Learning to forgive
"Forget it, Monica. What Alan did to me I cannot forgive... My brother walked out on his family when his mother and sister needed him the most... And now just out of nothing he decided to appear? Does he have any idea what mom and I had to go through during these five years that he stayed away? Was he there when she passed away? Was he there to support me through all my pain?"
The woman's harsh words caused the angel to frown, both in worry and with sorrow. Monica had just revealed her true nature and announced what she was doing there, but apparently the fact that there was a messenger of God standing in her living room didn't touch Sarah's heart.
"You weren't alone then... You had your husband and your daughter... and most importantly, you had God on your side." The Irish angel replied, fearing that after all the time she'd been there she wouldn't be able to accomplish her assignment and make that woman forgive her brother.
"You know, you're right in there, Monica. Despite the fact that Alan walked away, I moved on... I met my husband, and we had a beautiful daughter. I don't need him. I never did."
"Alan is sorry... truly sorry for what he did... Don't you think you should at least give him a chance to talk to you? Maybe he has something to tell you, something that you never knew..."
"Sorry, Monica. All that he did to me stops me from playing God and go around granting forgiveness to those who've hurt me so bad..."
x
Monica reappeared outside the house, still in her angelic form, and as she gazed at the beautiful cottage, another angel approached her. "I guess I failed, Tess..."
"I've tried everything I could to make Sarah see the truth..."
The old angel and supervisor nodded in understanding. "I know how hard you tried, baby... And I'm sorry her heart isn't open for the Father's message."
"I wish there was something else I could do... Maybe there must be something I can say to her and that will touch her heart... something I still haven't figured out."
Tess placed a supportive hand over Monica's shoulder. "You did your best, angel girl. Now let's allow time and the course of events make her see the real truth."
Sighing with some frustration, the Irish angel turned to her dear friend. "And what should I do now?"
"There's a place where your presence is very welcomed," Tess replied, with a slight smile.
Monica's eyes immediately sparkled at that piece of news. "Is it what I'm thinking, Tess?"
"This assignment has demanded a lot from you, baby. You should give yourself a break. Besides, I've been told time is crucial for it to be accomplished."
On the following second, the oldest angel had disappeared, and the younger one reappeared miles and miles away from where they were: Monica was standing in the middle of the woods. And right before her eyes, the pretty cozy cabin that had always been a peaceful and safe shelter for the angels whenever they were on Earth.
"Oh, thank you, Father."
She walked towards it and climbed the porch steps as the door had been left ajar, she elected to come inside quietly, and immediately, her ears were filled with two different sounds: Andrew's voice and Angela's excited giggling. They were coming from the kitchen and as the blond angel prepared lunch, the baby had been placed in a meal chair, safely away from him but close enough so that she could watch him and they could "chat".
When Monica reached the kitchen's door, she stood quiet for a few instants, just observing the two most important blessings she had ever been granted. But due to Andrew and Angela's nature it wasn't difficult for them to detect her presence, as the connection that the trio shared was a strong and loving one. Both turned their eyes to the door and their smile grew wider at Monica's image.
"Hey, little angel, look who's here!" the angel of death exclaimed, leaving his previous task to greet his beloved Monica.
"Mummy!" Little Angela raised a pair of chubby little arms and with a smile that was broad enough to reveal her two inferior teeth growing.
"You two are the best images I've seen in he last three weeks..." she was visibly moved with emotion, and when Andrew wrapped his arms around her, in a long, tight and loving embrace, he knew she would soon shed a few tears.
"We missed you so much, angel..." he whispered in her ear, lifting her feet off the floor a little, also desperate to have her in his arms after so much time of painful separation.
"I can say exactly the same about you two..."
Andrew gently pulled away and cupped her beautiful face with both hands, studying every meek feature he could see in there. A moment later, their lips met, in a soulful kiss that could have the impact of a thousand loving words yet to be exchanged by two souls. When they pulled away, their eyes met briefly and a smile appeared on their faces before Monica turned her attention to another angel, who shook her tiny arms again, with a certain impatience.
A heartbeat later, Angela was exactly where she wanted to be, and Monica filled her rosy cheeks with lots of kisses. "Oh, wee Angela... Mommy missed you so much, sweetheart... How I wished I could hold you in my arms like this again!" she spoke, touching Angela's noise with hers, eliciting a cheerful smile from the little one.
Andrew watched the interaction between them with his heart bursting with joy. He could also detect some sadness in his angel's heart, but elected to leave it for later. Now it was time to enjoy that reunion and he wrapped his arms around the two of them, kissing the top of their heads repeatedly. "Besides doing the Father's work, I cannot think of anything that can give me more joy other than moments like these..."
With a happy smile, Monica snuggled against his chest, sighing deeply with relief and allowing that loving and peaceful atmosphere to fill her soul.
X
"Looks like you have another wee fan of your food, Andrew!" Monica joked, as she offered Angela the last spoon of the meal he had so carefully prepared, while they too had their lunch sitting at the kitchen table. Some of her food dripped down her tiny chin and the little one's smile amused them deeply.
"Cooking for two beautiful ladies is inspiring and a great pleasure!" he replied, reaching over to squeeze Monica's free hand. And even though her smile remained he could see something was still bothering her. Once they were finished, he offered to wash the dishes so that the Irish angel could spend some quality time with Angela. Andrew was already sorting out how he would bring out the subject that was certainly making her sad. He knew she would eventually seek for his reassurance, like she always did, but the angel of death also knew that soon he would be called on a new assignment, so they didn't have much time.
His two beloved angels were sitting on the carpeted floor, with some little toys placed in front of Angela. Even though Monica had rocked her in her arms after lunch, the little one wasn't in the mood for a nap. Andrew joined them by sitting on the floor, right next to Monica.
"How was the assignment, angel?" he wanted to know, gently caressing her cheek.
"Once I told Tess it's easier to remember our failures rather than the assignment we succeeded in. I'm afraid this will be one of them..."
Frowning with concern, he placed a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "And is it over already?"
Sighing deeply, she placed a little stuffed giraffe in Angela's hands and turned her eyes to him. "I'm not really sure. Tess said that time would be crucial for Sarah to understand the full concept of forgiveness."
"Then I'm sure your words will reach her heart eventually, angel. Sometimes it takes human beings way too long to see the truth that's been right before their eyes."
"Yes... I just hope she doesn't take too long to forgive her brother... I met Adam yesterday... He told me this man doesn't have much time."
Feeling sorry for her, and fearing that things could not end happily for his dearest Monica, Andrew pulled her for a warm and long embrace, glad when she wrapped her arms around his torso, resting her head against his chest.
"You know that the Father's plan is always perfect... We have a living proof of this right here with us..." he said, kissing her temple.
She looked up at him, half smiling. "I never doubted it and now, when I think of you and wee Angela, I see the confirmation of this fact..."
The blond angel bent his head and brushed his lips against hers, softly, lightly, like sweet reassurance proper of those we love. His hand was in the back of her head, at the same caressing her auburn locks and applying gentle pressure so that their kiss would last longer. He missed her so deeply, he had missed her soothing presence that would always bring peace and love to his heart. Little Angela had that capacity too, but it was when the trio was together that the world seemed to be perfect.
That sweet kiss turned into smaller ones, all of them equally loving, and when they pulled away, they rested their foreheads together. "I have so much faith in you, baby... And the Father has it too... I know that He wouldn't have chosen you to be Sarah's angel if you weren't perfect for the assignment..." Andrew spoke, gently touching her cheek with his fingertips, as if caressing delicate porcelain.
Monica lay a gentle hand over his and her eyes met his dark green ones, filled with absolute love for her. Amazing how they could read what was in each other's heart so easily; such a powerful connection that sometimes could surprise even themselves. "You have an assignment too, don't you?"
A bittersweet smile broke on his handsome face, he was exactly debating on how telling her that he would leave in just a couple of minutes. "Looks like I gave myself in too easily..."
Also with a slight smile, she inched forward and brushed a warm kiss against his lips. Then she pulled away and tilted her head, gazing at him adorably. "I'm afraid you always do... which isn't something I would qualify as a problem, as right now I can perfectly picture that you are thinking about kissing me again, and for long so that you can keep the memory with you when you leave..."
The mix of adorableness and mischief on her face was such that his smile grew wider. "You caught me again, angel!"
She didn't have time to reply as now he captured her mouth in a long, sudden kiss; sweet and loving, perfect and comforting, meant to last for a life time but which would be gone in a few moments. Andrew gathered her in his arms, cradling her as the sweet caress went on, romantically, for some more precious instants. And then it was gone, turned into a sweet memory that was now stored in their minds for when they missed each other's company.
"I love you..." he said, committing to memory every trace of her meek face, lost in admiration for her beauty.
"I know... I can see it in your eyes... and I can feel it here..." she placed a hand against his heart. "I love you too..."
In a blink of an eye, his clothes had turned to simple blue jeans and green tee shirt to the beige usually suit wore by the angels of death. They looked at little Angela, who was peacefully playing with her little toys. Smiling, he caressed her smooth auburn hair, turning her attention at him. "Have I mentioned that she is as cute as her mom?"
Also smiling, despite the impending separation, Monica tilted her head and gazed at the lovely baby who was now grinning at them - her only two teeth appearing. "Well, I'd say she has her daddy's charm, not to mention those sweet green eyes and cute nose!" she said, kissing his cheek as he gathered Angela in his arms.
"She's as sweet as her mommy, that's what this little angel is!" he spoke, causing Angela to giggle as he gently tickled her tummy. The blond angel said his goodbyes to his beloved daughter and then the hardest time of the day finally arrived.
Monica carried Angela in her arms up to the porch, and Andrew kissed them one more time, and spoke some more loving words to them. Then he left, heading where he was needed in order to perform God's work.
X
The gentle sunrays in the beginning of that summer afternoon gave the flowers and trees extra colour, and the soft breeze that blew across the woods helped to spread their sweet perfume. On the porch of the cozy wooden cabin, lost among the vegetation, a sweet pretty scene took place.
"Fwog..." said the cute and smiling little baby girl, picking up a stuffed little frog and showing it to her mother, who smiled back at her and pointed at the toy.
"Yes, sweetie, it's Mr Frog! And where is his other little friend, huh?"
Monica's Irish lilt filled the air and the spark on her doe-like eyes reflected the joy she kept inside her heart. Little Angela was a constant learner and when those pretty green eyes - inherited from her daddy, gazed up at her with curiosity and excitement she felt so blessed that all the prayers in the world didn't seem enough to express her gratitude.
"Tutle..." the baby replied, picking up the other stuffed toy and making her mother giggle.
"Yes, it's the wee turtle!" she kissed her daughter's rosy cheek, "You're a very smart little angel, you know?"
Angela's permanent smile only broke to give place to a long yawn. In human form, the little angel was like any other human child, and Monica noticed it was time for her afternoon nap. "Oh... what do we have here? I guess Mr Frog's little friends are a bit of sleepy, don't you think so?"
A gentle breeze rustled through the trees and nearby bushes, their leaves being the only noise heard around. Yet, Angela's cute smile disappeared and she frowned with some annoyance, threatening to cry at any moment.
"Hey... what do we have here? A cranky wee one!" she tilted her head gazing at the upset baby, "I wonder where you got this 'crankiness' from, miss!"
The little angel rubbed her eyes and snuggled closer to her mother's chest, visibly searching for a comfortable place for a pleasant doze. Still amused, Monica held wee Angela in her arms. "I know a place where everybody can take a nap and prepare themselves for more great adventures later on!" she whispered, rising to her feet and entering the cabin, leaving a few toys in the porch, over a small carpet.
Monica carried a weeping Angela upstairs to her bedroom; the sweet smell of flowers perfume immediately filling their lungs. "Here we are! Up to our crib we go!"
The Irish angel kissed the baby's rosy cheeks and tried to put her heart at ease whispering soft words before gently placing her in bed. "Sweet dreams, wee Angela... May God bless you always..." she said, caressing the little girl's soft hair once she was finally beaten by exhaustion and fell asleep.
Only then she left the room and climbed down the stairs, wondering if Andrew would ever be back that night or if Tess would show up too. She loved the mountains and that cozy little cabin but it also reminded her of the two angels who were dear to her heart and caused her to miss them even more.
Feeling like having some mocha, Monica headed to the kitchen and as she passed by the living room, a strange sensation took over her heart. The Irish angel felt a chill running down her spine even though it was a warm afternoon. The sudden gust of wind had come from outside and she decided to go and close the entrance door.
And once she did, everything happened very fast: someone came from behind her and placed a piece of cloth embedded with alcohol over her nose, while firmly grabbing her small shoulders. Monica tried to fight but the effect of the alcohol was quick and she fell unconscious. Then, the same person climbed up the stairs, and a minute later, little Angela was in the arms of a total strange woman, who carried her outside the house.
To be continued