DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own the characters from Touched by an Angel. They belong to CBS. Everyone you don't recognize, I do own.

Enjoy!

God loves you

A/N: I hope everyone has enjoyed this story. I also hope this story has helped everyone in some way or another.

"Happy New Year, Gloria!"

Chapter 3-Happy New Year, Gloria

Gloria kept her word to Tess's surprise. Her driving was almost flawless and they didn't get pulled over once.

When they reached the house, Gloria turned off the car before turning to Tess. The superior angel had a smile of pride on her face that could have lit up the entire neighborhood.

"So, how'd I do?" Gloria asked, eager to hear what the superior angel thought of her driving skills now.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but…you did really well." Tess replied, smiling from ear to ear.

Gloria grinned back.

"Thank Monica for that." Gloria said, a small yawn escaping her lips. "She's been giving me lessons since we had our first official assignment together."

Tess nodded. She knew Gloria had meant after Monica had been promoted, so she didn't let her last comment bother her.

After Tess put the keys on the rack, she followed Gloria into the living room and sat down on the couch. She was surprised when Gloria came over and made herself comfortable next to her.

As if on cue, Snickers came into the room and joined them on the couch. She was about to jump in Tess's lap, but was stopped when the elder angel picked her up and set her in Gloria's arms.

"Uh, I think you have the wrong person." With that, she pulled Gloria close while doing her best to ignore Snickers' forepaw on her arm.

Just then, Gloria sneezed twice in a row.

Tess narrowed her eyes at her 'little angel.

"Gloria, are you sure you're feeling okay?"

Tess checked Gloria's forehead. She frowned when she discovered the younger angel had a slight fever.

Gloria nodded, although it wasn't true. She didn't want to ruin the night.

"Are you sure? You feel warm to me." Tess observed. She gave Gloria a look that told her she wasn't buying her answer for a second.

"Yeah. I'm…" Gloria's voice trailed off as she sneezed once again.

"Are you sure, baby?" Tess asked, wanting to make sure Gloria was okay.

"I'm sure."

Tess sighed. She knew Gloria would tell her when she was good and ready, but the elder angel still didn't like seeing Gloria in pain.

After a few minutes of silence had passed, Tess broke it with another question.

"What was it that you wanted to ask me? Monica said there was something you wanted to know about."

Gloria shrugged as though it didn't matter.

"It was nothing, really." Gloria insisted, hoping Tess would drop the subject.

Just then, Gloria sneezed again before starting to cough.

Tess shook her head, not buying Gloria's statement for a second.

"You are NOT fine." Tess concluded, putting a hand through Gloria's hair. "Please, tell me what's wrong. I wanna help you, but I can't if you won't talk to me."

Gloria sighed, knowing Tess had figured her out. She then got an idea. She gave Tess a hopeful look before revealing what she wanted to ask her. The only problem was, Gloria said it in such a rush, Tess didn't catch it at first.

"Willyoutellmeaboutthesixthday?"

Tess gave Gloria a "what in the world did you say" look before answering her question with one of her own.

"Excuse me? Would you care to try that again, little angel? Preferably in English if you don't mind."

Gloria blushed but did as Tess had asked.

"Will you tell me about the sixth day?" Gloria asked, her tone full of hope. "What was it like?"

Tess grinned. She knew exactly how to get Gloria to cooperate with her now.

"All right, little angel, here's the deal. I'll tell you about the sixth day, if you tell me what's going on with that little Human form of yours." Tess bargained, hoping Gloria would take her offer.

"I'm fine, really…I…" Gloria's voice trailed off as she sneezed again.

Tess nodded and got up from the couch. She walked towards the door that led into the music room.

"All right, if you say so. I have some other things I can do." She turned the handle of the door and waited approximately two minutes for what she knew would happen next.

"Tess, wait!" Gloria called after her.

Tess turned around and gave Gloria a knowing but gentle smile.

"I thought so." Tess said, coming back over to where Gloria was sitting. She sat down beside her and put an arm around the youngest angel.

Gloria sighed as her head started to pound.

"My head hurts and my throat hurts a little."

Tess narrowed her eyes at the conclusion of Gloria's confession.

"And you were going to wait to tell me this when…?" Tess chided only semi sternly.

Gloria sighed as an embarrassed blush crept up her cheeks.

"I'm sorry. I guess I was just…" Gloria's voice trailed off as her gaze traveled to the floor.

"You can admit it. " Tess coaxed, an understanding look spreading across her face. "Gloria, I know you're more comfortable around Monica. I know that. But I love you too. I would never hurt you on purpose, baby."

"I know." Gloria replied, a few tears spilling from her brown eyes. "I was just scared." The little angel admitted.

"Of what?" Tess inquired.

Gloria shrugged.

"I don't know." She grew silent before starting to cough.

Tess saw Gloria's plight and reached her arms out to her.

"Gloria, come here, baby." With that, Tess took the youngest angel into her arms, hoping to bring her some sense of comfort and reassurance.

Gloria snuggled in for a cuddle as a painful whimper escaped her lips. She was feeling awful and Tess could tell just by how she was acting.

"It's all right, little angel. I have you now. You're okay. Here we go." With that, Tess helped Gloria to get comfortable while laying her head in her lap. She made sure Gloria's catheter was okay before combing her fingers through her hair.

"Tess, I feel awful!" Gloria cried, tears of pain streaming down her face.

Tess's heart broke at the sight. She hated it when any of her angel babies were in pain.

"I know you do, sweetheart, I know. You're gonna be okay. I'm gonna take care of you. Now, I have to get some stuff. I'll be right back."

As Tess went to get up, Gloria reached for her hand.

"Tess, no! Don't leave!"

Tess sighed. She would have normally scolded Gloria for whining, but given the situation and Monica's temporary absence, the superior angel let it go.

"Gloria, honey, I'm happy you feel comfortable and safe with me again, I really am. But I need to get a few things to help you feel better. I'll be right back." With that, Tess left to retrieve a few items.

Once she returned, Tess put the stuff on the coffee table before helping Gloria get comfortable once again.

"All right, there you go. Watch your catheter, all right. Is that better, little angel?"

Gloria mumbled something that sounded like "Uh-huh" before going silent again.

Despite the situation, Tess couldn't help but smile. Gloria was truly cute.

"All right. Here's what we're gonna do. I'm gonna give you some medicine, take your temperature, change the dressing on your catheter and then I will tell you about the sixth day. Does that sound good?"

Gloria grimaced at the mention of Tess having to change the dressing on her catheter. She was used to the way Monica did it and how it hardly hurt whenever the Irish angel did the small procedure.

As Tess glanced down at Gloria's catheter tube, she thought better of it and decided to change the dressing first.

"On second thought, let me change your dressing now, that way we can get it done and over with. Besides, it needs it." With that, Tess prepared to do the small procedure she had seen Monica do for the past three months now.

Gloria cringed at the prospect of what was to come. She really wasn't in the mood to be poked and prodded at the moment.

Just then, the youngest angel started to shiver.

Tess noticed and hastened to help her. She put the saline she was about to open down and pulled the comforter around Gloria. After that was done, Tess went back to the task at hand.

In a last ditch effort to get out of the catheter change, Gloria posed a question to Tess that took the elder angel by surprise.

"Tess?"

"Yes, baby?" Tess answered, glancing up briefly from what she was doing.

"After everything's done, can we cuddle please?"

Tess smiled, despite the situation.

"Did you just ask me what I think you asked me?" Tess joked, not realizing Gloria wasn't in a joking type of mood.

"Tess!" Gloria whined, her voice full of exasperation.

Tess sighed.

"To answer your question, yes. And you don't even have to ask me. That's what I've been trying to get through your little halo for over two months now. I'll hold you any time of the day or night."

Gloria nodded, satisfied with Tess's answer. She gave Tess a hopeful look before posing another question to her superior.

"Can't we do the other stuff first?" Gloria asked, referring to the medicine and the taking of her temperature.

Tess shook her head.

"Little angel, the faster we do this, the faster you can rest."

Gloria sighed resignedly and allowed Tess to do what she had to do.

"Tess, I just wanna sleep!" Gloria whimpered, pain evident in her tone.

"I know you do, baby. You'll be able to, I promise. We just need to take care of a few things first. Let's take care of your catheter and then we'll do the other stuff."

"Can't we do the other stuff first?" Gloria begged once again, trying to delay the hard part.

Tess shook her head.

"I'm afraid not. But this will be over before you know it. Besides, the sooner we get this done, the sooner you can rest. All right, ready?"

Gloria nodded.

As Tess prepared to take the dressing off, Gloria flinched, causing Tess to pause what she was doing.

"Gloria, it's okay. It'll be over soon. But you need to try and relax. Don't fight me. I'm not the enemy here." Tess told her, patting her shoulder.

"I know."

As Tess was about to try again, she got an idea. She left the room and returned with something that would hopefully help Gloria feel better.

"All right, let's see…I'm gonna count to three and take it off slowly." Tess assured Gloria.

Gloria nodded, just wanting the small procedure over with as soon as possible.

"Okay. 1-2-3." With that, Tess gently removed the dressing. Her heart broke as Gloria let out a whimper. "You're okay. That's it. Thatta girl. There, how does that feel?"

Gloria breathed a sigh of relief once the initial cleaning was over with.

"Better." She replied, truthfully.

Tess smiled.

"I'm glad."

As Tess fastened another dressing over the catheter site, she smiled at Gloria with pride.

"See? It's done. That wasn't so bad, was it?"

Gloria gave Tess a Look before closing her eyes.

The next two things went a bit more smoothly.

After Tess had given Gloria the Tylenol, she took her temperature and discovered her fever was 100.5 degrees.

"It's not too high." Tess informed a half asleep Gloria. "We just need to keep it from going any higher."

Gloria mumbled something, but Tess didn't catch it.

"I'm really glad you're starting to trust me more." Tess said, stroking Gloria's hair. "I love you, Gloria. I love you so much."

"I love you too." Gloria replied, snuggling into Tess for a cuddle.

Tess smiled down at Gloria before getting ready to tell her the story she had wanted to hear for a long time now.

But as Tess gazed down at Gloria, she noticed that the little angel was almost half asleep again.

"Gloria, honey, it's your choice," Tess told her, rousing Gloria from her half asleep state.

"What's my choice?" Gloria asked, not really paying attention due to how bad she felt.

"I sing to you first, or I tell you about the sixth day. It's up to you. What do you want to hear first?"

Gloria heaved a sigh before answering Tess's question.

"I don't care!" Gloria whined, a true sign she was sick.

Tess took it in stride. She decided to sing to Gloria instead.

"All right, you are tired. In that case, I'm going to sing to you and then I'll tell you about the sixth day once you're feeling better."

"Promise you won't forget?" Gloria asked, closing her eyes once again.

"I promise." Tess said. She planted a kiss on Gloria's cheek before starting to sing "When You Can't Move the Mountain" to the youngest angel. She knew it would help her 'little angel get to sleep faster. Little did Tess know what trouble the night would bring…

Gloria slept off and on for most of the night. She woke up a few times from pain and feeling thirsty.

Tess gave Gloria something to drink and then sung her back to sleep. She didn't leave Gloria's side for most of the night. The elder angel just prayed the youngest would feel better soon.

It wasn't until a few hours later that disaster struck concerning Gloria.

Gloria awoke somewhere around four-thirty in the morning feeling terrible. Her head was hurting and her stomach was churning something awful.

"Tess? Tess!" Gloria called, her voice breaking with the effort not to get sick everywhere.

Tess was at Gloria's side in minutes. She noticed that Gloria was breathing fast and she looked like she was in a great deal of pain.

"Gloria? Little angel, what's wrong?" Tess asked, sitting down beside the couch. She put a hand on Gloria's right shoulder to let her know she was there.

Gloria let out a sob as she tried to answer Tess's question.

"Tess…Tess, I-I'm gonna throw up!" Gloria cried, pain shooting up her stomach.

"All right, little angel. It's okay. Come here." With that, Tess helped Gloria up and guided her to the bathroom.

Upon arriving in the bathroom, Tess helped Gloria to face the toilet while rubbing her back gently. She could tell this was going to be a long night.

"It's okay, Gloria, it's okay." Tess soothed, rubbing Gloria's shoulder. She held Gloria's reddish brown hair back just as the youngest angel heaved, losing the contents of her stomach.

Gloria whimpered before heaving again. She was feeling awful and she just wanted to sleep.

Once Gloria's stomach had calmed down, Tess situated the youngest angel so that she could lay her head in her lap again.

After Gloria was situated, Tess started singing to her.

It took Gloria a half an hour, but she finally fell back to sleep.

As Tess sat there, she prayed Gloria would be okay. She didn't like it when her 'little angel was sick. The superior angel prayed whatever Gloria had would pass soon.

It wasn't until around nine-thirty/ten o' clock in the morning, that Monica returned. She smiled upon seeing Tess. She had really missed her while she had been away. The Irish angel had missed her case worker as well. She was anxious to know how Gloria had done without her there.

Tess grinned when Monica walked through the front door.

"Hey." Monica greeted, smiling warmly at Tess.

"Hey yourself, angel girl. How was your New Year's Eve.?"

Monica grinned.

"It went really well. I missed you two though."

Tess smiled.

"Aw, we missed you too, baby."

"How did Gloria do?" The Irish angel asked. She was eager to hear how her 'little one had faired.

Tess shrugged.

"Well she did fine, considering having the flu for the last few hours."

Monica frowned.

"Aw, poor Gloria." Monica said, her voice full of sympathy and concern. "Is she all right?"

Tess nodded.

"Our little Gloria's okay. She survived."

Monica giggled, despite the situation. Tess certainly had a way with words sometimes.

"Did my little one give you a hard time?" Monica inquired.

Tess shook her head.

"Not much." She replied, honestly.

Monica nodded. It was only when the Irish angel gazed down, did she see Gloria snuggled comfortably in Tess's embrace.

"Tess…Gloria's…" The Irish angel's voice trailed off in surprise.

Tess smiled.

"How did this happen?" Monica asked, still in shock at the events that had taken place during her temporary absence.

The Irish angel sat down across from the eldest and youngest angel.

Tess grinned as Gloria snuggled into her for a cuddle.

"Call it a miracle, angel girl. Call it a miracle."

Monica grinned and nodded in agreement.

A few minutes of silence passed before Tess broke it. She knew Monica wanted to know what had happened yesterday, so the elder angel started to explain.

"I took Gloria to see the fireworks and I told her about your first assignment on New Year's Eve with the Hamilton family. The assignment you had before we met."

Monica blushed in embarrassment.

"Did she like it?" She asked, knowing the answer almost immediately.

"Oh yeah. Are you kidding? Gloria loved it!"

Monica giggled softly.

"I'm glad."

After the giggles had subsided, Tess continued her explanation.

"After we got home, I actually was able to get Gloria to admit she wasn't feeling good. She let me change the dressing on her catheter without a problem. After that was done, I sung Gloria to sleep and she was fine for a while."

Monica was about to ask her former supervisor what she had meant by 'a while, when another thought crossed her mind.

"She didn't fight you when you went to change her catheter dressing?" Monica asked. She knew Gloria sometimes got in moods when she didn't want the small procedure done at all.

Tess sighed.

"A little. But given the situation, it was expected. I didn't let it bother me too much. She whimpered a little, but that was it. I actually found a way to make it not hurt so much."

"You'll have to show me how to do that." Monica said, smiling at Tess before her gaze landed on her case worker once again.

"I will." Tess promised. She was about to finish her story, but Monica stopped her with another question.

"So Gloria didn't push your hand away?" The Irish angel asked.

Tess shook her head.

"No. But a little bit later, things went downhill."

"Tess, you didn't scold her, did you?" Monica asked, praying the answer was no.

Tess shook her head, which made Monica sigh with relief.

"No, it was nothing like that. It didn't have anything to do with our relationship at all. Gloria just wasn't feeling well. It started with her throat and head hurting. Then by early this morning, her dinner and lunch came up for a return trip."

Monica sighed as she gazed down at Gloria.

"Poor Gloria."

"She's all right." Tess assured the Irish angel.

Just then, Gloria started to whimper. She snuggled deeper into Tess's loving and protective hold before letting out another small whimper.

Tess hastened to assure Gloria she was okay before she worked herself up.

"Gloria, shh. It's all right, little angel. I gotcha. Tess still has you. You're safe. You're still safe with me. I have you, baby. I have you."

Gloria responded to Tess's comforting words of truth by burying her face in her shoulder before settling down.

Monica smiled at the interaction between her case worker and former supervisor.

"Aw, that's so cute." She commented, getting a slight glare from the superior angel.

"I love you too, angel girl." Tess assured the Irish angel.

Monica shook her head.

"I mean it, Tess. It is. I told you Gloria would let you in sooner or later."

Tess nodded.

It was then that Monica gazed out of the window. Her jaw nearly hit the ground when she saw what was going on outside.

"Oh my!" She gasped, making Tess look up at her.

"What is it?" Tess asked.

"It's snowin' outside." Monica replied, still gazing out of the window.

Tess shook her head in disbelief.

"Are you serious?" Tess asked.

"Aye. It's really snowin' out." She then turned her gaze upon Tess before it landed on Gloria. "And now I know why." She smirked, receiving another playful glare from Tess.

Just then, Gloria started to stir. She whimpered a wee bit as her eyes fluttered open.

The first thing she felt was Tess stroking her hair. She then remembered the events that had taken place the night before. She immediately calmed at the sound of Tess humming. She remembered falling asleep while laying her head in Tess's lap. This memory, coupled with the fact that she was still with Tes, made the youngest angel's breathing go back to normal almost immediately.

The one thought that stuck in Gloria's mind was the fact that she was safe with Tess. And it wasn't just something she was trying to convince herself of anymore.

For the first time in a long time, the youngest angel truly felt safe with her superior again.

"Tess?" Gloria asked, her voice soft and full of residual sleep.

Tess smiled down at her'little angel as she continued to comb her fingers through her hair.

"It's all right, baby. I still have you. But someone else is back too."

Monica smiled gently at her case worker. She got up and knelt down beside the couch where Tess was sitting. She put a hand on Gloria's shoulder and patted it gently.

"Hey there, little one. I missed you, sweetheart." Monica told her. She planted a motherly kiss on Gloria's cheek before ruffling her hair gently.

Gloria gave Monica a smile before returning her hug partway. She was still really tired and a wee bit out of it from being sick.

"I missed you too." Gloria replied, honestly.

"Do you want to come and sit with me for a wee bit?" Monica asked. She didn't hold her arms out just yet. She wanted Gloria to make the decision on her own.

Gloria thought for a minute before shaking her head. She prayed Monica wouldn't be upset with her.

Monica was a wee surprised by Gloria's reply.

Usually after the Irish angel had returned from any lengthy solo assignment, her 'little one would jump at the chance to spend time with her.

"No?" Monica said, her tone matching the surprise she felt. She then posed a question to her case worker. "Are you comfortable with Tess?"

Gloria nodded. She then got an anxious look on her face as she locked eyes with her supervisor and best friend.

"You're not mad at me, are you?"

Monica shook her head.

"No, little one. Not at all. I'm glad you feel comfortable with Tess again."

Gloria nodded.

"And safe." She added, truthfully. Her last statement made Tess's heart melt.

"I'm glad, little angel." Tess told her. She pulled the quilt around Gloria more securely. "I'm glad."

"Me too, little one." Monica said. "I'm glad you feel safe with Tess again. It makes me feel better knowing when I leave for solo assignments, I know that you'll be okay. I know Tess will take care of you, but now you know it too."

Gloria nodded. She yawned, indicating that she was ready for bed again.

Tess chuckled softly at her 'little angel's actions.

"I think someone's ready to go back to sleep." The elder angel observed.

"Tess?" Gloria asked, already half asleep.

"Yes, baby?" Tess replied, hugging Gloria close.

"Tell me about the sixth day, please?"

"Later, little angel. I'll tell you about the sixth day later. I promise."

"Okay." Gloria replied as she drifted off to sleep. "I love you, Tess."

Tes smiled, despite the few tears that had fallen from her wise eyes.

"Aw, I love you very much, little angel. I love you very much. Try and get some sleep. Monica and I are both here. We're not gonna leave you."

Gloria merely snuggled into Tess as she let her eyes close.

"Don't let go." Gloria said, her voice full of sleep.

"I won't, baby. I promise I won't." Tess told her earnestly.

Once Gloria was asleep, Monica spoke up.

"Tess, I'm glad Gloria finally learned how to trust you. It took her a wee while, but she did it. By the grace of God, she did it."

Tess smiled.

"Amen to that, angel girl. Amen to that." With that, Tess sat there, holding Gloria and watching the snow falling outside.

As Tess sat there, she smiled up at the sky through the half opened window.

"Thank you, Father. Thank you for showing Gloria how to trust me again."

The elder angel's gaze then landed on Gloria. She smiled at her 'little angel before whispering, "Happy new year, Gloria. Thank you for letting me in again. I promise I'll do everything I can to protect you if I can help it. I love you, little angel."

"Love you too, Tess." Gloria mumbled. She buried her face in the crook of Tess's right shoulder, making the superior angel's heart melt and a smile of love cross her wise features.

If there was one thing Tess was sure of, it was that New Year's Eve was definitely God's way of giving His children and angels a fresh start. As far as Tess was concerned, she and Gloria had definitely gotten theirs.

Tess knew that it wouldn't happen over night. But the fact that Gloria felt safe with her again was a miracle in itself.

The youngest angel had made significant progress and Tess couldn't have been more proud of her than she was at that very moment.

THE END