Imperfect Pieces

12. guardian angels

dedicated to amber. thank you so much for your support and encouragement. your lovely comments truly blow me away and make me smile, so here you go c:

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The sound of music was always present in heaven, the sweet and melodious notes of the harps and violins accompanying the singers. Some blew on trumpets, others played the flute. These angels were created for that sole purpose: to worship God. Even now, miles away from the throne room, Ava could hear the beautiful and joyful music, crisp and clear. It filled the air, bringing peace.

Ava listened wistfully as they continued to pour their hearts out in worship.

"Makes you want to join in, doesn't it?"

She turned and nodded at the newcomer.

"Indeed, Ebony. They always look so.... happy. At peace."

To herself, she thought bitterly, 'Why couldn't I have been musically gifted.'

Ebony smiled knowingly at her.

"When I first became a guardian angel, I despised my work. I thought that my job was boring and utterly useless. When I was much younger, I would go to the throne room and just listen to them sing. It was always one of my secret hopes- that I would be able to become a music angel."

Though by appearance, Ebony appeared to be of the same age, she was one of the wisest and most-respected angels around. Many times she seemed to know others' thoughts before they spoke them aloud.

"What made you change your mind?" Ava inquired.

Ebony took a scroll from her robe. Holding one end tightly, she threw it down. The browning, rough paper seemed like it would fall apart anytime, but it neverless unrolled. The paper seemed to stretch all the way out the room until the point where Ava could not see it anymore. It was definitely a long list. She gasped as she peered at the faint marks on it.

"Is this.. the.. guardian catalogue?"

"Yes, yes it is. What you're looking at is a list of people that have a guardian angel, just for this year. Each time someone new that is born on earth, their name appears on this list," Clara explained. "Then I match them with an angel that doesn't have a partner yet."

Ava glanced at the scroll in confusion.

"How come I haven't been matched yet?"

Ebony patted her hand comfortingly.

"I do not think you are ready yet."

Ava opened her mouth to protest, then closed it when she realized that the other angel was right.

"How will I know when I'm ready?"

"Trust me, you'll know. When your name appears on this paper, I will come and find you. Only then will you have truly become a guardian angel."

A flicker of doubt still remained in Ava's mind, but she nodded at Ebony in agreement and thanked her.

Then she flew away to continue on with her day, her pure white wings fluttering behind her. She did not what the future held for her, nor if she would ever be ready to embrace her gift. But for now, Ava would help around wherever she could and wait. Ava didn't mind the waiting, because she knew that that one day, the call would come.

☁

Los Angeles, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center

1:00 am