CHAPTERS 16 & 17

CHAPTER 16

Monica spent the following days of the first chemotherapy session recovering from its side effects. Dr Burke explained that she was receiving three kinds of medicines, and one of them was indeed to cause her the most aggressive effects. For an entire day, the little angel in human form could not bear the thought of eating something and great sadness filled her heart.

But her two dearest friends were there, by her side, and little by little they managed to bring back some of her own self. And now, four days after she started the treatment, she was ready to face another session. The nurse brought in the wheelchair as Andrew helped her out of her bed. Four days before she was indeed too weak and Andrew had taken her up to the chemotherapy room. Now, Dr Burke had succeeded in making her fever break and she was at least feeling a bit better.

"Thank you, Andrew..." she spoke, shooting a grateful look at her eternal protector.

"Not for that, angel." The angel of death gave her shoulder a light squeeze. "Where did Tess go?" He wanted to know, as the supervisor had helped Monica dress up and was nowhere to be seen.

"Tess said that she had some urgent matter to solve and left a while ago, you know..." Monica gave him another look, which said that the supervisor hadn't used the door to leave the hospital.

"Oh, I see..."

"She knew you'd return from the cafeteria soon..." The Irish angel was aware that things were still not right between her two beloved friends.

Andrew nodded as he wheeled her out of the room and along the corridor, up to the room designed for chemotherapy sessions, on the 4^th floor. Differently from the other time, it was not empty now. A woman, apparently in her forties, a 9-year-old little girl and a man who would probably be in his late fifties, had arrived there before the Irish angel, and apart from the man, all the others had a family member by their side.

"You won't experience the same side effects you suffered the last time, Monica." The nurse explained, as she inserted the needle in her arm.

"Are you sure?" Despite those words, there still was a fearful expression on her face.

"Yes. You'll probably feel sleepy for a while, though."

Monica felt Andrew's hand covering hers and turned to him, his tender smile chasing some of her fear away. "And I'll be standing right next to you, watching your sleep!" he spoke into her ear as the nurse went away.

Monica turned her hand up so that their fingers were now entangled. "I have few certainties in my life now... But I thank God that you are one of them."

She received a loving kiss on her cheek and wanted to return his tender smile, but the truth was that she wasn't able to. Yet, the little angel rested her forehead against his and closed her eyes for a brief moment, hoping that Andrew could feel in his heart the immense love she felt for him.

And indeed, he could.

X

Despite the sadness that had settled in her heart, Monica spoke briefly to the other patients who were facing the same treatment she was. And watching as those people were still able to smile and have some hope somewhat cheered her up a little. They were a reminder that there was a greater power in command there.

"Is Andrew your boyfriend, Monica?" the chatty nine-year-old wanted to know, eyeing them with a hint of mischief in her smile. The room designed for children to receive such treatment had been closed for a few days so she had to do some sessions there.

The two angels looked at each other and couldn't help but smile. "And why are you asking me this, wee Anna?"

"Cuz he looks at you the same way the prince looks at Cinderella!"

With the exception of the man sitting next to the window, and who was not paying attention to the conversation, all the others laughed at the girl's words.

"Please forgive my daughter, she's a bit talkative as you might have noticed!" Her mother was quick to apologise.

Chuckling, Andrew shook his head. "There's nothing to apologise for, Mrs Jenkins! Actually, little Anna here is a very good observer!" He said, permanently holding Monica's hand and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"It's always sad to see young people fighting this disease, you know." The other woman who receiving the treatment spoke, "But it always cheers me up to see that those who go through it have someone by their side, to love them and support them." She looked at her son, who smiled back at her.

"You are right, Mrs Swanson. I can say I have two angels with me right now. And I love them deeply." Monica replied, shooting Andrew another loving gaze, as if confirming Anna's impish question about their relationship.

Little by little, each patient was dismissed and the room became more and more silent. In it, there were only Monica, Andrew and the quiet man, who was now staring outside the window. The Irish angel had noticed his distant and somewhat lost look and felt like perhaps starting a conversation. Talking to the other patients who were there, along with Andrew's loving company, somewhat renewed her energies. Although she was still feeling sad and afraid, there was still room for hope in her heart. But as the nurse had predicted, she was starting to feel slightly drowsy, and eventually gave up the chatting attempt.

Her eyes were almost closing when the nurse entered the room - the young lady's voice making her alert again. "Excuse me, Andrew, I need you to come with me, Dr Burke wants to talk to you and you need to sign some papers."

He looked at Monica surprised and it hurt to see those frightened brown pools eyeing him with so much fear. "Why? What happened?" he wanted to know.

"Oh, please, you two don't need to worry, it's just some bureaucracy papers and a few instructions on your food, Monica." She was quick to inform them, aware of their immediate concern.

Their expressions softened a little and Andrew sighed with relief. But on the following second, he frowned again. "But... what about Monica, I-"

"It's very fast, it won't take more than a couple of minutes." The nurse informed, aware that he wasn't willing to leave Monica's side not even for a second.

"It's alright, Andrew..." The Irish angel's soothing voice filled the room. "I promise I won't go anywhere!"

That funny remark and the slight smile on her face did make him feel better. "I promise I won't take long." He kissed her cheek and the back of her hand, and left, and followed the nurse - who seemed quite pleased to see a couple so in love like that.

The young nurse returned soon, and was quick to inform Monica that Andrew would be with her in a minute. The Irish angel thanked her and watched as she checked on her IV tube for a few moments. Monica's eyes then followed her as she now walked up to the lonely patient in the corner of the room and checked his IV. The medicine was over.

"It's high time someone removed it." He said, as she started to take away the needle inserted in his arm.

"I'm sorry, I'm the only one here today, Sarah is ill..." she humbly excused herself, without looking him in the eye.

"Oh, well, and what do I have to do with it?" He retorted and as she pulled the needle from his skin, the moved his arm and it hurt him. "Oh, hell, look what you're doing!"

"I'm so sorry, I'm-"

"Oh, please, don't justify your incompetence!" he said, "Give me this cotton, I'll clean it myself!" She gave him a piece of cotton, embedded in alcohol, took the tubes away and left the room in a hurry.

The man cleaned the slight drop of blood and unfolded the sleeve of his shirt, not noticing the shocked expression on Monica's face.

"She was just trying to help and I think you were very rude."

The man heard that totally unexpected comment and turned his head to look at Monica's direction. He saw the auburn haired young lady staring at him with no fear. "I beg your pardon?"

"I am saying that Carol was just trying to help you and you shouldn't have treated her the way you did."

"Ah! I see! And you are...?" the man was visibly bothered by her impertinence and surprised that someone would talk to him like the way she had just did.

"My name is Monica." She replied, somewhat oblivious to the arrogant way with which he looked at her.

"Right. And what are you doing here, Monica? Supervising the patients' behaviour?"

"I'm not a supervisor, you see..." He found that answer a stupid one, but those words had a lot more meaning to her than he could have ever imagined. "But I tend to voice my thoughts whenever or wherever I witness injustice."

"Oh, I see... And I suppose that according to your good judgement I was being unfair to the nurse..."

"Yes, you were. And I hope someday you realise it too." came the simple reply - she wasn't willing to fight or defy him, it was a mere statement. A simple remark about reality.

He was going to reply to that, but as she closed her eyes and rested her head against the chair, visibly tired and asleep, he gave it up. Truth to be told, he felt like an idiot for wanting to argue with the impertinent young lady, as his heart had suddenly been filled with compassion for her.

When the man left the room he passed by Andrew and Tess. The two were coming back to Monica, and had a smile on their faces. The angels looked at each other, moved at the image of their beloved friend fast asleep.

"Angel?" Andrew knelt next to her and covered her small hand with his, rubbing his fingers on its back. As she moved her head and opened her eyes, his smile grew a bit wider.

"Sorry... I guess I'm feeling the effects that Carol mentioned..." she blushed a little, and saw that he wasn't alone. "Tess... I'm glad you're back..."

"Well, I'm glad to see you're doing fine on this one, baby."

"Where were you?" she wanted to know, not missing the way her dear friends exchanged another look.

"We have good news for you, angel." Andrew brushed a piece of hair away from her face. "Dr Burke said you'll be going home."

Her eyes were immediately wide open. "Really?"

"Yes, that's why I was away for a little while, baby. I was buying all the necessary food for the three of us, we're going to the cabin."

It'd been a long time they hadn't seen Monica smile like that: so broadly and with her eyes so bright. If that piece of news had cheered her up, it had certainly done wonders to Tess and Andrew, as they suddenly felt joy filling their hearts again. The blond angel sat next to her and brushed a tender kiss on her lips. Grateful, she gently placed her hand against his handsome face, caressing his jaw while Tess smiled and lowered her head.

Truth to be told, her "babies" belonged together.

CHAPTER 17

"Here we are!"

Tess' voice and the movement outside the cabin called the attention of a friendly Spaniel puppy, who kept on barking and scratching the door with impatience until it was finally open. Joy's excitement to see her "family" back to her was amusing and somewhat heartbreaking. When Monica knelt on the porch floor to scoop her in her arms and receive the animal's greetings, both Tess and Andrew exchanged a secret glance. The image was meek and sad at the same time.

"Hullo, wee one! Yes, I know, I missed you too, sweetheart..."

Monica nuzzled the little dog's head against her face, and received lots of "wet kisses" in return. Joy wagged her tiny tail, visibly happy that her "mom" was back at her side, but at the same time, she let out a soft moan, as if aware that something was not right.

"Let's go inside, angel. Tess and I prepared something to you and I'm under the impression you might like it..." Andrew helped her to her feet and placed one hand on the small of her back, gently motioning her inside the cabin. In his other hand, he carried a bag with his dearest friend's clothes and chuckled at the curious look she gave him and Tess as she stepped inside the house, carrying Joy close to her chest.

"A surprise?"

"Yes, or do you think I disappeared from the hospital this morning just to make a tour around town?" the supervisor spoke, matter-of-factly.

"And what is it?" she wanted to know, immediately checking on her surroundings.

"That is something you'll only know after you go upstairs, take a good warm shower and change into more comfortable clothes!" the authoritarian tone of Tess' voice left no doubt that she wouldn't be telling her what the surprise was.

"But..." As usual, whenever Tess denied her something, Monica turned to look at Andrew, unconsciously shooting him that pleading gaze that could leave him totally defenceless.

The blond angel raised his eyebrows and did his best not to smile, aware of the power that those sweet brown eyes had on him. "Erm... if you excuse me, I'll take this bag upstairs!" he spoke, and brushed a tender kiss against her cheek before leaving the room in a hurry, as he too wanted it to be a surprise.

X

"A special lunch for me?" the Irish angel exclaimed, surprise all over her face as she saw the beautiful table set and felt the delicious smell of Tess' food. The old supervisor and Andrew had prepared everything while Monica was taking a shower and changing her clothes.

And when she went down the stairs, Andrew was already waiting for her. He gently guided her up to the dining room and delighted in her surprise. He kissed her cheek as Tess nodded, equally happy to see the spark of joy in the little angel's eyes. "With everything that you like, baby!"

"Including your mocha!" Andrew spoke into her ear, causing her to sob and smile at the same time.

Monica turned around to look at her two dearest friends - she was deeply moved, and feeling undeserving to have two true guardian angels by her side. "You two are wonderful..."

A warm hug somewhat finished her sentence, as she didn't think that words could express what she was feeling inside. And after some silent moments, the three angels pulled away on Tess' command.

Lunch was a pleasant time for them, as the hospital environment and the tension about Monica's condition had stressed them to the limit. They all needed a break, including Monica herself. She had lost weight and her pale complexion was an evidence that she was ill. Nevertheless, her condition had improved after the treatment she received at the hospital, and Andrew could sigh with relief at the thought that at least he wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night and watch as high fever consumed her body.

The angel of death chuckled with amusement as once lunch was over, it was Tess who offered Monica a cup of mocha, and even his beloved angel couldn't help but giggle at the way the supervisor was trying to pamper her. Truth to be told, the old supervisor was still chastising herself for the harsh way she had treated Monica. And judging from the hint of sadness in Tess' eyes, one could notice that it would take a long time before she could forgive herself.

Guilty feelings apart, it was the first time in months that they had spent a day like that, even if the constant fear and worry about Monica's condition remained.

Tess and Andrew were talking about the food and what they could prepare for dinner when they noticed how their friend's eyelashes grew heavy despite her efforts to keep her eyes open.

"I guess it's high time 'someone' here takes her afternoon nap!" the angel of death covered her hand with his and managed to draw her attention.

"I'm sorry... I guess I've been like this all day long. I'll help you with-"

"The only thing you're gonna do now is head upstairs, Miss Wings!" Tess rose to her feet and gave her another one of her authoritarian gazes. "Angel boy here will take ya and I do not accept any protests!"

That tone of voice didn't leave room for any complaint, and she respectfully obeyed her supervisor. "It's alright, then... But later I want to help you with dinner."

"We'll see about that..." the oldest angel mumbled, not taking those words seriously.

X

"... I feel grateful, but a wee bit embarrassed, you know..." Monica spoke, as she was comfortably tugged under a warm blanket, inside her bedroom. Andrew was sitting on the edge of her bed, holding her hand in his and lost in those sweet brown pools he had become so fond of over the last years of his existence.

"Embarrassed?"

"You and Tess are doing everything for me..."

"Well, what if I tell you that this is my favourite way of spending my time?" he said, grinning at her as he took her hand to his lips.

Unfortunately, though, she couldn't return his smile. "You and Tess have been wonderful, but I feel... like I'm making a mess in your existences... You... you two should be out there fulfilling God's work, helping His children... and yet, you're here with me..."

The blond angel frowned with concern at those words. "Monica, you are a God's child too, and what Tess and I are doing is also God's work!"

Monica's eyes fell, breaking their gaze as she looked at their entwined hands. "He didn't send you two here..."

"Maybe because He knows that the bond we share is so strong that He doesn't need to tell us what to do. We simply know it!" He leaned over and gently removed a strand of hair away from her face, and then cupped her cheek so that she could look at him again. "Please, angel, let us take care of you. If it was me or Tess in your place I'm sure you wouldn't think twice before helping us."

"I can see how much you're suffering..." her eyes were filled with tears, which were threatening to fall at any moment.

"I would suffer much more if I had to stay away from you, baby. And I'm sure that so would Tess. Don't forget that there is a purpose in all this, something that is still unknown to us but which will be revealed with time. You are an angel, Monica. You know that there is a God and that He holds us all in the palm of His hand."

A shy bittersweet smile appeared on her face. "An angel who is in love..."

"And who is amazingly loved just the same..." he completed her sentence, showing her all his honesty through the spark of his green pools.

Monica pursed her lower lip. "Thank you..."

"You don't have to thank me for anything, angel. Just let me love you."

She sighed softly. "I believe our colleagues would say that I shouldn't allow this to happen..." she was now holding his hand in both of hers. "... but the truth is that I will let you love me for the rest of my existence."

Smiling and deeply moved, Andrew brought his face closer to hers and as she broke their gaze only to close her eyes, he pressed his lips against hers even so gently that it indeed felt an angel's touch. Monica returned his loving kiss with the same intensity, as he stroked her cheek.

As much as the little angel tried, she could no longer resist what she felt for him - her feelings were stronger than the pain she had experienced over the last few months. Her friends' rejection, her superiors' disapproval, and even the illness that now consumed her human form were not as powerful as the love inside her heart. And the fact that Andrew shared the same feelings was a spark of intense joy amongst all the suffering she was going through at that moment.

His kiss was gentle and sweet, and the pure bliss it elicited from her had the ability to chase away her fears for a while. That loving caress soon became smaller ones, as he still kissed her lips a few times more before finally kissing her forehead.

"You rest now, angel."

He motioned to leave but before that she squeezed his hand. "Stay, please... hold me until I fall asleep."

That request surprised him a little, but brought him immense joy as well. "I'll hold you forever, baby..."

"Good... because the only thing I cannot deny myself is you..."

Andrew took his place by her side and pulled her to rest her head over his chest. He kissed the top of her head and watched as her eyelids quickly grew heavier. On the following minute, she was already asleep, lulled by the gentle movement of his fingers caressing her auburn hair.

He couldn't feel more honoured.