by Laurie Lyons
Slowly, she felt the pressure from Nathaniel's hand ease up and the light began to fade. Lucy felt it retreat one inch at a time back along her appendages to her torso and further until it was a pulsing small light once more until she couldn't feel it anymore. Nathaniel laid her gently back on the bed. He pulled the covers up over her and brushed a hair back off her forehead.
"That's what's it is like where I come from," he whispered to her. Lucy was speechless for the first time in her life. She had been given a piece of Heaven. Nathaniel wrapped his arms around her and they both fell into a deep uncompromising sleep. A few moments' later, snowflakes fell from the ceiling onto their entwined bodies.
Lucy woke up when it was still dark outside. The moon cast its glow across the bed and she gazed at Nathaniel's peaceful sleeping face. She knew looking at him what she had known all along but was now deeply, soulfully sure – she would never let him go. Lucy could never be without him. "I love you," she whispered. Before today those words held such meaning, such significance for her but now they seemed trivial and weak. She looked up at the ivy covered ceiling and like every other day since she met him whispered, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sending him to me and please understand that you can never have him back." She rolled back onto her side. In his sleep, Nathaniel reached around her pulling her against him and she fell back asleep.
When she awoke again, Nathaniel was gone. On his pillow was another gift and a note. It wasn't a flower this time. Nathaniel had left her one singular, huge, crisp white feather.
I'll be back
I Love You
N
He must have gone to say goodbye to Mother and the cubs. Lucy picked up the feather and twirled it in her fingers. It was beautiful, like everything that had anything to do with Nathaniel. She sighed with happiness and walked to the bathroom. Lucy took a long shower, dressed, made the bed and packed their bags. A few minutes later, the front door opened and Nathaniel came in. Lucy realized that she had missed him terribly. She ran down the stairs, across the living room and into his waiting arms. She kissed him hard on the lips.
"Remind me to go out more often if that's the reception I get," he said grinning. Lucy laughed and kissed him again.
"You don't get to leave me, ever," she said smiling.
"Sadly though," he replied. "We do have to leave here."
"Can't we just stay here forever?" Lucy asked pouting.
"No, you have school tomorrow," he answered.
"Ok fine," Lucy replied. "Are we driving or flying?" she asked with a grin. Nathaniel laughed.
"I'll fly us back to the jeep but I am not flying all the way back to the University."
"Is it tiring?" she asked.
"No but it would not be comfortable for you for long distances." he replied
Lucy hugged him. "Oh Nathaniel, I had the most amazing time. Can we come back here?"
"Of course, I built it for you." He opened the front door as Lucy pulled on her shoes and took one last look around sighing. She really didn't want to go.
Chapter Fifteen
Soul Mates
"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."
~Emily Brontë
Nathaniel flew them and the bags easily back to the jeep. They piled in and Lucy turned the car around and headed back down the bumpy logging road. Lucy thought of how much this weekend had changed her. When she had taken this drive forty-eight hours ago she was hoping for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend. Now, everything felt different. She knew Nathaniel so much better. No other connection she would ever have with anyone in her life would ever be this strong. When they reached the highway Lucy started asking questions.
"How did you do that?" she asked not having to explain what she meant.
"I wouldn't have been able to do that with anyone else but you Lucy," he answered.
"Why?"
"Because we are soul mates Lucy," he said smiling. "Only two souls that belong together can connect like that."
"Is that what they do in Heaven?"
"Yes," he nodded. "But I've never done it before."
"Why not?"
"Obviously, because my soul mate was down here."
"Oh," Lucy smiled. "How do you know that this connection was different then?"
"I was surprised that your soul reached out for mine as though they knew each other. It was a far more intense reaction than I thought possible."
"Then why did you wait until now to do it?" Lucy asked. "I mean I think we have both known from the first night that our connection was unreasonably close."
"Well for one," he replied. "I needed to let you see my wings first and for two, we couldn't do that in your dorm room."
"Why?" Lucy asked curious.
"Lucy," he smiled. "Didn't you feel the bed shaking?"
"Yes," she replied. "But to be honest, I thought that was just me. I also thought I saw the leaves on the ceiling shaking." She tried to think back but for once her memory was hazy.
"That wasn't the leaves Lucy," he replied grinning. "That was the roof."
"What?" said Lucy stunned and laughing. "We made the roof shake?"
Nathaniel grinned wider. "We made the whole house shake. There were cracks in the foundation this morning and several dishes broke in the kitchen," he said. "If we had tried that in your dorm room we would have reduced that old building to shambles."
"You built that house to withstand that kind of force didn't you?"
"I certainly did," he said nodding.
"So your wings," Lucy asked. "Is that where you go when you're away from me?"
"Usually yes," he nodded. "They need to be stretched every few days."
"And where are they right now?" she asked. He twisted in response and pulled up the back of his shirt. Keeping her eyes on the road, Lucy reached out and felt two faint ridges running between his shoulder blades. They were noticeable to Lucy but no one else would think anything of them.
"The day you called me in the library in Stonecreek, I was flying. I barely got my shirt back on before I walked in the room."
"You were out of breath," Lucy remembered.
"I was in a hurry to get to you," he said.
"Ok," she said shortly, "have I seen everything you can do? Am I aware of all your powers now?"
"What else could there be?" he asked laughing.
"Pal," Lucy raised her eyebrows, "I thought the invisibility was enough of a power. You can't walk on water or anything can you?"
"Only one guy could do that Lucy," Nathaniel grinned at her. "Nope, you've seen it all." They fell silent for a minute. "I owe you an apology Lucy, for the way I acted the other night. I am so sorry I made you cry."
"It's alright as long as you were trying to prevent yourself from breaking a Heavenly rule," Lucy said. She hadn't even thought about it since. "Where did you go anyway?"
"No where," he said frankly. "I sat on the roof and listened to you cry, hating myself."
"Don't worry about it, really," Lucy squeezed his hand and felt the familiar tingling sensation. She was starting to realize it wasn't just Nathaniel's effect on her but it was their effect together.
There was another pause and they drove in comfortable silence for a while.
"You aren't leaving," Lucy said plainly. This was now a fact, not a question or a wish. Nathaniel was not going anywhere.
"Lucy," he said softly. "I think we should discuss this." Lucy started to protest but he cut her off. "Now hear me out. I have to think of what is best for you. Is this what's best for you? I'm invisible, you can't marry me, you can't have children with me, there are so many things you deserve in life that I can not give you. I can't even get a job! I can't live without you but I worry that you will be giving up so much to be with me." Lucy reacted immediately by violently pulling the jeep over and skidding to a stop. She threw it in park and turned to face Nathaniel. Lucy saw him wince at her furious face.
"Listen to me very carefully Nathaniel," she said quick
ly and clearly, "because we are only going to have this conversation this one and only time. I don't want anyone else, I won't have anyone else and I don't deserve any less than you. I don't care that you are invisible, I never have and I never will. I don't want children if I can't have them with you." She pointed at him. "You are good for me, you are all there is for me, I will live everyday of my life with you and that is final. Do I make myself clear?" She was yelling now so Nathaniel just nodded. "Good," she said as the matter was now settled. "You are not going anywhere."
"Ok," he replied cautiously. "I guess we are not going to discuss this. I'm not going back."
Lucy put the car in drive, checked her mirror, signaled and pulled out onto the highway and picked up speed. She was completely calm now. She changed lanes muttering, "can't get a job like that flipping matters." She laughed to herself.
"Lucy," Nathaniel said grinning at her, "I love you but you scare me a little sometimes."
She laughed again. "Don't piss me off like that again pal," she said grinning. Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head. "So how do we keep you here?" Lucy was in soldier mode now. They would solve this problem and get this done.
"Well," Nathaniel replied. "I have been asking, well to be honest, I've been begging, for some guidance but I am getting nothing back."
"Hmm," Lucy said thoughtfully, "do you think they're listening?"
"They're always listening."
"So what's the problem?"
"Well, I've figured a few things out and for me to stay, I would have to change a little."
"Why?" she asked changing lanes to pass a camper.
"It's the Heavenly part of me that is affecting my surroundings. I am still technically an Angel of Heaven. That's the part that is angering Roman and Bael so much. I do offset the balance and I would have to sever my connection with Heaven to stop having that effect. I leave traces of Heaven everywhere I go and that can't continue."
"So if you sever your connection with Heaven, you will still be an Angel, just one tied to the ground and not the sky?" Lucy concluded.
"Right."
"So how do we cut the cord?"
"I don't know."
"Would a Demon know?" she asked.
"I doubt it and even it they did know they wouldn't tell me. But," he added hopefully, "I have a plan. I'm going to do some research while you are in class. Somewhere, there must be an answer."
"I thought you couldn't leave me alone?" Lucy asked. She realized that she might be addicted to him. The thought wasn't that upsetting.
"I think you will be safe in class," he replied. "I'll make short trips and come back."
"Ok," Lucy said. She took a deep breath. That would have to be the plan for now. They had no other options. "You are not leaving me."
"I am not leaving you," he said and took her hand again, "ever."
They got back to the dorm in early afternoon. Lucy parked the jeep on the street, made sure no one she knew was around and hopped out of it quickly. They walked up the steps and when she glanced back, the jeep was gone. She sighed; it would be so nice to have a vehicle full time. Nathaniel sensed her disappointment.
"I know it's sad but we really don't need a car now do we?" he said.
"It would still be nice," Lucy mumbled. They spent the rest of the day getting Lucy ready for classes to start the next morning. She had a slightly lighter load but still wanted to be prepared. Lucy read ahead in several of her texts and organized her supplies. It was after dinner when a knock came at the door. Lucy froze in fear. Was it Roman or Bael? Would they bother to knock? She looked at Nathaniel expectantly. He shrugged and stood beside her as she unlocked and opened the door. Anastasia burst into the room like wildfire.
"What's with the locked door? I thought you were getting back Thursday from Kansas? How was it? Did you have fun?" she plopped herself down on the couch and grinned at Lucy. "And OMG do I have news for you." Lucy heard Nathaniel sigh beside her. Listening to girl gossip was not his idea of a fun evening.
"I'm going to go hang out on the roof," he whispered in Lucy's ear. She nodded lightly as she walked towards the couch. He was gone before she sat down.
"Ok," she smiled at Anastasia. "I locked my door because I felt like it. I stayed later at my Mom's. Yes, I had fun. Mom is dating, it's a little weird but good for her and I found out I died when I was a baby and came back to life which might or might not have something to do with my memory but I don't really care."
"You died?" Anastasia asked incredulously. "How? Details!"
Lucy ran through the whole scenario omitting Nathaniel and (of course) Romans involvement. Anastasia was amazed. "Are you ok with this?" she asked.
"Yes," Lucy smiled, "actually, I am. I mean I figured that it doesn't matter where my photographic memory comes from, it only matters what I do with it,"
"Very healthy," Anastasia nodded sharply. "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks," Lucy grinned. "So you have news?"
Anastasia perked up remembering. "Yes, yes I do," she grinned. "I'm in love." Lucy's heart sank. No, no, no, she thought, please don't let it be. "With Roman," Anastasia finished.
Lucy closed her eyes and swallowed hard. "Are you sure?" she asked softly fighting the urge to shake her friend.
"Of course I'm sure!" Anastasia beamed. "He's wonderful Luc seriously!"
"Really?" Lucy had to tread carefully. "Because he kind of came across as a little self involved to me."
"No!" Anastasia protested. "Not at all! Oh Lucy, he's so nice and funny and genuine and I think he might be in love with me too."
"Really?" Lucy replied.
"Yes!" Anastasia almost yelled. "He kept acting on Saturday like he wanted to tell me something but kept changing his mind. And when he kissed me Lucy…"
"You kissed him?" Lucy yelled at her not being able to hide the disgust in her voice. Anastasia was taken aback and Lucy could see the hurt in her eyes. "Well," Lucy calmed her voice, "you just met him after all."
"Lucy it was just a good night kiss, it's not like we…"
"Tell me you didn't sleep with him!" Lucy almost yelled in panic.
"What kind of girl do you think I am?" Anastasia looked confused. "Aren't you happy for me?" Lucy sighed. It was so difficult for her to reconcile the wheeling dealing cruel hearted Demon she knew with this wonderful guy Anastasia was describing. Lucy couldn't let her friend walk into this fire.
"Anastasia, I have something to tell you," she said impulsively, ready to spill everything. A loud thump came from the ceiling making the light fixture shake. Nathaniel had sent down a warning shot.
"What was that?" Anastasia said staring at the ceiling.
"It was a very large, very annoying bird," Lucy said angrily. She sighed again. Nathaniel was right of course. Anastasia would never believe Lucy. She stared at her friend's face. Anastasia looked how Lucy felt, radiantly in love and suddenly, Lucy could not take that away from her.
"I am very happy for you. I love you and if Roman is what makes you happy, then I am happy," she said with a smile.
"Oh thanks babe," Anastasia said while hugging Lucy. "Don't worry, you'll find a guy soon enough and we will double date. It will be so much fun!"
Lucy held back a laugh. "That would be…" horrid? "great," she said. Anastasia gushed about Roman for another forty minutes and Lucy endured it smiling and nodding. She left as suddenly as she arrived.
"I have to get my stuff ready to teach tomorrow," she explained moving to the door. There weren't any dance classes during the summer semester so Anastasia was teaching dance camp programs all day. Parents had signed up their daughters to dance all day with performance majors to keep them out of trouble.
"You better make them call you Miss. Rooke," Lucy said grinning.
"Oh you bet it will," Anastasia replied laughing. "I need a stick!" They both giggled at the image of casual fun Anastasia with a dance instructor's stick. "Lunch tomorrow?"
"Can't," Lucy replied. "I'm meeting Dr. Hannon."
> "Ok, then dinner."
"It's a date," Lucy smiled.
"Don't forget about the Summer Solstice Party, June 20th," Anastasia said looking Lucy directly in the eye.
Lucy tapped her temple. "Got it," she said. Lucy suspected that the only reason Anastasia took the summer camp job was to stay on campus to attend the party. It was notoriously one of the biggest parties of the year. They hugged again and Anastasia flew out the door.
Lucy grabbed her pajamas and bathroom bag and headed for the bathroom. When she returned, Nathaniel was sitting in bed in his pajamas. She crawled gratefully into his arms.
"I know, I know," she mumbled ruefully. "I did the right thing not telling her. But that was excruciating."
"Roman makes her happy Lucy," he replied.
"But she doesn't know him," Lucy pleaded.
"Some people are married for thirty years and don't really know their spouse. Anastasia is happy, that's all that matters for now." He kissed her head as it lay on his shoulder.
"I just wish that I could tell her all about you. I share everything with her," Lucy said sadly.
"Well," he said with a smile, "you always have me. Go on Lucy, tell me how great I am."
Lucy laughed, "Well, where do I begin?"
"No, no, no," he said sitting up. "I was kidding. "
Lucy ignored him and used her best adolescent girl voice, "Well, like I have totally found my soul mate!" Nathaniel laughed out loud and she continued as if talking to a thirteen year old. "And OMG is he ever awesome. He's like totally this like Angel and he like flies and like can do stuff and like when he kisses me I get all these like warm tingles and like…." Nathaniel stopped her mouth with a kiss. Lucy wrapped her arms around him. After a moment, he lifted his head.
"Anastasia said OMG too," he said. "What does that mean?"
Lucy giggled at the irony of it all. "It means 'Oh my God' and Anastasia wants to double date. How awkward would that be?" Nathaniel threw his head back and laughed. He looked down at her.
"I love you Lucy, you make me laugh," he said grinning at her. He kissed her and Lucy's mind drained of the worries of the day. A few moments later, the lights turned off.