Page 31 of Diamonds in the Dark
“Yes, I will not leave your side. I love you, Asher.”
“I love you too, Gwen.”
Asher embraces his brother. They are both crying and clinging to each other. It's heartbreaking watching this, so I turn my head to look at my mom. I want to give them some privacy as they say their last goodbyes. I still can't believe my mom is actually here with me. I have so many questions, but I don't want to waste these few stolen moments I have with her.
“Asher, I expect several nieces and nephews. I want you to love Gwen with all your heart. Enjoy life and live it to the fullest. Don't throw this second chance away. I love you, brother, and I will see you again one day a long time from now, way in the future. Now get in there and fight for you, me, and Gwen! Live the life I threw away,” says Zack as tears run down his cheeks.
They let go of each other and Asher takes a deep breath, which I now figure is just a habit, not because he actually needs any oxygen. We all watch as he walks over to the bed and stands looking at his brother's body. He then turns around and looks at all of us. Without a word he climbs up and lays on top of Zach’s body. We are all silent, watching to see if this works and what will happen next. All of a sudden, Asher sinks into Zach's body and he disappears. I look over at Zach, he has a smile on his face as he slowly disappears into thin air.
“It is done,” says my mom.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I had been holding. I was so afraid that it wasn't going to work.
“How do you know all this stuff, Mom? Asher and Zach were the ones that it was happening to, and they didn't know if this would work or not. How did you know it would and how did you know about their situation? I don't understand. Asher doesn't seem to have as much knowledge as you do.”
“Gwen, when it comes to seeing you being happy, I have watched, listened and learned as much as I can since I died. Asher has watched and listened but hasn't really learned much in the four years since he died. He has always been too caught up in Zach’s problems and in the fact that he was dead. While he was alive, all he wanted was to die. Once he was actually dead, he hated it. He wanted to save his family and Zach from Zach's drug addiction. There was nothing he could do because he was dead. All of this was eating away at him. When he realized that his brother's drug addiction started when he died, he blamed himself for it and knowing he was helpless to do anything made him obsessed with the situation, which led Asher to never learning much about being dead,” she explains.
“I hated the way Edward treated you, and I couldn't figure out why you stayed with him. The day you and Asher met I started really paying attention. I realized Asher made a huge mistake getting himself killed and that was why you stayed with Edward. Asher was supposed to step into your life a couple of years ago and that would have made you leave Edward in a heartbeat. He couldn’t because he was dead. I am proud of you though, you left Edward on your own without Asher intervening,” Mom says, “I’m sorry he hurt you so much, but you learned a lot, I am sure, from the experience,” Mom continues.
“I did, Mom. I learned how I wanted to be treated by a man and Asher is everything I have ever wanted. Well, apart from him being dead, I didn't know that part until I got to the hospital today and I am still trying to wrap my brain around all that just happened,” I say.
“Well, sweetheart, he's no longer dead. But he has a long road ahead of him. It's not going to be easy for either one of you. You also might want to get used to calling him Zach as well, because when he wakes up, he will still be your Asher on the inside, but to the world he will be Zach who survived his accident. I don't know if either one of them thought to tell you this or if they were even planning to tell you. I think you should know. The accident that Zach was in last night, is the same one that took Edwards life. It was Edwards' fault, but they were both intoxicated. Edward was driving on the wrong side of the road, and Zach didn't swerve fast enough, and they hit head on. Edward was pronounced dead on the scene and the woman with him had minor injuries.”
I make my way back to the chair and sit down. Mom follows me holding my hand. I am shocked at how this all entwines. I don't know what to think or feel, this is all so surreal.
“Asher knows Edward caused Zach’s accident?” I ask.
“Yes, he knows, so did Zach. He found out when he got to the hospital. Zach was explaining the wreck and it hit Asher that it had to be the same accident that Edward died in. Asher had to explain to Zach who Edward was because, of course, Zach knew nothing of you or Edward,” Mom says.
“So have you been watching Asher or something?” I ask.
“You could say that. I have not interfered though. Well, not until you left yesterday and hearing how heartbroken you were and me knowing why he was staying away from you. I felt I needed to tell him that you two were supposed to be together, which apparently worked because he came to you last night,” She winks at me.
I blush, “Okay Mom, you can stop,” I laugh.
“I didn't know of Asher until the day you met him at the cemetery. When I realized you could see him, not to mention talk to him and touch him, I wanted to know how and why. That's not something quite common. I knew there had to be a reason you and him could have that kind of communication. That's when I figured out, he was your soulmate,” she explains.
“Wow, this is all so confusing. It is going to take time to work all of this out in my head,” I say, feeling overwhelmed.
“Gwen, I know it will take a while to understand what happened here today, and you may never understand it. Maybe you just have to accept it and live your life to the fullest with Asher, as Zach said. Maybe you aren't meant to understand it.
“Baby girl, I have to be going, but there is one more thing I want to say to you before I go because I know it is something you are struggling with. Be happy for your dad and Elise. She's a good woman. I am glad your dad found someone he can be his goofy self with. I want your dad happy. I know you are being supportive of their relationship but try not to feel sad when they are having an enjoyable time together and don't feel guilty if you find yourself having a good time with her as well. I died too soon, and you and your dad deserve to be happy. Well, as happy as she can make him because I was his soulmate,” she winks at me again and I laugh.
She pulls me up from my chair and holds me in her arms. We hold on to each other like it's the end of the world for us, and in a way, it kind of is.
“Baby girl, I will see you again one day, but until then, be happy and love Asher with all the love you have to give. Maybe give me a few grandbabies to watch over. That would be very much appreciated, I get bored sometimes and little grandbabies would give me something to do with my time. Love your dad as well. You and him were my greatest gifts here on earth. Take care of each other. I love you and now I am watching over you all. You both make me so proud every single day.” She smiles at me as tears fall from her eyes and in a swirl of colors, she is gone.
Tears roll down my cheeks. I am glad I got to spend that little bit of time with her, but I am going to miss her so much. I look over at Asher, he hasn't moved. I pull the chair over beside his bed and grab his hand. I sit beside him holding it for so long I lose track of time, mentally praying and begging for him to wake up. I know it's going to take some time for him to heal. I'm not even sure what all is wrong with him. I need to speak to his doctor.
Chapter 23
Ash…Zach
I want to come up out of this sleep. It feels like I have been asleep forever, but every time I start to reach what I think is the surface, the pain all over my body is excruciating and I sink back down into the darkness where it doesn't hurt as much. I hear someone talking to me, I try to listen closely. I want to know what they are saying. When the pain gets to be too much and the darkness comes again, I can no longer hear anything. It's just silent and dark, and I am stuck here with my own thoughts. I am fighting this time. I have to know what is being said to me and by whom. I fight back against the darkness and endure the pain. I hear the sweetest voice in the world, and I strain to listen. Its words of reassurance and love. Then I remember! Gwen is the one talking to me.
I have taken my brother's body.
Zach is dead.
