The first sun rays shed over the small town announcing another beautiful day on that late spring weekend. But that lovely scenario was a contrast to the sorrow of Bontiful's people, for a person who had become so dear to them was still in hospital, fighting for her life after saving the life of so many children three days before. Bouquets of flowers, prayers and messages of gratitude arrived from time to time and the hospital staff was careful enough to keep the letters in the hopes that Monica would finally get out of the coma and find out how much she meant to the whole city.
Karen came to check on the patient every now and then and under another angel's attentive eyes she verified all the machines that were connected to Monica's human body and made some notes. Andrew could notice that the nurse held great concern towards the patient as there was no sign of recovery according to her latest records. Karen left a few minutes later, and once again the angel of death remained alone standing by his dearest friend's bed.
But a familiar voice broke the deep silence inside the room.
"Andrew..."
The blond angel turned his eyes away from Monica and saw another angel coming towards the bed. "Tess..."
The expression on the supervisor's face was a mix of anguish, anxiety and sadness as she turned her eyes from the angel of death to look at her dearest friend. The image of Monica lying on that hospital bed was shocking, especially for those who got to see it for the first time. With Tess it was not different and the supervisor felt like a part of her had just died.
"I didn't know... I... For two days I felt there was something wrong but couldn't tell what it was... I thought it was something to do with my assignment... I..."
It was one of those rare occasions that she could not find words to express what she was feeling.
"There's a doctor and a nurse to take special care of her." He spoke, and a more attentive look could tell that he too was having trouble with words.
Tess stroked Monica's pale face, frowning at the image in front of her. "I can't bear to see my baby lying here so...lifeless..."
"The entire city is praying for her. Monica saved many children... Three of them might not have survived the fire had she not found them and taken them out of the building in time."
The older angel nodded her head slowly. "So I've been told... No news about our angel girl ready to help others no matter what..." She looked at Andrew and forced a slight bittersweet smile. "I'm relieved you're here, angel boy. Glad that in this meantime there was someone at her side other than the Father, so that she doesn't feel alone or afraid."
"Tess... You know I would be here either on assignment or not..." He started, not knowing how to tell her about the mission he had to accomplish in case Monica's condition worsened.
"Yes, I know that, baby."
"Everyone here is treating her with utmost care and there are so many others outside this hospital praying for her recovery that I'm sure she will react. Monica is a fighter, we both know that." He meant to bring some comfort but the sorrow that was flooding her heart was too intense right now.
"My angel girl... An angel, Andrew! How can an angel..."
"I questioned that myself when I got here. But Sam explained that, in human form, we are all exposed to risks." Andrew reached out and took her hand. "Besides, I'm quite sure Monica herself is on assignment."
"On assignment?"
"I didn't quite understand at first, but I've been here long enough to witness a few miracles that were just possible because of her." He explained. "There are so many people who had their hearts touched by Monica's actions and words... People who work at the school, her students, one of the boys she saved from the fire and his own family...I've witnessed how deep she managed to change them."
