Author's notes: AngieBaby and I want to thank everyone who has read and
reviewed our story, both on the "TBAA" website and on fanfiction.net. It's
the reviewers that make a tale so much fun to write! This is the last
chapter of "The Other Side Of Love," but not the end of the story:
AngieBaby is writing sequels! Soon, too!
On to Ch. 13 (by AJ)
Christmas had been perfect. Alex, Abby, and Sara delighted in spending the day at Grandma's house. They had completely warmed up to their absent grandmother only a week or two after David and Marcie made amends with Estelle. After all, Estelle was warm and loving, and she doted on the grandchildren she finally got to spend time with again. She was a terrific grandma and made every effort to hide her failing health from the little ones. David, MaryAnne, Marcie, Evan, Monica, Andrew, and Tess noticed, though. And they knew that Estelle's time on earth was coming to its finality.
A few weeks into the new year, Estelle was in the hospital again. Multiple sclerosis had advanced suddenly and hit her hard. She was weak and tired, but happy that her family surrounded her. David and Marcie practically camped out in Estelle's hospital room; Evan and MaryAnne visited often, usually with Alex, Abby, and Sara in tow. While Estelle was hospitalized, MaryAnne, with help from neighbors and her brother's family, took primary care of the farm that Walter and Estelle had handed down to her and David. Evan handled the veterinary practice that he and Marcie ran from the new house/office they had built a few blocks from Estelle's home. Because the farm had been an inheritance from Walter and Estelle to David, Estelle insisted on providing the funding for Marcie's new house. Originally, Marcie was to inherit the house Estelle was living in now, but conversations and an agreement between Marcie, Evan, David, MaryAnne, and Estelle changed the plans a little. Estelle would fund the construction of Marcie and Evan's new home, and her own house would have a different purpose when she passed on.
Tess brought Andrew and Monica home in her Cadillac one night after the trio had spent the day with Estelle at the hospital. David, Marcie, and their families had been there too; fortunately, Estelle had had a "good" health day. Monica invited Tess in for coffee, and soon, Andrew and his two favorite women sat in front of the fireplace in the living room. Normally, the three friends had lively conversations, but tonight everyones' thoughts were on Estelle.
"Tess? We're going to have to let Estelle go soon, aren't we?" Monica ventured. She wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer.
Because Andrew and Monica were no longer angels, Tess wasn't supposed to let them in on everything that God told her. "Well, Baby, what do you think?" Tess replied gently.
What Monica didn't want to believe, Andrew already knew. He had been the Angel of Death, after all; he had instincts for this sort of thing. "Soon. It will be soon," he whispered.
"Oh, Andy!" Monica exclaimed, her eyes tearing up. She had become so close to Estelle in the past several months. Andrew and Tess had as well. Andrew enveloped Monica in a warm hug.
"Tess, do you think the Father would let me bring Estelle Home?" Andrew suddenly asked.
"You're human, Angel Boy," Tess pointed out, though she knew Andrew hadn't forgotten. It was her way of wondering how Andrew planned on guiding Estelle to Heaven when he was no longer an angel.
"Maybe you could convince the Father to make an exception. Estelle has been so wonderful to us; I really want to do this for her. It would make me happy too," Andrew explained.
"Maybe *I* could convince the Father?" Tess asked. "Seems to me like this is between Him and you. But it would be nice for Estelle to have an escort she knows."
Andrew nodded, his eyes unfocused. He was thinking.
"Andy?" Monica prompted.
Andrew blinked, looked at Tess and at Monica. "Excuse me," he said, gently pulling himself out of the hug he and Monica were sharing. "I have to talk to the Father."
**********
Estelle had her up-and-down days. Her body continued to weaken and her MS attacks came more frequently. The medication she was on helped keep the pain at bay, and having her family always around helped keep her spirits up. Estelle kept pleading with her doctors to let her go home. She knew her time was coming soon, and she wanted it to happen in her own home.
One day, Marcie asked to talk to Monica in the hallway of the hospital. Estelle was asleep, David and MaryAnne had gone home to milk the cows, Evan had taken Alex, Abby, and Sara to his house for a nap, Andrew was at work, and Tess was doing her rounds.
"I just wanted to thank you," Marcie began as she closed Estelle's door behind her. "Without you, Andrew, and Tess - especially you - it would have been much harder for us to pull our family together. You know.before I got to know you, I was angry with you. I had no right to be, but I was.jealous, I guess, that you had been there for Mom when I wasn't. I should have been mad only at myself, but.I guess I wanted someone to be mad at. I'm sorry for that."
"Oh, Marcie, nothing in the world makes me happier than helping people. And I understand why you were angry. Sometimes, it's easier to be mad at someone or something else when you've got a lot of weight on your shoulders." Monica gave her friend a quick hug.
"You know, Monica, Mom often says that she thinks you, Andrew, and Tess were sent from God. And I agree with her. God knew we needed help, and suddenly the three of you were in our lives. Davy and I both think of you three as angels," Marcie noted.
"The Lord works in mysterious ways," was all Monica could say.
**********
David, MaryAnne, and Alex, Marcie, Evan, Abby, and Sara, and even Tess spent Estelle's first night at home with her, Monica, and Andrew. That next morning, all of the adults knew that *something* was going to happen that day. The children, who are much closer to "the other side" than adults, knew *exactly* what was going to transpire. As a result, they were unusually quiet and obedient. They played quietly on Estelle's bedroom floor and when their mothers came in to chase them out, Estelle had made her grandchildren smile when she told Marcie and MaryAnne that she liked "her babies'" company.
"Grandma," Abby suddenly spoke up, "I'm glad Alex and Sara and me got to love you. We're gonna miss you."
"Will you still talk to us even when you're in Heaven?" Alex added, helping Sara up onto Grandma's bed.
"Well," Estelle began, "I won't be able to talk to you like I am right now; not with words. But you'll know I'm always with you. I will always love you, and I'll always make sure you know that, even from Heaven."
This little conversation had brought the other adults into Estelle's bedroom. In an instant, it was as if time both slowed down and wanted to run out. Estelle looked up at her family - both biological and "adoptive" - and smiled. "Come in. Come in and sit down," she invited.
Abby and Alex climbed up on the bed where Sara was already situated. Everyone else filed in, silently.
"Come on now. This isn't a funeral!" Estelle exclaimed, trying to lighten the mood. Tears pricked at her eyes.
Monica and Marcie both gasped back sobs. It was time to say goodbye.
"I can't begin to tell you all how much I love you," Estelle said, serious now. "We've become a family again in these past few months."
"And we have Monica, Andrew, and Tess to thank for that," David interjected. "They took care of you, Mom, when Marcie and I were too selfish to, and then they helped us mend the tears in our family's tapestry."
"Our angels," Estelle agreed, winking at the heavenly trio.
Without warning, Estelle's bedroom lit up with the warmest glow any of the Reillys had ever seen. It was shining on Tess, Andrew, and Monica.
"What's this?" Marcie wondered.
"It's light from the Father Himself," Tess explained. "Estelle, honey, it's time to go Home. Andrew, Monica, and I are going to take you there."
"You mean.you mean you truly are angels?" David whispered.
"The Father sent the three of us here to help your family become a *family* again," Tess replied. "Yes, Baby, I am an angel, and Monica and Andrew began their existence as angels too. The Heavenly Father allowed Monica and Andrew a chance to experience true humanity while we have been here with you, but they started as angels, and now are angels again so that we can take your mom Home."
"Mom." Marcie wept. "Mom, I love you so much."
"And I love you too Mom," David echoed.
"And I love you. All of you. But don't cry." Estelle wiped the tears from her daughter's face. "I'm going home to the Lord. I'll be with your father again. But that doesn't mean I'll be gone from you. We'll always be together, and we'll see each other again."
"In Heaven," Abby agreed.
There was nothing else to say.
Estelle hugged and kissed and then hugged and kissed again each of her family members: David, Marcie, Evan, MaryAnne, Alex, Abby, and Sara. She knew she would get a chance to express her affection to her angels soon.
Andrew peeked at the gold watch he always kept in his pocket. "It's time," he said gently.
"I'll be with you. Always," Estelle reminded her family. She rested back on her pillows. A few seconds later, the angels disappeared, though no one noticed. All eyes were on the truly peaceful smile that lit up Estelle's face. The warm glow remained in the room even after the angels and Estelle's soul began their journey to Heaven.
"This is the nicest trip you'll ever take," Andrew said as he, Tess, and Monica led Estelle Home.
**********
"I'm very proud of you two," Tess commended after the trio had bid "see-you- later" to Estelle. "You completed your assignment with flying colors, and you did it all while being human."
"I thought I would feel different when I became an angel again," Andrew commented.
"Your angelic state is only temporary, Angel Boy," Tess replied. "The Father has a new assignment for you two: He wants you to continue to experience humanity. I still don't understand it, but I know now that you'll be just fine."
Monica and Andrew exchanged an excited glance. They were speechless for a few long seconds.
"You'll still check in on us, won't you Tess?" Monica finally broke the silence. "I can't imagine life without you!"
"Oh, don't worry about that, Miss Wings. You can't get rid of me." Tess winked.
**********
Andrew and Monica helped the Reilly family put together a lovely funeral for Estelle. Following the service and burial, Andrew, Monica, Tess, David, Marcie, and their families returned to Estelle's house. They just sat in each others' comfortable company for a while, preparing themselves for their lives ahead. Before parting for the day, Marcie asserted that there was one last bit of business, and she knew that Estelle would want everyone to be present for it.
"Here," Marcie said, offering an envelope to Andrew and Monica.
"What's this?" Andrew asked.
"An early wedding present. From all of us," Marcie explained. Tess crooned her neck to look at the envelope.
Andrew opened the little package. Inside was a key.
"Welcome home," Marcie said, winking. "The house is yours. We all decided, before Mom died, that this was what we wanted to do to thank you for all your help and for your friendship. And to officially welcome you into our family too."
"I don't know what to say," Andrew whispered. "Except thank you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
"You're more than welcome. We'll do the paperwork later. For now, enjoy your home," Marcie replied with a smile.
"So this is how we'll begin our life together, Moni, with our friends and family here with us," Andrew remarked. He kissed Monica on the lips. They couldn't wait to find out what the future would bring for them. Together.
~~THE END.of this installment. Stay tuned for "The Power Of Love"
On to Ch. 13 (by AJ)
Christmas had been perfect. Alex, Abby, and Sara delighted in spending the day at Grandma's house. They had completely warmed up to their absent grandmother only a week or two after David and Marcie made amends with Estelle. After all, Estelle was warm and loving, and she doted on the grandchildren she finally got to spend time with again. She was a terrific grandma and made every effort to hide her failing health from the little ones. David, MaryAnne, Marcie, Evan, Monica, Andrew, and Tess noticed, though. And they knew that Estelle's time on earth was coming to its finality.
A few weeks into the new year, Estelle was in the hospital again. Multiple sclerosis had advanced suddenly and hit her hard. She was weak and tired, but happy that her family surrounded her. David and Marcie practically camped out in Estelle's hospital room; Evan and MaryAnne visited often, usually with Alex, Abby, and Sara in tow. While Estelle was hospitalized, MaryAnne, with help from neighbors and her brother's family, took primary care of the farm that Walter and Estelle had handed down to her and David. Evan handled the veterinary practice that he and Marcie ran from the new house/office they had built a few blocks from Estelle's home. Because the farm had been an inheritance from Walter and Estelle to David, Estelle insisted on providing the funding for Marcie's new house. Originally, Marcie was to inherit the house Estelle was living in now, but conversations and an agreement between Marcie, Evan, David, MaryAnne, and Estelle changed the plans a little. Estelle would fund the construction of Marcie and Evan's new home, and her own house would have a different purpose when she passed on.
Tess brought Andrew and Monica home in her Cadillac one night after the trio had spent the day with Estelle at the hospital. David, Marcie, and their families had been there too; fortunately, Estelle had had a "good" health day. Monica invited Tess in for coffee, and soon, Andrew and his two favorite women sat in front of the fireplace in the living room. Normally, the three friends had lively conversations, but tonight everyones' thoughts were on Estelle.
"Tess? We're going to have to let Estelle go soon, aren't we?" Monica ventured. She wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer.
Because Andrew and Monica were no longer angels, Tess wasn't supposed to let them in on everything that God told her. "Well, Baby, what do you think?" Tess replied gently.
What Monica didn't want to believe, Andrew already knew. He had been the Angel of Death, after all; he had instincts for this sort of thing. "Soon. It will be soon," he whispered.
"Oh, Andy!" Monica exclaimed, her eyes tearing up. She had become so close to Estelle in the past several months. Andrew and Tess had as well. Andrew enveloped Monica in a warm hug.
"Tess, do you think the Father would let me bring Estelle Home?" Andrew suddenly asked.
"You're human, Angel Boy," Tess pointed out, though she knew Andrew hadn't forgotten. It was her way of wondering how Andrew planned on guiding Estelle to Heaven when he was no longer an angel.
"Maybe you could convince the Father to make an exception. Estelle has been so wonderful to us; I really want to do this for her. It would make me happy too," Andrew explained.
"Maybe *I* could convince the Father?" Tess asked. "Seems to me like this is between Him and you. But it would be nice for Estelle to have an escort she knows."
Andrew nodded, his eyes unfocused. He was thinking.
"Andy?" Monica prompted.
Andrew blinked, looked at Tess and at Monica. "Excuse me," he said, gently pulling himself out of the hug he and Monica were sharing. "I have to talk to the Father."
**********
Estelle had her up-and-down days. Her body continued to weaken and her MS attacks came more frequently. The medication she was on helped keep the pain at bay, and having her family always around helped keep her spirits up. Estelle kept pleading with her doctors to let her go home. She knew her time was coming soon, and she wanted it to happen in her own home.
One day, Marcie asked to talk to Monica in the hallway of the hospital. Estelle was asleep, David and MaryAnne had gone home to milk the cows, Evan had taken Alex, Abby, and Sara to his house for a nap, Andrew was at work, and Tess was doing her rounds.
"I just wanted to thank you," Marcie began as she closed Estelle's door behind her. "Without you, Andrew, and Tess - especially you - it would have been much harder for us to pull our family together. You know.before I got to know you, I was angry with you. I had no right to be, but I was.jealous, I guess, that you had been there for Mom when I wasn't. I should have been mad only at myself, but.I guess I wanted someone to be mad at. I'm sorry for that."
"Oh, Marcie, nothing in the world makes me happier than helping people. And I understand why you were angry. Sometimes, it's easier to be mad at someone or something else when you've got a lot of weight on your shoulders." Monica gave her friend a quick hug.
"You know, Monica, Mom often says that she thinks you, Andrew, and Tess were sent from God. And I agree with her. God knew we needed help, and suddenly the three of you were in our lives. Davy and I both think of you three as angels," Marcie noted.
"The Lord works in mysterious ways," was all Monica could say.
**********
David, MaryAnne, and Alex, Marcie, Evan, Abby, and Sara, and even Tess spent Estelle's first night at home with her, Monica, and Andrew. That next morning, all of the adults knew that *something* was going to happen that day. The children, who are much closer to "the other side" than adults, knew *exactly* what was going to transpire. As a result, they were unusually quiet and obedient. They played quietly on Estelle's bedroom floor and when their mothers came in to chase them out, Estelle had made her grandchildren smile when she told Marcie and MaryAnne that she liked "her babies'" company.
"Grandma," Abby suddenly spoke up, "I'm glad Alex and Sara and me got to love you. We're gonna miss you."
"Will you still talk to us even when you're in Heaven?" Alex added, helping Sara up onto Grandma's bed.
"Well," Estelle began, "I won't be able to talk to you like I am right now; not with words. But you'll know I'm always with you. I will always love you, and I'll always make sure you know that, even from Heaven."
This little conversation had brought the other adults into Estelle's bedroom. In an instant, it was as if time both slowed down and wanted to run out. Estelle looked up at her family - both biological and "adoptive" - and smiled. "Come in. Come in and sit down," she invited.
Abby and Alex climbed up on the bed where Sara was already situated. Everyone else filed in, silently.
"Come on now. This isn't a funeral!" Estelle exclaimed, trying to lighten the mood. Tears pricked at her eyes.
Monica and Marcie both gasped back sobs. It was time to say goodbye.
"I can't begin to tell you all how much I love you," Estelle said, serious now. "We've become a family again in these past few months."
"And we have Monica, Andrew, and Tess to thank for that," David interjected. "They took care of you, Mom, when Marcie and I were too selfish to, and then they helped us mend the tears in our family's tapestry."
"Our angels," Estelle agreed, winking at the heavenly trio.
Without warning, Estelle's bedroom lit up with the warmest glow any of the Reillys had ever seen. It was shining on Tess, Andrew, and Monica.
"What's this?" Marcie wondered.
"It's light from the Father Himself," Tess explained. "Estelle, honey, it's time to go Home. Andrew, Monica, and I are going to take you there."
"You mean.you mean you truly are angels?" David whispered.
"The Father sent the three of us here to help your family become a *family* again," Tess replied. "Yes, Baby, I am an angel, and Monica and Andrew began their existence as angels too. The Heavenly Father allowed Monica and Andrew a chance to experience true humanity while we have been here with you, but they started as angels, and now are angels again so that we can take your mom Home."
"Mom." Marcie wept. "Mom, I love you so much."
"And I love you too Mom," David echoed.
"And I love you. All of you. But don't cry." Estelle wiped the tears from her daughter's face. "I'm going home to the Lord. I'll be with your father again. But that doesn't mean I'll be gone from you. We'll always be together, and we'll see each other again."
"In Heaven," Abby agreed.
There was nothing else to say.
Estelle hugged and kissed and then hugged and kissed again each of her family members: David, Marcie, Evan, MaryAnne, Alex, Abby, and Sara. She knew she would get a chance to express her affection to her angels soon.
Andrew peeked at the gold watch he always kept in his pocket. "It's time," he said gently.
"I'll be with you. Always," Estelle reminded her family. She rested back on her pillows. A few seconds later, the angels disappeared, though no one noticed. All eyes were on the truly peaceful smile that lit up Estelle's face. The warm glow remained in the room even after the angels and Estelle's soul began their journey to Heaven.
"This is the nicest trip you'll ever take," Andrew said as he, Tess, and Monica led Estelle Home.
**********
"I'm very proud of you two," Tess commended after the trio had bid "see-you- later" to Estelle. "You completed your assignment with flying colors, and you did it all while being human."
"I thought I would feel different when I became an angel again," Andrew commented.
"Your angelic state is only temporary, Angel Boy," Tess replied. "The Father has a new assignment for you two: He wants you to continue to experience humanity. I still don't understand it, but I know now that you'll be just fine."
Monica and Andrew exchanged an excited glance. They were speechless for a few long seconds.
"You'll still check in on us, won't you Tess?" Monica finally broke the silence. "I can't imagine life without you!"
"Oh, don't worry about that, Miss Wings. You can't get rid of me." Tess winked.
**********
Andrew and Monica helped the Reilly family put together a lovely funeral for Estelle. Following the service and burial, Andrew, Monica, Tess, David, Marcie, and their families returned to Estelle's house. They just sat in each others' comfortable company for a while, preparing themselves for their lives ahead. Before parting for the day, Marcie asserted that there was one last bit of business, and she knew that Estelle would want everyone to be present for it.
"Here," Marcie said, offering an envelope to Andrew and Monica.
"What's this?" Andrew asked.
"An early wedding present. From all of us," Marcie explained. Tess crooned her neck to look at the envelope.
Andrew opened the little package. Inside was a key.
"Welcome home," Marcie said, winking. "The house is yours. We all decided, before Mom died, that this was what we wanted to do to thank you for all your help and for your friendship. And to officially welcome you into our family too."
"I don't know what to say," Andrew whispered. "Except thank you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
"You're more than welcome. We'll do the paperwork later. For now, enjoy your home," Marcie replied with a smile.
"So this is how we'll begin our life together, Moni, with our friends and family here with us," Andrew remarked. He kissed Monica on the lips. They couldn't wait to find out what the future would bring for them. Together.
~~THE END.of this installment. Stay tuned for "The Power Of Love"