CHAPTER 4

Standing by the living room window, Monica watched as the first sunrays brightened the earth. While Andrew removed the remains of breakfast from the dining table, she spent a few minutes thinking about her next assignment. Facing the world of the human beings after all that'd happened to her was a real challenge. Monica had lived long enough to witness the horrible things man was capable of doing; yet, being trapped like an animal and ending up terribly ill because two men wanted to trade her for money had made her see the world in another perspective; this one a lot scarier.

Monica was afraid. In fact, the idea of being all alone out there and away from Andrew's arms caused her so much panic that the blond angel could feel it even though she hadn't uttered a word. He emerged from the kitchen door frowning with concern. "Monica? Angel, are you alright?"

She knew he'd felt her anguish and mentally scolded herself for allowing that to happen. Their connection had become a lot stronger with the latest events and most of the times the Irish angel wasn't able to have control over it. That was one of those occasions. A bit embarrassed, Monica blinked at him searching for the right words to express what she was feeling, but they all died in her mouth and the only thing she managed to do was to hold him tightly.

A million thoughts ran through Andrew's mind. Deep down inside he was against the idea of seeing his beloved Monica back at work so soon after her ordeal. But he also knew that God had a perfect plan for her and if He himself was sending her to a new assignment then it was because she was the right angel to fulfill it. Kissing the top of her head, Andrew tightened his loving embrace, tenderly combing her hair. "I know, Angel, I know..."

Indeed, there was no need for her to speak – he knew her way too well to understand what was on her mind and in her heart.

"I'll be thinking of you all the time..." she whispered, with her eyes closed.

A slight smile played on his lips as he heard that. For many times, especially since they had met at the cabin again, Andrew felt deeply blessed and honored to have her love. It was like a treasure, a precious jewel he'd promised to keep deep in his heart. "Well, I could say that the same goes to you, but then ever since we first met I can't remember one single moment I didn't think of you, baby." She held him even tighter and he knew she was crying inside.

A long minute later, Monica pulled away and looked deep inside his dark green pools, her own eyes already wet with tears. "I know it won't be easy to get used to this world again... But you're here too, and that fact alone makes this same world a lot more beautiful to me, and it comforts my heart..."

Never breaking their loving gaze, Andrew cupped her cheek and gently removed the strands of hair, wet with tears, away from her face. "Have I told you today that I love you beyond words, Angel?"

"In fact... You just did, Andrew..." she replied, leaning on his touch, "... I heard it right here in my heart..."

Her smile and meek features and manners only made him more and more in infatuated with her. That sweet little angel certainly deserved all the love and tenderness he could give her, as she'd made his own heart her home. Slowly, he bent down his head and touched her lips with his; lightly and tenderly, like a light caress that could express a million of loving words. Then, his hand moved from her cheek to the back of her head and he pressed his lips more firmly onto hers a bit more, deepening their sweet kiss, which she returned just as lovingly and warmly. Only on the following minute did they part, and that affectionate kiss became smaller ones – Andrew kissed her cheeks, forehead and the tip of her nose before holding her again.

"I love you..." Her simple words were full of truth and emotion.

"I love you, too, Angel... You're my world..."

They remained in that loving embrace for another minute when Andrew kissed the top of her head and spoke again, "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes..."

Noticing that she made no move to disentangle from his loving arms, the blond angel smiled and tightened the hold around her, perfectly aware of what she wanted. "Okay, then..."

They used to do that once in a while: disappearing together after an assignment had finished, heading straight Home. Andrew even recalled one of the best occasions when they had done it: while dancing, at The sign of the Dove. Slowly, their form started to fade, and a few moments later, the two angels finally left the cabin in the woods – their hideaway and the safest place on Earth for them to stay.

X

Monica and Andrew reappeared in a small street, near the local church. As the little angel kept her eyes closed all the time, he kissed the top of her head again and gave her a light squeeze. "We're here, baby..."

"I know... I just wish this could last a couple of minutes more..." she replied, causing him to chuckle. He indulged her and kept his embrace for some long minutes.

When Andrew finally had the courage, he pulled away. Her doe-like eyes and the way she looked at him broke his heart: all her fear and sadness were evident in those sweet brown pools, and at that very moment all he wanted was to hold her tightly and remain by her side. But the blond angel knew he couldn't do it – he was a servant of God just like her and somewhere on Earth there were people needing their help. Besides, he trusted the Father would be taking care of her while they were apart. Andrew just prayed that their being apart wouldn't last for long.

"I promise that if I manage to finish my assignment first, I'll come here to see you, baby." He caressed her face with usual tenderness, "And remember that you're never alone, sweetie... God is taking care of you and Tess will be here too. Besides, I'm always with you, in my thoughts... I'm my prayers... And in my heart... I'll be counting on my watch all the minutes to see you again."

Monica nodded her head, biting her lower lip in an attempt to force back the new tears that were about to fall. "I know..."

Praying for time to go by fast – and aware that it wouldn't, as his beloved Monica wouldn't be with him, Andrew pulled her closer and brushed a loving kiss on her forehead, "I'm carrying you right here in my heart, Angel. Your beautiful smile and your voice, this lovely accent you have, your sweetness and innocence, and our love... And I want you to do the same when you feel sad. Please, remember what we have now."

Monica studied every detail of his handsome face, giving special attention to his bright green eyes, so full of trust. Then she nodded her head, a slight smile reappearing on her face as he mentioned those things. "I promise I will."

He lay both hands on each side of her face and brought it close to his lips once again, in a slow tender kiss, full of deep love. Monica covered his hands with hers as he tenderly brushed her temple with his thumbs, never breaking that sweet kiss. A moment later, though, the impending separation was necessary, as the blond angel felt that his presence was being requested some place else.

He gently disentangled from her and took her hands, kissing each of them. "Now come with me, I'll take you up to the church..."

Hand in hand, the couple of angels headed to the small church, where they would find Tess in the sacristy, taking care of the donations for the homeless people.

"Hello baby," Tess' dark eyes took in every feature of Monica's face, from the nervousness in her dark eyes to the tiny smile on her face, "Are you ready to get started?"

Feeling Andrew giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, the little angel managed a small nod, despite the fact that she held Andrew's hand in a near death grip.

Tess could clearly sense the tension in her two angel babies, but decided that not giving them time to think about things was the best way to proceed. Reaching over to the counter behind her, she handed Monica a box and the keys to her car, "Angel Girl, this needs to delivered to a needy family and you'll find the address on the side of the box. These people have been having a rough time lately, and there is enough food in here to last about a week, so hopefully that will help."

"I'll walk you out," Andrew stated as he took the box from the little angel's hands.

Tess nodded her head, "That's fine, Angel Boy, but remember, she needs to be there soon for this assignment to begin."

"We won't take but a minute," He promised the supervising angel before he led Monica back outside where they found the caddy parked. Andrew carefully placed the box in the back seat of the car and then turned to take Monica's small hands into his own. Resting one of their joined hands over his heart, he looked deeply into her eyes, "You'll be right here the whole time, Angel, and you'll be fine. There's nothing to fear."

"I know," She whispered softly before he pulled her into his strong arms one last time, "I love you."

He felt the small tremble that went through her tiny body and he closed his eyes against his concern for her, "I love you too, baby. More than you can ever imagine and I have so much faith in you and in your abilities. You are an amazing angel…and I'm not just saying that because you are my angel either."

A small giggle escaped her, "I think you may just be a wee bit partial, Andrew."

Pulling back to look into her face, he grinned, "Well, maybe just a teeny bit, but it is still the truth and don't you forget it."

Seeing the glint of seriousness in his eyes, she nodded, "I won't. I promise." Biting her lower lip, she glanced at the car, "I guess I'd better go before Tess comes out here looking for me."

"You forgot one thing," Andrew watched as she looked up at him with questioning eyes. Dipping his head, his lips caressed hers lovingly for a moment, "Now you'd better go," He whispered, his voice husky with emotion, "Be safe, angel."

"I will."