Putting things right

Chapter 2: The gift

the water trickled down the stream and the sun laid its heavy rays down on it making it shimmer so beautifully. Children played in the background not to far away and an elder woman sat alone on the grass atop a blanket, her beauty never a thing of question to anyone. It was peaceful here she thought, but that's how it should be. A bird flew down a creped forward inch by inch close to the picnic she had laid out. Watching she kept very still and silent as she loved watching the birds. She knew what he was after she just wanted to see if he was brave enough to do it. Just as the bird got close to the bread crumbs a young boy leashed his arms around her neck laughing loudly pulling her down to her side frightening the bird away.

"Grandma! Grandma!" The young boy called and she smiled as she turned around to the boy now lying on the floor beside.

"Mathew!" She almost laughed, secretly her heart was racing he really scared her this particular time.

"I'm sorry grandma I couldn't resist" Mathew replied in his sweet tone that melted her heart. Smiling evilly she pinned him down and began to tickle him. Both laughed for almost half an hour until an older man approached. The man looked very healthy, his hair was long but pony tailed back behind his head. He smiled his eyes were a beautiful brown and his hair was golden, it shone in the sunlight. Walking over he sat down next to his son and his mother before he could say anything though, the young boy leaped on him and sat on his legs curling himself into his father's chest.

"He reminds me of you at his age" Elizabeth Martin laughed and looked at her son Gabriel who smiled back and wrapped his arms around the young boy's waist.

"I was never such a pain was I?" He laughed as the young boy looked up at his father

"I'm not a pain!!" Mathew smiled and put his hands on his hips. Elizabeth and Gabriel both laughed as the young boy jumped up and ran off to play.

Looking dearly at Gabriel, Elizabeth reached over a touched his cheek lightly, she could tell something was troubling him but she didn't understand what.

"Gabriel please...Tell me what's troubling you let me in to your heart" Elizabeth questioned. Reaching up he put his hand on hers and brought it down to his lap holding it lightly, looking into his mothers eyes he searched for an answer he could give her that wouldn't break her heart...But he couldn't find one. Letting go of her hand he spoke soft but gentle not making eye contact with her

"Mother...I've been called"

"Called?" Elizabeth answered sounding rather worried

"Yes called...by God" Gabriel replied in his uneasy tone but continued before his mother could interrupt him.

"He has told me I will be returning to earth...to the living world I..." he tried but she broke free and stood up in front of him turning around.

"Why you? Why are you going? Are you coming back?"

"Mother please let me finish" Gabriel spoke once again and stood up behind her turning her to face him.

"They are sending me back to help father he..." And once again he was cut off now by a more than worried mother and wife.

"Benjamin....What's wrong with him? Is he okay? Oh my word..." She trailed off letting a tear slipped from her face.

"Mother he's fine more healthier than ever or so I've been told"

"Then why should he need you and not me? Why?" she questioned

"Because of this...he said turning his head slightly to the side and looking nodding in his direction to a younger girl. Susan Martin stepped closer in she could see her mother's reaction to her; after all she was the youngest of the group of children and was definitely the last person her mother would expect to see in heaven. Stopping half way she looked at her mother who looked totally different to how she thought she would look.

"Mother" Susan barely spoke above a whisper. Elizabeth stared at her daughter, her heart feeling as if it might shatter into a million pieces. Not caring anymore she ran over to her daughter and almost knocked her over as she wrapped her arms around her so tightly. Gabriel looked on as he watched his mother cry her heart out as did Susan.

After a short while Gabriel knew he had to get going and looked at his mother and sister as they sat on the blanket talking about anything and everything that they could. Thinking it best not to say goodbye he began to walk away a soft glow of light gathering in front of him.

"Gabriel wait!" Elizabeth called as she stood and ran across to him

"I...Take care" she whispered and kissed his cheek softly. Smiling Gabriel nodded and looked at the light then back at his mother

"Take care of Anne and the children for me whilst I'm gone please" He asked knowing she would anyway. Smiling Elizabeth nodded as Thomas ran up to them both

"Say hi from me too Gabriel" Thomas asked smiling. Nodding Gabriel shook his brother's hand and walked into the distance disappearing into the light.