“No, I am forbidden. It is my punishment for my past wrongdoing. Rebecca stays on Earth.”
The pain on his face was plain to see. And in that moment, Lash saw Raphael in a different light. He could never live that long without seeing Naomi, knowing where she was and not looking in on her. He didn’t think it was possible to have even more respect for him than he did before.
“Lash!” Rachel ran across the courtyard to them. “Naomi wants you to see something. Hurry!”
“Go ahead.” Raphael smiled sadly. “Don’t ever keep a woman waiting.”
He joined Naomi at a wooden bridge that looked over what appeared to be a stream. The water was like glass. With their powers, they were able to look down to Earth and narrow down the exact location of their assignments. This was the place where archangels came to check in on the seraphim and guardian angels. He wondered how many times Raphael had been tempted to look for Rebecca, especially after he knew she was with Welita. There was no way he could ever have kept himself away from Naomi.
“Look.” Naomi pointed to a familiar furry brown dog. “She’s almost there.”
Bear trotted down the street where Welita lived. She spotted an old shoe lying on the side of the road and sniffed it. She then looked around, as if she was checking to see if anyone was nearby, before hopping on top of it.
“What is she doing?” He leaned forward to get a better look.
“Oh, my God. How embarrassing.” Naomi groaned. “Bear, get off the shoe.”
Bear stopped and barked.
“She can hear me?” Naomi turned to him, astonished.
Lash chuckled. “Sometimes they can.” He leaned over the railing and yelled, “Go home, Bear.”
Bear took off down the street barking. When she neared the small white house, Welita walked outside. Bear bounced around until Welita picked her up. She licked her face and wiggled with happiness. A silver chain glittered in the sun, and Welita released it from Bear’s collar.
Welita dangled the cross pendant necklace from her fingers, and the sunlight danced off the tiny diamonds, sending a shimmer of blue and white. “Naomi sent you back to me.” She looked into the sky, tears spilling down her face. “Mijita, I told you love would guide you home.”
Naomi leaned over the stone railing. Tear droplets splashed onto the stream, making a ripple across the water. “I love you, Welita. I’ll always be here watching over you. I promise.”
Lash placed an arm around her and pulled her close to him. “You miss home?”
“I miss Welita and Chuy.” She tilted her head up. “But you’re my home.”
“Always,” he said.
“My broken angel,” she whispered as his lips pressed down on hers.