On Angel's Wings (2 page)

Dr. Fenton nodded and continued to write down some notes.
“Well, the fact that it is getting easier to deal with is a good thing, Alexa. This isn’t ever going to be something you just get over. However, you can make it manageable. Do you know what I mean? As for why should you be happy? Because everyone deserves happiness, and I don’t think that Terrance would begrudge you that. So think on that.”

“
I’m managing,” she said quietly. It hurt to talk, and her throat felt so parched. She could see Tessa with her beautiful green eyes, latte colored skin and curly fine auburn hair with its blond highlights. She'd been so much like her father and was gone much too soon. She realized that she had zoned out when the counselor cleared her throat. It was hard to think that the other woman could be right about Terrance wanting her to be happy. Yet at the same time, it made her breathe a bit easier.

“
As I was saying, Alexa, I need you to continue to read the books I gave you so that we can continue to have progress. You're doing so much better than before. I like the progress that I see in you. I will see you back here next month for our meeting after the holidays.”

Standing, Alexa held out her hand to the other woman and smiled as she shook her hand. She had to stop herself from releasing a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Dr. Fenton. I'll see you next month.” The doctor released her hand, and Alexa turned and left the office. For her, this was the best part of the session, the ending. Fabulous doctor, but once more, she felt as if she didn't need this kind of help. She had to admit it felt good to say out loud that she’d been thinking about being happy, with someone else besides Terrance.

Finally back in her car, she put the key in the ignition and then pressed her head against the steering wheel. She just bawled right there in the parking lot. She cried until the tears no longer came and then she sat up, wiped her face with a tissue and then blew her nose and prepared to drive home.

She groaned as she heard her name called just as she was about to turn the key into the ignition. She tried to ignore it, but the female voice only became more urgent. If only she’d been a little quicker, she’d have gotten away and not have to talk.

“
Alexa Gray! It's been a long time. Where've you been hiding?” Alexa felt her shoulders tense, as she knew she couldn't get away. She turned slowly, smiled politely, and looked at the blue haired older neighbor, Betty Cranston. Betty was the closest neighbor to her, though their houses were a mile apart. The great thing about living in the country for someone who didn't wish to be bothered was the fact that you were miles apart from others. The problem came when one had to go to town, like she'd had to today.

“
Hello, Ms. Betty. I've just been a bit busy, with work and all.”

“
Honey, you should come over sometime. Me and the Mister would love to have you over again for dinner like we used to.” This was why she avoided going out. It was days like this that made it hard for her. It wasn't the older woman’s fault that she felt suffocated when others were around.

“
Perhaps, sometime I will, Ms. Betty. But I am too busy at the moment to do so. I appreciate you asking me.”

“
Well I have a jar of that apple butter that you and Tessa...liked so well.” Then Betty covered her mouth and gasped. “Oh, honey, I am so sorry.” Alexa knew she hadn't meant it, but it still hurt. The look of horror on Ms. Betty’s face said it all, and she knew it had to mirror her own.

“
II have to go now. Bye, Ms. Betty.” She turned and started the car, Ms. Betty moved out of the way as quickly as she could while Alexa backed up and drove away. When she reached her house, she ran to her door, fumbling with the keys. Once she got it open, she entered quickly, shut the door, leaned against it, and cried until the well ran dry for what seemed like the thousandth time that day.

***

Angelo gazed at the weeping woman and wished for the millionth time that he could embrace her. She needed someone who'd hold her, show her that she was loved, and yes, worthy to be loved. No one else could do that but him. He looked over at Michael. He knew that it was asking a bit much, but he was hoping that Michael would tell him good news. That the one in charge had finally agreed to him going down to intervene in Alexa’s life.

“
First, I must ask, Angelo, what is it that you think you can do for her?” The other angel stood next to Angelo as they looked down at Alexa.

“
She needs me, Michael.”

“
You’ve always been there for her as a guardian. Why should you be allowed to go and see her?”

“
My heart has always been laid bare, and it is known to all about how I feel. But if you must know, I love her. The feelings I have for her have evolved. Her pain is my pain. I want to show her she can go on. That the tragedy doesn't have to be forgotten, but it can be managed. Her laughter and joy are gone. When was the last time we saw her smile?”

“
Things that happen to them are supposed to be trials.”

“
Yes, I know. Now tell me the decision. Can I go or not?” He didn't want to sound so hurried but he was. He needed to get to Alexa.

Michael nodded and before he answered, he looked back down at Alexa, watching as the woman finally moved from the doorway and further into her home. He then turned away from the vision with his hands clasped behind his back, looking like someone deep in thought.

“Well?” The other angel sighed, his blue eyes filled with mirth.

“
You're allowed to go.” Angelo moved as if to leave, stopping as he heard Michael’s next statement.

“
There are some conditions, Angelo.”

“
What are the conditions?” He held his breath as he waited for a response.

“
First, I have to know why you are so eager to rush to her side. There are consequences in this life, even for us! You can't go down there, change someone's way of thinking and not be bound by the laws. There is also the issue of time running differently there.” Angelo felt his heart rate pick up as he thought about the choice he needed to make. Should he do it? Was it truly worth it? Or should he walk away and forget about helping her? His gaze drifted back towards Alexa. The hurt on her face and the pain he felt radiating from her and into him was too much. Yes. She was worth it. Without any doubt left in his heart, he looked at Michael.

"I’ll do it. I am willing to rush to her side because she's worth the risk, Michael."

"You're telling me she is worth life as you know it? One, you'll not be allowed to change anything that goes on in her life. Any decision she makes has to be made because it is her will." Michael paused and looked at him, his mouth opened and closed.

"Is that all, Michael? I sense there is something you're not telling me."

"No, it's not all. The consequence for you getting to go to her is that you will not have any memory of who and what you are. That is until your mission is complete."

"You mean I won't remember that I am an angel?"

"Exactly. So you need to think of the consequences before you go ahead and do this."

"She's important. I'm doing this."

"You run the threat of losing it all. You could lose her right along with being an angel."

"I am prepared to do so." It pained him to think of losing her, but if she was whole again what did it matter? Her happiness mattered and that is all he’d allow himself to think of.

"Then it is done." The moment those words were said by Michael, Angelo saw a white light flash before his eyes, felt a searing pain along his shoulder blades where his wings and flesh met, then all went dark.

Chapter
Two

It had snowed again, and if she didn't dread this time of the year, she probably would’ve thought it beautiful. But the snow reminded her of black ice, the swerving on the road, glass, torn metal, the smell of blood and tears. Sighing, she got up from the desk, stretched her arms above her head, groaning as the muscles in her body protested the length of time she’d spent in the chair. A glance at the clock on her desk advised her that she'd actually worked through lunch and dinner. Hell, she didn't even remember eating breakfast.

After the incident with the neighbor, she hadn't been outside for about two weeks. It was much easier to ignore someone who didn't want to be ignored by avoiding them. It was so nice to just have alone time. Granted she had more than her share of it, but she loved it. She heard her stomach growl and shook her head as she left her office, padding down barefooted to the kitchen to grab something to eat.

Just as she was opening a cabinet to grab the peanut butter, she heard a sound in the backyard.
There was a flash of light, which she chalked up to her eyes playing tricks on her. Moving away from the counter, she walked towards the back door that led out to her backyard, slowly opened the door, and peered out. Squaring her shoulders as she told herself there was nothing to be afraid of, she went outside and stood, checking the yard.

She thought her eyes were playing tricks on her at her first. As she looked near her pool, there was a shape there she didn't recognize. The porch light gave plenty of light, but that one area there seemed a bit more shadowed. Tentatively, she moved forward and then stopped in her tracks as her eyes adjusted, and she saw what appeared to be a body with wings.
Wings? I must be sleepier than I thought.
She closed her eyes and opened them quickly, when another white flash went off.

She'd hoped that the body had been an apparition. No, the body was still there, wingless of course, but still there. She felt a strange calm wash over her and she knelt beside the body, shaking him gently. He was well muscled and seemed strong.
What on earth could've knocked him out like this?
She couldn’t stop her hand from stroking through his long black strands of hair, just once. Then she was back to the task at hand, seeing if he was ok and trying to get him up. He was on his side facing away from her, so she tugged gently on his arm, turning him onto his back.

Her eyes roamed his face and she couldn't help but admire his strong chiseled jaw, long black hair that curled at his broad shoulders, nor could she not help but speculate how his lips would taste in a kiss. She wondered what his eyes looked like. Would they be blue, green or a deep chocolate to go with his tanned skin?
What the hell was she thinking? Kiss? He was a stranger
. She had to make sure he was okay. She wasn't a nurse, but she could check to see if he was hurt.

His chest rose and fell steadily, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Then her eyes fell between his legs, and she bit back the small moan that threatened to erupt as she looked at his cock.
Why was he hard? And so very thick, a perfect length.
A hunger began in her lower belly, not the same hunger of before, but something entirely different than the need for food.

Her eyes shot up quickly to his face and she gasped. His eyes were open and they were an intense gray. Her nipples tightened into hard, almost painful nubs as her awareness of him grew. She hadn't even been close in the picking of his eye color, she thought absently. He didn't say anything, just stared at her. Then a smile spread across his face and she found herself wanting to know what made him smile like that.

Then it hit her. He was naked and outside in the snow. She needed to get him in the house and warmed up. She frowned and looked at him as he continued staring up at her. He had to be all kinds of crazy.

"Come on, we need to get you out of this cold."

She held out her hand and stood, hoping that he could get himself up without much help from her. He was huge and would tower over her, dwarfing her smaller body. He placed his large hand in hers and stood, and she had to stifle the moan that his mere touch would have elicited from her throat. She wondered if he could speak since he hadn't bothered trying. He only stared at her with that intense look in his eyes. He felt so familiar.

She ushered him into the house and told him to sit on the couch. There was no way she could continue to deal with him if he was naked. She had to get him clothed. Marching into the spare bedroom, she paused at the dresser for a moment before she opened it slowly, revealing male clothing. Terry's things. She still couldn't bring herself to get rid of their things. She ran her hand over a t-shirt and her eyes filled with tears. She blinked them back, then grabbed a shirt and a pair of jeans for him and laid them on the bed. Turning, she gasped when she found him standing just inside the doorway. She hadn’t heard him enter the room.

Averting her eyes from him, she pointed to the things on the bed. "There's a shirt and a pair of jeans for you to put on. I'm sorry but I don't have any underwear for you."

She heard movement and she couldn't help but glance at him. He pulled the pants up his muscled thighs, and then she saw his ass disappear in denim. The thought of how much of a shame it was to hide all that man in those jeans hit her. That was when saw his back: it was so muscled but before she could examine him any further he covered himself with the t-shirt and turned to face her.

"Okay, you obviously understand English, so tell me who are you and why the hell were you in my yard naked?"