I dragged myself into the house after taking the bus home in the middle of a blizzard, all I wanted to do is get these boots off and soak my feet. I sat on the bed after removing my boots and coat. Pealing my wet socks off my throbbing feet, I balled up and tossed them aside. I placed my feet inside of the bowl of hot water and sighed at how good it felt. I removed my notebook from my bag and opened it to study. Finals were the following week and then I had a three week break until the next semester started.

Banging in the bathroom startled me as I was alone, it sounded like a ball hitting the wall. I sighed deeply irritated that I couldn't get a break for one damn night. I stood up and stepped from the water onto the carpet, I started to the bathroom unsure of who I would find. To my surprise sitting on the floor in the same blue dress I had seen her in, in Natalie's apartment, was Bella.

She was throwing a little blue ball against the wall and letting it bounce back into her hands. As if sensing me, Bella looked up and gave me a wide smile. I smiled back saddened that this little girl had lost her life at such a young age. I reached out my hand for her to take, she hesitated then reached for it. As her hand lay on top of mine, I felt the cold sensation in my bones but ignored it as I led her from the bathroom towards the bed.

"Bella, where is your mom?" I asked as I studied her beautiful chocolate skin and silky black hair braided down her back. Despite the fact of her being dead, her gray eyes sparkled with happiness. She's sad, she's always sad. I don't want her to be sad, It's not her fault. Bella stated with a frown, I was playing with fire, its my fault.

"Bella, you didn't know. I am going to help you, and make your mom happy. Shes sad because you are not at peace."

I pulled out my phone to call Natalie and have her come to my apartment, I was finally going to fulfill my promise.

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Natalie arrived ten minutes later and I put my notebook to the side, as she sat on the bed. "Would you like to talk to your daughter, then we can send her to heaven?" I asked Natalie. She nodded as tears streamed down her face. "Go ahead, she can hear you" I urged gently.

"Bella Baby, I love you. I'm sorry mama wasn't there the night you died. You don't belong here, you've been with me since that night. Baby you gotta do what this lady tells you and be at peace. Thats what mama wants, for you to be at peace."

I'm scared mama, with you I feel safe. Its my fault i'm gone, don't be sad. Bella reached up to brush one of Natalie's tears and she gasped. "She said she's scared to go, that she feels its her fault shes gone and not to be sad. Then she touched your face." I said, as more tears fell from her face.

"Bella its not your fault, you were so young. I love you so much but you have to go, please go for mama" Natalie whispered, Bella redundantly nodded her head. I love you mama, we'll be together again she said as she wrapped her arms around Natalie.

"She said she loves you and you'll be with her again. Are you ready?" I asked Natalie and she nodded. I closed my eyes and spoke directly to Bella.

"Bella what do you see around you, is there a light? it should be bright" I asked. Yes, I see grandma standing in it "Go into the light, baby girl". Tell my mama I'll be okay now

When I opened my eyes, Bella was gone and Natalie was crying hard into her arm. I placed my hand on her arm, "she's gone, she's with her grandma" I whispered surprised that I was crying as well.

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Later that night after Natalie thanked me a million times for helping her daughter, I settled under the covers and for the first time in a long time fell asleep with a big smile on my face. I knew at that point, I had to cross the others as well.

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