*****
We returned to the house shortly after our meal. My mother was waiting for us on the front porch rocking in her beautiful rocking chair. She looked at us and smiled.
“How was it?” Six months ago I never would have thought my mother would say this to me.
“Great.” I said patting my dad on the shoulder. “He’s not so bad for an old man.” My father bumped me nearly knocking me over and we both broke out into laughter.
“Fantastic.” She looked at me. “You need to get upstairs and start packing.” She pointed towards the front door. “I got you something it’s on your bed.”
I looked back at her and raised my eyebrows. What could she have possibly got me that I didn’t already have? I walked inside and up the stairs to my room. Sitting on my bed was a set of luggage. I had never had luggage before. Even when I lived with my father all those years ago I didn’t have this. A black leather bag on rollers and a carry on that matched. I opened up the bag to start throwing my things in when I saw there was more than just the luggage.
I pulled out several outfits that were designed similar to the fifties dresses you see on TV. One was black with white skulls, another was solid black and one that totally took me by surprise. I pulled it out and felt tears in my eyes she had purchased me a white dress. I hadn’t owned a single item in white since I was a preteen. I had made it a point to tell her that I needed to put other colors in my wardrobe and she purchased me this beautiful white dress. I held it up and looked at myself in the mirror.
“I like it!” Adam said appearing behind me.
“Really? You don’t think it’s too much?” I put the dress down and turned around to look at him.
He was wearing a black ACDC t-shirt and blue jeans. I glanced in the mirror. His chest heaved and the vein in his neck began to throb. His eyes were wide and I didn’t understand why he looked amazed yet horrified at the same time.
“What is it?” I ran towards him grabbing him by the shoulders. “Adam what is it?” My pulse had picked up and I shook him. He wouldn’t look at me. “Adam!” I screamed.
I heard the footsteps on the steps and suddenly Shawn was in the room. “Don’t touch him!” He pulled me away as Adam’s head shot backwards.
“What’s happening to him?” I gripped on to Shawn just staring as Adam start to ascend into the air.
“Adam has been chosen.” Shawn said holding me close. “He’s been chosen by Heaven.”
“Chosen by Heaven for what?” I breathed I wanted so bad to run to him. There was a bright light behind us and I turned seeing Ramiel step around my bed.
“You should really look into hanging out in larger rooms.” Ramiel smiled at me. Shawn let me go and I ran to him wrapping my arms around the Angels waist. “It’s good to see you too young one.”
“What’s happening to him? What’s happening to my Adam?” I drug the Angel towards the boy suspended in air.
“He’s ascending.” Ramiel smiled and grabbed my hand. “You see when the Heaven’s choose a Protector he undergoes changes. He becomes faster, stronger, more agile.”
“But he’s human.” I explained.
“All Protectors are humans. He’s not going to start shooting sparks from his fingertips it just means that he was chosen for a mission by someone with wondrous power and Heaven feels that he is worthy of the boost.” He walked forward and placed his hand on Adams chest, there was a burst of light and Adam heaved a heavy breath his eyes shooting to me and confusion mixed with terror on his face.
“Will she be able to feel it?” I asked Shawn who shrugged.
“I’m demon blooded I do not know the ways of Angels.” He rubbed my back his eyes locked on the scene in front of us.
“You mean the water lily you are searching for? No, in fact the only way you would know is if he was chosen to protect you.” Ramiel helped Adam regain his stance, Adam was in awe of the Angel to his right that all I could do was stare.
“Huh?” I didn’t understand. My mother had chosen hers.
“Nothing dear. This boost is up to Adam. If he feels that he cannot live up to the standards of the Protector he can always give it back.” Ramiel smiled at Adam and all he could do was blink.
“What the hell just happened?” Adam asked looking at me. He didn’t look any different.
“You were chosen.” I beamed. I did find it odd how my father knew this was going to happen. Then again that could have been something him and my mother were planning. It gave Adam the edge to compete with me if it was needed.
“You know I have lived well by the rules of not asking and I’m going to keep it that way.” He wrapped his arms around me. Ramiel rolled his eyes and looked at Shawn.
“Demon boy. I know you.” He said as Shawn shook his head.
“I’ve never been to Heaven so I don’t see how.” Shawn said quietly.
“You spent some time in Purgatory.” Ramiel put his finger up as if that was supposed to answer it all.
“I don’t talk about that much.” Shawn growled. “There is another reason you are here isn’t there?”
“Yes. Do you mind taking me to speak with Puriel?” Ramiel looked at me and Adam. “To my understanding these two need to get on the road soon otherwise they are going to miss their flight.”
“Yeah I can do that. Just keep your wings to yourself.” Shawn said leading the Angel out of my room.
I gripped Adam close to me and our breaths became one our heart beats synced and energy was all around us. “I was so scared.” I breathed smelling him.
“You were scared? I swear I saw Heaven.” He replied pulling me even closer. There was no way we could be any near to the other. “Finish packing I’m going to get my bags downstairs and talk to my dad.”
“Yeah ok.” He leaned in and kissed me softly.
“I’m looking forward to this.” His eyes burned for a second then fizzled out to their beautiful brown.
I rushed to get my bags packed making sure to grab all the sanitary items that I was going to need. I grabbed my laptop and stuffed it in my bag along with a few other items. The question was how was I going to get our weapons on a plane?
“No need to worry about that darling.” My father entered the room with style and grace. “Your mother is indisposed with Heavenly duties.” He waved his hands in the air and rolled his eyes. “I didn’t get you first class tickets on American Airlines. I have my copter coming in to take you to the airport and from there you are flying in my private jet.”
“When did you get a private jet dad?” I asked pulling my suitcase towards the door.
“Yesterday. I sent an email to Mona and she went and picked one out. She is so excited to see you again.” My father smiled and grabbed the handle of my bag.
“You never cease to amaze me dad.” I laughed.
“And you never cease to amaze me honey.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “I never thought that I would be so proud of you.”
We got the bags downstairs as my mother and Ramiel emerged from the study. They were laughing like old times. He gave my mother a hug and smiled at me before he walked out the back door and into the backyard compound.
She approached cautiously a huge smile on her face. “Darling are you ready?” She sounded happy.
“Yeah. I think we are good to go.” I heard the sound of the helicopter landing outside and searched for Adam. He came running from the other room his face bright.
“Do you see what is outside?” He said pointing. My father and I broke out into laughter.