The Damned Holies (The Fallen Wars 1)

Chapter Thirty-One

-Aimee, Earth-

I was startled awake by a blinding light inside the alley.

“Goodbye.” We all said to one another.

I felt a gigantic tear in reality, way bigger than any of us could have created, and suddenly we were all in Heaven. God stood before us and on impulse, they all kneeled so I followed suit. Because of his aura, I couldn’t look at him anyway. We waited for the sentence he was going to give us, mainly because of my disobedience. He just watched us, looking into each of our souls. It was unnerving.

“What have you all learned while you were at Earth?”

No one spoke, so I went first. “I learned the consequences of immortality; to not be able to feel or control my cruelty.” I cleared my throat. “I learned what it meant to be an angel.”

“Very good.”

I waited for the other angels to say something. “Oh, come on! Why won’t you say something?”

I let out an exasperated sigh. “I don’t know if you were listening or watching, but I’ll tell you what they learned. They have learned what it means to feel powerless to mortality. Please spare them. I’m the reason they didn’t come back.”

“Is it true that you have learned what it means to be human?”

“Yes.” They mumbled.

“Rise and face me.”

We stood and looked at him. I tried, at least.

“You have all learned what I wanted you to learn. You all, except Aimee naturally, were cast out to learn what it was like to be human. Aimee was born to help you and to help the humans. But also realize the hardships of what she hated most. Her love of Reven saved him, because he was almost too far gone, almost to the point of damnation. You have all found someone special. Love was what I wanted you to learn and since you all have, you are welcomed back to Heaven, now and forever.”

We were all dumbfounded, too shocked to speak, until Reven shrieked for joy and tackled me, kissing me all over. Ariel stalked over to Michael and planted a kiss on his lips, grabbing his face as he plucked the chopsticks out of her dark hair and freed it. Raphael slipped his fingers in between Sarah’s and Sarah smiled behind her white hair. Amelia was practically attacked by Uriel’s kisses and his frantic fingers raking through her strawberry blonde hair. Thaddeus wrapped his dark arm around Belle’s thin waist and Belle leaned into him. Elias surprised Zella by kissing her nose. Cecilia wrapped her arms around Adam’s neck, playing with his long braid, and stood up on her tippy toes to kiss him. Hope stroked Marion’s silver hair affectionately as Marion looked up at her. Hope leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Gabriel?” A very familiar, shocked and ecstatic voice whispered.

I smiled. “Mom.”

“Genevieve?” Father started crying as Mom touched his cheek. “It’s been so long.”

This was the first time I had ever seen them together. It was magical. They kissed and I almost started crying for them. Mom finally pulled away to say, “You’ve made me so proud, Aimee. You’ve done the impossible, both of you.”

“Both of… Oh, right.” The human Aimee was still down in Hell with Lucien. I squeezed Reven’s hand and smiled, hoping she was as happy with Lucien as I am with Reven.

Someone cleared their throat. “Aimee.”

I swiveled my head around, searching for the source of the voice. My eyes quickly found him and I smiled. “Xavier.” He was in Heaven, young again. I practically sighed in relief because he wasn’t in Hell. I ran over and gave him a hug, kissing his cheek.

“I’m so sorry.” He murmured into my hair, rubbing the small of my back beneath my wings.

“I know, Xavier, I know. I’m sorry too.” I sank into my best friend’s embrace.

After we had settled down, God gave the angels back their titles.

“Ariel and Hope, step forward.” They did and kneeled. “Do you accept the Heavenly role of the Seraphim, back into your hearts, again? Will you be the angels closest to me and watch over my throne?”

“I do.” They both said and they grew wings, but their wings were different from mine; looking like butterfly wings instead of feathers.

“Raphael and Uriel, step forward.” They did and kneeled. “Do you accept the Heavenly role of the Cherubim, back into your hearts, again? Will you guard my Throneroom?”

“I do.” They said and they grew their wings, which were identical to mine.

“Sarah and Amelia, step forward.” They did and kneeled. “Do you accept the Heavenly role of the Thrones, back into your hearts, again? Will you help me pass judgement along fairly?”

“I do.” They said and grew their wings.

“Reven and Adam, step forward.” They did and kneeled. I moved out of the way, off to the side to watch with my mother and Xavier. “Do you accept the Heavenly role of the Dominions, back into your hearts, again? Will you help keep order within your choirs?”

“I do.” They said and grew their wings.

“Belle and Cecilia, step forward.” They did and kneeled. “Do you accept the Heavenly role of the Virtues, back into your hearts, again? Will you make sure balance is kept and provide my spirit to those who need it most?”

“I do.” They said and regained their wings.

“Thaddeus and Elias, step forward.” They did and kneeled. “Do you accept the Heavenly role of the Powers, back into your hearts, again? Will you watch the protect the border between Heaven and Earth?”

“I do.” They said and grew their wings.

“Zella and Marion, step forward.” They did and kneeled. “Do you accept the Heavenly role of the Principalities, back into your hearts, again? Will you give out blessings to Earth?”

“I do.” They said and grew their wings.

“Michael and Gabriel, step forward.” They did a kneeled. My mom clasped her hand over her mouth as happy tears spilled over. “Do you accept the Heavenly role of the Archangels, back into your hearts, again? Will you protect us and all things physical?”

“I do.” They said and regained their wings.

“I’m so happy for all of you.” I murmured.

“Aimee, step forward.”

“What?”

“Aimee, step forward.” I cautiously did, wondering what he was going to say. “Do you accept the Heavenly role of Angel? Will you collect prayers from the humans and bring them to me? Will you guard individuals in need?”

“I… I do.” I smiled. I already had my wings, but I was overjoyed that God wanted to involve me in the ceremony.

“Aimee,” Reven said, pulling me to him. “You’re one of us now.” He brushed away my tears with his thumbs and kissed me. All of us were kissing. True love was so rare but, right now, I was surrounded by it.

My mom was crying tears of joy and started clapping. Xavier and all of the other angels started clapping too. This was all for me. My heart swelled to the point that I thought it would burst.

“I hate to ask but… Earth is my home. It always will be, no matter where I go. I would like to be able to back at times, but I will understand completely if you forbid it.” I kneeled in front of God, it felt natural.

“Rise, Aimee. This request is no surprise to me, and it brings me to my final decision.” We all held our breaths. “You may go wherever you please, as long as you don’t abandon and forget your duties.”

I squeezed Reven’s hand, smiling so much my cheeks hurt. “Thank you. I don’t know how I could even begin to start…”

“No, my dear child. You have done enough.” God kissed my forehead. “Thank you for all you have done.”

This was happiness, this was family, this was love, and this was everything I had ever wanted.