Angel's Fallen Lover

I chewed on my bottom lip as I tapped my dense solid gold fine-tipped pen on the ink-stained list of approvals God had delivered to me this morning. I had given the angel a tired smile as she handed over the pile of scrolls, her face portraying empathy for me.  I sighed heavily, my mind wandering to all the tasks I had to take care of. The dull sound of the pen hitting my desk creating a nice white noise as I read off the tasks I had to take care of today. 1. Pick up lists of newborn humans and drop them off at records. 2. Drop off the revised list of approved humans to the gates. 3. Send a list of unapproved humans to Hell. 4. Seven o'clock meeting with God. I re-read the last task, my pen coming to a halt. Meeting with God? Hmm... I wonder what's going on... Being one of God's right-hand angels meant that I dealt with a lot of mundane tasks day in and day out, along with any important situations or decisions that arise. For example, if a human were to accidentally be sent to hell, I would be the one to meet up with one of Lucifers’ demons to retrieve them. And let me tell you, those demons are not always pleasant. But I never got to see the actual boss. I've seen demons more times in my existence than I've seen God. No one did really... Any scrolls or messages were picked up from a special podium that stood outside of his gates. We can't blame God though. Having to oversee the vastness of the universes must truly take a toll on you. Not to mention that in the Milky Way, Earth was wreaking havoc. The humans are currently destroying the Earth that was given to them and harming each other, so that took up a majority of God's time. I was pretty grateful that they were left to the Guardian Angel's to deal with. Since it was 5:45, I decided to quickly work on my list of tasks for the day, before heading to the meeting. Number one- Pick up the lists of newborns and drop it off at the main records station. Every time a human is born, it is logged by their Guardian Angel. We get hundreds and thousands of new humans being brought into life every minute. This was usually my favorite task because it meant new life on Earth, and that meant new souls to love. I flitted my wings a couple of times, preparing to rise from the seat I had been in. The large white lace extremities became almost non-existent the faster they moved. The air around me vibrated with the force of the flapping, a light hum filling the area. My legs extended as my body was softly lifted into the air. I gently picked up the list of approved humans allowed into heaven I had finished looking over and the list of unapproved humans before propelling forward, carefully maneuvering around my desk and to my office door. I grabbed a cloth satchel that hung on the door, sliding the scrolls into it before slinging it around my neck and across my chest, and made my way out. Now, I know what you're thinking. An office? In heaven? Isn't it all just clouds and sky and happy dandy sing-along songs?  Technically yes. For the humans that come in their afterlife. But for us angels, it's very similar to a corporate business office. Minus the water coolers, suits, and money. We work to keep heaven running smoothly, and trying to keep the mortals content. It is meant to work because Angels aren't supposed to be capable of feeling emotions. So unlike humans, we shouldn't feel contempt towards clerical work. We are only allowed to feel love and devotion towards God and humans. I've been a servant here in Heaven for a little over ten millenniums. If I'm being honest, sometimes felt things I wasn't supposed to. I've felt fear down in Hell, odium towards some humans, and empathy for humans I've had to escort to Hell. If God found out, I'd be in hot water. In order to carry out God's wishes, we must be void of feeling. But a lifetime of experience meant I knew how to hide my transgressions. I've felt panic and grief when another angel, not as seasoned as I, had been caught delving into emotions and was cast out of the Kingdom. Heaven does in fact look like a green paradise. The tulip fields of the Netherlands were designed by God with Heaven in mind. The angels worked a few levels above, in the clouds.  My eyes bounced from white feathery cloud to the next, as my body flowed over them. The rays of sunshine that pierced through them warm and comforting. Between the gaps, where a cloud may take a moment or two to before meeting another, you could catch glimpses of the green divine and the humans enjoying it. I relished the small amounts of happiness that our Kingdom created within me. I held onto those moments tight, to call upon when my job became arduous. "Good morning, Gaby!" A nasally voice greeted me as I rounded a corner, reaching the office that received all the Guardian Angels assignments. "Good morning, Rose." I gave her a warm smile. Rose was the keeper of tasks for the Guardian Angels. She would assign each one to a new human as they came into life. Rose, like the rest of us, was made beautiful, in God's vision. She had gold silk hair that draped to her mid-thighs, alabaster skin, and calm blue eyes. We all wore the same clothing though, and no shoes. White tunics that ended at the knee, embellished with gold stitching. They were loose, and moved with our bodies as we would glide inches above the clouds. Rose though was standing gracefully upon a tuft, her forearms resting on the podium placed a few feet before the golden doors that held the assignments. The rays of sun illuminated the glossy strands of hair, matching the embroidery in our tunics. "I'm pleased to inform that 7,609,892 angels were created and assigned to life this week! That's 547,365 more than last week!" Her smile beamed with pride and love for the new life she witnessed. I couldn't help but feed off the love she was emitting, my smile growing wide to match hers. "I'm sure God will be absolutely thrilled to hear we are working so efficiently, Rose. Are the records ready?"  Rose nodded enthusiastically and turned to enter the two large doors behind her. Her wings began to flutter rapidly, the doors pulling opening without a touch. She disappeared for a few moments before returning with a tower of powder blue folders. There were a few stray gold line pages threatening to escape. "It took me a bit longer to get them together since we welcomed so many more lives, but it's all here!" She muffled the words behind the stack as she transferred them from her arms to mine. "I appreciate the diligent work, Rose. See you next week!" I muffled back to her, the paperwork now hindering my line of vision. "Bye, Gaby!" I picked up my speed and propelled upwards through the clouds now. Records had its own entire floor due to the mass amount of humans that were born each day. When I was first created to serve our Kingdom, Records only took up a room. My hair, long and silken like Roses', yet auburn and wavy, became trapped between my wings as I sped through the tufts of mist. "Gaby!" A deep voice greeted me as I broke through the final pillow. "Michael!" I answered back excitedly. I had to keep the feeling quick, since that was a forbidden one too. Love and caring was reserved for God or humans. Angels were not to feel any sort of way towards each other. But how could I not love Michael? He aided in my creation, and taught me the ropes. "Nice to see you, little angel. Need help with those?" He reached two strong arms out, taking the folders before I could respond.  Michael was a bit more open with his feelings towards us because he was even quicker at reigning them in and keeping them under the radar. "Thank you! Rose says 547,365 more babies were born this week." I said to him a bit exasperated. Michael rolled his grey eyes and I couldn't stifle the laugh that bubbled onto my lips. Michael, like Rose, was beautiful. Made in God's absolute vision. He stood a foot taller than me, his wings exponentially larger and faster. His brown hair fell to his shoulders in light waves, and his golden skin radiated in the sun. "That seems a bit excessive, especially with the chaos they create." I nodded slowly, feeling a temporary flash of sadness squeeze my heart at the thought. "But we shall love them nonetheless." I said half-heartedly. "And love them we shall." Michael shot me a wink and a smile.  I felt my heart flutter, almost as fast as my wings. "Are you all done with work, Gabs?" He asked, a new emotion I didn't recognize flashing through his eyes. "Actually no. God has summoned me." I shrugged, trying to hide my nerves. "Oh boy. What did you do?" Michael teased, swiftly reaching me to nudge my shoulder. The touch sending warmth through me. I took a half step back, smiling and rolling my eyes. "I have no clue what it's about but I'm sure it doesn't have to due with my performance." As the words left my mouth, I felt anxiety spread ice through my soul. I swallowed the feelings as best I could, knowing God would be able to sense any of it if I didn't get it under control now. "What time is it anyway?" I asked Michael, ignoring his joking smile. "It's 6:30." He smiled down at me, his eyes again showing that foreign emotion. "I need to get to the gates and the tunnel before my meeting with God at 7!" My eyes flew wide at the time crunch I suddenly found myself in. "Here, let me deliver the scrolls and you can get to your meeting early. Don't want to keep God waiting." He flashed a dazzling smile, his body coming close to mine as his large hands removed the satchel from around my body, his fingers barely grazing my tunic. "Th-thanks, Michael." I breathed, before my wings sputtered to life and I moved upwards again through the clouds. My skin felt hot from my interaction with Michael. I took deep breaths, closing my eyes to focus on restoring the void I was supposed to keep inside. The crisp breeze created by my flight helped soothe the fire Michael had started on my skin. I broke through the very final layer of clouds, my eyes settling on the solid gold gates that God lived behind. They were absolutely solid, not barred like the ones at the entrance to the Kingdom. Rays of light exploded all around me, a mist rolling into the room, as the gates spread apart, a voice began to call me in.