CHAPTER 10

Tess parked the red Cadillac in front of the cabin and she and the little puppy dog in the back seat entered the house. The supervisor headed upstairs immediately, with worry evident on her face. She had left the cabin on the previous night on an emergency assignment but was reluctant about it, as being away from her “angel girl” was always painful, especially in that situation.

But when the angel opened the door in Monica’s room, what she saw brought immediate tears to her eyes and a wave of joy flooded her soul: Monica and Andrew were still sleeping on her bed, with the blond angel’s arms protectively wrapped around her small shoulders as if even in his sleep, Andrew was telling her that everything would be alright from that moment on.

“Oh, Father... I prayed so much for this! And You finally answered to my prayers. Thank You! Thank You so much!” Saying more prayers of thanks and with happiness written all over her face, the oldest angel quietly left the room.

A few hours later, when the sun was already rising high in the sky, Andrew stirred his head and his eyes slowly opened. Amazing what his meeting with Monica had done to him: the constant nightmares were over and for the first time since that assignment had stared, he finally managed to have a calm sleep. The blond angel turned his head to his left and saw the little angel who slept peacefully snuggled against him. She had never used her pillow, as she was resting her head over his chest, and his heart nearly broke at seeing how she clutched his T-shirt, as if fearing his going away from her once again. Tenderly, and carefully not to wake her up, he raised his hand and stroked her perfumed hair. How me missed that simple action that had become so rare lately! But Andrew had promised her and himself that he would make it up for her; that he would use all the love inside his heart to make all the sadness and pain he’d inflicted her go away.

Sometime later, the blond angel tried to leave the bed and carefully held her and placed a pillow under her head. That movement, however, did cause her to stir and whisper a few words.

“Andrew... where are you?”

“Shh... I’m right here, angel. I’m not going away from you. Please, sleep,” he whispered back, kissing her temple lovingly, until he was sure that she was sleeping again. Then, he straightened the blanket around her small form and quietly left the bedroom.

*

When Andrew entered the kitchen Tess’ broad smile was the first thing he saw, and the old angel opened her arms to him like a mother who hadn’t seen her son in a long time. “Oh, baby! Baby, it’s so good to see you again!” she said, with tears already threatening to fall from her eyes at any moment.

Smiling back, Andrew tightened his hold on her and nodded, “I’m sorry I’ve been away for so long... I’m sorry I made you all worry, Tess... It feels so good to be back... So good to hold you...”

The supervisor pulled away and stared at him with her eyes filled with sorrow at seeing his beard and filthy appearance, “What happened to you, baby? Your face, your eyes... they hold so much sadness...” she said, gently lying her hand against his cheek, “... And look at you, you’ve lost weight, you’re probably weak and hungry!”

He covered her hand with his and a bittersweet smile appeared on his face, “I ate something when I arrived here, yesterday night... The last days have been pretty rough but it’s finally over...”

“When I heard about what happened at the school I was so... so desperate... I knew that you were not guilty but there was no way I could leave the hospital, Monica was fighting to stay alive...”

A silent tear rolled down his face as he heard that – he wanted to be there too, praying and holding the little angel’s hand, but instead people were accusing him of something he would never in a thousand years do. “I know, Tess. I was praying for her too where I was...”

They held each other tightly once again, their hearts filled with emotion.

*

After he had a shower and removed the beard, Andrew headed to Monica’s bedroom again. His appearance was much better now that he had changed into clean clothes and eaten something. He knocked on the door very lightly, but having no answer, the blond angel slowly pulled it open: his dearest friend was still fast asleep in her bed; the expression on her pale face was a peaceful, calm one. Smiling, he walked over up to her bed and placed a chair right next to it. Then, he gently took her hand and caressed her hair, his eyes filled with emotion at seeing her so serene in her sleep.

But, as if feeling his loving presence, the little angel slowly stirred and, a few moments later, her eyes flung open. Andrew couldn’t help but chuckle when he saw the slight confusion on her meek face – something that would often happen when she slept until late.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty...” he whispered, brushing away a few strands of hair from her face.

“Andrew?” a sleepy smile appeared on her face when she saw him.

“Hey, baby... How did you sleep?” his warm smile was enough to put her heart at ease and slowly she regained full consciousness.

“I’m... I slept well...” Monica tried to sit up in bed but her sudden effort only caused her human body to ache.

“Hey, hey, hey... calm down, angel!” he was immediately at her side, helping her out.

“Sorry... I... sometimes I forget my condition...” she sadly replied, taking his proffered hand.

“It’s okay, baby. I got you...” he helped her to sit down in bed and quickly placed a soft pillow on her back, so that she could rest against it. Only then, her meek smile reappeared and she reached out to touch his face, “It’s so good to see  you like this again... To see your face without that beard...”

Andrew gently covered her small hand with his and tried to joke, “So you didn’t approve of my new look, huh?”

“No... It made you look sad... Sadder than you already are...”

“Part of my sadness vanished when I arrived here and saw you sleeping in this same bed, Monica. And the other part will leave as soon as you recover fully from these wounds.”

“Can I have a hug meanwhile?”

“Always.”

He carefully gathered her in his arms, and as she rested her head over his shoulder, Andrew closed his eyes for brief seconds, his fingers immediately entangled in her perfumed auburn hair. Monica’s heart was surely filled with joy for having her dearest friend back but deep down inside she was sad – the little angel could feel the sorrow Andrew was trying to hide from her in the depths of his soul. There was more than he had told her; the pain that his assignment brought him was still latent and only time and his actions would heal it.

The Irish angel pulled a few inches away and brushed a gentle kiss on his cheek, “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, angel. I’m the one who is always thankful,” he replied, taking her hand in both of his, “Are you hungry? I’ll go downstairs to take your breakfast, Tess is already preparing it.”

Her smile didn’t disappear completely but it faded away a little, “I... Tess has to help me out first... she has to help me to change the bandages, I can’t do it alone.”

She watched as the expression on his face turned into a sad and worried one, “Are you feeling any pain, Monica? Did... did I hurt you that badly last night when I held-”

“No! No, Andrew! It hurts a little because of the stitches but no, you’d never hurt me!”

“I... I can’t stop thinking that I did...” he averted his eyes from her, ashamed of his latest actions. But Monica cupped his face and made him look at her once again.

“Please don’t do it to yourself, Andrew. Only the Father knows how much I prayed to see you again, how much I prayed for your safety. Your absence hurt more than these wounds... Besides... Now I know you did everything you could to keep me away from danger, your actions, your harsh words... They were nothing but a way to protect me.”

“I... I should have done things differently. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that-”

“You did what you could at that moment!”

“But it only caused you to get hurt-” She gently covered his mouth, “I’m here now; I’m healing and having you here with me only helps me to heal faster.”

“And I’ll be eternally grateful, sweetie. One of the happiest moments of my existence was when I came in here and saw you... But I walked out of my assignment, Monica. When I thought you had... That you had gone I refused to help that boy...”

“There’s still a chance to save him. You know that. Who told you I didn’t survive? Who was there trying to put you away since the beginning?” She watched as in silence he reflected upon her words, “If you insist on blaming yourself and living in guilt, it’ll only make Gregory stronger and he’ll get what he wanted since the beginning: spread sadness and evil.”

“Do you think there’s time... for him? For me to be redeemed of my mistakes?” his eyes were shining with tears as well as hers.

“Of course there is, Andrew!” She took his both hands and squeezed them, “You’re more than a wonderful angel, Andrew. God gave you a beautiful, compassionate and loving soul! How many times have I looked for comfort and reassurance in your arms? How many times were you there for me when I felt lost and lonely? You have such a warm heart, Andrew! You’re so kind, so gentle not only with me but with all the ones who need your help...” Tears were falling freely from her eyes but the broad smile on her face made him overwhelmed with emotion, “And I’m so proud to be your friend! I’m so grateful for having you by my side, in the happiest and saddest moments of my existence! So grateful!”

“Monica... Angel...” Lost for words he lay both hands on her face and brushed a loving kiss on her forehead, which lasted for long seconds. Then, he gently pulled her for a warm embrace, and the two remained like this for some time, just enjoying each other’s company and sharing their blessed connection, through which a multitude of loving feelings was transmitted.

Several minutes had passed when the blond angel spoke again, never releasing the hold on her. “You’re more than a wonderful angel too, Monica. You’re my everything...” he whispered, never stopping from caressing her hair. Then, he pulled away and kissed her cheek, “Thank you, angel... Thank you very much...”

Monica’s loving smile was her reply and it was then that Tess knocked lightly on the door, which had been left ajar. “Baby?”

“Good morning, Tess!” the Irish angel greeted her, and the supervisor’s joy at seeing her both “babies” together again was visible in the spark of her eyes.

“Oh, thank You, Father! That’s an image I’m always happy to see!” she exclaimed, conjoining her hands and standing right next to them.

“And I promise you’ll see it again and again from now on, Tess.” Andrew stood up and kissed Monica’s cheek once again, “I’ll be right back.”