PART 1

 The golden sunrays crossed the sky and gently covered the hills and mountains with its warmth, making their everlasting green that fascinated so many even more vibrant. With the sunrise, flocks of birds greeted the new day, crossing the orange and blue sky in a graceful and noisy flight. Winter was still chastising that part of the planet with its low temperatures, but despite the cold air that February 13^th was unseasonably sunny, accentuating all the colours of the mountains of a city with a very suggestive name – especially for a curious and adventurous heart, Los Angeles.

Sitting on a wooden bench that had mysteriously appeared on the top of a hill, quite close to a cliff, the angel in a graceful female human form admired a stupendous green carpet that landed until the far horizon to meet the blue immensity above. Her sweet brown eyes sparkled with the light emanating from the sun that had just risen, and her long auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders as the sunrays accentuated its glow and made her look like she had returned to her original form.

But for the moment she was made of flash and bones, and blood circulated in her veins, which required protection for her fragile structure. She was wearing warm clothes – a pink beret and matching pink turtle neck sweater. A beige woollen overcoat, jeans and leather boots completed her look, as a pair of gloves was now resting on her lap. In spite of the cold, it was not fair being at a place like that and not managing to touch a flower or feeling the dew dripping from the green grass due to the cold of the previous night.

Her rosy lips were curved in a slight smile, which grew wider as another group of noisy birds flew by, leaving her to wonder if perhaps they were heading to a tree in order to bring food for the little ones that remained in their nests. She tilted her head and followed them with her eyes until they disappeared on the top of the evergreens. And when they did, she returned to her contemplation of the wonderful God’s creation.

That silent gaze at the horizon, however, did not last for long. Her brown eyes suddenly moved, changing from dreamy to more concentrated ones. A few seconds later, another smile crossed her beautiful face and she did not have to turn around to be sure that there was a second presence standing just a few feet behind her.

Because they shared the same essence, and also because their mutual feelings were so deep that allowed a bond to be created; a connection that grew strong as the years went by.

“Everyone should take the chance to admire the beautiful gift that Mother Nature insists on offering, despite the harm that has been done to her over the last centuries.” He said, aware that by now his interlocutor already knew he was there. And his contemplation included not only the beautiful view from the cliff but also, and specially, the angel sitting in front of him.

She nodded, still not looking at him but listening to his slow steps against the grass as he approached the bench. “You are perfectly right. And this morning, Mother Nature has been even more generous, you know.”

“I know…” smiling, he finally stood by the bench and looked at her, and his heart was full when she returned his gaze – the spark that appeared in those sweet brown pools as they met his green ones gave a hint of how much joy that reunion meant for both of them. “… after all, you are here, and that makes the view more gracious than ever.”

Andrew enjoyed to see the slight blush rising on her cheeks as her smile grew wider, and also the curious expression as she looked at his hands. He was also protected from the cold, also wearing a black leather jacket over a green sweater, blue jeans and leather shoes. And contrary to his companion, he had his gloves on as a red rose rested in his right hand and a cup of double mocha latte, in his left. “And I was exactly looking for a place to sit so that I could enjoy it more comfortably.”

Monica’s eyes now travelled from the content in his hands to his handsome face and admiring his strong masculine features, she spoke again. “Well, I myself have been here for a little while and I believe this wee bench seems quite a good bit of a choice.”

Amused by her wording and loving the cadence of her Irish lilt, the blond angel finally took a seat next to her and now that they were just a few inches from each other he totally forgot about the exuberant nature that surrounded them.

“I couldn’t agree more.” His smile faded a little to give place to a tender expression as the angel contemplated those lovely Gaelic features he grew so accustomed to admire for hours to count. Andrew held her gaze for some moments and then turned to the flower and the cup he was carrying. “I can’t say that these reminded me of you because you’re always in my thoughts when we’re away. Yet, when I was told I’d have the day off, I figured there was only way I’d like to spend it…” He handed her the beautiful rose and watched as she caressed the soft red petals with marvelled eyes.

Monica smelled the flower in her hands and admired its beauty for some more instants before turning to him again. “You’re always doing the sweetest things to me…” she said, lost in his emerald eyes. “And there’s only one way I’d like to spend my day off too…”

The angel of death stroked her face with gentleness; wishing he had removed his gloves so he could feel her soft skin underneath his fingertips as he traced a line along her jaw. Eyes were locked in each other’s gaze for a while, as if love promises were being exchanged at that exact moment. Two hearts beating at the same time, in the same rhythm. And then that sweet contemplation ended as Andrew brought his face closer to hers. Monica could feel his warm breath breaking the cold morning air, and the warmth of his presence filled her heart and her soul with peace and much love.

The Irish angel’s eyes closed slowly as her valentine’s lips touched hers. The caress was sweet and tender just like Andrew was, and when he gently cupped her cheek, she tilted her head, allowing their loving kiss to go on, feeling butterflies in her stomach and the sweet sensation of being back to her original Home when he wrapped his strong arms around her waist.

To Andrew, holding her was like holding a precious treasure; a rare and delicate jewel that demanded all his care and attention. He was honoured that she trusted him so much as to touch her heart and her soul the way no other living creature had ever done before. Enjoying the moment even when their sweet caress was over, the angel of death still kissed her rosy cheeks and the tip of her nose, noticing that her eyes remained closed and a slight smile played on her lips, which he couldn’t resist to kiss one more time.

She let out a contented sigh as Andrew brought her closer to him in a tight embrace so she could rest her head against his strong chest. And they remained like that for a couple of minutes, when her voice broke the silence again. “Is this for me too?” her eyes were now on the mocha latte cup that he had placed on the bench next to him so that he could hold her small form.

Chuckling, he kissed the top of her head and pulled away to grab the cup. “With extra vanilla topping.” He quickly informed, as a broad smile was now playing on her face.

One of Andrew’s greatest pleasures was to watch Monica’s childlike joy, and it was exactly one of those occasions. With his eyes filled with utmost love, he observed as she carefully placed the flower on her lap, over her gloves, and then grabbed the cup with both hands, removing its lid and smelling her favoured drink before taking the first sip. The mocha moustache that was immediately formed above her lips clearly amused him, and his chuckling was not left unnoticed by the Irish angel.

She let out a pleased sigh. “Oh, I love it when they add those tiny bits of coffee grains! They seem to melt in your mouth with the milk and the vanilla, and...” despite her permanent smile, she gave him a slightly guilty look, somewhat fearing that her particular joy would mean putting him aside. “I want you to know you’re still my best morning surprise...”

Laughing even more, the blond angel cleaned her face and could not resist to brush another loving kiss against her coffee tasting lips. “Angel... I cannot think of something better than spending this day with you!”

Andrew watched as she frowned a little. “Well… actually I’m not quite sure if it’s my day off as I’m not quite sure my assignment is truly over.”

“Not quite sure?” Now he was the one who seemed a little confused by her words.

Monica looked at him with an adorable mix of uncertainty and anxiety. “Actually during the time I was here I was not only admiring the Father’s creations. I was also wondering if there was anything else I could have done, you see, as if I was reviewing my assignment and analyzing the facts…”

“I understand…” he said, following her line of thought – always a bit complicated to others, but never to him. “Why don’t you tell me about these latest events, angel? Maybe it would help you to ‘review’ the assignment.”

A lovely smile crossed her face and made him wonder if he hadn’t fallen in love all over again. “Actually, I was exactly thinking that if you were here I could make some sort of informal report to you and then you would help me see things more clearly, as you always do.”

Laughing, he caressed her hair and kissed her temple. “You can tell me everything!”

“I will…” she said, taking more of her favourite drink – the way she held the cup with both hands, as if holding something precious, was particularly amusing. “But not now…” Monica inched closer to him, and rested her head over his shoulder. Andrew immediately threw his arm over her small shoulders, holding her tightly and kissing the top of her head repeatedly. “Now it’s time for us to enjoy the view!”

“I’m already enjoying the view!” His words made her raise her head again and realise he was looking down at her instead of the range of mountains ahead. As their eyes met, he winked at her, and received a lovely giggling in reply. “And I’m surprised to meet you here all by yourself. Where is Joy?” He was referring to the eternal black spaniel puppy they had adopted so many years before, and who followed them everywhere while they were on Earth.

“Oh, Andrew, our poor wee one has a cold and stayed with Tess.” She informed, feeling an inch of sorrow for not having the cheerful little animal running here and there next to her. “Actually Tess told me not to go out myself because of the cold air, but then... look at all I would have missed!”

He knew she was not referring only to the view, and gently stroked her soft auburn hair. “She would have loved it here, it’s true. But I think she’s right about the cold air here, angel. Would you like to go for a walk?”

X

After Andrew had managed to convince her to put her gloves on, the Irish angel and her beloved valentine started a joyful walk along the woods, taking a narrow winding trail that lay amongst the bushes and the old green trees. There were small amounts of snow spread next to their roots, but in that region they were not enough to cover a large area. Hand in hand, they talked about the latest events that each of them had fulfilled; Andrew, escorting some of God’s children to their Home, and how he felt relieved to see that these ones accepted and understood that they were making a journey to their Home. Monica, helping an old gentleman to recover his long lost fortune that someone had stolen from him many years before, when he was a well-known film director.

“Mr Eckhart even said that if he was still filming he would include me in one of his movies!” she explained, with some excitement.

Chuckling, Andrew leaned down to brush a kiss against her cheek. “You’d have a devoted fan here!”

She giggled at his remark. And then, her smile faded a little as she kept on talking. “But I guess his ideal actress has been long gone, you see, Andrew. And he was never the same man, not even after justice was made and his life time work recognised as being his.”

“You think he would trade it all if he could find his girlfriend.”

“I truly think so. But the last time he heard of her, Mr Eckhart was told she’d got married and moved to another state. It all happened while he had to go back to his family home, in Europe, because his father’s health problems aggravated. He told me he had left her a note and asked a friend to deliver it... But heard from acquaintances that this friend was the one to marry her afterwards.” Sighing deeply, Monica stopped walking and looked at her dearest friend. And Andrew knew she was hoping to hear what he thought about the whole situation.

“Oh, Monica... from what you told me, your assignment was to be by his side and help him recover what was taken from him and from his children. And you managed to do so, angel. If during the time you spent with Mr Eckhart you didn’t get any clue of where his old girlfriend is, it’s because you weren’t sent to him for that. Perhaps in the future he gets to find her...or perhaps they’re not meant to be together.”

“That is sad to hear...” she let out a sigh and lowered her head.

Andrew cupped her chin up and made her look at him. “You and I know that there is a more perfect plan than we imagine for him, for his family and even for this old lady.”

Nodding softly, she agreed with him. “I do...”

“Besides, from what you heard, Mr Eckhart’s children were in a difficult financial situation after their mother passed away. This money will manage to pay for old debts and offer their father a more comfortable life. The life he worked hard to have!”

“He told me the family will start a new life out of here. They leave tomorrow.”

“And one way or another, they will be blessed with happiness. You’ll see.”

The Irish angel tilted her head and gazed at him; a soft smile back to her lips. “You have such a way with words... and with me!”

Andrew pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “Nothing makes me happier than this, baby.”

She was looking at the city down at the foot of the mountains and a smile played on her lips as sudden idea crossed her mind. “Andrew...”

“Yes?”

“I was wondering if perhaps we could go to the movies today... it’s been a while since I did it!”

The blond angel cupped her chin up so he could face her. “Are you asking me out on a date, angel?”

She blushed a little, but still kept her lovely smile. “Well, I guess I am... After all, you are particularly dashing today that I could not resist inviting you out!”

Andrew cupped her face with both hands and leaned down to brush another tender kiss against her sweet lips, telling her how immense his love was with that sweet caress and with the lovely feelings that emanated from his heart to hers. Not too long after that, the two angels in human form left the peaceful mountains and appeared down in the city. Andrew held Monica’s hand as they walked along the busy streets admiring the view and everything else that surrounded them. The shops displays had a particular effect on Monica, who looked like an excited child fascinated by all those beautiful items and stunning decoration.

The cinema sessions started in the afternoon, so the couple had the time to stop by a pretty and cosy restaurant and have lunch, sitting at a table that faced a huge window, from where they had a lovely view to a park. There wasn’t snow there like in most part of the country. Yet, the winter scenario was present and made one’s eyes pay more attention on how people interacted with one another; happy couples in love, mothers taking their little ones by the hand, gentlemen – elderly or young, carrying flower bouquets to their loved ones.

Lovely words and tender gazes, combined with Monica’s eternal chatter, made time go by quickly, and soon they headed to the movie theatre. Andrew bought them popcorn and they picked a romantic comedy to watch, even though when they took their seats and Monica rested her head against his shoulder, the blond angel could hardly pay attention to the dialogs before him. Her sweet presence and the opportunity to spend the day by her side were too precious, and he intended to enjoy it at the maximum. A stolen kiss, a soft caress or the permanent hold of his arm around her shoulders made it the perfect day, and being an angel of death not always meant his days were joyful ones.

Sooner than Andrew would like, the film was over, and it was time for them to go back to their temporary homes. As neither of them had another assignment until the following day, the angel of death had planned on taking her for dinner at a romantic restaurant and spend the valentine’s eve, and the surprise in her eyes as he announced that was priceless.

“I know Valentines’ day is only tomorrow but as we’ve both been given today’s day off then let’s just make it our Valentine’s day. Our first one as a couple of valentines, like you said a while ago, remember?” he spoke, winking at her as she threatened to shed a tear of joy for having not only his friendship but also his love.

“Oh, Andrew... I do remember... I keep all the moments we share in my heart.” She placed the palm of her hand against his own heart. “And I keep you.”

He took her hand and took it to his lips. “You’re so precious to me, angel...”

The small kiss that followed was sweet and so was his warm embrace, and they remained like that for a few moments more, in the middle of the cinema hall, and never noticed as the other people passed by them and smiled, pleased to see a couple so in love. But as they finally left the movie theatre, the angels had an unpleasant surprise: it was raining heavily outside, and the wind was blowing strongly, bending the already bare trees and making it difficult even to walk up to one’s car.

A lightning, followed by a loud thunder, made Monica tremble inside and hold Andrew’s hand a bit tighter. “Angel...”

“I know... I rather go to our temporary home, Andrew, please...” she spoke, feeling his apprehension to take her out around the city in such a terrible weather.

“Yes, let’s go.”

He wrapped his arm around her small shoulders and in a hurry, both crossed the parking lot heading towards the red Cadillac parked not far from them. Driving along the streets was not an easy task either, however, as the rain and the small tree logs were constantly being hit the window shield, making it more difficult for Andrew to see what was ahead of them. To make things worse, night had already fallen upon the city, and they were heading to their temporary home – an one hour drive from where they had spent the day.

Andrew thought about stopping the car at a safe place, perhaps a gas station, and wait for the rain to be over. But there weren’t gas stations nearby now, and he could sense his beloved angel was nervous.

“We’ll get away from the city soon, baby.” He said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

“I wonder if the roads aren’t just as much difficult to drive along right now.”

“Yeah, you have a point here... But I’d be as much worried if we stopped right now...” he spoke, peering outside through the wet glass.

At that exact moment, as if their apprehension wasn’t enough already, a sudden noise made by the car caused their hearts to skip a beat.

“Oh, no!” the blond angel grumbled, running a nervous hand through his short hair and visibly annoyed with the new situation.

“What is this noise, Andrew?”

The car started to slow down and in a matter of seconds, it stopped.

“I’m not quite sure, angel, but I guess the motor broke down...” he said, unbuckling the seatbelt.

A slight frown appeared on Monica’s face as she realised what he was about to do. “Oh, no, Andrew, it’s very cold outside and it could be dangerous!”

“Give me five minutes, Monica. I just need to see if I can fix this... If I can’t, then we’ll do something else, ok?”

How could she say no if Andrew had always been so strong and so brave, always ready to face any danger so that she was safe and protected? The next thing she knew he was already outside, holding a flashlight and examining the engine of the Cadillac, which actually belonged to Tess. Instructed by Andrew, Monica tried to turn on their car a few times, but it was useless.

“Father, if this is an assignment, please let me know...” he prayed, “But if it’s not, then please give me the ability to fix this car so we can go back to our temporary homes in safety.”

In the dark, his green eyes scanned the area, searching for a shelter from the storm that showed no signs of coming to its end. Finally, he made up his mind and knocked on the car window.

“Come with me, angel.”