Chapter Three: The Distant Moment

Andrew stared into the pitch-black darkness with glimmering eyes. But his emerald eyes weren't the only things illuminating the night, her face did too. She had the face of an angel, which she more than deserved. Her rosy cheeks were so beautiful. Just her presence gave him a tranquil feeling. He had known her for over ten years. Why was it just now that he was noticing her caressing beauty?

Among all his questions and pondered thoughts, he knew the answer that was buried somewhere deep in the core of his mind. Though it lived in the depths of his aching heart—this love and passion he had been feeling. And when they had kissed, his feelings did not satisfy. Now he rather thirsted for more. He loved Monica. Nothing could take that love away—nothing.

His thoughts gathered and his senses awoke at the stirring he felt in his arms. She was locked away—tight and securely. He'd never let go.

A silent moment stabilized itself and settled into the cave. It carried its sound of an oblivious whisper with it, unknown to the night's black blanket that surrounded this part of the earth. But something shattered the silence and peace in his mind. Even though it had been interfering with the tranquillity ever since they had sought shelter and protection in this rock outcrop, Andrew hadn't noticed it. His mind was too busy in other worlds to pay any attention to the sound of a little water leak. He guessed it was what sung Monica to sleep in his arms.

Drip, drip, the leak sang. Another puddle of water was settling on the opposite side of the cave. Andrew slowly let his eyes close and sighed. His large hands soothed the thick, auburn locks that lie in his lap. But he immediately opened them to the sound of a gentle murmur. His eyes gazed down, in the darkness, to her soft face.

"Andrew?" she called out quietly, barely even hearable to his ears.

"I'm right here, honey," he answered to her call. He shifted his side over when she began to sit up.

For a moment, her brown eyes just searched the cave for a meaningless reason until they finally settled on his face. Silence passed between them as she recalled all the happenings between the kiss and the present moment.

"Monica," Andrew gulped and began to blush. "I love you…and…and I don't care what you or anyone else thinks, but it's true. Nothing can stop me from…" his words trailed off.

"You do?" she asked slowly, her words cautiously escaping her trembling lips. A slight smile formed across her mouth, as if the idea intrigued her.

"Yes, Monica, I do." That was all she needed in place of confidence—it was all he had. But slowly, more came to his mind and he added, "I wouldn't have kissed you, if I didn't."

The kiss…Monica's brain echoed in miscellaneous thoughts. It had all happened so quickly. Now what would they do about it? They were angels, and angels could definitely not love. It was forbidden! The Father would never agree with it. Of course, He knew all that was going to happen and everything that did happen was part of His plan. So, Monica thought, there had to be a purpose for all of this. But Tess, surely, would never agree with this—this forbidden love.

"Andrew? I love you too," Monica said at last, the words tugging at her heart and now was being released as a heavy burden.

"Really? Wow, I thought for sure that you would react a whole lot different to the situation." His head sunk into the darkness, his emerald eyes no longer visible. But her soft hands rose to his face, touching his cheek, which brought light warmth to his soul. Her touch—it was so warming and comforting. He closed his eyes and reached out for her hand, grasping it tightly in his and lacing his fingers through hers.

"Different?" she asked. "What do you mean, Andrew?"

"Different…as in mad or upset…well, I don't know. I just assumed…"

"You assumed that I wouldn't love you, right?" But he didn't need to answer, even though he did. She knew the answer. It was plain and clear, but oblivious to the world.

"Yeah," he answered softly, turning his gaze back to meet hers. "I did, and of that, I was afraid. I've never experienced true love before, honey, and now…well, now when I look at you, I can't stop but experiencing it!" he explained with a childish grin playing his face. "Now I know what everyday humans go through."

"And what are you experiencing that they go through? Certainly not a crush, Andy?" she asked with a giggle that well deserved a presumed answer.

"Crushes aren't as serious as this," he told her in a solemn voice that tickled her ear as he leaned close to her. "There's a difference between true love and playful, every-day crushes, Monica," the angel of death whispered in her ear. His warm breath felt soothing to her cold skin. With no blankets, it was a cold night in a wet cave.

"As this…this love," she added for him, leaning into the warmth of his voice. He held her hand in his, lifting her fingers up and kissing the tips of them with great passion. She smiled and closed her eyes.

"Yes," he continued, putting her hand against his chest and soothing it gently.

"But, Andy, it's all happening so quickly. I mean, one moment we're angels with a wonderful friendship that could be nothing else. And the next moment we're humans…and as human as an angel can get, may I remind you. We're in love and experiencing something that I presume no angel of God has experienced. Don't you think that this is going a wee bit too fast? Something just isn't right…"

"Isn't right?" he asked in a surprised tone. "What do you mean, Monica? What can be more right then having someone to love that you trust very much? You don't even have to answer that one," he added after seeing the deep sympathized expression crawl across her Irish face. Her rosy skin was covered with pain—he could tell.

"Andrew, we're still angels, but in human for and encountering human feelings. That doesn't mean we can go on like this—actually it means we can't. What would the Father do if He…" her lilt trailed off into the darkness. "He does know," she continued, gulping her guilt down into the pit of her stomach where it sat in pain. "And Tess…" she managed to slip in before his masculine voice interrupted her.

"I'm not going to let anything come between us! We can't just receive this miraculous gift, use it in advantage, and throw it right back where it came from! That's totally insane…insane and unheard of. I'm not going to let that happen." He reached down and stroked her cheek. Feeling his touch, she leaned into it and sighed.

He really did love her, she thought. And she definitely loved him, no lie about it. So what would they do? That was the main question that both of them pondered. Even though he didn't show it, that exact question did pierce his heart, bringing pain and suffering to disturb and mock his every move.

"I love you, Andrew. And I know you love me…but we only discovered this about ten minutes ago. We have to take this slowly," her Irish lilt spoke. Her brown eyes met his gazing approach and he nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. But, like I said, nothing's going to come between us…"

"Except for Tess!" Monica exclaimed, sitting straight up and resting her hand quite grounded on his shoulder. "Do you know what she would say if she were here right now? And…oh my word!" her voice raised. "Tess! She's…she's…"

"Waiting for us back at the cabin. And Gloria…" he gulped back a sigh of fear.

"The poor angel. She's probably still out there in the storm, suffering from the cold and rain. What are to do? Andrew?" she questioned, fluttering her arms up in the air. "We can't leave her out there, and we sure can't leave Tess worried at the cabin. She's probably called the police by now. For heaven's sake! She could think we were eaten by a bear!"

"And we can't even budge the cave entrance. We're locked tight…at least until morning. There's nothing to do, I tell you. We must wait until…"

Her Irish lilt interrupted him, "Until what? Until someone comes looking for us? And, Andrew, I tell you that we can't! We have to do something…something…" she cried, tears rolling down her cheeks. And that's exactly the last thing Andrew wanted to see. To him, seeing her in tears was like a whole in his heart. It hurt him.

"Monica, please don't. Don't cry, honey, we'll find a way, I promise." His emerald green eyes searched her now pale face with agony. "Let's pray, pray that the Father will protect Gloria, us, and keep Tess calm from worry."

"I bet God's really disappointed with us right now."

"And why do you suggest that?" he asked her in a solemn, but loving voice. The only reply he got was a shrug before she let out with a yawn.

"You know, maybe you better get off to sleep. Tomorrow we can try and work our way out of here and then from there…well, we'll see what happens. If possible, we'll find Gloria and then have to face Tess back at the cabin."

"If we can ever find our way back," she pointed out. This time he shrugged and shook his head.

"No problem, Angel Girl. I know my way around this place like the back of my hand!" he joked.

She giggled and replied, "Yeah, but we have one more problem. You're arm—you can't budge or even attempt to move those rocks, Andy. I'll have to do this by myself," she told him in her Irish brogue that set a warm path of oblivion in the cave.

"I suppose you're right. But, hey, this old angel's got to be good for something," Andrew told her, abruptly adding a wink.

"Old, old angel…if even deserving that title," she laughed.

"Now, hey, who's the oldie here?" he asked, a smile spreading across his lips. He smirked and poked her in the rib cage.

Monica shrieked and replied, "Well, I bet you're thousands of years older than me, Andrew…Andrew…" she stopped and bit her lip.

"What? Andrew Death?" he suggested, sticking out his tongue. Andrew winced as he realized that his last words were asking for a slap. And his preeminence was correct. Soon enough a painful sting turned his arm red.

"And don't even think about adding any more, or they'll be consequences," she said, sticking her tongue out back at him. She crossed her arms and let out a simple "humph" or disgust.

"Oh, believe me, I won't, Mrs. De…" his words trailed off. His emerald green eyes searched her face when she realized what he had almost said. But, playing as if she hadn't known, she nervously looked up at him with an inquiring expression. "Death," he finished breathlessly. But for some odd reason, he almost wanted to laugh it all off. Still, the situation was awkward, and he could tell that she was embarrassed.

"Mrs. Death," she repeated quietly, not even realizing that her silent thoughts had traveled out of her mouth.

"I'm sorry, I didn't even mean or realize that I was heading the wrong way with that. I meant it as, well as a silly joke. But I guess we both took it a bit more serious than that."

"Yes, we did," she replied, turning her face from his stare.

"Hey, now. What's the problem? It is quite funny if you put it…"

"Andrew! Enough of jokes, this is a serious matter that you seem to be taking advantage of. For some reason, the Father has blessed us with the gift of true love. We do not know what for or how, but He surely has. Let's not jump to conclusions with it. And let's definitely not abuse this special privilege."

"I'm sorry, again," he told her, reaching over to stroke her cheek. She merely just closed her eyes at his soothing touch and nodded.

"I forgive you." Her brown eyes opened just at the moment that he gazed at her shut lids. Their gazes met for a few seconds before he leaned in towards her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She wasn't hesitant this time, but rather lusted for the moment that beheld its time in the near future. Finally, she accepted the moment and pressed her lips against his. Her arms wrapped around his neck and they shared a passionate kiss that lasted for what seemed like eternity.

And it was from there that she had no memory of.

"Are you alright?" Andrew asked the Irish angel, taking her soft hand in his and entangling their fingers together. Reality came back to her as she responded to his voice.

"Yes, I am. I was just…thinking."

"I guess we have a lot to think about, huh?" he questioned, leaning towards her and planting a short but loving kiss on her cheek. She stayed in the same position and nodded. Her being made no reaction to his action.

"Andrew?" she asked, still staring straight in front of her. "Is it morning?" He glanced down at his wrist watch and shrugged.

"If you want to call seven o' clock morning, yes. But I suppose it will still be dark in here because the entrance is fully blocked. The sun won't shine through these thick rocks." He rubbed his arm and winced. "I think I slept on my arm for a while last night." Her brown eyes finally moved to meet his gaze. They then slowly moved to his arm that he rubbed.

"Does it hurt badly?" she asked in her beautiful Irish brogue. Her fingers reached over to it and rested gently upon the black and blue skin.

"Not that bad, but it does hurt. I mean, I wouldn't compare it to being broken, but rather assume that the muscle is bruised or that the bone is sprained."

"Well, that's a wee bit encouraging. We should really try and find some materials to make a splint for it. There is a possibility that it could be broken. Those rocks are so heavy, heaven knows what damage they could have caused you."

"Monica, look!" Andrew exclaimed suddenly, quickly rising to his feet. He pointed to a stream of sunlight that flowed threw somewhere in the back of the cave. He ran his fingers through his blond hair and sighed. "I think we underestimated the size of this cave. It looks as if it travels deeper than we assumed."

"That is also encouraging…there might be a way out!" Monica said happily. She stood up next to the angel of death and rested her head on his shoulder. "Maybe we will have a chance to find Gloria today, after all."

"I never doubted your thoughts," Andrew told the Irish angel with a grin. "Let's get an early start."

"All sounds good too me. Let's go!"

Monica walked at a fast pace towards the light, leaving And a few feet behind in her tracks. He stood still as he watched her excitedly bound away. The moment that they had shared last night had been such a wonderful experience. But now he awaited the time for it to happen again. It seemed so close, but yet so far. When would he be able to truly express his love to her? When would that distant moment be in his grasp?