Two days after Micky agreed to go with them to Terra Nova, Samantha's parents appeared in the square in front of the palace and were stunned by the sight they saw. Angels walked off and on with boxes in their arms. Angels appeared leaving boxes behind and disappeared again. There was a whole row of containers in the square, some already loaded, others being loaded. Orders and directions were shouted back and forth. Salome's first thought was:
"Oh boy, what is that kid up to now?"
The two blinked for a moment and Robert said to Salome:
"Bet this is going to be another Alex thing. Nothing is impossible, nothing. Put Sam on top of that and you get this spectacle."
The Goddess laughed for a moment, and they made their way to the palace. Inside they lingered for a moment because it seemed to be as much in disarray as the outside. They hoped there would be some logic in it somewhere otherwise this did not bode well. To their surprise, they saw not one office as on their last visit but two offices. Above the door of one, it read Mr. G with devil horns and a tail. The other was marked as Mrs. G with a halo. Robert shook his head and a snort escaped Salome. They decided to check on Samantha first. Her office was in no better shape than the rest of the palace. There appeared to be a large connecting door between the two offices. The entire conference table and her desk were full of papers. One wall hung full of whiteboards, and they were written in full. Some things had already been crossed out, but a lot remained open. Samantha stood in front of a board, for the first part of their logistical nightmare they had mixed up the staffing of their departments a bit. They weren't building anything yet. They were more or less tearing down Heaven and packing it into containers. Something like a traveling circus. She said to Chassan:
"Okay, now a message for Jophiel. Drag out everything they can find that has to do with education. Let them consult with Azi and transfer everything that he has already collected from Earth that is children's books to her department, let's say up to sixteen. We are going to use those on Terra Nova for our first mini-school and send copies back to them. Alex will soon tackle and minimize it and then it can just be packed in moving boxes and put in the provided container like all the other libraries. For Azi and Micky, if they still have room or if Alex has to come over to reduce some and bring people to pack."
Only then did she catch sight of her mother and father.
"Oh hi Dad, Mom, please sit down, be with you in a moment."
Through the open door, she called out:
"Alex, Mom and Dad are here do you have a minute?"
"I'll be right there."
They heard him say:
"Okay, Michael you have distributed your people. The containers are lined up in order. Be sure to let them know in time when and where I need to shrink things and then tell them to stay the fuck out of the way, I don't want miniature Angels."
They heard Michael laugh after which he seemingly left quickly. Alexander stepped into Sam's office and sat down at the table, not at the head because that was Sam's place in her office. She crossed off two more items on her boards and then sat down in her seat. The Goddess asked:
"Well, darlings how are you?"
Sam replied:
"Mom, ask us when we get back from our trip. Right now, this is controlled chaos. No one has any idea what it takes to move a Heaven from one Universe to another."
Alex rubbed through his curls and then the God and Goddess saw his wounds which were still very fresh and obvious even after two days. Yet they began to fade agonizingly slowly. Robert asked gravely:
"Shouldn't you take it easy for a few days Alex?"
"A few days? A few years would still not suffice Robert. Unfortunately, we don't have that time."
Recalling a conversation from years ago the Goddess said:
"I don't have that much time so I'm going to steal time."
"Exactly Mom. But now it's not just me taking a trip with Celine. These are thousands of Angels, and I don't know how many containers. If I have another brilliant idea like that to temporarily leave Sam to take a six-thousand-year trip and save an entire universe will you please hit me really hard on the head?"
All three laughed at that statement. Raphael came flying in with a hurried look in his eyes:
"Sam, you know where... Never mind. Alex, the whole medical library has to go with you said. This is a bit different from the other libraries, these are extremely old and sensitive books and parchments. How?"
That no titles were used, and they spoke in short sentences told her parents that everyone here was working at full steam. And that there was clearly a new generation in power. Protocol apparently got in the way of working quickly and effectively so protocol had been jettisoned. That they believed in their God and Goddess so much that they would do anything for them.
"Raffa, everything outside in front of the infirmary classified according to the subject. Is the available space half full send a message to Gabe. I am going to shrink that pile and fully protect it so there can be no scratch or wrinkle, and then everything can go into moving boxes. When everything is packed again a message and Gabe will arrange for people to come to transport the boxes and pack them in the right containers. In the new Heaven simply the reverse process."
"Okay, understood boss, bye lady boss..."
And away he was. The God and Goddess sat watching it quite amused. Robert asked:
"How many of those containers are going with you, Alex?"
"No idea, right now we have a few hundred provided that we are filling. How many will the total be? I have no idea. Nobody knows exactly how many items we need or may need. Right now, we have prioritized everything we need from Earth to build and in addition the libraries of the various departments. The only exception is Azi and Micky's project. Every two hours I manifest a copy of every book, piece of music, play, and movie that has been published on Earth and that by decade. This serves a dual purpose. First, to provide The Angels and souls with entertainment. For Sam and me more important is making sure the kids can go to school. Therefore, the first manifestation was all the textbooks of the last decade. And last and absolutely worst; Heaven's archive alone is a nightmare. At least eighty billion files and one point seven billion additional files from Hell. In Heaven, everything has just been tossed in the archives for the last two thousand years without any order. That has to be sorted out on Terra Nova and so it has to come along now. If we do it when we get back, then I don't see how in eight years we should get it in order so that it is usable and digitized. Hence, we decided to just extend this to all departments. The more we get in order on Terra Nova the more time we are going to have for the really important things once we get back."
Robert smiled and said:
"I can't wait to see the face of Aisha and Franklin when they return in seven days. They are expecting a bunch of Angels to transfer and now they get a small town to move."
Before anyone could answer, Jeremiel flew in:
"Hey, Lady Boss, have you... never mind. Boss, we have the plans for ten flats and twenty houses. How do you want the rest?"
"Divide your people into two groups. One group just continues until we have the target of 25 flats and 50 houses and the other group, I want them to go to factories that make those prefab houses or prefab pieces for flats. See that your people temporarily get someone from Q. Together they can map out that factory and the machinery needed. At Terra Nova, we will then simply copy those. Gabriel can select a few people on Earth who can get you guys in there during the night when production is down."
"Okay boss, done."
"Sorry, I'll have to cross this off my board first, or else we'll be doing double work."
He stood up and disappeared for a minute.
When he returned, Salome dropped a bomb that made both Samantha and Alexander's heads turn a bit red. She said it in such a nonchalant way that they were sure her purpose was to see them react like that.
"What we actually want to know, now that we know that you can make both universes work together, is whether you have already set a date for the ceremony?"
Alex and Sam knew very well what ceremony she was talking about, but they held themselves dumb for a moment:
"So which ceremony are you talking about Mom?"
Asked Sam. Her father said played sternly:
"Your mother and I cannot allow you to live under the same roof for five hundred years unmarried. That is no example to your little ones and the other little ones and young ones that will follow according to your plans. We don't like that for our present and future grandchildren."
Alex rubbed through his curls and said:
"Robert, I think we have more than enough problems without having to worry about the logistics of that kind of ceremony. And you guys have been nagging at us forever so that we would officially get married. Surely you remember that we already see and feel ourselves married since I gave Sam that first ring. On top of that, we have no idea how such a thing is supposed to work. There has never been such a ceremony in your universe and mine. And I have no idea what a wedding should look like, no experience with one, died when I was thirteen you remember and Sam much less."
"I think you're wrong about that Alexander."
Said Salome with a secretive smile. With a smirk, Robert added:
"Yes, because nothing is impossible, nothing."
Samantha laughed, and he grunted:
"Ah come on if everyone starts using my own words against me, I won't get anywhere. Okay if you want to know, Sam and I have been thinking. Red, They're your parents so go ahead. Just be careful, remember that we are dealing with your Dad and Mom here!"
With his last words, she had to giggle because it was usually Alex along with her Dad who got into trouble with her Mom because of their antics.
"Yes, we were thinking of something small before we leave, the day, or a few days before, depending on how quickly we get these containers filled. Then something big, the official ceremony when we get back because both our universes will be linked, and everyone can celebrate with us. And what that ceremony should be no idea? How do you get twenty thousand or more Angels to participate in something like that?"
Salome said:
"See now, that's exactly the same thing we were thinking of."
Robert sat there with pleasure in his eyes and a big smile on his face.
Gabriel appeared at that moment and Sam asked her parents:
"Can we maybe talk about that later or do you have to leave already? As you can see, we are pretty tight on time. The kids are in the garden with Anna. And of course, Maila who can't be gotten away from Jasmine. Not even under the threat of the death penalty."
She pointed to the door by her desk. Her mother said with as much pleasure as her father which did not bode well, so to speak:
"No darling, we can stay. We have prepared, we have time, a lot of time..."
In addition to Gabriel, Bearus and Belios suddenly appeared and didn't look so happy. Her parents stepped outside, and Alex said softly:
"We have to have one of those things outside, such as at the DMV, where they can draw numbers pfff."
Sam had to giggle at this. He asked:
"I assume all three of you want to see me."
Gabriel said cheerfully:
"Yep."
While the two Demons only nodded silently. He concluded that this was not good news for him.
"Okay, into my office then."
The three followed him and he closed the connecting door. He already had an inkling of what this conversation would be about and could beat himself for not having had it sooner. Now two pissed-off Demons were standing in his office who probably had every intention of screaming at him and he absolutely could not blame them.
"Have a seat B&B, Gabe what have you got for me?"
"We're ahead of schedule boss. As you said it was going to be a chaotic start but once everyone got used to their tasks, we would gain speed. Within an hour we have to minimize in three places. I have had another ten thousand boxes made for Metatron and already set aside ten containers for him. It won't be nearly enough but it's a start and he can get on with it for a while. The Hell Archive, since we are already ahead of schedule, we can start moving those at a slower pace because we can only put a few Angels on that project. Angels of death drop off a soul and instead of returning empty-handed they bring back a few boxes."
Alex thought for a moment and then said:
"Would you mind asking Raphael if his people have any specialized tools, they'd like to take with them? I think if it's not bizarre we could fit those in his containers as well."
"Okay, will do. I'll keep you posted if there's an urgent need for intervention somewhere to create space."
Gabriel stood up and cheerfully left the office. Alex looked at the two angry Demons:
"Fine, you guys have the right to yell and rant because I'm an asshole who lost track of you, but I hadn't forgotten about you."
Their facial expressions softened a bit. Bearus asked:
"You didn't forget about us?"
"No Bearus and no Belios I did not, how could I forget you guys? It's just chaos here right now as you can see from that circus out there. I just lost sight of you guys for a moment and I'm really very sorry for that. You guys know me damn well."
Belios had been watching his arms, the anger disappearing completely from his eyes. He knew they could always rely on Alexander and that he wasn't lying. If he said he had unintentionally lost sight of it for a moment, he had. He pointed to his arms:
"Does that also play a role in why you are not one hundred percent? Why you need more sleep and rest? Because those do look really bad and we've seen you like this before, but that bad? Twelve former Angels were brought in, one was delivered kicking, screaming, and yelling by Azrael herself. I assume those twelve are your work and they are responsible for that?"
Alex made a cigarette appear and lit it. Not only did it look like it, but his eyes did become a little moist:
"Yes, they are. Our honeybee is the first of the three to relive things, it was bad for her and that made my PTSD flare up too."
Bearus had gained a steely expression on his face and growled:
"I particularly like that little one. Too bad they are in level nine otherwise I would have wanted to have a chat with them."
"Coincidentally I have to be there tomorrow for maintenance, and you know the rules Bearus we always have to be two for such things if we go below level four."
Said Belios with bloodlust clear in his voice.
"Well then there's nothing left for me but to accompany you because I wouldn't want you to accidentally end up in their cells. Who knows what would happen if I'm not there?"
Alex shook his head and said:
"Gentlemen, it's your department, I'm not going to tell you how to do, euch, maintenance."
He manifested a glass for all three of them, took a sip, and said:
"Of course, you guys are going with us. I would never want to go on this trip without you. You should have known for thousands of years that you are my brothers! I am sorry for not saying it enough. That I am always busy with something is not an excuse. But you know this is the truth. You guys need a well-deserved vacation, and we are going to take care of that. If you guys want to help Lucifer set up the new Hell and sit down with Zadkiel to make our new Hell a lot more just. We would like that very much, but no one is going to force you and these things are in absolutely no hurry. As far as I'm concerned you guys are going to lay on the beach and surf for five hundred years."
Bearus and Belios knew that what he had said about being brothers was absolutely meant, they raised their glasses high and Belios said:
"Just try to stop us from helping with this unimaginable mess."
It was clinked and with that the folds were smoothed out. They were about to get up to leave and suddenly Alex asked:
"Why don't you guys stay this evening? We're having dinner at the suite tonight because Sam's parents are here, and we could use all the distraction we can get?"
What he didn't mention was the fact that he was very interested in why Bearus and Azrael were so busy talking to each other after the last meeting in the suite.
"Oh, why?"
Asked Bearus with a broad smile.
"Because they bloody well want to see us married and well before we start this trip!"
"Well, we can't leave our boss hanging anyway, so yeah, we like to stick around. And it won't be that bad. From what you told us all about them, Robert and Salome seem to be cheerful characters. They are just teasing you guys a little. Samantha and you have been together since you were thirteen, so yes, it's time for you to tie the knot and officially go through life as Mr. and Mrs. G. At the very least it's going to give both universes a huge boost. If you marry in this rocky situation, then it shows that you are optimistic enough about a good outcome of this disaster. All the Angels and all the Demons will draw confidence from this and believe even more in you two."
Alex squeezed his eyes slightly to slits for a moment and a frown appeared on his forehead.
"Speaking of Angels, you saw Gabe just now, don't you think he was a little too cheerful? He's bombarded by messages from every corner of Heaven and yet he walks around whistling like it's a peaceful Sunday afternoon."
"Yes, now that you mention it, he was very cheerful indeed."
Alex stood up and opened the double door between the offices:
"Sam dear do you have a minute?"
"Yep, got it. Moment I'm coming."
She entered his office and cheerfully greeted the two Demons with a hug that the two answered with equal affection. Alex asked:
"Hey Red, haven't you noticed that Gabe is so cheerful? Surely with everything going on, he should be walking around at least a little annoyed."
She looked at him amused and said:
"You are proof that being God doesn't make one omniscient Alex."
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't see that Gabe was nowhere to be found yesterday after the workday and that Anna wasn't at the table yesterday?"
His eyes got big, and a thick smile appeared on his face. He spoke only one word:
"No!"
"Oh yes, those two circled each other for a while but are now nicely together."
"Any idea what they've been up to?"
"Yes, but that's really going to blow your socks off."
A frown appeared on his face.
"Then where were they?"
With a mischievous look in her eyes, she said:
"Lux!"
"LUX!"
He practically shouted:
"They were with Dad and Ella at the nightclub? Gabe and Anna in a nightclub like Lux? Now you're kidding me. Our timid little Anna in a crowded club with customers partying like there's no tomorrow. A club with rooms where things happen that she has never ever heard of let alone been exposed to?"
"Yep, and according to Ella they were the center of the dance floor with ALL eyes on her. Eyes that were more than obviously interested in more than a dance."
He got a rather mischievous smile and said:
"Oh, this is too good to be true. Can you imagine the possibilities of putting them in the spotlight tonight?"
"Alexander Marcus Morningstar, leave those two lovebirds alone."
"Ah come on dear, not even a little bit?"
"Hmm, a little bit can't hurt I guess."
She said slyly.
"Yes!"
Then he got a little serious again.
"Sam honey how about bringing Fuzzie here too? I do miss him, it has been far too long since I saw him and would love to see him again before we start our trip."
"I knew you would like that. Already made arrangements. He should be arriving any minute."
She saw his eyes get a little watery and he said:
"Thanks, Red, I wouldn't know how I could manage without you."
He gave her a gripping kiss on the mouth and said:
"Okay, I'll stop a little early today. Making the dining table a little bigger and taking care of the food and drinks."
With a rather mischievous smile, he said:
"But I have to take advantage of your messenger first."
"Alex, what are you up to now?"
"Oh well, nothing special you'll see..."
Fifteen minutes later, Fuzzie walked into his office. Alex leaped right up and took the healer in a rather firm hug. After a minute or two, they let go of each other. Fuzzie immediately saw the wounds on his arms and sighed:
"Still Alex? What happened?"
He told the story of the children, their youngest, who had received the first, of what would probably become many nightmares, how his body had reacted to it, and finally what he had done to those responsible. There were no secrets between him and Fuzzie and he would not start any now. Fuzzie asked a few more questions about the kids, Jasmin, Sarah, David, Beatrice, and Elise. Maila, the firecracker, he knew more than well. She had landed in his infirmary a few times, so... He stood up to go see his parents in the garden and get acquainted with the kids. At the door that gave access to the garden, he stopped for a moment. He looked sharply at Alex and said:
"I'm coming with you on this trip Alex. Consider me the exclusive family doctor. Those kids of yours, of ours, are going to need a lot of therapy and that will be my job. No argument!"
And away he went into the garden. Wenn Fuzzy said no argument he meant no argument!