CHAPTER 14

Andrew crossed the parking lot in a hurry, passing by the police cars and the officers that surrounded the area. His worried green eyes scanned the place, searching for his Monica in between loud voices and angry sirens. The constant flashing of the police lights just made this task more difficult and more anguishing.

He had been entertained with the bowling game when the Father finally allowed him to feel Monica's absence, and once he did so, Andrew rushed to the counter to look for her. The attendant, who was also worried about the "Irish lady," informed him that his wife had recognised a fugitive and asked her to call the police. The girl had also told him that Monica herself had gone to the parking lot and that she was worried the criminal could find out she was following her.

The woman's report only added more panic to Andrew's anguished heart. Finally, guided by his protective instincts, he saw his beloved one in a corner, talking to a police officer. Monica kept her eyes low and her arms were wrapped around herself but the sound of his voice was enough to make her raise her head.

On the following seconds she was throwing herself in his arms and holding him tightly.

"Angel... What happened?" he wanted to know, returning her embrace with the same intensity and stroking her long auburn strands - perhaps in a way to calm himself down.

"Sheila."

That single word spoke volumes to him, and also made him feel extremely guilty. Why wasn't he there with her? How could he leave her unprotected and exposed to such an evil human being?

Somewhat hearing his thoughts, Monica pulled away and searched for his eyes. "The Father told me to go alone... He whispered in my heart that I was the one to fulfil this assignment..."

Frowning with concern, and trying to cope with the fact that he would not be able to stand by her side all the time, Andrew cupped her cheek and searched for the slightest injury all over her face. "Did she hurt you?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Thank You, Father..." The angel of death let out a sigh of relief and brushed a loving kiss against her forehead.

"Andrew... can we go back to the cabin? Please?"

"Of course, angel."

x

With steady eyes, Monica watched as the flames danced in the fireplace, now comfortably wrapped in Andrew's loving arms. The two angels had been sitting on the couch for the latest hour and spoke very little. But Andrew knew his dear angel very well to know that she would voice her thoughts to him whenever she was ready. Besides this, being quiet had never been one of her greatest qualities.

"I saw her suffering, you know, Andrew... In my angelic form I could feel the terrible things that were done to her so that she became what she is today." Her Irish lilt finally broke the silence and she turned her eyes to meet his green ones.

"A product of violence and anger... I have a pretty good idea of what you saw, angel." He spoke, tucking some loose strands of hair behind her ear.

"And no matter what I said, she kept on saying terrible things..."

Andrew placed soft kisses against her temple. "I'm sure that, somehow, you've managed to touch her heart."

"She didn't give any importance to the Father's message... not even when I revealed myself an angel..."

He looked deep inside her eyes. "But if the Father Himself chose you to be there with her at that ver moment, then it's because somehow it'll have a consequence. It might not be soon, but someday it will happen. And all because an angel spoke the words she needed to hear at a night like this." He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. "All because this angel was you."

Monica kept on staring at his face, processing what he had just said. And Andrew took the opportunity to admire her lovely features: well-traced eyebrows and the long eyelashes making the perfect match to her sparkling brown pools. Her rosy cheeks and rosy lips he would delight in kissing for the centuries to come. The pretty little dimple in her chin and those on her cheeks, which became visible whenever she smiled, had always looked adorable to him.

"I believe you're right, Andrew..." she finally spoke, and the tone of her voice showed that she was more confident.

"So let's leave it in the past now, baby. I don't want these memories to haunt you in your sleep or when you're awake."

"It's okay..." she tilted her head and continued to eye him adorably, and now with a slight smile. "...but if they do, I know you'll be there to chase them away, like you always do."

"I promise I will. Always."

Andrew cupped her cheek and when he crossed the small distance between them, Monica closed her eyes in anticipation, her heart aching with love for him. He pressed his lips against hers very slowly, as if savouring the sweetness of the moment, and some seconds later, the blond angel finally deepened their kiss. His hand moved from her cheek to the back of her neck and he entangled his fingers through her hair as their kiss went on; both of them wishing it could last a small eternity.

"I love you so much..." she whispered, as they finally pulled away and rested their foreheads together.

"Oh, angel... my angel..." Andrew placed a loving kiss on her forehead and another one against her lips. "You're my most precious blessing." He said, holding her gaze until she smiled at him again, and threw herself in his arms - the safest place on Earth for her.