CHAPTER 2

Monica kept her word to wake with Matthew for his three am feeding, but by morning she was wishing that she hadn’t. Just like clockwork, at seven thirty her stomach began to churn and by seven forty-five she was rushing into the bathroom. Andrew was only two steps behind her and he followed the unpleasantly familiar routine.

"You’re okay, sweetie… it’ll pass," he soothed as he rubbed her back while she emptied the contents of her stomach. "We’ll get you to the doctor and by tomorrow you’ll be good as new, Monica." He continued to speak softly to her as she caught her breath and then he picked her up and carried her back to bed.

"I really thought… I thought I was better," she said almost tearfully.

"Shhh, now. Don’t think about it. That’s why you’re going to the doctor, and I don’t want you thinking about it until then."

Letting out a long sigh she leaned back against the pillows and waited for him to crawl in next to her.

"Alex and Paul and the baby will be waking up soon," she said on a yawn.

"Yes, and Paul is very capable of making breakfast. Go on back to sleep."

"Will you stay with me for a little while?"

"Of course I will. Like I said; the Gatlins are on their own this morning."

She wanted to follow Andrew’s instructions not to worry, but it was a difficult task and within an hour the little angel was moving restlessly in the bed, unable to relax enough to fall back to sleep. Andrew’s arms remained steadfastly around her but even they couldn’t stop her mind from spinning. The sounds from the kitchen weren’t helping either, and she finally pushed herself up and looked down at him with a little pout.

"It doesn’t look like you’re sleeping," Andrew commented.

"I can’t."

"You’re worrying. I can see it in your eyes," he said as he reached up and cupped the side of her face in his hand

"I can’t help it," she replied, allowing herself to be drawn down again, head resting in it’s normal spot on his chest.

"I know. It’s hard." They fell silent for a minute and then he asked, "Are you feeling any better?"

She nodded. "I think so. At least I don’t think there’s anything else in my stomach to come up."

"In that case, why don’t we head on into the kitchen. If I can’t distract you, I know Alex will talk your ear off."

Monica laughed and tilted her head up to give him a kiss. "I do love you, Andrew. So much."

"I know, angel, but I never get tired of hearing you say it."

When the two of them walked into the kitchen a few minutes later, Paul was the first to see them arrive as Alex had her hands busy, literally, trying to give a very fussy Matthew his bottle.

"I hope we didn’t wake you up," he said as he immediately stood up and moved to pour them coffee. "We tried to be quiet… well, as quiet as two people with a four month old can be…"

"No, we were already up," Andrew replied.

Alex had turned to look at them hopefully, but with that bit of information her expression turned into a grimace. "Still not feeling well?"

The little angel shook her head and sat down at the end of the table. "I guess it’s a good thing Andrew’s taking me to the doctor after all."

"Yeah, a few test, a little bloodwork and some magic pills and I’m sure you’ll be as good as new," Alex said confidently.

"So when’s the appointment?" Paul asked. "I noticed you two have a little boat out on your dock. I thought maybe Andrew would enjoy a little fishing.""

"Oh you!" Alex exclaimed as she reached over to smack him on the arm. "I’m sure Andrew could care less."

"Hey, it was just a suggestion. I know you two are just going to want to spend the whole day cooing over Matthew."

"Oh really? I guess I must have been dreaming when I heard you singing ‘this little piggy’ to him this morning and telling him he was going to be the star quarterback some day." She raised one eyebrow at her husband and waited for him to deny it.

"Yeah… well… that was a pep talk… much different than cooing!"

"I give up. You can have him, Andrew. Just try not to let him get any hooks stuck in any of his dangly bits."

Andrew and Monica were already struggling to contain their laughter, but at Alex’s last remark they could no longer hold back. Monica’s eyes were practically tearing up from laughing so hard, and as Andrew glanced over at her he wondered how anything could possibly be wrong with her when she could still laugh like a thousand bells.

*****

"You said her appointment was at three, right?" Paul asked as he and Andrew maneuvered the boat next to the dock.

"Yes, and it’s right in the center of town. Dr. Jennifer Gibson. Monica said she liked the sound of her name."

Paul shook his head but he was smiling. "Well, I guess that’s as good a reason as any. It’s almost two thirty now, so why don’t you run up to the house and change and I’ll finish up with the boat out here."

"All right. Thanks Paul." His initial reservations about leaving Monica had gradually been chipped away until he’d agreed to try out the boat, and now he was glad he had. It had been a relaxing few hours, and he had a feeling that Alex had kept Monica more than occupied. If they had been together he feared that his anxiety, which was lurking just below the surface, would have been obvious to her.

He made his way down the wooden dock and was half-way up the twisted stair-case when a familiar voice at the top made him look up.

"Hello there, Angel Boy. Sorry to be disturbing you again so soon."

"Tess?" Andrew jogged up the remaining stairs to meet her. "What’s going on?"

"The Father has a job for you and we leave right away."

"What? An assignment? Tess, I can’t. Monica’s sick. I’m taking her to the doctor in a few minutes."

"Andrew, I saw Paul and Alex’s car out front. I’m sure she’ll be in very capable hands."

"No! I’m not leaving her right now."

"I hope that I’m not hearing what I think I’m hearing," Tess’ voice took on a tone that Andrew hadn’t heard for quite some time. "You are still an angel of God, or need I remind you of that fact. I think that He can keep an eye on Monica while you’re gone for a day."

Andrew felt the muscle in his jaw clenching but Tess was right, and he struggled to control his feelings. He hadn’t been this close to being angry with God since the early days following Monica’s rape. Finally he let out a breath and the hard look in his eye gave way.

"You’re right. I’m sorry, Tess."

"That’s perfectly all right. I understand how much you love her, Andrew… even if you think I don’t." She smiled at him and laid a kind hand on his shoulder as he returned it.

"I just have to say good-bye first. I can’t leave without at least doing that."

"Understood, baby," Tess assured him as she settled into wait.

He was still muttering under his breath as he walked into the house, finding Alex in the living room and she looked up at him in surprise, seeing the storm that was present in his eyes.

"Andrew?"

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed, "Alex, where’s Monica?"

"Getting ready to go. She should be down in a minute," She explained, before the truth hit her, "You aren’t being called away?"

"Yes. I am. Can you take her for me? I don’t want to postpone it for her sake as well as mine."

"Say no more," Alex assured him, clearly able to see that this was tearing him apart, "Paul can stay with Matthew and I’ll take her to the appointment," There was relief on his face, but only a little, "She’ll be in good hands, I promise."

"I know that. I do. I just wanted to be with her. She’s scared and-."

"Andrew?"

He turned around, finding his wife behind him, a look of dread on her face. He approached her regretfully and took her face into his hands, "Angel, I’m being called away…"

"Now?" He could see the fear in her dark eyes and he briefly thought about going against his calling, but he also knew she would never want that, "For how long?"

"I don’t know. A day," He continued, trying to remember what Tess had told him, "I should be back by tonight…tomorrow morning at the latest, I hope," He sighed once more as he gazed into her eyes, "Alex is going to take you to the appointment, baby. You’re going to be fine, Monica."

She nodded her head, not trusting herself to speak at that moment. She was scared and she wanted him with her. What if they told her something terrible? She couldn’t really imagine it as she was an angel, but she also could not have imagined throwing up every morning for a week either.

"Baby, I’m sorry," Andrew whispered and she could clearly see just how upset he was.

"It’s not your fault," Monica replied, reaching up to swipe at a tear she had been unable to stop from falling, "I’ll be fine with Alex and by tomorrow, I’ll be all better…right?"

"Of course, right," He soothed, drawing her into his arms, though he could almost feel Tess’ impatience from here, "I’ll be thinking of you the whole time, sweetheart, and loving you even more than that."

"I love you too," Monica replied, before he kissed her tenderly and then regretfully went back to out to find Tess. She followed him, but by the time she had gotten to the back door, he was gone. Before the tears could well up in her eyes however, Alex was already taking charge.

"Okay, honey, just talked to Paul and he’ll be here with the baby. All ready to go? We’re going to have to floor it to make it in time."

The angel managed a smile. She supposed if she couldn’t have her husband to lean on while she found out what was wrong with her, then her optimistic friend was the next best thing.

*****

"Okay," Alex muttered as had turned in the paperwork it had taken she and Monica nearly half an hour to fill out, "Thank God you two have an address now, or this might have been complicated," Her voice held just a touch of playful sarcasm after spending nearly ten minutes trying to come up with a feasible last name for the two angels. At this point, she was just relieved that an insurance card had turned up in Monica’s purse.

Glancing over at the angel, she was unable to miss how pale she looked and Alex took her hand reassuringly, "Nothing to be worried about, sweetie. Dr. Gibson will get to the bottom of this and you’ll be as good as new before you know it." Monica didn’t look any more relaxed, so Alex was completely relieved when her name was called proving that the wait would be a short one.

The angel rose to her feet and looked back at Alex hopefully, "Come with me, please? Tell them you’re my sister?"

"Of course," Alex replied as if there simply was no other option. She got up and led her friend down the hall, following the nurse until they came to the exam room.

"Here you are," The nurse entered the room and pulled a gown from the cabinet and laid it upon the exam table, "Go ahead and take off everything and the doctor will be with you in a few moments."

"Thank you." Monica remembered her manners despite her nervousness and once the nurse had gone, she changed into the gown while Alex took a little tour around the room, all the while keeping up animated chatter about losing every bit of modesty she may have had left after having a baby.

"Can’t we just go, Alex?" Monica begged as she sat down on the exam table, "I feel fine and maybe tomorrow morning I’ll still feel fine."

"And maybe you won’t and neither would I as Andrew would kick my ass if I let you walk out of here," She smiled as the angel emitted a tiny giggle, "Sweetheart, you need to know what is going on, whether you want to know or not. So let’s just see what this doctor has to say, all right?"

A small sigh of defeat was her answer but any residual argument was stopped when the door opened and Dr. Gibson walked into the room and Monica was instantly put at ease by her appearance. Her dark eyes were friendly and her smile instantly caused the angel to smile in return.

"Monica?" Seeing her patient nod, she reached over and shook her hand, "Dr. Gibson," She cast a glance at Alex, "And this is?"

"Alex," The agent held out her hand, "I’m Monica’s sister. She asked me to come with her as she was a little nervous. She’s always been as healthy as a horse so she’s never actually been to the doctor’s before."

Monica couldn’t help but to smile inwardly as her friend and her doctor exchanged pleasantries. Yes, having Alex here would definitely help.

"I understand you’ve had a bit of an upset stomach. Can you tell me a little about that?"

Instantly, Monica was nervously wiping her hands against the paper gown, "Well, it started about a week ago, in the morning and by that afternoon, I felt fine. But it kept happening each morning, sometimes lasting into the afternoon, but then it would just go away."

Dr. Gibson raised an eyebrow curiously, "Are you pregnant?"

"No!" Both Monica and Alex replied hastily, before Alex looked slightly chagrined. She hadn’t meant to do that.

The doctor leaned up against the counter, watching her patient carefully, "You’re married?" A nod, "Are you and your husband sexually active?"

Alex nearly giggled when Monica blushed profusely and mumbled, "Yes."

"When was the date of your last period?"

The question startled the angel and she immediately looked at Alex for help, but her friend gave a tiny and hopefully discreet shrug, "I…I’m not sure…"

"So it is possible you’re late?" The question was really more statement.

"No, Alex did eighty the whole way here and we made it on time," Monica insisted, though she saw Alex shaking her head out of the corner of her eye.

The doctor contained a chuckle over her somewhat naïve patient as she laid down her clipboard, "Okay, well, lets just do a general physical first and see if we find any reason to be concerned."

She set to work, examining the angel’s ears and throat, checking her glands, listening to her heart and lungs and then having her lie back and pressing gently on her abdomen, "So what makes you so positive you aren’t pregnant, Monica?" She asked as she guided her patient back to a sitting position on the table.

She shook her head, knowing she was unable to tell the truth or she’d be seeing a different kind of doctor, "I just can’t be is all… it just isn’t possible."

"Is there any medical reason that it would not be possible?"

"Noo, but-."

"Okay, here is what we’re going to do. We’ll take some blood and do a complete work-up on you; test you for all the bad stuff though from what I can tell, you have no reason to be concerned. I’m going to do a pregnancy test as well," She noticed Monica started to object and she raised her hand and smiled, "Just humor me. You’re probably right. After all, you know your own body, but it’s something I need to check for my own peace of mind."

Alex stood in the corner and smiled smugly. Okay, so maybe Paul was right…but then again, maybe Paul was wrong.

Dr. Gibson flipped Monica’s chart closed after making a few more notes. "I’ll send a nurse right in to take your blood and get a urine sample. We should have the results back in just a couple of days."

It was hard to miss the startled look in Monica’s eyes, but the doctor had already turned away and so Alex was the only one who saw it. A few moments after the door closed, Alex stood up and headed towards it.

"I… I need to find a ladies room. I’ll be back before the nurse comes," she assured the angel, knowing how she hated any medical procedure, especially anything involving needles.

Monica, still looking crestfallen, just nodded as she plucked nervously at her paper gown.

Alex spotted Dr. Gibson as soon as she stepped into the hall, and she jogged up behind her and tapped her lightly on the shoulder.

"Is something wrong? Did Monica have another question?"

"Well… not exactly," she said. "I don’t mean to be a pest… well, actually I guess I kind of do… but a nice pest… a very nice pest." When Dr. Gibson raised one eyebrow, she continued on. "I just wanted to ask about the test results… or should I say, the wait for the test results. Don’t you think you could possibly put sort of a rush on them?"

"I’m sorry, Alex, but we send most of them out to a lab at the local hospital, and to be perfectly honest I really believe that Monica is pregnant." Alex was already shaking her head. "I know you and Monica say that’s impossible, but you’d be surprised." A thought suddenly occurred to her and her eyes widened. "Unless… you’re not the "husband" are you? I mean I know you said you’re her sister but unless you were separated at birth the accent pretty much gives you away."

Now it was Alex’s eyes that turned to saucers. "Husband?" She gave a little chuckle. No… no… In fact Monica and her husband introduced me to my husband. Which brings up another point… Andrew… that’s Monica’s husband… he and Monica have been worried to death about whatever is making her sick, and he was called away on business today. I think it would just be a big relief if she could find out that everything is okay with her as soon as possible."

Dr. Gibson couldn’t help but smile at the obvious affection that brought the woman before her to her current babbling state. "All right. I’ll tell you what. We run about half the tests here… including the pregnancy test. If you two can find something to keep you busy for an hour or so, I will have the results for you before we close up for the night. I’m telling you right now, I was on fertility drugs for two years. They finally took me off them and told me to adopt. Less than six months later my husband and I were expecting a little girl. So don’t shake your head at me and say it’s impossible."

Alex may have been shaking her head on the outside, but inside she was grinning ear to ear. If Monica was pregnant she couldn’t imagine how overjoyed the little angel would be. "Thank you so much, dr. Gibson. It really will take a load off all of our minds. You’re right… we’re not sisters… but I couldn’t imagine a better one. I spotted a little coffee shop across the street. That should keep us both busy. Oh, and I’ll make sure she drinks decaf."

Dr. Gibson let out a little laugh, and Alex smiled broadly and turned to rejoin her friend. She gave a little knock before opening the door with, "Guess what?" on her lips.

Monica was relieved to hear that her test results would be back sooner, but that relief faded when the nurse arrived with a metal basket filled with vials and individually wrapped needles. Even Alex’s presence couldn’t stop her from tensing up as the first needle went in, but she gritted her teeth and squeezed her friend’s hand tightly.

*****

Slightly more than an hour later, Monica and Alex were once again sitting in the little waiting room. While Alex flipped through magazines she had already read once, Monica divided her time staring out the window and watching the other patients come and go. Alex had managed to convince her to only have one mocha latte, and a decaf at that, but she was still as high strung as if she’d drunk a pot of espresso.

"Monica?" The nurse who had drawn her blood called out her name, and the angel was on her feet in a heartbeat, with Alex right beside her.

"Do you… have you seen any of the results?" Monica asked nervously as they were led back to an exam room.

"No, I’m sorry, Monica. I don’t know anything. But please don’t worry. Dr. Gibson will be right in, and I’m sure everything will be fine."

Monica nodded, but she didn’t reply as the nurse quietly left and shut the door.

"She’s right, sweetie. I’m sure everything is perfect," Alex said, secretly hoping that it was even better than perfect.

Thankfully they didn’t have long to wait before a gentle knock announced Dr. Gibson’s arrival. Monica was sitting on the exam table, looking even more anxious than before as the doctor entered, carrying her chart and a handful of pamphlets. Alex quickly reached out to grab the little angel’s hand. The thought that perhaps maybe there really was something wrong with her caused a sudden knot to form in the agent’s stomach.

"Okay, Monica. We got back the results of about half of your tests, and luckily one of them came back with a positive result so we won’t have to worry about the ones I sent down to County General."

"Luckily?" Monica said, her voice sounding strange and high to her ear.

"Well, I hope you’ll think it’s lucky," Dr. Gibson said with a grin. "Monica, I can now tell you, without a doubt, that you are pregnant. Judging by the morning sickness, I’m guessing you’re about four or five weeks along."

"Wh-what did you say?" Monica’s face drained of color and Alex squeezed her hand and prayed that wouldn’t pass out.

"You’re pregnant." Dr. Gibson’s eyes sparkled with the laughter she was holding back. She loved giving this kind of news.

"I… I’m going to have a baby? A baby?" Monica couldn’t even wrap her mind around the concept.

Dr. Gibson sat down on the small stool at the side of the exam table and placed one hand on Monica’s knee. "Yes… a baby. I know you said you didn’t think it was possible, but I hope this comes as good news," she said gently, still smiling.

"I can’t… I… I mean, yes… Yes!" Monica exclaimed, shaking her head as if to clear all of the negative things she had been imagining. "I just… I can’t believe it… " She didn’t know where they were coming from, but tears pricked the backs of her eyes and she blinked them back as she looked over at Alex. "A baby, Alex… Me!" Her eyes still held astonishment that bordered on shock.

"I’ve gathered together all of our prenatal information, along with a prescription for prenatal vitamins. I want you to get that filled tonight and start taking them tomorrow." She handed the little packet of papers to the angel and gave her knee a little pat. "The nausea you’ve been experiencing should go away in about three more weeks, maybe less, but I want to see you again in four to make sure you’re coming along okay."

Monica nodded, hardly daring to speak, but Alex spoke for both of them. "Thank you Doctor… just… thank you," she said, beaming a great smile.

"Believe me, you don’t have to thank me. This is one of the best parts of my job, and I’m glad that I was able to set your minds at ease." She stood up after giving Monica one more encouraging smile and then left the two friends to gather themselves together.

"Well," Alex said after she had gone, "I guess Paul is going to be eating crow. I told him yesterday I thought you were pregnant, but he wouldn’t even consider the idea!" When Monica still didn’t say anything, Alex rubbed her back and peered into her dark eyes. "You okay, Monica? You have to be happy… this is what you were hoping for… this is wonderful news!"

"Is it?" Monica’s said tremulously.

"Of course it is! My God, Monica! You’re going to be a mother! And Andrew! He is going to be so overjoyed."

"I… I never let myself really think about it… it seemed so much to ask… and Andrew always tells me that I should tell him if I need something or want something, but this… I’m an angel! How is this even possible?" The reality of the situation was slowly sinking in and it both terrified and thrilled her.

"You’re going to be a wonderful mother," Alex said, ignoring the question she couldn’t even think of answering and instead wrapping her arms around her friend and pulling her close, "and this time I get to be the Godmother!"

"You think so?"

Alex let out a loud laugh. "Are you kidding? Heck, if I didn’t already have a mother, I’d probably choose you. Loving, understanding, patient, kind… yeah, I think you’ve got it all covered," she said with a wink.

Monica didn’t even notice that her hand had moved to cover her still perfectly flat stomach. "I don’t know about that… but I’ll try… and I know I’ll have good friends to rely on whenever I need help."

"You’d better believe it, girl. You won’t be able to get rid of us." She gave Monica one more squeeze before pulling back and taking the pamphlets and prescription from her hands. "Now let’s get going… we need to get this filled and get you home, little mommy!"

*****

On the ride home, Alex chattered animatedly but Monica didn’t appear to be hearing most of it. The little angel’s eyes were fixed out her window, her mind going in a hundred different directions. She had so many questions and no answers. She still didn’t understand how this could even be possible, and what did it mean for her angelic existence? She was an angel and what did she know about raising a child and Andrew….

How would he react? They had never even talked about it, even in thinking wistfully, so would he be overjoyed as Alex had said, or more apprehensive? The thought of telling him sent nervous flutters through her stomach.

A gentle voice speaking directly to her heart settled her anxious mind as she listened to the words of her Father, "Do not fret, My child. All your answers will be given in time. For now, relax and enjoy this gift."

The reality of the situation sank in for the first time since hearing the news with God’s loving voice, "Alex." She whispered and then turned her head to face her friend, the first smile since hearing the news gracing her face, "I’m going to have a baby."

Her friend grinned and reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze, "Why yes you are, honey."

*****

"Pregnant?" Paul looked incredulously from Monica’s beaming face to Alex’s rather smug expression and then back again, "You’re shitting me! How?"

"I would think you know ‘how’, Paul," His wife replied in amusement.

"Yeah, well, I know that, I mean…are you sure?"

"Positive," Monica replied leaving no room for doubt. Even if the doctor’s test had been wrong, God was never wrong.

The word was no sooner out of her mouth, that Paul had grabbed her in a bear hug, lifting her slightly off the ground, "Sweetheart, that is wonderful news!"

The little angel giggled as he sat her gently back down on her feet, "I think so too. I just hope Andrew does."

"What? Are you kidding? As crazy as he is about you! He’ll be thrilled!" He kissed her cheek affectionately, "When is he getting back?"

"Sometime between now and tomorrow morning. I just hope it’s before my morning run to empty my stomach."

"Keep crackers by your bed," Alex instructed her, "Sometimes they help," She walked over to her husband with a satisfied grin on her face, "You owe me so big! I told you she was pregnant!"

Paul chuckled as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "Yes, you did. I’m am so not worthy compared to your undeniable knowledge," He kissed her gently before whispering in her ear, "I shall look forward to humbling myself."

"See that you do," She grinned coyly, before looking back to the little angel, "Hey, should we get out of your hair? I mean, you’re going to want some privacy when Andrew gets back and-."

"Please don’t go," Monica insisted, a hopeful look in her eyes, "I’ll tell him alone, of course, but we love having you here and I don’t want you rushing off." Not knowing how long her husband would be, she wanted a distraction from feeling nervous about telling him the news.

"Okay, you convinced me. I’m going to check on Matthew and then start dinner as you need to eat. After all, you’re eating for two now!"

The angel smiled as she laid a hand against her stomach and felt her heart give a tiny flutter, knowing that inside was a little piece of both she and Andrew and the love they had for each other.

*****
Andrew was unable to help but smile as he gazed down at his sleeping wife, despite the concern that had been in his heart all day. He had felt small twinges of worry from her on and off the previous afternoon, and even a little surge of outright panic before his heart had gone quiet and he wasn’t sure exactly what that meant. He had hurried back as soon as his assignment was completed, but now it was two ‘o clock in the morning and the little angel was fast asleep on his side of the bed.

He knew he would have to wake her but he was loath to do so, seeing the peaceful look on her beautiful face and his breath was nearly taken away once more at the fact that this amazing creature was his wife. To lose her would be more than he could ever bear and he had spent the day praying that the news the doctor would give would be good.

Sitting down carefully beside of her, Andrew reached down and ran the backs of his fingers against her smooth cheek, watching as a sleepy smile crept across her face.

"You’re home."

"Yes, baby," He replied softly, waiting for her eyes to slowly open, "How are you feeling?"

Her dark eyes opened and she gazed up at him with a smile, "Wonderful," She sat up and felt him immediately pull her close, "I feel wonderful."

Relief flooded through him just by those simple words and he clutched her tightly to himself, "Thank God! Angel, I was so worried," He kissed the top of her head lovingly, "So it is just the flu or some kind of bug then?"

Monica drew in a deep breath and pulled away to look up into his eyes once more, "No, Andrew. It isn’t either of those things."

Brief relief was instantly being replaced by alarm as he took her face into his hands, "Baby, then what? What is it?" Surely it couldn’t be something terrible if she was so calm, or was she only acting calmly in order to not send him into a panic?

The little angel searched his eyes, seeing the love he had for her, the concern he was feeling and she felt tears welling up in her eyes. Reaching up, she laid her hands overtop of his and tried to speak around the lump that had formed in her throat, "Andrew…I’m….I’m pregnant."

Time seemed to stop for the angel of death as he took in her words, barely able to comprehend them, "What? Monica, did you say you’re-."

"Pregnant? Yes. I couldn’t believe it either when the doctor said it, but then the Father told me as well," She whispered, trying to gage how he was feeling about it, "We’re going to have a baby, Andrew…"

Somehow while she had been talking, his eyes had filled with tears and now they escaped unashamedly. He still had her face in his hands and watched as her own tears fell onto her cheeks, "We’re going to have a baby?" The love in his eyes grew ten fold as he look at her with awe.

"Yes," The word was half laugh and half sob and she barely got it out at all before he was kissing her tenderly and repeatedly as he pulled her onto his lap.

"I love you, angel," Andrew uttered, kissing her again, "I’d say I’m now the happiest angel in the universe, but I was already that just for having you. So now, I’m not sure what I am."

Monica pulled away, but only an inch as her teary eyes met with his, "A daddy," She whispered, watching the emotion that washed over his face at the words.

He brushed at her tears before drawing her down for a long, languid kiss that was both tender and gentle, before he placed soft kisses over every inch of her face, each one with a whispered "I love you" that caused Monica’s heart to swell even fuller than it already was. Moving back to her lips, he took his time as she lay beneath him, her hands on his face as they kissed, building up the fire slowly as they disrobed each other between soft murmurs of love.

Andrew was certain his heart would burst from the fullness of it as he stroked down her body with warm and tender hands, down her sides to her hips, touching gently, memorizing every inch of soft skin. He kissed down her neck and to her breasts, running his hands over them, thinking about how they would change and grow in order to feed their child and he felt moisture in his eyes once more. Drawing one hardened bud into his mouth, he sucked it slowly, hearing the whispered words of love that were pouring from his wife’s lips.

Moving to her other breast, he repeated his actions as soft sighs escaped Monica, her gentle hands tangling in his hair, her love for him all she knew at the moment. Licking over her nipples one more time, he inched lower and laid his large hands over her stomach, rubbing over it lightly, before covering it with little kisses, thinking about the tiny baby that their love had started. He had no idea why or how they had been permitted such perfect joy but he was not about to question it.

As he entered her slowly, Andrew kissed her lips softly once more, each movement filled with incredible love and adoration for the little angel that belonged to him. He stroked into her depths purposefully yet gently, his fingers brushing through her hair as he alternated between kissing her and just gazing into her doe like brown eyes as she met his leisurely thrusts.

The deep affection in his eyes caused a small sob to escape her as together they slowly built the fire within them. Every touch, every gesture, every look spoke of their deep love and devotion to each other and to the baby with which they had been blessed. When Andrew finally pushed her over the edge, she tumbled gently and he continued to stroke against her to draw out the delicate sensations before he followed her.

Rolling over, he took her with him, pulling her into his arms and kissing her deeply once more, "Angel, you take my breath away, each day, every day, but you have never looked more beautiful to me than you do right now."

Her eyes were bright with tears as she nestled up against him, "I love you, Andrew, today, tomorrow and forever, I will be yours."

He closed his eyes in complete contentment as he pulled the sheet up to protectively cover her, "That’s all I need, baby."