The day he first appeared to her, he came in human form. He was to befriend her and offer her advice when needed. Michelle was no ordinary woman though, being chosen by God to do great works, she saw Raphael for what he was. She told him that his wings were bathed in an ethereal presence. He still remembered how shocked he was that day.
She welcomed him into her life easily, allowing him to offer God's divine inspiration. They became close friends, and Raphael treasured every moment with her. One summer night, while lying on the grass in Michelle's back yard, she turned over to look at him. For a while she was silent, but what she said would forever be burned into his mind. "Raphael? Do you really think God means for me to marry Mike?"
He looked up at her, puzzled. "Yes of course. That's why I was sent here. Why? What's on your mind?" She was quiet and laid back down. This time Raphael turned to her. "Elle, tell me what's on your mind." She closed her eyes, sighing. He always had a way of getting her to open up to him, especially when she didn't want to.
"I have doubts. I wondered why He sent you to me, and not another angel...one I wouldn't fall in love with. He had to know. Is this a test? And if so, to what end?" He didn't know that answer. All he could do was hold her close as they lost themselves in thought.
It couldn't be God's plan though. As an angel, he was supposed to be above such thoughts and desires. Later that night, as Raphael tucked Elle into bed, she reached up, pulled him close, and kissed her. He was lost in that moment. When he awoke, he was Heaven and his Father was sitting on the edge of his bed. Raphael saw sadness in His eyes and feared for the worst. He had broken God's command. His Father thought it may come to this, but had hoped for a better end. Even angels had free will and could go against Him.
Raphael learned she wouldn't remember him or their time together. While God wouldn't completely erase her memories, it would seem as a dream and fade from her mind. He ran, far from Heaven, back to Earth, to a small beach on an uninhabited island. Needed to be alone from everyone and everything. He couldn't believe it was just last night he held Michelle in his arms and loved her body and mind. Now she was gone from him forever.
"You bastard! You knew I would love her and she would love me, yet sent me anyway. I did what You asked, trusting You. Father, how could You?" he sobbed. Looking up to the heavens, he silently pleaded that this had to be a mistake. Lucifer couldn't be right. Their Father loved them and would never hurt any of them like this. Right? Losing track of the hours, he knelt there on the sand past the setting of the sun and moon, until the sun once more approached the horizon. There he would stay until this nightmare began to make sense to him.
He didn't hear someone approach, and when the person touched the side of his face, he nearly jumped. Before him was Michelle. He had to be dreaming or delirious. Hands shaking, he reached out to touch her smiling face. When he felt the warmth of her skin, he broke down and pulled her close against him. "I don't understand. God made you forget me. How are you here?"
Elle laughed as she held him close. "My love, how could you think I would forget you so easily? When I woke up yesterday without you, I did think it was all a dream, until I remembered the day we met. I told you that your wings glowed. My room, especially the bed, had that same glow, and I knew something was wrong. I called out for you, and when you didn't come," she paused, chuckling,"I began yelling at God. I remembered it all and there was no way even He was going to take you from me. Raphael, He came to me, and know what I did? I confronted Him. I got in God's face.
He just stood there silently as I told him off. When I was done, I was crying my eyes out, my throat raw. Then He pulled me close and told me only one thing. 'I had to know for sure.' I opened my eyes to look up at Him but He was gone and I was standing on this beach, and you...you were there looking so lost and hopeless."
Raphael was at a lost for words. Did she hear right? Had his Father given His approval? He raised his head looking beyond her, and in the distance, there was his Father smiling at them. The sun breeched the horizon with a flash of light, and He was gone. Looking down at her smiling face, he was filled with peace and hope. He didn't know what his future held, and didn't care as long as he was with Michelle. They kissed passionately, and when they finally broke apart, Raphael flashed them from the beach. They were going home.
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