CHAPTER 11

Counting the moments

During her stay on Earth, Monica learned that time could have many dimensions. Whenever she was with her beloved Andrew, the Irish angel felt that minutes and hours didn't seem to exist. It was as if time itself would freeze to allow the exchange of sweet caresses, loving words and the promise of eternal love. On the other hand, his absence made existence a difficult one and filled with great void.

But on that Friday afternoon, the warm company of fifteen cute "little angels" made time have a third scope: it seemed to fly. Whenever she was with her students, Monica felt that there wasn't anything more pleasant other than opening the doors of wisdom to young minds eager to learn everything about the world that surrounded them. The angel in human form felt honoured that she was given the chance to continue to do God's work by having such a noble profession.

But the day was over soon, and the alarm echoed through the school building making excited voices fill its corridors. Monica received a warm hug from each of her students and watched them leave, smiling to think about how they would spend the weekend and imagining each of them having a great time with their families and friends.

"I can see that they do make you feel better, right baby?"

Ella's voice took her out of her reverie and, as she waved goodbye to the last student that turned on the corner - the sweet and shy little Rose, she turned to look at the old teacher.

"I've always been very fond of children..." she spoke, her smile never fading. "I treasured all the times I had the opportunity to work with them."

"I see..." the older teacher eyed Monica carefully, trying to imagine what kind of past was crossing her mind at that very moment. "Joyful memories, I suppose."

"Oh, yes. What I see in their eyes, especially at such an early age, is a beautiful reminder of God's work."

Ella liked what she heard. Actually she liked Monica dearly, even if she knew so little about her. With a friendly hand over Monica's shoulder, she offered. "I can walk with you up to the corner of where you live, baby."

"Oh, that would be unfair to you, Ella." The Irish angel quickly worried, "It would be darker and way too late for you to go back home!"

"Nonsense! Nobody wants to steal an old woman's bag!"

Monica wanted to say something but let out a small sigh instead. Truth to be told, having some company on her way back home was everything she had prayed for during the whole day. "I appreciate your offer, Ella. But I don't want to be a bother..."

The woman laughed. "Of course you're not a bother, baby! Let me get my purse and I'll join you!"

"I'll get my things too..." the angel replied, feeling guilty and relieved at the same time.

A couple of minutes later, the two teachers walked along the corridor towards its gate talking about their work day and truth to be told, Monica felt more secure having someone with her. The trauma of the previous night would probably hunt her sleep for some more days but she was determined to face all kinds of adversities to remain with her beloved Andrew.

"Hopefully we'll still have some warm days like these for some more time. Summer isn't over yet in spite of what the calendar says!" the old lady spoke.

"I was wondering if perhaps we could do some outdoors activities with them, you know, to take advantage from the warm weather. It would be as if summer vacations haven't ended yet... in spite of what the calendar says!"

"That's a great idea, baby! What exactly do you have in mind?"

"I think we can-"

Monica's words died in her mouth when they crossed the school building entrance door, as a surprise was waiting for her with a broad smile upon his handsome face.

"Andrew..." she whispered, not noticing Ella's questioning eyes. But the old lady smiled when, on the following second, she watched Monica climbing down the steps and flung herself into the blond man's embrace. The casual clothes he was wearing - khaki pants and green shirt, made him look more relaxed and amazingly handsome to Monica's eyes.

"I didn't know you'd be here..." she spoke against his chest, once he wrapped his strong arms around her small form. "You said you'd rest this afternoon from working all night..."

"I wanted to surprise you!" he said, kissing the top of her head.

Monica pulled away and looked up at him with a hint of worry in her eyes. "You didn't rest just to be here?"

Chuckling, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "The chance to be with you is a good reason not to rest!" Noticing that she was still frowning with worry, Andrew kept on speaking, "I did sleep a little during the afternoon. And I thought staying home all over the week was kind of monotonous, and a little change in plans would be good!"

The meek smile that would always make his heart melt was finally back on her lips and she was speaking again. "It's proof that changes aren't necessarily bad after all!"

He returned her smile, aware that there was a greater meaning in her words. And also smiling, Ella approached the young couple; she was glad to see how much love could be conveyed only by the look in each other's eyes. Her presence made them turn their attention to her.

Monica gently disentangled from his arms but kept a hold on his left hand. "Andrew, this is Ella." She said, and then turned to the old teacher, "Ella, this is Andrew. And I'm glad you two could finally meet."

"It's nice to meet you, Ella, Monica speaks a lot about you!"

"It's very nice to meet you too, Andrew. And be sure I've already heard a lot about you! This young lady here holds you in high esteem!"

They shook hands with each other and it took Andrew only a split second to realise why Monica had become so attached to the old teacher. Her physical appearance, the way she spoke, her manners... everything reminded them of Tess.

"She's a blessing for which I'll be forever grateful!" he replied, turning his eyes to the blushing little angel standing by his side.

Smiling, Ella nodded her head and then looked at Monica. "Hum... blessing is also a pretty special title for someone!" she said, with a wink, and then turned to look at Andrew one more time. "But I'm positively sure that Monica's a pretty special someone to you!"

"She is, ma'am!" he replied, squeezing the angel's hand.

"Well, and now that I can see that she's in very good hands, you two will excuse me as I want to arrive on time for my soap opera!"

"Oh, we can walk with you until you take your bus, can't we, Andrew?" Monica was quick to offer, not wanting her friend to walk alone in the streets of such a crowded town.

"Sure we can!"

"Oh, thank you baby, but I guess now it's my turn to say I don't wanna be a bother!"

Monica looked at Andrew for a moment, and saw him nodding his head in agreement. Then, she searched for the woman's hand and squeezed it gently. "You won't be a bother at all, Ella."

The trio walked along the streets and remained with Ella until she climbed on the bus and waved goodbye from the window.

And once the vehicle disappeared in the corner, the Irish angel gazed up at her beloved Andrew with a broad smile. "She's been a great friend, you know, Andrew."

He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. "I have no doubt about it, angel."

"I'm glad we'll be home together so early!"

His smile turned into a mischievous one. "But you and I are not going home!"

She frowned adorably. "Oh, no?"

"Nope!"

"I... I'm not sure I understand, Andrew..."

"I'm taking you to the movies, angel!"

Her eyes where wide open and sparkling with five-year-old excitement as a broad smile crossed her face - the second one he'd gotten over the last ten minutes. Andrew felt like he had won a battle.

"The movies? Really?"

"Yep! I got the tickets on my way here. And I made it sure that the show started only an hour from now cause I'm gonna take you to a café so you can have a snack!" he said, brushing his thumb against her cheek as the slight wind kept on blowing wisps of her auburn hair against her face.

"It means I'm going to have a double mocha latte too?" Monica's eyes were beaming.

He took her hand to his lips. "Yes! Your mocha is waiting for you so let's get going!"

"Andrew..." she remained where she was, despite the fact that he gently pulled her hand.

"Yes, angel?"

She gave one step ahead, so they were face to face now. "I love you!"

Saying that, Monica stood on the tips of her toes and her lips brushed against his in a soft kiss.

Smiling, he cupped her cheek lovingly. "When you first told me that... that was the best moment of my existence..." He said, looking deep inside her soft brown eyes. "Until now..."

He bent his head and kissed her lips briefly but lovingly, and they never noticed as an old couple passed by them and smiled, glad to see that love was still around, even in such a crowded and sometimes hard place to live.

The truth was that Andrew took pleasure in every second he spent with his beloved angel girl. From her eternal chatter in the café, where she savoured her favourite beverage, to the excitement he could see on her face as they entered the movie theater. The movie was a romantic comedy - Andrew had the care to pick something that would light up her mood and put her heart at ease after such a hard week for both of them.

With Andrew holding a pack of popcorn, they took their seats and Monica leaned against his shoulder as he placed his arm around her small form, and together they watched as the main characters met and fell in love, and all the things that happened from then on. Once in a while, Monica smiled as she felt Andrew's hand gently caressing her hair, and a sudden kiss made them turn their attention from the film.

The happy ending placed a smile upon the Irish angel's face and, hand in hand, the couple went home with the brief sensation that things would be alright for them - after all, the most difficult had already been accomplished, which was to face an entire realm of angels in order to fight for their love.

"Somebody here has been awfully quiet over the last couple of minutes..." Andrew spoke, as they were approaching the building where they lived.

Monica looked up at him with a slight smile. "I was thinking that this was the best day since we arrived here..."

He kissed her temple. "I want you to think this every day of your existence, angel."

"As long as you're with me..." she said, wrapping her arms around his waist as they finally crossed the building entrance. But when the blond angel pressed the elevator button to the penthouse, she cast him a questioning look.

"Andrew?"

"There's something I want you to see..." he said, smiling mysteriously, and enjoying the curious expression on her face.

They were soon on the top of the building, and only then Monica understood what he wanted to show her: it was one of those warm and rare nights, with a sky filled with twinkling stars and a full moon, and the spark above was somewhat reflected on earth as from where they were, the angels could see the New York city lights spread bellow.

Unconsciously, Monica let go of his hand and gave a few steps ahead, marvelled at what she had just found out. Andrew watched her in silence, never tired of contemplating her beautiful human form.

"Andrew... The stars and the moon... I confess I didn't pay attention to them this night, you see, but now... They're so beautiful! And look over there! It's the bridge!" she pointed, and then turned her face to see some other familiar points. "And the school building! And... And look at the moon reflected on the taller buildings at the distance! Look at the way it shines against the window glasses!"

Chuckling, Andrew gave slow steps, waiting for her to stop and remain in one place so that he could hold her. And when it finally happened, the Irish angel felt a pair of strong arms encircling her waist from behind.

"See? You're already getting familiar with it!" he spoke, kissing her cheek.

"I... I never thought that this place could be so... so beautiful, you know..." Her eyes were still scanning her surroundings as she didn't want to miss any single detail.

"Me neither, to be honest. But the other day, during my night shift, I got the chance to see something like what you're seeing now, from the top of the fire department building. It made me think that if we stop and reflect upon what's happening to us."

"See things from another angle..."

"Exactly."

Monica turned around in his arms, so that now she was facing him. "And what do you see now, Andrew?"

He caressed her face, her delicate auburn strands were flying with the gentle night breeze. "An entire existence by your side, Monica. I will always worry about you, as I don't want anything in this world to harm you, my angel, but at the same time, I made a promise to be your eternal guardian and face any challenge just to be with you."

Some tears of emotion soon could be seen filling her eyes as she heard those words. Monica covered his hand with hers and averted her gaze just for a second, so that she kissed his palm. Then, she was looking at him again. "So you and I see the same thing, because I would go through anything just to be able to look into your eyes again and hear your voice... and feel your arms around me..."

"I love you so much, angel..."

Their eyes were soon closing and faces inching slowly towards each other, and soon their lips collided in a soulful kiss. Now, being in that isolated area and somewhat protected from the dangers of the big city, the only thing that they were aware of was the magical moment that brought them together. The noise of the street had been left behind, allowing them the peace that they had been searching for since from the moment they had arrived there.

With fingers entangled in her soft hair, and bringing her closer to him, Andrew dared to deepen the kiss a bit more. Monica welcomed his caresses with the same intensity, as her hands travelled from his strong chest up to his shoulders and she finally wrapped her arms around his neck. To them, the moment was perfect and would be etched in their minds for the rest of eternity.