CHAPTER 14

Andrew was the first to awake the next morning and he was content to simply lie perfectly still and gaze down at the sleeping angel in his arms as his vigilant eyes took in every aspect of her. The sunburn on her face and arms was beginning to fade and the circles beneath her eyes were not as prominent as they had been in the desert. He watched as her brow furrowed and a tiny murmur escaped her; an obvious troubling dream and he soothed it away with tender fingers as she quieted once more.

"My beautiful protector," Andrew whispered softly as he kissed the top of her head.

The small movement was enough to cause her eyelashes to flutter and her dark eyes to slowly open, squinting for a moment against the bright sunlight flooding the hospital room. Confusion flitted across her face for a moment before she seemed to realize where she was and whose arms were around her and she instantly relaxed.

"Good morning," The blond angel smiled lovingly as she raised her eyes shyly to his face as his fingers moved to brush a stray piece of hair from hers.

"Good morning yourself. How are you feeling?" Though having just woken up, her expression took on one of great worry but Andrew was quick to reassure her.

"I am feeling much better this morning, Angel. Nearly well enough to get out of here."

"Andrew,. No…you have been through a terrible ordeal. You nearly died," Monica was quickly sitting up to look down at him, her face filled with terrible worry.

"Monica," Andrew's voice was soothing as he pulled her back into his arms, "Angel, it's okay. The doctor will be the only one to clear us to leave. I am feeling much better, baby, so please try to stop worrying."

Lowering her eyes, the little angel sighed softly, "I'm sorry….I just…"

He silenced her by lifting her chin with his fingers and bringing his lips to hers in a tender kiss that caused her heart to race pleasantly. When they reluctantly parted, a tiny grin played on her delicate features, "Yes, I suppose you are feeling much better."

Chuckling softly, he stroked her cheek while looking into her eyes, "I know the last few days have been terribly frightening for you, Angel, but please know that I am getting better now and that there is nothing more to fear." Andrew could still see the traces of anguish in her brown pools and he longed to erase it, "I'm sorry I left you out there alone, baby."

"Oh Andrew, it was beyond your control! " She admonished him, "Besides, neither of us were ever truly alone and by the time you lost consciousness, Tess, Adam and Rafael were soon there. I wasn't left alone for very long at all. We were soon in the car and being rushed here and then being taken into the hospital…" A memory she had forgotten about suddenly came to life in her mind and her eyes widened as she met them with his.

"Monica?"

"Kathleen. I think she called to let them know we were coming. Someone called the hospital as they were already aware of our conditions."

Andrew frowned, vaguely remembering the dark angel being there with Monica when he had been floating in and out of consciousness, struggling to remain awake in order to support her during such a difficult confrontation, "Do you really think it was Kathleen who called?"

"There was no one else it could have been."

A gentle smile played on his lips as he touched her cheek once more, "Angel, I pray with all my heart that there is truth to what you are thinking but please don't get your hopes up yet as I never want to see you disappointed."

"I know," She sighed, "She may not be there yet, but maybe one day she will find her way Home."

"We'll pray for it together."

Her heart filled with great love for him all over again as she knew that Andrew had never known Kathleen well, but as the dark angel was important to her, that made her important to Andrew as well. Contentedly, Monica rested her head against his chest as her arm slipped around his neck, "I love you so, Andrew."

"Angel, you have no idea."

X

After breakfast, both angels were medically cleared to shower and that came as a great relief to them both, though their doctors wanted to keep them one final night to allow them to gain more strength before being discharged. Tess had made sure that both angels had fresh pajamas and before lunch, they were both feeling clean and refreshed in their hospital beds.

"Tess, have you heard anything from Sam or Ruth?" Andrew was the first to voice the question as he and Monica were eating their lunch that afternoon. He immediately regretted his question as the little angel dropped her fork due to the nervousness his inquiry caused her.

"No baby, not a word yet. We were told we could go help the two of you and that they were being called Home. We didn't wait around to hear any more than that; we need to get you and Monica to safety."

Seeing the great apprehension in the Irish angel's dark eyes, Andrew reached out and grabbed her hand in his own, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "Do you think we have anything to worry about?"

Tess looked at the blond angel and then to Monica, whose eyes were large and frightened, like those of a small child, "What does your heart tell you, Angel Girl?"

Monica pondered the question as she felt the Angel of Death holding onto her hand and his presence gave her the strength to swallow down the fear. A moment later, she visibly relaxed, "We felt the Father's presence every minute we were in the desert, Tess. He was allowing us to be provided for, wasn't he, Andrew?"

Tenderly, his green eyes drank in her earnest expression, "He did," Andrew replied, never moving his gaze from hers, "His love was a constant for us. We never ceased to feel it."

"Then I think you two have your answer, though I have every reason to believe you will hear it from Sam and Ruth as well." Tired of feeling useless, Tess got up from her chair and took away their lunch dishes as they were finished eating, placing them on the cart in the hallway, "and on that note, I have an assignment and you two should be heading for a nap so you can get your strength back."

"Will you be back later, Tess?" Monica asked, her eyes still holding a trace of apprehension.

"Yes, baby. If not tonight then by morning's light," With a little wink, the angel vanished, leaving Andrew and Monica alone in the hospital room.

It only took a second for the little angel to be throwing back her blanket to slip into bed with her beloved Angel of Death.