Previously: Ch 11: to hell and back
Chapter 12: Home
I blinked tears from my eyes. Wait? What? Where am I?
Looking around, the answer was obvious. Leo and I were back in the hospice room, standing over my dying body. I had to admit I was a bit disappointed. I mean, I’d found the answer, felt the other side. I was ready to go. Maybe not.
Everything was the same as when I’d left it. Except now, my daughter was at my side.
“Hi, Dad,” she said in a pain-stricken murmur. It was clear she had been crying.
I could feel her touch, as she held my hand. It was a feeling like no other. If I had to guess, I would say this was ‘skin-to-skin’ contact, the same as a newborn would receive.
My soul fell to its knees, awash with a sense of pure euphoria.
Leo placed his hand upon my shoulder. “She’ll always be your link to this plane of reality; the first soul you fell in love with unconditionally.”
I knew he was right. I could remember the first moment I held my daughter in my arms. There was something so real, something that grounded my soul, forging a connection to the living world.
The respirator was still breathing for me, making me unable to step back into my body. But every touch, every moment, I could feel as if I was still there.
“Should I say a few words?” Cece asked no one in particular.
Marni placed her hand on our daughter’s shoulder. “Yes, sweetheart,” she said with a nod. “I think he’d like that.”
Cece nodded. I could feel her touch my face, closing my eyes. Her movement was gentle, intentional. It was like she was searching for something.
“Can you hear me?” I placed my hand upon her back. “Please hear me.” My heart was breaking. All I wanted was one last moment, one last chance to tell I love her.
Cece moved her warm fingertips from my eyes to my mouth, pausing to feel whatever breath was exiting my lips. “My father was a good man, a kind man.” She started to sob uncontrollably, her body shaking too hard to speak.
I put my arms around her, resting my spectral form against her shoulder. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. “I was such a fuck-up. Oh, God. I’m so sorry.”
Cece crossed her arms over her chest, reaching her hands to where mine were. “Adam Severgine, he fucked up a lot. He’d be the first to admit it. But for every fuck-up, he went above and beyond to show the true definition of courage.” Cece leaned in to kiss my forehead the way she did as a little girl. “Wherever you are, I hope you get everything you deserve. Because God put you through hell. You deserve to finally rest. You deserve peace.”
I could feel the skin of her fingers, her nails, her touch.
“I love you, Dad. I really hope you passed on knowing that.” Cece hands gripped mine as she wept uncontrollably.
“I love you too, Cece. Out of everything I accomplished in my life, being your father was my greatest honor.”
Leo stroked my hand, removing it from Cece’s. “It’s time.”
I forced a nod.
“Open your mouth,” Leo said, as he put his arms around my ghostly form. “And take your one final, pure breath.”
“Pure breath?”
“It won’t be your last.”
I closed my eyes and did as he asked. I had to trust him, I needed something to believe in. “So, what now?”
“Do you surrender your soul, your fate?”
“I can only try.”
“And that’s all I can ask.”
I felt a cool ocean breeze, followed by a sense of calm. When I opened my eyes, all I could see was the sky. “Where are we?”
“Right now, we’re hovering.” Leo held me close as we landed in the sand, falling on our knees. “But this little slice if heaven is California.”
“Where in California?” I asked, dusting off my bare legs. I was still wearing a hospital gown which felt awkward enough. I looked around, finding myself in the middle of a formal event; a series of tents like a party or a wedding. Yes, this was a wedding. I looked at Leo, he was standing by a poster board sign.
“The wedding of Alyssa Blake and Marni Severgine,” Leo said with a chuckle. “Well, wonders never cease.”
“Wow.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Jamie hadn’t been kidding: Alyssa and Marni were getting married. Or perhaps they were already. Knowing my two best friends, I could see this being just a party. “So, where are they?”
Leo shrugged. “I don’t know I just got here. Take a look around.” With that, he vanished in a blink of rainbow-colored light.
I walked along the beach, to a white canopy tent. Cece and Alyssa were checking out the snacks and flowers, enjoying the calm, empty beach. Cece wore a red sundress, simple yet elegant, like a true ballet dancer/pageant queen. She grabbed a paper cup and headed to the drink dispenser. “Is this iced coffee?”
Alyssa wore a flowing white gown, with her long blonde hair pulled back in a braid. “Yeah, I made it myself. It’s a special recipe of instant coffee grounds and sugar and vanilla drink powder.”
I chuckled. I knew exactly what it was. Alyssa had invented the drink out of military powdered leftovers. The concoction actually tasted pretty amazing, even when made with portable sanitized water.
“You made this out of MRE parts?” Cece asked. “My dad used to do something similar, but with cocoa powder and that orange drink stuff.”
“Well, that sounds disgusting,” Alyssa said with a laugh.
Cece shrugged. “I was five, and it was Dad’s special superhero potion.”
That made Alyssa smile, a sweet genuine smirk. “Of course.”
“No doubt, your magical potion is so much better.” Cece took a sip, making a face that matched the child-like wonder of her statement. “Do you want some?”
Alyssa shook her head, stretching her arms behind her back. “Nah, I should probably just have some water.”
“Why, are you pregnant?” Cece asked. It was clear she was joking.
But Alyssa was blushing like a schoolgirl. “Well, you never know.”
My daughter’s eyes went wide. Her hands visibly trembled as her cup fell to the floor. “Oh f—k.” Cece took a step backward to avoid the beverage. But it was clear from her expression she was about to cry. “What did you say?”
“I took a test. I think it’s Adam’s baby.”
Cece cupped her hand over her mouth. Shaking her head as if truly experiencing every emotion possible. “There’s no way, Dad was too sick.”
Alyssa touched her hand to her stomach. “I’m not far along enough to know anything for sure. I mean I took a pee test and it did that weird thing that you see on the internet. You know, where it shows like five pink lines.”
“Five?”
“I bought a cheap-ass test,” Alyssa said with a laugh, wiping tears from her own eyes. “But if there was even a chance, I had to know, so I went to a doctor and turns out I’m eight weeks along, which coincides with the last and only time I made love to a man.” The pain in her voice was heartbreaking. “So, don’t tell your mom.” Alyssa took a seat, allowing the folds of her dress to caress her body. She rested her hand on her stomach, leaning forward as if trying to imagine what she would look like when further along.
I hoped it was true. She deserved to be a mother.
“Oh, it’s true,” said a familiar male voice. Jamie appeared at my side, looking smug as ever. “She’s pregnant. You could be reborn as the child of your mentor/best friend, live a life of happiness and peace.”
“Or you could,” I replied, unable to break my gaze of Alyssa’s beauty.
Jamie chuckled and shook his head. “You’d like that.”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.”
As if on cue, little Gregg ran into the tent. My son was big for his age. But not too big for Cece to scoop him up in her arms. She twirled around, as her baby brother laughed. With his adorable smile, he couldn’t have been older than three or four. He was so happy, so loved.
I couldn’t help but smile. “You’d have two moms and an amazing sister.”
Jamie went silent. But he was smiling, he had to know I was right. This was a world of love, a life he never experienced. “I’ll give it some thought.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Jamie nodded, beaming with a sweet sense of confidence. “Time to change the scene.”
“What?” The wind picked up, caressing my face, as the colors of the scene to mix like a sand painting. As I wiped the colorful powder from my eyes, I was greeted to the most heartwarming sight.
“Love is peaceful, love is kind, love is all you need,” The music played as Cece walked Alyssa down the aisle.
Marni stood at the altar with the priest. Gregg stood by her side, proudly. There were a few people in attendance. I recognized Marni’s mother and Alyssa’s grandma, the only living relatives either woman had. The rest were military, and hospital staff.
Staring lovingly into each other’s eyes, Marni pulled out a speech written on a card. “Alyssa, you have always been a rock, a miracle, and a friend to my family. Adam loved you so much, I had to admit I was jealous. You were everything I wasn’t; strong, kind loyal. But as I got to know you, I realized, you were my other half. You were so welcoming, loving, and unbelievably gorgeous. My only regret was never having a threesome.”
The crowd laughed.
Leo reappeared, wearing a sky-blue suit. “All they had to do was ask, right?” He smirked as he gave me a playful nudge.
“Yeah, sure.” He wasn’t wrong, but instead of humor, my heart was filled with pain. “I guess life is all about regrets.”
Leo placed his hand upon mine, giving it a comforting squeeze. “Close your eyes, tell me what you see.”
“What I see?” I did as he asked but all I could see was darkness. “Honestly, not much.”
“Then tell me, what do you feel?”
“Nothing.” The darkness actually made me feel pretty depressed.
“Well, what do you want to see?” Leo asked in a calm, meditative voice.
“What I want?” I tried to let my mind go free. I was dead, this was my eternity. But what did I want to see? I could feel the cool breeze of the ocean, the warmth of the sun. My mind drifted to the idea of being a bird. What would it be like to be a seagull, to disappear into the sky? I wouldn’t be gone, I would just be part of the blue; the air, the water, the world. It felt nice.
When I opened my eyes, my family was releasing my ashes into the sky. I couldn’t help but smile. I felt a sense of peace. They were all crying, hugging, comforting each other. I could feel each person take a breath as they spoke words of kindness and gratitude.
“He was such a good man,” said one voice.
“A kind soul,” said another.
“He will truly be missed.”
All the voices fused into an intelligible mass of sound. This drew my attention to the fact that my family was not speaking; Cece, Marni, Alyssa and even little Greg stood frozen.
I don’t know how, but I started to cry as well. “I wish I could say a proper goodbye, just to let them know I’m alright.”
Leo shrugged. “Sure.”
“Sure? Are you fucking serious?”
Leo was calm, cool, to an almost annoying degree. “Yeah, I am. Our reality, this universe is made up of a river of time; moments, memories, and events that will live on long after we’re gone.” The angel knelt down and scooped up a handful of sand playing with it between his fingers. He looked at the grains with curiosity, before reaching out his sand covered hand.
“You building a castle or something?”
“Funny,” Leo replied, still in a meditative trance. “Hold my hand, I have an idea.”
“You have an idea?”
“Yes, Mr. Parrot,” he said in a mocking tone. “Are you seriously going to repeat everything I say?”
“Fine, I’m sorry.” I threw up my hands in defeat before reaching for Leo. His hand felt warm, soft, with a hint of electric spiritual energy.
Leo closed his eyes and smiled. “I’m not even sure if this will work, but it’s something I always wanted to try.” “Just think of your friends and family, let those emotions manifest into a spirit animal.”
“A spirit animal?” I had never felt more like a confused toddler.
“You can’t tell me you don’t have a single animal-related memory.”
I had no idea where he was going with this, so I concentrated on the one memory that would want to take to the grave; butterflies. “Cece was six or seven, I’d come home for maybe a weekend. I think I came from North Dakota, and I had to hop a plane to Korea or Japan, I can’t even remember. All I knew was I broke that little girl’s heart. We sat on the porch, just rocking her in my arms. I knew I loved her with all my heart, she was my reason for living.” And yet I still left. “I can still hear her voice, she said, ‘Don’t cry, daddy. I’ll send the butterflies to you.’”
“Sounds like a plan.” Leo’s hand vibrated with a warm, comforting static electricity, like the kind you feel when your leg goes numb. The particles of sand felt animated; squirming, growing, they were alive. I couldn’t help but open my eyes. My hand was filling with wiggly caterpillars that crept up my arm. In a matter of moments, the tiny blue caterpillars hardened into cocoons. It was a little strange to see the massive number of blue lumps on my arm. Still holding Leo’s hand, I lifted my arm. The cocoons burst like fireworks, transforming into butterflies which shot out of my sleeve like a cannon.
The stunning sight filled me with a sense of hope, joy. It was a moment of pure happiness. The cherry on top was when I heard the cheering crowd. This was all real. Everyone could see this one final message. On instinct, I scanned the faces, searching for the one person I truly wanted to see one last time.
Cece cupped her hands over her mouth, sobbing so hard she had to sit down.
I approached her, placing my hand to her cheek. I moved my fingers to lift her face, but my spectral form passed through. “Sometimes you just have to be ok.” I raised my own head, looking into the bright light of the sun.
And then I heard a sarcastic grunt from behind me. “Hey, Jamie.”
Jamie grumbled. “Just because you accept something doesn’t mean you’re ok with it.”
“Really?” I turned to see the teenager staring daggers at me.
“Yeah, really.” Jamie walked to Cece’s side, placing a hand upon her shoulder. Much to my dismay, his hand stayed in place.
Cece reached up to him, closing her eyes as she caressed his skin.
Could she feel him? That was more than a little unfair.
Jamie sighed. “When I was alive, I knew I was destined to end up as a lost soul, a fucked-up loser, cursed to walk this earth for all eternity. But then I found Leo. For the brief time I knew him, he was my rock.” He shook his head. “I clung to the idea of love. Which is why I’ll be ok.”
I slapped Jamie in the back, a little more aggressively than I intended. “What are you saying?” I knew. Jamie had known happiness for such a short time, it was downright sad.
Jamie turned, shooting me a death glare. “Oh, fuck off, Adam.”
“Same to you,” I said with a chuckle. It takes one to know one.
“Whatever.” Jamie kissed Cece’s forehead. “I’ll see you soon, big sister.” He vanished into the wind, leaving my daughter to sob even harder.
“It’s ok, Ce-Cey,” said a small voice. Little Greg put his arms around Cece, hugging her waist. “I miss Daddy too.”
Their words truly broke my heart. I’d never felt so joyful yet so alone. This was life, this was living. This was a world that no longer belonged to me. “Leo?” I asked the sky. “Where’d you go?”
A gust of wind directed my focus to the nearby bluff. At least I thought it was close. Still barefoot, wearing a hospital gown, it took well over ten minutes of trekking over sharp rocks before I finally found myself by his side.
“Enjoying the view?” Leo asked. “Don’t worry, as soon as your soul is free of this world, we’ll get you some real clothes.”
“You know so much about me but I still feel like don’t know you.”
“What do you want to know?”
“About your life?”
“I can barely remember my life,” he said with a shrug. “But that’s not a bad thing.”
“I don’t understand. How could you be fine with forgetting the life that made you who you are?”
“There’s a reason why most people can only remember their last moments before death,” Leo explained. “The pain you feel is your heart binding you to your fate. It’s the reason why certain spirits become ghosts, poltergeists, or worse. Eternity is a really long time to be facing the wrong direction.”
“I guess.” I was afraid but I knew I had to trust him. But more than that, I needed to trust myself. I closed my eyes, letting the weight of the world wash over me. For a few seconds I felt nothing, like true death, then all around me I could hear the sound of joyous laughter. Dozens of voices seemed to fade away until there were just two. But who was laughing?
“Ha-ha-ha, O-M-G, Marni, you’re so bad!”
A rush of warmth caressed my skin. It was clear I was now somewhere indoors. I opened my eyes to see a hotel room. “What the?” Looking around, I could see it was a honeymoon suite decked out in the most seductive shades of red and pink.
The door flung open, having been kicked by a single sparking white high heel. Watching Marni and Alyssa flirtatiously enter the hotel room was everything I thought it would be. Making their way to the bed, the beautiful women kissed as they undressed each other down to lingerie.
Marni, the more aggressive of the two, wore a black bra and matching panties, while Alyssa wore a lacy white one-piece that made her truly look like a bride. The happy couple were all laughs until Marni reached for a nearby tray of candies and red wine. “I got us a special treat.”
“I don’t think I should,” Alyssa said with a coy smile. She wanted to tell her, I just knew it.
“But you love Freakshow Cabernet.” Marni puffed out her lip like a pouty child. ” I want to get fucked up with you. I even ordered all of your favorite THC edibles; gummies, chocolates… ” Marni popped a single red gummy into her mouth.
Alyssa sat on the bed with her arms crossed over her stomach. She giggled nervously.
“Are you cold, babe?” Marni asked, taking a drink from the wine bottle like a soda. She laughed and took a seat next to Alyssa, massaging her arms in a flirtatious manner.
“I-I think I’m pregnant.”
Marni recoiled in a way that seemed a little out of character. She nodded and covered her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Did you take a test?”
“Yeah,” Alyssa giggled nervously. “Are you mad? I mean, you knew I slept with him.” Her words started to sputter. “I didn’t think…”
“No, Aly I’m not upset.” Marni forced a smile. “I could never give him a baby when he was alive, but now…” She wiped her eyes and shrugged. “I’m happy. Miracles happen, God works in mysterious ways and all that shit.”
Alyssa wiped tears from her own eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Marni put her arms around her wife, holding her close as they both cried. “I just miss him with all my heart.”
The scene faded to black as if I was watching actors in a stage play.
“What the?” I said with a noticeable pang of disappointment.
“Don’t tell me you wanted to see that,” Jamie said, doubling over with laughter. “Wow, even in death you’re a fucking sicko.”
More than I wanted to see you. “Where’s Leo?”
“This is between you and me,” Jamie replied. His tone was not aggressive, but rather confused. A light appeared in the distance it was the size of a coin, then a flashlight. “I’m not sure if I’m ready,” Jamie said staring off into the void. “I mean, I know my life was pretty awful but the idea of letting go of everything; my consciousness, my personality…” his voice trailed off. “But, mainly you, Leo.”
I looked around, searching the darkness for Leo. If Jamie was addressing him, he had to be present, right?
Jamie snickered. “And you too, brainless tinman I think I’ll miss you most of all.”
Leo stepped into view, looking as ethereal as ever. “Jamie, you should probably quit before God copyrights you straight to hell.” He patted Jamie’s shoulder. “Only kidding, Man.”
I watched as the angels engaged in one last hug. “But seriously, both Adam and I will be with you every step of the way. Even if you don’t remember us, in your new life, you’ll see us as your guardian angels or at the very least, we’ll be your imaginary friends.”
Jamie nodded as he wiped away tears. “I understand.”
“Jamie,” a female voice called from the light at the end of the tunnel.
I couldn’t tell if it was Alyssa or Marni. it could have even been Cece’s voice. “I think it’s time for you to go.” I placed my hand upon Jamie’s shoulder and looked to Leo. Leo nodded and placed his hand, causing the darkness to fill with all the colors of the rainbow. The layers of light came together to form a blinding white aura.
I blinked my eyes and when I opened them, I saw a very pregnant Alyssa. She was laying on a cream-colored sofa with her head on Marni’s lap. “I can’t believe we’re having a girl.”
Marni only nodded. “It’s pretty magical.” Her voice trembled with emotion. “Do you think she’ll look like him?”
“Like Adam? God, I hope not.” Alyssa held her hand, so they were both touching her third-trimester belly. “Jamie Felicity Severgine: that’s the name I want. She’ll be her own person, live her own life, but she’ll always be the daughter of a hero.”
The scene faded to black, so dark I couldn’t even see my limbs. “Leo?”
Leo placed his unseen hand upon my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m here.”
“Is Jamie gone?”
“No,” Leo replied with a noticeable chuckle. “Why would you say that?”
A rush of color washed over me like a rainbow tidal wave. The air was icy cold, then warm. Blinding lights flickered in red, white and yellow. Everything was blurry, then suddenly clear. This was followed by crying and screaming. What in the hell?
The sounds were horrific, worse than any deployment warzone. I assumed this was what birth sounded like. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Walking through the sea of people, I found Alyssa on an operating table. I had never seen a c-section being performed but this seemed more like general surgery. Alyssa was unconscious, breathing with an oxygen mask. Below a sectioned off area, the team of doctors were cutting the baby out of her. The blood-covered fetus wasn’t moving or even breathing.
It was then I realized, Marni was the one screaming, crying, sobbing. A nurse was trying to console her but it was no use. Marni fell to her knees, in more pain than I had ever seen her in before. She truly loved Alyssa.
“Where’s my baby?” asked a soft, familiar voice.
“Aly?” I turned to see my best friend standing at my side.
She looked beautiful, glowing, with a massive gash in her stomach as if someone had cut the baby out of her body. But I knew this was not her body. This was her soul, trapped in limbo.
“Adam?” She turned to me with sparkling tears in her eyes. “Adam, am I dead?”
“I-I don’t know.”
Her soft, gentle voice choked with tears. “I don’t want to die, not now. Not like this!”
My heart was truly breaking but I was not wise enough to know the right words to say. “What’s going to happen is what’s meant to happen. but no matter what I’ll always be with you. You’ll always be my sister, my soulmate.”
“Did you just call me your sister?” she said with a sweet laughed. “Maybe not the best thing to call the girl you knocked up.”
“Maybe.”
Just as quickly her smile fell. “I’m sorry I failed you.”
“You didn’t fail me.” Looking into her eyes, my heart was breaking. “You never failed me.” Was I meant to watch her die? How much more pain did my family have to endure?
“I’m glad.” Alyssa’s hand touched mine. “I miss you so much.”
I looked at the body on the table. “General Blake, you’re too strong to die.”
“General Blake?” The ghost said with a laugh. “I haven’t heard that in a while.” She placed her cold hand upon my back. “But you were always the one who was too strong to die.”
“Can you say that with a straight face?”
“Yeah, I can.” Alyssa reached out to touch my arms. “You took the weight of the world on your shoulders even when the strain was too much to bear. You soldiered on like a hero that you are.”
“And now you need to soldier on,” I said with all the confidence I could muster, although neither of us was aware of the final verdict.
Suddenly the baby cried. The little miracle containing the tormented teenage soul of an angsty teenager took her first breath. I took a closer look at what was my biological daughter. She had beautiful blue eyes the color of the midday sky.
Alyssa’s spirit took a step towards the doctor holding the baby. She cupped her hands over her mouth, barely able to contain her emotions. “She looks so much like you, Adam.”
I chuckled as I put my arms around Alyssa’s now healed waist. “Don’t insult the poor kid. She’s been through enough.”
Alyssa laughed, her spectral form glowing, a warm, sensual radiance. “You know, I really did love you.”
“I know you did.” There was so much I wanted to say to Alyssa. I needed to thank her for every time she pulled my ass from the fire, going to bat for me like a protective older sister. For loving me when I felt unworthy of love. But she knew all that; it was why we could’ve never been a married couple. We could never have lived together or raised a family. And yet I would have given anything to spend an eternity in her arms. “That’s why I know you’re going to be an amazing mother.”
Alyssa smiled pursing her lips in deep thought. “I guess I could try.” She stroked her hand to my face. “Will you promise to send me butterflies?”
“Always.” I put my arms around her, burying my face in her shoulder. I could feel her soft skin, bathe in the smell her freshly washed hair. She was human, alive; she had to go back. No matter how much it hurt, or how badly I wanted this moment to last forever. In another life she would have been mine.
“Goodbye my love,” Alyssa said as she vanished from my arms.
“Goodbye.” I looked up to see Leo holding Alyssa’s hand, leading her back to her body.
The lights flickered as Alyssa spectral form stepped back into her struggling body. She took a breath, one after another until her vitals returned to normal. When she was able to open her eyes, the doctor put the crying baby in her arms.
I knew my purpose, what made me different. I was born to love you, protect you, watch over you. I will love you for every moment, with everything I am. this is who I was meant to be.
I felt Leo’s hands stroking my back. Suddenly I didn’t feel cold. It felt like paper was growing over my skin. No, it wasn’t paper it was clothing. I felt the softness of a cotton flannel shirt, and denim jeans.
“You look good,” Leo said with a chuckle. “Not that I would have minded having you naked for all eternity. Angels don’t feel hot or cold, we only feel.” Leo kissed my neck, sending a soothing shiver down my spine.
“I love you too.”
Leo leaned over the baby, letting her grab a lock of his hair. “She’s beautiful.”
“And her future looks bright.”
Leo nodded. “So, Adam, what if anything, have you learned?”
“That’s one hell of a question.”
“Do you have an answer?”
Was he expecting an answer? “Do you?”
Leo smiled his sweet, sexy smile as he looked out into the distance. “What did I learn? I learned that we need to roll with the punches, that drama exists beyond high school, the world isn’t fair, but there are some people who make it worthwhile. But I’m not an immortal soul like you.”
An immortal soul? I leaned back, resting my head on his shoulder. Leo had such a powerful, awe-inspiring sense of peace. “You’ll have to give me some pointers on what that all means.”
“I will, until then, on to our next big adventure.”
“We’re leaving them?” I asked, with a noticeable sadness.
“Your family will never be out of our sight.” Leo held up one finger and traced a circle in the air. “But there are others who need our aid.” He waved his arm, throwing what looked like a handful of confetti.
The confetti pieces formed stars. Each of them was a portal; a place, a person, a story. “Wow.” I could feel the smile on my face. “So, where are we heading?”
Leo only shrugged. “I don’t know, I’m just an angel: assignments are above my paygrade. I figure you know a little about that.” He waved his hand, conjuring a beat-up red pickup truck. It was the kind of vehicle that would never look out of place.
“I feel like it needs a logo,” I said as I approached the very real, tangible, vehicle. “Two angels’ construction; when you break it, we can fix it.” It sounded dumb the moment the words left my lips. But the idea felt so right.
“I was thinking of something more generic,” Leo said, as he put an arm around my shoulder. “Generic, but personal.” Using only his finger, Leo began to draw letters across the driver’s side door. “Warrior repair, we go where we’re needed.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Trust me, it’s not.” Leo chuckled. He kissed my cheek, then my neck. “How about this; I’ll put my faith in you and you put your faith in me?”
“Put my faith in a longhaired savior? Yeah, I think I can wrap my head around that.” Every pulse has a purpose and I had finally found mine. it only took a couple hundred tries.
-the end,
for now-
