CHAPTER 13

The first night at the hospital was a long and difficult one for both angels in human form. Every half hour, a nurse came to check on Monica's IV or administer some medicine. It was almost morning when she and Andrew finally managed to sleep a little. He, sitting next to her bed, permanently holding her hand and leaning over her shoulder. She, resting her chin on the top of his head.

Andrew was glad to see that even after he woke up she remained asleep, visibly beaten up by exhaustion. He rose to his feet and watched her for a while, green eyes scanning her face carefully, searching for any sign of recovery. Andrew frowned as he noticed a small bump on her left shoulder, right next to the neck. Carefully not to wake her up, he touched her porcelain skin, wondering the cause for that.

"Angel... What is it that you have, baby?" his whispered voice held much fear.

At around 9 o'clock, Monica's doctor finally came to see her. She was already up but refused to eat breakfast much to Andrew's despair.

"That's alright, son. If our stubborn patient here doesn't feel like eating let's not force her to." Dr Bruke, a friendly sixty-year-old man, spoke. "The antibiotics are causing her to feel a bit nauseous."

"But she'll stay weaker than she already is and..."

"I see your concern, Andrew. But the content of the IV tube will feed her for a while, and once the sickness is gone I'm sure she'll feel hungry again."

"I feel like I have two guardian angels..." Monica spoke, with a slight smile.

"Well, I have no doubt that Andrew here watches over you like one!" the old doctor said, not missing how the couple kept holding each other's hands and the protectiveness in Andrew's eyes.

"Did you find out what's causing her fever, Dr Burke?" he wanted to know, aware of the papers in the man's hands.

"I have the blood test results." The doctor announced, his face turning serious. "They indicate you have anaemia, Monica."

"Anaemia?" she spoke, as confused as Andrew.

"But... what can be causing this?"

"We don't know yet, Andrew. That's why we're running more tests and we'll monitor Monica until the fever breaks."

"So I'm staying here?"

"Yes, young lady. Until we find out the causes of this infection and the best way to heal it."

Resignedly, she nodded and squeezed Andrew's hand. There were many unanswered questions in their minds right now, especially how an angel could fall ill up to that point and why that was happening.

As the doctor left the room, Andrew took a seat in bed next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him. "I don't understand it, Andrew..." there was a pensive expression on her face, besides the sadness and exhaustion. The blond angel kissed her temple.

"I know, sweetie... It might be hard for us to see it now but... if this is happening to you angel, there sure is an explanation. And we'll figure it out eventually."

Monica let out a tired sigh and snuggled closer against his chest, searching for comfort and reassurance.

X

Two days later...

A slight knock on the door interrupted Monica's thoughts and her lips curved into a weak smile. She already knew who it was as the angel of death's loving presence remained strong inside her heart despite the mysterious illness that consumed her human form.

Andrew closed the door behind him and pain clouded over his face as she remained lying on her side, facing the window. Perhaps the little angel was dreaming of a day and a time when she would be able to go outside and be surrounded by all God's wonderful creations. She didn't even move to acknowledge his presence, but her hand searching for his own let him know he was more than welcome. As Andrew laced his fingers with hers, he leaned over to kiss her cheek. In his other hand, a small bouquet of lilacs.

"Little Joy sent you these... She misses you a lot!" He sat down on the side of the bed and the mattress sunk slightly under his weight.

"They are lovely... Wee Joy... I miss her so much..."

"Soon, you'll be out of here and will tell her that in person!" he tried to smile, but inside his soul was hurting.

Monica blinked slowly, the memory of the cheerful little puppy bringing some of joy to her heart. "She likes helping me out in the kitchen, you know."

"I know... But the next time you decide to cook, I'll be in charge of supervising both of you!"

"I won't mind a bit!"

Andrew looked at her for a long moment, caressing her auburn hair. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"I ..." she sighed deeply and bit her lower lip. Lying to him wasn't an option but the truth was that nothing had changed. "... hopeful..."

He took her hand to his lips at the same moment they heard a light knock on the door. It was Dr Burke.

"Oh, hello Andrew." He greeted, holding some papers in his hands. As he walked around the bed, the doctor saw that she was awake. "Hey, good morning, Monica! I hope this second night here wasn't as bad as the first one." He checked on her eyes and ho the content of the IV tube attached to her arm.

"Good morning, Dr Burke. I guess I managed to sleep a wee bit more."

"Good. You need to rest as much as you can from now on."

His words alerted Andrew and the blond angel stared at him with worry. "Why do you say so, doctor? Is there anything new about Monica's condition?"

"Yes..." The man announced, as Monica tried to straighten up her body. With Andrew's help, she was now sitting in bed to hear what the doctor had to say.

"What was it that you found out, Dr Burke?" she wanted to know.

"Monica, you blood tests showed anomalies that called my attention from the start and raised my suspicions on something..."

"How come her blood cells were altered?" the angel of death asked, still confused.

"It happens when the body is being affected by a pathology." The old man placed his hand over Monica's shoulder and it was possible to see the concern in his eyes. "Monica, you were diagnosed with cancer."