Angels May Cry

Apologies

***TRIGGER WARNING***
This chapter contains mention of severe trauma, violence, heavy alcohol use, and loss of a child.
Please be advised.

Chapter 6: Apologies

13, December 2014

Noelle woke up to a tingling sensation in her body. She propped herself up on her elbows, groaning as Sage grinned at her from the end of the bed. Alexis was hovering next to the redhead and stepped to the side of the bed when Noelle fell back against her pillows. She looked over to the alarm clock as Sage shook her head.

“How ya feeling, princess?” The redhead asked.

“Like I got hit by a bus.” Noelle rasped as she glanced over to the digital clock on her bedside table. “How long was I out?”

“About twenty-four hours.” Alexis said, holding her healing aura over Noelle’s heart. When she found nothing abnormal, she dropped her hand and the glow faded. Noelle struggled to sit up, leaning against the plush headboard of her bed. The clock read 9:15am and she sighed. She was stiff but felt better than she had in weeks. Her mind was clear and, as she accepted a glass of water from Sage, she felt like she was able to reflect clearly on what she could remember of the past month. She sipped the water and set it down, struggling to swing her feet over the side of the bed.

“I need a shower and probably should eat something.” Noelle said softly.

“Breakfast can be arranged. Alexis has oatmeal downstairs. As for the shower, it’s running right now. Can you stand that long?” Sage asked.

“Well if I fall over, you’ll hear me.” The brunette sighed, pushing herself up as Alexis reached out to steady her.

Sage intercepted Noelle as she stumbled to her on the way to the bathroom. She left the door cracked open as she stripped off her top and leggings. She stepped under the hot spray, leaning her hand and forehead against the cool tile of her shower wall. Her mind drifted to the last month, the liquor and drugs doing little to her memories. She felt like an idiot as she thought over her actions. She needed to explain everything to Dante and make him listen. Even if he wouldn’t take her back, he needed to know she hadn’t meant to hide it from him. The hot water had begun to turn cold, and she sighed as she quickly washed herself and rinsed off, turning off the jets of water and stepping out.

Noelle dressed in undergarments, a T-shirt, and grey leggings that had been left for her by one of her sisters. She towel dried and brushed out her brunette hair before walking out into her room. She was startled at the sight of her brother standing in her room, leaning against her bedpost. Gabriel looked up at her, his eyes widening slightly as he took in her tired appearance and sighed. Noelle walked over to her older brother and wrapped him in a tight hug. She felt him hesitate before wrapping his arms around her and kissing her hair.

“I’m so sorry, Gabe. I shouldn’t have left. And I shouldn't have thrown a shoe at you…”

“Little Bird, I am not mad at you. But you scare the death from my bones when you go off on a rail like that.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“I just want you safe. If where you feel safest is with the devil hunter, then so be it. If I could have allowed you to reveal yourself sooner to save you this trouble, I would have. But even I cannot change those ancient rules.”

“I know. It was bound to happen. I pray he will let me fix it. Because I miss him.” she sighed and pulled back, looking at her brother’s face. “I’m going over there once I eat. I need to fix this sooner than later.”

“Of course. I love you Little Bird.” Gabriel said before he patted her shoulder and orbed out.

Noelle walked downstairs to find her sisters in the kitchen. Sage was adding yogurt and granola to each of their places at the kitchen table. Alexis stood against the far cabinet; arms crossed as she stared back at the white-haired man in the kitchen. Noelle felt her chest tighten as she walked to stand beside Alexis. Vergil merely nodded his head at her, never breaking his cold stare with Alexis.