After the Fall ba-2

by L. G. Castillo

  He had no idea how long they stayed hidden in the refuge of their bedroom, holding each other. Daylight shone through the open windows, and in the blink of an eye darkness fell. Day turned to night and night into day. He lost count of how many, and he didn’t care. As long as Naomi was by his side, he didn’t care if the entire world came to an end, because his already had.

  Slowly over time, he didn’t know how long, they started to share their newfound memories of each other and of Jeremy. They laughed. They cried, and gradually the ache, the absence of him, wasn’t as painful.

  There was a knock at the door, and Lash groaned. “Tell them to go away.”

  Rachel’s voice came from the other side of the door. “I hear you, Lash, and I’m not going away. Don’t make me break the door down.”

  “I think she means it, Lash.” Naomi hopped out of the bed.

  “Alright.” He huffed, walking to the door. When he reached it, he swung it open. “Rachel, I’m not ready for poker with Uri right—”

  He froze, surprised to find Gabrielle standing beside Rachel.

  “I was afraid you wouldn’t open the door if you knew it was just me,” she said.

  “Gabrielle. Rachel.” Naomi ran to his side. “Please come in. Have a seat.”

  They sat in the living room in awkward silence. He knew he should say something to Gabrielle. It was just so hard to believe that she’d gone after him and risked her own life to save him.

  “Uh, Gabrielle, I...uh, I need to... thank...”

  She held up a hand. “No, Lash. I know what you want to say, and it’s not necessary. Actually, I’m here on other business.”

  “I’m here on official business, too.” Rachel chimed in. “I don’t know if you realized this, but you two have been in here for weeks. We’ve all been mourning Jeremy. Believe me, I know what it feels like. But Jeremy wouldn’t want you to be like this. He gave his life for you,” She looked at Lash. “And he wanted you to be together,” she said to Naomi.

  “I know that,” he said softly.

  Naomi placed her hand in his. “We both know that, and we love him even more for it.”

  “I spoke with Michael, and he’s agreed to do the binding ceremony. I think we should do that. And you know Jeremy would have wanted you to do it.”

  Lash looked at Naomi. Her face beamed with happiness for the first time since they lost Jeremy. “You’re right. We should have the binding ceremony.”

  “Good. See, that wasn’t so hard.” Rachel got up from the sofa and skipped to the door.

  “The ceremony’s next week,” she sang.

  He balked. “Next week?”

  Rachel turned. “Too soon?”

  “I don’t think it’s too soon,” Naomi said.

  He looked into her eyes and brushed a hand over her cheek. She’d been through so much. She deserved happiness right now. They both did.

  “No, it’s not.”

  Rachel squealed. “I can’t wait to tell Uri. He thought Lash was going to freak. He was so wrong. See you in the morning. Oh, I have so much to prepare,” she said as the door closed behind her.

  “As I was saying.” Gabrielle continued as if she hadn’t been interrupted. “I’m here on business. After discussing it with Michael, we felt that you both deserved to know what has transpired since you’ve been...on leave.”

  Naomi raised an eyebrow. It was obvious to Lash what she was thinking. She probably thought Gabrielle was avoiding the subject of Jeremy’s death. She wasn’t used to Gabrielle’s word choice, especially when it came to touching on something so personal like grief. As always, Gabrielle was all business.

  Lash thought they would have bonded over the experience of her saving his life, that perhaps she would be more personable with them. He sighed, apparently not.

  “Chuy and Welita, are they okay?”

  Gabrielle turned to Naomi. “Yes. I’ve taken the liberty of checking in on them for you. You can look in on them from the bridge any time you wish.”

  He did a double take. Gabrielle was just full of surprises.

  “Thank you,” Naomi sighed with relief. “I was worried that Sal would go after Chuy, especially since...Jeremy...was assigned to him.” The name caught in her throat.

  “You’re correct in your assumption, Naomi. Jeremy was there to escort your cousin after his death.”

  Naomi gasped and squeezed Lash’s hand. “Chuy’s not still... he’s not going to...”

  “He’s not in danger of dying anytime soon. That all changed with Jane Sutherland.”

  “Jane? What happened to her?” Lash asked.

  “Saleos was about to kill Naomi’s cousin, and Jane pushed him out of the way. She sacrificed her own life for his. It was her selfless act that changed everything that followed after,” she explained.

  He couldn’t believe it. He was so sure Jane Sutherland was on Lucifer’s side.

  “She believed Welita. I know she did. And you were right, Lash. There was good in her,” Naomi choked. “You saw it when no one else did.”

  “There is good in all, Naomi,” Gabrielle said softly. “Everyone is given free will to choose which path they’ll follow. She chose with her heart and was willing to give up all the worldly power that Lucifer bestowed on her.”

  “What about the man people know as Luke Prescott?” Lash wondered how they would handle it now that Lucifer was gone.

  “Luke Prescott died by being struck by lightning. It’s not common, but it’s been known to happen.” She turned to Naomi. “It may be of interest to you to know that the news media did get a hold of the evidence that Eduardo managed to steal.”

  “Eduardo?” he asked.

  “She means Lalo,” Naomi said.

  “Yes, him. The girl, Ms. Dalene, was given some type of settlement for the death of her aunt. And as for the shooter, law enforcement is still looking for him. Saleos is gone for now, but Michael will keep a look-out for him.”

  Gabrielle stood. “Well, that’s all the information I have to share with you. And Naomi, we can resume your training as soon as you’re ready.”

  “Uh, I wanted to talk to you about that. I was wondering if...” Naomi bit on her lip. “Uh, I don’t know how to say this.”

  Gabrielle arched an eyebrow. “I think I know what you’re going to say.”

  “You do?”

  Lash looked at Naomi, puzzled. “What’s going on?”

  “She doesn’t want to be an archangel.”

  Naomi let out a breath. “Yes. I mean, it’s just not for me. I’d rather be a seraph like Lash. I don’t know if that’s possible. Is it?”

  Lash watched Gabrielle’s lips curl into a smile, and his jaw dropped at the sight of it.

  “Being an archangel is not for everyone.” She threw him a glance. “And I believe you are more suited to work as a seraph. I’ll talk to Michael. I’m sure he’ll agree.”

  Naomi stood and escorted Gabrielle to the door. “I’m so relieved. I thought I’d have to be an archangel forever.”

  “We all have a choice, Naomi. That doesn’t change when you become an angel.” And with that, she walked out the door.

  22

  “Lash is doing better, Welita. I know he’s just as excited as I am about the binding ceremony this afternoon. And I can’t believe I’m finally going to meet Michael. I’ve been hearing about him all this time, and I still haven’t met him. He’s going to conduct the ceremony. Oh, and Gabrielle came by early this morning and told me that Michael agreed that I can be a seraph and work with Lash.”

  Looking over the bridge and watching Welita rocking in a chair on the porch of her new home, Naomi sighed. She’d been to the bridge every day since Gabrielle’s visit. “Everything is finally coming together, and I’m so happy. I just wish I could help Lash let go of some of his guilt about what happened with Jeremy. I don’t think anyone could except for Jeremy, himself. Oh Welita, I miss him so much. We all do.”

  She watched Welita look up into the sky and smile. She knew
Welita could feel her presence. It was a happy day for Naomi, the first since losing Jeremy. Part of her wondered if the ache in her would ever go away. As Rachel said, Jeremy would’ve wanted them to be happy. She was right. The world moves on, even when all you want to do is crawl into bed and stay in there forever.

  Bear padded slowly to Welita, which made Naomi frown. The poor girl was getting old. She wondered what happened to animals when they died. She ached with the thought that Welita might be losing Bear soon, knowing how much she loved that dog.

  She smiled as Chuy jogged up the porch steps and scooped Bear up with one hand. Turning, he handed her to a little girl with strawberry curls and a splattering of freckles on her nose. “Here you go, Little Orphan Annie. Take Bear inside with you.”

  “My name’s not Annie; it’s Emma. Megan,” she whined. “Chuy’s calling me Annie again.”

  Naomi chuckled and shook her head. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to the fact that Chuy married Megan. After the shooting, Chuy and Megan became inseparable. She didn’t know what to think about that. She’d never seen him so taken by a girl before. It wasn’t until he took Megan to meet Welita that Naomi saw that he had fallen head over heels in love with her. He’d never taken anyone to meet their grandmother.

  In broken Spanish, Megan spoke to Welita. Naomi was impressed and touched that Megan would learn another language just for her grandmother. She could tell that Welita loved it.

  It was when Megan was shown a photo of Naomi and Chuy that Naomi really started to like her. How could she not like someone who called her the most beautiful girl she’d ever seen? Megan even blushed with embarrassment when she was told that Naomi and Lash were an item.

  That made Naomi smile.

  When Naomi first saw that Chuy and Megan were about to marry, she thought it was too quick. They hardly knew each other. Then she remembered the time difference between Earth and Heaven and had a change of heart, especially now that Megan was eight months pregnant.

  “Chuy, stop teasing her.” Megan slapped his arm playfully. “Welita, come inside. It’s too hot to be out.”

  Welita looked into the sky and waved. Naomi waved back. Thanks to Megan and Emma, she felt a sense of peace, knowing that Welita would be spending her last days surrounded by those who loved her.

  “I’m just having a little chat with my Naomi. She’s happy today,” Welita said as Chuy helped her out of her chair.

  “Blow her a big kiss for me, Welita,” Megan said as she ushered Emma into the house.

  Naomi laughed. “Back at you, Megan.”

  She felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist, and she sighed.

  “Having a good visit?” Lash’s warm breath caressed her ear.

  “Mmm, hmm.” She leaned back into his chest.

  “Did you tell her?” His nose glided down her neck, creating a ripple of goose bumps at his touch.

  “Yes,” she said breathlessly. She loved it when he did that to her. It was a feeling she would never get tired of.

  He turned her around and with a finger under her chin, lifted her face to look up at him. “Any reservations?”

  Light hazel eyes searched her face, and she knew that he meant more than the binding ceremony.

  She took his hand into hers. “It took me a while to adjust to being here. It wasn’t easy.”

  “And now?”

  “I’m not saying it’s easier. I don’t think it ever will be. But one thing I know for sure. Whatever challenge I face in serving my role as a seraph, I know that with you by my side, we can accomplish anything.”

  “Even with Gabrielle as your supervisor?” He smirked. “You could be your own boss if you were an archangel. It’s not too late to change your mind.”

  “Yes, even with her. And I’m not changing my mind. And you”—she poked his chest— “need help in your work relationship with Gabrielle. Is there some kind of angel employee assistance program here? You could use some counseling.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, okay. She’s not that bad.”

  “Not ‘that bad’? She saved your life.”

  He let out a playful grumble. “Hey, I did invite her to the binding ceremony.”

  “Yes, you did. And I’m so proud of you for that.” She got on her tiptoes and pecked his nose. “What about you? Getting cold feet?”

  His beautiful face grew serious, and his eyes looked deeply into hers. “Naomi, I’ve waited for you for centuries. Nothing is going to stop me from making you mine.”

  23

  Rays of light filtered into the Room of Offerings, dancing on the statuettes that lined the shelves. Lash picked one up. It was shaped in Jeremy’s likeness. He was thankful that it had survived his previous bout of destruction because it was the only reminder of Jeremy he had left.

  At the time, when he thought he’d never see Naomi again, he had wanted to break everything in sight. He’d been so angry at all of them―Jeremy, Raphael, and Gabrielle―for keeping secrets and taking Naomi away from him. He had blamed them all. He hadn’t known they were actually bringing Naomi back to him.

  “I miss you, my friend. I can’t get out of my head the horrible things I said to you. I wish I could take them back.” He fingered Jeremy’s likeness. It was perfection in his hands: perfect face, perfect smile, perfect body. He was like others had claimed him to be—a god among men. And Lash didn’t care, not anymore.

  “I understand the love you have for Naomi. I didn’t at first.” He shook his head. “I was so jealous and...afraid.”

  His voice dropped to a whisper. “Everyone loved you, worshipped you. In their eyes, you could do no wrong. And me?”

  He let out a sigh. “I was the exact opposite. It didn’t bother me before. It wasn’t until I had something, someone I wanted, that I even noticed. When I saw that you loved her, I thought that you wanted her, that you wanted to take her away from me. I was wrong.”

  He placed the statuette back onto the shelf and closed the glass door. He pressed a hand and forehead against the cool glass, not wanting to leave the only thing that was a part of Jeremy.

  “Why did it take losing you to know that you’re one of the best things to happen in my life? I had you and Raphael with me all those years, and I took you for granted. And now, on the day I’m to be bound with Naomi”—his voice croaked, and he swallowed thickly—“you won’t be by my side, and I want you there. I need you there with me...by my side...One. More. Time.”

  * * *

  Lash paced beneath a large white cherry tree in the garden, brushing a hand through his thick locks. Uri, who was to stand by his side during the ceremony, snickered each time he passed him.

  Lash threw him a glare. He was not helping the situation. Was this what people meant by cold feet? He hadn’t thought he was going to be nervous. Where was she? She’d probably come to her senses and was hiding out somewhere.

  He heard approaching footsteps, and he whirled around. “Oh,” he said, looking disappointed when Raphael and Gabrielle came into view.

  Gabrielle frowned. “Why does that not surprise me?”

  “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just...I...oh, never mind.” He threw up his hands and continued to pace.

  Raphael chuckled. “He’s a bit nervous, Gabrielle. I’m sure he means nothing by it. Lash, Michael will be here shortly.”

  Lash nodded as he continued to pace, wringing his hands.

  “Lash,” Uri said under his breath as he walked with him. “If you want to make a fast getaway, I can tell Gabrielle about the secret stash of Cuban cigars, and we can get you booted out again.” He grinned, waggling his eyebrows.

  He stopped and glared at Uri. “Not helping, man.”

  “Uri, stop teasing him.” Rachel’s soprano voice echoed from a distance.

  Lash turned around and gasped. Naomi was a vision to behold. White fluttered around her as she walked to him wearing a delicate white dress that fell to her ankles. It was a simple dress with pink roses that lined the collar and aro
und her waist. Dark hair fell down in soft waves onto her shoulders. Her cheeks were tinted pink, and pale blue eyes danced with excitement. She was dazzling. His heart ached at the sight of her.

  “You came,” he breathed when she took her place at his side.

  She looked at him, surprised. “Of course I did.”

  Lash leaned over to kiss her, but instead, his lips pressed up against a large palm.

  “Uh-uh, my friend,” Uri said, his hand acting as a barrier between his and Naomi’s lips. “After the binding ceremony.”

  He growled and wiped his mouth. “Do you mind with the hand, Uri?”

  “I see Uriel is still up to his old tricks.”

  There was no mistaking Archangel Michael’s deep, majestic voice. The last time Lash had seen him was in the dimness of the Room of Judgment thirty-five years ago.

  He watched Michael’s smiling face greet Raphael. Michael looked exactly the same as when he last saw him. Same dark curly hair and serious brown eyes. Except today those eyes turned to him with pride.

  “Michael, this is my Naomi,” he said, puffing out his chest.

  “Naomi. It is an honor for me to be performing the binding ceremony.” Michael took her hand and kissed it.

  “Oh, no, Michael...er, Archangel...Sir,” she stammered, looking at him in awe. “It is our honor to have you with us.”

  “You can call me Michael. And believe me, it is always a joyous occasion for me when there is a binding ceremony, and especially so for Lahash and Raphael. Much has happened to their family over the centuries. Much, much heartbreak that for many would have been unbearable. But there was good in their hearts, so they persevered, even after the losses.”

  Lash swallowed thickly as he glanced over at Raphael. He knew he was thinking about Jeremy, too and maybe even Rebecca. If anyone deserved Michael’s praise, it was Raphael. Not only had he lost his son, he’d been without the love his life by his side for centuries.

  It was hard to believe that Lash would ever think that having his memories suppressed was a good thing. He’d only met Rebecca once, but in that brief time he could understand how difficult it must’ve been for Raphael to be away from her.