I held the hope for a few moments before I thought of my father. Then I realized that I would not leave him behind. If he stayed here, so would I.

“What will happen to my father?” I asked.

My heart became heavier.

My eyes met Azael’s and I could see the smugness in him. Like he knew I would not leave my father behind, even if it meant an eternity of hell with him and his torturous intentions.

Michael remained silent until I looked back to him, feeling Azael’s presence behind me grow, with the intensity of heat.

“He may have sacrificed himself to save you from Azael’s cruelty. But his choice led to the death of two of your family members Tessa.”

“I know. I lived through it.” My insides felt raw taking about what happened to my mom and sister.

Michael sighed. “Don’t make this difficult Tessa. Take the chance you are being given.”

I crossed my arms trying to figure out a way to save my father as well.

“What if I can’t let it go?” I asked, softly.

Michael sighed. “You have to.”

I wasn’t that person. The one who could turn their back on a loved one no matter what they had done. I just couldn’t do it.

Michael studied for a few moments before he sighed. He moved closer and I felt reluctantly drawn to his light.

“You are something special Tessa. But not everyone can be saved.”

I swallowed the jump that developed in my throat. “He’s a good man,” I tried to argue.

“A good man who did a bad thing,” he added. “This place is filled with men like him. They made their choice and they have to live with it.”

My bottom lip trembled.

Michael smiled sympathetically. “If it weren’t for his sacrifice to shelter you here, you wouldn’t be getting a second chance.”

My eyes stung.

“Allow him to give you this chance Tessa. Take it with both hands and don’t waste a second of it.”

“But…” I swallowed hard. “I can’t….”

“Don’t let this be for nothing Tessa. You have a chance not afforded to many. Don’t throw it away.”

I couldn’t change what my father had done but what he had just done for me had to be worth something.

“If you pass on this you will spend eternity here. And your father will be a witness to every second of your torture and pain. Is that what you want for him? You will reward his sacrifice with more pain?”

When he put it like that I knew I couldn’t do that to him.

Michael saw the change in me and in that moment reached out his hand to mine.

I studied his hand.

“Can I speak to him?” I asked, suddenly.

Michael frowned. “I’m not sure that would be a good idea.”

“Please.” I begged. “I know he has to stay. If I could just talk to him one last time. Please. I need this.”

Michael nodded. “For a few minutes.”

My father suddenly appeared beside me.

“Tessa,” he whispered, his voice filled with anguish and joy.

“Daddy.” I swallowed the emotion that filled me.

My father looked to Michael. The awe was evident in his eyes.

“I have to go.”

He looked to me, his eyes glistened. He nodded.

“Because of your sacrifice here I get another chance. I’m going back.”

My father smiled softly. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Thank you.”

I wanted to say more, I needed to tell him more. This would be my last chance.

“I owed you Tessa. I ruined everything.”

I could see the internal struggle in him.

“I can’t make it right for your mom or your sister.” There was remorse. “At least I was able to give you this.”

I closed my eyes, feeling a wave of grief and despair wash over me. This would be the last time I ever saw him.

“I forgive you,” I whispered through the pain.

His smiled widened and I couldn’t stop the tears.

I moved to hug him. His frail arms held me. I sobbed.

“I love you.” I never imagined I would ever say those words to a man who had done what he had.

But life had taught me imperfections. Like Michael had previously said. My father was a good man who had done a bad thing.

“Love you Tessa. I never stopped,” my father said, tightening his hold.

I didn’t want to go but I knew it was time to leave.

He released me first. I saw his wet cheeks and felt renewed tears.

“You will always be with me.” I wanted to believe that more than anything that somehow a part of him would go back with me and be free from this place.

“You will always be here.” He placed his hand on his heart.

He smiled one last time and I tried to ingrain the image into my memory so I would always remember it. Then he vanished and I was left staring at nothing.

“It’s time,” Michael said. His hand reached out to me.

Slowly, I placed my hand in his. He pulled me to him and his wings wrapped around us. I released a breath, hating that I would be leaving my father behind.

There was a swish of light and I felt the air against my face.

Michael’s wings opened and I was surrounded by a white atmosphere of what felt like clouds. Even my feet had no floor but each step was steady and firm that I took, taking in my new surroundings.

“Where are we?” I felt disoriented but the fact it wasn’t hot and stuffy was definitely an improvement on where we had just been.

“Heaven.”

My heart felt lighter than a moment ago. It felt more peaceful.

“What now?” I linked my hands as I faced him.

“You start again Tessa.” He had such a peacefulness about him. I could have stood in his presence for the rest of time and been content.

“Will I remember any of this?”

He shook his head.

I frowned, unsure of how I felt about that.

“It will make the transition easier Tessa.”

I experienced a moment of panic. “I don’t want to forget him. I can’t forget it.”

I did t want to go back to hating him, especially when he didn’t deserve it now.

“You will remember you forgave him. The details will be a little fuzzy but you will remember that despite what happened, your father was a good man who made a mistake.”

I swallowed, feeling emotional all over again.

“Will I see them one day?” I asked.

Michael nodded, knowing exactly who I was referring to. “At the end, they will be waiting for you.”

So there was some truth to loved ones that had already passed waited for you once you died. It gave me hope in the sea of sadness and despair.

“You ready?” he asked.

I hesitated. Would I be able to do this? To live a life without torment, to live a life without angels and demons, to live a life without Damien.

It should have been an easy yes but it wasn’t that simple. I had to remember Damien tricked me, he had betrayed me in the most terrible way. He had pretended to care for me to lure me into trusting him when I should have known better.

I hardened my heart and pushed through the pain.

I nodded.

“I hope I don’t see you again for a good long while.”

He smiled which made me smile.

“I’ll try.”

I wanted to say I was confident but I wasn’t. I was human and humans made mistakes. We were complicated.

All I could do was try my best to live the type of life where I remembered there was so much to live for and there would be loved ones waiting for me at the end of it.

He took my hands in his. His hold was warm and comforting but I felt my heart start to race. I took a steady breath trying to suppress my nervousness. I had no idea what to expect and the uncertainty that I would make a mistake scared me. Going back to hell was my worst fear and I hoped I remembered it so I would ensure I never returned.

“You have a good heart Tessa. Remember that.”

The last thing I saw was his smile and the pride in his eyes before the blinding white light flashed.