CHAPTER 4

Sighing deeply, the Irish angel arrived at her temporary home and, closing the door behind her, she looked at the empty living room with some melancholy. Tess was away on another assignment and she would only see Jane, Aiden and Josh on the following day. Staying on Earth without having another thing to do but to wait for the events to develop was already a difficult task for an angel, especially an angel with an inquisitive and curious mind like Monica.

Dinner was only a light snack and later on, when she was already wearing her favorite flannel pajamas under a warm robe, the angel prepared herself some coffee. Holding a large mug with both hands, she sat alone in a comfortable armchair by the window. The soft light coming from a side lamp, combined with the one coming from the full moon up in the sky, made her home a cozy and peaceful one. The warm drink had always put her heart at ease and its smell made her close her eyes as a flashback of sweet memories involving her and her dear valentine started to play on her mind, somewhat lulling her to sleep.

But a soft voice managed to replace those memories, making the present moment a lot more interesting.

"It must be the best moment of the day…"

Monica opened her eyes and saw the angel of death standing right in front of her. "Andrew…" She said, immediately letting go of the mug she had been holding on to stand on her feet. On the following second, the little Irish angel was already holding him tightly and receiving his warm embrace in return. There was exhaustion on his face and the constant sadness that never abandoned him over the last couple of days. But Andrew smiled now. His sweet and precious angel had the ability to raise his hopes and comfort his heart just by the mere fact of her existence. Listening to her voice calling out his name and having her in his arms was certainly the best moment of his day – of all his days.

"… though you must be happy with your sudden guest as you let go of your coffee just to greet him!" he joked, smiling down at her as Monica pulled away to look at him still in disbelief; the childlike joy in her eyes to see him there was moving.

"I thought I wouldn't see you so soon…" she spoke, caressing his face with happiness but sorry to see that sorrow was still present in his green pools.

He took her hand from his face and kissed her palm. "I guess being away from you will never be part of the Father's plans…"

"So… you can stay longer?" her voice was nearly pleading; a hint of the loneliness she felt whenever he was away.

Trying to smile, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, taking each of her meek features to his heart.

"Well… To be honest, I noticed that I have no place to stay until tomorrow and I was wondering if perhaps you can give me a shelter…"

Those words placed a beautiful broad smile on her face and Monica wasted no time in wrapping her arms around his neck, once again in a tight embrace.

"I guess it means a 'yes'…" he still joked, stroking her long auburn hair with tenderness.

"You are so much a part of me now, Andrew, that I guess I unlearned how to stay on my own here on Earth…" she spoke, pulling away to look at him again.

Andrew caressed her cheek, moved with her words. "So are you to me, my angel."

And then he bent down, meeting her lips in a long, languid kiss that both had been longing for since the day they were forced to go separate ways. With her eyes closed, Monica felt the sweet memories she had been dreaming on a few minutes before coming into life in her beloved one's arms.

She pulled away after long minutes and looked at him again with an adorable mix of surprise and joy on her face. "I didn't think we would meet again so soon… Why are you here?"

Andrew smiled and gently kissed her forehead. "Because you are the best vision here on Earth…" he playfully touched the tip of her nose. "…and in Heaven!"

Slightly embarrassed by his usual flattering, the Irish angel kept on eyeing him with curiosity and also a bit of worry. "Is it because of your assignment? Have you been assigned yet?"

The blond angel took both of her hands and guided her to the sofa. Once they were seated, he spoke again. "I've been assigned, yes. I will work with a law enforcement agency that helps investigating missing children and crimes connected to them."

Her beautiful doe-like eyes became wide open at that piece of news. "Missing children? So… Your prayers have been answered, Andrew! You really will be able to help! You will be able to make a difference!"

Her words of praise and enthusiasm were so powerful that they did make him feel better. But then again, it was no surprise as they had come from Monica - his sweet Monica, who was able to soothe even the deepest sadness.

With a slight smile, he stroked her hair with tenderness. "I promised I'd honor this chance… somehow, someway… I won't let Him down."

She leaned against his palm, treasuring his gentle touch and eyeing him with the deepest affection. "He knows that, my love, you didn't even have to promise that."

Nodding slightly, he inched closer and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, angel."

"Have you started working?"

"Not yet. They have to run a series of tests and interviews but… I'm under the impression that this process won't take long. They need people to help on these crimes, angel. And the closeness with the area where the latest victim was found makes things even more urgent."

"Yes, you're right." She took his hand from her face and held it in both of hers. "So it is true? You'll be able to stay here for a while?"

The way she was looking at him was nearly moving, as there was a mix of expectation and also from fear that he would say he needed to go some other place. But to her relief, Andrew smiled again and nodded.

"I would say it is a coincidence that my beautiful wife happens to be working at the same place where I was assigned to." He cupped her chin with one hand and kissed her lips briefly, just to be able to conclude his thoughts. "But then… we know perfectly well that coincidences don't exist and that if we are here and together, it's because we deserved this moment."

A trembling smile appeared on her face. "I have no doubt that all this moments spent with you are precious gifts."

As she closed her eyes, somewhat wishing that that very moment lasted forever, Andrew captured her lips once again. Tilting her head up, he kissed her softly, feeling her gently placing her hand against his face. Parting her lips, Andrew deepened that sweet kiss, remembering the last time they had been able to share such a loving moment and determined that he would make this one just as wonderful for her.

Taking a break from their loving kiss, so that he could grant them some air, Andrew kissed down her jaw and then up her neck, listening to Monica's deep sighs and enjoying the way she caressed the back of his head, running delicate fingers through his short hair and handsome face.

"I love you so much, Andrew…" the blond angel heard her saying, before he captured her beautiful smile again; his strong hands entangled through her long auburn tresses. He loved running his fingers through her long darkish hair, feeling its sweet perfume whenever they were entangled in each other's arms and loving the way it spread over his strong arms once she was fast asleep against him.

Moments later, he passed one of his arms under her knees and lifted her up, never breaking their kiss as she caressed his shoulders and strong chest. She was so light and fit his arms so well he could carry her this way along the many beautiful places he had already visited in this world. Yes, there still were beautiful places on Earth, despite all the ugliness he had witnessed over the last few days, and his Monica was the one who reminded him of those. But then again, it was no surprise as she would always bring out the best in him.

Andrew headed to the bedroom, where a bedside lamp had previously been lit – his beloved valentine had always avoided total darkness and he loathed the thought of her spending the night alone.

It would not happen now, however, as he was there to reassure her once again that she was much loved, by their loving Father and by him, with every fiber in his being. And right now, Andrew vowed he would make that new moment last for a small eternity.

"I love you, my angel… Forever." He spoke at her ear, once he gently deposited her on their bed, causing her to pull away and look deep inside his green pools. She saw nothing less than pure love and devotion written on them.

"You know you bring me to tears when you say that or when you look at me this way?"

Her trembling voice was a hint of the overwhelming emotion that his immense love would always elicit from her. But before she could shed the tear that was threatening to fall from her beautiful brown eyes, Andrew smiled and captured her lips with his once again, not wanting to give her time to think – they would go separate ways when the morning came and the blond angel knew how hard it would be for both of them once they had spent weeks alone up in the mountains after their marriage.

And Andrew had promised himself that he would always make sure to tell her how precious she was every time they met again. That night was one of those times.