Title : For this Child
Author : Katiyana
Disclaimer : All identifiable characters aren't mine.
Note : Hello to everyone who is reading this and I'm really hoping that there are people who read this story. If I may just ask for some feedback please, it would be nice to know how people feel whether good or bad about this story. Thank you.
Chapter 4
"Good afternoon, Mr Andrew Christopher, I presume?" said the formally suited man standing on the doorstep when Andrew answered the door.
"Yes, that would be me," answered Andrew, stepping out and firmly shutting the door behind him. He stood firm, barring the stranger's way to the front door.
"My name is Clint Warner. I'm a private attorney and I have something to discuss with you on behalf of my client," said Mr Warner formally.
"Who is your client?" asked Andrew, insistently.
"Mr Christopher, could we step into the house please? I assure you that I mean you absolutely no harm. I am here on legitimate business which is rather delicate and I'd really rather not have this discussion on your front step," persisted the lawyer.
For the first time in years, Andrew was hesitant about how to proceed. He had grown very attached to Amy and was extremely protective of his foster daughter. The knowledge that there were people who were out to take advantage of Amy roused passionate feelings in the normally steady and even-tempered angel. He would do anything to prevent Amy from any more pain than what she already had to endure from her illness.
Andrew suddenly caught sight of a glow and movement out of the corner of his eye. He shifted his gaze slightly and found Rafael nodding at him with a calm smile. Rafael was invisible to the lawyer but clearly indicated to Andrew that it would be fine to let the lawyer in. Andrew complied and ushered the lawyer in. He had needed the reminder that everything was in God's hands, including little Amy's life. He just needed to have faith.
# * # * # * # * # * #
"Sam, she's trying to buy Amy!" said Andrew, clearly agitated.
Sam looked him in the eye and Andrew took a deep breath to try to calm himself down.
"We knew that she would try to gain custody of Amy. And I'm afraid to say that this is only the beginning of this battle," said Sam calmly.
"She offered us a 'financial settlement' to hand Amy over to her. Why do humans think that everything can be bought with money?" said Andrew with disgust.
"That's because they tend to believe that it can buy them happiness," came the wry tones of Tess, who had suddenly appeared in the room.
"Hello, Tess. Dropping by for a visit?" asked Sam with an arched brow.
"Yes, I am. I haven't seen my Angel girl in a while and I haven't even met her 'daughter' yet. Oh and it's been awhile since I've seen this angel too," said Tess, with a touch of defiance.
"Hello, Tess. It's good to see you too. Monica is probably reading to Amy upstairs. She was tired out from her bath time," said Andrew with an easy smile and a quick hug for the motherly angel.
"That's fine, I'll go on up and introduce myself and maybe sing a few lullabies for Amy. How does that sound? Lord knows that child should have some experience of good music," said Tess, heading for the stairs.
"Tess? You're just here to visit? Nothing else?" questioned Sam again.
"I came here to sing a few lullabies to a little girl," said Tess firmly, striding upstairs without a backward glance.
# * # * # * # * # * #
A scream rent through the peaceful early morning air and everyone in the house rushed towards the sound. They found Monica on her knees staring out a broken window as she cried, hugging Amy's teddy bear to her chest. Amy's bed was empty.
"Oh, baby, come here," said Tess, sadly, folding the sobbing Irish angel into her arms.
Andrew had taken one look and raced out of the house in the futile hope of somehow finding or catching whoever had kidnapped Amy. He saw a ladder propped up against the side of the house where Amy's room was. There were tracks on the ground and traces of a car having been there but whoever it was, they were long gone.
"No, not like this! No!" vented Andrew in frustration, kicking the ladder.
"Andrew, you need to leave everything as it is so that the police can investigate this," warned Sam.
"You knew. You and Tess knew!" raged Andrew, clenching his fists.
"Andrew," reprimanded Sam sharply.
Andrew kept quiet, sucking in deep breaths of air.
"I've called the police. They'll be here soon. Monica will need you. Tess can't stay," said Sam.
In a gentler tone, he continued "I know that you both love and adore that little girl. Don't you think that the Father loves her too? He's got her in His hands, Andrew. Have faith, don't let the fear or the hate take over. Hold onto Him."
"Amy doesn't deserve any of this. She's so young and she's been through so much," said Andrew in a more subdued voice.
"It's a cruel world sometimes, Andrew, but you know that. But His love will prevail against anything. He's with Amy," reminded Sam.
Andrew closed his eyes and dropped to his knees and started to pray. He was limited to his human form for the duration of this assignment and right now that was the only thing he could do. He prayed that Amy would be safe until they could rescue her. His heart felt like it was ripped to shreds as he thought about the fact that she would be afraid and with strangers who may hurt her. He also prayed that if by any circumstance, Amy wouldn't make it. That he would be able to be her angel of death, to bring her Home.