Ghost of You

Twenty Three

Finishing touches on the nursery were underway. Stevie had been washing and folding all of the little baby clothes their son would wear, hanging up the most special pieces in the wardrobe. Lindsey had been out in the garage, working on a special project of his own that he deemed top secret, leaving Stevie inside. Vanessa had been moping, she could hear the drag of her boots upstairs in the attic and her sobs grew loud at times. She no longer had her beloved mirror to replay all of the happy memories she had with Fletcher, now left with the pain of her broken heart once more.

Stevie went to start another load of laundry, retrieving even more tiny clothes from the dryer. She was tired, and hungry but was determined to finish by the time Lindsey came back inside for lunch.

"Stevie?" Vanessa said standing in front of her friend, to which no answer came "Stevie? Please?" She tried again but still Stevie didn't acknowledge her, eventually Stevie jumped, seeing the woman suddenly appear

"Oh my god Vanessa, are you trying to give me early labour?" She laughed, but stopped when Vanessa's chin quivered

"What's the matter?"

"You couldn't hear me..."

"What do you mean?"

"I've just been calling your name infront of you, and you didn't answer."

"I didn't see or hear you..." Stevie said confused

"Stevie, it's the mirror, the longer it's away, the longer it takes for me to communicate with you..." she said sadly

"I will pay closer attention"

"That won't help! Nothing will!" Vanessa shouted and Stevie winced.

"I need you to go" Stevie said, and Vanessa's eyes saddened. She vanished from sight, feeling defeated.

Lindsey came back into the house feeling hungry himself, so he knew his wife must be. He went about looking at the supplies he had in the cabinets and the fridge, trying to decide if he should make something quick or order in. He went upstairs to ask Stevie but she was busy, absorbed in her own work and chose not to bother her.

Stevie was crying, regretting getting upset with Vanessa but every ache and pain scared her and Vanessa was becoming more unhinged. One time the pains got so bad she thought she was losing her son. She couldn't take any more risks. In her quiet, she heard a strange laugh. A shadow passed her line of sight but Stevie paid no mind. She was at peace with the ghosts here, well, most of them. She hummed to herself, the baby boy within her more active than usual. She stood still a moment, stretching her back out and really focusing on these movements she was feeling.

"Is someone excited?" she asked, giggling. She rubbed large circles over her belly when suddenly she saw the darkening of a shadow overheard.

"Die!" she heard in a soft scratching voice, just as she moved out of the shadow and into the light.

Lindsey ran into the room, hearing a scream and a crash. Right beside a rather shaken up Stevie was the wardrobe that had some how tipped over despite the restraints.

"What the hell!" Lindsey rushed to Stevie, checking her all over "Are you okay? Do you hurt anywhere?"

"No..." she said still staring at the fallen wardrobe

"Was this her?" Lindsey asked with an anger to his tone

"Her name is Vanessa, and no it wasn't her, she would never do this!"

"Secured wardrobes do not just fall Stevie."

"It wasn't her, Lindsey we need that mirror back...bad things have happened since you threw it out." Stevie said, finally bursting into tears