“Conceivably, you have taught, Mia.”
Angelo looked over at the priest with interest. “Go on.”
“You have shown her, through your actions, that she has to think of herself and hers first.”
“That is not fair.”
“Angelo, we have been friends for a long time. Together we have faced evil and have won and have lost. The losses may have scarred you, but you will recover. When you lose a game as a child, you strive to learn the rules and win the next one. We learn so much from our failures. I don’t see Mia’s aligning herself with Sariel as a negative.”
“I’m surprised. He’s an archangel whose name has been banned by your church.”
“We don’t always get it right, my friend,” Paolo acknowledged and explained, “Sariel has worked without recognition in the defense of the human race since he was formed. Although, he himself would admit that he lacks the understanding of the beings he has been entrusted to watch over. This is where Mia comes along. He needs to see them through her eyes.”
“Not in her bed?”
“Angelo Michaels, shame on you!” Paolo scolded. “Your human side has made you focus on things that are better not spoken of.”
“She’s a quarter birdman, Paolo. Her grandfather is our scribe Orion.”
“Ah, this is why you yearn for her. But she is married. Twice married.”
“Twice?” Angelo questioned.
“One a civil ceremony and another under the stars while the Council of Women looked on. She… well, it’s better for you to see it. Here, take my hand.”
Angelo stood beside Paolo in the darkness. He felt the Council beside him and above him circled an angel.
Mia took off her necklace and slid off the ring. She held it tightly as she got on her knees. She looked up at Ted. “Theodore Martin, would you take me as your wife, to have and to hold regardless of feathers, bitchy days, and interference from all of our friends and enemies?”
“Yes, Mia.”
She stood up and took Ted’s hand, turning it over first, and traced the lifeline of his hand, promising, “I, Mia Cooper Martin, promise my love, my soul and my body, as long as we both shall live –and if you play your cards right - into eternity.” She slid the ring back on his finger.
Angelo dropped Paolo’s hand.
“Roumain couldn’t tear them apart. What makes you so sure you can?”
“He isn’t worthy of her. He is weak.”
“He is smart,” Paolo insisted. “The Council feels that he may just be the deciding factor in tipping the scales our way.”
“The scientist who’s really a magician but does not know it,” Angelo mused.
“So cheer up, Angelo. Mia is in the best hands possible, and she has moved emotionally away from Stephen which pleases me very much.”
“I think that is all smoke and mirrors, my friend, smoke and mirrors.”
~
Mia rose out of the claw foot tub. The hot water eased her muscles. She had enjoyed her afternoon with her husband, who was presently roaming around the inside of the cottage with a silly smile on his face. Mia dressed in comfortable clothes. Gone was the need to be prepared to fly. She was on vacation with her family. The world would have to fend for itself as far as she was concerned.
Brian had been fed, and Mia was pondering Cid’s instructions on reheating the gumbo he put together for them when she heard a light tap on the screen door.
“Come in, it’s open,” Ted called out as he wrangled Brian into a clean onesie.
Sam White walked into the cottage and nodded his head towards Mia. “I’m Edie’s husband Sam. She sent me to acquaint you with the fishing boat.”
“Hello, Sam, I’m Mia. Ted’s in with Brian. Can I offer you a beverage?”
“A beer would be nice. It was a hot day out there on the roof.”
Mia offered Sam a glass. “No sense in dirtying a glass,” he said, accepting the opened bottle.
“Did you finish the repair?”
“All except the steeple. I’m going to see if we can get one of those bucket jobs the electric company uses. Otherwise, it’s a hell of a climb.”
Mia nodded.
Ted came out of the small bedroom with Brian. He extended his hand to Sam.
“You’re a tall feller. I’m sure that doorway’s just aching to give you a bump or two.”
“So far, I’ve managed to avoid it,” Ted said proudly.
“Would you like a beer?” Mia asked, taking Brian from Ted.
“No, I think I better have my wits about me,” he said, winking at Mia.
Sam led the way down to the water’s edge where an aluminum boat was flipped over. He righted it with Ted’s help. “Mary’s got a small trolling motor in the boathouse, but I find, on this lake, the oars are just fine.” He unlocked the boathouse and handed Ted a set of keys. “Make sure you lock it at night. The summer is full of visitors, and some may not have the best of intentions if they find it unlocked when you’re not around.”
Ted nodded. He ducked down, and inside, he found a treasure trove of odds and ends.
“Mary’s got a lot of junk in here,” Sam grumbled.
“One man’s junk is another’s treasure,” Ted said, picking up an old electric generator.
“Wow,” Mia said from the doorway. “It’s just chock full of stuff, isn’t it? Sam, your wife called. She wanted me to remind you that your daughter will be calling in fifteen minutes.”
“Thanks,” he said. “Okay, here’s the trolling engine, here are the life vests, and lordy-loo, I see a baby’s vest still in the box. You see, Mary and Edie go to all the jumble sales.” He handed the life vest to Ted. “Always wear one. It don’t matter if you look like a geek or not. If you get knocked on the head, you will appreciate the second chance the vest will give you.”
“Yes, sir.”
Mia left the two to finish the tour. She walked to the edge of the dock
