PART 4

PART 7 – FINALE

Some time later, the children and the woman spotted a wooden house in between the trees. But, contrary to what the angels had left it, now the cabin was all lit up with hundreds of small lamps blinking into the night. “Andrew, look!”

“I don’t understand it... when we left we hadn’t even had those things in the house!” he exclaimed, as intrigued as Monica, who started to feel a bit guilty.

“Tess must have done it all by herself! Poor her!”

“Yes, but it was for a good reason!” he replied, winking at her and making her smile again. In the van, the children were all impressed by how beautiful the cabin was, as if it had been taken out of a Christmas tale.

“Are you sure that Santa doesn’t live there, Mrs Edwards?” Karen, the little girl who had complained, spoke, with haunted eyes.

“No sweetheart, he doesn’t. but I can assure you there are very good people there.”

The vehicles were parked and Monica was the first one to run up to the door, “Tess? We’re here!”

A second later, the door flung open and the supervisor, together with Adam, Rafael, Sam, Phil, Emma, Ronald and Gabriel, greeted the two angels.

“Babies! You’re finally here!” Tess exclaimed,  immediately receiving a warm hug from her two dearest friends.

“Oh Tess, I’m so glad we made it!” Monica spoke and then looked at her other angelic friends, “But... I didn’t expect you all here and...”

Now she and Andrew saw that the interior of the house was fully decorated, with all the ornaments the Irish angel intended to use, and there was a big table full of food in the dinning room.

“Tess, how did  you do all of this?!” she asked really surprised.

“Oh she had some help!” Rafael spoke, winking at her.

“It was a surprise, baby... Andrew had told me you 2 would go up to the town to buy something and then I invited everybody to come along and stay with us; they helped me to get everything ready and to prepare a surprise for you two!” she explained, “But of course we  all had Another help, if you know what I mean...”

“Tess, have you got any idea of how much we love you?” Andrew spoke, kissing her cheek. Monica held the supervisor’s arm, “Very, very much!”

“I love you too, babies!”

Mrs Edwards had taken all the children out of the van by now and the Irish angel turned her attention to her unexpected guests.

“Mrs Edwards, this is our friend, Tess. Tess, this is Mrs Edwards, she was taking the children to sing in a choir presentation in town but their car broke down in the middle of the road. Fortunately Andrew and I were passing by and, as they don’t have any place to stay we thought...”

“Oh don’t say one more word, baby!” Tess shook hands with the old woman and invited the group to come inside. The children were immediately relieved to change the cold and the snow for the cosy and warm atmosphere of the cabin.

Still thinking that Monica and Andrew passing by the road at the exact minute she was praying for help was a miracle, Mrs Edwards could phone the children’s parents and explain them what had happened, and the teacher found it really strange that a cell phone (offered by Tess) could work in such a secluded place.

The house was full of happiness and laugher and, as soon as Joy saw the children, she joined the group, as everybody wanted to play with the chubby little puppy, causing a little mess in the living room.

From some distance, Andrew and Tess watched as Mrs Edwards and Monica gently tried to put some order in it and smiled.

“I guess it’s the best Christmas our little one ever had!” the blond angel said, wrapping his arm around the supervisor’s shoulder.

“Oh yes, though she missed you two very much all day long!”

Andrew sighed a bit frustrated. “Tess, in fact, Monica and I wanted to make a surprise for you. We went to the city to buy you some presents, food for the supper and the rest of ornaments to decorate the house.”

“Oh baby... you didn’t have to...”

“During our journey, though, lots of things happened and we met so many people in need that everything we had bought ended up being scattered among these people.”

“You did well, angel boy. I’m happy to hear that you wanted to prepare a surprise for me, but I’m happier that you managed to help so many people; I’m sure the Father placed you in their way. And knowing that is also a present, you know.”

“We know that. But, even so, we would like to give you a present...”

The supervisor turned her head to face him with a half smile, “You and I know that the best present we could ever receive this Christmas is right there, in the living room, trying to keep a little dog and a group of rather noisy little children in the same place for more than 10 seconds.”

They both looked at Monica, who had finally managed to control the “eleven” kids by offering them candies and hot chocolate.

“Yes... I know... Especially after the accident, I can’t seem to thank Him enough for placing her at our side, Tess...” the blond angel said.

*

Some time later, Tess announced that the supper would be served soon. Mrs Edwards came over to Monica and took her hands. “I don’t know what to say other than thank you. I guess all of this must be part of a miracle:  you and Andrew showing up in the middle of a desert road exactly when we most needed help, and all of you sheltering us in your house as if we were members of your family... I could even say you’re angels God sent us!”

“I told you already Mrs Edwards, there’s no need to thank us. In fact, the children brought even more happiness to the house.” Monica said, with a broad smile upon her face.

“Still, if there’s anything I can do in retribution please, tell me, I wanted so much to do something for you.”

Monica was going to say that it wasn’t necessary but, suddenly, an idea crossed her mind and her eyes lit up, “Well... in fact, there’s something you could do... and I’m sure that Tess will love it...”

Soon, the children were gathered in the living room and took their places wearing their choir costumes. Monica went to the kitchen, where Tess was, and insisted that she should stop what she was doing to see “something”.

“I don’t know if you noticed, but there’s an entire dinner to be served and the food isn’t gonna fly from the kitchen and land up on the dinner table, Miss Wings!” the oldest angel grumbled.

“It’s just for a few minutes, Tess, c’mon, you’ll love it!”

The supervisor and the other angels were led to the living room and gathered on the couch, armchairs or on the carpeted floor, and Monica stood right in front of them, together with Mrs Edwards and the children.

“Well... I’m so glad that you’re all here... Adam, Rafael, Sam, Phil, Emma, Gabriel, it’s such a joy that you’re spending Christmas with Tess, Andrew and me. Today Andrew and I wanted to surprise you Tess, by buying food for the supper, presents for you and ornaments to decorate the house... But the Father gave everything we bought another destination, with which we were very pleased too. And, instead, it was you who prepared us a wonderful surprise... But I just found out, a few minutes ago, that there’s still a present we want to give you. Something that I’m sure you’ll love...” she looked at Mrs Edwards and the children and concluded, “... Mrs Edwards, children, thank you so much for doing this extra presentation! Merry Christmas to ya all! Be sure that our loving Father sending His blessings upon earth to all of His dearest children. And Tess... we love you very, very much!”

The Irish angel joined Tess and Andrew and the other angels, and the children, conducted by their teacher, started to sing lots of Christmas carols. With her eyes full of love, the supervisor took Monica’s and Andrew’s hands into both of hers and squeezed them.

“It’s the most beautiful Christmas surprise I could ever receive, babies; other than having you two by my side, of course!”

*

The angelic audience watched with joy in their eyes as the children sang famous songs and, for some moments, it was as if they were all little angels too, and those beautiful voices transported all of them to Heaven.

In the last song, Tess couldn’t resist and finally joined the children. Andrew wrapped his arm around Monica’s shoulder, bringing her closer to him, “I guess you couldn’t have found a better present for Tess!”

The Irish angel smiled, “She’s so happy! The Father always has a plan, and it’s always wonderful, isn’t t it?”

“Oh yes, it really is!” he spoke, giving her a light squeeze and kissing the top of her head.

Some time later, everybody lifted a prayer of thanks and the supper was served. The food provided by the Father was more than enough for all of them and what seemed a disastrous Christmas eve, ended up becoming a beautiful celebration.

As the night fell, the children and the angels (as these were in human form) started to feel sleepy and Tess was quick to set accommodations for everybody. And soon, they fell into a deep sleep.

Andrew, Monica, Tess and little Joy were going to share the same bedroom and, seeing that the Irish angel hadn’t joined them, Andrew went to look for her in the living room. Monica was standing close to the Christmas tree, with her hands conjoined, and the many little lamps hanging on the tree added an extra glow to her auburn locks. If Mrs Edwards or one of the children saw her they would sure confirm that they had been surrounded by angels all the time.

Andrew came closer to her and placed his hand over her shoulder. “Monica?”

“Hi...” she replied, turning her head to look at him.

“Aren’t you sleepy? It’s late already and we had a busy day...”

“Yes, we really did, right?” she asked, a content smile on her pretty face.

Also smiling, Andrew nodded his head, “Nothing like unexpected assignments to break the routine!”

They smiled and, as he held her, she rested her head on his shoulder. “I was thanking the Father for everything, you know. For this day, for our friends, for helping the ones who needed...”

If there was something that always enchanted Andrew it was Monica’s kindness and her affectionate heart. The blond angel softly stroked her hair, “I guess grateful is a great word to describe what I feel right now too...” he looked inside his jacket pocket and took a small square box, “Right before I came here, I had bought you an extra present...”

Her eyes grew wide in surprise, “Andrew! you didn’t have to...”

“Of course I did!” he spoke, taking her hand into both of his and placing the box in her palm.

“I hope you like it...”

With her eyes full of gratitude and deep love, she gave a tearful smile, “I do... I love it already!”

“But you didn’t even open it!” he replied, chuckling and at the same time moved with her tears, which soon made their way down her cheeks.

“I don’t have to... If it comes from you, I love it anyway...”

Smiling and with all his affection evident in his green eyes, he gently wiped the tears from her face. Slowly, she unwrapped the paper and found a velvet box. Monica looked at her dearest friend again and smiled.

“Monica you have to open the box too, you know...” he joked, not missing the childlike excitement as she did so.

“Andrew!” the Irish angel exclaimed, now holding a gold chain with a little gold angel pendant linked to it. “It’s... it’s...”

As she  didn’t find the rest of the words, Monica suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug, which he immediately returned.

“So... Did you like it?” the blond angel asked, with a playful tone in his voice.

Shedding more tears, Monica pulled away and placed a tender kiss on his cheek, “Yes... I love it; it’s gorgeous! Thank you so much!”

“Here, allow me...”

Monica turned around and he placed the gold chain around her neck and fastened the clasp. Then, he made her turn around again so that he could see it. “That’s what you are to my existence, Monica. An angel who is always closer to me, either in the happy or difficult moments. And there are a lot more happy moments, I must say, as your presence alone is enough to fill my heart with joy!”

Still crying, but also with a broad smile upon her face, she placed her hand upon her chest, over the small pendant, “I’ll keep it close to my heart forever, Andrew, the same way I keep you...” the Irish angel held him tightly once again and, as he lay some kisses on the top of her head, she whispered, “I’m sorry I don’t have anything to give you...”

Although her voice was filled with guilty and a bit of sadness, Andrew gave a short laugh and tightened his hold on her, “You’re kidding me, right? You gave me a wonderful day and doing the Father’s work together with you is a blessing alone! Besides...” Andrew pulled away to lift her head so that their eyes could meet, “The best Christmas present I could ever receive is right here, in my arms... You’re the most precious gift I could ever get, Monica. And I’d be a less happy angel without your friendship and love.”

“Oh Andrew...”

Monica was going to say something else but a sob and more tears didn’t let her to. She tightened her hold on him again and buried her face in his chest.

“Hey... it wasn’t my intention to make you cry!”

“I’m sorry... you know that I feel the same for you, that I love you very much, with all my heart, don’t you?

“Well, let’s say I suspected that...”

Hearing her giggles, the blond angel pulled away again and, smiling, he wiped the tears on her face with gentle fingers. “Yes, that’s what I want to see... If you cry one more time I’ll start tickling you, Angel Girl!”

She laughed even more and at that moment, snow started to fall more intensely. Holding each other, the  2 angels came closer to the window to see it. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yes... And I guess that this Christmas was perfect... not counting the first one!” Andrew replied, and, as he bent his head to look better at the falling snow, he hit an ornament made with mistletoe, which probably Tess had hung there.

They looked at the little plant and then at each other and, while Monica couldn’t help but chuckling, Andrew’s face became all red in a matter of seconds. But even being embarrassed, this time the blond angel smiled and nodded his head. Then, he gently grabbed Monica’s face with both hands and placed a tender kiss on her forehead and another tiny kiss on the tip of her nose; and they held each other once more; their hearts filled with happiness, peace and deep love.

“Merry Christmas, my angel...”

“Merry Christmas, Andrew... I love you... Forever...”

The end

(2^nd version)

They looked at the little plant and then at each other and, while Monica couldn’t help but chuckling, Andrew’s face became all red in a matter of seconds. But even being embarrassed, this time the blond angel smiled and nodded his head. He cupped her chin and lifted her head up so that their eyes could meet. Slowly, Andrew bent his head down and brushed a gentle kiss on her forehead and another tiny kiss on the tip of her nose.

Then, he looked at her a bit hesitant, but the smile upon her pretty face and the spark in her eyes were so encouraging that he too smiled. Once again, he bent his head and their faces inched closer until their lips met in a small but tender kiss. When they pulled away both held each other once more; their hearts filled with happiness, peace and deep love.

“Merry Christmas, my angel...”

“Merry Christmas, Andrew... I love you... Forever...”

The end