CHAPTER 11

A knock at the door disrupted the tender moment between the angelic couple. Andrew pulled away gently and rose to his feet, "I've got it, baby. Stay put."

Leaning back onto the couch again, Monica sighed. She never wanted to think of herself as weak or needy but after the last few weeks with being so sick, it felt so wonderful to have Andrew taking charge and making the decisions. Her mind had felt so cloudy and confused and she had been unable to think clearly, but Andrew was always sure and for that she was so grateful.

"Allie," Andrew smiled as he opened the door and moved aside so she could enter.

"Allie?" Monica sat up and looked at her friend and boss, "Shouldn't you be at the diner? Is everything all right?"

"Honey, you tell me. I took a lunch break in order to come home to see how you were. Andrew told me they were admitting you overnight and I just needed to check on you." The older woman walked over to her friend and sat down next to her on the couch, "I dare say, you like a mite better!"

"I feel a bit better," Monica admitted with a weak smile, as she turned to head to watch Andrew approach them and she took his hand as he sat down on the arm of the couch next to her, "Andrew being here has helped more than I can say."

"Yes, I'd imagine it has," Allie replied, eyeing the young couple, "I had the pleasure of meeting your Andrew yesterday and it is fortunate the boy is a smooth talker because I was about ready to slam the door on him for leaving you all alone to begin with," Seeing Monica's shocked expression, Allie continued, "But apparently forces greater than yourselves were at work against the two of you." Reaching over she laid a hand on the little angel's knee, "But you should have told me you were pregnant, missy. Workin' in that hot kitchen for eleven or twelve hours at a time and as sick as you were!"

Monica felt Andrew gripping her hand tighter as he learned just how hard she had been pushing herself, "I'm sorry, Allie. I just..I needed the job so badly."

"Well, there will be no more of that. Your Andrew here is going to take over for you starting tonight, so that leaves you with the job of resting!"

With that being said, Monica shifted uncomfortably, her pleading eyes looking to Andrew before turning back to Allie, "Allie, I don't think I'll be able to stand just sitting here alone while Andrew works. I like to work; I've always worked. Don't you perhaps have something I could do? You don't even have to pay me any money as you are letting us stay here…"

"Angel…" Andrew sighed. He hated the thought of her working and restaurant work was hard labor. Yet he knew her deepest fears; the ones she wasn't voicing to Allie.

"Please. Andrew, I can't just sit here for over five months. You know me better than that." Her cocoa colored eyes pleaded with him.

Another sigh and he looked at Allie for help, because heaven knew he had trouble resisting her brown pools, "Allie, Monica's disorder is still going to cause her to battle nausea and exhaustion. I want her to take care of herself," He watched as Allie nodded and the little angel lowered her head in defeat, causing his heart to ache. She had been through so much in such a short time, "But…if there is something she can do during some of the hours I work that doesn't involve her being on her feet…" He suppressed a smile as she raised her head again, eyes lit up in hope.

"Well, let's see now…" the woman appeared deep in thought as Monica struggled to read her expression, "It would save me a great bit of time if someone took over the accounting books at the diner. I try to work on them between customers but it is difficult as the diner is so busy. Then there is the placing of orders…"

"I can do those things!" Her words came out in an excited rush.

"I figured as much. But here's the deal. Andrew's dishwashing pays the rent here plus some leftover as you and I worked out, Monica. But you will be drawing a proper paycheck and though I'm not rich by any means, accountants are paid decent money."

"Oh Allie, I couldn't…"

"Honey, listen to me. You two have a baby on the way and there are things you are gonna need. You two need the money and don't tell me you don't."

Monica looked up at Andrew and saw him watching her with a tender expression in his green eyes, causing her heart to beat just a little bit faster. How she loved him!

"That's very generous of you, Allie, "Andrew replied evenly as he squeezed Monica's hand.

"And when Monica gets tired, you take a break to walk her home. That's my only stipulation."

"Suits me perfectly," It brought great relief to his heart as his mind remembered two night ago when he had found her and caught her right before she had passed out on the sidewalk. No, his job as protector was being resumed and he took that job very seriously.

The days began to pass with an almost abnormal normalcy for the two angels. Together they walked to the diner and Andrew would assume his role in the hot kitchen, while Monica would set up a makeshift office at a booth in the dining room. Occasionally, she could get away with venturing into the kitchen for inventory but more often than not, Andrew would wait until business was slow and call out the numbers she needed. It both amused and touched her deeply; he was so protective and now a constant at her side.

She rarely stayed through Andrew's entire shift as the hours were long and she did tire more easily so when he sensed her exhaustion, he would take a break to walk her to their little apartment always careful to lock the door behind him when he left. He hated leaving her alone in those times but quickly discovered that in his absence she would often curl up in bed and sleep. For him, that was a silver lining.

She could now keep down more food than not, though sometimes her stomach would churn miserably after eating and she would have to bolt to the bathroom. When it happened at the diner, Misha was usually two steps behind her to make sure her sweet friend was all right. The young Leroy and Andrew had become good friends and the older man was constantly imparting relationship words of wisdom to the angel. Andrew always listened patiently though he had a sneaking suspicion he and Monica would never have too many of the problems of normal couples; no, their problems were much too big for human comprehension.

Allie insisted on giving them two days off a week; the same days for both of them and consecutive days, so Sundays and Mondays, the angels spent together. They shopped for groceries, watched an occasional movie and explored the little town on foot as long as Monica was feeling up to it. Those two days were by the far their favorite part of the week and they rarely wasted a moment of those precious hours.

The spring afternoon was warm but comfortable and the two angels had just come from a late church service. Though it felt somewhat odd after having spent time face to face with the Creator of the universe, to suddenly be worshipping Him unseen as humans, it was something both Andrew and Monica felt strongly about. The added bonus is that they were beginning to form relationships with the town residents, many of whom had immediately recognized them from the diner. It warmed Andrew's heart to watch some of the women from church make it a point to see how Monica was feeling now that she was finally started to show a little bit at just over four months pregnant. She was also finally embracing her pregnancy fully, and she would glow under their attention.

Walking hand in hand through the little town, Andrew turned gentle eyes to gaze down at her, "Feeling all right, Angel?"

"Perfect," She replied smiling up at him as she squeezed his hand.

"Do you feel like you could eat?" The sunshine was picking up the reddest part of her hair and her angelic aura seemed to have never left her.

"I think so." She could tell her answer pleased him as she was still slightly underweight for being four months pregnant. Eating at times was still a challenge but for the most part the medication was helping to keep her nausea in check.

Andrew led them to the little café which had become a favorite for them as they had outdoor seating and with the warm weather today, neither angel had any desire to be inside. They were soon seated and sipping glasses of iced water having just placed their orders.

Clearing his throat, Andrew reached across the table for her hand and laced his fingers through her own, "I want to talk to you about something."

Monica could instantly sense he was uncomfortable with whatever he was about to say and this instantly set her on edge, "Andrew…"

"Hey," His other hand reached across to caress her cheek, "It's nothing terrible, baby. Everything is fine."

Despite his words and gentle touch, she barely relaxed, "All right."

Dropping his hand from her face, he studied their intertwined fingers for a moment searching the right words, "I know that since we've been here…together…we've….made love a few times." He raised his eyes to her worried face, "I was wondering how you felt about that."

A flurry of emotions passed through her expression and none of them were comforting to the Angel of Death. He had upset her and that had never been his intention.

"I…we…" Tears were burning and she willed them back, "I don't understand. Don't you...want to…"

"Yes!" He was desperate to soothe her, seeing the tears shimmering in her dark eyes. Lowering his voice, he squeezed her hand, "Angel, those moments are so special to me, but I can't help feeling that….that maybe it isn't right." Seeing a tear slip down her cheek, he cursed himself silently for not doing a better job of explaining himself. Grabbing her other hand, he brought them both to his lips and kissed her knuckles, "I love you so much, Monica, so incredibly much. Now, I don't know if our first night together in the woods was right or wrong though regardless of which it was I know God blessed it with your pregnancy; I know that as sure as I am sitting here with you. Do you believe that?"

Not trusting herself to speak, Monica gave a sharp nod of her head.

"With that being said, I don't know if we should continue expressing our love that way. We aren't married and we've been so blessed in so many ways and a part of me wonders if we aren't…taking advantage of what we have been given."

Monica left out a breath she felt as if she had been holding in forever, "I agree with you. Being with you that way…Andrew, it is wonderful, but I've had the same thoughts. I don't want the Father displeased with us…if He has been truly pleased with us through this."

The doubt in her eyes touched his heart. Monica always strove to please the Father and he understood more than anyone how insecure she felt since they had confessed their feeling to one another. Andrew just wished he had the words to convince that things were not as bleak as she worried they were.

"I never told you how I found you, did I?"

His words almost startled her. Monica had been trying to resolve her feelings about their intimacy and now she felt as if she could barely keep up with the conversation, "No. No, I don't think you did."

"Raphael and I had found out about your accident," He watched as her hand instinctively went to the still somewhat tender scar on her forehead. The stitches had been removed several days ago, but the cut was still healing, "and we went to the hospital to see what information they would give us, which unfortunately, wasn't much. I had been so hopeful but when we left the emergency room I felt at a complete loss. Raphael convinced me to go to the cafeteria with him so we could decide what to do next. I was acting on my own, of course, afraid to ask the Father for help because I didn't think I could bear the answer being 'no'. As we sat there commiserating, a volunteer approached us. She had spoken to you that day."

"Rachel." Monica immediately pulled the name out of her angelic memory, "She was very sweet. She tried to convince me to let them admit me for the night but all I could think about was getting away before Tess found out I was pregnant."

"Yes. She told me you wouldn't stay. She also told me you asked where she was from and that was my clue of where to look. She put herself in jeopardy of being released of her duties by telling me everything she did. She overheard us asking about you and followed us to the cafeteria and then had the guts to approach us with information about you. Does any of that sound like coincidence, Angel?" He watched as she pressed her lips together tightly in an effort to keep tears in check and he drank in her simple beauty, "He wanted me with you, baby. I know that. Now you know it too."

"But…does He approve, Andrew? That's what I can't reconcile." Her doe-like eyes pleaded with him. Deep in her heart she knew he didn't have the answers, but she had always found Andrew to be so wise. He had always been her rock, the one who could help her see through the darkness and though he had certainly been a ray of light in her existence since he had found her, there was still a little darkness in her world right now.

Andrew turned her question over in his mind, so wanting the right words to bring her some peace. Reaching for her hand again, he pulled her up from her chair and into his lap. Her dark, expressive eyes were both serious and hopeful. She always looked to him to solve the dilemmas of her world and it made him feel like the most important creature on the planet…and also the most undeserving of such an important role in her existence.

"Sweet angel, do you know in your heart that the Father loves you?"

Her eyes widened slightly, "Of course. I know He does."

Andrew nodded his head in agreement, "And do you know in your heart that He loves me?"

"Oh Andrew, yes! Of course! How could He not?"

He blushed slightly and then laid a tender hand on the tiny bump that was their baby, "And what about our baby, Monica? Do you know that God loves him or her?"

"All life is a gift of God and it is always good," Monica replied with certainty. She may not know much right now, but that much she knew with every fiber of her being, "I know He loves this baby."

His fingers stroked her stomach, a lump of emotion lodging itself in his throat as he thought about the little angel she was carrying that belonged to both of them, and then his eyes moved to the sweet little angel who was the baby's mother, "And me? Do you know how much I love you?" His voice had dropped to a whisper and his emotions caused him to feel a sting of tears in the back of his green eyes.

"Yes. I do. And I love you every bit as much if not more." Her voice trembled slightly as she laid her hand over his that still rested against her stomach.

"Then baby, let that be enough. Maybe we don't need to know anymore than that right now, and honestly, isn't it all we need to know?"

A smile broke free as a tear trickled down her cheek. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she hugged him tightly, feeling the love and security that came when he enclosed her in his strong arms, "Yes. You are right, Andrew. Absolutely right."