Angel Promises Fulfilled

by Angel Promises Fulfilled (v5. 0) (epub)

  “I don’t remember anything either. After I saw you and Camilla, it seems like I went into a deep sleep… it was so peaceful and then, I suddenly awoke. The first thing I noticed was the absence of pain and how thirsty and hungry I was. When I called the nurse to ask for some tea she turned as white as a ghost when she came into my room. She couldn’t believe that I was alive. She looked so foolish for calling the attendants in the morgue to come and get me.

  “Anyway, within minutes after she and the attendants left, doctors and nurses began to stream in, asking me all kinds of questions and examining me… they all looked so puzzled and amazed. I loved it when Doctor Kreake came in… he’s my doctor. He couldn’t get over it. He kept saying it was a miracle. He had seen remissions in the past, but nothing like this…” Jenny’s words trailed off.

  “Did you know that Father was the same Engelmann that owned the corner grocery store?”

  “Yes! He told me! I couldn’t believe that Father David was the same man that you worked for! I honestly didn’t know and who would have thought? He said the same thing and yet, he was upset with himself for not realizing it sooner. He always had the feeling that he knew me from some place before, but couldn’t put his finger on it, was the way he put it. We were trying to talk about it more and also his passing today as well, but so many doctors interrupted us that he decided to go. He said he would call you right away.”

  “Yeah, I couldn’t believe my ears when he said that you were healed. I came right away. But that is when I told Father that I was in an accident and had died… yet, he already knew and you just told me as well, that he shared that with you. How is it that he saw those things and we didn’t…?”

  “He said he came right up here to see you when he miraculously came back, as well. He wanted to make certain that he wasn’t imagining it… and that’s another thing, did he tell you that he saw his guardian angel and ours, too?”

  “I don’t know, Henry. He didn’t say… perhaps he did see something that we didn’t when he died. It’s all so strange…”

  Jenny grew silent and shook her head in awe of all that had happened since that morning, but her expression carried a more serious note.

  “When Father David came in, I immediately told him that I needed to go to confession and ask to be forgiven for the way I kissed you earlier this morning. It had been such a lifelong wish and prayer of mine to see you and kiss you before I died. When I saw you, I didn’t think of your lovely wife and that my actions and words might offend her.”

  Henry was about to explain what had happened to Julean, but Jenny continued—”

  “But then Father told me that you knew that I was divorced from my husband and that your wife, Julean, had passed away several years ago. It made me feel less guilty knowing that I wasn’t interfering with your marriage. Yet, I don’t want you to feel that I am happy she is gone… I’m so sorry for her passing Henry.”

  Henry gazed lovingly into Jenny’s eyes. “It’s okay, Jenny. Julean knew of you and before she passed on it was her prayer that you and I might someday find each other again…” Henry’s words trailed off. He thought of telling Jenny more about Julean and how she knew of his teenage sweetheart, but now was not the time.

  Jenny remained silent, though her eyes told Henry to go on.

  Henry shrugged his shoulders and slowly continued. “Since the day we parted back in grade nine, I have always held you in my heart. I never got over you and… apparently in my dreams I spoke of you and that is how she knew.”

  Jenny squeezed Henry’s hand, as he struggled to go on.

  “Julean was an amazing person. Although I could never explain why, after all those years you and I were apart, my love for you never lessened, she seemed to understand and accept my feelings.”

  “That must have been so difficult for her.”

  Henry’s eyes filled with tears again and he remained silent, not knowing what to say. It seemed so awkward to speak of Julean like this with Jenny. He hadn’t planned on talking about his former wife and yet it all just seemed to flow out so naturally. He had to admit that he loved them both, deeply.

  “I never forgot about you either, Henry. Over all the years, you and Camilla were ever present in my heart. I just can’t believe that I saw her and you earlier today; that my guardian angel made my prayer come true. The image of you both remained in my mind when I passed away and was still there when I woke, or rather, came back to life.”

  “It’s all so incredible Jenny! That I indirectly became the father to the girl you gave birth to. Somehow I knew in my heart that you had conceived a child during that evening when Eddy’s friends took you to the park, but I would never have imagined that it would have turned out to be Camilla. Yet, the moment my son first introduced me to her, it was as if I was seeing you. She looks so much like you, Jenny.”

  “I believe that our guardian angels had something to do with all this.”

  Jenny reached with the hand not holding Henry’s and caught the pewter angel hanging around her neck. As Jenny raised it up, Henry took hold of his, as well. The two angels seemed to dance and flit about, catching the light of the lamp.

  “It’s amazing how we sent each other identical pewter angels and how the last letter containing them survived all the others.”

  “So you know that the other letters were destroyed?”

  Henry nodded. “It’s okay, Jenny. Your parents had their reasons and we did receive the most important one of all.”

  Jenny’s eyes misted. She tried to speak… “They were very sorry for what they did…”

  Jenny couldn’t go on.

  “It’s in the past, Jen; the important thing is that we are together right now.”

  And just then, the two pewter angels collided with a tiny clink. It was as if the angels were celebrating their reunion.

  Henry and Jenny smiled at one another. “See, Jenny, it’s as you said, our guardian angels had a lot to do with our coming back to each other.”

  Jenny let go of the angel and turned her head towards Henry’s hand, holding hers on the bed. She pulled on Henry’s hand and brought it to her lips and tenderly kissed it.

  “I love you so much, Henry.”

  Her golden hair fell over their hands and Henry felt the warmth of her tears cascade down through their intertwined fingers.

  Henry could no longer speak, his being was enraptured with pure joy and complete happiness, as a quiet peaceful silence fell over the room. No words could even begin to ever capture the love flowing in their hearts and between them at that moment.

  Jenny raised her head and gazed into Henry’s eyes for but a moment before he leaned forward and their lips softly touched.

  All the pain and heartache seemed to melt away in the tenderness of their kiss. All that was left was the promise of a new beginning. They knew in their hearts that their angels had brought them together and somehow a wonderful miracle had happened in their lives.

  Their life together would start now … their lives would begin to make up for those days, months and years of secrecy and denial since that memorable summer of their youth. Yes, a new life between two people who were never more deserving and more in love … theirs would be a union that would truly be heaven blessed.

  “Oh, Henry I love you so much, I still can’t believe this is real.”

  “I love you, too, Jenny, with all my heart.”

  They gazed into each other’s eyes again with a look of awe, realizing that this was all happening. There was so much to say, so much to explain, so much to tell each other of their lives. But all that would come out in the days ahead.

  Suddenly, their reverie was broken by a soft tap on the door and Nurse Johnson peeked in while still holding the door. “I know you two want to be together forever, but others are waiting to see Jenny and both of you have had a very eventful and exhausting day, to say the least.”

  “Yes, I was about to leave, Ms. Johnson. Reluctantly!” Henry added with a smile.

 
Nurse Johnson made her way into the room and held the door open. “There are some flowers for you…”

  Immediately a delivery man carrying an armful of daisies entered the room. He was followed by another and then another.

  The first man that came in spoke, “I assume that you are Marjorie Hamilton?”

  “Yes, I am…” Jenny said, her eyes quaking in surprise.

  “These are from your husband, James Hamilton.”

  Jenny wanted to correct the man, but let it slide. It was of no concern to him, yet she knew it would be unsettling for Henry.

  “He wanted you to know how much joy it has given him to know that your health has been restored.”

  As the delivery man spoke, even more flowers were brought in. Soon the room was filled with all kinds of wildflowers, especially daises. The florists had thought of everything; they brought vases and stands for the flowers, knowing there were neither containers nor tables to set them on.

  Henry stood there flabbergasted, not knowing what to say. Jenny gazed at Henry, feeling very uncomfortable as well. This was totally unexpected.

  As the owners of the florist shops and delivery personnel were leaving, Matti and Chloe came into the room and broke the uneasiness in the air.

  “Chloe! Matti!” Jenny shouted as she hopped out of the bed and opened her arms to her dear friends.

  “Oh, Jenny, I be so busy praising the Lord ever since I heard the news.”

  “Auntie!” Chloe stepped back to make sure it was her auntie. “I can’t believe this!” Chloe shook her head from side to side. “You’re completely healed! It’s like night and day from the past few days and especially this morning!! You didn’t look so good. But look at you now! You look amazing! Oh Auntie! How I wish Mom was here to see this.”

  “That would make everything even more perfect… I miss her so much.”

  Chloe moved forward again and hugged her dear aunt. “Oh, Auntie I am so happy for you!” Chloe burst into tears and slowly let go.

  Immediately, Matti came forward and embraced her dear friend. “I just don’t know what to say.” Tears streamed from her eyes. “This be the best day of my life. The Lord be so gracious, Jen. You look so good, and healthy and fine!”

  “Yes,” interjected Chloe, being more composed, “you look so beautiful and rested Auntie. This is amazing… truly amazing!!”

  Jenny noticed Henry standing by the door, somewhat shy being there. “You remember Henry Pederson?” asked Jenny, her gaze falling on him.

  “Yes, we sure do!” said Matti. “And I remember the kiss you two had. That was someting soooo special.”

  Henry turned red and began to blush. Jenny’s cheeks tinged with pink as well.

  “If we be interrupting you two, we can come back,” offered Matti.

  “No, no, that’s fine Matilda, I was just leaving. Nurse Johnson said you girls might be by and this has been an exhausting day for all of us. I shared with Jenny that I was in an accident as well when I left this morning. She can tell you what happened.”

  Looking back at Jenny, “Well, I better go Jenny. I’d like to come back tomorrow. What time would be best?”

  Jenny walked towards Henry, stood in front of him and placed her hands on his shoulders. Henry began to swim in her blue eyes and his embarrassment of being in the presence of the other two girls vanished. He drew her in closer as if to squeeze her into his heart. He could feel Jenny do the same.

  “I still can’t believe this. Maybe I am still on the other side! Thank you dear God, thank you,” said Jenny as she leaned forward and kissed Henry. “I can’t wait for you to come back tomorrow. The earlier the better…”

  Jenny’s friends couldn’t contain their oohing and aahing with Matti praising the Lord in between.

  Henry suddenly became aware of their presence and red rolled up his neck once again.

  He looked at Matilda and asked, “Does Camilla know what has happened yet?”

  “We be calling her as soon as we get back to the hotel, unless you want to deliver the good news.”

  “Yes, I will call her as soon as I get home. She is in for one big surprise.”

  “Oh, Henry, I can hardly wait to see her again. Tell her to come as soon as she is able.” Jenny’s eyes sparkled with joy and delight.

  Henry pecked Jenny on the cheek and smiled. He turned to the girls, winked and left.

  Chapter Thirty Two

  After Henry picked up Lauren and Justin at the gallery, they went home to the farm. The first thing Henry did was call Jeremy.

  “Hi Jeremy, how are you doing, Son?”

  “It’s been such a roller coaster of emotions today for all of us. Between Camilla meeting her mom, only to see her die, then learning that you were in an accident and had died sent us into such a tailspin of sorrow. And then to see you alive outside the café… it was like seeing a ghost. We wondered if we were dreaming and had just woken up.”

  “Yeah, it’s been quite a day and it still isn’t over with surprises. I have some unbelievably great news for Camilla. Is she there?”

  “She went to bed about half an hour ago. She was so emotionally drained that she fell fast asleep… what is the news, Dad? Can I pass it on to her?”

  “Yes, perhaps it’s best to let her sleep… Well, you’re not going to believe this, Jeremy— I hardly do myself— but… in the same miraculous way that I came back to life, so too did Jenny. She’s alive, Jeremy! Camilla’s mother unbelievably came back to life—”

  “What? How can that be? What is going on, Dad?”

  “I don’t know, Son. Father Engelmann had supposedly died, as well, earlier today at the care home. An ambulance was coming to the care home to pick up his body and he wasn’t there. Apparently he came back to life before the attendants came, caught a taxi and went straight to the hospital to see if Jenny was alive. He said the entire medical staff at the hospital was there to see Jenny and the miracle that had happened.”

  “It’s all just unbelievable,” said Jeremy in a state of awe.

  “I went up to see Jenny as soon as Father phoned to tell me she was miraculously cured. Although frail, she looked beautiful and completely healed. It’s incredible that all three of us had supposedly died and then came back! I may phone Father later this evening to find out more details. I think he knows more of what happened than both Jenny and me.”

  There was a long silence on the phone. Neither man could speak any more. Something had happened that was unexplainable and no words could describe their awe and wonderment.

  Finally, Jeremy spoke. “I better wake Camilla and you can tell her all this… this will just skyrocket her emotions…”

  “When I left Jenny at the hospital earlier she was exhausted from all the visitors and medical examinations and questions. I think it’s best for Camilla to go over in the morning. Perhaps let her sleep and tell her when she awakes. If she wants, she can call me. I may go to bed early as I’m starting to feel the excitement of day catch up with me as well.

  “What a day, Son! What a day…”

  Lauren made dinner but Henry couldn’t eat. He and the children talked about the day briefly and then Henry excused himself and carried his tea to the sun room. He wished it was a bit later and the kids had gone up to their rooms. He wanted to be alone and savour the time he had spent with Jenny. Their meeting was so filled with love. In a way it seemed as if they were continuing their relationship of their youth. As if they had parted for just the weekend and were back together again.

  It’s all so unexplainable and yet so wonderful…

  Henry thought about all the flowers Jenny’s former husband had sent to her. What is going on there, he wondered? After reading the diary yesterday, it seemed like they had a distant relationship. Yet, such a show of flowers seemed to convey a different message. He took a sip of tea and closed his eyes.

  How does Jenny feel about James…?

  Such a thought would normally cause concern for Henry, but fatigue was settling in and in l
ess than a minute he fell asleep.

  Henry began to dream the dream he had earlier after Jenny died. There, before him, was the love of his life, lying asleep on a bed of daisies in a vast meadow of wildflowers. He was running towards her to kiss her and bring her back and live happily after ever, but a figure in a black cloak rushed towards him. He braced himself ready to be gripped by the faceless, hooded entity.

  But the dream had changed.

  The figure ran past him, laughing with glee. He was heading for Jenny and when he was almost there, his hood fell down. He turned back towards Henry. It was James, smiling; victory written all over his face.

  Lauren nudged her father and he opened his eyes looking disorientated.

  “Are you okay, Dad? You were yelling so loud I heard you over the TV.”

  “Oh my gosh, Lauren, I’m sorry. I was having a dream… it’s been quite the day.”

  Lauren gazed at her father and said, “We’re going to bed, Dad. I love you. Are you sure everything’s all right?”

  “Yes, I’m fine, honey. What time is it?”

  “It’s just past ten. Justin went to bed an hour ago. He came to say good night but didn’t want to wake you. He sure was tired. He was so worried about you…”

  “I’m sure glad everything turned out the way it did. It was quite a day,” Henry repeated. “I’ll be going to bed right away soon. Good-night and thanks for making dinner.”

  Lauren bent over and kissed her dad on the cheek. “G’nite, Dad.” Just as she turned to leave, she said, “Oh, I forgot to tell you that Camilla phoned. I was going to wake you but she said not to and that she would call first thing in the morning.”

  “Oh, good. Thanks for telling me. Yes, it’s a little too late to call her back. The morning will be fine. ‘Nite honey.”

  Jeremy must have told Camilla the news. Boy, I would have given anything to see the expression on her face. Henry could not believe what occurred that day. Not only the physical healings, but the emotional ones, as well.

  To have his dear sweet Jenny back sent such soothing throughout his being and for Camilla to have a new life with her real mother…is all so wonderful. Thank you Jesus, for hearing our prayers and pleas…thank you.