CHAPTER 31

Home sweet home

With downcast eyes, Monica finished packing her suitcase and as she closed it, the angel in human form threw a glance through the window, admiring the beautiful scenario that surrounded the cottage. For centuries to come, the seven days she and Andrew spent there would be etched in her memory like a precious gift only granted to the purest of heart. Despite the fact that their angelic friends had made no contact so far, she knew in her heart that their loving Father had blessed their love, otherwise she wouldn't feel her heart so full of joy the way she was feeling right now.

As Monica let out a sigh, a gentle hand came to rest on her shoulder, and she turned around already with a sweet smile playing on her lips.

"Everything ready?" Andrew's voice was soft, and he didn't miss the somewhat melancholic look in her eyes.

"I suppose so..." She covered his hand with his, her smile never fading.

"I will never forget those days either..." he said, as if reading so naturally the feelings emanating from her heart. "And I promise we'll come back here someday, angel."

Monica turned around completely in order to face him. There was so much trust in her eyes, so much love and tenderness that he was speechless for a moment, as if the power of such an angel gaze could speak volumes to his soul.

"You made this place... this wee cottage, become my small piece of heaven. The days I spent here, Andrew... it was like revisiting our Home because I felt just as blessed and much loved."

Deeply moved, he cupped her face with tenderness. "Oh, my angel... You're right. Each and every single moment we spent here was like a loving gift. And it was thanks to you... Because you granted me with your love... With your heart."

The smile on her face turned a tearful one. "But how could I not when you're the one that the Father chose to be by my side, holding me tightly or making me smile to warm my soul?" She placed her hand against his strong jaw, her silky touch causing him to close his eyes for a brief moment, just to open them again and look inside her sweet brown eyes. "How could I not if you are the way the Father chose to show me how much He loves me?"

Moved with emotion, Andrew crossed the small distance between them and brushed her lips with his, and their kiss was filled with the emotion of two souls that would be connected for the rest of their eternity. He felt a lonely tear rolling down her cheek and as he pulled away, the blond angel wiped it with gentle fingers, and kissed her lips once again.

"Thank you, for all those wonderful memories..." his beloved valentine told him, making a smile reappear on his handsome face.

"No, I have to thank you, my sweet angel. For everything."

He saw a slight blush rising on her cheeks and her shy smile enchanted him. "Even for my being a wee bit light-headed because of a wine adventure night?"

Chuckling, he nodded his head. "Even for the fact that you thought someone had changed the position of the bathroom and the bedroom!"

Her giggling was so endearing that he couldn't resist and captured her lips in another sweet and tender kiss, which was immediately returned by his dear angel. And that caress ended up in more giggling on Monica's part, as they pulled away the Irish angel turned to look at the floor, where a happy little puppy tried to lick their shoes as if begging for some attention.

"And we'll have a permanent souvenir from Niagara Falls!"

The little one was now with a bandage wrapped around his injured paw, and judging by the cheerful look in his eyes, he was having a fine recovery. Monica scooped the puppy in her arms and laughed even more as he immediately covered her face with lots of tiny kisses. "Yes, wee one, you'll also be part of our happiest memories!" she said, as Andrew caressed the little dog's head and also received many kisses in reply. "I have to confess that I'm happy that nobody has looked for him... It would be very hard to say goodbye right now... And I believe that I'm not the only one who grew attached to him!"

Chuckling, Andrew nodded his head in agreement. "Yeah, this little buddy will be in charge of watching over you when I'm not around! We just have to get him a name!"

"Oh, yes! You're perfectly right, you see."

"So here's the deal: why don't we make a list during our trip back home? Then, later on, we can elect one!"

That suggestion cheered her up. "That will be lovely!"

X

When the apartment door was opened, a smiling Monica, holding a very excited puppy close to her chest, looked around the living room with relief. Their honeymoon days had been some of the best days of her existence, but after a three-hour-trip back, she was tired of being on the road. And she was especially sorry for Andrew, as he drove all the way back and deserved some rest.

"Here we are, wee one! This is your new home!" she said, but before she stepped inside the apartment, Andrew placed their suitcases on the floor and gently grabbed her by the waist.

"Hold on a second, Mrs Heaven!" He spoke, close to her ear, and kissing her cheek afterwards. "You let our little friend get used to his new accommodations while you and I make a proper entrance!"

Before Monica knew it, and under her confused gaze, Andrew took the little dog from her hands and gently placed him on the floor. The small animal immediately started to sniff around, recognizing his new territory. Then, the blond angel swept his beautiful wife in his arms and carried her along the door way through their living room.

"Welcome to our home, angel!"

Monica couldn't help but giggling. "Oh, Andrew!" she looked at him with tenderness and stroked his short blond hair. "It's been almost a year since we started living here and now... we're entering our house as husband and wife..."

"And these are only the first happy memories I'll fill your existence with, I promise!"

She softly shook her head. "You don't need to promise me that, Andrew... I know!" she sealed her words with a sweet kiss against his lips, which was returned with equal tenderness. Then, he reluctantly placed her on the floor and they busied themselves with unpacking suitcases.

Time passed by fast on that Saturday afternoon and the couple of angels took the time to rest from the trip. They still had the following Sunday off and no plans yet, but Monica thought about passing by Ella's house to give her the souvenir she had bought in Niagara Falls.

She was lying on the sofa, in Andrew's strong arms, and with a paper in her hands, the Irish angel proceeded in reading the suggestions she had listed for their other Niagara Falls souvenir, which was lingering around the sofa close to his new parents.

"Fearghal, Beagán and Cúmhaí These are my favourite ones!" she happily announced, and turned to look at Andrew, who was unsuccessfully trying to hide his amusement at his pretty valentine's choices.

"What is so funny, may I ask?" she was frowning with slight annoyance, which only made her more adorable to him.

He reached for her hand and kissed its back, as if apologising for his chuckling at her suggestions. "Well, angel... I think these are..." he made a small pause and cleared his throat, searching for the best words, "... very different names... And I can see they have an origin..."

"They do! Fearghal means valorous, as our little one is very precious! Beagán means small little lad and Cúmhaí means hound of the plain... despite the fact that I found him in the forest, I thought it was also a cute name..."

Andrew nodded his head, attentively following her explanation, and trying to keep a serious expression on his face this time.

"I totally understand it, angel... They're very strong names. Very good suggestions... but... erm... They're quite traditional names and I think this little buddy here would like something more... contemporary... Something that would make him feel like... part of the guys, you know. And at the same time, something that would remember his origins..."

"What do you mean, Andrew?" she stirred on the sofa, as to look at him.

"What I mean, angel, is that he should have an identity of his own..." Andrew looked at the little dog, who was now gazing up at them with a curious look on his cute face. "When you found him, what did you feel?"

"Well, I was afraid! I immediately remembered our conversation in the park and you telling me that there were bears in the forest! I thought he was a bear!"

Chuckling, Andrew stroked the animals little head. "Bear... That sounds a good name!"

Monica raised her eyebrows in a way that amused her eternal valentine even more. "Bear... I hadn't thought about it!" She scooped the little animal in her hands and against her chest and soothed his smooth fur, and the innocent little one wagged his tail happily at the mere fact that his new mom was smiling at him. "Bear! It's strong and at the same time very appropriate as he's such a fury little one!"

The dog covered her face with tiny kisses and her giggling was music to Andrew's ears. It was one of the moments to be in their happy memories list. "I think he approves it, Andrew!"

"Well, then it's official! Bear is the new member of the family!" he said, also stroking the puppy's soft fur. When Monica kissed the top of its little head, happy with the choice, the blond angel's face turned into a mischievous one. "I wonder if I could get one of these too..."

"Well, it's a fair request, after all you chose the name!"

Monica stirred in his arms and brought his face closer to hers by wrapping an arm around his neck. When her lips touched his all Andrew had to do was to wrap his arms around her small form just a bit tighter, returning that loving caress with the same sweetness and affection. And as Monica's delicate fingers stroked his jaw, he deepened the kiss a bit more, enjoying the way she felt close to him, within his loving embrace where he could hold her and protect her from the dangers of the world.

She let out a contented sigh when they pulled away, and Andrew's lips grazed the tip of her nose before she cuddled against him again, feeling the amazing peace that Andrew was able to convey through his gentle touch.