CHAPTER 11

Monica slipped into the passenger's seat and reached over to start the car, before turning the heat up on high. The chill felt as if it had invaded her bones and she sank down in the seat, and reached into the back for Andrew's jacket, which he had left in the car. The leather felt soft and warm and she closed her eyes for a moment until she heard the sound of a cart being wheeled rapidly close to the car. Thinking her husband was already finished in the store, she opened her eyes to see an elderly gentleman approach his car which was parked right next to them. A moment later, she heard the engine of his car turning over, but refusing to start.

This went on for several more attempts.

Wrapping Andrew's jacket around her shoulders, Monica opened the car door and stepped outside into the chilly air once more, "Hello." She called out, as she tapped lightly on his window.

The older gentleman looked up, a bit startled but then relaxed at seeing the young lady in front of him. Rolling down his window, he managed a smile, "Afternoon, miss."

"Do you need a wee bit of help?"

The man gave a small chuckle, "Only if you know anything about a car engine. I'm afraid I'm going to have to call a cab. I just got an emergency page from the hospital and I need to get there quickly."

"Oh. Is someone you care about sick?" Despite her own feelings of illness, Monica was deeply concerned.

"One of my patients. I'm a doctor; Dr. Strauss."

"Oh, I see. I'm Monica and though I don't know anything about car engines, my husband does and he'll be here in just a moment," She looked back towards the store to see Andrew already hurrying towards them, "In fact, here he comes now."

"Angel?" Andrew stopped the cart next to the car, his green eyes concerned, "You should be in the car, baby. It's chilly."

"Andrew, this is Dr. Strauss. His car won't start and he is needed at the hospital. Do you think you might be able to take a look at it and get it started for him?"

The blonde angel assessed the situation quickly as Dr. Strauss got out of his car. Andrew extended his hand to the man, "Andrew and I'd be happy to take a look for you. Pop the hood for me and I'll see if I can get it started."

Then turning his attention back to his wife, he continued, "Angel, get back in the car where it's warm. I'll unload the groceries from the cart in a moment," He opened her door and guided her in with a hand on her back. Once satisfied that she was secure and warm, Andrew ducked his head under the hood of Dr. Strauss' car while praying for guidance.

"Try it now," He called out, though he hadn't actually touched anything in the engine, but sure enough when the doctor turned the key, the car started immediately. Slamming shut the hood, Andrew then walked back to the window of the car, "I think you're all set."

"I don't know how to thank you," The man replied, "The young lady said you'd be able to fix it but I never thought you'd do it this fast!" He glanced in the caddy at Monica, who had her eyes closed, "Is she all right?"

Looking over his shoulder in alarm, Andrew relaxed when he saw her dozing, nestled beneath his jacket, "She got caught in the storm this morning and isn't feeling well. Sore throat, congestion...I got her some cold medicine in the store, so I hope that will help her."

"There's a nasty flu going around, Andrew," He cautioned and then touched the angel's arm, "Tell you what; give me your address and I'll stop by after I leave the hospital. I'll check her over and I'll bring some antibiotics with me. They'll be in her system in two days and then she should start to feel better. It's the least I can do after your handy work on my car."

Relief flooded the angel's features as he grinned, "That would be great. We were just married last week and I'm a bit protective of her. I'd feel much better knowing you had seen her."

"Consider it done then," Dr. Strauss smiled, "The young lady got out of her warm car to help me. I'm happy to return the favour. I'll see you in an hour or so."

x

Andrew watched with anxious eyes as Dr Strauss removed the thermometer from under Monica's left arm and checked her temperature. As he had promised, the old doctor stopped by the cabin on his way back from the hospital to help the "young lady who had made him arrive in time to save a person's life". He couldn't be more grateful.

Dressed in warm flannel pyjamas and under a warm blanket, Monica bit her lower lip worriedly as he let out a small sigh. "Yes, Monica, you're running a low fever. It's not anything serious but I'm sorry to inform you that today's outing in the rain might cost you some days inside your house and in bed."

She frowned and looked at her beloved Andrew; in her eyes some worry and guilt for causing such a "big trouble" right on that special occasion. But the blond angel shot her a reassuring smile and stroked her hair with tenderness.

"Just tell me what I have to do, Dr Strauss. I promise I'll take good care of her!" he said, never taking his eyes off of hers.

The old doctor also smiled, pleased to see the evident love between the young couple. "I'm most certainly sure you will, son!"

Monica returned her husband's kind smile and, holding his hand, she turned to look at the doctor. "Andrew is the best carer one could ever have, you know Dr Strauss. He and our friend Tess are the ones who watch over me whenever I'm on assignment..." she paused for a moment and then added, "... at work, I mean. And out of it too..."

The Irish angel gave Andrew a clumsy look, wondering if she had spoken more than she should, but her slight worry faded away as she saw he was trying to hide a chuckle at her wording.

"Then I can say you were blessed with much love, young lady, and I'm not surprised. You stopped to help me out when you needed help yourself and this small attitude managed to save a life." He said, writing down the prescription for the following couple of days, missing the way both angels looked at each other and the silent conversation between them.

Their small outing at the supermarket had been an assignment. Even on their vacations they managed to fulfil their Father's work.

"I've always felt like I was..." she said, once again shooting a smile at Andrew and looking at the doctor, who handed them the small paper.

"I recommend much resting, drinking lots of fluids and keeping yourself warm enough, Monica." He opened his small suitcase and took two small bottles of two different medicines. "This antibiotic and also the syrup will help you get better, and I wrote down the times you should take these."

"Thank you very much, Dr Strauss." She looked at him gratefully.

"Oh, no, please, don't thank me, Monica. I'm glad I could help and hope you get better soon."

The old doctor kept the thermometer and stethoscope in his suitcase and bid her goodbye. Andrew took him downstairs and up to the door and thanked him for the visit, even though the old man didn't think it was necessary.

Once he was gone, the blond angel turned off most of the lights in the living room and dining room and headed upstairs again. It was past 8 o'clock at night and he sensed Monica wouldn't want to eat anything else. He was glad that she had at least agreed on a small snack before the doctor arrived.

When he opened their bedroom door he found her dozing off to sleep. Andrew turned off the lights, leaving only the bedside lamp on, and tried not to make any noise in approaching the bed. But once he removed his shoes and sat down at the edge of the bed, the little angel opened her sleepy eyes.

"Hey... I thought somebody was already dreaming!" he said, now climbing into bed and kissing her cheek before lying down next to her and pulling the ill angel into his strong arms.

"I guess I was almost but I felt your presence..." she abandoned her pillow to rest her head over his chest as he started to caress her long auburn strands. "And your presence is better than a dream..." she added, causing him to smile and kiss the top of her head. "I didn't want to cause so much trouble..." she spoke, visibly embarrassed.

"Oh, angel... You didn't cause trouble. Your human form got ill because it was exposed to the same things that a human being is."

She let out a sigh. "Yes... but it was supposed to be a romantic night, you see, and not a night spent in between my sneezing, coughing and congested nose..."

Andrew couldn't help chuckling at her words and at the slight pout he could see on her meek face. He tightened the hold around her, brushing a gentle kiss on her forehead as he looked down at her. "What could be more romantic than me holding you tightly in my arms and telling you how much I love you, my sweet angel?"

He could see her lips curving in a slight smile and she eyed him coyly. "You could even catch a cold from me by doing so..."

"I can't think of a better way to catch a cold..."

He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand and his green pools were soon lost in her sparkling brown ones, silent loving words were exchanged between the two heavenly creatures just through the power of that gaze. Their eyes were closing moments later, and their lips, which were just a few inches from each other, met in a soulful kiss, a sweet caress that could show at least the smallest amount of the immense love they felt for each other.