Imagine Us in Heaven

Wishes

A lot of things have changed since Winter's parents decided to leave their child under my care, placing trust in me that even my own family doesn't. I don't wish to compare my experience to that of the heavenly household, but I never have anyone believing in me as much as Winter believes in me. In his eyes, I can do no wrong, and the only thing he asks of me is to believe in him.

"It's still there, Blythe. Nothing changed..." Doctor Snyder's words echo in my mind from this morning's visit. "I wouldn't mind if you want to get a second opinion. But the cancer has spread all over your body, and I don't know how else to explain why you're still moving like a healthy horse!"

Honestly, I don't know why I keep returning to check if the cancer is still in my body. I don't even understand why I argue with a doctor who studied for years at prestigious universities (not to mention his extensive experience) to detect diseases and find ways to cure his patients—seriously, where am I going with this?

If the cancer is still there, then there is only one explanation for all this miraculous strength. And that is Winter.

Winter is probably the only thing keeping my whole body functioning as it is—the reason I can breathe easily instead of having my lungs collapse. Nowadays, Winter rarely leaves my side, and Jake insists that I work with him instead. He says he can pay me the same salary and even boasts about their company's health insurance coverage. I thank him for the offer, but I don't like charity.

Until Christmas arrives.

It's not my favorite season of all time, but I must admit that Christmas has all the fun compared to other celebrations. Markets are open all around town, storefronts are decorated with colorful lights, and special performances take place in every auditorium and cinema. It's impossible for someone to get bored. Some might argue that the cold and snow can be annoying and hinder the fun. This is the only season when people truly appreciate winter. The chill in the air that reddens the nose adds more significance to the enchantment of the festivity.

Speaking of winter—I think I know now why Winter is named after the season. Since the weather has changed, so has his beauty. Unlike many of us, whose skin turns dry and flaky because of the low humidity, his skin is flawless, shimmering as if he has bathed in crystals! Yet his smile is the most fascinating of all, leaving me bedazzled each time.

Winter was born in this season and under the same star as I was. He says he chose me among the pile of babies who had a brighter glow—this part comes from Hariel, though. But Winter explains that every human baby has a halo over their head and that it doesn't go away even as we grow older; however, it does fade and the glow diminishes depending on circumstances and choice.

This brings me to a question one day—

"What does hell look like?"

Winter blinks, seemingly surprised by my inquiry. Usually, I ask him what heaven is like, but now I want to know what the other side looks like.

"Why are humans so mesmerized by the idea of such an atrocious place?" He returns the question. "Is this for literary sake?"

Now it's my turn to be surprised. "There's no hell?"

"Why would you think our Holy One would make a place to torture people for eternity? Humans who hold such ideas have a warped opinion of them."

I don't know about their ideas, but mine get easily poked by his choice of pronoun. "It's a Them?"

"I said them because the gender of the Alpha and the Omega doesn't matter. You can think of them as it pleases you."

"Okay," I say. "Then, I think it's HER. Anya Taylor-Joy."