CHAPTERS 6 & 7

CHAPTER 6

"I don't know how to thank you enough for what you did for my family, Monica..." Sarah Miles was standing at the porch, next to her husband and holding a pretty two-year-old little girl in her arms. Before them, was the angel that God had sent to deliver them the  message that they needed to hear in order to move on with their life, now filled with much love and tolerance.

"If you ask me, I guess we'll never be able to thank you..." Matthew added, with his hands over his wife's shoulders.

"I'm just the messenger. There's a loving Father who you should thank and the best way you can do it is living a life in accordance to His teachings. Hold on to your love, Matthew and Sarah, because it is a precious gift. And many don't realise it until it's taken from them. I guarantee you there isn't a greater pain."

There was more meaning in the angel's words than the couple could have ever guessed, but they nodded in agreement aware that they were nothing but the truth. Monica bid them and their little girl goodbye and walked away. It was a cold afternoon and the chilly wind caused her to pull the coat around herself tighter in order to keep out the chill as she walked. One more assignment had been accomplished - and with success, and in a way it brought some comfort to her troubled and anguished heart.

Not sure where she would head now that her work at the Miles' house was over, the little Irish angel decided to go on walking, ignoring where her feet would lead her to. Maybe she could stop by at a cafeteria downtown and buy herself some mocha, in an attempt to warm her soul. Her constant worry about being caught by Tess was non-existent now as the supervisor had been treating her in the cruellest way.

Monica walked for nearly 20 minutes and was now in a busy street, with people passing by and listening to the constant noise of the traffic. She soon spotted a café just across the district's main avenue and headed into its direction. The angel waited for the traffic light to turn red for the cars and when it did, all the ones who were waiting to cross the street started moving - except Monica. At that moment, the weird sensation she had felt at the park some days before was back. All of a sudden, the world around her was spinning and she felt her legs give in. The angel's vision went blurred and she knew she would soon hit the ground.

But also unexpectedly, a pair of hands grabbed her by the waist for support and a familiar voice was softly speaking in her ears. Monica thought it wasn't real.

"Angel?!" Andrew's green orbs were filled with great concern and he was frowning with worry at the vision of his beloved Monica nearly fainting in the middle of the street.

"Andrew?" she blinked a few times, trying to see past her sudden weakness. It took Monica a few moments to focus again. Grabbing his arms, she recovered her balance and searched for his face, still not believing Andrew was actually there, standing in front of her.

"Angel?" he repeated, the term of endearment had always touched her heart. The angel of death caressed her hair and lay a hand against her cheek, moved to see her again; praying that the moment would last forever.

"It is really you..." she spoke, tears of joy were forming in the corner of her eyes, and when he held her tightly in his arms, they fell down her face.

"Monica, baby..." his murmured words died in his mouth, as they were not enough to convey what he was thinking and feeling. Andrew held the Irish angel for long moments, kissing the top of her head repeatedly, and pressing her against his chest as if afraid someone would suddenly appear and take her away from him once again.

But it didn't happen and when she raised her head he forgot about everything else and only focused on his precious little angel.

"Please tell me this is really happening..." she murmured and he pulled away just enough to look at her.

"I'm here, angel... I'm here..." he said, caressing her face, studying every little detail of her meek features and not missing the great sadness he could see deep inside her eyes. She was suffering. Just like him.

But her crying broad smile at him managed to soothe some of his sorrow away: she was just as beautiful as the last time he'd seen her - no, she was even more beautiful to be honest!

"How did you know I was here?" Monica wanted to know, and in her doe-like eyes he could also see her great joy to be with him again.

"I felt you, sweetie. I felt something was not right..." he lay a gentle hand against her cheek, "What happened to you just now?"

"I... I don't know... I've been walking for some time... it might be it..."

"You're running a low fever..." The blond angel was so worried at the traces of exhaustion on her face that he couldn't manage to be totally happy to meet her again.  "Are you staying anywhere near here?"

"Well... actually, I've just finished an assignment and I didn't know where to go..."

"You mean you don't have a place to stay?" The fact that the fragile little angel was walking around the city in with her human form and with no destination or a safe shelter caused his heart to ache with sorrow. "You're coming with me, angel. I'll take you to my temporary home!" He firmly stated, and protectively wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Did you abandon your assignment, Andrew?" she was immediately worried.

"No, angel. I'm not needed right now, but even if I was... I'd still come to you as I see you're not alright..." he stated and then stopped walking, never releasing her hands.

They walked for a few minutes and were soon away from the noise of the busy streets and in a more residential area. The building Andrew was staying at was a modest but pretty one. He and Monica climbed up the stairs until the second floor and he guided along the corridor up until the first door on their left. Andrew inserted the keys and on the following moment they were inside his temporary home while he was fulfilling his assignment.

"Come on in, angel." He placed a hand on the small of her back and gently motioned her to enter.

"It's very beautiful, Andrew..." she said, a slight smile playing on her lips as she walked on the living room. Then, she turned around to look at him. "If I was given the chance I would have helped you with the decoration..."

Her little joke finally made a tiny smile appear in the corner of his mouth but then he was serious again, and standing right in front of her, hands upon her shoulders.

"You felt dizzy out there... You almost fainted, angel..."

"I... For a moment the world around me was spinning..." she didn't want him to worry but there was no way she could hide the truth from him.

"How long have you been feeling like this, Monica?"

"I... I don't know for sure... Sometimes it comes and goes and then I get better again..."

"... but sometimes you don't?"

The power of his gaze was something she couldn't fight against. Not sure of what to say, she lowered her head. "I guess I've been working non-stop in this human form... It tires me a little..."

Andrew cupped her chin and gently lifted her head up again, looking deep inside her eyes. "I'll take care of you, angel! You'll stay right here with me and I'll prepare you something to eat. While I do it you'll rest and-"

"May I ask you something?" her voice was suddenly hoarse with emotion.

"You can ask me anything, baby."

"Hold me... please?"

The expression on her face held so much sadness, fear and anguish that it broke his heart ten times. In a heartbeat Andrew took the little Irish angel in his arms again, kissing the top of her head and caressing her auburn hair.

"Monica... angel... my angel... I love you so much... So much, baby..."

"I... missed you... And I never thought it could hurt like this... If we were away because of an assignment, I guess it wouldn't hurt so deep..." She moved her head up, "But forbidding our love is... I guess it's what's been killing my soul..."

Those words not only hurt to hear but for some reason scared him in the most disturbing way. Andrew tightened the hold on her small form and closed his eyes, loathing the mere thought of seeing that sweet creature dying slowly for their love.

"Shh... Don't say something like this, please. Our love will never end. Nobody, neither human or angel, will be able to cease what I feel for you!" he firmly stated.

"What if the Father forbids it, Andrew?" she made the question that had been torturing her for a long time.

He pulled away just a few inches, searching for her face. "Then I'll be an eternal sinner and spend the rest of the eternity hoping He can forgive me."

Their eyes met in a loving gaze, sparkling with the powerful emotions that made two souls look like one. Andrew reached out and caught a lonely tear that feel from her eye, at the moment he heard her sweet loving words back at him.

"And I will spend the rest of the eternity loving you."

Gently framing her face with both hands, Andrew studied her every meek trait and then crossed the distance between them. When his lips brushed hers, Monica closed her eyes and surrendered to that sweet caress. There was no time or place for the two heavenly beings, but just each other's presence and the beauty of their feelings. Their kiss was sweet and slow and soon Andrew had moved one of his arms to wrap around her waist, bringing her closer to him. He kept his other hand on the back of her head, fingers entangled in her perfumed hair.

The feeling of being in loving arms melted Monica's heart and caused the little angel to feel weak in her knees. She tilted her head as he deepened their kiss, welcoming his caress, committing to memory the multitude of feelings that that moment brought her. It'd been a long time she had felt so happy.

Their lips parted for a brief moment so that their loving kiss could be turned into smaller ones, just as affectionate as the first. Then they remained in each other's arms, two hearts beating in the same rhythm. The two angels were together now, and this time Andrew had decided that no one would keep them apart.

CHAPTER 7

When Andrew finished to prepare dinner the night had already fallen and a cold wind was blowing outside. He dreaded to think about what would have happened to Monica if she was still out there, roaming in the streets without a certain destination and waiting for her next assignment. It was far too clear that her human form was ill and demanded special care. Her persisting fever and weakness were evidences that something was wrong, and Andrew was considering taking her to the nearest hospital if she didn't get better.

The blond angel had the extra care to set the table for his sweet angelic friend, neatly organised as she would do if she had the chance to. Once he was over with his previous task, he headed to his bedroom, where Monica had been sleeping for the latest three hours. Careful not to make any noise, he pushed the door open and saw that she was still asleep, lying on her side and covered by the warm blanket he had placed over her small form. Andrew walked over up to the bed and sat at its edge. He gently removed a few strands of hair from her face and caressed her cheek, with his eyes filled with tenderness and devotion. A worried frown could be seen on his forehead as he noticed that the fever hadn't broken.

"Angel... What's wrong with you, huh? Why are you so fragile?" he murmured, more to himself. The angel of death bent his head and brushed a tender kiss on her face. That sweet caress and the constant movement of his fingers through her hair caused her eyes to open slowly.

It always amused him to see her awakening, as he always found her extremely cute with that confused expression on her face.

"Andrew?"

"Hey..." he greeted her with a warm smile. "Did you sleep well?"

Frowning a little, she stirred slowly and now lied down on her back while looking around them and then back at him. "I... For a moment I thought I had a dream..."

He cupped her cheek and leaned over once again, brushing a loving peck against her lips. "Nope. And neither was this."

Watching as her lips turned into a sleepy smile renewed his hopes and he searched for her hand. "I prepared your dinner. Do you think you could eat something? For me?"

"If you prepared it then it must be delicious, Andrew. And..." she looked at their conjoined hands and then back at him, "... I do anything for you..."

Smiling, he removed the blanket away and helped her to sit up straight. Then, once her small feet touched the floor, he knelt in front of her and put on her sandals. "Thank you..." she was smiling back at him and took his proffered hands and he guided her up to the dining room. Her skin was still warm and he noticed how she flinched slightly with cold, wrapping her coat more closely around her body.

But during the time they stood there, Andrew also noticed how she made an effort to eat the food he had so carefully prepared her. Monica bit her lower lip once in a while, and took some sips of water before forcing another piece of chicken into her mouth until the moment her dearest friend covered her hand with his.

"Angel... sweetie, it's alright..." he said, with an understanding gaze back at her. "You don't have to..."

She lowered her head in shame. "I'm so sorry..."

"Don't be. I'll take this away and make you some tea and grab some medicine for your fever to break, okay?"

"Let me help you..."

"You'll be helping me out if you go back to bed and stay there waiting for me."

Monica nodded, secretly feeling bad for making him worry so much - as she could see the great concern reflected in his green eyes. He pulled the chair for her and took her back to the bedroom, helping her to lie down and placing the warm covers over her small form. Then he kissed her cheek and returned to the dining room. There was something on his mind, but he knew she wouldn't like to hear it.

X

When Andrew entered the bedroom Monica wasn't asleep. She had her head over a pillow and eyes focused on an invisible point ahead of her while the lamp on the bedside table broke the darkness that surrounded her. The same darkness that had taken a good part of her heart, even now that Andrew was back at her side.

His appearance however took her out of her reverie and she stirred slowly to acknowledge his presence. "Hi..." she said, observing with slight curiosity the content in the tray he was carrying with him.

"I brought your tea and some medicine..." he announced, placing the tray on the table and helping her to sit up straight. Then, he placed a pillow against her back and when she was comfortable enough, he handed her the cup of warm tea and the medicine in an attempt to make her fever break.

With patience, and a massive dose of protectiveness, he waited for her to finish the drink, once in a while caressing her hair and tucking its loose strands behind her ear. Once she was over with it, he took the empty cup and placed it on the nightstand. Then, he straightened the blanket around her in order to keep her warm.

"Do you think you feel at least a bit better?"

She managed a cute smile, hoping it would make him feel better. "With you taking care of me, I most certainly do!"

"Taking care of you and doing the Father's work... I guess these will be my permanent assignments; the reasons why I was created..." he inched forward and brushed a tiny kiss on her lips.

She continued to look at him with gratitude and much love, and then reached for his hand. "May I ask you something?"

The request caused him to chuckle as there was possibly nothing he would deny her. "You know the answer for that."

"Could you stay here with me?"

He took her hand to his lips. "I wasn't planning on going anywhere away from you, baby."

The angel of death turned all the lights off, except the bedside table's, as he knew how much his dearest friend dreaded the complete darkness. Then, he removed his shoes and climbed into bed, throwing the heavy quilt over them and lying down next to her. Once he had settled in there the angel of death reached out to wrap a protective arm around her shoulders. Monica was quick to abandon her pillow and nestle her head over his strong chest, closing her eyes at the comfort she felt whenever he tightened the hold around her a bit more.

"Sleep now, my angel. I'll be right here to watch over you."

"Like you always do..." she added, enjoying the soothing movement of his fingers caressing her hair, lulling her into sleep.

Overwhelmed with tenderness, he bent down and brushed a loving kiss against her forehead. "Yes. And where I'll always be."

They remained quiet for a while, only listening to the howling wind blowing outside, and shaking the trees canopies. But then again, the Irish angel sleepy voice broke the silence to speak only three simple but meaningful words. "I love you..."

"I love you, baby. For as long as I exist."

Under Andrew's attentive gaze, Monica fell asleep some time later, and he searched for any sign of recovery in her condition; a turmoil of terrifying thoughts running on his mind. The angel of God didn't know he would be so vulnerable - that he would hold so many fears inside his very soul, like humans did. If his beloved angel didn't get better there would be only one solution. As much as it could break his heart, Andrew knew that love was selfless and generous, exactly like the sweet little creature lying in his arms, and he had to do what was best for her before anything else. Before his own feelings.

Time passed slowly that night. Andrew kept his green pools firmly turned to his dearest friend but occasionally, exhaustion caused them to close slowly and he had to fight hard not to surrender to sleep. It was exactly in one of these moments that he dozed off, just for a couple of hours in the dawning of a new day. But when the first sunrays started to shine across the planet, the angel of death woke up all of a sudden. Monica's body was trembling with cold, despite the fact that she was extremely hot. Her soft moans and the way she called his name in a very low voice nearly broke his heart. The medicines hadn't worked.

"Monica... angel?" he gently shook her, watching with apprehension as she opened up her eyes.

"Andrew?"

"You're trembling, baby... The fever didn't break..."

"I... I feel cold..."

Andrew stood up for a moment and reached inside the wardrobe. He took another blanket and unfolded it, gently covering her small form. "Here..."

"Thank you..." she said, as he remained there, looking at her, his thoughts in turmoil once again. What was causing his dear Monica to be so ill?