16/XVI. Is There Not A Cause? (Remastered)

Where is he? Where is the angel? The messenger of God? Please…

Michael heard the prayer of Noah, who frantically roamed around the dangerous plains in search for the angel.

SFX: Woosh!

The strong winds carried the two of them at the entrance of the trenches as if they had teleported and as Noah opened his eyes, the hooded man came into sight.

“Messenger of God!” He sprang to his feet and quickly dashed towards the direction of the angel.

“Michael.” He looked puzzled, seeing Noah who had an appearance of a drunken stupor to the embrace he experience as the man stumbled to get near him.

“Michael, please, I- I need your help.” Noah stuttered and couldn’t catch his breathe.

He had been scribbling in the crowds, in the plains, not minding his own safety, but he just wanted to find Michael.

“What for?” The angel inquired, curious in his answer, Michael stood still as he looked at Noah, as his legs collapsed on the ground frantically hugging his on the process.

“I- my son, Ham- please help.” Out of breathe, those were the only words that came out of his mouth as he looked at Michael’s eyes directly, seeking for compassion and mercy from God’s messenger.

SFX: Woosh!

The two teleported once more as the strong breeze came, directly inside the cave where the family resided, Ham, one of Noah’s son is running a high fever, with convulsions and hallucinations, murmuring by himself in one of the beds laid out with sheep’s wool.

“Please… my son.”

The family already knew that the stranger that they fed that night had the presence of God, but they did not know the extent of his powers, seeing the two brought back by strong winds through teleportation, they understood that the angel was the only force that can help them through anything.

“Why call me?” Michael wanted to see, no, hear, Noah’s faith through his words, he already saw them through his actions as the man endangered his life to ask for mercy, for healing, but he wanted to hear his heart.

Through telepathy, he can hear the human’s thoughts, the more malice in their thoughts, the more louder their heart is, but Noah’s, he couldn’t even hear a murmur, it’s as if, the man’s pure innocent, a first time, apart from Adam before the fall, this happened to Michael.

“I… I believe you have the answer, just like you had the answer to my lifelong question about my heritage. I believe.”

Beautifully put words, it pleased him so much that even though he is not the Angel of Healing, he laid his hands on Noah’s son, and a few minutes later, the man seeing and hearing colors, was brought back to the fabric of reality.

“Guys?” Ham wondered why his whole family was beside him, wide-eyed, and suddenly hugged him.

Out of his mind, not due to the fever, but due to the reception back to reality, his eyes lingered to the angel that one moment kneeling beside his bed, and the next gone in the blink of an eye.

“What? Messenger, wait!” Noah struggled to hold back, he wanted to find the angel quickly to thank him, and he also wanted to stay and hug his son out of recovery, but he only has one body, and seeing that the angel disappeared from before their eyes, he decided to stay and tightly welcomed his son back to health.

Years passed but Michael never came again to the family.

They didn’t need him since there had been no other dire situation since Ham’s fever.

The family relatively lived quietly and silently hidden from the prying eyes of the plain’s wicked men as time grew by.

But ever since Noah had the visitor, he has been experiencing Oracles in his sleep.

“NO! NO! NO!” Cold sweat dripped down from his face as he woke up from the nightmare.

He can’t remember the last time he tracked his dreams, but this was the first time that he experienced such agony.

The feeling that you were drowning under large amounts of water, and cannot swim out, no place or no land could hold, no surviving human to see, just a world, filled with water, lifeless, and stale.

Once a month, he would have this nightmare, since the day that Michael visited. That was the reason that Noah had been calling the angel, the messenger of God.

“Noah, what happened?” His wife caressed his head full of sweat as he tried to show a calm demeanor.

He always wondered if Michael will ever be back or a visit from another angel will occur, but all this time, he just waited.

“I…” He sighed, worrying his wife further, but he wanted to be honest in front of her.

“I kept seeing these things, and I wanted answers, but I can’t find the messenger.” He looked her at the eye, and touched her cheeks, trying to reassure her worries above all else a husband should do in these kinds of waking moments.

“I’m sure he will turn up one day.” She wanted to reassure him as much as he does, and her comforting words were what Noah needed that time.

“Why is he seeing water and everything and everyone in water?” Johnny cutely pouted at Arthur as he closed the book, Eddie wondered as well as they tried to discuss further the book of Genesis.

“I don’t think that’s what the Bible said… I… Mary read to me the books of the Bible, and I have never…” Eddie tried to interrupt, but he became quickly captivated to how Arthur told the stories in the Bible.

Mary only read to him what was written in the books, but Arthur interprets it in a way that was interesting, and that his heart fluttered as he heard the stories.

“Shhhhh… let’s… let’s sleep, okay?” Johnny sheepishly rebuked Eddie in interrupting, but as Arthur closed the book and returned it to the book shelf, he dragged the bed sheet near the edge of the bed signaling Eddie to sleep with them.

“The bed’s big enough, can you join us?” Arthur offered a hand as well, surprised by this kind and sweet gesture, Eddie held onto Arthur’s hand and jumped onto the bed as well, and the three comfortably found their own sleeping spot amidst the big queen bed.

“Lord, we thank you for this day that we were safe travelling home, and that we learned that we had a brother here waiting for us, hoping that our sleep would be gentle, protect us from any harm and give us another day tomorrow.” Arthur lead the prayer as the twins positioned themselves in the bed.

This was the first time Eddie felt peace after saying goodbye to Mary that faithful day.

I did hope that this day would end fast, but I didn’t expect that this day would end that fast.

The next day, Matthew arranged the twin’s school documents and papers for them to be able to resume classes on the next stage of their school life in London, middle school, in September.

Edward quickly went off to work immediately after breakfast as he kissed his three children goodbye.

The three kids had a lazy day today, and decided to talk about each other to be acquainted and to know more of each others’ lives.

“We… were born July seven nineteen-ninety-seven.” Arthur began, as if stating a chronological story or events in their lives, as it was befitting to start with their birth.

“You?” Johnny’s eyes glisten in curiosity as he asked his older brother.

“I’m born September three nineteen-ninety-three, wait, you just had your birthday a few days ago?” He answered in question, thankfully, he did uncritically.

“Yes, we just turned eight, when Dad brought his gift of the airplane ticket here to London.” Arthur tried to evade his questions by simplifying his answers.

He doesn’t want to reveal too much, as he can feel malice from Eddie’s thoughts, not malice of envy or anger, but malice from doubt and insincerity.

“Dad mentioned Mary, how’s she? How did she manage to help you here?” His doubtful thoughts subsided, the topic of Mary was a little sensitive on their first day, but she wanted to share how Mary was really great in raising him to other people, but he doesn’t want to stand out so much.

“Mary became my mother. She supported me in every way. She-…” Eddie seemed to be at loss for words, he can only describe her so much, the person who saved him when he needed saving, the person who cared for him when even his father doesn’t, and the person who hugged his anxieties away as they flooded into him knowing the truth about his parents.

“Mary’s sounds amazing!” Johnny exclaimed, not thoroughly knowing and reading the atmosphere of the room.

“She was.” Agreeing and smiling at Johnny as he held his older brother’s hands.

“Did the two of you lived here?” Arthur walked around Eddie’s room, feeling the walls, and the table, touching each surface, finding every memory using Oracle by the use of touch as Eddie shared his moments with Mary in the home.

“This and that, and how we laughed about this! Hahahahahha!” Time flew by as the twins listen to Eddie’s amazing stories of his adventures with Mary and their father.

The Big Ben rang from the distance from the small mansion, it’s already noon.

“I’m really glad that you enjoyed your time with Mary and father.” Eddie felt uncomfortable over Arthur’s words, but as he saw his face, one that shows envy and desire, he only had a few words,

“Yes, and thank you.” Those gentle words stroke the twin’s hearts, as they smiled back to Eddie.

“Maybe you can tell me your life back at the States after lunch?” Eddie asked sweetly.

“Sure.” Arthur answered softly and the three headed downstairs as Matthew prepared the dinner table.

“I prepared staple London dishes. I hope it is to your liking, Master Eddie.” Matthew smiled as he laid down another plate in front of Eddie and the kids.

“You don’t have to call me that, please, I would be more comfortable with Eddie.” The child tried to dissuade Matthew in calling him, ‘master’.

“I have been the household butler for many years, please, Master Eddie.” The words, ‘master’ still doesn’t sit right to his ears, and his sourly face says it all.

“Just leave him be, brother, if he doesn’t do that, he will be the one that’s uncomfortable. You’ll get used to it.” Johnny waved as he jumped onto the dining chair.

“You got used to it?”

“Yeah, just don’t let it inflate your head.” Arthur warned him of the repercussions of getting used to being called, ‘master’.

“Hi kids!” A familiar tone entered the household before they could say grace, it was Edward, and hearing his voice for the first time before eating Lunch was a treat for the twins.

“Dad!”

“Father!”

The two turned around in excitement, Eddie saw how the two anticipated their father to return.

“I’m here for lunch!” He gleefully stepped in, closed and locked the front door, and dashed to the dining room, attracted by the beautiful aroma floating around.

“Beef and gravy, vegetables, and mashed potatoes…” Edward inhaled the sweet, and meaty aroma that’s been lingering the kitchen as he walk past the main dishes to his seat on the dining table.

“I believe these are your favorite dishes as well, Sir.” Matthew served the family as he went around the table, but there was one particular thing that had not gone unnoticed for Eddie.

Matthew first served Edward which was seated at the northside of the table, then around him at the south-side, then Johnny, and the last one was Arthur, but when it came to his plate, the amount of beef, gravy and mashed potatoes were not in proportion with the vegetables, but the vegetables are the ones that are the largest portion.

Comparing it to Matthew’s plates which is the last plate, he wondered, why are the meat for Arthur less than Matthew’s?

But before he could raise his question, “Let’s say grace.” Edward seemed to be in a hurry.

After praying for the food, everyone started to eat as if there was nothing wrong with what just happened, and avoiding raising the question and getting the awkward treatment, Eddie went along and just ate his food quietly.

“How are the school documents of Arthur and Johnny? Have you already prepared them?” Edward never wanted silence while eating.

“They’re already prepared, Sir, but, I think… the two should decide if they wanted to take advanced classes, the same as we had done at the States.” He recommended.

“I’d like to take them, if we can skip some levels to graduation, we’ll be more than glad to do so.” Arthur became straightforward ever since knowing Eddie, the small moments they have now were the foundation of their friendship.

“I believe you already decided your course of work at this young age?” Edward wanted to earnestly know what Arthur and Johnny were thinking, between the two of them, Arthur took the lead in being the vocal one since he’s the older of the twin.

“We wanted to take several courses.” Arthur simplified his answer, and Edward was left, yet, more mysteries, questions rather than answers. Eddie was at loss as well.

Mary told him one time about courses, and what jobs were out there, but knowing that his brothers were just eight years old and they knew what job they were looking for stopped him in his tracks.

“I want to take aviation, and I want to be trained in the military and marines.” Johnny proudly answered his puzzled father, at least half of his questions were closed.

“That would be great, Johnny, I’m sure you will be the greatest military officer there is, knowing piloting, sea navigation and military training. How about you, Arthur?” He couldn’t wait to know what Arthur has planned, and he shifted his questioning back to Arthur.

“I want to take aviation, medicine, some classes in military, and Law Enforcement.” Arthur took a wider variety of courses.

“Medicine?” His father asked, taking military and law enforcement are connected, yes, but why medicine?

“I wanted to see how I can help myself with this heart disease of mine.” His answer made his father shocked and unmoving.

Heart Disease? Eddie only listened in silence.

“I’m sorry, Art…” Edward sighed as he laid down his utensils, he just wanted to hug Arthur, of all the burdens that he gave the twin, he always blamed himself for giving Arthur a weak body.

“Father, you don’t have to be. It’s not your fault.” Arthur reassured his father, as he smiled facing him, then redirected the conversation,

“What about you, Eddie, have you thought about getting a job or work?”

The sudden shift of attention to him made him blurt out the water that he was drinking, “ Cough* Cough* Cough* “ He wiped the water out of his mouth, “I was thinking of being a police.” He smiled awkwardly.

“Law enforcement, huh… I think there’s a pattern here, kids, do all of you look up to me?” The father tried to lighten up the mood.

And the kids… “Pff-… pfft… pffftttt… bwahahhahahaha…. hAHHAHAHAHHAH!” The three laughed together, it really did lighten the mood. Edward and Matthew chimed in as the whole family eat together.

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Knowing that Eddie had no malice anymore for the twin, Arthur and Johnny told their older brother about their life in Los Angeles, leaving the part of Michael in the story.

Nothing much happened for the next few years of their lives. But back in Los Angeles, the clone of Michael continued assisting the SCD of LAPD and protecting the McMillan family home.

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Arthur and Johnny were able to skip past many years of education by taking in the Advanced Examinations and as they hit twelve on their birthday, they were able to both able to graduate senior high school course.

A night to remember indeed…

“Congratulations, you two! You’ve been able to graduate, youngest in history, though you look like you’re already fit to graduate.” The principal called for Edward, the twins, Matthew, and their homeroom teacher and counselor.

“The twins were able to pass each exam with ease, from the advancement exams to the periodical exams, and the quizzes.” The counselor smiled as he looked at the twins who stayed silent for the rest of the meeting.

“My boys are quite geniuses, but I would like to request a silent, hidden ceremony with no records.” Edward arranged this meeting for the very reason he wanted to hide his twins’ accomplishment from the world.

“Mister Smith, this is unprecedented, don’t you think that the world needs to recognize their accomplishments?” The principal attempted to change Edward’s mind, he wanted to parade the twin’s graduation as his accomplishment in the school as well.

“Fame wouldn’t do them any good, and my kids know that, we only wanted to live quietly.” As Edward stated his reason, both the principal and the counselor sympathized with him and knowing the twins’ silence means agreement, the other two had no other choice but to give in.

“I understand, alright, we will be able to celebrate your graduation, two days after the school’s, and no records, just your diplomas.” The principal would rather give in to this one request, rather than lose his prodigies, he had to surrender his desire to fame as well, but this is monumental for the school.

As the twin’s senior graduation is nearing, so was Eddie’s. Eddie was able to skip two levels due to the intervention of Arthur and Johnny to his studies, and all three of them will graduate this spring.

The three thought that their graduation was the main event of the year, but clearly not, a day before the school’s graduation, this one dreary, rainy night, a doctor and his son came knocking at their front door.

“Yes, how can I help you?” Matthew answered the door, as always, politely, and welcoming.

“I’m Doctor Zack Miles, this is my son, Jackson, is… is Mister Edward here?” The two drenched in the rain, appearing too desperate, the scrambling noise at the front door woke Arthur and Johnny up, but Eddie in the farthest room didn’t seem to hear anything under the loud noise of the rain.

“I’m sorry. Do you have any appointments with Sir Edward?” Matthew tried to reason out with the two, as the creak from the twin’s room echoed through the hallway and to the first floor.

It was one of the weirdest thing as Edward was not known to bring work inside the home.

“Matthew, let them in.” Arthur called out for the butler, as if rebuking him for not having compassion on the father-son duo that was drenched in the rain.

“As you wish, young master.” He understood the words and the eye contact they just had, he knew he can trust Arthur’s instincts when it comes to strangers.

“Get them dry towels.” Arthur slowly descended the staircase to face the guests who earnestly wanted to talk with his father.

“Yes, sir.” The twenty-two year old Jackson showed his utter contempt against the young master.

His face reflected his disdain upon a child ordering an adult and that the child lived in a mansion carefree.

“I can see that you are in dire need of my father. He’s not yet home, but let me see what I can do.” Arthur’s words brought more malice to Jackson’s mind as he misunderstood those words to the words of a spoiled brat.

Arthur brought out his flip-phone and dialed the number of his dad, it only took two rings from the phone as Edward answered it immediately.

“Hey, Arthur, what’s up? Why are you still awake?” The refreshing tone of his father calmed him down as he tried to gauge the father-son combo in front of him.

The father was leaking anxiety through the sweat in his face, and the shaking of his hands, while the son was truly displaying malice.

“Father, there are some guests here at home looking for you. I need you to talk to them, please.” Arthur’s serious tone surprised Edward on the other line, but he allowed it.

Arthur then handed the phone to Zack, “Are you sure?”

He offered his two hands to get the phone. “Yes. You can talk to my father.” He reassured him.

“Mister Edwards?” Arthur went straight to the dining room where Matthew was preparing the dry towels, respectful of the conversation of the adults, but still listening intently and silently.

“Yes, I am he.”

“I’m Doctor Zack.” The man crouched his back in shame, bowing at the air he faced.

“Yes, I know, Darla mentioned you earlier, she told me you’re asking for a favor.”

“Yes. I-“ He stuttered getting the right words out.

“Before you tell me anything, you know me, right?” Edward directly interrupted him.

“Yes, I have heard stories.” The doctor replied immediately.

“Then, you would know that I do not grant favors without something in return.” He stated his bargain.

“Yes, what do you want in return?” Zack asked what Edward desired of him in return of the favor.

“I heard that your son is studying medicine now in Harvard under a full scholarship, is this correct?” Edward truly researched the man, his family and his background before considering this favor.

“Yes- yes, that’s… that’s right.” The doctor’s voice changed to a hesitating one. He can give anything but his family.

“Dry towels.” Matthew brought out the towels and helped them in drying out their clothes.

Arthur went in the kitchen to heat some water for tea, while listening to the conversation in the living room.

“Then, I want your son.” Edward went straight to the point.

“Wait, wha- what?” The shock came across Arthur as he read the room. The face of the doctor went completely pale upon hearing the bargain that Edward wanted.

“After this week, I will officially adopt him as my son. He can keep your last name. I will provide him his every need.” He gave his terms one by one.

“You can still visit him, but he will live under my residence, and he will use his medicine expertise for my family, and he will be our family doctor.” Edward continued.

“If that’s the condition, then, I can…” The old man tried to offer himself as the family doctor.

“No, it has to be your son.” Edward clearly stated his desire.

“But-“ The doctor tried to plead against the bargain.

“Let’s be honest, Zack, you’re getting old, and will be under retirement, but your son, he’s still a budding new leaf. I need your son to be our family doctor, and if I were to give him every resource to be, he needs to be adopted under MY family.” The voice on the other line emphasized that word strongly.

“Can I- I talk to my son with this?” Zack looked down in shame, as he could only inform his son of what was coming ahead.

“Sure. I’m on my way home. You can give back this phone to my son.” Edward cut short the conversation on the phone.

“Yes, Sir.”

The conversation went terrible, but not what I was expecting. Arthur thought as he poured the tea leaves on to the pot.

Why is father granting favors? What is going on?