Philip was 24 years old, and so was his then-girlfriend. After three years of a stable and healthy relationship, he decided that it was time. Time to take it to the next level. He picked up his phone and texted her,

- Please meet me at the park at 7pm? Thanks.

- Love: your BF ❤️

When she arrived there, she saw her relatives and her then-boyfriend's relatives. She was a bit confused to why they were all there. Smiling, he knelt down on his right knee and opened a small box to reveal an antique engagement ring. The ring was made of 20 carat gold and had a 2 carat diamond set into it. It was a simple engagement ring that had been passed on from one generation to another generation.

"Carolyn Sanders," Philip began, "would you take the honor of becoming Mrs Deering?"

Their relatives cooed, cheered and encouraged her to say yes. Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, she tearfully accepted the proposal. They hugged each other tight before he slid the ring onto her finger. They sealed their engagement with a short kiss on the lips.

Their wedding, which was held at a local church, followed three months after the engagement. Everyone was dressed elegantly, but not to the point of outshining the couple. Their parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and close friends were there. Every single moment was recorded, from the preparation of the bride and groom till the wedding party.

And ten months later, their first bundle of joy arrived.

Carolyn gave birth to twin daughters, Mary and Anne. They had fair skin, golden blonde hair and bright blue eyes. They didn't cry too much, but were picky eaters. Two years later, there was another pair of twins; the brothers Charles and Peter. They were also fair-skinned, had chestnut brown hair and honey brown eyes. They acted pretty much the opposite of their elder sisters, and were very noisy.

The family lived a very well-off life. They stayed in a big house; they owned three cars; they had a private pool; the mother was a highly-paid fashion designer; the father was a successful investor; and the kids did very well in school. Plus, they had their personal bodyguard- the ghost.

Well, the man was their guardian until he had to go.

Philip was 29 years old, nearing age 30. One quiet afternoon, the man asked Philip to meet him privately in his bedroom. They met there and had a private discussion.

"What did you bring me here for?" asked Philip.

"It's... a secret that I've kept from you. I feel like it's time for me to go," the man replied.

"What secret? Go where?"

"I want you to listen. As a soul that has been released from its body, I would have to go to heaven, if I was good, or hell, if I was sinful. My time to leave has been long postponed, so now I shall leave."

"What? No! You can't! I need you! You're supposed to be here with me, with us, please don't go away again! Please!"

"Don't worry, my son, you do not need me anymore. You and your relatives will be fine," said the man, comforting him. Philip looked at him surprisedly.

"Your son?" he asked.

"Didn't you realize it? I looked like your father, sounded like your father, I even bore his name! You know why? Because I'm his soul. That's why I was with you."

"But, I don't understand. Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I knew that it would be hard for you to let me go, so I planned not to tell you even my name. But, as time passed by, I felt like I needed you to know. I couldn't keep it a secret forever."

Tears streamed from the young man's eyes. His father comforted him and patted him on the back while letting his son cry on his shoulder. He knew that he would have to let all the sadness out. When he was done weeping, the man looked deep into his eyes and said,

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you, for we are with you. Remember that," said the man.

Suddenly, a blinding light shone from above. They saw the souls of their deceased relatives and a legion of angels, ready to welcome the man into heaven. The man planted a kiss on his son's forehead, a kiss that he hadn't given for more than 25 years, and the last kiss he would give. Philip waved goodbye as his father rose up to heaven, and the light no longer shone. Just then, his wife came into the room to check on her husband.

"What happened? Is everything okay?" Carolyn asked him.

"Everything's fine," said Philip, "all is fine."

The next year, the family was blessed with another child. The father and children went to hospital to see their new family member. At the room, the mother was busy nursing the new child while a nurse was supervising them. Philip came closer to his wife and slowly lifted the newborn child from her arms, rocking it back and forth while cooing a soothing lullaby. The baby still cried, but not as loud as before. He gazed into the baby's electric blue eyes and caressed his pale skin. He looked like someone he used to know, but who?

"Is it a girl?" asked Mary.

"I think it's a boy," said Peter.

"It's a boy, Peter. He's your younger brother," the mother answered him.

"What should we name him?" asked Anne.

Philip looked at the child's innocent face and examined his features. After a moment of deep thought, he knew what he would name the child.

"His name is Edward Jr." Philip told them.

"Ooh, I already know the perfect nickname for him. Little Eddie!" said Charles.

The baby cried even louder. They chuckled as the mother hushed her children, politely telling them to be quieter.

Meanwhile, the man and his relatives watched blissfully from heaven above.