Page 140 of Raphael

My eyes roamed the scripture of the simple tombstone.

A simple statement. For a person that meant the world to me.

Forever My Sister. Forever My Everything.

That still hadn’t changed. Except, now we had more people in our circle. Gabriel. My husband. My hand rubbed over my large belly. Another month and we’d welcome a new family member.

Anya Esmeralda Santos.

Raphael’s arm came around me, offering comfort and keeping me warm, while Gabriel held my hand, his eyes glued to the tombstone.

Tears pricked at my eyes. It was a side-effect of pregnancy. Way too many emotions.

“She’s looking over us, Reina.” My husband pressed a kiss on my forehead. “She’s always with us.”

I looked at my son. Her son. Our son. The older Gabriel got, the more of Anya I saw in him. The protective streak. Bravery. And the incredible strength.

“She is,” I murmured, pulling Gabriel into a tight hug while Raphael wrapped us both into his arms.

The devil kept us all together.