Mistake (completed)

I'm a coward.

It's been two long months since I talked to Cadence's guy André and I just can't bring myself to go back. I'm ashamed for rejecting her and for running away but she found what I wanted for her with André, how do I go back now and break up her life?

Ever since Gabriel and Angel passed. I take comfort in going through some of the belongings I took of their before I wasn't allowed back at home anymore. I open the wooden memory chest I designed for Gabriel's things and start looking through some photos of the three of us that he had.

We were close when we were kids and closer as teens and young adults. We literally did everything together. He has one photo of us dressed up knights for Halloween because Angel wanted to be a princess, they were ten and I was nine and we always did whatever Angel wanted. She ruled our household.

I pull out one of his old track jackets. I didn't notice when I packed it but his wallet that he used as a teen is in the pocket. I pull it out there's a picture of Cadence inside. She must be about sixteen. I didn't know Gabe liked Cadence, to be honest I didn't know he knew her.

I see his grade twelve year book and open it. There she is, freshman year, how could I forget her? She's just as beautiful now as she was then. I flip through the rest of the book and notice a piece of paper tucked between two pages.

Dear Gabriel

I'm sorry I've been avoiding you. I hate how hurt you looked when you came into the hardware store with your dad.

I feel so guilty because we should not have been together because I love Tony.

I don't regret it, I need you to know and understand that.

You are so special and you were so kind, gentle and loving with me and I'll never ever forget it.

You're an amazing bear Gabe. You're mate is so lucky to have you I just know in my heart I'm not her.

I'm sorry.

Xoxo

Cadence

"What?"

How did I not know about this? I thought Gabriel and I had no secrets. Admittedly this is very private I just had no idea. I didn't know she's had these feelings for me so long ago eitber. Is that why she didn't reject me, because she's always loved me?

"Goddess, I'm such a fool".

"Yes you are".

I jump up and turn around from the spot on the floor where I was sitting. I have to blink a few times because I have to be hallucinating again.

"What the fuck?" I'm still not sure I'm sane.

"Hello Antonio" and short feisty little blonde woman says from her seat on my island counter.

"H-how di—who are you?" I ask confused.

"Oh my poor sweet child, you're so dense". She says sweetly even though it's not sweet.

The hallucination that looks like my dead brother laughs.

"I haven't seen you in two years and the first thing you do is laugh at me?"

"I'm dead, sue me for missing this stuff". Gabriel walks over to me and gives me a hug....

How is this possible?

"Where is Angel?" where one is the other shouldn't be far away.

"Right here dingus!" she yells as she jumps up on to my back.

"Oof".

"I don't understand, how are you here?" I ask inquisitively.

"You need us" Gabe says.

"Badly" Angel chimes in.

I roll my eyes at her but smile and look back at Gabe, "Why didn't you tell me about Cadence?"

He sighs, "I knew she only truly had eyes for you. What I didn't wasn't right and I hated myself because I knew she was upset and I used it to have a night I wouldn't have had otherwise".

Angel hugs him and looks at me, "The night Jodi showed up and was pretty much molesting you in the backyard, Cadence had come over. I let her in and told her you were out back. I didn't know Jodi was there".

Gabe continues "Cadence looked devastated and it broke my heart. I comforted her and things got away from me. I knew she loved you, I saw it everyday when she looked at you".

Angel groans "You're both stupid, so stupid".

"Now angel dear that's not really fair" the blonde woman says in response... Seriously who is this lady?

"Goddess please forgive me. What I meant was... No that's what I meant." they both laugh.

"Goddess? Are you THE Moon Goddess?" I ask surprised.

"Yes and I brought Angel and Gabriel here to help get you're head out of your ass".

"Seems a bit harsh" I mumble quietly.

"You rejected your mate Tony." Gabe snaps.

"It hasn't been easy you know!" I yell.

Angel hugs me this time, "we so and we're so sorry".

"I knew I couldn't save Angel but I had to try. She's a part of me and I would not have been the same without her. I just didn't think everyone would turn on you with us both gone".

"Especially mom and dad.... Watching that has been so hard. We don't agree with what they are doing. Tony we love you and you shouldn't feel bad because we died. You need to go to Cadence and accept her and have the life we always imagined for ourselves." Angel declares passionately.

"Can you promise me things get better if I do?"

"Not right away. But in a few years if all goes according to the Goddesses plan you will have a huge family that loves and cares for you. You'll be important to them. But if you don't get your shit together you'll lose it all, don't waste this chance. Give Cadence the life she deserves." he says with tears in his eyes.

"It's true but if Cadence rejects you she'll end up with André. He's a wonderful bear, better than I ever imagined, but if you hurry up and get back to her she'll continue to love and accept you in ways that will always amaze you." the Goddess says kindly.

"Come on Tony stop wasting time, get going." Angel starts trying to rush me like she always did when I was slow at doing what she wanted.

"She happy with André, being with me isn't a positive".

Angel turns to the Goddess hands on her hips clearly pissed at me, "may I punch him in his stupid face please?"

"Don't let me stop you" she waves her off.

This doesn't seem fair at all. Angel smiles wickedly at me, "come here brother, I know you've missed this".

"I'm actually good but thanks anyway." I say as she chases me around the cabin.

I try telling her that this isn't fun for me but she just calls me a lair and continues to chase me. Gabriel finally grabs her around her waist and and lifts her up.

She yells at him to put her down because I still need to get my ass kicked but the Goddess interrupts. She telling them we have five minutes left and we should use them wisely.

Gabriel sets angel down they come over to me, "It's not nearly enough time".

The tears start to flow, "I love and miss you guys so much".

"Please go back to Cadence. You saw what she said to Gabriel, she's loved you forever and it's never wavered".

"I know André told you this but you need to hear it again, get your head out of your ass and go back to her." Gabe says in his best no nonsense big brother tone.

"Promise me Tony" Angel demands.

"I... I promise".

"Good, I love you so much." they say simultaneously and we hug each other tight.

"Times up".

There is a bright lite and I find myself peeling my eyes open. I feel like I had the most vivid dream but I smell them so it had to have been real but that's crazy so it was most definitely a dream.

I immediately start packing. I never made Angel a promise I didn't keep, dream Angel or live Angel, I'd never break my word.

I cannot lie, I'm scared... What if I'm too late?