Crossroads

by Alexie Aaron [Aaron, Alexie]

  “I will have to start working out before I end up skinny and weak.”

  “I agree. How is it not being a general?”

  “Took some time to get used to, but I’m happy, Michael. I’m really happy.”

  “Plan on making time to visit with me. Or have you changed your mind on being an advisor?”

  “No, I have not. It’s an honor to be on your council.”

  “Good. Now go to sleep so I can make you Mia Martin again.”

  Mia did.

  ~

  Father Santos pulled his collar off before he entered the Big Bear Lake Bar and Grill. He saw Ted who waved him over.

  “Lazar said you weren’t coming.”

  “I moved things around. Sorry I’m late.”

  “Nope, you’re right on time. What can I get you?”

  “Bourbon.”

  “You’re on,” Ted said and walked to the bar.

  Cid did a double take when he walked by. “You seriously don’t look like you.”

  “It’s the collar. I normally wear it because it makes me look pretentious.”

  Cid laughed. “Have you met the men of the hour?”

  “Tom at Martin occasions, but I don’t think I have met Andrew.”

  “You’re in for a treat,” Cid said mischievously. “Follow me.”

  Father Santos followed the tall contractor/ghost hunter to a table where Tom Braverman was a bit red-faced with drink. Lazar got up and gave the father his seat. When Paolo waved him off, Lazar explained, “I’m going to see if I can hustle up a game of pool.”

  “Paolo Santos, Andrew Carmichael,” Cid introduced.

  Andy got up and shook Paolo’s hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

  “You wouldn’t be related to Bob Carmichael, would you?”

  “He’s my late uncle. How did you know him, sir?”

  “Poker. I believe he still owes me ten bucks,” Paolo said.

  “Good luck in getting it. My aunt has tight purse strings.”

  Paolo laughed. “Actually, I think we did meet. You were about this high,” Paolo raised his hand about four feet, “and tailing after Bob on one of his rounds.”

  “He was teaching me the family business.”

  “Did you ever think helping to deliver two babies would be in the job description?” Cid asked.

  “No, that’s a new one. Hey, I remember now, you’re a priest,” Andy accused Paolo.

  “Guilty.”

  “Are you here undercover?”

  “No, just thought I would stifle the flow of liquor if I was wearing the collar.”

  “Smart man,” Cid said.

  Ted returned with a round of drinks. He set Paolo’s down. “Where’s the big guy?”

  “Big guy? Oh, Angelo. He’s keeping an eye on your babies.”

  Ted paled. “Is there anything wrong?”

  “He placed the charms, and then things got a bit interesting at the hospital.”

  “What aren’t you telling me, Father?” Ted asked.

  “Not here, not now,” Paolo said.

  “He’s not still mooning over Mia, is he?”

  “Maybe a little bit, but we all have someone who got away, don’t we?”

  “I don’t, but my dating life was nothing to write home about.”

  “Mine too,” Cid said.

  “Yours still isn’t,” Ted pointed out.

  “I’d like to hear the story of the twins’ birth, or has it been told too much this evening?” Paolo asked.

  “Whose perspective?” Cid asked. “Because Andy has told it to everyone who walks by.”

  “I’ll tell it,” Tom said, trying to sit up straight.

  Paolo watched as the young sheriff described, in gruesome detail, the whole process.

  “And then Ted shows up, after all the hard work was finished,” Tom concluded.

  “I would have fainted,” Ted said. “The afterbirth was gory enough. Oh, before I forget - this is not the best transition, but what the hell - Mia would like you, Tom, to be Genevieve’s godfather. And, Andy, we are asking you to be Maeve’s godfather.”

  “It would be an honor,” Andy said. “I’ll even buy a new suit.”

  “Yes, not one of those previously owned corpse suits,” Tom teased.

  “You take that back,” Andy said, standing.

  “I take it back, but didn’t you make a corsage for your prom date out of some funeral flowers?”

  “Orchids are expensive,” Andy said.

  Murphy walked into the bar and almost turned around when he saw Father Santos. Lazar caught him. “Hey, he’s not wearing his collar, you’re safe.”

  Murphy took off his hat and wiped imaginary sweat off. “I was looking for Deputy Chambers.”

  “He’s over at the bar chatting up the barfly.”

  “I need to ask him some questions, but I think he’s afraid of me.”

  “I’ll do it.”

  “I need to know how the investigation of the accident is going, and does he think the truck that hit Mia was involved in forcing Stephanie Gilbert off her bike?”

  “Whoa, explain.”

  Murphy told his story. “I didn’t see what happened on the bridge, but I heard her telling the EMTs that she was forced off the bridge by someone riding on the back of the truck.”

  “That sounds dangerous. What’s going on with that lumber operation?”

  “I’m hoping Deputy Chambers will be able to shed some light.”

  “No time like the present. He just got shot down.” Lazar started to walk over.

  “I didn’t hear a gun firing… Oh,” Murphy said. “I’m at a loss when it comes to the new lingo.”

  “Using lingo makes you even more antique. But fear not, I’m not a snob.”

  “You are a little drunk though.”

  “I’m very drunk. That’s why I’m not sitting at that table with my boss and that priest.”

  “Understandable.”

  “Chambers,” Lazar said.

  “Popov,” he answered, annoyed. “You know I have a first name.”

  “Deputy?”

  “Asshole.”

  “What mother would call her son Asshole?” Lazar asked.

  “My name is Vincent, like Vincent Van Gogh.”

  “You don’t look like a Vincent. Not even a Vinnie. It may be why everyone calls you Chambers.”

  “What do you want?” Chambers asked, irritated.

  Lazar told him about the woman in the lake and asked if he thought there was, perhaps, a tie-in with the lumber truck.

  “Timing is right. Tell you what, I’m supposed to take a statement from Ms. Gilbert tomorrow. I’ll give you a call.”

  “Thank you,” Lazar said.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to shoot some pool.”

  “I’d like to play. Hypothetically, is it illegal to bet on a game?” Lazar asked.

  “Yes. We’ll bet favors. I hear you’re quite a little housekeeper. I win, you clean my apartment. You win…”

  “You let Brian Martin have a ride in your cruiser.”

  Chambers frowned. He looked at Lazar who was adjusting his prosthesis. “It’s a bet.”

  ~

  Burt took readings while Paula packed a bag for her and her son. She grabbed a few of Noah’s less messy toys to bring along too. She watched Burt as he stopped and recorded numbers in a notebook he kept in his pocket. He was cute for a nerd. That’s what Derek would have called the ghost hunter. Of course, Derek, an accountant, didn’t realize that he fell from the same tree as Mr. Hicks.

  “I’m ready,” she said.

  “Good. I’m going to have my team set up some cameras. If we get a good hit, then we’ll do a full investigation. The important thing is that you and Noah don’t spend the night here for a while.”

  Paula nodded. She walked out and tossed her bags in the back seat of her car. She waited for Burt to lock up the house, an
d when he got in the passenger seat, she took off quickly.

  Burt looked back, and he thought he saw a face staring out from one of the garage windows. If it was a person, he would either have to be standing on something, be eight feet tall, or he was floating.

  ~

  Angelo was sitting, watching the angel sleep in Mia’s bed. The nurses had been through and taken her vitals. They told the faux Mia that she would need to express her milk, but they would toss it since it would be tainted by the painkillers. The expressing was to ease the breasts that were, no doubt, filling up with milk.

  When they left, the angel twittered to herself. She ignored the machine, turned over, and promptly fell asleep.

  Someone was trying to speak to him silently. He felt Mia’s timid push. He allowed her in.

  “I’d like to return. Is the room safe?”

  “Yes. I’ll stand at the door just in case.”

  “Thank you.”

  Angelo had no sooner got to the door when the room illuminated briefly, and Mia appeared. She walked over and gently nudged the angel. The angel morphed back and disappeared.

  Mia stood there looking at Angelo. She looked very healthy.

  “What did I miss?”

  “You’re supposed to express your milk before you sleep. You’re on duty as of tomorrow morning.”

  Mia walked stiff-legged to the bed. Michael had replaced the casts to help with the deception. She failed twice to lift herself up and looked at Angelo.

  He walked over and picked her up, but before he put her down, he held her.

  “Thank you for saving me,” Mia said. “You’re always saving me.”

  “When you’re not saving me,” he acknowledged.

  “Have you read me yet?”

  “Mia, I’m not an archangel, give me more time.”

  “Just as long as you don’t try to kiss me. I have a casted leg, but my knees still work.”

  Angelo opened his luminous brown eyes. He set her gently in bed and drew up the covers. He tapped the breast pump. “I don’t know how you can do that to yourself?”

  “There’s a lot of messy things when you’re a mother. Your mother nursed you and look how healthy you are. I hope there are no adverse effects from the blue star?”

  “I feel very strong.”

  “Good. Any weird stuff attached to me I should be aware of?”

  “Michael restored your grace. He’s changed the birdman/human ratio. Now if you die, even in battle, you won’t be automatically reincarnated. You’ll have a choice.”

  Mia frowned.

  Angelo was surprised.

  “Does everyone have to know this?” Mia asked.

  “Mia, it’s not good for you and me to keep secrets,” Angelo said softly.

  “But you don’t have to announce this to the other birdmen, do you?”

  “No, I can keep my own counsel. But you’re going to have to explain your thinking to me.”

  “Hoo boy,” Mia said. “For a while, I don’t want Murphy to know I can possibly stay here on earth after I die. I don’t want Roumain to be making room for me in Purgatory. And, I don’t want Nicholai or Victor to know I had Sariel’s monster talons and claws removed, just yet.” Mia looked at Angelo. “I know I’m being selfish.”

  “You’re going to tell Ted though.”

  “Yes, it’s chancy because he does tend to run off at the mouth, but he’s my husband.”

  “No one has to know what I’ve just found out for myself, especially Soren who would give you to Victor in a heartbeat.”

  “I’m not his to give, Angelo. I’ve had a lot of time to think while I waddled through my last months. No one listens to me about what I want.”

  “I know that you don’t want to think beyond your marriage to Ted. Your loyalty is admirable. I think Soren’s interest is political. He thinks that you could keep Victor in line.”

  “Fat chance. Why aren’t you being offered?” Mia asked foolhardily and regretted her question immediately.

  “Idra told me that Soren thinks my obsession with you will get both of us killed.”

  “Do they think we’re idiots?”

  He liked Mia when her feathers were ruffled.

  “I may not be good enough for you, in Soren’s eyes.”

  “Here’s another example of Soren’s faulty thinking. I don’t know why you’re not already running the place?” Mia asked.

  Angelo looked over at Mia. “Where are you going with this? I admit to being totally confused.”

  “You need to live a full life. Waiting for me isn’t right. I promise that I will always be your friend. I’ll have your back, politically, and gladly fight beside you, but I can’t entertain any thoughts of you, even if it’s a hundred years in the future. It’s not fair to Ted. You need to be loved now. I can’t do that.”

  It was Angelo’s turn to frown. “What if Michael doesn’t approve of our friendship?”

  “He doesn’t own me. I just made an alliance so he wouldn’t have me killed on the off chance Lucifer’s ideas grew on me.”

  “And he insisted you take on grace.”

  “Yes. I know you don’t approve, but I needed to save Sariel, Burt, and you. To do so took a lot of grace.”

  “Why did you pour your blood into my heart?”

  “To hold onto you forever,” Mia emoted, waving her arms.

  Angelo lifted an eyebrow. “The real reason.”

  “You tell me, why you think I did it?”

  “You’re a hero. It’s what we are. Soren is right. Without someone of a different mindset balancing us, we would get the other killed.”

  Mia lifted her arms. “Oh my god, do you feel it?”

  “A weight has been lifted.”

  “And…”

  “I will move on and live a full life. But not without you. You will always be my friend, Mia Martin.”

  “And I will always be yours. Now get the hell out of here. I must express.”

  ~

  Just as the witching hour settled in, Mia sensed someone in her room. She didn’t smell frankincense, so the being wasn’t a fallen. “Who’s here?” she asked softly.

  “Did you think I would leave you unprotected?” Altair asked, approaching her bed.

  Tears fell from her eyes as she held the hands of her friend. “I have missed you.”

  “You need to visit the sanctuary soon; your grandmother wants to see her great-granddaughters before she dies.”

  “Is she unwell?” Mia asked.

  “No, but she is tired.”

  “I’m sure having you there eases her worries,” Mia said.

  “I hope so.”

  “Do you enjoy being there? Is it where you want to stay?” Mia asked.

  “For now. There is so much hate being stirred in this world. The refugees continue to come.”

  “We have to do something about the hate. No one wants to leave their homes.”

  “There are several solutions, but there is a mandate that the humans have to mend this mess themselves.”

  “I’m human.”

  “Not anymore,” Altair said, running his hand along Mia’s cheek. “You have been given great power, and because of this, you have changed again. Don’t worry, only angels and, perhaps, the fallen can see it. Close your eyes and think of your daughters.”

  Mia did so. She saw them contented and sleeping while the nurses in the nursery watched over them.

  “Now, think of Brian and Varden.”

  She saw Brian tucked into a makeshift bed with Noah. Varden was curled up next to Burt.

  “Dieter…”

  Dieter was checking in on Ted who was snoring. He moved slowly through the house and settled himself in the kitchen. Maggie was there, and the two of them raided the refrigerator.

  “Open your eyes,” Altair said. “Look at me.”

  Mia did so and felt something just beyond her understanding.

  “
The moment Michael restored your grace, I could see you when I thought about you. It’s angel sight. Angel sight is how the guardian angels monitor their many charges.”

  “I had grace before, but I couldn’t do this.”

  “You weren’t hyped up on blue star power.”

  “Angelo got quite a jolt. He acted as a filter.”

  “He doesn’t have grace. I don’t know what the blue energy is going to do to him.”

  “He and I have finally resolved things, and he is moving on.”

  “This is how many times?”

  “Don’t scoff. I think he thinks like…”

  “He thinks like you do. Interesting.”

  “I fell asleep tonight with the warm thoughts that I didn’t have to worry about him. I want that back,” Mia said, sitting back and crossing her arms.

  “Don’t be mad at me,” Altair pleaded. “I’m just trying to keep things real here.”

  Mia snickered. “I haven’t known real. I’ve had the illusion of being normal for a time.”

  “Let’s say Angelo does move on. Who is going to take his place?”

  “No one.”

  “He’s your knight. Lazar maybe… No, Ethan.” Altair tapped his chin.

  “No one.”

  “Mia, you’ve been collecting chess pieces. Ted’s your king, but you rule your kingdom.”

  “I do not. Stop thinking life is a game of chess.”

  “Close your eyes again.”

  “More parlor tricks?”

  “Now I understand how irritated Michael and Father Santos get with you.”

  Mia smiled, but she closed her eyes.

  “Think of all the family by blood and friendship you’ve acquired.”

  Mia gasped. “I can see all of them at the same time. Although, it makes me very nauseous.”

  “Add in the ones that vie for your heart.”

  Mia’s eyes snapped open. “There isn’t anybody. Mike is with Gates, and Angelo will be with someone soon.”

  “You really have no sense, do you?”

  “I can always depend on you to insult me.”

  “It’s one of my many charms. What about Burt Hicks?”