Angels and Unexpected Guests

December 23, 2025 – A milder winter day with sunshine in a suburban Midwest neighborhood; forecasts hint at incoming snow for a possible white Christmas

Coments? Questions? Reviews?

December 23, 2025. After a bitterly cold stretch, the weather has turned milder—sunshine streams through bare branches, temperatures climbing into the upper 30s, melting some of the lingering snow into sparkling puddles. Forecasts buzz with excitement: a system moving in could deliver snow just in time for a white Christmas.

In her kitchen Liora hums Christmas carols while preparing a late breakfast for Mia. Pancakes sizzle on the griddle, bacon crisps in the oven, and fresh coffee brews. She's glowing, red hair tousled from sleep, wearing one of Johnathan's oversized hoodies she stole from his house.

Suddenly, an anxious knock rattles the front door. Liora wipes her hands and opens it to find Linda, breathless and wide-eyed. Mia's frequent playdate friend isn't with her.

(bursting in without waiting)

You better tell me all about it. I saw him leaving your house this morning. Did you guys… you know. You were talking about being all responsible and not jumping into things and waiting for the right time.

(laughing, closing the door)

Yeah, we were waiting for the right time, and last night we shared our first kiss, and then suddenly it was the right time.

(laughing too)

I know how that works. Just gonna cuddle, and then the fireworks go off. Was he aggressive?

(blushing deeply)

No. It was all me. I had to talk him into it. I guess I had a hunger that I didn’t even know I had, and well, I’m not so hungry anymore this morning, but tonight…

(softening, looking at Linda for advice)

Linda, it all seems so right, even though it was so fast. Johnathan thinks his Angels got together with my Angels and set it all up—made sure we got places right next to each other, and a fence we could talk over. What do you think? Am I screwing up again?

(growing serious)

Honey, you just opened up a big can of worms. You know how I’ve been asking you and Mia to join me at our little church. It’s called the Church of Angel Love, so I know all about Angels. I have no doubt that Angels were involved in getting you two together, but there is more to it than Angels just helping you find your happiness. It’s a two-way street.

Now that they have got you two together, they are going to start asking you to help them out with some of their difficult tasks. People will mysteriously come into your life that need help—old people, young people, babies, puppies, who knows what else—and the Angels are going to expect you two to do your part. I hope you are prepared for that. It won’t be all love and happiness; sometimes they give you very difficult tasks, because they know you have the resources, physically and spiritually, to get the job done.

(laughing lightly, though a bit uneasy)

You and Johnathan—you’re both into this Angel stuff. I don’t know. My religious upbringing was so toxic, so traumatic, that I can’t really wrap my mind around working for the Angels. I was taught that Angel worship was idolatry and a sin. I’ll try to pencil in some time for them, I guess, but I’m really busy these days trying to keep AI from gobbling up my career, and Mia comes first before anything.

(sighing)

The Angels will never come between you and Mia. But you need to take this seriously. Just wait and see. Your life is going to become very interesting, in a very miraculous way. If you have any questions, I’ll be here, and you can always join me at our Angel church. I will teach you about the Angels.

(opening the door, eyes widening in shock)

You’re moving in today?

(smiling brightly)

Yes, Linda is helping me. You said whenever I was ready. I’m ready. Linda and I are going to go get more stuff. If you could please move all your office stuff to one side of the office so I can have the other side. Mia will get the dogs set up. Keep an eye on Mia and the dogs, please. Mia has some ideas how to set up the guest room as her room, so help her with that too. I’ll be right back with my office stuff.

(staring for a few seconds, then breaking into a huge smile)

Like I said, mi casa es su casa. I was wondering how I was going to survive the day without you near me, so I guess that’s not a problem anymore.

The day flies by in a whirlwind of moving. Linda and Liora haul boxes while Johnathan rearranges the office—desks side by side now, dual monitors facing each other. They debate passionately: keep both internet routers or consolidate? Terminate Liora's lease early or sublet? Her side of the closet, his side. Toilet paper over or under (they compromise on over). Sell one couch or keep both for guests? Only office gear and clothes make the move today; furniture can wait.

Exhausted but exhilarated, Liora walks Linda home as evening approaches, thanking her profusely.

(kneeling beside her)

Are you OK, sweetheart? What is going on?

(tears streaming)

I don’t know where I am. Can you help me?

(gently)

Don’t worry, Honey. We got you. What happened? Why were you pushed out of that car?

My boyfriend—well, I thought he was my boyfriend—was mad at me because I lied about my age. I ran away from home last week and he took me in. I told him I was 18.

How old are you, sweetie?

(flabbergasted)

Fourteen? Seriously? OMG, that guy looked about 30. What were you thinking?

I guess I wasn’t thinking. It was cold and his was the only place I could go.

(firmly but kindly)

Well, you’re going to stay with me for a little while. We’ll get this all figured out.

What’s your name, sweetheart?

Did you say Angel? Your name is Angel? Of course it is!

(smiling knowingly as she continues home)

This one is yours.

Liora leads the shaken girl back to the house, mind racing with how to explain this to Johnathan—and to the Angels she’s only just beginning to believe in. The sun dips low, casting long shadows over the melting snow, while distant clouds gather on the horizon, whispering promises of a white Christmas.