{Friday 14 July - Saturday 15 July}

~ Charlie's POV ~

"Charlie?" my mum asks in a confused tone as she asks the phone. 

"Mum," I say as I burst into tears again. 

"Aww, hunny. What's wrong? I thought you're supposed to be hanging out with Eden and the boys?" she asks worriedly. 

"Mum, something happened and now Ryder's gone and I don't think I'll ever see him again" I sob, shaking hard. 

"Aww baby, what happened". 

"We were showing Knox around when we got to the cemetery and he wanted to play a game of hiding and seek so we did. Except he shot me mum" I say through sobs. I hear her gasp but continue on anyway. 

"He shot me in the chest, I thought I had died but the next thing I know, I'm alive and there's no more bullet wound and no Knox or Ryder to be seen. Eden and Cole brought me back to Cole and Ryder's house to explain everything."

"Ryder sold his life to the devil to save me and give me a second chance. He's a fallen angel mum and I'm a Nephilim. I know everything mum, why didn't you tell me earlier?" I ask nervously. She stays quiet for a moment before sighing. 

"I guess I thought I was keeping you safe by not telling you sweetheart, but obviously not," she says quietly. 

"So you know about dad's death and Eden and Cole too huh?". 

"Yeah, I do. Mum, do you forgive Ryder for what he did?" I ask sniffing. 

"Yes. It was hard at first but yes I do. I understand that it was a mistake and it happens more often than you think. He offered to us money and time and space, anything I could have asked for but I couldn't take it because I wasn't the one that would be angry at him" she says wearily. 

"He was terrified of telling you Charlie because he genuinely loves you so much, which is a very rare thing for an angel to have a mate who is also their vessel. I said as long as he treated you well, I forgave him". I continue to sniffle as I absorb what she has just said. 

"Mum, I can't forgive him just yet, but I still love him," I say with a sad smile. 

"I know baby girl, and that's okay. You need time". 

"But mum, I'm never going to see him again because he's trapped in hell. I feel so empty. I can't feel him any more mum and it scares me" I say as more tears start to run down my face. 

"I want him back. I want to tell him I love him" I say, sobbing. 

"I know bub. You loved each other, he's your mate so of course you miss him. And you never know bub, he might be able to come back someday? Maybe a miracle will happen?" she says optimistically. 

I mumble an okay through my tears before asking to be picked up as I no longer want to stay in Ryder's house as it reminds me too much of him. 

Soon, my mum and Adette show up at the door and Cole carries me to the car before saying goodbye and letting me know that if I have any more questions, then to come see him. I nod and sit slumped against the door as we drive away while Adette sits in the back babbling to mum. 

We make it home and I wearily walk into the house and to my room while mum puts Adette to bed. I feel empty. I miss him. My thoughts are interrupted when mum walks in holding a tub of ice cream and two vodka cruisers. 

"Scooch over chickadee," my mum says smiling as she walks over to my bed and sits down. She hands me a drink and a spoon before hugging me. 

"Drink. You'll feel better" she says as she opens the tub of ice cream. God, I love my mum. We both know that drinking isn't the best thing to be doing right now but she honestly doesn't give a fuck and is encouraging me anyway and it's great. 

I nod and take a big sip of the cruiser, letting the heavenly liquid slide down my dry throat. I close and smile at how good it tastes. When I open my eyes, mum is watching me carefully. She hands me the ice cream and I eagerly take a spoonful. I groan with pleasure at the taste. 

"Why does food taste so much better when you're sad?" I ask quietly. She chuckles and hugs me again. 

"I don't know hun" she replies smiling. She takes a sip of her drink before looking back at me. 

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier Charlie. Your father was always wanting to tell you but I banned him from doing it because I thought it would keep you safe" she says with a sad smile. 

"It's okay. I'm just upset with myself because Ryder never liked Knox and now I know why. He knew but he couldn't tell me but I should've been more careful". 

"It's not your fault hun. It's mine and Ryder's. If we had told you what was really going on then maybe none of this would have happened". 

"Mum, how did you know he was an angel?" I ask nervously as I take another sip of my drink. 

"He came and talked to me at my office one day, I knew wasn't normal about him but I didn't know until I saw his wing scars when he took his jumper off. His shirt came up and I saw them and that's when I knew" she says quietly. 

"He's a good kid Charlie, perfect for you. He just did a bad thing and regrets it. Hopefully a miracle will happen and you'll get to see him again" she says with a smile. I nod and then something clicks. 

"Wait, so if he's an angel, does that mean he's dead?" I ask confused. 

"Yes and no. Yes, because he had to die to become an angel but because when he came down to earth, a part of his human side was given life again so he was partially human. It would be the same if he was ever a guardian angel. Guardian angels are able to have human forms so when they come to earth, they can blend in while watching over their innocent" she replies with a smile. 

"How do you know all of this mum?". 

"Because dad told me. When he died, he went to heaven and god made him my guardian angel" she says grinning. Suddenly, my father appears in my room, grinning at me. 

"OMG?! Dad?!" I say shocked as I jump up from my bed and run to hug him. He envelopes me in a hug and kisses my head. 

"Hi hunny. Miss me?" he says chuckling. I nod as I burst into tears again. He smiles and hugs me again before scooping me up and carrying me back to my bed. 

"So what's it like to be dead?" I ask him jokingly. 

"It's okay. Being a guardian angel is great because I get to see your mother and you girls whenever I want to and I'm sorry we couldn't tell you everything sooner hun" he says warmly. Oh how I missed my dad. 

"That's okay. Are you going to tell Adette all this?" I ask nervously. 

"No not yet. Not until she is 16" mum replies with a small smile. I nod and take another sip of my drink. 

"Nice tattoo by the way" my dad says smiling. 

"Thanks" I chuckle back. I watch as my dad makes a face and then frowns at us. 

"I have to go. They are having a guardian meeting" he says in a sad tone. 

"That's okay. Just come back tomorrow?" I ask with a small smile. 

"Of course" he says as he gets up before beaming out of my room. I look over at mum to see her grinning at me. I smile back before hugging her tight. 

"That was amazing" I whisper happily. 

"I'm glad you liked it. He's been wanting to come see you for so long" she says chuckling. I grin but the sadness instantly kicks back in. 

"I wonder how Ryder died" I whisper as tears threaten to spill again. 

"Aww hun, I'm sorry. Maybe Cole will know? You could ask him tomorrow because we have to go pick up your truck anyway?" she suggests warmly as she hugs me. 

"Good idea mum. I think I'll do that because I have some other questions for him too" I say quietly before finishing my drink and giving her a small smile. She kisses my forehead before finishing her own drink and putting the lid back on the ice cream. 

"Get some rest hun. You've had a long day" she says with a smile as she stands up and takes my empty bottle and spoon from me. I nod as I get up and hug her. I make my way out to the bathroom with mum close behind. 

"Goodnight" I say quietly as I head into the bathroom. 

"Goodnight Charlie" she replies before I close the door. I do my business and get changed before heading to bed. I climb back into the warmth of my duvet and burrito myself. 

"Goodnight dad" I whisper with a small smile. 

"Goodnight sweetheart" I hear him reply in my head. Hmm, that's other thing I have to talk to Cole about. The whole speaking in people's mind thing. I sigh and roll over, closing my eyes. 

"I love you Ryder" I whisper before I finally fall asleep.

I wake to the sound of a giggling Adette. I look at the time on my phone and see that it is 8 am. That's not too bad. I get up and follow the sounds of my sister to my mums room and there is Adette, a face full of smiles as she gets tickled by my mum. 

I smile and run over to them to join in. She screams in delight as I start to tickle her too and before we know it, we are all in a giggling heap on mum's bed. 

"Morning Charlie," Adette says sweetly. 

"Morning munchkin," I say grinning. 

"Mummy's taking me to the mall today! Do you want to come?" she asks excitedly. 

"I would love to but I can't. I have to go see Eden and her boyfriend for a bit and pick up my truck" I say with a smile. 

"Oh, that's okay. I'll make mummy buy you something nice" she says giggling before jumping off the bed and running downstairs. I smile at mum and she smiles back. 

"Looks like I'm getting you something from the mall so what would you like sweetheart?" she asks grinning. 

"I don't mind. Surprise me" I reply chuckling as we both get up and head downstairs. We spend the rest of the morning eating breakfast and watching cartoons, just the three of us. When I'm finished, I head upstairs and get ready to go before calling Eden. 

"Charlie! Omg are you okay babe?" she says as she answers the phone in a worried tone. 

"Yeah, I'm okay. I'm coming to see you and Cole soon because I have some questions and some stuff to tell you" I reply warmly. 

"Okay, hun. I'll see you soon!" she replies happily. I smile as I end the call and head back downstairs to find Adette and mum waiting for me. We head out to the car and before I know it, I'm back at Ryder's house. 

I gulp. Being here makes me nervous. Mum senses my mood and gently rubs my arm, boosting my confidence. I smile at her and say goodbye before hopping out and heading to the door.

"You're dad's a guardian angel!? Why didn't you tell me" Eden asks excitedly? 

"Because I didn't know dumb ass. I only found out and saw him yesterday night" I reply, chuckling. She fake gasps and shoves me. 

"Love you too," I say grinning. 

"Anyway, you said you had some questions?" Cole asks, raising an eyebrow at me. 

"Yeah, I do" I reply sighing. 

"My first question is how did all the fallen know where to find me?". 

"It's called the vessel bond. It means they can track you and find you using a special sense they have" Cole starts. 

"Usually they can only track you when you feel uneasy or vulnerable which is why they always made you feel uncomfortable. But is Ryder's case, he was able to track you no matter how you were feeling because he used the mate bond". 

"Okay. Umm about that. How does the whole mate thing work?" I ask nervously. 

"It's quite simple really. Essentially, mates are just like soulmates, except its love at first sight and as soon as you see them, you want to do anything and everything to make them happy and to protect them. They become your whole world and you love them and want to spend the rest of your life with them" Cole says smiling as he pulls Eden onto his lap, causing her to giggle. He kisses her neck and I smile at them. 

"Okay. I like the sounds of that" I say smiling. 

"Yeah. It's an amazing thing. I'm sorry that he's not here anymore Charlie" Cole says with a sad smile. 

"It's okay but speaking of Ryder. I have a question" I say quietly. 

"Yeah?". 

"How and when did he die? Also, how and when did you die". I watch as Cole sighs and Eden squeezes his hands. 

"Well, I died 3 years ago in a car accident but that's not important. What has Ryder told you about his family?" he asks curiously. 

"Ummm that about a month ago, his house caught on his and it burnt everything and killed all of his family and he was the only one that survived" I reply confused. 

"Okay, so he hasn't completely lied to you this time" Cole smirks but quickly becomes serious again. 

"Ryder died about a year ago Charlie. And that fire he told you about? He was the one that died it in, not his family. Him and his baby sister Delphine were the only two that didn't survive. His parents, and his other sister and his brother all survived because he saved them."

"They got seriously burnt and were knocked out and if it hadn't been for him carrying them all out of the house one by one, then they would be dead too" he starts sadly. 

Shit, Ryder was a good guy. 

"He had gotten them all out and was going back for his baby sister Del when a beam fell on him and trapped him. He managed to break free but by the time he got to her, she had already passed. He was still determined to get her out of there though so he headed back towards the exit when the whole roof caved in and killed him instantly". Wow, is all I can think as the information sinks in. 

"So his family are fine?" I ask shocked. 

"Yeah. They live in Calborough and are doing well. That was where Ryder and I went that time he said he was going to visit a family friend. We went and saw them and Delphine because Delphine is her family's guardian angel" he replies with a small smile. 

"Wow. How does someone with a heart as pure as Ryder's get kicked out of heaven?" I ask sighing. 

"Wrong place at the wrong time," he says quietly. 

"He fucked up, he betrayed the big man and he got angry because Ryder was one of his favourites". 

"Oh. What did he do to get kicked out?" I ask nervously. 

"He left heaven to see his family. Only guardians, warriors and messengers are allowed to leave heaven and come to earth and he wasn't any of those. He was a healer, the best one there has ever been in fact, and so when he got to back heaven, God was upset and banished him."

"When he got here, he was upset and angry because he loved being an angel and getting to help. And those feelings led him to accidentally killing your father" Cole replies weakly. 

"Shit. Ryder's been through it all" I whisper. 

"Yeah. Ever since he died, he has always hated himself for not being able to save Del and then when he killed your father, he instantly regretted it and felt even worse when he knew you were his mate and you'd hate him for it". 

"I don't hate him for what he did," I say guilty. 

"We know," Eden says quietly. 

"We're just praying that Ryder knows that. Wherever he may be" Cole adds with a sad smile. I nod and sigh, running my hands through my hair. 

"Why don't we go out to lunch? It'll help take your mind of things?" Eden says optimistically. I nod and smile before linking arms with her and Cole and heading to Cole's car. 

"It'll be okay" Cole whispers to me as we walk into the garage. I believe him.

"Cole, I have a question," I say as the three of us slide into a booth at Katie's Diner. 

"Yeah?" he asks curiously. 

"You know the date written in Roman numerals that Ryder had tattooed on his wrist? Why did he have that date?" I ask curiously. 

"That was the day he died. He got is tattooed up in heaven" he replies with a smile. 

"Shit. Sorry. Wait, you can get tattoos in heaven?" I ask shocked. 

"It's okay and yeah. You can do whatever you want in heaven" he replies chuckling. 

"Oh okay. Well after lunch, we are going to the tattoo parlor" I say with a smile. 

"You're going to get another tattoo?" Eden asks with an excited smile. 

"Yeah" I reply as the waitress comes over to take our order.

I look at my wrist proudly as the tattoo artist wipes down my new ink. Just like Ryder's. 

"Looks good! Just like Ryder's expect the dates are different" Cole says grinning. I smile back as the artist wraps me wrist as hands me the care pack. I walk up to the register as pat before the three of us head back to Cole's car. 

"So why the 3rd of July?" Eden asks as she gets into the passenger seat while Cole gets into the driver's seat and I get into the back. 

"Because that was the day I met the love of my life," I say, beaming. 

"Cute" Cole says chuckling as he starts the car and we head back to his place. We get back and I say goodbye before driving home. I make it home and head inside to find Adette and mum waiting for me. 

Adette rushes over to me holding a present. She grins and she hands it to me and I hug her. 

"Thank you. What is it?". 

"Open it and find out" she replies excitedly. I smile and sit down on the couch. I unwrap the box and go to take the lid off when it pops off by itself. I squeal with delight when I see that inside is the most adorable kitten ever. 

"You got me a kitten?!" I ask mum excitedly. 

"Yeah. You said surprise me so I did. You've been wanting one for forever and after everything that has happened, I figured we could use a pet around here" she says grinning. 

"You get to name him" Adette adds giggling. Him? Okay ummmm. 

"I think I'll call him James, after dad's middle name" I reply happily as I pick James up and cuddle him. 

"James it is then," mum says chuckling. 

"Also, I like your new tat. Eden sent me a photo". 

"Thanks, mum" I reply smiling. 

"Things are going to get better I promise," she says and she kisses my head before walking off to make dinner. Her words ring in my mind and I smile. 

Things are going to get better, I can feel it. 

_________________________

Hey Guys,

So I hoped you enjoyed the chapter! Betcha didn't expect her dad to come back haha! I'm currently working on the next chapter so hopefully, that will be up soon! Please vote and comment letting me know what you think and keep an eye out for the next chapter!

Thanks,

- Allamy xx