CHAPTER TWELVE
(chapter title – A View From The Heavens)

Mark blinked a few times, letting his eyes adjust to the light. Adjusting his glasses, he saw four figures running over to him.

"Mark!" a brown-haired figure called. Mark's jaw dropped to the ground – it couldn't be, could it?

"Katie?" Mark asked. The brown haired figure nodded and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him everywhere.

"She missed you, Mark." A deeper voice sounded. Mark pulled away from Katie's kisses and walked over to Collins.

"Hey man." Collins greeted him as Mark hugged him.

"Where the hell am I?" Mark wanted to know.

"You're in heaven, sweetie." Angel answered. She looked even more beautiful than the last time Mark had seen her.

"Where's Mimi?" Mark asked, looking around.

"I'm right here, Marky." Mimi's voice sounded. Mark turned around and smiled – she looked absolutely stunning. The four of them showed Mark around Heaven – the game room, a restaurant, the men's rooms, the women's rooms, the Jacuzzi, the exercise room and the pool. I never knew that there were all these things up here Mark thought.

"This place is simply amazing." Mark told them.

"I know." Katie purred, wrapping an arm around Mark's waist. Mark smiled at her and kissed her forehead.

"Mark! You gotta see this!" Mimi called. Katie pulled Mark over to where Mimi, Angel and Collins were standing.

"What is it, Meems?" Mark asked.

"This is called the Viewing Room. You can look down and see anybody you want to see." Mimi explained.

"Could I see what Jennifer, Roger, Sara, Christopher, Maureen, Tiffany and Joanne are doing?" Mark asked. Angel nodded and pulled back some clouds so that Mark could look down and see what they were up to.

Jennifer, Roger, Sara, Christopher, Maureen, Tiffany and Joanne were sitting in the loft, eating pizza and talking.

"What's gonna happen to me now that dad's gone?" Jennifer asked.

"You're gonna live with Sara and I, Jennifer." Roger told her, taking a sip of his Diet Coke.

"I miss Dad." Sara announced, taking a small bite of her pizza. Mark felt tears in his eyes.

"We all do, sweetie." Joanne told her, rubbing her back in a circular motion. Sara then excused herself and ran to her room without another word.

"Poor kid." Maureen said. She knew that Mark and Sara had been really close.

"I know. She'll eventually get over it." Roger's eyes filled with tears. Mark shook his head and stood up.

"They miss you, Marky, especially Sara." Mimi told him, putting an arm on his shoulder. Mark smiled slightly at her and turned to the others.

"How did I get here?" Mark wanted to know.

"Mark, baby, you died." Katie told him, kissing him again.

"I know I died, Kate. But it wasn't my time…" Mark's voice trailed off as Collins cut him off.

"I know, Mark. It doesn't have to be your time. It wasn't my time – or Angel's, or Mimi's or Katie's. We don't get to decide when we die. Somebody decides for us." The philosopher explained.

"Oh. Okay." Mark felt more comfortable now that he knew what was going on. Just then Mimi yawned.

"What time is it?" Mark asked.

"Nine-thirty. Time for bed." Collins told him, guiding him to the men's room. Mark said goodnight to Mimi and Katie as they headed to the girl's room.

"Where's Angel going?" Mark asked.

"I'm right here, silly." Angel answered, taking Collins' hand. Collins smiled and kissed her cheek. As Collins opened the door for Mark, he heard a ringing in his ears. Shaking his head, he went to a bed that was nearest to the window and made himself comfortable. He could hear Collins and Angel not too far away from where he was sleeping. They were giggling and kissing each other. Mark turned over on his side and fell asleep, ignoring the couple as he slept.