CHAPTER 23

A joyful day

Andrew stood elegantly dressed in a black tuxedo right in front of St. Paul's chapel. It was almost eleven in that sunny spring morning and all guests were already there to witness the couple's love being blessed. A permanent smile of pure happiness could be seen on Andrew's handsome face, and anyone could see how anxious he was to have his eternal valentine in his arms.

"Andrew, buddy, I've been through this a few years ago and if I'm not mistaken, you should wait inside the chapel!" Mark spoke, as he shook hands with the one who had become one of his closest friends, especially after Jeff's death.

"I know, but... I just wanted to check it out, you know... to see if the car had arrived..."

His colleague started laughing at Andrew's worry and patted him on the shoulder. "Dude, you're really in love!" Also laughing, the blond angel nodded his head emphatically. "But I tell you that your beautiful bride will only arrive after you walk up to that altar and stay there!"

Mark managed to convince his friend to wait for Monica inside the chapel only a few minutes before the ceremony finally started. Monica's and Andrew's friends and co-workers rose to their feet as a beautiful and heavenly melody filled their ears and little Rose, the six-year-old student Monica had helped a while ago, started to walk along the aisle. She was wearing a beautiful white dress and carried a small basket with rose petals, which were little by little spread along the path between the entrance and the altar. Right behind her, Ella brought the wedding rings and as she stood next to the little girl, everyone watched with enchantment as Monica to appeared at the church door.

Holding Frank's arm, the angel in human form looked more heavenly than ever and her image caused Andrew to gasp with a mix of emotion and fascination. She looked like a princess taken from a fairy tale wearing a white strapless satin gown with an embroidered sheer tulle overlay on the skirt. A matching embroidered sheer jacket covered her shoulders and its transparent and equally beaded and embroidered sleeves went up to her middle arm. It was simple, but elegant and extremely beautiful at the same time. Monica's hair was all tied up in a bun and short veil, which came up to her waist, formed a perfect match for the outfit as followed the same embroidered pattern of the jacket and the transparent overlay on her skirt. Some light make up only accentuated the beauty of her Gaelic features and the brightness of her doe-like eyes.

With slow but firm steps, she walked along the aisle and everyone could see that her eyes were both focused on one single point ahead of her: Andrew. Monica felt her heart beating faster but not from nervousness or hesitation – she had never been so certain in her existence. But the image of her beloved groom so elegantly dressed nearly took her breath away. She had always found Andrew's human form extremely handsome; his strong masculine features combined with the tenderness in his dark green eyes – also gazing permanently at her, caused Monica to feel pleasant butterflies in her stomach, a mix of pure joy and excitement.

When she and Frank finally reached the altar, the old gentleman shook hands with Andrew and handed the beautiful bride to her groom. Ella was in charge of taking care of the white lilies bouquet. And, permanently holding her gaze, Andrew took her hand to his lips as she smiled at him. Everyone could see the immense love and strong bond between the couple, leaving no doubts that God had already blessed them.

"Angel... You're the most beautiful of God's creations..." he whispered when their eyes met.

As they knelt before Father O'Brien and the ceremony started, Ella was trying hard not to cry but when it was the time to make the vows, the old teacher couldn't control the tears that rolled down her face.

Instructed by the father, Monica and Andrew repeated the words he dictated them holding the wedding rings.

"I, Monica, take you, Andrew, for my husband, to have and to hold. I promise to be true to you..."

"...in good times and in bad, in sickness and health. I will love and honour you all the days of my life."

"And now I pronounce you husband and wife." Father O'Brien concluded that beautiful ceremony and then looked at Andrew with a smile. "You may kiss the bride, son!"

With happiness all over their faces, the couple's friends watched as the newlyweds looked at each other with eyes shining with love. Andrew tenderly cupped her face with both hands, taking in every detail in her lovely features and her beautiful smile. Their eyes only closed when he kissed her gently on the lips, like a whispered promise of eternal and unconditional love.

"I love you, angel." He said, afterwards, and once again was greeted by her captivating smile.

"I know. You never let me forget it. And I love you too, Andrew. I love you forever."

She wrapped her arm around his, and they walked along the aisle now as husband and wife, hearing their guests' compliments. A rain of bird seed covered them as they descended the chapel steps and Andrew couldn't help chuckling at Monica's childlike amusement to see the little grains shed over them. A small reception happened in the hall across the road in front of the church. There was music, laughter and an atmosphere of happiness and peace on that sunny Sunday afternoon. Soon, it was time to cut the cake and together, Monica and Andrew parted the first piece and offered it to Ella.

Monica was talking to Jeff's mother when Andrew came from behind her and placed both hands on her waist. "May I have this dance?"

"Yes!" came her simple answer, and as she excused with Mrs Davis to walk up to the center of the hall, a memory crossed her mind. A while ago, also in a wedding party, Andrew had made that same invitation, and they danced so gracefully that for some minutes they became the center of attention instead of the Mason's. Monica also remembered it was then that she started to realise the sheer joy that being in Andrew's arms brought her. His penetrating gaze and the handsome smile had made her feel butterflies in her stomach, and little did she know that a year later, she would be in those same strong arms swaying along the hall to celebrate their own wedding.

The guests applauded as the Irish angel twirled around holding his hand and he grabbed her by the waist once they stood face to face again. Their steps were precise and for moments they seemed to float up in the air. Eye to eye, there seemed to be a silent conversation going on, more loving words spoken through their powerful gaze. They even wondered if for those moments their angelic status had been restored.

"Baby, I didn't know you and Andrew could dance like that!" Ella exclaimed, once they gave the swaying a little break. The couple looked at each other and smiled at the surprised expression on the teacher's face.

"Well, Andrew and I have practiced a lot in the past!"

"And I never missed an opportunity to take my beautiful angel to dance!"

"Oh, I'm sure you didn't, baby!" Ella spoke, and she and Andrew exchanged a conspiratory glance that went totally unnoticed by Monica. "And talking about opportunity, I guess you could take this one to put the plan into action!"

"I guess you're totally right, Ella!"

Frowning at their enigmatic words, the little angel's questioning eyes moved from Andrew to Ella in adorable confusion. "I'm sorry, I don't think I'm getting it..."

"Monica, there's a bag with clothes in the room at the back of the hall, you can change there." The old teacher informed, but still her words were not clear to Monica.

"A bag with clothes? But..." For a split second, she thought she had figured it all out. "Oh, we can't just go back home like this, there's a lot to be tidied up you see, and I still need to-"

Amused, Ella interrupted her. "Excuse me, baby, but I guess this is my cue to go..."

Andrew couldn't help chuckling at Monica's concern and it somewhat caused her to be slightly annoyed. "Andrew!"

The way she pronounced his name was all it took before he reached for her hands and kissed each of them. "Angel, we're leaving now..." the more confusion he saw in her sweet brown eyes, the more adorable she looked to him.

"Leaving? But..."

"On a honeymoon trip, sweetie. I made the reservations a couple of weeks ago!"

Now that she finally realised what was going on, a slight smile crossed her face, mixed with surprise and still a hint of confusion. "A honeymoon trip? R-Really?"

"Yes, my angel..." he let go of one of her hands and caressed her cheek with tenderness, and watching as tears of emotion started to form in the corner of her eyes. "We're going to spend a week in Niagara Falls."

"W-Why didn't you tell me before? I-"

"And miss the chance to see this adorable mix of surprise and emotion on your beautiful face?" he was smiling seductively at her and when she threw herself in his arms, Andrew felt the most grateful creature on Earth.

"Oh, Andrew... I love you so much and then when I think my love can't grow anymore, it does!"

He kissed the top of her head repeatedly and then pulled away to lay both hands on her face. "I'll make you so happy, my pretty angel..." His lips sought hers and a long and languid kiss followed.