"You're not allowed to do that."
"Why not? Yesterday you said that in order for me to get to the other side of the board, I had to move diagonally and jump your men. So, king me."
"Monica, that was checkers. This is chess, and you can't do that."
Tess smiled at the dialogue between her charges. Andrew had been trying off and on for several years to teach Monica various games that humans enjoyed. Some were easier for her to learn than others; clearly chess fell into the second category. It was interesting to watch the Angel of Death try to keep from getting frustrated over repeatedly explaining something that he found so simple.
Monica, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the company more so than the challenge of learning a new game. Tess didn't know this absolutely, but she believed that Monica only pretended to misunderstand the rules, simply because she knew it irked Andrew when it happened.
Tess continued to watch in silence as Andrew attempted once more to explain chess to Monica. The pair settled back into the game, and it wasn't long before Monica asked, "Andrew, if I move this piece here…what happens?"
Andrew's eyes roamed across the board before he placed an elbow on the table and rested his head in the palm of his hand. "That, my friend, is called a checkmate. You've just won the game."
"Have I? And on my first try, too."
Tess was unable to hide her laughter over the way Andrew's shoulders slumped at Monica's words. This wasn't the first time Monica had unexpectantly beaten him, and while he couldn't be classified as a sore loser, it baffled him the way she managed to come out on top so often.
"Take heart, Angel Boy. Obviously you've been blessed with the gift of teaching."
Monica joined Tess in her laughter as Andrew quirked an eyebrow at the remark. Moments later he smiled.
"All right, Monica. I guess I'm proud of you."
His comment was rewarded with another round of laughter as the trio of angels rose from their seats to begin the journey home. Tess hung back a little to watch the interaction between her companions.
It was clear to anyone watching that Andrew and Monica shared a special bond that was uncommon. It was rare in humans, even more so among angels - especially between two in different lines of work. They thought and acted in sync with one another, often completing each other's sentences. And if one ever needed something, the other was right there, no questions asked.
Tess marveled at the level of compassion Andrew and Monica shared, and it warmed her heart to see how they reached out to the world around them. As much as they cared for one another, they cared even more for their assignments, and they longed to introduce the gift of grace to as many people as possible.
"Tess, are you all right?"
Monica's words brought the older angel out of her reverie. Tess glanced first at Andrew then at Monica, smiled at the concern on their faces, and hurried to catch up with them.
"I'm fine, babies. I was just thinking about all that we have to be thankful for."
"Anything in particular?" Andrew wanted to know.
Tess wrapped one arm around Andrew's waist and pulled Monica into a hug with the other.
"Each other."