"Kat, wake up. C'mon sweetie I know you're in there somewhere."
I stirred and moaned in pain. "Brian?" I heard cheering around the room. I struggled to sit up. "What happened?" I opened my eyes and stared into Brian's blue ones.
"We aren't sure ourselves. After you passed out, everything became one big bright light. Next thing we knew we were here and you were still out. And that's the way it's been for the past hour and a half."
"So it really did happen? It wasn't just a dream?"
"Sorry to say it did happen. But it's over and you're back."
Something just didn't feel right. My heart was saying something that kept me from being happy. I got up and went to the bathroom. 'It seems so far away, like a dream.' I was confused and needed to think. I went back into the room in a daze.
"I hate to ask this but I need some time to think."
Brian held up his hands. "Say no more. Just give us a ring when you're ready."
They left and I went back to sleep. That was at 3PM. A little before midnight, I felt the room get cold in my sleep. "Kat…" I woke up and looked toward the end of my bed. At first I thought I saw Brian, but then I realized it was
"Saradim. What are you doing here?"
"Just came to say good-bye for the time being."
"You mean you can't come and visit me?"
"Oh I can. Just not for awhile. The Higher Power and I want you to recover first." He paused. "Kat, the Boss and I know that you feel guilty about Ryan. I came to tell you it wasn't your fault. The Big Man knew that Ryan wouldn't make it. He just wanted to see what you would do. He's very proud of you for trying to save your practically only enemy. Ryan will suffer for awhile down there. But he was right about having a final chance. There will come a day when everyone down there will have one final chance to come back. I've got a feeling Ryan will be one of them that does."
He stood up and held out his hand to his right. A figure appeared beside him and for a minute I thought I was seeing double. "Kat, this is your guardian angel, Celeste (sa-lest)."
"Hi." She bent down and gave me a hug. "You did a great job while you were up there."
"Thanks." The clock in the hall then stuck 12 midnight.
"That's our cue. Before we go, know that you're going to have a very fulfilling life. Sure it'll have its ups and downs but it'll be worth it in the end."
I smiled. "It already is." He looked at me, confused. "I met you."
He leaned over and gave me a hug. "See you soon."
"Bye."
Saradim and Celeste turned to go. As they disappeared into heaven's light, I saw they were leaving hand in hand. 'Well,' I thought, 'there's my future.' I looked to the doorway to see Brian smiling at me.
"Come on Brian. You can stay with me tonight. I know how bad Nick snores." He crawled in bed with me.
"Are you ready for this?"
I turned my head to look at him. "As long as you, Shane and the rest of the guys are by my side, I'm ready for anything."