The REASON Series - the Complete Collection (61 page)

“Hi, beautiful baby girl,” she coos.
 

Madison yawns, and Vivienne’s tears continue to stream down her cheeks. Mikah leans down to give Vivienne an awkward hug and to get into Madison’s line of sight.
 

He places his hand very lightly on Madison’s head just as a flash goes of.
 

“Seriously, Celeste.” Mikah laughs and wipes the tears from his eyes.

Celeste laughs.
 

Amanda comes to stand next to Vivienne, opposite Mikah. “I’m going to take her, weigh and measure her, then clean her up.”
 

Vivienne nods, reluctant to give Madison up, but Amanda smiles at her. She takes Madison with one hand under her neck and the other under her butt. “Hello, little one,” she coos as she turns around. She places Madison on a bed under a lamp, off of which Vivienne can feel heat radiating.
 

Amanda walks around to the other side and pushes a few buttons. “Seven pounds, two ounces,” she says.
 

Vivienne watches as she tugs a little on Madison’s leg.
 

“Nineteen and half inches. You’re a big girl,” she coos at Madison, and Vivienne and Mikah look at each other, smiles and tears in their eyes.
 

They both turn back toward Amanda and Madison. Celeste is busy snapping pictures.
 

Dr. Alston, who has all but been forgotten at the foot of Vivienne’s bed, says, “There you go. I had to stitch you up a little bit, but you’ll be fine in no time.”
 

Mikah remembers all too well how quickly Vivienne healed the last time she was here and wonders if the same will apply now.
 

“Thank you,” Vivienne says to Dr. Alston.
 

“It’s my pleasure, Vivienne. She’s a beautiful baby girl.” Dr. Alston brings the foot of the bed back up and covers Vivienne. “Kathleen,” she says to the nurse who handed her instruments during the birth, “let’s get Vivienne some new sheets and blankets and then have the anesthesiologist come back and remove her epidural.” She turns to Vivienne. “Amanda will take things from here, help you get started on breastfeeding and get you settled in. I will come back later this evening to check on you.” She winks at Vivienne. “You did an amazing job.”

“Thank you, doctor, for everything.” Vivienne smiles at her, and she leaves the room.
 

Mikah and Vivienne both turn back toward Amanda and Madison just in time to see Amanda lift her up and pull the icky blanket out from under her. Madison’s back is to them, and they both see it, plain as day. On her back are the most beautiful wings in light and dark purples.

FORTY-NINE

No sooner does the door click closed do they look at each other.
 

“How is it possible?” Mikah is the first to ask the obvious question.
 

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Elizabeth appears before them, as if in answer.
 

“Mom, how?”
 

“Shh, my son, it’s alright.”
 

“Do you know what’s on Madison’s back?” Mikah asks her and she nods.
 

“She is special. She is an angel from birth, something we weren’t sure of until she was born. Only the purest of angels are born with their wings.” Elizabeth says matter-of-factly, and Mikah and Vivienne look to each other, their eyes expressing the same sense of worry. “You needn’t be frightened. Though she has the markings, it will be at least a few years before they will start to show, at which time we can put a suppression spell on her to keep them locked down. But we will worry about that later. I just came to see her and to check on all of you.”
 

Though Vivienne’s worry isn’t eased by Elizabeth’s words, given that Madison is still an infant it is not a cause for concern right now. All the people around them are aware of who she is, and the overwhelming level of protection on Vivienne tells her that no harm will ever come to Madison.
 

Elizabeth comes over to the bed so she can have a clearer look at Madison. “She’s beautiful,” Elizabeth says, and in an uncharacteristic manner she leans down and kisses Vivienne on the forehead. “Well done, Vivienne.”
 

Elizabeth smiles at Vivienne, then Mikah. And just as fast as she appeared, she’s gone.

FIFTY

Two months later.

“Vivienne, you look amazing.” Celeste fusses over Vivienne, who is standing in front of a full-length mirror tucked into a room off of the main chapel in Elysium.
 

Her dress, which consists of a beautiful corset top and a free-flowing skirt, is pure white. Over it she wears a sheer, full-length overcoat trimmed with an intricate gold design that comes together in a clasp just under breasts. The back of her corset hangs a little lower than most, and the overcoat is specially designed to accommodate Vivienne’s wings. The dress was a gift from Elizabeth, and as per the information she got from Elizabeth, her wings will be a part of today’s ceremony, as is tradition when two angels marry.

 
“Are you nervous?” Celeste asks.

Vivienne smiles at her. “No, he is who I want to spend my life with, and I know deep down that he is truly my soulmate.”
 

Celeste hugs her gently, not wanting to disrupt her dress. “I’m so happy for you guys,” she croons.
 

“How are things with Andrew?” Vivienne asks.
 

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, let’s not talk about me. Today is your day,” Celeste says as she straightens Vivienne’s overcoat. “Okay, ready when you are. Remember what we practiced, nice and slow.”
 

Vivienne smirks and closes her eyes to concentrate. She can feel her wings pushing out slowly, and she pauses long enough for Celeste to adjust the back of her coat over her wings. When her wings reach their full extension without mishap, Celeste claps excitedly.
 

“Yay, we did it,” Celeste says. “Though getting it off will likely be harder.” She laughs.
 

Vivienne stands in front of the mirror, taking in the whole effect. Her hair, bright red and curly, is pull up in a messy bun. Hooked into her hair is a simple but elegant circlet made of gold with a white pearl in the center. Above the stone, a Celtic knot forms a heart.
 

Her makeup is subtle, her lips a soft pink.

Around her neck is something that Red gave to her after they came home from the hospital the evening after Madison was born. It is a special locket that holds on one side a picture from the hospital of Vivienne, Mikah and Madison, and on the other side a picture of Madison and Red.
 

She is, as she likes to be while in Elysium, barefoot, though you can’t see her feet below the dress.

“Are you ladies ready?”
 

Vivienne turns to see Red standing in the doorway, looking extremely handsome in his black tux.
 

Vivienne smiles at him. “I’m ready, are you?”

He smiles back, and she can see the emotion in his eyes. The same one that was there when she’d asked him to walk her down the isle.
 

“I am,” he says.
 

Celeste squeals with excitement, and Vivienne turns around. Celeste is wearing a beautiful burgundy halter top dress that comes to her knees. She too is barefoot, only because she insisted on not towering over Vivienne with their height difference. Celeste was the perfect choice for Vivienne’s maid of honor. She’s seen Vivienne at her best and at her worst, and they’ve grown very close.
 

Celeste hands her a beautiful bouquet of three red roses, two larger than the third. Each one represents a member of their family: Mikah, Vivienne and Madison.
 

“How’s Madison?” Vivienne asks.

Red laughs. “Being eaten alive by Kelly, Seraphina and Zirah. She’s perfectly fine and happy too.”
 

Vivienne smiles. Since her return from the hospital, she has always had someone to help support her in taking care of Madison, and Red, surprisingly, has been there the most often.
 

“Okay, I’m ready.” Vivienne says as she walks toward Red.

FIFTY-ONE

“Nervous?” Andrew whispers to Mikah.
 

“Not in the slightest.”
 

Andrew laughs. “You’re full of sh— crap.”
 

Mikah snorts. “I’m more excited than nervous.”
 

He looks out over the small gathering of people they’ve got with them. Andrew is standing with him next to his mother. Well, where his mother is supposed to be. Right now she is loving on Madison in ways Mikah remembers she loved on his younger brothers.
 

Speaking of his younger brothers, they too are here. Elizabeth insisted that they be allowed to come today, for which Mikah is thankful.

Zirah and Seraphina are here too, both vying for Madison’s attention.
 

Rebecca, on the other hand, refused to come, which was no surprise to Mikah, though he was sorry for Vivienne’s sake. Vivienne said that it was alright, though, and she remained adamant that the people who would be here today would be the people who mattered.
 

Andrew nudges him in the arm. Mikah looks to the back of the sanctuary, and standing in the middle of the entrance is Celeste. From somewhere nearby a beautiful chorus of soft voices begins to sing.
 

Elizabeth refuses to let go of Madison as she takes her place next to Mikah.

Celeste makes her way down the isle. She looks beautiful in her burgundy dress and bare feet, but Mikah is practically bouncing in anticipation of seeing Vivienne come down the isle.
 

She doesn’t make him wait much longer. As she rounds the corner he sees only a silhouette, backlit by the lights behind her, but it’s clear that her wings, like his, are out. She takes a few steps forward and the doors close behind her.

Now he can see her clearly. She is standing there next to Red, and she looks amazing. Mikah can’t help the tear that escapes his eye. He smiles at her and she smiles back at him.
 

Her dress is gorgeous and something he hasn’t seen until right now. He watches as Vivienne and Red make their way to the altar.
 

When they reach it, Red leans in to give her a kiss on the cheek and then places her hand in Mikah’s.
 

As soon as they make contact, nothing else matters, nothing else but them.
 

They walk a few steps and kneel before the altar.
 

Elizabeth begins the ceremony in fluent Gaelic. Neither Vivienne nor Mikah can catch everything she is saying, but it doesn’t really matter. All that matters is that they’re joining their lives together forever.
 

Elizabeth motions for Vivienne and Mikah to stand. Vivienne hands Celeste her flowers, and Celeste gives her Mikah’s ring. Mikah takes Vivienne’s ring from Andrew, and they begin to speak their vows in unison.
 

“I choose you for life. I promise you my deepest love throughout the pressures of the present and the uncertainties of the future.
 

You have shown me what love feels like, and for that I thank you. You are everything I need, and at this moment I know all my prayers have been answered and that all my dreams have come true.
 

I promise to be here forever and always. From this day forward you shall not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home. As I have given you my hand to hold, I give you my life to keep.”

They slip the rings onto each other’s fingers, shutting out the world around them.

“You may kiss your bride,” Elizabeth says.
 

Clapping erupts behind them, and Mikah dips her and she laughs.
 

“I love you today and forever,” he breathes.
 

“As I love you.”
 

He plants a warm, beautiful kiss on her lips, and thus their life together begins.

an Deireadh

(The End)

EPILOGUE

Two years later.

It will have been two years ago tomorrow that Mikah married the woman of his dreams. Literally. Since then, they’ve lived in that beautiful honeymoon stage. At least that is what Celeste says all the time. Though she can’t complain too loudly, as she too lives in her own wedded bliss.
 

About six months ago, they relocated to a two-story house in a suburb of Minneapolis. The house is far larger than the condo was, and Red, Kelly, Andrew and Celeste are close by, in their own homes on the same property. Connor moved on about a year ago; his services were needed elsewhere, and he happily took the job and is enjoying his new assignment. About once a month he stops by to see all of them.
 

Mikah stands in the doorway of Madison’s room. She’s just over two years old and she is the most beautiful person he’s ever laid eyes on. Well, with one exception - his wife will always hold that place in his heart. He watches her for a while from the doorway as she sleeps peacefully – much like she does every night, which is a blessing to both Mikah and Vivienne – and then he quietly walks into her room and leans down to kiss her on the forehead one last time for the night.
 

Stepping quietly out of Madison’s room, he turns toward the room he shares with his wife. Here too he pauses in the doorway to watch her sleep. She is so beautiful.

He goes into the bathroom, brushes his teeth and pulls off his t-shirt. As he watches himself in the mirror he has the strangest sense of déjà vu, but he can’t quite place it. He runs cool water over his face, dries off and turns off the light on his way out of the bathroom.
 

The déjà vu washes over him again as he walks into the room. He seems to remember doing this before, only from a different angle. He shrugs it off and walks around the bed to crawl in behind Vivienne. She stirs a little as he climbs in.