Andrew spent the next hours by Monica's side in complete silence, apprehension written on his face. He should not have allowed her to make so much effort during their stroll on the seashore. As her angel, he should have done everything to spare her weak form from any kind of trouble that could put her in danger, and if anything bad happened to her Andrew would never forgive himself.
The angel of death's eyes had been fixed on her unconscious lying form for a long time, alert to any change in her slow and steady breathing and heartbeats. The only thing that interrupted his constant vigil were Monica's guests. When Karen opened the ICU door three people followed her: Dr Richards and an elderly couple. Dr Richards quickly approached the bed and checked on his patient with so much attention that it caused Andrew great discomfort.
"Hey, 'Miss Monica'... I just need you to fight a little more, okay?" He said, looking at the little angel with so much affection that Andrew averted his eyes for a moment. "Take your time, but please don't give up fighting..." The doctor added, his voice was low, as if he wanted to keep that conversation just between them. He still verified the monitors connected to her body and finally looked at the couple.
"You can come closer, Mr and Mrs Howard."
The woman gave a few steps forward and her eyes were immediately filled with tears at the moment she looked at the angel, emotion was also written on her husband's face, as he too approached the bed.
"Poor child... I'll pray to God every night and every day so that He heals her and restores her health." Mrs Howard spoke, touching Monica's hand. Dr Richards and Karen stood nearby, watching the couple's reaction and noticing a great amount of gratitude in their eyes.
"A long time ago, when our beloved daughter and her husband were killed in a car accident, God gave us a present... a blessing to help us go through so much pain... our grandson is everything that is left to us, he's been the joy in our lives since he was a baby..." Mr Howard was trying hard to fight the tears that were threatening to fall from his eyes. "This young lady gave us this present for the second time, as if our Father Himself had sent her to rescue those three children from the fire."
A small, bittersweet smile appeared on Andrew's face as he heard that short report. And as much as he knew that his beloved angelic friend was capable of the most beautiful gestures, he would still be amazed at her kindness and generosity.
"The amount of lives that Monica was capable of saving is impressive." The nurse spoke, she and Dr Richards equally impressed at the dimension of Monica's actions. "These three children were not the only ones who were rescued."
"Oh, they certainly weren't, I'm positively sure." Mrs Howard added. "Please tell us she will recover, Dr Richards. Our Nicholas is so worried about his dear 'Miss Monica' and wants to see her so badly..."
"This is all we've been praying for, Mrs Howard. It's clear to all of us that Monica has touched many hearts over the last few days. Even mine, I confess, for I'd never assisted such a generous and beloved person like this young lady." The doctor spoke, once again eliciting a stern gaze from Andrew. The angel of death tried to busy himself by paying attention to some other things going on in the room and it was then that he noticed he was not the only one whose mood was affected at Richards' great care for Monica. Karen held a hint of sorrow in her eyes which she managed to hide almost completely were it not for an angel's ability to see what human beings normally could not.
Monica's guests soon left the room, along with her doctor and nurse, leaving Andrew sitting by the bed, still in his angelic form. But he and Monica did not remain alone for a long time. A strong and familiar voice soon broke the silence and Andrew could immediately detect a great amount of sadness in it.
"I know why you're here..."
Tess was initially standing in a corner but slowly approached them. "You are not just staying by her side for support... you are on an assignment." She concluded.
Surprised, the angel of death could not look back at her for a moment and searched for Monica's hand for support.
"Tell me, Andrew! It is why you're here? To fulfil an assignment as an angel of death?" The supervisor demanded an explanation. "Is my baby your assignment?"
"There isn't anything certain yet, Tess." He finally looked back at her. "I was told to stay here and wait."
"Oh, dear Father!" She exclaimed, taking both hands up to her face.
"She's fighting, Tess! And she's not in pain, I promised myself I would not let her suffer and I'm doing everything I can so that it doesn't happen!"
Tess looked at him slightly confused. "I don't think I get what you're saying..."
Andrew averted his eyes and looked at the floor. He had said too much. But then again, of course he would never be able to hide what he was doing, the comfort he was trying to bring Monica. Not from the Father, not from his supervisors.
Tess walked over up to him and her inquisitive gaze was too powerful for him to stare. "Tell me, Andrew. What is going on here that I don't know?"
After some reluctance, he spoke again. "Monica's soul... she's not trapped in this human form all the time, Tess. I've... I've been talking to her, taking her with me to some of the places that she likes to visit so that she doesn't suffer so much."
He confessed his latest actions to a very surprised Tess, who kept staring at him in disbelief. But this time, the blond angel did not look away, for no matter what she thought, he was certain that he was doing the right thing.
"This is... rare and unexpected..." She finally spoke, still taken aback.
"So is an angel of God lying in a hospital bed..." Andrew replied, with emphasis.
"You know that there can be implications..."
"I'm the angel in charge of this assignment so I'm entitled to fulfil it the way I think is the most appropriate."
"You know Who is in charge here, Andrew, and that it is His will which will prevail, not yours." She replied back, with all her supervisor's authority.
"Yes, and I highly doubt that it's God's will to see one of His children suffering so much." Andrew looked at their sweet-mannered friend and stroked her hair with tenderness. "She doesn't remember what happened nor has any idea of what's going on right now."
"And you didn't tell her?"
"I didn't have the courage. Plus..." A small, bittersweet smile formed on his lips. "...I could see much joy in her eyes as we strolled by a beautiful beach or contemplated the night sky. I could not just destroy it."
Frowning with concern, the supervisor turned to look at the little angel lying unconscious before them. There was a turmoil of different thoughts in her mind due to all she had heard and witnessed over the last couple of days. Most importantly, she was also surprised at Andrew's actions and how he had chosen to handle the assignment. His devotion and fierce protectiveness towards the little angel were moving and there was no doubt of how deeply connected they were, but Tess wondered up to which point it would be acceptable.
