Riley
"Riles, all I'm saying is if the boy would happily sit in Bill's hoping that you come in. It's safe to say he isn't going anywhere" Daniel said trying to persuade me to see James again
The more I see him, the more I know he's here the more I can feel myself being sucked back into life before
"Harrison honey can you go and brush your teeth" I said glancing over at my son as he jumped on the sofa spooking his little sister slightly before he instantly offered her comfort
As soon as Harrison was out of ears reach I turned back to Daniel. Harrison is 4 years old and he understands more then we give him credit for
"Look, I get it. You're trying to help me Daniel but the only thing that can help with now is if you can get James to leave without looking back again" I explained
"If he gets close it's only going to complicate things. The kids and I have a good thing going on here and the last thing I want is that to have to change because he's lingering" I reminded him
"Riley, one time. Just go see him once more" He pleaded
"You at least owe him that" He said a little softer this time
"Tan and I can watch the kids this morning, just give him a break Riley. Talk to him, tell him something" He said and I sighed nodding knowing that letting this go was not on Daniel's agenda today
"What am I supposed to say?" I asked
"The truth Riley" Daniel said making me frown slightly looking over at Sienna asleep in her bouncer
The truth isn't going to fix anything, the truth is only going to lead him to have more questions.. Dangerous questions at that
"All you need to focus on Riley is him. Remember that for the last 5 years you've been dead. He's been mourning you and now he has the opportunity to have you back in his life. He's fighting for you, fighting for the chance that was taken away from both of you" Daniel said before tapping the side to keep my attention in the room before he headed in the direction of Harrison, probably to check he was almost done
I want to let James know everything, but at the same time.. I don't think he's ready to know it. It'll change too much for him, it'll hurt him more then he realises..
--
Tanya and Daniel had taken the kids out for the morning just as promised. I wasn't sure where they had gone but they knew not to come to Bill's until I gave them the okay. The last thing I need is Harrison walking in and putting two and two together when it comes to James
"Riley?" James' voice said making me turn around to see him walking towards the booth
He still looked exactly how I remembered. He had the same stubble on his jaw line. Back then it's because him Mum and I were busy so couldn't help him shave but this time I think the reason could be different
His eyes look a little more tired then usual but I'm not surprised if he's around town working himself up over this
"hey" I said getting out of the booth. I wanted to hug him but I had this feeling that if I did, I would be a goner
But I didn't really get a choice in that matter
The moment James got over to me, he wrapped both of his arms around me pulling my flush against his chest leaning down to bury his head in my neck
We both wanted this, we both needed this but this was also the one thing that neither of us should have done
Saying goodbye is only going to be harder now...
"I hear you're talking up a storm in town looking for me. You need to stop James. You need to go home" I explained but James instantly shook his head sitting opposite me in the booth
"Riley I'm not going anywhere until you agree to come home with me" He said
"James I am home" I reminded him
"no Riley, you're home is back with all of us, with me. With your family!" He said
"There is a lot to this situation that you don't know James and you can't know" I said
"Bullshit" He argued
"James" I warned
"No Riley, if this is about your daughter that isn't going to stop us. I don't care about her father, if it means that I have you again she might as well be mine" He said making me eyes widen
He knows about Sienna.. how?
"How-" I started before cutting myself off
"Last night, I was walking back to my room and I saw you sat by the window with her" He said softly
"Riley, I lost you for 5 years.. I'm not losing you again. No matter what I have to give up in the process" He said but I shook my head
"you need to go home, you need to go back to thinking I'm not here because in your world.. I'm not" I said
"We both know I'm not about to do that Riley. Talk to me, let me try and help" He said but I couldn't
"If you want to help me James then Leave!" I exclaimed but that wasn't really going to help the situation really
"Why are you doing this? What the hell happened in the 24 hours I wasn't there Ri!" I asked getting agitated at the situation
"Nothing!" I yelled back
"It was clearly something! You don't just pick up and leave for nothing Riley!" He said, his voice loud enough to disturb other people at this point
"You left me, our friend, our families! We've all thought you were dead for 5 years Riley! Your sister has been going crazy every year, your parents don't speak. Piper is constantly paranoid! My parents are mourning you as if you were their daughter" He explained
"We deserve an answer Riley!" He yelled making the pair of us rise to our feet after the heated discussion
This was nowhere near the end but I was losing the battle
"If you really cared about any of us, you owe us that much" James exclaimed
"HEY!" another voice yelled, another voice that was too familiar, another voice that shouldn't be in here right now
"Do not yell at my mum!" Harrison said running over practically pushing James back over to the booth to get him away from me
YOU ARE READING
The Ghost Of You
Fanfiction5 years ago, James left for the first Tour with his band. He was 21 years old and as far as we he was concerned he had his whole life ahead of him. He had his family, his friends, his band and his girl.. That was until he got a call that nobody ever...
