The Marilians

by Beth Worsdell

  As she reached the angels, they parted to let her through. All of them began to take a knee and lower their heads to Tracey in deep respect. Tracey only had eyes for John’s still form. We watched with heavy hearts as she walked up to the altar, placing the blue orchids on John’s chest with her hand resting on top.

  “I’ve known you since we were kids at school; you were my best friend before you became my husband,” Tracey said with a shaking voice.

  Tears began to slowly run down her flushed cheeks, silently dropping to the grass at her bare feet.

  “You gave me the gift of two beautiful babies, and I will always be grateful for every moment we spent together, with each other and our children,” she told him, “I hope Mel is right and that you’re with our babies right now, John,” she said as her voice broke, and her shoulders slumped.

  Akhenaten immediately left the circle of angels, gliding quickly to his beloved's side. The moment his arm encircled her shoulders, and his hand touched her skin; we could all see his power pulsing and entering her body. Her gratitude was clear when she looked up into his sparkling blue eyes.

  “Thank you,” Tracey whispered.

  As Tracey and Akhenaten turned and walked back towards us, leaving the circle of kneeling angels; we all began to walk towards them, forming a loose line. Each of us took a moment to place our flowers around John and say our goodbyes. Meanwhile, Akhenaten never left Tracey’s side. He was being the strong friend she so desperately needed, and he could help her in a way that we couldn’t.

  After everyone had said their farewells to John, the angels started to stand as Derek, who was the last person in the line, left his flowers. John looked so utterly peaceful, covered in the sheer gold sheet and surrounded with flowers of every color and shade.

  I was expecting the angels to close the gap in their circle, but they didn’t, leaving a clear view of John and the altar he was laid on. Christik raised her arms again, but this time, her palms faced John, and instantly the other angels and elders did the same. They moved like synchronized swimmers, all following Christik’s movements. When Christik opened her wings, and the others did the same, it was a magnificent sight.

  “We honor you, John, with love and friendship,” Christik said as all the angel’s hands began to glow brightly.

  We all watched in awe as their bright white power started to travel from their palms to the altar. Johns body began to elevate in a glow of white and gold as if he were in a cloud of glitter. We could see John’s body starting to glow beneath the gold sheet, and as the brightness grew, a sand-colored stone urn appeared on the altar beneath him.

  With a sudden burst of light, John’s body became part of the sparking cloud, shimmering before us. It was the most magical cremation I’d ever seen.

  With surprise and widened eyes, we watched as the glittering particles started to slowly swirl and descend into the stone urn. It wasn’t long before every trace of John was contained within the container, and the ceremony was over.

  We were all silent as the angels and elders reined in their power, lowering their arms and folding their wings behind them. Christik walked forward with grace and gentleness as she took the urn from the altar and walked toward our grieving friend.

  “Thank you,” Tracey told her as she took the urn, bringing it up to her chest, “That was beautiful, and John would have been seriously impressed,” she added with a small weak smile as tears trickled down her face.

  Christik dipped her head to Tracey respectfully.

  “We have a place for your husband to rest,” Christik said gently.

  With that, Christik began to walk towards a cluster of wild blue flowers that were growing in the grass, just before the sand dunes started. As we all got closer, there in the center of the flowers was a shallow hole that the angels had prepared. Akhenaten reluctantly released his touch on Tracey as she began to lower herself to kneel beside the waiting hole.

  I was so busy watching Tracey that I hadn’t noticed Lindaz and Evest coming alongside of us, until Tracey stood up again after placing the urn inside, and she looked at them. The elders were now standing either side of the hole and Tracey, with Christik stood in front of her, and their hands began to glow once more.

  Christik and the elders faced their palms toward the ground, and the loose soil started to rise up from a mound. We watched silently as the moist soil rose and fell gently on top of John’s urn until it was gone from view.

  Akhenaten glided forward towards Tracey, and as soon as he reached her, he held out his palm and in his outstretched hand was a small seed of some kind. Without saying a word, Tracey took the seed from him, and she gently pushed it into the soft earth where her husband's ashes were buried.

  When she took her place beside us again, she smiled as she took in the sight of us all comforting each other. James was stood behind me with his arms wrapped around me, and everyone else was doing the same. I could feel Tracey’s pain, and so could Akhenaten. As soon as she turned to face the elders, he was at her side once more, letting his soothing power help her.

  The elders’ power began to brighten and pulse where Tracey had planted the seed, and before our eyes, a shoot of green began to emerge from the earth. We are all astonished to see the green shoot grow into first a tree sapling and then a small healthy tree.

  Within minutes, the tree grew to the size of the angels, and we quickly realized that it was a lovely weeping willow. Its delicate thin branches started to bend as more leaves and delicate pink blossoms appeared.

  “Wow, it’s beautiful,” Tracey quietly murmured, reflecting our own thoughts.

  As the small blossoms opened, the elders’ power lessened, and they lowered their arms.

  “John would be happy with his tree and being next to the beach,” Tracey said, more to herself than anyone else.

  Her gaze then moved to the elders and Christik.

  “Thank you again. You have made John proud,” Tracey told them as her eyes welled with unshed tears.

  Lindaz, Evest and Christik smiled at her warmly with understanding and love.

  “We have the holding structure prepared for John’s wake, so everyone can celebrate John’s life,” Evest said as he waved his arm towards the small craft.

  Akhenaten led Tracey towards the craft, and we all followed, telling each other what a beautiful and wonderful ceremony it had been. As James and I walked behind Tracey and Akhenaten, I could hear him quietly telling her that she could visit the weeping willow anytime she wanted and that he would gladly bring her. ‘That angel would do anything for her,’ I thought myself.

  When I turned to James, I knew he’d heard Akhenaten, and he gave me a nod, clearly as impressed with the angel as I was. Just as we began to board the small craft, another arrived for our friends, and the journey back was short and full of mixed feelings. We were all so saddened by the loss of John, but we also felt happy that he had such an amazing send-off.

  When we arrived back at the holding structure, the entrance was framed with blue flowers, and their flagrant scent drifted on the warm breeze. I could hear the sounds of people talking and the young children laughing as they played. It was soothing to the heart and soul to hear their giggles.

  Walking into the foyer, it was hard not to be impressed by the effort of the angels. They’d really put themselves out with their preparations. There were plenty of tables and chairs for everyone, and in the center of each table was an elegant platter of various foods decorated with edible flowers.

  Christik and the elders led us through the center of the foyer, and lots of people came up to Tracey to give her a hug, say how sorry they were and to tell her what a good man John was. The rest of us greeted friends as we made our way to the top tables that had been left empty for us.

  As soon as Tracey got to our table and sat down with Akhenaten at her side, she leaned over towards us.

  “I think I want to say my piece and get it over with,” she said quietly, “I don’t think I can hold it together
much longer.

  Her face looked strained and tired, and I could tell that the day had taken its toll on her.

  “We understand, Tracey, you do what you need to do, honey,” I replied with a warm understanding smile.

  Tracey nodded before standing from her seat and facing everyone.

  No one seemed to notice that Tracey had stood and was waiting to speak other than us and the people at the closest tables. Feeling Tracey’s unease, Akhenaten used his power to release what looked like a small silver firework that whizzed up above our table. Straightaway, everyone turned to face our table to see where the noise had come from. When they saw that Tracey was standing, they all became silent. Tracey took a deep breath and cleared her throat.

  “Thank you all for being here for John,” Tracey said nervously, “I know you all got to know John in the last five years, and you probably realized quickly, that he would have done anything for any of you.”

  As soon as she finished her sentence, there were many shouts of agreement from people in the room.

  “John was an amazing father to our twins. He was never too busy to spend time with them,” Tracey continued, “He was also my best friend from childhood, and I loved him,” she added, as her voice began to crack with emotion.

  Not being able to say anything else, she sat back down in her seat completely drained. Luckily, Christik took Tracey’s cue and stood to address everyone.

  “Let the celebration of our friend John’s life begin,” Christik declared with a strong and clear voice.

  Everyone in the room gave respectful applause before grabbing their stone cups and raising them.

  “To John!” Everyone called out in unison, before taking a sip of their juices and water.

  The rest of the evening was a wonderful tribute to John and the friendships he’d made. Many came up to talk to Tracey to tell her how he’d helped them in some way, including my own children. John was definitely going to be missed by everyone. I think that Tracey felt safe to leave once she was sure that the last person had spoken to her. Discreetly, she leaned towards James and me.

  “Could I go back to your room, Mel?” She asked earnestly.

  I could see clearly that she’d had enough and wanted to have some quiet time.

  “Of course, honey,” I told her quietly, “I’m sure everyone will understand.”

  “I’m going to take Tracey back, baby,” I told James before tuning to Akhenaten and Christik.

  “Could you both take Tracey and me back to my room, please?” I asked.

  I didn’t need to ask the angels twice. We were soon discreetly making our way down the side of the foyer as everyone was talking amongst themselves. The few people who actually noticed us leaving just gave us a sympathetic nod and a friendly smile. As we neared the exit, I spotted my kids, who were sat at two tables with their friends and angels. Holly spotted us straight away, so I touched the com at the top of my breasts. ‘We’re going back to our room, darling,’ I told her. ‘You’re going to go back to the cabin with your dad. Please tell the others.’ I didn’t need to explain, Holly’s expression made it clear that she already knew why. ‘Ok, Mom,’ she replied with a knowing smile.

  When we arrived back at my rooms, Christik gave Tracey a hug, wrapping her in her arms and wings. I could see Christik’s power glowing from within the cocoon she’d made around our friend. As soon as Christik drew away from Tracey and stepped away, Akhenaten stepped forward, taking Tracey’s hand in his. Tracey looked up into Akhenaten’s sapphire blue eyes, and the angel’s brows furrowed as he tried to control his shimmering glow.

  “I am here for you if you need me,” he said with a voice full of emotion.

  I could feel the conflict Akhenaten was feeling, protectiveness, love and helplessness. Akhenaten released her hand, and he reluctantly glided away following his sister. Within seconds, they both flitted into thin air. Tracey turned to look at me with confusion written all over her face, before shaking her head and walking into my room's main area.

  Following Tracey into my room, I watched as she walked over to the round window and looked out. I knew she would talk when she was ready, so I sat down in the seating area and waited patiently. Minutes slowly went by before she finally turned around and came to sit next to me. My friend looked so drained that my heart ached with sadness.

  “It was a beautiful ceremony, wasn’t it?” Tracey said softly.

  Her voice mirrored the sadness in her face, and her thinned lips made me think that she was trying to stop herself from crying again.

  “Yes, it was beautiful,” I told her, “More beautiful than I could have imagined.”

  “Mmm... I couldn’t have asked for a better way to see him off,” she stated, “I think he would have been pleased.”

  I nodded my head in agreement.

  “I didn’t even like him when we first met, you know,” Tracey admitted. “He was an arrogant little shit, who thought he was god's gift to womanhood.”

  I was very surprised to hear her say that. It didn’t sound like the John we’d known at all.

  “Really?” I answered with an eyebrow raised.

  “Oh yeah,” she said with a weak smile. “He couldn’t believe that I wasn't attracted to him. It was a shock to his system.”

  I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my lips. I could just imagine Tracey putting him in his place for being a walking ego.

  “So how on earth did you end up together?” I asked curiously.

  Tracey smirked at the memories that popped into her head.

  “Well,” she said as she walked over and sat down on the chair next to me.

  “I’d always known him from high school, and we were sort of friends. Then, when I was a new nurse at our local hospital, he came into the ER department with a very embarrassing injury,” Tracey explained.

  I could tell that talking about John and their shared memories were helping her heal, even though she wasn’t aware of it.

  “You can't just leave it at that, woman,” I told her. “Tell me more!”

  My facial expression must have said it all because Tracey suddenly begins to giggle. Then, just as abruptly, she stopped herself and covered her mouth with her hand.

  “You don’t need to feel guilty for remembering you and John’s shared memories Tracey,” I told her reassuringly, “I’m sure John would be laughing at the memories too, if he were here.”

  I could feel her guilt subside as she absorbed my words.

  “Yes, he’d be cracking up, just thinking about it,” she admitted.

  When she raised her face to look at me, I raised my eyebrows at her.

  “Well, spill it, woman!” I declared, making her smile again.

  “John was with someone else when he ended up in the ER department and my section. Apparently, she’d wanted him to last longer in the bedroom, and she’d talked him into wearing something risky,” she explained while trying to keep a straight face.

  “And?” I said with a smile.

  “Well, it became apparent that she didn’t check the size of the thing before putting it on him. So, when he got excited, the bloody thing was making him very uncomfortable, if you know what I mean,” Tracey explained with a grin.

  I couldn’t believe what I was heard as I giggled at Tracey’s face. Poor John must have been in total agony, but it was so funny. I was so glad Tracey hadn’t told me before. If she had, there was no way I’d have been able to look John in the eyes again.

  “Oh, my god, Tracey,” I said through my laughter, “what happened?”

  Tracey clamped her bottom lip between her teeth as she tried to keep a straight face, but I could see her humor dancing in her eyes. She took a steadying breath before speaking.

  “I have to say that I actually felt sorry for the arrogant git,” she said, “He was so vulnerable at that point and was feeling so sorry for himself. I couldn’t bring myself to tease him about the whole situation like I wanted to when he was first admitted. His body was swollen a
nd throbbing as if it had been hit with a hammer. So, I had to ice it to reduce the swelling and then lubricate it with a gel to get the bloody thing off.”

  By this point, I thought I might pee myself a little because I was laughing so hard. It wasn’t just what Tracey was telling me; it was the actions she was doing while telling me. She was obviously enjoying my reactions to her story. I waved a hand at her for her to continue.

  “It took two of us to get the thing off his body. One of my nurse colleagues had to hold him down, and I had to yank the bloody thing off,” Tracey laughed. “I’d never seen any patient so relieved, and he was so grateful once it was all over; he thawed my heart,” she admitted.

  “So how earth did you get from that situation to actually dating him?” I asked, feeling even more curious.

  “Well, he was so grateful to have his body intact and functional that three days after it happened, he turned up at the ER with a massive bouquet of flowers for me and the other nurse,” Tracey said while smiling again at the memory. “He wasn’t the arrogant git that he was before, and he asked me out on a date. Seeing a different side of him made me realize that it had all been an act. After a week of dating, I knew he was the one,” she added quietly.

  The rest of the night was full of tears, laughter, and more tears, as Tracey reminisced about her history with John. I knew it was healing her broken heart. I don’t know which one of us fell asleep first, but I knew we were both mentally and physically exhausted.

  Chapter 14

  When I woke the next morning, Tracey and I were laid on my bed, and I had my arm resting against her waist. The sun was streaming through the round window, and I had no idea if it was still morning or closer to midday. Tracey was still sleeping soundly, and she certainly needed it. I slid off the bed and decided to shower and freshen up. My face still felt a little puffy from all the crying and laughing.