A total and complete change of heart.

Sheldon found himself pacing the length of his desk as he tried to quiet down the thoughts that rage through his mind at the sight of Alexa and Nicholas. The many conclusions he drew from each one had him increasingly agitated.

He could not get the image of Alexa in another man's arms out of his mind. He knew now more than ever he cared too much for her to let her leave out of his life and especially with another man and more so that man being her dashing, gorgeous, and dashing ex with whom she shared a history he wanted to create with her.

What the hell was he doing here? And holding Alexa like that? He felt feelings of possessiveness and jealousy wash over him and he had to fight the urge not to go and pull them apart.

Was he not married? Holy Hell, what if he came back for her?! That thought shook him to the core.

He knew of Nicholas Wentright, the prestigious attorney who came from money and who built on that money with steel and aplomb in the courtroom. As he had stared at them he remembered reading about him in one of his aunt Elen's magazines some years back.

With an equanimity that had belied his true condition, he had continued over to a blatantly curious Sheila who looked on with outright pleasure that had fueled his distaste more. When he spoke briefly then to her she barely nodded and he spun back around and practically stormed back to his office.

What the hell was wrong with him? Why should it matter if Alexa was hugging another man and looking at him with such affection? Or that everyone looking on at them seemed impressed with what they saw.

'It is plain and simple, it is because you love her that's, why' a voice said. 'You have been in love with her from the very first day she walked into the cafe looking lost and out of place'.

He walked to the window and stared at the angel that seemed to stare back at him. It was like it was bearing into his soul pulling from him the depths of his true feelings.

The realization that ever since Alexa came to Mistle he had started to run away because she had started to make him feel dawn on him loud and clear. It was due to this why he had started to convince himself she was best kept at a distance.

But it was never easy. He had started to spend less time at the Cafe but before he knew it he was rushing back so that he could get a glimpse of her, listen to the sweet husky tone of her voice and the infectious sound of her laughter.

It was no longer the guilt of his parents' loss, the angels' neglect of him, or the many memories that plagued The Angel's Cafe. It was fear of loving Alexa and having her leave him. He knew she was a drifter and a drifter that could easily leave with his heart.

She had started to fit in place the pieces that were missing from The Angel's Cafe, putting back together the jigsaw puzzle revealing the picture of his heart's desire.

As he looked at the majestic image down on the street below he saw the formed picture. He wanted Alexa and he wanted The Angel's Cafe. As he accepted this he could have sworn the statue's eyes became crystal clear and held a look of happiness.

He blinked then stared at it but what he thought he earlier saw was probably just his imagination, even though he knew Mistle boasted the heavenly creatures.

He turned away and went to his desk where he took up the phone and placed a call to the Berkley Brothers' Construction.

"Steve, it's Sheldon," he said as the familiar voice came on the line. "I've decided against selling, but I believe we can put in the pipeline a needed restoration for the cafe."

"Anything you desire, old friend. As much as Dilon and I would have loved to have bought it, it belongs in your hands and the McIntosh generation to come."

"I couldn't agree with you more."

"Just out of curiosity, why the change of heart?"

He was silent for a minute then he answered, "Family, friends, and the perfect person with whom to carry on The Angel's Cafe with me."

"Congratulations to all, but more so to the latter."

"I haven't told her yet."

"Go on then," he laughed and hung up.

He did not have to be told twice. He took a deep breath and stared at the various family portraits that graced the upper far wall of his office above the sofa that he had spent so many times daydreaming about the woman who had found a way to reach a heart he had kept locked away and unfeeling.

He smiled at his ancestors thinking that for a long time he had often seen what they passed onto him as a relay of failure but now it was a baton of hope and prosperity. They were the ones who paved the way for him and as much as he had fallen off the path they never left him out.

Maleek and every single one of them deserved him pulling himself out of the slough of despondency. From the look of things also he was starting a war that clearly was going to be battled out as Alexa had shown she would not let him just sell away The Angel's Cafe and he knew that she had some determined supporters behind her.

He thought of Bertha downstairs banging her pots, Sheila recruiting Mal and the others who were yet to show up. He decided it was best to give them the Christmas they deserve and himself a total and complete change. It was time to spread the Christmas cheer and also to take a chance at totally living.

He walked up to the photo frame of His parents and touched it gently. His lips twitched in a smile as he thought how splendid a portrait of Alexa and his family would look sharing a spot with them. He left the office not only refreshed but determined to claim what was rightfully his.
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It's going to be a Merry Christmas for the workers and patrons of The Angel's Cafe after all 😄😄

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