CHAPTER 7
Slightly bored to be in bed, Andrew looked though the window once again and saw the rain kept on falling out there, and clouds covered the green fields and valleys of Ireland. Even though the slight cold he'd catch on the previous day wasn't so serious, he still felt tired and sleepy. The angel in human form decided to rest for a few more minutes imagining that it would take about an hour for breakfast to be ready. Yet, a slight knock on the door woke him from a very light sleep and when he opened his green eyes it was Monica he saw coming through the door. She was carrying a tray with bread, a small bowl with some berries and a warm soup.
"Andrew... I brought your breakfast," she offered, gently, and carefully walked up to the bed.
"Angel, you didn't have to, I-"
"Of course I did, you're recovering and I'm in charge of taking care of you now..." she kindly interrupted, placing the tray in front of him.
He reached out and squeezed her hand, "Thank you."
As he took the spoon and tasted the soup for the first time, she happily announced, "I made it myself!" she was attentively watching to see his approval, "I hope you like it..."
But the little angel didn't have to inform him who had prepared his food: he had felt it at the moment he tasted it. The hopeful expression on her face, though, made him think twice before speaking again. "Everything is just perfect, Monica," he finally said.
"Really?" The way she looked at him nearly made his heart ache. She was always trying to please him, always offering her help and support, and her permanent worry... Her love and affection were so much that for many times he felt undeserving and caught himself promising to return all those loving feelings, and protect her from all evil.
"Really, Angel. Thank you." He said, with all his sincerity, and not exactly for the food she had prepared, but for her care and devotion.
X
When Andrew finished breakfast Monica took the empty tray back to the kitchen and found little Marie playing in the living room. Being so communicative and spontaneous, the little girl immediately smiled at her, "How's Andrew?"
The Irish angel knelt down on the velvet carpet where she was playing on. "Well, he's still a bit weak, but I have faith he'll get better soon."
"Hope he doesn't have to get a shot!" the little girl replied, grimacing at the memories of her last cold, and causing Monica to smile.
"I guess it won't be necessary. But if the cold continues, I'll take him to the doctor, and if it's necessary to have a shot, then he will take it..."
Marie's face turned to one of serious concern about the blond angel. "But you'll hold his hand tight and tell him it'll be okay, right?"
Giggling, Monica nodded her head. "I promise I will."
"I'm glad he has you." The girl heaved a sigh of relief and showed her teddy bear. "I changed Alice's clothes."
"She's just lovely!" the angel said.
"It's a wee bit cold, and that way she won't catch a cold!" she quickly informed.
"Oh, I can see you're a really devoted and caring friend to Alice then!"
"Yes, she's one of my best friends..." the girl lowered her voice and moved the bear away, "... but she's jealous of my other dolls!"
Giggling, Monica nodded her head, "Oh, I see!"
"Do you wanna see my other dolls?"
"Sure!"
Happy to have found someone to talk to, Marie grabbed Monica's hand and took her upstairs to her beautifully decorated bedroom. There were many dolls and other toys spread on the carpeted floor or laying on the shelves. After showing them and telling their names to Monica, they both sat down to observe a dollhouse, which enchanted the Irish angel.
"It's so beautiful... Isn't it amazing how small little things like these can be so complex and bring out so much enchantment?"
Little Marie turned her eyes away from the toy and looked at Monica for long moments, without breaking the pretty smile on her meek face. When she got her attention, she finally spoke again. "You're an angel, aren't you?"
"How... do you know it, sweetie?" Monica asked, taken aback by that totally unexpected question.
The little girl shrugged her shoulders, "When I was little I got stuck with mommy in our car. Then, a man appeared there by my side before uncle Johnny found us. This man had a beard and kept telling me I shouldn't be afraid... He said his name was Adam and that he was an angel..."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. And he had the same glow you and Andrew have. When I saw you two, I knew you were here to help us!"
Her enthusiasm made Monica smile again. "Well... Andrew and I would be very happy if we could help such a lovely little girl like you!"
The little girl lowered her voice, "Mommy needs to marry uncle Johnny, you know?"
It took Monica a little not to giggle again. "Oh... And... How did you get to this conclusion?"
"Uncle Johnny saved us, he is always visiting us... He tells me stories and explains me things and is like a real daddy to me. Then he brings flowers to my mommy and takes us for a picnic and we fly a kite together... He's always worried 'bout us, and once he even promised me he'd always keep an eye on mommy and me along with God..."
"Your uncle Johnny seems to be a good man."
"But mommy is still very sad because... because of my real dad... He didn't want us, I know..."
Feeling very sorry for the child - who learned at a very early age that not all human beings were generous and loving ones, Monica caressed her cheek, "Oh, sweetie... I think your real daddy must be the saddest man in the world as he doesn't have a lovely little daughter like you near him."
"I wish he didn't make mommy so sad... Uncle Johnny makes her smile and she's happy when he's here, but then... I guess she remembers my real dad and gets sad all over again... Could you and Andrew fix this, Monica?"
"Well, sweetie, I don't know... But I do know something that you could do and that could help your mommy: offer your prayers to God. Tell Him you want your mommy happy again. There's a great power in prayer, you know?"
"And is He always listening?"
"Oh, yes, dear. Always."
The cute and innocent smile that formed on Marie's lips warmed the angel's heart. "Okay, then!" Then, a questioning expression appeared on her face. "You and Andrew are angels, but... Andrew can be your boyfriend too, right?"
Highly amused, Monica laughed, imagining Andrew's embarrassment once he was asked that same question.
