Archanghel: Tale of the Universe

Chapter 30

Janus took all the outbursts. Xandriel threw them at him. He tightened his hold on her waist and hugged her. He tapped her head gently and let her cry. She sobbed quietly but continuously. She also held onto Janus’ shirt and fisted the hem of it.

“It's okay. I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I was just shocked earlier. That’s why I accidentally raised my tone on you. I didn’t mean it. Forgive me, Xandriel.” Janus explained in a whispered tone.

The tension on his body left when he felt Xandriel nod, accepting his apology. A smile immediately appeared on his lips. He squeezed Xandriel more into his body and the latte buried her face on his chest. They stayed like that for a while as Janus waited for Xandriel to calm down. When Janus could no longer hear the sobs and Xandriel’s breath evened, she looked up at him. Xandriel’s eyes were red and puffy but still, she had managed to give him a smile.

“Let’s go eat?”

Xandriel nodded at Janus and together they went back to the house. Holding each other's hands. Xandriel let her husband lead her to the house. They were already standing at the door when Xandriel felt a spasm in her stomach.

“Janus…” another contraction, “it hurts!”

Xandriel bent down as another wave of spasm hit her stomach. She was clutching her stomach. Janus was quick to assist her to sit down on the ground. Xandriel was breathing hard and her hold on Janus' arm tightened.

“Janus, Janus, I think… I think he’s coming,” Xandriel managed to say in between breaths.

“Are you about to give birth? But you’re not due yet.” Janus answered her in panic.

“Lola Isma was not here yet. What should I do?” He added in panic.

Xandriel screamed when she felt another contraction in her stomach. She winced as the pain escalated as every minute passed. Janus watched him and he too was wincing in pain. Just by looking at her, he couldn’t imagine how much his wife was in. Heaven must’ve heard their prayers because, at that time, Lola Isma arrived with a midwife beside her.

“Rachele! Is he coming?”

Lola Isma crouched down in front of Xandriel and held her face. She let the midwife check Xandriel’s condition. Janus was just standing in front of them and was frantically looking everywhere. Xandriel felt water gushing down into her lower body.

“He’s coming! Let’s take her inside.” The midwife announced.

Janus was quick to do as he said. He carried Xandriel in his arms. He tried to be more gentle and quick. He went inside their room and placed her there. He let the midwife and Lola Isma do the preparations. He just stood at the door.

He was huffing and sweaty but something was blossoming inside his heart. Happiness and excitement. It was different from before. It was much more. It was pure bliss.

+++

Raphael was reading a book. He recently found some interest when he felt it. A ray of warm sunshine curtained the whole Cosmos. Some of the rays entered the library and they touched his face. It was warm and peaceful. Raphael basked in it and enjoyed the feeling.

The day had finally come. Xandriel had delivered the child.

They knew that this time would come, but no one could stop them from feeling happy and hopeful. A new life will always be a blessing and one should celebrate it.

Cheers can be heard outside the castle. Raphael was very curious and stood up from where he was sitting. The large window captured the whole garden and there he saw the nekros. They were dancing around in a circle. It looked to him like they were doing some kind of ritual.

When Raphael squinted his eyes to make out what was in the middle of the dance, he saw a flower. A daffodil was growing. Raphael couldn’t help but smile as the festive mood reached him. It wasn’t just the Palace and the choirs who were celebrating the new life. Even the nekros are happy.

He can also hear a choir. The Cherubim must’ve been singing praises again. They don’t usually sing this loud if it’s not the birth. But they are doing it currently and that warmed Raphael’s heart. Everyone was happy.

“Do you want to join them?”

Raphael looked back to see Gabriel leaning at the door. He too had an ear-splitting smile on his face. He looked calm and composed but the way his foot constantly tapped on the floor said otherwise.

“I don’t see why not.” Raphael shrugged.

And that was the only thing Gabriel was waiting for before he dashed outside the window, breaking the glass in the process. Raphael huffed as he scanned the repairs he would need to do, but he shrugged it off and followed Gabriel out.

Raphael found Gabriel mingling with the nekros. He had managed to blend himself into the dance crowd and was now leading it. Raphael chuckled at the silliness of his colleague. Just thinking that Michael might see this, he would be so embarrassed.

“Archangel Raphael, why don’t you join the crowd?” Nolasco called out to Raphael when he saw him standing beside another nekros.

Raphael was quick to shake his head. Nolasco laughed at the latter’s response. He knew him as the prim and proper Archangel and Gabriel was the mischievous one. But it was still a sight to see. Soon, other Archangels arrived at the Cosmos and joined in the fun. Michael was even there. And Raphael was right, he was drowning with the secondhand embarrassment he got just watching Gabriel dance. Still, they continued their celebration. The first flower bloomed in Cosmos. A daffodil.

+++

Lola Isma was ecstatic as she stared at the child she had been waiting for for a long time. At first look, it was evident that the child was so handsome. He got his father’s nose and lips and his whole face and eyes were from his mother. He was very healthy and alive. Rachele did a great job. Lola Isma carefully extended her arms to Janus.

Janus gently carried his child in his arms. He was small and looked fragile. His figure was so small compared to his two arms, but the weight in Janus’ heart couldn’t compare to it as he filled himself contented just gazing at him. Janus smiled.

Xandriel was asleep from fatigue. The amount of energy and effort she put into just delivering the child safely can’t compare to anything in this world. Janus witnessed that. Just thinking about it brought tears to Janus’ eyes. He let them roll down and enjoy the sight of his son.

“I’ll wash the baby first.”

The little moment Janus had with his son was cut off when the midwife asked for the baby. Janus looked at the baby and then the midwife before he reluctantly put the baby beside Xandriel. He would love to spend the whole day with him but he knew that his son needed to be cleaned off. He was still wet and there were still blood smudges on his body. Some of it was transferred to Janus, but he doesn’t mind. That didn’t really bother him.

“I’ll leave Xandriel to you, Janus.” Lola Isma said when the midwife left the room with the baby.

Janus sat down beside his wife and looked at her. Her face was still covered in sweat and fatigue. Janus wiped it with a clean towel. At that moment, Xandriel looked like the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He was grateful and happy. His feelings for his wife only grew and the respect he had for her just grew even more. He didn’t expect that Xandriel would be that brave and strong. Just by watching her groan in pain and pushing with all her might, Janus wanted to kneel and kissed her feet. She deserves that and many more.

She did a good job. Xandriel did not give up. She did her best for the baby and for herself. She was amazing and Janus was very proud to be the husband of a brave and strong woman. Janus put down the towel he had and caressed Xandriel’s hair. He bent down ever so slightly to kiss her forehead and kiss her lips; he was afraid to spoil the rest she badly needed.

He was beyond happy. It was obvious and Janus had no reason to hide it. He was given another blessing, another gift from the woman he loved. Janus can’t take it anymore.

He just can’t contain his feelings anymore. He knew Xandriel needed to hear it, and he would surely say it. He was just scared. Scared that Xandriel might be feeling otherwise. He can accept it, if ever, but not now. Not when he was feeling so much happiness. Soon, he will tell you about it soon, just not today.

Janus was deep in his thoughts. His happiness was short-lived when he thought about the purpose of the child Xandriel had just delivered. He remembered their mission. He was dreading that day. Thinking about it squeezed his heart. He couldn’t bear the thought that Xandriel would need to accept it. They need to part with their child for the sake of the whole world. To save everyone, they need to sacrifice him.

Xandriel would be so heartbroken, and so would he. And then he would need to eventually go back to Cosmos. He would leave this place. He and Xandriel would have to go on about. Maybe after this, the two of them will be reincarnated or enter the Palace. Then his confession may become useless.

No, Janus shook his head. It’s not going to happen soon. They still had many years to come and he would spend those with his family. He would try to live happily. He now finally has the chance to spend the life he was robbed of. He was now settling on earth and living among other people made him whole. Xandriel was a big part of him. He had thought about a lot of things and he had adjusted well because she was there by his side.

He would like to fight and keep this life to himself. He wanted to run and forget that everything was just a mission and that they needed to sacrifice their child. There was something inside of him that wanted to pick his child up, get Xandriel, and run away to a faraway land.

But it would be impossible. Especially with the Archangels, the Guardians, and a whole lot of angels watching them, it would be an impossible feat. So, Janus had no other choice but to continue the mission without a fuss and accept everything that was coming in their way.

However, it will not hinder him from living life to the fullest. He would make his family happy. He would protect them. He would make their lives an easy one. Xandriel and their child would live happily. Their family will be a happy one.

Janus picked up Xandriel’s hand and held it between his own. He kissed her knuckles and whispered those promises. A vow. He would do anything to keep it. Janus rested his head on Xandriel’s hand and sighed. He closed his eyes and solemnly prayed for what would be waiting for them.