CHAPTER 9

Andrew remained holding the little angel close to him, arms protectively wrapped around her small form like a loyal guardian. Caressing her hair, he kept on whispering loving words in her ear, in an attempt to keep her awake and to soothe her troubled soul. She was in pain and confused, and his fear was that she could pass out at any moment. The blond angel was about to grab a phone and order food himself, but before that he heard a soft knock on the door.

Paul returned with a hot soup and a bottle with hot chocolate, and sensing his co-worker wouldn't get away from his beloved girlfriend, the ski patroller placed the food in a tray and deposited it on the bedside table.

"Is there anything else you two need?" he asked, watching as Andrew gently made her lean against a pillow. Monica's eyes were closed and her pale face typical of someone who hadn't eaten for two entire days.

"Thanks, Paul... I'll see if she eats something, she must be starving..." Andrew spoke, and in his eyes it was possible to see all his worry and deep sadness.

"Dr. Flannigan will be back here later. And I'll be next door, buddy. If there's anything you need, you just have to call."

Andrew nodded his head, grateful for the friend that had appeared when he and Monica most needed. As Paul closed the door behind him, the blond angel cupped her face gently. "Angel... look at me..."

"Andrew..." Her sweet brown pools didn't have the usual sparkle that would always catch his gaze and transmit loving feelings straight to his heart. The little angel was so defenceless, so fragile that it made his heart ache with sadness. Andrew wished he could trade places with her so that she didn't have to suffer so much. He wished to gather her in his arms and take her Home, where no harm would ever touch her.

"Do you think you could eat a little? Please?"

Monica didn't have the strength to speak. Slowly, she let out a sigh and nodded her head.

He held a spoonful with food and took it to her lips, and was broken hearted when he noticed how hungry she was. Even though her movements were slow and she seemed to be about to faint at any moment, Monica gladly accepted the hot soup that, little by little, her dearest friend offered her.

"Thank you..." she managed to whisper, once she had finished. Andrew placed the almost empty dish on the bedside table and wiped her lips with a napkin.

"Is there anything else you want? Paul brought hot chocolate but I could phone the room service and ask them to bring you something else, I-"

"No... thank you, Andrew..."

With sadness all over his face, he stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers, "You have absolutely nothing to thank me for, angel..."

She looked deep inside his sad green pools and saw all his regret and sorrow. Slowly, he traced a line along her jaw and then tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear.

"Do you know how I felt when I found out you were missing?" he spoke, with his voice hoarse with emotion, "I felt like my whole world had gone, Monica. I was so afraid that you might get hurt, or-or..." He frowned. "I prayed so hard to find you, and God answered my prayer. He led me to you, and I was so relieved to find you."

"Andrew, I-"

"No... shh..." he gently pressed his index finger against her lips, "I know we have many things to discuss, but nothing is more important now than your recovering, baby. And in order to recover, you need to rest as much as you can. Everything else can wait."

Monica gazed at him for a long moment as a tear rolled down her cheek. Tenderly, Andrew reached up and wiped it away with his thumb. "I love you..." he finally whispered, and then moved to lay a tender kiss on her forehead.

The blond angel helped her to lie down in bed and then moved to lie next to her. With infinite care, he held her close to him and quietly and slowly, the little Irish angel inched closer, abandoning her pillow and resting her head over his strong chest.

"Rest now, my little angel... I'll be here all the time, I promise, baby. I'll take care of you." He kissed the top of her head. "You're my everything."

Monica could still hear his loving words whispered into her ear, and moments later, fell into a deep sleep. The blond angel, on the other hand, remained awake, watching over her like the eternal protector that would always be by her side, ready to give up his own existence for her.

X

Monica remained asleep for nearly the entire day. The angel in human form only awoke with Andrew's gentle voice whispering in her ear that it was time for another meal, but she was so exhausted that he doubted she would ever remember what she ate. Dr. Flannigan visited her two more times: during the afternoon and at night. He checked the gash on her forehead, her swollen ankle and other minor injuries, and verified her temperature.

Without any changes in her condition, he just explained Andrew the right time for her to take the medicines, and left, promising to come back during the morning.

"But if you need, just call me, okay son? That young lady requires full attention as it's risky to treat her here and not in a hospital."

"She'll have all my attention, doctor, I won't take my eyes away from her for a second..." the blond angel spoke, permanently holding her hand. With fierce protectiveness, he looked down at her asleep form and caressed her hair, "... she's my life..."

Smiling at the evident love and protection he could see in his eyes, Dr Flannigan took his briefcase and rose to his feet. "I'm under the impression that Monica is in very good hands. Have a good night, Andrew."

"Good night, sir." The blond angel shook hands with the doctor and then closed the bedroom door. He had managed to eat a little in between Monica's naps, even though he wasn't hungry. Having his beloved angel so weak and fragile was devastating, and he couldn't wait for the time when those soft brown eyes would open and a meek smile would form on her face.

x

Like he had promised, Andrew didn't take his eyes away from Monica's asleep form. The soft light coming from the bedside table was the only source of light in the bedroom, and the silence inside it was absolute, but heavy. He wondered how long before he could take Monica to a hospital, and how she would react until then. He sighed deeply and checked his pocket watch, left on the bedside table: it was almost 1 AM.

A sudden moan broke the silence and the blond angel turned to look at Monica, frowning with concern at the expression of fear and pain on her meek face.

"Andrew... please... it's cold... Sarah... save Sarah... I mustn't sleep..."

The nightmare that was playing on her mind was terrifying, as she stirred in bed trying to reach an invisible point. Aware that every move caused her a terrible pain and only served to worsen her condition, Andrew gently squeezed the hold around her small form, and cupped her cheek. "Shh... angel, you're having a bad dream, baby... just a bad dream..."

"Wee Sarah is my assignment... I can't fail... Where is she? Father, please, forgive me... I failed... Andrew was right... I failed..."

Her words were like a punch right in his stomach and hurt terribly deep down his very soul. He had been the one to inflict all that guilt and fear, and all that distress he could see written on her face was a consequence of his harsh words to her three days before.

Andrew felt terrible. He could imagine the conflict in her mind during the time she stayed in the cave with Sarah. He knew how hard she was always trying to prove him, Tess and God that she was capable of doing her work as an angel. Saying that she might not be qualified to help her assignment in a dangerous situation not only broke her heart but also put her confidence in herself in check.

And he had been the one to do so.

"Angel... baby, please, wake up, honey... I'm here... you're safe here and Sarah is with her parents... you saved her, Monica! You saved her life, angel..." he spoke, watching as little by little, his beloved angel started to come to her senses. "You gave up your own self to keep that little girl alive, and I'm not surprised with that fact, as this is how you are... The wonderful, loving angel who I love so much... Sarah is alive because of you, baby..."

His soothing words slowly put her troubled heart at ease, and her voice turned into whispers, that ceased a while later. Brushing tiny loving kisses on her forehead, the blond angel noticed that she was sleeping again.

"Angel... I'm so sorry... So terribly sorry... But I promise I'll make it up to you... You have my word, baby."

A small murmur was a reply to his whispered voice.

"Andrew..."

"I'm here, angel... I'm here..." he was both surprised with the fact that she was speaking again, and certain that she was partially asleep.

"Stay with me... please..."

Overwhelmed with emotion, he tightened the hold on her a bit more and brushed his lips softly against hers. "I will always stay with you, baby."