Guardian Angel-Hell Over Heaven Completed

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 – Catching Up

John brought Chase up to speed on everything that had happened over the past five or six years. Chase noticed that John was showing his age just a bit—almost 46 now, with a few more lines around his eyes. But he had a look of pride as he recounted the events Chase had missed.

After Chase had left, John had been promoted to chief of the firehouse when his old mentor, Tom, decided to retire and move south to be closer to his family. Meanwhile, Sarah had graduated from high school with straight A's and was getting ready to start college.

Chase turned to Sarah, watching as she played with a strand of her long brown hair—a habit he remembered all too well. "Sarah, you okay?" he asked.

She blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts. "What? Yeah, why do you ask?"

Chase smiled. "Because you always play with your hair when you're nervous."

Sarah laughed, a little embarrassed. "Yeah, I'm fine."

John chuckled at their exchange, glancing at Chase as if to say, See? I told you she's been fine.

"So, Sarah... any boyfriends?" Chase asked, trying to keep things light.

Sarah's face flushed bright red. "No!" she exclaimed, maybe a little too loudly.

A sudden chime sounded outside, and Chase felt a familiar presence. He listened closely, picking up a faint whisper carried by the wind. "Jackson says hello, John," he said with a grin.

"Oh, so that's what you were doing," John replied with a smile. "Hello, Jack."

Chase couldn't help but smile at John's casual nickname for Jackson, one that not many dared to use.

John's expression grew more serious. "So... what brings you back to Earth, son?"

Chase's smile faded as he met John's gaze. "Hell is planning to take over Heaven. Jackson sent me back down here to protect you both."

John stiffened. "Hell is trying to take over Heaven?" He shook his head, his jaw set. "And what are you going to do about it?"

Chase clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes. "We're going to fight back. Heaven is ours, and we're not going to let them take it."

Just then, Sarah dashed into her room and returned holding a small, familiar item. She pressed it into Chase's hand—a necklace he had given her years ago to remember him by.

"Thanks," Chase said, touched as he held the necklace.

"You're welcome," Sarah said, smiling softly. "I'm so sorry I forgot about you... for a while."

John raised an eyebrow. "Forgot about your guardian angel, huh?"

Sarah laughed, a little sheepishly. "Well, it has been a long time, and he does look a bit different now."

"Fair point," John chuckled as he got up to grab something from the kitchen. A moment later, he returned, tossing Chase a set of keys. Chase caught them and realized with a grin that they were for his old car, an Impala he had loved driving back when he was human.

"Thanks," Chase said, feeling a flood of old memories.

"You're welcome, son," John replied, patting him on the shoulder.

Sarah gave her dad a pointed look. "Dad, can we go to the fire station now? You promised we would go two days ago."

John laughed. "Alright, alright. Let's go. And Chase—you're coming with us."

Chase grinned. "I wouldn't miss it."

At the fire station, they were greeted by a few of John's close friends: Nate, Danny, Joe, and Will, though most of the crew was either on vacation or off-duty.

"Hey guys, remember Sarah and Chase?" John asked, gesturing to his family.

Nate's eyes widened as he looked at Sarah. "Wow, look at you, Sarah. You look just like your mom." Then he turned to Chase, giving him an appraising look. "And Chase—you look stronger. You want to try the gear on?"

"Absolutely," Chase replied, remembering the excitement he had felt whenever he'd put the gear on back when he was human.

Nate helped him into the heavy fire gear, which weighed a hefty 67 pounds. But to Chase, now an angel, it felt surprisingly light.

"Alright, son, let's see what you've got," Danny said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Go up and down the stairs, and then we'll add a few more drills."

Chase grinned, running up and down the stairs with ease, before taking off the gear and turning to Sarah with a playful smile. "Want to give it a try?"

Sarah's eyes widened. "No way! You think I'd put that on and go up the stairs?"

Chase laughed. "Just try it. I'll help."

With a reluctant sigh, Sarah allowed Chase to put the fire gear on her. She staggered for a moment, feeling the weight, until she felt a pair of strong arms catch her. She looked up to see Danny grinning down at her.

"Nice try, kiddo," Danny teased.

"I'm not a kid; I'm a grown-up!" Sarah retorted, crossing her arms defiantly.

"My apologies," Danny said, laughing as he glanced at John. "John, you raised a tough one here."

"Thanks, Danny. You alright, honey?" John asked, patting her on the back.

Sarah laughed, shaking her head. "I don't know how you guys do it."

"Years of practice!" Joe called out as he fed the station's Dalmatian, who was still a bit skittish around new people.

"What's the dog's name?" Sarah asked.

John scratched the dog behind the ears. "We just got him recently. He's a rescue—poor guy was abandoned, so he's still shy."

Chase walked over and knelt down, reaching out his hand. The dog hesitated, sniffed his hand, and then stepped closer, pressing against him as Chase gave him a gentle pat.

"It's okay, buddy. They're not going to hurt you," Chase murmured.

The dog wagged his tail and bounded over to John, his front paws landing on John's chest in an excited greeting.

"What are you going to call him?" Sarah asked.

Chase smiled, catching a thought from the dog's mind. "How about... Zarko?"

John chuckled. "Zarko, huh? Welcome to the station, Zarko."

Nate turned to Chase, giving him a nod. "So, son—what have you been up to these past few years?"

Chase paused for a moment, then gave a small smile. "I've been... well, let's just say I'm in the 'Air Force' with my father now. Finished college, too."

Danny clapped him on the shoulder. "Good for you, son."

Sarah leaned over, whispering to Chase. "What happened to 'lying is a sin'?"

Chase smirked. "At least I'm not a dark angel. Besides, sometimes a little lie is necessary."

John laughed, shaking his head as he signaled to Nate. "Alright, Chase. Want to try putting out a fire?"

"Of course," Chase said eagerly.

The firefighters set up a controlled burn in a metal barrel filled with boxes. Chase grabbed the hose, feeling the familiar weight in his hands. He turned the lever, watching as the water shot out faster than he remembered. He aimed the hose carefully, hitting the flames dead-on until the fire died down, leaving only a charred mess of wet cardboard.

"Nice job, son," Danny said, clapping him on the back.

Chase set down the hose, grinning. "Thanks."

"Come back any time, alright?" Danny called as they all headed back to the truck.

As they drove home, Chase looked around at his family, a deep sense of peace settling over him. It was good to be back. And for now, he was exactly where he was meant to be.