The Guardian Trilogy

by Robin M Helm

  He put his arm around her and drew her face to his shoulder, pushing her hair from her face, caressing her cheek with his fingers, thinking, Proverbs 15:1, ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath.’ “I guess you must scream then, my Elizabeth, because you are always beautiful to me.” He dropped his hand to her distended belly and tenderly rubbed large, slow circles over his children. “How can you be anything but lovely to me when you are carrying our babies?”

  As she relaxed, he moved further down the couch and laid her on her side, holding her head in his lap, stroking her hair with one hand and massaging her back with the other. She mumbled something, and he leaned over to catch her words. Her thoughts spoke to him. That feels so good, my love. Sing to me.

  Xander continued to minister to her aching back as he sang softly to her. He sang old ballads like “Greensleeves” and “Oh, Danny Boy,” as well as songs that were special to them, such as “Forever” and “My Angel’s Kiss.”

  He leaned over to kiss her eyelids and her cheeks, resting his lips on her forehead, but her mind whispered, More, love, and so he kept singing, adding Christian love songs, including “Love You Forever,” “Only God Could Love You More,” and “When God Made You.”

  He could feel the tension leaving her muscles under the movements of his hand, so he kept singing, switching to secular love song, softly crooning “This I Promise You,” “I Knew I Loved You,” and “I Do Cherish You.”

  Xander smiled a little mischievously when he made up his own version of “I Believe I Can Fly,” and her mouth turned up at the corners though her eyes remained closed.

  Elizabeth lingered in the place between consciousness and sleep, listening to her husband’s soothing voice, drinking in his words of love and affirmation. She was totally relaxed when he bent over her and kissed her cheek, and she turned her face to his and pulled his head down to hers, kissing him tenderly. Her eyes fluttered closed as he pulled away a few inches, and her breathing became slow and steady.

  She had just drifted off to sleep when Anna arrived back home, laden with bags from the grocery store. Xander eased out from under his wife’s head, carefully replacing his lap with a pillow, and went to help Anna get the rest of the bags from the car.

  John David saw him as he walked past the doors of the play room, and the little boy ran to the windows of the French doors, pressing his nose against the panes and smiling at his father. Xander opened the door, putting his finger on his lips to indicate silence. Mommy is sleeping. Be very quiet.

  John David nodded. Mommy tired. He reached his arms up to his father and was rewarded by Xander, who picked him up and took him out to the car with him, followed by Michael and Gabriel. Halvard nodded at them in passing as he kept close behind Anna.

  By trial and error, Xander had established that John David could hear angelic “spoken” thoughts, but not those which were private. He could not yet hear human thoughts, but he could project his own thoughts into both human and angelic minds, and he seemed to understand instinctively how and when to do so.

  Anna was making a return trip for more bags when Michael stopped her. “We will bring in the rest, Anna. I am sure that you have much to do.”

  “Elizabeth is asleep on the couch,” said Xander, smiling as he passed her with a grinning John David bouncing in his arms.

  Anna was accustomed to Xander’s brothers dropping in at odd hours, so she was not surprised to see Michael and Gabriel. “Thanks, Michael. I’ll start dinner. Will you and Gabriel eat with us?”

  “No, thank you, Anna,” replied Gabriel. “We have to leave soon. It is unfortunate, for you are an excellent cook.”

  That’s funny. How would you know since you never stay to eat? she thought, smiling to herself. She continued on to the kitchen, walking lightly to avoid waking Elizabeth.

  Eventually, you two will have to become accustomed to human food, thought Xander. She is starting to notice.

  By that time they were at the van Xander had purchased to accommodate his growing family, trading in Elizabeth’s car as they no longer needed it. There were already three car seats in the bench seat just behind the front captain’s seats: John David’s seat and those of his soon-to-arrive siblings.

  Xander walked to the back of the van. The rear door was still opened, so he held John David with one arm and grabbed a few bags with his free hand. Michael and Gabriel gathered the rest of the items.

  In addition to buying groceries, Anna had shopped for supplies for the new nursery which had been set up in the bedroom on the other side of Xander and Elizabeth’s room, allowing them to be between John David’s room and the new nursery. The cheerful room already held two of everything: cribs, changing tables, and dressers, as well as a double glider in which the young couple could sit together to rock their babies.

  While Xander took his bags to the kitchen, Michael and Gabriel continued up the stairs with the huge boxes of diapers, baby wipes, and other items. They left their bags on the floor of the nursery, knowing that Anna would wish to put the things away herself.

  They will be here soon, thought Michael with excitement, surveying the room.

  Gabriel smiled. It cannot be too soon to suit Elizabeth. Our sister is weary.

  Elizabeth is strong, and the babies are healthy. She will quickly be back to herself, answered Michael.

  While I am happy about the babies, I cannot look forward to her pain. I hope it will be of short duration, thought Gabriel as they turned to leave and go back down the steps.

  God is merciful, Michael replied. Perhaps it will proceed rapidly.

  I hope so, thought Gabriel soberly.

  ~~oo~~

  President Gregory Wickham was having an excellent day. He met reporters in the Rose Garden as he signed a stringent gun control measure into law. He knew that there would be a constitutional challenge to the controversial law which had passed Congress by slim margins and, even then, only through threats. The Supreme Court would likely overturn it in a year or so, but until that happened, the American citizenry was effectively disarmed. As things stood, the Court had four justices who would certainly vote against the law, four who would support it, and a swing voter; five of them had guardians. Michael had placed warriors around them as well, but the justices were aging. Eventually, they would sicken and retire or die. Then he would be able to do anything he wished.

  Even Michael cannot stop the aging process, Gregory thought with glee.

  Looking directly into the cameras with great sincerity, the President intoned, “This is a momentous day in the history of our country. The numbers of violent crimes will plummet as a result of this bill, and many Americans will live this year who otherwise would have died at the hands of armed criminals. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated, courageous members of Congress who fought to have this measure passed. We are all in your debt. I also want to remind all Americans to take their firearms to local police stations immediately and voluntarily. No one wants to send agents to your homes to confiscate the weapons, but rest assured that this law will be enforced. I will take any step necessary to secure the safety of every American.”

  He signed the bill with a flourish, handed out pens made especially for the occasion, and then, backed by his collection of bipartisan supporters, he looked up to smile for photographs.

  What no one else could see were the demons surrounding them, chortling at the idea that criminals would agree to disarm. After all, they habitually broke laws, and there was no reason to believe that they would obey this one and surrender their weapons.

  ~~oo~~

  Later that afternoon, the President met with the select group of senators and representatives who had pledged to further his agenda.

  Everyone was standing as he entered the room, followed by his guards who had become part of his Secret Service detail.

  President Wickham sat at the head of the table, staring levelly at each of the men and women in turn, and then he began to speak very deliberately.

 
“I am quite intrigued by some new technology which has been presented to me recently,” he said while he held up a microchip. “As you can see, it is quite small, yet it can store a massive amount of information. A person’s entire history can be transmitted to this chip, and it can be updated easily from many forms of smart technology. It also contains a GPS device that would allow us to track anyone who has it implanted. I want every American, as well as every person in the country who is not American, to be required to accept an identification chip by this time next year.”

  President Wickham placed the chip in front of him and folded his hands on the table.

  One of the senators cleared his throat and spoke timidly. “Mr. President, your idea is a wonderful one, of course, but the implications of requiring such an invasive procedure are far-reaching and unprecedented. It will be declared unconstitutional.”

  The President’s steely gaze impaled the man. “We will promote the chip to the people as a health product. Each person’s healthcare records will be on the implant, readily accessible to every EMT, doctor, and hospital. In the case of an accident or medical emergency, all that will be required to have a complete medical history available is a simple scan by a handheld device similar to the innocuous technology available to every grocery store and department store in the country. Most Americans have already agreed to the palm scans in hospitals and doctors’ offices. This will be considered a mere upgrade in technology. Citizens will receive a small tattoo of my design over the area containing the chip, and that tattoo will be scanned each time they buy or sell anything. They will be unable to buy food, gas, or goods of any sort if they do not receive the implant, and they will be unemployable. To encourage people to accept the device quickly, the government will give $2,000 to every person who submits to implantation within the first three months it is available. They will bring their children and wait in line for the money. The chip will be placed in the top of a person’s right hand or in his forehead.” He grinned maliciously. “I would not wish to take all choices away from the citizenry. My only unresolved issue is determining which department should handle this— homeland security or health and human services. Of course, the justice department stands ready to prosecute.”

  A representative waited a moment, and then spoke, her voice trembling. “Many people will refuse. What will happen to them? And where will the $2,000 come from? The economy is very unstable and the budget deficit is growing at alarming rates. Our national debt is the highest that it has ever been.”

  President Wickham waved his hand dismissively. “The money is not a problem. I know private individuals who will make donations to fund this project, and their participation will be untraceable. Failure to comply with this law will be a felony offense. As for those who refuse, they will have six months to comply or be arrested and submit to psychological counseling and treatment – attitude adjustments, if you will. If after six months, they still refuse, they will be arrested. They will go to prison until they agree to take their implant. Eventually, people who refuse the Mark – named for the tattoo – will be put to death for treason.”

  There was a unified gasp from every person seated around the table.

  One senator spoke before he thought through his answer. “Put to death! My state is in the Bible belt, and a great many people there know what the Bible says about taking the Mark! They will never submit. Will you kill them all?”

  The room went deadly silent. President Wickham leaned toward the man with a menacing smile as the others held their breath.

  “Are you calling me the Beast? The Antichrist?” His eyes briefly flashed red, and he did not shut them to disguise it.

  The senator gulped hard. “Certainly not, Mr. President.” He shivered visibly and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “We all know that you’re acting in the best interests of the American people and those throughout the world.” The man paused, and then continued, his voice barely audible. “You do realize that you will make martyrs of them, sir?”

  President Wickham interlaced his fingers on the table before him, holding the eyes of the senator with his. “One of my favorite books is Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Senator. It is bedtime reading for me.” He chuckled darkly. “Karl Marx said that religion is the opiate of the masses. I am simply going to cure them of that addiction. In time, they will be grateful to me for opening their eyes. Maybe they will erect a statue of me – preferably in Israel in a newly built temple. I have heard that plans are underway to rebuild it, and negotiations are underway to obtain the necessary land, though some people are being a bit difficult because their own sacred buildings are already there. It makes no difference to me who is inconvenienced. One religion is no better than another in my opinion. Having just one religion for everyone would be so much simpler. It occurs to me that if an earthquake were to clear the structures presently existing on that land, the problem would be solved.”

  The senator dropped his eyes to his hands which were clenched together in his lap. He mumbled to himself, “The abomination of desolation.”

  The President’s voice dropped to a whisper, though his voice was clearly heard by everyone in the room. “Perhaps I am the Beast – the Messiah. I like the sound of that. And, remember, whatever I accomplish, all of you have helped me to do it. I will not forget that; no one will.”

  President Wickham stood to his full, impressive height, saying, “After I leave, my assistant will come in and give each of you a copy of the Mark bill. You may stay and decide among yourselves who will introduce the bill to Congress, but all of you will be co-sponsors of this. I require your complete commitment to the passage of this measure. It is vital.”

  No one spoke until he and his guards left the room, and even then, the only words spoken were the ones necessary to carry out the President’s instructions.

  ~~oo~~

  Xander felt Elizabeth shift beside him in the darkness of their room. He searched her mind and found that she was awake and in a great deal of pain.

  He rolled toward her in their bed and put his hand over hers as she arched her back. She gripped his hand tightly, and he could hear her breathing in the short pants she had been taught to use during a contraction. After a few moments, she relaxed back into the bed.

  “Elizabeth,” he said softly. “How long have you been in labor?”

  “I woke up just after midnight,” she answered.

  “It’s about four o’clock now. I wish that you had awakened me, love. Do you know how far apart your pains are?” he asked, sitting up in the bed.

  “Xander, there was no reason to wake you up. There was nothing you could do for me, and there was no need for both of us to be awake and tired. I think my pains are about ten minutes apart,” she said, and then gripped his hand again.

  He murmured encouragement and reached under her to rub her back with his free hand as she breathed through the long contraction. While one part of his mind talked to her, another part prayed.

  As soon as her grip loosened, he said, “Elizabeth, you do not need to go through this alone. If nothing else, I could have been praying for you these four hours. I helped to create these children, and I want to be included in their lives, and yours, for everything. Please do not leave me out, even if you think you are doing what is best for me.”

  He looked at Michael and Gabriel kneeling on Elizabeth’s side of the bed, touching her shoulders and whispering peace. “Why did you not awaken me?” he demanded of his brothers in a low voice.

  They looked up at him in surprise.

  Michael was the first to speak, and he spoke aloud so that she could hear him. “Elizabeth did not wish to have you awake, or she would have done it herself.”

  “She has been in pain all night and perhaps was not the best judge of what was good for her during those hours. You should have roused me,” replied Xander tersely.

  Gabriel’s voice was gentle. “Brother, I am sorry. I did not think of going against what our sister wanted.”

  Xander repli
ed with quiet force. “From now on, no matter what Elizabeth thinks she wants, if she is in pain or danger of any sort, tell me, no matter where I am or what I am doing. I always wish to know if my wife or my children are suffering or are in any danger, whether or not you think I can help them. Is that clear?”

  Michael stood, assuming solid angelic form, arms crossed and green eyes flashing. “While I cannot like your tone of voice or choice of words, I agree with the sentiment expressed. If Elizabeth or the children are ever in pain or danger, I will tell you. Even if you cannot physically help them, you can intercede in prayer.”

  Gabriel followed Michael’s example and materialized. “I agree as well.”

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Hello! I’m here. Elizabeth can hear you discussing her. Don’t I get any say in whether or not Xander needs to know if I have a headache?”

  “No,” answered the three brothers in unison.

  She sniffed and released a sigh. “Well, I’m glad that’s settled.”

  Immediately she gripped her husband’s hand again, and he was surprised at her force. Had he not had such strength and stature, it would have been painful. Dear Lord, please help her through this. Please ease her suffering. Help her to bear it, Father.

  When her hand finally relaxed, he reached for his cell phone on the bedside table. “Hello, Dr. Neal? Elizabeth’s pains are five minutes apart, and we are on our way to the hospital.” Pause. “Yes.” Pause. “No, not yet.” Pause. “Thank you. We will be there shortly.”

  After their brief conversation, he left the bed and quickly pulled on his clothes, afterward coming around to her side of the bed to help her dress in between contractions.

  Michael and Gabriel morphed back into their usual forms and followed the couple as Xander carried Elizabeth into the hall. He stopped at Anna’s room and tapped on the door while Gabriel set Elizabeth’s suitcase down so that it would not appear to be floating. Within a few moments, the door opened a few inches, and Xander saw her face.