by T. R. Hamby
“What are we supposed to drink after dinner?”
“The wine I brought.”
Nora smiled. On Michael’s finger was an emerald ring. It sparkled in the lighting, and was wonderful to see.
“I’ll help you set the table,” Gilla said, and the two began laying out plates and utensils.
“He’s sleeping better lately,” she whispered, glancing at Michael.
Nora felt a pang, though she was relieved. Michael still had nightmares about Serene’s death. About killing God. They all still had nightmares--vivid, terrible dreams--but Michael’s were the worst.
She nodded. “Good. Finally.”
“We’re here,” Barry’s voice called from the foyer, and Nora and Gilla grinned.
“And we brought friends,” Gabriel said as the two entered the kitchen.
Nora looked, and in came Andreas, Roone and Theresa.
“Surprise,” Andreas and Theresa said, and Nora grinned, her heart leaping.
Hugs were shared, claps on the back made. Everyone looked so healthy, so happy.
Theresa held Nora’s hand, her gray eyes sparkling. “Roone and I are going to stay down here for a while,” she said excitedly. “Like a holiday. He wants to show me Ireland.”
“Theresa, that’s wonderful.”
“Not so wonderful for me,” Andreas said, feigning grumpiness. “I won’t know what to do with myself.”
“Why don’t you stay with us?” Mel suggested, taking the chicken out of the oven. “Explore the city. Unless you want to stay with Lilith.”
Lilith had visited a couple times, but had otherwise stayed Up There. She often kept to her house, or else Traveled to the mountains, seeking peace and quiet while she honed her new power. Barry visited her often, Traveling from his and Gabriel’s cabin in Sweden.
Andreas brightened. “A stay in Rome sounds good.”
“We’ll take you out tomorrow,” Michael said, pouring glasses of wine for everyone.
“How’s Serene settling in?” Gabriel asked, holding Barry from behind.
Michael and Gilla had just gotten back from visiting her in Australia. Agatha and Judith had visited too, for a couple days. The five had spent a lot of time together. Agatha and Michael had spent time together.
Michael smiled. “She’s great. Her record store should be open next month.”
They sat down to eat. Extra chairs had to be brought to the table, and everyone was crammed in. Chicken and vegetables were passed around, and the room was loud with chatter.
Nora looked around. Mel was beside her, talking animatedly with Michael. Gilla was laughing with a mischievous Andreas. Barry whispered something in Gabriel’s ear, and Gabriel grinned and kissed him. Theresa was listening to Gilla and Andreas’ conversation. Roone laced his fingers with hers, and she looked at him and smiled.
He then caught Nora’s eye. Nora smiled, without a shred of hesitation. Roone smiled back, nodding.
“We’re hiking Kilimanjaro next month,” Gabriel said.
“Of course you are,” Michael said with a chuckle.
Gabriel and Barry had been doing a lot of hiking in the past year. It helped being Immortal--frigid weather and high altitudes couldn’t hurt them.
Barry looked down the table at Nora. “When is the big premiere?”
Everyone looked at Nora as she gave the dates for the show.
“We’ll be there,” Gabriel said, and everyone else murmured in agreement.
Nora flushed and smiled. It was amazing how things had changed. Not too long ago it was only Michael and Mel attending her shows. Now it was a crowd of people, a large family. All of them safe. All of them happy.
Mel bent his head and whispered in her ear, “You look beautiful.”
Nora looked at him and smiled. He was beautiful himself, with those striking blue eyes, and that devilish grin.
He kissed her cheek. “I love you, diletta.”
“I love you too, Mel.”
They returned to the conversation. There was laughter and smiles all around. Michael and Mel began to speak again. Gilla looked at Nora and grinned, her blue eyes sparkling. Nora grinned too, nearly giddy.
It was now a very different universe, ruled by a humble and gentle goddess. The Realm was open. Angels and Immortals mingled, human souls Ascended. Nora and her family were alive, and they lived so fully.
They were happy, and it was all that they had hoped for.