Chloe (Angel Institute #4)

Epilogue

REBECCA

T he soft, golden glow of celestial light pulses gently around me as I stand before the grand lectern in the heavenly hall. The cool marble floor beneath my feet ground me, a stark contrast to the sense of vastness that stretches above and around me. The air itself seems to shimmer with divine energy, carrying the faint scent of stardust and eternity.

I take a deep breath, my gaze falling on Henry and the Archangel Saint Nicholas seated in the front row. Their presence both comforts and intimidates me. Henry’s kind blue eyes twinkle with encouragement, while Saint Nicholas’s piercing gaze seems to look right through me, as if he can see every thought and emotion swirling within my soul.

The weight of the moment settles upon me. This is it. My dissertation. The culmination of my journey as a guardian angel in training. Everything I’ve learned, everything I’ve experienced, has led to this moment.

I clear my throat; the sound echoing in the vast space. “Esteemed Archangel Saint Nicholas, beloved mentor Henry, I stand before you today to present my dissertation on my first assignment as a guardian angel in training.”

As I begin to speak, I feel a warmth spreading through me. It’s not the burning ambition I used to feel, the desperate need to prove myself and earn status. Instead, it’s a gentle glow of love, compassion, and understanding. It’s the spirit of Christmas, the essence of what it means to be a guardian angel, alive within me.

“My assignment was Chloe Anderson,” I continue, my voice growing stronger. “A successful businesswoman who had lost touch with the true meaning of Christmas, of family, of love itself.”

As I speak, I find myself transported back to those first days in Benton Falls. The crisp winter air, the twinkling lights reflected in the snow, the sound of carols drifting on the breeze. I can almost smell the rich aroma of Maggie’s gingerbread cookies, taste the warmth of her hot chocolate on my tongue.

“When I first met Chloe,” I say, “I saw only a cold, ambitious woman who cared for nothing but success and money. But as I got to know her, as I watched her interact with the people of Benton Falls, I saw beneath the surface.”

I pause, remembering the moment I first saw Chloe’s walls begin to crumble. The look in her eyes when she helped a child pick out a gift for their mother. The way her voice softened when she spoke of her grandmother.

“I learned that Chloe’s drive for success came from a place of deep-seated fear and insecurity. Her childhood experiences of poverty and loss had left her believing that financial success was the only path to happiness and security.”

As I speak, I notice a shift in the hall's atmosphere. The air seems to shimmer with increased intensity, and I swear I can smell the faint scent of pine and cinnamon. It’s as if Benton Falls itself is materializing around us, bringing a touch of earthly Christmas magic to this celestial realm.

“My task was not just to help Chloe rediscover the spirit of Christmas,” I continue, “but to help her heal the wounds of her past by opening her heart to love and connection.”

I go on to describe the various challenges and triumphs of my assignment. The community caroling night where Chloe first softened. The Christmas market where she granted wishes and spread joy. The moment she decided to anonymously donate to save Oliver’s store.

As I speak, I can feel the emotions of those moments washing over me once again. The joy, the frustration, the hope, the love. I realize now that it wasn’t just Chloe who was transformed by this experience. I, too, have been fundamentally changed.

“But the most important lesson I learned,” I say, my voice filled with emotion, “is that being a guardian angel isn’t about grand gestures or miraculous interventions. It’s about the small moments of kindness, the gentle nudges in the right direction, the quiet presence in times of need.”

I look directly at Henry as I say this, seeing the pride shining in his eyes. He nods encouragingly, urging me to continue.

“I learned that genuine change comes not from external forces, but from within. My role was not to force Chloe to change, but to create opportunities for her to discover her own capacity for love and generosity.”

As I continue my dissertation, I reflect on my journey. How I started this assignment focused only on earning my wings, on proving myself. How, through helping Chloe, I discovered my own capacity for empathy and selfless love.

“In the end,” I say, my voice ringing clear and strong through the hall, “Chloe not only rediscovered the spirit of Christmas, but she also found love, purpose, and a true sense of belonging. She transformed from a woman who measured her worth in dollars and cents to one who finds joy in giving, in connection, in being part of a community.”

I pause, taking a deep breath before delivering my conclusion. “But perhaps the most profound transformation was my own. Through guiding Chloe, I learned the true meaning of being a guardian angel. It’s not about power or prestige. It’s about love, service, and the joy of helping others find the light within themselves.”

As I finish speaking, a hush falls over the hall. The celestial light seems to pulse more intensely, and I swear I can hear the faint echo of Christmas bells in the distance.

Saint Nicholas leans forward, his piercing blue eyes fixed on me. “Thank you, Rebecca, for your heartfelt dissertation. Before we proceed, do you have any final thoughts to share?”

I nod, surprised to feel tears pricking at my eyes. “Yes.” I collect myself. “I want to express my profound gratitude. To Henry, for his patient guidance and wisdom. To Chloe, for teaching me more about love and resilience than I ever could have imagined. And to the divine power that gave me this opportunity to grow and serve.”

As I speak these words, I feel a warmth spreading through me, starting in my heart and radiating outward. It’s a feeling of pure love and joy, more powerful than anything I’ve ever experienced.

Saint Nicholas smiles, a sight so beautiful it nearly takes my breath away. “Rebecca,” he says, his voice like the peal of golden bells, “you have showed remarkable growth and understanding. Your journey from a self-centered weather forecaster to a compassionate guardian angel is truly commendable.”

I hold my breath, hardly daring to hope.

“It is with great pleasure,” Saint Nicholas continues, “that I bestow upon you your wings. May you continue to bring light and love to those in need, and may your service be a beacon of hope in the world.”

As he speaks these words, Henry rings a bell. I feel a tingling sensation between my shoulder blades. A soft glow wraps around me, and I gasp as I feel my newly manifested wings unfurling behind me. They’re not heavy or awkward, but an extension of my being.

Overwhelmed with emotion, I turn to Henry, who is beaming with pride. “Oh, Rebecca,” he says, pulling me into a warm embrace. “I’m so proud of you. You understand now, don’t you? The wings aren’t the goal. The service, the love, the growth—that’s what being a guardian angel is all about.”

I nod, feeling tears of joy stream down my face. “I understand. And I’m so grateful for this journey.”

As the ceremony concludes and I prepare to embark on my next assignment, I find my thoughts drifting back to Benton Falls. To Chloe and Oliver, to the warmth of the community and to the spirit of giving and love—the true essence of Christmas, that I was privileged to be a part of.

I may have earned my wings, but I’ve gained something far more valuable - a true understanding of what it means to be a guardian angel.