Free Fate (Drift Series Book 4) by Michael Dean

in misguided certainty at her proclamation.
    “Protect our daughter, son. Keep her safe, do what you promised, to the best of your abilities, come back to her…for her,” Anne added.
    Again, I nodded, before sinking my head. Shade reached over and rubbed my back.
    “Enough of that, this is a time to celebrate, not stress. The two of you have to get a good night's rest. You have a big day tomorrow. I am almost jealous.” Sandra reminded us that we have an awesome honeymoon to head out to in the morning.
    “Sounds good to me. Live in the now,” Scruffy said, pulling Sandra to him.
    With that, we started to head out to our vehicles. When we turned around to leave, we recognized two very familiar figures standing in the distance. It was Argento and Elysia, wearing very human clothing instead of their traditional angelic garb.
    “Argento…Elysia? Is everything okay?” I called to them.
    “Everything is just fine my friends. There is no reason to fret about our presence, we are here to have a short word with the newlyweds, as well as give our well wishes…nothing more. Then we’ll be on our way,” Argento said.
    Shade and I looked to our families for approval to stick around for a few minutes more, realizing they were all pretty worn out from a long day and were eager to get home. Luckily, Sheriff Taylor understood that as well.
    “Tell you what, I’ll stay behind folks and see that Shade and Leo get home. Go on home, we’ll be there shortly.”
    “Thank you, Sam,” Richard added as we all bid each other a good evening.
    As soon as everyone took off, Shade and I approached the angelic duo while Sheriff Taylor waited up by his vehicle for us to finish.
    “Are we sure everything is all right?” I questioned them again, unsure of their true motives.
    “Everything is fine, Leo,” Elysia said and we shared a tender glance at one another.
    “We just wanted to give you our blessings and wish you good fortune on your journey through life together. We are with the two of you, no matter what.” Argento commented.
    “No matter what?” I asked.
    “No matter what.” Elysia finished.
    “Any advice for us from the two of you?” Shade requested.
    “Love one another, be courageous, and live with great resolve. Never let go of your bond together. If you do that, you will overcome anything that comes your way.”
    Both of us simply smiled in reply.
    “That’s all we wanted to say to you both.” Argento continued.
    “That’s it?” I kidded the usually long winded pair.
    “That is it, remember, we are always here for the both of you. Right when you’ll need us the most, we’ll be there. Never forget that.” He concluded.
    “Thank you.” I extended my hand for Argento to shake and he complied.
    “Thank you,” Shade added.
    The two bowed and turned around.
    “Oh, there is just one more thing…I almost forgot.” Argento stopped and turned back to us.
    Shade and I looked at one another like that meant trouble, but when he turned around holding a small, blue-eyed meowing black kitten, the quick moment of worry flew right out the window. At least when it came to Shade it did.
    “It looks just like Shadow!” She squealed and took the kitten right out of Argento’s hand.
    “Well, we figured since the two of you were cheated out of Shadow because of me, we thought that maybe we could try and make it up to you by giving you this as our wedding gift to you.” Argento smiled at Shade who was cooing all over the kitten. She had already fell in love with it.
    “Is it a boy or a girl?” Shade asked.
    “A boy.” Argento replied.
    I had a wee bit of skepticism about this little fella. “This isn’t another angel in disguise or something of that sort, is it? Keeping tabs on me?”
    Elysia and Argento both chuckled a bit, “No…no it isn’t. One hundred percent pure kitty right there. There is one exception,” Argento said.
    “Ah oh, here it comes.” I suspiciously waited for his answer.
    “Well, animals,