CHAPTER 29

The day after

The following morning, Monica raised her head from where it rested on Andrew's chest before immediately lowering it once more, certain that if she didn't, it would surely explode. Sensing her movement, Andrew stirred slightly and hearing her small moan, he chuckled, the sound similar to a small earthquake against her ear.

"I think someone had a wee bit too much wine yesterday," Andrew teased gently before sliding out of her embrace to rummage around in the dresser drawer for aspirin, returning a minute later with two tablets and a glass of water. Once she had taken them, he set the glass on the nightstand and slid back into bed, waiting until she had situated herself once more, "Try to rest a bit more, baby. The pills should help you to feel better soon."

She nodded her head slightly, closing her eyes to protect them from the sunlight which she had somehow never before noticed was so bright. She must have fallen back to sleep with the feel of Andrew stroking her hair and her back, as it was nearly an hour later that she cautiously opened her eyes once more.

"Remind me that a wine tasting is not a good idea for me," Monica murmured, though in remembering the only time she had ever had alcohol, she was thankful to be waking up in Andrew's arms instead of in a jail cell.

"I think it depends on how much wine you taste, that determines how good of an idea it is," Andrew managed to keep the amusement out of his voice but when he heard her "Hmph", he knew he had permission to laugh.

"So how bad was I?" Monica asked worriedly as she remembered very little about the previous day after she had helped the older couple find the theatre. After that, it all became very vague.

"Not bad at all. Adorable," He stated matter of factly and punctuated it with a kiss to her forehead, "My favourite part was you telling that poor wine vendor about how you personally knew one Mr. George Bernard Shaw."

"Oh no! I didn't!" Monica looked up at him, her eyes wide with horror.

Another chuckle, "You did, Angel, but he was completely entranced. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was falling in love with you."

Seeing the twinkle in his eyes, Monica rested her chin on her hand, "Well, I hope I told him I was totally and completely in love with someone else."

"Really?" Andrew asked, playing along.

"Yes. I'm married as a matter of fact, to the most wonderful man in all of heaven and earth." Her dark eyes took on a soft tone as she looked up at him.

"I see. Well, I would say that he is quite blessed to have such a special lady in his life and that he should spend the rest of eternity telling her just how much he loves her and how he cannot imagine not having her in his existence."

"I tell him the same thing," Monica whispered before she inched up to touch her lips to his, but the kiss quickly took on a life of its own as their souls seemed to touch.

Once they parted, Andrew reached out to stroke her cheek, "Are you feeling better, baby?"

"Yes. My head feels much better, though I'm not sure about food yet. Maybe after a shower," She looked at him curiously, "What do you have planned for today?"

"Well, I was thinking, how 'bout we just get in the car and do a little exploring. No specific destination."

"You mean like a real adventure?"

Andrew grinned and touched his finger to the tip of her nose, "Exactly like a real adventure," He replied, though he didn't voice the fact that everyday spent in her company was to him, a perfect adventure.

X

The road they had been travelling for quite some time had Monica completely enthralled. The lush green fields, often dotted with wildflowers, the scattered forests and the occasional deer sighting had the little angel chattering on animatedly, while her ever patient husband drove on and listened attentively to every little observation with great joy in his heart.

They had gotten a rather late start due to Monica's insistence that they shower together to save time, which in actuality had the opposite effect on time. Then there was Andrew's insistence that she eat breakfast, so they had gone to the hotel restaurant for brunch and by the time they had actually gotten in the car it was already past lunchtime.

They had stopped to visit several little shops and antique stores, exploring each one, hand in hand and Andrew was again reminded of how such simple things made the little angel so happy. He made a mental note to plan more weekend trips out of the city when his work schedule allowed.

"I suppose we should look for a place to have dinner," Andrew remarked after they had been driving for quite some time. Keeping one hand on the wheel, he reached over to rest his other hand on his wife's knee, "Are you getting hungry, Angel?"

"Maybe a little but this road is pretty rural, you know, Andrew. We haven't seen a house in quite some time," Her face took on a slightly worried expression, "Do you know how to get back to our hotel from here?"

"Of course, but I don't think the adventure should be over yet, do you?" He threw a wink her way and her giggle warmed his heart, "This road has to end up some place and I'm sure we will eventually find another town."

True to his word, ten miles later, the car rolled into a small town and they were able to find a diner. Though neither of them was overly hungry, they split a sandwich and then lingered over coffee and cocoa.

"Today has been lovely, you know," Monica stated softly as she gazed across the table at him, enjoying the feeling of their intertwined fingers on top of the table, "I love being able to spend this time with you and not having to share you with anyone else. I know that sounds a little bit selfish, but there are weeks we don't see much of each other. I know it can't be helped and I love what we have here-."

"Angel," Andrew smiled and gently silenced her preconceived guilt, "You don't have to explain as I feel exactly the same. We're living human lives now and though there are many, MANY benefits," His wink made her blush, which he found precious, "there are also parts of this new life that are difficult. So yes, I am enjoying this week every bit as much because I get to do what I would rather do every day for the rest of eternity and that is to give you all my love and attention."

Her doe-like eyes shone happily for a moment before they dimmed a bit and her expression took on a slightly worried tone. Andrew noticed immediately and his thumb stroked her hand tenderly, knowing she would soon voice whatever it was she was thinking.

"Do you ever wonder what will happen if Tess comes back for us?" She bit her lower lip the second she said the words as the mere thought of it frightened her, but Andrew had obviously not been concerning himself with such things.

"No, baby, I don't, because nothing would change. I would still love you every bit as much and I would fight for us, no matter what it took."

"Oh! I didn't mean...of course! I would too. I don't ever want to lose you or what we have, ever, but what if..." Monica could barely say the words aloud. After the last few days and all she and Andrew had shared, she couldn't bear to fathom the thought of it being taken away. The most amazing and loving relationship she had ever known had moved to an entirely different level and she had never thought that could have ever happened.

Lifting her hand, he brought it to his lips though his eyes never left hers, "Listen to me. The longer we have remained here, the more I am convinced that the Father is looking out for us; protecting us and still loving us. It hasn't changed, Angel. He sees our happiness and he approves, otherwise, well, let's just say that I don't think we would still be together if he didn't approve."

"Do you think the Father has talked to Tess?" She was unable to help but to ask. Though Andrew rarely mentioned their friend, Monica still thought about Tess rather frequently.

He considered his answer carefully. He wasn't sure if they would ever come face to face with the older angel again and he was even less sure of what he would say to her. Though it had never been in his nature to harbour bitterness, he still struggled with Tess and not because of anything she had done to him. Her accusations a year ago directed at his beloved angel had torn Monica's heart in two. She had always looked at Tess like a mother so the cruel words their friend had spoken that day may have been a fatal blow to Andrew's relationship with her.

"I don't know, Angel," He stated honestly, though he hated the sadness he could see in her dark eyes, "I know you miss her and I wish I had answers for you. I truly do. "He stopped, deciding that the less he said about Tess, the less chance he had of Monica detecting how he felt about the older angel at the moment.

"I know you do," She sighed softly and then forced a smile, willing back her happy mood from earlier. She figured that just looking into Andrew's eyes would get her there in a few moments, "How far do we have to drive to get back?"

"An hour or so," He glanced at his watch, "and it's getting late, so we'd better get a move on." He left the money to pay the bill on their table and then led his wife out with a hand on her waist.

Monica felt her worry about Tess and their future fall away as Andrew opened her car door for her, as he always did, and then close it once she was situated inside. He warmed her heart every minute they were together and she was certain that as long as she had him and the Father's love, she could handle anything.