Michael was sitting under a tree with Eve cuddled in his lap and Adam pulling on his wings. They were as large as he was now and the only apparent differences between him and them were their lack of wings and their continued child-like wonder.

“When will I grow wings?” Adam asked.

“You won’t grow wings,” Michael answered.

“Why not?” Adam asked.

“Because you are a human and I am an angel. God made you and Eve to be special. The only two of your kind,” Michael explained.

“I don’t feel special,” Adam stated. “Wings seem special.”

“It is often easier to see what is special in other things then in yourself,” Uriel said as she stepped from behind the tree and gently laid her hand on Adam’s shoulder.

Michael looked up at her and felt something different inside of himself. He felt like he and Uriel were a single thing. In many ways, he felt closer to Uriel then he did to God. He wondered if that was wrong.

“I have to go and speak with God,” Uriel said. “I will send Lucifer to watch the children so that you can do your work as well.”

Michael nodded.

Uriel spread out her ruby wings. Where the sun light caught the feathers, they glimmered with a soft golden light. She easily rose into the air with a slight swirl of air around them.

Michael was sure that she was the most beautiful of all the angels. He watched the sky long after he could no longer make out her silhouette against the blue. He moved again only when Eve leaped up from his lap with an excited cry. He looked and saw Lucifer striding towards them.

“Lucifer!” she cried.

Eve ran towards him and threw herself into his arms. Lucifer caught her up easily and lifted her up over his head. “Hello sunshine!” He flew off the ground a little ways and smiled up at her as she squealed with joy.

Eve loved Lucifer the most because he was the only angel that would let her fly. She loved being high up in the air. It amazed her how everything fell away and became so small. The other angels always seemed afraid to carry her that way.

Michael rose and stretched. He’d been sitting in one place too long.

Lucifer landed next to Michael and let Eve down. She ran away, calling for Adam to tell him of Lucifer’s arrival. Michael couldn’t help glaring at Lucifer. He hated the way Lucifer carried Eve like that. What would happen if she fell?

Lucifer sighed at him. “Stop looking at me that way.”

Michael shook his head. “I don’t like it.”

“I know, but she loves it.”

Michael turned to look the way that Eve had gone. “I just worry.”

Lucifer laid his hand on Michael’s shoulder and said, “I think that’s what Guardians are supposed to do.”

Michael laughed. “Yeah, I think it might be!”

“They are beautiful. I admire what you and Uriel do here,” Lucifer seemed sad.

“What’s wrong?” Michael asked.

“I wished your time with them could last forever.”

Michael smiled sadly, remembering the strange thoughts about time that he’d been having. Was it possible that Lucifer was also aware of the way that time had changed?

“It will last long enough,” Michael whispered. “It has to be enough.” He blinked back the tears that came to his eyes and struggled with the strange swirl of emotions that rose up inside him.

“Of course, you’re right,” Lucifer said.

Again, Michael got the impression that Lucifer was sad about something. It seemed like more then just the children. But it didn’t seem like he was ready to talk about it. Michael knew that Lucifer would talk when he was ready.

“Well, the others are waiting for me,” Michael said and lifted himself into the sky.

Lucifer waved to him and then turned to go find Eve.