L. Castillo - After the Fall

“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.”

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 around 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.