Chloe (Angel Institute #4)

Chapter 12

Twelve

REBECCA

T he soft, ethereal glow of the Blessing Call Center beckons me as I step through its pearly gates. The familiar hum of angelic voices fills the air, a harmonious blend of requests and blessings that sends a tingle down my spine. It’s been a while since I’ve been here, and I’d forgotten how... heavenly it feels.

I make my way past rows of gleaming white desks, each occupied by a Class B angel, their halo headest glowing softly as they coordinate blessings for their human charges. The gentle clatter of celestial keyboards and the whisper of wings create a soothing symphony of divine bureaucracy.

“Rebecca?” a familiar voice calls out. “Is that you?”

I turn to see Gladys, her gold curls bouncing as she waves me over. Her brown eyes sparkle with curiosity as I approach her desk.

“Hey, Gladys,” I say, suddenly feeling a bit sheepish. “I, uh, just wanted to stop by and say thanks. You know, for those boots you sent for Chloe.”

Gladys’s face lights up with a smile that could outshine the stars. “Oh, it was my pleasure. How did they work out?”

I can’t help but grin as I think about Chloe traipsing around Benton Falls in those cozy, stylish boots. “They were perfect. You should’ve seen her face when she tried them on. I think it was the first time she actually enjoyed walking around town instead of complaining about her designer heels sinking into the snow.”

Gladys laughs, the sound like tinkling bells. “I’m so glad to hear that. You know, it’s rarely we get to see the direct impact of our blessings. It’s nice to know they’re making a difference.”

I nod, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. It’s moments like these that make me appreciate my role as a guardian angel in training, even if I sometimes miss my old life of luxury and achievement.

“So, how’s the assignment going?” Gladys asks, leaning forward conspiratorially. “Word around the celestial water cooler is that you might be on track for your wings soon.”

I feel a flutter of excitement at her words. “Really? I mean, I think it’s going well. Chloe’s definitely changed a lot since I started working with her. She’s opening up, getting involved in the community. She even volunteered at a book fair.”

Gladys’s eyes widen. “Wow, that is progress. And what about her relationship with that Oliver fellow? Any developments there?”

I’m about to answer when a gentle chime resonates through the call center. Gladys sighs, straightening up. “Duty calls. But hey, keep up the good work, Rebecca. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing you with wings before you know it.”

As I make my way out of the Blessing Call Center, I can’t help but feel a surge of pride. Maybe Gladys is right. Maybe I am on track to earn my wings. The thought sends a thrill through me, making my steps lighter as I exit into the main celestial concourse.

The sight that greets me never fails to take my breath away, even after all this time. The vast expanse of heaven stretches out before me, a shimmering tapestry of stars and swirling galaxies. The air is filled with a soft, golden light that seems to emanate from everything and nothing all at once. In the distance, I can hear the faint strains of the angelic choir practicing their Christmas cantata.

I’m so lost in the beauty of it all that I almost bump into Henry, who seems to have appeared out of thin air.

“Whoa there, Rebecca,” he says, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Lost in thought, are we?”

I feel my cheeks flush. Even after all this time, Henry has a way of making me feel like a fledgling angel on my first day of training. “Sorry, Henry. I was just... taking it all in, I guess.”

Henry nods, his silver hair catching the celestial light. “It is quite a sight, isn’t it? No matter how long you’ve been here, it never loses its wonder.” He pauses, studying me with those all-knowing eyes of his. “But I sense there’s something else on your mind. Care to share?”

I hesitate for a moment, then decide to just go for it. “Well, I was just at the Blessing Call Center, thanking Gladys for those boots she sent to Chloe. And she mentioned... she said the angels are talking about me, maybe earning my wings soon. Is that true?”

Henry’s expression softens, a gentle smile playing at his lips. “Well, you tell me, how do you think Chloe is doing?”

I feel a surge of excitement as I think about all the progress Chloe has made. “Oh, Henry, she’s doing so well. You should see her. She’s really embracing the spirit of Benton Falls. She volunteered at the Elementary School Book Fair, can you believe it? And she’s been spending so much time with Oliver and the community. Those boots Gladys sent really did the trick—Chloe’s been much more willing to explore the town now that her feet aren’t freezing in those ridiculous designer heels.”

Henry chuckles, the sound warm and rich. “That’s wonderful to hear, Rebecca. And what about Oliver’s store? I hear there have been some developments there.”

I furrow my brow, confused. “Oliver’s store? What do you mean?”

Henry’s eyes twinkle mischievously. “Oh, you haven’t heard? It seems Chloe made quite a generous gesture. She anonymously donated a substantial sum to save the department store.”

My jaw drops. “She what? But... but how? When? I knew nothing about this.”

Henry laughs, patting my shoulder. “Sometimes, Rebecca, our charges surprise us. They make choices we didn’t expect, grow in ways we couldn’t have imagined. That’s the beauty of free will—and the challenge of being a guardian angel.”

I’m reeling from this revelation. Chloe, my stubborn, money-obsessed Chloe, made an anonymous donation? To save Oliver’s store? It seems impossible, and yet... a warm feeling spreads through my chest. Pride, I realize. I’m proud of her.

“That’s... that’s amazing,” I say, still trying to wrap my head around it. “I can’t believe she did that. Henry, does this mean... am I done? Have I completed my assignment?”

The hope in my voice is embarrassingly obvious, but I can’t help it. The thought of finally earning my wings, of proving myself as a veritable guardian angel, is almost overwhelming.

But Henry’s expression turns serious, and I feel my heart sink. “Rebecca,” he says gently, “you’ve done excellent work with Chloe. She’s grown tremendously, and you should be very proud of that. But...”

“But?” I prompt, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice.

Henry sighs, his eyes full of compassion. “But there’s still work to be done. Chloe’s journey isn’t over yet, and neither is yours.”

I feel like I’ve been doused with cold water. “What? But Henry, she’s changed so much. She’s volunteering, she’s connecting with people, she made that donation... what more is there?”

Henry places a hand on my shoulder, his touch warm and comforting. “Rebecca, being a guardian angel isn’t just about changing someone’s actions. It’s about transforming their heart. Chloe has made great strides, but there are still wounds that need healing, truths she needs to face.”

I slump, feeling deflated. “So... what do I do now?”

Henry’s smile is gentle but firm. “You keep going. You stay by her side. And most importantly, you trust the process. Remember, Rebecca, this journey isn’t just about Chloe. It’s about you, too. There are still lessons for you to learn, growth for you to experience.”

I nod, trying to push down my disappointment. “I understand. Thank you, Henry.”

As Henry turns to leave, a thought strikes me. “Wait. Henry, what exactly do I need to do? What work is left?”

But Henry just smiles enigmatically. “That, my dear Rebecca, is something you’ll have to figure out for yourself. Trust your instincts. And remember, sometimes the greatest miracles happen when we least expect them.”

With that, he vanishes in a soft shimmer of light, leaving me standing alone in the celestial concourse, my mind whirling with questions.

I make my way to the edge of the heavenly realm, where the boundary between Earth and Heaven is thinnest. As I prepare to teleport back to Benton Falls, I can’t shake the feeling that something big is coming—

Something that will test both Chloe and me in ways we can’t imagine.