As I stood there admiring what the angels had done, I felt my husband’s strong muscular arms slide around my waist. James pulled me into his body, nuzzling his face into my neck.
“It’s really quite amazing what the angels have achieved already, isn’t it?” he said, kissing my ear softly.
I could feel a pleasant shiver go down my spine, and goosebumps began appearing on my skin. Even after all those years, James still had that effect on me.
“Yes, it’s amazing all right,” I replied. “I can’t believe how green and alive everything looks.”
“It’s not all like this, Mel, I’m afraid,” he added, “When us guys headed to the main craft, we passed through areas that the angels haven’t got to yet; it was heartbreaking to see. It won’t be long before our planet is fully healed, and then we can concentrate on healing each other. After we fight the Marilians, of course.”
“I’m terrified for the kids, James,” I told him as tears welled in my eyes. “They’ve been through more than any kids should have to go through already, and now they’re getting ready to fight an alien race who are freaking terrifying. How can we protect them, James?
“We’ll protect them the best we can, baby; that’s all we can do,” he soothed, hugging me tighter. “There’s so few of us left; we haven’t got a choice whether we let them fight or not Mel. We’re not just fighting for each other; we’re fighting for the whole world, baby.”
“I know,” I replied, trying to control the despair I was feeling.
“We’d better get back to the main craft,” James said. “You’ve got to wake up some more women, and I’ve got to meet with John about the vehicles, etc., plus the boys need to start the ball rolling with Scott on the holding craft projects.”
Taking my hand, James led me back to the living room of the cabin where the kids and Nalik were waiting and talking.
“Nalik, could you please take us all back to the main craft?” he asked.
Nalik stood immediately and dipped his head to James and me.
“Yes, of course, I can only do one at a time,” he told us politely.
Nalik took Holly’s hand in his and disappeared. I wasn’t surprised he took her first. His eyes hadn’t left her since the big meeting earlier.
Within moments, he was back for the rest of us and ten minutes later, we were all back in our room on the main craft. I had to assume that Nalik had told someone we were coming back because there in the family area was food and drink for everyone.
“Thank you Nalik,” I told him warmly.
My stomach was finally feeling back to normal, and I was so hungry. Truth be told, I was now craving bacon very badly!
“You are very welcome Mel, I could sense that you were not feeling so sick now,” he answered, indicating towards the waiting food.
“This one's a keeper Holly,” I said with a giggle and giving her a wink.
“Mom!” Holly said as her young cheeks started to glow a pretty pink.
‘Sorry’ I mouthed as we all began to take seats around the low table. Nalik was actually smirking, enjoying the banter, and as I watched Nalik interact with us all, I couldn’t help but think that having our daughter possibly date an angel wouldn’t be such a bad thing. After all, didn’t all parents want their daughter to settle down with a proverbial angel or a saint?
Chapter 18
We finished our refreshments with lighthearted conversation about the cruiser. The children asked me what I thought of it and what I liked most. I told them how impressed I was and how amazing the pool was with all the plants, birds and fish. Then the conversation moved to the event in the pool with the creatures.
“I wonder if our sister is going to be able to really talk with animals,” Abigail said, clearly thoughtful.
“Wouldn’t that be the coolest thing ever!” Harrison declared. “Especially when you become a vet, Dad; she’ll be able to ask a sick animal what’s wrong and then tell you,” he added, obviously impressed with himself that he’d thought of it. James got up from the table with a big smile on his handsome face.
“Absolutely son,” he told Harrison, ruffling his hair. “Okay, back to business family; you all know what we have to do. So, we’ll see you back here later to eat and catch up. Please keep in contact using the communication devices,” James told us all.
We all left our rooms going in different directions. Nalik followed Holly of course, and the boys went off together to meet with Scott. Abigail set off to meet with Ann and the other artists while I made my way to the sleeping room to meet with Zanika and Harrik.
The sleeping room was as peaceful as always when I entered; the monitors were humming in a soothing rhythm, and all the women were lying peacefully in their beds. I could see Zanika down the end of one row, scanning one of the pregnant women with her hands.
As I made my way down to her, I began to look the women’s left hands to see what they were pregnant with. Some of the silvery marks were clear to see, and others weren’t, depending on the women’s skin tone.
It always fascinated me to see all the various animal marks; a donkey, badger and a leopard were only a few different animal markings I saw as I walked past. There were always a few animals that I wouldn’t recognize, and these were usually animals from places such as Madagascar or the depths of the Amazon rainforest.
“Hi Zanika,” I said, when I reached the angel, “I see you are already busy.”
“Hello Mel,” she replied, “Yes, Harrik and I have made good progress today. We have eight more women, who we can wake today. We have already checked them, and they are ready to birth,” she added.
“That’s wonderful Zanika,” I responded, and then a thought occurred to me. “Zanika, because we have so much to do preparing for the Marilian arrival, I think it may be wise to talk and debrief the women in groups. Not only would it speed up the process, but I think it would help the woman if they had each other’s support, as the girls and I had,” I explained. “What do you think?”
Zanika took a moment to ponder my suggestion and then she smiled. “I think that is a great idea, Mel,” she said. “Come, Harrik has the first two women in the birthing room and is waiting for us.”
She turned away and began to gracefully glide towards the exit archway, so I followed after her. Before long, we were in the long, pearlescent corridor and on our way to the birthing room.
“We have had two women come back today as they want to continue, to help us repopulate your animal kingdom, Mel,” Zanika said, seemingly impressed.
“Wow, that’s fantastic news Zanika,” I replied, feeling impressed as well. “That’s quite a few women who want to continue.”
Zanika smiled and appeared very happy.
“Yes, it will mean we can carry on with our task while everyone else is preparing for the battle,” she continued. “We have ceased releasing the animals who were ready. We do not want them hurt during the battle. The creatures who have already been released will hopefully hide when the Marilians arrive.”
When we arrived at the birthing room, Harrik was just entering through the other archway, and a shimmering glass capsule was hovering between his hands.
Zanika and I both dipped our heads in greeting, and Harrik reciprocated as he walked to one of the occupied beds, leaving the capsule floating at the end by the woman’s feet.
“I will fetch the other capsule,” he said, gliding back through the archway he’d entered.
While he went to get it, I walked over to the massive glistening wall on the other side of the room, always amazed at the baby animals who were stored there. Every time I looked, I always noticed different animals, all asleep in their capsules and looking so peaceful.
My eyes landed on a baby dolphin. It was dark beige with splashes of a blueish grey on its face, back, tail and fins. It looked so cute.
“Are we ready?” Zanika asked as Harrik glided back into the room with another capsule.
“Yes, I believe we are,” he replied, placing the caps
ule at the end of the second bed where it hovered in place just like the other.
I walked over to the bed and reached for the woman’s left hand while the angels went to get ready.
The woman was in her early fifties with dark blonde hair; a stunning English rose face and slim figure. There on her hand was the silvery marking of a sea otter. The woman looked very peaceful in her slumbering state and not even a flutter of her eyes could be seen. Only the gentle rise and fall of her chest.
The angels returned gloved and veiled. Zanika moved to the right side of the bed and began to use her power to roll the silvery sheet down that was covering the woman’s slim body and pregnant belly. Next, she rolled up the gown that the woman was wearing until it rested just underneath her breasts.
Harrik came and stood next to me, and I watched as both angels hovered their hands over the woman’s stomach. Instantly, their hands and her pregnancy bump started to glow a bright white.
A moment later I stared in awe as the amniotic sac began to appear with the sea otter inside passed through her skin as if her skin was a magical barrier.
Its fur was sleek and the darkest brown with a lighter brown under its face. Tiny eyes were visible along with its ears which were flush to its head. The sea otter’s tail was tucked between its hind legs and was curling against its body.
Once it rose fully from the sleeping woman’s form, the angels moved over to the waiting capsule with the shimmering fluid inside. The bright white light glowed brighter as the sea otter, floating in its amniotic sac, passed through into the capsule. There was one more pulse of light as the placenta and umbilical cord was drawn to the organic device inside.
While Harrik took the capsule for storage in the glass wall, I took the chance to look again at the woman’s hand I was still holding, while Zanika replaced her sheet and gown, covering her body.
The silvery mark was almost gone, and I watched as the last of the otter’s tail vanished. Zanika moved towards the machine, pressing the buttons so the woman would be able to wake.
“I’ll greet this lady while you and Harrik birth the other woman,” I told her, giving her a warm smile.
Zanika smiled back, dipped her head and glided over to the next veiled cubicle. As Harrik returned with a tray between his hands of fruits and juice, letting it hover beside the bed. It was only a matter of minutes before the woman’s hand twitched in mine. Suddenly, she sat bolt upright, pushing my hands down onto the bed.
She sat with her eyes open wide, and when I tried to move my stuck hands away, she looked right at me with our level eyes connecting.
“Hi, I’m Mel,” I said quietly, “Don’t worry, you are safe.”
“Where am I?” she asked with a lovely English accent, her eyes blinking rapidly as she tried to focus.
“You’re in a kind of hospital unit. What’s your name?” I asked gently.
“I’m Joanne,” she replied shakily, “Has the world ended? Am I dead?”
I understood her confusion; she obviously remembered our planet dying, but I didn’t want to tell her too much until the other woman was awake. I quickly grabbed the tray of fruits and juice, placing it on her lap.
“You aren’t dead Joanne; in fact, you’re now in perfect health. Please eat and drink something; it will give you time to focus,” I told her warmly.
I looked through the sheer veil beside us to check on the other woman. The angels were just placing a curled-up pangolin into the waiting capsule. I knew it wouldn’t be long before the other woman was awake too, so I turned back to Joanne who was drinking some juice.
“Joanne, you obviously remember that our planet was dying, so what was the last thing you actually remember?” I asked.
She looked up, trying to concentrate, and that’s when she noticed the glistening wall of encapsulated animals on the other side of the room.
“What the holy hell is that!” she exclaimed, her eyes nearly popping out of her head.
‘Shit,’ I thought, closing my eyes for a second and trying to brace myself for any panic that was about to erupt. Opening my eyes, I placed my hand on her upper arm.
“Joanne, remember what I said; you are safe, so please take deep breaths, and I will tell you everything,” I assured her.
I casually touched the communication device around my neck, ‘Zanika, please move the veils, so the glass wall is out of sight,’ I said in my mind.
‘Of course, Mel,’ Zanika’s reply entered my mind, ‘Harrik and I will take this capsule to the wall. Call for us when you are ready. Mel, this woman will wake any time now,’ she added.
Joanne looked at me with concentration on her lovely face. Her eyebrows furrowing and her eyes darting from me to the veil as it closed silently behind us.
“The last thing I remember is being stuck in a hotel with my husband and my two toddlers,” she said, as tears welled up in her eyes. “Where are my husband and children? Are they safe too?” she asked earnestly.
“I will find out for you Joanne as soon as I can, just bear with me for a moment, okay,” I told her as I turned around to the other woman.
Sliding back the dividing sheer veil, I could see that the other woman was beginning to wake. Joanne watched me as I moved over to the waking lady who was now trying to focus her eyes, her head turning from side to side.
I placed my hand on her startling her which wasn’t my intention. The look of fear in her eyes wrenched my heart.
“It’s okay, you’re safe,” I told her as gently as I could. “What’s your name?”
Tears were running down her cheeks when she turned to look at me.
“April, my name is April. Where’s my girlfriend? Where is she?” She asked desperately.
“I don’t know where she is yet April, but I will find out for you, okay,” I assured her. “My name is Mel, and this is Joanne,” I said, indicating to the woman behind me. “What do you remember April?”
The tears were still flowing down her cheeks, and her body started to shake.
“Ashley was hurt; our neighbor stabbed her when we tried to stop him from taking our water,” she said quietly. “I remember holding her in my arms while the bastard ran off with some of our bottles. She still had the knife stuck in her chest. I can’t remember anything else,” she sobbed.
I wrapped my arms around her, bringing her close to my body while trying to comfort her. She sobbed and sobbed, her small frame shaking against me. I held her until her crying eased, and Joanne waited patiently behind us.
Releasing April as her sobs eased and letting her lay back on the bed, I moved behind her and lifted the top of the bed to let her sit up.
“I know you are both confused and scared,” I told them. “I was the same when I woke up too. I have a lot to tell you, but there are six more women I have to wake, and I’d like to tell you all together. Is that okay with you both?” I asked.
“Yes, that’s okay with me,” Joanne stated. “Is that okay with you April?” she asked the still trembling younger woman.
April nodded at Joanne with tears still trickling down her puffy cheeks.
“Okay, there’s two things I need to tell you both now, before we go any further,” I told them. “While the Earth was dying, an alien race came and saved all of us survivors. They are what we know to be angels.”
Both of them suddenly had eyes wide with disbelief, looking at me as if I was the town’s crazy lady.
“I know it sounds absurd, but it’s true,” I added. “They arrived to save us, our planet and also our animals. However, to save our animal kingdom, they needed our help.” I explained.
Both women appeared to be fairly calm and were taking it all in, so I continued.
“I recently gave birth to a tiny tiger cub, and the angels magically removed it. I felt nothing and was not hurt in any way,” I stated.
Joanne was very quick to process this new information.
“Does that mean that we have given birth to animals too?” she asked.
“Yes, you b
oth did, and as you can see, you are both in perfect physical condition. The angels aren’t here to harm us, only to heal our planet and everything on it,” I assured them. “Would you like to meet two of the angels?” I asked.
They both nodded in stunned silence. Touching the com device just above my breasts, I spoke aloud, so the two women could hear me too. “Zanika, Harrik, you can come back in now with the next women,” I said.
Within moments, the two angels arrived, both gliding gracefully with two more sleeping women behind them in their beds. The women and the beds were softly glowing white as they followed behind. Using their power, the angels guided the women’s beds into the two nearest empty cubicles while April and Joanne watched in silent awe.
The angels glided over towards us, and when the veils moved away from the ends of the beds, both angels dipped their heads in respect to April and Joanne.
“Hello, my name is Zanika, and this is Harrik. We are very pleased to meet you,” Zanika said gently, giving both women a warm and genuine smile.
“You, you have wings!” April exclaimed, her eyes running over the angels’ bodies, taking in every detail.
“Yes, we do,” Harrik replied.
He stepped forward, placing a hand on April’s trembling foot, and I watched in awe also as he opened his beautiful wings and bowed his upper body. His wings seemed to suddenly fill the room. He was magnificent and appeared all the more angelic. It was the first time I’d seen the angels’ wings in all their glory too.
“Amazing,” Joanne whispered.
“Yes, they are, aren’t they,” I said quietly in agreement.
Harrik lowered his wings, effortlessly folding them behind his back.
“Joanne, April, we need to birth two more animals. Would you like to watch so you may see for yourselves how we are helping to heal your Earth?” Harrik asked.
“Yes please,” April said instantly, her body no longer shaking so badly.
Earth's Angels: The Earth's Angels Trilogy Page 21