Her Guardians Lost(49)

My mind raced with thoughts of Stephen. If I thought my heart couldn’t ache much more, I was wrong. “How can that be if he’s gone?” I whispered.

Tugging at my hands, his face took on a determined look. “Cassie, you’re strong. Stronger than any woman I have ever meet…but don’t tell Luana I said that.” We both chuckled. “You can do this. Keep telling yourself you can do it. Keep digging and you’ll find the answers. Maybe one of us has already given it to you and it’s buried deep down in your subconscious somewhere. Just, whatever you do, don’t lose hope. Can you do that for me?”

Nodding, I couldn’t help the overwhelming loss. “How can I ever thank you, Michael? What gift could I possibly give to you that could explain just how much you mean to me?”

Michael shook his head. “Cassie,” he sighed. “You’ve already given me everything I could ever ask for.”

“Luana?” I asked again, smiling.

Michael shook his head. “No, not Luana, although she is an added bonus,” he joked. “What you’ve given me is a friendship I will take with me forever. You will always be in here, Cassie.” He placed my hand on his heart. “I will take a piece of you with me and I will cherish it forever. I will cherish the memories, good and bad, because that’s what friendship is all about. You take the rough with the smooth and you stick together because that’s what you do for people you care about. And I care for you, Cassie. I really do. You have shown me how precious life is. You have shown me a world that is not only filled with ugliness, but so beautiful in its own right. You talk about thanking me, but how could I ever thank you?”

“Stop it, Michael. You’re making my make-up smudge.” I was like a train wreck—emotions flying everywhere. On one hand, I was immensely thankful for the time we had together, for his friendship and loyalty. But, on the other hand, I felt selfish because I wanted him here. I felt lonely and it was overwhelming. He was my wall to lean on, my light in the dark to carry me home. How could I ever replace that kind of friendship?

“Wh…where’s Luana?” I finally managed to say.

“She’s waiting for me outside. She wanted me to come in first so we could talk alone.”

“Don’t let her stay out there on her own any longer. Bring her in.” Smiling, Michael rose from his seat and walked out the door.

The tears were still running down my face. They seemed like an endless stream at the moment. I was drowning in the loss of people I have come to love and care about. First Stephen, now Michael— even Luana was leaving me. I wasn’t just losing my friends. I was losing my family.

“Cassie,” Luana said, timidly knocking on the door. She saw my tears. The look she gave me was one of empathy.

With a rush, she was in my arms and we held each other like we were the best of friends. I had only met her yesterday, but I felt like I had known her all my life.

“Thank you for everything you did.”

“Me?” I screeched. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Oh yes, you did,” she said, wiping away my tears as hers streamed down her face. “You gave Michael’s life new meaning. You gave him a chance to find something he thought he had lost. I would never betray him, Cassie.”

Sniffling, I dabbed my eyes and nodded. “I know you wouldn’t. You’re perfect for him. His one chance at finding true happiness.” Turning to Michael, I held out my hand to him. “And you deserve that happiness, Michael. You really do. It’s finally your time, especially after everything that happened with Elizabeth.” I sighed, then laughed. “Look at me. I’m an emotional wreck.”

Smiling through my tears, I wanted to let them see how happy I was for them. I knew Michael would make an excellent “mate”, as they called it. And, for some reason, I knew the same about Luana.

Embracing each other, we stood there a while, savouring one another’s auras. The peace they emitted never failed to amaze me.

Pulling away, Michael held my hand. “You’re a true friend, Cassie. And you’ll make a great mate one day.”

Pushing Michael back, I jokingly scowled. “Eww. Such a naughty word, Michael.”

He was slightly taken aback. “What’s wrong with it?”

Laughing, I couldn’t help thinking how that word must be just as normal to angels as the word “partner” or “lover” is to us.

“Nothing. It’s just not a word we humans usually utter. Besides, as much as I love you both, I don’t really care to know what you two do behind closed doors,” I teased.