Epilogue
WILL
T he grand hall of heaven stretches before me. The air is filled with a fragrance I can only describe as pure goodness - a blend of sunlight, fresh snow, and blooming flowers that soothe my nerves and lift my spirit.
Two figures await me. Henry stands with his familiar, gentle smile, his silver hair catching the light. Beside him, tall and imposing yet radiating warmth, is Saint Nicholas himself. His flowing white beard and twinkling blue eyes are just as I’d always imagined, but his presence is so much more—a palpable aura of kindness, wisdom, and charity that fills the entire hall.
As I approach, my footsteps echoing in the vast space, I feel nervous. This is it—the moment I’ve been working towards, the culmination of my journey as a guardian angel in training. I knew I’d make it to this point—I just can’t see around the corner. Will I get my wings, or will I have to go back and start the course over again in a hundred years?
“Will,” Saint Nicholas greets me, his voice rich and warm like honey. “Are you ready to present your dissertation and give an account of your time as Noah Montgomery’s guardian angel?”
I nod, swallowing hard before finding my voice. “Yes. Thank you for this opportunity.”
Henry gives me an encouraging nod, and I take a deep breath, centering myself before I begin.
“When I first met Noah Montgomery,” I start, my voice growing stronger with each word, “I found a man trapped by his own fears and insecurities. He was struggling under the weight of his parents’ expectations, his own unfulfilled dreams, and a deep-seated fear of change. His faith in himself and in God were small and needed tending.”
As I speak, I can almost smell the air of Benton Falls and hear the scrape of skates on ice. The memories of my time with Noah are so vivid; it’s as if I’m reliving them.
“My initial attempts to guide Noah were... well, let’s say they were less than successful,” I admit, a sheepish smile crossing my face. Henry chuckles softly, no doubt remembering our conversation about my early missteps.
I describe my overzealous use of powers and my frustration when Noah seemed resistant to change. But then my tone shifts and becomes more animated. “Everything changed when Paige Henderson came into Noah’s life. I watched as Noah’s heart opened, bit by bit, to the possibility of love and adventure. He also started to see his own gifts as things that could enhance his life, whereas before, he saw them as detriments.”
As I recount the pivotal moments of Noah’s journey—the Christmas parade preparations, the snowshoeing adventure, the moments of connection and growth - Henry and Saint Nicholas lean in, captivated by the story of Noah’s transformation.
“There were obstacles, of course,” I continue. “Noah’s parents, with their rigid expectations, threatened to derail his progress. His own self-doubt was a constant battle. But with each challenge, I saw Noah grow stronger, more confident in himself and his choices.”
I pause, remembering the night of the Christmas parade. The excitement in the air, the twinkling lights of the parade floats, the joy on Noah and Paige’s faces as they embraced their new future together - it all comes rushing back to me.
“It was on the night of the Christmas parade that I truly understood the power of human love,” I say, my voice soft with wonder. “Noah’s decision to follow his heart and ask for a miracle was a turning point not just for him, but for me as well.”
As I recount Noah’s transformation - his stand against his parents, his decision to sell the ice skate rental business and embark on a new adventure with Paige - I can feel the energy in the room shift. There’s a warmth, an approval radiating from both Henry and Saint Nicholas.
“In the end,” I say, my voice filled with emotion, “I witnessed a man discover his own strength, embrace love, and choose to live life on his own terms not because of me, per se, but because of what Paige could see in him. She inspired him with her own goodness. I learned that humans can have a great influence on each other for good.”
I take a moment to gather my thoughts before concluding. “I stand before you today not just as a guardian angel who has completed his assignment, but as someone who has been profoundly changed by the experience. I’ve learned that sometimes, the best way to guide is to step back and allow growth to happen. I’ve learned the value of patience, the power of small kindnesses, and the incredible strength that humans can find when they open their hearts to love and possibility.”
As I finish speaking, a hush falls over the grand hall. For a moment, I’m gripped by uncertainty. Have I said enough? Have I conveyed the depth of my experience and the profound impact that Noah’s journey has had on me?
Saint Nicholas steps forward, his eyes shining. “Will,” he says, his voice resonating through the chamber, “you have shown us the true essence of what it means to be a guardian angel. Your dedication to Noah and the growth you’ve demonstrated throughout this journey are commendable.”
Henry beams at me, and I feel a warmth spreading through me, a glow that emanates from my very core.
Saint Nicholas raises his hand, a gentle smile on his face. “It is with great joy and pride that we declare you, Will, to have not only passed your assignment but to have exceeded all expectations. You have earned your wings. May you wear them with honor and continue to serve with the same compassion and dedication you have shown here.”
I feel a tingling sensation spreading across my back, and suddenly, gloriously, my wings unfurl. They’re not the physical appendages I once imagined, but rather an extension of my celestial being, shimmering with divine light.
I bow my head. “Thank you,” I manage to say, my voice thick with gratitude.
Henry steps forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. “I’m so proud of you, Will,” he says, his eyes glistening. “You’ve come so far, and I know you’ll continue to grow and serve with all your heart.”
In this moment of triumph, I realize that my journey as a guardian angel has only just begun. There will be more souls to guide and more lessons to learn.
With a final nod to Henry and Saint Nicholas, I spread my new wings, feeling the surge of divine energy coursing through them. As I take flight, soaring through the grand hall and beyond, I know that this is just the beginning of a new, wonderful chapter in my existence.
The spirit of Christmas, of love and new beginnings, will be my guiding light as I embrace my role as a full-fledged guardian angel. And somewhere, in a cozy corner of Benton Falls, I know that Noah and Paige are embarking on their own new adventure, carrying with them the same spirit of love and possibility that has transformed us all.
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