Zeev POV
Being able to feel Harlee's discomfort in this last leg of her pregnancy made Ash and I even more attentive to her needs. We would have carried her everywhere if she would have allowed us to. As it was, we helped her sit and stand, moved chairs in and out, fetched things for her and tried to wait on her hand and foot. Harlee loved having her back, legs and feet rubbed due to the discomfort and swelling, and because we could feel echoes of that pain in our own Forms, we were happy to oblige to ease some of the pain. What we couldn't do anything about was the sudden sharp squeezing pain reverberating through the link. Harlee sucked in a deep breath as Ash helped her sit on the stool. She clutched her lower abdomen and Ash winced.
"It's just Braxton Hicks Harlee. It's ok. It's 'practice labor'." Ash soothed. I clutched the counter. I guess that answered my question about her labor and delivery. We were definitely getting ringside seats, audience participation required. Ash looked at me swiftly and Harlee chuckled darkly.
"You sure you want more kids?" She asked sarcastically.
Harlee POV
Sands popped into the bathroom while I was in the bath. I sighed. I had given up squealing and covering up, these guys came and went so often.
"Towel." I instructed, pointing. Sands dutifully turned and handed me a towel without looking at me again, until I sounded the all-clear. "What is it Sands?" He was blushing when he looked at me again, which made me straighten slightly.
"Sands?" I had just draped the towel across me since it was too much trouble to struggle up to wrap it, so I clutched the top to my chest as I sat straighter. He cleared his throat.
"Forgive me, ah, it wasn't that important.." Sands strode from the room and I sat looking after him in disbelief.
"The heck?" I said to the empty room.
Zeev POV
I walked in on Sands sitting on the sofa with his head hanging from his hands, elbows on his knees, eyes closed, face down, posture slumped.
"Sands, my friend, what's the matter?" I asked softly.
"I love her." He looked at me desperately, wildly. "Perhaps not like you do, but I love her. I walked in on her bathing just now, and as I saw her beautiful body swollen with child, your child Brother, I was intensely jealous, and wished it could be my own. I actually fantasized about it for a moment. I was so lost in thought, I forgot why I was there until she startled me out of my reverie. I should break our Contract, but if I do, she and child will be at risk and I can't bear that. I'm sorry Brother, I had no intentions of letting it get this far. I thought I had better control! What should I do?"
"Have you Fallen?" I murmured softly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I haven't checked!" Sands nearly wailed.
"Let's see then." I urged and Sands let his True Form shine through. No Corruption. We both sighed with relief. "Not Fallen yet then." I clapped a hand on his shoulder. Then sighed and leaned back steepling my hands between my knees. "I don't blame you for loving her Brother, we all do, to one degree or another. Even Sam-though he may not be willing to admit it. The question you have to ask yourself is what kind of love you feel for her, and whether you're willing to give up your Grace for that love. Also my friend, know that the moment you sacrifice your Grace for your love of Harlee, not only will you Fall, but your Contract will become a Bond. Are you prepared to relinquish Heaven's control over you for Harlee's?" I cautioned carefully.
"Yes!" Sands replied immediately with an anguished cry. I was shocked, and frankly surprised he hadn't yet Fallen. There was a small gasp from behind us, making us both turn quickly. I had been so absorbed in our conversation, I hadn't been paying attention to Harlee's place in the house. Since there were now two additional people in my head, I had become accustomed to letting their consciousnesses fade into the background unless I felt danger or distress, or they specifically tried to get my attention, but still, Harlee was like a beacon to me. And now, I grimaced. Harlee stood with a hand over her moth, wrapped in a towel, staring at us. I sifted through her memories quickly to see what all she'd heard. Enough, though it had taken her some effort and time to get out of the tub, she'd definitely heard my questions to Sands and his response. Sands tensed and looked swiftly between the two of us as if begging for my aid.
Harlee POV
I hesitated, clutching the towel, my stomach prevented it from closing completely on the side, but the mad dash I had intended to the bedroom had been halted by Zeev's soft voice. His tone was sad, almost weary, making me pause. When I figured out what they were talking about, I was floored. Sands was willing to Fall? I didn't mean to actually make any noise, but it burst from me so I covered my mouth. Too late. Both turned to look at me. Should I say something or just run? There was no way I could have the Corruption of an Angel on my conscious... Angel and Demon stared at me, I was frozen, unsure what to do. I backed up a step.
"Harlee." It was Zeev who spoke, surprising me. "Go get dressed, then come talk to us." I nodded. Somehow the instructions helped clear my head and I turned, heading numbly to the bedroom to change.
Zeev POV
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Sands asked softly. I hummed.
"Best to face it head on with her." I responded with a soft chuckle. We were silent while she changed. When Harlee came tiptoeing out of the bedroom, she acted almost afraid to approach us.
"Harlee..." I opened my arms for her and she walked around to sit on my lap, facing Sands. There was a long silent pause.
"I don't understand." She stated softly. "Why would you give up your Grace for me?" Her voice became tortured and pained towards the end and I squeezed her softly.
"Harlee, you don't understa.."
"No, I'll explain it." Sands broke in. He took a deep, shuddering breath. "It wouldn't be 'for you' the way you've phrased it." He winced at her injured look. "It would be for me. For my love of you, yes. We aren't allowed to love, to have relationships with humans, to engage. I am given more personal freedom because I am an Angel of Death, but Harlee, I've fallen for you, and that could lead to me actually Falling. If I choose to give up my Grace instead of having it stripped from me, I go directly into your service, Bound to you because I chose to Fall for you, because of my love of you. It will keep me... mostly intact." Sands winced again. "It's a practical and tactical move as well as one I long to make. For you. For me. For my ability to love."
"What he's trying to say is, he doesn't want to end up like me." Sam said, striding out of the shadows. Sands winced again.
"My head is swimming. Are you saying you'd remain an Angel?" Harlee asked, confused.
"Yes and no. I would be Fallen-but the rest would be up to you. How do you perceive me Harlee? As I am, I'm unspoiled by Corruption. If I wait..." Sands let the statement fade and this time Harlee winced, clutching her chest lightly. Sands moved towards her, placing his hand on her chest. I don't want to add to your burden. In my current state, I wouldn't. Would you accept me Harlee?"
"Are you sure this is something that you want to do Sands?" Harlee asked hesitantly, pulling his hand from her chest to look at his nimble fingers.
"Yes." Sands spoke softly, but there was a fire burning in his eyes, a desperation. I recognized the look, I had worn in myself once. That desire to be recognized by her. To be wanted by her. I sighed internally.
"Ok Sands, if it's what you want and you won't take some time to think it over, I'd be honored to have you as one of the boys...um group." She looked up at him. "I do love you Sands, you're sweet and gentle and this comforting presence that always shows when I need you, but I have to warn you before you make this decision. I love Zeev. He was my first love. It goes deepest, strongest, purest. I may never love you the way I do him. I may show you physical affection, I may not, but Zeev will always be the father of my child and the first man I ever loved. Can you live with that?" Harlee had Sands frozen in place with her gaze. I don't think he'd heard anything beyond 'if that's what you want'. He nodded softly.
"I understand. The Bond between you is strong and I won't interfere. I just wish to be allowed to love you and receive your love in return in whatever form it takes, without being told it is an abomination." Sands murmured. Emma leaned forward and hugged him.
"Then if you're sure" She whispered. The little silver chain around her wrist broke, falling to the floor, indicating the Contract had been broken. I had not expected Sands to make his decision at this very moment, but it appeared the decision had already been made and he just awaited her approval. I snatched Harlee around the ribs and moved us across the room. She squealed
"Zeev, what's wrong?" She gasped. There was a roaring noise around us and I turned her face towards my chest.
"An Angel is Falling." I whispered, the tears falling down my face unbidden. Harlee picked up on my mood and clutched my shirt. Sam was suddenly beside us and Ash appeared too, with a look of pain. Sam stood in front of Harlee to protect her, silent tears also streaming down his face, as Ash gripped my arm in support. A light descended from the Heavens like a comet to slam into Sands, and then he began screaming.