Adam and Eve were brought to an empty small building that was an endless void of white inside. They were told by Azazel to create their most beautiful costume for a ceremony of love. Samyaza explained that they would like to do a very special ceremony that would bind them as husband and wife officially in the eyes of Heaven. The archangels Camael and Haniel convinced the rest of the pantheon to agree.
"Wow. I never thought we'd see the day so soon." Adam felt a bit off about it since it wasn't God who was deciding this. Yet Adam and Eve already saw each other as husband and wife, and they considered the angels their friends at this point, so it was more of a family get-together.
Eve figured the same so asked, "Adam and I have made plenty of costumes throughout our lifetime. Which one would be the best?"
Adam said, "I always thought blue looked beautiful on you."
"I think dark red suits you."
The room manifested the fabrics into the exact color they were imagining. Mannequins of their exact build appeared. Eve went up to the red fabric and with the touch of her fingertips, gold embroidery appeared on the edges of the fabric. Eve imagined the jungles, the forests, the cold and hot deserts and other habitats with animals that he's named and loved all these years. Adam went up to his fabric and with his finger tips, green embroidery appeared on the edges of the fabric. Adam imagined the beautiful poetry that Eve made along with number calculations and other symbols that were made from her brilliancy. To add a touch more beauty, he placed tiny geometric snowflakes that sparkled, and had the green thread have a shade of white to make it all come together.
Eve took the fabric that shortened and shaped itself into a long veil and placed it upon Adam's head. She secured it with an olive wreath. Eve had her hair turn into microbraids so Adam could do the same and secured hers with a golden circlet of tiny geometric crystals.
Adam said, "I think these headpieces are perfect. Now for the actual clothes. I like what the Watchers are wearing, but I think the angels would want something new."
"WE DEFINITELY DO!"
"WAH!" The couples jumped back from a woman with frizzy rainbow hair in a high bun and wore a long sleeve dress covered in materials needed to create clothing.
"Hello! I'm archangel Jophiel! The angel of beauty and inspiration! Once I heard from Camael all about your love story, I just had to join in on the fun! So don't bow or anything! We're all friends here!"
"Well, it's nice to meet you." Adam greeted.
"And thank you for helping us." Eve added.
"Not a problem! But don't worry about me taking over! I'm just here to provide inspiration like my namesake!" A rack of clothes appeared around them. "Angels don't necessarily need clothes in Heaven unless we take on our humanoid form, and even then, a majority of them stick with the long sleeve tunic that Ananiel wears. So you don't have to stress on individuality!"
"That's good to know." Eve took a look at one rack that had the Watcher's clothes and accessories. She looked at the archangel section that had very unique designs.
Adam asked, "Which one is Uriel's?"
"That would be this one." Jophiel took out a tan brown dress with fringe hems and stylish paintings of nature.
Eve pointed out, "That looks a lot like the costumes we made from the animal skin to survive the winter. The fringes also really helped during the rainy season so our outfits weren't so heavy during our travels."
"You're right!" Adam had himself clothed in a long-sleeved tan leather shirt and leggings with fringes. He imagined the painting on his shirt to be stick figures of him and Eve that was drawn on the stone wall of Eden. He included a stick figure of Canine and had a beautiful scenery of their island home with all the other animals. He looked down at his feet and had them covered in a tan leather boot embroidered with flowers. "How do I look?"
"Spectacular!"
But Eve wondered, "Would the angels be fine with us being dressed in dead animal skin?"
Jophiel reassured her, "For us angels, weaving fabric out of plants isn't any different since we are made of holy light! So you do you!"
Adam asked, "Should we match? But you did like silk more than leather."
"I do, but I am jealous that you are able to base your outfit on your guardian angel while I don't have one."
Adam considered Uriel to be both of their guardian angel, but if Eve was to be his equal, then she deserved to have her own individual guardian angel like Lilith! He asked Jophiel, "Hey, I heard there are 12 archangels. I know that there's you, Uriel, Camael, Haniel, Michael, Raphael and Gabriel. That's 7. Who are the other 5?"
"That would be my 2 brothers and 3 sisters! Starting with Zadkiel! He's a big ol' softie! Always wishing for the best in others and finding it in him to not take anything too personal and helping others do the same! That's why he's called the archangel of Forgiveness and Compassion! My other brother is Jeremiel! Archangel of Review and Visions! Amazing memorizer so he's like in charge of filing and stuff! And cuz he's so good at it, he works with Haniel and Uriel to give the best future plans going forward! Once he heard about your romance story from Haniel, he was totally on board! Could totally envision the amazing life you two will have!"
Adam and Eve wondered what version they've been telling their siblings in heaven to get this much support, but after giving each other a glance, they figured it was best not to bother with the details until later. It might even give them a good life.
"Next we have Selaphiel! The archangel of MUSIC AND DREAMS! HEAVENS YEAH! Girl and I just make the most cranktascular tunes!" Jophiel gave them a sneak peek of their orchestral music. "Then we got my girl Raguel. Archangel of Harmony and Friendship. Girl just knows how to vibe with just anyone and control a bad situation! Any arguments or misunderstandings, she can get to the bottom of it! Now last but not least, enigmatic darling Raziel being the archangel of Secrets and Mysteries! Gabriel can hear a ton of things, but Raziel knows things not even spoken. Rumor is that she knows exactly why Father made the earth! Sounds totally thrilling or scary depending on where your existential crisis meter is, but she's pretty chilled so I guess the secret may not even be that bad or serious!"
Adam said, "Wow, they sound totally awesome! Who do you think would've been appointed to my Eve?"
"Sounds like a question for Haniel and Jeremiel!" She pulled out a palette board and rotated it until the colors turned into Haniel and Jeremiel. She asked them the question and they had trio Watcher leaders join the conversation. They gave their impressions of Eve as being the realist to Adam's idealist nature, but not to a fault. They described her as being a patient, eloquent, curious yet cautious character.
Turiel, Asbeel and the twin enchanters butt into the conversation to describe her as being a very loving and kind individual who was very fit to be a mother! Gadreel, Ramiel, Baraqel and Kokabel took over to explain how Adam was also incredibly loving and filled with so much energy to match with the youth which can make him a fitting man to be a father! The 9 other watchers wanted to give their opinions, too, making the humans laugh and blush at their compliments.
Haniel and Jeremiel muted their side of the conversation to discuss the matter and then unmuted once they came to a decision.
Jeremiel began, "We've come to a decision, but let us first explain. Adam was paired with Uriel because once Lilith was to be pregnant, he was to be the one to mostly hold down the chores and provide the wisdom to care for life. Samael was paired with Lilith to provide her a difference of perspective beyond nature itself. To see the light and speak the truth, if I may say. Yet we heavily underestimated their impatience."
Haniel continued, "We have actually come to a decision before this discussion since Eve will be recognized as Adam's wife, so she must be provided a proper guardian to be seen as his equal. We have not announced this decision since he is not here yet. But since you wish to create a gown of equal importance, Eve, the guardian angel we have chosen for you is Michael, the archangel of Justice and Protection."
Jeremiel explained, "Honestly, we could have chosen any one of us, but given that Samael has proven to be a terror among humankind, we wanted to place the best protector nearby. We also believe Michael needs this position more than the rest of us. Samael's actions in Eden have left him feeling ashamed as his twin brother despite none of us relating the disaster to him whatsoever. We hope you understand our selfish decision."
Eve blinked, confused, "Not at all. If anything, I'm deeply honored to have an archangel at all, and if being my guardian angel will help him cope with the events long ago, then I am more than happy to help."
Haniel smiled, "I knew you would."
The two said their goodbyes and hung up. Jophiel put her disc away and exclaimed, "Now let's get this show on the slide!" She brought out Michael's uniform which was basically a full suit of steel armor.
"Oh. Hm. It's a lot more sleek compared to Gadreel's battle uniform. But I don't think I want to look so…guarded for the ceremony. It is supposed to be a ceremony of our love."
"Gotcha! Here's his other outfit!" She pulled out white robes with a mozzetta and a triangular hat that looked similar to what the humans have seen Samyaza wear when he actually took control and reprimanded the Watchers thoroughly. It was all decorated with gold thread that almost seemed to reflect the beauty of Heaven.
"It's definitely better but I think I should look more modest and I like my veil. It sparkles." She twirled showing the little sparkles. "Let's first try the dress without the shoulder cloak and in plain white." Eve now wore a white cassock with loafers.
Adam commented, "The color goes with the blue, but it's pretty plain to mine."
"Give me a moment. I'm not as creative as you. Unlike the veil I made for you, you created a fantasy on mine."
"Sorry. Sorry." Adam couldn't help blushing at being called creative.
Eve found him so adorable when he rubbed his cheek and scratched the back of his neck with a shy smile. "Oh you. How about I just let you choose the decoration? I'll help with anything else that I can use my brain for. That's always been our teamwork right."
"Yeah." Adam took a good look at the gorgeous woman in front of him and said, "The white is lovely but it's too bright. It should be a tan color like mine." He picked up her hands and kissed the back of them as if it was the trigger to change the color, and it became more form fitting. The white band disappeared from the collar and instead loose white pants were formed as slits opened up from the sides of her dress.
Jophiel put up a clear mirror for Eve to see and she took a few steps forward, and found the movement of her front skirt very elegant while the back dragged like a bird's tail. After a bit of change in measurements, she twirled again and found herself in love with it.
"Oh!" Eve remembered. "We made this hundreds of years ago in Eden when I accidentally made the skirt too tight around the thighs so we cut the sides!"
"You got it! I secretly really loved that skirt since you looked like you had a tail but I thought you'd like the outfit to be a bit more flowy so I added the loose pants."
"All these years together. How could I have not known that you were into tails?"
"It's not like I want you to have a tail permanently! It'd be really cool if we did though."
Eve rolled her eyes in amusement and asked, "Is this all?"
"Of course not. We still need to add designs to your dress. I can't be the only one! But…you'll have to help me." He pulled out his lute. Lightly he sang, "I am meant for you." On Eve's dress, music notes appeared on her collar.
Eve almost teared up, remembering, "And you were meant for me."
Together they sang the duet from so long ago, but instead of labeling each other as friends, they were finally, FINALLY in all sense of the word: Equals. Not just to them but to everyone who could comprehend their relationship. No one will ever see Eve as lesser and no one will put Adam on a pedestal like some puppet.
"SO BEAUTIFUL! SO FANTASTIC! SO ROMANTIC!" Jophiel gave a round of applause with multiple temporary arms!
She manifested a majestic door, having the couple stand before it before swinging them open to reveal a cathedral of golden columns, painted ceilings, marble floors and stained glass. On the cushioned pews and the second floor balcony, angels had taken on humanoid forms.
"Are we in heaven?" Eve asked, worried.
Jeremiel appeared beside them, "Not at all. Just like how there is space between the land and clouds, we are in a dimension in between Earth and Heaven. Michael and Uriel await you at the altar, but you do not need to hurry. Take your time walking."
Adam and Eve looked at each other, very nervous but after taking a deep breath, they took each other's hands and made their first step into the room. Music that was an orchestral rendition of their song was played as they walked, giving Adam and Eve more confidence and finding their joy again.
When they got closer to the altar, they found all 12 archangels standing there. Uriel and Michael took front and center with Uriel tearing up at the sight of them.
Adam looked upon the angel with long oak brown twin braids, forest green eyes and the wings of a hummingbird. He didn't know what overcame him, but her gaze returned an emotion to him that he had long lost since he left Eden. A loving protective gaze and when she spoke his name, "Adam." He broke into tears.
Eve cried for him because she knew from all the times Adam stared up at the wall that he had been searching for Uriel.
Uriel herself found herself also breaking into painful tears, having missed Adam dearly during her travels in the known universe. They may have never spoken, but they loved each other dearly. She took the man that seemed so small into her arms and held him preciously as if he could break or slip away from her grasp.
Eve looked to Michael who was smiling at the sight. He was quite short for an angel, but the way he held himself up was dignified with an aura of strength that outshone every angel in this room. She lowered her head to bow, but he gently grasped her arms. She looked up and he said, "Stand tall on your ceremonial day, Wife of Adam and Mother of humanity."
To hear the words made Eve truly sink in that she was truly accepted by the pantheon. She looked back to the other angels who looked upon her without any sign of confusion or rage that was on Sera's face all those years ago. She found herself standing even straighter like her guardian angel to show a face of dignity and strength.
The couple rejoined hands and Michael began, "We are all gathered here today to formally recognize the First Man, Adam, and the Second Woman, Eve, as equals. For hundreds of years they have proven this through carrying each other through hardships without ever abandoning their core principles or their love for each other, or the love they both have for Father."
He told the crowd, "If anyone has any objections, speak now or forever hold your peace."
The cathedral was silent and it lingered for what felt like forever, which made the couple grasp their hands tightly with smiles.
Michael then said, "Then I ask my fellow archangels, do you agree with this union?"
Each one took turns answering "Aye."
Uriel stepped forward with two cups of water connected by a ribbon. "Take a sip of this and you will be sent back home renewed and strengthened to care for your new offspring."
Adam and Eve took only a sip, eyes completely focused on the water, but when they lowered their cups, they found themselves back in Eden in front of the Tree of Forbidden Knowledge. They looked up at the apples and noticed one looked odd. It opened its wings, revealing itself to be a lovebird.
It flew down to the ground and greeted, "Hello Adam. It's nice to officially meet you, Eve."
Adam recognized that voice, "God?" The couple sat down, shocked that they would meet Them this way when Adam remembered a ray of light from the sky the last time they talked. All the man could say was, "You're back."
"Of course! I couldn't possibly miss your big day! Congratulations!"
"Thank you very much for coming."
"Yes. Yes. Now, I imagine you have a lot of questions for me."
"Not really. No." Adam didn't mean to say it so bluntly, but it felt like a long time set of words he would say one day, and here they were.
"Wait? Really? No questions about why I put Sera in charge after all she's done? No questions about why I let such suffering exist in the world? Not the Big One Question about why you exist in the first place? Why any of this exist?"
"Well…" Adam looked at Eve.
His wife did her best to explain, "They are all fantastic questions, but Adam and I have long accepted that wishing to create comes naturally and conflicts exist even within perfection. I mean even the angels are leaving Heaven to find the thrills of Earth's limitations. I mean that's comparing an inconvenience with the traumatic experience of betrayal of familial expectations. But as long as we find a middle ground to find true happiness in the pursuit of living, which can't exist without learning the two polar opposite concepts, then we're good."
"What she said. Lilith might have questions for you. I mean that's why she ate the apple."
God did a bird coo before saying, "Yeah, no. She chose that path to walk, so I'll leave her be. I just thought I'd give you a bit of something you might think you're missing out on. Any curiosities that may be weighing you down. Like Sera. You haven't mentioned her."
Eve replied, "The Watchers have given us the idea that she had become filled with hubris like Samael when you gave her the ability to create life. So we kinda figured that you chose her because she could act as an example to not think too hard when it comes to creating life since you can't control the outcome. That you can't replace God, I mean, you."
God responded, "I will admit, I knew she wasn't quite prepared to handle the gift, but she was the best choice for a substantial outcome to happen. Sera truly does care about the welfare of others more than her siblings, which made her quite merciful despite having her plans fumbled. I hope you understand."
The couple thought back to their trauma, having Adam hug himself and Eve look away, ashamed.
Adam said, "We do understand, but it doesn't make what could happen if they were to come back into our lives any less frightening. I would like to ask for your help, but I know that asking you to interfere in matters would be an act against the free will you've given us. And if favor was provided towards only me, who knows how that could affect the descendants of not only mine but of Phé's descendants with Samael. I may not trust Phé, but I don't want to turn away from those of her lineage."
Eve agreed, "Hatred is unavoidable, but we don't want it to be God given."
God gave a happy chirp, and then went to pick an apple from the tree. He placed it on Adam's palm. "Then the least I can do is give you insight of what Lilith and Phé knows."
Adam stared at the apple with uncertainty.
"Is there a problem, my son?"
"Well, it's kinda weird to finally do something I've been told not to do for hundreds of years. Do you want to take a bite, Eve?"
She accepted the apple from Adam and inspected its perfect redness. She frankly replied, "Honestly? Not at all. I like discovering things for myself and to not be influenced by some fruit."
"Same. But," he took the apple back into his hand, "If we wish to protect our descendants we may need this."
"It can also have the reverse effect. It may even pass down to our children if we were to eat it." She touched her stomach.
"Then that decides it. It's good to be knowledgeable, but not at the cost of our children. We'll just have to figure it out together."
Adam handed the apple back to God, and they both bowed as an apology.
God had the apple turn into dust and said, "You will not ask me questions, receive my divine intervention nor accept a gift of forbidden knowledge. Is there anything you will accept from me?"
The couple looked at each other, confused. Adam said, "We've already accepted so much. Giving us a world for us to exist in, guardian angels and other heavenly beings who are like family to us, and so much more. We're truly thankful."
"Hm? Does that mean you only hold me in high regard because I give you all these things? Yet you won't take a bite of the apple that could further expand on it. Tell me, if you did not have to worry about all these things and could finally take a bite without any other consequences, would you?"
"Not at all." He put it frankly, "Because I love you. You told me not to eat the apple, so if I ate the apple, it would be like disrespecting you, and I don't want to do that."
Eve added, "I might, but I don't want to upset Adam since it will upset you. I apologize for my selfishness."
God laughed joyfully at their cuteness and said, "That is fine, my child! You haven't been given the pleasure to meet me! Even if I am God, even I understand that my creations have conditions of their own. I set them in the first place! Because to expect outright Love and Devotion just because I gave you things isn't True Love. Definitely gives me Respect! But Love should blossom from a nice conversation. Whether it be verbal or nonverbal."
Suddenly the lovebird turned into a flurry wind of colors and filled the air with an aura of power and from the cloudy skies above shined down a heavenly light.
"...You always described Them as being very powerful, but also Someone reliable, safe and warm. A very loving Being who's a bit funny. You never wanted to eat the apple because you didn't want to disrespect such Love…"
Eve remembered those words as she gazed upon the light that did not speak, but she felt it. She told Adam, "I understand what you mean now."
Suddenly the whirl of colors surrounded her body, turning the attire into balls of light as her body transformed into a woman. The whirl of colors let her see a reflection of herself, and she was speechless.
Small breasts and a pair of lips beneath instead of a pepper.
"Is this…what a woman's body really is?"
God answered, "Yes."
Eve kept staring at herself, remembering hundreds of years of feeling a sense of loss for the body she was given, and now she finally, FINALLY got the body she wanted. She fell to her knees, hugging herself as the tears dripped down on the grass, becoming bell-like lilies with colors ranging from pink to blue.
Adam cried with her, relieved and overjoyed that his wife finally received the fix she deserved years ago.
He asked, "How does it feel?"
Eve smiled as she tried to find her breath in her answer, "It feels like home." She lightly laughed. "I couldn't fully realize it until now, but I finally feel like myself. Even if I can't give birth, I'm happy with this body. Is that too selfish of me to say?"
"Not at all. You being happy comes first. We can just have God make a baby maker machine for us."
Eve giggled, swallowed and stood up with her husband. She looked up to God and said, "Thank you."
The colorful wind whirled around them and brought them home.
._._._.
A/N: Reviews would be appreciated!
There's definitely more to write, but I think I will do a Part 2 after Hazbin Hotel Season 2 comes out.
Anyway, the bell-like lilies are the Lily of the Valley flowers. They actually symbolize Eve's tears when she was banished from Eden, but in this one, they symbolize Eve's happiness in being a full fledged woman. And they actually do come in colors of pink and blue!
I imagine Archangel Jophiel to look like Miss Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. I also imagine Uriel to have a Native American appearance in her humanoid form, and not wanting to pick a specific tribe, I just picked Sacagawea's appearance in the Night at The Museum, and gave Adam what a majority of Native American would wear during the colder seasons.
As for Eve's dress, I decided on an ao dai because they have a similar collar to the cassock and I find them very beautiful and feminine. And Eve's color scheme is Mother Nature.