EPILOGUE

A warm, gentle breeze blew against the little angel's face and she kept her eyes closed for a moment as she breathed in the scent of nature. She could smell flowers and grass and could hear the sound of chirping birds nearby. More important than anything else though was the feeling of still having Andrew's arms around her and when she finally opened her eyes it was his green orbs that she saw gazing back at her.

"Thank you," Monica breathed out the words softly before she turned around to take in her surroundings, but the moment she did both of her hands flew to her mouth, "Andrew..."

"Was there really anyplace else you wanted to go other than Ireland, Angel?" He asked her tenderly.

Too overcome to speak, she simply shook her head. He knew her so well; he knew things without even having to ask. The thought made Monica's heart ache with the tremendous love that filled it.

"Come," Andrew continued, taking her hand firmly into his, "Let's walk for awhile."

"Yes," She replied, finally finding her voice.

They walked in silence and Monica's eyes missed very little of the beautiful countryside. The grass was still damp from a recent rain and it felt soft and fresh beneath her bare feet. The rolling fields were a rich, lush green and a hint of mist still rose into the air and the beauty of it nearly snatched her breath away.

But still, more than any other feeling, she was more aware of the feeling of Andrew's hand in hers as she thought about how much she had missed it. She remembered her own horrible suggestion that they spend some time apart and Monica again wondered what she had been thinking when she had suggested such a thing. She supposed she knew really; she had been hurt by things that had happened, but how could she have possibly thought that being away from him would solve anything? All it had done was left her feeling helpless and lonely; a loneliness so deep that it had penetrated her very soul and had caused her to break down into tears on more than one occasion. That day in the park, when she had so clearly felt his grief but had been unable to touch him in any way to bring him comfort had been one of the worst pains she had felt in her existence.

Andrew's eyes also took in the countryside but what he felt more than anything was how content he finally felt. The last few months were finally behind them and the horrible nightmare of this last assignment was finally over. He felt as if he could finally breathe again with Monica at his side once more. He supposed that there would still be times when he would be afraid for her; after all, the little angel so often threw herself into her assignments with little thought to her sometimes delicate human form and her much more delicate sensitive nature. Maybe one of his permanent assignments was to look after her and it was one he accepted gratefully. All he wanted from his existence was to serve God and love and protect the angel he loved more than any other. Andrew was fairly sure that as long as he had those three things, he would never want for anything else.

A sudden pang in his heart caused him to quickly look over at Monica and his eyes widened to see tears trickling down her cheeks, "Angel? Baby?" He stopped walking and turned to face her.

As she threw herself into his arms, Andrew was reminded of those times on this last assignment when they would meet and she would greet him just as desperately. His hands stretched out across her back as he held her to himself, his heart aching at the soft sobs coming from her, "Sweetheart, it's okay," He whispered, wondering what had brought on this sudden flow of emotion, "Tell me, Angel. Shh. Tell me what you're thinking."

Monica held tightly to him as she felt her tears begin to subside almost as quickly as they had begun, but she refused to release her hold on him. The warmth of him against her and beneath her cheek, the feeling of his hands rubbing her back in a soothing motion, the feeling of his heartbeat...they all brought her great comfort.

"I'm sorry," She whispered after a moment, "I was just thinking about how long it had been since we've been like this. Since we've been together for more than just a few moments and even though we're together now, it makes me think of how much I missed you when we weren't together; how sad I felt every time you would have to leave and how lonely," She tightened her embrace on him, "Oh Andrew, there is no greater loneliness for me than when you aren't with me!"

Andrew held her just as tightly and ran his hands through her hair, "For the record my little angel, I missed you too. Every moment, baby, every moment we were apart." Suddenly, he smiled as knowledge filled him and pulling away, he led her over to a little picnic area with some benches. Indicating for her to sit down, he knelt down in front of her and tenderly wiped away the remainder of her tears.

"You know," Andrew began with a loving smile, "My entire existence changed that day we first met. I thought my life was pretty complete until I came face to face with this pretty little Irish angel who, at the time, was not all that happy to meet me." He winked at her and was rewarded with a tiny giggle. Reaching up, he cupped her cheek in his hand, "But ever since then, I have thanked the Father every single day for the precious gift that you are to me, Monica, for every moment we have shared together. They all mean so much to me and they are the moments I remember when we aren't together. They're what keep me going until our paths cross again and they will always cross again, baby. The Father gave us a special gift, my angel, and he doesn't want us apart. In fact, he wants us very much together," Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a ring and held it up to the light for Monica to see.

A tiny gasp escaped her lips, as she looked at the beautiful ring Andrew held. The ring had a round cut diamond that was positioned between two exquisite emeralds that immediately made her think of Andrew's beautifully expressive eyes and the rolling fields around them, here in her beloved Ireland.

"Andrew..."

Reaching for her hand, Andrew slid the ring onto her left ring finger, replacing the plastic one he had found at the hospital, "The diamond represents the present, Angel, and the two emeralds the past and the future. And the Celtic Trinity design, of course..."

"The Father, Son and Holy Ghost." Monica uttered through the tears that were falling once more.

"Yes. But more than anything, it is a reminder of my love for you and the Father's love for us. He doesn't want us apart, Monica, but together; in heart and mind and in Him, in the past, the present and the future, for all eternity, Angel, because that is how long I'll love you."

Monica could barely see through the tears in her eyes, but reaching out, she took his face in her hands and kissed him with all the love she could feel inside of her soul, "I love you," She told him, her voice trembling even as a smile broke out over her face, "I love you with all I am, Andrew, forever and I'm not sure how it happens that every day I love you more than the day before, when I don't even think I could love you more if I tried. But it grows, Andrew, every single day, every single moment. I never want to change who you are, because who you are is who I fell so hopelessly in love with," Seeing a tear appearing in the corner of his eye, she brushed it away with tender fingers, "I will always love you and I am so looking forward to marrying you, Andrew."

"That's all I want, baby. To make you happy for the rest of forever."

"You already do that, Andrew, every moment we're together."

Pulling her down into his lap, Andrew's fingers entwined themselves into her hair as their lips met and there underneath the setting sun, the two heavenly beings were now only aware of each other.

X

To be continued