CHAPTER 3

The first sunrays started to shine across the horizon when the little Irish angel stirred in bed and opened her eyes. A immediate yet sleepy smile appeared on her pretty face when she realized where she was and especially who was lying right next to her. On the previous night, she'd fallen asleep just a few minutes after settling in Andrew's loving arms, feeling all the love and peace that came from his heart straight to hers. Their connection was even stronger now and now they knew for sure that they formed one, a whole, and that nothing could change that.

Monica remained lying beside him for some time, just listening to his steady heartbeats and thinking about the latest events. Then, very carefully not to wake him up, she raised her head and looked at his handsome face. Her smile grew wider and the little angel felt as if she'd fallen in love all over again: Andrew's expression was serene and loving, and she couldn't resist but to inch closer and brush a soft kiss on his lips. She leant on her elbow so that she could see him better and caress his tousled blond hair. "I love you so much..." she whispered, and continued to watch him sleep. But a shining gold object, left over the beside table, ended up calling her attention, maybe because the sun was starting to enter the bedroom, making it even more shining.

With infinite care, she lay another soft kiss on Andrew's lips and left the bed. Monica walked around the bed and took his pocket watch, an object that all angels of death carried with them, given by the Father Himself. But as she started to exam it, Andrew stirred in bed, and she found it was better to leave the bedroom before she ended up waking him up. Besides this, she wanted to watch the sun rise and the porch was a good place to stay at that time of the morning. The Irish angel put on her woolen coat and quietly walked off the room.

X

"Angel? What are you doing up so early?" Andrew's voice took her out of her reverie ad she finally turned her eyes away from the small object in her hands. The Irish angel waited until he'd taken a seat right by her side on the porch bench and brushed a loving kiss on her cheek. "Is everything alright?" Andrew wanted to know, putting a lock of her auburn hair behind her ear – her auburn mane now even brighter due to the sun light.

Monica nodded her head and managed a shy, somewhat sleepy smile, which was enough to melt his heart. "Yes... I woke up and realized that the sun was rising, so I decided to watch it from here. I've always loved the view from the porch, ya know."

Now more relieved, he finally smiled and kissed her forehead while pulling her to his arms, "I know, Angel... How did you sleep, huh?"

"Wonderfully, to be honest."

He was happy to hear that, and had promised himself he'd watch over her every night from that moment on, so that she wouldn't be afraid anymore. She lowered her head for a brief moment and then raised it again, still with the same lovely smile, "And I didn't want to wake you up, you were sleeping so peacefully."

"Oh, I see!" he replied, trying to appear serious and as if considering her reasons very carefully, but deeply enjoying to hear her voice and lovely accent early in the morning.

The Irish angel looked at the gold pocket watch in her hands and blushed a little, "And I took your watch while you were sleeping..."

She looked even more adorable to him after that confession. "Hum, I noticed that. In fact I was about to call the police!"

A small giggle escaped her and she ran her small, slender fingers on the watch lead, attentively observing the object. "I know that we shouldn't give so much value to material things but... well, you have this pocket watch, Tess has the car... and I know they are important to you because they have a greater meaning... I was here thinking if someday I'll have an object of my own... something that would be as special as this watch or Tess' Cadillac..."

There wasn't any sadness or jealousy in that statement, just her usual curiosity and the constant habit of wondering. Yet, Andrew cupped her face gently and made her turn her head to face him – his green pools were bright with love. "Oh, Monica... Angel... Yes, this pocket watch is special because it's a present from the Father but you know something, baby?" He tenderly ran his fingers against the delicate skin of her face, "Being or not being with you. This is how I measure my time."

The smile on her face and all the love he could see in the spark of her soft brown eyes were such that he felt he'd fallen in love all over again. "You're so part of me, Andrew... I love you so much..."

No more words were spoken then, as the intensity of their gaze seemed to hypnotize the two heavenly beings. Then Andrew bent his head and brushed his lips softly against her rosy lips, first as a gentle caress, and a few seconds later, he deepened that loving kiss. Both angels certain that there wasn't anything sweeter in the whole universe.

X

The rest of the day passed peacefully and by late afternoon one early rising little angel was fast asleep in Andrew's arms as they laid side by side in front of the fireplace. The older angel watched the gentle rise and fall of Monica's chest, delighting in the tiny smile that was present on her lips even in sleep. After her fearful night last night, she was starting to relax more and he was beginning to feel assured that after a few more days here together, she would be back to her normal, cheerful self completely.

Unfortunately, when Andrew sensed another presence in the room with them, he had a feeling a few more days were not going to be an option.

"Tess!" Seeing the oldest angel standing in front of them with an amused expression on her face did not exactly give the blonde angel a comforting feeling. He knew that Monica had confided in Tess about how she had felt about him, but Andrew hadn't had that luxury, so now, with Tess' presence, he couldn't help but wonder if this was what a teenager felt like, who had been caught with his girlfriend out past curfew.

He carefully untangled himself from Monica's sleeping embrace and then covered her snugly with the quilt before rising to his feet. These tender gestures did not go unnoticed by Tess, who concealed a smile as her eyes lingered for a moment on her Angel Girl, before she followed Andrew into the kitchen.

"I don't want to wake her up, " He explained quietly, his eyes still holding a trace of nervousness, "She didn't sleep well last night and was up before the birds this morning."

"Relax, Angel Boy," Tess chuckled, pleased when a small smile tugged at his lips, "I know what the Father has blessed you both with, and though a little surprised, I couldn't' be any happier for you two."

Andrew's smile widened as he moved to hug his friend, "Thanks, Tess. That means more to me than you know. This still just feels so new, even to me…"

"Just be careful with matters of the heart, baby," She cautioned gently as she pulled away to meet his eyes, "The two of you need to find your way together, but you know she looks up to you," she left out a small sigh, "Just talk to each other, Andrew, and talk to the Father. You know He'll guide you."

"I understand, Tess," He replied solemnly.

"I know you do," The older angel drew in a deep breath, dreading what she had come here to tell him, "Tomorrow morning, you both have assignments, and though you aren't going to want to hear this, it won't be together. The Father and I both know that the first assignment after going through something like Monica has just gone through is the hardest. But she needs to get back out there and deep down, she'll realize it too."

Andrew mouth was set in a grim line, not liking what he was hearing, "Tess, she was so afraid last night; that's why she didn't sleep well. She needs a few more days-."

"Angel Boy, a few more days will only make her feel more comfortable here and will make her all the more afraid to go back out into the world. The Father has promised that the assignments shouldn't last more than a day and that if all goes well, you will both be back here tomorrow night." Still seeing the stubborn expression on his face, Tess added gently, "Baby, you need to be sold on this idea in order to sell her on the fact that this is the right thing for her to do."

Andrew gave out a frustrated sigh, but then nodded his head, "I know you're right, Tess. I don't like it, but I know you're right."

"I can tell her if you'd like-."

"No….no. I'll tell her this evening," He ran a hand through his hair, "There's no way I can be with her?"

The deep concern in his eyes went to Tess' heart, but she still shook her head, "You know she has to do this on her own, Andrew."

He nodded his head resignedly, "I know."

X

The smell of roasted chicken wafted past the Irish angel's nose and made her stir slightly, but when the scent of cappuccino hit her senses, her dark eyes sprang open and she sleepily sat up, her eyes searching immediately for Andrew.

Sensing she was awake, he emerged from the kitchen, a tender smile on his face, "Wow, that was some nap, Angel!"

A little blush rose to her cheeks as her eyes strayed to the window, "It's getting dark outside…" She grinned up at him happily, "And you made dinner!"

Andrew chuckled as he extended a hand and pulled her to her feet and right into his arms, "I did. A very special dinner for a very special angel."

The color in her cheeks deepened at his words, "It smells wonderful."

"The food or the coffee?" Andrew joked playfully as he kissed the tip of her nose.

A giggle and then, "Both and I'm very hungry."

"Then I won't keep the lady waiting," Taking her hand, Andrew led her to the table, which he had already set. Pulling out her chair for her, and enchanted by her shy smile, he then took a seat across from her.

Though he had been hungry himself, Andrew had trouble keeping his eyes off Monica long enough to eat, finding every little movement precious. Then, of course, there was the issue of having to tell her about tomorrow. He could tell that she was still so pleased to be able to be together at the cabin with him and he worried about her reaction to the news.

Andrew made it a point to keep the conversation light throughout dinner and they did the dishes together while bantering gently with one another. It wasn't until they were seated comfortably in front of the fire, that he knew the time had come to break the news to her.

"Monica, there's something I need to tell you," They were curled up together on the sofa and his fingers traced gently up and down her arm as he held her close.

"I know." She could instantly tell her words had surprised him as she explained, "I could tell all through dinner that something was troubling you."

Andrew laughed nervously, "You're too intuitive for your own good, Angel!" But seeing only a tiny smile emerge through her worried dark eyes, he elected to cut to the chase, "Tess was here earlier while you were asleep. We both have assignments tomorrow."

He watched the flurry of emotions that crossed her face; surprise, shock and finally fear as a little tremor went through her body, "Assignments? As in two different ones?" She finally uttered weakly.

"Yes. But if all goes well, Tess has said they'll be short."

Monica's gaze returned to the fire, "Oh."

Andrew knew her so well and as she bit her lower lip and blinked rapidly to ward off tears, he pulled her more snugly up against him, "Angel, it will be okay. I know and Tess knows that after your last ordeal, you would be afraid of venturing out on your own again, so the best thing to do is to get right back out there."

"I know." Her voice sounded small and far away and her eyes remained fixed on the dancing flames.

"Baby, look at me," Andrew placed a finger beneath her chin to coax her to meet his gaze, "You know that the Father is taking care of you all the time. You have nothing to fear. In fact, if I finish my assignment early, I'll come find you. I promise."

She gave a little nod and then returned her head to his chest as Andrew let out a quiet sigh. He knew she was trying to come to terms with this news, he just wished she would open up about what she was feeling. But then again, maybe the emotions were just buried too deeply to put into words.

X

As the little angel readied for sleep later that evening, she eyed the bed in her room waringly. She knew that her silence this evening was worrying Andrew terribly and though she longed to go to him, she couldn't help but wonder about her assignment taking a few days to complete. If that was the case, then Andrew wouldn't be there to make her feel safe during the dark hours, so she'd may as well get used to it now.

Turning down the bed, Monica started to slip beneath the covers. Then she abruptly changed her mind. Getting up, she rushed out the door, relieved to see the light still on in Andrew's room. She knocked softly, before opening the door, relief flowing through her to see his tender gaze. As he pulled the covers aside for her, she immediately slipped in next to him and gladly accepted his warm embrace.

"I'm sorry," She whispered after a moment, "I didn't handle the news well about tomorrow. I just….I feel like I just got you back and I don't want to leave you already."

Andrew closed his eyes briefly, feeling the protective love he felt for her rushing through him once more, "My little angel," He whispered, kissing the top of her head repeatedly, "I'm going to be right there in your heart the whole time and every minute we're apart, I'm going to be dreaming of the next moment when we will be together again."