CHAPTER 11

It was late when Monica finally walked in the door of their little apartment, and she was anguished to find Andrew not yet home. He had left the Clark's home early in the afternoon and she had not seen nor heard from him since.

She had offered the Clarks to continue her services despite the situation and the fact that they would not be going into work until Aiden was found. She explained she could keep Jane and Josh occupied so the parents could cooperate and help the police and Laura and Ted had readily agreed. Monica had also tried to talk to Josh, but he had been too angry and upset, but she had every intention of trying again in the morning.

It taken her forever to get Jane to sleep, the little girl so upset over Aiden's disappearance and afraid to sleep for fear either she or Josh would vanish in the middle of the night. Her fear had grieved the angel greatly, but Monica had spoken softly to her, reassuring her of God's love for her until Jane had finally lost the battle to sleep.

Emotionally, the little angel was exhausted, but too worried about Andrew to sleep. She changed into a nightgown and settled herself on the sofa with a cup of coffee. She had spent much of the day blinking back tears and even now, she was afraid to allow them to fall. She kept praying for the door to open and to see her husband walk through it but as the hours passed and night gave way to the wee hours of the morning, Monica was fairly certain it was not going to happen. Closing her dark eyes, she elected to speak to the One who could hear her right now.

"Father please, be with Aiden. Keep him strong and let him feel your love around him…and be with his family, especially Josh and wee Jane. Josh has so much pain in his heart, Father and I'm not sure yet how to help him but I know you will show me how…and Laura and Ted, they are so anguished with a missing child. Please help them through this and help them to see what is so important," She fell silent for a moment and drew in a sharp breath. All afternoon and evening she had been able to feel the grief in Andrew's heart resonating within her own, but now, she felt him pulling away from her, not wanting her to know and it was that feeling of emptiness that finally caused the tears to well up and escape her eyes.

"Don't do this. Please don't do this." He was protecting her, but the pain it caused her was nearly overwhelming. She knew he couldn't hear her, but it didn't keep her from pleading, hoping something would suddenly change.

"Father, please be with him. I love him so much and if there is any way, any way at all I can help him, please show me how."

Silent tears tracked down her face as she wearily lay down on the sofa, knowing in just a few short hours, she needed to return to the Clark's home for the day. But try as she might, sleep would not come to her. It was her first night away from Andrew since the beginning of her assignment at the prison and now with not even being able to feel his heart, she felt more alone than she had in a very long time and it was on another stifled sob that she felt a longed for presence in the room with her.

"Angel."

Weary brown eyes met his exhausted ones and though she longed to throw herself into his arms, her words came first, "Why did you pull away?"

His heart thudded against his chest as he knelt down next to the sofa, "Because I didn't want you to feel what I was feeling, Monica. We haven't found anything…"

"I don't care." Her expressive brown eyes were welling up with tears once more, "You are a part of me and I always want to know what you are feeling. Though it hurts me to not be able to do anything to help you…to not know? To not know what you are feeling? Andrew…I can't bear it! I can't!"

Guilt tore through him again as he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, "I'm so sorry, Angel. I knew you were going to be worried and I didn't want you to feel how…hopeless I was feeling at the moment."

"But I need to feel it. I need to know how you feel so that when I see you again, I can help you," She pulled away and despite her own tears, Monica laid her hand against his cheek, "We are partners, Andrew, forever and it's not so much that I want to be a part of every part of you, it's that I need to be."

His hand moved up to brush at her tears, "I'm sorry you have to keep telling me that. Monica, I am just so sorry. I'm sorry it's Aiden. I'm sorry all of this is touching you…"

"None of it is your fault. Andrew, you have nothing to apologize for. The Father put you here to help and I know he has placed the best angel for the job right where he needs to be."

A flicker of warmth crossed his otherwise tormented green eyes, "This assignment has been so difficult for me," He stated softly, "One of the most difficult I can remember…and I cannot imagine going through any of it without you."

She was crying again as she threw herself back into his arms, her exhaustion keeping her from the strength she had been trying to exhibit for his benefit, but Andrew knew all of that and holding her close was the best feeling he'd had all day, "Angel, you need to sleep now."

"So do you." She stated pointedly as she pulled away and looked into his eyes, "We're both in human form."

"I can't yet. We only have a few days to find Aiden or it will be too late. The murderer only kept the other boys alive for four days….and one is already over."

Monica bit her lower lip, forcing back a fresh batch of tears. Three days. They only had three days to find Aiden or some angel, maybe Andrew, would have to take him Home, "I'm staying on with the family so I can look after Josh and Jane…plus I really need to work on the relationship between Josh and his father. If something happens to Aiden….I don't think at this point Josh will ever forgive his dad."

"I know you'll be able to help them, baby. There is no doubt in my mind."

She managed a tiny smile, but her face was masked with concern, "I'm worried about you. You can't tear yourself apart over this, my love. I know you are going to do everything you can to find Aiden; the Father put you in this place at this time for a reason, and I don't want to believe the reason was for you to bring Aiden home."

"Angels can fail, Monica," The words that showed the depth of his fear were out before he could stop them, but the stakes on this assignment now felt even higher with the victim being a child in Monica's care. He knew how much she loved them and it had been even more apparent in her tears. No, he didn't want to let God down, or Aiden…or Monica.

She almost told him that she knew he would not fail but quickly realized he was placing tremendous pressure on himself and though she was completely confident in his abilities, voicing that confidence would only add additional pressure. It only took her a split second to change routes, "Yes, they can, but the Father never does. No matter what happens on this assignment, Andrew, it will honor him. And no matter what happens, He will use it for a greater good. All you need to do is your best, and you always do that. Leave the rest to the Father."

The love that filled his heart nearly took his breath away as he cupped her cheek with his hand, "My angel, you are an inspiration to my soul."

"I only told you the truth." Monica whispered as she leaned forward and brushed her lips lovingly against his.