In the heart of Heaven was a great mansion that belonged to Providence. It stood three stories high and was painted in brilliant white and gold, standing out spectacularly amongst the glowing celestial gardens that surrounded it. Attached to it was a grandiose workshop where Providence spent much of Her time creating new things, including Her angel companions and Her new little Mephistopheles. She hoped that someday this newest creation would be at Her side in the workshop as Her assistant, second opinion and dearest friend...

But that would have to wait. For now, he needed to be properly cared for so that he could grow strong and healthy, and since Providence still had much work to do elsewhere – expanding Her realm and continuing to improve it – She was going to need a little help caring for him. So, She called upon two of Her most loyal angels, Gabriel and Michael.

Providence smiled as She saw the two of them enter the room. Michael, so energetic, and Gabriel, so nervous and reserved. She chuckled, then said softly, "Boys, you ready for your new assignment?"

Gabriel nodded sagely, and Michael crowed, "Yeah! What're we gonna do? Gather star dust? Bring up some of that gooey sea weed?"

Their maker grinned and reached into a small cage-like structure behind Her.

"Nope. You two…" She turned and showed them the wriggling little boy in purple pajamas, "...are going to look after your little brother."

Both of them cautiously approached, amazed by the little red-headed toddler. Gabriel asked slowly, "So…this is a baby angel? I thought this was Sandalphon's department."

"Sandy," Michael corrected him. "She likes to be called 'Sandy.'"

Gabriel just rolled his eyes.

Providence cooed as She adjusted Her hold on the child, stating, "Usually, yes. But I finally made what I wanted, so he's special. That's why I'm giving babysitting duty to you two. You're the ones I trust most with him. He's going to grow up to be very important."

Michael was excited.

"Aww, man, he's so tiny!" he exclaimed. "Can we throw him around? He can fly already, right?"

"No, no, no, no, no – no throwing just yet."

She laughed, making Her tiny passenger giggle happily as well. Then She continued.

"No, I just need you two to take care of him while I'm busy creating. Keep him safe and happy, play with him – gently." Providence gave Michael a look. "Teach him how to talk properly and that kind of thing. I'll be doing a lot with him, but you guys get to help."

The little angel's downy wings were fluttering as he nuzzled into Prov's shoulder, clearly sleepy. Gabriel gave a solemn look and said pompously, "We would be honored to accept this mission from you, My Lady."

His cohort nodded vigorously: "Yeah, for real!" This earned Michael an elbow to the side for his "casual attitude."

Providence was pleased with them, and handed over Her project to Gabriel, causing the child to whimper. He'd never been held by anybody else.

"His name is Mephistopheles, and he'll probably settle down once you put him in his bed."

She gave the toddler a soft pat on the head, assuring him, "This is your brother Gabriel, Mephy. He and Michael are going to take care of you while I'm busy, okay? You be a good little boy."

Gabriel carried the small angel down the hall, Michael following behind him.

"Y'know, Gabe," said Michael, "I don't really get why Her Grace made this little guy...or all those other babies...but you gotta admit, he's pretty cute."

Gabriel looked down at their new brother, who was still fussing a bit in his arms but seemed to be getting tired. "Yes...I suppose so."

He opened the door to the room that Providence had set aside for her latest creation—he was to be the only angel to live alongside Her in the mansion. It was decorated in peaceful blue pastel tones, with a star and cloud motif on the bedding and floor rug. Gabriel placed Meph in the small golden cradle and tucked him in, pleased when the baby angel went to sleep shortly afterwards.

"Well, that wasn't so bad," said Gabriel quietly.

Michael nodded. "Yeah, this'll be easy! A piece of angel food cake!"

Meph started crying. Softly at first, but it soon got progressively louder.

"Or...maybe not..."

Looking around frantically, Gabriel found a cute purple rattle on one of the bedside tables and shook it in Meph's face. "Shhh, it's all right, it's all right..."

Meph just swatted the rattle away and kept crying.

"L-Lemme try something, Gabe," Michael went over to the cradle and leaned over his crying brother, covering his eyes and then uncovering them. "Peek a boo!"

Meph blinked at him for a second, then went back to wailing and screaming, kicking the blanket off himself and wriggling around.

"What's wrong with him?" Michael yelled. "Does he miss Her Grace or what?!"

Shaking his head, Gabriel was about to open the door when Providence Herself came in.

"What happened? I could hear him all the way to my workshop!"

While She picked up the desperately upset toddler, Gabriel explained, "We don't know. He just started whining, and then he cried, and then he screamed!"

Prov shushed the baby, who began hiccupping in his tears and burying his head in Her shoulder.

"Oooh, I think I know what's wrong. Come here, baby, let me help you." She snapped her fingers and materialized a little green sippy cup with tiny suns painted on it. "Here you go, little guy. I got you."

Meph sniffled and took his cup, drinking the contents and quieting down.

Michael slowly lowered his hands from his ears. "What's that for?"

Providence held Her tiny creation close as She explained. "This is milk for his stomachaches. I made him with fire and lava, and it makes his poor little tummy get upset now and then. Isn't that right, sweetheart?"

Her question was answered by a little kicking, and a bit of a smile.

"Yeah, there's my happy little man."

Prov nuzzled him, then turned to the angels. "I'm sorry, boys; I forgot to tell you about the lava. I'll make sure you have a good supply of milk for him from now on."

Gabriel stared at his little brother, who was now getting sleepy again. "He…has to consume things? He feels pain?"

Surprised by this reaction, Prov nodded. "Er…yes. I told you he was special."

Michael grinned. "Woooow, we really do have to take care of him. He's almost like an animal!"

"No." This comment apparently made Prov very unhappy. "He is not an animal. He's an angel just like the rest of you. He's just capable of more. I made him to be my companion. He has the capability to choose, and to feel. Do you understand? Both of you?"

Taken aback by her anger, the two angels nodded, answering in unison, "Yes, my Lady."

"Good."

She smiled again, taking the empty cup and setting Meph back down in his bed. "Now you let him sleep, and I'll be back later to check on you three." Kissing the toddler on the head, She got up and patted the other two boys on the back. "You can handle it from now on."

Gabriel's eyes narrowed as he watched his maker leave the room.

"I don't like this, Michael. With choice, and without absolute loyalty, there is room for…disobedience."

Michael nodded. "Yeah, but he's so little. What harm could he do?"

"He will grow, Michael. And we'll be waiting when that happens." Gabriel glared at the dozing child angel.

The seeds of rivalry were already germinating.