CHAPTER 36

That precious moment lasted for a small eternity to both Monica and Andrew. The tender and unexpected kiss filled their hearts with a totally new sensation of peace and completion, as if they had existed only for that split second, when their souls experienced a reunion like never before. Andrew's fingertips caressed her porcelain skin with his usual delicacy and affection while she laid the palm of her trembling hands against his chest and ran them up to his shoulders. Monica felt her human form giving in to his embrace when her dearest friend wrapped his arm around her waist, gently bringing her closer to him, never breaking the sweet contact between them.

Only instants later did their lips part; slowly, as both angels turned into humans were still in awe for what had just happened. Monica's doe-like eyes slowly opened and searched for his green ones, and she knew that their new-found feelings had surprised both of them. Andrew's expression was a serious nevertheless soft one, as he too was coming to terms that something had just changed – or perhaps revealed to them on that very moment.

"Angel... I just love you so much..." He spoke, his voice was hoarse with emotion as he rubbed his thumb against her cheek. The blond angel did not miss the turmoil of emotions written in her eyes.

"What just happened... I..."

"Please, forgive me..." He was quick to say, fearing her reaction.

She shook her head as a silent tear made its way down her face. "Why are you asking for my forgiveness, Andrew?"

"Because I crossed a line without asking for your consent, angel..."

The teary tone in her voice was heart-breaking. "But I crossed the same line, don't you see? I think that there is nothing to forgive..." Monica seemed to search for an answer in an invisible point ahead of her. "Is that possible that I am feeling what I am feeling, Andrew?"

"What is your heart telling you, Monica?" He dared to ask, words quickly escaping from his mouth before he could even reflect upon them.

The great fear and regret regarding that question were soon shattered when the Irish angel confronted him with the absolute truth. "That I love you... that I did not know how much... and that this love is... much greater than me, that it cannot be fought against..."

He closed his eyes for a moment, taking to his heart the words that he had just heard from her lips; rejoicing upon them despite the many doubts and questionings that would be up against them from that day on.

But her crying voice brought his worries back and he was staring at her once again, aware of her fears and doubts. "I... I don't know what to say..."

Quickly pressing his index finger against her lips – the sweet rosy lips he had just kissed, Andrew tried to comfort her. "Please, don't say a word, angel..." He waited until she was quiet again, somewhat waiting for his guidance. "I cannot explain the reasons that took us to this very moment, baby, but if there is something I am totally sure of is that I would give up my whole eternity for it..."

His heart broke when he saw her tears and Andrew could not help the impulse to kiss her forehead and hold her tightly against him and was glad when she wrapped her arms around his waist, returning his loving embrace.

Instants later, though, she was speaking again, and the words that came from her mouth were hard to listen.

"I can't..."

She suddenly pulled away from his arms, causing him to feel a terrible sensation of emptiness and loss.

"Monica... Angel..."

"I can't, Andrew... I'm so sorry..."

She backened away from him and searched for the door.

"Monica!"

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

She turned her back at him and left the small shack in a hurry, not minding the rain that was still falling outside. The storm was over by now and they were not too far from the guest house. Andrew came after, calling out her name in an attempt to make her stop and come back to their temporary shelter; in an attempt to bring her back so they could reflect upon what had just happened.

But he soon gave it up – the little Irish angel who had definitely stole his heart was running away from the turmoil of emotions that was now consuming her spirit. He could perfectly understand it as they were tearing up his soul as well.

What Andrew had to admit, though, was that he would never give up what he felt at the moment his lips met with Monica's.