"Andrew?" Right away, he recognized the Irish brogue. He looked up to see his friend coming towards him.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked her in surprise.
"I was about to ask you the same thing," the angel of death replied. He ran his fingers through his short, blond hair. He then patted the seat on the swing next to him and motioned for her to join him.
"We're going shopping," Monica told him. "And we were wondering if you wanted to join us."
"Shopping, Monica?" He looked at her with a smile. "Not really my type, but if it will make you happy," he stopped and picked up her hand. "I'm glad you're feeling better."
"Me too, "she said softly. He gave it a gently squeeze and she giggled.
"You know, you look a lot better too."
Monica looked over at him and managed a smile. Andrew looked past the strong and stubborn angel and into the scared, and suffering heart. She was loosing it, drowning in pain. But she wouldn't let it out. She didn't want to worry him, but ever since the accident, he had developed a new gift of seeing her feelings. It was odd, though. He could tell what she was thinking deep inside.
"Andrew," she said quietly. Her voice was turning weak. "I know I'm doing better outside, but inside…" She looked deep into his emerald green eyes and sighed. By the look he gave her, she got the hint that he already knew. "My heart feels like it was broken into so many pieces."
"It probably will for awhile, Angel Girl," Andrew said. He put his arm around her shoulder. "You've been through a lot lately."
"Almost too much," she said in her sad Irish lilt. "I just wish that now…" Monica stopped and the tears let loose. "Why can't we all be together just for another day? After tonight, it'll all change. Why does it have to get this worse and now?" her shy tone sobbed.
"It's about to get worse," Tess said, stepping from her place in the doorway. She gave a whole-hearted smile at her angel babies. "It's just the way the Father has planned things. Remember, you two still have an assignment, with me or not," Tess said, giving Andrew and Monica an encouraging wink. "You two better get a move on it. Gloria is waiting in the car for us."
Monica nodded and stood up, her hand still locked in Andrew's. She looked down at the floor and sensed her supervisor walking towards her. She felt her chin being pushed up and immediately recognized Tess' loving touch. Her brown eyes peered at her supervisor.
"Baby Girl, no matter how far away I am, I will always love you; always. You remember that now."
"Oh, Tess," Monica cried. She leaped into the outstretched arms that instantly wrapped around her.
"Come on you two," Tess said, pulling away from Monica and grasping the opposite hand that Andrew held. "We have a day to catch before it's gone."
The three walked down the steps of the deck and onto the pavement of the parking lot where Monica's eyes fell upon the familiar red convertible awaiting their arrival.
"Little Angel," the eldest angel said to the youngest. She stared at the figure in the back seat. "You know, I think it's time that you gave my baby a spin." Gloria looked up from her book, her glasses on her nose.
"Really?" she asked in amazement. "You really mean it, Tess?" she asked, but was already grabbing the keys before Tess could answer.
"No," Tess mouthed and looked up into the heavens. "Did I just say that Little Angel could drive my baby? My baby?"
"Yes, you did," Monica answered, a large smile growing upon her Irish face. "I think you might have made a wee bit of a mistake."
"No," Gloria replied. She carefully turned the keys in the ignition and patiently awaited Monica and Andrew to settle in the back. To everyone's surprise, the car slowly sped down the freeway, not going through a red light or turning a corner without signaling.
"Gloria," Andrew asked. "Have you been learning?"
"Yep," the youngest angel said. Her face filled with glee as Andrew and Monica complimented her.
"You're really doing good," Monica told her charge.
"I can't believe I let Little Angel drive my baby," Tess said again. Everyone laughed hysterically.
"Tess, I think you did the right thing. Our Little Angel has earned her driver's license," Andrew announced, holding the card that Gloria passed back to him. "Hey, hun, why don't you take us to get a bite to eat before shopping."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Tess said, turning to look out her side of the car so no one could look her straight in the eye.
"I'm getting hungry." Monica rubbed her stomach that was growling.
"Didn't we just have breakfast?" Gloria asked.
"A few hours ago," the angel of death pointed out. "So how 'bout a hamburger or two?"
"You can say that again," the eldest angel said.
"How 'bout a hamburger or two?" the blond angel replied jokingly. Tess shot him such a horrid glance that Andrew froze in his seat and grinned like a little boy. "What? You said…"
"Ever heard of sarcasm?" Tess asked sarcastically. "I was using it!"
"Um, Andrew," Monica spoke up. "I don't think she meant literally…"
"I know," Andrew almost yelled. "Can't anyone take a joke?"
"This place look good?" Gloria asked quietly. All three of the angels nodded and the four made their way in to the grill and bar.
"Tess?" Monica asked. "Considering we're on a mini-vacation, may I get a non-decalf mocha latte?" the Irish angel asked as innocently as possible.
"Can't wait to see what you're going to do without me here," Tess said, sarcasm ringing in her tone.
"Sarcasm, right?" Andrew asked, almost feeling like covering his head, for fear that he'd receive a joking hit. The ladies just sighed and shot him a disgusted glance.
"Do I even have to answer that, my friend?" the Irish angel asked.
"No," Andrew squeaked.