The Ghost Of You

Chapter Thirty One

James

"Thankyou again" I said to Mum and Dad after they arrived at the flat a short moment later. They were the first call I made after getting off the phone with Piper
Honestly, it couldn't have come at a better time. Tomorrow the kids were going off with Mum and Dad to the cabin while I attempted to get some work done to make this place a little more toddler friendly for Sienna and a little more education friendly for Harrison 
Dad was taking Harrison fishing on the lake while I'm pretty sure Sienna and Mum would spend the days in the kitchen baking whatever Sienna could come up with 

"Do not thank us sweetheart, just bring our Riley home" Mum said kissing my cheek making me smile at her
"If you need anything, you know where to find us son" Dad said patting my shoulder as I grabbed a bag and I headed out of the flat 

I didn't want to stay there long, I wanted to grab Riley and bring her home however something tells me that won't be the case
I've seen what happened last time I was in this position and it wasn't nice. It wasn't easy, Riley has always been stubborn but if she's protecting those she loves
She'll take it to high heavens 

Piper was only a 2 hour drive away, she was close enough that with a slight speed I could be there in an hour 30. 
But I didn't know what I was supposed to expect at this point

"James" Piper breathed out the moment she opened the door to her hotel room. Lucky for her Dad paid extra for her to room alone, that was until I joined her outing
"Hey Pipes" I whispered hugging her tightly 

This nightmare was going to end right now, this was the point where we get Riley back. It had to be..

"Where is she?" I asked making Piper pull out her phone frowning at it
"She's driving, from what I can assume she just left the diner and is heading back into the main part of town" She said making me nod throwing my bag down
"Let's go look for our favourite brunette" I said making Piper laugh

"We're all brunette you dumbass" She sassed nudging me as we walked back out of the door I had just gotten to 

It felt like we had been walking around this place for hours but at the moment Riley was still driving around.
"She should be back now" Piper groaned
"Unless she doesn't live in town Pipes, we didn't really think that as a possibility" I said 
"She's stopped" Her voice said again making me turn to look at her 

"Thanks again Henry. You don't need to go out of your way like this you know" Riley's voice said making me look directly behind Piper where Riley was getting out of the car with a older gentlemen following her to the door
She hasn't really moved on like this has she?

"Of course I would Faith, we can't have our town's newest face getting herself into any trouble now can we" He chuckled as they both walked into the building while I looked back at Piper who was just as shocked as I was 

"I'm sorry? Who the hell is Faith? Who the hell is Henry?" Piper practically screeched making me sigh 

This was going to be a lot more complicated then we had thought 

--

Riley

"Well Angie, your husband is a sweetheart as always" I smiled as we stood with our front doors open talking to each other
Angie and Henry have lived opposite me since long before I got here. They helped me settle in this place and truly gave me a sense of company in a flat that felt isolated 

"I'm glad he's nice to someone at least" She teased making me chuckle
"You know just as well as I do that man in there loves you more then living itself" I said making her sigh contently before smiling 

"One day Faith, I hope you find that kind of Love. You deserve it darling" She said making me nod to her
"I've had that love Angie, I messed it up and it's over with but I've had it" I muttered
"You have? Tell me about him honey" She cooed 

"He was the biggest idiot you would ever meet" I smiled making her laugh
"They always are" She said leaning against her door frame

"I grew up with him but I honestly don't think I truly started to grow until I met him. He helped me conquer a lot of things I didn't know where stopping me. He loved me despite anything that happened. He loved all of my quirks, all of my annoying tendencies" I started before catching Henry grinning behind Angie 
"Sounds like he loved you unconditionally Faith" He offered and I nodded
"Yeah, yeah he did" I sighed 

"When did it end?" He asked
"Two years ago, I had to leave. I had to have a fresh start which meant leaving him and ou-" I started before stopping myself
I couldn't lay this all on the table to him
"No matter what you left behind Faith, that type of love doesn't end" Angie said 
"I think you'll find there is nothing you can't get through, that type of love will always win" She smiled 

"between you and me Faith, I would listen to her. She knows what she is talking about" Henry mock whispered. We all knew that Angie would be able to hear him, she confirmed that with an eyeroll

"Thankyou both, I don't know about you guys but I think that I need some tea and to head to bed" I sighed making both of them nod before we started to exchange a few goodbyes 

Looking around the flat, the more time I spent here the more it didn't feel like home. It never would, it's missing three very important things and that won't ever be joining me here 

Before the kettle even had time to boil there was another knock at the door making me chuckle to myself, it's probably Angie bringing over food or something
She tells me day in and day out that I'll end up wasting away

"Angie, I've eaten this-" I started before cutting myself off looking at the figure stood at my door.. It was not Angie, not even close..

"James" I breathed out