Chapter Eleven.

Molly came home one evening, surprised that the lights were switched off. She turned the key on her front door and opened it. She saw tea lights and candles lighted and white rose petals on the hardwood floors that formed a path. Molly smiled to herself and followed the trail of rose petals which led her all the way through the living room, kitchen down the back porch and the back yard. Michael was standing there and there was a small table with two chairs that looked like they were from her dining set. She saw the candles and tea lights on the ground.

"What's going on?" Molly asked him.

"We're having our first date like normal people do." Michael replied, a bright grin on his handsome face. Molly shook her head.

"I think you kinda over did it. For a first date."

"I saw it in some TV show somewhere..." Michael said with an easy shrug. "I thought it'd be romantic..." He then looked around before gazing at her.

"You don't like it?" He asked her.

"I mean..." Molly bit her lip. "It's nice..." She said awkwardly seeing the rose petals and tea lights. Michael had put in so much effort and she felt bad.

"I knew it was a bit much." Michael grumbled.

Molly smiled and just walked to him, pulling him close and wrapping her arms around him. She tilted her head up and Michael leaned forward nuzzling his nose on hers like he always did. It was one of the little things that Molly adored about him. How touchy feely he could be with her. He never shied away from showing her affection. It seemed to come naturally to him. Michael kissed her softly and she revelled in it. The feeling of his sweet, gentle kiss that she had grown so used to the past few weeks.

Michael pulled away and smiled at her, his arms still around her. "Come on. Let's eat. I bet you must be starving..."

He pulled the chair out for her and Molly sat down, impressed by his gentlemanly ways. Molly watched as Michael lifted the silver dish cover and giggled seeing the boxes of Chinese takeout.

"As you know I suck at cooking..." Michael said with a wry smile. "But I did hear that greasy Chinese takeout is something normal people do. Don't worry. It's vegetarian." He told her with a wink.

She shook her head and just laughed. Michael started digging in his wanton noodles and Molly tasted the vegetarian dumplings and fried rice. Michael poured sparkling grape juice for the both of them.

"So what did you do today?" Molly asked him.

"I was with Uriel..." Michael said. "He was explaining to me about the lack of natural resources and how it would affect the world. He says there'll be more chaos in times to come. More wars as people fight for basic things..."

"That's not a good thing." Molly commented and Michael nodded. He then let out a loud tired sigh. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do about this..."

"What do you mean?"

"This whole trying to save the world thing..." Michael said. "Bringing them back to God. I don't think I can do it."

"Don't be too hard on yourself. You're not Superman Michael..." Molly said with a sympathetic smile. She then looked closely at him seeing his thick black hair and deep blue eyes. There was abit of a similarity that Michael had with the superhero.

"Or actually..." She leaned and touched his hair. Michael just stood still, wondering what she was trying to do.

Molly smiled to herself a she managed to do a small curl on his temple imitating that of the Man of Steel. "There...perfect." She said and leaned back on her chair, smiling at him. Molly looked quite pleased with herself. "Now you look like him..."

"Superman?" Michael asked with a crooked smile as he touched the curl of his hair and Molly nodded. "So that means you're my Lois Lane?"

Molly laughed at that. "I think I suck at being a damsel in distress..."

"Well you did say you passed out from shock the first time you saw me." Michael reminded her with a teasing smile.

"That was different and you can't blame me." Molly frowned and crossed her arms. "People don't just appear in the living room surrounded by blinding bright light out of nowhere..."

Michael chuckled softly and stood up which made Molly looked at him rather curiously. "Come..." He said and took her hand lifting her up from her seat. He took a blanket that had been folded neatly under the table and wrapped it around her.

"What's going on?" She asked him softly.

"Part two of our date," He said with a flirty wink. Michael pulled her in his arms and even stretched out one arm imitating Superman. "Up up and away then."


Molly gasped and only held on to Michael closer, wrapping her arms around his neck as she leaned closer in his chest. Michael's wings were out, flapping and they were up in the air. Michael held her closer, afraid that she might slip. Molly looked down seeing the lights beneath, the roads and highways. The houses and buildings that looked like teeny matchboxes from above. She shivered from the cold and Michael sensing it, held her closer.

"Where are you taking me?" Molly asked him softly, half afraid that she would break whatever magic that seemed to weave around her since she stepped into her cottage that evening. It was all so surreal and yet magical. She was several hundred feet in the air in the arms of an angel. She laughed ironically inside. I've probably died and gone to heaven.

"Shh..." Michael whispered and kissed her lips. "I don't want to ruin the surprise."

"Fine..." Molly told him and rolled her eyes.

He laughed softly seeing it and Molly could see the buildings of downtown Atlanta. They started descending and Molly was surprised that they were right above the tree in Centennial Park. She looked down and saw that there was a large screen set up and many people were there having small picnics among themselves while they watched Audrey Hepburn as a lost princess in Rome.

"Old black and white movies in a park..." Michael muttered. Molly looked at him and smiled as he settled down on the branch of the large oak tree. He smiled back. "You told me how much you love Audrey Hepburn."

"And you got us the best seats," She beamed brightly at him.

"Only the best for my Molly..." Michael spoke and held her closer. She sighed and snuggled close leaning her head on his shoulder as they watched the movie. His Molly... She thought happily to herself. She was his Molly, Michael's Molly. It felt nice to belong to someone.

The date lasted till morning. After the movie in the park, Molly suddenly felt nostalgic and Michael had offered to fly her anyway she wanted to and she thought of home. Of Venus Cove and its sandy beaches. So that was where he brought her. They watched the sunrise ensconced in each other's arms. Molly snuggled close as the sun rose, coming right behind the ocean. She smelled the briny, salty air and felt the grains of sand beneath her feet.

Michael seemed to be staring at horizon, his eyes transfixed as he looked at the changing scenery with awe. The sky changing colors, the wind and sea breeze that blew through them. It was beautiful. Molly realized that she had missed home. The years spent on the beach with her family and friends. Venus Cove was where she grew up. She went to school there, made friends and also where she fell in love with the young music teacher not so long ago.

"Thank you..." Molly whispered and Michael looked at her. His deep blue eyes gazing lovingly into hers.

"This is the best first date I had ever had." Molly said with a serene smile.

"This won't be the last. I promise." He vowed and pulled her closer to him. Michael sighed and bent down to kiss her. Molly pulled away and smiled at him.

"Come on..." She said and took his hand. "I want to show you my old house and the neighbourhood where I grew up. But first we should have breakfast. There's this cute little place called Sweethearts Cafe that has the best waffles in town."

"Alright then..." Michael said as he followed her, letting her lead the way.


Gabriel was having breakfast at Sweethearts Cafe with Bethany and Xavier that morning. The Woods even brought their two children along. Three year old Isabelle and eight month old Alfie. Gabriel watched, seeing how Xavier seemed so pleasantly distracted as he held his daughter Isabelle in his arms. It was obvious that Xavier adored his little girl. Bethany was feeding Alfie his food. She looked at her brother and gave him a smile.

"I still can't believe you're a mother of two." Gabriel spoke in wonder. Bethany smiled brightly back. "It's the best feeling in the world." She sighed.

"Having children. I have never been this happy since my wedding day..." Bethany gently wiped the food from Alfie's mouth. Alfie started giggling to himself as he banged the tray of his high chair with his little fists. Bethany laughed softly seeing that

"You don't miss it at all?" Gabriel asked her. "Home. The Kingdom?"

Bethany looked pensive and breathed. "Of course I do. I miss it every day. I miss how everything is so serene and peaceful there but this is my home now..."

She looked out seeing Isabelle giggling as Xavier lifted Isabelle up and let her sit on his shoulders. She was such a little angel, Isabelle Woods with long wavy brown hair and her father's blue eyes. Bethany smiled, her daughter was happy and so was Xavier.

"But I have Xavier and my children now. They mean everything to me. I don't know what I'd do without them. I'd like to think that I have a little piece of heaven with me right here." Bethany then looked at her brother closer.

"You seem different..." Bethany said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" Gabriel asked her, his grey eyes narrowed.

"I don't know..." She said and pursed her lips. "You're always so sure of everything and now. You seem a little less sure."

"I'm just worried that Michael won't get his memories back." Gabriel said and cleared his throat lightly. He did not want Bethany to read too much into things.

"No..." Bethany uttered and studied him with the intensity of a scientist looking at some lab samples. "That's not it." She said and shook her head.

"You have something on your mind. I can tell..." Bethany gave a sneaky smile. "Or maybe it's someone?"

"You know I'm not one to be emotional Beth. Especially about anyone..." Gabriel said and frowned at his sister.

"You're too serious sometimes Gabriel..." Bethany sighed "You need to lighten up." She started laughing to herself and Gabriel wondered what was up.

"What is it?"

"I remember Molly telling me that you remind her of a statue sometimes like those concrete and marble angels in the cemetery..." Bethany said and covered her mouth to control her giggles.

"She said that?" Gabriel gave a small scowl, not appreciating the reference. Bethany nodded. "She had such a huge crush on you back then..." Bethany said a smile on her face as she reminisced.

"I told her that it was no use. You were never going to feel the same way but you know how stubborn Molly is..." Bethany said and started to play with Alfie's fingers. Bethany then looked at Gabriel. "You were like some knight in shining armor to her..."

Bethany breathed and Gabriel saw the worrisome look on her face. "What's wrong?"

"I worry for her. I think she's in love with Michael. It's serious this time."

"You talked to her?"

"We call each other sometimes," Bethany informed him. "Try to catch up as much as we can...She's my bestfriend Gabriel."

"Did she say anything?" Gabriel asked. He suddenly grew curious and wondered if Molly had said anything of importance to Bethany. Anything about him.

"She didn't have to say much..." Bethany said. "But I can tell you know. She had that hopeful sound to her voice. I just don't want her to get hurt. And it's different this time because Michael's being the perfect boyfriend to her. I mean at least with you. You were cold and distant..."

"You really think that?" Gabriel asked Bethany, taken aback by her words. "You think I'm cold?"

"You didn't want to lead her on Gabriel." Bethany explained. "I was there. I saw it, when Molly kissed you and professed her feelings."

Gabriel kept quiet and just looked at Alfie. The baby was staring at him with his big turquoise eyes. He looked like a mini Xavier with his walnut hair and blue eyes. Gabriel smiled at Alfie and he giggled happily back.

"You were truthful to her even though I thought it was quite insensitive and harsh." Bethany said.

"I wasn't really prepared for it." Gabriel responded. "It took me by surprise..."

"Well I don't know how Molly's going to get through it this time. Once Michael gets to his old self." Bethany said with a sympathetic sigh. "She's going to be heartbroken."

"Aunt Molly! Aunt Molly!"

Both Bethany and Gabriel looked out the window hearing Isabelle shouting in delight. They were surprised to see Molly walking towards the cafe with Michael next to her. Michael had his arm around Molly and Bethany only watched seeing how they both looked like any ordinary young couple walking down the streets but of course she knew better. Bethany then looked at Gabriel and realized that her brother was gazing at Molly, a little too intently than he should have. It reminded Bethany of how Xavier would look at her.

Gabriel walked out of the cafe and looked on. Isabelle had run towards Molly and she bent to carry the little girl in her arms. He smiled watching Isabelle kissing Molly's cheeks and Molly raining kisses on Isabelle's cherubic face. She'd be a wonderful mother...Gabriel thought, seeing how affectionate she was with Isabelle. He imagined Molly's children, vivacious, cheerful redheaded little ones with their infectious laughter and light blue eyes and it dwelled on him. He could not give Molly that kind of life. The life she deserved and one where she would be happy. He looked up and saw that Michael was holding Molly close, smiling at Isabelle as well. It occurred to Gabriel that Michael couldn't give her that life too.


Molly knocked on De Filvier's office and heard a youthful male voice telling her to come in. She didn't expect to see a young man dressed in what looked like a dark blue private school uniform, a shirt with tie, blazer and pants. He was sitting comfortably at De Filvier's desk. He was tall and lean with platinum blonde hair that was floppy and deep set jade green eyes. He had sharp cheekbones that gave a certain predatorial look. The young man gave her a sly look which Molly immediately frowned.

"You must be the PA..." He said, almost drawling out his words.

"And who might you be?" Molly asked him pointedly and crossed her arms.

"I'm Damien..." He grinned rather cockily. "Damien De Filvier...My father owns this place."

"Ah..." Molly nodded and gave a smirk. "Must be in the genes then.."

It explained a lot. Why Damien seemed so obnoxious and arrogant, he was Luc De Filvier's son. The proverbial apple did not fall far from the tree.

"You're not sleeping with him are you?" Damien asked, eyeing her closely. His eyes trailed up and down her figure and Molly hated it. The way he was sizing her up.

"Not that it's any of your business but No." Molly spoke and shot him a hostile glare. "My relationship with Mr De Filvier is entirely on a professional level."

"That's too bad..." Damien said with a shrug. "I was hoping that you could be my new stepmother..." He added acidly. Damien then gave a smile.

"So I guess that makes you available then?" He asked and rose from the chair walking towards her.

"I have a boyfriend." Molly said with a scowl. "And even if I didn't have one. You're too young for me..."

"I'll be eighteen in two months..." Damien said, smiling rather lasciviously at her. "Legal then..."

"Thanks but no thanks." Molly said and gave him a quick insincere smile. The door was opened and Molly turned to see De Filvier walking in.

"Ah Molly...you've met my son." De Filvier said with a polite smile.

"Charming." Molly commented, hoping that her sarcasm didn't show.

"Yes he is..." De Filvier flashed a grin. "Quite the charming sneaky little bastard..."

Damien only rolled his eyes hearing that. "Only because you didn't want to marry my mother." He retorted.

"Your mother is a whore Damien. Enough said." De Filver shot back before sighing in exasperation.

Molly was shocked seeing the sharp banter between father and son. It was a probably a norm for them to trade jabs. De Filvier then looked at her. "I hoped you've already packed. We should be leaving for Rome in three hours."

"You mean today?" She was flabbergasted to hear that. Molly had thought that the Roman trip was at the end of the month.

"Why yes..." De Filvier responded rather flippantly. "Didn't you get the memo Molly?"