Letters from a Lost Love
Chapter 11: Sacrificial Miracles, Part Two
The Valley of the Shadow
The first thing Ariella felt was cold.
She was floating in a tunnel, her mind dissociating from everything.
Where am I? What am I doing here?
She vaguely remembered dying, the wall coming down over her head.
Then nothing.
Her last thought had been of Michael, but she couldn't remember specifics.
Hello, Ariella.
Ariella saw Apollonia standing in front of her, smiling sadly.
"What happened? I remember dying, but…"
Yes. I'm sorry.
"Why did I have to die so tragically?"
We can't tell you. But everything has a purpose.
"We?"
A man was standing in the shadows, his eyes roaming over Ariella.
It's good to see you again.
Ariella gasped softly.
"Benjamin? What are you doing here?"
I'm here to help you through the Valley. We both are.
Apollonia and Benjamin stood on either side of Ariella.
"But how…"
We are your ministering angels. We are here to take you to see someone.
"Who?"
You'll see.
The three spirits (Ariella had to get used to thinking of herself in that way now) moved through the tunnel, Ariella growing colder with every step.
"Why is it so cold here?"
Apollonia and Benjamin glanced at each other, and Ariella caught the look.
"What?"
Apollonia replied, Everyone who comes here feels something different. Some feel warmth, some feel cold, some feel pain or joy. It depended on their lives in the other world. Your life was more difficult than most, so you feel cold. You're embodying the darkness around you. Not everyone does.
Ariella felt a slight warmth envelop her, but then it went away.
"What was that?"
Apollonia smiled at her.
That was Michael. He's here with you. Well, he's trying to be. But he can't fully reach you.
"I'm just glad he's trying."
I know.
"I'm sorry."
Why are you apologizing? I want him to be happy. And you make him very happy. I'm glad he has you for support.
Benjamin chimed in, I think I always knew you had strong feelings for Michael. I wasn't angry, though. I wanted you to be able to one day share your feelings with him and for him to reciprocate, and he did. And I'm glad I got to know you, Ariella. You made my last few months on Earth so special, even if you didn't love me the way I wanted you to. I loved you, and I still do.
"Why did you stay with me if you knew the truth?"
I knew you had a good heart, even with all your problems. Your love for Michael was so pure, even if you had a few roadblocks along the way. I knew one day he'd see what I saw. You made an effort to love me, and I appreciate it.
"You could have found a woman who returned your feelings."
I had a year left on Earth, Ariella. I felt it all the time. I didn't want to hurt another woman by getting involved with her and having her deal with my death. I knew you were strong enough to get through it.
"What's going to happen to Michael?"
You have to believe that he'll be all right.
"But this is the second time he's lost the woman he loves. How is he going to deal with it?"
I'm not going to tell you it'll be easy, because it won't, but trust me, he'll be all right. Eventually.
"I wish I could believe you."
Believe us. We're here to guide you.
They stopped suddenly, and Apollonia said, We must go now, but we will be with you if you need us.
"What? Where are you going?"
But it was too late.
Ariella McGyver Corleone.
Ariella looked up to see a man standing in front of her. He looked harmless enough, but his eyes told a different story. Ariella had no doubt this man would destroy her if given the chance.
Worry not. You are safe with me.
"Who are you?"
I am Michael the archangel.
Ariella was speechless.
She was about to kneel, but he stopped her.
No, my daughter. I am not the one who needs your reverence.
"Why are you here? I mean…"
I am not offended, Ariella. I'm here to help you. Come with me.
Barely a second passed, and Ariella was in a different place.
"Is that…"
Yes. You cannot interfere.
Ariella watched as her husband's soul was being tortured over and over again.
"Please, stop. Don't hurt him."
This is what will happen to him if he does not repent.
"But none of it was his fault! You must see that!"
He had other choices. He could have walked away.
"His father was shot and there was no one else to step up and do what needed to be done."
That may be true, but that does not excuse his behavior.
"What would you have done in his place? Allow your family to be destroyed?"
Do not pass your place with me, Ariella. You will not like the consequences.
Ariella bowed her head, chastised.
Michael lifted her chin, looking into her eyes.
It's all right. I do not hate you for being worried over the state of his soul. But you must understand, every man is given a free will. What they do with that free will is their business, but every action has a consequence.
"I know, but I can't…I can't watch him being tortured like this."
There's nothing you can do. This is all up to him.
"What if I could change that? Let me take his place. Please."
You would do that? You would risk your soul for him? There's no guarantee that he will repent.
"It doesn't matter. I won't let him suffer for what he had to do."
You know that the only way you will get out of this is if he repents. Otherwise, you will be here until Judgement Day. Do you understand?
"I do, and I still say I want to take his place."
Greater love hath no man than this than that he lay down his life for a friend.
Michael took Ariella's hands in his.
If you're willing to do this, I will not stop you. However, since you have requested this of your own volition, your punishment will not be as horrible as his.
"What do you mean?"
You will still be tortured, just not as badly. If and when he repents, I will come to you again. At that time, you will receive certain instructions. For now, step into the lake of fire.
"What?"
It is not as bad as it seems. Not for you, anyway.
Ariella steeled her resolve, then did as she was instructed.
At the first feel of fire on her body, she wanted to scream, but held it in by sheer willpower.
You don't need to be a martyr, Ariella. You're one of few here. Not too many people are willing to sacrifice themselves for someone. Look around.
Ariella looked, and saw other people with her.
One woman said, "My son went on a killing spree. I still don't know what possessed him. But he's in Paradise now. I think you're the only one here who sacrificed yourself for your spouse. You must really love him."
"I do. He's done some bad things, but I love him regardless."
"I hope he knows how lucky he is."
"Believe me, I hope so too."
The Corleone Compound
Michael Corleone paced up and down his room, not seeing anything around him.
Connie and Neri had tried to talk to him, but he didn't care.
Nothing mattered, now that his wife was dead.
Michael's eyes fell on a picture on the dresser, taken a month after his wedding to Ariella.
She had been so beautiful, her red hair caressed by the wind, her eyes bright with happiness. That smile that never failed to make Michael catch his breath.
Michael crumpled to the floor, sobbing.
How could life be this cruel to him, to take the love of his life from him not once, but twice?
"Oh, Mikey."
A pair of arms helped him up.
Michael stared in amazement and disbelief.
"Fredo?"
His older brother nodded.
"Yep. I'm here."
"How? How is this even possible?"
"I'll tell you later."
"Do you know how many times I've wanted to see you, to tell you I'm sorry?"
"I know. Why do you think I came to you that night?"
"So that shadow…that was you. Why were you here?"
"When you finally admitted to Connie that you'd had me killed, I knew things had changed."
"Fredo, I am so sorry. I should never have…"
"No, Mikey. No. I should never have betrayed you. I wanted to tell you, that day in Cuba, but I couldn't do it. I was such a coward. I'm so sorry. I should have respected you as the don. Can you ever forgive me?"
"Of course I forgive you, Fredo. You're my brother, and I love you."
Fredo gave him a soft smile.
"I love you too, Mikey. I love you too."
Fredo took his brother's hand and kissed it.
"What are you doing?"
"Giving you the respect you deserve. Like I should have done years ago," Fredo replied.
"No. I'm trying to be legitimate now. Besides, I owe you one."
Michael hugged his brother tightly.
"I should never have ordered your death. I was wrong to do so. No matter what you did, you were still my brother."
"You just wanted to show the other families that you weren't to be trifled with. I understand that now. I didn't then. There's a lot of things I understand now that I've been on the other side."
"Tell me about them."
"I know you put up walls to protect yourself, but deep down inside, you're scared that you won't be taken seriously. You're scared that Ariella will leave you, even though she's proven herself to you multiple times over the past forty-three years. She loves you."
"And wasn't I right? Isn't she gone? Just like Apollonia. I'm not meant for love, am I?"
"You can't think like that, Mikey. Things will work out."
"How are you so optimistic?"
"That's just the type of guy I am."
Fredo was glad to see a smile cross his brother's face.
"Now, how can I make you feel better?"
"I'm guessing you can't bring her back."
"No. But I can bring you someone else. For now. But before I do that, I need to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"I forgive you for everything, but you need to forgive yourself. I don't hold anything against you."
Michael was astonished.
"You're a far better man than I am, Fredo. I'm sorry I never saw that before."
"It's all right. For the longest time I was afraid of you."
"And now?"
"I'm not, and I'm glad about that."
"But you have to go back."
"I do. But whenever you need me, just think about me, okay?"
"I will."
Fredo was about to disappear, when Michael pulled him closer.
"Don't leave just yet."
"What are you doing?"
Michael hugged him again.
"I need you. I need to feel something other than pain right now. Is that okay?"
"Of course it's okay, Mikey."
Fredo squeezed his brother's hand gently.
"I'll always be with you. And so will she."
Michael held on to his brother, trying not to let the pain overwhelm him.
"You can cry. I won't judge you. No one will," Fredo told him.
So Michael did just that. Fredo simply sat and waited for him to cry himself out.
"I can't believe I'll never see her again. I never even got to say goodbye."
"I know."
"Is she at least at peace?"
"I can't tell you that. I don't know."
"I hope she is. She deserves it."
Michael and Fredo sat in silence for a while, then Michael asked, "Have you seen Sonny?"
Fredo smiled. "Yes. He's happy you found someone to love you. He says he's sorry for underestimating you."
"Can he come here?"
"Not right now. He's busy guiding a group of people through the Valley."
"The Valley?"
"The Valley of the Shadow. Like in Psalms 23."
"Oh."
"Everyone who dies has a ministering angel to guide them throughout the next stage of eternity."
"Who was yours?"
"Sonny. And his was Connie's twin."
"But her twin died in childbirth."
"That didn't matter."
"What about…"
"Ariella's was Apollonia. And Benjamin. But that's all I can tell you."
"Apollonia? You saw her?"
"Yes. She's fine. She's happy for you."
"I miss her so much."
"She misses you too. She still loves you. Like Benjamin still loves Ariella."
"Do you think Ariella will go back to him? Now that…"
"No. For starters, there is no marriage in heaven. Secondly, Ariella has a different destiny. But I cannot share that with you."
"You don't have to. I don't need to know everything. I'm just glad Ariella is seemingly okay. What about Pop and Mama?"
"They're okay. Pop is disappointed in you, though. But I told him not to be too hard on you, you were just trying to be strong like he was. He told me he never wanted this life for you, but he's happy you had Ariella by your side."
"Has he seen her?"
"I don't know. I really can't tell you anything. And I have to go."
"You said you were going to send someone to me."
"Yes. When I'm gone, look under the bed."
"I will."
"Bye, Mikey. I'll come back soon."
"Bye, Fredo. And thank you."
Fredo disappeared, and Michael sighed.
It wasn't going to be easy without Ariella.
A laugh jolted him from his thoughts.
Michael looked under the bed as his brother had told him, and saw a little girl with red curls and big green eyes staring back at him.
"What are you doing under there?" he asked.
The little girl giggled.
"Playing, Daddy."
"Let's get you out, okay?"
Michael knelt down, lifted the girl out from under the bed and set her on her feet.
She toddled towards him, wrapping her little hands around his neck.
"I hug Daddy."
Michael picked her up, giving her a soft smile. She was absolutely adorable.
"What's your name, little one?"
"Elise."
Michael choked back a sob.
This was his daughter, his and Ariella's.
Elise looked so much like her mother it made Michael's heart hurt.
Elise patted his cheek.
"Mommy's all right, Daddy. She'll be back soon."
"How do you know?"
"I just know," Elise replied, with all the wisdom of a two-year old.
Michael looked into his daughter's eyes, and lost his heart to her then and there.
"I'm hungry."
"What would you like to eat?" her father asked, settling her properly against him.
"Pizza!"
"Pizza? That's a lot for a little girl."
"I'm not little, I'm a big girl!" Elise said indignantly, wrinkling her nose.
"My apologies, princess. What would you like on your pizza?"
"Cheese, of course."
Michael tried not to laugh.
"Anything else?"
"Just cheese, please."
"All right, then. Pizza it is."
Michael opened the door of his room to find Neri waiting outside.
"Neri, this is my daughter, Elise. Elise, this is Al Neri, a friend of mine."
Elise stuck out her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Neri."
Neri smiled at Elise.
"You can call me Al, okay sweetie?"
"Okay."
Neri turned to Michael, a question in his eyes.
"I'll explain later. Right now we're going to get some pizza." Michael told him.
"I'll tell Connie."
"But I want us to make the pizza. Please, Daddy?" Elise pleaded.
Neri hid a smile as he watched Michael interact with his daughter.
Even a cold-hearted Mafia leader like Michael couldn't resist the puppy-eyes his daughter was giving him.
Michael sighed.
"Whatever you want, Elise. But no touching the stove, all right?"
"All right. Can you set me down, please?"
Once she was on the ground again, Elise placed her little hand in her father's.
"Pizza time!"
Michael smiled, ruffling his daughter's hair.
Neri knew then, that no matter what happened in the coming months, everything would be all right.