25
Thy Father
Wake up, sweetheart.
She opened her eyes and the white glow nearly blinded her until the dullness of the night sky became clear.
"You're alive." Her breath caught in her throat when she looked up at Jace.
"Of course she's alive. That was the bravest thing anyone could ever do to protect the people she loved."
Jace looked up and she looked over as a bright figure approached them. Jace helped her stand and she looked forward at the approaching figure.
"Gabriel," she muttered.
"I am not Gabriel to you," he answered. "I am father."
"…Father…" Tears escaped her eyes. She released Jace and began to slowly approach before she broke into a run and wrapped her arms around the Angel's waist before thinking of her actions. When the thought actually came to mind, he was already encircling his arms around her.
"I have been waiting for this moment for seventeen years," Gabriel told her. "I have missed you my daughter; my princess."
The word did not disturb her and it felt amazing to be called that.
"Now you have your wings. Are you ready?" His voice was soothing to her. She was listening to her father speak to her.
"Yes, father," she muttered.
A whine came to her ears before a light weight was on her hip along with her fathers. They looked at Sadie, who was standing with them.
"Ah, Sadie," Gabriel cooed. "I've missed you as well. You've always been such a loyal companion. Are you ready to come home?"
Sadie let out an enthusiastic bark but after a moment her face sort of fell and she dropped.
"What is it, girl?"
She ran in the direction behind Leigh-Ann. She released Gabriel and looked behind her.
Jace was bent down next to her and scratching her ears.
Leigh-Ann knew what she was saying and a tear escaped her eye.
What about Jace and the others? Sadie's eyes said it all. Jace looked to her and locked his eyes with hers. He stood up and cautiously began approaching her and she could tell he was wondering if he should do that. But he did and stopped just inches from her.
"I guess…this is goodbye…" he muttered, looking down at her.
"…I…I guess…it is…"
"Can I have one of those Angel kisses one last time?"
She looked down to see that he had intertwined their fingers together and then looked back up at him, longingly and nodded.
His other hand cupped her chin and he leaned down and kissed her.
So many emotions were going through her head. This wasn't just any kiss; no this was more than that.
This was a sad kiss that said "goodbye" and "I love you".
Before she knew it, it was over and he was backing away from her.
"No…" she muttered to herself.
"I love you, Leigh-Ann Grace Taylor. Don't ever forget that."
Her lip quivered.
"It's time to go home, Leigh-Ann." Gabriel's voice sounded happy and relieved.
But why didn't she feel the same?
She turned to him to see him slowly walking away. When he realized she wasn't following, he turned to her.
"Come on, Leigh-Ann." He beckoned her.
The words she was not expecting to, escaped her mouth. "I want to stay here, father."