Imagine Us in Heaven

His Voice

"I know the show is quite entertaining, but that should suffice to clear up any uncertainties you have about us and our connection to Winter," Hariel says once more, leaving us completely dumbfounded by his actions.

We still stare at his wings with wide eyes and gaping mouths, but he has already pulled them back, making them vanish behind him as if they were never there. What's even more fascinating is that there are no holes in his shirt or gaps in between. The wings simply disappear into oblivion, and though his face remains ethereal, he looks more human than before, as if he has drawn a mask as a disguise and put it on.

At this point, there is no doubt in my mind that they are indeed Winter's parents. I can also sense that they are far more powerful than he is. Speaking of Winter, he is still trying to make himself smaller in my arms, and like any child caught by their parents, he is understandably afraid.

"You guys are..." Ivor gasps, and Clement quickly moves to his side to assist him. I can tell he is about to collapse. "...are you guys what we think you are?"

Ramiel's forehead creases. "What do you think we are?"

"A-A-Angels?"

"We prefer Celestials, but that will do."

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. My brother isn't the skeptic type, nor is he overly scientific, which is one of the reasons I admire him more than our elder brother. He always says that if science fails to explain a mystery, then it must be divine. With that in mind, it's hard to pinpoint where his faith lies. We were raised in a not-so-religious household, and our parents weren't strict about our beliefs and affiliations. Religion was a topic we considered taboo in the family. We simply didn't talk about it or debate it. Period.

I've never seen Ivor so drained of energy for such a long time, and Clement has to help him sit down on the couch, and then fan his face despite the whole penthouse being air-conditioned. Gavin is still in shock but has more tolerance than my brother, except when he feared we might be tortured by the pair.

We're now seated in the living room after that "show," and Hariel is still glaring at me with even more disdain as Winter clings to my side like he's glued to me. I feel awkward around his parents because I initially thought they were a pair of circus freaks. Looking closely, I can finally see the resemblance. Winter has his father's crescent eyes and his "mother's" luscious lips. I want to ask how reproduction works in their kind, but...never mind.

I clear my throat, drawing everyone's attention to me. "So...he is a baby?"

Hariel seems reluctant to talk to me, so Ramiel explains, "A cherub. Barely a child but a young adult in human years."

Wow, even worse! He's an infant. Great! I'm now officially a groomer!

"Is that why I can't hear his voice?"

"Well, he does talk. But he hasn't developed the skill to communicate in the mortal realm yet. Unless his mother grants him the..."

"Shut up," Hariel snaps, and Ramiel immediately falls silent.

"Wait, he is your baby, right?" Gavin asks, ignoring my warning glance. "So, how does that work?"

Fuck! I want the earth to swallow me whole at this moment, but Jake adds more, "Yeah, so men in your world can get pregnant?"

HOLY...why aren't they shutting up? Hariel's eyes turn as cold as ice, and I can almost see him contemplating how to bury all of us in hail and snow.

"You humans..." his voice trails off. "...you find it easy to believe that the earth is flat and that aliens are real, yet you struggle to comprehend the existence of God and his holy army. What audacity!"