PART 2

 PART 3

Andrew and Monica left the parking lot of the shopping center and headed to the supermarket, a few blocks from there. On their way, the two angels had to face some traffic jam, as everybody seemed to have decided to buy their presents on Christmas Eve.

“It’ll take more time than we expected...” Andrew said.

“It seems that all the inhabitants in the city have had the same idea...”

“Yes... I hope it doesn’t take too long...”

Suddenly, Monica spotted, not far away from where they were, a little girl, of about 9 years old, with long straight black hair and big black eyes, poorly dressed with a thin cardigan, an old grey cotton dress and a par of old tennis shoes. She was crouching near the steps of a restaurant, her arms crossed in front of her chest, and it was possible to notice that she was trembling with cold, as the temperature was low, and it was expected snow at the end of the afternoon.

“Oh my goodness! Andrew, look!” she pointed out.

He frowned with worry at what he saw, “...Father!...”

That image was like a sharp pain into the angels’ hearts, and Andrew immediately stopped the car. They got off and walked over to the little girl. And, although one could tell she was terribly frightened, the child was unable to move and ran away when she saw the two strangers coming closer to her.

“Hullo sweetheart... It’s very cold out here, you should be wearing something warmer...” Monica said, looking straight into the girl’s eyes and noticing all the fear evident in them.

“Where’s your mom? Andrew asked, kneeling right in front of her. But the girl moved backwards, still in panic.

“We’re not gonna hurt you, dear. We just want to help you...” the Irish angel reached out to brush back the small strand of hair that fell onto her tiny face and smiled, “My name is Monica. This is my friend Andrew. What’s your name?”

Her big black eyes surveyed both angels cautiously, and, a minute later, she finally spoke. “...M-Madeleine...” her voice trembling because of the cold.

“That’s a lovely name,” the smile never disappeared from Monica’s face.

“So, Madeleine, what is a pretty young lady like you doing out here, without any coat or warm clothes to protect herself from the cold?” Andrew asked, as kindly as he could.

“M-My aunt t-told me to go to the streets and... and ask for money... But... I-I couldn’t make much so... She s-said that I should come back and keep on asking... She s-said that sh-she won’t let me get in our house until I f-find some more...” she stammered.

Tears instantaneously filled Monica’s eyes and she looked at Andrew, who had an equally distressed expression on his face. “Where are your parents, sweetie?” he asked, feeling a bit of anger rise inside his heart, together with all the sadness caused by the girl’s words.

“They... They died... s-some years a-ago...”

“Come with us, Madeleine! We have warm clothes for you in the car!” Monica offered her hand, which she didn’t take immediately.

“Are you gonna take me home?”

“Oh no! No, sweetie! You don’t have to go back there, ok?” Andrew said, stroking the little girl’s hair. Hearing that, she accepted Monica’s proffered hand and they stood on their feet, ready to go back to the Cadillac.

But, all of a sudden, Madeleine’s thin legs failed and she nearly fell on the ground if it hadn’t been for the Irish angel’s firm grasp in her hand. “Andrew!”

The blond angel immediately took the child in his arms and they ran towards the car, “Let’s take her to the hospital!”

They got into the vehicle and Monica took the back seat, together with Madeleine, “I’m cold... Very cold...” she whispered, her small body trembling.

“I’ll get you some warm clothes...”

While Andrew started the car and drove all the way to the hospital, Monica searched inside the shop bags and found a blue woollen coat, some pairs of coloured socks and a pair of pink mittens. She wrapped the coat around the girl’s small body and, although it was quite big for her, it certainly kept her warmer. Monica replaced the girl’s old tennis shoes for 3 pairs of long socks (which were even longer, considering her short legs), and, finally, put on the mittens. Then, the Irish angel gathered her in her arms and, gently, soothed her hair. “We’ll take care of you, dear,” she said, with some tears rolling down her cheeks and feeling how cold the child’s skin was.

*

Some minutes later, the angels arrived at the ER of the city hospital:

“Please, we need help!” Andrew nervously spoke, in a loud voice, carrying Madeleine in his arms and followed by his anguished best friend.

Quickly, the nurses placed her on a stretcher and carried her through the corridor, one of the doctors joining them. Monica and Andrew tried to go together with her, but, as soon as they passed by a huge door, one of the nurses stopped them:

“Let the doctor take control from now on!”

With no other choice, they could do nothing but to wait and pray for Madeleine’s condition. Monica had found, in the pocket of her dress, an old school identity card, in which it was possible to find some information about the girl. Immediately, the police started to work on locating any other member of her family, and soon found out that her parents were really dead, and that, other than her aunt, the child had no more relatives.

The angels took a seat and, side by side, waited for over an hour, when, finally, the doctor who assisted Madeleine came back and walked over to them.

“How is she doctor?”

“Now the girl is fine!” the man answered, equally distressed to see a child in such conditions, while they heaved a sigh of relief to hear that good news, “You two have saved her life bringing her here, because, if she stayed outside any longer, exposed to the cold weather, she would’ve died of hypothermia.”

They looked at each other in amazement, and, after, back to the doctor.

“Can we see her?” the Irish angel asked.

“Yes, follow me.”

Madeleine was lying on the bed, her eyes slightly open, when Monica and Andrew came in. Immediately turning her attention to them, the girl watched as they came closer to her and smiled.

“Hey, Madeleine! Looks like we have a big sleepyhead around here!” the blond angel joked, causing a feeble smile to appear on her face.

“They will keep you warm here, sweetheart. And the doctors and the nurses will take a good care of you!” Monica took her tiny hand into both of hers.

“Won’t my aunt come and get me?”

“No, dear. She will never come close to you again!”

“So... Am I going to stay here forever and ever?”

At that moment, the angels looked at each other, without knowing what to say, as they hadn’t thought about that. But, suddenly, the smile reappeared on Andrew’s handsome face.

“No, you won’t stay here forever and ever. But I know a place for you to stay, with many other children of your age for you to play and with good people to take care of you!”

“Really?” Madeleine’s eyes grew wide.

*

The couple who ran the St. George Orphanage soon arrived at the hospital and were both enchanted to meet Madeleine and sad to know about her story:

“Of course there’s a place for her in our home, Andrew!

“Thank you so much for phoning us!”

“Madeleine is gonna love to live there with us and the other children!”

They watched delighted as the child’s eyes sparkled with that piece of news:

“Other children?”

“Yes, dear, many others, and Charlie and I will take good care of you, we promise!” the woman said, loving the slight smile on the girl’s face.

“It was a good idea to put your phone number in the wrapping paper of your candies!” Monica said, equally pleased with her dearest friend’s idea. The blond angel glanced at his watch and, after, at her, who nodded her head understandingly and came closer to the bed:

“I’m afraid Andrew and I will have to go now, sweetheart.”

The girl reached out and her tiny fingers stroked Monica’s cheek. “Pity...”

“We would like to stay too, but we can’t, dear... I’m glad to know that now you have a new home, though, and will grow up surrounded by much love. Be a good girl, ok?”

Madeleine smiled once more, “Yes... Thank you Monica, thank you Andrew. I guess that’s the best Christmas present God could give me...”

Tears filled the Irish angel’s brown eyes, and, suddenly, a pensive expression appeared on her face. Then, she looked at her best friend and he smiled reassuringly, “That’s a beautiful idea, Angel Girl!”

Some minutes later, Monica returned to the bedroom carrying a present box and placed it right beside the girl’s bed.

“What is it?”

“Well, I guess you deserve one more little Christmas present...”

She unwrapped the paper and a broad smile appeared on the child’s face, “A doll! It’s the most beautiful doll I’ve ever seen!!!”

“I’m glad you like her, sweetheart...”

“Thank you so much!”

Monica leaned down to hug her and kiss her cheek, “You’re more than welcome!”

“Stay with God, sweetie...” Andrew said, stroking her dark hair.

“Can you two come and visit me sometimes?”

They looked at each other and smiled, “Yes, wee one, we promise we will!”

“Ok... I’ll wait then...”

“Bye for a while, honey.”

“Bye...”

 And holding each other, Monica and Andrew finally left the hospital, with a moved but also content look on their faces.

PART 4

On their way to the supermarket, Andrew noticed how quiet and somewhat melancholic Monica was and he knew her well enough to know what was causing her sadness: Madeleine’s story had moved the Irish angel to tears and her kind and compassionate heart was still hurting to know that a child had been living under terrible conditions for such a long time.

But he was decided to erase the sorrow he could feel in her soul and replace it for her usual joy: all of a sudden, he turned left and stopped Tess’ Cadillac in front of a shop that sold Christmas articles.

“Andrew? What are you doing? I thought we were going to the supermarket...” Monica spoke, the change in the course of their direction finally took her out of her reverie.

Happy to have called her attention, the blond angel smiled, “Remember we still have to buy the rest of the ornaments for the house? That pine tree we caught in the morning deserves more than the few ribbons you hung on it!”

“Yes... that’s true, I had forgotten about it for a minute...” she spoke, observing the beautiful little shop in front of them.

“Well, we can buy what’s missing here and then go to the supermarket to buy the food!”

They came out of the vehicle and headed straight to the beautiful little store. There was a bell placed on the top of the door and it rang as the angels opened it, and they soon began to choose the ornaments to hang on their Christmas tree and around the house.

Watching Monica’s excitement coming back with tender eyes full of love, Andrew let her go ahead and decide which articles she wanted to take, resigning himself to give his opinion only when she asked him – though the talkative little angel made him tell her what he thought about each and every ornament she picked.

“Look at this Andrew!” she exclaimed, pointing to a gorgeous crystal angel, with long hair and wearing a long dress, at the top of a shelf, “We can place it on the top of our tree, Tess is gonna love it, don’t you think?”

“Of course she will; though she and I already have another angel, a priceless one, that cannot be compared to anything else in this entire world or Heaven...” he whispered into her ear, smiling at her.

Monica turned her head to shoot him a tender look, also with a warm smile upon her face, “I love you...”

“Really?” he replied, with a mock surprised face, causing her to giggle.

Then, she took the angel in her hands, “Isn’t it beautiful?”

“It’s gorgeous!”

With their goods inside the packages, they got out of the shop and were coming back to the car when an old lady, who had also come out of the same shop and who was carrying a full package in her hands, stumbled and fell on the side walk.

“Oh my goodness!” Monica exclaimed; she and Andrew were quick to help her.

“Ma’am, are you ok?” Andrew held her arm and helped her to stand up.

“Oh my... I guess I should follow my dear Winston’s advice and change my glasses!” she exclaimed.

“Did you get hurt? Does anything ache?” Monica asked, really worried about the old lady.

“No... I guess not...”

“Are you sure? You fell on your knees...”

“Oh yes, yes... I’m sure, my dear, thank you!”

“I’ll help you with your things...”

Andrew gathered all her goods from the ground and replaced them inside the package.

“Thank you so much, my dear; that was lovely of you to help such an old lady!”

And noticing how old the woman seemed to be, Monica was quick to ask, “Where are you going?”

“I’m going home, young lady. My husband is waiting for me; we have to decorate the house and wait for our children!”

“And is it far from here?”

“Hum... about 7 blocks... or are they 8? Well, I’d better get going, I’ll find the house when I see it...” she lowered her voice, “And just between you two and me: I know he’s hidden my Christmas present somewhere in the house, he does that every year, while I go out to buy something!”

They smiled and then the blond angel said what his dearest friend was already thinking, “We could drive you to your house, our car is right here...”

“Why, thank you! You’re really a gentleman! I’ll accept your offer, I’m in a great hurry today!” Andrew opened the door for her and she and Monica got into the vehicle. A second later, Andrew also got in and started the car. “And I tell you something, my dear, if I were 50 years younger, this young lady and I would get into a serious dispute over your heart!”

Monica looked at Andrew’s blushing face and both angels couldn’t help but laugh at the old lady’s words, and she herself found it funny, “Well, I’m joking, you know. I can see how much you love this pretty friend of yours!”

Twice blushed, Andrew continued to laugh and glanced at Monica, who couldn’t hold her giggling. “Yes, I do. Very much!” he spoke, winking at her.

“Yes, any fool can see it! Besides, I’ve already found my soul mate: Winston won my heart when we were teenagers; that was 59 years ago!”

“Being married for such a long time must be a such a joy! A real blessing!” Monica said, happy to notice the love in the old lady’s eyes.

“Oh yes, it really is! And I love him more than when we first met, you know.”

The talkative old lady told them she and her husband were waiting for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to arrive to spend Christmas with them, as they did every year. Some minutes later, they arrived at her house and she insisted they should enter to see their pictures.

“You have a lovely family, Mrs Atwood, and your great grandchildren are cute little ones!” Monica said, holding the photo frame.

“Oh yes, they really are. But I that’s because they have so much of my dear Winston, he was really handsome when he was young! Here, take a look!”

She showed the angels other 2 photos, one taken a long time ago and a recent one. But, when Andrew saw the man in the picture, he frowned with concern. “Is this Mr Atwood?”

“Oh yes, that’s my Winston! I wonder where he is now, the children must be coming already! We need to have everything ready for tonight! Monica, Andrew, please, excuse me just for a second, I’ll see if he’s upstairs, trying to hide my present...”

As the old lady left the living room, Monica turned to face her angelic friend, not missing the concern in his eyes, “Andrew? Is there something wrong?”

“I’ve seen this old man before...” he said, with a bit of sadness in his eyes, “She’s not gonna find him upstairs, Monica, because Winston Atwood died on the last Thanksgiving.”

The Irish angel stared at him slightly confused to hear that piece of news, “But... she told us...” then, realising what Andrew was trying to say, she covered her mouth with her hand; her eyes immediately filled with sorrow, “Oh dear... she doesn’t accept it...”

“I took him home and I remember that Mr Atwood was really sad and worried for his wife and sorry for not being able to spend this Christmas with her.” A slight smile appeared on his face, “He said that he would buy her a hat and a pair of gloves, as he had done in their first anniversary. And he also wanted to tell her not to be afraid because he loved her very much and he would be waiting for her when her time came.”

The old lady returned at that exact moment, “I don’t understand... he’s not upstairs either...” she said, with a rather puzzled expression on her face.

Andrew and Monica exchanged a look and the blond angel took the woman’s hand. “Mrs Atwood, when was the last time you saw your husband?”

After a long minute of silence, she finally answered to his question, “He was sleeping... in the bedroom... I thought he had stayed up until late on the other night, watching TV, so I didn’t want to wake him up...” it was possible to notice a bit of hesitance in her voice as she spoke.

“And was it your bedroom? The bedroom in this house?” Andrew insisted. Some tears started to form in the corner of Mrs Atwood’s eyes and she bit her lower lip.

“No... it... it was a hospital bedroom...”

“And do you know what happened after that, Mrs Atwood?” Monica asked, also holding the old woman’s hand with compassion in her look.

Tears finally fell from Mrs Atwood’s eyes and the two angels made her sit on the couch, “Oh, my dear Winston... he’s gone, isn’t he? He didn’t leave the hospital on that Thanksgiving...”

“No, he didn’t...” Andrew replied, “Your husband was very ill and in a lot of pain while he was in hospital... but he is with the Father now, Mrs Atwood.”

“I miss him so much...”

“I know you do... but Mr Atwood had a message of you...”

“A message?”

“Yes...” at that moment, a beautiful glow involved Monica and Andrew and the old woman’s eyes grew wide in surprise.

“Please, don’t be afraid, Mrs Atwood... We’re angels.” Monica spoke.

“Angels? Were you with my Winston when he died?”

“I was,” Andrew replied, “Mr Atwood is now in God’s arms, where there’s no pain and no suffering. And, although he is happy to be Home, your husband was also worried about you...”

“Oh my Winston... he was always worrying about me...”

“Yes, and he wanted you to know that he’s carrying you and your love in his heart forever and that he’ll be holding on to this love until you two meet again.” More tears fell from her eyes, as the blond angel kept on talking, “And he also told you not to be afraid, ok? Because he and God will be watching over you, always.”

“It’s so difficult to be without him...”

“God knows that, Mrs Atwood. But the best way to spend the time that you still have on this Earth is with your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; with the beautiful family you and your husband raised during all these years and who loves you very much too.” Monica spoke, “Never forget you both will live through them...”

“And Mr Atwood also said he loves you, very, very much; that he’s loved you through all these decades and he was grateful that God gave you both so much time together with each other.”

“Me too... Winston was the best present I could ever receive... And I’ll always keep him inside my heart...” she looked at them with all her gratitude evident in her eyes, “Thank you so much... I’m also so grateful that God sent you both to tell me this... to tell me the truth I needed to hear...”

Monica held the old lady for some instants and, as she did so, a pensive expression appeared on Andrew’s face. He stared at the Irish angel and she smiled understandingly, nodding her head. A minute later, he came back into the house holding 2 present boxes and placed them in the woman’s hands, “Mr Atwood wanted to give you these...”

“He did?” she asked, opening the boxes and finding a beautiful green hat that matched an equally beautiful pair of gloves. Those, along with the other clothes Monica had used to cover little Madeleine, where the presents they had bought for Tess in the shopping center, but the 2 angels knew the supervisor well enough to know how pleased she would be with the different destination they gave them.

“Winston... I love you so much, my dear...”

“He knows that... And God loves you too, Mrs Atwood. Whenever you feel alone and sad, turn to Him, ask for His reassurance and never forget that He is taking care of Mr Atwood and of you.”

“I won’t!” she replied, now with a trace of courage in her eyes.

A second later, they heard a knock on the door and a child’s voice from outside the house, “Granny! We’re here!!!”