Chapter 8: Epilogue
Two ear buds protruded from the angel's ears, replaying Alfred's memories from heaven in blue vial. He walked in a trance, not paying attention to the world around him – he was living in the past.
"…you'll be destroyed for holding an angel captive." "Is that man an angel or a demon?" "…heaven smells weird…" "Wake up from your dream, Arthur. You're head's been in the clouds your entire life! Literally! People screw up. People are bad. That's why hell exists." "…either love or hate." "Everyone deserves to keep their memories, bad or good…" "…you were one of those tea-loving-English-pricks, weren't you?" "Is it considered 'heavenly' to never wear underwear or something?" "Why is it that love is so fragile, yet so resilient?"
Two days floated by in this manner, before Arthur was sent down to earth on a simple mission, obviously to distract him from his grief: retrieve a soul.
His patient wasn't quite ready for him though – she was still clutching a bundle to her chest protectively.
A baby?
Arthur stood in the room resolutely, watching the mother weakly stroke her newborn child's face. Her strength was already failing her, her eyesight fading.
"Alfred…" the woman whispered imploringly, cuddling up to the child.
Alfred? Arthur's interest perked, and he slipped out the ear buds. The baby's name is Alfred?
Peering over the mother's shoulder, Arthur poked his fingers into the blanket, lifting it to the side to get a better view.
A pair of luminous blue eyes stared up at him, obviously seeing Arthur.
A human baby shouldn't be able to do that…Arthur blinked in surprise. But then again, Arthur smirked, Alfred always was exceptional when it came to what you can and can't do…
Arthur was beginning to feel giddy with excitement.
The baby giggled up at Arthur, reaching out to him with chubby pink hands.
"Yes, Alfred." Arthur rolled his eyes, delighted for the first time in what seemed like forever. "I will be your guardian angel."
Author's Note: Yay for happy(ish) endings! Please review and let me know what you think! I think I'll go write a police/prisoner fic now...let's see if that actually happens :)