Chapter 18- Making Progress
With each visit, Aziraphale saw Jesus improve. He was letting his hair and beard grow out 'so Madge will know me", he said. He was researching modern terms and technology.
Aziraphale had tea with Jesu the day after the meeting at Kensington Park. Jesus was happy to spend time with someone who did not appear to have an agenda. The angel felt like he was being deceitful, as he did have an agenda, but his curiosity in knowing the man whose existence shaped the modern world made him look forward to their series of afternoon teas as much as Jesus did.
Over the years, Jesus had felt exploited and helpless and trapped, but as their visits continued, Aziraphale began to see the man that the stories were about. He was kind, gentle, and thoughtful but there was also the strength and fire in the man who cleared the temple and had to endure the scourge of the whip on the way to his own death.
He only mentioned that once. "Da was already gone, and I hated leaving Ma. She's with Da now – I wish I could see them. They're up here somewhere. I felt I had no choice. Things would have stayed the same or gotten worse – we would all be speaking Italian now."
Wanting to change the subject, and console Him, Aziraphale moved on. "My associate sends this.." he handed Jesu the sketch of Mary done by Leonardo. J held the sketch carefully, his thumb softly stroking her hair. The angel continued, "Crowley says she misses you terribly and agrees to join you if you choose to leave here. She chose to be there, because Heaven's plan hurt you. He says she is doing what she can to help others."
Jesus smiled, "Like always; she lived that way before we met. But together, we took it to a higher level, the bunch of us. The boys weren't ready to consider women as teachers, but women have been the teachers all along, right?" Aziraphale nodded and noticed the lapis bead now on the blue ribbon on His wrist.
Jesus picked up the sketch of Mary, "Madge and I never…. But we planned and promised. I shouldn't have; I knew the Almighty had bigger plans. I didn't realize until our last season together that I would pay the full price. I should've let Madge know, but I wanted it to be 'Us' for as long as we could." He set the sketch down. "Please thank Crowley for me. Fell, you have given me more hope than I've felt since I became a 'celebrity'. When you are ready, so will I be."
"We still have a little time to wait, but soon, Jesu". Aziraphale sensed it was time to leave. "I will keep you posted." He left the Lord sitting at his workbench, studying the sketch.
As he went back to his office, Aziraphale thought about the Lord's words. When he gave Jesu the sketch, He saw how much this plan's success hinged on Jesus and Mary being together. He remembered the photo he used to keep in his wallet – he was sure Shax had destroyed it along with the other mementos.
His mind started to percolate, "Jesus and Mary, Nina and Maggie, Anathema and Newton, Shax and Furfur, Me and …. Apparently, no being wants to be alone. How will I bear it through eternity?" The pining echoed through the emptiness inside him. Aziraphale stopped and shook his head, "This will never do! What would Crowley say? Probably, 'We can drink to the end of the world, or we can prevent it from happening.'" Aziraphale started walking with a purpose to his office. Under his breath, he finished his thought aloud, "Let's go, Angel."