Guardian in the Dark
Chapter 17
Jolly
Epilogue
Now at eighty-one, I look back at my life with much joy and pride.
I have had a good life, a fulfilling life….
After our graduation from New York University, we returned to Bayport to join our father in running Hardy and Radley Investigations Agency.
Beyond the usual bread and butter cases, we also have plenty of exciting adventures and unusual cases. And with Jana and Jonah around, you bet we also have a good number of paranormal cases that are not on our records of course. But those tales are for another time. That is, if you are interested in them.
I married Jana and Joe married Vanessa. We had a double wedding, and had our honeymoon in the Swiss Alps where we spent many hours cuddling in the warm furs in our respective chalets.
Sam Radley's kids had no interest in detective work, so when Sam retired, I and Joe bought out Sam's share of the business and we renamed it Hardy Investigations.
By then Dad had retired as well, to spend more time with Mom. They chose to spend their older years travelling and doing volunteer work helping the less fortunate people around the world.
We had kids and we watched our grandkids grew up together. We lived to a ripe old age.
Joe went first. He passed away peacefully in his sleep soon after his eightieth birthday, his loving family and grandchildren and great grandchildren around him….
I sit on the pew in the church, and as I listen to the eulogy his son wrote for him, I suddenly feel tired and lonely.
Gone, they are all gone. I am the last living representative of my generation….
I feel the tears sliding down my cheeks and I let them. Does it matter who sees me cry anymore? A tiny hand reaches for mine, and I look down to see a pair of soft brown eyes staring up at me.
"Don't be sad, great-grandpa…or great-granduncle Joe will be sad too," she says to me, her little thumb half stuck in her toothy mouth.
Such sweet childish innocence! I hug her closer to me, and for a moment rejoice in the presence of my extended family. Still the tears flow, but I no longer feel as sad or as lonely.
Three days later, I am sitting comfortably in my favorite rocking chair watching my and Joe's great- grandkids playing tag under that wooden tree house that I and Joe built so many years ago, when I fall asleep.
Next I know I am standing right next to my aged body. I observe my body in peaceful slumber. I look up to see a young Joe standing not far from me. He, like me, is watching the kids playing tag. Then he turns and sees me, and he smiles.
He opens his arms and I walk straight into his embrace. As we exchange our bear hug, I suddenly realize I am young again.
Then I notice the golden aura around the two of us.
He looks at me with an expectant expression on his face. He is waiting for something, I know. I wonder what that is…then I laugh, joyous laughter.
I turn and take one last look at what we left behind, and I know it is good.
My son is a renowned mathematician, and it is his revolutionary mathematical equations that will eventually make possible the construction of warp engines required for extended space travel. My grandson is now completing his PhD in Materials Engineering, and his discovery will make possible the creation of a light yet tough material that will be used for the building of space-faring crafts that will send mankind to the stars.
I also finally understand what God Yahweh intended when He said He would do right by Lilith.
That single drop of blood had merged itself into my genetic makeup. My progeny carries both the genes of Eve and Lilith. It is Eve's genes that permit Mankind to continue to propagate itself. But it will be Lilith's genes, with all their enhanced physical and psychic ability, that will give Mankind the edge needed to conquer the stars.
And Lilith had moved on in peace, because she saw in me her children and her future.
God's Will is done.
"We are done here, Mika'el." I turn to him, my smile bright and wide.
Mika'el laughs. "You had me worried for a second there, Abbadon, brother mine!"
"You have to admit that we've had a fantastic and fulfilling life as Frank and Joe Hardy, Mika'el."
I turn and take another wistful look at my great grandkids.
"Now you understand why I am so reluctant to return at the end of each incarnation, Abbadon."
I sigh. Yes, I do understand that now. Still, I do not wish to openly admit it to Mika'el. He'll never let me forget this, and unlike you lucky humans, we Seraphim are immortal. An eternity being needled is certainly not an appealing thought.
I can hear Mika'el snickering in the background. I guess he knows anyway.
"Come Abbadon, we have to go. Our Lord is awaiting our report…you do know we have to submit a report when we get back, don't you?"
Yeah, some things are the same in Heaven as on Earth.
Mika'el reaches out one hand for me. I take it in mine. Then he lifts his other hand and releases that Light of Creation. I watch as the way back to Eden appears brightly lit before me.
And together, arm-in-arm, we head back into the Heavens.
THE ENDAs usual, I would appreciate some reviews...