"While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die."
- Leonardo Da Vinci
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"I can't go."

The words leave my lips before I've even realised I've spoken them.

I'm staring at Adele. I can't leave her. I don't want too. If I could wait for on the other side it would be different, but I can't stand existing for eternity knowing that she exists and I'll never see her again.

"Louis, if you don't then Lola will become a rogue, she'll be trapped in this house forever!" Harry urges.

"No, you can take her... I'm staying with Adele." I say firmly.

"I can't take her." Harry's stressed, pushing his fingers through his hair. "It's different with children, they cling to reality, they want to stay near their parents."

"Children die all the time! Are you saying they all become rogues?"

"No! Usually we have someone waiting, a ghost like you waiting to take the to the other side, a grandparent or something, an energy that they'll recognise! Every now and then it doesn't quite work and you have a child rogue ghost, spending eternity looking for their parents-"

"But I'm not related to Lola, I'm not connected to her in any way!" I almost shout.

"I bloody know!" Harry shouts back. "I don't have time to explain it Louis! It was meant to be so simple, it's all because of her!" He points to Adele angrily. "If you hadn't of turned into some bloody zombie Casanova then you'd have just done what you're meant to do and-"

"It's not Adele's fault!" I shout back angrily. "If you'd have prepared me then I could have-"

"If I'd have prepared you then you would have stopped Lola from falling and-"

"And none if this would have happened! What's the point of it all? Why the hell have I been sat in a house for centuries waiting for a kid to die, except she's not really dead because I'm now expected to just bloody leave on your whim, now that I've finally found some happiness... What's the point? Why make her die if she's not supposed to?"

"It's in the divine plan!" I've never seen Harry so stressed or angry.

"Oh, stick your divine plan up your arse Harry." I spit.

He stares at me, open mouthed.

"How... How dare you! I'm an archangel!" He splutters indignantly.

I look away from him, towards Adele. Lola is still crying bewilderedly. I'm trying to ignore it but I can't. The atmosphere is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"I have a question." Nialls voice makes both me and Harry jump. I'd forgotten he was there. "What the bloody hell is going on?"

Harry sighs and stares at me.

"Louis... There's so little time..."

I ignore everyone as I focus on Adele.

I concentrate everything I have on making her feel warm.

I know it's selfish, but it'll be ok. If Lola is stuck here I will be too and I can look after her, I'll stay with her and Adele and keep them both safe.

Adele looks up as the warm feeling surrounds her.

"Louis." She whispers. "Something terrible has happened. I need your help. A little girl..." She sobs and tried to calm herself. "A little girl has died! Is she here? Please Louis, it can't be her time yet!"

She carries on, crying and mumbling incoherently.

Suddenly my body begins to tingle. I know that Harry is doing this but I have no idea why.

Adele stares at me in shock as I appear in front of her.

"Louis! Oh my god!"

"Everything is ok Adele."

She stares at me, gasping for breath and I realise that for the first time I've spoken to her, she's heard what I'm saying. I've never felt this solid, this real. I can't see Harry, Niall or Lola any more. It's like I'm human again. Time seems to have stopped entirely as me and Adele stare at each other.

Why is he making this happen?

"Your voice..." She trails off, completely shocked.

"You can hear me." I say and she nods.

She's completely over awed. This is too much for her, finally she can see me but the tears are still running down her cheeks.

"Something awful had happened-"

"I know." I say softly. "But I'm here, I'm not going anywhere, just like I promised you."

"Is.. I mean... Can you see her? Lola?"

"Yes."

"She's dead." Agony sweeps her face. "Oh my god.."

She begins to cry again. Tentatively I brush her cheeks of tears and she leans into my hand sobbing. I can feel her soft cheek against my palm and my heart skips at the contact.

"There must be something you can do." She whispers.

I hesitate. I want to take away the pain, and of course I do want to help Lola, but Adele doesn't know the price.

"There is a way I could bring her back but..." I can't say it.

"What?! Then do it!" She stares up at me.

"I can't..."

"Please! Please Louis I'm begging you!" She pulls away suddenly and I stare down at her fragile little frame.

I don't want to tell her what will happen. But I have a feeling that even if she knew then she'd make the same choice.

And she's right.

I can't believe I even considered letting Lola become like Niall, stuck forever looking for her mother.

"Okay."  I say quietly. "I'll do it."

"You'll bring her back?"

I nod slowly, ignoring the ache in my chest. This is the right thing to do. I have to do this.

Adele's wide eyes sparkle as she smiles up at me.

"Oh my god, I can't believe I can see you! I've been-"

"There isn't much time." I cut in gently.

"Will this happen again? I'll be able to see you again?"

"No." I can't lie about this.

She looks crestfallen.

"Adele? Do me one last thing."

"What do you mean last thing?" She asks, panicking.

I just smile at her. My heart is breaking as I look into her eyes.

"What do you want me to do?" She whispers.

"Kiss me."

My voice is quiet and she looks at me in surprise for a split second.

Suddenly she takes a step forward and her soft lips meet mine.

Her heart beats steadily against my chest as I wrap my arms around her and pull her tightly towards me, deepening the kiss. Her full lips part slightly and my whole body tingles at the contact of hers. She fills every sense, the scent of her hair, the softness of her lips. She's intoxicating.

I want this to last forever.

"Just remember I did this because I love you Adele. I'll always love you. Remember that." I whisper against her lips.

"What do you mean?" She frowns.

I don't answer. I can feel myself fading back to the ghost I am and I need every second of her lips on mine. The memory of this will have to last me an eternity.

"Jesus Christ, get a bloody room."

Nialls disgusted voice lets me know that it's all over.

"I mean, bloody hell, you knew we were here! I'm just bloody sat here trying to pretend I can't see you sucking some girls face off." He mutters disgruntled.

Adele is smiling softly at the place where I've just disappeared. She doesn't know it's the end. I turn back to Harry, who is watching me sadly.

"Thank you." I say softly.

He nods.

"Are you ready?"

"Yeah." I'm not. I walk over to Lola who still looks frightened. I couldn't have left her like this, not really.

"I've got to go now sweetheart. Your mummy is waiting for you." I smile at her.

"Where is mummy? I want a cuddle." She tries to smile bravely but it looks a bit wobbly.

"It won't be long and you'll be back with her." She nods uncertainly. "And Lola?"

"Yes Louis?"

"Don't forget me."

I smile at her one last time.

"Let's go." Harry says. "I've really buggered up the space/time continuum on this assignment... I've been pausing time for the last 30 minutes. I'm going to be in so much trouble up there." He scowls at me.

"Right!" He sing songs, clapping his hands together and back to his usual self. "Let's dash. Come on Niall, no point in you hanging round for another three centuries feeling sorry for yourself, time for you to move on too old chap."

We stand in a circle because that just seems like the appropriate thing to do. Lola is staring at me and I shoot her a quick wink before I focus on the person I really want to see.

Although every detail of her face is etched in my mind I drink it in anyway. She's leaning against the wall, smiling to herself in happiness.

"I love you Louis." She whispers, smiling.

Just a few days ago those words would have made my soul sing, but now they weigh heavily on me.

She thinks tomorrow I'll be waiting for her as usual. But I won't be. Not ever again.

My heart tears as I picture her face when she realises I'm not there anymore.

There is a flash of golden light and it feels like I'm falling.

I focus hard on her face. I need to see it one last time and I whisper my final goodbye.

I'll always love you Adele. For eternity

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AN- Thanks to the lovely @blastedstyles for the new cover x