The Dragon's Descent (42 page)

After a CT scan, the doctor told Nora and Dennis that Vero had a highly inflamed appendix and would need emergency surgery. Otherwise it would burst, spilling infectious material into the abdominal cavity, which would most likely be fatal.

Despite the 103.6 fever, Vero was conscious. Nora, Dennis, Tack, and Clover crowded around his bed, not wanting to leave him. As the doctors and nurses stuck all sorts of needles in him, prepping him for surgery, Vero smiled to his parents.

“You still believe those cosmonauts saw angels?” Vero said in a weak voice to his dad.

“Yeah, I do, with all my heart,” Dad said, then quietly wept.

“I'm glad you're the one who found me,” Vero said to Nora, who kissed Vero's forehead, her tears drenching his hair.

An aid unlocked the wheels on the gurney.

“Time to go,” he told the family.

Dennis leaned over, tenderly kissing Vero's cheek. As Vero was wheeled past Tack and Clover, it warmed his heart to see Clover wrapped up in his best friend's arms. He knew Tack would keep true to his word and always be there for Clover.

Eyes clouded with tears, Clover grabbed Vero's hand, but couldn't bring herself to say anything to him. But it was all right. They had already said everything that they had needed to say to one another. No stones were left unturned. Vero knew how she felt about him, and she knew how he felt about her. Before she released his hand, Vero smiled.

“Eat all your peas,” he weakly said.

When the surgery lasted much longer than what the doctors had expected, Nora knew something was wrong. Standing in the very same waiting room of the hospital where she had first seen baby Vero, she knew. Something in Nora told her that Vero was not well. That she may never again hold the boy she had found lying on a chair in that hospital. That if she were to be honest with herself, since
the night Vero came into her life, she had always feared that one day he would be taken away just as unexpectedly. That somehow he never really belonged to this earth, that he was a gift for only a short few years.

The doctor came out to talk to the family. He told them that Vero's appendix had erupted the moment they opened him up. For hours, the doctors cleaned him up best that they could, but Vero had slipped into a coma.

For three days, the Leland family kept a constant vigil by Vero's bedside. Clover slept in bed beside him, rarely getting up. Tack sat in a chair, reading Vero his favorite comic books. Kids from school came, bringing get-well balloons, flowers, and cards. Davina brought meals for the Lelands and a feeling of peace with each visit. The Atwoods came. Even Mr. Atwood shed a tear seeing Vero lying helpless in bed. Nurse Kunkel worked extra shifts to be near them. So many people, but one visitor in particular surprised Clover.

Danny Konrad.

The boy who had once so hated Vero. He came empty handed—no food or cards, yet he brought with him the greatest gift of all, kindness from a pure and contrite heart. And the Lelands were grateful.

On the third day of his coma, with only Clover, Tack, Dennis, and Nora keeping vigil, Clover heard Vero's voice. And it wasn't the weak one wrecked with fever, but a strong, clear voice.

“Clover, wake up,” Vero said.

Clover rubbed her eyes. She thought she had heard her brother.

“Clover,” Vero said with a sense of awe. “Look!”

Clover opened her eyes. The sight before her was all the more astonishing. Everywhere she looked, she saw angels. Radiant, glowing, shimmering angels!

“They've come for me,” Vero said.

Clover's mouth hung open at the sight. To the others in the room, Vero still appeared to be sleeping.

Vero recognized Uriel, Raziel, Raphael, and Michael, who hovered closest to him.

“Are you ready, Vero?” Uriel asked.

Vero looked over at his mother, who was gazing upon his sleeping face with such tenderness; to his father, who had his head in his hands, silently praying; and to a sleeping Tack, who looked so different from the boy he had once been, so much like a young man now. But Clover . . . she was the hardest to leave. She looked to Vero, her eyes no longer full of tears. He saw wonder and acceptance in them. Clover gave him a faint smile.

“It's all right, Vero. You can go now. We'll be okay,” she bravely told her brother. “Go fly with the angels.”

Nora looked to Clover. What was she saying? The heart monitor machine began to loudly beep, waking up Tack. A panicked Dennis stood, grabbing the bed for support.

“I'm ready,” Vero told Uriel.

As Clover watched, with great reverence an angel gently placed both his hands, palms down, on Vero's chest. As the angel drew his hands straight back, Vero's spirit began to gradually lift out of his body. His spirit looked very much like Vero, except it was luminous with a silvery glow. Every
inch of him was shimmering. He appeared ethereal, yet his spirit also had substance. And he was smiling. Clover could feel Vero's immense joy. Nora looked upon Vero's body as his breathing became shallow. She saw a light emanating from him.

The moment Vero's spirit completely separated from the body, the heart monitor flat lined. The guardian angel Leo rushed to Dennis's side and held him so he would not collapse. And Karael hugged Nora tightly, comforting her as she wept across Vero's chest. An angel stood behind Tack, placing a steadying hand on his shoulders, and with the other, wiped his tears. It was Pax! He was Tack's guardian angel. Pax looked so different to Vero. He was not the slight little angel anymore and instead stood tall, with radiant wings.

Clover saw a beam of light shine down upon Vero. She heard heavenly singing and music. The beam formed into a staircase. Vero stood on the first step. Thousands of joyous angels lined the steps. Vero climbed a few more steps then turned back to Clover.

“I love you, Clover,” Vero said.

“I love you, Vero,” Clover whispered.

Vero turned, and as he continued to climb, the beam of light engulfed the entire room, then completely disappeared.

A doctor and three nurses raced into the room. As the doctor reached for the defibrillator paddles to resuscitate Vero, Clover knew they wouldn't help.

For her beloved brother was dead.

As Vero walked up the stairs, he recognized them as Jacob's Ladder. He had climbed them during the Angel Trials. After walking a few more steps, Michael, Uriel, Raziel, and Raphael led Vero off the ladder. They flew with him to the trio of waterfalls. Vero stood on the shore of the crystal-blue lake as the water crashed down from above. Uriel nodded to him. Vero understood what was happening. He was being cleansed because he was on his way to meet God.

Vero stepped into the cool, refreshing water. Even though he knew there were others bathing with him, he could not see them. He scooped the water over his head and let it run down his face. After a few minutes in the cleansing water, Vero walked out to the shore. Michael, Uriel, Raziel, and Raphael flew with him, escorting him back onto the ladder.

They continued their ascent up the staircase. As they neared the top, Vero thought of his fellow fledglings. Some had made it to the top of Jacob's Ladder during the Angel Trials, but of course they were stopped at the gates of heaven. As Vero climbed on the final step, a warm, loving light surrounded him. So bright, so intense, yet it did not hurt his eyes. A deep sense of feeling loved came over Vero—unlike any he had ever felt before. A mighty voice rang out.

“Vero, my child.”

And Vero knew he was in the presence of God.

Yet Vero was not afraid. Every inch of his being felt nothing but unconditional love.

“I have a few questions for you,” God said.

Vero looked to Him, yet he did not see His face, only radiant light.

“Do you reject Satan?”

“I do,” Vero said.

“And all his works?”

“I do.”

“And all his empty promises?”

“I do.”

The light grew brighter, expanding out into a glorious whiteness. Vero felt only goodness and tranquility.

“And Vero . . . do you love me?”

“I do,” Vero said, his eyes full of emotion. “With all my heart.”

Suddenly, the light that was God swirled around Vero. It grew even more brilliant than the sun and wrapped Vero up in it as if he were a baby being swaddled. Vero felt an utter explosion of love as the light cradled him. In that moment, Vero knew no one could have ever loved him more. He knew that he had always been a part of this light who was God, and Vero realized that he had never been far from Him. For God had always been with him. Not for one moment had he ever been alone.

Glorious stones of many stunning colors materialized in the air. They began to twinkle and solidify. Vero knew exactly what it was—his completed crown. And as promised, it was waiting for him in heaven.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

C
hris, who started this journey through the Ether with me, and I'm proud to have your name next to mine.

Nena Madonia and Jan Miller, yeah! We did it—three books! Couldn't have done it without you by my side. Can't wait for whatever's next!

Jacque Alberta and Annette Bourland, thanks for giving Vero the chance to fly!

Guy Molinari, my third brother, thank you for all your sage wisdom.

The Lulli family, especially Daniela, your support and willingness to read each draft has been invaluable to me.

Alvaro de Vicente, thank you for your generous reads and theological insight.

The Rosen family—Vicki, Bruce, Emily and Alex . . . your showing up at Barnes and Noble meant the world to me.

Randy Gallegos, who has turned every cover into a stunning work of art.

My friend, Doug Amaturo, who constantly cheers me on with his relentless enthusiasm. And thanks, Dougie, for the title of this book.