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Tears fill my eyes too at the emotion in her voice. For years I thought my parents had abandoned me. That they didn’t care. But hearing Lilith talk about it makes me realize how hard it must have been for her to let me be raised by other families. “I understand.”
“No, you don’t. There’s more.” Another tear rolls down her cheek and this time she doesn’t stop it. I get the sense she needs to get this confession out. “We gave you to a perfect family in the suburbs, where you would have two other siblings near your age, but an angel found out about you. The family was killed by an assassin, and you were almost taken, but Gabriel got there in time. He couldn’t save that family, and their blood is on our hands forever. But he saved you. After that, we decided foster care was the only way. We made up a new identity for you and hoped you would get lost in the system. It worked. You were overlooked by both angels and demons. But I do know you suffered for it, and I’m sorry. I often worry we made the wrong choice, but at the time we did what we thought was right.”
Her voice breaks, and some wall within me crumbles. I climb onto the bed and wrap my arms around her, pressing my face against her shoulder while the tears flow freely. She lets out a surprised sound, and then hugs me tight, stroking my hair. We cling to each other and then I manage to say, “I know you did your best…Mom.”
She lets out a little sob at the word Mom, which I’ve never used before, and then hugs me tighter. “I love you, Olivia. More than you know.”
“I love you too.”
We sit back and wipe our eyes, but anything we might say next is interrupted by someone appearing out of nowhere on my balcony. To my great surprise, it’s Gabriel. He must have teleported here.
Dad looks through the glass at us in shock, as we hastily pat our faces and try not to look like we were just crying. I wave him inside, and he opens the balcony door but hesitates, his eyes on Lilith.
“Sorry, um…” He seems flustered at seeing her, and she’s staring intently at him too. This could get awkward fast.
“Hey Dad, what’s up?” I stand and move between them. “Is something wrong?”
“No, you just forgot this.” He holds out my black cardigan, which I must have left at the house during our BBQ.
“Oh, thanks.” I put it on my dresser and look back and forth between the two of them. They haven’t taken their eyes off each other.
“Are you all right?” Gabriel asks. I’m not sure if he’s talking to me or her.
“We’ve been having a little heart-to-heart,” Lilith says with a smile. “One that’s been long overdue.”
Gabriel nods. “Well, don’t let me interrupt. I just came by to drop off Liv’s sweater, and now I’ll be on my way.”
“It’s probably time I left as well.” Lilith rises to her feet, oozing grace and s*x appeal. No wonder my father couldn’t resist her.
“Do you need help getting off campus?” Gabriel asks.
She c***s her head with a sultry smile. “No, but I wouldn’t turn down a quick flight. For old time’s sake.”
My mouth just hangs open as I glance back and forth between the two of them. I’m pretty sure they’ve completely forgotten I’m in the room at this point. Do they still have feelings for each other? Mom said it was a quick affair, but Dad spoke fondly of her before and I’m starting to sense there’s something still there.
Gabriel offers Lilith his arm like a gentleman and unfurls his silvery wings. “I’d be happy to give you a lift.”
She tosses me a smile as she takes his arm. “It was so wonderful to see you, Olivia. I’ll try to come back to visit again soon.”
“Thanks, Mom. And Dad. See you both soon.” I give them a little wave as Gabriel sweeps Lilith into his arms like they’re in a movie, and then flies off the balcony with her.
I step outside into the cool night air and watch them go, until they’re only a tiny speck in the distance. For the first time ever, I think I might understand them a little.
Chapter Thirteen
Olivia
I
t’s the start of May, and spring has arrived in full force. It’s a good thing angels don’t suffer from seasonal allergies the way humans do because there is pollen everywhere. If an angel with white wings stands still for too long near the trees, their feathers turn yellow. That doesn’t stop everyone from being outside all the time though, soaking up the sunshine and warmth. Angels sure do love their sunlight.
- Writer
