Chapter 4
Monica was up early watching the sunrise over the town. She had her cup of coffee and in just two weeks from now she will be Monica Griffin, and soon Sarah will be officially hers. 6 weeks has gone by since she ran into Audrey Carmicheal during Father's Day. Monica was a bit terrified of getting married, but in the same time excited to be in love with Griffin and to spend her life with him, to begin her life. Monica always wanted to have a family of her own, and was always a bit jealous of her assignments that had a spouse and children to love. Now it is her turn to love a family with all her heart. The sun rose up behind the trees as it kissed Monica's face while it made its way up in the sky. Monica smiles to the warm feeling on her face, it was God's way of saying to her that he loves her.
Monica still misses the sun rise over her desert back in Salt Lake, where most of her assignments as an angel took place. But in this house she still feels God's loving ways, and he knows Monica's heart well as she smiles brighter when she heard his voice speaking to her through spirit. As soon as she heard it, it vanished with the sound of Griffin coming out on the porch.
"Morning." He softly spoke.
"Morning to you too." Monica replies back as she slid down a little bit to have Griffin sit next to her on the porch swing.
"Why are you up this early?" Griffin asks.
"I don't know. Just….I sometimes miss my Father's love, and when I was an angel God would speak to my soul through sunrises. So sometimes I would come out here and watch the sunrise on your porch." Monica explains.
Griffin smiles at her, "Do you miss being an angel?"
"Yes….don't get me wrong I love you and I want a life with you. But a little part of me misses my angelic ways. Being an angel was the only life I ever known Griff…..and it's a little terrifying of leaving it for this life. But I'm willing to do it, because of my love for you and Sarah. You are my family, and that is worth leaving my old life." Monica said. "
I don't blame you for being scared Monica." Griffin softly whispers.
Monica smiles at him, and moves a little closer to him. She kisses his cheek and laid her head on his strong built shoulders and listen to his soft breathing and the nature around her. Griffin places his right arm around Monica's small shoulders and lightly stroking it. Monica smiles to Griffin's touch and snuggles deeper into his shoulder. Then slowly she looks at her ring and then to Griffin. "Just two more weeks…"
"Yeah….terrified yet?" Griffin jokes.
"A little, but I'm not scared of walking down the aisle and saying my vows to you." Monica testified.
"You're not?" Griffin asks out of confusion.
Monica pulls herself up to peers into her lover's eyes. "No….what I'm really scared of….is…giving myself up to you. The final act of love."
Griffin cracks a friendly smile and turns his body to hers, and gently places a hand on one of Monica's cheeks, "the making love part."
"Yes…." Monica responds.
Griffin looks into Monica's eyes, "To be honest I'm scared myself. I never did fell this much in love before. And I want you…..I want to share that moment with you because I love you and I really want to express that….but I won't push it on our wedding night or on our honeymoon if you are not ready."
Monica smiles to him as she tells him the truth, " Griffin….It's not that I don't want to share that moment with you….because I do…I come to realize recently that I'm slowly letting go of my innocence and learning to open my heart to let you in. The thing that I'm scared as hell right now Griffin, is having you love me that way, because I never….never in my existence allowed a man to truly love me like that. I never even been naked or expose myself to anyone…."
Griffin looks into her eyes, "I know you haven't. Which is why I'm not pushing you into anything. But I got to tell you after when you get through your fear and awkwardness, it becomes easier to do."
"Take it you had experience with that." Monica smirks.
"Yes….which is how little Sarah came into the picture." Griffin jokes back.
"How many women have you made love to Griffin?" Monica asks as she looks into Griffin's midnight blue eyes.
Griffin took a deep breath then returns Monica's stare, "The only person I ever had sex with was Crystal. I was raised up on my mother's way, and she was big in not engaging in any sexual activity when I was growing up as a young teen. And I came close to having sex with a few of my girlfriends out of high school, but I never went through with it because of my mother. If I did engage with having it before I was married I will disappoint her, so I never did. Until I met Crystal, and on our wedding night is when I let go, and made love for the first time. Got to tell you I was scared myself as a young adult fresh out of college. But after when you do it for the first time, it's hard to stop."
Monica looks at Griffin, "Really…you never had done it until your wedding night?"
"Yeah. Like I said I'm a man to my word. And I know that you are a lot like me, which is why I'm not going to force it on you. Because I know that when the time is right, for you to allow me to truly love you the moment will feel right for the both of us." Griffin smiles.
Monica sets her coffee down on the side table beside the swing, and then goes to her fiancé, and kisses him deeply and passionately. Monica started off slow and gradually sinks deeper, as she moves into Griffin's embrace. In that moment she really wanted to give herself up to him, and was about to say screw it, and just love me. But this time Griffin was the one to pull back and saying it's getting to deep. "Monica….the moment for us to truly love each other is not now."
"I know…." Monica said catching her breath. "Sometimes I just want to…."
Griffin sits up and holds his fiancé, "You will….just not right now…..in 2 weeks you can. I'm still honoring your Father's law."
"Where have I found you again," Monica giggles, as Griffin crashes his lips on the back of her neck. Griffin looks at his watch and it read 6:40 and he has to be at work by 7:10 for a meeting. "Monica….sweetie, I have to go. I have to leave early. We are getting new recruiters coming in, and some of us has to do training duty. And there is a meeting for all superior officers at 7:10."
Monica smiles, "Go. I would fix you breakfast but since you have to be there a little bit before your meeting, I'll just make you some coffee."
"Okay." Griffin smiles, and takes Monica's hands in his and they both walk in the house.
Monica made him a coffee to go, and hands it to Griffin before he heads out. Just before he took it, Monica leans into him and kisses him tenderly at the door. After a few moments later Griffin pushes Monica to the left side of the door frame and holds her there to kiss her deeper and showing her what he has been feeling for the last few nights. Monica slowly moves in, and the first time she moans for pleasure when Griffin found her sweet spot between her neck and her collarbone. Griffin looks at her for a moment knowing they were on the road to cross the line of making love to each other before they were married.
Monica looks at him and realizes that Griffin stopped kissing her as he stares back at her. Then breathlessly she replies, "You should um…go….before….we….both…"
Griffin finishes Monica's thought, "Before….we….do…something…we shouldn't…"
"Exactly…." Monica said still trying to catch her breath from their previous moment. "Well…I'll see you at 3:00 to pick out our cake…"
"Right….3:00 got it. I got to go now…I'm late." Griffin said, and left a butterfly kiss on Monica's lips, and before she could even react to his kiss, he heads out the door and goes to his car.
Monica watches Griffin leaves and closes the door, and thinking to herself, Why the hell I just let that happen…I know better. And then Monica moves to the kitchen and still remembering Griffin's sexy hair between her fingers, and his hot kisses on her lips, down her neck, and on her collarbone. The wedding was getting to her head, and she needs to take control over herself. So Monica pushes the hot moment between her and Griffin and focused on going to the living room for a few hours to pick out her them for her wedding.
…...
Griffin arrives at the precinct with the close sexual encounter that he and Monica had just shared not even 20 minutes ago. Griffin walks through the doors to the police department, and was greeted there by Chris.
"You slept in late or what?" Chris asks.
"Long story….I'll tell you later." Griffin said.
"Well your right on time for the chief to assign the new recruits and for us to get teach there pathetic asses on how to be a the best cop out there on the streets." Chris said.
"Take it you're not thrill with this…" Griffin mocked his friend's attitude, as Chris sneered.
"Oh Sarah had a great time with her other sister…which is why they kept me up most of the night giggling, and talking…You know they are really starting to turn into my sister and her best friend back in high school remember that?" Chris laughs.
"Yeah I remember. I also remember us playing stupid guy tricks and try to run them out of our spot." Griffin chuckles. And then he adds, "And you know what, my fiancé and a Kerry are getting that close like what Kerry and what was her name?"
"Carol. Carol Johnston. God she was really sexy back then." Chris smiles.
Griffin laughs with his best friend, "Yeah well I had my mind set on Wendy, before I met Crystal."
"Yeah….but nothing compares to you and Monica, there is real love between you two. Say are you saying that my sister and your soon to be wife are getting to be best friends." Chris asks.
"No…Chris…they are best friends." Griffin smiles.
"Oh brother…..now there is going to be another reason for my sister to keep coming back to torture me. You're so lucky you have brothers that live far out of your way. Me I have to see my sister every two or three weeks." Chris barked.
Griffin chuckles some more, "I guess I'm blessed with just having 2 brothers huh?"
"Consider yourself lucky with that." Chris finishes when they found a spot to sit in the back as the chief made his way to the front to address the headquarters. The new recruits sat in the front while Griffin and all of the other superiors sat in the back.
The chief of the 24th NY police department of Gracie stood at the podium with his shoulders square and his head held high. He was an African American man with a small gray beard and mustache. And too short of hair to be seen which was also gray. The chief was in his mid 50s going on to early 60s. His dark eyes scan the room before him as he addresses his squad team. "Detectives and Officers, I'm here to announce that our annul training has begun. As you can see there are a few less recruiters joining us this year but that won't make a difference because your precinct is still the best. For the next 6 to 8 weeks each one of the superior officers and detectives will take upon our recruits and show that and teach them how to be a great cop. And if they succeed in their training that can move on into whatever field they wish to go in. Well that concludes my statement. Now I'm going to assign the superior officers to their temporary partners for this training."
Chris leans over to Griffin and whispers to him, "I hope we don't get picked."
Griffin looks at his friend and was about to comment back when the Chief ranged out through the room again. "Amanda Whiteman you will be assigning to Officer Merandiz." The chief went on for about 10 or so other names until he called on Griffin's name. "Wayne Winslow you will be assign to Sergeant Griffin, Jerry Stunback you will be with Sergeant Heart." Then he finishes on the last few names as he finishes off his list. "Starting tomorrow all of the officers and detectives I mention will be with your recruits. Thank you and have a great day."
Chris looked at Griffin shocked to what just happened. Slowly Chris moves up to the chief and asks, "Chief…..why…um….why did you assign Griffin and I to recruits?" Griffin follows Chris and the Chief out the door.
"Because Heart, you and Griff….here are good with each other, and I want you two to teach others the same method I see when you two work together. Don't worry Chris as soon as this is over you two can be partners again." The Chief stated.
Griffin cuts in, "Um….Chief, my wedding is in 2 weeks, and my honeymoon is a week after that. When do I have time to train?"
"Well teach him the best you can, and maybe someone else will cover for you while you have your personal time off. Until then you are teaching and training…..no more arguments from you two….I got work to do…..go meet your rookies." The Chief said as he dashes off into the hall that led to his office.
Griffin and Chris looks at each other and slowly made their way back. It didn't took long for Jerry to find his way to meet Chris. Griffin chuckles as Jerry just talks and talks without stopping for air. And Chris gives him a look that's says, you've got to be kidding me. As Jerry leads Chris away from Griffin, Griffin finds his way to his desk as he finally was able to drink Monica's coffee. He loves the way he makes his coffee in the morning, and her lovely smile, and her warm comforting voice. And her dynamite kisses that puts Griffin under the spell of love. Just thinking of Monica made him miss her even more.
Griffin looks at the picture of her smiling face on his desk, and couldn't help but to trace her schoolgirl smile with his finger. Just then a man about mid 50s came to him, which made Griffin turn his mind out of Monica's picture and onto the man before him.
"Are you Sergeant Griffin?" the man asks in a gruff voice.
"Yes…and you are." Griffin asks slowly.
"I'm Wayne Winslow, your new partner for the training weeks." Wayne said as he extends his hand to shake Griffin's.
…...
It was easier for Monica to plan her wedding things with some time by herself. She called up Kerry and Ally to help her plan things. Kerry came by and had stuff all laid out before her. After about 20 or so minutes Ally drops by with Pam at her heels, to help plan Monica and Griffin's wedding. All 4 women spent about 3 hours discussing the plans. Ally was going over hair styles with Monica, and Pam had the reception reserve for the evening that Friday night.
"Well, my husband is an electric and he can figure a few gadgets out for you down by the lake. And plus I use to be a DJ and got the songs selected." Pam suggested.
"You have the list of songs?" Monica asks.
"Well… Kristin's husband came by one day and said that Griffin had a surprise for you during the reception. I didn't ask I just went along for the ride." Pam said.
Monica turns onto Kerry, "You know what he is planning to do."
"Honestly Monica I'm just as clueless as you are. But whatever Roan has plan, I'm sure it's going to be really special for you." Kerry smiles.
"So you ready to go find your dress?" Ally said in a excited note.
"Is that why you gathered Pam here too?" Monica asks.
"Yes. Come on Monica, you're getting married, and you need our help, so let's get your purse and go.." Ally exclaim.
Monica abandons the bride magazines and heads out with Ally, Kerry, and Pam. All four women went to Ellie for some help. Monica remembers this place, this is where she brought the sparkling dress that made Griffin's eyes lit up when he saw her in it. Monica will never forget his expression when she looked at him that night. And there was a moment of weakness where she was going to kiss him for the very first time at the Mexican party when he taught her the Salsa.
When the all walk in the doors Ellie looks up to find them walking towards her, "Kerry, Ally, Pam. What a surprise visit from you girls. Oh and Monica. So what can I do you women?"
"Ellie as you know that Monica is getting married." Kerry explains.
"Yes….the whole town knows that Roan is engaged." Ellie smiles.
"Well…Monica needs a dress and the styles for her bride's maids too." Ally explains.
"Since you fixed me up with that dress back in December, I can really use your help with my wedding Ellie." Monica smiles.
"Oh…well sure. I have a great selection of styles that you will love. And Al, Kerry, and Pam you can be my judges on what is 'the' dress for Monica." Ellie explains as she guides the group of women to the bride section of the store.
Monica walks up to several dresses and smiles at each one of them. She still can't believe that she is getting married. Ally and Pam were making side notes as Kerry helps to assist Monica and Ellie.
"So Monica, what kind of style you're looking at?" Ellie asks.
Monica turns to her and explains what she doesn't like and the styles she wants. "Nothing too lacy, or puffy." Monica tried on 30 different wedding dresses and still nothing truly called on her about 'the' dress. The women were in the bridal shop for 2 in a half hours until Ellie found a white wedding dress with an off white flower pattern around the breast line, and flows down the stomach until it fades out into the silk white of the flows to the floor. It had skinning straps that hugs around Monica's small shoulders and the dress cuts down to her backside to show off her shoulder blades and the middle of her back. The straps had small diamond like jewels that sparkles in the light that made Monica glow like a princess. Monica tries it on and looks her image in the mirror and little happy tears came out of her eyes.
"Come on Monica…we would like to see it?" Ally voice rang out.
Monica took a deep breath as she steps out of the dressing room and goes to her group of friends. When Monica arrives all three women including Ellie had tears in their eyes. Kerry was the first to speak it, "Oh Monica…..you are just so beautiful. That is 'the' dress."
Monica smiles brightly as more tears flooded her eyes. She has been waiting all her life for this moment. Although Monica is feeling happy moment with her close best friend on earth, she also really wants this moment to be her and Tess.
Pam and Ally stared at Monica in awe and they both say together, "Oh my God….Monica you have to get this dress this is the dress for you."
Ellie smiles at the group and whispers to Monica, "You are a lucky woman Monica, to love a man like Roan Griffin. And you just absolutely gorgeous with this dress."
Monica smiles brighter, "You knew that we will end up together huh?"
Ellie snickers, "Monica….I saw the look between the two of you when he first brought you in here. He loves you very much, and the way you made his eyes sparkle when you came out with that dress he was a goner. And the look you gave him was love Monica. So yeah I knew that he will choose you in the end. He found his true love and you are his true love Monica."
Monica said nothing but smiled to Ellie for her thanks, "So how much is this dress?"
"Oh you don't need to worry about that right now….now we need to go over your bride's maids dresses. Do you got any ideas in mind?" Ellie asks.
"Yes, I do." Monica replies as she goes back into the changing room to put on her actual cloths to discuss with Ellie her bride's maid dress. Monica laid out her ideas to Ellie and told her exactly what she wanted. Ellie smiles and told her that she will have the dress ready in a few days.
"So how many brides' maids are you planning to have?" Ellie asks.
Monica looks to Pam, Ally, and Kerry then back to Ellie, "6 brides' maids."
"Six? How many brides' maids do you need?" Pam asks.
"Shush it's her wedding she can have as many as she likes!" Ally snapped.
"I have 6 for you Ally, Kristin, Kerry, Griffin's daughter, and my friend Gloria." Monica explains.
"Ah…and do you have someone in mind for you Maid of Honor?" Pam asks.
"Well we don't need to decide that right now." Ellie points out, "I just need a total of number so I can see how much to order."
By the time they were done with their girl day, it was just about 3 and Monica needs to head to the cake shop and wait for Griffin. Monica was going to pay for the dress when Kerry and Pam pulls her aside, "Monica….we can pay for your dress, we all chipped in to help with your wedding."
"Oh that's really sweet, but I will like to buy it." Monica insisted.
"It's about 400 dollars?" Pam said.
"I know….I'm going to get married only once." Monica said.
"How about this we split the cost of your wedding stuff, okay." Kerry said.
"Sounds like you guys really don't want me to spend money huh?" Monica giggles.
"That's exactly what we are trying to stop you from doing so." Pam said.
Monica smiles and pays for the heels and half pays for the dress. Monica thanks Ellie for everything and will be back Saturday with her order of brides' maid dresses. Pam and Ally left to go Jennifer's party, while Monica and Kerry goes back home to drop off the dress. Just when the two women walks out to put Monica's wedding dress in Monica's car a man about 35 to 40 was pacing the streets looking confused and lost. Monica caught a glance at this man and notices a teddy bear in his arms and knows for certain that it was Joey and Mr. Beans.
"Monica what is it?" Kerry asks.
"Give me a minute Kerry." Monica said and moves away from the red Cadillac and walks up to Joey, "Joey?"
Joey stops and looks into Monica's soft brown eyes, "Monica….why are you here?"
"I live here." Monica answers, "Where's Wayne?"
"He's at work, and told me to stay with Aunt Mary…but I don't like her…..she is scary and she hates me….so I left and I don't know where….where Wayne is…Can you find him…you always find him…" Joey scampers.
"Joey…Joey…where is your brother's work?" Monica asks.
"He…he….he gave me this number, and this address….but I don't know where it is…" Joey wonders.
"Okay…Do you know where your Aunt lives?" Monica asks.
"No…I remember walking down Oak Street…and past the Old MCkindly bakery but I can't remember." Joey's eyes dart from side to side. "Why are you here? Are you here to help Wayne settle in this town?"
"Joey….Joey…I…" Monica wanted to explain to Joey that she isn't an angel but she knows that he will never truly understand.
Kerry came up to Monica, "Monica do you know this man?"
"Yes….I helped him and his brother out way before I came here." Monica briefly explains.
"She's my angel." Joey smiles.
Kerry looks to Monica with a confused look on her face, as Monica told her, "It's a long story." Then Monica turns her attention back to Joey, "Joey….listen to me, Where did your brother said that where he works?"
Joey hesitated for a moment or two, and then the information came to him, "The 24th NY Police department." Monica turns to Kerry, "Can you drive my dress to your house, I don't want you know who to see it before the wedding."
"Sure. What about him?" Kerry points to Joey.
"I'm going to take him to his brother; he works at the same department as my fiancé does. Thanks for everything Kerry for…" Monica said.
"No problem. We'll talk later." Kerry said as she goes back to Monica's car to take the dress and puts it in hers.
After when Kerry left Monica leads Joey to the car. Monica knows where Griffin's work is at and figures it was the best way to take Joey there instead of driving all over this town to find his aunt's place. "So why did you leave Joey?"
"I…I..don't know…I wanted to surprise my brother with something and forgot what I went out, and….then…I….I got lost." Joey explains, "So who's…..getting….married. Wayne?" Monica smiles to Joey and wasn't going to tell him that she was.
…...
Griffin took Wayne out a small patrol to scan for speeders or any unnecessary behavior out in the streets of Gracie. Griffin made a list of songs he was going to play for the wedding and the list of his grooms men. Wayne caught on what he was doing and asks him, "So….you're planning your big day?"
Griffin chuckles, "Yeah how can you tell?"
"I did the same thing when I first got married to." Wayne smiles.
"You're married?" Griffin asks.
"I was, until my wife was killed in the school of the town I moved out of. She was a teacher there." Wayne said.
"I'm sorry." Griffin looks at Wayne.
"Thanks. Which is why I moved away. Too much pain and memories of her I can't escape from." Wayne confesses. "Anyways….so who is the lucky woman?"
Griffin looks up from his plannings and looks to Wayne, "Her name is Monica."
Wayne smiles and nods, as he remembers his old angel friend with the same name. He wonders if she still is helping people like she has done with him and his brother for so long. "You know I have a friend named Monica too. She was sweet, and kind and helped my brother out when my parents got killed."
Griffin looks to Wayne and knows that sounds like his fiancé. "Funny that's what my fiancé used to do. Help people. In fact I'm suppose to meet my fiancé at 3 for cake testing."
"What time is it?" Wayne asks.
"It's about 2:40 now. Do you mind if we stop and continue this another time. Your training doesn't start until tomorrow anyways." Griffin stated.
"Sure….if you got to meet your fiancé for cake then that's more important." Wayne smiles. "You know Sergeant I've had been a cop before, I was a cop back where I used to live. I just…need to my hours to take the exam so I can work here."
"I kind of figure you were already an experience cop. Because you're not asking me any rookie questions just personal ones." Griffin chuckles.
"If you don't want me to I won't." Wayne suggested.
"No it's fine….you're going to hear it anyways in this small town, so you might as well here it from me." Griffin said as he pulls the car into its proper place.
"So when is your wedding?" Wayne asks as he walks with Griffin to his desk.
"Two weeks from this Friday. The wedding is at 5:00 PM. My fiancé wants the reception at sunset over the lake." Griffin smiles.
"Sounds nice. Your fiancé seems to be a lucky woman." Wayne smiles remembering his wife.
"Well there is a good chance that you will meet her." Griffin smiles.
"Maybe some other time, I still have to fill out some forms and that, and get home before my brother worries." Wayne said, as he grabs his coat and walks with Griffin to the front building.
Griffin smiles as he sees Monica's red Cadillac pull up to the station and was surprise to find her a bit early. Griffin looks to Wayne and a confused look came upon his face when Wayne connected the dots and figures out that the same Monica he once knew is in love. But the moment of confusion went away in Wayne's eyes as a strange 35 year old man came to him. Griffin thought that this man can't be much older than Lenny is now. Monica soon follows after this man and looks apologic to Griffin, and then she looks at Wayne.
…
"Wayne…" Joey's voice rings out as soon as he spotted him with a police detective.
"Joey?" Wayne said not in a happy tone.
"I…I…forgot where you worked….and Monica….remember Monica….she's come to help you…..With what I forgot….but she's here…Oh Wayne….I left Aunt's for something….and I…I…I.." Joey went on.
Wayne was about to blow a fuse when Monica steps in the neck of time to not let Joey get hurt by anger, "Joey…Joey…look at me, your fine now..you got your brother. Everything is going to be fine. Okay."
Joey nods and smiles up at his brother. Then Wayne calmly told Joey to get in the car, "Joey…get in the truck."
"But….Wayne.." Joey tries to protest.
"Joey…" Wayne advises. And without another word Joey goes to the blue and white truck and hops in without another word spoken.
Monica turns to Wayne, "I'm sorry Wayne about that I found Joey wondering the streets and I don't know where to take him."
Wayne looks to her, "Are you here on angel business or something?"
Monica looks to Griffin and then back to Wayne,"Wayne….I…I'm not an angel anymore."
Wayne looks to her in confusion, "What?"
Griffin looks to Monica and knows this was one of her friends from her past life. Without saying the words Monica told Griffin with her eyes, it will take me a few moments. Griffin nods and walks to Monica's car.
Monica finally rests her gaze back to Wayne, "Wayne….I know this is real sudden for you, and you and I go way back. I will make this as quick as possible okay. I fell from Grace to be human."
Wayne looks at her in shock, "Why is that?"
"Because I…." Monica pauses, and then sighs when she spoke the words, "I fell in love."
Wayne looks at her oddly, "But angels can't…."
"Well we do….even angels have downfalls like humans do. And the man you were talking to…..that is my fiancé, and the guy I fell for." Monica confesses.
Wayne looks where Griffin stood beside Monica's car, and a sad smile came on his face, "You know you were always the strong hold in my life Monica. I always believed that you were off someplace helping people like you done with me and Joey. I never expect to transfer here to be partners with your fiancé."
Monica gave a kind smile to him, "Well….I didn't plan on falling in love…..it just happen. But maybe God pointed you here for a reason. You know he always has some kind of plan that neither humans nor angels understand his plan. But we follow him, because we want to. And his plan is always better than ours. I choose my life to live human instead of the life I've always known because I know my heart can't live in two worlds. And I lost my heart to my fiancé once, and I know that my heart is on earth instead of in heaven."
Wayne smiles to her and still a little hurt by seeing his once good friend left her ways to be human. "Well….I have to take of Joey. Thanks for all your help Monica."
Monica smiles, "Your welcome. I have to go to my family now. Take care of Joey, and Wayne….try not to be so hard on him. He needs you to be the stronger brother than he is."Wayne nods, and heads for his brother. Monica watches Wayne and Joey talking to one another and after seeing Joey smiles to her she heads to be with her fiancé.
Griffin looks to her, "Old friend?"
Monica looks back at him and replies, "Yes. Wayne and Joey go way back. When I was starting out as my first year as a caseworker of an angel, I was there to be Wayne's angel. And Joey….he is a little challenged at times. When his parents died in a car crash Joey developed this pathologically or paranoia about the dark, and ever since then he wasn't able to recover from it."
Griffin strokes Monica's hand and looks into her eyes, "He seems to be clam with you."
"I was there to help him through the tough times and he trusts me. Plus he still thinks I'm an angel." Monica admitted.
"He does, Mon…you have to tell him." Griffin advices.
"Griffin I will love to explain that to him, but his mind can't comprehend it." Monica tries to explain to Griffin with Joey's condition.
"Is he mentally challenged?" Griffin asks.
"I don't know…I'm not a doctor Griffin. I don't know Joey's case." Monica said. Griffin could see that Monica was getting a little frustrated with this topic so he switches to a new one to get her off of this mode, "So…did you find a dress?"
Monica turns to him, and it took her a moment for her to respond, and she smiles brightly to his question, "Yes. And I have to go back to the shop were you took me after Christmas…..to get me a dress."
Griffin smiles to that, and remembers that night when they danced together, "Yeah I remember…that was the first time I open my eyes, and when you came into that room with that dress, you made my heart stop in that moment. That was when I knew I was falling for you."
Monica smiles and wanted to continue on with her thought, but her head was inching towards Griffin to kiss him. Griffin recognized with Monica was thinking and he himself came closer to have a passionate lip lock with her as they sat in her car. It took about 2 minutes before Monica could focus again, but each time she stares into those blue eyes, her mind winds up drowning in his whirlpool gaze. "Shall we go get Sarah and we could get our cake testing in?" Griffin laughs and nods as Monica starts up the car and drives to Chris's house to pick up their daughter.
…...
Kristin was working in the bakery when Monica, Sarah and Griffin arrive at the store. There was over 50 selects on to choose the perfect cake for their wedding. Monica looks to Griffin and said, "Griffin….there is a lot a cake here. How are we going to choose the one for our wedding?"
Griffin looks to her and then to Sarah, "Well that's why little Sarah is here to help decied on our cake. Right sweet heart."
"Yep. So which one do you want to start Monica?" Sarah asks.
Monica smiles and gazes around the store. Kristin came out and looks at Monica and Griffin, "Well…nice to see you two to stop by. So Monica have you decide a cake yet?"
"Actually no I haven't…..I don't even know where to began to look for one." Monica admitted.
"Well there are tons of choices here." Kristin pointed out.
"You're not kidding with that." Monica gazes at the different selections.
"Do you want me to help you decide on one?" Kristin asks.
Monica looks at Griffin and Sarah and shook her head, "Thanks Kristin but I think it has to be between us family to decide on it."
Kristin nodded and smiles, "Completely understand. Well I'll be in the store just hunt me down when you find one or that you need some advice or something. I'm here to help."
Monica smiles to her, "Thanks."
Monica goes to one that looks good on the outside but she tried one, and her face squinted at the taste of it. Griffin notices it, "What too awful or something?"
"No, just a wee bit too sweet." Monica smiles, and hands the fork to her fiancé to have a taste at it.
Griffin took a taste of the small bit, and he did the same reaction as Monica did, "Yeah you're right it is a bit too sweet." Monica giggles and places the fork down on the paper plate.
It took Monica and Griffin about an hour and a half to find one, and just when they were about to call Kristin back over Sarah had found one, "Hey I think I found one that you guys will like!"
Monica abandons the one she was studying, and wonders over to where Sarah was at. The cake Sarah found was a white frosting cake with a real strawberries swirl in the layers of the cake. And the cake had a 2 layers of it, and on the sides of the cake was small white doves holding two branches with a wedding band around them. At the top of the cake there is pale pink roses and a small figure of a bride and groom together with the symbol of a cross in back of them. Monica eyes the beauty of the art of the wedding cake and fell in love with the symbol and the meaning behind it. Then Sarah had tasted it and looks to Monica, "Monica…I think this is your cake. Have a taste test?"
Monica looks to Griffin and then to Sarah, and took a taste of the sample of the cake. With one taste, Monica's eyes lit up and she smiles to the taste. "Okay…Griffin, honey I'm sure this is the cake."
Griffin had a taste test with it, and he too agreed, "Well….I guess I can order it huh?"
Sarah said, "Defiantly, plus dad, it so fits with Monica's background. I mean you did fell in love with an ang…." Sarah pauses when she almost blurted out the words. "I mean…a Christian girl."
Just then Kristin came to them, "So you found one yet?"
"Yes I'm sure we did. The cake number that is 1249." Monica said reading the cake number for the ordering.
Kristin smiles to Monica and Griffin's choice, "That is a great choice, I made it myself. Okay, so do you want the order to be place now, and I can have it read to you on the day of your wedding."
Griffin smiles, "That will be great."
Kristin smiles to him and it took her about 15 minutes to have the order shipped, "Okay, I will have it ready for you on the 20th of August, at what is the place for your reception?"
Monica smiles, "Angel Falls Lake."
Kristin looks at Monica and then to Griffin, "Never really did had a wedding reception out on a lake before, but I'm sure it is going to be great."After they paid for the order, Griffin places Sarah on his shoulders, and they all go home.
…...
Griffin decides to order some pizza as the very eventful day slow came to an end. Tomorrow his work swifts starts at 7:30 in the morning and he won't get out until 9:30. Monica knows that because of his new hours of training, although she misses his warmth in the evening, and wishes he could go back to his regular schedule of working from 8:00 from 4:30.
After dinner, Sarah goes out in the backyard to her tree house to camp out. Monica goes to the back porch to watch Sarah climb the tree and disappears through the darken door of the little house up in the tree. Monica had her sleeping bag, and pillow waiting for Sarah to stick her head out. "Are you sure you want to sleep up there?" Monica calls out.
"Yes….it's my own tree fort. I always spend a night up here sometime in the summer. And I want to tonight." Sarah says coming down the pirate rope.
Griffin came out with a small lamp, and hands it to his daughter, as he stood beside Monica. "Just in case you need to see or something."
"Hehe... thanks dad. See you two in the morning…..or sometime. Goodnight." Sarah smiles and gives both of them a hug and kiss goodnight.
"Goodnight baby." Griffin smiles and watches his daughter climb the tree later until she was on the small porch before going inside the small house.
Sarah waited later before laying her stuff out on the small carpeted room and watches as her father and her soon to be mother walk together armed linked inside the house. After seeing her two parents go inside the house Sarah goes up the small ladder to the small little room that was glowing with fake stars as she stares out her small tree house widow up at the starlight sky. And Sarah thanked God in her prayer for having Monica in her life. Sarah went to an old board in the floor of her upper level in the tree house and pulls out the board. Then carefully Sarah pulls out an old jewelry box she made back in preschool, and inside of the old wooden back was a small worn out picture of her mom.
It was a family picture when Sarah was just 4 years old in a red dress with small white shoes and her mom in a blue sweater with black kakis and her dad in his usual blue suite. At that point in Sarah's life her family was happy. Until later on that year, she saw her mom with another man. Sarah had only seen this man once in her life, was when her mother snuck off to meet him by the old sycamore tree just past her tree house before entering the small woods back of the house. Sarah's mom had no idea that night that her daughter snuck out to the old tree house to watch the stars and to see her grandmother. Until Sarah found the guy that was not her daddy, and her mom was kissing him very heavily, as the two of them disappear behind the thick brush.
At the memory of her mother then, Sarah had tears coming out of her eyes. Now 7 years later she know knows that her mother had an affair with her dad, it choose her carefree life instead of her. Looking at the picture of her mother made her cry even more as she shoves the old photo back into the box, and throws the box back into the hiding spot as Sarah climbs out down from the small ladder and to the main part of her tree house. Sarah huddles at the small corner of her little home and cries, until a familiar voice rang through her ears softly. "Sarah….Sarah baby….don't cry. Just breathe…."
Sarah looks around but sees nothing, but still that voice was calming her down. It was almost like Monica's but it was not. Very softly Sarah calls out to the strange voice, "Hello….." Sarah tries to hear the voice but it was gone. Sarah walks out to the porch but all Sarah heard was the noises of the night and not the soft warm voice that calmed her broken heart after her memory on her mother. Sarah wanders back into the tree house to close her eyes for the night.
….
Monica looks to Griffin, "Does she always sleeps in there?"
Griffin laughs, "Yeah….she tries to make a annual summer thing to sleep up in the tree house that I made for her back when she was in kindergarten. Since Crystal was out of town Sarah really wanted one, so me and Chris and my dad all worked hard to build it for her. And my dad had this idea to build the house porch so it goes all the way around the house to support it. And he also built the upper portion of it. Sarah did only one thing which was the pirate rope. Ever since we built that for her she always planes to sleep in there."
Monica smiles to him, "You built that?"
"Yeah….some of it, but it was mostly my dad that built it for her." Griffin smiles as Monica snuggles against Griffin's chest as they listen to the night time out down by the small river. The moon shone brightly on them, as Griffin laid hot kisses on Monica's bare shoulders as well as her neck. Monica giggles lightly to Griffin's touch as he carefully kisses her shoulders and neck.
Monica lifts her head to look at Griffin's dark eyes, and she slowly crashes her lips to his, as both of them made out down by the river that runs to the side yard of Griffin's home to the backyard then to the woods. Monica was so deep in the moment that she forgotten about God's rule. Until she felt herself to grow numb to Griffin's kisses and she slowly loses herself in him. In wasn't until when Griffin was leaving deep kisses on her neck that Monica knows they were crossing the lines again.
"Griffin…..Griff…" Monica was saying as she shudders to Griffin's touch. At the moment when Monica shuddered Griffin had notice what they were about to do, and he pulls back and out of Monica's embrace. Breathing deeply he stares at her.
"Monica…I'm….so…" Griffin tries to apologize but Monica shushed him with her finger.
"Griffin….I not mad at you….we were just acting on what comes naturally for two people that are very much in love with each other. And I know we are both trying so hard not to cross that line. But sometimes I get caught up in the moment…..and I lose myself in you Griffin….."Monica said in a terrified voice.
Griffin came to her and nuzzle his nose to hers and softly whispers, "I should have stopped it before I got carried away. I'm sorry about that."
Monica then smiles to him and kisses him lightly this time, "I know you are. And I know that you weren't doing it on purpose. Just I never been there before, and it's very frightening for me. But in the same time….." Monica looks straight into Griffin's eyes, "I actually really melted and feel loved when you kissed me like that." With Monica's statement made Griffin grin, but Monica pulls back, "Just don't make it a habit of kissing me like that when I am not ready for it okay"
Griffin smiles, "Okay. I won't. Until you are ready for me to love you, I'll just stick to light making out." Monica giggles to Griffin's comment and snuggles her body in with his as they watch the stars above them.
….
The next morning Griffin awoke with Monica still fast asleep next to him. He knew that he had to leave early because of his new training, but looking at her that morning, made him hurt to leave the beautiful site of his fiancé. He loves the way that her hand was place gently under her chin, as she dreamed of a far off place that no one knows but her. Griffin bends down to kiss her cheek, and he slowly moves out of her embrace, and disappears in the small bathroom of his room.
Griffin peered into the bathroom that once used to been his, but about 5 weeks ago, Monica sold her apartment, and Sarah, Monica, Chris, Kristin and Kerry, and him all helped Monica to move out of her apartment and into his house. And Griffin smiles to the idea of Monica living here permanently. He glances at her pink towels, and her lavender scented deodorant, and her pink and white tooth brush. Taking off his shirt and his shorts, and boxers, he climbs into the shower and let the hot water run over his body and cleansing him from the night, and making him fresh and new again.
Monica awoke to the empty space beside her, and the sound of the water running told her that Griffin was in the shower getting ready for work. Still half drowsy Monica rolls over to glance at the alarm clock, and it read 5:29 am. Monica rolls over until her fiancé was out of the shower. It took her fiancé about 10 minutes to take a shower and another 5 minutes to get dress.
They were not yet married, so Griffin got dress in the bathroom instead of out in his actual room were Monica was. As soon as Griffin felt that he looked good, he hug the towel up on the shower Curtin rack, and opens the door to find Monica still fast asleep. Griffin moves to the end of the bed to find his shoes, and a pair of socks. As he puts on one of his socks on his feet he felt Monica's touch on his back. Griffin turns to her, "Go back to sleep, Mon…"
Monica looks to him, "I would, but I wanted to kiss you before you go." Monica smiles to her fiancé and her lips came near his. Griffin kissed her, and she felt so in love with her fiancé that she wanted to kiss him like that forever. Monica felt Griffin's strong arms around her small waist and holds her in place, as her hands went up into his wet hair and to his neck. They kissed like that for a while longer when Griffin pulls back. Monica looks into his eyes, "Guess you are really sticking to your light making out huh."
Griffin chuckles to Monica's comment, "yes…for now, until August 20th when you want me to go deeper. Plus if I do the thing what I did last night, then I will never leave this bed and your embrace."
Monica giggles and nuzzles her nose to his, "Well, I don't want you to be late, so go save lives." Griffin kisses her again softly and pulls out before Monica had a chance to sinking into it. Just before Griffin left the room, Monica calls to him, "And Griffin, try to go easy on Wayne."
Griffin softly replies, "I will…I love you Mon."
Monica replies back, "I love you too." And Monica closes her eyes and smiles to the memory of Griffin's lips to hers. The thought of Griffin kissing her, made Monica miss her fiancé even more. So Monica rolls over to Griffin's side to soak in all of his manly scent and nuzzles her face in his pillow.
…...
Just past 8:30 Monica awoke again, when she heard the tv going on downstairs. She knows that it was Sarah watching her morning cartoons. Look at the time, she gets up combs through her hair and walks down the stairs and to the living room to find Sarah in her pjs on the sofa. Monica came to her and smiles, "Morning sunshine."
Sarah turns around and smiles back, "morning to you too….you slept in this morning didn't you."
Monica came to sit on the sofa with her, "only for an hour or so."
Sarah smiles, "Did my daddy leave?"
Monica nods, "He has to for the next 6 to 8 weeks. He's training a new cop."
Sarah looks down, "Well not for long, because of your wedding, and your honeymoon."
"That's true, but after our time alone as newlyweds, he still has to finish up his weeks. So until then I'm all yours, until the wedding, and then after the wedding." Monica replies.
"Did you fill out the adoption papers yet?" Sarah asks.
"Yes I did. Now all I need a court judge to approve them, and I can officially have you as my daughter." Monica smiles.
Sarah's smile just got bigger when Monica called her, her daughter. And Sarah abandons her spot and came to sit next to Monica. "So got any more wedding planning to do?"
Monica looks at Sarah, and answers, "Yes, but not right now. Right now I figure to just hang with you."
Sarah smiles to that and looks up at Monica, "I'm glad you want us to hang together but I kind of had plans with Julia again. I'm giving you time so you can have peace and quiet to figure out your plans before your big day. But don't worry, I still love you, and will always be grateful for our time together as mother and daughter. And I know how weddings can be stressful, so I'm giving you and my daddy some time to figure it out."
Monica smiles, "You know Sarah you are growing up so fast, since I first met you. Is there any way to make you stop?"
Sarah laughs, "Hate to say the words, but no. I'm growing up, and there isn't anything you can do to stop it from happening."
Monica smiles to her, and then tickles Sarah's belly, which made the girl laugh even harder. Monica and Sarah both laughed until their sides ache, and when they finally pulled themselves together, the door bell rung. Monica got up and came to the door to find, Kristin at the door with Julia and Emmalin.
Kristin looked at Monica and smiled, "Still in your pjs."
"Had a late night, and slept in." Monica admitted.
"Is Sarah ready?" Julia asks.
"Yeah," Monica smiles, "Sarah, honey your friends are here."
Two minutes later Sarah came to the door, and was about to rush out, when Monica stopped her, "You know I'm waiting for a hug,"
"Right sorry," Sarah smiles, and embraces Monica as she hugged her goodbye. "Have fun." Monica whispers to her.
"I will," Sarah replies and runs off with Julia, and Emmalin, as she waves goodbye to Monica.
Monica waves back, and watches Kristin pull away with the car full of young girls. Having the house empty again, Monica dashes up to take a nice hot long shower, and to freshen up before starting on her wedding plans. When Monica finishes with her morning coffee after her shower, she cracks open a note book and started writing her vows. Monica was writing her words she was going to say to Griffin, and in the middle of her writing, there was a knock at the door. Looking at the kitchen clock it read 12:10 pm, and Kristin was supposed to bring Sarah back around 3. Shrugging Monica sets down her pencil and wonders to the door. When Monica opens the door she froze in her tracks as the man before her stood there as speechless as she was. After a moment of awkwardness and shock, Monica spoke out, "Andrew?...What, um…what are you doing here?"
…...
Griffin had an early start and showed Wayne on what to do during his patrol shifts. After about 3 hours of patrolling the streets Griffin asks Wayne on how he knew Monica, "So, how long have you known my fiancé?"
Wayne didn't made eye contacted and scans the roads for any bad behavior, "For more than 4 or 5 years, can't remember." Then finally Wayne looks his way, "She really loves you."
Griffin looks at him, "I know. I see it in her eyes, as the same love I feel for her reflects back in her eyes."
Wayne smiles to him, "I know, I seen you two kissing yesterday in her car. And the way she kissed you, I know that she is in love."
Griffin looks back at his partner and notices his sadness, "Wayne, I'm sorry that you lost your wife."
Wayne nods, "Everyone does. But life moves on, I got to move along with it. But I'll never stop missing her, and my heart can never fully heal from the loss of my wife."
Griffin said nothing for a while, and then he looks at him, "Wayne, I know I just met you, but how would you like to come to my wedding?"
"Really? You are asking me?" Wayne raises an eyebrow to him.
"Well, Monica doesn't really have much of a family, and since you clam that you had a long time friendship with her, you are just as close to the family Monica has." Griffin smiles. "I just want her to have a beautiful wedding, and for her to be surrounded by the people she has loved over the years."
Wayne smiles to him, "You know you are a good guy Griffin. For giving this to her."
"So is that a yes?" Griffin asks.
"Yes, so when is your wedding?" Wayne replies.
"Friday August 20th at 5:00 pm." Griffin smiles.
"That is about 10 days from now." Wayne said.
"I know, and I got my vows made up, now I'm working on a special thing for her." Griffin smiles.
Wayne smiles, and notices a car speeding ahead, "Speeder 1:00"
Griffin caught sight of the speeder and grins to his partner, "You do the honors." Wayne smiles to Griffin, and flips on the sirens as Griffin steps on the gas, and chased after the speeder.
…...
Monica stood beside the door and looks at Andrew, as he too was still shocked and nothing to say to her. Then he took a breath spoke the words, "Monica….I came here to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything I have done to you and for you relationship to Roan Griffin, and I'm sorry for all of the things I said to you."
Monica was confused and squinted her eyes out of confusion, "Andrew, what are you apolozing for?"
Andrew didn't met her gaze, "For pulling you away from him, and saying you don't belong to him."
Monica looks down to and now knows that Andrew came here to reconcile their friendship again. Monica then looks at him, and gave a little smile to him, "Do you want something to drink?"
Andrew nods, "just some water."
Monica nods, and was about to go in, and then asks, "Would you like to come in or no?"
Andrew shook his head, "I prefer if we talked out here."
Monica nods, and closes the door. It took her about 2 minutes to get the water ready and goes back out to Andrew and notice he was sitting in one of the small porch chairs beside the swing. Monica hands him the glass of water and seated herself in the opposite chair. Still feeling awkward and nervous to be by him, after what they both had done to their friendship.
Finally Andrew was the one that broke the silence between them, "So I heard that you are getting married."
Monica looks at her ring, "Yeah….10 days from now."
Andrew nods, "you a bit nervous to."
Monica smiles, "yeah, I mean it's not the part of walking down the aisle to stand there and say my vows. The frightening part is to live my life out of love and the marriage. But I have done it all my life, I don't see how this can be any different."
Andrew looks to her, "Because you are human, and you sacrifice you heavenly existence for him."
Monica looks to him, "Why didn't you come to say goodbye to me? Besides Tess, I really wanted to say goodbye to you, but you didn't show. Why?"
Andrew took a deep breath and then looked to her, "Because I was hurt, and angry at myself for saying those things to you. And you broke my heart by slapping me in the face, and calling me a son of bitch. I did come to see you jump, I watched you and when you jumped I knew I lost you forever."
Monica looks at Andrew, and reaches for his hand, "Andrew, I'm truly am sorry for saying those words to you, and for slapping you. I was hurt and angry at what happen to me that day, and I took it out on you. And since then, I wish I can take it back. I felt so guilty for doing that."
Andrew looks into Monica's soft brown eyes, and squeezes her hand with his, "You were right for saying those things to me. I really was the son of a bitch that kept you from the greatest man that loves you. I heard his prayer what he prayed on Father's Day. You've changed him Monica. You were the perfect angel for him and his daughter."
Monica looks into Andrew's emerald green eyes, and was stunned to have him saying these words to her, "You heard his prayer?"
Andrew nods silently and returns Monica's gaze. "I was originally going to go see you that day, but saying you with your new family, I knew that it wasn't the best time for it, so I hold off. Then I got busy with Lenny, and other assignments. Then I saw you in the dress shop, and buying your dress. I knew that I had to come and see you. This empty and battled scared fabric of our friendship is killing me, so I decided to come and see you personally before you do walk down that aisle."
Monica looks at Andrew and notice he was half crying, "Oh Andrew…ever since I got engaged, the one thing I wanted to do was repair out broken friendship, but what I did to you, I didn't know if you will wanted me back as your friend. And this guilt of our broken friendship is also killing me as well."
Andrew looks to her and tries to smile, but her eyes, made Andrew want to cry an ocean for his lost love for her, and for their friendship. Finally Andrew said the words, "I miss you Monica…..I really….really miss you, as a friend. The one friend I have known forever, and the one friend I have fallen in love with."
Monica closes her eyes, as she tries to hold back the tears, "Andrew…."
Andrew looks at her and laces her fingers to his, "Monica….I know that you are in love with someone else, but I just got to know. If you never had cross paths with Roan Griffin, is there any chance that you feel the same way I feel for you now."
Monica looks at Andrew for a moment and looks to the floor and then back at him. "If I never had, then yes I would eventually fall for you too, but that is not my path anymore to go on. I choose to give my love to Roan, and that is what I'm going to do. Andrew…why do you keep tutoring yourself with this? You know I can't love you back."
Andrew nods and does not meet Monica's gaze, "I know. It is just so hard, to let my love for you go. Do you have any idea how long I have loved you?" Monica shook her head. And Andrew continues, "I have loved you for eight years Monica….eight years, ever since we first danced at the bar, and when I first met you."
Monica looks down at her engaged hand, and then to Andrew, "I'm sorry for that Andrew. But I see us just as friends, and if you add romance feelings in with our friendship, it's a whole different ball game. I don't want to spoil our friendship with potential break ups, and then intimacy, which is why I never allow myself to fall for you because you are one of my best friends that any angel could have. I value my love for you more as a friend than a lover, over the past eight years as an angel."
Andrew looks to her, "Really?"
Monica nods, "You, Tess, and Gloria are my best of friends that God has blessed me with. And I don't want romance to destroy our friendship if something did ever go wrong with us. Like kind of what it is doing now."
Andrew had to admit Monica did have a point, even though he is still in love with her, "I know, but it is so hard not to love you."
Monica smiles at him, and nods, "So….are we friends again?"
Andrew looks to her, and a sad smile came upon his face, "Monica we have always been friends. But yes we're friends again."
Monica gave a nervous smile to him, "Andrew….I know that you will probably not come, consider that you will always be in love with me and it will kill you to see me marry another guy, but I will really love to have you at my wedding when I marry Roan."
Andrew looks to her and he surprised her by replying yes, "Okay."
Monica was taken aback by Andrew's remark, "What?"
Andrew looks in Monica's eyes, "I said okay to attend to your wedding. I think I can mange seeing your happy face on the biggest day of your life. Besides, you always wanted this to happen to you. And you fell in love with a man that will love you until the end of time. He makes you happy, and that's what matters. Although it hurts like hell to watch you share love and happiness to another guy, but me."
Monica looks at Andrew, and moves out of her seat, and sits by him. Then Monica came close to Andrew, and gently pulls him into her embrace, and hugs him deeply, to show him that she still cares for him, and hates to see him hurting. In that moment when Monica was hugging Andrew, Andrew lost it, and cries in his best friend's shoulder for all of the hurt and pain that Andrew had bottled up over the months ever since Monica choose Griffin over him. It took Andrew a few minutes to pull himself together then looks at Monica through tear glazed eyes.
Monica was the first to speak, "I still care about you Andrew, and love you."
Andrew nods, and took a deep breath, and wipe the reminding tears in his eyes away, "I should uh…get going."
Monica agrees, "I should get back to planning, have some stuff to do yet for the big day, plus Sarah is going to be here soon."
Andrew gave a little friendly smile, "So when is your wedding?"
Monica smiles back, "Friday August 20th at 5:00, at St. Paul's Church. And the reception is out on Angel Falls Lake."
Andrew nods, "I'll inform the others for you."
Monica smiles to him, "Thanks….Andrew why are you doing this?"
Andrew looks back before climbing down the steps to Griffin's house, "Because I love you, and you deserve the best. I want you to have a happy ever after, the one happily ever after I can never give to you." And with that Andrew smiles and walks away.
Monica stood at the door in tears, of having Andrew to give her away to another guy. Monica had always wondered what life would be like if she and Andrew would have loved each other the way she and Griffin do. And having Andrew to walk away from his love for her, made Monica cry. She knows how much Andrew has loved her, and having her marring Griffin, kills him, but she knows that their friendship would never die. Monica soon pulls herself together, and went back to what she had wrote. She looks at the short paragraph and scratched it out. It took Monica over an hour to start off with something new, just when she was about to give up, she had this inspiration in her, and the ideas came. And this time when Monica wrote out her vows it was pure love and it came right from her heart. The heart that God had shown her all her life, and she was about to share it with Griffin.
…...
It was about 9:30 when Griffin's shift was about over. He made a phone call to Monica telling her that he is going to be a little late arriving home. Before the wedding Griffin wanted to surprise Monica with their honeymoon and he knows the perfect spot where to take her. Griffin pulls up to the nursing home to visit his dad. It was closing hours, and most people were gone. Griffin stopped by the desk, and told the on call nurse that he needs to see his father.
"I'm sorry sir, but um…visiting hours are over, come back around 9:30 tomorrow morning." The nurse said.
"Please, I really need to talk with my father. Seth Griffin." Griffin tries to reason with the nurse.
Just when the nurse spoke out the 4th time to Griffin, a black woman with gray hair came out helping an old woman to the other side of the wing. She pauses, by Griffin and the nurse and smiles, "You must be Roan Griffin."
Griffin looks at the old woman then to the nurse, "Yeah…I need to see my father, it's important."
"Tess I told him no, visiting hours are over, and that…" the nurse replies.
"Jessica, why don't you take Mrs. Shepherd to her room, and I can manage this for you." Tess replies. The young nurse rolls her eyes, and walks the old woman to her room. Then Tess turns on Griffin.
Griffin looks at her, with a curious look, "You're Tess?"
Tess smiles, "Well….it's about time I met the man that my angel girl fell in love with. And yes I am."
Griffin still had a funny look on his face and is still speechless to be talking to his fiance's best friend, "Are you here for Monica, or something?"
Tess gave a little laugh, "I'm here only temporary. Just until my baby gets married, then I'm off. So I might as well help out around here, until then."
"Well the wedding is not for another week yet." Griffin stated.
"I know. Just thought I hang around here, plus I'm do for a visit to see her, just not right now." Tess smiles.
Griffin smiles back, "Well I love to stay here and just talk, but I got to talk to my dad about something, and then get back to Monica."
Tess nods, "I know, why do you think I'm here, so you can."Griffin gave a bigger smile, then nodded his thanks, and started to walk off to his father's room.
…..
It was just sunset, when Seth was petting Rusty behind her ears, when a soft whisper from his dead wife spoke to him. Rusty begins to pick up the soft whispers too, and she begins to bark softly. "Ruth? Ruth….is that you?" Rusty begins to whimper and pacing back and forth sensing someone else in the room besides Seth. Seth looks at his dog, then asks her, "What's wrong girl….Rusty?"
Then Rusty just froze in place as she looks at someone behind him. Then the voice became crystal clear and Seth burst into tears when he heard his wife's voice call out his name, "Seth." Seth slowly turns around to see his wife glowing with heavenly light. Seth moves out of his small living room and goes to his wife's side, and begins to sob for his lost love for her, and to hold her once more.
Ruth fell into sobs too as she lightly kisses and holds onto her husband, as the two lovers slowly sink into an endless vortex of kissing and making out. It took them a full 20 minutes to get control of themselves but Seth was still hung up in his wife's beauty and love again. But Seth also knows that whatever Ruth came back here for, it wasn't to start all over where they last left off. After when Ruth settled in her husband's embrace on his bed, he finally asks her, "Why did you come back Ruth?"
Ruth was silent for a moment as she stroke her husband's chest and tangled her fingers in his chest hair, and then her gaze fell onto his, "I'm only here to watch our Roan to get married to Monica. The same reason that Tess, and Sam are here too. Then I have to go back."
Seth was quiet for a moment then gazes into her soft blue eyes, "You know that our son fell in love with an angel."
Ruth smiles, "Yes, which is why I came back. Everyone in heaven knows it. They call our son the next you and me. Because how I fell in love with you, and had kids."
Seth giggles, and his wife snuggles deeper against him, as Seth kisses Ruth's neck, and collarbone. Then he looks into her eyes, "Do you think that their marriage will last longer than ours?"
Ruth pauses in her rhythmic on Seth's chest, as she stares at him, "Honestly honey, I don't know. I'm not in control over Monica's future with our son. But I hope for their marriage to last for a lifetime, and that they will die together in each other's arms. I've known Monica for a long time now, and her heart, was made to love someone. God blessed her with that gift, and she will learn how to use it with her family. Tess had taught her right and I'm so proud to have her in our family."
Seth smiles, "Tess….your best friend Tess, had taught Monica?"
Ruth smiles, "Yes….she trained Monica, when she was a young angel, and starting off as a caseworker. Until she was promoted to a supervisor like Tess and I was, and then on her 2nd year as a supervisor, she fell in love with our son. I watched the whole thing, since Monica had her case here, I watched her closely. All the same face expressions she had her face whenever she was with our son, was the same look I had with you when I fell in love for the first time."
Seth strokes his wife's silver hair, and kisses her wrinkled face, neck, and even her chest. Ruth was about to surrender her love for him in that moment, but she knew she had to be the strong one here and not to give into her human emotions, "Seth…Seth…I can't….I'm not even suppose to be here, with you, because any moment now our son is going to come, and I can't be here when he does. He still doesn't know that I'm an angel that you have fell for, and I still don't want him to know. He loves me and all of his life he had a normal childhood without me being an angel, and that is how I want him to see that as."
Seth nods, "I know…..it just doesn't seem right to have you not there to see our son…our son…Ruth… to get married to the most beautiful, and loveable woman I have ever met, who loves our son."
Ruth's tears came out of her eyes, as she touches her husband's cheek, "I know, but I died. I can't come back from the dead. Only the angels can see me. Monica will not know and neither will our son. But I will see our son get married, to the right woman this time. The one woman he was meant for."
Seth now has tears that came out of his eyes, then he heard a soft knock at the front door and Rusty's shallow barking, then he turns back at his wife, "Ruth…"
Ruth shush him with a slow tender kiss, and this time she truly pushed in deeper, and stayed like that for a heartbeat more and pulls back out, "I love you Seth Michael Griffin. Always have. Take care of our family, and for Monica. She has been like a daughter to Tess, and a daughter to me. I got to go now." And Ruth cries out her last bits of tears, before Seth turns to leave his bedroom to answer the door.
…...
Seth had brushed away his tears, when he saw that Ruth had vanished and her golden light disappeared with her too. God he missed her so much. When Seth regains his strength again, he opens the door, to find his son waiting outside. "Roan? What ah…what are you doing here? Don't you got a loving family to go home to besides here?"
Griffin gave a little laugh, "Well…um..I called Monica just after my shift has ended, that I was coming here to pick up mom's wedding box."
Seth smiles, "And this couldn't wait til later…"As soon as Griffin found himself comfortable on the sofa, petting Rusty.
"Well that's the thing….the wedding box, was just a cover up. I need to do this now, before the wedding started, and then the honeymoon. And I know Monica will find out where I went, so I need a cover up." Griffin said.
"Okay…what's this about?" Seth asks.
Griffin took a deep breath before answering, "Okay….I want to really surprise my soon to be wife when we go on our honeymoon. And I know that the old Irish couple back in Ireland still have grandma's cottage out for rent, and I know you and Mac take a summer vacation to it every spring or summer. I will love to take Monica there to Grandma Rosie's cottage for our honeymoon."
Seth pauses for a moment then looks at his son, "You know, Ireland right now is not safe. Especially Northern Ireland where my mom's cottage is located."
Griffin took a breath, "But dad, I want to take Monica there. I love her, and I figure, showing her and spending our love together in her homeland, will be the perfect wedding gift for her. She hasn't set foot in Ireland since her angel days, and I want to take her. Please."
Seth sighs, and then looks at his child. Then very slowly he walks up to the cupboards as Griffin follows. Then Seth hands Griffin 1500 dollars, as he looks up at his son, "I know how much Monica means to you, and you two share true love together, just like your mother and I had. I've been saving this up for a long time, 3 years in fact. I was going to take a trip with Mac, but I'm too old to travel and go to my mother's cottage. So I'm giving this money to you so you can share your happiness with her. Consider this my wedding gift to you."
Griffin looks at his father, and then back at the money in his hand. "Are you sure you want to do this? Dad this is a lot of money to give away."
Seth smiles, "I'm sure. Honeymoons, and weddings are expensive now a days my son. Besides, I'm sure you want to make it truly special for you and her, so take her to Ireland. And besides, I still have lots of money to my name for retirement anyways, so it's not like I'm going broke."
Griffin smiles to his father, and goes and embraces him. For the first time in 20 some years, Griffin held his father, and cries into his broad shoulders like he was 15 all over again when his mom died. Griffin pulls back and wipes the tears from his eyes, "Thank you.."
Seth smiles and added, "So…the box huh…okay…" And that made Griffin lighten up after their moment. It took Seth within 5 minutes to find the box and hand it to Griffin. "So that Monica doesn't find out about the 'you know what' news and gets all suspioucious."
Griffin smiles, "Yeah…thanks."
Seth smiles as Griffin walks out the door, "Just whenever you have time call that number. Tell the old Irish couple it's Seth's son."
"Well do, thanks." Griffin calls back and heads back to the nurses station. He found Tess at the head desk as she smiles.
"You got what you came here for?" Tess asks.
"Yeah….thanks so much." Griffin replies.
"You're welcome baby." Tess smiles. Then touches his arm, "You look so much like your mother. Take care of my angel girl okay. She loves with all of her heart, and no words can express that."
Griffin smiles to Tess, and whispers something to her, "You know, Monica really misses you. And she wants you to marry us."
Tess smiles back at him, "I know…..I already replied to her prayer, and yes I will marry my baby to you. She picked the right man, and that man is you Roan Josiah Griffin."