"What's going on with my dad?" Max asked.

"You have only seen your father and uncle in action once." Raphael smiled at Max.

"I don't remember."

"You were just three. It was the beginning of the end for your parents' marriage. Your father fought to protect you from the demon your mother had sent after you. Your uncle and father fought and succeeded."

"Why did my father marry her?" Max asked, more to himself than to Raphael.

"Things happen for a reason and God uses everyone and everything. If your father had never met your mother, you would not be standing here. Your uncle would not have learned from his brother's mistakes, nor would he have taught you all of those valuable lessons."

"Yeah, that's true."

"I was just sent to let you know that your father and uncle are doing well. I must go. I am being summoned." Raphael smiled and his light intensified causing Max to turn away.

Max walked to his bed, sat down and laid back. It was going to be a long night. He hated sleeping apart from his wife and child.

Three days, later Max had successfully completed his fast. Though he longed to see Mei and Uriel, his body was too weak to make the journey back to the family's vacation home. He decided to stay one more night to eat all he could to regain his strength. After a large meal, he felt stronger and immediately began working on his hut. He headed out where the extra wood was stored. Facing the woodpile, he stretched to prepare his muscles for the heavy lifting.

Max picked up two ten-foot planks with ease and brought them into the hut. On his second trip he decided to bring in three planks, and by his last trip Max was surprised to pick up a stack of ten planks with ease. He worked quickly, building a room for his son with a chest of drawers and a toddler bed. The only thing missing was a small mattress for the diminutive bed.

Maxwell fought tirelessly. His mind was clear and focused as he fought alongside Archangel Gabriel. They fought into the morning and through the day without stopping.

Five days of pandemonium passed before Satan finally stopped sending in more of his demons. He finally realized he was losing the battle. He needed a better strategy. Calling upon his elite warriors he reserved only for the end time wars, he decided to send them in hoping one of them would succeed in destroying the Martinez men.

Maxwell and Tamarius sat on the floor trying to catch their breath. Their clothes were soaked with blood. Tamarius groaned in pain as he held his ribs. Raphael and a large group of angels moved around the room, standing guard as the dead demonic bodies were removed by Satan's slaves. Michael and his army continued to keep watch, making sure no surprise attacks came their way. Archangel Raphael walked over to Maxwell and Tamarius, and gave them each a bowl of what looked like white glowing porridge.

"You must eat this for your strength," he said.

They obeyed and ate all the food which had an indescribable taste. The men ate it quickly and felt the strength return to their body as they finished.

Maxwell put down the bowl and sighed. He looked around the room in amazement. The mansion was badly damaged and it would have to be remodeled. His thoughts eventually led back to his wife. He smiled at the thought of being married again. This time it felt right. He thought back to his marriage to Jenna, Max's mother. They had been too young to get married, but Maxwell had not given up and had tirelessly begged his father to approve their marriage.

He now wished he had listened to his father, but then realized if it hadn't been for that bad experience, he wouldn't have had Max. Maxwell's heart swelled with pride when he thought of his son. He would go through it all over again just to have him in his life.

"Maxwell, let me see your shoulder," Raphael requested.

Maxwell pulled back his shirt to reveal a dagger wound that went directly through his shoulder, just missing major arteries. Cuts and gashes covered both Tamarius and Maxwell and, as their bodies finally relaxed and their adrenalin levels dropped, they felt all the aches and pains. Their muscles ached, but they were happy to have succeeded.

Tamarius took a deep breath and thought about Makayla. He was relieved she was safe, but worried about her pregnancy. He knew the time was near for her to give birth to their son. He worried about what would happen to her because she was not aware of her pregnancy. Over the past month she had taken numerous pregnancy tests and had even gone to see a doctor, but all the tests had come back negative. Her stomach was barely noticeable and it killed Tamarius to keep such an important secret from her.

"Makayla is fine." Raphael smiled at Tamarius as he healed Maxwell who was beginning to drift off to sleep. Raphael allowed Maxwell to slump over. "He needs his rest." He gently guided his body to the floor. Another angel came with a pillow and set it under Maxwell's head, lovingly brushing his hair back to show Raphael another bruise on his forehead. Raphael nodded and healed Maxwell's forehead.

Another angel knelt beside Maxwell and passed his hands over Maxwell's body, checking for internal injuries and healing him as he went along.

They worked silently over Maxwell, making sure his body was completely healed and ready for battle. They knew Satan wasn't about to give up that easily. When they finished, Raphael looked to Tamarius. He was distant and quiet. Raphael knew where his spirit was.

"Tamarius," he called. "It is your turn." Raphael moved closer to him. "Lay back. One of your ribs is fractured, do you not feel that?"

Tamarius settled back and thought about the question. "Yes, I just..."

"Say no more. Be grateful, she is alive and well."

"I am."

Raphael and his assisting angel worked quickly on Tamarius.

Maxwell now lay in a light sleep, his mind still active with troubling thoughts. Tomorrow night would be New Year's Eve. Maxwell thought, about his wife and, wondered what she could be doing. He worried about how Cressida was feeling, remembering their last conversation.

Michael entered the room and headed directly towards them. "Maxwell and Tamarius, come with me," he instructed. "The battle has been delayed momentarily. Satan is pleading his case before God. Take this time to spend it with your family. We will let you know the outcome of the case soon."

"Thank God!" Maxwell exclaimed. He ran to the nearest house phone and called the pilot to come and pick them up.

"How long will it take?" Tamarius asked Michael.

"I'm not certain," Michael replied.

"Thank you all for everything you are doing for us."

Michael just smiled as he turned and walked away.

Maxwell came back, excited "The plane will be here later tonight. The crew will notify us when they get here."

"Great, I need to see my wife." Tamarius walked to the stairs.

"Where are you going to take a shower? They can't see us like this."

"Right," Maxwell whispered.

It was midnight by the time the plane arrived, and both men were eager to get to the family vacation home at the college. It was a very long flight, which included a stop for gas along the way. Maxwell and Tamarius kept each other distracted by making jokes and reminiscing about their childhood.

When the plane finally landed they couldn't wait to get off. They stood by the door, impatiently waiting for the steps to be put into place. The moment they stepped on the tarmac, a car rolled up beside them and brought them to the vacation home. They tiptoed into the home.

"Where do you think everyone is sleeping?" Maxwell asked.

"In a room," Tamarius whispered with a chuckle.

"Maybe we should just sleep out in the living room since everyone is asleep," Maxwell suggested.

They looked at each other and laughed. "Naw."

"So then, how are we going to do this?" Maxwell asked.

"Let's find our wives first," Tamarius replied.

Maxwell nodded as he quietly poked his head in the first room and saw Mei and Uriel curled up on the bed, but no Max. He slowly closed the door, now worried about the whereabouts of his son.

"Tamarius," he called in a loud whisper.

Tamarius was looking in on his wife as she slept in the same bed as Cressida. They looked so peaceful he didn't want to disturb them He closed the door as he heard his brother approaching.

"Max is not here," Maxwell whispered.

"What? Did you check outside?"

"He is not here."

"Mei and the baby are?"

"Yes."

"Maybe, he went somewhere. Maybe they had a fight," Tamarius suggested. "They have a hut on the island. He might be over there."

"Did you find them?"

"Yeah, but I won't bother them."

"What should we do?"

"Maxwell?" Cressida called. She came out of the room. "Is that you?" She walked cautiously towards Maxwell.

Maxwell ran to his wife and swept her off her feet to hug her.

Tamarius thought quickly and ran into the room where his wife slept. He locked the door behind him.

Maxwell glanced at the bedroom door and laughed. "I think we just lost the bed." He smiled as he kissed her.

"I'm sorry." Cressida smiled.

"We can crash on the pull-out couch."

"Okay." Cressida was happy to be in his arms again.

Tamarius moved slowly over his sleeping wife. He knelt beside her and slowly slipped his hand under the sheets, placing it over her womb. As Makayla slept heavily, the baby moved in her womb. She didn't feel a thing and Tamarius melted inside at the sensation of his son's movements. He smiled as he rested his hand over Makayla's warm belly, eager to hold his son for the first time.

Tamarius was in a blissful state when the baby abruptly stopped moving and Makayla called his name. Tamarius jumped and quickly pulled his hand away.

Makayla sat up in bed and looked at him with a puzzled gaze. "Babe, is that you?" she whispered.

"Yes," he said gently. The emotions in him were building up.

"You're back?" Makayla lunged forward and hugged him.

"I missed you." He hugged her and kissed her all over.

"Am I dreaming? Are you really here?" Makayla asked in disbelief.

"In the flesh, baby." Tamarius smiled and stood up to pull his shirt off. He quickly crawled into bed with her.

Makayla held onto him. "I can't believe you're here."

"I told you I would come back to you no matter what."

"When I saw all of those demons..."

"Uh uh, let's not go there. I just want to hold you."

"Why were you touching my stomach?" Makayla asked.

"I just wanted to touch you." He tried to avoid the truth.

Makayla wasn't satisfied with the answer, but reluctantly accepted it. She was just relieved he was back in one piece. "Is it over now?"

"Go back to sleep, woman."

Makayla laughed. She knew he was getting upset when he called her 'woman'. She moved closer to him as he wrapped his arms around her. They would finally both get a good night sleep.

New Year The Martinez family enjoyed ringing in the New Year together. Max returned early that Friday, elated to see his father and uncle back and alive. They celebrated together, enjoying each moment together, but in the back of Maxwell and Tamarius' mind, they secretly worried about returning to the battle. They knew in their hearts the time would be coming soon.

After counting down to the New Year, the family spent the early morning relaxing on the beach and watching the sunrise. Max and Mei returned to their cabin, giving up their room for Maxwell and Cressida. Max held his son as they walked back to their hut. Mei walked behind him feeling exhausted.

Max slowed his pace down to allow his wife to catch up. Mei smiled when she caught up with him.

"Maybe I should be carrying you," Max said, smiling at her.

"I'm just so tired," Mei complained.

"When we get home, I'll put you to bed."

"I need a shower."

"Almost there," Max said as they stepped onto the path that led to their village.

"It's so quiet. I feel like we're breaking in or something," Mei said.

"I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?"

When they reached the hut Max handed a sleeping Uriel to Mei. He unlocked the door. "Take my hand?" Max asked, putting out his hand for Mei.

"Are you serious?" Mei laughed. She took his hand and closed her eyes.

"Watch your step. You're holding all my kids," Max teased, causing Mei to giggled.

When Mei reached the center of the hut, Max told her to open her eyes.