She laughed freely as they twirled around, her arms open wide, her head thrown back as she was swallowed by the euphoria of it all. They slowed to a stop, until they swayed around like the twirls of the breeze, and she leaned forward, lifting herself up with her little fingers curled over his shoulders.
"When do you leave?"
"Come morning."
She stuck her little lip out, leaning forward, curling her arms around his neck instead. He chuckled softly and pressed a kiss up under her ear.
"For how long?"
"For only a week."
"But that's too long, Micha!"
The oldest archangel smiled at her soft whine and swayed them around, rocking his arms slightly, dancing them gentle beneath the stars of their garden.
"Will you miss me?"
"Always, baby girl, always." He rocked her until she seemed to calm down, leaning lazily against him, "Do you want me to tell you a story, before I go?"
Akeelah nodded against his cheek, "Yes please."
Michael nodded, rocking her still, as he lowered them both to the soft warm grass, the garden illuminated by the bright full moon, covered in a blanket of stars. She settled comfortably on his chest and he rubbed a hand over her back soothingly.
"What story do you want to hear, my heart?"
Her eyes looked up at him, twinkling like the stars above, "The one about the sun and the moon."
"Your wish is my command" he kissed her head lightly and curled an arm up behind his head "Make yourself comfortable, little one."
She cuddled down and hugged his arm to her chest, waiting silently and patiently for her story, and he curled her closer.
"One day, the Sun and the Moon had a quarrel as to who was the stronger of the two."
He smiled down at her, her attention unwavering as she hung onto every word in a silent enjoyment, and he kissed her nose lightly.
"The two argued with each other for ages and finally the Sun declared that the Moon could not shine if the Sun's light did not fall on it and illuminate it."
She yawned largely and cuddled back down.
"To prove his might and utility, the Moon proudly replied, 'You burn the earth with your heat and give light, but when I shine at night women come outdoors to spin in the moonlight.'"
The archangel scratched lightly at the fledglings head in the way he knew she liked.
"On hearing this, the Sun became so angry that he picked up some mud and flung it at the Moon's face."
She giggled sleepily against his chest, "Like I did to Luci?"
"Just like you did to Luci, little heart." She cuddled back down again, and he resumed his story "The Moon tried to get out of the way but couldn't and the mud got stuck to him."
He felt her breathing start to even out and he looked up to the sky above them.
"It is believed that since then the Moon has dark spots on its face, where the Sun threw mud at it."
And he felt sleep take its hold over his dear little fledgling and smiled up at the stars. It would be a long week, while he was away, but the thought of getting back to her would get him through it.