Blue eyes. The deepest color you've ever seen, were set in the most precious, cherubic face. The face of my new born daughter—Katherine. I thought my heart would burst with overflow of love I had for her. And the first time she opened her sapphire eyes and looked at me, I knew Katherine felt the same. But my sweet, angel-like child was not strong enough for this world.

With the death of her brave father in the war, my heart weakened—pleading with me to let it give up. How could I wish it to go on beating? My darling, baby girl was the answer. So when, after only a few short days with each other, my innocent Katherine's time was cut short. I knew then that all my reasons for living were gone.

And as I held my daughter's perfect face behind my tear-filled, fevered eyes; I stepped soundlessly out from the precipice.

I startled awake. Had I been dreaming of falling? Surely I had not.

I looked to find myself seated in a soft, cream colored chair, bathed in warm light from the nearby end table's lamp. Safe.

But where was I?

Chapter One:

"Hello?" I called, softer than I had planned. I couldn't exactly place where I was. Like I was redreaming sitting in the open room I now found myself. Almost as if my mind could taste this memory, but was unable to grab anything substantial. But before I could lift from the chair I sat in a tall, well-dressed man approached. His teeth caught in the light of the solely lit lamp in a dazzling smile.

"There you are." He spoke in a familiar voice. A moment later I was swept into a firm embrace.

The oddest sensations ran through me. I wanted to wrap my arms around this man, a man who I could almost swear I'd never met in my life! I felt as if this was done every day, when I knew firmly that I was hardly ever held close to anyone. The briefest memory of myself enveloping a child in my arms flashed in my eyes. I stiffened and drew away—with steadily mounting confusion.

"You smell lovely." The man smiled once again, and his teeth flashing.

"Where is everyone?" I breathed, looking around the empty room. This seemed the correct thing to say.

"Gone hunting. They should be back in a few days time." A crease formed between two perfectly arched eyebrows. "Until then," he leaned in to deeply inhale my falling hair. "we have the house to ourselves."

I withdrew, quickly uncomfortable with the intimate way this man held me. The lights were too soothing. It seemed impossible to think! I then saw the man's face—so close to mine I could smell his sweet breath. My mouth parted in a quick inhale that whistled down into my chest.

"You are so," I couldn't think of the word clearly. "…beautiful!"

"And we have been apart for far too long my darling." He captured my lips in a kiss that should have brought the blood screaming to the top of my skin. I wanted to throw myself into the passion that implored me to set it free; but even though this seemed so familiar, I knew I had never kissed an angel's lips before!

I moved faster than I could have imagined to the wall where I threw the light switch upwards.

It didn't help.

He was even more exquisite in the light. Golden hair that was neatly manicured back, impeccable taste in clothing as he was dressed in a deep blue dress shirt and dark pants, and what had to be genuine leather shoes. All he lacked were the wings that, I had no doubt would appear any moment.

"What do you think…" I sputtered. At a loss for words.

The perfect, heavenly man frowned, deepening the furrow on his forehead. His features seemed odd. As if they didn't wear the expression of confusion often.

"Is something the matter Esme? Did you not wish to…" he began.

"Esme?" I puzzled. The name was another taste of familiarity, but it was not right somehow.

A breath was barely taken through my parted mouth before he was to my side, his hands tight around my shoulders.

"What is the matter? Have I done something to upset you?"

I blinked at him. The stranger was too close. His face overwhelming. Why was here?

"I don't know you!" I blurted out.