Part 23 (1/2)

”Of course he will know, but that's the beauty of it. Since you will be immovable and not alive, as such, nothing can happen to Angel.”

”So what exactly are you saying?”

”I will bring you back, but not out of the coma. Then, I will be able to learn from you, you'll still be alive, Uncle John will have some solace and Angel will be safe.”

There was a long moment of thoughtful silence. ”It will work for some time, Alex, but destiny must take its course sooner or later.”

”Don't worry about that. When the time comes, it will. Before that, you will have to teach me.”

”So be it,” she whispered.

Alex brought forth a great burst of pure white light with his hands. It hovered above him, then went above his grandmother, turning brighter and brighter until it clothed her with a radiant gown of pure energy. When Alex closed his eyes, he saw nothing but the darkness of his lids.

When he opened them, he was back.

”She's alive,” Alex gasped. This had taken a lot from him. He gave the last of the energy left in his body to save his grandmother and now she was alive.

John turned to look at him and then at his mother, but there was no movement, ”It's alright, Alex. It's alright. You tried.”

”I brought her back, but...but she's still in a coma.”

”What?” Nikolas said, ”If you could bring her back to life, bringing her out of a coma would have been easy.”

Alex felt like he was at a high alt.i.tude. His head felt extra light as if he were about to fall down. ”Look, I need...I need to.” He didn't want to speak and then he fell into the chair, as if he was way too tired. He blinked rapidly, his breath shortening. ”I just need some rest.”

”We can't let him slip away,” Nikolas said. He touched Alex's chest, right where the heart was and tried to feed him more power.

A day pa.s.sed, plus one more night. Alex slept for that pa.s.sing time.

When he opened his eyes, his heart jumped in joy at seeing Angel. He smiled. Angel's face calmed and soothed his senses. He felt refreshed. She smiled and touched his face. She knew what he was but that didn't change her love for him. Nothing could do that. ”Here,” she broke the silence, ”take this,” she held a cup of coffee to his mouth. The fresh fragrance alone invigorated him.

”You're alright!” he said, remembering. ”Does that mean Grandma-”

”She's fine,” Angel said. ”You saved her.” Her eyes widened. ”I have no idea how, but you did.”

”I don't know either,” he said, shaking his head. He paused. ”Are your parents okay?”

”There he is!” Nikolas said, suddenly entering the room. He saw Angel there. ”Oh...uh...I guess...”

”No. Stay, it's alright. This is Angel. Angel, General-”

Angel stood up and smiled. Nikolas returned the smile. ”We've met,” she said.

”Oh, so you know.” he sighed, ”I don't know what to say.”

John came in. ”Alex, you're okay! My G.o.d, we were so worried.” He was full of life once again, knowing his mother was still alive. He hugged his nephew and swung him out of bed. ”You're amazing, you know that? Just like your father.”

Alex reddened as did the two onlookers. ”It's alright Uncle John. As long as everyone's fine, I'm glad.”

”Come on,” he said, ”Let's get some breakfast.”

Angel, Alex, the Rebels, John, and Richard all breakfasted together at the Howe Estate. After the private celebrations the young couple left to be alone, to catch up on things. Alex stood at the balcony, taking in the fresh air and drinking his second cup of coffee. Angel sat on a rocking chair, looking at him. ”What happened to your hearing aid?”

Alex smiled. ”I don't seem to need it anymore.”

”But the doctor said it'd never be the same again.”

”Well,” Alex shrugged his shoulders, ”I guess modern medicine doesn't have all the answers.” He rolled his eyes. ”And I'm not exactly the average human patient now, am I?” He sighed. He knew that, for this reason, Angel's parents would be dead against the wedding. ”So,” he said, leaning on the railing of the balcony and looking out at the sun, ”Now you know everything.”

She touched his arm. ”Listen, it doesn't matter. My parents are fine with it.”

”Don't lie to me,” he said. ”I'm not that daft.”

”What am I supposed to do?”