Arch nodded. “It needed to be done.”
“Your voice,” she said, watching him intently. “I’ve heard it before, haven’t I? You're the one who carried me back home after I got lost in Alaska.”
Without replying, he handed her a journal. Opening the first page, Anna recognized her mother’s flowery handwriting. She looked at him with a question in her eyes.
“Iris left that journal in my safekeeping for you,” he said, solemnly. “I believe it will answer most of the questions you have. She called me that night when you were missing and asked for my help. She was a good person. I got there as quickly as I could.”
Tears filled her eyes. Holding the journal gently, she looked down and asked, “Is she happy?”
“She is completely happy and at peace,” Arch responded, in a serious tone of voice. “She will be for an eternity. She doesn't blame you for her death, Anna. She knows it's not your burden to bear, so you need to let that go. Where she is at, there is no sorrow, pain, or fear. There is only joy. Given the choice, she wouldn’t want to return here.”
“If anyone knows about this, it's Arch,” Shayne told her, when Arch fell silent. “Arch is an angel. He's also the one who sent me to you.”
A sob escaped her lips, as Anna finally felt at peace with her mother's death. “Thank you for that,” she sniffled. Thinking about the ways Arch had influenced her life, without her even knowing him, was mind boggling. She filed it away to ponder on later.
“Well, this certainly explains why you've been avoiding me,” Shayne said, with a petulant twist to his lips. His arms crossed as he glared at Arch. “You were worried she'd recognize you, weren't you?”
Arch's lips twisted, as if he were holding back a grin. “Aw, poor baby,” he crooned, a mischievous glint in his blue eyes. “Did I hurt the wee little baby's feelings?”
Shayne snorted. Anna grinned at their banter.
Anna was startled when suddenly another man appeared next to Ian. He was tall like the others, dirty and disheveled, with a fierce expression on his face.
“What the hell, Germael?” Ian growled. “You almost landed on me.” He stopped, grimaced, and added, “Just the thought of that makes me want to puke. Yuck.”
Germael elbowed Ian and snapped, “Get out of my way. You need to learn how to address your betters. You're not worth my time, worm.”
With a little more elbowing and shoving, they finally decided to stand side by side, with sullen expressions on their faces.
Shayne squatted down next to Anna and said in a low voice, “Don't be afraid. Germael is another angel, and this is the way they travel around from place to place.”
“Can you do that?” Anna whispered.
Shayne shook his head and stood back up.
Germael looked at Arch and got straight to the point when he said, “Some escaped.”
Arch closed his eyes and sighed. Then he replied, “I suspect we both expected they would. We know what this means.”
Germael nodded, a solemn expression on his face.
“Before I leave, there is one more important matter we need to settle,” Arch said, changing the subject.
“Oh, great,” Ian groaned. “Now what?”
“Do you love this man enough to be tied to him for an eternity?” Arch asked Anna, ignoring Ian. “I have to warn you, he’s a total bear in the mornings.”
“Excuse me!” Shayne sputtered, shaking his head. “Now you're proposing for me, Arch? I prefer to make my own damned marriage proposal, thank you very much.”
Shayne dropped down on one knee, as he took Anna's left hand. With his other hand, he pulled out a small jewelry box and flipped it open with his thumb. Inside, a ring glistened in the light.
Anna gasped. Her heart thudded in anticipation. She lifted her eyes to his face.
“Things have moved fast between us since we met. So have my feelings,” Shayne continued, his eyes holding hers. “But I guess when things are right, they just do. That dress wasn't the only thing I bought you that day. I already knew there was no way I'd willingly let you walk out of my life.” Both of them grinned.
“So, I have to ask. Do you love me enough to be tied to me for an eternity?”
Arch made a strangled sound in the back of his throat. When Shayne glanced at him, he smiled, angelically.
Shayne looked back at her, a question in his eyes. Anna smiled, her own eyes filled with tears. “Without a doubt,” she said, her words filled with the sincerity she felt. “I couldn’t imagine my life without you. Not anymore. Not ever.”
Shayne pulled her to him and kissed her before sliding the ring on her finger. Then Arch said the words that would bind them together for an eternity as he married them. The circle was now complete, body and soul. Never would one be without the other. It went beyond a simple marriage. They were immortal. They were eternal.
It was an awe-inspiring feeling for Anna. Passion overcame them, and they kissed.
“Well,” Arch said, clearing his throat. “That’s my cue to leave.” He prepared to disappear.
“Wait,” Ian yelled, a panicked expression on his face. He raced over to Arch. “Take me with you!” It was clear to all that the last thing he wanted was to be left with the two lovebirds.
Arch chuckled. “It won’t seem so bad when it’s your turn.” Ian turned white and gawked at Arch a second before they disappeared. Germael nodded at them and left as well, just as quietly as he had arrived.
Shayne laughed and said, “You know, I've never felt so incredible. I have a wonderful woman who will be with me for an eternity, and she's also the hottest piece to ever walk the world.” He winked at her and released a happy sigh. “I'm a lucky, lucky man.”
Anna was happier than words
