CHAPTER 22

Andrew’s heart nearly stopped as he saw Paul emerge from the tent and the agent turned to extend his hand to Monica.  As she appeared, the angel felt tears rush to his eyes as emotion welled up in him so strongly he wasn’t sure how he would be able to get through his vows.  She had never looked more lovely, more angelic and he smiled as Paul took her arm and then laid his hand overtop of hers as they began to walk slowly towards him, with every step, feeling her love for him that was coming from her heart.

Everything felt perfect.  Even the fact that the hot summer weather had broken enough so the cloudless day was completely comfortable was just further proof of God’s approval.  Turning his head slightly, he glanced at Tess, who would be officiating the ceremony, and saw the tears in her eyes as she watched Monica and Paul approaching, before he turned his head once again, unable to take his eyes from his bride for long.

As they drew nearer, he could see the trembling smile on her face and the way she struggled to keep her tears in check.  As his eyes met with hers, a lump formed in his throat.  He felt completely undeserving, and ever so proud to be the one she was entrusted to and he would never take that lightly.  That trust and her love were every bit as precious to him as she was and all three would be cherished for the rest of eternity.

He barely heard Tess begin to speak as he was unable to see or feel anything other than his love for Monica and his reverie was only distrupted when Tess chuckled softly and asked “Who gives this little angel’s hand in marriage?”

Paul felt his face flush slightly though he replied with complete seriousness, “Her Father and I do,” He still felt a little awe struck at being asked to perform such a task, partnered in it with God Himself.  Turning to Monica, he brushed her cheek with his lips, whispering softly, “Be happy, sweetheart, always.”

Monica managed a nod through the tears that were now brimming in her dark eyes as she stepped forward.  She turned briefly to hand her bouquet of wildflowers to Alex before turning back to face Andrew.  At Tess’ instruction for them to join hands, she watched as Andrew offered his and she laid her own smaller hands delicately in them, a small sob escaping her as she felt his close tightly around them.  Looking into his loving eyes, all time seemed to stop for a moment.

She loved him so much her heart ached, but it had never felt more full.  He had always been her soul mate, the one she could share the deepest recesses of her heart with, the place she could always find peace and love when she was away from Home.  He was the one who had helped her find her worth once again and she had found it in his eyes, in a way more wonderous than she ever could have imagined.  God’s ways were indeed mysterious, but never had she felt more thankful for them than she did in this moment. 

“I love you,” the words were but a breath, intended for his ears alone, and her tears fell unnoticed as she watched a single tear escape Andrew’s eye and make a shiny path down his face.  Releasing one of his hands, she reached up and swiped at it tenderly.

Andrew caught her hand and kissed her fingertips tenderly, “My angel, I love you too,” He whispered to her, before Tess’ strong, albeit emotion filled voice broke gently into the moment.  The moment he had been waiting for was at hand when God’s greatest gift to him would be given and the most wonderfully perfect little angel would become his wife.

*****

“They’re so cute,” Alex smiled as she stood with Paul in the meadow, watching as the two angels shared a dance, completely oblivious to anything but each other.

Despite all his earlier reservations, Paul smiled in agreement, “At one point, I didn’t think I’d ever see her happy again and now look at her,” His expression warmed even more as he watched Monica wrap her arms around Andrew’s neck to bring herself closer to him.

“Everything worked out perfectly,” His wife agreed, wrapping her arms around his waist, “For everyone.  I’m going to miss them when they leave tonight.”

“Me too,” He consented, wrapping his arm around her shoulders to tug her closer as he whispered in her ear, “Though tonight I plan on making you forget all about them for awhile as I have my way with you.”

“Mmm,” She smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes, “Ever since I saw you in that tux I’ve been trying to figure out the quickest way to get you out of it.”

 He chuckled as he looked into her eyes, “The dress shouldn’t be much of an issue…”

Reaching up, she touched her tongue to his ear as she whispered, “Even less trouble than you think considering it’s all I have on,” Then making sure the look on his face was what she had been aiming for, she walked away from him, “More punch, Tess?”

The afternoon turned into evening but no one wanted to leave the perfect piece of nature that seemed to be arranged just for Andrew and Monica’s special day. Luncheon, including a beautiful cake decorated with delicate wildflowers had been planned by Monica and Alex, but after it was gone the table was mysteriously cleared and reset and at dinner time a buffet table appeared at the edge of the clearing. Alex had laughed at seeing it, finally admitting that she had met her match when it came to planning things.

Candles lit the area, around the tables and the full moon and stars provided all the rest of the light they needed. Tess alternated between singing and flipping through the music collection that Alex had provided. She even shared a few dances with Paul and Andrew. The blond angel hugged her tight after their first dance and whispered a promise into her ear. It was a promise to watch over and love Monica with all that he had, the same way her supervisor always had. The words brought a tear to the older angel’s eye. Until that moment she hadn’t realized that part of her reluctance had been due to the fact that she almost felt like she was losing her little girl. Andrew’s promise made her realize that could never happen, and that Monica couldn’t be in better hands.

The candles began to burn down and Alex and Paul disappeared into one of the tents for a moment and came out carrying two packages. As soon as Monica saw them, her eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected anything beyond the perfect day she had been given. Andrew hugged her from behind as the couple approached. He loved how the smallest gesture could bring out her smile and her innocent gratitude.

“Now, you have to admit, you two are not the easiest to buy for,” Alex started, as she handed her package to Monica. “It isn’t like you registered anywhere!”

Monica giggled as she set the package down on her chair and started to tear the paper off. The lid soon followed and then she gasped as she saw what was inside.

“I know that you don’t really have a house, so to speak,” Alex said as the angel pulled it from the box, “but I thought you could keep this with you somehow. That way, where ever you are, when you’re together, you’re home.”

It was a beautiful quilt, fashioned in an Irish Wedding Ring pattern with different green floral materials, and a pale blue background. It reminded Monica of the ocean and fields and Andrew’s loving eyes. He was behind her and he reached forward to touch the material, then gently swiped the tear from his wife’s cheek.

“We love it,” he declared, beaming at Alex and Paul.

“She made that with her own two hands,” Paul boasted as Alex blushed and her lips quirked into a little smile. “You should have heard the words that came out of her mouth when she made a mistake!”

They all laughed, but Alex rolled her eyes and gave him a shove. “I’ll have you know, I kept a civil tongue in my head. I knew that angels were going to be sleeping under it after all,” she said with a wink.

“It’s beautiful,” Monica said, the affection clear in her voice. “Thank you so much.” She felt another tear beginning to fall, but Alex quickly stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug before it ever got the chance.

When the woman pulled back her own eyes were shining and she quickly turned to Paul. “Well, go on, your turn,” she said, deflecting attention from herself.

Paul’s box was much smaller and he handed it to Andrew who smiled warmly as he took it. The paper was quickly ripped to shreds and the box opened. Inside were two books with brown leather covers, and Andrew handed one to Monica before he started flipping through it.

His eyes grew wide as he saw the pictures inside, pictures of him and of Monica, and of the two of them together. There were even pictures of Paul and Alex and Tess. They all appeared to have been taken at the farm but they weren’t posed and he couldn’t ever remember Paul having a camera. He looked at the agent questioningly.

Paul raised one eyebrow, a twinkle in his eyes, then pulled what looked like a pen from his breast pocket. “Miniature camera. Just one of the many toys you can get when you join the FBI,” he said with a chuckle.

Andrew stared down at a picture of Monica laughing out on the porch, her eyes bright, face open and happy. It made his heart thud against the inside of his chest seeing her like that. Knowing that she was his for eternity.

“I know that eventually you might get separate assignments,” Paul explained, “and while I hope they never last long, if you have those to look at, it might not seem as bad. And of course we wouldn’t want you forgetting about us.”

“Never gonna happen, Paul,” Andrew said sincerely.

Paul reached out to shake the angel’s hand but ended up embracing him, patting his back in that age-old male fashion before he broke away and turned to Monica. She nearly threw herself into his arms and held on tight.

“Thank you so much for everything,” she whispered.

“You gave me everything in my life that’s worth having, little angel. It’s the least I could do.” He pulled back and kissed her on the forehead. “Try not to be a stranger.”

“No, we won’t” she insisted.

“Well,” Tess said as she stepped forward, “I guess that just leaves my present.”

“You got us something?” Monica was smiling again, eyes wide.

“Not exactly. I got you somePLACE.”

Andrew and Monica both looked at her with confusion written on their features.

“I think that it’s time for two little angels to begin their honeymoon and their new existence together,” Tess said, reaching forward to take their hands in hers.

“Come back soon!” Alex exclaimed.

“Be safe,” Paul admonished as he looked in their eyes.

An instant later the angels were gone and Paul wrapped his arm around Alex’s shoulders.

“I’m really gonna miss them,” she said.

“Me too. But don’t worry, sweetness… I have a feeling we’ll be seeing them again before too long.”

“Oh Tess,” Monica breathed as happy tears filled her eyes.  They were standing in the living room of the cottage…the one where she had learned to jump off the dock.  There was a fire lit in the fireplace and candles burning on the mantle with soft music coming from the stereo.  Everything was spotless and the house seemed to have had a makeover since their last visit, with new fluffy pillows on the sofa and loveseat.  In the middle of everything was a little table covered with a white lace tablecloth, with covered dishes and wine glasses set out on it. 

 “I figured you two might want some dinner,” The older angel explained, knowing it was nearly time to leave the newlyweds alone to begin their honeymoon, “This is just a little something from the Father and I.”

 Monica threw her arms around her supervisor and hugged her tightly, tears bright in her eyes, “Thank you for everything.  You helped make today so perfect.”

“You two deserved nothing less,” She replied softly, pulling away to lay a hand on the little angel’s cheek, “I love you, baby, and I know Andrew is going to take such good care of you.”

Looking over at her husband, Monica nodded her head and smiled, “I know it too.”

Andrew hugged the older angel as well and a moment later, Tess was gone, leaving the two alone at last.  Looking over, he saw Monica looking at him, love and happiness shining her brown eyes and it only took him a moment to wrap her up in his arms and kiss her.  His heart had never felt so full and he had never felt so completely at peace.  God had given him all he had ever wanted and he didn’t think the awe of that would ever fade.

“Are you hungry?” He asked her softly as he pulled away and laid his hand against her face.

Monica nodded her head, emotion rising to her throat at the way he was looking at her with such tenderness, “I am a little.  It was a busy day and lunch seemed hours ago.”

“It was hours ago, sweetheart,” He smiled as he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to the table, pulling out her chair for her.  Kissing the top of her head, he gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze before taking his seat across from her.  Pouring them each a glass of the sparkling cider, he raised his glass to hers, loving the sparkle in her eyes, “To my beautiful wife,” He began, his voice thick with emotion, “Who I will love forever, cherish with all that I am and treasure every moment that I have with her for the rest of eternity.  I love you, angel.”

She blinked back tears as he clinked his glass to hers and she took a small sip.  Setting down her glass, she got up from her seat and approached him, slipping in to sit on his lap, so she could wrap her arms around him.  Kissing him tenderly, she then laid her hands on either side of his face, “I love you too and you were right…” A tear slid down her cheek as she smiled, “I feel…perfect and beautiful…and worthy… today you made me feel…well, like a princess, Andrew.  Thank you for making that so.”

He lovingly brush at the tear that had fallen as he tried to choke back his own.  Yes, she was a princess in his eyes, and he had just battled the worst possible dragon; one who had tried to steal all that she was, but he had not won.  No, she had emerged victorious, with a lot of help from God, from her friends and from the angel who loved her, but mostly from her refusal to allow him to win.