Heart Of Stone

Chapter Seventeen

VAGGIE'S POV
I thought I was  free from her. I thought I had escaped her mere fucking  presence. But no... now I'm stuck living with this bitch. If my life in Heaven with her was already shit, who's to say she won't continue to treat me like that now that she was damned here for eternity. The petty part of me liked it. Like me, she  no longer had a choice of where she resided. I laugh bitterly as the thought occurs to me.
But then I remember what Charlie had overheard earlier and it immediately snaps me back to my harsh reality. My fiancé found out something that I wasn't trying to keep a secret in the first place. The topic was just never brought up before. But to Charlie... it probably seemed like I was continuing to hide shit from her. I sigh heavily and put a hand to my forehead. I know she's most likely upset... and it is most definitely my fault. Just like everything else...

"Hey... we need to talk." Her voice is soft and I turn to face the Princess.
"Yeah... we do."
"So... you used to date her." It wasn't really a question, rather a statement.
"Yeah. Many, many years ago."
"But... how did you go from loving her to literally  hating her guts?" She had a look of hurt in her eyes.
"Several years of abuse from her, Char. But not just her... her, Adam, and any jealous exorcist who hated how much closer to Adam I was than them. Lute and I... as much as I hate to admit it... were close way back when." 
"Yeah, I can see why you would hate her now."
"We were constantly fighting. It was to the point the Seraphs were getting suspicious about us. Being in a same-sex relationship in Heaven is forbidden. If we were caught... we'd be cast out immediately. So she was actually the one to break things off. She was afraid. I got pissed and we just went downhill from there. And well, now we're here."
"It's not fair."
"What's not fair?" I was thrown off by the remark.
"You weren't allowed to love the person you did?"
"Oh hell no. You would rather be caught double dead than be gay... especially if you were an Angel of higher rank."
"That's not okay."
"Heaven is good for some people, Charlie... but not me. And I couldn't be with someone who was more concerned with being a suck up to a man who honestly probably never loved her than being with someone who was actually trying. I never meant to keep this from you. It just never came up in conversation. Not even after you learned about who I was."
"So it wasn't on purpose?"
"No, my love, it was never on purpose."
She nods slowly and takes my hand. "I'm sorry, I should learn not to be so quick to assume."
"No, it's okay. You have every right to be after everything I did." I sigh and avert my gaze.
"Either way... thank you for telling me now. I'm sorry you're stuck living with her though..."
"I'll live. who knows... maybe she could change."
Saying it aloud, I realize maybe she can. I know I definitely  did. I guess only time will tell.

EMILY'S POV
"Hey! Emily, can we talk for a sec?" I perk up immediately at the sight of Charlie walking towards me.
"Yeah! Of course! What's up?"
"So you know how you and Lute are both staying down here, right?"
"Yeah, I mean, not like we have a choice." I giggle slightly, the realization that I was most likely stuck down here forever still not fully sinking in.
"Yeah... I'm still sorry about that. But, Vaggie and Lute don't get along, you know this."
I nod knowing exactly what she means. I'm still not quite sure myself as to why they dislike each other so much.
"Well, we can't have them living together if they keep acting like this... they'd slaughter each other. So I was thinking we could try to fix their friendship at least enough to where they can tolerate one anothers' presence."
"But how? They both seem to hold a pretty strong grudge."
"I was thinking... a double date?"
"You know what? That may actually work! You and I can keep the conversation going... and perhaps we can even try to have them talk out some of their issues." I smile brightly feeling a buzz of excitement at the idea.
"Yes! But we have to get them to agree."
I think for a moment before responding, my mind is racing to form a plan.
"Hmm... maybe we can tell them individually that we're taking them on a date."
"And we can take them to the same place!"
"Play it off as a coincidence!"
"And go from there!" I finish almost breathless.
"This is perfect! Should we try for tonight? I know a really good place in this ring that has some of the best food!"
"Yeah! That sounds great!"
"Okay! I'll see you then!" Charlie walks away with a noticeable pep in her step.
"Now... to get her to agree..." I mutter to myself as I walk to her room.
I arrive at her door a few minutes later and knock.
"It's open." Lute calls.
I open the door  and walk in. "Hey! I just had a super fun idea!"
"Oh Lord, should I trust your... super fun idea?" She smiles teasingly at me.
"Uh, yeah! It's never disappointed before."
"You got me there. Okay, what's your idea?"
"We should go on a date!"
"A date? Down here?"
"Of course! We're stuck here, why not make the best of it?"
"I don't know Em..."
"Come on, trust me! It'll be worth it!"
She goes quiet for a moment, contemplating the proposal. She sighs and nods.
"Alright, fine. Let's do it."
"Yes!" I throw my arms around her feeling relieved that at least one step of Charlie and I's plan has been completed. I just hope that this all will work out.