Nick sighed, this seemed to be the same conversation he'd just had with his mom. Only he knew he'd be more honest this time, something about talking to his dad always made him feel like he could say more, be completely truthful. "I'm.. okay... I just... I just miss her."
"I know you do. Part of you always will. She was an amazing girl." Bob said. He knew how hard it had been on Nick to lose Jamie, she'd been his stability in the crazy life he lived.
Nick paused for a second before saying quietly, "Not Jamie, dad."
Bob was shocked. "Uh, who do you miss?"
"It wouldn't make any sense even if I tried to tell you." Nick sighed.
"You can try."
"I just.. met this girl.. actually Mom sort of did it... she worked for that cleaning place Mom called and she was the one that came over... I actually felt comfortable talking to her.. I even cried in front of her. We went out .. once.. but ... dad.. I don't get it... just being with her...even though it wasn't that long of a time... I... even started doubting Jamie... like if she was really... The "One" or not..."
Bob wasn't sure what to say, whether he thought this was just a passing phase, another way for Nick to deal with losing Jamie, or if made his son had really found someone that was good for him.
~~~~~~~
Avalon smiled contentedly, watching Nick carefully shaving the peach fuzz goatee he'd been trying to grow. She knew she shouldn't be there, but she couldn't stand it, she had to see him again. She didn't think there was any danger in leaving her assignment while she napped, so she'd quickly snuck over for a visit to see Nick, even though he had no idea she was there. She wondered if he missed her, like she missed him. She knew she shouldn't remember anything of the time she'd spent with him, but instead- she couldn't forget any of it- the way the air had felt blowing against her skin, the warmth of the sunshine, the sand underneath her feet, the way her whole body had felt weak when he kissed her.
After watching him play basketball for a while, and then jump into the pool to do a few laps, Avalon forced herself to leave, go back to her assignment, who she was very glad to find was still sleeping peacefully. She knew she couldn't make anymore careless mistakes by her mind being occupied with things other than her assignments, but she couldn't seem to help herself.
~~~~~
"Avalon, I sincerely hoped I wouldn't have to call you in here again." Michael said, casting her a disapproving glance.
"I'm sorry." she mumbled. She knew it was her own fault, and she wasn't even sorry about it, but knew it was expected of her to at least appear somewhat remorseful.
"You went to see him, Avalon, even though you'd been forbidden to have any contact. You left an assignment for your own selfish reasons. This tops any "accident" that you may have ever caused.. that is devious and potentially harmful to all involved! You know better than that..."
Avalon tuned out the rest of Michael's tirade, her face expressionless.
"What do you have to say for yourself?" Michael asked, wondering if Avalon had hear a word he'd said.
"I want to be with him."
"Why?" Michael couldn't think of any other question to pose her.
"Michael, you're always telling all of us that we have a purpose.. we were created for a reason... maybe he's my reason! I can't do this job anymore.. my heart isn't in it. I know that I shouldn't remember earth, or him, or any of the things I felt.. but I do.. and I still feel them. I don't belong here anymore!"
"Avalon, you've been in Heaven for all of your existance except for the very short time you spent on earth... do you mean to tell me that you'd give everything you have here, to be there?" he asked.
Avalon nodded her head very slightly. Then she looked right at Michael and said, "Yes, I would."
Michael already knew he'd lost her, but had to hear her say it for herself. "Then you must choose that."
"How can I choose that? This is where I'm at.. I'm stuck here because I've been forbidden to do anything else.. I can't even complete the assignments I was working on now."
"You have to fall. Renounce who you are, give up your celestial body and identity for human form." Michael replied.
It seemed like a bigger decision when Avalon heard what Michael said, having to give up who she was. "I'd be banished.."
"From all of Heaven, yes, until you return in death."
Avalon was silent for a few moments, trying to contemplate what had been said. She knew enough about human life to know how fleeting it was, and that if she chose to leave she could very well be giving up everything she had in Heaven, only to return quickly, her time on earth having met a natural end.
Michael could tell what Avalon was thinking, and knew that she now realized the decision may be more complicated than she had thought. "Think about it, Avalon. You will be relieved of your assignments until your decision has been made."