A 'Touched by an Angel' story

By: Yvette Jessen

© 2001 not intended to infringe on any previously held copyrights.

Please Note: This story is the fifteenth in a sequence of stories, which I have written, which are centered on my character, Christina, her family and friends. The first one is entitled ‘The Innocence of a Child’, the second ‘A Little Girl’s Wish’, the third ‘The Senior Prom’, the fourth 'Stealing Second', the fifth 'Another Halloween Night', the sixth 'An Overdue Appointment', the seventh 'Homecoming', the eighth 'Solitary Without Hope', the ninth 'Making the Grade', the tenth 'Till Death Do Us Part', the eleventh 'Olivia's Battle', the twelfth 'In the Father's Arms', the thirteenth 'The Healing Spirit' and the fourteenth 'Fulfilled Promises'.

*****

Twenty-eight-year-old Lindsey Miller sat at the bar of her New York City apartment. As she watched the shadows dancing along the wall she sighed deeply. It had been over a month since she heard about her father's bouts with Pancreatic Cancer, and now Kevin's time was quickly running out. She rested her chin in her hands as she looked out across the room. On the opposite side, she could see the small picture of an angel that her boyfriend, Lenny, had bought for her and sent.

Leonard Jacobs and she had never met, they were actually friends who met in a chat room on the Internet, but regardless of the fact that they had never met, today they were very close. The only trouble was, he lived just outside of Chicago and she lived in New York, and the distance thing was almost too much for her to handle sometimes. Especially right now, when she really needed to have the support of a friend who would help her overcome all of this. Lenny had made the effort, she thought sadly, he did call the night before and tried to cheer her up, but she wasn't really in the mood to be cheered up, especially not now when things were so crazy.

She sighed deeply as she looked up at the picture once again. How she missed Andrew. It had been a long time since she had seen him, and ironically, her best friend Christina had gotten the opportunity to see him within the past two years, of this she was terribly envious, but this was also something that she would never ever admit.

As she brought the steaming mug of coffee to her lips, she took another deep breath as she looked down at the CD she had resting on the bar. As she stared down at it, a flood of memories returned to her, and she ended up simply running her hand through her now tangled blonde hair.

She remembered how she had once promised to give Andrew an autographed copy of it when she would see him again, but even after a year had passed since its release, Lindsey still had the disc in her possession and now, she knew more than anything that she could use a little bit of divine intervention.

With her father sick and the doctor saying he was going to die, she could not get Andrew out of her mind. His being an Angel of Death had something to do with her wayward emotions, but she, again, would not speak openly of this, even though to anyone who would look at her, this entire situation with her family was slowly killing her.

It hurt and angered her so much whenever she thought about the fact that Andrew wasn't there. She knew that it was selfish of her to want Andrew with her, but she needed him now more than ever before, and she sighed deeply as she considered how much easier it would have been to talk to him rather than to Christina. In fact, Kevin was the only point of contention between Lindsey and her best friend.

Deep in her heart, Lindsey couldn't blame Christina for her bitterness towards her father, he did, after all, try to stab and kill her when Lindsey was 12-years-old, but today, she felt so alone in all of this, and being separated from her family made it all the more difficult for her to bear. "Where are you?" She eventually found herself asking the stillness, as she looked over at the table and could see the small glass angel figurine Andrew had given to her when she was younger. "Andrew, have you totally forgotten me?"

"I could never forget you, Lindsey, I think you know that." A voice emerged and she whirled around to see Andrew standing in the middle of the room, the halo of light surrounding him.

Lindsey nodded numbly as soon as she heard his words, but instead of running up to him and hugging him, as she had done so often in the past, and was tempted to do that evening as well; she stood up and found herself simply staring at him. Her sad eyes continued to regard him and finally, it was he that took the incentive and he approached her and rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Forgive me for not coming to see you for such a long time," Andrew spoke and his gentle words emerged with all the sincerity that was in him. "I didn't want you to think I forgot about you."

Lindsey nodded, her voice simply not coming, but her sadness evident, and Andrew knew that the last time he had seen her so torn apart was when her grandmother had died. He knew that she had somehow managed to help heal the relationship with her father and today she was very close to him.

Now, with his life hanging in the balance, Andrew could see the evident heartbreak on her face. "You know about him, don't you?" She finally asked, her voice weak, barely audible.

Andrew nodded, "Yes, Lindsey, I know."

"How much time?"

"He has maybe a few weeks left, I would guess," he said gently.

"You would guess?" She asked sarcastically. "Don't you know for certain?"

"Lindsey," Andrew spoke her name, the evident hurt in his own eyes.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't seen you since the Southside thing happened, and right now, I feel forgotten. Now someone else has to die before I see you and this time it'sit's my dad," Lindsey could feel the tears brimming from beneath her eyes and she reached over and picked the CD up off the bar, went over to him and handed it to him. "I've been holding this for you for over a year now, hoping and praying that you would come back so that I could give it to you. It was so that I could tell you that I feel like a success, but now, nothing really matters to me…" her voice trailed off and she turned away from him with the intention of leaving the room.

As she brushed past him, he laid the CD back on the bar, reached out and touched her shoulder. "Lindsey," Andrew pleaded with her, but she pulled away and went into the living room to sit down. Her shoulders were slumped as she walked and all he could do was follow her. Once he came out into the living room, he walked over, and sat down next to her.

"Why don't you just leave me alone?" She asked; her voice etched in pain.

"You prayed that I would come back," Andrew began. "I don't think you really want me to leave."

Lindsey looked around the room, and when her gaze finally landed on the poster on the wall, she finally shook her head. "No, you're right, I don't want you to go," she whispered. She could only recall all the times that she had faced challenges and how Andrew had been there to help her. She remembered the day in the park when he had come to find her and had talked to her. It was during the time when her father had been drinking and was abusive towards herself and her younger brother, Tom.

After some moments of contemplation passed, she managed to look at him. "I'm sorry, forgive me please. I guess it's just that when stuff like this happens, I forget who or what is important," she finally managed to say, her voice choking back the tears and as she shrugged her shoulders.

"I want you to know that I wasn't sent back here just to help your father, but I wanted to come here to see you, and I realize that it's been a long time since I had actually gotten an opportunity to see you, as well as to sit down with you and talk," he smiled gently as he reached over and took her hand in his and squeezed it comfortingly. "You should know that I'm always happy to see you, Lindsey. You're still as much my friend today as you were when you were twelve."

She nodded, but all the while the tears were streaming down her face and she could only wish internally that Andrew would take her in his arms and hold her. Instead of vocalizing her wishes, she offered him a brave smile.

"Are you going to be going home to see your family?" Andrew asked gently.

"I planned to, I even got a ticket to leave in two days, but I don't know what to do there," she said honestly. "I feel so lost in all of this. Maybe that's why I've been living here, maybe I just want to run away from everything that hurts back there."

Andrew wrapped his arms around her and could feel her shoulders trembling from beneath his touch. "I know that you're afraid, Lindsey, and I know that this has been so hard for you."

She nodded but buried her tear-covered face against his chest. "I'm so frightened. I know what's going to happen, but I'm still so scared. What am I supposed to do?" Her words emerged, the questions muffled by the embrace she had with him. "I'm losing my daddy, Andrew."

"I know, sweetheart, I know," he said gently his hand stroking her hair.

"What should I do?" She asked weakly, her words all the while muffled.

"How about help your father fulfill his last wish?"

"His last wish?" Lindsey glanced up and her eyes eventually met his.

"Yes, he has wished for years to look Christina in the eyes, apologize to her, and seek her forgiveness before he goes home," Andrew said softly.

Lindsey shook her head sadly. "It's impossible, Andrew, Christina hates my dad," she said softly. "It's the only point of contention between us, and for me to even ask her to face him would be like asking Jeremy to never crack a smile again."

"Lindsey, nothing is impossible," Andrew said gently.

"Impossible no, but definitely improbable," Lindsey whispered.

*****

Laura came home from school the following day to see Tess' car parked in their driveway. She smiled broadly as she managed to walk a little bit faster in order to reach the front door. She could see Tess smiling at her as she pulled the key to the house from her purse and returned the gesture.

"Tess, what are you doing here?" Laura asked, as she opened the mailbox and pulled out a letter. "Oh wow, what a day, I get a letter from Renate, and now you're here."

"Renate?"

"Yeah, she was the lady who volunteered at the Community Center when I took dance over there," Laura explained. "She and I became good friends after you guys left, and now we exchange letters practically every two weeks. I've even called her in Germany and we've talked for hours on end. She's so awesome and now you're here." The teenager was practically bubbling over, but when she saw Tess' earnest look, she stopped speaking. "Is something wrong?"

"Baby, nothing is really wrong, but may I come inside for awhile?" Tess asked.

"Sure, you know you don't have to ask," Laura said softly, and smiled weakly.

Once she had opened the door, the two of them went inside. Laura immediately headed towards the kitchen in search of something to eat, and Tess followed her into the room and sat down at the kitchen table. Once seated, she waited for the teenager to join her.

"Would you like something to drink, juice, or maybe some cola?" Laura asked.

"A lemonade would be nice, it is rather warm outside today," Tess said.

"Where's Monica?" Laura asked.

"She's on another assignment with Raphael, but she should be getting here very soon," Tess said. "Actually, I was put on leave for a day or two."

"You guys actually get vacations, I thought being an angel was a 24 / 7," Laura said taking a sip of her lemonade, but she offered Tess a cordial smile.

"Usually it is, but I have a day off and was in the neighborhood," Tess said, a note of sadness in her voice.

"What's up? I thought you'd be happy to have a day off. I mean, they can close the school anytime, and I'd be able to sleep in, eat lots of potato chips, chill out and watch my parents go to work," she giggled, but when she looked at Tess, she somehow could understand the sadness that emanated from the wise angel's face. "Let me guess, you miss Andrew and Monica, huh?"

Tess nodded. "Yes, baby, it's been awhile since I've seen my two angel babies."

"You know, maybe even angel babies need to fly the coop once in awhile. I think it gives them a chance to realize how special it is with you when they come back. But, I guess if you really want to know the truth, I miss them too."

"We're actually supposed to meet here, so I'm sure you'll get to see them again very soon," Tess said softly and Laura could see the trace of joy in the wise angel's dark brown eyes.

"You know, the last time I saw you guys, it was when I was in Mrs. Hudson's class, and that was right after I managed to dance in a recital," Laura smiled. "My doctor is totally amazed, I think he believes in miracles now."

"It was something else wasn't it, baby," Tess said now her smile as big as Laura's.

"It was so wonderful, and now Billy's my boyfriend."

"Billy?" Tess asked.

"Yeah, that's Mrs. Hudson's son," Laura explained. "He asked me to go steady about two weeks ago. It was really cool, and we're going to the homecoming dance together. I already got my dress, you should see it, it's a dark red taffeta and has small pearls all over it."

"That sounds really nice, honey," Tess said smiling. "You look as though you're walking much better, too."

"Yeah, Renate shared some really great tips with me after you guys left, and when she went home to Germany, Mom and Dad promised that we would be able to go to Berlin and visit her someday. She is so great, like my older sister," Laura said.

"That's really good to hear," Tess said smiling at the young girl. "Do you think your parents will go to Europe soon?"

"That's just it, I don't know if they will ever go," Laura said softly. "They've been trying to have a baby, and they haven't succeeded yet. Mom's been kind of depressed about it, but I can't change what's happening."

"How do you feel about having a little brother or sister?" Tess asked.

"I think that the idea is a really great one," Laura said softly. "But, still I wonder if they will ever succeed. They've been trying for years now."

"Do you think they will?" Tess asked.

"My mom has been on the phone when she comes home from work and she's trying to make appointments with specialists and stuff, but up till now, nothing," Laura said softly. "Maybe after that happens, she'll be better able to deal with things. Right now, she's not doing that well, and I have to admit, I'm a little worried."

Tess sighed deeply, this wasn't going to be easy to touch on Kevin Miller with Christina, especially now, when she has so much going on. Moments later, the telephone rang and Laura stood up. "Would you excuse me for a minute?"

Once Tess nodded she ran into the living room and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Laura? Hi it's Lindsey. Is your mom home?" The voice at the other end asked.

"No, she's still at work," Laura replied softly. "Are you OK, you sound a little bummed out?"

"I've had better days, but listen, could you tell your mom to call me tonight. I'm going to be coming back down tomorrow afternoon, but I wanted to get together," Lindsey said.

"I'll tell her, I'm sure she'll be glad to hear from you," Laura said. "Any other message?"

"Let me check," Lindsey said and after a few moments she was back on the line. "Andrew sends his love."

"Andrew's there?" Laura asked. "Can I say 'hi', Lindsey, please?"

"Sure, just a second," the voice replied and within seconds Laura smiled brightly when she heard Andrew's voice at the other end of the line.

"Hello, Laura."

"Andrew, it's so great to hear your voice. How are you?" Laura asked, her voice high with excitement.

"Good, and you?" He asked.

"I'd feel on top of the world if I could see you again," Laura said, and one could easily tell that she was hinting outrageously to Andrew to come back for a visit. "Tess is here right now and I think she misses you too. How long has it been since you guys saw each other? I mean; I thought you worked together."

"Well, usually we do, but we have been given separate assignments, but from what I understand, we're supposed to meet back there. I'll be coming back with Lindsey, so when we get in tomorrow night, we will come by."

"I'm going to hold you to that," Laura said smiling.

"You don't have to, I'll be there," he promised before handing the phone back to Lindsey.

"Laura, it's me again," Lindsey said. "Just tell your mom that I called, OK."

"Are you sure you're OK?" Laura asked.

"Yeah, kiddo, I'm fine," Lindsey said and before Laura could say anything further, the line went dead leaving her no choice but to return the phone to the cradle. Sighing sadly, she looked at Tess.

"What's going on?" Laura asked the angel. "Lindsey didn't sound like herself at all, Tess."

"Her daddy's dying, honey, that's why she has to come back here," Tess said softly.

"Is that why you're here?" Laura asked. "I mean, it's OK, if you're not really on vacation, I mean, Lindsey probably could use some help right about now, and I'm just glad to see you again."

"It's about her father's last wish," Tess said.

"His wish, but what does that have to do with us?" Laura asked, but when Tess did not wish to speak further, the teenager became indignant and looked at her with her hands on her hips, and a no-nonsense look in her brown eyes. "Come on, Tess, you've got to tell me the truth."

The wise angel looked at the young girl and shook her head. "Where did you learn to be so stubborn?"

"If you put it that way, I learned it from you," Laura said flippantly. "Now tell me, please. If it's something about my mom, maybe I can help."

Tess thought about what Laura had said and finally she spoke. "Yes, it has a lot to do with your mom," she sighed deeply before continuing. "Tell me, did your mother ever mention anything about Lindsey's father?"

Laura thought for a moment and then shook her head. "No, she never mentioned him. In fact, she only mentioned Lindsey and once in awhile she would mention Tom."

Tess looked at the teenager; she could now understand what was happening. Today, Christina appeared to not want to talk about what had happened between her and Kevin Miller, and this was the biggest part of the existing problem. Sighing deeply, she began to speak. "Well, baby, Christina apparently wants nothing to do with Kevin Miller because of past experiences, but now, Kevin is dying, and his wish is to make peace with Christina before he goes home."

Laura nodded her head as though she understood. "You doubt that she will want to do so, huh?"

"I am doubtful, yes, and I think Lindsey knows this, so she is now in a very difficult situation," Tess said.

Laura nodded, "her father or her best friend." After a few minutes, she looked at Tess, her next question emerging leaving Tess almost speechless. "What does God want me to do?"

Once she recovered, Tess smiled weakly at the young girl. "He wants you to know that He's proud of you." That said; Tess wrapped her arms around Laura.

*****

Monica rang the doorbell to the Miller home at this moment. When the door opened, she was left looking into the haggard and sad eyes of Edith. "Monica? Is that you?"

"Hello, Edith," Monica said gently as the woman backed away from the door.

"What are you doing here?" She asked weakly as they stepped in the living room.

"I was sent here to help you take care of your husband," Monica said softly.

"You know he's dying?" Edith asked weakly. "I know it's the alcohol, but I thought after he stopped drinking that everything would be OK." As she spoke the tears continued to stream down her face.

"I know," Monica said softly. "But look at all the years you and your family were given with him after he made the choice to stop drinking."

Edith smiled weakly as they went into the living room. Once inside, they could see Lindsey's 24-year-old brother Tom sitting on the floor, cables and electronic equipment scattered around his feet. He looked up when they came into the living room.

"Monica?" Tom dropped the cables on the ground that he had been working with, and he stood up to go and give the angel a hug.

"You've changed," Monica said as the young man wrapped her in a big bear hug.

Once the hug loosened, Tom smiled impishly. "I guess so. I haven't seen you in a really long time, not since Olivia's funeral, but I didn't really get to talk to you. I saw Andrew though, but that was about two years ago."

"Who's Andrew?" Edith asked.

Tom looked at Monica, and sighed deeply. "Mom, Andrew works with Monica and he's also Lindsey's friend." Sighing deeply, he returned to the task of untangling the cables.

"I'll be right back," Edith offered and she left the room leaving Tom and Monica alone.

"Sorry about that," Tom said softly once his mother was gone. "I didn't have the heart to tell her the whole truth when she asked. I had forgotten that she had only met Andrew once and that was after he had walked me home from the ballpark when I was seven. It's not so easy for her right now."

"It's not easy for you either," Monica said softly.

"Yeah, well now since Dad's taken ill, I've become the man of the house," Tom said softly. "Not an easy task and now I have to do this stupid project."

"What are you doing? If you don't mind me asking," Monica asked.

"Mom thought we should take this second video player and set it up in Dad's room. She thinks he might like to watch videos once in awhile," Tom said as he jerked on the tangled up cables. "I don't understand why she wants me to do this, but that's what I'm supposed to do. Thank God Lindsey is coming home tomorrow, maybe with her around, she can help me with this."

Monica smiled gently as Edith returned to the room. "Tom, how is it coming?"

"Mom, this is a mistake, these cables are so crossed, it looks like a giant spaghetti in here," Tom said, his voice filled with impatience.

"Just do what you can," Edith said softly and sat down on the sofa. The weariness was almost overwhelming for her and she rested her head in her hands.

"Being caregiver is never easy, is it Edith?" Monica asked.

"No, it's not," Edith said softly and shook her head. "I don't know if I am supposed to just wait for him to die so I can have my life back, or if my life will even be able to continue without him."

"You will be able to continue," Monica said softly.

"Maybe," Edith replied.

After a few seconds, Tom stood up. "Mom, I'll get this done, but I really need some fresh air."

"OK," Edith said softly and Tom got up and left the room.

"He's got a lot resting on his shoulders, doesn't he?" Monica asked.

"He doesn't talk to me about it, he's like his father, he would rather sit solemnly by and watch events taking place, and form his opinions in solitude," Edith said softly as the door closed and she could see Tom walking down the step towards the road.

"Sometimes the answers to prayers come in that solitude, and perhaps that is Tom's way of facing these events," Monica said softly as she wrapped a comforting arm around Edith's shoulder.

*****

As Tom was making his way down the walk and across his parents' front yard, he glanced up and could see that the neighbors' eldest son, Bryan Thomas, was outside and he was working on what appeared to be Daniel's old rundown pickup truck.

He tried to ignore Bryan's activities, but eventually, Bryan did look up and he called out to him. "Hey Tom, could you come over here and give me a hand, I have to hold this part and need a wrench?"

"I can get it Dad," the voice of his 11-year-old son, A.J. emerged as Tom was walking across the yard in their direction.

"OK Champ, then you get it," Bryan said good-naturedly as Tom approached and when he reached them, he reached down and ruffled the hair of the boy before greeting Bryan.

"Hey, you doing the grease monkey stuff here so you don't damage your driveway?" Tom asked, trying to keep the humor up, although the last thing he wanted to do was make jokes.

"Not really," Bryan said snidely. "You know how my dad is, he can't tell a wrench from a corkscrew. I guess I got the mechanical genes from my grandpa or something. He used to tinker around with cars all the time, I guess that's where I learned, because I would watch him when I was about A.J.'s age."

"Yeah," Tom said. "So did my dad."

"I heard about him, how's he doing?" Bryan asked.

"I guess OK," Tom said weakly.

"Far be it from me to judge the man, but you look really as though you're on your last leg," Bryan said and looked down at his son. "A.J., why don't you go inside and see what your grandma and mom are up to?"

"OK," the boy answered. "Mom said that Grandma had ice cream there."

Bryan laughed, "then I imagine you will be able to devour all of it in one sitting." Once A.J. had left them alone he looked at Tom. "Thankfully that boy likes to play basketball, or else he's look like one with all the sweets and stuff he consumes. He's an active kid," Bryan looked proudly in the direction that his son had run off in. After a few minutes, he looked at Tom, and noticed that the younger man had a sad look on his face. "You OK?"

Taking a deep breath, Tom began to speak. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Bryan looked doubtfully at the younger man. "I guess you don't know me all that well, or that I am married to a woman who is hearing impaired. That may not mean much to you, but she always tells me the same thing, watch the body language of the person you're talking to and don't just hear their words. Sometimes there's more meaning hidden there than in what you can say verbally. So, Tom, I know there's something going on, and you know our families have been through a lot together, so you can tell me, and I'll do what I can to help," Bryan said.

"How good are you with electronics?" Tom asked weakly.

"Well let's see, I've yet to blow any fuses or short anything out, so I guess I'm OK. Why do you ask?"

"My mom wants me to set up a VCR in my dad's room, and I'm having nothing but trouble with it, I have a cable stew working in the living room, and I think she's impatient for me to get this stuff done. I wish she could just let me deal with all of this in my own way, but she's Mrs. Practicality, she wants to make everything perfect for him," Tom said sadly. "I mean, my dad's dying, Bryan, and I should be spending time with him, not untangling cables in the living room."

"I know," Bryan said sympathetically. "Why don't I see what I can do to help you, and if that doesn't work, I can call my friend David, and see if he can come down and help out? David's a reporter upstate, but he's also an electronic genius. Sound good?"

"Yeah, thanks," Tom said softly, relief evident on his face. "When do you suppose you can do that?"

"Come on, we can do it right now, I mean; there's no time like the present," Bryan said and smiled.

Tom nodded and together, they walked towards the house and once they had reached the door, the two of them went inside. As they came into the living room, they could see Edith and Monica were still seated there and both appeared to be deep in conversation.

"Hey, Monica, long time no see," Bryan said causing the two of them to look up.

"Hi Bryan, how are you?" The angel asked when she saw him standing next to Tom.

"Doing good. Hello, Mrs. Miller, I've come to see if I can help Tom untangle the spaghetti here," he offered her a cordial smile.

Once she nodded, the two men sat down in front of the television and went to work with the cables. Within minutes, they had succeeded and Bryan picked up the machine and carried it towards the stairs. "Tom, you want to show me where this puppy is supposed to go?"

The younger of the two men nodded and followed Bryan out of the room and up the stairs. Once they had reached the door to Kevin's room, Bryan waited until Tom had opened the door and the two of them went inside.

Bryan immediately noticed that Kevin was awake, but his eyes were closed as they were coming inside the darkened room.

"Hey, Dad, Bryan and I managed to get the cables untangled downstairs and we brought this up for you so you can catch the football games on Sundays," Tom said softly, but when his father didn't reply, he continued. "You remember Bryan, don't you?"

"Christina's brother?" The words emerged.

"Yes," Bryan said softly. "I'm her older brother."

"How is she?" Kevin asked, his words weak.

"She's fine, Mr. Miller," Bryan said, his voice somewhat stilted as the memories of what had happened to his sister washed over him.

The assault had happened right before he and Rachel had married, and though he had not been present when his sister had been harmed, he was aware of what had transpired from the words of his father and mother. Bryan, although a usually loving man, was infuriated by what had happened, and his love and compassion went solely to his younger sister and he knew that he was only there to do Tom this favor and not as a service to the man in the bed. He turned his attention towards the hooking up process and as soon as that was done, Bryan quietly excused himself, left the room, and closed the door behind him.

"He hasn't forgotten," Kevin whispered and Tom shook his head.

"No, Dad, I don't think he nor his family will ever forget what happened," Tom said softly as he sat down on the edge of the bed and took his father's hand in his. "Maybe, that's why Monica's here."

"W-what about Andrew?" Kevin asked.

"You know about Andrew?" Tom's face flushed and he looked at his father.

Kevin nodded.

Kevin's Flashback

It was the night after he had been arrested for the assault of Christina Thomas. He couldn't believe when he was told that he had tried to stab the young woman with a knife, and that he had nearly killed her when he was in a state of intoxication. He was being detained in a room, and suddenly he heard a voice emerging causing him to look up.

“Kevin Miller?”

“Who are you?” He asked weakly, his voice strained. It was obvious that he did not even remember Andrew from when he had assaulted the angel in the park earlier that day.

“My name is Andrew, I’m an angel, a messenger of God,” he said, and Kevin could see him beginning to glow, in exactly the same way as he had done out at the ballpark.

In the back of his mind, Kevin could not remember what had happened, but when he recovered from that last hangover; he was told that charges of assault and battery had been filed against him. He rested his head in his hands and after some moments of silence passed, he looked at Andrew.

“Why are you here?” He asked.

“God has a message for you, Kevin,” Andrew said gently. “I have been sent to give it to you.”

“What good will that do?” He asked.

“The good will lie in the choice you will have to make,” Andrew said and looked at Kevin earnestly. “If you continue to follow the path you’ve been taking, you will soon die because the alcohol will eventually kill you. If that happens, then I will be the angel who will take you home to our Heavenly Father and your children will grow into adults without their father’s presence in their lives. If you stop drinking today and become a father to your children, you will have many happy years with them and they will grow up loving and respecting you, not hating and fearing you.”

“They don’t hate me,” he said as Tommy’s face flashed across his mind.

“Today no, they don’t, but if you continue to push them away, they will grow into adults feeling the extent of your rejection of them. You must decide, but whatever you choose, God loves you, and He wants to see you happy, not driven to death by addiction. He also knows that it is you who must decide and He will love you regardless of the choices you make.”

“I don’t know what to do,” he began to cry. “When Edith ended our marriage, my life ended and I was completely alone.”

“I know it hurt you, but you must know that you are never completely alone,” Andrew said gently. “God is there for you, all you have to do is ask Him for the strength you lack.”

Kevin shook his head. “How is Christina Thomas? The police told me that I had assaulted her, but I couldn’t believe it because I don’t remember anything.”

“You did, but she’s going to be fine. She only had a minor injury, when the knife cut her shoulder,” Andrew said gently. “But, to make amends with her will not be easy, she is hurting because of what has happened to her and last night, she had a nightmare. I was there with her until she slept.”

“I want to be a good father,” Kevin said softly.

“Then you must put your children first,” Andrew came over and rested his hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “Through the alcohol, you have hurt many people in this town, but God forgives you for this, and He understands the pain you feel. If you accept Him in your life again, He will help you through everything.”

“Last night I thought I was beyond hope,” Kevin said softly.

“No, you’re not,” Andrew rested his hand on the man’s shoulder. “If you were, I wouldn’t have been sent today, but rather in a few weeks.”

Kevin nodded as though he understood, “What should I do to get over this?”

“Someone will come to you this evening. They will give you the final choice through a piece of paper that you must sign and this will admit you into a three month detoxification program,” Andrew said gently. “It will not be easy, but if you put all your trust in God, you will overcome this addiction and will be reunited with your family.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Kevin whispered. “I had given up all hope, and then you came to see me. All this time I thought people only did things for their own betterment. I mean, what is in this for you?”

“Lindsey and Tommy’s happiness, their chance to grow up with their father in their lives,” Andrew said smiling. “But, also to see you become healthy. I don’t look for reward, Kevin; my reward is the unconditional love I receive from our Heavenly Father. That is the greatest gift there is, but to also have friends like Lindsey, Tommy, and Christina.”

“You’re friends with Christina?” Kevin asked.

“Yes, I met her when she was Tommy’s age, and over the years I have been with her during some of the hardest struggles she has come up against. Today, she and I are friends, and that friendship is very special,” he said.

“Would you tell her something for me?” Kevin asked, his voice still weak, but Andrew could sense the importance in what the man wanted to say.

“What’s that?” Andrew asked.

“Would you tell her that she’s the reason I’m going to get help, and that I said thank you?” Kevin said softly as the tears began to stream down his cheeks. “She saved my life, and I tried to hurt her.”

Andrew hugged him and nodded. “I’ll tell her, Kevin and I’m certain she will forgive you. In fact, I know her well enough to affirm that she would.”

Kevin's Flashback End

"Why didn't you tell me?" Tom asked.

Kevin shrugged his shoulders. "I suppose I wanted you to see me as a strong and confident man, you know, one who was capable of overcoming all obstacles."

"But, getting through rehab showed me that, Dad," Tom objected. "I thought you always knew that."

"I didn't know," Kevin said and coughed.

"Have you seen Andrew recently?" Tom finally managed to ask.

"No, I haven't seen him, not since that night," Kevin said softly. "Tom, there's something I want to do before I die."

"Dad, please don't talk like that, I don't want you to leave us."

"I know you don't, Son, but I am dying, and I don't want to fight anymore, but I have only one other reason to hold on, one more wish," Kevin said softly as he closed his eyes. As he spoke, Tom looked up and could see that Monica was standing in the doorway. When he glanced back down at his father, he could see that Kevin had once again slipped out of consciousness.

"Monica?" Tom looked at her. "If he's ready to die, then what is it that is making him hold on?"

"His final wish, Tom," the angel said softly.

"What wish?" Tom asked.

"I cannot tell you that, Tom, but I think you already know what it is, you saw how Bryan reacted to your father when he asked about Christina, didn't you?" Monica asked.

"It won't happen, Monica, Lindsey has already told me as much," Tom said softly as the tears began to stream down his face and he looked at his father as he slept.

"Maybe there's someone else who will be here to help fulfill this wish," Monica said softly. "Don't give up, you're not alone in this, you're never alone."

Tom Miller nodded and as Monica reached where he was sitting, he wrapped his arms around her and cried in her arms.

*****

"What a day," Christina whispered as she came inside the house later that afternoon. She ran her hands through her hair and looked around the kitchen before stepping out into the living room. "Laura, are you here, honey?"

"She went out with Tess, Christina, don't worry about her." She whirled around when she heard the familiar voice of her longtime friend and Angel of Death; she smiled weakly. Next to the angel stood Lindsey, and she immediately noticed that her friend was not looking all that hot. In fact, if truth were known, Lindsey looked as though she hadn't slept in weeks, maybe months. Both of her friends appeared to be waiting for her, and for some reason, deep inside, Christina had a strange sensation that she knew what that something was that they wished to discuss.

She sighed deeply and spoke. "Andrew? Lindsey? What are you guys doing here? I mean, is something wrong?" Christina's questions tumbled out one after the other when she saw the earnest expressions on the face of her two closest friends.

"Laura went with Tess to have an ice cream after they let us in because we need to speak with you about something. I imagine that they will be back in a little while," Andrew said softly.

"What is it?" Christina looked at Lindsey and then at Andrew. "Andrew, what's going on? What is this all about?"

"Maybe we should all sit down, Christina," Andrew said gently.

"What is it?" She asked once they had sat down.

"It's about my dad, Christina," Lindsey said softly.

Christina looked at her friend. "Why do you mention him to me now? You know how I feel about him, Lindsey."

"You told me a few years ago that you had forgiven Kevin for what happened," Andrew said gently.

Christina looked at him, but after a second, she shook her head. "I really tried, Andrew, but I can't. I just wanted to forget about him and about what happened. I thought you both respected my decision about this. Why is it I feel suddenly confronted with this again?"

"Christina, I came back home because…" Lindsey's voice cracked and she could feel Andrew's comforting hand on her shoulder, but her voice failed her and she looked back at him helplessly unable to even continue, the words too painful for her to even say.

Andrew sighed deeply and looked at his friend earnestly. "Christina, Lindsey and Tom's father is dying. He doesn't have much time left, I was sent back here to help him get ready."

"You didn't tell me that," Lindsey said softly.

"I know, Lindsey, but that was part of the reason I was sent, I requested the assignment because I thought it might help your father to know that he would see someone he knows," Andrew said softly.

"I don't care about him," Christina said abruptly, breaking into what Andrew was telling Lindsey. When they both turned and looked at her, she finally found her voice once again and was able to continue. "I'm sorry, but this is one topic I cannot and will not ever talk about." Christina looked at the angel, and he could detect an unexpected stubbornness in her eyes.

"But you do care about Lindsey, don't you?" Andrew asked gently. "You're her best friend, Christina, and right now, she needs you, even if you dislike her father, you must love her enough to want to help her cope with her grief during this time."

Without thinking, Christina turned on the angel and looked at him with anger in her eyes, and pain in her quavering voice. "Perhaps, but I thought you would understand that I can't feel sympathy for the man that tried to kill me, Andrew. It was the same person who you stood and watched when he assaulted me and nearly killed me." Christina shook her head angrily as she began to cry the pain overwhelming as she could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks. Eventually, she covered her face in her hands and shook her head. "I thought you could at least understand, and that you would not try to force me to do something that I cannot do."

"I'm not trying to do that, Christina," Andrew objected.

"You're not, huh?" She snapped. "From where I'm sitting it certainly looks that way."

Lindsey looked at Christina and it was obvious that the younger of the two women was trying desperately to understand not only what was happening, but also why it was happening. Eventually, she allowed the tears to continue to stream down her own cheeks. "Please, Christina, I don't ask much of you, but he is my father, and…"

"…I can't," Christina interrupted, her voice edgy, and she looked at her best friend. "You can forgive him for what he did to you, and that's OK. But don't you dare expect me to act as though what he did didn't happen at all, because it did."

"I don't," Lindsey said softly. "I never did."

"Well, you're his daughter, maybe it's easier for you to forgive him, but I can't, and right now I don't want to. I thought being your friend was a wonderful gift, but now I realize that maybe that was a mistake. I don't want to come between you and him, and I don't want you to make a choice, but I can't make peace with the man who tried to murder me in cold blood. I'm sorry, Lindsey, but I don't want to see him; I want nothing to do with him. It may hurt you to hear this, but it makes no difference to me if he is alive or dead."

"Christina, you can't mean that," Andrew objected.

"Don't you dare tell me what I can't and don't mean, Andrew, I mean it, as sure as the day is long I mean it." With that, Christina stood up and ran out of the room, her tears blinding her as she ran up the stairs and seconds later; a door slammed leaving Andrew and Lindsey still seated in the living room. Eventually, they stood up as though they were now ready to leave the house.

For some reason, Andrew continued to stare after Christina even after she was gone, the hurt evident on his handsome face, and only some moments later did Lindsey's voice bring him crashing back down to Earth.

"I told you, Andrew. I told you," Lindsey spoke, her voice bordering on hysterical as she felt her energy give out. Eventually, she could do nothing except collapse onto the floor and began to cry in earnest. Andrew sat down next to her and took her in his arms. "It's all my fault. She speaks cruel words to you, and she doesn't want to be my friend anymore. I should never have said anything about it."

"That's not true, Lindsey and I would have eventually found out what was happening. I think we both need to understand that right now, Christina's hurting terribly, but it's not because of you," Andrew said gently as he brushed his hand trough her hair. "Don't give up, somehow, we will reach her."

As he held her in the living room, the door opened and Tess and Laura had returned from their outing together. "Lindsey?"

The young woman looked up and could see the teenager and Tess standing in the doorway. "H-hi, Laura, Tess," Lindsey said softly as she tried to get to her feet. With Andrew's help she managed to stand up.

"What happened?" Laura looked at Andrew. "Tell me the truth, Andrew, what happened?"

"Lindsey told your mother about her father," Andrew said softly.

"Time is running out, babies," Tess said softly.

Laura nodded and looked at Lindsey. "I promise I'll do everything I can to help your dad's last wish come true, Lindsey."

"You can't, it has nothing to do with you, Laura," Christina's voice emerged and they glanced up to see that she was now standing at the top of the stairs and she was listening to what had transpired. She regarded all of them her eyes filled with anger.

"Why not, they're our friends?" Laura said softly.

"Not anymore, I want you all to get out of my house," Christina shouted, her anger overriding her normally logical stance. "I mean it, get out of here and don't come back. As long as you're going to defend that murderer, than you can just go and leave my daughter out of this."

"Mom, you can't," Laura said softly, but the teenager could feel Tess' hand on her shoulder. "You can't do this to me, it's not fair."

"Yes I can," Christina said evenly. "Now get out of here!"

At that moment, Jeremy came into the house. "What on Earth? I could detect pandemonium in here from out on the street. Christina, what is going on?"

"We were just leaving Jeremy, I'm sorry," Lindsey said softly, the tears still streaming down her cheeks. With that the young woman walked out through the front door.

Jeremy looked at Tess and Andrew and finally at his wife. "I'm sorry you guys," he muttered, but as soon as the words were out, he could see that Christina had fled from the top of the stairs a door slamming some seconds later and he sighed deeply. "So much for a quiet evening at home with my family," he muttered under his breath.

"We're so sorry, Jeremy," Tess said gently.

"No, I figured that everything would eventually get to her," Jeremy said softly. "She's got so much on her shoulders, I was just counting the hours before she would snap. I'm just sorry that you were the ones she lashed out at."

Andrew nodded but started to follow Lindsey outside, all the while his thoughts consumed with hurt by the words his friend had said to him. Sighing deeply, he walked slowly down the walk, but after a few seconds, he could feel that someone had come outside behind him, had run up to him, and began to pull on the sleeve of his jacket. "Andrew?"

He turned around and could see Laura was now standing behind him, her eyes filled with the deepest sadness he had seen since meeting the young girl. "I'm sorry," he offered.

"Please don't take those words to heart, she didn't mean them, Andrew," Laura said softly.

Andrew nodded numbly, but when he turned to go, she reached out and grabbed his arm. "Don't go, please. You're my best friend, Andrew, and I don't understand what's going on or what just happened."

"I have to go, Laura," Andrew wrapped his arms around her. "Lindsey needs me right now, she's hurting deeply because of all of this, perhaps because I pushed her too hard to talk to Christina."

Laura's eyes filled with tears. "I don't think you did, but still I don't know what to do. I'm so scared, please can't you tell me what I should do?"

"Pray, sweetheart, just pray," Andrew said softly but leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You will see how much it helps and I will see you very soon, I promise."

Laura held onto him for a few moments, but after she released him, she watched as he walked down the step and in the distance, he disappeared. She watched him until he was gone and then the breeze began to blow, and she got down on her knees, her voice filled with the utmost sadness and fear. "Father? I could really use some help right now. I don't know what to do, and I've never seen my mom so angry. It reminds me of my life before I met her and Dad and that really scares me."

"Hey Laura, you OK?" A voice emerged and she looked up.

"Hi Billy," she smiled weakly when she saw her boyfriend was now standing next to her. He rested his hand gently on her shoulder.

"You OK?" Billy asked as he sat down on the sidewalk next to her.

She looked at him. "I don't know."

"I heard you praying just now. I guess you've got a real problem on your hands, huh? I mean; if you're remembering some of the stuff that happened to you before you met your good parents," Billy said softly.

"So much is hazy for me. I mean, I still have the scars from when I was beaten, and I don't know if I could forgive them for it, or if Lolita or Guido were dying, would I be able to face them and forgive them?"

"This isn't about them, is it?" Billy asked.

"No but the way things are, it could be. I know this sounds weird, but it could happen one day that one of them is dying and they want to apologize to me for what they did, and I could be standing here and saying 'no, I have nothing to say to you. I cannot forgive you for what you did to me, even though the results brought me here and to these wonderful people.' Oh Billy, I don't know what to do. Do you know how to forgive someone? I mean; do you think you could do it if things were as bad for you as they had been for me?"

"I don't know, I guess in a way I'm still trying to forgive God for what happened with Chuck. Maybe it's one of those 'one day at a time' kinds of things."

I think I need an angel," Laura mused.

"I'm not an angel, Laura, but I'll help if you need me," Billy said softly as he held her tightly in his arms.

"Well, babies, I am an angel and I'm here to help you both," Tess spoke from behind thus causing the two of them to turn abruptly around. She came over and sat down on the ground next to Laura. She rested a gentle hand on Laura's shoulder. "It's OK, honey, you're not alone."

Laura nodded as Billy spoke. "Hey, I remember you, you were the nurse at the hospital when Chuck was sick, and you helped my mom's ballet class at the center when Laura started dancing, right?" Billy asked as he looked at Tess.

"That's right honey," Tess said gently. "And right now we need to have a little chat about what just happened and where we are going from this point."

"I thought you were leaving with Andrew," Laura said softly.

"Uh-oh, I somehow have the feeling that something is definitely brewing around here," Billy said nodding his head. "Want to fill me in?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you too much, Billy," Tess began but she glanced over and smiled at Laura. "I think in time, your mother will have to hear what you have to say about this, sweetheart. Specifically, what you just told Billy."

"You mean about the Cantus?" Laura asked, but before she could continue speaking, Adam suddenly appeared and began speaking to them, his voice breaking into their conversation.

"Lolita Cantu is in the hospital, there was a car accident and a pretty bad one at that," Adam said causing Laura and Billy to suddenly look up.

"Hey," Billy spoke when he saw that Adam was still standing there, dressed in his usual beige suit and holding a golden pocket watch. The gray-eyed Angel of Death stood and looked at the two teenagers.

"Adam?" Laura cried and looked at Tess for confirmation on what she had just heard. When Tess finally nodded, Laura shook her head in disbelief. "I don't believe it. Are you telling me that my birth parents are dying?" She looked at Billy in profound shock, and he regarded her as though she had just admitted to being one of the 'Psychic Friends'.

"Laura, I know you weren't expecting to hear this today, and that perhaps you interpreted something out of the ordinary, but it's all true," Adam said softly. "I took your birth father home last night, but your birth mother is still alive and she has been slipping in and out of consciousness all morning, but I'm afraid she doesn't have much time left and ironically, she has mumbled your name a few times."

"You mean?" she looked at Tess and then at Billy all the while shaking her head. "Adam, we just talked about this, a few minutes ago. This is just too weird."

"Sweetheart, in the present situation, you offered an example that is close to you and that deals with forgiveness. Just because these events played out, has nothing to do with a perceived gift or whatever you wish to call it," Adam said softly. "And even if it was in you, Laura, every talent is a gift from God, so if you are perceiving future events, then don't you think that perhaps God gave you that ability, too?"

"I don't want the ability, I just want things to be right with my family," Laura said softly, the tears beginning to stream down her face.

"Adam, maybe you and her should talk about this stuff later," Billy said. "I may not be any kind of expert, but she's not looking all that hot right now, and I think I can understand why."

"You're right, Billy," Tess began, but she glanced over and saw Laura's pale face. "Laura, you now have the opportunity to not only set an example for your mother to follow, but to teach her, as only you know how, about the art of forgiveness," Tess said.

Laura looked at Billy and then at Tess. "That's not an easy task, Tess. Lolita treated me much worse than Guido did, and all I ever remembered of her was how she would scream at me."

"We know, Laura, but it will make a difference, not only for her, but also for you," Adam said gently as he sat down on the step next to her. "You know, I always said that you were a very brave young lady. Now, what you are about to do, will only reaffirm that."

"Will you come with me, Adam?" Laura asked, her voice weak. "I know that if you're there, I won't be so afraid to face her."

The Angel of Death smiled weakly and nodded. "I'm going back there right now, and you may not see me in that room when you come in, but you can trust and know that I will be there." He smiled and disappeared.

Laura nodded and once Adam was gone, she looked at Tess. "I think I need to talk to my mother now."

Tess shook her head. "No, sweetheart, there isn't time, you need to fulfill what you promised Adam to do, and I am here to take you there to do so. Billy, can you go and tell Christina and Jeremy where we are and what has happened?"

"Yeah, I can, but I'll take the bus downtown and meet you there as soon as that's done and I have told my mom," Billy said softly.

Laura and Tess stood up and went down the walk towards the curb where Tess' car was parked. Once they got inside and Tess started the motor, Jeremy came outside and watched as his daughter and Tess disappeared in a cloud of dust. "Billy, what's happening?"

"Tess and Laura went to the hospital, Mr. Lowery," Billy said softly.

"Why?"

"Adam showed up and told Laura that her mother, I mean; her birth mother is dying and she wants to seek forgiveness from Laura before she dies. I guess this was about what happened before Laura came to live with you," Billy said softly, and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know what really happened inside today. All I know is that I saw this lady leave and she looked really upset, and then Laura came outside and I saw her talking to Andrew for a few minutes before he took off. I don't understand what's going on, but I think Laura's hurt because of it. Andrew's her best friend, you know?"

"Andrew saved her life, Billy, that's why they are so close," Jeremy said softly. "I think this is the one thing that separates Laura's experiences from Christina's."

"Nobody ever told me that," Billy said. "I guess that's how Laura has dealt with all the shame and fear that a kid can cope with, she's locked it up inside of herself and doesn't want to let it out."

Jeremy nodded. "That's true. Basically, this has something to do with that lady you saw, her name is Lindsey Miller, and she is Christina's best friend."

"Mr. Lowery, why was she so upset when she left?" Billy asked.

"Her father's dying, Billy," Jeremy said softly. "I can't tell you anymore, most of this I don't even understand myself. Something happened to Christina when she was 23, and she never talked to me about it. All I know is that it had something to do with Lindsey's father, but I don't know what it is. Maybe that's why the angels are here."

"You've seen them too?" Billy asked.

"Well, Andrew and Tess were at our wedding almost eleven years ago," Jeremy said. "I met Henry when Laura and I were in the car accident some years ago, and the other angels, well, they've popped in and out of our lives ever since."

"That's weird," Billy said softly.

"What?"

"Adults who actually have seen the angels in their lives. When Chuck died, my mom told me that she had talked to Adam for a long time in his hospital room, that he held her while she cried," Billy said softly. After a few minutes, he looked at Jeremy. "I think Mrs. Lowery needs an angel to hold her, and help her forgive."

Jeremy nodded numbly. "She's taking a nap right now, so maybe when she wakes up, there will be an angel waiting by her side to help her do just that."

"Maybe they're already there, and she doesn't know it yet," Billy said as he got up and walked down the walk in the direction of where he lived.

*****

Lindsey was running towards the park at this moment, her tears blurring her vision, and she could not stop crying. As she reached the cast iron gates leading into the park, she pulled it open and walked slowly inside. I used to come here all the time when I was sad, she thought sadly to herself as she followed the path towards a bench and sat down.

As she sat still on the bench and could feel the warm sunlight beating down on her, she looked all around her and could see people walking and speaking with each other, but she felt completely alone. I can't expect Andrew to choose between Christina and me, she thought to herself, and it's wrong of me to even believe that I should. She rested her head in her hands and could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Excuse me? Are you Lindsey Miller?" A voice interrupted her thoughts and she glanced up and into the warm brown eyes of a man who appeared to be her age or a few years older.

"Yes, I am," she said.

"I received your CD some time ago and I was really moved by your music," the man said with a bright smile on his face. "My name is Leonard Jacobs."

"Lenny?" She looked up and could see the face of the man, her boyfriend, and the one person who she had only seen on photographs, which were on her computer at home. "W-what are you doing here?"

"We have a mutual friend, Lindsey, his name is Andrew and he came to see me the other night right before he came to help you," Leonard said softly. "He helped my little sister after our parents were killed in a car accident some years ago and he and his friends tried to help me find my way back to God."

Lindsey could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks and she nodded as she felt his arms wrapping around her and she felt herself melting in his embrace. In the distance, Andrew stood watching, but eventually he approached the two of them and as he did, he spoke, his soft voice breaking them out of their embrace.

"Hello," he said and smiled gently. "Lindsey, are you OK?"

The young woman nodded. "I thought I wasn't so important to you, I thought since Christina had known you longer…" Her voice trailed off and she looked helplessly up at him.

"Shhh, it's OK, but you mustn't think that just because I've not known you as long as Christina, that I would care less for you. That's not how I am, and you know I made a promise to help, and I intend to do just that." Andrew smiled gently at her as he sat down next to her. "Leonard, I'm so glad you came. It's nice to see you again."

"I wouldn't have come had you not told me what was happening to her," Leonard said softly as he brushed Lindsey's hair from her eyes. "You know, she's more beautiful than I even imagined."

Andrew smiled gently. "She is, she's God's child, and He will always be there to help carry you through all challenges, Lindsey."

"What about my dad?" She asked.

"There's not much time left, but I can promise you that we have a little angel working on that right now," Andrew said gently. "Her name is Laura, and when her mother discovers that Laura is making peace with her birth mother before she dies, then perhaps this will inspire Christina to make peace with your father as well."

"I don't understand," Lindsey said softly.

"You don't have to understand, Lindsey, just accept this as a gift from the daughter of your best friend," Andrew said gently. As he spoke, he glanced around and could see that Phil was now standing in the park, and he was looking around the area, an expression of kindness was on his face, and Andrew smiled as he thought of his friend, 'the angel without a compass' as he was often called, as Phil was known to get lost trying to find his way out of a shopping mall, but he was an angel with a sensitive soul and a good heart and for this reason, Andrew could understand why he worked in Reconciliations.

Lindsey's eyes followed Andrew's gaze. "Who is that, Andrew?"

"His name is Phil, but I'm not sure what he's doing here," Andrew said softly.

"Another angel?" Lenny asked.

"Yes."

"Maybe Christina is his assignment," Lindsey muttered and Andrew looked at her and after a few seconds, he nodded.

*****

Christina emerged from her room at this time, her eyes filled with sadness and she came down the stairs to find Jeremy seated in the living room, his eyes on the television schedule, but she could tell by the way he was slouched over it that he was not reading it, in fact, he looked as though he was staring through it.

"Hi," she said softly as she came over and sat down next to him.

"Are you going to explain what happened?" Jeremy asked.

"No, it's not important," Christina said.

"You yelled at your two best friends, and you threw two angels out of our house. I would definitely say that what happened is important," Jeremy said firmly, the hurt evident in his otherwise kind eyes. "Christina, I know this stuff about the baby is getting to you, but you can't yell at your friends and treat them like this. Please tell me what's happened, I'm confused. Why does Lindsey deserve to be screamed at by her best friend? She just came home, and from what I have heard, things in her family aren't going all that well."

"I don't want to talk about it, Jeremy, can't you just drop it?" Christina asked.

Sighing deeply, Jeremy stood up. "I'm going to visit Paula and Vincent, I'll see you tomorrow. Laura's with Tess, and I'm sure they'll be back soon."

"Why did you let her go?" Christina asked.

"I didn't, our daughter is old enough to chose who her friends are, and as long as I know that these people will not get her hooked on drugs or something, then I will not interfere with her friendships. Billy told me that Adam showed up, and that Laura went with Tess to the hospital," Jeremy said simply. "I don't know what happened here, but Billy told me that Laura is visiting Lolita Cantu before the woman dies."

Christina nodded numbly as Jeremy left the house, the door closing behind him. As soon as he was gone, she sighed deeply and covered her face with her hands and shook her head. My two best friends, she thought to herself, but instead of getting up and following Jeremy, she remained seated on the sofa and closed her eyes. After a few moments, she stood up, reached for her car keys, and left.

*****

Tess and Laura arrived at the hospital by that time and the two of them got out of the car and walked towards the entrance. "This is so weird, Tess," Laura began to speak.

"I know, baby," Tess said gently.

They approached the information counter. "May I help you?" The elderly woman at the counter asked as she looked at Tess and then at Laura.

"Yes, we need the room number for Lolita Cantu?"

"Are you family?" The woman asked once she had consulted the computer.

"Yes," Laura said. "She's my mother."

"OK, she's in room 517," the woman said, but made a sideways glance in towards Tess. "But, only family is allowed inside to see her."

"We understand," Tess said and looked at Laura. "Come on baby, let's get upstairs."

Laura nodded and followed Tess to the elevator. Once there, she looked at the angel. "You can't come in with me?"

"Baby, let me tell you something, Adam is in there, and nothing is going to happen to you while you try and face this," Tess said gently. "However, there's someone else in there as well and that someone will remain by your side through it all."

"Who? You?"

"No baby, God will be there with you," Tess said softly, her hand still on Laura's shoulder.

The young girl looked at Tess. "I never thought that this would happen, Tess."

"I know you didn't, Laura," the wise angel said as the elevator doors opened and she stepped out into the hallway.

As she did, she could see various people standing next to the door leading into Lolita's room. Her eyes met the old gray eyes of an elderly man and she discovered that she immediately knew him, he was her grandfather, and she remembered how kind he had been towards her when she was little. He would give her pennies and she would slip them into her shoes to buy candies and sweets.

When his eyes met hers, he smiled weakly and looked at her. "Laura?"

"Go on, honey, it's time for you to meet him," Tess said.

"Yes, it's me," Laura said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"How dare you come here? After all have done to this family." A woman's shrill voice erupted throughout the wing of the hospital.

"She has a right to be here," the old man said, his voice breaking through the accusations. "She is after all, Lolita's little girl, and she was not at fault for her parents' arrest. Lolita and Guido had hurt her, and you know it, Melanie." Laura glanced up and she immediately recognized that this man was not only her grandfather, but also it looked as though he was the head of this family, and she was relieved that the angry sounding woman did not say anything further. The old man extended his hands towards her. "Laura, you're here to see your mother, are you not?"

"Yes, Sir," she said softly, but her voice was shaking, but she extended her hand back over towards him. When she felt his wrinkled hand holding tightly to her, she was suddenly overwhelmed with memories.

"You remember me, don't you, honey?" The man asked softly as he noticed her contemplative expression. "My name is William Francisco, and I'm your grandfather."

"I remember the pennies," Laura said, the tears now in her eyes. "I remember you used to give me pennies s-so I could buy sweets and candies."

"That's right," he said gently and nodded. "I never knew what your mother and father did to you, but I would have helped you had I known. Will you forgive me for not having known or not having done what I should have to protect you?"

"There's no reason," Laura said softly as she felt the arms of her grandfather wrapping around her.

"Come, we will see your mother now," he said softly and looked at Tess. "You have been very kind to help her, and it is wonderful that you have been her friend."

Tess nodded and remained out in the hallway as Laura and her grandfather went into the room. Once inside, Laura looked around the room hoping to see Adam, but when she didn't see him, she hesitantly approached the woman on the bed.

As soon as she reached it, she looked down at the face of her birth mother and shadows of the past washed over her, and she could feel herself beginning to tremble. "A-Adam, are you here?" Her question emerged and the Angel of Death appeared and he smiled encouragingly at her.

"She knows you?" William asked.

"I have been with her since she was younger," Adam said and looked at Laura. "Do you remember when you were little, and you had a friend who was with you during the times that you were being abused?"

"T-that was you?" Laura asked and she looked at him.

Adam nodded. "Yes, sweetheart, that was me."

Laura looked up at her grandfather. "H-he promised to be with me during this."

"I know," William said softly and smiled, but he leaned down and began to whisper to his daughter who lay on the bed. "Lolita, sweetheart, you have a visitor."

Weakly the woman opened her eyes, and when she saw Laura she shook her head, either in recognition or denial. When no words emerged, William took the hand of his daughter in his free hand and smiled at her.

"Hello, Lolita," Laura began.

"You should call her 'mother'," William began.

"No, I'm sorry, I cannot," Laura began to speak. "I will never ever be able to call her 'mother', no matter what happened in the past or what reasons are given for it, I can't."

"Then why are you here?" William asked.

Instead of answering his inquiry, she looked down at the woman in the bed. "It's strange, I was speaking to my boyfriend earlier today and my memory of the past is totally hazy. Maybe I came here because I truly wanted to understand, and I may never have had the chance to do so. I cannot remember very much about you, but I remember that you were never very kind to me, and I never knew why. I remember grandfather giving me pennies and I would stick them in my shoes and would use them to buy candy. Then after my sixth birthday, after you had beaten me so much, I ran away and destroyed the science project of one of the neighbor kids. After that, I continued to run, and ended up in the park. There, I met Andrew, and he…" her voice trailed off and she looked up and could see that Adam was nodding encouragingly at her.

"An angel?" The soft voice of the woman in the bed moaned and she rolled onto her side, her brown eyes looking at Laura.

Laura looked at Adam wondering if what the woman had said was to acknowledge that he was there, but when he shook his head, she began to speak. "Yes, Andrew is an angel, but he's also my best friend, and he saved my life. At that time, I didn't even know what an angel was, but I learned that he had been sent here to help me and through his help, I learned that he and God loved me unconditionally. Without his help, I would have died, because you and Guido would have killed me. I never knew why you hated me so much, I was only six years old," Laura said softly.

She glanced over at her grandfather and then back down at Lolita. "My grandfather was the only person who loved me and was kind to me, and my memories of him are very good. But, my memories of you gave me nightmares for years and I thought I would never want to see you again. Then Adam told me today that you were here, and that I had a choice whether to come here and face my past, or to avoid it, so I made the choice and came."

"She's unconscious again, Laura," Adam said softly. "But she can hear you and she asks that you forgive her."

"I can forgive you, Lolita. I can forgive you for what you did to me; I remember the humiliation, the hurt, and the pain. Your treatment of me left scars, deep ones," Laura pulled the sleeve of her sweater up and this exposed scars on her arms from the abuse she had endured. "I cannot forget what happened, and how much you hurt me. Today, I have a family that loves me and I have changed my name from Cantu to Lowery, and my mother and father are wonderful people who helped make me who I am today."

Adam looked up and spoke to her. "Laura, she wants you to know that she understands why you cannot forget how she treated you, and she also would like for you to know why all of this happened to you."

"Why, what happened?" Laura looked at him. "Adam, I always thought that it was because I was a horrible person and she was trying to beat that out of me."

"No, it wasn't that, it was never that, sweetheart," Adam began to speak. "Lolita was mentally ill, and she did not know what it was that she had done to you. Guido had taken her medicine away from her thinking that this was the reason behind why she had been beating you, but what happened was, years after you moved in with Christina and Jeremy, the authorities discovered something during this time, that Lolita suffered from an extreme case of Schizophrenia, and she was later institutionalized for it. It had been three years this month since she was released back into society, and as soon as she was, she started searching for you."

"For me?" Laura looked at Adam. "Why didn't anyone ever tell me?"

"There were many reasons," William said smiling weakly and taking up the story. "I made the decision that you would be left alone to grow as a child should without knowing what had happened in the past. Lolita hated me for it, but eventually, she had to recognize that what she did in the past did have an effect on you and for you to forgive her, would not be easy. Now, since the accident, and since I had spoken with Adam extensively about all of this, I had asked him if he could find you and give you the choice of whether or not to come here."

Laura looked down at the woman in the bed and shook her head sadly. "So much about all of this makes sense to me now."

Adam rested his hand on her shoulder once he had come to the other side of the bed. "I didn't tell you any of this sooner, and perhaps I should have."

"No, I don't blame you, Adam, maybe it was for the better," Laura looked at William. "You're still my grandfather, right?"

The old man wordlessly reached into his pocket and pulled out a penny. This he handed to her and after she looked down at it, she threw her arms around him. When the hug loosened, she looked down to see that Lolita had once again opened her eyes.

"I forgive you for what you did to me," Laura said softly as the woman closed her eyes for the last time.

*****

Ten minutes later, she stepped outside into the hallway and when she met Tess, she smiled weakly. "It was the right choice," she said softly, the tears streaming down her cheeks. "For the first time I feel free."

"Yes, baby, Lolita is now at peace, and you are as well," Tess said gently.

"Now, I hope that this will help my mom find the peace she needs," Laura said softly as she walked slowly towards the elevator, her head was down and she was staring at the ground.

As the teenager left, William came out into the hall and looked at his family. "Lolita is now at peace with her child, and with God." As he spoke, the tears streamed down his cheeks and he slowly walked towards the elevator after the young girl. "Laura?"

"Yes," she whispered once she turned around.

"What you did was very brave, most people would not have done what you did," William said softly.

"I needed the peace as much as she did," Laura said softly.

"What makes you so wise, Child?" William asked.

"I don't know, perhaps my experiences contribute to that, my parents, the friends I have like Tess and Adam," Laura said shrugging her shoulders. "I guess God knew I needed help right now and He loved me enough to send it."

With that she stepped into the elevator and the doors closed behind her. Once she was alone, she allowed the tears to stream down her cheeks, and she began to cry. As soon as the elevator reached the first floor, she stepped out into the hallway and looked up to see that Christina was now coming in through the large glass doors at the other end of the hallway. "Mom, what are you doing here?" She asked as soon as she reached where her mother was standing.

"I should be asking you that question," Christina said weakly once the two of them were standing together. As soon as the words emerged, Christina found herself glancing down at the tiled floor, but then eventually back at Laura.

"I had to, I had to make peace with my past," Laura said softly. Behind her Tess was now walking towards them.

Christina looked at Tess. "What are you trying to do to my family, Tess?"

"Baby, I'm not doing anything to your family. You have to understand forgiveness, Christina," Tess said as she folded her arms in front of her. "Perhaps, you should look at Laura as the example here. Laura's birth mother died today, and she came here not only for answers she sought to find, but also to tell Lolita that she forgives her for having harmed her, and for treating her without the dignity due one of God's precious children. You got those answers, didn't you baby?"

Laura nodded. "Yeah, I did." She looked at Christina. "I'm 15-years-old now, Mom, and Tess, Andrew, and Lindsey are very special to me. I respect you and I will do as you ask, but I will not end a friendship that has been present since before I was born. You can't throw it away, Mom, you have to trust your friends, and let them know what is happening to us."

"Laura, we will discuss this later," Christina said softly.

The teenager looked at Tess, but eventually she walked slowly towards the chapel and opened the door and went inside.

As she sat down in one of the seats, she looked up and could see someone else seated in the room, but instead of speaking to him, she folded her hands and closed her eyes. Within moments, the man came over and sat down next to her.

"Hello," he spoke; his dark, wise eyes meeting hers.

"Hi," she said softly.

"My name's Phil, what's yours?" He asked.

"Laura," she said and bowed her head. "Please don't think I'm being rude, but I don't really feel like talking right now, I just came in here to think about some things. Try to make heads or tails of everything that's happened."

"Rectifying your past is never an easy task, is it Laura?" Phil asked.

"No, it's not," Laura said softly, but she could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks, and this time she did not bother to brush them away. "Have you ever felt guilty for being angry with someone, but not knowing truly why they did what they did in the first place?"

Phil nodded. "I can see where that would be very difficult."

Laura closed her eyes and the tears continued to pour down over her face. She tried without much success to wipe them away, but she discovered that she couldn't. After some moments, Phil handed her a cloth handkerchief. "Thank you," she whispered as she accepted the cloth and wiped it over her eyes.

"Let me ask you a question, does discovering the truth hurt?"

Laura nodded. "It scares me. I wonder if I'm crazy, or I would hurt anyone the way I've been hurt."

"You know that fear is one of the emotions that people don't always understand, but that fear also guides you away from the purest form of love that exists," Phil rested a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Don't allow it to do that to you, allow your heart to be comforted by the knowledge of God's love and truth."

Laura looked at him and nodded. "You know, it's funny, my friend Andrew once told me something like that."

"I know Andrew," Phil said smiling, and as he spoke he began to glow, and Laura smiled weakly.

"God sent you, didn't He?"

Phil smiled broadly and nodded. "Did your friend Andrew ever tell you about Reconciliations?"

"No, w-what is that?" Laura asked.

"It's one of the divine departments up there," Phil smiled gently at her. "You made yours, Laura. Now, let me help you help your mother find forgiveness, too."

"How? She won't even listen to me," Laura said softly.

"Time, Laura, God's timing is perfect, don't forget that. In order for a person to forgive, they must be in the right time and place to do so, and you have been in both when you chose to forgive Lolita Cantu," Phil said. "Now, allow all of this to rest in God's hands, and your mother will find the strength to forgive not only Kevin Miller, but also to forgive herself for the hurtful things she has said and done. Remember, the words she speaks are not said out of hatred, but rather, out of fear. If she tries to forgive Kevin, then she will have to face the past, which she has for the past fifteen plus years managed to bury away."

"I'll do my best, Phil," Laura said and stood up to leave, but not before he reached out and touched her arm.

"Laura, God is proud of you, and don't forget, He does loves you so much," Phil said and once Laura left the chapel she could see her mother and Tess were standing in the same place waiting for her.

"I'm ready to go home, Mom. I'll see you later, Tess," was all the girl said and together mother and daughter left the hospital.

Tess walked over towards the door leading inside the chapel, and when she saw Phil seated inside, she nodded and smiled weakly.

*****

"I want to know why you saw fit to disobey me," Christina said as they were getting into the car.

"I didn't disobey you, Mom, I did what I thought was right," Laura said simply as she climbed into the passenger seat.

"You were persuaded by Tess to go see that woman, weren't you?" Christina asked angrily. "I had told them to leave, and you should not have followed Andrew outside."

"He's my best friend, and he saved my life, so I would follow him to the ends of the earth," Laura said softly. "You can't take away my friendship with him because you are angry with him. He's an angel, Mom, but he's also got feelings, and to blame him for the past, is not fair, he would have helped if he could have."

"I don't want to talk about this," Christina said.

"No you never do," Laura said softly. "I will answer your question though, Adam came and told me, and it was because of a promise he had made to Lolita's family. He gave me the choice to come or to stay, and that was the choice I made," Laura said softly. "You know, just because I wanted to do this, doesn't mean that you're a bad mother, it really has nothing to do with you."

"It does Laura," Christina said softly.

"No, Mom, it doesn't, you weren't abused by this woman, you didn't have to look in her eyes and say 'I forgive you for what you did to me'. I didn't call her 'Mother' or 'Mom' because she's not you. I called her 'Lolita', and I told her, 'I forgive you', then…"

"What?" Christina asked.

"She died, and Adam took her to heaven," Laura said as the tears streamed down her cheeks. "I had gotten there in time." She pulled the penny from her pocket and looked down at it. "I was also reunited with my grandfather, William."

Christina pulled the car to the side of the road. "You were not supposed to have any contact with them, not since you moved in with us."

"Why? Do you feel so threatened by the past? Adam was with me when I was being hurt, and I knew him long before I met Andrew, and you. It was only today that I remembered everything about it. You know, if wisdom is only based on age, then, you're wiser than Lindsey or me, but if it's based on experience, then I am because I was nearly killed by my birth parents, and I had an angel with me during those times."

Christina sighed deeply as she rested her head in her hands, but after a few seconds, she looked at Laura. "Why is it that you're so smart?"

"I had some very good teachers," Laura said softly.

After a few minutes, Christina glanced skyward and then she looked back at her daughter. "Laura, I'm going to tell you what happened."

Christina's Flashback

Christina was now far enough away from them, and she had found a swing and sat down. Her entire body was shaking as she looked down at the ground. After a few minutes she closed her eyes. “Dear Father, I’m so scared, please help those kids. I beg you, please help them, I-I love you and I trust in you.”

The tears continued to stream down her cheeks as she rested her head in her hands and cried.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t our do-gooder neighbor,” a slurred voice could be heard and she looked up and into Kevin Miller’s blood-shot eyes. As if forced by adrenaline, she tried to stand up and leave the swing, but before she could, he reached out and grabbed her arm and she winced in pain as he pulled her off the swing. “Where are my kids?” he sneered his eyes bearing down into hers.

Christina sighed deeply trying to keep her voice calm. “They went home,” was all she was able to say.

“You turned my kids against me, you do-gooder,” he sneered and she could smell the filth emanating from his body as well as the liquor from his breath. She could tell that he was angry with her and it did not calm the fright that cursed through her body.

“Mr. Miller I didn’t do anything,” she said softly. “Lindsey and Tommy are my friends, and I only wanted to help them.”

He pushed her to the ground, and looked down at her with contempt in his eyes. “You don’t know what a friend is,” he sneered. “You tore up my family.” He pulled an object from his pocket and she recognized it as a knife. “I should kill you for that.”

Christina backed up from him as much as she could, her jeans getting caked with mud, her face beginning to perspire. After some moments she glanced back over towards the swings and she could see Andrew standing not far away, he was glowing.

Kevin grabbed her by her hair and pulled her off the ground, and she screamed in pain when she felt him dragging her back over towards the swings, his hand tightly gripped in her hair. She could feel the tears in her eyes, but when he pressed a button on the pocketknife he held in his hand and a silver blade suddenly appeared; she screamed when she felt the cold steel of the blade against her neck.

She closed her eyes and prayed, but suddenly in the middle of her prayer, she opened her eyes and her frightened voice emerged. “Mr. Miller, if you kill me, you’ll never see your kids again, there are people out here and they see what you are doing.” Somehow, although the words that emerged from her mouth were her own, she could not quite comprehend that she had said them and as calmly as they had emerged, especially now, when she could only show how petrified she truly was.

Kevin Miller continued to hold the knife, but when two men tackled him from behind, the knife slashed Christina’s shoulder only slightly before it fell to the ground.

“You OK, Miss?” one of the men asked while the other pulled Kevin to his feet and pulled him away from her.

“Y-yeah, thank you,” she began to cry as she reached out and embraced the man who had helped her. As the embrace loosened, she reached up and felt the moistness of the blood that was seeping through her jacket.

“Hey, man, you’d better get your friend to the doctor, she’s probably gonna need some stitches on her shoulder,” one of the men said and when Christina looked up and saw Andrew standing next to the swing and no longer glowing, she sighed with relief, but within seconds, she had collapsed onto the ground.

*****

When she opened her eyes once again a few minutes later, she could see Andrew looking down at her with concern and compassion in his eyes. He was sitting on the ground, his arms around her.

“A-Andrew,” she hugged him tightly, but could still feel the pain in her shoulder.

“Are you alright?” he asked weakly, his hand brushing her hair from her eyes.

“I thought…this was it. I…could see you standing over there,” she waved her hand towards the swings. “You…looked…so…magnificent…”

“Shhh, it’s OK, Christina, you’re OK now. For a moment there, I thought it was your time,” he said gently as he pressed a white handkerchief firmly but gently against her wounded shoulder, and she winced in pain. “I know it hurts, but I’m trying to stop the bleeding. We need to get you to a doctor.”

“It’s no big deal,” Christina said softly. “It could have been much worse. Where’s Kevin Miller?”

“Those two men who helped you just took him to the police, I’m guessing,” Andrew said softly. “Come on, Christina, let’s get you out of here.” He practically had to pick her up off the ground, but when she was on her feet, she could feel herself getting light-headed and he took her arm and allowed her to lean against his shoulder. “You know, it’s not often that one would see an Angel of Death saving someone’s life, and it seems you have done that for me, twice,” she murmured as she rested her head on his shoulder and passed out.

Andrew smiled weakly, but he knew he was left with no choice. He picked her up gently in his arms and carried her the rest of the way.

Christina's Flashback End

"Why didn't he help you?" Laura asked when her mother had finished speaking.

"He couldn't interfere, Laura. I realized a long time ago that even though Andrew wanted to help me, he couldn't," Christina said softly, as the tears continued to stream down her cheeks. "I wanted to forget what happened, but I know now that I can't."

"Mom, you're not really angry with Andrew, are you?" Laura asked.

"No, I'm not, I was hurt by him, and I couldn't help feeling this way, I felt everyone was against me, that everything I did was wrong," Christina said softly and she looked at her daughter. "I didn't realize that I had pushed you away until I got the hospital tonight."

Laura rested her hand on her mother's shoulder. "It's OK Mom, I'm not angry."

"You have a right to be," Christina said softly. "Oh God what did I do?"

"Let's just go home, Mom, maybe we can talk with Dad about this and get all this stuff out," Laura said softly.

"I can't go home yet," Christina said softly. "I'm going to drive you to your grandparents and then there's something I have to do, OK?"

Laura nodded and smiled weakly.

*****

Twenty minutes later, Christina nervously walked up to the front door of the Miller home. With trembling hands, she reached up and rang the doorbell. Seconds later, Lindsey opened the door, her eyes widened when she saw Christina standing on the doorstep.

"W-what are you doing here?" Lindsey asked.

"Can I come in? There's something I have to do, Lindsey," Christina looked at Lindsey, and the younger woman looked as though she was about to begin crying.

"What?"

"Make my peace," Christina said softly. "Please, just let me come in, and once I'm done, I'll go."

Lindsey backed away from the door, disbelief written all over her pretty face. "H-he's upstairs, first room on the right."

"I'll find it," she whispered and walked through the house and up the stairs to the room where Kevin Miller slept. At the door she stood for a moment before knocking.

Seconds later, the door opened and she could see that Monica was present, but she sensed somehow that Andrew was also present even though she could not physically see him. With shame overwhelming her, she said nothing and instead she went over to the bed and sat down in the chair next to where Kevin lay.

"Mr. Miller?" She eventually spoke, her voice soft, and she wondered if he had even heard her speaking. When he did not even flutter an eyelash, she touched his shoulder causing him to open his eyes.

"Lindsey?" He groaned.

"No, it's me, Christina," she said softly.

"Christina?" He spoke, and she could see that he was licking his dry lips and trying to speak.

"I should have come sooner," she said softly as she handed him a glass of water. Once he had finished drinking the liquid, he returned the empty glass to her, and sat up in bed while she put the glass back on the bedside table. Once he was comfortable, he looked at her, his gray eyes carrying a new gentility, one she had never before seen in this particular man.

"I know why you didn't," he said, his voice weak. "I gave you every reason in the world to be afraid of me."

"I couldn't let go of what happened, Mr. Miller," she said softly. "I guess I needed to do so for you as well as for me."

"Christina, I know I hurt you, but I swear, I don't remember having done it," Kevin said softly. "Please believe me."

"I do believe you," she said as the tears began to stream down her cheeks. "It hurts me to say so, but I do."

"Did Andrew ever tell you what happened when he came to see me?" Kevin asked.

"Not much, he said that he had visited you in the rehab clinic, but he didn't tell me what you had talked about," Christina said softly. "I guess from the start I didn't want to talk to him about it. I thought for a long time that he was at fault because I couldn't understand this 'free-will' stuff."

"He loves you, Christina," Kevin said softly and nodded. "He didn't want to hurt you because of all of this, but he loves Lindsey too, and you have to understand that from what I could see about this, that he felt pushed into the middle." He reached over and touched her hand. "The blame lies with me, Christina, not with you, Lindsey, or anyone else. OK?"

She nodded as the tears streamed down her face. "I'm sorry."

"You have no reason to be sorry, it was my wish to see you one last time and to tell you that I'm sorry, and to beg you to forgive me for what I did to you," Kevin said softly.

Christina closed her eyes and nodded. "I forgive you, it's so hard."

"I know, and for that I thank you," Kevin smiled weakly. "Would you please go downstairs and get my family?"

"I will," Christina said softly. "I wish you a wonderful journey, Mr. Miller." After those words were spoken, she left the room and closed the door behind her.

Kevin looked up, and he could see that Andrew was now standing next to the bed. "Andrew, can you tell me something? What happened to her?"

"She learned a lesson in forgiveness, Kevin, but now the biggest lesson stands before her," Andrew said softly.

"Self-forgiveness?" Kevin asked and as Andrew nodded numbly Edith, Lindsey, and Tom slowly entered the room to say their final good-bye to Kevin.

*****

The nighttime seemed to swallow her up as she walked towards the park. Christina could feel the tears streaming down from beneath her eyes and she glanced skyward. "I'm so lost Father, I've never felt so lost before," she whispered but was unable to even wait for an answer. She sat down on the bench and covered her face with her hands all the while shaking her head.

After some time had passed, she finally found herself able to look out across the crisscrossed paths in front of her. Most of them were glistening from the reflection of the moonlight off the pebbles, which were lying on the ground. Her eyes filled with sadness as she looked around, but realizing that she was alone was just as well. She didn't really feel like talking, the tears were still falling from beneath her eyes.

"You're never alone, Christina."

She nodded, but when she heard the familiar voice repeat the soothing words, she was unable to even look up and into the green eyes of her friend. She shook her head sadly, but kept her eyes closed. Within moments, she could feel that someone had sat down next to her, and after some seconds had ticked by, she felt their arms wrapping around her and pulling her into a comforting embrace.

Without saying anything, she allowed her body to collapse into the embrace, her tears falling and she began to weep bitterly, the sobs wracking her body. "II"

"Shhh," Andrew spoke, his arms were holding her, but he brushed her hair back from in front of her face, and he took her chin in his hands and made her look at him. "Everything is going to be OK, my little angel."

The tears continued to spill down over her face, but this time, she could feel Andrew's fingers brushing the moistness away. "I-I did everything wrong, Andrew. I'm s-so sorry."

Andrew wrapped her securely in his arms and held her tightly in his embrace. "Shhh, all is forgiven, my friend."

Christina looked at him and tried with all her might to focus on him. "Y-you don't hate me?"

"No, Christina, I never did," Andrew said gently. "I know that this was so hard for you, and Lindsey did too, but you did find healing in talking to Kevin, didn't you?"

She nodded. "I realized how horrible I've been."

"No, you're not horrible, you were hurting deeply, and you still are," Andrew said softly. "You reacted towards Lindsey, Tess, Laura, and me, through fear, because you felt lost and alone, but you must never forget, my friend, we all love you, and we're always going to be there for you when you need us."

"I can't forgive myself, Andrew. Why?" She wept.

"Because self-forgiveness is sometimes the hardest part of forgiveness that there is," Andrew said gently. "It's not always going to be easy, but I have so much faith that you, in time, will heal."

"What am I going to do?" Christina asked. "It hurts so much to remember. He really tried to kill me."

"I know, and it only hurts today because you allowed yourself to completely shut yourself off from the pain and hurt that you experienced. In order for you to heal, you needed to face him, and accept that what happened was not your fault, and it was not something that I brought up to hurt you," he smiled gently at her.

"Is Mr. Miller still alive?"

"No, I took him home before I came here to see you," Andrew said gently. "He's at peace, Christina."

"Are Lindsey and Tom angry with me?"

"They are grieving the loss of their father, and yes, they were hurting because of what happened, but I think they are grateful to you for facing him one last time. It was a courageous thing you did."

"I only did it because of something Laura said," Christina said softly.

"What did she say?"

"She said that sometimes wisdom is not based on age, but on experience," Christina said softly. "She reminded me of how much she had been through in her life, but yet she had the courage to go the hospital and see the woman who caused her so much pain."

"Laura had to face her past, just as you did," Adam's voice and she looked up and could see the other Angel of Death standing near the bench.

"Is that why she went to the hospital?" Christina asked him. "Did she go because she had to face something there?"

Adam nodded as an elderly man approached and was now standing next to him. "Hello Andrew, Christina, this is William Francisco, he's Laura's maternal grandfather."

"Young lady, I wanted to meet you, because I wanted to find out where that little girl gained so much wisdom, she said she got it from you as well as from her friends," William said, but before she could say anything, he continued to speak. "My daughter died today, she was probably not much older than you, but she hurt that child because she was hurting inside in ways that none of us could comprehend. It amazed me that Laura was able to look at her and say 'I forgive you'. In my experiences, very few people are even capable of doing that. They would prefer to look and place blame, but Laura came only with the desire to understand what you and her father could not explain to her. Please, don't be angry with her for trying to find answers, for those answers would eventually be given, if not through an angel, but through God, Himself."

"I'm not angry," Christina said softly.

"Good," William smiled. "I have something for you." He reached in his pocket and removed a shiny penny. This he handed to her.

"I don't understand, what does this mean?" Christina said softly when she looked down at the copper colored coin now resting in her hand.

"Ask Laura about it," William said. "She'll understand."

With that the old man walked slowly away leaving Christina and the two angels alone.

Christina looked down at the penny she held in her hand and shook her head. "Why would an old man give me a penny?" She looked at Adam.

"That was William's way of telling Laura when she was little that she was loved," Adam said gently as he sat down, and rested a gentle hand on Christina's shoulder. "You have the gift of love in you, Christina, and sometimes even though you may forget that it exists, this should always be a reminder to you that it is there, just as God is always with you, even during those times when you may stray away or forget."

She nodded numbly as she looked back over at Andrew. When her friend nodded, she embraced Adam. "Thank you."

Adam smiled and seconds later; he was gone.

Christina continued to stare down at the object in her hand and then she looked at Andrew. "Even after I've made all these mistakes?"

"Even then, for no one is perfect, Christina," Andrew took her hands in his and together they got down on their knees and Christina found herself unable to speak, all she could do was begin weeping as she remembered all the times she had been strong and today she felt as though she was now feeling the extent of her weakest moment.

Andrew continued to hold her in his arms; all the while he could hear the thunder overhead. This fact did not seem to even matter to them, because even after the thunder and lightening had started to rumble and light up the distant sky, neither of them moved from the spot where they were sitting.

Within seconds, they could feel the rain as it began to fall down on them. Rather than getting up and running for shelter, Christina held all the more tightly to her friend, her tears matching the rhythm of the falling rain and she cried until she had no more tears left to shed. In Andrew's embrace, she was able to find the peace she needed.

*****

"They were outside all night," Donna said softly when Laura came down the stairs to have breakfast with her grandparents. "I'd be very surprised if she didn't catch a cold from being out there so long."

"Who?" Laura asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"Your crazy mother, that's who," Donna said smiling as Andrew came into the kitchen.

"Andrew? What are you doing here?" Laura asked when she saw him.

"I was out there with your crazy mother in the rain," he smiled at Donna weakly. "Sorry, to inconvenience you guys."

"Don't worry about it, Andrew," Daniel said smiling warmly. "It's good that you came back, at the very least if she gets sick, you can nurse her back to health for us. I seem to have my hands full with Brendan."

"I think she's going to be OK," Andrew said softly.

"Is this from the highest authority?" Donna asked, her eyes twinkling.

Andrew nodded as Christina came out into the kitchen. As she sat down, she sneezed, and reached into her robe pocket for a tissue. "Are you getting sick, Mom?" Laura asked weakly.

"I hope not," she replied but blew her nose loudly.

Five minutes later, the doorbell rang and Daniel returned his napkin to the table and went to answer the door. Once he opened it, he could see Lindsey and Leonard standing on the opposite side. "Lindsey, what is it honey?"

The young woman shook her head, her hand holding tightly to Lenny's, but she stumbled into Daniel's arms. "My father died last night, Daniel."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, you know that if you ever need us, we're here for you, we'll always be here for you," he said softly as he held the unhappy young woman in his arms. Once the hug loosened, he smiled gently down at her. "Why don't you two come on in, we'll get you some coffee and have a little chat, OK?" Daniel paused before continuing to speak, his arms still holding Lindsey tightly. "By the way, Andrew's here."

Lindsey smiled weakly as she released her friend's father, and followed him into the kitchen. "Christina?"

"Hi, Lindsey," Christina said weakly, but all the while, she could do nothing but to stare down at the tabletop.

"Can we talk?" Lindsey asked. "I really need to talk to both of you."

"Sure," came the answer and Christina stood up. Andrew followed suit and Leonard took the seat the angel had vacated. As they left the room, Lindsey smiled weakly when she heard Leonard asking Daniel about the baseball game that had been on television the night before.

Once out in the living room, Lindsey looked at Christina and Andrew and shrugged her shoulders. "I guess Lenny is getting to meet everyone through the strangest of circumstances, huh?" she mused.

"You can tell me about him later, OK?" Christina said softly. "I figure there's more that you want to talk about than just scores and highlights."

"Yeah, I wanted to tell you that I'm really sorry about what I said and did to you. I never expected you to do anything like what you did last night, you really surprised me. I just wanted you to understand…"

"I'm the one that's sorry, Lindsey," Christina said softly. "The truth is, I never really faced what happened until last night when Laura helped inspire me to. I never meant to hurt either of you and I know I did and I wish I could take it all back. Everything's been so hard lately, I feel like I'm drowning in all of this."

"I know why you said those things, though. I mean; it was selfish of me to want to make my father happy especially through expectations of you," Lindsey said softly shaking her head. "But, if you knew how peaceful he looked when he died, I was sitting right next to him."

"She was," Andrew said softly.

"You took him to Heaven?" Lindsey asked.

Andrew nodded. "Yes, I did, and he was happy, Lindsey, and he wanted to thank you for helping to fulfill his last wish. He asked me to tell you, Christina, that he admired your strength and courage in doing what you did. In the eyes of many people, and angels, you were very courageous last night."

"I probably should have done it before now," Christina said softly.

"No, it was me," Lindsey said softly. "I mean; I think I really put you in an awkward position, Andrew. Would you please forgive me for that?"

"No, you didn't, you were trying to make things right for Kevin, and there's nothing wrong or selfish in doing that, Lindsey. There exists no reason for you to seek my forgiveness," Andrew said softly and smiled gently at her. "I didn't want to see you two get hurt in all of this, but I knew when I took this assignment that I would see that happen, but I really wanted to be here for both of you during it."

"You really risked a lot in coming here," Christina said softly.

"I wanted to be more than just an angel, Christina. I wanted to be a friend," Andrew said softly.

"You were, I mean, you are," Lindsey said softly. "You know what I mean, don't you?"

"Yes," Andrew said gently and smiled at her. "I know, Lindsey."

Christina nodded and handed him the penny she had received from William the night before. "Pass it on."

Andrew accepted it, held it for a few minutes and then he handed it to Lindsey.

"What does this mean?" Lindsey asked.

"It means that 'God loves you'," Laura said and the three of them turned and could see her standing, somewhat hesitantly, in the doorway. There were tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I thought I should explain what the significance of the penny is."

Lindsey moved over and Laura came over and sat down between her and Andrew.

Once she sat down, she looked at them. "When I was a little girl, my grandfather used to give me pennies and I would put them in my shoes and would use them to buy candy. Right before my sixth birthday, he gave me a penny and he said, 'don't ever spend this one, because this is not only my way of saying I love you, but also that God is here and He loves you, too'. I have carried this penny in my pocket since then. He reminded me of this yesterday when my birth mother died and now I have the good memories of a grandfather who is a very wise and loving man."

"You really went to see your birth mother yesterday?" Lindsey asked. "Christina, did you know about this?"

"No, not until Jeremy…" her voice trailed and she covered her face with her hands. "Oh my God, I upset him too. I can't believe this…"

Andrew looked at Lindsey. "Can you take Laura home in a little bit?"

"Yeah," Lindsey said nodding. "It's no trouble."

"Did Jeremy say where he was going?" Andrew asked.

"Y-yes, he said that he was going to Paula and Vincent's to stay the night," Christina said.

"Then let's get going," Andrew said softly. "I'll drive you over there."

"That's not necessary baby," Tess' voice emerged and they turned around to see that she was now standing in the doorway. "I picked him up this morning on my way over here and now he's in the kitchen drinking his second or third cup of coffee."

"Tess, I'm so sorry," Christina got up and ran straight into the arms of the angel.

"Now, now, baby, everything's going to be OK," Tess said, but she hugged Christina and smiled gently at her.

"You're not angry?" Christina asked.

"No, baby, I know that you've had more than your share these past few days," Tess said gently. "You don't need a lecture today, maybe some other time."

Christina smiled weakly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I know I deserve it, though."

"No you don't," Andrew said gently coming over and wrapping his friend in his arms. "Christina, next time you're hurting, trust us enough to talk to us. We have our ways of finding out if you don't."

"Yeah, they're better than the CIA, Mom, not to mention more ethical," Laura giggled and shot Tess one of her 'innocent looks'.

"Tess, is Monica still over at my mom's house?" Lindsey asked weakly.

"Yes, she's there, she's been taking care of your mother, and she'll be around for a few days to help out," Tess answered. "Are you doing OK, now?"

Lindsey nodded. "I think so, I know I'll make it through now because I've got my two best friends right here with me and a really sweet boyfriend in the kitchen."

"Two, well I guess I'm nothing but chopped liver, huh?" Laura asked, all the while still smiling. It was plain to see that a tiny bit of hurt still lurked in her brown eyes.

"Are you kidding, you're the hero, baby?" Tess asked with a broad smile on her face.

"Not really because I did get a little extra help," Laura said honestly. "You guys know an angel named Phil?"

"Oh Father," Tess sighed deeply her prayer causing Laura to begin to giggle.

"He's the angel without a compass," Andrew said with a broad smile on his face and looked at Lindsey. "We saw him yesterday at the park."

"I remember," Lindsey said.

"Angel Boy, you once said something about him getting lost in a shopping mall," Tess said.

"Or Lindsey when she goes to a record store," Laura said.

"Wait a minute, I don't think Phil intentionally gets lost," Tess said and smiled at Laura. "Besides that, I happen to know about Lindsey's undying love of music and her conveniently getting lost looking through the old 1960's albums there."

"Every one has their weaknesses, Tess," Christina objected. "I know of a certain angel who is very overprotective of a certain Cadillac convertible."

Tess' face flushed and Laura giggled. "I wouldn't say anything bad about Phil, I mean, he did find me when I needed him the most, so his directional sense can't be all that bad."

Christina sneezed and sniffed. "Forget the compass, I think right now I could use an angel who has a mug of soup in one hand and a box of tissues in the other."

As they returned to the kitchen, Jeremy stood up and came over to where she was standing and handed her the mug of soup she needed as well as the tissues. "I'm your little angel and I'm here with that soup," he said smiling. "Christina, Tess explained a few things to me this morning, and I'm really sorry I made things so hard for you. We will get through all of this together."

Christina waited until Jeremy placed the mug and tissues on the table and she threw her arms around him. "I love you," she whispered.

As they hugged and kissed, Leonard looked at Lindsey and grinned. "You know, I think I like these people, Lindsey, so if you come here visit more often, then so will I."

Lindsey smiled weakly and nodded as she wrapped her arms around him. "I'm counting on it, Mr. Charming."

They all laughed and Daniel smiled as Brendan Andrew walked slowly into the kitchen. The little boy looked up at them and then crawled up onto a chair and looked at Donna with emerald green eyes. "Speaking of angels, how's my baby?"

The small boy shrugged his shoulders about looked down at the table and waited for a bowl of oatmeal.

Moments passed and Laura was still watching as her father picked up the mug of soup and handed it to Christina. After Christina began drinking the soup, she looked at Tess. "You know, Tess, I think my dad's pretty good. What do you think, should weuh construct him some wings and a halo?" Laura asked trying to keep from giggling too loudly.

Andrew looked at Laura and cocked his head to one side, but when he saw her face, he began to chuckle. "An angel doesn't need those things, you know?"

"But how do you fly from cloud to cloud, Andrew?" Lindsey asked flippantly.

Donna covered her face with her hands to stifle the giggles. "You know, I think everything is slowly getting back to normal around here."

"What's normal?" Jeremy asked with a smirk on his face. "If it's this family, then I think we would really need to find another control group."

"How about them?" Laura asked and pointed to a windowsill where a family of white doves were perched and looking inside.

Everyone laughed, but when they looked up to where Tess and Andrew had been standing, they noticed that the two angels were now gone and the family of doves had flown away.

"Is everything really going to be OK now?" Christina asked weakly after a few moments of silence had passed and she placed the mug back on the table.

"Now it will be, Mom, because we know that we will always have each other," Laura said softly as she walked over to Christina and once she had pulled the penny from her pocket, she pressed it into the palm of her mother's open hand.

The End

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