Chapter 6
Monica drove home with still the thought of bumping into Mike. Monica wonders to herself what life would have been like if she wouldn't cross paths with him again before she met and fell in love with Griffin. Would the feelings ever bloom into something more? Would she allow herself to fall for him and not Griffin? Monica stops her thoughts right there. Griffin is the love her life. It was written for him and her to be together not Mike. Monica shakes her head, and clears it. She doesn't want to think about what life could have been with Mike. The once romantic feelings she felt back then for Mike died the moment she said goodbye to him. And the only one person she thought of that still makes her giddy is Griffin.
Monica pulls into the drive way and sees that Griffin's brother's car is here. Monica climbs out of the car and locks it, as she heads into the house. Little bits of snow flurries started to come down. Just like how she first came to this town one year ago. Monica bounds up the front porch as she heads into the house where it is warm and toasty. She hangs up her light brown winter jacket and pulls off her hat and sticking it into the closet beside the coat rack.
She smiles when she heard Sarah's laughter as she rounds the corner and into the living room to find Sarah, Griffin, and Kurt to play Phase ten. Monica stood in the hallway being transed by the moment before her. An hour ago she saw the hurt and sadness in her husband's eyes. She sees a little bit there, but in this moment playing a family game with his brother and daughter, he was happy. Griffin looks up to find her standing there. Monica and him shared a moment with their eyes, and Kurt looks at his brother, "Bro It's your turn. Draw."
Griffin looks down at his hand. Then he looks at the discard pile, "Thanks Kurt. Now I can lay down two sets of 4."
Kurt looks at the card he just put down, "Ah Shit."
"Hey no swearing." Sarah stated.
Monica came into the room and giggles to Sarah's remark. She came and sat beside her husband. Griffin looks to her and wraps his arms around her waist and kisses the back of her neck. "You guys are playing Phase 10."
"Yeah. I'm winning so far. It's a tie between Sarah and my brother here." Griffin stated.
"Shut up Roan. I'm not that far behind you." Kurt stated.
Griffin chuckles and holds up his direction card to her and whispers in her ear, "Sarah and Kurt are both stuck on number 5."
Sarah beams up at her parents, "Not anymore, I'm moving on..finally. Your turn dad."
Griffin looks at his cards and places a card in Sarah's run, and puts one in the discard pile. Griffin only has 3 more cards left. Kurt picks up a card from the draw pile and a sour face came upon it. Sarah looks at her father's cards laid out, and she puts one in her father's laid out cards and discards her last card. "Out."
Kurt hands in his cards. And stands up, "Well munchkin..I have to go. Monica is back and I think they want some family time with you, so I must get going."
Monica looks to him as she stands up with her husband beside her, "No..it's fine. We can have some company."
"Thanks..Monica, but I have to head to the hotel I'm staying in. Sandy should be arriving there sometime tomorrow morning." Kurt smiles.
"Sandy? So you two are…" Monica looks at Kurt.
"Serious…I think so..I really..really like her a lot." Kurt smiles to himself, Then he shook off the smile, "Well goodbye Monica.." He embraces her and then pulls back. Monica moves aside so that her husband and his brother could say goodbye to each other. Kurt then waves the family off and heads out of the house.
Griffin looks to her as Sarah goes into the kitchen to have some leftover homemade chicken noodle soup, from Kathy's home. Monica senses her husband's worries about his father. Griffin goes to her and kisses her forehead, "I'll tell you later about what we discussed about Lenny, and when the funeral will be. But right now..I just want to be with you and Sarah, and just be together as a family."
Monica smiles to him and squeezes his hand as in agreement, "And I will answer any more questions about your father okay."
Griffin nods, to Monica's statement and pulls back from her close embrace and stares at her. Monica then turns and heads into the kitchen to have some soup, as Griffin follows after her, "Kathy made some extra lasagna and soup homemade chicken noodle soup. Figure since we all had a rough few days and all, would be nice to accept food from her. And with you gone to parent teacher conference."
Monica smiles as she scoops up a bowl of soup and heats it up in the microwave. Sarah beams up at Monica, "So..what did my teacher say?"
Monica looks to her, "Well he says that you should be in an advance placement in science."
"Really?" Sarah asks as she looks up.
Monica nods, "He figures that you will succeed better in advance placement than in the lower level of science."
"Thanks..but I'm going to pass." Sarah stated.
"Sarah." Monica stated.
"I think it's awesome to be placed in there. But science isn't really my thing. I think my teacher is awesome and like some of the topics. But if anything that I want to succeed in advance placement, is English or social studies." Sarah stated. "I want to go into more in depth into something I love to study and love to learn more about. Isn't that's the whole point of going to school is to learn."
Sarah did had a point. Monica looks to her daughter, "Are you sure, you don't want to try it?"
"I'm positive mom. Besides..in the advance placement. We have to go into more in depth about evolution and the whole Darwin theories about humans evolving from apes. And that topic will just get me really pissed off, because I know we were created by God, and not by apes. You taught me that Monica." Sarah stated.
Monica smiles to her, "Okay."
Griffin smiles to her daughters faith with God. He hopes and prays that she will not lose sight of that, the way he did. However meeting Monica one year ago, changed that perspective for him. She taught him how to seek God, and with her love he gets it. Now he worries that his father is losing sight of his faith.
"So I hear that the new Twilight is coming out next year." Monica stated.
"Ugh..why would you bring that up." Sarah stated.
"Well so many girls are talking about it..Thought you will be interested in it, like you are with Harry Potter." Monica smiles. Griffin holds back a chuckle. He already went down this path with Sarah once. Now it's Monica's turn.
"First thing..Harry Potter has deeper values than Twilight, and a better storyline. Second, Harry Potter doesn't 'Sparkle' like Edward in Twilight and takes action and stands firm in his beliefs. And lastly there is no comparison between Twilight and Harry Potter. Harry Potter is just better, and will last throughout generations unlike Twilight, that is just there for the preteen phase." Sarah stated her case.
Monica looks over at Griffin who was silently chuckling, "Let me guess you went down this road with her."Griffin smiles and nods.
Sarah looks at Monica, "I read the first book that Uncle Kurt gave me. Didn't like it. And now I roll my eyes whenever Twilight is mention. Dad try to get me to go see Twilight as one of our father and daughter moments. I told him, I much prefer to go see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince before I go and see any Twilight movies."
"Sarah..you will always go and see Harry Potter before anything." Griffin stated.
"No that's not true..If it comes down to it..Harry Potter vs. The Lion King. I choose The Lion King. Which that is coming out in 3D next September." Sarah stated.
"Yeah I heard about that. However Harry Potter will be done before then." Griffin smiles to his daughter.
"I'm not big into fantasy movies like that." Monica admitted.
"You're not? Dad I got to get her into the realm of Harry Potter." Sarah giggles. "She needs to read the books. The books have so much detail in it, that is just unbelievable. I read the 1st book in 4 days. And the 6th book in 5. It is that good." Sarah stated.
"I think I'm set Sarah.." Monica stated.
Sarah puts her dishes in the dishwasher. "Okay..I'm going to go and study and then read."
Monica glances at her, "Read what exactly."
"My English book. Of Mice and Men. I got to read up to Chapter 4. I'm in the middle of Chapter 2." Sarah stated. "Don't worry I won't get distracted by read some more Harry Potter things. I know the rules. Homework first then free time." Sarah walks out of the room and went up the stairs to her bedroom.
Once Sarah was out of the room Monica looks at Griffin who was putting away the left over home cooked meal. Monica goes over to her husband and leaves a gentle and loving butterfly kisses on the back of his shoulders. Griffin smiles to her touch, and stops what he was doing and turns to face her. "Kathy wants the funeral this Saturday. She says it's the best time, before Thanksgiving." Griffin stated.
Monica nods, "How are you holding up honey."
Griffin looks to her and tries to be strong, but the look in her eyes, made him feel weak and wounded. Like the night when he watched his victim died in his arms. The next instant Griffin was in tears. Monica senses his pain and pulls him to her. Griffin's face fell in her shoulders and he cried as his heart broke in two. Monica stood there holding him. She hates seeing him like this, but she knows Griffin has to walk down the road of suffering and grieving before he can heal. Griffin pulls back and looks into his wife's eyes, "I..I feel like it's my fault..Lenny died."
Monica takes hold of Griffin's hands and led him to sit at the bar with her, "Babe..it's not your fault that Lenny died."
"It feels like it is…I let him down so many times when he looked to me for help. I saw it in his eyes, but I refuse. That is not how my parents raised me. That is not what you taught me." Griffin stated.
Monica looks at him and then puts her hand to his face and made him look at her. "Roan..you did try and help your brother out many times. And he is the one that refuses your help. But in the end, he forgave you. He came to be at your wedding. Our wedding honey. He loves you and he wanted to change. Because you gave him hope to. It's not your fault that he died."
Griffin looks down and then back up at Monica, "Why does it feel like it is?"
Monica smiles, "Because you feel that you had caused his death which you haven't. You didn't give your brother the encouragement to keep drinking his life away. You never abandon him when he need the help. You loved him. And you were trying to be the savor in his life, like you are to Sarah."
Hearing those words from Monica was all true. He looks to her and smiles. He knew that Monica is right. But he still has that pull that he was the cause of Lenny's death. Griffin wipes his tears away and kind of chuckles, "I hate crying in front of you."
Monica with a curious look on her face asks why, "Why?"
"Because then it makes me feel that I am weak." Griffin half smiles.
Monica sighs and leaves a small kiss on his cheek, "No you are not. Not to me. Crying is a form of healing. And it doesn't make you weak sweetheart, it makes you stronger."
Griffin smiles to her remark, and he looks at his wife and feeling the heat between them, he gently pulls Monica near him. Monica's schoolgirl like smile came on her face as she moves into kissing him. Griffin kisses her right back, and melted in her embrace. Being in this moment with her loving him, made him feel safe and secure, even when it feels like his world is falling apart before him. He was so in tune with kissing her and was lost in the moment he didn't even feel her lips leaving his. Griffin pulls out of the daze as he looks at Monica.
Monica bits her lip to keep from giggling. Griffin looks to her and smiles as he goes to her. Monica moves away from him and goes to the sink as she holds up the extended water pump. Threaten to spray him with water if he took a step near her. Griffin and Monica shared a moment of playfulness and Griffin took a step to her, and Monica reacted on instinct and sprayed her husband. But it never stopped him. He came to her smiling and laughing with her as he pulls her to him. Griffin pulls a lock of Monica's reddish brown hair behind her ears and looks into her rich chocolate brown eyes. Then in that moment he kisses her.
Monica smiles against his lips and soon gets lost in the moment with him. Monica kisses him deeply and softly. Knowing this is where her heart is. After a moment of making out in the kitchen Griffin pulls back from her and looks down to her. Seeing eye to eye he tenderly said, "I thank God every day, that you came into my life, and gave me love."
Monica smiles and she replies right back, "I thank the Father every day since I've known you, and feel so blessed to share this life with you. You are my one true happiness in this life." After sharing another moment of love, they both together put away the food, and soon ventured in the living room cuddling next to the fire on the sofa. Monica strokes her husband's forearm as she stared into the glowing fire. She occasionally will feel Griffin's lips on the back of her neck, and she will smile to that. He still triggers her sweet spots that really gets her turned on.
After staring into the fire Monica looks up to him, "So for Thanksgiving..everyone is coming here right?"
Griffin looks to her, "Yup. Since last year..as you remember was at Chris's house. This year is at mine…I mean ours."
Monica smiles, "It's so weird that one year ago, you and I were dancing around the truth of liking each other."
Griffin smiles to that, "Yeah..I don't know what I was thinking. I should of just let my feelings for you go instead of holding back. Around this time, I was.." Griffin pauses as he felt Monica looking at him. Griffin looks into her glowing dark brown eyes, "I was…falling in love with you. Didn't really hit me until the first time I kissed you under the mistletoe."
Monica smiles to him, "I kind of always known that you were falling for me around this time."
"You did?" Griffin arched his eyebrows.
"Yeah..even when I was an angel at the time, I kind of had the vibe from you during Thanksgiving night. When you pulled our hands under the table." Monica smiles. " Like you I was in denial too, and didn't want to admit that I was falling in love because of…being an angel, and how angels aren't suppose to have these feelings developed. But for some reason, you enchanted me. You won my hear that no other man in my past did. And that night during Christmas eve I knew I was in love with you."
Griffin looks to her, and felt loved when she said those words to him. "You knew that I was falling in love with you during Thanksgiving."
Monica slowly nods, "It's kind of hard to miss it when you been alone for most of your existence, and closed off from human love."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Griffin asks.
Monica came to him, "Because, you weren't ready to hear what I had to say. And I was too afraid myself how I truly felt for you during that time as well. I didn't know what I was feeling, and didn't know if it was right or wrong. But I think it worked out for the both of us what happened New Year's Eve. If you and I admitted our feelings for each other before that night, it would have ruined what we went through. I think the Father did that on purpose so that our love will grow stronger."
Griffin knew she was right. He had to walk through the pain again to be fully in love with Monica. Griffin looks to her, and kisses her forehead. Griffin pulls out some of Monica's baby book names. He looks to her, "So..I've been looking through some of these names that you circled for our child." Griffin pauses as he held up the book with Irish names.
Monica looks at him, "I did a little research in the names..but I wanted your opinion too. This is your child too. So I wanted to go through the book together."
Griffin flipped to the section that stated M. He pointed the name that Monica had highlighted and looked at the meaning of it. "I think this should be our daughter's name if that is what it is."
Monica smiles to him. "Really."
"Yeah.." Griffin kisses the side of neck. "If she is anything like her mother, which I'm sure she will be. I think that she should have an Irish name."
Monica giggles to his remark. "I think I have one better for her , if it's a girl."
Griffin smiles to her, "What's better than Maolisa. The meaning of the name is the follower of Christ."
"Thinking about it. But the name is too common. I want our child to have a name that is unique and uncommon." Monica stated.
Griffin looks to through the book with her. Monica soon comes across his name and Griffin looks away. Monica beams up at him. Griffin senses it, "What?"
"I'm looking at your name and what it means." Monica smiles.
Griffin looks to her, and then blushes. "My dad wanted to name me after my grandfather. He wanted to carry on the Irish name…I know I don't resemble what the name represent. I don't have an ounce of red hair like you do."
Monica giggles and kisses his neck, "Well that is one translation what your name means babe."
Griffin looks to her, "What you mean there are more?"
"You have 2 translations. This is one..the other is little seal." Monica stated. Looking at Griffin's still embarrassed face because of his name, she puts a hand on his cheek and presses her lips on his. She kisses him in a slowly rhythmic motion and then slowly pulls back. Then Monica looks into his deep blue eyes, "I didn't fell in love with your Irish name babe. I fell in love with the man before me, with the strong and caring person that you are."
Griffin smiles to her words. Then very curious he looks at her, "What does your name mean?"
Monica pulls back. She smiles to him, "Like you I have 2 meanings."
Griffin smiles, "Which are?"
"Does it really matter?" Monica asks.
"Kind of..I just want to know. I want our son or daughter to have the best name and their meanings to fit them." Griffin smiles.
Monica exhaled her breath, and then puts down the book and stares at her husband, "Okay..the 1st translation to my name means counselor, or advisor."
Griffin then looks at her, "That does fit you..because you like to help out people, and counsel them. But that is one of the qualities I fell for." Monica smiles to him and was lost in his eyes. "Okay..and the second translation."
Monica shakes her head, "The second one is.." Monica pauses and then looks directly into his eyes and her face was near his, "Daughter of God."
Griffin was amazed by that. Her name is just so beautiful. "Wow."
"Wow?" Monica repeated.
"Your name is very beautiful. God choose the right name that fits who you are." Griffin smiles. "I want our son or daughter to have a name like that."
"And it will. It's still quite early to discuss their names. I'm only 13 weeks pregnant. And typically we will know what the sex of it is during my 20th week. There still is time." Monica smiles.
Griffin looks to her and nods, "I know..I just want to be.."
Monica puts a finger on his lips, "Roan…we will come back to picking names later..you don't have to have things planed out right this moment."
Griffin sighs in defeat. He knows Monica is right. It took Griffin and his ex-wife Crystal close to Crystal's 8 month period of being pregnant to deiced on what to name their daughter. He wants this pregnancy to be different from his previous marriage. "You're right."
Monica smiles to him and kisses his cheek. Griffin puts away the baby books and he brought out his acoustic guitar. Griffin strummed his guitar. Monica was reading a poem book when she stopped and looks to her husband. "You know..you could sing and play a song for our baby."
Griffin looks to her, and a smile kept on his face, "Do you have a song in mind?"
Monica smiles, "Whatever you feel like sharing. This is your moment with him or her."
Griffin took a moment to think of what song to play. Then he thought of one. He had a special moment with Sarah, by playing Daddy's Little Girl. Griffin thought of a new song for this child. He strummed the guitar and played the notes of the song I'll Be By Your Side by played to Monica's belly, and occasionally he will hum out the tune to the song.
Monica slowly stops reading the line she was on and looks to her him. Seeing him with his guitar and singing to their child was magical. It made Monica feel at peace, and it really made her happy watching her husband play a song for their unborn child. Monica slowly puts down her book and look at her husband who glances up at her and smiles.
After he finishes playing he sets the guitar down and spoke to her stomach. "And that is the song I played for you. Now I'm going to have some romance time with your mother." Griffin looks up at Monica and sees her giggling as he came to her and laid butterfly kisses on her belly and gradually moving up to her neck. He then laid on his back as Monica lays her head on top of his chest as she strokes his forearm.
After a moment of snuggling Monica looks to him, "What song did you play for him or her?"
Griffin sighs, "I'll Be by your side by Lifehouse. One of my favorite bands. I usually play special songs for my kids when they are in the womb. I played Daddy's Little Girl for Sarah when she was born and in Crystal's belly. I saw my dad did that to Lenny. I wanted to do that with my children."
Monica smiles to Griffin's statement. He surprises her every moment of their marriage. She feels like a lucky woman, and wonders to herself, how could Crystal let a wonderful man like Griffin, go like that. He is very loving, and very devoted to his family. Monica soon looks at the time as it read 10:50. She pulls out of Griffin's embrace, "I think it's time for me to go to bed."
Griffin looks at the time, "Okay." Griffin stays on the couch as Monica slowly walks to the stairs. She pause as Griffin didn't followed her.
"You're not coming with me?" Monica asks.
"I'm going to stay up for a bit. I'll be joining you shortly." Griffin stated.
Monica nods and soon retrieves to go up stairs. It took her about 5 minutes to change into her sleepwear and she was in Griffin's small private bathroom to brush her teeth and to apply some face cream to her beautiful face. Since she turn human, her soft and radiant face as an angel has been fading. She now has to apply some makeup to hide her blotchy spots, as well as her skin age, to hide the age of her human self to remain beautiful. She knows Griffin will still love her no matter how horrible she looks.
As soon as Monica was satisfy with her image she turns off the bathroom light and climbs under the soft blankest and sheets of their bed. She soon pulls out her therapy book and reads some more out of it. Monica read for a good 35 minutes until her eyes couldn't take it any longer. She sets the book down beside her alarm clock and turns to see if her husband was coming. She wonders what is keeping him. Part of her wants to go and investigate, but part of her wants to sleep. Monica's tiredness won her over, and she switches off the small bedside lamp, and soon drifts off into a slumber.
Griffin stayed and watch the glow of the fire. Thinking about his father. I wanted to know why he was so angry at Monica. And the phrase came back to him Tell him why falling in love with angels is a fucking death sentence to our fucking families. He wonders what his father meant by that. Did he mean his family with Monica, or the family he was born into. Was his mother really an angel like his wife? Griffin pulled back from the question. That's ridiculous Roan. Griffin thought to himself. My mother is not an angel. Don't be silly. Just because I fell in love with one, doesn't mean that my father did. But what did he meant by falling in love with angels is a death sentence? The question puzzled him for a while. Griffin soon glances at the time and soon realized that he had thought about his question for nearly 45 minutes. Griffin soon turns off the gas fire and heads to the bed with his wife.
Just before he turns off the gas he smelt a similar smell. A smell he had not smelt for a very, very long time. He glances at the chair near him and softly he closes his eyes and small tears ran down his cheeks. Mom! The smell of jasmine with a hint of warm vanilla filled his nostrils. Suddenly he missed her. He misses her soft voice, and wanted to curl up in her arms. Griffin had not thought about his mom for a long while and smelling her scent made him want to see and hear her voice again. Griffin sank to the floor and started to cry. Crying for the loss of his brother, the confuse state of his father, and crying for missing his mom. "Mom…Mother, I miss you so much." Griffin stated out loud knowing he will not have a reply back but he continued anyways. "I need you now more than ever. Our family is broken. Dad is a complete lost of state because of Lenny, I'm scared of losing him. Why is he so against God when I know he loves him? And why does he hate Monica and stated those awful things to her, and saying being in love with an angel is a death sentence? Is there something in our family history that I do not know about? I'm so confused."
Griffin pauses as he lingers by the fire. The smell of his mother scent linger there a few minutes more, then it disappeared. Griffin knows his mother's presence was here with him. Since Monica did that to him when she came to visit in her angel form near Valentines night after their separation. When the smell left him he softly said his goodbye, and whipped his tears away. Slowly he rises to his feet and turns off the gas fire and heads up the stairs to his wife. By now Monica is fast asleep in her spot on the bed. He smiles to her peaceful form. In minutes in stripped out of his jeans, and hopped in his pjs and climbs in bed with his wife. He looks down at Monica as she softly breaths. He brushes the hair from her face and kisses her forehead. Monica unconsciously moves in closer to him, as her hands stroked his smooth bare chest. Monica nuzzles her nose under his neck, and slides her legs in between his.
Griffin smiles to her embrace. Having her here beside him, and embracing him, made his worries and questions he had for his father fall away. Monica clams Griffin's stormy seas inside of him, and he feels at ease. Even when she isn't even conscience she still manages to calm his worries. Griffin guess it must be her inner angel self senses his troubles. As Griffin listens to Monica's soft breathing, it soothes him and made him go into a deep slumber.
…..
Thanksgiving was approaching quickly. Although before the day of thanks to be shared, Griffin gets ready to attend his brother's funeral. That morning getting ready felt like a steel prison of grief. Looking in the mirror of the bathroom as he slips on his black suit, the sad feelings rushed at him. Griffin is trying so hard not to let the flood gate open. But too late, without any warning Griffin tears began to flow out of his sad blue eyes and he softly cries for the death of his brother. Griffin cries for a moment or two, as soon as he hears Monica coming into the room, he wipes the tears from his eyes as she walks into the small bathroom. "You okay honey?" She asks.
Griffin looks to her, "Not really. I just.." Griffin had no words to say.
Monica looks to him and kisses his cheek, "I'm here beside you babe." And then Monica places Griffin's black tie around his neck, and ties it. Normally when she does that, it turns Griffin on. But right now, he is in depressing mode that her tricks of sexual feeling are not working for him.
Griffin gave a little smile to her, and puts on some of his man cologne and heads out. The funeral starts at 10:30AM sharp, and the immediate family needs to be there a half hour early. Griffin heads downstairs to greet his daughter. Monica was finishing getting her hair and makeup situated when Griffin left the bedroom. Griffin reached for a bowl of oat meal as Sarah sat down at the table eating some frosted flakes and a banana. She beamed up at him, "Morning daddy."
Griffin leaves the microwave and went to his daughter and kisses her on the head, "Morning to you too sweetheart."
Sarah was dressed in a black sweeter with black slacks. Griffin knows Sarah hadn't really known her uncle all that well, but he knows she is still quite sad. She looks to him, "I wish I knew Uncle Lenny better. I hardly known him daddy."
Griffin sat down beside her, "I know sweetheart. Partly was my fault. I kept him from you, because he was a constant drunk, and I didn't want him around you. I guess I was being too much of a overprotective father."
Sarah leans into him and gave him a hug, "Well..I'm gratefully for that daddy. Really. But since Uncle Lenny is part of this family, and I did get to know him a little before he died, I am as sad as you, grandpa, Uncle Kurt and mom. Well Monica…Can I start calling her mom, since this Monday I'm going to be her child anyways."
Sarah's last remark made Griffin chuckle a little bit, "Yes, Sarah you can."
Monica came down the stairs and comes to the doorway when she hard Sarah's last phrase. She softly chuckles herself to her daughters words. After a brief moment by the doorway, Monica enters the kitchen to join her family. She sits down beside her husband and has a bowl of fruit, as well as a piece of toast. Monica looks at her husband, "So after the funeral service, we are going to Kathy's house?"
"Yup. That is what she stated. She wants the potluck thing to be at her house, this way it takes the pressure off Chris and I." Griffin stated.
"Well that is sweet of her." Monica smiles.
"I guess she wants to keep an eye on my father." Griffin had a sad tone the end of his statement.
Monica looks to him, and places her wedding band hand to his right hand and strokes it softly, "Your father is grieving too Roan, I know you know that he still loves his family. And what happened a few days ago, he didn't' really mean it. He is just clouded by his grief, which made him delusional. "
Her words seem to ease him and he squeezes her hand to say thank you. Sarah looks up from her homework and sees the two of them exchanging a look. Sarah knows her father is hurting, however she still can see a bit of happiness coming from her father's smile when he looks at Monica. The moment only last a few short seconds then Sarah looks down at her paper. Monica looks over her husband's should and smiles at her daughter. "You know I can see you looking this way."
Sarah tries to hold back her smile when Monica said that. Monica moves from her spot, and goes over and kisses Sarah's small head, "Working on your homework at 9:30 in the morning."
"Yeah..figure I will get a head start since with everything that will be going on today. Plus….oh never mind." Sarah stated.
Griffin looks at his daughter, "Well Sarah we will just be busy for the morning and a little bit in the afternoon. But we well return home sometime around 1."
"I know..just thought I will get a head start on my algebra and Spanish homework. Say mom can you help me figure out question 29. I'm stuck and been working on it for over 10 minutes now." Sarah stated.
Monica kind of chuckles, "So you are calling me mom now?"
"Yeah..basically I'm going to be your child in 48 hours, so why not?" Sarah giggles.
Monica came over by her and hugs her very softly and kisses Sarah's cheek. She had been waiting a long time to have Sarah as her child, and this Monday she will officially have her. After a brief mother and daughter moment Monica pulls back and looks at the book, "Okay..what are you having issues with?" Monica studies the book and looks at the question. Sarah moves down one seat to have Monica sit beside her. Monica squinted at the problem.
Sarah looks at her, "Are you having some issues with the problem too?"
Monica looks at her daughter, "Some what…can I use a piece of paper?" Sarah rips a page of notebook paper out and hands it to Monica. Monica begins to write the problem down and writing some information on it. Then she looks at the question in the book again and begins to explain to Sarah on how to solve it, "Okay to solve 4/(p-3) - 2/p = 0, have 4/(p-3) be equal to 2/p so it will write.."
Sarah begins to write down the equation that Monica was telling her, "like this.. 4/(p-3) = 2/p"
Monica nods, "Yup. Now multiply everything by p(p-3)."
Sarah begins to multiply but gets stuck, "Oh I see…I think.." Sarah soon writes out the equation and slowly does what Monica told her to do. After she was through she found the answer, "So p is -3. Right?"
Monica smiles, "Well a way to check that is go through the problem with your answer and see what you come up with."
It took Sarah 2 minutes to go back and check the answer. "It equals out to 0. I did it..thanks!"
Griffin admire Monica's help with Sarah's algebra homework. He was never really good at algebra. He was more of a geometry person. Griffin looks at the time, "Done with the problem Sarah?"
"Yup. Thanks to mom here." Sarah beams up.
"Okay..because we got to get to the church." Griffin stated.
Monica eyes Griffin with a worry look. Sarah closes her math book and rushes over to get her fall jacket. Griffin follows his daughter and Monica comes by his side as soon as Sarah was out into the muddy yard as a light rain fell, Monica stops Griffin by the door as he turns to lock it. Griffin senses her worry and looks into her beautiful brown eyes, "I'm fine, Monica…really."
Monica steps forward and puts a scarf around his neck. She looks into his sad blue eyes, "I hate seeing you in pain."
Griffin touches her cheek to reassure her, "I know…I hate it too..but you ease my pain."
Monica smiles to his statement and gave him a light kiss on his cheek. She then turns to join Sarah at the red Cadillac. A moment later and Griffin was at Monica's car. They decided to take Monica's car, because Griffin was in no mood to drive, and Monica knows that. Monica drove to the church that was located by the local park. Already she spotted Chris's and Kerry's car, along with Mrs. Parker. Monica pulls up to the line of cars that will be going to the cemetery after the service. Sarah hops out of the car as well as Griffin. Griffin talks with one of the funeral home people about the situation with the hearse. And soon the man places an orange flag on top of Monica's red Cadillac.
Monica takes hold of her husband's hand and walks up the steps of the church with Sarah a few feet ahead of them. As soon as they stepped in, Griffin squeezes Monica's hand and soon lets go to embrace some of his family. Near the front of the church was the coffin that held Lenny's body. With some flowers surrounding it. Monica spotted Kerry and her family along with Chris and his. She let Griffin embrace his other brother, as well as Mrs. Parker. Monica was at his side and at the far left of the pew was Griffin's father Seth. She was afraid to approach him after what had happened a few days ago. Monica wondered if he is still angry at the Father. Monica decided not to cause a scene stayed away from him, and went to embrace Kerry and Kristin.
After a few moments of exchanging some hellos a priest came to them, "Is this everyone here for the immediate family of Leonard Griffin?"
Kathy nods, "Yes, Father Thomas."
"Very well. Come sit, I shall begin a prayer." Father Thomas stated.
Griffin sat on the left side that held his brother Kurt, and his girlfriend, and Mrs. Parker and her husband along with Griffin's father Seth, and Mac. Monica sat beside him holding his hand, as he laces his fingers with hers. Next to Monica was Sarah, as she snuggles next to her. The other side held Kerry family, and Chris's as the bowed their heads to let the priest say a prayer.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us all with the gift of this earthly life and has given to our brother Leonard Jacob Griffin. His span of years and gifts of character. God our Father, we thank you now for all his life, for every memory of love and joy, for every good deed done by him and every sorrow shared with us. We thank you for his life and for his death, we thank you for the rest in Christ he now enjoys, we thank you for giving him to us, we thank you for the glory we shall share together. Hear our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.." Father Thomas spoke, and everyone murmured amen.
The family waited for the rest of the guest to come in. Around 10:30 the priest came back as Lenny's funeral service began. Monica looks over at her husband. As the service started she saw the he was trying to fight back his tears for his brother. Monica leans to him, and softly nuzzles her nose to his neck, to give him the okay to shed his tears for his brother. Griffin took hold of Monica's hand, and squeezed it tight and soon came to her shoulder and quietly sobbed in it. Hearing his sobs made Monica tear up as well. She never really gotten to known Lenny, but in this moment she shed tears for her husband's brother. Monica looks over to the right row, and from the third pew back, she spotted Griffin's ex-wife Crystal. The Priest was saying a passage from the Bible, to give some spiritual enlighten for Lenny.
Then Kurt got up from his spot and went to stand beside the microphone to speak for his brother. "My brother Leonard, was a wild at times, but he has my mother's spirit. Always trying to make himself good in this world. Although through his tough times of his wife Amy passed away is what got him. I wish I…" there was a brief pause in Kurt's speech. Monica notice he was trying to hold back his own tears. It took him a moment as he continued on, "I wish I was more of a big brother to him, then. I thank God for the moments and a life with him. You will always be my little brother. Take care of him mom. We will miss you both." Kurt stepped down from the microphone.
Monica looks to her husband, and he slowly rises to go and speak for his brother too. "My brother Lenny, was a delightful spirit. He always leaves a smile on everyone's face when he would joke about something or tell a story. I will never forget the time when Lenny and I would have our brother bounding time by setting the mom's corn field on fire, and building ramps to crash into." Griffin smiled at the memory. Then he continued, "I'll never forget those times. Even when he was at his worst I helped him see the light. I guess Lenny accepted his death in the end. He wasn't afraid. You still hold a special place in all of our hearts. May you rest in the Father's arms, Lenny. I love you even at times I didn't show I did..But I love you…" Griffin pauses as he steps off and lays a red rose on his brother's coffin.
Griffin walks back to his seat, and Monica smiles through her tears. Griffin whipped his tears away, and held onto his wife's hand. Monica strokes his back to help ease up the pain. The priest came back and nods to the woman next to a small boom box. "Now a song in memory of Leonard Jacob Griffin." The song that Kurt and Griffin picked out for their brother's funeral song was their father's favorite that he sang to him as a little baby. I'll Stand By You. When the song played Griffin looks over at his father who was now sobbing at the song, and Kathy holds him tightly. He knows that this is a very personal song between his father and his little brother. Griffin looks at Monica and her eyes met his. Then his gaze fall on his brother's coffin and he started to cry again. After the song was over the Priest shared on last passage from the Bible and then closed in a prayer, "God our Father, we thank you that you have made each of us in your own image, and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you.
We thank you for Leonard Jacob Griffin , the years we shared with him, the good we saw in him, the love we received from him. Now give us strength and courage to leave him in your care, confident in your promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
The Priest paused and nods to the funeral home director to take Leonard's body to the cemetery. Some people stayed to say their goodbyes to Lenny, and consult their condolences to the mourning family. After about 10 minutes or so, the director nods for the family to go to their cars for the drive to the cemetery. Monica walks out with Griffin beside her and little Sarah. She holds tight to her husband as he was still sobbing and watching the funeral director put the casket in the car. They went to their car and Monica started up the car. Then slowly she follows Kurt out with the head car to the cemetery.
As they arrive at the gravesite, 4 men laid down the coffin on a green tarp. The Priest said one last prayer to Lenny, and insert a blessing on the coffin. Then Griffin watches the coffin lower in the ground. He closes his eyes and said a small prayer to God to watch over his brother and to be by him. He felt Monica's touch, and looks onto her. Then softly he whispers in her ear, "Thank you..for being my solid ground, and for being who you are." Monica smiles to him and leans her small head on his shoulder. He knew that she knows what he is talking about. After a moment or two he walks over to his mother's gravestone. Monica follows him and knelt down beside him. She looks at the tombstone as it read. Ruth Clarisse Griffin. Beloved wife and mother.
"Your mother's middle name is Clarisse?" Monica asks.
Griffin nods, "Yes. I was thinking of having Sarah's middle name be that, but Crystal didn't like it."
Monica smiles, "Well..I think it's pretty."
Griffin smiles back, and puts a white rose on his mother's gravestone. Then turns and walks a few paces to talk with his best friend. Monica lingers at Griffin's mother's gravesite, and she too puts a white rose on the gravestone. Then very softly she said a small prayer to her, "My old friend Ruth. May God's love be with you and your beloved son. Thank you again for allowing me to share a life with your child. And I will promise to up hold your secret. May God be with you." Monica smiles as a small white dove sat next her grave. She knows she is here. Monica nods and walks back to be with her husband.
When Monica arrives by his side he looks over to her, and gave a faint smile to her. She laces her arm with his, as her head fell on his broad shoulder. Chris looks to his best friend, "Well…shall we head back to Mrs. Parker's house."
Griffin nods, "Yes..because I think our daughters are quite cold." Griffin nods to Sarah and Julia as they huddle together under an umbrella.
Sarah was by her Uncle's grave site, as she puts a small white rose next to a bunch of red ones. However when she laid down her rose, tied to it was a small figure of a white dove. Julia looks to her, "Why did you put a white dove on your flower?"
"Because..white doves are healing signs from God. And they are a symbol of peace. Monica told me that." Sarah stated. "I just want my Uncle to be at peace in Heaven. Even the pain he had caused with my dad for so many years."
Julia gave a small smile to her best friend, "You know all sinners are forgiving by God. Your Uncle is there.."
Sarah smiles as she places her cold hand on top of Julia's. As the rain poured down around them. Sarah said a small prayer to her uncle Lenny as she says her final farewell to him, Uncle Lenny. Even that I have not gotten to know you over the years, but I love you. Even if you were in my life for a short while. And I forgive you for kidnapping me. It wasn't your fault. I know that you will never do such a thing. So here is my forgiveness. Farewell for now, until we will meet again. As soon as she finished her prayer she lays her flower by his grave site. When she bent up she sees Monica and her father approaching.
"Come on squirt. We got to go." Griffin said.
Sarah nods as she hands Julia her spare umbrella and runs to the safety under Monica's big white umbrella. Monica holds her tight and guides them to her red Cadillac.
Lenny smiles a sad smile to his family. He goes over to where Sarah had placed her flower. A smile crept on his face touching the white dove that was attached to the flower by a string. His fingers grazed over the shape, and then the shape morphed into a real life dove. He nods to the dove as it flown over to the Red Cadillac. He knows Monica will get his message. And seeing her smile, he knew she received it. He just wished his brother will understand the angel ways…
Monica was about to pull the car in drive when she sees a glimpse of a figure in her review mirror. She turns her head to see who it was, but when she did it was gone, and she sees only a white smiles to herself and realize who it was. Monica said a thank you in her mind to the figure that was apparently watching over her husband. She soon pulls away from the curve and drives a slow steady pace behind Kerry's minivan.
Griffin looks at his wife, and caught onto her smile, "What were you smiling at?"
"Oh nothing.." Monica stated. She knows that Lenny was there or Ruth. She can't tell which, but seeing that dove, was a sign that an angel was there.
Monica pulls into a parking space across the street from Kathy's small white picket face home. She locks the door behind her, and walks in line with Griffin. The rain had lighten up a bit to just a light sprinkle. Sarah was right beside her father, as they approach the home. Griffin gave a little knock, and was greeted by Mrs. Wilson, "Hello Roan. Sarah..and.." the woman pauses she looks at Monica.
"My wife Monica…" Griffin stated.
"Right sorry..forgot you got married again..hello Monica..I'm Joanne Wilson..come in..you guys must be cold…have some food…and try my famous Macaroni salad." Joanne stated as she led them in.
Monica looks at Griffin, "Is that the same person who.."
"Who use to baby sat Sarah, before you came along..yeah that's her." Griffin smiles.
"I see..is her food any good?" Monica stated.
"Only if you want to be sick later." Sarah claim in.
"Sarah!" Griffin glared at his daughter.
"Well..it's true..her cooking skills are not the greatest..and don't go near her macaroni salad." Sarah added in.
Griffin shook his head, "She doesn't like her cooking."
Monica giggles to Griffin's statement, and then goes over and dishes out a plateful of veggies and fruit. Monica is not real hungry, but she will have something to chow on, while people mingle. She watches Griffin approaches a woman who was still sobbing over Lenny. Monica must have guessed it was one of his relatives. Monica stayed close by the living room, but once more people sat and talking about her husband's childhood and life with his brother, she felt a little left out. To clear her mind, Monica decides to walk out into the crisp autumn afternoon air. She stepped out onto the small patio of Kathy and Henry's home. They have a beautiful landscaped backyard. With a beautiful white picket fence that was surrounded by flower beds. Monica guess once spring and summer arrives the yard will look breath taken.
Seth kept his distance from his son's wife. Not wanting to get too close, but with Tess's visit the other day, helped him see the light. He decided to make his peace with Monica before the holidays set in. He saw her leave to go out into the back porch, and he follow suit after her.
Then something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. It was the same dove she saw at the grave site for Lenny. It cooed at her, then it flown away with the figure that was coming right up beside her.
"Here thought you could use this." Seth stated as he hands Monica a small throw blanket.
Monica turns slightly, and was surprise to find Griffin's father beside her. His behavior has changed dramatically after her last encounter with him. She wonders how that happened. To be polite she gave a small smile to him, "Thank you."
Seth took a few paces back and settles himself to stand about a foot or so away. It was a bit awkward, but finally Seth took the bold move to apologize to her. "Monica..I'm sorry for what I had said to you, a few days ago. I lost my mind. Seeing my baby boy dyeing like that..I just.."
Monica turns to look fully at him now, and to Seth's shock face he doesn't see any hurt or anger in her eyes. Just pure love and understanding. "I understand..you were going through a lot.."
Seth places his hand on hers, "Still didn't excuse for what I did. And what I..I could of expose my son..your husband, to the truth about Ruth.."
"You didn't..Ruth's secrete is still kept safe. From me and Kathy." Monica stated.
Seth looked at Monica with a surprise look in his face, "Kathy told you?"
"Yeah..she saw the same similarities in me like your wife Ruth, and made the connection. She also knows about my secrete as well, that I used to be an angel." Monica smiles, as she pulls the blanket closer to her body.
Monica moves past small talk and really hits the core of why he was talking with her, "So..what had made you come and apologize to me about your lack of faith with the Father. The way Roan explained your faith with God, it is beautiful. And the way you behaved the other day, if felt like an insult to the person who created your life."
Seth did not meet her gaze. Looking into her eyes in that moment, he felt total shame. For some reason her eyes has the same reflection as his wife Ruth, of being completely devoted to God. Seth took a moment then he answered, "This will stay between you and me ok."
Monica nods, and she allowed for him to continue. Seth's gaze was almost fixed on hers but still he did not want to look into her eyes directly. "I was…I was visited by Ruth's best friend..as she puts it, your mentor for when you were an…" Seth paused and lowers in voice, "angel."
Monica looks at him as her eyebrows raised, "Tess?"
Seth nods, "She was very convincing." Monica smiles to her old friend. Tess can be very convincing, and loving all at the same time. Which is why she loves her, and why Tess will always be Monica's number one friend. Seth explained his story and explained how Tess made him see his error. "I now have a better understanding of God's mercy for people, and for…well you know.."
"For fallen angels." Monica echoed his thought.
"Yes…" Seth smiles.
"I may be human now, but my love for the Father goes really deep. Deeper than my love for your son. I love Roan with all my heart and soul, and would think twice before ever breaking his beautiful heart. But nothing can ever compare to the real love that comes from God." Monica explained.
Seth looks to her now with sadness in his eyes, "I wish my relationship with God could be as strong as yours, you have no doubts."
Monica gave a short chuckle, "Oh believe me, I had my doubts with my own faith with God, even when I was an angel. And I was born in his love, yet I still manage to have my doubts and not trusting his word."
Seth looks at her with dismay, "Really? Even when you were an angel?"
Monica nodded, "Angels are not perfect. Sometimes we screw up just like humans do. I remember several times, I disobeyed God…and I had to be punished. Not in a bad way, because like you stated earlier, God is very merciful. He knew I had to fix my mistake, and learn from them..I was still an angel in training when that happened. God knows that people have doubts. He knows that we struggle along the way, but he will always be there to help us..even if we refuse, he still loves us.."
Seth smiles, "You are starting to sound like Tess." Monica places her wedding band hand on Seth's right hand, and smiles to him. Seth took her hand and squeezed it for saying thank you. Then a chilling breeze kicked up and it sent Monica shivering. Seth took that as a cue to go inside, "Come on let's get you out of the cold. Wouldn't want my grandchild in there to let his mother freeze to death."
Monica smiles, "How did you know?"
"Your pregnant, my son did…he called me up a few nights after you gave him the good news saying, 'he's going to be a father again.' Plus Kathy also reminded me a few days ago after you came and visit. She went on and on, that you refuse coffee and going to tea." Seth smiles as he led Monica back into the house.
Monica smiles, "Yeah..had to stop drinking my favorite coffee flavor, because it was making me ill." Monica stated with a disappointment.
"Ruth was the same way. Had to stop drinking her usual. And when she saw her cup of coffee in commercials on tv she sobs. How many weeks are you?" Seth asks as he opens up the door.
"This will be my 14th week coming up." Monica stated.
Seth smiles, "I'm glad..for you and Roan..very glad."
Monica smiles back at him, "I am too.."
…
Griffin lingered by his cousin Margret for a another 3 or 4 minutes. He left to go find where Moncia went to. When he looked she was nowhere to be found. He wonders where she could be. Griffin moves out of the living room and past the doors to the outside. He stopped when he saw her beautiful radiant face light up with gladness. And when he looked he was in shock. He found outside on the patio his father talking to his wife. A few days ago his father was in a complete angry rage and was going on about his hatred towards God. And now to his amazement, the angry and bitter man Griffin witnessed before, was now his usual self. Humble and gracious towards his wife. Monica was right. His father was just going through his grieving stage, and wasn't seeing clearly. However, the one thing Griffin does not get is, is his family really going to be punished by God Almighty, because of Monica's choice of falling from Grace to be with him? And how falling in love with angels is a death sentence?His questions vanishes away when she spots him, and says goodbye to his father, and goes and greets him with a warm and smooth kiss to his lips.
"What..what was that about?" Griffin asks after his wife kissed him.
"The kiss?" Monica asks.
"No..you and my father…talking?" Griffin stated.
"Oh…he was….he was just making his amends with me..about the other day….and later on he wants some alone time with you too, and apologize for his outburst." Monica looks at him.
Griffin looks down, "He scared me when he did that. Attacking you..was like he was attacking me."
Monica came to him and laces her fingers to his, "I know..and he knows that too..that's why he wants to speak to you..after the little get together. He loves you and your brother. And the last thing he wanted to do was to hurt you with his own broken heart."
Griffin puts one of his hands on her face, "Why do you have so much wisdom, and healing words in your heart?"
Monica smiles and embraces her husband, "Because…I had many experiences with this kind of behavior before in my past. And the wisdom comes from who I am…"
Griffin looks into her soft brown eyes and smiles. He loves her comforting words that she gives to him. And the sexy Irish voice still melts his heart. God did choose the right name for her, she defiantly is a councilor when trying to council the grieving. Griffin then takes hold of Monica's hand and motion her to be with some of his family members that she never got to meet.
…
A few hours past and everyone had plenty of food. Monica meet some of Griffin's relatives from other states, as well as a familiar face in the crowd the Irish couple who helped both Monica and Griffin on their honeymoon in Northern Ireland. Monica gave a friendly hug to the Irish couple and talked with them. They only came for a short while to pay their respects to Lenny, as well as being there for Seth. Once they went to be with Seth and share their condolences, Monica turns and only to find Crystal standing near the fireplace looking at the memories, of what used to be her brother in-law. Monica softly approaches her.
"Here, thought you could use some tea." Monica offered.
Crystal looks to her, and accepted Monica's drink, "Thanks."
Monica looks at the photos of young Leonard as she looks at the family. "You were close to this family weren't you."
Crystal gave a half smile, "They were the only family I had. It wasn't easy living my life…then I found Roan…well…your husband now…and he changed my view on life." Crystal smiled on the last word, remember her time with Griffin.
Monica feeling slightly jealous at her, and part of it hurt her. Monica turns as the glow of the fire highlighted her face. She looks at Crystal and said what Crystal was trying to hide, "You are still in love with him aren't you?"
Crystal looks up into Monica's soft brown eyes. Part of her wanted to slap Monica in the face and ask how dare you say that. But she knows that she is right. There was no fooling her ex-husband's new wife. Crystal looks into the fire and softly replies, "Yes. Part of me will always be in love with Roan Griffin." Crystal then took her gaze off the fire and looks at Monica, "But he will always be in love with you."
That shocked Monica. She thought Crystal will deny it, but something in Crystal's heart made her accept the fact that she can no longer have Griffin. And the next phrase really amazed Monica. "Even when I was married to him, Roan never shared the amount of happiness that he has with you. I thought Roan will be happy with me, but it turns out he never really was….The moment I saw the look on his face at your wedding was the moment I knew…"
Monica looks at Crystal and a soft smile formed on her face as she looks at Crystal, "You know we can be friends instead of enemies."
Crystal shook her head and drew back from the fireplace, "Nothing personal Monica..but I think I'll just stick with you being an acquaintance. Thanks for the tea." Crystal walks away from her not looking back. Monica understands for Crystals resentment from her. It hurts her too much to watch the people she loves moves away from her and goes to Monica instead.
….
Griffin walks away from the crowd and goes up to his brother's old room. Everything in here reminded him of his brother. The old high school hockey sports coat, that his brother loved to wear after his state game. He never would forget that moment. Studying for his police exam as his younger brother comes into his room shouting 'I won..I won..' He went through some of his brother things. Until he came across a small journal. Griffin held the book in his hands, he was afraid to read it. It held all of his brother's privacy.
Griffin slowly opens the black book. Inside held a picture of his brother and his wife Amy. At that time in Lenny's life he was happy. Griffin still remembers that terrible day. Just finishing up patrolling the highway on route 96, when he got a call from his captain, stating there is a major ascendant on route 94 heading to New York City. Griffin still a rookie at the time, took the call, and he wished he hadn't. He went to the end off route 94, that was heading into New York City. He came across a head on collusion with fire trucks and ambulance all around. Apparently a drunk driver hit the oncoming traffic that was heading to New York City. The man had a few broken ribs and a broken leg. He came with his big pickup from New York and got off course and hit the car straight on.
Griffin got out of his patrol car and went to the crash site. He looks at the familiar car of Amy's red Buick, and his heart froze. Pinned between the guard rail and the back of the pickup was Amy. She only had a few minutes to live, as Griffin stood there cradling her half torn body. He watched her life disappear from him, and he knew he had to call his brother about the bad new...When he arrived at his brother's door, Griffin will never forget the wailing and the hurtful cries coming from his little brother. Tears were coming out of Griffin's eyes as he relived that moment.
There was a soft knock and Griffin closes the black notebook and looks up to find his father. "Dad.."
Seth looks at his soon as he looks at Lenny's old things, "Thought I will find you up here."
Griffin puts Lenny's old things back in the box and sets the box down on the floor. "Just wanted to get away for a little while."
Seth nods, "I know…" Seth moves to sit across from his son. Griffin looks at his father and small tears ran down his face.
Griffin knows this is the perfect time to make peace with his father, "Dad.."
However Seth beat him to it, "Son…I'm sorry for what I did a few days ago. I wasn't myself, and I would like to apologizes for the hurtful things I done. I shouldn't have taken my frustration and angry out on you, and your wife. You were both there to help me, and I totally dismissed that. That is not who I am..and that is not a fatherly example. I'm so sorry Roan..really."
Griffin looks at his dad as tears streamed down his face. Suddenly Griffin stood up and went to his father as he embraces him and sobs into his father's shoulder. Griffin felt like he was 15 all over again when crying for the death of his mother. Seth hugged his son, and he too was crying. Griffin pulls back as he looks at his father, "Just don't scare me like that again…"
Seth looks at his son, "I won't…believe me..I never want you to go through that again..I love you..you and Kurt are the only thing in this world that I have left."
Griffin gave a little smile to his father. Then he asks the question that had been killing him for days now, "Dad…why did you say that Falling in love with angels is a death sentence to our families?"
Seth was taken aback, oh shit, he knows. Seth tries to come up with a lie to cover up his tracks, "I don't know..I was…in a complete mess.."
Griffin got up and walks over to the window and stares at the darken gray sky, "How do you know about my wife being an angel?"
"What do you mean?" Seth goes over to him.
"Monica..you got all defensive and pointed to her because she used to be an angel. Only I know that she used to be one..because she exposed herself as one last New Year's Eve. So how do you know about Monica's true identity, and blame her and her existence for Lenny's death?"
"Roan.." Seth tries to back away but it was too late.
"I want to know..how do you know she was one?" Griffin asks turning to look at his father.
Seth sighs and goes to the bed. Griffin remains standing at the window. "Your daughter's birthday. She reminded me of someone I used to know back in World War two. And then I made the connection. Your wife came forward and told me. That is how I know she is one. Hard to forgot when you were visited by an angel."
"How come you never told me that you were visited by angels." Griffin stated as his anger eased up a bit.
"Because that was one of the few memories I wanted to leave behind. I saw a lot of death in World War two, and didn't want to share with you kids." Seth stated.
"Did you end up falling in love with an angel?" Griffin asks.
Seth didn't want to lie to his son, but he didn't want to expose his son the truth about his mother. So he carefully went about on how to answer his question, "Yes I did. Shortly after the war, I was about your age when you went to the police academy. When I fell in love with the angel who was a nurse attending the front lines. She told me that being in love with her, is a big mistake, and that it could jeopardize the balance between angels and humans. I was then sent away on a mission, and I wanted to share my love for her. We secretly met at in the forest behind the campsite of the battle fields. When I went to her to confess my love for her, we were bombed, and I remember seeing her disappear in with the reigns of fire from the Japanese." Seth paused at the memory of his wife Ruth. Then he looks at his son, "That was the last time I saw her."
Griffin was shocked at his father's story. He thought he was the only one in the family who fell for an angel, but it turns out his father also did. "Do you still miss her?"
Seth nods, "Yes."
"Do you love her more than mom?" Griffin asks.
"No..your mother was the only person I ever truly loved. I was just a love strucked boy that time. When I met your mother, it was different." Seth smiles.
Griffin smiles to him, "I'm glad you told me dad..really." And soon the worries and questions disappeared from him, and he hugs his father.
Seth smiles and hugs him back, "I'm glad too."
Griffin then looks at the time and then he looks at his dad, "Well I've got to get back home. Sarah has some homework to be done, and I have to head to the station and talk with my boss. Thanks again for telling me dad."
Seth smiles, "You're welcome..and Roan..keep Monica close..A love from an angel, is one of the most powerful love there is."
Griffin smiles, "I will." And with that he returns downstairs.
…..
Monica was looking at the photos of Lenny and her husband. She saw the happiness in her husband's youth. She traces the smile on his face when an unexpected visitor came and sat down next to her. "That was the time Roan graduated from the Police Academy and his brother threw him a party."
Monica looks at the woman who held a glass of whiskey in her hands. The smile of the alcoholic drink was already getting Monica woozy but she remains where she was. "Nice to see you again Sandy." Monica politely replies. She still didn't like having this woman around. Especially because Monica can sense that she still is eyeing her husband, and not his older brother, which makes Monica really protective about her husband. She knows Griffin will always be loyal to her, and would never fall into the trap of this woman's sexual ways, but still she wants to keep Sandy at a safe distance from him.
"Thanks. Do you want some whiskey? It helps with the pain." Sandy stated as she offers the drink to Monica.
"No thanks..I'm set. And alcohol doesn't help with the mourning of a loved one. It makes it worse." Monica replies. She can tell Sandy is a bit wasted with how much alcohol she already ingested.
"Suit yourself." She took another swag of her drink. "How is your husband dealing with the grieving?"
Monica really doesn't want to talk with her. And she was wondering where is her husband to save her from the conversations. "He's taken it one day at a time. Still is pretty shaken up with the trauma that had happened."
"I know..Kurt told me..But you know what will help..Having hot sexual pleasure…it helps with Kurt whenever he had a rough day.." Sandy smiles. Monica took a sip of her water and pretending that Sandy wasn't talking with her. But she keeps on pressing on, "Have you ever tried it with your husband..Kurt is a sexy beast in bed..I want to know how good Roan is.."
Monica could feel the hot anger rise in her body. How can this woman use her brother in-law like that. She still is pursue after her husband. Monica calmly states, "Look Sandy.."
Monica tries to move away from her but Sandy presses on and follows Monica to the couch. "How does a woman like you. An outsider and gets away with marry off to one of the most sexist man around this town."
Monica looks at her, and now she sees it. Sandy is still jealous of Monica of that night when she became human and Griffin went back to her. Monica sets down her glass of water and looks at this woman with a glow of a red flame in her blue eyes, "I am not an outsider Sandy. And Griffin married me because he loves me."
Sandy snorted and rolled her eyes as she took another drink, "You know if you never came back he would've choose me." Sandy looks at Monica and she knows she is getting to her. Sandy presses on and tries to make Monica extremely pissed off, "In fact..the other night before you came back into his life he kissed me. He got a little turned on. He would've slept with me that night, and forgotten his love for you. I think in that moment when we were making out, that he wanted to have sex with me." Monica knows that's a lie. Griffin told her that he never wanted to. Monica looks up as Sandy still keeps on trying to make her angry and soon spotted her husband coming to her rescue.
….
Griffin said goodbye to Kathy and her husband as well as some of his cousins. He found Monica talking with surprisingly Sandy. He came to her and smiles, "You ready to go honey?"
Monica looks at Sandy, and sets down her glass of water, "I got to go…nice talking with you."
Sandy gave Monica an evil glare. Her jealously is still ruining her love relationship with Griffin's brother. Monica feels bad for Kurt. She knows the truth that Sandy is only with him, just so she can get close to Griffin. Griffin looks down on her, "Is Sandy being nice to you?"
Monica looks at him as they go and find Sarah, "No…in fact I think she is still jealous of me."
"Jealous? Of You? Why?" Griffin asks as he looks into her eyes.
"Because I don't think she truly got over her 'love' for you. She is still mad at me for coming back into your life, and you choose me over her." Monica looks at him.
Griffin chuckles, "Sandy doesn't know the definition of love. All she wants is sex. And for the record, I have always wanted you, and never her."
Monica smiles and kisses his cheek, "I know..Which is why I never got pissed off when she rambles on. Apparently her true colors comes out when she is drunk."
"What exactly did she say to you?" Griffin asks.
"Enough for me to see that she still has the hots for you." Monica gave a smile. "Come on let's go and find our daughter."
Griffin was confused for a moment. Was Sandy really in love with his brother, or was she fooling around with Kurt just so she can get near him. Griffin shrugs it off as soon as he and Monica found Julia and Sarah playing Apples to Apples with some of Griffin's cousins. "Come on Sarah, we got to go."
Sarah smiles up at her father, "Okay. Bye Julia, I will see you Sunday for church. Bye Alyssa and Mary, and Jackson.."
The other kids waved goodbye but Julia is the only one who actually gave Sarah a hug. Sarah gave her best friend a hug goodbye and then follows her father and Monica out. Just before she puts on her small tan jacket she caught sight of her birth mother. It still hurt Sarah to see her there. And she still didn't want to talk with her mother. Sarah dashes out of Mrs. Parker's house before Crystal ever caught sight of her.
Monica notices Sarah's hurry, and the look that Crystal had when she saw her daughter's resentment toward her, hurt Monica. She can feel for both of them. Monica looks at Crystal, and for a brief moment the two of them shared an understanding look. The last thing Monica saw was Crystal leaving the room as tears fell from her eyes. For a moment Monica wanted to go to Crystal, but in the same time she didn't. For one thing, Crystal still didn't like Monica. She made that statement earlier when Monica was trying to be nice. Monica closes the door and follows after her husband and daughter to her red Cadillac.
…
Later on that night Monica curls up with Griffin watching the fire glow from candles in their bedroom. Monica loves it when her and Griffin spend some romantic time together. She loves how supportive he is, and just being near her. Monica still is having some flashback moments of feeling Charles Norman forcing himself in her. She wants the fear to go away so she can be completely intimate with her husband again.
Griffin senses her worries as he pulls back a little to give Monica some space. "You want me to stop?"
Monica shakes her head and places her husband's hand's back on her shoulders, "No.."
"I'm not turning you on am I?" Griffin asks as he lightly massages Monica's tired shoulders.
Monica smiles and nuzzles her nose into his smooth bare chest, "Kind of..you are..but I like this..never thought how good you are at massages."
Griffin smiles back, and kisses her half naked back and her shoulders, "That because you never ask me for one."
Monica giggles as Griffin pulls away and sits back up as Monica continues to lay on her stomach so that Griffin could massage her. The last time they did this, was on their honeymoon, and it was shortly after they made love for the fifth time together. It was one of Monica's sexual fantasies to make love to her lover and have him to tenderly massage her naked body. She never told him that. Monica softly exhales and felt totally relaxed.
Griffin massaged his wife for another good 15 minutes then he lays down beside her as the glow of the fire outlined her beautiful milky skin, making it look creamy and warm. Monica turns her head and smiles at him, "That felt really nice..thank you."
Griffin smiles as he laces his fingers with hers, "You're welcome. Thought you could use a little relaxation after everything you went through these past few weeks."
Monica smiles as she turns to look at him, "I saw your father go up into the attic. Did he talk with you?"
Griffin nods, "Yes. I now have a better understanding why my father behavied the way he did. He also told me about how he come to know your real identity as an angel, and that he used to be in love with one as well."
Monica slowly rises to her elbows, "He what?"
"He told me that he too fell in love with an angel long before he met my mom. He was in Japan fighting the Japanese when he met his angel. Apparently you and I are not the only ones who crossed the lines and fell for each other." Griffin sits up as he explains to Monica what his father told him.
To Monica's amazement Seth told his son a little bit about how his father met his mother without giving away that it was her. He didn't lie to him, he actually told the truth. However Griffin still didn't read between the lines of the truth and that the angel that his father fell for was actually Ruth. And with what Griffin told her next was, "He also said before I left, that a love from an angel is the most powerful love there is."
Monica looks at him, "Well…you and I both know that the most powerful love out there is God's love. Nothing can compare to that."
Griffin nods, "True…" Then Griffin went into a more serious tone, "What is it like?"
Monica pulls out of his embrace and looks at him. The glow of the fire burned in his eyes as she looks at him, "What do you mean?"
"Heaven..what is it like when people die?" Griffin asks.
Monica sighs and then looks at him as she strokes his bare chest with her hands, "It's peaceful, filled with love and not hate, and there is no evil. It's the perfect place to be. And Griff…people are not dead..their spirits are with God, living in his love." Moncia pauses as she looks at him, "Are you wondering if Lenny is with him."
Griffin nods, "I just want him to be happy…I miss him..seeing that coffin go into the ground like that..was like a piece of me. I wanted to save him…."
Monica smiles as she places her wedding band hand on his left cheek and stroked it tenderly, "I know, my love…and yes Lenny is very happy…he is in peace, and he is with your mother, and your grandfather and grandmother, and with God. He wants you to live, and to be happy, and remember the times you had with him. And Roan..you did saved him…you saved him by loving him, and remembering who he is..you brought him hope when he need it, and love from his big brother. He knows you loved him."
Griffin eyes her, and places his wedding band hand to hers, "Without you there with me today, I don't know how I could mange to stay stable. Losing my mom was bad enough…now with my brother gone…." Griffin pauses as he looks at her, "For some reason when we left the grave site, I felt my brother's spirit."
Monica smiles, "Well..when I was an angel I had a little white dove with me to prove I was an angel of God. Today when we left, I saw a white dove near your mother's grave. I think your brother gave you a sign today..but you weren't cued in as I was..and I think your brother knows that."
Griffin looks at her, "You saw Lenny?"
Monica shook her head, "No..I didn't actually see him..but he gave me a sign, which was the white dove."
Griffin lays down on the pillows at the foot of the bed. And Monica continues to sit up. Griffin found her hand, and brought them to his chest. Monica smiles to him and carefully she lowers her body to lay on top of his. Before Griffin started the make out session, he softly stated to Monica, "I'm so grateful that I'm in love with you, and that you are in my life."
That won Monica's heart over. And gently she came and landed a tender kiss on his lips. Monica loves it when Griffin's shirt is off. So that she can roam her hands on his chest. The glow of the fire was heating up the romance between them. Griffin remains paralyzed to the bed as he felt Monica leaving hot most kisses on his bare chest. For the first time, he is actually feeling her leaving some hickies on his neck and chest. He was in complete awe with his wife, and Monica looks at him and then he pulls her into a hot romantic lip lock. They were both caught up in each others embraces that Monica was being sexually aroused. With Griffin on top of her, she can feel her body screaming at her saying it wants to have sex now..
In the mist of kissing her husband she stops and Griffin caught onto it. She looks at him and realized that he too was getting excited. "Griffin…I ah…I have to stop this act…I can't engage into any sexual activities unless my therapist gives me the okay."
Griffin nods, "I understand..just…you drive me crazy sometimes, and I can't control myself..you make me feel complete when I'm in the moment with you..and I miss that feeling."
Monica smiles and places her lips to his for a moment or two, "I know I miss it too…I am slowly letting you back in…it's just taking sometime. Norman…he damaged my trust with humans. I have to rebuild that. But he didn't took my love away from you..You still mange to turn me on. And I miss you making love to me."
Griffin smiles to her. Monica moves out of his embrace and left the bed. A moment later and she returns with Griffin's guitar. Griffin beams up at her and took the guitar as she settles down beside him. "I'm guessing you want me to play you something."
Monica nods and stated, "Anything that comes to your mind."
Griffin smiles as he softly strummed his guitar until he found the right tune. Griffin thought for a moment, then in a soft comforting melody he begins to play their wedding song, Feels Like Home. Monica smiles at him as he plays their song. She remembers what seems like years ago, that this was the first time she confessed her love for him. This song will forever remind her of her husband. To Griffin's soft playing and the glow of the candlelit fire, it was soothing Monica into a relaxing state. In the middle of the song, Monica dozes off into her dream world, while lying next to the love of her life.
Griffin looks down and sees his wife is fast asleep. After their near sexual encounter she was out like a light. Griffin smiles and sets his guitar back in it's proper place as he goes and blows out the candles that Monica set up. The room immediately went dark as rain continued to pour down outside. Griffin carefully puts a blanket around Monica's half naked body as he moves his pillow back to its original spot. He soon slides in and lays next to Monica. As the sound of the rain drops hit the roof of the house and the windows, and Monica's soft breathing it made Griffin very sleepy as he soon drifts off and joins Monica in dreamland.