My cousin Heath Ledger

I miss you

It had been an amazing day, the entire family had come together in a family reunion. All the kids were playing and laughing and some were even running around the house, chasing after each other. The adults were gathered in the large living room. It was all rather peaceful and nothing could be better.

Things felt almost unreal.

Amongst the fun and lighthearted atmosphere in nearly every room in the house, Marie was perfectly content in reading a book as she sat on the window sill in her room. Maybe it was because she was going through a phase in her adolescence but she would rather be upstairs with her book for company rather than socialise with the rest of her family.

But of course Heath wouldn't accept Marie doing that. If he found out she was all alone in her room he wouldn't leave her side. And as fate would have it, she heard the unmistakable sound of Heath knocking on her door before he called to his younger cousin as he opened it. "And what do you think you're doing up here?" He raised a joking eyebrow, approaching the girl by the window. "You do realise that if you wanted to play hide and seek, it's a game you can't play on your own."

"Well I didn't exactly pick a good enough hiding spot, obviously," Marie laughed, setting down her book and wrapped her arms around her favourite cousin who was like a brother in her eyes.

"I wouldn't say that Cherry," Heath chuckled, rubbing Marie's back as the two sat together at the window overlooking the beautiful coast outside. "No one else has been able to find you yet."

Marie rolled her eyes happily, her arms still wrapped around Heath. She never understood the nickname he gave her but loved it all the same. For as long as she could remember Heath called her Cherry. He had been gone for a few months to film Brother's Grimm and she had missed him dearly. Even if they did speak on the phone or email it just wasn't the same as being with him in person. "Well Mr. Big Shot Film Actor, did you want something because I'm busy reading in here," he teased with a playful gleam in her eyes. Unable to wipe away the wide smile that lit up her face.

A look of mock offence covered Heath's face as he got up and took Marie's hands in his, "That's it Cherry you are coming with me." He smirked, gently pulling her from where she sat.

"Heathy please I really don't want to go downstairs," Marie complained, letting Heath take her towards her bedroom door. She really dreaded having to go and mingle with the rest of the family. Being a single child she often preferred enjoying her own company.

But Heath just laughed and lead her through the house via the second floor, avoiding downstairs completely. Oh that laugh, it could brighten up Hailey's day no matter what. He was always so happy and upbeat, a perfect family man. This was a side of him the media never got to see because for one thing Heath never gave them the chance to. "Don't worry, there's somewhere better you can go than be locked away in your room," he hinted with a small wink before opening a window that lead to a flat roof and climbed out. Marie following right behind him.

"Ah I see, our special place," she smiled, sitting down, he legs hanging over the ledge with Heath crouched down beside her. Sunset was drawing closer and the scene outside was beautiful. The sound of the tide coming in and the faint sound of crickets added to the the ambience.

For some reason a tear ran down her cheek. But Marie couldn't understand it, why was she crying? There was no need to was there? "I've really missed you," she whispered softly with a frown. Why did she just say that? It felt like she hadn't seen Heath for years.

To make things worse Heath, after staying quiet for a few moments, he stood up and began to climb down the ladder resting on the side wall, without a word.

"Heathy where are you going?" Marie asked urgently trying to stop her cousin from climbing down the ladder but something seemed to be stopping her. She couldn't get to him.

"Goodbye Marie Cherry, remember I love you," his voice somewhat haunting as he reached the ground and began walking towards the coast. The sun setting rapidly on the horizon.

"Heathy!" Mari called loudly, trying to get her cousin to come back. But he wasn't listening to her.

"HEATH!" She yelled again, her cheeks stained with tears. None of her efforts were working and Marie was left helpless to watch her favourite precious cousin leaving. Leaving her. Leaving home. Forever.

"Heath!" Marie was startled awake, jolting up in her bed. The poor girl was practically shaking with the tears of her dream running down her cheeks in real life. That had been the worst nightmare she experienced in a while. She thought she was getting better but evidently Marie still hadn't gotten over Heath's death.

"Marie?" Her mother quickly intruded into the room and wrapped Marie in a warm loving embrace. "Another bad dream baby girl?" She spoke soothingly, kissing her daughter's forehead.

Marie nodded, nuzzling her face against her mother's shoulder, sobbing heavily as she felt the pain of the day she lost Heath forever resurface all over again. Her life hadn't been the same since he died and she doubted if it ever would. Or if she really wanted it to. "He just walked away.." Marie uttered brokenly with her eyes tightly shut. "Mom he just kept walking away...why did he do that...? I called him and called him but he didn't listen...."

Marie's mother was left speechless. She didn't think her daughter was this bad after the improvement Marie had appeared to be making in recent months. It broke the mother's heart. "I don't know honey..but it was only a dream..." What advice could she give to her distraught young girl?

"But where is he..? Heath's gone..." Marie retaliated emotionally, her voice wavering, hugging her mother desperately. How she wished her mind didn't create such a horrendous dream. "he's gone and left, left this world...left us..left Matilda...and left me..."

Her mother comfortingly stroked her wreck of a daughter's back. The date of his birthday was fast approaching, maybe that spurred on the nightmare attacks Marie had been suffering all week. "Heath would never purposefully leave you baby, you know that more than anyone...and he's still here...in your heart.." Marie's mother put a hand over her daughter's heart.

And that just broke Marie down further, tears running from her eyes. "I'm starting to forget his voice, how he used to say some words...." she let out in a new wave of heavy sobs. Clinging onto her mother. "I need him back mom..."

((Authors note: Hey everyone, I'm sorry for the lack of updates on this story lately.

Please let me know what you think of this chapter in the comments

Thank you :) ))