Chapter Nineteen: Meeting Under the Big Sky:

There is a place in the living realm where the sky the ground perfectly touch. Bayu showed me this place before my fall.

“How is this even possible?” I asked.

“Only Father knows the secret,” Bayu told me. It always went back to father with her. She wouldn’t choose between us if I forced her to. The fact that I could overlook that detail made it easier for us to be together.

When was the last time I was in this place? It’s been so long. Would she even remember me? I looked at myself in the mirror. Not much has changed. Okay, so I do look a little more tired. My hand had gotten rougher because of the field work I had been doing over the past seven years. There is more muscle too. Other than that, I look just the same as I did before the fall.  I probably should get Bayu and the kid a little gift. Yeah, that would work perfectly. Once I finished getting dressed, I vanished from my bedchambers.

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The air felt so clean around me. I about jumped as the sensation tickled my nose. I quickly looked around. Green grass as far as the eyes could see. The sunlight in the sky made me feel like I was standing in a painting. I held out my arms. It started to feel good again. I closed my eyes and took it in. Part of me wished that I could stay here forever. I had to force myself to get back on track.

I knelt down to the grass and started drawing my finger in the dirt underneath. I still remembered that little code we used to summon each other. Three circles, one line through each, two crosses, and a big circle around it all. Done. I just hoped it worked. I closed my eyes and held my hand over the code.

“Lucifer?” I heard. I opened my eyes and turned around. Low and behold, there was my beloved wife. She looked just as beautiful as she did before my fall. My darling had her long pink hair in a braid. Her robes looked so great on her. Bayu held our handsome son in her hands. I stepped forward with giant eyes. I had to slap myself in the cheek.

“Is that really you?” I asked.

“Yes,” Bayu said. I paused. Was she… crying?

“What’s the matter, my love?” I asked.

“Why did you call me out here?” Bayu-chan asked.

“Because I wanted to see you,” I said.

“Why?” she asked. Bayu-chan was trembling as she held out little boy. I held out my hand, but she flinched away. What have they told her in Heaven?

“I still love you,” I said.

“Huh?” she asked. I smiled and bowed.

“I was married while we were apart, but I couldn’t love her as I love you,” I said. “I’ve been so lonely that I just had to see you again.” She stared at me, silent, but she didn’t flinch away from me. The little boy had his eyes on me. He didn’t speak either. He clung to his mother’s robes as tightly as he could. My eyes strayed down to him.

“Is he mine?” I asked. Bayu lowered her head.

“Yes,” she said in quiet voice. My thoughts were confirmed, but I still had questions. The little boy hid his face from me.

“When?” I asked.

“Right after you fell,” Bayu said. “I didn’t know I was pregnant until after you were gone.” She held onto the child as tightly as she could. “Gabriel was so angry when he found out. He said he wanted to rip out the child and kill it.” She trembled as she said that. I walked over and hugged them both.

“It’s okay, I’m here now,” I whispered. Bayu started to cry against my chest.

“And what did Father say?” I asked. She shook her head.

“He doesn’t say anything,” she said. “But he and some of the angels help me to take care of him.” Hearing that stirred something inside of me. Heaven was no place for her and our son. They didn’t act like a family. I knew that I had to take them from that place.

“I want us to be a real family,” I said. Bayu looked up at me with big eyes.

“Lucifer…” she murmured. I put my finger to her lips.

“Shhh,” I whispered. “It will be okay. I will take care of you both. Do you hear me?”

“But…” she said. I nuzzled her nose and cheek. Only then did she go quiet. I kissed her on the forehead.

“Good,” I whispered. “Now, what is our beautiful boy’s name?”

“Irani,” Bayu whispered. I kissed on the forehead again.

“Irani,” I replied. “I like it.” The little boy didn’t let go of his mother the whole time. This will start a whole era with her and I.