Wingless {Clifford A.U}

Chapter Thirty-Two

Two Weeks Later

Two weeks after her incident, Astrid was discharged from the hospital and questioned by the police after her injuries healed slightly and she was able to move on her own again with the help of crutches. Luke had helped her set her room up and move all her things from Naomi's home to their new home. She felt better now, like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. Everything seemed to be falling into place now. 

She was laying on her bed, her crutches leaning on her night stand, reading a book while Michael just watched her, occasionally kissing her on the forehead or playing with her hair making her smile. "How's your head?" he asked.

"Fine, I haven't had a terrible headache in a couple of days." she said with a shrug. 

"Good. Oh I have something for you." he said.

"What is it?" she asked and he handed her her necklace. 

"I never got the chance to give it back, sorry." he said and she smiled. 

"I thought Luke left it during the move. Thanks." she said clasping it back around her neck. 

"You're welcome." he said and they sat in silence for a few minutes before he spoke up again. "Are you doing okay?" he asked and she nodded. 

"Yeah I guess, why?" she asked and he sighed. 

"I'm just making sure. You haven't wanted to talk about what happened, and I think it might help to talk about it instead of just keeping it to yourself." he said and she sighed. 

"What' s there to talk about?" she asked, setting her book on the night stand.

"I don't know, but it seems like there's something bothering you." he said and she shrugged. 

"Everything about that night bothers me. I have nightmares replaying it over and over again. It's overwhelming. I mean I almost died, and there was just-just so much pain that I never experienced before. It was horrible." she said quietly, staring down at her comforter. "I just feel paranoid I guess, like it could happen again, but I wouldn't get lucky the second time."

"It's never going to happen again. He's locked up, he can't hurt anyone else, you're safe now." he said. 

"I know, but what if I screw up again but with someone else? What if they do the same thing, or worse?" she asked.

"These what if's are making you paranoid. No one is going to hurt you ever again, I won't let that happen and I know you're brother won't let that happen. You don't have to worry about anything like that ever again."  he told her and she sighed. 

"Okay. I won't worry about it anymore." she said.

"Good, you'll be a lot happier not worrying about it." he said grabbing her hand. She looked down at their intertwined hands and smiled. 

"I'm already happy. I'm so much better now. I'm one month clean which is the longest I've gone, my anxiety and panic attacks have stopped for the most part. I've cut out all the bad people in my life and have an amazing friend who supports me. I get a fresh start at a new school with new people so I'll make new friends. Everything is good now, and it's all because I had you to help me, I mean if it wasn't for you I'd be dead right now." she said and he smiled. 

"I told you I wasn't going to let you die." he said and she shook her head. 

"I'm not talking about Ashton almost killing me, I'm talking about before. The night I met you I planned on taking my life." she said looking up at him. "You saved me from myself." 

"I don't know what to say. I had no idea." he said. 

"You don't have to say anything. I just wanted to tell you that." she said leaning against him. Everything was perfect and quiet; well until something hit the window. Astrid stood up, balancing on her crutches and walked over to her window and opened it. 

"Calum?" she asked confused to see the angel standing outside her window.

"So you do know who I am?" he said and she nodded. 

"Yeah, Michael told me. Why are you here?" she asked.

"I need to talk to Michael. Can you guys come down here?" he asked. 

"No, not really, I can't walk very well down the stairs." she said and he sighed. 

"Damn I forgot, sorry. Can I come up then?" he asked and she nodded and he headed towards the front door. 

"Wait where are you going?" she asked.

"Through the front door." he said and she gave him a confused look. "Is it unlocked?" he asked.

"It should be I guess." she said and he nodded before going to the front door. 

"That was weird." she said to Michael.

"What?" he asked. 

"Calum said he needs to talk to you, he'll be up in a second. What is it about?" she asked and he shrugged. 

"I don't know. I guess we'll find out." he said as Calum walked through her bedroom door.

"You're house is huge, I couldn't find your room." he said. 

"Yeah, I'm still trying to get used to it myself." she said going back to her bed and sitting down. Calum turned to Michael.

"Isadora sent me to talk to you." he said.

"Oh, what for?" Michael asked and Calum smiled at his friend. 

"She wanted me to tell you congratulations because your job is done. You helped a mortal through a hard time and made her happy. You're getting your wings." he said and Michael looked shocked at first but he was really excited and Astrid smiled at him.

"That's great!" she said and he nodded.

"Yeah it is." he said.

"But, this does mean you have to return home." Calum said and Astrid looked down.

"Oh." she said quietly. 

"I forgot about that part." Michael said sadly looking at Astrid. 

"I'll let you two say goodbye, I know you're close. Just meet me down stairs." Calum said, quietly exiting the room. Astrid looked up at Michael, trying not to cry.

"I don't want you to go." she said. He sat down beside her and wrapped his arms around her. 

"I don't want to leave you, but I have to." he said. 

"I know. I just wasn't ready to say goodbye yet." she said. Deep down she figured that he would have to leave sooner or later, she just didn't realize that it would be sooner rather than later. 

"This isn't goodbye, I promise. I may not be here all the time anymore, but I'm still your guardian angel, I'll see you whenever you need me." he said caressing her cheek with his hand, brushing his thumb over her cheek and she took a deep breath. 

"I love you Michael." she said, hugging him tightly.

"I love you too angel. I'll be back sooner than you realize okay?" he said resting his head on top of hers.

"Okay." she said finally letting go of him. He stood up reluctantly and exited her bedroom silently, glancing back at her once before going to meet Calum outside. She didn't go over to her window to watch them leave, but she stood up and went into Luke's bedroom who was glad to spend time with his little sister, not knowing how much she needed his company to cheer her up after what had just happened, and though she was sad that Michael had to leave, she knew he'd come back to see her, and she was happy that he was able to finally get what he's wanted for so long. She was going to be okay, they both knew it.

A/N: So here's chapter thirty two, and don't worry, it's not over quite yet. Please vote and comment and I'll have the epilogue posted soon. Love you guys.

-Xx E.J