Chapter Ten

Maya’s POV

The soft crunch of gravel beneath the tires was the first thing Maya heard as she stepped out the back door of the retirement home, blinking against the late afternoon sun. The sky was painted in shades of peach and lavender, the kind of evening that promised calm after the usual chaos.

A familiar car idled by the curb, windows down and engine purring like a loyal beast. Eva was already waiting inside, her head tilted out the window as if she’d been watching for her for miles.

“Get in, slowpoke,” Eva called with a grin.

Maya chuckled, dropping her bag into the passenger seat and sliding in beside her sister. The faint scent of jasmine from Eva’s perfume mingled with the stale warmth of the car’s interior.

Eva glanced over immediately, her eyes narrowing playfully. “Okay, something’s different.”

Maya blinked, caught off guard. “Different?”

Eva smirked. “Yeah. You’re… softer? Happier? You look like you’re not about to murder anyone.”

Maya rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe I’m just tired.”

“Uh huh.” Eva’s teasing tone was like a spotlight on a secret. “Or maybe you met someone.”

Maya’s cheeks warmed and she looked away, pretending to examine the dashboard. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Right,” Eva said knowingly, turning onto the main road with a sly smile. “If you say so, little sister. But I’ll be keeping an eye on you. If you start humming love songs or walking around with hearts in your eyes, I’m taking you hostage.”

Maya laughed, the sound lighter than it had been all day. “You’re impossible.”

Eva grinned, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “Someone’s got to be.”

The conversation drifted into comfortable silence as the car glided through the neighborhood. Maya let the warmth of the moment settle in her chest, a quiet hope blooming beneath the surface.

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Jack’s POV

He found himself pacing the edge of a quiet courtyard within the heavenly realm—a place of marble columns and softly glowing lanterns. The golden light here was softer than in the wider expanse of Heaven, making the moment feel intimate, like a secret waiting to be shared.

Jack’s thoughts were a whirlwind as he walked: She laughed today. It was awkward, a little loud, but it was real. She cares so much about the people around her, even when it’s hard. The way she looked at Mary… the way she almost smiled when I asked her out… She’s so human. So alive.

He stopped at the edge of a small fountain, water sparkling with ethereal light. The memory of Maya brushing her arm—the briefest touch—flared in his mind, warming him more than any divine light could.

Taking a deep breath, Jack summoned the familiar figure who had become his closest confidant since his own awakening.

“Castiel,” Jack called out softly.

Moments later, the angel appeared, his trench coat perfectly in place, eyes calm but curious.

“Jack. You summoned me.”

Jack’s excitement bubbled over. “I need to talk. About her. Maya.”

Castiel’s expression softened slightly. “Again?”

Jack laughed, a breathless sound that echoed with hope. “Yes. Again. I can’t stop thinking about her. About everything she said today. About the way she moves through her world with this… fierce kindness, even when it’s hard. The people she works with, the residents… they mean everything to her. She carries their pain quietly.”

Castiel nodded, crossing his arms. “You sound like you admire her greatly.”

“I do,” Jack admitted. “But I’m also terrified. I don’t want to mess this up. I want to show her I care, but I don’t want to overwhelm her. She’s been through so much already. And I’m... well, I’m not exactly the easiest person to understand.”

“Love isn’t about ease,” Castiel said. “It’s about presence. Being there.”

Jack’s eyes sparkled with urgency. “That’s why I want your help. I need to plan something—a date. Something thoughtful. Something that shows her I’m paying attention, that I see her.”

Castiel raised a brow. “You want me to help you plan a date?”

Jack nodded eagerly. “Please. You have… experience with this, right? You’ve been around humans for a long time. You must know what works.”

Castiel sighed, folding his hands. “Jack, this is one thing I cannot do for you.”

Jack blinked, confusion flickering. “Why not?”

“Because love is not a formula,” Castiel said firmly. “It’s not a checklist of gestures or a script to follow. It’s deeply personal. You must think of it yourself. What she loves, what makes her feel safe, what makes her laugh.”

Jack’s shoulders slumped just a little, but he nodded. “So... I have to figure it out on my own?”

“Yes.” Castiel’s voice softened. “And that is the most important part.”

Jack looked up, determination returning. “Okay. I can do that. I will do that.”

Castiel smiled gently. “Good. Now tell me, what do you know about her world?”

Jack’s face lit up as he launched into a careful recounting of what he’d observed—Maya’s work at the retirement home, her interactions with Mary and the other staff, the way she carried herself despite the weight she bore.

“She’s a healer in her own way,” Jack said. “Not just for the residents, but for everyone around her. Even when she’s tired, even when she’s scared.”

Castiel nodded, eyes thoughtful. “You see her strength. But also her vulnerability.”

“Yes,” Jack whispered. “And I want to be someone she can lean on. Not just someone who shows up in crises. Someone who stays.”

Castiel placed a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Then you’re already on the right path.”

Jack smiled, feeling a calm settle inside him. He still had so much to learn—about love, about Maya, about being human—but for the first time, it felt like hope was within reach.