Fallen Angel

Chapter 26: Emily

In the seconds after Brannon left I sat at the table and stared at the cold breakfast. The morning had started out so well, I thought that with a good meal in our bellies and the two extra house guests gone, Brannon and I could have a fun filled morning.

But it all changed the instant that his father turned up. My wings were black, I was all that he hoped for in becoming a fallen angel. But still I felt uneasy. Maybe everything was still changing in me, maybe I wasn't fully finished with my fall from grace. Either way, I knew that something was wrong.

The devil's gaze was pinned to me for most of the conversation, I could feel him searching me, assessing my thoughts and scrutinising every single detail as he tried to find a reason to refuse me. There were so many things that he could fault me on but he didn't and I couldn't help but wonder why.

I was still pure, I still believed in so much of the lighter side of our worlds that I could be faulted on that alone. Maybe I could never fully fall, maybe I would always be an angel. That would be enough for him to refuse me. Though, I did note that even though he approved of everything that had happened, this layer was still locked. Which indicated to me that he didn't completely trust me yet. Maybe he never would. I can't say as I'd blame him if he didn't.

What would it take to convince the devil that I was devoted to his son? I didn't know what to think or do, the devil was complicated and it would take a lot more thinking to find a solution.

With a heavy sigh I picked up the breakfast plates and scraped the meals into the bin.

"Such a waste."

As I washed the dishes, I wondered when the love birds would return from their picnic breakfast. I was a little jealous of how easy they had their love. Was it love or was it convenience for Luca? Knowing little of their situation, I had no clue as to how they were, what their dynamic was or what the future would hold for them.

Looking down at the clean plate as the bubbly water slid off it, I smiled at how normal this layer was. In an odd way of course. It was like a tropical holiday on earth with the cute thatched huts sitting out over the water, the fish swimming in and around the piers and nestled behind it was a jungle teaming with life. This place was incredible.

When I was done cleaning the dishes, I searched through the hut and found a note book with a few blank pages left. Most of the other pages were filled with children's drawings and a couple of pages with just scribble. Sitting at the table, I carefully pulled out a page and began to sketch a house plan that was similar to this place.

I didn't know what our future held, so I made it that extensions could be built without causing too many problems with the existing building. It was a basic design, I didn't want anything fancy and I hoped that Brannon didn't either. I wanted to have a place that I could clean for myself rather than having helpers come in and do it. I didn't want a nanny or maids, servants or butlers. Just Brannon and myself and however many children we were going to have.

As the thought of children crossed my mind, I instinctively clutched my hand to my stomach. Unsure of how fast we would sync, I worried that I could already be pregnant. It was too soon for us and even though I would never wish a child away, I hoped that for the time being, I wasn't pregnant.

When I had created a simple plan of a house that had a reasonable sized kitchen and dining room, a lounge room and four bedrooms with all of the amenities that we would need, I pinned it to the refrigerator. Then I pulled another piece from the book and taking a pencil with me, I set out for the sky.

It felt different to fly with dark wings, why I couldn't say. There was a heaviness that seemed to fill me, almost pulling me back to the land. Assuming it was because the layer was locked, I ignored it and sat at the right height to look over the island.

The warmth of the red sun was interesting, it was vastly different to being on earth with the yellow sun. It was nowhere near as sharp against the skin, instead it offered a heat that was dry. Sitting at this height, I hoped that I would not see Luca and Kelsey misbehaving. Maybe I would be lucky and the trees would hide any naked bodies from me. I could hope. Luca had a cheekiness that was adorable but he just wasn't my thing. I was definitely a one man woman.

Sketching out the rough shape of the land, I made various notes on areas that looked ideal for inspection. Not just for the house but for this vegetable garden that Brannon had added it. That was something unexpected, not that I really cared. I've always wanted to try gardening and eating something that we had toiled to create.

Taking a slow flight around the edge of the island, I could feel hope rising in me. This would be a good life, I felt wanted here even if the devil was still unsure of me. With time I would win him over, I just had to prove myself. That was obvious without him even saying a word. He wanted me to prove my loyalty, I realise that now. He wanted me to show him that I would do anything for Brannon.

The devil would get to see that, I do not know how but he would. I wanted to make this work, I wanted this life.