Part 12 (2/2)
”Mama Lynn, this is Leah...I'm sorry, do you have a last name?”
Leah shakes her head.
”Well,” Mama Lynn says, ”how would you like to be a Mills like me and Faison? Jess kept her family name when I adopted her but since you don't have one already you're more than welcome to become a Mills.”
Leah smiles shyly and nods. ”All right. That's really nice of you. Thanks.”
Mama Lynn looks at me. ”I a.s.sume Mason can handle everything for us?”
”I'm sure he can,” I tell her. ”He knows the President. He should be able to pull a few strings I would think.”
Mama Lynn faces Remy. ”I want you to know that I will take very good care of her for you. And you're more than welcome to come and see us anytime you want.”
”Thank you,” Remy says, truly thankful for Mama Lynn's openness.
”Now, I hope you two like meatloaf, mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas, biscuits and gravy because that's what we're having for lunch.”
”You eat all that just for lunch?” Leah asks, completely amazed.
”Honey, you're in the South. That's just considered a snack here.” Mama Lynn puts an arm around Leah's shoulders and starts asking her how she wants to decorate her room upstairs, even offering some suggestions.
”You're right,” Remy says to me, relief in his voice. ”She's perfect. Just what Leah needs right now.”
”You know, G.o.d lets my dad come visit me,” I tell Remy. ”I can even call him to come to me anytime I want. I'm sure you'll get the same privileges considering how long you've been with Leah.”
”You think so?” Remy asks hopefully, looking between me and my dad. ”I just figured since Zeruel is your real father that was the reason he got to come see you.”
”To Leah, you are her real father,” I remind Remy. ”And if G.o.d doesn't let you, have him talk to me because I'll certainly have some choice words for him about it.”
”Wow, Zeruel you were right...”
”Right about what?” I ask, looking at my dad.
”I said you were feisty and fought for what you believed to be right.”
I loop an arm through one of my dad's. ”Come on you two. Mama Lynn's food waits for no man.”
While we're eating lunch, I ask Remy, ”Do you know which archangel Leah carries?”
”Uriel,” Remy says, his eyes s.h.i.+ft uncomfortably.
”Why do you say that like it's a bad thing?” I ask.
Remy looks at my dad. ”Should I tell her or do you want to?”
My dad sighs. ”Uriel tried to kill Lilly when she was younger.”
I put my fork down and give my dad my full attention.
”And why would he do that?” I ask.
”He thought if he could kill her it would be a fair price to pay to save the universe. He tried to make sure Lucifer couldn't use her to follow through with his plan.”
”And this s...o...b..is inside Leah?” I ask, not trying to hide the hostility I feel towards Uriel.
”Yes. He was only doing what he felt was right,” my dad tells me. ”Just because he's an angel doesn't make him infallible, Jess. We all make mistakes. His intentions were good. He just went about implementing them the wrong way.”
I try to let my father's words sink in, but I can't help the way I feel. Anyone who would harm Lilly is no friend of mine. Yet, he's inside the most innocent of us all. I look at Leah and see her concern over learning about her archangel's nefarious past deeds. My feelings feel torn and I wonder if that's why Uriel and Leah chose one another. Perhaps he thought being bound to such an innocent soul would temper his own volatile one. I can only hope that is the case, but I decide to keep an eye on Leah after she connects with Uriel. To my way of thinking, such an archangel can't be completely trusted.
After lunch, I can tell Remy is procrastinating about going back to Heaven. He stays to help Mama Lynn clean the dishes. Who does that unless they're procrastinating?
Eventually, my dad gently reminds him that they need to be leaving.
Leah walks over to Remy as he stands by my dad.
”Do you need to go back to Heaven now, Remy?” Leah asks, her voice quavering slightly.
”Afraid so, baby girl,” Remy puts his arms around Leah's shoulders while hers go around his waist and she lays her head against his chest.
”Will I ever see you again?” She asks sniffling.
”Well, I can't say for sure but Jess said she'll talk to G.o.d about it and I'll talk to him too next time I see him. She seems to think I can do the same thing her dad can do and see you whenever you need me.”
Leah leans away from Remy and looks back at me. ”Do you really think you can do that for us?”
”Yes, I do,” I say with confidence.
Leah looks back at Remy. ”Then I won't say goodbye. If Jess thinks it can be done, I trust her judgment. We'll see each other again. I know it.”
Remy kisses Leah on the forehead. ”Even if he doesn't, I'll find a way to come back to you. I can't live without you in my life.”
Leah hugs Remy tightly one more time before letting him go.
”Let me know how things go with your surprise,” my dad says to me.
”Ok,” I smile. ”I'll call you when I know how it turns out.”
My dad smiles back and puts his hand on Remy.
After they phase, Leah lets the full flood of tears she was holding in fall. I wrap her in my arms and Mama Lynn stands behind her and rubs her back with a comforting hand.
”I know what we need to do,” Mama Lynn says. ”It always helps me when I'm upset. Let's go shopping!”
Leah lifts her head from my shoulder and looks at Mama Lynn.
”I don't have any money,” Leah says.
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