Seventh Heaven (Heaven Sent Book 7)

by Mary Abshire

  “I realize he’s been through a lot, Elizabeth, but it’s time for him to move forward,” his father said.

  “Move forward? How would you feel if you’d lost Mom when she was pregnant with me? Would you have been able to move forward after a month?” Andrew asked in an elevated tone.

  “You need to calm down, son,” his father said.

  Andrew shook his head. “I wasn’t supposed to come back so soon and now the council refuses to let me return. My wife needs me.” He shot up from his seat. Frustrated with his parents, God, and everyone in general, he headed for the exit.

  “Andrew, wait,” his mother called out.

  He paused and spun to face her. “What?”

  She left the table and came to stand in front of him. Her height resembled Emily’s. She put her hand on the side of his face. “I know you’re hurting. You lost someone you love and care about. We understand.” She moved her palm to his arm. “It was hard for us when we lost your sister.”

  “It’s not the same, Mom.”

  “She was our child, so yes, I know what it’s like to never be able to see the child we loved and raised. We never got to see her graduate, get married, or have kids,” she said.

  “At least you were able to spend sixteen years with her. I can’t even see my baby born.” His voice cracked while his eyes began to water. He looked away from her as he fought the grip of sadness.

  “I can’t stand to see you suffer like this, Andrew. It’s not good for you,” she said, rubbing his arm.

  His dad came to stand next to her. He slid his hands into his pockets. “One of the counselors will be by today. You should talk to him. They’re here to listen and help.”

  Andrew didn’t want to talk to anyone. He wanted to stay hidden in his room. Without Emily, he felt numb and lifeless. Nothing mattered.

  “I’m not up to chatting. I want to be alone,” Andrew said.

  A knock at the front door captured their attentions.

  His mother sighed. “I’ll get it.” She walked around him and left the room.

  “Maybe you should go upstairs and put some decent clothes on,” his father said.

  Andrew shook his head as he turned away from his dad. He loved his parents, but they didn’t understand what he was going through. Maybe he needed to leave. If he got away from everyone, he might be able to overcome his heartache. Or maybe it didn’t matter. Who cared if he stayed in a funk?

  His mother stood in the open door, talking to a man dressed in a blue suit. He held a tablet in his hand near his thigh. Ignoring what his father had suggested, Andrew stopped next to his mom.

  “Andrew, this is Mr. Dunham.” His mother gestured toward him. “He’s a counselor.”

  The man stood shorter than his mom by several inches. He had trimmed dark hair with curls in a style similar to Andrew’s. He offered his hand to shake. “Paul Dunham, glad to meet you.”

  “I’m sorry, but my parents made a mistake. I don’t need to speak with anyone,” Andrew said.

  His mother glared at him before she forced a smile to Paul. “Would you like to come inside, Paul?”

  “There’s no need,” Andrew said as he stepped past her.

  Paul backed up to let Andrew by. “Andrew, can I have a few minutes of your time?”

  Andrew continued down the sidewalk and headed for the one in front of the houses. Sure, he wasn’t in decent attire, but his goods were covered. Who cared anyway if he walked around in the neighborhood with a t-shirt and boxers? He didn’t.

  He stopped near the street and found Paul next to him. “I’m sorry they wasted your time.”

  “I understand you’ve lost someone very dear to you,” Paul said.

  “That’s not the half of it.”

  “There are no words anyone can say to comfort you. They are living and you are here. You’re not going to feel better tomorrow or the next day. But you will with time.”

  Andrew crossed his arms. “Do you say that spiel to everyone?”

  Paul half grinned. “Are you happy here, living with your parents?”

  “No, I’m miserable.” Andrew gave a single shake of his head.

  “How would you like to live in your own home?”

  Andrew chewed on the idea. He’d told Emily he would find a nice home for her on the beach. He had no idea when she would arrive, but maybe now was as good of a time as any to find a house she would enjoy living in with him for eternity.

  “Do you have any two-story houses with porches along the east coast?” Andrew asked.

  Paul lifted his tablet. He tapped his screen repeatedly. “I can find one. Do you have any other preferences?”

  “A Jacuzzi.”

  Paul continued to touch his pad. “How soon do you want to move? And do you want furniture?”

  “The sooner the better. Furniture is fine. It doesn’t matter.”

  Paul stared at his screen and then lifted his gaze. “Give me twenty-four hours and I’ll find something for you.”

  “Really?”

  “Are you opposed to a fixer upper?” He lowered the notepad to his side.

  “Uh, I guess not. As long as it doesn’t need too many renovations.”

  “I can work with that. I’ll go back to the office and see what I can find. I can come back in the morning and show you a couple of options. All you need to do is select one, and I’ll take you to the train station.”

  Andrew lowered his arms. “You can find a house for me that fast? And I can move in the same day?”

  “This isn’t Earth. We don’t have realtors and we don’t have to wait for people to vacate properties.”

  Andrew shifted his gaze to the house he grew up in. Was he ready to leave it and his parents to prepare for Emily’s arrival?

  “Okay, I can be ready by nine in the morning,” Andrew said.

  “Perfect. I recommend you tell your parents. They’re very concerned about you.”

  Obviously, or Andrew wouldn’t have been talking to a counselor.

  “I thought you were supposed to talk to me about my grief and how to deal with it,” Andrew said.

  “I pulled your file before I came here. Your history is… Unique. Clearly, you love your wife. You always will and you’re holding onto memories right now because you don’t want to forget the time you had together. Right now, you’re probably waiting for the day she will be with you so you will be happy again. Am I on the right path?”

  “Yes.”

  “I thought so. The problem is, you could have to wait a long time and none of us in heaven want to see others miserable. My job is to find a way to boost your spirit. I can’t give you what you want, but I can put you on the road to happiness while you wait. This is heaven, after all. Everyone should be pleased to be here.”

  A touch of hope sparked within Andrew. Although he doubted he would see Emily anytime soon, he had confidence she would join him one day as long as she didn’t break any rules or do anything illegal on Earth. He wanted to be ready for her arrival so he could spend every minute of eternity pleasing and loving her. Paul’s method of helping Andrew seemed like a good one to bring him out of his misery.

  “I look forward to seeing what you come up with. My wife and I stayed in a beach house in Maryland for over a month. She really liked it,” Andrew said.

  “I’ll find a few homes, but it will be up to you to decide which one to live in.”

  Andrew held his hand out to Paul. “Thank you.”

  Paul gripped it. “Glad to help. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  As Paul walked away, Andrew headed back to his parent’s house. He doubted he could find any sense of joy without Emily, but preparing for her to be with him would offer him some peace. It was better than the heartache he felt every second without her.

  Chapter Thirty

  Emily stared at the colorful stained glass in the center of the back wall behind the preacher with his head bowed, leading the congregation in prayer. The mosaic showed a portrait of Jesus with his ar
ms outstretched and children near his feet. Although the image was meant to comfort, to be inviting, and to show his love, it failed to offer any positive feelings for Emily.

  The pastor had spoken about fear and letting go of pain, hate, and anger during the service. His prayers asked for God to help all release their doubts and worries. Then the Father called for everyone to have faith in the Lord as he will show us the way. Emily cracked a smile. Why have faith when the world was a shitty place, evil demons wreaked havoc on others, and the big kahuna didn’t care if people died? Faith was a joke.

  “Amen,” the preacher said.

  She rubbed her belly as he gave his closing statement. The life growing inside her would arrive in three to four weeks. She doubted Andrew would return for the birth since he hadn’t yet. She’d prayed daily someone in charge would let him see and hold his baby. Did anyone listen? No. It seemed those in charge in heaven cared little for the people on Earth.

  Her gaze rose to the artwork of Jesus again. Her faith in him had decreased since Andrew’s death. How could the chief upstairs send such a wonderful, loving man to her and then strip him away from her life? How could he be so cold as to not return Andrew to see his only child? The holy man couldn’t be as compassionate as religion made him out to be.

  The organ began playing and people started to leave. Emily remained on the pew, staring at the children in the picture. She counted six of varying ages. It seemed so unfair for any child to die so young, whether from illness or by the hands of someone. Life was precious. She’d do anything to protect the babe inside her. Hope and faith couldn’t shield the young and innocent from the evil walking around or the selfish seeking to take from others. Strength, determination, brains, and defensive skills would help keep them safe.

  “Hey,” Matt said, gathering her attention. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” She looked around and noticed most of the people had left. A few chatted with others. She rose from her seat. “I was waiting so I wouldn’t hold anyone up.”

  “After one look at you, I think people would understand and be willing to wait,” Matt said as he followed her to the end of the pew.

  He looked nice, dressed in a white button-down shirt, blue tie, and dark-blue slacks. He’d gone to a barber a few days ago and had his hair in the back and on the sides shaved shorter. His large muscular frame and hairstyle screamed military man. Emily had seen a few women eye him before and during the service.

  “I don’t mind waiting. It’s not like we have to be somewhere,” she said.

  Matt pushed the door open for her and she stepped outside. The bright sun blinded her while a strong breeze tossed her dress to one side. The length reached her ankles so she didn’t have to worry about her garment exposing her body. She took the steps slow to reach the main sidewalk.

  “Another gorgeous day,” Matt said.

  “Up for a walk later?”

  “Absolutely.” He walked beside her as they headed to the Jeep.

  Over the last few weeks she’d enjoyed strolling through the nearby state park. Matt would drive to the top of one of the mountains. They’d walk for a little while then she’d rest on one of the large stones. A sense of peace filled her as she marvel at Earth’s beauty.

  Reaching the car, Matt opened the door and held it for her while she climbed onto her seat. A few empty parking spots to her side, she noticed a couple with two school-aged children talking to another young woman wearing a light-green dress. All the adults had their gazes directed at Matt.

  A touch of guilt pressed upon her as Matt settled behind the steering wheel. He’d helped her in countless ways since Andrew’s early demise. She’d thanked him plenty, but she never felt as if her words were enough. She’d started cooking and doing light chores, too. She planned to resume managing everything on her own after the baby’s birth. Even though he’d agreed to assist, he deserved to enjoy his own life and be happy. She wanted him to meet someone who could love him without any boundaries day after day.

  “The more people see us together, the more they’re going to think we’re a couple,” she said as she lowered her window to let a breeze into the Jeep.

  Matt backed out of the parking spot. “I’m not interested in what people think.”

  “Well, I am. I could be ruining your chances of meeting that special woman who will steal your breath away.”

  He snickered as he steered toward the road. “If there is such a woman out there, then she’ll have to wait. Your baby is priority number one.”

  “Okay, but after the baby is born I think it would be good for you to mingle with the female locals.”

  He grinned as he drove along the two-lane road. “I’m glad you’ve been getting out more. I can tell you’re getting better.”

  “Better or fatter? I can’t fit into any pants anymore.”

  “Better. And you’re due in a few weeks. What did you expect?”

  She turned her gaze out the window and sighed. Her mood had improved, but she continued to think about Andrew. The sadness that had filled her heart had morphed into anger. And from there, she’d come to accept her situation. Life was cruel and unfair, but she’d fallen in love and had been blessed with a gift. She’d protect and teach it so he or she could live a happy and safe life. The baby took precedence over everything.

  “I’m also glad to see you going to church more,” Matt said with a glimpse at her. “But I am curious… What were you thinking earlier, after the service? You looked in deep thought.”

  The baby jabbed at her insides. She smoothed her hand over the area near her belly button.

  “I was thinking faith and hope are pointless. If you want something done, you have to take action. And praying is a waste of time. Nobody is listening. Nobody cares,” she said.

  He glanced at her once and then again. “Are you saying you don’t believe anymore?”

  “No, I’m saying that it’s wrong to send a man back to Earth and then take him away from his wife and child. I’m saying someone has zero compassion.”

  “I realize you’re still getting over what happened, but—”

  “Someone wanted Andrew and me to meet. Me picking him up on the road wasn’t an accident. Maybe they didn’t know we’d fall in love, but we did, and now I’m carrying his child. He shouldn’t have gone back early. They should’ve returned him. But no, they haven’t, and I doubt they will. So, Andrew can’t see his baby. To make this kind of decision leads me to believe the person or persons in charge don’t care about him or me or others in general.”

  “You’re angry. You’re trying to put blame on someone. You don’t know the reasons for what God does and doesn’t do.”

  “If God cared so much for mankind, then why does he allow demons to hurt and kill others? I saw a demon abuse children. Other demons raped women. I believe in heaven and hell and the in between, but the person running the show must not care to allow so much misery and evil to exist. Religion is bullshit.”

  “I get why you question him. But please, don’t give up on hope or your faith.”

  “Hope is a fantasy. Andrew isn’t coming back. I have to move on and think about my baby. Hope isn’t going to protect it from the bad elements we have to deal with. Neither will faith. We have to be the ones to teach it to defend him or herself and make the right choices so he or she doesn’t end up in some wasteland or worse.”

  “What we do matters, I believe that. But I also believe God brings people together and creates events for a reason. We may not see it until sometime in the future, but with faith, everything will be revealed. If we follow his teachings, we can lead productive and happy lives.”

  “You have your belief, and I have mine. You and I are the only ones who will be able to guide this bundle of joy to do the right things, not some fantasy of a righteous person.” She moved her hand up over her stomach.

  Matt said nothing more on the way home. She knew his faith in religion was strong. It had helped him survive and deal with his time in the servi
ce. The belief in a supreme being helped millions of others cope with their struggles. She didn’t think religion was a bad thing. But she couldn’t understand why God would allow such death and violence. Moreover, she was angry with him and anyone who thought it best to refuse Andrew a chance to see his baby be born.

  Making the right choices and taking the appropriate actions were important. And she was going to make sure her child learned to do both. If she could make it to heaven, she wanted her child to make it up there one day too.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Andrew set the gallons of paint next to his supplies on the back porch. Dressed in a color-stained t-shirt and loose-fitting khaki shorts, he straightened and turned to face the beach. He breathed in the fresh salty air instead of the paint fumes. The cool breeze caressed his heated skin. Calm waves rolled onto the shore and the little birds with tall legs ran. The serenity of the ocean relaxed him. Since he’d been working nonstop for the last several hours painting in the house upstairs, he decided to take a break before continuing.

  He strolled down the steps and took a seat at the bottom. Staring at the sea, his thoughts turned to Emily and the time they’d shared at the beach house in Maryland. He’d enjoyed making love to her near the ocean. Several times he’d simply held her in his arms while they gazed at the rippling water and chatted. They were happy together. Everything had felt right. He hoped when she made it to heaven one day they could share their love and happiness again.

  Day after day he wondered how she was faring. He believed Matt would help her deal with Andrew’s loss. He prayed for her to heal and be strong for their child.

  Sadness returned as he thought about his unborn baby. It would arrive in a few weeks. She’d probably lost hope he would return. Since he’d moved into the house, he’d appealed the council’s decision weekly so he could see his wife and child. So far, he hadn’t received any response. He’d started to think his requests weren’t going to be honored, but he still mailed a letter to God every Wednesday.