CHAPTER 12

Monica's eyes flickered open as the sunrays poured through the window and illuminated their bedroom. To the angel in human form, two days had been enough to heal the cold she had caught during her unexpected outing in the woods, especially because she had had the best "carer" in the world: her beloved Andrew.

During these days, the blond angel overprotected and spoiled her in every possible way he could muster. Andrew would bring her breakfast in bed, which included double mocha latte and baked cookies. He would also spend lazy afternoons holding her tightly while they remembered the joy of past assignments or just discussed about the wonderful creations that surrounded them. In the evenings, the two angels cuddled up in the couch, in front of the fireplace, and as Andrew whispered loving words in her ear, she giggled.

Monica blinked as those latest memories came to her mind, bringing a smile to her lips, listening to the humming of the birds outside. She finally sat up in bed and observed the gentle sunrays entering the room for a while but curiosity made her throw her blanket away. A second later, her small feet touched the wooden floor and she abandoned her bed to head towards the window.

The view enchanted her one more time. Monica had already seen that same image many other times, but she would never get tired of it. The vibrant blue of the sky combined with the ever green of the pine trees and the colourful flowers made her want to be there, walking in between God's wonderful creations.

She let out a sigh, thinking how fast she had recovered. And it was then that Monica heard the door opening and immediately felt a loving presence inside the room.

"Angel?"

Andrew was slightly surprised to see his dear wife standing on her feet so early - truth to be told, the sun had been up for a couple of hours already, but Monica would always sleep until late, especially because of her condition. The sound of his voice made her turn around with a smile upon her face.

"Good morning, Andrew!" He walked over to her, carrying a small bouquet with wild flowers in his hand. The image before his eyes would be etched in his mind for the rest of eternity; her long auburn hair cascading over her shoulders, the sun accentuating its colour even more and involving her human body in a way that she seemed to be glowing. Her white pyjamas and bare feet just made her look even more adorable to him, if it was ever possible.

"I thought you'd still be sleeping, baby." He pressed a tiny kiss against her lips and gave her the bouquet.

"Ah... they are lovely!" She smelled the flowers perfume and gave him the sweetest of smiles. "When I woke up I saw it was such a beautiful day I... I just had to come and look through the window..."

Monica glanced outside for a moment, as if confirming what she had just said. Smiling, Andrew stroked her cheek with the back of his hand and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear, making her look at him again. "How are you feeling, baby?"

"Much better now, you see... I guess I could even go for a walk in the woods!" Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she spoke, and the little angel quickly added. "But I guess this time I could use some company!"

Chuckling at her funny remark, he took one of her hands in both of his. "Well, I think our outing in the woods will happen some other day, as this beautiful human form of yours is still recovering, my sweet angel..." Watching as her face fell a little, Andrew kissed her fingertips and continued to talk. "But I also happen to have a small surprise to you..."

Her eyes grew wide a second later. "A surprise? Really?"

X

"It's delicious, Andrew!"

Monica's happy voice and the mocha moustache that was formed after she took one more sip of her favourite drink only served to amuse Andrew even more. The blond angel had settled a small table and two chairs on the porch and served their breakfast there. Croissants, cake, cheese, strawberry jelly, hot chocolate, and double mocha latte with an extra creamy topping were some of the ingredients that had placed a broad smile upon her face.

But the greatest reason for her joy would always be Andrew's presence.

"I suspected you'd like it." He was sitting across from her and reached out to clean some of the extra cream from her face. Andrew felt like the most blessed creature on Earth as every morning he would have the chance to listen to her joyful chatter and watch her sweet manners. Feeling more and more infatuated as she spoke about the weather, the blond angel only silenced her when he inched forward to brush a loving kiss on her lips.

She dropped the toast with jelly topping that was in her hands to acknowledge that sweet caress, tilting her head as he pressed his lips more firmly against hers. To Andrew, what was already sweet became even sweeter as their kiss continued, lulled by the gentle breeze and warm sunrays, and the blond angel secretly wished that precious moment to last for a small eternity.

When it was over, she smiled and nuzzled her face against his, treasuring his tender manners and the delicacy of his touch. The Irish angel looked at him and her smile faded a little, but it was just due to the intensity of her feelings for him. "I think... I will never be able to spend a single day without telling you that I love you..." Andrew cupped her cheek and rubbed his thumb against her porcelain skin and she leaned on his touch. "... actually, I guess that saying so is not enough... especially now..."

"I treasure everything you have to say, angel... everything you think and feel matters to me, and when you tell me that you love me, it makes me feel I have much more than what I deserve."

She frowned a little at those words. Of course he deserved all the love she could give him. He was her constant, her loyal friend and the knight in armour that God Himself had chosen to be by her side for the rest of eternity. "This is not true... You are so precious to me, Andrew... and this joy I feel inside my heart... you placed it there..."

"Then I'm honoured, baby..."

The blond angel lay both hands on each side of her pretty face and captured her lips with his own once again. The two angels in human form spent most part of the morning in each other's arms, speaking loving words and exchanging loving caresses in the quietness of the cozy cabin - their little piece of Heaven on Earth. By 1 PM lunch was served and a chatty Monica indicated that the latest remainings of the cold that had kept her in bed were definitely leaving her human form.

"... actually, I noticed something on the way to the supermarket, you know Andrew." She spoke, enjoying the grilled cheese sandwich and the tomato soup he had so carefully prepared her.

"And what is it?"

"The bowling alley that stays close to the market was reformed recently, ya know..."

Amused, he frowned a little as he kept on eating. "Really? I hadn't noticed that."

"Oh no? Well, I think you should, Andrew. The building is even more beautiful and the heading on its top says it opens earlier than it used to." She was quick to inform him, "I happen to have many good memories of the first time I went bowling... My shoes were a wee bit tight, it is true, and I was quite anxious for my first lesson but fortunately the Father granted me with a joyful experience in the end. For instance, I remember I had a wonderful bowling teacher!"

Her Irish lilt filling the house was like music to his ears and the witty expression on her face made him chuckle. "Well, I can say I had a very, very beautiful pupil all the time!"

Her smile grew wider at his words. "And aren't ya curious to know if your pupil has learned a bit more of this lovely game?"

He stopped eating and looked at her with questioning eyes. She was adorable, but sometimes enigmatic. "I don't get it, angel..."

"I guess I'm asking you out on a date, Andrew!" she said, and although he was highly amused at the way she said that, his protective instincts spoke louder.

"Oh, angel, I... Well, I feel honoured that you're inviting me but at the same time... I don't think you should go outside yet, especially at night, baby..."

"But I won't stay outside, ya know... We would be inside the bowling alley!" the Irish angel winked at him and the way she was looking into his eyes told him he would lose that battle easily at any moment.

But before the little angel could completely win the argument, a low rumble of thunder sounded from outside, causing both of them to turn their heads towards the window. Dark clouds were beginning to move across the blue sky and Andrew had to chuckle at the slow pout that crossed Monica's lips.

Unable to resist, the blond angel pulled her into his arms, "I swear, Angel, you are so precious."

"I suppose that is your way of telling me we won't be playing bowling tonight," She replied with a disappointed sigh.

"I'm afraid not, but how about this?" Wrapping his arms around her midsection as he pulled her more snugly up against him, he continued, "We will go bowling tomorrow, angel's honor, rain or shine. That way, we have one more evening to make absolutely certain you are fully recovered from your cold and I will have one more night to calm my slightly overly protective streak."

A raised eyebrow in his direction caused him to chuckle, "'slightly'?" She questioned with mock innocence before she looked up into his green eyes, "Though in all honesty, I rather like your 'slightly overly protective streak'. It always makes me feel better to know you are looking out for me, especially when I need it the most."

The subtlest expression of sadness flitted across the little angel's face and though to most, it would have been invisible, to the one angel who loved her most, it was very obvious, "That time is over, Angel Girl. There's no need for you to be afraid any longer."

"I know. I do, but it's still so fresh in my mind sometimes; feeling so all alone even though I wasn't, and being so afraid of Sheila. No matter how much I don't want to think about it, sometimes it just happens."

Her head was nestled just below his chin and Andrew moved just enough to deliver soft, loving kisses to the top of her head, "I know, but the memories will fade with time and I'll be here to make sure they do."

Monica moved her head just enough to smile sweetly up at him, "I'll be counting on that, you know."