CHAPTERS 26 & 27

Chapter 26

Monica and Andrew still couldn't believe that such a drastic change had happened to her before the dawning of that new day. Her human form, which was decayed and fragile due to the treatment she was going through against her cancer, was now healthy and strong again. And that miracle had happened for two reasons: God's will and Andrew's presence. The angel of death loved her so much that he had been able to share with her the same breath of life that his Father had given him at the moment of his creation.

If the bond between the two heavenly creatures was already strong, now it became even more powerful. Even more special. And even more loving.

Monica turned her eyes to him again. "Could you help me, Andrew?"

He immediately rose to his feet and she gladly took his proffered hand so that she too could stand up - it was the first time she did it for herself in weeks. And when Monica finally did so, Andrew was afraid to let her hands go, afraid that she could by any reason fall again.

But contrary to his fears, Monica looked at him with a broad smile as she was now standing on her feet all by herself. The glow that was involving both of them finally started to fade and she understood where it was coming from.

"You..." she said, once again holding his gaze and with tears in her eyes.

"Not me. The Father." Andrew humbly recognised.

Monica touched his face with delicate fingers and smiled. "But it was through you... It could only be through you..."

The blond angel didn't know what to say exactly, but now it didn't even matter that much. What mattered was that his Monica was back to him. He gently grabbed her face with both hands.

"Oh, angel... You're my most precious blessing... my most precious miracle..." he said, pulling her to his arms again.

And before she could say something else, another voice interrupted their conversation.

"Angel girl is right, baby. The Father used you as an instrument to perform a miracle, as a bridge. And we all witnessed it."

Only then they found out that their angelic friends were there and had watched the latest events. With tear-filled eyes, Tess walked over up to them and opened her arms. "And I guess it was the most beautiful miracle I've ever witnessed in my whole existence."

Monica let go of Andrew's embrace just for a little while so that she and the old supervisor could hold each other tightly, and then Tess broke down and cried. Except that now her tears were of pure joy. "Oh, angel girl... I prayed so much for that miracle, baby... I prayed so much for your suffering to end..."

"And you and I know that He was listening to you all the time..." she replied, more tears of joy also falling from her eyes as she held her dear friend.

"Oh, yes, He was... He always does, even though I myself forgot about this lately..."

"I guess most of us forgot about our Father's teachings lately, Tess..."

Sam's voice made them look at him and at the other angels. Some of them had turned their backs on Monica and Andrew at the moment they knew about their relationship. Others, like Adam and Rafael, had avoided talking to them fearing the consequences of everything that was happening, and feeling quite confused about what to think of the unexpected romance.

And they were all very sorry.

"We judged. We condemned. We turned our backs on you both, and in doing so we didn't even know one of our dear friends was going through the most difficult moment of her entire existence." Sam was speaking for him and for all the others.

Once Tess and Monica pulled away, Andrew stood behind the Irish angel and placed both hands over her shoulders. Perhaps his protective instincts were still acting, due to the unconscious fear that the old angel would try to take her away from him again.

"We were so wrapped up in our own prejudgement that didn't even bother to see past what we were condemning and know what was happening to you. We didn't even bother to pray for guidance and ask God what He thought about it..."

He gave a step closer and lowered his eyes. "We didn't even care to think about how you two were feeling, about the hurt we inflicted in your souls. I thank the Father that Tess didn't act like we all did. I'm glad she listened to her heart and to God's loving message."

"Yet there isn't a single day I don't regret the way I treated Monica and Andrew when I first knew about their feelings for each other." The supervisor added, and Monica reached out to touch her hand.

"You've already asked for our forgiveness, Tess. More than once and in many different ways." The little angel spoke, shooting her a grateful look. "You took care of me when I most needed... You were there for us all the time."

"Yes, and this is how we all should have acted. This is what our Father taught us." Sam kept on talking. "That's why we are all here. To ask for your forgiveness, Monica and Andrew. To tell you both how terribly sorry we are for our prejudgements."

"And for our omission too." Adam gave one step ahead. "You can't possibly know how ashamed I am for turning my back to two very dear friends. I didn't condemn you, but I didn't voice my feelings and my feelings were to support you because I know that the bond that keeps you both together is strong... it's different from anything else I've seen, and I've seen quite a lot!"

Rafael also took a step forward. "We had no right to judge you or to abandon you in a difficult hour." He looked at Monica. "Angels had never dealt with the fear of death and when I knew what was happening to you and was told to come here, I honestly... I never felt so scared... it never hurt so much."

Andrew was now standing next to Monica, with his arm wrapped around her shoulders, and they looked at each other somewhat moved with what their friends and fellow angels were saying.

"Asking for your forgiveness is the least we can do." Adam concluded.

"You all talked about God's teachings and how you ignored them... One of His most remarkable messages is to learn how to forgive. Andrew and I have no doubt that you are truly sorry... we can see it in your eyes. And it would be wrong of us not to accept your apologies." The Irish angel finally spoke, and one could see that the expression on her face was one of forgiveness.

"I cannot use better words." Andrew added, proud of listening to his beloved angel, proud of her forgiving nature - just one of the million things he loved about her. "The fact that we're angels doesn't mean we're perfect. I made mistakes in my existence too, and asked for God's forgiveness, and the forgiveness of those who I hurt. So there's no way I cannot accept your apologies."

He made a short pause and looked at Monica, smiling with emotion. "Besides... All that matters is right here with me now... And I'm the happiest angel in all realm."

She returned his gaze and his smile, and the others could see the love that brought the two angels together. It was undeniable that they had been made for each other and that their bond was intense and eternal.

"Oh, well, that you don't need to tell us, Andrew! I guess we all knew it already!" Rafael joked, and everybody's smile put an end to all the anguish and pain all of them had been through during the last few months.

Sam took a step closer and placed each of his hands over their shoulders. "God has given you His blessing, and this is the most important present you two could ever receive. But I also would like to give you my blessing along with my apologies... And to thank you two for making me see what true love really is. That is a lesson I shall never forget."

Little by little, the angels started to leave the woods, joyful that the story involving two of them had ended so happily.

"Well... Andrew, buddy, if you allow me I'd like to hug a dear friend..." Adam spoke.

"I give you my full permission!"

The angel of death gave Monica a warm embrace. "God bless you, sweetie. Hearing that you were so ill broke my heart, Monica. And the miracle that has just happened to you right now was the most beautiful miracle I've ever witnessed." He kissed the top of her head and let her go.

"Thank you, Adam." She smiled gratefully at him, and exchanged his embrace for Rafael's.

"I'm sure Andrew's gonna take good care of you, Monica!"

"He always did..." She said, and looked at the two angels. "But it's also good to know we have wonderful friends who will always be walking with us."

"That you can be sure you'll always have!" Adam said, and he and Rafael shook hands with Andrew.

"You got a precious gift there, buddy!" the angel of death spoke.

"The most precious I could ever ask for!" Andrew wrapped his arm around Monica's shoulders once again, and along with Tess, they watched as their colleagues went away.

CHAPTER 27

Under the gentle and bright rays of the morning sun, the couple of angels looked at each other again and smiled, a thousand of emotions reflected in the spark of their eyes and all the sadness that had filled their hearts for months was finally gone.

"I guess I'm leaving too, you see..." Tess' voice caused them to break their gaze and look at the supervisor, but they saw she was chuckling. "...because somebody has to go back at that cabin and prepare a small celebration of the Father's wonderful miracle!"

"Do you think we'll have some time together, Tess?" Monica wanted to know, with hopeful eyes.

"Yes, baby. This journey served to fulfil two assignments. One of them is just over, and I believe all of those who were here at the dawning of this new day learned an important lesson. There is still a mission to be accomplished, though. But not now."

"I understand what you're saying. And I'm ready to do it when God tells me the right time." The Irish angel spoke. They knew what the oldest angel was talking about, but were glad that their loving Father had granted them with some time for themselves, as the wish to be close after so much suffering was urgent.

The supervisor was gone a moment later and on that cliff were only Monica and Andrew. Smiling as she was still following the old supervisor with her eyes, he reached for her hand and took it to his lips. That gesture called Monica's attention back to him and she returned his smile with the same love.

"Know something, angel? Whenever I look at your pretty face, at those pretty eyes of yours, I see one more new reason to love you..."

She wanted to say something in reply, but all of a sudden her eyes were filled with tears and she bit her lower lip, not able to voice what she was feeling inside. And then she threw herself in his arms and held him tightly, burying her face in his strong chest. Andrew held her firmly, forever grateful for the presents he had just received: her love and the permission to remain by her side for the centuries to come.

He kissed the top of her head repeatedly, treasuring the feeling of having her in his arms. On the following second, Andrew could feel her sobbing and dared to tighten his embrace a little bit more. He knew those were tears of joy, yet Andrew wished she wasn't crying.

"There... There were times I doubted that a miracle would happen, you know... I feel so ashamed now..." she said, trying to control her tears as he kept on caressing her long strands.

"You were afraid, angel. Afraid just like me because what you faced was... it was nearly unthinkable for an angel." He spoke against her hair - sad memories crossing his mind as he looked at an invisible point lost in the breathtaking view before them.

"What we faced, Andrew... You were there for me all the time, and I guess that's why the Father gave me this assignment. Because he knew you'd stand by my side no matter what... even if you had to disobey Sam's orders."

"I would disobey anybody's orders to stand by your side, sweet angel. Because I know that we were meant to be together and the highest authority has given us His blessing." The blond angel pulled away just a few inches, and searched for her tear-filled eyes. "May I ask you something?"

A tearful smile broke on her face. "Yes..."

"Let's enjoy together the scenario you were eager to see and leave all those sad memories in the past." He wiped away the tears on her face. "I know those are tears of joy, but I'm eager to see your beautiful smile back on your face..." He smiled. "...Actually, this is a view I am eager to see!"

Monica let out a small giggle. "I think I can do what you're asking me, Andrew..."

He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, lost in the sweetness of her eyes. "We have so much time to catch up on with, angel."

"Well... I think we can start doing this right now, you see, as we don't have any assignment in the next few days..." there was a slight blush on her face as she spoke, as she knew that finally they would have time for their romance.

Amused, he wiped her cheek, eyeing her with tenderness. "Then may I ask you something else?"

She leaned on his tender touch. "You know the answer to this question will always be yes..." she said, sweetly as he gazed at her rosy lips. A moment later, Andrew crossed the small distance between them and she closed her eyes, feeling pleasant butterflies in her stomach. Andrew pressed his lips against hers and the kiss that followed was languid, slow and filled with love. Monica wrapped her arms around his neck, welcoming that caress with the same intensity as the blond angel held her tightly, yet always very gently.

The image of them somewhat completed the breathtaking scenario of the sun bathing the ever green mountains on that bright and blessed morning. The feelings that brought Monica and Andrew together were pure, holy and deserving, and the two would have the entire existence ahead.

When their kiss ended, another one started, just as loving as the first. Soon, Andrew was kissing her smile away, and enjoying the sound of her giggling, he pulled her to his arms once again.

X

"...and we also need to check on the nests that are near the cabin, Andrew. The last time I was here the wee birds were about to be born, you know. We have to see if this has happened already..."

Monica's Irish lilt echoing through the forest was music to Andrew's ears. Hand in hand, they walked back to the cabin following a trail ornated with colourful tiny flowers and hearing the humming of the birds. And during this time, the blond angel rejoiced to know that her chatty mood was back in full force. He listened intently to each comment she made about their surroundings and happily agreed with everything.

"We can do that after lunch if you want, angel." He said, kissing her hand as they climbed up the porch stairs.

"Oh, that is a good idea, Andrew. We can do that before we go to the lake..."

"To the lake?" he wanted to know, not missing how her eyes shone with the many plans she obviously had for the days ahead.

"Yes, I-"

But before she could go on talking, a puppy's bark called their attention and they saw it as little Joy ran clumsy towards them, nearly slipping on the wooden floor. The little animal's excitement was moving, and when Monica scooped her in her arms and against her chest, Joy covered the angel's face with lots of wet kisses.

"Oh, sweetheart... I know... I'm so happy too..." she stroked Joy's black fur and kissed the top of her little head.

Andrew also ruffled Joy's soft fur. "I guess mother nature is smiling at the miracle that happened on the dawning of this day."

Monica's eyes met his and immense joy invaded her heart - she was happy because he was happy, despite the visible traces of exhaustion on his handsome face.

"You're right, angel boy." Tess's strong and equally happy voice called their attention. The oldest angel came from inside the house wearing an apron, and one could see she was in the middle of something very important. "And right now it's time for us to have our breakfast, as we have to take care of our human forms! And once we're finished, I'll head back to the kitchen cause lunch is on its way!"

"Oh, we could help you out, Tess, I could-"

"Nope! Only fully authorised personal is allowed, Miss Wings." She was quick to inform, causing Andrew to hide a chuckle.

"Are you sure you won't need any help, Tess?"

"As sure as my name is Tess."

"Oh, well, then I could set the table for ya, and after lunch we could go for a picnic near the lake... I'd love to take up some swimming lessons!"

The two older angels exchanged a rather worried glance. "Swimming, angel? Don't you think you should wait a little?"

"Yes, she should! It's a little too soon for all those plans you have in mind, miss!"

Monica looked at her two dearest friends with hopeful bright eyes, which reminded of an excited child filled with great expectations. "I feel I have so much to catch up with, you know... And I feel so prepared to do so!"

Andrew and Tess then realised it would be impossible to deny her anything.