Who knew that the visit of the Goddess' parents could trigger so much. Alex shot into his Cupid role even though he insisted it was a social experiment. Only his Samantha knew that he always thought at least three moves ahead.

Two days after Micky agreed to go with them to Terra Nova, Samantha's parents appeared in the square in front of the palace and were stunned by the the sight they saw. Angels walked off and on with boxes in their arms. Angels appeared leaving boxes behind and disappeared again. There was a whole row of containers in the square, some already loaded others being loaded. Orders and directions were shouted back and forth. Salome first thought was:
" Oh boy, what is that kid up to now?"
The two blinked for a moment and Robert said to Salome:
" Bet this is going to be another Alex thing. Nothing is impossible, nothing. Put Sam on top of that and you get this spectacle."
The Goddess laughed for a moment and they made their way to the palace. Inside they lingered for a moment because it seemed to be as much in disarray as the outside. They hoped there would be some logic in it somewhere otherwise this did not bode well. To their surprise, they saw not one office as on their last visit but two offices. Above the door of one it read Mr. G with devil horns and a tail. The other was marked as Mrs. G with a halo. Robert shook his head and a snort escaped Salome. They decided to check on Samantha first. Her office was in no better shape than the rest of the palace. There appeared to be a large connecting door between the two offices. The entire conference table and her desk were full of papers. One wall hung full of whiteboards and they were written in full. Some things had already been crossed out but a lot remained open. Samantha stood in front of a board, for the first part of their logistical nightmare they had mixed up the staffing of their departments a bit. She said to Chassan:
" Okay, now a message for Jophiel. Drag out everything they can find that has to do with education. Let them consult with Azi and transfer everything that he has already collected from the Earth that is children's books to her department, let's say up to sixteen. Alex will soon tackle and minimize it and then it can just be packed in moving boxes and put in the provided container like all the other libraries. For Azi and Micky, if they still have room or if Alex has to come over to reduce some and bring people to pack."
Only then did she catch sight of her mother and father.
" Oh hi Dad, Mom, please sit down, be with you in a moment."
Through the open door she called out:
" Alex, mom and dad are here do you have a minute?"
" I'll be right there."

They heard him say:
" Okay Michael you have distributed your people. The containers are lined up in order. Be sure to let them know in time when and where I need to reduce things and then tell them to stay the fuck out of the way, I don't want miniature Angels."
They heard Michael laugh after which he seemingly left quickly. Alexander stepped into Sam's office and sat down at the table, not at the head because that was Sam's place in her office. She crossed off two more items on her boards and then sat down in her seat. The Goddess asked:
" Well darlings how are you?"
Sam replied:
" Mom, ask us when we get back from our trip. Right now this is controlled chaos. No one has any idea what it takes to move a Heaven from one Universe to another."
Alex rubbed through his curls and then the God and Goddess saw his wounds that were still very fresh and obvious even after two days. Yet they began to fade agonizingly slowly. Robert asked gravely:
" Shouldn't you take it easy for a few days Alex?"
" A few days? A few years would still not suffice Robert. Unfortunately we don't have that time."
Recalling a conversation from years ago the Goddess said:
" I don't have that much time so I'm going to steal time."
" Exactly mom. But now it's not just me taking a trip with Celine. These are thousands of Angels and I don't know how many containers. If I have another brilliant idea like that to temporarily leave Sam to take a six thousand year trip and save an entire universe will you please hit me really hard on the head."
All three laughed at that statement. Raphael came flying in with a hurried look in his eyes:
" Sam you know where... Never mind. Alex the whole medical library has to come with us you said. This is a bit different from the other libraries, these are extremely old and sensitive books and parchments. How?"
That no titles were used and they spoke in short sentences told her parents that everyone here was working under full steam. That they believed in their God and Goddess so much that they would do anything for them.
" Raffa, everything outside in front of the infirmary classified according to subject. Is the available space half full send a message to Gabe. I am going to shrink that pile, fully protect it so there can be no scratch or wrinkle and then everything can go into moving boxes. When everything is packed again a message and Gabe will arrange for people to come to transport the boxes and pack them in the right containers. In the new Heaven simply the reverse process."
" Okay, understood boss, bye lady boss..."

And away he was. The God and Goddess sat watching it quite amused. Robert asked:
"How many of those containers are going with you Alex?"
" No idea, right now we have a few hundred provided that we are filling. How many will the total be? Really no idea. Nobody knows exactly how many items we need or may need. Right now we have prioritized everything from Earth and in addition the libraries. Heaven's archive alone is a nightmare. At least eighty billion files and one point seven billion additional files from Hell. In Heaven everything has just been tossed in the archives for the last two thousand years without any order. That has to be sorted out on Terra Nova and so it has to come along now. Right now we are also doing all the libraries. If we do it when we get back then I don't see how in eight years we should get it in order so that it is usable and digitized. Hence we decided to just extend this to all departments. The more we get in order on Terra Nova the more time we are going to have for the really important things once we get back."
Robert smiled and said:
" I can't wait to see the face of Aisha and Franklin when they return in seven days. They are expecting a bunch of Angels to transfer and now they get a small town to move."
Before anyone could answer, Jeremiel flew in:
" Hey Lady Boss have you... never mind. Boss we have the plans for ten flats and twenty houses. How do you want the rest?"
" Divide your people into two groups. One group just continue until we have the target of 25 flats and 50 houses and the other group I want them to go to factories that make those prefab houses or prefab pieces for flats. See that your people temporarily get someone from Q. Together they can map out that factory and the machinery needed. At Terra Nova, we will then simply copy those. Gabriel can select a few people on Earth who can get you guys in there during the night when production is down."
" Okay boss, done."
" Sorry, I'll have to cross this off my board first or else we'll be doing double work."

He stood up and disappeared for a minute. When he returned, Salome dropped a bomb that made both Samantha and Alexander's heads turn a bit red. She said it in such a nonchalant way that they ware sure her purpose was to see them react like that.
" What we actually want to know, now that we know that you can make both universes work together, is whether you have already set a date for the ceremony?"
Alex and Sam knew very well what ceremony she was talking about but they held themselves dumb for a moment:
" So which ceremony are you talking about mom?"
Asked Sam. Her father said played sternly:
" Your mother and I cannot allow you to live under the same roof for five hundred years unmarried. That is no example to your little ones and the other little ones and young ones that will follow according to your plans. We don't like that for our present and future grandchildren."
Alex rubbed through his curls and said:
" Robert, I think we have more than enough problems without having to worry about the logistics of that kind of ceremony. And you guys have been nagging at us forever so that we would officially get married. Surely you remember that we already see and feel ourselves married since I gave Sam that first ring. On top of that, we have no idea how such a thing is supposed to work. There has never been such a ceremony in your universe and mine. And I have no idea what a wedding should look like, no experience with it, died when I was thirteen you remember and Sam much less."
" I think you're wrong about that Alexander."
Said Salome with a secretive smile. With a smirk, Robert added:
" Yes, because nothing is impossible, nothing."
Samantha laughed and he grunted:
" Ah come on if everyone uses my own words against me I won't get anywhere. Okay if you want to know, Sam and I have been thinking. Red, They're your parents so go ahead. Just be careful, remember that we are dealing with your dad here!"

With his last words, she had to giggle because it was usually Alex along with her dad who got into trouble with her mom because of their antics.
" Yes, we were thinking of something small before we leave, the day, or a few days before, depending on how quickly we get these containers filled. Then something big, the official ceremony when we get back because both our universes will be linked and everyone can celebrate with us. And what that ceremony should be no idea? How do you get twenty thousand or more Angels to participate in something like that?"
Salome said:
" See now, that's exactly the same thing we were thinking of."

Robert just sat there with pleasure in his eyes and a big smile on his face.
Gabriel appeared at that moment and Sam asked her parents:
" Can we maybe talk about that later or do you have to leave already? As you can see we are pretty tight on time. The kids are in the garden with Anna. And of course Maila who can't be gotten away from Jasmine. Not even under the threat of the death penalty."
She pointed to the door by her desk. Her mother said with as much pleasure as her father which did not bode well, so to speak:

" No darling, we can stay. We have prepared."
In addition to Gabriel, Bearus and Belios suddenly appeared and didn't look too happy. Her parents stepped outside and Alex said softly:
" We have to have one of those things outside, such as at the DMV, where they can draw numbers pfff."
Sam had to giggle at this. He asked:
" I assume all three of you want to see me."
Gabriel said cheerfully:
" Yep."
While the two Demons only nodded silently. He concluded that this was not good news, for him.
" Okay, into my office then."

The three followed him and he closed the connecting door. He already had an inkling of what this conversation would be about and could beat himself for not having had it sooner. Now there were two pissed off Demons standing in his office who probably had every intention of screaming at him and he absolutely could not blame them.
" Have a seat B&B, Gabe what have you got for me?"
" We're ahead of schedule boss. As you said it was going to be a chaotic start but once everyone got used to their tasks we would gain speed. Within an hour we have to minimize in three places. I have had another ten thousand boxes made for Metaron and already set aside ten containers for him. It won't be nearly enough but it's a start and he can get on with it for a while. The Hell Archive, since we are already ahead of schedule, we can start moving that at a bit slower pace because we can only put a few Angels on that project. Angels of death drop off a soul and take a few boxes with them.."
Alex thought for a moment and then said:
" Would you mind asking Raphael if his people have any specialized tools they'd like to take with them. I think if it's not bizarre we could fit those in his containers as well."
" Okay, will do. I'll keep you posted if there's an urgent need for intervention somewhere to create space."
Gabriel stood up and left the office in a cheerful manner. Alex looked at the two angry Demons:
" Fine, you guys have the right to yell and rant because I'm an asshole who lost track of you but I hadn't forgotten about you."
Their facial expressions softened a bit. Bearus asked:
" You didn't forget about us?"
" No Bearus and no Belios I did not, how could I forget you guys. It's just chaos here right now as you could see from that circus out there. I just lost sight of you guy's for a moment and I'm really very sorry for that. You guys know me damn well."

Belios had been watching his arms, the anger disappearing completely from his eyes. He knew they could always rely on Alexander and that he wasn't lying. If he said he had unintentionally lost sight of it for a moment, he had. He pointed to his arms:
" Does that also play a role in why you are not one hundred percent? Why you need more sleep and rest? Because those do look really bad and we've seen you like this before, but that bad? Twelve former Angels were brought in, one was delivered screaming and yelling by Azrael herself. I assume those twelve are your work and are responsible for that?"
Alex made a cigarette appear and lit it. Not only did it look like it but his eyes really did became a little moist:
" Yes, they are. Our honeybee is the first of the three to relive things, it was bad for her and that made my PTSD flare up too, fucking badly."
Bearus had gained a steely expression on his face and growled:
" I particularly like that little one. Too bad they are in level nine otherwise I would have wanted to have a chat with them."
" Coincidentally I have to be there tomorrow for maintenance and you know the rules Bearus we always have to be two for such things if we go below level four."
Said Belios with the blood-lust clear in his voice.
" Well then there's nothing left for me but to accompany you because I wouldn't want you to accidentally end up in there cells. Who knows what could happen if I'm not there?"
Alex shook his head and said:
" Gentlemen, it's your department, I'm not going to tell you how to do, euch, maintenance."
He manifested a glass for all three of them, took a sip and said:
" Of course you guys are going with us. I would never want to leave without you. You should know it for thousands of years that you are my brothers! I am sorry for not saying it enough. That I am always busy with something is not an excuse. But you know this is the truth. You guys need a well-deserved vacation and we are going to take care of that. If you guys want to help Lucifer set up the new Hell and sit down with Zadkiel to make our new Hell a lot more just. We would like that very much but no one is going to force you and these things are in absolutely no hurry. As far as I'm concerned you guys are going to lay on the beach and surf for five hundred years."
Bearus and Belios knew that what he had said about being brothers was absolutely meant, they raised their glasses high and Belios said:
" Just try to stop us from helping with this unimaginable mess."
It was clinked and with that the folds were smoothed out. They were about to get up to leave and suddenly Alex asked:

" Why don't you guys stay this evening? We're having dinner at the suite tonight because Sam's parents are here and we could use all the distraction we can get?"

What he didn't mention was the fact that he was very interested in why Bearus and Azrael were so busy talking to each other after the last meeting in the suite.
" Oh why?"
Asked Bearus with a broad smile.
" Because they bloody well want to see us married and well before we start this trip!"
" Well we can't leave our boss hanging anyway, so yeah we like to stick around. And it won't be that bad. From what you told us all about them Robert and Salome seem to be cheerful characters. They are just teasing you guys a little. Samantha and you have been together since you were thirteen, so yes it's time for you to tie the knot and officially go through life as Mr. and Mrs. G. At the very least it's going to give both universes a huge boost. If you marry in this rocky situation then it shows that you are optimistic enough about a good outcome of this disaster. All the Angels and all the Demons will draw confidence from this and believe even more in you two."
Alex squeezed his eyes slightly to slits for a moment and a frown appeared on his forehead.
" Speaking of Angels, you saw Gabe just now, don't you think he was a little too cheerful? He's bombarded by messages from every corner of Heaven and yet he walks around whistling like it's a peaceful Sunday afternoon."
" Yes, now that you mention it he was very cheerful indeed."
Alex stood up opened the double door between the offices:
" Sam dear do you have a minute?"
" Yep, got it. Moment I'm coming."
She entered his office and cheerfully greeted the two Demons with a hug that the two answered with equal affection. Alex asked:
" Hey Red, haven't you noticed that Gabe is so cheerful? Surely with everything going on he should be walking around at least a little annoyed."
She looked at him amused and said:
" You really are proof that being God doesn't make one omniscient Alex."
" What do you mean?"
" Didn't see that Gabe was nowhere to be found yesterday after the work day and that Anna wasn't at the table yesterday?"
His eyes got big and a thick smile appeared on his face. He spoke only one word:
" No!"
" Oh yes, those two circled around each other for a while but are now nicely together."
" Any idea what they've been up to?"
" Yes, but that's going to blow your socks off."
A frown appeared on his face.
" Then where were they?"
With a mischievous look in her eyes, she said:
" Lux!"
" Lux!"

He practically shouted:
" They were with Dad and Ella at the nightclub? Gabe and Anna in a nightclub like Lux? Now you're kidding me. Our timid little Anna in a crowded club with customers partying like there's no tomorrow. A club with rooms where things happen that she has never ever heard of let alone been exposed to?"
" Yep and according to Ella they were the center of the dance floor with all eyes on her. Eyes that were more than obviously interested in more than a dance."
He got a rather mischievous smile and said:
" Oh, this is too good to be true. Can you imagine the possibilities of putting them in the spotlight tonight."
" Alexander Marcus Morningstar, leave those two lovebirds alone."
" Ah come on dear, not even a little bit?"
" Hmm, a little bit can't hurt I guess."
She said slyly.
" Yes!"
Then he got a little serious again.
" Sam honey how about bringing Fuzzie here too. I do miss him, it has been far too long since I saw him and would love to see him again before we start our trip."
" I knew you would like that. Already made arrangements. He should be arriving any minute."
She saw his eyes get a little watery and he said:
" Thanks Red, I wouldn't know how I could manage without you."
He gave her a gripping kiss on the mouth and said:
" Okay I'll stop a little early today. Making the dining table a little bigger and taking care of the food and drinks."
With a rather mischievous smile, he said:
" But I have to take advantage of your messenger first."
" Alex, what are you up to now?"
" Oh well, nothing special you'll see..."

Fifteen minutes later, Fuzzie walked into his office. Alex leaped right up and took the healer in a rather firm hug. After a minute or two, they let go of each other. Fuzzie immediately saw the wounds on his arms and sighed:
" Still Alex? What happened?"
He told the story of the children, their youngest who had received the first, of what would probably become many nightmares, and how his body had reacted to it and finally what he had done to those responsible. There were no secrets between him and Fuzzie and he would not start any now. Fuzzie asked a few more questions about the kids, Jasmin, Sarah, David, Beatrice and Elise. Maila, the firecracker, he knew more than well. She had landed in his infirmary a few times, so... He stood up to go see his parents in the garden and get acquainted with the kids. At the door that gave access to the garden, he stopped for a moment. He looked sharply at Alex and said:
" I'm coming with you on this trip Alex. Consider me the exclusive family doctor. Those kids of yours, of ours, are going to need a lot of therapy and that will be my job. No argument!"
And away he wend into the garden.

The dinner table was set for 27 people. Sam's parents and the children, of course. But besides that, he had purposely given their guests a seat at the table to see what would happen. Samantha entered the suite and took one look at the table and the name tags and immediately knew enough.
" Shot in your cupid role love?"
" Let's call it a social experiment Red."
She smiled and disappeared towards their bedroom to get ready, the first guests would be showing up soon. Alex looked at the table. Himself and Sam at one head of the table with Honeybee crammed between them because she wouldn't want to sit anywhere else anyway. The other head end he had reserved for Lucifer and Ella and he had his reasons for that. And then the rest of the guests divided, men on his right the women on Sam's left. First Robert and Salome of course, then the four children David, Jasmine, Sarah and Beatrice with Maila those could be grouped a bit. Next were Michael and Celine, Bearus and Azrael, Belios and Jo, Azi and Anthony, Raffa and Fuzzie, Gabe and Anna and finally Daniel and Laila, with two empty chairs next to them. Once the table was set the way he wanted it he also left for the bedroom.

His Samantha had just come out of the shower and was still completely naked. He looked at her longingly and said:

" Red, we can still call off this dinner and crawl between the sheets until next year."
Deliberately, she approached him agonizingly slowly so that he could take in her naked body, put her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear:
" Mr. G, give my parents that what they have been wanting for a long time, probably hoping for this since we were thirteen, and make me officially Mrs. G very soon and I'm going to do things to you that will make your toes curl."
To reinforce her words, she nuzzled his neck a little and feather-licked his ear. His heart rate skyrocketed and he seemed momentarily unable to think. She pulled him out of his tranche by saying:
" Now shower love and for once no jeans and a T-shirt. You are God and you have a dinner party so..."
" Damn yet another ice cold shower..."
Grumbling he disappeared into the bathroom and when he came back into the bedroom she was already gone which made him sigh and wish the evening was already over because he could imagine something much more pleasant to get through the evening. Strongly against his will he manifested a three-piece tailored suit. He hesitated for a moment about his favorite cowboy boots but decided that he would satisfy Sam's wishes so it became a pair of Louboutine black shoes. Then again, his tie was his favorite blue as was his pocket square. He was almost finished when David stormed into the room as one lump of energy.
" Daddy, mommy is helping the girls but I also need other clothes. Will you help me please."
The kid was practically trembling on his legs with excitement. Alex laughed softly and asked:
" Okay kid, what would you like then?"
" Something like you have on dad."
" Well I'll take care of it, now go take a shower first and I'll make sure your suit is ready when you come back."

As David stood in their shower his thoughts of Samantha flew through his mind. From the moment they saw each other that first time to where they were now. In their minds, they were already long and truly married but he knew that a ceremony was just as much for the family and friends. To let them share in their happiness. He sat at the foot end of the bed with a blissful smile as David entered the room. Alex held out to him a small version of his outfit, the difference being a light green pocket square and a light green tie and the kid's eyes began to shine like a tiny sun. Once dressed, he stood in front of the kid, made sure his tie was straight and that his pocket square showed up just perfectly. Together they stood in front of the mirror as they had done that first morning. Alex thought, yes this is definitely my son. The boy looked impressive in his tailored suit just like himself. A single tear escaped his eye and David asked:
" Dad what is it?"
He wiped it away and said smiling:
" You are going to explore this universe to its smallest corners, you are going to grow up to be a giant, you are going to break girls' hearts and make your daddy proud without a doubt. No matter what son never doubt these words; I love you."
David turned and little red but let his dad take him in a loving embrace.
" Come the guests are going to arrive and it's not nice of us the hosts to keep them waiting."
One immediately saw David grow a few inches as he was labeled by Alex as one of the hosts. Together they stepped back into the living room. Lucifer, Ella and Jo were already there dressed to the nines. Ella whistled when she saw David and Alex appear and walked up to David:
" Oh David, how perfect you look. I would say you look even better than your daddy."
The boy's eyes sparkled completely and he enjoyed Ella's hug. Lucifer looked at Alex and said playfully:
" Yes, now I am convinced that you are my son Alexander."
He couldn't resist throwing a jab at his father.
" Dad, we can't all be snobs like you. But I must admit that this suit does indeed look better when I wear it. Unlike you, that the suit makes you look better."

Lucifer was momentarily defeated with words by his son who looked at him with undisguised pleasure. When Samantha entered, his breath was cut off. Her hair was slightly done up and he could swear it had green diamonds in it, a silk soft green gown with a slit that showed more than enough of her gorgeous leg up to her thigh, high-heeled shoes, the ring he gifted her on their first anniversary together, earrings with small green diamonds and the half necklace half work of art he had had made by Eloch years ago, worthy of a Goddess. A white gold creation that looked a bit like a spider web filled with tiny white, blue and green diamonds and in the center a pink diamond in heart shape. Beneath that necklace, barely visible and yet again strikingly present the very first gem he ever gave her the day they had met Maila. She was enchanting and he had to force himself to breathe again. Honeybee was wearing a cute little white/blue dress and had seemingly insisted on getting a diadem in her hair like her grandmother wore, nothing flashy, just a toy that sparkled. Sarah, Jasmine, Maila and Beatrice were equally the epitome of elegance in their silk dresses. Sarah had chosen a soft blue dress how could it be otherwise if her mom's color was blue. Jasmin a soft pink one, Maila a slightly beige dress reminiscent of the color of parchment, she too was wearing her necklace that Alex had given her. Trix had chosen a soft yellow one she was obviously a sunflower. He stepped up to Samantha, took her gently in his arms and kissed her on the lips and said:
" Red, I was in love with you from the moment I first looked into your eyes. Every time I look at you I fall in love all over again and that feeling never goes away. You simply look divine tonight."
Playfully she said:
" Perhaps you should have saved those words for your wedding vows Casanova."
" Don't worry, there are many more where those came from."

Slowly the room filled up and everyone was chatting with everyone. The children were mostly the object of attention and they were letting themselves get all the attention and affection. Especially honeybee who seemed to go from arm to arm. From Angel to Demon, to human and back again. Any topics that could be related to work were purposely avoided. This was an evening to relax. To spend with family and friends. A little after seven, Alex announced it was time to go to the table. Normally an hour too early for that kind of dinner party but they understood the choice because there were young children present who could not be sent to bed too late because tomorrow another mountain of work awaited. Many, to their surprise, saw name tags on the table but otherwise made no thought of it and took their seats. The appetizer appeared on the table and everyone enjoyed it. Alex had resolved to leave ample time between courses because he wanted to see, wanted to observe the interactions at the table. Belios and Jo were seemingly engaged in a deep conversation about parenting versus punishment. Bearus and Azrael, in turn, were in a light-hearted conversation about things they would like to see but had never had the chance to. Raffa and Fuzzy how could it be otherwise about their own medical knowledge and the latest techniques used on mutual Earths. Azi and Anthony simply enjoyed an evening among friends and did enjoy the wine. Michael, Celine, Ella and Lucifer were in a cozy get-together. As were Gabe, Anna, Laila and Daniel. Only Sam's Michael was still missing but he had said he could be a little later because there was a problem with the containers that couldn't wait. Finally he came in and to the happy surprise of Alex, Samantha, Robert and Salome he had apparently brought a guest with him. A beautiful Angel named Muriel. Swiftly they slid in and attacked their appetizers. Perhaps they had forgotten to eat anything during the day. Alex resolved to instruct the heads of all departments tomorrow that their people were required to take at least a half-hour break to eat something. Samantha looked at Alex, leaned in his direction and whispered in his ear:
" I don't know what or how you did it cupid but it works."
" I know, am I good or am I good."

That sentence elicited a bright smile from Samantha and again he felt the tingling in his stomach. After the main course, he and Samantha stood up. Honeybee, however, did not agree at all and tugged at his jacket. He shook his head and lifted her into his arms laughing softly.
" Okay folks, we all know why we are here. Sam's parents want Samantha to get into a forced marriage."
That earned him a tap on the shoulder from Sam as considerable laughter could be heard at the table.
" But before I go any further with that, I have some unfinished business with two attendants here."
His voice seemed to become stern but anyone who looked at his eyes knew this was played.
" Gabriel, is it true that you took my little sister to Earth, to that hedonistic place Lux? Did you expose my little sister to my father's party paradise of which even Bacchus would get red ears?"
Poor Gabriel turned all red and didn't know what to say. Alex had already shifted his attention back to Anna.
" Anna, is it true what I heard that you were the center of attention on the dance floor in Lux? That all the men and women got dreamy little eyes seeing you. That you couldn't get enough of all that attention and that you and Gabriel closed the joint?"
Now both sat there with red heads and didn't know what to say. Somehow a little afraid that they were in trouble because they had not told anyone anything beforehand. Alex quickly put them out of their misery:
" If that is so dear Gabe, dear Anna then I hope you will have many more of those nights. I hope Gabe that, like I do with Samantha, every time you look at Anna you may be amazed at what you see. Of what she makes you feel."
Samantha added:
" Dear Anna, love at first sight exists and we all deserve to have true love in our lives. If Gabe makes you feel the same way Alex makes me feel every day then you have a glorious future ahead of you. Alex and I couldn't be happier for you guys. Enjoy it, enjoy each other."
Alex of course couldn't resist when he added:
" Yes, but not here and not now."

And that again earned him a tap on his shoulder with laughter as a result. He continued again more or less seriously:
" Robert and Salome are right. It's time for Sam and I to tie the knot and get married. We've been together since we were thirteen. We have endured so much in those years. Samantha who could do nothing but wait anxiously in her universe to see if I would make it through my little journey in time. I can't imagine what the last five years must have been like for her."
Samantha said:
" I had to wait five years until I had the love of my life back in my life and not for a few days before he already had to leave to get through his next two thousand years."
Suddenly she got tears in her eyes and had a little trouble speaking:
" He had to get through six thousand years. I'm an Angel and immortal but I'm only twenty-three, I can't imagine with the best will in the world what six thousand years is. That is the man who is Alexander Marcus Morningstar! It was necessary to save this universe so he did it, without hesitation. I am so so incredibly proud of the person I will very soon no longer be able to just call my man but will also be able to officially call my husband."
At the table, heartfelt applause erupted and congratulations came flying at them from all sides. Alex raised his hand and said:
" The ceremony is going to take place before we make the jump. First a small ceremony and on return after both universes are connected a big ceremony so everyone in both universes can join in. The ceremony here will take place shortly before our departure. We can't say exactly when yet because we don't want to do it without all the people who are important to us being present. So that will be a bit of planning. Samantha's parents, her brothers Michael, Samuel and Fuzzie. My parents, well all my parents."
He said with a chuckle:
" Alisha my mom, Franklin my dad, Salome who became my mom when I needed a mom the most, Robert who took on the roles of mentor, friend and dad knowing full well what was in store for me and that I could use all the support I could get. Sam's, Michael."

He stopped for a moment and looked playfully at Sam and said:
" Sam, we're really going to have to do something about that with those two. My Michael and your Michael, there's got to be a better way to keep them apart."
She seemed to think for a moment and said:
" Why don't we simply call mine Micky and yours Mr. Celine?"
His Michael nearly choked on his drink and Celine laughed out loud. Alex continued speaking and pointed to the Michael he meant:
" Micky who from the moment I made my decision to embark on this adventure mercilessly pushed me in the right direction and landed me in Fuzzie's infirmary time and time again. Fuzzie who patched me up time after time and saw to it that I took occasional breaks to enjoy my youth together with Samantha. Celine who was by my side from the very beginning, automatically became my left hand and never for a moment hesitated to follow me, who so often grabbed me by my neck and read the levites and so often stopped me from storming in somewhere first. Celine who is totally loyal to Samantha. Not because she was her nanny and bodyguard but because in her own heart and in Sam's heart she was simply a mother. And believe me ladies and gentlemen when I say she was a true mama bear and oh boy if you looked at her cub the wrong way. My first meeting with her, she threatened to wipe me out of existence if I hurt her little girl. My Michael, the first one I contacted six thousand years ago in this universe and has been my right hand ever since, never deviated from that position and did everything but everything in his power so I could accomplish my task. Anthony and Azi who for six thousand years have been faithful friends where I could kick off my shoes from time to time and relax knowing that I was perfectly safe under their watchful eye. No, my dear idiots you are not just close friends, You are my older brothers who protected me so many times when I stayed under your roof. My father Lucifer who believed in me unconditionally, gave me the keys to Hell and told me to just do what I had to do. Belios and Bearus who listened to me skeptically when I explained my plan to renovate Hell and then believed in that project and made every effort to make it happen. My little Anna, my bright spot whenever I stayed in Hell, the proof that Hell was worth reforming. Rae Rae who met me when I was only thirteen, listened to me and believed in me and that I could make it happen. Gabriel who was introduced to me by Michael and thus was the second in this universe to know who and what I was. In addition to being a loyal fellow warrior, he became my best friend almost immediately. And as I said at the beginning, I don't want to do this without all my parents Salome and Robert, Aisha and Franklin but also Lucifer and Ella."

He looked at Lucifer, His green eyes bore into his father's brown ones and said deadly serious:
" And Lucifer Morningstar as your new God I instruct you to urgently come up with something to make our dear Ella, Mrs. Morningstar! Because if our children see and address her as Grandma Ella then you will have to do something about that and make it official too!"
There was silence at the table for a moment and not a few sat there with tears in their eyes. It was, of course, their Honeybee who brightened the mood considerably:
" Daddy me Flowgirl?"
Alex and Samantha laughed softly and they knew immediately who was behind it to acquaint the children with those roles within an Earthly marriage. It was inevitable that it had been Ella. He said:
" Honeybee, you are the most important part of the whole ceremony no flower girl no ceremony."
If the girl lit up any more she would have been blinding. David was the next to ask enthusiastically:
" Can I please be the ring bearer dad, mom?"
Samantha said:
" I don't see any other tough, beautiful, perfect boy who would be better for that important job than you David."
She saw Jasmine, Maila, Sarah and Beatrice looking a little mischievous and Samantha said smiling:
" Girls, I need you too and you are important in the ceremony. You will be my bridesmaids and make sure everything runs perfectly. A bride is lost without her bridesmaids."
The girls were excited by the role they were about to play. It was exactly the role they had hoped for, leave it to Ella to arrange such a thing. Samantha looked at Alex and with a warm smile she nodded at him.
" Well apparently the kids have already claimed the main roles, all that remains is for us to fill in the minor supporting roles, you know those roles on the side that have no importance whatsoever."
He Said with a thick smirk on his face but then becoming blood serious from one second to the next:
" Celine and Michael, my left and right hand, would you do me the honor of acting as my witnesses, to stand with me?"
Both of them sat looking a bit in shock and it was extremely rare but the Demon let two thick tears roll down her cheeks and almost simultaneously with Michael she said yes. Samantha asked:
" My dear Michael, my Micky, you were the first one who believed in Alex and me. Who said we were destined for each other. Fuzzie you patched Alex up time and time again when he was in bad shape. You comforted me every time. You treated us like friends instead of children. The big teddy bear of a brother we both often needed. Will you do me the honor of being my witness, will you stand with me?"

The healer was apparently struggling because, like Celine, he shed a few tears. What eluded no one was that Raphael had placed a hand comfortingly on Fuzzie's hand. Michael, bought him some time, replied:
" My Princess, MyLady, My Godess it is my honor."
Fuzzie had finally found his voice again:
" I have been waiting for this moment for you two for so long I am overjoyed but I never dreamed you would want me to be a part of it. Yes Sam, it will be an honor to be you're witness."
Samantha looked at Alex with watery eyes and nodded. He said:
" And you Lucifer fucking Morningstar, did you think I forgot about you? Who better than the Lightbringer to perform this ceremony. Samantha and I want you to bless it dad."
Lucifer was totally out of sorts and could only nod with tears in his eyes.
And with that, dinner was over. Everyone jumped up and the couple-to-be was just about buried under hugs and kisses but even the children did not escape the affection that was being passed around.

Later that evening when just about everyone had left and the children had been put to bed, only Alexander, Samantha, Ella, Lucifer, Gabe, Anna, Daniel and Laia were left in the living room. Jasmine and Maila had seemingly gone out to get some air in the garden. Alex excused himself for a moment because he wanted to go out on the balcony and smoke a cigarette and was promptly followed closely by Sam. He lit his cigarette and she asked:
" And anything wiser from your social experiment?"
He laughed:
" As if you wouldn't have noticed darling Red."
" Hmmm, maybe not, tell me."
" Okay, Michael and Celine, Azi and Anthony, Lucifer and Ella we already knew that. We had nothing to do with that. Gabe and Anna that was obvious since she arrived here and Gabe showed her around town. Surprisingly though, that they are such party animals, especially Anna. So building a new Lux in the new Heaven was indeed a good idea. I'm so glad she apparently shook off the misery of Hell so well. But have you seen the rest? Micky showing up with a guest, Muriel, and they only had eyes for each other all evening. Belios and Jo. Daniel and Laia who kept a very low profile but are now both chatting in the living room anyway, Raffa and Fuzzie."
" Because they are gay?"
" Ah come on for fuck sake, of course not Sam. I knew that about Fuzzie from my second day in your universe, never bothered me for a second. I've lived with Azi and Anthony for thousands of years and it hasn't bothered me for a second. It never bothered me when I was alive on your Earth, life and let life, that's my motto remember. No, because they are both grumpy, surly and sometimes blunt. And here tonight they seemed to have turned into marshmallows and didn't care that everyone saw that Raffa had to comfort Fuzzie for a while. What bothers me a bit are Bearus and Azrael. Obviously something is going on there but I'm going to keep myself out of it for now. When the time comes they will come out with it themselves."
" You forget one more love."
" Hmmm, that was everyone present, wasn't it?"
" I know there were others present."
He looked at her completely uncomprehending. She smiled and said:
" Our little Maila and our little Jasmine are no longer just friends. They have taken their very first step as real girlfriends. They told me that they'd kissed as they were getting ready for dinner. With a little red head and a little fear that I or you would object. I reassured them and told them we had nothing against it."
" Oh wow, Maila with her love of parchment and everything that can be done with parchment and paper such as etching along with Jasmine who absolutely loves everything art. How could it be otherwise, art attracts art. I'm happy for them dear, though I can't help but hope they'll take it a little slow."
A genuine burst of laughter echoed from Samantha and he got butterflies again from that bright laugh.
" What's sweet?"
" Alex, we were thirteen when we formed a couple and now you sound a lot like Dad with his sermon about releasing the fury of Hell."
" Jeez, since the kids came along I must have really shot into the dad role. For fuck sake I sound almost like him without the threat with the fury of Hell."
He laughed:
" But I'm glad this experiment was successful."
" Me too my Love."

He smiled and stared into nothingness for a moment. After a few minutes, she asked:
" What are you thinking about Alex?"

" I have an idea but I don't know if you're going to like it."

The way he said it didn't sound like one of his typical crazy ideas that usually turned out to work so she asked seriously:
" What idea?"
" I feel very much like throwing a grenade into the hen house. It will probably give Samael heartburn and most of the Angels will get dizzy or get a headache. On the other hand, we can offer your parents a five hundred years vacation where they can have fun with their grandchildren, something they want more than anything else."
She looked at him with seriousness and said:
" Okay, suppose I were to agree with your idea how will you implement it?"
" Changing the order in which we wanted to hang the three universes together a little bit. First your universes and this universe and after our little trip the new universe."
She nodded:
" Other than some temporary chaos what are the further implications?"
" Twenty thousand Angels who will be extremely nervous for a while because their daily life as they know it has been turned upside down forever. Probably some friction here and there but I'm not really worried about that. Nothing we can't fix and smooth out the creases. Your universe is going to have new gods because your mom and dad are going to retire."
She pondered this for a moment and asked:
" And what about Hell? Hell must have a king."
He lit a cigarette and replied:
" That's actually the least of our problems. My dad is the king of Hell and our Hell hasn't needed his presence for ages. I want to bring in Belios and Bearus and teach your Demons how to work through a council as happens here with us. Yes a King on the throne but that is a purely symbolic task, more for ceremonial matters. I don't think Robert would have anything against presiding over that council in Hell once a week for a day, he would hardly be an hour or two away from Heaven. That would give us time to see what we should do with the throne in Hell more permanent."

She looked at him as mischievously as he so often looked at her:
" We are the Princess and Prince of Hell Alex. If that task as you say would take only a few hours a week anyway why don't we ascend the throne together, the thrones in Hell and give them a King and a Queen? You know how Dis thinks of us."

He looked at her with a wide smile and asked:
" Are you ready to throw a grenade darling?"
She giggled and replied:
" Maybe just before we do it it would be better to send Fuzzy back to assist Samael for a while because the least he is going to get is a heartburn."
He pulled her into a firm embrace, kissed her and said:
" You do know that your parents are going to drive us crazy yes?"
" Yep, not only do we have six kids to give a balanced life but we also have two out-of-control grandparents to keep in check...hihihi..."

After a rather passionate kiss, Alexander said:
" Let your mom know we're coming by tomorrow at six, the whole gang. We need Samael of course but also your Laia and Haniel. Gabe is here anyway so we'll put him to work in a bit. Then we'll throw everyone out so I can fuck you straight through the shower wall."
She laughed:
" I'll hold you to that mister!"
She closed her eyes and shot a message to her mom.

In the other universe, Salome sighed deeply and mumbled:
" Oh boy, what is that kid up to now..."
Robert who was sitting next to her got a rather wide somewhat mischievous smile and thought:
" This could be fun."

They stepped back into the suite hand in hand but remained standing. Alex said:
" Gabe, I have another message for you to send, right now! We are going on a trip to Samantha's universe tomorrow morning. So first, postpone the council meeting until nine o'clock. We need the full intimate circle, the two Michaels and if Micky wants to bring his date from earlier Muriel she is very much welcome, Celine too of course. Fuzzie and Raffa. Bearus and Azrael, Belios and Jo, Azi and Anthony. The kids will all go too of course including Beatrice because Salome and Robert have claimed her as one of their grandchildren. You six too of course!"

Laia and Daniel sat looking at him wide-eyed. With his typical mischievous smile, Alex said:
" What? Do you two think you can just be part of our intimate circle without sharing in the mess? You Daniel accompany your daughter so she can visit her Godly grandparents and you Laia accompany your boyfriend so he doesn't have a panic attack."
Samantha who had an equally mischievous smile made four of them even more uncomfortable:
" Oh, yes after this note all six of you get out, we need some privacy. Anna, I think Gabriel has a place for you to sleep somewhere and I'm sure Laia has a place to put Daniel to sleep!"
As the six continued to look at them with open mouths Alex said:
" Chop chop we don't have all night. Gather at five to six in the square in front of the palace. And now get out of here..."

If the topic of conversation was marriage then it is inevitable that a ring would emerge but two?