained it was because the dirt had disguised it. He was unconscious and a breathing tube was in his throat. He looked so small in the large bed with the tubes and monitors surrounding him.

My body shook as I watched his chest rise and fall, and listened to the monitors beep with every heart beat. Edward wrapped his arm around my shoulder and held me while I stood there. Finally I got the courage to go inside the room and opened the door with a shaky hand. Edward didn't follow me but I couldn't find my voice to tell him it was okay. When I reached the bed I closed my eyes and reminded myself that he was alive and it was going to be okay.

When I opened my eyes I took a deep breath. "It's me, dad," I whispered. "You gave me such a scare but the doctor said you will be just fine." My voice broke. "Just hurry up and get well again so I can cook for you. Mom said that before I was born you both lived off take always because you were both hopeless in the kitchen..." I trailed off not really sure why I was telling that story. "When you get better maybe we should go on vacation some where...just the two of us – no ghosts!" I took his limp hand. "I love you, dad," I whispered. I leaned over the bed and kissed his forehead where it was free of the burn. I let go of his hand and hurried out.

Edward opened his arms when I closed the door and I buried my face into his chest while I sobbed. When I pulled away I looked at his light blue shirt which was now covered in my tears. "I ruined your shirt," I sniffed.

Edward didn't even look down. "It was already ruined when I ripped it earlier. Come on; let's get you home before you faint with exhaustion."

I was about to protest as I didn't want to leave Charlie, but Edward had led me away before I realised that my feet were moving.

-x-

It wasn't until we reached my drive way that I realised that one of the other Cullen's must have retrieved the Volvo from the road and taken it to the hospital. When Edward led me into my kitchen, I also realised that it smelled so homely with a waft of stake and fries reaching my nose. I stared at the plate on the table.

"Esme," Edward explained. "The others have been doing what they can to help, and Esme decided to cook you something filling for when you came home." He led me to the table and pulled out the chair. I sat down and Edward tucked the chair further in.

"Eat," he instructed. "You will feel better."

I refrained myself from rolling my eyes and tucked into the meal in front of me. I had never tasted such good stake that I was disappointed when I had finished it.

"Where did Esme learn to cook like that?" It was ironic that a person who didn't eat food made the best meal I had ever had.

Edward chuckled. "Some TV show I guess." He collected my plate, washed it and put it away before I could say anything else.

When he had done he sat back down at the table looking as if he had never moved. I stared at him for a moment, then blinked and shook my head. "I don't think I'll get used to that," I muttered. "How did Esme get in here anyhow?"

Edward grinned and took a key out of his pocket. "You left your stuff in the library and your key fell out when Rosalie collected your things."

Fell out indeed, I thought sceptically but didn't say anything.

"I need a shower," I said as I stood up. I glanced at the clock on the wall but it was only half past eleven. I frowned as I double checked my wrist watch and was surprised that it really was only half past eleven.

"Time seems to drag when things like this happen, but it usually feels like it's been days when it's only been just a few hours," Edward said. "That's why you feel so exhausted, you feel like you have been awake for days."

"Wow...your right. I do feel exhausted but I only got up a few hours ago. Time passes so slowly!"

-x-

I took longer in the shower than necessary. I felt the need to wash myself at least four times until I felt the stench of the fire had gone. I washed my hair three times and when I was done I brushed my teeth twice until I felt better. Even though it was only lunch time, I got dressed into a clean pair of pyjamas. When I got to my room my curtains were drawn and Edward was sitting on my rocking chair in the corner.

"Edward, can I ask a question?" I asked as I stood in the middle of my room.
"You can," Edward said slowly, my tone making him curious.

"Do you ever wish you didn't have the ability to hear people's thoughts?"

Edward looked surprised at my question, and took a minute to think of a response. "At times I find it very exasperating." His answer was quiet diplomatic. It wasn't a yes or a no.

"If you had the chance would you switch if off for good if you could?"

Edward opened his mouth then closed it again. "I have often wondered what it would be like if I had never had the ability to hear people's thoughts. Sometimes I think it could be for the better. I would get peace and I wouldn't have to listen to the mundane thoughts of every person that I come across. But on the other hand, as a vampire it can be very useful and I am thankful for my gift. Balancing it out, I think on the whole that it would be a bad thing if I switched it off for good. I am able to protect my family with my ability and I also find ways for it to be of use to me."

I nodded to myself. "So you don't resent it?"

"No," Edward replied quickly. "It can be annoying, especially for people who know about my ability, but I don't resent it. Why do you ask?"

I shrugged. "Curiosity."

Edward was out of the rocking chair before I finished my reply. He placed his hands lightly on my shoulders and looked deeply into my eyes. "Never resent your gift, Bella. What you can do is amazing and you help so many people. What happened today was not your fault. Your vision saved two people that you saw were otherwise going to die. You can't feel guilt for that."
I looked away from his gaze and stared at the floor. "But I feel so..." I threw up my hands. "Responsible!"

Edward pulled my chin so I would meet his eyes again. "You didn't cause the accident, or the fire. There was nothing you could have done. Charlie and Emily are safe, that is something to be positive about."
I knew he was right, and I knew Julia was, too, but I couldn't help the way I felt. "But..." I began to argue but Edward stopped me.
"No buts, Bella. Taking the blame for this is like taking the blame for every car accident." Edward placed his hands on both side of my face. My face heated up under his touch.

"Those people could be alive if I had done something after I saw what was going to happen the first time," I mumbled because I was so flustered my mouth wouldn't stop talking.

"Bella?" Edward whispered softly, his face so close to mine I felt his breath on my skin.

"Yeah?"

"Stop talking..." he said then he kissed me. Our lips connected intensely, his lips were cooler than mine but electric seemed to spark between us. I was dizzy and breathless but I didn't want it to end. He cupped my face gently, and I wrapped my arms around his neck whilst standing on my tip toes.

When he drew away I wanted to pull him back but instead I leaned back a little as he put his arms around my waist.

"Well, that was unexpected," I said sheepishly and he chuckled at my comment. I felt my cheeks burn but nothing could ruin the moment.

"It was perfect," he whispered and he literally seemed to glow as the sun peeped through the curtains and touched his face. Edward turned with a smile. "You wanted to see me in the sunlight," he said, nodding toward the line of yellow that had entered my room. I looked from the window to Edward but I didn't really understand. Edward smiled then let me go and walked over to the window. He drew the curtain open slowly then stood aside as the sun filled the room. I drew a breath as I stared him. His skin was now glowing like diamonds as the sun bounced off him.

Well, that was such a long chapter so I thought it was okay just to end there. No cliff hanger just your own imagination for what was said between them next.

Before you go, I just want to let you guys know that you all are amazing! I really have to thank you for all your support throughout this story – it really does mean a lot and it keeps me motivated to keep writing! Every review, every add to favourite and alert makes me smile, but I always laugh when people add to me to favourite author because I sometimes don't know why you want to have me on your list but it's a lovely thought – so thanks everyone, you rock!

I might not get a chance to update for a while because I have a big exam next month so I will be studying for that – but I may add some random Twilight FF I found on my newly fixed computer while you wait, but if not I shall come back when I have a new chapter! See you all then!