Chapter 2
*”Ok so you’re telling me my debt is
paid? I can go back now?”
“Yes, you have paid you dues and you
get your second chance on earth.
However, if there isn’t someone who accepts you, and loves you
unconditionally, then you’ll HAVE to come back.” The ‘head’ angel informed me. Satine proudly stood on my side. She was also going to see me off.
“A bit of warning to you: under any
circumstances it can not be any sort of love, but the love a man shares with a
woman. Christian, there’s one more
thing.” The angel looked down. He knew how badly I wanted to go back.
“What?” I asked nervously.
“Only one person will be able to see
you. That will be the only one that can
confess their true unconditional love for you.” A smile played my lips. I knew exactly whom I was going to
choose. Right when I began to speak the
angel cut me off.
“Remember Christian, when you left
before you wanted to come, now you’re leaving and want to go. Choose wisely… things have changed, I promise
you.” It didn’t mater, Paula loved me!
Satine squeezed my hand and I knew
when I returned to earth more things were going to change. Smiling at Satine, I looked back at the
angel.
“Paulette.” I whispered
tearfully. Suddenly my grip grew tighter
on Satine’s hand and I closed my eyes.
It happened. I no longer smelt fresh air or felt Satine; I
smelt
“PAULA!” I cried so happily.
“PAULA! WHERE ARE YOU LOVE?” I searched all the
rooms. She’d done the place well.
“She must be out. I’ll wait for her here.” I began talking to
myself. I walked onto the balcony as I
saw headlights in the driveway.
*After dropping Lisa and her
boyfriend back at the hotel Chris drove me home.
“Well here we are. I can’t believe in a few days we’ll be
married. Paula I’m so happy.” Chris
whispered. I felt bad but not guilty. How can I be thinking of Christian at a time
like this? I was sitting with Chris and
he was declaring his love.
“Me too.” I mumbled looking up at the
house.
“OH MY GOD!” I yelled seeing
Christian or at least I hopped it was him, staring at us awkwardly. He looked hurt almost.
“WHAT?” Chris yelled as I realized
how startled he looked.
“Um.. uh.. listen I have to go, mind
goin to your place tonight? Great thanks
babe. G’night.” I climbed out of his van and ran into the house. Running to the front balcony I stopped when I
saw no one.
No one… absolutely no one. I had dreamt it all. But it was so real. I fought back my tears!
“Christian where are you?” I
whispered loudly.
“I’m right here.” He stepped out of
the closet. Was he hiding? Tears streaked my face.
“Is it really you?” I cried.
“It’s me.” He smiled gesturing to
himself.
*I couldn’t hold myself back. I raced toward her and engulfed her into my
arms smelling her beautiful hair and feeling her soft skin.
“Oh Christian I’ve missed you so
much.” She cried into my shoulder.
“I missed you too.” I whispered. Tears brimmed my own eyes.
I stood and looked at her. Touching her cheek I leaned into to kiss her
when all of the sudden I felt air.
Opening my eyes I realized she’d backed away.
“I can’t I’m sorry.” I looked at her
funny.
“Is it because of that guy?” I asked
getting a little angry.
“Yes.” She whispered.
“I… I love him. We’re getting married. In three days.” She
tried to smile but it broke my heart.
How could she have found someone else?
“I came back for you Paula. I came back to be with you, and now I’m doing
this for nothing?” I mumbled
“I’m sorry.” She whispered.
“You told me to carry on so I
did. And now you’re mad and telling it’s
my fault I fell in love with someone else, when I never expected to see you
again except for in my dreams!” She
asked matter of factly. Well at least
she wanted to see me in some form.
“This is what he meant…” I turned
covering my face and hiding my pain.
“What?” Paula asked.
“The angel told me to choose wisely
because things have changed. What do I know?”
“I can’t make that decision for you
Christian. I want to be with you but I’m
committed to some one else. You understand don’t you?”
“Not yet you’re not!” I snapped. And not if I couldn’t help it.
“Give me a chance.” I whispered
holding out my hands like a beggar.
“Christi—Hold on let me get
that.” The doorbell rang and I followed
her to the living room.
“Hi Paula you forgot your sweater.”
Chris handed her the frilly red sweater.
Slowly she kissed him and closed the door.
“Why didn’t he see you?” She asked.
“Because no one can see me. Only you.”
“WHAT! Why? Explain!” She demanded.
“I was an angel and as long as I full
filled all of my deeds I’d get a second chance, the flip side is only one
person can see me. And since I thought
you still loved me I chose you.” I
didn’t want to tell her how long I could stay or what she had to do let me
stay. I wanted her to admit it
truthfully.
“Now everyone’s going to think I’m
crazy because I’m talking to thin air.
That doesn’t sound like much of a relationship Christian. I don’t know how I’m going to go through with
this again.”
“Don’t worry you won’t have to. You don’t love me so I’ll leave.” I sighed
and got up to leave.
“Christian no guilt trips.”
“Then give me a chance Paula, just
one! Please?” I begged. Taking her hands
I played with her fingers.
“Christian I don’t know how I’m going
to do it but you’ve got a chance.” She
smiled and listened to me laugh happily.
“So where are YOU going to sleep?”
She smiled.
“I’ll sleep on the couch if you want
me to.”
“That’d be nice.”
*I couldn’t believe he was back. It was unbelievable. All my feelings came
flooding back to me; I didn’t know what to do.
I loved him, but I couldn’t exactly leave Chris for a ghost, only I can
see. This was all so confusing.
After getting Christian settled on
the couch I turned off the lights and looked at him as the moonlight shown on
him. I loved him.
“Christian?”
“Love?”
“Christian I do—” I couldn’t do it
though.
“Christian I am really glad you came
back.” I whispered. “I missed you more
than you’ll ever know.”
I watched him climb from the couch
and come toward me. His feet softly
padded to the hard floor. Touching my
cheek he leaned down and kissed me. My
lips welcomed him and they tasted so good.
I wanted to do so much more but couldn’t’ stop thinking about
Chris. What am I going to do?
“Sorry.” He whispered with his eyes
closed and his forehead against mine. I
wasn’t.
“Goodnight Christian.” Was all I could manage between my lips,
before I went to bed myself.
How I missed him, and how I wanted
him now that he was here. But yet I
could not have him.