Here you are my lovelies! I hope you enjoyed the last chapter and enjoy this one! I'm so excited for the season finale of Dominion! :D I've got some more planning of chapters to do before I get another one out, so hang tight everybody! Thank you for the reviews/likes/follows! You guys rock! xoxo
Michael and Alex stared at Gabriella, stunned by the revelations she had just brought forth, and at the tattoos growing on her. "We need to get her to safety" Michael said sternly, lifting her in his arms as he stood. Alex grabbed the book and tossed it into his pack, following after them.
They made their way cautiously out to the humvee, checking to make sure there was no sight or sound of danger. Alex pulled the door open for Michael and watched as he laid Gabriella across the back seats, moving around to the other side of the humvee to hold her head in his lap. Alex shut the door and climbed behind the wheel, his whole body tense.
He drove back to the B&B like a bat out of hell, with Michael cautioning him to slow down. When they came to a stop in front of the house Michael lifted Gabriella out of the car and carried her into the house.
He walked into the sun filled living room and laid her gently on the couch, scared and worried that she still hadn't woken up. He sat on the solid wood coffee table in front of the couch, watching her. Alex stood, watching them both, his heart wrenching. He knew how much Michael cared for Gabriella, despite pretending otherwise.
He too cared for her, though he thought of her more as a little sister. He was worried sick about her and Michael, and he didn't know what to do for them. "Is there anything I can do Michael?" he asked softly. Michael shook his head and continued to watch Gabriella. Alex shook his head gently and walked away, heading to his room with the book; maybe there was something useful in it.
Michael sat watching Gabriella, fear gripping his heart tight. He didn't think that his father would reveal her to be the Chosen one for Heaven only to have her die. As the hours passed he watched as the tattoos spread from her forearms, to her biceps, and across her chest. When he pulled up her shirt above her stomach, he could see they were growing there as well. He watched as her face grimaced in pain, even in her unnatural sleep. He ran a hand across her cheek, wishing he could take her pain away.
His mind replayed the message she had delivered to him; that his love for her wouldn't destroy him, but redeem him. He sighed watching her sleep, that didn't mean she loved him back though.
He moved to sit on the floor by the couch, watching her sleep, and for the first time in a very long time, prayed. He prayed that his father would help to save them, that they would survive this, and that she would be brought through this ordeal safely. He looked at the clock and saw it was nearing 11 pm; the sun long set. He was exhausted, and decided to rest his head against the side of the couch, feeling sleep creeping up on him.
Gabriella woke up a few hours later, peering at the clock and saw that it was 2am. She smiled softly when she saw Michael's head near her own. She laid her hand on his head and ran her fingers through his hair softly. He looked so tired, there were dark circles beneath his eyes, and his face was tight with worry even in sleep.
She ran her fingers through his hair, feeling the softness of it, before tracing her fingers across the sharp planes of his cheekbones. His eyes fluttered and then opened; his eyes searching until they found hers.
He sat up and lay a gentle hand on her face, "How are you feeling?" he asked quietly. Gabriella sat up slowly, stiffly, Michael's hand there at the small of her back to guide her.
She smiled the pain evident in her face, "I feel like I was hammered." She looked down at her body with a wry smile, "Huh, guess I'm getting those tattoos I was always thinking about."
Michael couldn't smile, he had been so scared for Gabriella, he had thought she might never wake up. Gabriella saw the fear in his face, the worry etched in every line, and felt her heart wrench that she had caused it. She grabbed his hands and pulled him up onto the couch, holding his hands in hers.
"Michael, I'm ok, I swear. I'm a little shook up and sore, but I swear everything is going to be ok." His gaze was stubbornly staring at her arms, at her tattoos, refusing to look at her.
Gabriella sighed and placed a gentle hand on his cheek, "Look at me", he raised his face to look at her, "I swear I can handle this. I am here to save you, and all of Heaven. What could go wrong?" she was trying for lightheartedness, but she saw anger flash in Michael's eyes.
"You could die, that's what could go wrong."
Gabriella nodded slowly, "I know that, but that's part of the job description being a Chosen One, right? We just have to hope it doesn't happen."
Michael could tell she still didn't understand, and grew frustrated. He stood, and went to stand in the sunroom, staring up at the stars. He would forsake Heaven, having Gabriel and his family back if it meant keeping her alive. If she had to die to save Heaven and the angels, that was a sacrifice he was unwilling to have her make.
He spoke, "Please promise me you won't act rashly, you won't try to go on some sort of suicide mission to save Heaven."
Gabriella stood and went by his side, "Why would you ask me that? You know I wouldn't!"
He turned and looked fiercely at her, "Because! You are too precious to me to be lost. If you died…."
Gabriella stared at him, shocked. God had told her that she already had love in her life; she only needed the eyes and the heart to see it. –Was it possible he had been speaking of Michael and not Ben? -she thought to herself. Her heart raced as she thought back over their interactions over the past months, looked at them with fresh eyes and an open heart, and realized that Michael had been showing his affection for her for a very long time.
She moved closer to Michael and wound her fingers through his, earning a confused look from him. She felt the slight shock she always did when their skin touched, and smiled, finally understanding it. She brushed her fingers over his cheekbone, smiling at him. "I won't die, I swear. I won't ever leave you." Michael stared at her, unwilling to accept what was happening; there was too much heartbreak in hope.
Gabriella pulled her hand out of his and leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck, brushing a kiss across his lips softly. She felt him hesitate, and then his strong arms were around her waist, one hand creeping up to pull at her ponytail, pulling it down until he could run his fingers through her silky hair. She sighed with pleasure at the sensation of his hands on her waist and in her hair, pulling her tighter to him.
She felt the familiar sting where their lips touched, making their kiss burn in the most pleasant way. Eventually they broke apart, Michael's eyes burning with passion and joy. He cupped her cheek and rubbed his thumb across her cheekbone softly, "I love you Gabriella."
Gabriella smiled up at him, her heart warming at his words, "I love you too, my beautiful flyboy."
He wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close as they walked upstairs to her bedroom. He stripped down to his pants and crawled into bed, watching as Gabriella pulled her shoes, socks, and pants off. She worked her bra off and then slid beneath the covers, moving immediately into Michael's strong embrace. She smiled up at him and kissed him softly, already feeling tired, despite having been asleep or unconscious for hours.
She drifted to sleep slowly and felt Michael playing with her hair softly, his fingers brushing against her skin occasionally. Her sleep deepened when he began humming a soft lullaby. Michael had never felt such happiness in his long years. He had found a woman that he loved, who was strong, smart, funny, kind, and brave. She was a worthy companion, and despite the dangers the prophecy posed, showed little in the way of fear.
She was so beautiful he thought, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest; her olive skin seemed to glow, her muscles lean and strong, the tattoos on her arms and stomach still moving and changing. He too eventually fell asleep, with her warm form cuddled in his arms, a sense of contentment and joy wrapping his heart.