"No, no. I'm so not letting you wear something so drab," Rouge fussed as she snatched away the satin gown which Ella had been admiring.
She even made a gagging sound as she dropped the gown in a pile on a wooden table.

Ella couldn't help but chuckle in amusement as she watched her sister dive in deeper into the row of rack that held more princess-y designs of blinding white wedding dresses.

A strong feeling of déjà vu hit her—about twelve months ago, a similar scene had played in this same fashion store, with Deborah playing the giddy bride-to-be and she as the calm bridesmaid-to-be.

Now, the case was reversed. Ella still couldn't believe that she was finally getting wedded. If anyone had asked her, she'd have said she would die an old maid.

Not that she wasn't pretty or marriage-worthy, but in her former mind of condemnation, she thought her past was enough to scare off any man.

Not Matthew. He was such a sweetheart.
He'd spoiled her silly and showed love in its purest form to her, making the journey so far in college so smooth.

And Matthew was a big dreamer. He was encouraging her to go as far as getting a Masters degree. Well, if God so wills.

Deborah was not here; she had gotten a job as a peri-operative nurse in one of the top government hospitals in the coast.

Mrs Ruth, heavy with a seven-months-and-three-weeks-old pregnancy, observed them from a safe distance.

Yes, the gracious Lord had finally rewarded her and Pastor Mike's years of waiting.
And it was a twin! The MRI scan had revealed that much.

The doctors had advised strongly for her to be on bed rest, but the woman was too heady to allow herself to be confined like an invalid when she was perfectly fine. But seriously, Ella thought the woman looked like an overinflated balloon ready to burst.

"I think the mermaid style gown with the ice fractal diamonds on the waistline I designed last year will best suit her," Mrs Ruth noted, massaging her feet which were raised on a stool.

"Rouge dear, check out the back of that rack, the one behind the straight gowns. I think I kept it there."

A muffled, "Okay," rang back out.

Ella looked at Mrs Ruth with a rueful look. "Seriously? A mermaid dress?"

"Don't feel too flattered, darling. You inspired me for that design. You're simply gonna love it," Mrs Ruth said with a wave of her hand.

Ella felt touched. And she hadn't even seen the gown yet.
She silently hoped it looked nothing like her former spirit guide's body, Mergirlina.
But, Mrs Ruth was so thoughtful.

"Stop looking at me that way. Now you're going to make me cry," Mrs Ruth said as she dabbed the edges of her eyes with a hankie.

Ella shook her head and chuckled.
Seriously, this hormonal imbalance thing that came with pregnancy was beginning to scare her. Was it too late to back out of the wedding?

Nah. There was no turning back now. She was hooked.
This was a do or die affair.
She'll do. And be happy too.

But first, let's see that gown.

~~~

She stood before the one she'd come to know as The Redeemer, the terrain familiar from previous night visions.

Beside her was Matthew. He was smiling that warm smile of his, looking straight ahead.
Was he here real-time too?
A huge angel, one she automatically knew was named Kristel, stood right behind him.

She saw her three assistants—the trio named Griel, Haliel and Ammiel—flanking her in a semicircular sort of formation.
She was more comfortable seeing their gladiator-like statures now.
They'd worked together quite well in the past year.

Not that she'd become a secret superheroine or anything, but many times, the Redeemer had sent her on crucial assignments—sometimes with her sister, sometimes alone—to tackle some low-key demonic operations in the church, their schools and other random places.

She had a deep feeling that this vision was a herald of something greater.

"Daughter of the Most High God," the voice of her Redeemer swayed around her, sinking deep into her spirit. She bowed in adoration.
Seriously, she could never get used to His voice, His aura, His very essence.

"The time has come to take up your destiny in its fullness."

"Your seed will be an icon for generations. I will use him mightily just as I have you. You and my son, Matthew, soon to be your husband,"—why could she sense the Lord grinning conspiratorially?—" will be the ones to guide him in the way of the Lord. The enemy will try real hard to stop his glory. But fear not, I am with you to strengthen you."

Ella's mind spun. A baby!
She didn't want to think too much of the pregnancy aspect.

She had read the scriptures back to back. She knew of the story of Mary and how the angel Gabriel came to deliver the message of how she'd birth the Messiah. It was one of her favourite stories in the Bible.
So, despite the myriads of questions she had, the response she gave came naturally.
"Let it be unto your handmaid as you have said."

Oh, she also knew of the part when Herod sent his soldiers to wipe out innocent children in an attempt to kill Baby Jesus. Surely, by all indications, something like that would happen to her 'seed' too.

"Remember, when you pass through the fire and the flood I will be with you," The Redeemer said and then touched the crown of her head which was still bowed.

She knew he was touching Matthew too, but she didn't have time to process it, because everything exploded in a glare of white light.

~~~

It was here again.
This same old cliff.

At this rate, Matthew was convinced they should tag this spot, 'The Cliff of Romance and Other Supernatural Happenings'.

Ella had been very insistent that this was the same spot she wanted to be the place where their wedding was to hold.
Who was he to object to his Dewdrop?

In fact, he liked the idea, because he recalled that this was the very spot where he had first shown any sign of attraction to her. The story goes: 'Once upon a time, a former bridesmaid and groom's man met and fell in love. Now they're getting married. The end.'
Epic story, yeah?

Their one year of courtship had its bumps and rough times. They were human and sometimes those butterflies went for a nap. But it was through thick and thin that he had uncovered Ella's true beauty. Her unwavering faith in God and her humble quiet spirit.
She could forgive anyone and she'd even ask for forgiveness if she wasn't at fault.

As the wind from the sea blew through his hair and towards the angel with purple eyes that was floating towards him, Matthew thought he would faint.
Why did she look absolutely, hundred percent off-the-scale breathtaking today?

Her eyes were like swirls of purple he could get lost in.
Her styled auburn hair was studded with yellow hibiscus flowers, courtesy Rouge he was sure.
That choice of wedding dress was divine, he'd thank Mommy Ruth vigorously later.

He took another look at his bride and gulped.
Jeremiah's hand clasped at his shoulder. "You'll be fine, bro," he whispered with a slight chuckle in his voice.
He relaxed a bit. At least if he fainted, he had backup.

Her father, a new Mr Drestor, though subdued by the lack of all he had once come to treasure, held her as she walked towards them.

Rouge, her bridesmaid, was the sole entourage and was walking as if on springs.

He said the vows, truthfully, somehow sending silent messages of the vision he'd seen overnight to her.
Her responses confirmed that it was ditto for her too.
Oh, they'd so much to talk about, a big task to prepare for.

Then the moment he had been waiting for arrived. Ella gave him a small shy smile and batted her eyelashes after he'd removed her veil.

He leaned down for their first mouth-to-mouth contact, but she stopped him with a finger to his eager lips and a mischievous glint in her eye.

She wiggled her eyebrows upward and he watched as she snapped her fingers and twirled it upwards, inconspicuously—those who didn't know of her powers wouldn't even notice.

A soft drizzle began to fall on the party, despite the clear blue sky and shining sun.
Exclamations of surprise rose from the small crowd that consisted of the church friends and family. Pastor Mike smiled a knowing smile at them.

Oh boy, it was going to be a big deal being married to this almost surreal lady with supernatural powers.
Matthew knew he had his work cut out for him big time.

Catching him off guard, she leaned on her toes—despite the wedged heels she wore, she didn't match his height completely—and caught his mouth in a fervent kiss.
He allowed himself to enjoy the moment as he held her close to him.

Their kiss was broken when a cry of pain rang out from the audience.

It was Mommy Ruth. She was clutching her sides, face contoured in agony.

Her husband, the officiating priest standing by the makeshift altar, disappeared and appeared in a split second by her side. He looked like he would have a panic attack any moment.

"Quick! Get the keys! Her waters have broken. She's going into labour!"

'Party's over! Well, well, well, at least now I have my Dewdrop. Thank God it's not a case of my bride being carted off by some unknown goons again,' Matthew thought as he flung out of his suit and ran ahead of the group who helped Mrs Ruth move to the parking lot.

His car, being the fastest available, was the one that was used to transport Mrs Ruth to the hospital where Deborah worked. Pastor Mike rode with them.
Deborah and Jeremiah followed closely behind them.

Ella and Rouge stayed back to settle things up. However, they were not to be left behind, not going to miss the babies' birth for anything.

When the wedding visitors had settled in the church auditorium and no one was looking, Ella and Rouge passed their signature cue. They ran back to the cliff hand-in-hand, praying in other tongues just beneath their breaths.

The rain was still drizzling. Ella didn't have the time to pause and stop it. Hopefully, nature would have a better sense than she did right now and take its normal course.

Slicing the hip-hugging skirt of her gown with a shard of ice she'd created, to allow a breathing slit that revealed the fancy stocking she wore under—something she knew she'd regret later on and Mommy Ruth might not be so happy about—she stretched her hand before her as Rouge dived into the water below from the cliff.

Just in time, an ice boat caught her giggling sister and kept her afloat.
Ella carefully wove her way down the rocky cliff and plonked on the ice boat.

Teleportation would have been preferable, but one didn't just call on angels for meagre things like this.

As the boat was steered, thanks to Rouge's careful production of heat waves that caused the water to propel the boat in the direction they both had in mind—the hospital—Ella couldn't shake off the feeling that something really exciting was coming up ahead.

She hoped she was ready.

Ready or not, here I come.

**********

Author's note: And with this my faithful readers, we have come to the end of the book, Chronicles of Flames. 🔥🔥🔥

All adoration and glory to my King, the One who saw me through. Thank you, Jesus. 🌹✨🙌

Was the closure satisfactory enough?😃 Or was it sloppy?🥴

I'm still seeking God's face for direction, and if He so wills, I think we can go on to have a simple sequel for COF.
We can have a glimpse into Rouge's journey or see how far Mr D lives or maybe we can time skip and peep into the lives of the children of our couples.😇
If... Only if... No promises. My schedule is unpredictable but I can dream, right?😅

It could go something like 'Chronicles of Waves'🌊 or 'Chronicles of Seas'🌅 or 'Chronicles of Ice'❄️. Just the idea makes me excited and gulp at the same time.😅

What do you think, guys? Would you love a sequel (cos if the majority wins the vote, I'll buckle up my praying and writing gears) or should we put a big full stop here?

Anyways, this was one amazing ride. I enjoyed every bit of exploring the journey of Ella and her wonderful friends.☺️

Who was your favourite character in this story?
Your favourite angel?
What scene touched you most?
What is your takeaway from the story?
Any testimonies?
Questions?
Hit me with your comments peeps!🤗

For now, I'll pick up my editing scissors✂️🗑️ and glue🔖 and work on the kinks in this first draft of COF from scratch and maybe enter some contests. ✍️

I'll be sure to inform you, my wonderful fan-mily, of any updates. 😁

And if you haven't yet, make sure you head over to my other stories and show some love. 🥰

You guys are the best.
May the grace of the Lord go with you all. 🙏

I remain your humble girl,
PeculiarPraise.

Muah!
Love you. 😘😘😘