Written for the Paranormal Community Challenge  #DeadlyKisses  

Tagged by: crazyp01

Summary: It was suppose to be the biggest day of her life and with one kiss it was over. Her relationship, her hopes, her dreams... her life.

In heaven she meets another who believes she is meant for a different path. Will she see and believe in what he has to show her, or will it be too late. 

Dying to Love You

Ignatius wrung his hands with worry.

"I have faith in you, Iggy. Just remember what we spoke about and you'll do just fine," Michael the Archangel said.

It was a big day. Today he may finally earn his wings. Which would be a mighty fine thing to have happen as it's been nearly 100 years since he was made a Guardian and the other angels were beginning to talk.

Today was a big day for his charge, Emma, as well. What a joy it has been watching over her. She has such a kind and loving heart. She made his job a piece of cake. Which was good because he did not have the best track record. In fact, he may just be one of the worst Guardian Angels ever, but Iggy refused to focus on that, for today was about Emma.

She had an important choice to make. One path would lead her to her heart's truest desire, to be loved, but another path meant a life of misery and disappointment. He just had to help her make the right choice, for Emma's sake.

"Please help me, help her," Ignatius, silently prayed.

Emma felt so excited for today was her 8th anniversary with Glenn. Normally she would have to remind him of this, but today he called her from work to tell her he had a big surprise for tonight.

She talked this revelation over with her girlfriends and they all seemed to agree.

Maybe, just maybe... he was going to ask her to marry him.

She dreamed of this moment for eight long years. Her friends all believed she should have given up long ago but she loved Glenn with all her heart.

So, tonight she dressed with extreme care. Putting on her sexiest black dress and matching heels. She fixed her hair to be in soft waves about her face, and with one last look in the mirror she felt satisfied. Tonight would be a night to remember.

"Hey, Baby! You home?"

Upon hearing his voice she nearly ran down the stairs but purposely slowed down so she could make a more dramatic entrance.

"Wow! You're looking hot!"

"Thank you!" she said, shying under his intense gaze.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She reveled in that kiss. He looked at her and smiled. "So, where are you going all gussied up?"

Emma blinked, then stammered, "Well, I thought... I mean... um... you said something about a surprise?"

"Oh, that!" he said releasing her and shrugging out of his coat. "I scored tickets to...get this... tonight's Dallas Game. Box seats for me and the boys. Got them half price from my boss, who couldn't go. Can you believe it?"

"No," Emma said. "No, I really can't."

* Iggy stood by her side and rested a hand on her shoulder even though he knew she couldn't feel he was there.*

There was something in her tone of voice. Glenn looked at her, confused. "What's wrong, babe? If it's about the money, don't worry. I'll work overtime this weekend. It's no big deal."

"Obviously," Emma said.

Not only didn't he remember...he went and made plans to go out with his buddies. Here she thought... She started to laugh, which really made Glenn wonder what was going on.

* And Iggy even more nervous.*

"All this time. I've been so blind," she said shaking her head, angry at the tears she felt burning her eyes.

"What are you talking about? Glenn asked, as he walked into the kitchen.

"When did you stop caring?" she asked him.

"Oh no! Not this again," Glenn said, pulling a beer from the refrigerator.

"Again? Again, Glenn! Today is our anniversary. We've been together for eight years. Did you even remember that?"

"It's not really an "anniversary"," he said, adding insult to injury by the addition of finger air quotes when he said the word. "It's not like we're married, Em."

* "Be strong Emma," Iggy said though he knew she could not hear his words.*

Emma pressed her lips together and shook her head, obviously making up her mind about something. She grabbed her keys, her coat and headed for the door.

"Hey, come on," Glenn said, taking her by the arm. "Don't be like that." He pulled her into his embrace once more and kissed her lips. This time however wasn't like the last, he felt her resignation, and he could taste her tears.

"Why does this feel like good-bye?" Glenn said looking at her. Tears rolled down her cheeks freely now.

"Because it is. I love you, Glenn. I always have but you have stopped loving me a long time ago. I just didn't want to admit it, but it's too painfully obvious now." She opened the door, and closed it behind her.

Foolishly she waited on the landing for several minutes to see if the door would open again. She prayed it would, even though she knew it wouldn't.

Now she just needed to get away. She ran down her apartment steps and outside.

"I'm a fool. What a fool! How could I be so STUPID!!!" she said, as she stepped into the street, swiping at her tears.

* "No, no, no Emma. Look up! Look up!" Iggy said.*

"Watch out!" she heard someone yell, just in time to see the car that struck her down.

Emma woke up and shielded her eyes from the bright light above her. Then she heard a voice saying, "Not good. So, not good. Michael is going to kill me. Which is a feat in itself as I'm already dead."

"Whose already dead?" Emma said sitting up and then her eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh, my God! It's me isn't it?!"

"Shh!" Iggy said, taking her hand in his, "I'll fix this, Emma. I swear to you. I'll find a way to make this right."

Emma wondered who was this strange little man. He had a kind looking face but a very nervous demeanor. He currently had a death grip "no pun intended" on her hand and looked like he was searching for something. He pulled her to her feet and then started off in some random direction.

Emma pulled them to a stop. "What is going on here? Who are you? And am I right in thinking what I'm thinking? Am I ...dead?"

Iggy stopped. "Yes, but it's a mistake. This wasn't supposed to happen. You must go back."

"What?" Emma said, looking around. "Correct me if I'm wrong but this is Heaven, right?"

"Yes," Iggy said, wondering where she was going with this and worrying about how much time he had before they were discovered.

Emma nodded and then sat down on the cloud she was standing on. "I ain't going anywhere."

Iggy palmed his face. "Emma, I'm Ignatius...Iggy, your guardian angel. I've been looking after you since you were a baby, and you're not my only charge. Today was suppose to be a big day for you but things got screwed up."

"You're telling me?! I spent my day thinking I was going to get engaged to the man that I love and instead I'm run over by a car. So, if you are my angel, where are your wings? What are you an AS2?"

Iggy's eyes widened. "How do you know about the Angel Classes?"

She meant it as a joke. She didn't expect it to be a real thing. "It's a Wonderful Life" was her favorite Christmas classic.

"Look, the way I see it, there is nothing left for me down there. Why go back? I'm in Heaven!"

She made a strong argument. Think Iggy. Think. A brilliant idea formed. Would it work? He ran it silently passed the Big Guy. His answer was immediate. Yeah, that'll do it.

"Look Emma, I get it. Who wouldn't want to stay in heaven but now I'm in serious danger of losing my position as a Guardian. I need your help. If I do well with my next charge, maybe I won't be demoted. Please, Emma? Won't you help me?"

Emma felt bad for the nervous little man. "Okay Ignatius, you got me this far in life. I guess it's the least I can do now that I'm dead. I'll help you but then I get to stay, deal?"

"Deal!" Iggy said taking her hand and suddenly they were back on earth.

"Hey! This isn't some sort of trick is it? Can Angel's lie? You didn't just double cross me did you?"

"Nope, this is totally on the up and up. Don't believe me? Go stand out in traffic and see what happens."

Emma gave him a shrewd and discerning look. "Okay?" She went out into the busy street and then she'd seen the bus. Her eyes widened and she wanted to scream when it didn't stop but went right through her.

"See," Iggy said. "Now stop playing around and let's go."

Emma just shook her head. This was SO weird. "Okay? Where to next?"

"You'll see."

He took her hand again and suddenly they were in an office.

"Hi, Sweetheart. I have a big surprise for you. So get dressed in your best dress and I'll see you around six. I love you, Jane."

"Who's he?"

"He... is Jeremiah, my other ward. Given to me only because I managed to do so well with you. They promoted me to an AS2 and gave me a second charge."

"So, what promise is he going to break? Does he work too late? Does he leave the toilet seat up so this Jane person falls in, taking a bath at 2 a.m.?"

"We are not talking about you, here" Iggy said, "This is about him." He turned her face just in time for her to see Jeremiah open a black box, in which held a beautiful engagement ring.

"Really? You seriously brought me here to see THIS... did I slip into hell without someone telling me?"

"Again! It's not about YOU!" Iggy said, wondering if this were a bad idea. He asked for time to be turned back ... so she could see.

Jeremiah clicked the box closed and grabbed his coat and walked... right through Emma.

It was the oddest sensation Emma ever felt, made even stranger when Jeremiah stopped, and turned around. He was now looking directly at her. He stared at her for a long moment, frowned and then shivered. "Weird," was all he said before leaving his office for the day.

Could he feel it too? She wondered. When he walked through her it was almost like she could feel her soul wanting to attach to him. Surely, she was imagining things.

"Come on, Emma. We have to keep up."

"Okay." She took Iggy's hand and they transported themselves to outside of a really nice apartment.

"Who lives here?" Emma asked. Jeremiah answered that question by getting out of his car and walking to the front door. He inserted his key and then stepped inside.

Emma was about to follow and then stopped when the door shut in her face.

"Why did you stop?" Iggy asked.

"Oh, right," she stepped on through the door.

"Jane? Sweetheart, I'm home. Did you get my message?"

Iggy, Emma and Jeremiah all seemed to be waiting on an answer that didn't come.

"Something is wrong," Emma said and leapt into action, going up the stairs to investigate.

She heard some scuffling noises and then stepped through the closed door to see the person she assumed was Jane trying desperately to get dressed and an undressed man. Emma cringed as a pair of briefs passed through her head that Jane tossed at him.

"I thought you said he was working late tonight!"

"Shut up and dress," Jane hissed at him.

"Oh! Poor Jeremiah..." Emma thought, "This is awful." Emma wanted to get back downstairs as quickly as possible. She had to tell Iggy what was going on but as she entered the hall, she'd seen Jeremiah coming up the steps.

"Oh no...no, no, no. Not now... not like this." Emma instinctively put her hands out to stop him from entering the room, but her efforts were futile.

Again, he passed through her. It did cause him to pause but just for a second. He shook his head and opened the door. He didn't yell. He didn't say a thing. He just stood there, in the doorway.

"About time."

Emma placed her hands on his shoulders to peer past him into the room. She did not want to have to go through him again. The feeling was too disconcerting. There was Jane, in her lingerie, lying on the bed.

Emma looked around frantically for the man. "What did Jane do... stash him under the bed?"

She recoiled watching the sexy smile cross the woman's lips. Jane beckoned Jeremiah to come to her with a crooked finger.

Jeremiah climbed onto the bed and over to her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and captured him for a kiss. Emma felt deeply disturbed and slightly voyeuristic watching this scene play out.

It was then she saw Jane motioning to someone behind Jeremiah's back.

Emma watched Jane's lover crawl on hands and knees out of the adjoining bathroom and slinking like the snake he was towards the door.

You've got to be kidding me! Emma thought and wondered where the hell Iggy was. Why wasn't he doing something to stop this? Yes, seeing the woman he loves with another man would be devastating but to allow it to continue is so much worse. He'd be living a lie, and she knew what that felt like.

I've got to do something! But what? She was a ghost. Ghost Hunters being one of her favorite shows, left her wondering. Could she make herself known if she really wanted to?

She scooted around the man who was slowly making his way to the door and closed her eyes and willed her entire being to be felt. Opened her eyes and stomped on the man's hand.

Nothing happened. Come on, EMMA! She rallied herself. Do it for Jeremiah!

She thought of him and the feeling her soul felt when he passed through her and stomped again. The man cried out in pain, which made sense; she was in heels after all.

"What the hell!" Jeremiah flew back. Stunned to find a half dressed man crawling across his floor. His eyes flew back to Jane, and then to the man again, who decided the gig was up and made a quick grab for his shoes.

"Sorry, Mate," he was all he said, before dashing out the door.

Jeremiah didn't know what to do first. Question Jane? Chase after the guy and beat the crap out of him? Just leave his broken heart in shattered pieces and walk out the door?

He opted for the third choice, despite Jane's pleas that he come back. Emma followed closely behind him. She knew that look. His heart was broken.

Jeremiah got outside. He bit his lips into an angry frown, but she knew he was just trying to keep from crying. She so wished she could hug him. He shook his head and went storming off.

"IGNATIUS!"

Iggy showed up to see Jeremiah walking away. "What did you do?!"

"What do you mean what did I do? Weren't you supposed to be doing something?" Emma fired back.

"This isn't what happened?" His eyes then became as wide as saucers, "Did you....did you interfere?"

Emma did not care for the look in Ignatius' eyes..."Ummm...maybe?"

"Quick! We have to follow!" he grabbed her hand and they caught up quickly. Iggy's mind raced. He just wanted to show her what not knowing could feel like, so she'd feel better knowing she was out of a bad relationship. He wanted her to see this so he could offer her a second chance at life.

Somehow, they ended up back at her street. Iggy realized this too. "Oh, this is bad, really bad."

"What's bad?" Emma said and then seen herself exiting her apartment, tears streaming down her face, muttering about being a fool.

"How is this...?" Then she'd seen it, the car that was moving too fast, only she wasn't the one in danger. Jeremiah took a sharp right and was headed into the street.

"Let me stop this!" she begged.

"I can't!" Iggy said, "We're forbidden to interfere."

"To Hell with that!" Emma took off running. 

"Watch out!" she heard herself cry but it was her physical self. The Emma from before had seen what the Emma from now was trying to prevent. Emma's physical self ran and dove at Jeremiah. She collided with him. He spun and rolled off the hood, she took the brunt of the hit and collapsed next to him. 

Spirit Emma stared down at Jeremiah. His head was bleeding. "Oh God, help him," she silently prayed as she knelt down at his side. "Please be okay."

Emma looked up at Ignatius, "Send me back! I want to go back! I have to help him!"

Iggy nodded and that quickly it was done. She felt pulled toward her physical form and in an instant, she was one. Her breath came back in a rush. She sat up and looked over at the man next to her. 

She laid her head on his chest, his heart was still beating. "Thank God!" she pulled out her phone and called for help. She brushed his hair from his face. "You're going to be okay. You hear me? Help is on the way."

Every day since the accident Emma came to the hospital. She usually spent the time sitting by Jeremiah's side. He still hadn't awakened. However, today as she reached his door, he was sitting up in bed.

He looked over at her and smiled. "You wouldn't be, by any chance, Emma would you?"

Emma stepped cautiously into the room, nodding her head. In her hand, she held some flowers and a stuffed bear. She wanted to brighten up his room.

"The nurses told me about you. How you were there at the accident, and have been by every day to see me."

"These are for you," Emma said lamely, not knowing what else to say.

He smiled at her and she felt that same tug on her soul.

"Thank you," he said and waved her in further. She set the flowers and bear by his bedside. She felt so awkward.

"I'm Jeremiah, by the way. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," he held his hand out to her and she took it. His eyes met hers and she smiled, his grip tightened for just a second and Emma wondered if he felt it too.

* "You did well, Iggy. Just like I knew you would," Michael said as they watched over the new promising couple.

Iggy stretched out his wings with pride. "Thanks, Michael! But I feel slightly guilty. Emma did all the work."

Michael laughed. "That just how it works. If everyone worked as if life depended on them and prayed as if it depended on Him, we'd see far more love in this world."

Iggy sighed, as he watched Emma and Jeremiah now in avid conversation. "I love this job."

Michael laughed. "Me too, my friend. Me too." *

Ranked #518 on Paranormal Hot List Jan. 16, 2017