Sophie's Wish
Angelic Hosts Series, Book 3, Episode 4, Part 2
Destinies coming together and finding Raphael…
Charles and Nanette sat in the living room with their friends, Jean-Luc Bertrand and his wife, Charmaine. They were a contrast, the two of them. Jean-Luc was an average height man with blond hair and trimmed beard. He was pragmatic yet easy-going, while Charmaine was tall and brunette with intelligent eyes, a vivacious personality, and a bright smile.
“My attorney said he doesn’t see why it should be a problem for Cecilia to stay with you both until her closest relative can be found. He’s asked me to collect some basic information, and then he’ll send over a case worker from child protective services. I have a list for you.” Jean-Luc pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it, handing it to Charles.
Charles read the questions. “I don’t know the answers to half of these. Nanette?” He handed her the list.
“We will simply have to ask her, Charles.” She turned to Charmaine. “I’ve just put the girls to bed. Is it all right if this waits until morning?”
Her friend smiled over her cup of coffee. The wisdom in Charmaine’s large, brown eyes had been a comfort on more than one occasion in Nanette’s life. “I don’t see why not.”
“Sophie really likes having her here. It’s wonderful to see her playing with another child rather than rescuing yet another injured animal.”
Jean-Luc chuckled. “Ah, yes. And how is the bird? And the bird’s friend? Honestly, Charles, you could open a pet store.”
Charles laughed. “It’s the God’s honest truth. Perhaps she’ll grow up to be a veterinarian.”
“What will become of her if there are no relatives to be found?” Charmaine looked at her husband.
“I guess that’s a matter for the court to decide, my dear.” He patted her knee.
“But Jean-Luc, she’s just a child. The court can’t put her with strangers. It’s not right!” Charmaine set her coffee cup down on the table. She turned to Nanette. “How about she stays right here?”
Charles sputtered, but Nanette spoke before he could utter a word. “I’ve already been thinking about it.”
He turned to his wife. “You have? And when were you planning on sharing this with me, your husband?”
She gave Charles her gentlest smile. “Darling, we have so much to give, and Sophie would be so happy.”
“Now, Nanette. We can’t just keep every stray child Sophie brings home. We’d end up wall to wall with critters and kiddies.”
“We’ll deal with it when the time comes, yes? For now, we should simply concentrate on filling out this list for the attorney. He’ll try to track down a family member. Who knows? Perhaps there is an uncle or aunt, or a grandmother.”
Jean-Luc looked down and tried to hide the grin on his face. He knew his friend would not win this one. When had he ever? If they could find no relatives, then Cecilia would become a permanent member of the Fairchild household. He could see it in Nanette’s eyes.
What he did not see was the speculation in his wife’s.
Charmaine sat quietly thinking. In the ten years they had been together, no children had been produced. She never complained about it, figuring if it was meant to be, it would happen, but now, there might just be another path. She held her tongue, but if the search didn’t turn up any aunts, uncles, or grandparents, she planned to discuss the possibility with her very dear friend, Nanette.
Upstairs, two angels appeared before two little girls.
“As promised, I’m here to tuck you both in.” Cam stood at the side of the bed which Sophie and Cecilia shared.
“Who’s that? Cecilia’s eyes grew wide as she looked up at the tall, dark-haired, lavender-eyed angel.
“I am Gabriel.” Gabe swept her a very formal bow.
“Oh!” she squeaked.
“I see you’ve heard of me.” He smiled.
“Yes. I’m supposed to ask about your dresses.”
“My what?” Gabe sputtered. “What dresses?” Outrage tinged his deep voice.
Sophie began to giggle. “The ones you wear because your muscles aren’t as big as Uncle Cam’s.”
Gabe gave Cam the I’ll deal with you later look. “Ladies, I do not, have not, and will never wear dresses. That is just something your Uncle Cam makes up because he’s not nearly as strong as me.”
“Says you!” Cam punched him in the shoulder.
The girls giggled behind their hands.
“Sophie, you should know not to listen to your Uncle Cam when he’s telling fibs.” Gabe settled on the end of the bed. He looked at the little red-haired girl and saw clearly how very much she resembled her grandmother.
“I know,” she said, melting his heart with her smile, “but he’s so funny.”
Gabe could not be mad at her, not ever. He loved this little girl like his very own. He reached out and gave her foot a shake through the blanket. Not wanting her new friend to feel left out, he gently shook her foot, too.
“So, you’re the new friend,” he said.
Cecilia nodded her head. “Yes. We only just met today.”
“So I understand. Well, I’m very glad that you and Sophie found each other.”
Cam sat down and pulled the covers up around them both. “Did your mother read you your bedtime story?”
“Yes. Cecilia got to hear about the littlest angel.”
Gabe chimed in. “Your favorite story, Sophie.” He looked at Cecilia. “And what did you think?”
“It was very good. Both times.”
Cam chuckled. “Twice tonight, eh?” As he enjoyed the simple, quiet moment, he spied a falling star through the window. He pointed. “Look, girls, a shooting star. Make a wish.”
Cecilia closed her eyes, keeping her wish to herself, but Sophie was ever the sharer. “I wish Cecilia could stay with me forever.”
With eyes closed, the two small girls clasped hands. Gabe sat with a half-smile, and Camael sighed tossing a glance at the angel. Both knew that wishes were simply prayers by another name, and when heartfelt, every bit as powerful. Michael had already told Cam that Cecilia was part of Sophie’s destiny. How, exactly, was still unclear. There was still the mystery of the girl’s father, Erik Robillard, and an impending meeting with the archangel Rafael, one he was not expecting.
“All right, girls, time for bed.” Cam smoothed the hair from Sophie’s forehead and leaned down to kiss her goodnight. He did the same for Cecilia, and by the time he was done, they were both fast asleep…with a little help from angelic ‘magic’.
“I could watch them sleep all night,” said Gabe. “There is nothing but peace here.”
Cam threw a sideways glance at Gabe. His comment was surprising coming from the usually sardonic and rebellious angel. But then again, Camael remembered that Gabriel was the actual physical father of Jesus of Nazareth, and the same angel who loved Mary, even to this day, in all her incarnations. He’d experienced fatherhood in the same way as Cam, denied recognition, and cast into the role of guardian.
“That, there is, but we have work to do beginning with finding Rafael.” Cam stood.
Gabriel got off the bed, careful not to wake the sleeping girls. “Follow me, my friend. I already know his whereabouts.” He walked to the center of the room and began to ascend. Camael followed.
“That was fast. How did you accomplish that?”
“Cassiel owed me a favor.”
“Good ole Cassiel. Always a font of information.”
Dear Readers, welcome to Book 3 in the Angelic Hosts series, Sophie’s Wish.
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