11
The day Gabriel dreaded had finally come. He fought the panic that bubbled in his chest as he looked at his wife examining her crows feet in the mirror. Snow was aging and soon it would be evident that he wasn't. So when Snow left for work and David was off to one of his soccer games Gabriel flew to the one place he hadn't been in almost a thousand years.
Heaven didn't change. Gabriel wasn't entirely sure it could change. Maybe that was why his father wanted to close the place up for good. The long stretches of business like hallways, the countless doors of personal heavens, the vast fields that the angels lived in…it was all the same. So when Gabriel found his own personal section of cloud he sat and he looked down on earth. The people bustled about, living lives that were terribly short and looking for their own slice of happiness. Gabriel had found his, knew his place in the world and for once was content to be there. He had Snow, a woman who loved him fiercely and passionately. He had David, his son in every way that mattered. He had a home, a life, a family. Gabriel smiled to himself.
"Sir?" came a hushed voice from over his shoulder. Gabriel turned to see an angel looking at him in awe.
"Yeah kid?" he asked crossing his arms over his chest.
"I don't mean to disturb you, but some of us were wondering…are you back?" the man asked nervously.
"Back? What do you mean?" Gabe asked.
"Are you coming back to heaven? Are you here to lead us?" the angel held such hope in his voice, such a desperate need to have someone tell him what to do.
"Sorry, but I'm definitely not back." Gabriel shook his head.
"But…you're the last archangel. We need you." the angel pleaded.
"Why can't you guys understand? You don't need anyone. God left, he left to see if you could figure it out on your own. Then came the archangels with their destiny and war and you followed like blind sheep. When they fell it was Castiel, someone who had no idea what he was doing and you followed him blindly as well. Listen kid and listen good cause this is the last decree I'll ever make in heaven; live. Go and watch the humans, see how they make it through their little lives and try it. Now go, spread the word." Gabriel waved his hand in dismissal and with fear on his face the angel disappeared. Would he go and tell the others what Gabriel had said? Probably. Would they listen? No, because his father had erred when he made angels. They followed orders and without those orders they were lost. Gabriel turned back to the edge of heaven and with a firm nod made his decision.
Gabriel looked around to make sure there were no more straggling angels around before he flared his golden wings high above his head. They were enormous compared to the other angels, archangels having the largest of the wings in heaven. Sadly he preened the feathers that barely saw the light of day any more. He had always loved his wings, even his brothers were envious of their magnificent color. Especially Luci. As he stroked the feathers he let his mind wander back to his days in heaven with his three closest brothers and though they were fond memories they did not warm him like when he thought of Snow and David. Sighing heavily Gabriel stood up, flexed his wings, closed his eyes and fell from heaven.
"GABRIEL, ARCHANGEL AND MESSENGER OF GOD, HAS FALLEN!"