CHAPTER 5

Andrew was grateful to awaken early, simply so he could enjoy the feeling of having his wife nestled into his arms, a slight smile on her lovely face after their night of love making. Her auburn tresses were fanned out over his shoulder as her cheek rested against his heart, bringing great peace to his own. He was hoping that many mornings on their current assignments could begin this way; Andrew knew she loathed being away from him and though he always strove to instill courage in her sweet soul, he felt exactly the same away about being separated.

Shifting ever so slightly, he brushed his lips against the top of her head, before closing his eyes again briefly, allowing his fingers to comb gently through her hair. If only everything could be this simple, could feel this perfect. When he was with Monica, alone, secluded and safe, all seemed right with the world. It was only when they had to venture outside of their cocoon, that he was reminded of how evil humanity could be and how exposed to it the most innocent truly were. Sometimes it seemed as if only those most ruthless; those who cared the least about the pain of others, could remain untouched, and that explained how those most like children and Monica were so easily hurt.

That was one of the many reasons moments like these were so infinitely precious to him. Here, he could hold her and keep her safe and not have to worry about what possible situations she could be involved with that could cause her pain. He never wanted her to be hurt but he also knew there would be times that nothing he could do would be able to prevent it.

A contented sigh distracted him from his thoughts and he gazed down lovingly and watched her long lashes flutter slightly as she began to wake. Her small hand moved from beneath her cheek to stretch out across his chest in order to cuddle down closer to him and Andrew felt his heart clench with an almost overpowering feeling of love. His fingers moved from her hair to brush lightly down her back and he watched a peaceful smile cross her beautiful face as her eyes finally opened.

"Good morning." Monica's smile was almost shy and he found it endearing.

"That it is," Andrew replied with a grin of his own, reveling in her tiny giggle. He knew they only had a little over an hour before they needed to report for work, but he planned on enjoying every second of it in her presence.

Turning her head slightly, Monica kissed his chest, "Did I tell you last night how happy I was you were free for a slumber party?"

"I think you expressed your gratitude," He winked at her, watching as her cheeks flushed pink, making her even more adorable. Rolling over slightly, so he could gaze down into her face, Andrew brushed away a wayward strand of her hair, before kissing her deeply, giving her a "proper" good morning.

"It seems you are rather pleased about last night's arrangement as well," She replied smugly once their lips parted, enjoying the chuckle that came from her beloved husband.

"Any moments I can spend with you, Angel, do more than please me. They are the most precious moments of my existence."

She gazed deeply into his emerald eyes, the mirrors to his soul, "You're feeling better." It wasn't a question as she could see it was the truth.

"Right now, yes. Even the worst things don't seem as bad when I am with you."

"I have been praying and asking for the Father to take your pain away, so I don't know how much I had to do with it," Monica was smiling, simply grateful to not see such great pain in his eyes right now.

"More than you will ever realize, baby." His lips brushed hers again, "But right now, I think I am neglecting my husbandly duties."

Her expression turned perplexed, "No, you never do."

"If that were true, you would be able to smell fresh brewed coffee by now. " Andrew touched the end of her nose with his finger.

"But I happen to think that lying here with you is even better than fresh brewed coffee."

Andrew's eyes widened in mock surprise, "Now that is quite a compliment coming from the coffee addicted Angel of Truth!"

She saw his mock surprise and raised him playful indignation, "You don't think I love you more than my coffee?"

A real laugh escaped him at her haughty expression before he kissed her soundly, "Never doubted it for a moment, Angel."

X

In many ways, it seemed to Monica that she and Andrew were very much like a regular married couple, such as now, as they walked outside of their little temporary home to go to their respective assignments, much as a married human couple would part ways for work each morning. It was a little piece of normalcy that warmed her heart, even if it meant not being with him for awhile.

"I'll be thinking about you today," She looked up into his handsome face as she rested her hands on his hips, the mere feeling of her hands against him causing a sensation like electricity to flow through her. She wondered if touching him would ever become commonplace. She highly doubted it and hoped not.

His green eyes gazed deeply into hers, as if memorizing every tiny fleck of color, "And I, you, Angel," His strong hands gently cupped her face, his need to touch her nearly consuming him.

"Do you think you'll be permitted another slumber party tonight?" Her expression was hopeful. She hated being down here without him by her side, especially at night.

"The Father knows our hearts, and if it is possible I am certain He will permit it." He was already silently praying for it to happen. Dipping his head, he brought his lips to hers in a long, lingering kiss, "I love you with all that I am, Angel."

"I love you too…so much I fear words have not been created to express it properly." Yet they rarely needed words; only a look or a touch.

And as he vanished, Monica could still sense the lingering warmth of his hands on her face.

X

By the end of her first day, Monica's human body was exhausted and much to her amusement, aching. She had arrived in time that morning to get last minute instructions from Mrs. Clark on the children's rather flexible schedule. As it was the start of summer vacation, the angel's main job would be to keep them entertained and out of trouble all day and to make sure they ate breakfast and lunch. The only part of her job that concerned her was that she was being asked to "start" dinner. That conversation had resulted in true concern on her part.

"You don't like to cook?" Laura Clark's expression had been perplexed as she had thrown a few papers into her briefcase for work.

"Oh no, I love to cook," Monica assured her, before she paused to nibble her lower lip, "I'm afraid I just don't have much of a talent for it….but if you leave me instructions…detailed instructions, I should be able to at least get things started for you," Even as she said the words, she was praying they would be true.

"Well, all right, but I don't have time to detail much this morning, but I did leave out the recipe book and marked the page. Do you think that would be all right?"

Already praying she would not burn the house down, Monica nodded, "Of course. I promise I will do my very best."

She knew at least that much was true.

For the rest of the morning and afternoon, Monica had little time to think about dinner. Not long after Laura had left for work, Jane and Aiden had clamored downstairs, more than a little enthusiastic about not having to go to school. The angel had no problem serving them cereal and milk, though Josh's toast had gotten slightly blackened on the first attempt, but when he volunteered to handle his own toast for the second attempt, all was well.

"I didn't think an angel could burn toast," Jane giggled, not noticing the eye rolls her brothers exchanged over the angel reference.

Monica just smiled and winked in Jane's direction, "Most of them don't, wee Jane."

"Monica, can we go roller blading now?" Aiden asked hopefully, once he had eaten his cereal and obediently had placed his dirty dishes in the dishwasher, "We have extra pairs so you'll have a pair!"

Maybe she should have been concerned, but it never really crossed her angelic mind, "I would love to if you'll teach me."

Jane elected to ride her bike with training wheels with them while Joshua preferred to play video games inside. The boy was quiet, which did not escape Monica and she had every intention of getting to the bottom of what was troubling him, but she knew it would take a few days. Josh barely knew her so far and he was rather withdrawn, though she had caught his amused smile when she had burnt his toast.

Roller blading was rough and she knew her human form would be fairly bruised by tonight, but by the time lunch rolled around, she more or less could remain on her feet and actually move on the skates. Monica ventured to think that once all the soreness of her first lessons wore off, she might be able to keep up with Aiden or at the very least, Jane on her bike.

"Josh?" Monica called out to the oldest boy from the kitchen, "Can I fix you a sandwich for lunch?" Getting no response, the little angel walked into the den where she had last seen the ten year old playing video games.

The video gaming system had been turned off and Josh seemed to be completely engrossed in an old television show that Monica knew had been rather popular in its day. The show featured a blended family with six children in total. The current episode he was watching was featuring the father helping one of his sons, a boy about Josh's age, through a difficult time.

Studying the expression on Josh's face, Monica could almost detect a hint of anger in his expression as he watched the television father hug his son before the show went to a commercial.

"You know, the only real problem with the invention of television is that things are seldom true to life. Does it ever seem that way to you, Josh?" Monica sat down next to him on the sofa, hoping he might open up to her.

"It's just a dumb show," He muttered, grabbing the remote from the table to turn off the television, "Did you say you were fixing sandwiches? Hey, that's a pretty gross gash on your knee, Monica!"

She chuckled at the admiration she was getting for one of her many roller blading accidents, "Hmm, yes, well, I would imagine it will be sore by tonight, but in a few days I will be ready for my next roller blading lesson! Your brother is quite good though."

"Yeah, he and his friends roller blade a lot."

"And you?"

"Nah, it's more for babies."

Her eyes widened in mock shock and her already lilted voice took on a much heavier accent, "And just who are ya callin' a baby?"

When she finally elicited an embarrassed grin from him, Monica felt as if she had won a battle, though the war would be much more difficult. Josh was not as open as Aiden or Jane, but something was definitely troubling him and based on his reaction to the television show, she now had a tiny clue about it.

"And yes, sandwiches. Are you a peanut butter and jelly fan as well?"

He shrugged, "I like grilled cheese, but…" He quickly remembered the toast incident at breakfast, "But PB&J is good too."