EPILOGUE

"Andrew?"

The way Monica pronounced his name would always endear the angel of death, especially now that she was still sniffling and forcing back some tears due to their emotional assignment ending. At the moment they left the Clark's house, Andrew quickly covered her eyes and wrapped one arm around her waist, bringing her closer to him and letting her know without words that he was in command now. Both angels had been granted some time off and Andrew was determined to make it a lovely, sweet time for the two of them.

"I just hope your little friends forgive me for letting my selfish side take control and steal you away as if you were only mine…" he spoke into her ear, still without letting her see where they were.

Her crying smile only made him feel even more in love, if it was ever possible. "I would not call it a selfish side, but just a statement, you see. I am yours."

Chuckling, he kissed her cheek lovingly. "Thank you, angel, I'm really happy to know that."

Monica touched the hand that covered her eyes with delicate fingertips. "Now will you let me know where we are?"

Aware of her childlike curiosity, the blond angel kept his hold around her waist and pulled her even closer to him. "I don't know... I'm quite comfortable with this…"

"Well, I have no intention to go anywhere farther from here, that I can guarantee you…"

"Very well…"

Monica was about to make another comment but when Andrew finally uncovered her eyes, the words died in her mouth at the landscape she could now see.

"My beloved Ireland…" was all she could say as her teary eyes scanned the breathtaking ever green fields that spread ahead of them. At that time of the year, the flowers were blossoming in a multitude of different colors and fragrances under the bright and warm sunrays and the bluest of the skies. With a pleased smile in the corner of his mouth, Andrew gently let go of Monica's waist when he felt her unconscious wish to give a few steps ahead. "It's been so long since I last visited these lands… Especially at this time of the year, it's so colorful and vivid… so much like our Home…"

"Exactly. No wonder you belong here, angel."

She turned around to look at him, now with a few tears freely falling from her eyes and was even more surprised to see a small bouquet of wild flowers in his hand. "I believe I don't… I belong to you, Andrew. To where you are."

He gave a few steps ahead so that they were once again just a few inches from each other and wiped her tears with the back of his hand as she grabbed the small bouquet. "I love you so incredibly much, Monica…"

She tilted her head, moved with the lovely surprise he had made her. "I have no doubt about it."

Andrew removed a lock of auburn hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. Now he could admire the meekness of her Gaelic features, pale cheeks now turning pink as the sun gently touched her skin; chestnut eyes brighter now that he was standing before her – they shone the exact same way his own eyes did whenever they were focused on her gorgeous figure. It was almost as if they could truly see each other's souls. And when the blond angel crossed the small distance between them and captured her lips with his, all she could do was to return that sweet caress, letting the love she felt for him take over her soul and flow from her heart to his.

It was one of those moments when they did not need words as the connection that brought them together was stronger than ever.

And when that loving kiss was over, the Irish angel buried her face against his chest and let him involve her with his strong arms in another warm embrace.

"How long can we stay?" she wanted to know, even though she feared the answer.

Andrew kissed the top of her head. "Not as much as I would like…" he pulled away just a little so that he could look at her face. Then, he playfully touched the tip of her nose. "It'd probably need the whole eternity and I guess it wouldn't be enough…" Glad to see a tearful smile back at her face, he kept on talking. "But we're off work for a while, angel, and won't have to worry about time for now."

She nodded her head in understating, and Andrew could see the relief in her eyes.

"Now… I've been to Ireland before but only for a short time and just around the big cities, you see. I guess I'll need a tour guide through these lands…"

He elicited a broader smile from his sweet angel girl and was highly amused at how serious she took his words.

"Oh, but you will not have to worry about it any longer! I myself can show you around!"

From the moment they started a trail – with Monica excitedly guiding him by the hand and making a comment for each and every element that surrounded them, Andrew knew they would end up getting lost in those beautiful woods. It was alright, though. He also knew that, despite being in human forms, they were far away from any harm now, at least for a while.

"…Maybe the trees grew faster than usual, and there are quite a lot more bushes around than the last time I visited this place, you know, Andrew. It can make one feel a wee bit confused sometimes."

Andrew did his best not to show his amusement at her poor sense of direction and at the serious expression on her face as she said that. However, it was hard for him not to chuckle at her worried frown when she looked around and finally realized that she had no idea where they had been heading over the last hour.

Much due to his insistence, they finally stopped under the shadow of a tree and sat over the soft grass. Resting his back on the tree trunk, the blond angel wrapped one arm around his dear valentine's shoulders and pulled her close to him so that she was now resting her back against his chest. And he could not help chuckling at her annoyance as she removed her shoes.

"If there is something I could never understand is why angels automatically receive shoes whenever they turn from their human to their angelic form and vice-versa. They can be quite uncomfortable and especially now when we are visiting and exploring new lands… Or better, old lands that have become new due to the weather interference…" Monica spoke, putting her shoes aside and then turning around to look at him, still with a slightly upset expression on her face. "Will you forgive me?"

"Forgive you for what, baby?" he wanted to know, gladly removing the wisps of thin auburn hair that were flying against her face carried by the fresh breeze. Truth to be told, he was so lost in her ethereal beauty and lovely manners that the fact that they ended up lost did not matter to him at all.

"For… having difficulties in dealing with the new geographic conditions of the land…"

Closely admiring her soft brown eyes and perfectly shaped nose; her rosy lips and the way they matched her jaw line, Andrew smiled at her. "I am not a bit worried if we got a little detoured from our original destination, angel."

Monica was going to say something but, noticing the way he was gazing at her, she let out a small sigh and narrowed her eyes. "Hum… You don't really look like you are…"

Laughing, he cupped her chin and brought his face closer to hers; lips carefully touching her rosy ones as he was savoring that moment like a prize for all the hard times he had faced lately. Monica closed her eyes a second later, giving in to his seduction at the moment he pressed his lips more firmly against hers and kissed her slowly and tenderly, making her heart beat faster and her human form fall limp in his strong arms.

The soft touch of her fingertips against his jaw and the way she would always correspond his caresses with the same love and affection would always make Andrew feel honored and also a little undeserving. Monica was the sweetest and most loving creature he had ever known and having her love and true devotion was far more than a privilege – it was a true gift from God.

"This is one of those moments I wish I could freeze so it could last longer…" she softly spoke while Andrew kept on delivering small kisses on her face and lips. "…but on second thoughts, then I would have to freeze all the moments I spend with you…"

Chuckling at her words, the blond angel caressed her face with the back of his hand and nodded. "I understand what you mean, angel. But please remember that moments like this one will always happen. Sometimes it might take a little longer, but I'll always find you, baby, wherever you are."

"It warms my heart hearing you say that."

"And how could I not look for you? You're my light, my best reminder of the Father's love. Staying away from you is already hard even if it's for a short time. And staying away for long is… unthinkable."

Her charming smile at him and the tender way she caressed his handsome face nearly melted his heart. "You've told me that so many times, my dear Andrew. With or without words. I love you. Very much."

"I love you too, baby. Forever."

He inched forward and kissed her lips once again, eliciting a contented sigh from his sweet valentine. What none of them expected was the soft rain that suddenly interrupted their loving caress and caused them to pull away a little surprised.

"Oh, Andrew!" she exclaimed, giggling as the rain drops fell over her face.

"Looks like the changes here happen fast!" The blond angel spoke, also amused.

"I enjoy rain but our human forms will end up catching a cold if we don't find a shelter!" there was slight worry in Monica's voice, "But with our little detour, I wonder where we are going to stay now…"

Andrew was ready to say something so that she didn't feel embarrassed or guilty for her poor sense of direction, but something hidden by the bushes called his attention.

"It seems that your little detour brought us to the perfect place, my angel…" He gave her a light squeeze and pointed to a spot on her right, "Look!"

Monica frowned a little, narrowing her eyes to see what exactly he was trying to show her, and when she finally did, the Irish angel let out a sigh. "A wee cabin!"

"I always say that everything you do is wonderful! Come with me, angel!" Saying that, he rose to his feet and helped her out. Monica gathered her shoes and her small bouquet and then took his proffered hand.

Both angels in human form headed to the small wooden construction surrounded by wild flowers and green trees not far from them. It was very simple, in and outside, but clean and cozy and certainly a perfect shelter for two souls who were so deeply connected. A small gift so that they could honor the greatest present that they had received a while ago: their immense love.

The end.