“so" he asked. She was stunned and amazed-and happier than she'd ever been before. It couldn't possibly be real, she thought-unless she spoke the truth aloud, with Daniel and the rest of the fallen angels there to witness. "I'm Lucinda," she said. "I'm your angel.”

“So. You're a fallen angel." She folded her arms."I'm not fallen," he said roughly."Then what are you?"He shrugged. "Busted.”

“Ever had a beer before?" Gabriel grinned. She shook her head."Then I'm glad I'm your first.""Have you ever held a boy's hand before?" She shook her head, and he laughed softly. "Then I'm glad I'm your first.""Have you ever been kissed by a boy?" She blushed deeply and shook her head."Then I'm glad I'm your first.""Have you ever fallen asleep in the arms of a boy before, Beatrice?"She shook her head."Then I'm glad I'm your first.""I haven't really danced like this before," she said wistfully."Then I'm glad I'm your first.""Has a man ever asked you to marry him before?"She shook her head, covering her mouth with her hand."Then I'm glad I'm your first.”

“You're an angel," she repeated slowly, surprised to see Daniel close his eyes and moan in pleasure, almost as if they were kissing. "I'm in love with an angel.”

“He calls me Josephine. He says I'm an angel, a saint, his good lucky star. I know I'm no angel, but in truth I have begun to like this Josephine he sees. She is intelligent; she amuses; she is pleasing. She is grace and charm and heart. Unlike Rose; scared, haunted and needy. Unlike Rose with her sad life.”

“Will you tell me again?" he asked, almost shyly. "Will you tell me what I am?""You're an angel," she repeated slowly, surprised to see Daniel close his eyes and moan in pleasure, almost as if they were kissing. "I'm in love with an angel.”