by Kim Loraine
“Um, I don’t know. It’s going to be a surprise.”
His eyes light in excitement. “That’s awesome. My sister and her husband did that. We placed bets.”
I want to smile, but jealousy takes hold at the mention of the partnership I should have. “Sounds fun. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Turning to walk away, I fight the tension in my shoulders and force back the crushing wave of sadness. As I walk down First Avenue toward Pike Place Market, I stop in my tracks when a flash of familiar gold hair and broad shoulders catches my eye. Sariel. He’s gone by the time I rush around the corner, but it was him. It had to be.
Panic clutching my heart, I stand in the middle of the sidewalk, casting my gaze in every direction. Where is he? Has he somehow figured out a way to manifest and be with me?
Near to tears, I scan the array of open shops and fight the tingles of anxiety running through my veins. He’s not there. Of course he’s not. Sariel is gone, and I’m hallucinating because I’m so desperate to see him. Shaking my head, I sigh and turn to head back in the direction I came. I was supposed to meet Rosie for coffee and instead, I acted like a crazy person because I thought I’d seen my fallen angel soul mate. I need to get a fucking grip.
My phone chirps from my purse. No doubt it’s Rosie texting me to see where the hell I am. Rooting around in my oversized bag, I grumble when I can’t find the slim cell phone in the sea of papers and lip balms.
“Why do I have so much shit in here?”
A warm hand grips my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. “I have no clue, but right now, I want nothing more than to find out.”
My heart nearly leaps from my chest at the sound of his voice. It’s him. I can’t bring myself to turn around. The weight of this moment sits heavy on my shoulders, keeping me rooted to the spot. What if I’m wrong and this is just another delusion?
“My Selah, look at me.”
Closing my eyes, I draw in a ragged breath and let his deep baritone soothe my aching soul.
His lips brush the shell of my ear as he whispers, “I fell from Heaven to love you. Let me do it.”
Those big arms wrap around me and turn my body to face him. Soft kisses trail across my forehead, over my closed eyelids, and finally, his mouth connects with mine. Everything stops. There aren’t any sounds of the city, no cars, no buzzing chatter of passersby. It’s just us, our souls reunited.
“Selah, open your eyes,” he says.
I close them tighter and nestle into his chest, inhaling his scent, not wanting this figment of my imagination to disappear. “You might vanish if I do.”
“My love, I won’t.” His fingers caress my cheek. “I’ll never leave you.”
Both hands cradle either side of my face and tip my chin up. Fear, elation, and desire all war for control of my heart as I open my eyes and see his beloved face for the first time in months. The crack in my chest begins to knit closed the instant our eyes meet. He is really here, holding me in his arms.
“Sariel,” I breathe.
“I’m sorry it took so long for me to return to you.”
“Do you have to go back? Are you going to be punished?”
His smile is broad and easy, soothing something in my soul. “No. My Father saw fit to reward me with a choice. Heaven, or you.”
A gasp falls from me before I can stop it. “You’ve damned yourself.”
“No, baby. It’s not Heaven unless I have you. He understands. I gave up my wings, my grace…I’m human.”
My chest tightens as love rushes through me. He gave it all up, twice, for me. This angel…no, this man, was meant for me.
“I love you,” I say, my voice thick with unshed tears. “Don’t you ever leave me again.”
A low chuckle rumbles through his chest. “I spent thousands of years searching for you. You think I’m going to let you go? We’ve got a lot of lost time to make up for.”
Taking his hand, I run it over my swollen belly. “I think we’ve gotten off to a pretty good start.”
The emotions coursing over his face tell me how much this baby means to him. “And after this one comes, we’ll make more.”
I just laugh. At the moment, I can’t imagine being pregnant again. “Until then…we can practice.”
“I’m going to spend my nights wrapped in you.”
“And your days?”
“Thanking God for giving you back to me.”
Two years later
The soft pats on my cheek give way to painful slaps of chubby little hands, rousing me from my lazy Sunday morning sleep.
“Papa.” My son’s sweet voice brings me blinking into the daylight.
Wide eyes, so like mine, stare from his position between Selah and me in our bed. He’s not a good sleeper, not unless we’re close, but Gabe makes up for it in everything else he does.
Selah sighs and rolls over, her lips turned up in a smile even though her eyes are closed. “You’re being paged,” she murmurs.
Sunday is my day to take up the responsibility of breakfast, and Gabe always comes with me. Scooping him into my arms, I snuggle his body close and let the baby-fine hair on his head brush my lips as I press a kiss to his forehead.
“Pancakes?” I ask him as we descend the stairs and wander toward the kitchen.
He nods, a serious expression knitting his brow. I let him stir the dry ingredients with the big wooden spoon as I pull bacon from the fridge. When the sound of Selah’s husky laugh floats to my ears, I turn to find Gabe covered in a mixture of flour, grinning as he digs his hands into the bowl and throws the white powder everywhere.
“He’s a little young to be mixing, don’t you think?” she asks, pulling him away from the mess as I grab the mixing bowl.
“Looks like it.” I can’t help my chuckle. He’s managed to wipe flour dust all over his mother’s face.
As she wipes him down with a damp cloth, I clean up as much of the spilled ingredients as possible.
“You were supposed to be sleeping in,” I scold my wife when she turns back to me. Gabe is propped on her hip, toying with a strand of her long hair.
“I missed you two.”
My heart gives a squeeze. If only she knew how desperately I still want her, how afraid I am that this will all vanish. Crossing the kitchen, I take our son from her and buckle him into his high chair.
“What happens if he starts showing grace?” she asks.
I’ve shared with her all the details of Galen and Reese’s son needing his grace bound, but I’m surprised to hear her bring it up now.
“Why would you ask that? Has he done something?”
“No. It’s just…Sean was almost five when it started affecting him. I want to be prepared.”
Running my hand across her waist before I pull her into my side, I take a deep breath. “Then we’ll call his namesake and ask for help.”
“Will we have to be concerned about our other children?”
I frown. “We don’t have any others.”
She rests her head on my shoulder and tucks in closer. “We will.”
The thought of her carrying another one of my children floods me with arousal. I missed so much of her pregnancy the first time around.
“Do we need to start trying to make Gabe a big brother?”
Selah shakes her head and disappointment settles over me. “We don’t need to start trying.” Her breasts rub against my chest as she turns in my hold and tips her face up toward mine. “We already did it.”
Glancing down at her, I see the smile in her eyes, the eager excitement that can’t be contained. “Are you serious?”
A slight nod is all she gives me before I pull her tight against me and crush my lips to hers. It’s a kiss filled with the same blazing passion we’ve always shared, but now it’s softened by the knowledge that our love isn’t forbidden.
It’s sacred.
Ending a series is something I’ve never done. With this book I’m saying goodbye to characters I love and closing the
door on their stories. I’ve been so lucky to have such a team of supportive family, friends, and readers as The Fallen Angel Trilogy has grown. I couldn’t do it without any of you. I’m sure I’ll forget someone, but here goes.
My husband, my children, my parents, and in-laws. You guys have given me time to write, distracted me from the void it’s so easy for us writers to fall into, and supported me in this endeavor. I love you.
My editor, Linda. You’ve helped me be a better writer with every book. Thank you!
My PR team at Foreword PR. Thanks for everything!
Megan Luker, proofreader, alpha-reader, all around bad ass. TREES!
Heather and the rest of the ladies at Audio Loves. Your incredible support for the audiobooks in this series helped launch it.
My beta readers, you guys are amazing. Every bit of feedback has been insanely important and helpful.
My critique partner Jenn Langston, as well as my awesome writer’s group. You are all such amazing writers and offered me a treasure trove of feedback.
Also, I can’t end this without thanking the two people who bring this series to life. Will M. Watt and Susan Fouche. You two are the most amazing voice over artists. Thank you for doing these audiobooks and making it such an experience! #dreamteam
Finally, to the readers. Your reviews, your messages, your support. These three things mean the world. Thank you for reading my books. Thank you for loving these characters.
Until the next one. (I said I closed the door on these stories…I didn’t lock it.)
XOXO
Kim
Kim Loraine was raised a Navy brat but spent most of her life growing up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. A proper Washingtonian, she’s addicted to coffee, doesn’t let a little rain ruin her day, and thinks the sun is a gift from God. When not chasing her three little minions around, Kim spends her time writing, reading, and binge watching Doctor Who.
Other books by Kim Loraine
The Fallen Angel Trilogy
Waking the Watcher
Denying the Watcher
The Golden Beach Series
Restoration
Renovation
Foundation
Resonance
Redemption
Resolution
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