CHAPTER 24

One wish

As Andrew drove along the countryside road that led to the border with Canada, Monica observed the landscape that surrounded them. The sun was setting in the orange sky and soon a clear night filled with thousands of stars would be visible to them. Monica had filled most part of the two-hour-trip with eternal chatter about the events of the day. It amused Andrew the way she removed her shoes once they got into the car and the plastic pot with a piece of their wedding cake that she had saved for the trip. But now she fell silent, and her eyes were focused on the horizon.

"Angel?" he called, taking a quick look away from the road to see that there was a smile playing on her lips despite her sudden quietness.

"Yes, Andrew?" the Irish angel turned her head to look at him, leaning against the car seat and throwing him a loving gaze as if she'd fallen in love all over again.

"Are you tired? Do you want to stop somewhere to eat something?

"No, I'm fine... Plus, the cake was delicious! It was a wise decision to save some for the trip!"

Chuckling, he nodded his head. An hour before, Monica not only ate their wedding cake but parted it in small pieces and put them in his mouth as he had his both hands on the car wheel.

"Then why haven't I heard this lovely accent of yours for the latest 5 minutes?"

She giggled, not taking her eyes from his handsome face. "I was admiring the view. We've been living in a big city for a while and I missed the contact with nature. The trees, the clear sky, this gentle sun... Everything is so vibrant, so full of colour!"

"Yes, you're right. Everything is so intense that makes us feel... closer to God."

"Exactly. And today... it's been such a blessed day that... for many moments I felt... I felt like He was speaking to me... to my heart..."

He was moved to hear that confession. "I felt the same thing, Monica." The blond angel said, giving her knee a light squeeze. Monica inched closer and brushed a loving kiss against his cheek, and for a moment he felt like stopping the car just to return that sweet caress. "You know, I'd say this is not fair as I have my attention on the road and cannot kiss you right back. But fortunately, we've just arrived at our destination!"

A highway sign where they could read "Niagara Falls" came into their view, and a few minutes later Andrew parked in front of the cottage rental resort where they would spend the next seven days.

"Mr and Mrs Heaven," The receptionist checked their names on the computer files, "Yes, here it is! You and your wife may follow Tom, he'll take your luggage and show you the way to your cottage." The friendly young lady spoke, happy to know that they had just married and would spend the honeymoon in such a romantic place.

Wife. His wife. When Andrew heard it, he felt like he had been granted with the most precious gift in the world. He felt proud and even undeserving. Monica was his wife, she not only belonged to their loving Father but now, she also belonged to him, and the responsibility to make her happy every day of her life was an assignment he would strive to accomplish with every power in him.

And the blond angel wasn't the only one reflecting upon the impact of the attendant's words. Walking right next to him, Monica smiled. The thought of belonging to Andrew had never been so concrete as it was now – that day, that night... they would be etched on her mind forever. And she was determined to fill his existence with joy and all the love she could give him for the centuries to come.

"A cottage resort, Andrew!" the Irish angel spoke, more and more surprised at the wonderful things her eternal valentine had prepared her.

"Yes. We'll have our own cabin and the attendant assured me it was the one with the most beautiful view!" he said, taking her hand to his lips as they followed the resort employee.

Once they arrived at their cottage, Monica's mouth dropped open as it was by a lake with still crystalline waters and surrounded by green pine trees and wild flowers. To allow the guests all privacy they could muster, each cottage stood away from the other, in a way that none of them came into view, giving the impression that its occupants were there all alone. The pretty little cottage was built up with honey coloured wood forming its walls and roof, and charming wooden windows facing the lake, the forest and the horizon.

"It's so beautiful, Andrew!" she exclaimed enthusiastically.

"I was under the impression you'd like it!"

Tom climbed the porch steps and placed their luggage by the armchair next to the entrance. Andrew tipped and thanked him and unlocked the door. Then, he turned to Monica, who gave a step forward to enter the house. But she was surprised when Andrew stopped her. "Oh, not this way, angel!"

"What? But-"

When Andrew lifted her in his strong arms she let out an excited giggle and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I want to do everything by the book!"

He carried his smiling bride through the doorstep and now they could admire the cottage interior. The hall was divided in two sections: on their left, there was a small dining table with two chairs placed face to face and close to one of the windows. On their right, a small living room, with a couch facing a fireplace and a small coffee table in front of it. There was another window next to it, with its white lace curtains just like the others. Later, they would find out that a small corridor far ahead led to the suite. There was another fireplace facing the couple's bed and the door next to the bed led to the bathroom, equipped with a bathtub.

"How do you like it, Mrs Heaven?" Andrew asked, still holding Monica in his arms as he walked along the living room.

The grin playing on her lips faded slowly and the expression on her face softened as she turned her eyes away from the surroundings to look at him. "It's much more perfect than what I could ever dreamed..."

They gazed at each other for some instants and slowly their eyes closed as their lips met in a tender kiss. It was a brief caress, yet not less loving and as they parted, Andrew still kissed the tip of her nose before carefully depositing her on the floor again. The sun was setting behind the mountains and its orange rays were now shining through the living room window, and illuminating the interior of the cottage with a beautiful golden glow. It called their attention and both angels walked along the room and stood by the window, to witness the ending of that magical day.

"Of all the sunsets I've seen in my existence... this is the most beautiful, Andrew." She finally spoke, watching as the last rays touched the lake waters.

Standing behind her, his arm wrapped around her waist, Andrew kissed the top of her head. "Every moment of this day has been the most beautiful of my existence."

x

Andrew took their bags to their bedroom and helped Monica to put their belongings in the wardrobe. Then, while she changed her own clothes, he lit up the fireplace in the living room. The blond angel also made sure that the lights outside were on as he knew that, as much as she loved being surrounded by green trees and exuberant nature, the darkness had always made her feel uncomfortable.

Besides this, it was chilly at night even in spring and the fire brought a cozy and warm atmosphere to the pretty cottage. When Monica returned to the living room, she was wearing a lovely lilac dress that went down to her knees. Over it, a beautifully knitted white cardigan, made of wool. And finally she could feel the wooden floor with the soles of her feet.

"There's still plenty of space in the wardrobe." She informed him, not missing the blond angel's loving gaze. Her hair was cascading over her shoulders in wavy strands and the fire and soft light coming from the lamps on the side tables accentuated its reddish colour, involving her in a beautiful glow that resembled her angelic form.

The little angel tilted her head, gazing back at him with questioning eyes and a pretty smile. "Andrew?"

Also smiling, he stepped closer to her and stroked her cheek with tenderness. "You're just so beautiful..." Enjoying her blush, he looked at her bare feet. "And I can see now you've really made yourself comfortable!"

Chuckling, she bit her lower lip. "I have to confess that the heels were a wee bit higher than what I'm used to, you know."

Also smiling, he nodded his head in understanding. It was then that they heard a soft knock at the door. "Oh... I wonder who it can be!"

"Are you hungry, angel?"

The resort dinner service was as good as its accommodations and the romantic candlelight dinner that Andrew had previously ordered was delicious. Their conversation was filled with loving gazes, stolen kisses and loving words, and soon after the food was gone, they were both in each other's arms, sitting on the couch and facing the fireplace.

"I never thought that I could feel so much joy..." she spoke, breaking the comfortable silence and still watching as the flames danced in front of them. Monica felt Andrew's fingers combing her long auburn hair. "...it reminded me of the day we first confessed our feelings for each other, Andrew... or the day you proposed to me..."

Smiling softly, he kissed her temple. "We already have a collection of wonderful moments to remember..." he cupped her chin so that she would look at him. "And I promise you that I'll add a new moment to it every single day, pretty angel."

Monica was going to say something but the words died in her mouth and the slight smile on her face suddenly started to fade. Andrew could detect some uncertainty in her soft doe-like eyes. "Angel?" She held her empty mug of mocha with both hands and then placed it on the small coffee table in front of them. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

He could see the little angel was still looking for the right words but when she rose to her feet and gave two steps towards the window, Andrew was worried. He was immediately up in front of her and searching for an answer. "Monica, what is it, baby? Have... have I said something wrong? Have I-"

"No! Oh, no, Andrew..." Now she was starting to feel guilty for making him worry.

Andrew reached for her hands and kissed each of them, desperately wanting to know what was going on in her beautiful but many times complex heart. "Then tell me, baby! What is wrong?"

When she looked deep in his eyes, Andrew thought he already knew it. He cupped her cheek tenderly, still amazed at how beautiful she looked now that the moon light crossed the window glass and illuminated her meek Gaelic features. "Angel... are you nervous at all about our wedding night?"

When she nodded her head, he felt less worried but still fiercely protective. "Yes..."

"Oh, angel... Monica, I want you to know that I will never, ever do anything to hurt your feelings, baby, I would never make you feel uncomfortable or-"

"No, Andrew... You don't understand..." she gently interrupted him by placing her hand against his handsome face. There was some anguish in her voice, though. "All I want is to make you happy... To be and to give you all that you deserve, and you deserve all my love, Andrew! And sometimes I am afraid of not being able to!"

Once again, she confronted him with nothing but pure selflessness. He thought she was thinking about herself, about what that night represented for her; yet, her concern was him. And once again, his love for her grew stronger. He covered her hand with his own and gently guided it to his heart. "Oh, Monica... Baby, just the fact that you exist already makes me feel like the happiest and most undeserving creature in this world!"

"You're so good to me... you've always been. You've always comforted my heart and cast away my fears... Made me laugh and made me feel special and loved, even when I was feeling miserable and didn't trust myself. And then when I wonder about our future, about our time here on Earth, I am afraid because I don't ever want to disappoint you in any way..."

"You would never, ever disappoint me, angel. Because when God made you, He created the sweetest and most loving angel that could ever exist... He gave you a pure and gentle heart, that would never be selfish, never hold anger or resentment towards any living creature... The most generous soul I could ever meet...And the most gorgeous of His children... You're everything I love, baby..."

Tears of emotion filled her eyes as she heard his words and she took each of them to her heart. "... oh, Andrew..."

"There's no way you could disappoint me, my dear Monica, because just the fact that you've vowed to stay by my side for the rest of our existence is the greatest blessing I could ever be granted with."

"You're the greatest blessing the Father could ever give me too, Andrew..." her crying voice came out along with a trembling smile, and then the tears finally made their way down her cheeks.

Pleased to see that, he also smiled and wiped away those tears with gentle fingers. "My angel... I just want to make your existence filled with joy forever." He kissed her forehead tenderly and then cupped her chin up so that their eyes could meet. "If you give me this honour, angel..."

Monica placed her hand against his heart; her captivating smile never fading despite the tears shed instants before. "It's like I've said before, Andrew... Other than the Father, I've always belonged to you... With my heart and with my soul... And tonight... with all I am..."

"This night, my angel, is yours and I promise you I'll make it special."

"I know you will make it special for both of us. I trust you with my very existence, Andrew..." she whispered, as he took her hand to his lips and softly kissed her fingertips. "I love you, Monica... I'll love you forever..."

As he crossed the small distance between them and their lips met, there were no more doubts or fears in her heart, because she was determined to make him the happiest man – or angel, on the face of the Earth, to return to him all the joy and the peace that he made her feel. The kiss that followed started as a loving and peaceful one. Andrew let go of her hand to cup her cheek, and soon his fingers entangled in her hair and his arm encircled her waist, bringing her closer to him. Monica tilted her head, welcoming his caresses and allowing him to deepen their kiss. Her hands travelled from his strong chest up to his shoulders, and then when her delicate fingers caressed his short blond hair on the back of his neck, he kissed her deeper, taking her breath away, making her feel her legs tremble as all she could think of in that moment was being in his arms.

And as if guessing what was going on in her loving heart, the blond angel lifted his valentine without breaking their kiss and carried her along the corridor and to their bedroom. The fireplace was lit up there too, producing a soft glow that illuminated the entire room just enough to create an intimate and cozy atmosphere. Andrew gently deposited his precious wife over the white satin sheets on their bed, always holding her gaze. And an instant later, they were kissing each other again and exchanging loving and delicate caresses that would certainly continue as the night fell.

"I love you..." He heard her whisper. Andrew's touch was gentle and soft and his kisses traced a path along her jaw and neck and once again ended up on her lips, her sweet perfume intoxicating him. And indeed he felt honoured, almost undeserving, at the fact that she really belonged to him.

Monica held him tightly, running her hands over his back, feeling his strong muscles through the fabric of his shirt, feeling his body pressed against hers and the constant caresses that only her beloved Andrew would ever give her.

The two angels in human form melted in each other's embrace, filled with the deepest and purest unconditional love. They fit together as naturally as when they had danced for the first time... almost as if their entire existence had been meant for that one exact moment on their wedding day.

X