Christmas Angels

Chapter 27 & 28

Chapter 27:

Marianne's health seemed to improve steadily, and Angela began to relax and concentrate more fully on her studies. She called regularly to check up on the situation at home, but both of her parents assured her that everything was fine and this put her mind at ease. When they heard that David would be coming back with her for several days on Spring Break, they were very pleased. She warned them that it would just be for a few days since they planned on skiing in Vermont the following week.

Angela hit the books hard as mid-term papers and tests became due. She found very little time for socializing with her friends. Carley was the exception to that rule, other than David, of course. You could only dissuade Carley for short periods of time before she came knocking on the door, Angela thought. It was impossible to turn her away without at least a short visit. She didn't mind, though. It did make a welcome diversion from information overload, since conversations with Carley were rarely about anything serious. That girl just liked to have fun. Sometimes Angela wished she could be so easy going instead of carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

When they left for Spring Break, Angela was exhausted and slept most of the way while David drove to Mount Bethel. David knew how tired she was and he tried not to disturb her as he drove north, the powerful engine in the little sports car rumbling softly as Angela slept. As he drove, he turned the radio on with the volume low, to keep him company with his thoughts. He glanced over often, enjoying the opportunity to take in Angela's innocent beauty as she slept. She was the prettiest, yet most humble and giving girl he had ever dated. He knew that he loved her more than anyone else in the world. He still had not mentioned her to his parents and when his mother asked if he was dating, he told her vaguely that he had been out on a few dates, but school was keeping him pretty busy. He just didn't know how to present Angela to his parents in a way that might win their approval. His father was not someone to be trifled with, and he had already defied him by studying medicine rather than finance at Yale. He would just have to bide his time, he thought. Never the less, he knew that he had to think of a way, and soon. Angela wanted to meet his parents and she had dropped several hints along that line recently. He would have to think of something before long.

It felt almost like he was coming home, as he drove into Mount Bethel. He had only been here once, but everything seemed so familiar and safe as he looked at the clean, quiet streets and the well-kept, modest homes in the Cromwell's neighbourhood. His life in Manhattan seemed strange and far, far away.

It was late when he pulled into the Cromwell's driveway, but Marianne and Josh were waiting up for them. "Wake up Angie, we're here," he said, rubbing his thumb gently over her soft cheek.

"Angela gave a sigh and stretched her arms as best she could in the close confines of the little car. She yawned and blinked her eyes, sitting up and looking around. "That was quick," she said groggily. "It seems like we just left New Haven!"

David laughed, "You were out like a light the minute we left! You have been sleeping for hours!"

"Really? Sorry," she said. "I guess I was more tired than I thought."

By the time they reached the door, Marianne and Josh were still waiting impatiently for them, and David carried in their luggage while Angela hugged her parents and took off her coat and boots. Once everything was in the house, they sat down in the family room with mugs of hot cocoa.

"You look wonderful, Mom," Angela said. Her mother hadn't looked nearly so well in a long time and it was obvious that her latest treatment had been a big success.

"Thank you," Marianne replied, beaming. "I feel great and Dr. Balthar says my heart is better than it has been in several years. I have a new medication that seems to be working wonders."