"All in the name of love, Papa Bear." This coming from Samael. How he got away with his antics was beyond me. "Can I get an 'Amen'?" Sam added, with a toothy grin that made a dimple pop out like a beacon.
"We coddle you, too much, Samael. Tone it down." Ernest quickly shot back.
"I'll give an 'Amen' to that." Added Hunter with a chuckle.
Me? I felt like I was watching a sit-com in an alternate universe.
"Alright, settle down before I put you both on sulfur duties." They both visibly shuddered, the threat apparently working like a charm.
Everyone sat down. Ernest sat directly in front of me with Hunter to my right and Samael to my left. Each owning their own demeanor. The wise, the serious and the mischievous.
And then there was me...the clueless.
"Gabrielle. We have decided to give you your wings. Hunter here, will be your mentor and partner."
I blinked, then directed my gaze to Hunter who had a grin so wide on his face I feared it would hurt him.
"Okay." I answered, drawing out the last syllable. "What exactly does that mean?"
"It means, child, that you will be going back to Earth and earning your place in the Heavens. You must help, guide and better one soul. You will be responsible for their well-being, nudge them in the right direction."
"But...I don't know much about religion. What if I screw up?" Why would anyone make me responsible for another. I was barely able to take care of myself.
"Gabrielle, listen to me. Believing in God and believing in religion are two different things. Our Lord loves all of his children. Each of their lives are precious. Their actions are oftentimes guided by ill forces and your job will be to make sure those forces are for the good of the masses. Those around them."
"So, Hunter was a lousy angel, then?" I bit my lip to avoid laughing.
"Let's say...Hunter was preoccupied. Or to be more accurate, his soul was yearning."
Samael snorted, Hunter blushed. It was endearing because his less than stellar work as my guardian angel was due to his growing love for me.
I could accept that.
As for Sam? He wasn't so bad, I supposed.
After all, he may have driven me to die but he saved my soul in the process.
"So, where will our assignments take place?" Hunter asked, looking at me with a reassuring smile.
"Back to square one, my child. Back to square one." Ernest's cryptic answer seemed to make sense to both men. Of course, it left just as confused as ever.
"What does that mean?" I asked, looking at Hunter then Ernest.
"The City of Angels, of course. We believe it is in everyone's best interest that you guard the one that loved you unconditionally."
His answer shocked me. Thrilled me. Had me gasping.
"Darren?"
"No, Gabby. Darren has Kael watching over him. He's really good too. I'll introduce you as soon as we get down there." Hunter said, reaching out to lace his fingers through mine.
"Which means...Monica?" My heart soared. The thought of being able to watch her grow and become everything she ever wanted had my soul bursting with joy.
"Yes. Monica will be your charge. Do you feel capable of such a responsibility?" Ernest asked, his fingers steepled under his chin, his eyes considering every one of my reactions.
"Yes. Of course. That would be amazing."
"Then it's settled. Hunter, you of course, will be taking care of Jonathan Drazen. Lord knows he needs to be reined in. Make sure he feels the need to redistribute that growing fortune of his. Good thing he's fallen a little farther from his father's tree." Samael chuckled at Ernest's attempt at humor and Hunter joined him. As for me, I didn't know Jonathan well enough to understand the inside joke.
"Now, go forth and protect the living."
And so we did.
Epilogue ~ Gabby
I watched Monica sing on her wedding day.
It was glorious and sad all at once. Her voice was more beautiful, more powerful than ever.
Hunter stood behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist, my head resting against his chest.
Being a guardian angel wasn't so bad. Of course, being Monica and Jonathan's guardian angels wasn't a piece of cake. Those two were explosive on a good day and downright nuclear when things did not go as planned.
I sensed a bit of trouble brewing. Jonathan's heart problems causing some type of ego shrinking. Monica's success probably wasn't helping either.
Before stepping on stage for one song, Monica hurried down the hall and burst into the dressing room. The place hadn't changed much since I was there last. It still looked like a hooker's hang out more than a dressing room but then the manager had more pressing problems to deal with.
I knew I didn't have much time, which meant I needed to extricate myself from Hunter's hold and join my best friend before her possessive husband came running after her.
He never could bear being away from her.
Watching Darren grow into his own slow rising success gave me pride. He'd never told me he was bisexual. It hurt, at first. Not being trusted with my twin's inner most turmoil. I never would have judged him. But I've learned to forgive and accept.
Darren rushed in, threw out a few jokes and popped the remaining french fries in his mouth before flying back out the door.
I noticed the single thin braid in Monica's hair and smiled. It was her way of including me on her big day. Little did she know, I was there. For her. For me. For our friendship.
I did what I wasn't supposed to do. I tried to send her my vibe, my
