Chapter 1

Emily could hardly contain her excitement. Every new soul was like the most valuable gift to her, and she is filled with companionate love for all who grace the paradise that is heaven. Henry is still absorbing the sight of the rolling hills, one of his favorite features of earth. In his astonishment, he gently reaches up to his face and is taken aback.

"My chin…" He began "My voice too." Henry began feeling himself in his body and expressive surprise with each feature.

Emily, with her arms tucked to her sides and fists shaking in delight suppresses a squeak "Soo… What do you think?" She is almost bouncing with each word uttered.

Henry, still processing all the information his senses are taking in, does not quite understand the question. He looks at her for a moment, replaying the question in his mind. He can't help but smile due to Emily's infectious jubilee as he thinks through, then suddenly he puts it together.

"I have a new body!" He exclaims.

"And what do you *think* about it?" Emily asked again through barely contained joy.

Henry hesitated for a moment, used to keeping his thoughts to himself. But heaven and overwhelming joy and peace have a way of opening a person up.

"My face… I don't feel any of the flaws it once had. I can see the hills crystal clear all the way over the valley! I don't have tinnitus anymore! My voice… It is the same but… different somehow. It is in baritone resonance but without the strain of use. It is still as old as it was on earth but… more perfect I suppose. My whole body feels lighter and healthier."

"It's peeerfeeect!" Emily exclaims whilst flying in a circle.

"Hey Emily, where is everybody?"

Emily settles down slightly and flies at eye level to Henry. "Well… I am like the greeter to new arrivals in heaven. Now that you're a little more oriented and aware, we can go to the city!" Emily gestures to her side, and a portal opens revealing the white marble of buildings and the bustling of people and angels alike.

Henry and Emily go through and Henry once again is astonished to see the sights, only this time it is architecture, recognizable historical figures, saints, and signs that say "Soul Massage" and "Spiritual Satisfiers for Winners & Angels" that opened his mind to the possibilities of what lie ahead. One thing, Henry noticed, was absent… God. Though his mind was too preoccupied to even think to ask.

Emily continued to lead him through the city to the hall of the Seraphim, the governor of heaven.

"Sera likes to meet everyone and check them in to make sure that everyone's transition from life to eternal life is a smooth one." Emily explained with a smile. Henry happily nodded his agreement but was starting to feel confused.

Emily led him into the giant courthouse, only nominally resembling that of the likes of earth. No indeed, this courthouse was far more grand, intricate, and beautiful than what is possible on earth. He walked and Emily fluttered through various rooms, all adorned with banners, tapestries, and other décor that far exceeded earth. In fact, one decoration in heaven was more beautiful than all of earth's grandest sights combined.

Finally, they made it to the office of Sera, and Emily showed him in.

"I have a lot of things to do Henry, but I'm so glad you're here and to meet you." Emily said, with an authentic smile and joy in her eyes. Henry was still dazed in stupor for all the wonderful things he had seen in the short time he had arrived, so he just went to wave but Emily hugged him, and he hugged back before she fluttered away.

Henry turned to the desk and saw a much more imposing Seraphim, Sera, the governor of heaven. She arose from her chair and gestured her hands outwardly and spoke:

"Greetings Henry, I am Sera, governor of heaven. Won't you please sit down?"

Henry walked over to the desk, and Sera offered her hand to shake. Henry reciprocated and shook her hand and felt the tremendous power coursing through her arm. Henry then sat down, and Sera did so as well.

"Now let's see how your life on earth was Henry.." Sera said, partially talking to herself. She opens her hand and a gold piece of parchment flies into it, as well as a golden feather. She holds the parchment in front of her and makes small notes here and there with the feather pen.

"You are Henry Wright, born August 3rd, 1994" Sera looks up for a moment. "So, 30 years of age by earth reckoning. You lived above reproach, loved others, sacrificed for them even when it was hard. I like this one here" Sera gestures to a point on the page, but the script is illegible to Henry as it is some kind of angelic language. "Your childhood best friend was doing self-destructive behavior and you confronted them, in their anger they cut you out of their life, and even though you were hurt you made your intentions clear and remained open and honest as you best knew how even though you lost them for the rest of your life."

Henry recalled this memory, his best friend of 16 years and him grew up together and progressively, as they learned more, came to disagree. Henry improved greatly with each criticism and issue that popped up in their friendship, while his friend merely masked those traits while around Henry. When Henry found out he drew a line and said "I cannot let you keep doing this to yourself and others, I care about you too much to let this go", and so, he lost his best friend at the time.

"It may please you to know that your friend attended your funeral, and the memory of your words touched his heart so that he changed and is still changing. I believe he is on the right path."

Henry breathed a sigh, like a weight off his shoulders. Even though he knew that his best course of action with the greatest likelihood for his friend healing was to hold him accountable, but it means all the difference to hear the most powerful being he has ever met to actually say it out loud, and speak to the progress that finally occurred, even though it took Henry dying for it to happen. Henry felt the need to explain his actions as he so often did, but caught himself realizing that this angel may know more about him than he knows about himself.

"I believe Doctor- Doctor, would you like to be called Doctor?" Sera inquired.

"Oh no no Henry will be just fine." Henry responded.

"I believe, Henry, you won't have any issues getting settled in. A room is prepared for you in that building across the street" Sera gestures out the window to a large building that is lined with windows and has the same angelic architecture. "Inside your room should be everything you could need or want, but if anything comes up be sure to ask Emily as she is responsible for the happiness of the residents of heaven."

"Thank you Sera, I wanted to know-"

Sera smiles gently at Henry "There's a booklet full of information in your room, it should answer everything from where the amenities in the city are to the nature of heaven and existence itself."

Henry smiles back, a deep feeling of being understood washing over him. Henry nods and stands, Sera standing to see him out the door. As they get to the door, Henry turns back.

"Thank you, Sera, this is all so wonderful."

"Of course, Henry. I have a meeting, but it is wonderful to have you here." Sera responds.

Henry turns back and sees two angels approaching Sera's office. One is tall and wears a dark mask, adorned in white robes, and the other is short wearing black with a dark mask, and one eye covered with an X. Henry felt differently about these angels in his gut and stands to the side to let them by, offering a smile and a wave. The angels however do not spare him a glance as they walk by him to Sera's office.

"That is no way to treat a new resident of heaven." Sera points out.

"Ugghh fuckin' fine." The angel turns to Henry, sticking up his nose. "Welcome to heaven, and I'm sure you're at *least* one one hundredth as amazing as I am." The angel laughs while the shorter one stands by stoically.

Henry, uncomfortable and gob smacked at the display of pride and unkindness from someone in heaven, reaches out a hand stating "My name is Henry, sir."

"I'm Adam, first man." He replied before closing the door.