Natural Born Angel (23 page)

T
he day of Maddy’s Commissioning arrived, and the media was calling it the “event of the century”, or even the “event of the millennium”. Maddy Montgomery Godright would be the first part-human, part-Angel ever commissioned as Guardian Angel.

Commissioning Day was preceded by non-stop breathless coverage of Maddy’s stratospheric rise. “Maddicts”, as they called themselves – a lot of them former “Jacksaddicts” – had camped out just like they had for Jackson’s Commissioning the year before, dreaming that they too secretly had an Angel parent and would one day have wings and rise to fortune and fame.

Starting at dawn, news helicopters hovered restlessly above the scene. Angel Boulevard had been closed overnight in preparation; workers had turned the pavement and street in front of the Temple of Angels into a backdrop worthy of an Angel Commissioning. Enormous plastic Divine Rings were placed near the entrance, and massive bleachers were erected for the lucky few who would get a first-hand view of the glamorous Angels and their annual event. The scene was teeming with media, as usual, with correspondents from A!, ANN, all the news networks jockeying for best position as the workers unfurled the red carpet.

Meanwhile, security was more pronounced than last year. Big, bulky men in suits with earpieces seemed to be all over the scene, supplementing the already strong ACPD contingent. After the still unsolved bombing of the Angel building, the Angels were taking no chances whatsoever. Even Tara Reeves was searched as she walked into the media area, an indignity she put up with without complaining too much since she saw what a great position she had again for her exclusive Angel Television stage, which was erected at the beginning of the red carpet.

Tara smiled dazzlingly into the camera, wearing a fiery red dress.

“The day you’ve been waiting for all year is finally here! The red carpet is perfectly rolled out, the bright lights are turned on, and the Divine Rings are ready as the fans swarm the Temple of Angels. And they’re all waiting for the Commissioning of Maddy Montgomery Godright, America’s new Angel sweetheart! Along with Angel favourites Mitch Steeple, Emily Brightchurch and the other twenty nominees, this is being called the Commissioning of the Century. And feeling the energy around here, I’m not going to disagree! The world’s most beautiful Angels and Protections will be here tonight, and you’re going to see it all live, with me, your host, Tara Reeves. You don’t want to go anywhere as we bring you the Commissioning, right now, from the heart of Angel City!”

Dusk began settling, and enormous searchlights were fired up, humming. They shone into the air, visible from miles and miles away. And now the Angels began arriving, one by one, on the red carpet. They waved and smiled dazzlingly, looking flawless and glamorous in their expensive designer gowns and tuxedos. Fans yelled for autographs and pictures as the famous Angels did on-carpet interviews with the TV hosts.

An
ooh
rippled through the audience as Vivian Holycross arrived with her date, Julien Santé. Vivian had taken a year off from training and would be eligible for Commissioning next year. She was wearing a dress Julien had had handmade by a friend in Paris who designed for YSL haute couture. Julien himself was wearing a crisp tuxedo behind a pair of YSL sunglasses.

“I’m just so happy to see Emily get Commissioned!” Vivian said, leaving no doubt she was
not
there for Maddy’s benefit. “And I’m just so happy to be here with my man, Julien. He’s a great Guardian with
so
many saves already this year.”

No one doubted who she was comparing Julien to, either – there had actually been betting pools in Las Vegas on whether Jackson Godspeed would even show up at this Commissioning.

Unexpectedly, two of the U.S. House representatives for Angel City, Juanita Perez and Paul Wheeler, arrived on the red carpet. Juanita was bedecked in a sparkling silver gown. She was there to show support for the Angels after Senator Linden and some other high-profile politicians had decided to create an alternative-Commissioning where they’d be playing a game of softball and then barbecuing at the senator’s estate on Eastern Long Island instead of watching or attending the Commissioning.

“I want the American people to know that in spite of some bad apples, we in the government support the Angels one hundred per cent, knowing that they are a strong part of our country, provide so much for our nation’s economy, and are out there every day saving lives. And they are now facing racist attacks in the form of horribly violent bombings,” Representative Perez said. “I’m proud to represent Angel City in Congress and help spread the word to Washington about all the good the Angels do! God bless the Angels, and God bless America!”

Representatives Perez and Wheeler smiled widely, waving at the crowds.

The Godspeed family showed up – Mark, Kris and Chloe. Mark would of course be sitting front and centre with the rest of the Archangels, and would be placing the Divine Ring on Maddy’s finger himself. Chloe had outdone herself. Being another year older, she had felt justified in getting an even lower-cut dress that showed off her Immortal Marks – she’d flown to New York City with Kris just to get it – and the cameras flashed as the teenage Angel showed herself off.

“In some ways we feel like Maddy’s part of our family, and we’re just so pleased for her,” Kris said, smiling sweetly. She was, as usual, classy and sophisticated, drawing the admiration of middle-aged women across the world with her mix of know-how and sexy grace.

Then the nominees began arriving, with Mitch Steeple leading the pack. Mitch was wearing the customary tuxedo as he walked the carpet, his shoulders broad and chest boxy. He had been waiting for this day all his life – even though Jacks had beat him to it by a year.

Tara caught up with him and got a sound bite.

“I’m just proud to be joining the Guardian ranks this year. It’s been my dream to get that ring, no matter what. And now that day has come. Can’t wait to start making saves and thrilling the fans. Thanks, Tara.”

The fans cheered loudly and a thousand flashes went off as every new nominee arrived on the carpet.

Emily Brightchurch’s blazing fiery orange hair contrasted wildly with her sleek black dress that showed every curve, and photographers’ jaws dropped as she walked her way down the red carpet. But in the midst of her interview with A!, a roar came from down the carpet. The host almost lost track of what he was doing as he turned his head to see if
she
, Maddy, had arrived.

She had.

Emily’s face darkened in fury as the host quickly threw coverage from her interview to Maddy’s arrival.

“Just getting word that
Maddy
has arrived.” He turned to Emily. “Thank you so much, Emily. Now back to Tara to cover America’s sweetheart as she walks the carpet.”

The whole scene turned blinding white with flashbulbs as Maddy stepped on to the carpet, Jackson Godspeed by her side. Just behind her was Uncle Kevin, looking very uncomfortable in his tuxedo and in front of so many cameras. The fans exploded in screams as they saw Maddy, pounding their feet along the metal bleachers.

Maddy stepped cautiously up the carpet – would she ever
really
find this normal? – and waved at the fans and photographers in front of the Temple of Angels. She was wearing a red de la Renta dress that Kris and Chloe had helped her pick out.

Tara’s gushing was nearly hysterical.

“Maddy, tell me where you got this dress?!”

“Well, actually Jackson’s mother, Kris, and his sister, Chloe, brought me to the designer. It’s unique, one of a kind.”

At the sound of Jackson’s name, Tara turned to him for a brief second.

“Wonderful to see Maddy’s boyfriend here, showing his support! But back to you, Maddy. Do you have any idea who your first Protections will be? And what about these rumours you might be involved in next season’s
American Protection
?”

Maddy looked over and saw Darcy mouthing, “
Be vague.
”

“Tara,” Maddy said, laughing as best she could. “You know I can’t comment on any of that. But everyone should know that I promise my first save will be memorable.”

“Everyone’s on the edge of their seat!” Tara practically squealed. “Maddy, your rise has been unprecedented, and fans all over the world look to you for guidance. What would you say to them?”

Maddy paused slightly and considered her words seriously. “I’m just so grateful to be here. And so grateful for any good I can do. That’s what’s truly important. Not all the glitz and glamour. But the chance to change people’s lives. That’s what I’m becoming a Guardian Angel for.”

Tara turned back to the camera. “And Maddy, showing the humility and down-to-earthness that has made her a household name in mere months! I almost can’t stand it, I’m so excited – America’s Angel sweetheart, everyone! Don’t go away, as we have the Commissioning ceremony from inside the Temple of Angels soon!”

Maddy wasn’t oblivious to the fact that Jackson’s body was tense, nor that he had been all but ignored by Tara, who would have murdered small children to get two minutes of exclusive interview with him just twelve months before. Maddy reached for his hand.

“Come on, Jacks, let’s go in,” she whispered.

With a final wave to the screaming fans, Maddy and Jacks disappeared inside the Temple, walking under the arch that Jacks had passed the year before. It read: DO YOUR DUTY
.

They were ushered through the depths of the Temple of Angels to Maddy’s dressing room, next to those of all the other nominees. Her stylist was waiting inside, prepared to put the ceremonial robe of the Guardian on Maddy; the formal robe was one thing that hadn’t changed for the Guardians in hundreds of years.

As the stylist fitted the robe properly around Maddy, Jackson couldn’t help but smile.

“What?” Maddy said, worrying she looked silly.

“Nothing,” Jackson said. “It’s just that you look so much like an Angel right now.”

And it was true. As the stylist stepped back, Maddy was able to see herself in the mirror: she looked more Angelic than she’d ever even dreamed of in her life. As if her inner Angel half was truly coming to life under these robes, her very skin almost seeming to glow.

“You’re beautiful, Maddy,” Jackson said. He came over and squeezed her hands tightly.

“No kissing!” the stylist admonished, worried that Jacks would smear her make-up.

Maddy looked up at Jacks, nervous, starting to breathe more quickly.

“You’re ready,” he said calmly. “Don’t let anybody tell you you’re not.”

Maddy leaned her head on Jacks’s chest. “I wouldn’t be here without you, Jacks. . . Thank you for everything. Thank you for being you.”

Jackson looked at her, his eyes mysterious. “I should get going,” he said.

“Oh, do you have to?”

“It’s about to start. I’ll see you up there. You’re going to do great. Don’t worry.” He gave her hands one last squeeze and then disappeared into the hallway.

Maddy looked at herself in the mirror again, waiting for the personnel to come get her.
You can do this, you can do this
, she told herself. This was just a ceremony. She could handle this. She
could
.

Maddy checked her phone and saw she had two texts. One was from Gwen: “
I’m so proud of you girl, Don’t forget us little people!
” Maddy smiled and wrote back: “
Never! I love and miss you. Wish me luck.
”

The other text was from Tom. It read: “
Break a wing up there tonight – remember to credit me and the U.S. Navy for all your success in flying.
”

Maddy texted back. “
Haha, I will. Thank you, Tom. Nervous but ready!
”

His response came almost instantly. “
Nothing but faith in you.
”

Maddy smiled and put the phone away.

She looked at herself in the mirror one more time and thought back to those numerous days in the ACHS halls, when she was just another anonymous girl in a hoodie and earphones. Although she didn’t totally want to get caught up in all the hype, well, it was nice to be the centre of attention, to look so beautiful. To feel so . . . wanted, if she were honest with herself. She may as well enjoy this moment. Right?

A light knock came on the door. Maddy looked towards it, taking a deep breath. Was it time? “Come in,” she said nervously.

The door squeaked open, and there stood Louis Kreuz, the head of Angel training. A dark cloud crossed Maddy’s face. She was done with training. What was
he
doing here? Did she still have to put up with him?

“Can I come in for a second, nominee?” He was wearing a crisp tuxedo with a jaunty collar. He held a Cuban cigar in his heavy hand, but it remained unlit. A rare compromise to fire codes.

“Mr Kreuz, I’m really just trying to— ”

Kreuz let himself in and closed the door behind him. “It’ll only be a second, kid.” He smiled at her.

Maddy sighed. Kreuz was holding a small case in one arm. He opened it and held it out for Maddy.