The Wise men and the glow in the night

Maleek stood silently as he and his uncles had followed the young woman who had dashed after Sheldon. They heard everything that was said as they stood behind Sheldon's ajar office door.

He had intended to make sure that Sheldon saw the many reasons as to why the Angel's Cafe was important and valuable to Mistle, it was however obvious that it was also the young woman's intent too.

"Why don't you go and see that the girl is ok Mal," his older uncle had said and without waiting he walked through the now widely open door that Alexa had walked through just a few seconds ago.

He really needed to talk to Sheldon. It was time he took his older brother by the lapels and pulled him out of his slough of guilt.

He had stood there for a minute indecisive until his other uncle squeezed his shoulder in assurance and followed his brother inside Sheldon's office.

With a sigh, he turned and left. When he reached the end of the stairs he saw Alexa heading through the door. He rushed to catch up to her, but he stopped in his tracks as a figure emerged from near the huge angel statue, he watched her take something from around her neck and toss it at the figure.

His jaw fell open as he felt the atmosphere around him actually shifted. He watched as the green light from what she threw radiated the figure showing the most majestic being he had ever seen.

However to Alexa he was Shady and decrepit but he seemed to have lost some of his dirt and he did not look as ragged, it was as if he was being polished into his old self.

Meanwhile in Sheldon's office.

The McIntosh men were known for their robust statue and as all three stood towering in the small office it was a sight to behold.

David McIntosh was a man who was jovial and jolly; he would no doubt make a great Santa Claus if Mistle believed in such a figure. His bearded face however was not jovial as he stared at his nephew.

His brother Nathan was younger by three years, had a more reserved nature, and was slow to react. He was however not averse to being an 'in the moment guy', but he was more known not to take the uncalculated risks that came with life.

Put together they balanced each other well. It was clear to see that if circumstance had not been set in both Sheldon and Maleek would be just like them.

Sheldon replaced the black and white photo Alexa had put on the desk earlier and stared at his uncle's.

David went around the table and pulled him into his arms and hugged him with all his might. He felt the rigid frame relax somewhat but did not give to the release that the older man had hoped for.

He patted his back and pulled away. He smiled at Sheldon and said. "That lass has Scottish fire burning in her bones."

"What she has is no respect for people's private space and desires," he snapped.

This caused both men to smile and Nathan said. "She has spirit much like your mother. Caroline never ceased to make things happen, kept our brother on his toes she did."

The fondness was evident in his voice and love glowed from his words as he spoke.

"Your mother was from Town but her heart was bred in Mistle."

That was the name given to the newly civilized area that pilgrims had settled in when their great, great grandparents had fled Scotland.

"She fell in love with your father and this place because she saw what this place stood for, what it offered, what it represented. This place is for the selected few who can understand the legacy and cherish its purpose and wants to be a continuous part of it. Your Mama was one of those few and so is that girl."

Sheldon stared at his uncle, his dark eyes pools of emotions.

"Everyone who comes to the slopes and visits the shops for keepsakes, and to just lose themselves in the winter tranquility are here because this place heals and it offers hope and they return where they came from a refresh," he paused as if waiting for the words to give meaning to Sheldon before he continued.

"Not everyone was meant to stay here in Mistle. Some are just visitors while others become cemented in its roots. Caroline became Victor's partner in continuing the legacy of the Angel's Cafe. They worked hard to ensure it never died. She was a cement. That girl is a cement, Sheldon."

David who had stood silently by spoke, "You remember that time we were by your parents' grave when you and Maleek were just boys and you asked me where your mum and dad were and you looked up in the sky?"

He waited for him to answer and it came as a harsh nod.

"Your parents are right here Sheldon. In this very cafe. Right here," he pointed to his chest before touching the spot where his heartbeat.

Sheldon felt his uncle's palm on his chest and stared down at the work-worn fingers before turning his eyes back up to ones that stared at him with love and care.

"You have trapped them in this broken vessel for far too long, and in doing so you fail to see the many Angels that life has given you over the years. You seek that mythical being that you hear various people talk about in your own family and out of it and lose your belief when it did not happen.

Angels don't always come glowing and bearing magical outcomes. They often come with a message though. They come so that we can have hope and so that we can live again in the knowledge that we are saved. That even though life is hard to bear at times we can go on because we have a purpose. Caroline and Victor lived their purpose and lived it well and so should you my boy and stop blaming yourself for their death."

"There are so many people who care for you and most of them are waiting downstairs. They and that beautiful girl with the broken wings restored this place because they want you to believe. They sent you a message, what will your reply be?"

Sheldon turned and looked out the window and for a minute he could have sworn he saw bask in a glowing light of radiant green, an image that was unlike any other.

By the huge statue stood Alexa, her blonde hair shining, the wings upon her shoulders swaying in a radiance that every depiction of angels he had seen paled in comparison to.

How long has he sought the wrong sign and searched in all the wrong places? He turned from the window and felt all the years of pain and sorrow rush from him. He gripped the edge of the desk as the force shook him to his very core.

Alexa had long since started to chip away at the wall breaking away the barrier showing him that it was ok to let go, to have hope, and to live. He had tried to fight against her and her ability to make him feel again and to even hope he could have a chance at redemption he made a cowardly act and had set into motion things he had to clearly stop right now.

He was also filled with remorse at what he had also done to everyone who cared about him and who he too cared about without measure. He sighed, he had a call that he really needed to make but first, he had to tell his uncles what he had done.

By the Angel Statue

Down in the street in what was just mere minutes the Shady figure without so much as moving caused the chained stone to pause in mid air basking Alexa in its mystic glow before it slowly came to find its place around her neck.

"You have until Christmas Eve and don't dismay you have been doing well so far. You have set things in motion very well."

Alexa looked at him and was about to speak but he disappeared. With a sigh, she turned to see a bewildered Maleek staring past her at the statue.

He knew it! He knew it all along. He took Alexa's hand and began to rush with her back to the cafe filled with the most glorious delight. He had to let Sheldon know.

"Would you slow down," she said as he rushed her along. "I am perfectly fine."

She had misinterpreted his haste in thinking he was trying to get her away from the Shady figure when in reality he wanted her to let Sheldon know that the angels were real.

"Hurry, we have to get to Sheldon," he said and she misinterpreted thinking that something had happened to the man she tried daring herself not to care about.

Her heart raced as her boots slapped against the pavement behind Maleek long strides she was relieved when they stepped through the cafe doors and made for the stairs but the sound of Sheldon's voice stopped them dead in their tracks as they opened the door and stood in the doorway of his office.

In the office

"I have started the arrangements to sell the Angel's Cafe, I have two potential buyers coming in tomorrow."

Alexa felt her whole world crumbled as the words reverberate around her. She did not know she had spoken until she heard her own voice saying.

"I want in on the bid!
************************************

Sup lovelies 😊

Wow with all Alexa has done to get Sheldon back on track in believing it seems she was still at a loss, so much for what the Angel had said....but now that it's down to a sale will she able to get her chance?

Leave your comments and vote please, thank you 😍