Angelique didn't think it possible to get any happier. She's been smiling so much her face hurts. John had left her to freshen up. He amazed her. 

How did he arrange all this so quickly? She wondered. Could anyone be more wonderful? She doubted it. 

After she had finished with her shower and taking special care with her hair and makeup, she put on the terry robe that was just her size, that was hanging on a hook inside the bathroom door. A larger robe, exactly like it, hung next to it.

Two of a kind, she thought. 

Angelique reentered the Master Bedroom. There wasn't too much in the way of furniture in this room, she noticed, most likely because the large king-size poster bed took up most of it. As she circled the bed, she noticed John already laid her costume out for her. She pressed her fingers to her lips to keep from squealing with excitement. 

"Put it on," she heard him say as she caressed the beautiful fabric with a loving touch. 

"Now? But the Ball isn't until six? It's only four o'clock," she said, gazing at the alarm clock on the dresser and then at the incredibly good-looking man who filled the doorway. 

"Put it on," he said again, although the desire in his eyes told quite a different story. "We have a stop to make before the ball." 

"We do?" she asked, shying under his gaze. 

"I don't want us to run late and so... I'll wait for you out there," he said, grinning at her. She looked so adorable in her bare feet and terry robe and there was only so much a man can take. 

Ten minutes later, Angelique entered the room. John felt his breath escape his lungs at her beauty. This was exactly how he had always pictured her. Only now she was no longer a fantasy but the real thing, and right before his very eyes. She had transformed. 

John's costume didn't quite have the same effect on Angelique as hers did on him. She couldn't stop the fit of giggles that threatened to overtake her. 

"Oh, no..." she said, covering her eyes and then peeking through them again at his form. "Oh no, no..." she said again as another fit of laughter took hold. 

John sauntered over to her. Loving her laugh, loving everything about her. He presented her with a rose. "I thought we should go as a couple," he said, taking her hand in his. 

"You as my Angel and me..." 

"As my handsome devil?" Angelique suggested as she tried unsuccessfully to hide her smile behind her rose. He truly was a handsome devil in his tailored suit, complete with devil horns and tail.

"At your service," he said. "And be forewarned, I have full plans of making you succumb to temptation before this night is through," he promised, bringing her hand to his lips. 

"I'll take that challenge, however plan to use every weapon in my arsenal to make you repent for your sins and come into the light to join me on my side," she said, flicking his costumed horns. 

John had a most devilish grin. "You're on."

It was an hour before the ball and it surprised Angelique to realize she didn't know where it was being held. She thought of the invitation, but she didn't remember seeing it printed. 

"Where is the Ball exactly?" 

"Well, before we go there. I thought you might like to stop at the shelter and give the kids a treat. They've all been so worried about you."

Angelique's heart swelled at his thoughtfulness. "That would be wonderful! Thank you!" 

As they approached the front entrance, Angelique realized it was thanks to the man standing next to her St. Gabriel's and Heaven Sent, had its first real chance at being saved. 

John looked over at his angel. She was beautiful. The dress she wore was perfect. Custom made to fit her delicate form gracefully. She appeared to be floating with the way it flowed around her as she walked. She looked absolutely magical.

He held her hand in his. Her hair had grown a little longer and curled wildly in different directions over the crown of gold that was her halo, and her large feather wings arched up and above her shoulders. As John met Angel's gaze, he saw the tear slide down her cheek and stopped her. 

"Hey," he said, thumbing the tear from her cheek. "What's this about?" he asked, concerned. 

"It's a happy tear," she assured him. "Thanks to you, the children in there will have a chance at a better life." 

"Well, you know as much as the Devil in me would love to take all the credit for making you so deliriously happy, I must admit I had help." 

"Who?" she asked. 

"Why don't you go in and find out?" John said, smiling as he held the door open for her. 

As she entered the building, Angelique was still focused on John, wondering at his words. He was acting so strange. When she turned to look at the foyer, she realized why he was being so mysterious.

"John?" she questioned. Biting her lip slightly, she asked, "Does all this mean what I think it means?"

John couldn't stop smiling. He just felt so happy at this moment. He knelt down before her.

"Angelique O'Bryan, will you do me the honor of being my wife?" 

John opened a box, and inside was a dog treat.

Angelique wanted to scream out "Yes!" from the top of her lungs but was very baffled by the bone. 

John laughed at her expression, stood up, and put an arm around her. He pointed to where Rebecca stood at the end of an aisle of chairs filled with familiar faces of the children from the shelter, friends, and volunteers from the neighborhood. All of those that Angelique loved and cared for were staring back at her, waiting for her answer. 

Looking oddly at Rebecca, who dressed as a pixie, it soon became clear what she needed to do with the bone. Rebecca pulled from behind her back the most adorable little German Shepherd puppy with a bow tie around its neck. 

Angelique knelt down and held out the bone, and Rebecca let the puppy go. He ran right towards her and totally ignored the bone as he jumped into her arms. Angelique laughed as he licked her face. 

"Whoa there, Buddy?" John said, helping Angelique to stand up. "It's my job to kiss the bride." 

"You mean Saint, don't you?" she said, as she held the pup and gave him an affectionate scratch behind the ear. 

"Look at his tags."

Angelique turned the shepherd so she could read the tags, which read St. Buddy. Owner Angelique McDougle and the address of their apartment.

Looking shyly over the dog she said, "You seem awfully sure I'd say yes." 

"IS that what you're saying?" John asked. 

"That's exactly what I'm saying," she answered. 

"Move aside, pooch," John said, taking the bone and dog out of her hand and putting them both on the ground. 

"This may be a better fit," he said as he presented her with an engagement ring. Angelique saw it was a heart-shaped diamond that was cradled in a pair of white gold wings. 

As he slid the ring on her finger, he asked, "You ready to get married?"

"To spend the rest of my life with you?" Angelique mused. "Oh, yeah."

John couldn't resist. He had to kiss her and from the applause received from the gathered spectators; he knew he made the right move.

The ceremony was wonderful. Better than anything she could have dreamed. Angelique stood and exchanged vows with John at their makeshift marital arch, complete with her Father as Officiant. Rev. O'Bryan couldn't stop smiling at the couple. He gave them both his blessing.

Alice and Rebecca stood by her side as her bride's maids. Michael stood as John's best man. It warmed her heart to see them stand together as brothers again. 

The applause erupted when Rev. O'Bryan said you may kiss the bride, and John readily complied. 

Telling them to turn around. Angelique and John faced their friends and family. Rev. O'Bryan said, "May I be the first to present, Mr. and Mrs. Johnathan McDougle."

John grabbed hold of Angelique's hand. "Angel and I request all of you here to please join us in the cafeteria for our Masquerade Ball to raise funds for St. Gabriel's and to celebrate our wedding." 

"The Cafeteria?" Angelique whispered in wonder.

 "Wait till you see what they've done to the place?" Rebecca said, leaning into Angelique. 

As they approached the dining area, tables were removed. The hall was transformed into an elegant dancing area with strategically placed lights and flowers, streamers, and bows, but the most striking feature was the ceiling that was entirely covered with dark blue balloons with glow in the dark stars tied to the end of their strings. The way the black lights hit them, gave all those that danced a feeling of being in the open air, dancing the night away under the stars.

The night was magical. The only thing Angelique regretted was not having more time to spend with her new husband, as they had to mingle with their guests. Some were there to celebrate with them but others were there to attend the fundraising event, but everything went off without a hitch.

Angelique spotted someone she wanted to say hello to. Although his back was to her, she knew him by sight. His black hair was loose and his height and build could be mistaken for no other. Tapping his shoulder, she said, "Wings look good on you?" 

Gabriel turned to look at Angelique. She was a vision in her elegant, white, whimsical dress and feathered wings. He smiled at her, taking a moment to straighten her golden halo. 

"You too," he said. Gabriel dressed in a white robe and gold corded belt. A striking contrast to his black hair and piercing blue eyes and real feather-like wings. 

Suddenly there was a tap on a microphone as she saw John, her handsome devil, standing at a podium. 

"Excuse me," he said, "if I could have your attention, please. Michael here informs me we have the tally of tonight's generosity. So, may I have the envelope, please?" 

Both Michael and Mary came forward looking very official dressed in state trooper uniforms. Angelique subconsciously reached back and grabbed hold of Gabriel's hand. John opened the envelope and read over the contents. 

Angelique was having her doubts if it was enough when she saw John cover the microphone to lean back and say something to Michael. Michael just nodded to whatever John had asked him. John was shaking his head as he approached the mic again.

"Well, I hope all of you had a wonderful time. The night is still young so we want you all to continue to enjoy dancing the night away and..." Angelique could hardly stand it. She gave Gabriel's hand a squeeze. 

"Get to the point already!" John heard someone yell from the back of the room. It was Gabriel and then he saw Angelique and he smiled. 

"Okay. Thanks to your generosity, tonight's event raised..." he paused again to make sure he had Angelique's full attention. She was holding her breath, waiting to exhale. "One hundred thousand dollars!" John yelled into the mic. 

"Oh, my God!" Angelique yelled. Looking back at Gabriel. "We did it!" she said, giving him a quick hug. "We really did it!"

John tossed the mic to his brother and ran over to her. She threw her arms around him as he picked her up and swung her around with ease before he kissed her. John put her down, extending his hand to Gabriel. 

"Congratulations on your win, counselor," John said. 

Gabriel shook John's hand. "And you on yours," he said, looking over to Angelique. 

John put his arm around her. "You know, I started my own practice. I could use a talented lawyer on my team. What do you say?" 

"Tempting," Gabriel replied. "No pun intended," he added, looking over John's costume. "But I'm afraid I have to decline. I am being transferred again and me and my associate over there," Gabriel said, pointing to a man who was standing in the corner, "have a flight to catch." 

"Oh," Angelique said, slightly dejected, "you can't stay?" 

"I'm afraid not," Gabriel said. "But I wasn't about to miss this for the world. I can finally see what you saw in this guy," Gabriel said to Angelique, nodding to John. 

"I've made him a challenge," Angelique said, "that before the night was through, I would bring him over to our side."

Gabriel looked from Angelique to John. Shaking his head at John, he chuckled, "Say your prayers now because you don't stand a chance."

"Goodbye," Angelique said sadly, giving Gabriel a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks again for all your help. You were a Godsend." 

"Never say goodbye," Gabriel said, returning her hug. "Until we meet again and we will... someday. I promise." 

"I believe you," Angelique said, his words holding a strange familiarity for her and the thought brought her heart joy. 

John once again held out his hand. "Good luck in your future adventures," John said. 

"Ditto," Gabriel replied, shaking his hand. 

"I'm a married man now. My adventuring days are over," John teased. 

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Gabriel said with a knowing wink at Angelique. 

For a moment she wondered if he guessed her secret but knew he couldn't, possibly. As they watched his retreating figure, they saw him talk briefly with his associate before they left out the side door. John's breath caught in his throat, the old man, it looked like his...no... that's crazy.

Angelique turned John's face, so he had to look at her breaking his train of thought. Concerned, she asked, "Did you really mean what you said about your adventures being over?"

"Well, you have to admit it would be pretty hard to top all of this," he said, waving his arm to take in the converted soup kitchen/ballroom. His eyes drifted back to the door, but they were gone. 

"What about the adventure of fatherhood?" Angelique said, turning him around to look at her again. Angelique now had his undivided attention. His eyes warmed her body as his gaze caressed her.

"I could see that as a possible future adventure. I know I'm going to enjoy the trying part." 

"What if I told you, you already succeeded?"

John cocked a raised eyebrow at her. Angelique waited with bated breath for the meaning of her words to hit him. Suddenly, John's eyes widened.

"You mean..." John couldn't believe it. 

"Uh-huh," Angelique said to his unfinished question. 

Concern clouded his features as John wondered aloud, "But we just saved the shelter. If you're pregnant, who's going to run St. Gabriel's?" 

"I think I may know of someone who might need a job soon," Angelique said, watching Michael dancing with Mary over John's shoulder. 

"My God, how do you do it?" John asked. 

"If I recall correctly, I had help, but if you don't remember how it happened, I am up to refreshing your memory when we get home," Angelique teased, as she slid her arms around him. 

"Not that," John laughed. "Trust me, that is an evening which is permanently etched in my mind. I meant every time I think I can't possibly love you more than I do right now... you are always right there to remind me of just how wrong I can be." 

"So does that mean I can talk you into changing sides?" she asked, removing John's horns and replacing them with her halo. 

"You can if you plan on doing more than just talking," he said as his devilish grin flashed in full force. 

"I warned you already that I planned to use EVERY weapon in my arsenal to make you surrender to the forces of good." 

"As tempting as that sounds... I'm beginning to wonder whose side you're really on?" 

"Let me clear that up for you," Angelique said, pulling John into a very passionate kiss. Returning her passion and her love, John had no more doubts. This, her...

This is Heaven.

"Never stood a chance," Gabriel said to his companion. 

"I always knew those two would end up together. I've never been prouder of my son."

"You're going to have your hands full when that little one comes along. With Angelique's spirit and John's stubbornness... you certain you're up for the task?"

"I wouldn't want it any other way," Francis McDougle said, smiling, and then he looked at Gabriel with concern. "They are going to make it, aren't they?"

"With God's Love and us on their side? How can you doubt it?"

THE END