Alice's Insurrection (Alice Clark Series) (20 page)

“Are you still angry with God?”

“You’re really something. Sure, a part of me is. There is a long span of years where I was angry with Him. I felt abandoned by everyone in my life, including Him. I felt as if I were being punished my entire life with no idea for the longest time, what I had done to deserve it. Yet, at this moment, in this place with those I love, how could I be angry with Him? He gave me all I ever wanted and all they ever deserved.”

“What you have endured, most could not forgive
living such a life.”

“Was I angry?
Damn straight I was. Am I now?” She looked down the beach at her Fallen family and the love of her life, happily engaged with one another. “Now, I’m grateful.”

“Interesting, why is that?”

“The cold angry God I grew up with was redeemed, found to have a heart, to have compassion. I didn’t let my past assessment of Him, based on my life, change the fact that I saw good in Him. Maybe that’s why I thought He could do the same with all of us.”

“I see.
Do you now think differently of your gifts, that perhaps God wanted you to prove to Him you all deserved His forgiveness?”

Alice was apprehensive but found herself letting her guard down the more the mystery Angel pried.
“The thought has crossed my mind. I wonder if it had to be me. Would I have preferred to be a bystander? No. As much pain as I have been through, I wouldn’t change a moment of my life. Where I’ve come from, what I’ve gone through, all of it shaped me into who I am now. These bizarre gifts, or curses, they helped me get to where I am. I never denied them or held any hatred of them. So, no, I don’t think differently about them. I embraced them from the beginning, though I may have questioned them. It’s impossible to know His motives, but a part of me does think He gave them to me to prove we deserved His forgiveness.”

“You are a very interesting creature
, Alice. I would enjoy speaking with you at another time, but I know you have been waiting to be a family for a long time. I, too, have catching up to do.”

“Yeah
, okay.” She was puzzled.
What a strange angel.
He smiled so enormously that his bright white teeth almost sparkled in the sunlight. She wondered if it was always daytime here, if they slept. She couldn’t remember. Time had passed by, but she didn’t really have any recollection of it since they had arrived. Paul walked up to Alice, nervously, in the Angel’s wake.

“So what did
He say?” Paul asked.

“That guy?
We just chatted about, well I talked, I suppose.” Alice stared at Paul and Kokabiel’s worried faces. “What is wrong with you?”

“Th
at was Him,” Kokabiel whispered, clearing his throat.

“Him?” Alice asked.

“His form looks different to every person, but that was, in fact, God.” Alice’s hands shot to her mouth.

“Oh my…”

“Told you she didn’t know,” Jake said with a laugh. “You were talking shit, weren’t you?” Alice just nodded slowly.

“I worked so hard to
get Him to forgive you and then I ran my mouth!” Alice was freaking out.

“Alice, look at me
,” Cole said. “He chose to speak with you, and from what I’ve been told, God’s love is unlimited.”

“He has one hell of a sense of humor
, too,” Jake added.

“He looked like that Eric guy from True Blood.” Alice was still in shock.

“Oh, he’s yummy” Camille said. Jake bumped her arm. “Sorry, babe, it’s the truth.” She laughed and kissed him. “You’re my number one.”

“I’m
your only one,” Jake said, kissing her.

“You okay
, Alice?” Cole asked. She took his hand and smiled, relaxing fully.

“I am now.” She kissed his lips with the same thirst she always had.
He hungrily kissed her back. She pulled back, smiling and glancing over his shoulder to where He had been. She felt a warm reassuring hand on her shoulder and though she may have told the truth again, she knew in the end, God loved her. She returned her lips to Cole’s and let herself get lost in their love, a love as eternal as they now were.

I’m always torn between sadness
and happiness when I reach the end of a series. I will miss writing these characters as they have become a part of me I will always cherish and never forget. I’m so thankful to all of those who helped me along the way make this series happen. To the wonderful Russ Turner, who made beautiful covers for me truly showcasing what my stories were all about. Natalie and Matt for portraying my characters exactly as I saw them in my mind. Deaette and Betsy. You all were so essential in making everything come together so amazingly. My family for being so incredibly supportive. My best friends for chomping at the bit, ready to read the final outcome. My son, who shows me everyday that anything is possible if you just believe and work hard. And lastly, my incredible fans. Thank you for taking this journey with me, supporting me and being swept away by my characters the way I was while writing them. You keep me writing, I will always cherish you.

Andrea
was born and raised in Michigan, where she resides with her son and min pin, Hershey. She has always had a passion for writing and for the entertainment arts. While she continues to chase all her dreams, she encourages everyone to do the same.