The next few days were uneventful as we settled into the routine of being back home. As each day passed, Victor lost his odd mix of feelings and seemed almost normal again. He still kept his thoughts blocked from me and kept our intimacy at arm's length, but I didn’t press the issue. I knew he would eventually come around. Intimacy had never been an issue for us and though I craved his warm touch, I gave him his space.
On the third day of our return home, I was sitting on the living room floor folding Harmony's cute little jumpers that had just came out of the dryer, watching the news when a booming knock sounded at our front door.
Squealing in delight, I jumped to my feet knocking the stack of freshly folded clothes over. I would know that knock anywhere. Throwing the door open, I threw myself in the arms of the 7' Archangel standing in front of me.
Haniel was used to my exuberant nature and didn't seem surprised that I had hugged him. I knew that usually guides and protectors refrained from hugging him, but I loved him. He was like family to me. I loved his stodgy attitude and his booming voice, and though he rarely showed it, I loved his sense of humor. He was like the brother I never had.
"Hello Jenna, it's nice to see you looking so well after your last assignment," Haniel said stepping into the living room.
"It was a piece of cake," I said, making light out of the volatile situation we had been placed in.
"I'm sure it was," he said dryly, making me giggle.
"Where have you been Haniel? I've missed you."
"I have been busy. It's a tough job keeping all my guides and protectors in order. Speaking of which, where is Victor?"
"He had to run some errands, but shouldn't you already know that?" I teased him.
He merely raised his golden eyebrows at me, making me giggle again. I couldn't help teasing him about the fact that I thought he should know everything.
"The Light does not share everything with me Jenna," he said, responding to my light laugh. "Though he did send me here today, but I assumed it was to chat with both you and Victor," he said, sounding unusually mystified.
Apprehension welled up inside me. The Light obviously had picked up on my misgivings and had sent Haniel to counsel me. I felt the stirring of embarrassment blossoming up inside me that I had made a small nothing into a mountain.
I sunk down on the edge of the couch. I kept my head down as I willed the embarrassment back.
I felt the sofa dip down beside me as Haniel settled his massive frame next to me.
"Jenna, it is not unusual for protectors to struggle after a tough assignment. Though they have their guides to help protect them from the hostile emotions they come in contact with, some of the negativity is bound to slip by," Haniel said, picking my thoughts from my head.
I cringed that I hadn't blocked my thoughts from him. A few days ago I had been dying to talk to him, but having my misgivings out in the open seemed irrational now.
"Jenna, this is what I was made for. It is my job to give you the support you need. Never hesitate to come to me when you are troubled. It pains me to see a soul as beautiful as yours struggle with doubts."
"He just seems so distant anymore Haniel. I feel like I'm losing him, but that's impossible right? I know protectors can't leave their guides. I'm just being silly, I know that," I said, standing up to pace back and forth. "I know a protector can't leave his guide, but can he fall out of love with her?" I asked as my heart clenched at just the thought.
"Jenna, he hasn't fallen out of love with you, it would be impossible. Your soul is like the heavens opened and filled with life," Haniel said in an oddly choked voice.
Startled, I looked up at him, but his face was as passive as ever with no signs of any other emotion. I shook my head at my imagination. What could Haniel possibly be choked up about? We were merely his assignments.
"I will be gone for the next few days, but when I return I will counsel with Victor and lend my assistance," Haniel said, breaking into my thoughts that I had thankfully remembered to block from him as he strode toward the door in his normal abrupt manner.
"Thank you, Haniel."
"Don't worry Jenna, all will be well," he said, closing the door softly behind him.