by Mary Abshire
A knock on the door captured her attention. She hurried out of bed and bumped the tissue box. She grabbed it before the box fell in the trashcan. After setting it on the nightstand, she strode to the front door.
Heart beating a faster rhythm, she twisted the handle. Matt stood in the hall carrying a duffle bag at his side. The little bit of hope she had of seeing Andrew plummeted.
“Wow,” he said as he stepped inside.
She shut the door behind him.
“Mind if I turn on a light?” he asked, pausing near the television.
“Uh, use the one by the table. I don’t think my eyes can handle anything too bright.”
He put his bag on the table and then turned the switch on the tall lamp. The lighting created a pulse in her head and encouraged her to hide in darkness. She sat on the edge of the bed and blinked a few times so her eyes would adjust.
“Have you eaten anything?” he asked as he approached her.
During their conversation in the morning, he’d instructed her remain at the hotel and wait for him. An hour later, he’d sent her a message informing her he was hopping on a plane in the afternoon to get her.
She stared at the TV. The screen showed the charred spot where the garage had been.
“Of course not,” she said. “I know I need to eat something, but I don’t trust my stomach.”
He stood at her side and crossed his beefy arms. He wore jeans, a white t-shirt, and a plain blue button-down top. Andrew had worn blue. The color had been one of his favorites.
Her eyes began to fill with moisture as she thought about her husband.
He glanced at the television. “Have you slept at all? You look exhausted.”
“No, I can’t sleep. And I am extremely tired.” She kept her focus on the screen.
The questions he asked seemed so militant, much like his stance. Then again, he was a former Marine.
Matt lowered his arms and stepped in front of her line of sight. She lifted her gaze.
“You’re hurting. I realize this. But that baby”—he pointed to her belly—“needs to eat. It can sense your emotional stress. Starving it will cause problems. So, I can order food or go get something. You need to eat.”
A tear ran down one of her cheeks and she wiped it. “I don’t care what you get. I’ll try to eat. I will. I don’t want to lose the only piece of him left.” She rubbed her stomach.
He took hold of her hand before he sat next to her. “I wish I could take all your pain and heartache away. I know how much you love him and that will never go away. Hold onto it. But you need to work with me. You need to listen. You need to do what I ask. This will be difficult, probably the most difficult situation you’ve ever faced, but you can get through it.”
The tears streamed from her eyes as she nodded. She sniffed but her nose was too clogged. Her body began to tremble again.
“So this is the plan. You’re going to eat something, take a shower, and then get some sleep. I made a few calls before I left and found a place to have the Jeep repaired. I’m going to take it to get fixed in a couple of hours. Tomorrow, I’m driving us back to Utah.”
She took several breaths to try to calm herself. “I can’t leave. Andrew could show up. The police are reporting they found remains of one body. Andrew could be out there, hurt or without the means to get back to the hotel.”
He swallowed hard and looked away from her for a brief moment. “Emily, did you see him leave the garage?”
Her lip trembled. “No.”
He took a deep breath. “If he didn’t leave the garage, then he didn’t survive the explosion.”
She let go of her grief and bawled. Her breaths became choppy as she struggled to breathe. Matt pulled her into a hug and rubbed his hands over her back, trying to comfort her.
“It’s okay. Let it out. I’ll help you through this,” he said.
She cried for several minutes while the sorrow swallowed her whole.
“He’s gone. I know he is, but I don’t want to believe it. They have to send him back. Right? He didn’t complete his sentence.” She lifted her head from his shoulder. “He has to come back. Right?”
“If he returns he knows to find you in Utah.”
“But he could come back without clothes or money or a phone. And the house isn’t ours yet.”
“I can call the realtor and put a note on the front door in case Andrew returns. The important things are to get out of San Antonio and to get you checked out by a doctor. My friend who stitched you up in San Diego has agreed to fly to Saint George to look at you.”
Emily managed to control her breathing. Her eyes had never felt as tired before. And the throb in her head wasn’t helping her focus.
“Right now, you need to eat and get some sleep. I will handle everything else,” he said.
She wiped her runny nose with her long-sleeved shirt. She’d wash it in Utah.
“How about I take a shower and you order a pizza and some breadsticks?” she asked. She had a feeling she’d puke it up later, but she needed something with carbs to help feed the baby.
“Deal. Plain cheese?”
“Uh, sausage is fine.”
She turned her head enough to see the television. The helicopter flying over the area zoomed in on the spot where the garage had been. Another wave of misery developed and her eyes filled with more tears.
Matt rose and pressed a button on the TV. The screen blackened. She lowered her head and cried again.
“Why don’t you take a hot shower?” Matt said in a calm and soothing tone.
Nodding, she slowly stood.
Matt gripped her arms. “You’re not alone, Emily. I’ll take care you.” He pulled her close and hugged her again.
She hated the word ‘alone’. While she knew Matt would stick with her and help out, she still had a gaping hole in her heart, and only Andrew could fill it.
“Thank you,” she said before she stepped away.
The pounding in her head continued. If she didn’t get to bed soon, she feared she might collapse. And if she did, the baby could get hurt. She couldn’t let anything happen to the life inside her. If it were the only remains of Andrew’s existence, then she had to stay strong and overcome her sadness.
She grabbed a change of clothes before she entered the bathroom. The day had seemed like some horrible dream. She hoped when she would fall asleep later, she would wake up the next day and the nightmare would be over. She couldn’t give up on hope.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Andrew clenched his hands as he paced in his small prison cell. It wasn’t a real jail with bars. In fact, the small room with white walls, ceiling, and floor reminded him more of holding place for mentally ill patients. The cot was the only piece of furniture. He didn’t even have a barred window. Locked inside alone for hours with his thoughts to dwell on, Andrew felt like a captive. He needed out to check on his wife.
After he’d woken up earlier, he’d banged on the door. A male guard had arrived over an hour later with food. When Andrew had demanded to speak to the council right away, the guard had told him the same thing the female guard had said before she’d stunned him with her stick. Andrew had considered fighting the man to escape until he moved his hand on his stun stick.
Andrew paused and lifted his shirts to look at his tender ribs. A round red dot the size of a nickel marked where he’d been stunned. Red curvy streaks branched out from the circle. He had no idea how much energy the sticks held, but they gave enough voltage to knock him out for several hours. So much for everyone being kind and gentle in heaven.
He lowered his shirts and lifted his gaze to the food on the tray sitting in the corner. He hadn’t touched any of the pancakes, sausage, toast, or yogurt. He’d sipped some of the water. Staring at the yogurt, he thought about Emily. She’d eaten some before he’d left her in the Jeep. He suspected she wouldn’t have eaten much after the explosion. If she hadn’t eaten during the day, the baby could be harmed.
He closed
his eyes and fought the blues trying to grip him. Her last kiss had been so passionate. Her eyes had looked so sad, so telling. It was as if she knew something would happen. He’d touched her baby bump and had told her he loved her before he walked away. At least she had a piece of him to remember him by. He had nothing but memories of her.
Beeps outside his door collected his attention. Seconds later, the tall guard with short brown hair stepped inside his room. Dressed in white and built like a football player, she looked exactly the same as the first time he’d seen her.
“Come with me, please,” she said with an Australian accent.
“Am I going to see the council?”
“Yes.”
Andrew nodded. “Good.”
He followed her out and down the white hall. He had a sense of déjà vu by the time they reached the elevators. The guard faced him and stared.
“Do you like your job?” he asked, trying to make small talk.
“Yes,” she said and then sealed her lips.
Her frown didn’t invite conversation. So much for chitchat.
The short elevator ride delivered them to another level with the same color scheme. With each step, his anxiety increased. He needed to return to Emily, but he feared they might not let him. He’d killed Steven. He’d delayed destroying the last demon. Would they see him as a failure? Could he persuade them to let Emily in heaven one day? He’d screwed up during his time on Earth, but he had sent six demons to hell and saved many lives. Shouldn’t his actions account for something?
The tall doors opened to the council’s meeting room as they approached. Andrew inhaled a deep breath as he entered behind the guard. Dressed in their usual white gowns, all twelve members sat in their cushioned chairs behind the ten-foot high bench. David, the leader, had claimed the center seat at the top. Voices hushed and gazes shifted to him as he reached the midpoint of the bench.
“Thank you, Sara, you may go,” David said.
The guard walked away without a word.
Andrew held his breath as he waited for them to chastise him. All the members were at least sixty years of age. How could any of them understand what he’d gone through and what he would do for his wife and child? He was doomed. But he’d find a way to get her to heaven. He’d appeal to the highest power. Chin up, he faced the group.
“We’ve had a chance to review your report of your time on Earth.” David removed his thin glasses and set them on the counter before him. “I think we’re all in agreement you performed above expectations.”
“With the exception of killing one of our own,” Karen interjected from the far right.
Andrew clenched his jaw and avoided gazing at the woman with salt and pepper hair cropped too low for her head.
David nodded. “Returning Steven to heaven did concern us for a while.”
Andrew moved his hands behind his back. “I regret my actions. I merely was trying to protect my wife and unborn baby.”
“You delayed destroying the next demon,” Karen said. “Do you have any idea the amount of lives that could’ve been lost?”
He lowered his head. “I’m sorry. I truly am. My love for my wife and my child took priority. I know it was selfish of me, but I didn’t want Steven to hurt them. I regret my actions and I know Emily feels guilty, too.” He lifted his gaze. “She talked me into going after Jacob in San Antonio. If it weren’t for her insistence, I wouldn’t have pursued destroying the demon. She’s a good woman with a righteous heart.”
“So you fell in love with Emily?” Esmeralda asked as she leaned forward on the bench. Thick glasses enlarged her eyes. Her curly, yellow-tinted hair looked as if it had enough hairspray to last eternity. It probably did.
“Yes ma’am. We didn’t see eye-to-eye at first, but I knew from the beginning she was special.”
Esmeralda smiled. “Special enough for you to stay another year and impregnate her?”
“She didn’t believe she was worthy of love or motherhood. But I saw with my own eyes how caring, generous, and compassionate she was. She treated children as if they were her own. While I helped her see her value and the kind of person she really was, she did the same for me. I realize my days of fooling around with women had been foolish. Although every woman I had been with had consented to having sex with me, I had taken them for granted. I learned love is something to be cherished and celebrated. Women aren’t a means for gratification, but should be respected. Emily changed me. As for the pregnancy, it was a surprise to both of us. A miracle, if you ask me, and I couldn’t be happier about the life growing inside her.”
Esmeralda shifted her attention to the others on the bench.
“Are you to have us believe this woman with a tainted soul has reformed you?” Karen asked.
Andrew swallowed hard and gripped his wrist. He resisted lashing out at Karen, but he desire burned within him to put her in her place.
“She helped me realize the error of my ways,” Andrew said. “As for a tainted soul, she nearly died to help save the lives of four women. She helped me save many other lives at risk because of the demons on Earth. I think she’s more than redeemed herself. And while we’re on the topic of her soul, I respectfully request you grant her entrance to heaven upon her passing on Earth.”
David picked up his glasses and slid them back on his face. He lifted a piece of paper in front of him.
“We’re not here to discuss the future of the woman you impregnated,” Karen said.
“He has a valid argument,” Tom said, sitting on the left next to Esmeralda. He still hadn’t trimmed his large white brows. “This Emily gal helped him out of the good nature of her heart and strived to save lives. Moreover, she molded him into a responsible man.”
Andrew pressed his lips together. While he believed Tom had complimented him, Andrew believed he’d been a responsible man already. He’d maintained a job in his previous life. He’d treated others with kindness. He fulfilled his obligations. How was he not responsible? He wanted to ask, but he needed to sway the group to let her in, not question their comments.
“I agree,” Kim said, sitting next to Karen. Her long white hair flowed over her shoulders. “This woman didn’t have to help him. She took risks and suffered the consequences of her actions. Unless she changes, I vote she is granted entrance.”
“I second the motion,” Sheila said on the other side of Kim.
Others in the room began to talk. Hope began to fill Andrew. For once, the council seemed to be listening to him.
David lifted his hand and they silenced. “We weren’t scheduled to vote on this woman’s future, but since there has been a motion and a supporting call, we must move forward with the vote. Is there anyone who disagrees?”
Several gazes turned to the right side of the room.
Karen crossed her arms. “As long as she doesn’t do anything illegal or against the rules laid out in the Holy Bible from this day forward, I agree.”
Andrew brought his hands together in front of his mouth. Relief swamped him. The heavy weight had been lifted from his heart. He’d won her for eternity. He couldn’t wait to share the news with her.
David wrote on his paper. “So noted. Now, as for the terms of Andrew’s sentence. Do we all agree he’s fulfilled his obligation?”
Alarm snapped within him. “Excuse me?”
“He destroyed six,” William slurred. “He didn’t have much time left and he admitted to his concern over his wife to avoid destroy others. It’s a waste of time to send him back.”
The overweight old man had a double chin. Andrew suspected he’d died of a stroke or heart attack. Andrew might have one too if he didn’t get back to his wife.
“He’s right, it’s too much effort. He served his regular sentence and admitted guilt to killing Steven,” Kim said.
The others commented with their agreement. Fear led to panic as he scanned their faces.
“Please,” he said loudly. They hushed their voices. “Please, I have to go back. She coul
d be hurt from the explosion. The baby could be hurt. I have to be there for her. The baby is due in April. She needs me. Please, you have to send me back.”
David’s eyes widened. He glanced at several members. “Son, you fulfilled your obligation.”
“No.” He stepped closer to the bench. “No, I didn’t. I have until October. That was the date on my arm.” He tapped his wrist.
“You only want to go back because of your wife and unborn child. If we sent you back, you wouldn’t go after any demons. Admit it,” Karen said.
He swallowed hard as he looked around the room. They were all staring at him and waiting to hear his words.
“Yes, I admit it,” he said. “Please, let me go back to be with her. I know she’s scared to be alone and to raise our child. Can’t I just be with her to see the birth and to hold it? Please!”
Karen shook her head. “Sorry, the motion to stay stands.”
“Are we all in agreement he has completed the terms of his sentence and should remain in heaven?” David asked.
Andrew couldn’t believe what was happening as everyone consented to the motion. He’d gained Emily entrance into heaven, but he couldn’t go back to be with her any longer or see the birth of his baby. How was this possible? Did they not have any compassion?
David wrote on his paper. “Motion carried. He is to return to his home in Chicago for the time being.”
Andrew’s knees gave way and he fell to the floor. “Please, I beg you. Let me see my baby be born. Let me have one chance to hold it.”
David set his pen down. He shifted to the door and beckoned for someone. “Son, I realize this is hard for you, but time will heal. You served your obligation. It’s time for you to stay.”
“What about Steven? I killed him. Shouldn’t I be punished for that? Shouldn’t you send me back as because I killed him?”
“This is your punishment,” Karen said.
He glared at her. “What?”
Her lips quirked on one side. He hated her and wished bad things would happen to her.
