In the cold ICU, Andrew stood by Monica's bed, painfully listening to the beep of the monitor breaking the piercing silence that filled the room. Amazing how that environment did not combine with his dearest friend's affable behaviour. Her talkative mood, so filled with life and joy, would always raise the spirits of those who were around her and bring even the saddest soul out of their dark thoughts. That gloomy atmosphere did not have anything to do with Monica - the pretty and cheerful little angel he had learned to love since from the very first day she crossed his path should be out in a flowered field or strolling by the seashore or comforting God's children, and right now Andrew missed her sparkling eyes and Irish brogue more than ever.
"There are so many people praying for you right now..." He spoke, straightening her hair behind her ear. "And the children... you managed to save all of them - they are alive because God sent His best angel to protect them."
"I'm sure that this is the best piece of news Monica could ever hear."
The voice that interrupted Andrew's speech was a quite familiar one. Sam was standing on the other side of the bed in his angelic form and with a solemn, nearly sympathetic expression on his face. The oldest angel had known Andrew for so many centuries and was aware of the impact of Monica's accident in the angel of death's heart. The deep, strong connection they shared was rare among the angels, causing Monica and Andrew to practically feel each other's joy and sorrow with the same intensity they felt their own.
And it was exactly due to this that Sam knew he needed to be very careful with his next words.
"Sam..." Andrew's green eyes - so filled with sadness right now, went from Monica's pale face to his co-worker's as if seeking for the truth that had not been revealed to him yet. "Why is this happening? She's an angel, she wasn't supposed to be here, she-"
"Monica was in human form when it happened, and unfortunately she was exposed to all sorts of dangers any human being would be."
"But she can turn into her angelic form!" He replied, still not accepting what was happening.
"She's unconscious, Andrew. And will need doctors' full attention."
Andrew looked at her one more time and back at his friend, fearing to hear Sam's announcement. "What do you mean?"
The oldest angel let out a sad sigh and walked up to his co-worker, placing a supportive hand over his shoulder. "You must be prepared for a new assignment..."
"No!"
"I haven't been told anything yet. Things can change and Monica's human body can recover. But you and I know that there is a possibility that your being here can become more than a visit. You-"
"She will recover." The angel of death interrupted his interlocutor, not wanting to hear any further.
"We will all pray for that, Andrew." Sam spoke, feeling that it would be useless and quite hurtful to go on with that conversation. Besides, Andrew had understood quite well the message he was meant to deliver.
"Where is Tess?" He wanted to know, his eyes on Monica one more time.
"She is far from here, on a last minute assignment and hasn't been told yet."
"I understand. Please let her know as soon as you can. Monica would like to have her here as well."
The older angel nodded and disappeared on the following minute, exactly when the nurse opened up the ICU door.
"I'm sorry, sir, but you need to leave right now." She said, checking the monitor that registered Monica's blood pressure and heartbeats.
"I understand..."
Andrew bent down and kissed his best friend's forehead.
"You can come back tomorrow, from 3 to 4 PM. She not receiving guests but I've been told that you're her only family so you'll have an authorisation." The friendly young woman spoke, as they left the room.
"Thank you. How can I get this document?" He replied, glad that at least there seemed to be good and dedicated people taking care of his dear friend.
"You can make your ID card at the reception. Doctor Richards gave me your name and I'll leave it for the morning receptionist, so when you come back tomorrow you just tell her you're here for the patient Monica."
The bittersweet smile on Andrew's face was heart-breaking. "Thank you, miss."
After biding each other good night, they followed opposite directions, but the young nurse still remembered to say something else about his ID card. When she turned around, however, the corridor was already empty: Andrew had vanished faster than she expected.
But he did not go too far: inside the ICU room where Monica was lying unconscious, the blond angel reappeared, now with a beautiful glow involving his image.
"I told you, you should never be scared because you're never alone, sweet angel. I'll stay right here by your side until you open those beautiful eyes of yours, I promise." He whispered, never taking his own eyes away from her.
The night fell slowly and it was only when the nurse came to monitor Monica that the silence of the cold hospital room was broken. Andrew watched her with full attention but after checking the machines and making a few notes, the woman left and the angel returned to his permanent vigil, assuming that everything was under control with Monica but wanting to have more information on her condition at the same time.
When the morning came, Doctor Richards finally showed up, along with the nurse to whom Andrew had spoken on the previous night. And listening to their conversation finally gave him an idea of how his dear friend was feeling.
"There hasn't been any changes in her condition in the last 24 hours, doctor." The nurse said, checking on the records left by the night nurse.
"Yes, and this could be a good sign." The man replied, also taking a look at the notes.
"The poor thing... at least she doesn't suffer that much..."
Richards let out a sigh and looked at the young teacher with sadness. "Yes... But still... she seems to be in pain... I don't know how to explain, but her sadness is nearly... palpable..."
Hearing that only caused Andrew's heart to grow heavier with sorrow. In his angelic form, he caressed her cheek, loathing to hear such comments. Richards gave the nurse some more instructions and both left the room afterwards.
Looking at Monica and still shaken by what he had heard, Andrew bent down close to her ear. "I won't allow you to suffer, angel. Only the Father knows why your human form needs to spend some time here, but meanwhile, you're coming with me..."
Little by little, both angels started to abandon the hospital bedroom for a far too different scenario: a green field, covered with flowers and generous trees and bathed by the warm sunrays. The gentle breeze that never ceased, along with the singing of the birds and even the children's excited yelps at a distance seemed to bring the little Irish angel back to her senses.
Holding her limp body in his arms and with great expectation, Andrew watched as she stirred slowly and a few moments later her eyes fluttered open with confusion. To him, however, everything was quite clear: for some time, he managed to free her soul from the prison that her human form had become. Either he was right or not, the blond angel was determined to bring her some comfort and stop her suffering, and he seemed to be having success at that particular assignment.
With infinite tenderness, he placed a few strands of hair behind her ear and stroked her face. "Hey, baby..." He spoke in her ear, the image of her waking up finally eliciting a genuine and moving smile from him.
Monica blinked slowly, not yet used to the sun light despite the fact that they were under the shadow of a tall tree.
"Andrew..." His name coming out of her lips in a way that only Monica could pronounce was like hearing poetry.
Hi angel.
