Touched by a Phoenix (59 page)

“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” she whispered. “It had the most breathtaking scarlet coloring on his chest. Its feathers glistened as if they were exquisite jewels mixed with a solid golden color on the rest of its body. He had exquisitely long tail feathers. Not like a peacock, they draped down…a flowing tail. He had the most perfect plumage that I’ve ever seen.”

Alexis closed her eyes and was quiet for a few moments. When she opened her eyes, they were full of wonder—an awe that took his breath away.

“He looked as if he was on fire, yet, he didn’t burn.”

She paused as an anguished look flickered across her face.

“His cry was so distressed. He was hurt. Or in great pain. It seemed as if his sorrowful cry was communicating with someone. Then he settled in a hand. A hushed peace washed over him as he made the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.”

Shock radiated from Brad’s face. Her awestruck tone told him what she had seen must have been heart-stopping. He leaned back and grabbed his laptop, fiddling with it for a few minutes.

“Alexis, is this the bird you saw?”

“Not exactly, he didn’t have a long neck like that bird. He looked more like an eagle but far more graceful.”

He scrolled for a minute or so and showed her another photo.

“Yes, that’s it.”

“Alexis, this is the mythological bird known as the Chol.” Her confused expression prompted him to go on, “Legend says the Chol is the only creature who did not eat from the forbidden fruit in The Garden of Eden. The legends go on to say that, for his obedience God granted him eternal life as his reward. Jewish legend says that death has no power over the bird because it did not partake of the fruit. If this is the bird…you had to be in Heaven—with our Creator and the hand could have only been the Hand of God.”

She simply stared at him. Her mind reeled with information. Her mind tried desperately to go back to that night.

“I wasn’t sure where I was. Caught somewhere between the darkness and the light. Then you called for me. The breath. The flames. The bird. What does it all mean?”

“I don’t know what the flames represent so I’m not sure how it all fits together. But multiple legends document the bird’s existence and based on what I’ve read, it must have been the purest creature on earth. The only reason it rang a bell, was because you said the bird looked like it was on fire.”

“Why is that important,” she eyed him quizzically.

“The Chol is the astrological symbol for the Phoenix.”

An incredulous look crossed her face, “But Brad…you’re the Phoenix!”

He shook his head, “The Phoenix is what we are supposed to become when we reach our most mature state, if you believe in that stuff.”

Her inaudible whisper escaped her lips, “You were the bird.”

“Darling, that’s not possible. I never left the hospital room.”

After several moments of silence, she said, “Brad, I know what I felt—it was you.”

Her eyes pleaded with him to believe her. “You think I’m nuts don’t you?”

“No darling, if you say that is what you saw, I believe you. I only know two things for sure. My soul died with you that night, and we were given a miracle, so I’m willing to believe in things I never thought possible before.”

“What do you think all this represents?” The concern in her eyes reflected his own.

“I don’t know darling but try not to dwell on it right now. I’m sure we will figure everything out along the way.”

She just nodded.

He wanted to change the subject before she became too engrossed in the matter and agitated herself.

“Do you remember being in a coma? Anything that happened?”

She got up from the table and took his hand. “Cuddle with me and I’ll tell you what I think I remember.”

He lay on his back with her tucked in the crook of his arm, her head against his chest. His muscles flexed as he pulled her closer and folded her into his protective arms.

“Don’t ever let go,” she whispered as she wrapped her arm around him.

This was her favorite place to be. She could feel the gentle rise and fall of his chest with each steady breath he took. Her leg tangled with his as she let out a sigh of contentment.

“Not a chance my sweet angel. I’d move heaven and hell to get to you,” as he kissed her on the top of her head.

She exhaled slowly and murmured softly, “I believe you already did that.”

Quiet tranquility surrounded them like peace that came with the sea gently lapping against the sands of time. She inhaled deeply capturing every moment.

“I have pieces of a puzzle but nothing fits together, and I’m not sure I even have all the pieces. At first, I was drifting in and out of the light, somewhere between here and there. I felt helpless when you cried. I couldn’t comfort you or tell you it would be all right.”

Her voice was soft and warm as she spoke. He pulled her just a little closer to him.

“I was so cold, even with the extra blanket you put on. The only time I remember feeling warm or safe was when you were lying next to me. I heard one of the nurses scolding you for wanting to give me a bath and change my clothes. You told her to get out, she wasn’t happy with you. I think she left in a huff.”

“You heard all of that?” he asked quietly.

“Yes, I think so. You didn’t leave the room. I was so thankful you kept talking to me even if I didn’t understand the programming codes you walked me through. By the way, I can help you use dark energy properties to finish the stealth coating.”

“How,”
came his shocked response.

“Watch,” as she held her hand out. Her eyes fluttered closed and she moved the vase of flowers on the other side of the room.

“Alexis, how did you do that?”

“I’m not sure, but it happened while I was away.”

“It’s called telekinesis and it’s a truly unique gift.”

“No baby, it’s not. There is a source of power out there in the cosmos. It’s more powerful that anything we know here on earth. I call it God, others call it the Creator. You and science call it dark energy, but I believe they are one in the same. Somehow, I absorbed some of that power while separated from this world. I can feel things that I shouldn’t be able to feel. Know things that I shouldn’t know. Do things that no longer make sense. I can feel your emotions. Hear your pain. How do you think I called for you?”

“Alexis…,” he trailed off not knowing what to say.

Her gaze peaceful—his twinkled back at her with love and devotion. Both recognized that they had been granted a miracle. A sacred moment—a moment that demanded respect and absolute reverence.

“Thank you for holding my hand and not letting me go. There were times in the beginning when I could feel a peace beyond anything we know here. It filled me with love and joy. I remember wondering if I could resist the light, but you were always with me, touching me, holding me here. It kept me from stepping towards the light.”

He kissed her tenderly, neither knowing what else to say.

Finally, she asked, “Brad, when do the hearings begin?”

He signed, after all details she had recounted—details she could not possibly know, should not have known…her question did not surprise him.

“After the first of the year.”

They spent Saturday morning packing in hopes of being able to go home tomorrow.

“Darling, are you sure you are okay with me meeting the realtor this afternoon?”

“Of course love, I’ll be fine.”

He nuzzled her neck. “You know I don’t like leaving you here alone. Perhaps I should skip the Christmas party.”

“No Brad, you need to go to the dinner and the awards ceremony. It would look bad on the company if you were not there to receive your award from Secretary Thompson.”

“I wish you could come with me,” he pouted.

“Me too, I’d love to by your side when you receive your award. I will be just fine though and we can celebrate when you get back. Besides, Nan is joining me for dinner and we are going to do some Christmas shopping.”

“Darling, you know using the company laptop for personal use is against company policy…right,” he tried to sound stern.

“Perhaps you should take my blatant disregard for company policy up with the boss,” she teased playfully.

“Oh, I plan to have a very serious—very long conversation with the boss tomorrow, just as soon as I get her home.” His lips were all over hers. He was so ready to have her naked body beneath his, to feel her closeness—to love her.

“Then perhaps you had better hurry and do what you need to do this evening, so you have all day to deliver my punishment tomorrow,” her soft giggles filled his heart with happiness.

“I will leave the dinner as soon as the award ceremony is finished.”

She eyed him sternly, “Sweetheart, you need to be social for a little while. Why don’t you stay until 8:30 PM? You’ll be back here in plenty of time to snuggle with me.”

“Alexis, I don’t want to be away that long.”

“I will miss you too love but I understand, and hopefully the next party we attend…will be our wedding reception,” her loving smile made everything else melt away.

“All right but I won’t stay any longer than necessary,” he promised as he kissed her goodbye.

She had about an hour before everyone would begin to arrive. It gave her a little time to think and to reflect.

Brad showed such strength, character, and undying love for her. He had proven to the world that there was nothing he would not do to protect her. If she invested every minute of every day for the rest of her life, it would not be possible to show him how much she valued the man he had become.

Alexis refused to dwell on the past as she fiddled with her engagement ring. Instead, her thoughts shifted to her future with Brad. She closed her eyes and made a wish. Not for happily-ever-after but a life filled with everything. Not a perfect life but one filled with a white-hot explosive love. Brad would always work long hours but when they were together, life would be full of everything and sometimes all at once. She promised herself that she would cherish him and to devote herself to making him happy.

She bit her bottom lip as she thought about the way he touched her, held her, kissed her…and how he needed her. She was at his feet—would give him anything he dreamed of and everything she was, not as a servant or a possession, but because she simply loved him that much. God, the endless nights of pleasure…her body screamed for his just thinking about it. Tonight would not arrive soon enough.

Everything had gone smoothly this week. She had her manicure and pedicure yesterday leaving plenty of time this afternoon for hair and make-up. Everyone arrived right on time and the afternoon went like clockwork. Alexis breathed a sigh of relief; she had left little room for error.

Alexis stepped out of the bathroom.

Monica’s jaw hit the floor, “Oh my…Alexis, you are stunning. You will drive my brother insane in that dress!”

A devilish grin spread across her face, saying more than words could, “Thank you for your help,” as she hugged Monica fondly.

“Alexis my dear, you are gorgeous,” Nan smiled. “Stand back and let me look at you,” as she stepped backwards.

Monica’s warm gaze took in her soon to be sister in-law’s evening gown. Alexis was normally very conservative—too much so sometimes, considering she had a killer body. However, this dress was spectacular on her.