Chapter 29

Blinking away the bleariness from my eyes I felt much like a new-born taking in my first glimpse of the world. Only this wasn't the world I knew. As my vision cleared the world around me could only be described as otherworldly, soft hues of pinks, blues and greens intoned everything around me with a gentle pleasant atmosphere that immediately set me at ease. I felt nothing but peace and contentment. What were most striking of all were the big pearly gates glinting in the warm afternoon light.

What was more astounding was the glowing mass at the base of the gates. It was only as I stepped closer that I could actually make out the individual forms. Women, men and children all stood before the pearly gates, looks of peace and serenity plastered on each of their faces. Despite this I could feel an underlying sense of anticipation as they all stare raptly at the gates before them.

Taking steps closer, I soon became immersed in the crowd just waiting for something to happen like everyone else. It was weird, soon I couldn't think of anything else but getting through those gates and reaching the peace that had been promised to me, that taunted me by the sweet scents carrying on the gentle breeze.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" A deep melodious reached my ears and with a soft sigh I turned my head towards its owner. I was momentarily surprised by the man standing beside me. He was truly a sight to behold.

The man beside me was tall and powerful yet he didn't feel imposing or scary. It was a good kind of power. He was smiling softly down at me, like a grandfather proudly watching his granddaughter accomplish something though right at this moment I couldn't imagine what I had possibly done to earn that look. Wearing a pair of comfortable looking jeans and a pale blue shirt, the man who looked no more than 30 winked at me and tipped his Stetson in greeting.

"Greetings Miss Holmes," he smiled wide showing perfectly straight teeth. I opened and closed my mouth a few times, completely astounded that he knew my name which caused his eyes, which were an ever changing swirl of colour, to sparkle.

"H-how do you know my name?" I whispered which only caused the man to smile wide and let out a heart chuckle.

"I know everyone's name," he said through a chortle, his hand holding his gut as he did it making me think that if he had a large belly and a white beard he would look like Santa. Suddenly he turned serious and stared me in the eyes. "the important question is, do you know my name?"

I frowned at the stranger and for the life of me I could not come up with a name but as I looked to the pearly gates it kind of clicked. "GG-?" I didn't get to finish it because my lips were sealed shut and he winked at me cheekily.

"Not so loud, I don't want a fuss. I like watching what happens next without their attention being on me." I turned my head just in time to see the gates pull open and like a veil had been pulled back, a beautiful kingdom that showed promise of never ending love and peace, sprawled out before us all in the middle of a lush green valley. When I managed to pull my gaze away from the gates, I noted His eyes were raptly watching the faces of awe and joy as they walked through the gates into the Promised Land.

"Do you recognise any of these people?" He asked causing me to startle from my people watching. I glanced at him for a moment before turning my attention back to the people before me. And then I saw her.

Marianna wandered forwards towards the gates, more peaceful and happy than I could ever remember her being. As if she sensed my gaze on her, she glanced over her shoulder and gave me a hearty wave before continuing on. I smiled to myself. At least she was happy.

"do you know why I'm showing you this?" again I jumped which caused the man beside me to bark out another laugh.

"Because I'm dead?" I replied but my tone making it more like a question. It kind of looked like I was dead otherwise why would I be allowed to see the eternal resting place?

"Kind of," He replied, taking off his hat and scratching the back of his head. "If you want to go on to your afterlife that's fine, I won't stop you." I nodded my head and looked towards the gate just waiting for the big but that was hanging over my head. Just like he heard my thoughts, the man beside me smiled. "But, there is a chance for you to return to earth. You would be my emissary on earth, a wingless angel of sorts. I need some of my children to return home and assist in the recovery of the new arrivals, help them truly feel at peace here after such traumatic deaths. That's why I need you, to take their place and do their job- sort of- and be the presence of God of earth."

 I weighed up the options, going back didn't sound all that bad, I could be there for Danny, and I could finally get to return to some semblance of normality.

 "There is a catch," he paused and looked at me sharply. "You would become almost immortal. You would not be able to return here even if you are sick of life until there is someone to take your place, which might never happen." I nodded my head as I mulled it over. The choice between peace or life and duty was a hard one to make but I knew within my gut the answer I would choose.

"I have to go back." I whispered with a smile, feeling my eyes welling up as the gates began to close shutting off my view of paradise. Still I knew it was the right choice for me and my family, Danny would not grow up alone.

"I understand. A parent's love is one of the strongest I created. It's a bond that forms even when there is no blood connection. Some might say I made an error when I created the bond.  I disagree. I merely planted the seed and free will has transformed it into a beautiful thing which should be cherished." Without warning the man grasped both sides of my face and planted a kiss upon my forehead. Smiling down at me as my vision began to swim I stared into his twinkling eyes while his comforting words wrapped around me in a warm embrace. "Go with my blessing Savannah and live well."

***

Sitting bolt upright and gasping, I smacked my head on something causing me to fall back onto the cool surface beneath me. Clasping a hand to my head, I groaned and looked around me but it was pitch black, not an ounce of light coming from anywhere and I felt kind of suffocated. Patting around me, I found nothing but what felt like a flower. I squeezed it and winced. Yep definitely a flower and it has thorns.

My hands felt above my head and came in contact the cool hardness that could only be comparable to stone or marble. Bracing my arms I pushed against the stone to try and move it but knew that it would be useless considering my upper body strength was definitely below par. Right now I wished that I had spent some time at the gym when Marianna had asked. A pang went through my chest as I remembered my blade cutting through her body causing the killing blow. Oh god. Then unbidden images of a happy smiling Mari entering my mind and I felt strangely comforted but I had no idea where the images had come from, they felt like a strangely real dream.

Shaking the thought off, I gave the stone ceiling another push and was startled when it gave way a little way. A moment passed before the minimal light that had begun to fill the space was obscured by a body.  The sound of stone grinding against stone greeted my ears for a few painful seconds before blinding light coated me.

"Am I in heaven?" I murmured groggily as I put my hand over my eyes to shield my eyes until they had adjusted properly.

"Nope. Well, not unless you consider heaven to be underground in a tomb?" Calantha teased as her willowy fingers wrapped around my shoulder and eased me into a sitting position. "You're just a walking miracle aren't you? You were dead but then the earth tells me your heart is thumping. I just had to see for myself and here you are."

I smiled up at her before looking around in confusion. I was in a room of tombs and by the sheer number I knew that these were all from the battle. Calantha repeated my saddened look as she gazed out across the white marble tombs.

"We lost many," she shook her head. "Donalbain has not been the same, he lost his best friend. We hope he will recover soon, he is very much the heart of our community."

I nodded my head in agreement before a thought struck me. "Zeke, what about Ezekiel? Did he make it?" The way that Calantha's face dropped I immediately feared for the worst but she quickly stuck her hands out to reassure me.

"Oh no, don't worry, he lived in a manner of speaking." She raised her brow at me and rolled her green eyes when I just remained there staring at her, just waiting for her to fill me in on what I missed during my temporary death. When she saw that I wasn't going to move she huffed and folded her arms. "Fine, he was alive – just barely mind you- and then the most extraordinary thing happened. His wings had been kind of burnt off but then suddenly he starts groaning and moaning in pain and these two wings made of pure gold replaced his tattered ones. It was beautiful. The big buzz is only one other angel has ever received that accolade and he's the first angel that fell too. Kind of surprising when the golden wings signify God's favoured one." She gave a little huh sound before wrapped her hands around both of my arms and lifting me from the tomb leaving me gaping like a fish. How the hell is she so strong?

"H-how?" I began but then shook my head, probably looking very defeated as I glanced up at her with a small smile. "Never mind, I've seen some strange things these last few weeks."  Calantha's laughter accompanied the two of us all of the way back to the main part of the building.

Several people smiled and waved at Calantha as we passed but then stopped to do a double take when they saw me by her side. I suppose they all thought I was still dead. The important question was how did I not stay dead. Shrugging to myself, I put a slight skip into my step. I must have racked up some points with the big man upstairs.

The sound of melodic laughter in my head had me jumped and stumbling in my rhythm. I frowned as I tried to guess where the sound had come from and the image of a man in a Stetson came unbidden to my mind. Oh great, now I have cowboy fetishes. This is what war does to a person.

I hadn't realised I had stopped until I felt a hand on my arm urging me forward.

"Come on Savannah, there is a little boy around here who missed his mummy very much." Calantha said something else but at the mention of my son I was already charging ahead, not giving a damn about anyone or anything in my path. There were a number of anger cries behind me but I heard Calantha attempting to sooth them so I threw a hasty apology over my shoulder and hurriedly tried to find my little boy.

The sound of deep rumbling laughter followed a moment later a squeal and a fit a cute little giggles brought me to a comfortable lounge room. I stopped in the doorway and just watched for a moment my eyes misting at the sight before me. Gabriel and Lucius were sat side by side on the floor both of them with their full attention on the adorable little boy lying on his back, kicking his legs in the air only to squirm and let out more giggles when one of his feet were snatched up and sloppy kisses were placed on the instep.

"He's ticklish you know," I informed them quietly as if they hadn't already figured it out. I was just so happy to see the two of them looking so content and unharmed. The last I saw of Lucius he was unconscious so I had no clue as if he was okay. But as my eyes swept over him, I was relieved to see not even a hair out of place.

Both head snapped round at the sound of my voice and both looked a little daze to see me here standing before them. I assured myself it was completely reasonable. After all, I was meant to be dead. Lifting Danny into his arms, Lucius slowly got to his feet. I noted each of his movements were soft and gentle, as if he were trying to stop me from running away, like I was some sort of deer ready to flee.

"S-savannah, is that you?" Gabriel stuttered as he came to stand beside Lucius, his face contorted into a mask of pure disbelief. I grinned wide and then winced when it stung slightly.

"Yeah Gabe, it's me." I responded and before I knew what was happening, I was in the middle of a bear hug.

A guy stood on each side of me with their arms wrapped tightly around me while Danny somehow ended up in my arms. It hurt being in the middle of the hug because my skin was unnaturally tender but I still closed my eyes and relished the hug. It was something I never thought I could miss so much but right now I wanted nothing more than to stand here for a few hours hugging my heart out until the fear left my system.

"W-we thought you were dead?" Gabe stuttered against my shoulder which made me tear up. The fact that a hardened angel was getting all emotional and stuttering over me was enough to break my heart.

"And I thought I'd never see you guys again," I replied softly. "But we're all here now." My voice had dropped to a soft cooing, my instinct to reassure them greater than anything else. But it seemed to have the opposite effect as I felt Gabriel stiffen in my embrace before pulling away from me.

"I'm leaving," he told me, his face trying to be emotionless. The tightness in his voice however, told me that it was affecting him more than he wanted me to know. I didn't know what to feel at his words. Undeniably there had been a history between us, Danny was evidence of that but now he felt more like a brother and a best friend, someone who had stood by through one hell of a storm.

"When? Where?" I questioned as I watched his eyes shimmer with tears whole looking between me and his son.

"Back home and today; the gates have finally been reopened." He added the last bit as if it would explain everything and it kind of did. He needed to go home and probably wants to more than he will ever let on. "I was coming to say goodbye to Daniel when you arrived. It was a good surprise and I'm glad I got to see you even if it probably is for the last time."

I felt a scolding begging to be let loose in the back of my mind but the pained look on Gabriel's face suggested it would only make it that much harder for him to leave. With a sigh, I let my shoulders drop and gave his the barest hint of a smile.

"Well if this is your last day with us, then I think we should have a little party and send you off in style." My voice was overly chirpy and did nothing to hide my distress at his announcement but he still tried to stop my false happiness. His mouth never voice his refusals however as Lucius, being the 'reformed' playboy that he is, immediately jumped upon the idea and started spurring off a million different things they could do to send his brother off in style. It was quite sweet how eager he was getting bit even I could sense that he was just as sad as everyone else about Gabriel's upcoming departure.

I let him wander off, my own feet trailing behind the boys before my eyes caught sight of my arms. "Why do I look like I fell asleep in the sun?" I question earning me some chuckles from the guys. Not wasting a moment, I started chasing after the two of them, screaming at them for them to come back. I felt more like I was twelve not twenty three and in all honesty, in that moment, with Danny happily giggling in my arms as we played hide and seek with the boys, my heart had never felt freer. I could only hope it was a sign of what was to come.

okay, there will be an epilogue after this. there will be a bit of loose end tying up and such. Just so you know, Gabe won't be in the Epilogue but he will reappear, in some form or another. Can't decide whether I am going to write another book on Savannah or whether I will focus on someone else but there is definitely going to be something about this set of characters. I love them too much to let them disappear. Hopefully get the next chapter (epilogue) up sometime this weekend, maybe next week. All depends how nakered I am tomorrow.