DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own the characters from Touched by an Angel. They belong to CBS. Everyone you don't recognize, I do own.
A/N: This story is just moving along. GOL! Here is the next chapter. I hope everyone likes it.
God loves you
"The Christmas Shoes"
Chapter 2-A Present for Mommy
"Jerry, can't we just get our Mommy one gift?" six year old Brooke Alexandria Kissinger asked, her blue eyes staring up at Jerry hopefully.
"No." He replied, glaring at the little girl. "These lines are long enough. Now we're getting what we need and then I'm dropping you two off at home. Your new nanny should be there by then. I hope she can handle you two brats better."
Brooke gazed at the floor as tears threatened to fall from her cobalt eyes. She didn't understand why Jerry was like this. She hadn't asked him to do anything for them this whole time. All they wanted was to buy a gift for their Mama.
"It'll be okay, Brooke." Caleb comforted, putting his arm around his sister comfortingly. "We'll get Mom something special."
Brooke nodded, allowing her brother to comfort her. She let out a soft sob as she tried to stop crying.
"Shh, come on, sis, don't cry. It's gonna be okay. I know it will." Caleb assured his upset sibling. "Mom's going to have a great Christmas."
"How do you know?" Brooke half asked, half sobbed. "She's sick and she's going to Heaven soon!"
"I know," Caleb agreed, his voice soft. "I know. But I also know that this is going to be her best Christmas ever. I can feel it. Have you been praying for a miracle?"
Brooke nodded.
"Yes." She said, calming down considerably.
"Good. Then I know she'll have a great Christmas. God always answers prayers. Sometimes it takes a while, but God will help us. I know He will."
"Come on, you two." Jerry said, gruffly. He pulled on Brooke's hand ,rather hard. "I need to get home and cook dinner for the in laws."
"Hey!" Caleb shouted, pulling Brooke back protectively. "Don't pull my sister like that. Come on, Brooke." With that, Caleb led his sister out of the store, his hand gently guiding her along all the while.
When the two Kissenger children returned home, they were greeted by a kind young woman. She had brown eyes and reddish brown hair. She wore glasses and she had a completely different ora about her than Jerry.
She introduced herself as Gloria and she smiled upon meeting both Brooke and Caleb.
Upon noticing Brooke's tears, Gloria knelt down and held her arms out.
"Oh, sweetheart, what's wrong?" Gloria asked, sincere concern in her voice.
Brooke hesitated at first, but then she gazed up and felt a comfortable feeling come over her. She didn't know why, but she felt like she could tell Gloria everything.
The little girl took a tentative step towards Gloria's opened arms. She then stopped and glanced back at Caleb for the okay.
He nodded. He didn't know what it was, but he too felt comfortable around Gloria and therefore, he didn't' mind if she held his sister. HE felt safe with Brooke in Gloria's care.
Taking her brother's lead, Brooke made the rest of the way to Gloria's arms and let the young woman hold her.
Gloria's embrace felt safe and warm. It reminded Brooke of how safe she felt whenever her mother held her.
"Shh, shh, it's okay, Brooke. It's okay. Whatever it is, it's gonna be okay. Come on, let's get you guys inside and I'll make us some hot chocolate. Does that sound good? Would you guys like some hot chocolate?"
"Yes, pe-please?" Brooke replied, her reply coming out in a sob.
"Aw, what nice words. Come on." Gloria said, hoisting Brooke onto her hip. She led the way into the house and beckoned gently for Caleb to follow.
The young boy didn't need much coaxing. He wanted to help Brooke feel better and he knew Gloria would be able to make Brooke smile again.
After the three had entered the house, Gloria didn't go right to the kitchen. She made a bee line for the living room.
Once there, Gloria sat down in the glider and Brooke immediately snuggled into her for a cuddle.
"Aw, there you go. Now, what's the matter, honey? I want to help you. You can tell me anything. I promise I won't laugh at you and I promise anything you tell me within reason will stay between us. And I'll try and help you feel better."
Brooke nodded. She then glanced up at Gloria, a look of confusion on her features.
"What's within reason mean?" She asked, calming down for the moment.
Gloria giggled softly. She had forgotten to bring her vocab down for the little ones.
"I'm sorry. I sometimes talk using big words. Within reason means as long as the problem won't hurt anyone."
Brooke nodded. She understood now.
"Okay. Well, we were shopping with Jerry and I wanted to get our Mommy a present, but… but Jerry said no!" The last word came out in a sob. "Mommy's sick and she's going to Heaven soon! I want to get her something special!"
Gloria tried to fight back tears at the conclusion of Brooke's explanation. She had remembered what Tess had told her about the childrens' mother.
Caleb took over the explanation just then.
"We wanted to buy her something really special. We've been saving up for the last four months. We still have a few weeks to go. We want the gift to be really special."
Gloria nodded as she held Brooke close.
"Well, I know any gift you give her will be special." Gloria told the two children. "It will be special because it came from you." She patted Brooke's head gently. "And you too." She reached out and pulled Caleb in for a hug.
Both siblings nodded.
"Will you take us shopping for Mommy? Please, Miss Gloria?" Brooke asked, always one to be polite.
Gloria nodded.
"Sure thing, kiddo. But it's just Gloria. None of this 'Miss stuff. Okay?"
Brooke frowned.
"Okay. But I like calling you Miss Gloria."
"Well, then I guess I can make an acception this time." Gloria said, smiling down at Brooke. Without warning, she started tickling Brooke's tummy, making the child burst out giggling.
Caleb joined in with the laughter as well. It had been a long time since the sound of laughter was heard in the Kissenger household. And it was a joyous sound to hear…
Monica, meanwhile, was standing outside the home of Jerry Miller. Tess had explained to Monica that the Irish angel was going to be the one to help Jerry as well.
When Monica had questioned Tess's instructions, Tess told her Gloria would still bring the two assignments together, but until that happened, Monica was to help Jerry for the time being.
Monica was going to be Jerry's home care worker for his daughter, Serenity.
Serenity was eight years old and unable to walk. She had to be carried almost everywhere and needed help doing some every day things other children took for granted.
And since Jerry was working a full schedule at his job as the manager of a company, he didn't have much time for Serenity.
As Monica rang the doorbell, she sighed. She prayed that God would give her patience to deal with Jerry. If Jerry's behavior at the mall was any indication of how he normally acted, Monica needed all the patience she could use them.
The door opened a moment later and Jerry Thompson stood there.
"What do you want?" He asked, his voice full of frustration.
Monica ignored Jerry's greeting and gave him a friendly smile.
"Hello. My name is Monica. I was sent here to help with your wee girl, Serenity."
Jerry nodded as though he had just remembered calling them the night before.
"Oh yeah. Come in. She's right back there." He said, gesturing to a room at the end of the hallway. She's good with strangers, so you shouldn't have a problem. She might talk your ear off though."
Monica smiled.
"That's not a problem. I love takin' care of the wee ones."
Jerry grunted as though Monica's comment didn't matter to him.
After giving Jerry a reassuring smile, Monica left Jerry in the doorway and made her way back to Serenity's room.
Upon entering the room, Monica found a wee girl with brown hair and blue eyes sitting in a bed. She was watching TV and singing along with a commercial jingle.
"You have a very pretty voice." Monica commented, making Serenity look up. "You're Serenity, right?"
Serenity nodded. She gave Monica a smile.
"Uh-huh. Who are you?" She asked, curiosity in her voice.
"My name is Monica. I'm here to help you." She said, coming further into the room. "May I sit here?" She asked, gesturing to the chair closest to Serenity's bed.
Serenity nodded.
"Sure. I like your accent, Monica. It's pretty."
"Aw thank you, darlin'." Monica said as she sat down and gave Serenity a friendly smile. "So what do you like to do for fun?"
Serenity's blue eyes lit up.
"I love singing, playing games and drawing. I draw pictures for Daddy, but he doesn't like them." She frowned at this last statement.
Monica frowned as well, but then she reminded herself that her assignment was Jerry and once she found the key to help him, things would get better.
"Well, maybe we can do something about that." Monica said, patting Serenity's shoulder.
"That would be great!" Serenity told her, smiling from ear to ear. "Do you want to see some of my drawings?"
"I'd love to."
"Okay!" With that, Serenity pulled out a book from a bookshelf that sat above her bed. She laid the book down on the bed in between Monica and herself and opened it. With that, the two started to look through it…