ceremony.”
He growled and wiped his mouth. “Do you mind with the hand, Uri?”
“I see Uriel is still up to his old tricks.”
There was no mistaking Archangel Michael’s deep, majestic voice. The last time Lash had seen him was in the dimness of the Room of Judgment thirty-five years ago.
He watched Michael’s smiling face greet Raphael. Michael looked exactly the same as when he last saw him. Same dark curly hair and serious brown eyes. Except today those eyes turned to him with pride.
“Michael, this is my Naomi,” he said, puffing out his chest.
“Naomi. It is an honor for me to be performing the binding ceremony.” Michael took her hand and kissed it.
“Oh, no, Michael...er, Archangel...Sir,” she stammered, looking at him in awe. “It is our honor to have you with us.”
“You can call me Michael. And believe me, it is always a joyous occasion for me when there is a binding ceremony, and especially so for Lahash and Raphael. Much has happened to their family over the centuries. Much, much heartbreak that for many would have been unbearable. But there was good in their hearts, so they persevered, even after the losses.”
Lash swallowed thickly as he glanced over at Raphael. He knew he was thinking about Jeremy, too and maybe even Rebecca. If anyone deserved Michael’s praise, it was Raphael. Not only had he lost his son, he’d been without the love his life by his side for centuries.
It was hard to believe that Lash would ever think that having his memories suppressed was a good thing. He’d only met Rebecca once, but in that brief time he could understand how difficult it must’ve been for Raphael to be away from her.
“Raphael, you have been a true and faithful servant,” Michael said. “Your loyalty has not gone unnoticed. And Lahash”—he turned his attention to him—“your ability to love deeply, to forgive, is what makes you special and loved by all. Both of you have earned the gift I bring to you today.”
He gestured behind them, and Lash turned in the direction he was pointing.
A light breeze went through the trees, sending a flurry of white blossoms into the air. Then there was a shimmering blur in the middle of the garden as if the air was beginning to solidify. White petals whirled around the shimmer like a spiral, spinning faster and faster, until the blur divided in two.
“Lash, what is
“I don’t know.”
He blinked, and one of the blurs started to take shape. Feet, legs, torso, all began to appear. Then slowly, the image became clearer—small, slender, curves, long dark hair, hazel eyes.
Raphael gasped. “Rebecca!”
Rebecca blinked, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at Raphael. She ran to him and threw herself into his arms. “Raphael, my husband, my love.”
Raphael kissed every inch of her face. “Rebecca, my Rebecca. They have brought you back to me. At long last, you are here with me.”
Lash’s heart ached as he watched his father reunite with his mother. Naomi took his hand and squeezed it. Looking down at her, he saw that her eyes glistened and her pink lips curled into a smile. “They’re beautiful together.”
“Yes, they are,” he said.
“You are the image of your mother,” she whispered. “I can’t get over how much alike you two look.”
A movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention. It was Gabrielle, and the look on her face shocked him. It was a mixture of happiness, acceptance, and...longing. And that’s when he finally realized that she was in love with Raphael. Maybe, somewhere deep inside, he’d always known that. Now it was clear on her face for everyone to see.
That was it! That was why Gabrielle could barely stand to look at him. He reminded her of Rebecca, the woman Raphael loved.
He looked to Gabrielle, and for the first time, he felt like he could understand her. If it had been Naomi and Jeremy, he didn’t know how he would’ve been able to handle their children. It also explained why she preferred Jeremy. He was exactly like Raphael.
“Lash! Look!” Naomi tugged his sleeve.
He turned to look at the remaining shimmering blur as it twisted and formed into shape: tall, broad shoulders, muscular arms.
His heart slammed into his chest, hoping against all hope as he stared at the shimmering blur.
Golden hair, sapphire eyes, Raphael’s eyes...Jeremy’s eyes gazed back at him.
Naomi gasped and covered a hand over her mouth. Wet eyes glanced between Lash and Jeremy.
His face was blank as he leaned down and kissed her. “I love you.”
Turning, he marched up to Jeremy and stopped a foot away from him.
The garden was silent as Jeremy stood looking intently at Lash, his face stoic.
“Brother,” Lash croaked, throwing his arms around him.
Tears streamed down his face as Jeremy embraced him. “I’ll never forsake you again.”
“Nor I you, my brother,” Jeremy whispered into his ear.
“Jeremy!” Naomi squealed as she threw herself at the both of them.
In that brief moment, embraced by both Naomi’s and Jeremy’s arms, he could feel the love they had for him. It was a moment he’d always cherish and never forget. This was life’s purpose, the secret to happiness: love and family. He’d never been happier in his entire life.
Jeremy snickered as he pulled back. Placing one arm around Naomi and the other around Lash, he said, “What’s with the tear fest? A binding ceremony is supposed to be a joyous occasion. Now, when
He winked at Naomi and ruffled Lash’s hair. “Let’s get this party started.”
24
This moment?standing in front of Archangel Michael with Lash by her side and family and friends watching?was more than Naomi had ever hoped for. In the back of her mind, she knew that somehow Welita, Chuy, and her parents were there with her. As long as she carried them in her heart, in her memories, they were never far away.
Every time she looked at Lash, her heart caught in her throat, leaving her breathless. He was heart- wrenchingly handsome. For the first time since she met him, he’d dressed up different from the usual T-shirt and jeans. His face glistened against the black of the tux, and his cheeks flushed a delicate pink with excitement. She fought the urge to weave her fingers into his silky dark hair and brush her cheek against his clean-shaven jaw.
“Naomi, place your hand into Lahash’s. Raphael will bind you together as I perform the ceremony.” Michael handed Raphael a thickly braided gold cord.
Raphael’s face was a sea of emotion as he slowly wrapped the cord around Naomi’s arm and then onto Lash’s.
Michael’s voice was deep and melodic as he repeated the words of the ceremony. Words that were centuries old. So beautiful, she would remember them always. “Naomi. Lahash. As Raphael binds you together, remember the hands that you are holding are those of your best friend.”
He paused and gazed at her. “They are the hands of your husband.”
Then turning to Lash he said, “And of your wife.”
Lash gently squeezed her hand, smiling as Michael continued. “They are hands that will cherish you even
