A Journey Begun
Bella's POV
As she slept Bella was somehow prepared by the Divine for the fact that when she opened her eyes, Prince would no longer be by her side or in Paradise. He had started the new journey in the night. Because she knew, she delayed opening her eyes for as long as she could. But then she had to as she needed to make her morning water. She got up and purposefully did not look at his side of the bed. She went into the bathroom and took care of her morning business and then entering the bedroom sat down on his side of the bed. She picked up his pillow and held it to her nose. She could smell the Lavender fragrance of which he was so fond mixed with the oh so slight earthy fragrance of the Olive Oil he used in his hair. Her eyes became wet with tears both happy and sad at the same time as she knew this was one step closer to the time of all the things they had dreamed of, marriage, creating together, children, sad because she missed him so much already that it was almost unbelievable. Amiir came to the bedroom door. "Good morning Bella. Dad left in the night, didn't he", Amiir said. "Yes Amiir. I woke up and somehow knew he was gone", Bella said quietly. Amiir came and got down on his knees and laid his head in her lap. He did not say anything, he just let the tears run down his cheeks, while Bella rubbed his head comfortingly. Finally he sat up and said, "time is different here than on earth Bella. While something may take years to occur on earth, here it is just a matter of hours. You will start your new journey very soon". "Yes Bella said and then you will too my son". Amiir liked that she had called him her son. "Come on let's cook pancakes this morning in honor of your father", Bella suggested. They went into the kitchen and made breakfast together. After eating they cleaned the kitchen together and asked each other questions and speculated on what Prince was doing now. He was an infant they knew and they wondered where he was on the planet. the US, Europe? He was at home anywhere in the world so he could be just about anywhere. Bella wondered if he still had his amazing Amber eyes that reflected his soul so beautifully.
They went to their rooms to dress and Bella had just finished dressing when she heard the unmistakable whoose sound of Angels wings and then a knock at the door. Amiir answered it and seeing Michael immediately invited him in and called Bella. "Good morning Bella", Michael said. "Good morning Michael". I am sure you know that Prince began his new journey last night and was born this morning. Sandalphon and I accompanied him and stayed with him through the night. Sandalphon is still there watching over him. Unless needed by the Creator, one of us will be with him at all times until he can verbally communicate any danger that is around him. His parents being human cannot hear his thoughts. If we are both needed by the Creator then another capable Warrior Angel will be sent to be with him. Bella listened with great interest and thanked Michael both for his care of Prince and also for letting her know the plan. "Michael" she asked, "why are Warriors needed to guard him though? Is he in any danger"? "Prince is, as you know, very special and has just begun to grow into the power his soul possesses. He is a real threat to evil and so I am not taking any chances", Michael said. "The enemy wants to kill all new souls that are born to anger and taunt the Creator as he obviously has created each soul personally...but the rare, amazing souls like Prince, Amiir and yourself are feared by him because of what you can bring into the world or help to bring into the world. Frankly that is too great of a threat for the enemy not to consider killing or injuring and so we guard, watch and defend". Bella stood on her tiptoes and Michael instinctively lowered his head so that Bella could kiss his cheek. " Keep my Prince safe Michael", she said in a whisper. "With pleasure", Michael said. He and Amiir embraced and with a slight bow to Bella, Michael was gone.
After making up their beds, Bella asked Amiir if he would like to come with her to Walk with Jesus this morning. He said no that he thought she might best be supported by going alone, but he would request some time with him personally also. Bella hugged him and said "I am going to walk to His cottage this morning so I can clear my head". On her walk to Jesus's cottage she wondered if Prince in his infant state was aware of her and Amiir; did he remember them at all? She wondered if the parents to whom he had been born would be more caring and kind to him than those in the past. She wondered how long it would be before she slipped into her new existence. So many questions. But for one thing she was grateful. Prince was safe and would be kept that way at the order of the fiercest of all Angels...the Archangel Michael himself. She would not worry about that part of what was happening because she knew he was in the best of hands. Arriving at Jesus's door she saw it was open as usual and as she stepped up to knock He said "come on in Bella". She stepped inside and saw Mary sitting in a chair in the living area. "Good morning Bella", Mary said. "Good morning Mary." Jesus came into the living room and said "please sit Bella. I thought we would visit here today because Mary is going to be visiting Denise Matthews and some other souls at the Healing Hands and Hearts facility for a few days and will not be available for her meeting with you for a while. I want to make certain that you are doing ok and that we support you in every way possible. "How are you doing this morning now that Prince has begun the new journey", Jesus asked? Bella filled them in on her morning and the mixed emotions that she felt. She told them about Michael's visit and how it had comforted both Amiir and herself. She told them of the many questions and Jesus said, then let's begin with those. She wondered if Prince remembered her and Amiir at all in his infant state. Jesus said yes he does. At this moment you and Amiir are not top of mind as he is adjusting to his new environment and will be for awhile. But as time goes on, the memory of the two of you will act as a beacon for many of his actions so that he can find you as quickly as possible". "Is it possible to know where he is and what his name is", Bella wanted to know? Jesus smiled and said "he was born in the United States as you will be. I do not wish for you to know his name as I do not want you focused on that when you return to earth. The process of discovery for the two of you has been planned with great care and will be pleasant for the most part for you both. What must happen to ensure a strong and lasting bond...will. Just trust in me and in Prince Bella. Remember I told you, I will help you when you are on earth to endure the waiting . Just look for little messages from the Divine. Use this time that you have left in Paradise to prepare Amiir for your transition and his. And use it to define in your mind what you want to accomplish when back on earth. Have you thought of what those things might be", Jesus asked? "Yes I have", Bella said. "I want to make certain to support Prince in every area of need...physically, emotionally, spiritually. I want to ensure that our children know that they are loved and are given every advantage to grow into loving, caring, competent people, spouses and citizens. I have also thought that I would like to become a writer, as it is something that I enjoy and can do from home while tending to the needs of my family. I still intend to study the performance arts as they represent a great passion for me and obviously for Prince. But I think writing will put my love for language to good use and will give me something of my own so I don't become lost in Prince's world". "That is great wisdom Bella and I think a wonderful set of things to pursue", Jesus said. "Mary do you have anything that you would like to share with Bella", Jesus asked? Mary smiled at Bella and said, " from the moment that we met, I marveled at how perfectly created you were for the loving and caring for the soul we know as Prince. I watched with great joy as you loved and comforted him on his journey toward wholeness and am very proud of you for the growth that you encouraged in him. I remember the day when I said to myself, that you were the right woman to entrust this special soul to. He was truly a different person when he transitioned and to a great degree that was because of you. I know you will continue your care of him and I know that he will become all he is supposed to be with your help. Remember your Vow Bella and know that because it is kept, he will be greater than you can imagine as will your life together. Know that when you meet you will see some things that are disturbing...do not let them concern you just do what you know you should and you will serve both Prince and your Creator extremely well with the impact that you will have upon him. I love you Bella and it has and will always be a great joy for me to be part of the counsel you receive within your life". Jesus said, "I will join Mary at the Healing Center tomorrow so we will not meet for a few days. Michael will let you know when I return". Bella asked, "Is all okay with Denise",? Jesus said, there have been some issues, but know that she cannot and will not be allowed to disrupt the lives of you, Prince or your family again". Jesus stood and embraced Bella as did Mary and with a thought Bella was back at her cottage.
Once back at home Bella went into the kitchen and put on a pot of tea. She was a little surprised to hear about Denise but knew that whatever could be done to help her would. She took a moment and asked the Creator to bring healing to her mind and her heart in His mercy. Bella made her tea and made a mental note to let the family know at worship tonight that Prince had transitioned. She decided to make a light salad for lunch and then to make Lamb Chops for dinner. She would add Au Gratin Potatoes and a Tomato and Cucumber salad to the Chops and some sweet potato pie for dessert. She thought that she would ask Uncle Henry and JR over for dinner...he had done so much to make the family gathering a success and she remembered he loved Lamb. Just as she was preparing to go by her Uncle's to extend the dinner invitation, Amiir came home. He had gone to the gym to work out and clear his head and was going to be around all day until they went to worship. She asked him if he would like to join her in salad with some hot rolls...and he said yes. She told him about the plans for dinner and he said he would pop over and invite them while she was making lunch. She said great and set about making their salad. Amiir returned just as the rolls were heated and she set them and some softened butter on the table along with their salad bowls. Amiir washed his hands and they sat down at the table. Taking her hand he said grace and they enjoyed a pleasant lunch together. Amiir cleaned up the kitchen while Bella seasoned the chops with Garlic Salt and Lemon Pepper and set them in the refrigerator so that the seasoning would get into the meat. She shredded the cheese for the potatoes and set in into the refrigerator and then sliced the tomatoes and cucumbers and added some rings of onions also. She then poured vinegar and oil into the bowl sealing it tightly and put that in the refrigerator as well. Bella told Amiir she felt a little tired and thought she would take a short nap. Amiir said that she must have been reading his mind and said he was going to do the same. She went into her room, took off her pants and shirt and pulled on one of Prince's tee shirts and laid down. Her last thoughts were I love and miss you my Prince and with heavy eyelids fell into a deep and restful sleep.
Prince's POV
Prince had waken up about every four hours and was taken to the Savannah lady who breast fed him. He liked the way she felt and smelled but most of all he liked suckling at her breast as she sang to him. The singing reminded him of something that he remembered with great happiness. It had been a different lady that had suckled him and she had a different but beautiful smell. The suckling made him feel different too. For some reason as he nursed it was this other lady that he kept thinking of. He looked up into Savannah's face. She was pretty. Light brown skin with dark brown eyes dark hair and a very nice smile. But when he looked at her eyes, he remembered eyes that were almond shaped and for some reason he became a little sad. He closed his eyes as he finished nursing and whimpered a little and then went back to sleep after having been burped. When he woke up he was back in the bassinette and Sandalphon was there by him. He sent a thought of hi to his Angelic friend and was rewarded with a big smile. He wondered where his other friend Michael was and as he thought of him, Michael appeared and tickled him under his chin before taking his position next to the bassinette. The man named Royal came into the nursery and signed some papers and said something about bringing the car around. It seems they were leaving the hospital. One of the nurses dressed Royal Jr. and wrapped him in two blankets. Another nurse picked him up and took him back down the hall to Savannah who was sitting in a chair that rolled. She took him into her arms and the nurse rolled them onto an elevator. The moment they got into it , Royal Jr. started to cry...he did not like elevators he decided! As soon as it stopped , and they rolled off of it, he stopped crying. Royal Sr. had pulled up the car...and he got out and held the baby until she got into the front passenger seat. Royal then handed Royal Jr. to her while he put a blanket into the car seat in the back. He then put his son into the car seat and strapped him in. He was facing the back seat but could see out of the back window. Michael and Sandalphon were right there and waiting for the car to take off. And it did...things had really changed in 175 years, the car took off into the air and flew home! Royal Jr. watched out of the back window and the remnants of a melody came into his mind with words...Meet George Jetson. He tried to sing it...but all that came out were sounds that seemed like cooing sounds. "Did you hear that Savannah asked? It sounded like he was cooing". Royal looked over at her from the driver's seat and said "he is only 1 day old and too young to coo". Savannah rolled her eyes and said "well he did and I think he is very advanced for his age". Royal now rolled his eyes and continued to drive until they came to their home.
Royal maneuvered the car back to the ground into their driveway and then pushing a built in remote opened the garage door. He carefully pulled the car inside parking next to Savannah's VW airbug and then turned off the operating system. Both of their cars were actually operated by computers and were fueled by electricity. Royal plugged the car into the fueling bay and then walked around to the passenger side and helped Savannah out of the car. He then got Royal Jr. out of the car seat. Michael took a fly around the house to ensure all was secure and Sandalphon had already entered the house and was checking each room and closet starting with the one that had clearly been prepared for the baby. He then went through every other room upstairs and then returned downstairs. As he went into the kitchen a dog began to bark and he sounded like a big one. Going further into the kitchen he saw a black and tan German Shepherd looking at him and barking standing at the back door. He went up to him and scratched him behind the ears and the dog stopped barking. Now what is your name Sandalphon asked and the dog thought "Fritz". "Hi Fritz, I am here to protect Royal Prince Jr". "The new baby" the dog thought? "Yup" Sandalphon responded in thought. "Good I can use the help. There have been some funny looking and smelling red and black critters hanging around outside for the last few months. I haven't let them come in here but they would try to get too close to Savannah when she went outside. She and Royal thought I was crazy when I would run around her and bark, but I kept those critters off of her". "Good job Fritz. Thank you", Sandalphon thought. He scratched Fritz's ears again and then went outside to tell Michael what he had learned.
Royal carried his son into the house and then laid him on the sofa. He took Savannah's jacket off and then handed the baby to her. He hung their jackets in the closet and then they sat down on their sofa and looked at their beautiful son. He was smaller than their daughter Torrey had been by about 1.5 pounds. She had weighed in at 8 pounds where Royal Jr. had weighed 6.5 pounds. He was an inch shorter than she was also. But he had been considered average when he was born. Torrey was 3 years old and had spent the night with their neighbors the Boyd family. Torrey and their son, Reggie, went to the same pre-school and Greta, his mother said she would pick both of them up and bring Torrey home after she got off of work. Greta was a legal secretary for a major firm in town. Her husband Reginald Sr. drove one of the city commuter trains. Savannah had made several days worth of dinners while waiting for her labor to start over the last few days. She had a lovely chicken soup waiting to be heated up that was loaded with vegetables and she would also heat up some cornbread she had made. Royal Jr. opened his eyes and looked at his mother. She said Royal, come look at your son's eyes. Royal walked in from going to see why Fritz had been barking and looked at Royal Jr's eyes. They were beautiful but unusual in color. The were actually Amber. His own were hazel but had more of a green cast. This kid was going to be a heartbreaker he thought with pride. "You know to make things simple" Royal said, "I think we should call him Prince and I will remain Royal just so I know who you are talking to". Savannah agreed and then started to nurse Prince because he was starting to fret. Once he was fed and burped he still was fretting so Savannah checked his diaper and of course he was wet. She got up and went into the study where she had a baby bag and a small changing table set up and wiped his bottom down with a baby wipe and creamed his bottom with some baby cream and put a fresh diaper on him. She carried him with her into the kitchen and set him in the baby carrier with a blanket over him on the kitchen table, after washing her hands, she took out the soup and began to heat it.
Savannah had been a vocal music teacher at the local junior college until Torrey was born. She found trying to work fulltime and take care of Torrey too difficult so she had applied for the minister of music position at their church, St. Stephens African Methodist Episcopal Church when the former music leader had retired. She had gotten the job. Royal was an Associate Music History Professor at the University of Chicago. He played piano and organ and did both at their church. Savannah knew he had wanted the Minister of Music job but it simply did not pay enough to support the family and he was very traditional and wanted to take care of his family on his own. So he had stayed with the University and Savannah had applied for it. Royal was 5'6" tall and quite handsome. He had light brown hair that tended to fall into ringlet curls unless he let it grow quite long as it was now and he was wearing it in a curly afro. His hazel eyes had a green cast to them and his skin was the color of butterscotch. He was a good provider and a good father to Torrey and would also be to Prince. His one downfall was that he liked the ladies. Early in his marriage that had been a major problem and Savannah had almost left him. She was pretty, smart and loved him and he had no issues with her. It was just that he was a boy from the ghettos of Detroit and that was the way all of the black men that he knew had been. Savannah and her parents were from Georgia and that was not the way she had been raised. Her father was a Physician's assistant and her mother a nurse. He was as faithful as the Bible taught he should be and Savannah was, he knew, not going to put up with that so he had chilled out with his behavior. Every now and then he would slip up, but he was making the effort. He did not want to lose his wife and his kids and he knew if he screwed up, she would take them and head back home. They had met when he was a sophomore and she was a freshman at University of Chicago. He had come on an academic scholarship and she had come because her mother was a graduate of the nursing school. Royal had liked the sophistication of the city as compared to Detroit and had decided to stay after he graduated. He had worked full time as an instructor at a community college while getting his masters and while he was not tenured, he enjoyed the work and the pay was good.
He loved history and had made some interesting discoveries about his family in his spare time. Originally of Creole stock, the family had put down roots in the north about 6 generations ago in Minneapolis, MN. John Nelson was his great, great, great, great grandfather. John had several children. Those from his second marriage to Mattie Shaw were Prince Rogers and Tyka Nelson. Prince Nelson had been a hugely successful, innovative and genius of a musician who during his lifetime had taught himself to play 27 instruments in every genre of music there was. He was also Royal's great, great, great Uncle. A gifted entertainer he had made it known very early in his career that he was antidrug and did not allow any band members to use them or they were fired. His highly physically demanding performances had taken a toll on his body leaving him with severely damaged hips, ankles and knees. Unsuccessful hip surgery had worsened the problem and so while he used no drugs recreationally, he became addicted to opioids due to the very difficult pain he lived and performed with for another 25-30 years. He died from an accidental overdose of Fentanyl in April of 2016. There had been at least one male child named Prince in every generation of the family since. He had no children at the time of his death, as his only known child had died at just a week old from Pfeiffer Syndrome. Tyka had however had sons. One of which was Royal's great, great grandfather. He had several children and one of those boys was Royal's great grandfather. His son was named Royal Prince and was Royal's grandfather whose daughter married an Anderson and was his mother. There were a great many musicians in the family some of which were quite good, for many generations but none of the ilk of Prince Rogers Nelson. Doing the family history had been quite gratifying to Royal. He had found many pictures of this highly documented artist and looked a lot like him but was 3 inches taller. Of even greater interest to him was the fact that recordings he had discovered of Prince's work demonstrated just how far ahead of the rest of the world of music he really was. Many of the compositions he had listened to sounded as though they had been written today and could be played as part of the current music scene. Now he had a son of his own...the newest in the Prince line...he had no idea what the baby in the baby carrier in his kitchen would accomplish...nor what he as his father would learn from him.
Michael and Sandalphon had come into the kitchen after Sandalphon had shared what the family dog, Fritz had told him. They had set a blessing prayer around the entire house that nothing demonic would be able to breech and had come in to check on Prince. Fritz had growled at first but then Michael had said hello, introduced himself, scratched Fritz behind his ears and thanked him for keeping the demonic imps away from Savannah. Michael had explained how important Prince was to the Creator and how important it was to keep him safe too. Fritz had assured him he could be counted on to do so. Savannah had been watching Fritz for the last few minutes from when he had growled and then started wagging his tale and then looking as though he was listening very closely to something being said. He made some noises like he did when she thought he was trying to talk and then sat down looking directly at Prince. Michael and Sandalphon were standing on either side of the table near Prince. Savannah thought that Fritz might be losing his marbles. She thought she better find out how he would be with Prince. She pulled out a chair and picked Prince up out of the baby carrier, and held him securely in her lap. She then called Fritz over to her and let him smell the baby. He did so quite curiously and then looked up at Savannah and licked Prince on top of the head and laid down at her feet. Well he had no problems with the baby...so maybe he was just going crazy in general. Michael had decided to seal each window, the chimney and any other obvious entrance to the house including the mail slot with the blessing prayer also. As they stood guard, there senses alerted them to danger, as they did so, Fritz took off tearing up the steps and went into Prince's room. He then went to one of the windows and was barking for all he was worth. Michael appeared outside the window behind the demons and touched the ugly red imps with the smaller of his two swords. They were blown to bits upon contact. Fritz stopped barking and looked as though he was smiling. Sandalphon who was standing next to Fritz was smiling. Heaven 2 points Hell 0 he thought and chuckled to himself and went back downstairs to the kitchen. Prince had waken up and was looking around when Sandalphon walked into the kitchen. Michael had beat him back to Prince's side and when he saw Michael his eyes looked like they were smiling. Sandalphon said hi Prince in a thought and Prince gurgled. His mother had never seen a baby do such things this young. He was going to be an interesting child to watch grow up.
The doorbell rang and Torrey was home. She ran ahead of Greta who came behind her with her back pack. She had been no trouble at all Greta said to Royal. She followed Royal into the kitchen and saw Prince for the first time. He really was a beautiful baby. His eyes were open and she marveled at the color. She asked what they were going to call him and Royal said Prince. They asked her if she would like to stay for dinner and she said no...she needed to get home to cook for her own brood but would see them tomorrow. She told Savannah she was going to the grocery store tomorrow after work so to let her know if she needed anything. Savannah gave her a hug and thanked her for everything and then started to answer all of Torrey's questions about her baby "brutha" as she called him. Royal bathed Torrey after dinner and Savannah bathed Prince. She nursed him again and then placed him in his bassinet in their room and went to bed. She would need to wait a few days before she pumped her milk, but she would then so that Royal could help with the night feedings if necessary. She was tired. She fell asleep in the middle of that thought. Royal showered and climbed into bed with his wife. 6 more weeks before she had her checkup and he could get some nookie he thought annoyed. He was tired but he was also horny. He masturbated and then went to sleep.