I watch Frannie with Matt as I stand in the door with Gabriel, and I know this is it. Talk to me outside, I think, and he nods and slips through the door with me into the hall.
"She's ready," I say.
"Yep."
"Tell me you'll take care of her. The look in Michael's eyes…" I shudder.
Gabriel leans into the wall. "We've got her backside, which is pretty nice." He quirks a smile.
"Can you be serious for like two minutes?"
He scowls at me. "Fine. Stop stressing. The Almighty knows she's special. And remember, Moses's life didn't suck. She'll be fine. She's not going anywhere."
"But she's not staying with me either. I just need to know she'll be okay before I let her go."
His eyes hold mine, and his jaw clenches as he contemplates that. "I'm not going to pretend that nothing's going to change, but what happens from here is up to Frannie. You're not a demon anymore. You're human, with a clean soul and a completely clean slate. If Frannie still wants you," he almost seems to choke on the words, "then there's no reason you can't be together."
And that's the key: if she still wants me. She'll belong to Heaven. To Gabriel. Will she still want me after? Her life will outgrow me-the tagalong, used-to-be demon. It won't be long before she doesn't need me or want me. I crack open the door and gaze at her. She looks so tired, but she also looks at peace, and I know it's time.
Gabriel pushes through the door, and I walk behind him, stopping just inside. But then Frannie holds her hand out to me, and I stride to her side, needing to feel her touch.
"You're ready," I tell her, and she nods her affirmation. "Good," I say to myself. "This is good," I repeat a little louder-for her. Then I kiss her quickly and stand.
I turn to Gabriel. "Okay," I say, giving him the signal.
He smirks. "Okay, what?"
"Tag her. She's ready."
"It was done before we walked back into the room. What'd you think, we have some big "Pomp and Circumstance" thing?"
I glower at him. "You're such an asshole. I thought maybe you'd give her a heads-up, that's all."
"If she's ready, why does she need a heads-up?"
"Stop talking about me like I'm not here," she says, glowering up at us.
"Should I have given you a heads-up, Frannie?" Gabriel teases.
Frannie grins. "No, but maybe Luc would have liked one."
I start and stare down at her. "What are you talking about?"
Frannie's eyes are brighter than I've ever seen them. "Tag-you're it!"
I look at Gabriel, stunned. "You're joking."
He smiles and shrugs. "It was one of Frannie's conditions. Plus, you've impressed the right deity, though Michael was less than thrilled."
I try to digest what Gabriel is saying. "I'm tagged… for Heaven…" I say, trying it on.
"Could you at least pretend to be happy about it? Otherwise, I may have to take it back."
I feel the grin spread across my face as Frannie reaches up for my hand. I grab it and sit down hard in the desk chair next to the bed. "Holy shit."
Matt cracks a dubious smile. "You can say that again. A demon tagged for Heaven…" He shakes his head.
"So, what's going to happen?" Frannie asks. "I mean with my life… college and all…" her gaze shifts for an instant to me then back to Gabe, "… you guys."
Gabriel sits next to her on the bed and grasps her other hand, visibly struggling with what to say. But his eyes say what he can't. I see it, clear as day, even if she doesn't. He'd give up his wings for her. All she'd have to do is ask.
His eyes drop from hers, but his hand grasps tighter. "What happens from here is up to you."