Seven Come Eleven

Chapter Fourteen

Jake leaned against the wet wall. He was so drained he didn’t think he would even make it to the elevator, but he needed to see Nadia and Alan, and assure himself they were safe.

A loud bang from the stairwell behind him startled Jake. To his relief, it was Alan running towards him. Jake grabbed him in a hug. Both relieved the other was alive. “Oh Thank God! Where is Nadia?”

Alan broke the hug and nodded across to the bar where Nadia stood with Dan. He held her hands and looked down at her with a soft loving smile that she was returning.

“I am sorry I put you through all this,” Dan told her softly. “I was never a great husband, you deserved better.”

“I never wanted you to die, I – I was going to try and avenge you,” she said through sobs and hysterical laughter. “I-”

He traced her face with his fingertips. “I can’t come back to you and we both know if I did we wouldn’t work out any better than we did before. Besides you’ve found happiness, haven’t you?”

She blushed for the first time in years. It amused Dan. Nadia nodded, “I didn’t mean to. I just, it just happened. I swear I didn’t know he was your friend. You aren’t upset?”

Dan laughed lightly and looked over her head where Jake and Alan were approaching. “Who do you think guided you?”

Nadia gasped, but before she could form words Jake spoke behind her. “Dan?”

“In the flesh- kind of. Thank you. I owe you everything. I didn’t know you were a light being.” Dan reached past Nadia to shake Jake’s hand, pulling his long-time friend against him as well for an embrace.

“I didn’t either,” Jake smirked. “I went to see Father Cresson and it sort of woke it up I suppose. Dan, I miss you here.”

“I miss you too, old friend. I can’t stay. But I leave you to look after my girl. Maybe you two will bring each other the happiness neither of you have found before,” Dan said, his eyes focusing on Father Cresson as one by one he blessed shadowy figures and they flew upwards through the ceiling.

The light closed and Father Cresson turned to Dan and the others. “It’s time. I can only put it off so long, my boy.”

“I understand.” Dan stepped forward, then looked back at Jake and Nadia, who had come together for warmth since Nadia was still soaked from the rain and he was soaked from the sprinklers. Dan smiled brightly at them. “You two take care of each other or I’ll come back to haunt you both! I’m talking straight up poltergeist type stuff.”

“I look forward to it!” Jake laughed almost sadly as Dan accepted the blessing and then in a flash flew upwards into the rafters and out into the unknown.

Finally Nadia allowed herself to break down. Jake held her against him, shaking, sobbing, and laughing all at once. He couldn’t blame her, this had been a tough week for them all.

“It’s over. It’s done.” He whispered, stroking her hair.

She looked up through wide teary eyes, “I know. I am just so relieved that we made it and he is safe. We have his blessing too. I was so worried he would be offended that we were together.”

“Are we together then?” Jake smiled tiredly. A white feather drifted between them, landing on Nadia’s chest. Jake sighed in relief, he could feel a warmth around them. “There’s the sign that he has moved on.”

“We can be— if you still want to?” She wiped her eyes and sniffled. Nadia held the feather gently before placing it in her pocket, she’d keep it always.

“Oh, hell yeah,” Jake gave a short laugh before hugging her again. He pulled away from her to move closer to Alan. Without shame the two embraced again. “You staying on and helping me clean this mess up?”

“You bet I am. You’re practically my brother.” Alan fought the tears that burned his eyes, but some escaped anyway. It was the first time he had cried since his childhood.

“Well good! I’ll need help to get this dead hell hound off my walls and try and get this place back up and running.” Jake pointed to the bright green splatters.

Father Cresson came forward, also looking tired. He made the sign of the cross over the three of them. “This was an honor to witness. I will come back for the blessing when you have it up and running again, Jake. You are welcome to visit me anytime- all of you.”

Jake gave the elder man a nod, then let go of Nadia to shake his hand. “I cannot thank you enough, Father. I am forever in your debt.”

“Mine as well. Thank you for those last few moments with Dan-” Nadia sounded like she might break down again.

Father Cresson smiled warmly, “I am glad I could give you that closing. You all have my blessings.”

“I live in the penthouse on tenth floor and I’m sure we have some dry clothes you can borrow,” Jake said. “Why don’t you stay on with us until the storm passes? The power is restored and I’m positive we could find a pizza place that will deliver.”

Alan stepped forward a little hesitantly. “Father, perhaps I could speak to you privately-”

“A priest in a casino! Well I suppose it won’t hurt this once,” he said with a wink. Turning to Alan he offered a warm smile. “Of course, I am available any time.”

“Jake?” Nadia asked as they got into the elevator. “Does this mean you’ll do music again? I saw your drum set in the basement, you must have kept it for some reason.”

Jake rubbed his chin, he really did miss it. “ You know, I just might, my dear.”