Epilogue

Years in the future

The promise the Father made to Andrew and Monica, that they would be able to see their children grow up, has been fulfilled. Hannah, Aaron, Andrea and Hayden are grown, with lives and families of their own. Hannah is married with three daughters and twelve grandchildren. Aaron is widowed with two sons and four grandchildren. Andrea is married with two living sons, two daughters, and one son who is deceased. She has fifteen grandchildren. Hayden is married with two sons and one daughter, and five grandchildren. Their spouses, children and grandchildren are still out of town, at their own homes. It's only the six of them at the Godly's home at this time.

Andrew and Monica are elderly, nearing the end of their human existence. The family is gathered at their bedside. Andrew's breathing becomes laboured.

"I'm going back to the Father soon," he declares, between breaths. "I'm coming back for you, Monica. I promise I'll be the one to take you to the Father."

"I don't want you to leave me," Monica cries into his embrace.

"It won't be for long."

"But it will feel like an eternity."

"I know. I will get to see our grandson again."

"Tell Christopher about us."

"I will."

Tears stream down Hannah and Andrea's faces. Hayden blinks back the tears he feels forming. Aaron stares, stoically, ahead.

"Kids," Andrew begins, becoming increasingly fatigued, "Can your mother and I have some time alone?"

"Dad," Andrea weeps, "don't leave us."

"Remember," Aaron directs, "they won't really be leaving us. They're going back to the Father."

"I know," his twin answers, "but they won't be here with us."

Andrew closes his eyes and his breathing slows. Monica strokes his face, tears flowing.

"C'mon, guys," Hannah directs, "Let's let mom and dad have some time alone."

The other three nod.

"I love you, Dad," Hannah weeps, as she kisses him on the cheek. The other three follow suit and leave the room, allowing their parents to be alone.

"Andrew, I love you so much!" Tears flow down her cheeks. "I'm so happy that the Father chose us to be together as husband and wife. I have cherished every single day with you." She takes one of his hands and traces the lines on it. "I'm so blessed that I bore your children and got to raise them with you." She smiles, "Aaron and Hayden remind me so much of you! Aaron has always hated Halloween and Hayden has your quiet, kind spirit. Hannah has your smile and Andrea has your eyes."

Andrew's breathing stops. All is quiet. "Andrew?" Monica chokes. He takes another breath and she sighs with relief. His breathing stops once more. "I love you, Andrew." A warm glow gradually engulfs one side of the room. "No," she moans, sorrowfully, as Adam steps through the glow. "Adam, I'm not ready to let him go."

"Adam?" Andrew moans weakly.

"The Father has called you home. It's time to go."

Andrew nods, as his spirit leaves his body.

"Ready?" the angel of death asks.

He nods, as he sees his wife, weeping over his body. "Hang on." He walks over to his wife and plants a feathery kiss on her cheek. "I love you. I will see you soon." As he walks out with Adam, he sees his kids rush into the room.

"Daddy!" Hannah wails.

"He's gone," the grieving widow announces.

"No!" Andrea sobs.

Aaron and Hayden weep silently.

Monica traces her husband's face. "He looks so peaceful," she remarks through tears.

"Should we call Dr. Pederson?" Aaron asks.

"Can't you pronounce, Hayden?" Hannah suggests.

"I'm no longer practicing medicine. Besides, it's unethical for a family member to pronounce."

"I'll go call him," Aaron volunteers, as he starts to leave the room.

"Wait," Monica interrupts.

"Yes, mom?" he asks.

"I'd like us to have some time as a family."

"All right. I'll wait."

Monica and her children spend a few minutes, for the last time, as a family of six. "Okay," she assents. "You can call him."

Aaron nods and calls the doctor, who gives his condolences and pronounces Andrew. After he leaves, Aaron calls the funeral home. The family is shocked to see Rafael ring the doorbell.

"Rafael?" Hayden comments, shocked, "You're working at the funeral home?"

"I am."

The angels embrace.

"How's Monica?"

"I have a feeling you'll be making another trip soon," Andrea states, as she descends the stairs. "Who is this with you?"

"I'm sorry," the Latin angel replies, "this is my son, Sebastián."

"Your son?" Hayden reacts, surprised.

"I know," Rafael remarks, "he's the same age as your oldest son."

"Keith," Hayden supplies.

"Pleased to meet you," Sebastián states, "I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," Andrea weeps. "I'll show you to Monica and Andrew."

Hayden and Andrea lead the Latin angels to the master bedroom. Hannah and Aaron quietly exit, allowing Rafael and Sebastián to enter. Rafael is stunned to see how Monica has aged, as he hadn't seen them since Hayden was a newborn. Monica sits up in bed.

"Monica," Rafael embraces his friend, "I'm so sorry."

"I can't believe he's gone, Rafael," she weeps into her friend's embrace. She is stunned to see his appearance has not changed since the last time she saw him.

He sees Andrew and a tear slips down his face.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. Godly," Sebastián comforts.

"Thank you." She looks at Rafael, a bit confused.

"I'm Sebastián. Rafael's my father."

"With Gloria?" she asks her friend.

"No. His mother is an angel named Deborah. She was in the choir."

Monica manages a smile.

"My mother had the most beautiful soprano voice," Sebastián interjects.

"I remember her," the elderly angel supplies.

"About the arrangements," Rafael redirects, "what time tomorrow would you want to come to the funeral home?"

"I'll be sending the kids," Monica replies, fatigued. "I'm not able to go out of the house."

"All right," Rafael states. He pauses and then continues, "Would you like us to give you more time, or do you want us to go ahead and take him?"

Monica nods, as tears flow down her cheeks.

Rafael and Sebastián carefully lift Andrew's body onto the gurney. Manoeuvring through the hall and down the stairs proved very difficult, but the pair of angels managed without incident. The kids arrange a time to meet them the next day and then watch them drive off.

In the master bedroom

Monica weeps as she hugs the vacant spot where her husband used to sleep. So many memories! Suddenly, she's aware of another light and a figure walks through to reveal Tess.

"Is it my time yet?" she asks.

"No, Angel Girl. Not quite."

"Then," she asks, confused, "Why...?" she trails off.

"Why am I here?"

"Not that I'm unhappy to see you, but..."

"I'm here because my Angel Girl just lost her husband."

"Oh, Tess!" Monica cries into her mentor's embrace. "I feel so lost without him. I know he's gone back to the Father, but I miss him being here."

"I know, baby."

"You'll never guess who's working for the funeral home here."

"Who?" The dark angel asks, rocking her friend in an embrace.

"Rafael and his son, Sebastián."

Tess smiles, "I'm glad you got to meet him. He's a good boy."

"He's not Gloria's."

"No, he's not."

"So, how is Gloria? I haven't seen her in ages either."

"She's living in upstate New York."

"Oh?" Monica sniffs. "So, is she married? Does she have children? I know she always wanted children."

"She's got a daughter."

The younger angel manages a smile. "I'm glad. Any grandchildren?"

"Not yet. Annalise is only four. She is a beautiful child. Long brown hair, big brown eyes."

"She sounds lovely."

"She is, but enough of Gloria right now. You need to get some rest." Tess rises and tucks her friend in.

"I don't think I can without Andrew." Tears begin cascading down her cheeks.

"You'll see him soon."

Monica nods and sleep immediately overtakes her.

During the night

Monica turns over in her sleep and is awakened by the absence of her husband by her side. Once again, tears stream down her cheeks. "Oh, Andrew! I miss you so much!" Light begins enveloping the room, and a figure steps through. "Andrew?" she asks, full of hope.

"Yes, love," the blond angel answers, "it's me."

"Andrew!" she chokes out, "you look..."

"I know," he interrupts, "just like I did when we married."

"Yes," she strokes his cheeks. "You feel so real."

"I am real." He presses a light kiss on her lips.

"Is it time?"

"Yes, love." He holds his hand out, and clasps hers. She rises as her spirit leaves her body, realizing she, too, looks the same as she did when they married. "You ready?"

"Yes," she replies, "but can we stop by the kids' rooms to say goodbye?"

"Absolutely."

They walk hand in hand out of the master bedroom. She looks back and sees her elderly body, looking more peaceful than she had remembered being in a long time. They first stop by the girls' room. Although the girls are grown women with families of their own, the couple still sees them as little girls: Hannah with her long brown hair and brown eyes, like her mother, and Andrea with sandy blonde hair and eyes like her father. They each kiss their girls on the cheek, just as they did many years ago.

"Sleep tight, baby girl," Monica soothes, "I love you."

"I love you too," Andrew adds. "Andrea, Christopher says to tell you hello and that he loves you."

They notice a tear rolling down their daughter's cheek.

"You got to see Christopher."

"Yes, and he is an absolutely beautiful boy, who is training for search and rescue."

"Following in his Grandmother's footsteps?"

Andrew nods, as they give their girls one more kiss each. They tuck their girls back in and go to the boys' room.

"Oh, Andrew!" Monica begins, "they look like such little boys, but then again, they look so grown up."

"They do."

"Sleep well, little man," Monica soothes as she kisses her sons. "I love you."

Aaron is the spitting image of his father. Often, he and Andrea were mistaken for identical twins. Hayden has brown hair like his mother, but eyes like his father. Because he was very premature, he was always weaker than his brother and sisters as a child, but he grew out of that when he became an adult.

"I hope they get to have a long life like we did," Monica comments.

"The older three will, but we'll be back for Hayden in a couple years."

"Oh no," she laments, as she strokes her younger son's face.

"Monica, we need to go. It's time."

She nods, as they kiss their sons once more. Then, they return to the master bedroom.

"Are you ready?"

"Just one minute." She envelopes her husband in a passionate embrace and kiss. "I love you, Andrew Godly."

"I love you too, Monica Godly."

She looks once more at her physical body, then back at her husband. "I'm ready."

Andrew clasps the brunette angel's hand, and they walk hand-in-hand toward the light and back to the Father.

-The End!-

A/N—I'm sorry it took six years to complete this story, but I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks to all who hung with me through this story. This was a hard one to write, thus taking six years to complete. I appreciate your reading, reviewing and PMs. Thank you so much!