PART 2

Laughing, but aware of the importance of that moment, the angels walked on until Andrew finally found the group of tourists that his two precious angel girls had once belonged to.

“Here we are!”

Monica tilted her head and eyed him with admiration. “The way you always find the way back always amazes me!

He stroked her cheek with tenderness. “Well... I’ll always find the way back if I know I’ll meet you there...”

Despite his sweet words, there was some sadness in her eyes. “Do you know when you’ll be able to stay with us for a while?”

“I’m not sure, angel... it’ll depend on Mr Sheppard’s ability to see that life is more than just making money.”

“Well, considering where we are and what we’ve seen here, I understand it’s not an easy task.”

Andrew carefully passed Angela to Monica and kissed her rosy cheek. “You enjoy the rest of the touring with your mommy, okay sweetie? I love you and I promise I’ll be with you as soon as I can.”

He looked at Monica now and gently lay his hand against her face. “I love you.”

“I know...” she bit her lower lip and reached for his eyes. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

Andrew bent his head and brushed her lips against hers, in a sweet and brief caress that was just a mere reminder of the love that brought them together. He still kissed her forehead and returned to the same path back to Mr Sheppard’s room.

When the blond angel got there, however, he didn’t find the businessman analyzing thousands of reports on the latest sales. Mr Sheppard was standing by the window, still holding the chocolate that Angela had so gently offered him.

“You have a beautiful family.” He said, not looking back at his interlocutor.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Watching you with your daughter and wife reminded me of a time I had almost forgotten. When Alan’s mother was alive I used to bring them in here and play with Alan for a while, like a break from work.” He finally turned around. “And I clearly remember having one of these chocolates in my suitcase because I knew he would ask me for it.”

“Children are amazing, aren’t they? They can make you feel like a hero who will solve all the problems in this world, fight monsters that haunt their sleep and teach them the most amazing things in the world.”

He smiled and nodded his head, looking at the small bar of chocolate in his hands and remembering Alan.

It was then that Andrew came closer, with hands tugged in his pockets and aware that that was the moment he had been waiting for during all the days he had spent by the man’s side. And it had been little Angela who made things easier by showing up there with her geographically-challenged mother. “But they grow up. And if you didn’t love them the way they should have been loved, then the  image they once had of their parents is shattered to pieces.”

“You are right... You are perfectly right...”

“I’m glad you agree, Mr Sheppard. Because once you realise it, childhood is over and the only thing you’ll have to hold on to are the good memories you and your son will share. These memories are precious.”

The man remained in silence for a while, as Andrew purposefully walked back to his desk and started to pull out more papers from his suitcase. “Shall we continue?”

Mr Sheppard finally looked at him, a moved expression on his face. “I’m sorry, Andrew. I... I shouldn’t be here right now. Watching you with your little daughter, with your family... I realised how unfair I have been with Alan...”

“He’s ten. There is still time.” Was the angel’s answer.

A while later, a wide eyed boy watched in disbelief as his father’s car crossed the gates of the mansion. Mr Sheppard greeted him with open arms and announced that they would spend not only his birthday together but the whole weekend. Alan couldn’t have asked for a better present.

X

At the end of that afternoon, Monica ate a spoonful of ice cream while sitting on the sofa and watching a romantic movie on TV. She and wee Angela were staying at a cosy yellow house not far from the city as the Irish angel had been granted with the weekend off. But it had been a busy day for the little girl and she ended up taking a nap not a while ago. Her mom, for herself, felt rather bored with no one to talk to. Tess was away on assignment and she had no idea when her dear Andrew would be there again.

She watched as the main couple was reunited again and sniffled as she grabbed another spoon filled with chocolate and vanilla. Oblivious to her, a pair of green eyes observed her for a few moments, enjoying her sweet childlike manners as she was now wearing a flannel pyjamas and funny looking socks.

But his contemplation did not last for long. It took only a few seconds before Monica felt his presence and turned around to see a smiling Andrew gazing back at her with his eyes filled with love.

“Andrew!”

She immediately put the ice cream pot aside and stood on her knees to receive a warm, tight embrace from her beloved one. And when they pulled away, it was just for a moment as Andrew bent down to lay a tender kiss against her lips, sweeter than ever and with a taste of vanilla.

And when it was over, he gently lay his hand against her face, the joy for being with his family again was evident in his eyes. “Looks like somebody is still enjoying the candy shop outing!” He joke, looking at the pot of ice cream left on the sofa.

Monica looked at herself rather embarrassed to be “caught” in that outfit and eating that huge cup of ice cream. “I... did not expect you to be here so soon...” she said, blushing a little and pulling away so to look at herself. “You... you should not see me like this...”

Chuckling, Andrew took her hand to his lips and then placed it against his heart. “Well, for your information, Mrs, you look rather cute in your pyjamas!”

Tilting her head, she eyed him with a slight smile and much tenderness. “I miss you so much, you know.”

“We’ll be together for the weekend.”

“Really? What about your assignment with Mr Sheppard?” she wanted to know, eyes wide open at that piece of wonderful news.

Andrew pulled her to sit back on the sofa and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him. “It’s over. And thanks to you and our little angel.” He announced, kissing her temple. He went on telling her about the man and his son and how Angela’s presence had reminded him of what was more important to him – the little boy he had at home.

Monica was moved to hear it. “As angels we know that there is a reason for everything, but I am always surprised at what the Father plans for his children. And how special our little one is in those plans.”

“You’re right, angel. And you see, when I was talking to Mr Sheppard I realised that I’m afraid of something...”

“Of what, Andrew?”

“Of Angela growing up without my presence... Sometimes... I spend so much time without seeing her... What I would give to stay closer to her... to you, angel...”

“Oh, Andrew...” she squeezed his hand in both of hers. “Angela was given to us as a great blessing and you are such a wonderful father to her... You know that it isn’t the amount of time we spent with those we love but how we spend this time, and you... You are the most loving angel I have ever met...”

He managed a small smile and nodded. “I know I take every opportunity to be with her and you... But still, I wonder what it will be like when she grows up... I.. I want to be close to her, helping her when she needs me.”

“And you will be, angel boy.”

They looked at the door and saw their dear friend and supervisor standing there.

“Oh, Tess! It’s so good to have you here too!” Monica exclaimed as the oldest angel walked up to be in front of them.

With her eyebrows raised, she observed Monica’s outfit. “I see you were obviously not planning to go out!”

“Oh... well, actually I wasn’t. Wee Angela fell asleep just now and I thought I would spend the evening alone but Andrew showed up and now you are here too...” she replied, visibly happy about their presence.

“I’m glad angel boy is here to make you company, baby, but I’m afraid I won’t stay for too long. I still have an assignment to fulfil and it requires my full attention but I came here because I wanted to give you both this piece of news myself.”

“What news, Tess?” Andrew wanted to know, sitting at the edge of the couch and staring at the supervisor with slight worry.

“About our sweet little angel girl who is fast asleep in that bedroom.” There was a smile on her face as she spoke. “And I could not help hearing your conversation, Andrew, and your worries. But then I have to tell you that you will have your entire eternity to enjoy Angela’s childhood.”

“I’m... I’m afraid I don’t get it...”

“Angela will grow up until she’s seven years old.”

The couple of angels were slightly confused. “Seven?” He spoke.

“Yes. It means that in the Father’s perfect plan, she’ll remain as a child and her innocence preserved along the years to come, as it is in this form that she will be sent to those in need. Just like she did today with Mr Sheppard and some other times before. The only angel who can truly see the world with nothing less than enchantment and naivety.”

With a moved smile, Monica looked at Andrew, feeling the presence of tears in her eyes. “Our little angel, Andrew...”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple, also moved at the fact that he would be the father of an eternal innocent and adorable child. “I know whether she grew up or remained in a little girl form I would always see her as my little angel girl... But knowing this... that I’ll be able to enjoy her childhood for the rest of my existence is... just like receiving another gift from the Father...”

“I understand what you’re talking about, angel boy. A child always enlightens the atmosphere around her, especially an angel child!” Tess spoke again. “I was very pleased to hear it myself, as I know I’ll have more time to teach her to sing!”

“Do you think she’ll be able to join the choir like me, Tess?” Monica wanted to know, and did not notice it when the supervisor rolled her eyes and Andrew chuckled at that question.

“Yes, she will. And will make a very good singing angel like her auntie Tess, who, by the way, is leaving right now cause she still has an assignment to accomplish! You two have a good night and say goodnight to my angel baby!”

“We will, Tess!”

“Thanks, Tess, for delivering the message!”

They watched as on the following moment, the oldest angel was gone.

X

“I feel so full of joy, you know...” Monica let out a contented sigh, wrapped up in Andrew’s embrace as they sat back on the couch. Some minutes of peaceful silence had passed as they still thought about that piece of news.

“Our little angel is very special...” Andrew finally spoke again, caressing Monica’s hair.

“She really is, isn’t she? Wee Angela has such a noble mission!”

The blond angel looked down at her and at every meek feature of her face. “You are very special too, angel...” he said at last, gazing at her with tenderness and eliciting a beautiful smile from his dear valentine.

“So are you to me and to wee Angela... after all, you make our world complete!”

Andrew couldn’t wait much longer and did what he had been wanting to do since he had arrived there. Cupping her chin up, he brought his lips to hers as she closed her eyes in anticipation. That sweet caress was long and tender, and took another dimension as he tightened the hold around her small form and deepened the kiss.

“Andrew...” she whispered, recovering her breath as he made a trail of smaller kisses against her jaw.

“Hum?”

Sighing deeply, she rubbed her face against his and pulled away just a few inches so that she could look into his eyes. “Have I told you that I love you?”

The beautiful smile on her face only enchanted him even more. Andrew playfully touched her nose with his fingertip. “You tell me that every day, my beautiful angel...” Then, he pecked her lips and caressed her cheek. “But you can keep on telling me that some more times tonight...”

“Oh, Andrew...” chuckling and slightly blushed, she whispered his name, pronouncing it in that particular way that he would always treasure.

Another kiss followed, and Monica closed her eyes giving in to the wave of strong emotions that were taking over her heart and soul as her beloved angel tightened the hold around her and deepened their kiss. She gently stroked the back of his head and his short blond hair, feeling his heartbeat against hers; slender fingers that made his heart race with love and passion. When she opened her eyes, they were not at the living room any longer but in their own room, as Andrew had silenced transported them there like he usually did whenever they were together. There was just a faint source of light coming from a bedside lamp as they lay down in bed, satin sheets as soft as the Irish angel’s skin as he kept on caressing her and listening to whispered loving words against his ear.

Words that he returned with promises of eternal love and with loving caresses that went on all night long; one more night which they would spend in human form, granted them as another precious gift, just like their love had been.

X

To be continued.