Andrew sighed as he pushed the plate, which had not long before held a generous portion of coffee cake, away from him.

Lady Beth looked at him expectantly from her chair on the other side of the coffee table.

"Magnificent," Andrew declared.  "Thank you for lunch... and dessert, Lady Beth."

"My pleasure.  Thank you for coming over.  It's always much nicer to prepare a meal for more than just myself."

"Let me help with the dishes?" the angel offered.

"They can wait.  I've been anxious to see what questions you have for me.  Has everything gone okay?  I know you didn't have much time to prepare."

Andrew nodded.  "Everything's gone really well.  Everyone's been so open and interesting.  I've been here for almost nine years now but I've learned that there's still so much about everyone, even people I've known for much longer, that I don't know.  It's made me really look forward to all the time we'll have together in the future."

"Hopefully you won't be the only one learning new and exciting things.  There's a great deal of mystery attached to you, Andrew," Lady Beth pointed out with a devilish smile.  It grew as Andrew began to laugh.  "I know one particular factoid in high demand."

"I think I know what you're talking about.  My age.  You know, we angels need some take on 'I'm taking that secret with me to the grave," Andrew mused.

"You're right.  I don't think that saying quite works for you, thank God.  And you better not use it, even joking.  If you say that around some of the others during one of their more angsty moods you're liable to end up with house mates," the woman teased.

Andrew's face reddened both with a blush and increased laughter.  "You know, I think *that* is my cue to start this interview.  What do you think?"

"Go for it."

Andrew checked the view from the cameras once more and then began, hoping his normal color had returned to his face.  He had a feeling Walter Cronkite had never stalled an interview due to blushing and he wasn't about to either.  With a confident smile, he directed his attention to Lady Beth.  "Can you describe a moment when you truly felt God’s love?"

Josef hadn't shown up at 8:00 that evening as planned.  Andrew had tried to call him but there was no answer.  The angel grew more concerned but comforted himself with the knowledge that whatever was going on, Mick was aware and helping his friend.  If Josef was troubled, tonight was not the night to be discussing "lost love." 

It was almost 9:00 and Andrew was reviewing footage in the living room when he heard a knock at his door.  Curious, Andrew went to see who it was.  He could barely make out the blonde man in a suit standing on the darkened porch.

"Josef, are you okay?" Andrew asked as he held open the door, hoping his guest didn't see the dogs flee up the stairs.

The vampire shrugged.  "I've been better.  Sorry I'm late.  Today just hasn't gone as planned," Josef answered with a grimace.

"Mick mentioned something about that.  Listen, we could reschedule.  Or we could just not do this," Andrew offered.

Josef forced a smile.  "No, I want to.  I want... I want what I felt for Sarah to be known and remembered.  So, please, can we start?"

Andrew nodded, sympathetically patted Josef's shoulder, and led him into his office.  It seemed the most suitable setting for Josef and he'd already set up the cameras there in case he did make it for the interview. 

Josef sat down in the chair Andrew indicated, feeling ill-at-ease, but the angel's friendly smile helped calm him.

"You ready?"

"Yes.  I'm not getting any younger," the vampire deadpanned.

Andrew smirked before flipping the camera on.  Taking his seat, he peered intently at Josef, trying to judge whether he was truly ready for this. 

"Andrew, please.  I'm not going to break down on camera and make you look like a bully, I promise.  As long as you don't ask me about the stock market that is."  Josef grinned.

The angel chuckled.  "Okay, I got it.  So," he glanced at his notes, "Josef, my first question for you is what helps you keep going even in the face of immense loss?"

"Sarah," Josef answered without a moment's hesitation.  "She made me appreciate the life I had... and the life I still have even without her.  If I gave up I'd be denying that gift she brought me."

"That's beautiful," Andrew encouraged.  "And I know Sarah appreciates that.  If you could give some advice to someone who had lost a loved one, what would it be?"

Josef sighed then gave a slight smile.  "Don't listen to other people's advice on how to grieve?"

Andrew returned the smile.  "There does tend to be too much of that."

"Yes, but I guess I would tell them to not put a time table on their grieving.  So often in these past few months I've had a string of great days when I thought 'Excellent.  I'm healing.  Everything's going to be fine.'  And then something... a song, a bird chirping, a damn jewelry commercial.  Sorry," Josef grimaced.  "A darn jewelry commercial.  I hear someone call 'Sarah' on the street and it all comes thudding back.  Then I feel angry at myself for getting so upset about things like that.  But I can't help it.  A person just needs to give themselves permission to grieve.  Because it does have to get better but... it just may not be soon."

Andrew noted the anguish on Josef's face.  He flicked off the camera.  "Josef, I really think maybe we should just talk.  Or how about going for a walk?  Or maybe I could call Mick?"

Josef accepted the tissue Andrew handed to him.  "Mick offered to stay with me but I turned him down and now he's out with Beth."

"Then, please, let me hel..." the angel's plea was cut off by the doorbell.  "I'm sorry," he apologized, "but I should see who..."

"Of course," Josef agreed.  He followed Andrew into the entryway and looked on curiously as the angel of death led an old man in.

"Josef, Ronald.  Ronald, Josef," Andrew introduced.  "Ronald is with Records in Heaven and head of our post office here in Dyeland.  Josef is Mick's good friend.  And ours."  The angel smiled at Josef.

"A pleasure to meet you."  Josef smiled and shook Ronald's hand.

The angel turned postman noted the grief in the man's eyes but returned his smile.  "You, as well, Josef.  But I'll let you and Andrew get back to your business.  I only stopped by because a letter from JenniAnn arrived and I thought you'd want it as soon as possible."

Andrew gratefully accepted the letter.  "Yes.  Thanks so much for stopping by, Ronald.  I've been concerned about her."

"Not a problem, my friend.  Not a problem.  Give her my best when you write back, please.  You gentlemen enjoy your evening."  Ronald gave them both a warm smile then left.

It took only a second for Andrew to give his full attention back to Josef.  "So do you want to talk?" 

"Maybe.  But you can go ahead and read your letter.  I'd love the opportunity just to look around."

"I don't mind wait..."

Josef laughed.  "Read the letter, Andrew.  The girls are right.  Sometimes you really are too damn nice."  He cringed.  "Darn nice.  I'm sorry.  Again."

Andrew laughed and shrugged.  "Believe me, I hear worse.  But thanks, I would like to read this if you're sure."

"Absolutely," the vampire insisted then moved into the living room where he examined the myriad photographs Andrew had on display. 

Andrew took a seat in his favorite chair and opened the letter.  He braced himself before he began to read it.  Despite Catherine's warning, a part of him felt as if he should have gone to help his friend through her difficult time.  It continued to bother him that so often the girls had been there for him and now he wasn't able to reciprocate.  He knew that the letter would contain any number of statements that would make him want to leave but he couldn't.  He assured himself that simply being a listener, writing JenniAnn back, and praying would help.  However, once Andrew had unsealed the letter and began to read, he found that it was nothing like he had imagined.  Hurt and dismayed, the angel stared at the final paragraph.

"My aunt's death has brought to light some unpleasant realizations about the sacrifices our relationship has forced upon me.  I think we need to admit to ourselves that this relationship is beneath both our dignities and without a future beyond despair and resentment.  I have waited long enough for you to change but have now concluded it won't happen.  Therefore, I am distancing myself from what was.  I have every confidence that we will remain cordial.  I don't wish to upset any of our mutual friends.  I do ask that you not refer to this letter in the future, simply accepting what it says, and refrain from responding to it as there is little point.  My mind is made up."

Josef turned to ask Andrew a question about a photograph and noticed the pained expression on the angel's face.  Not thinking, he moved behind Andrew.  With his overly advanced senses it took only a moment to read the entire letter.  "My God... what's gotten into her?"

Andrew folded the letter back up hastily.  "You shouldn't have read that!"

"I'm sorry.  I saw you were upset and before I realized what I was doing..."  Josef shook his head, still staring in horror at the letter. 

"Don't tell anyone.  She deserves the chance to speak to the others for herself."

"She deserves???" Josef bellowed.  "Andrew, that was cruel and..."

Andrew blinked and ran his hand through his hair.  "It happens.  People move on from here.  From me." 

"But..."

Andrew moved to his desk and stuck the letter in a drawer.  "So did you still want to talk?  I'm concerned for you."

"You're concerned for me!"  Josef looked at Andrew, disbelieving that the letter could have possibly been that easy for him to move past.

"If not then maybe we could call it a night?  I'm getting tired and the dogs need out before we go to bed." 

Josef peered at the angel whose back was still to him.  It was clear he wasn't going to say any more about the subject.  "Fine by me."  He headed back into the hall and to the door.  "Good night, Andrew."

"Good night, Josef."  Andrew led the vampire to the door and showed him out.

After walking a few paces Josef turned back to where Andrew stood on the porch, looking up at the sky.  From the moment Sarah had died, despite his newfound friendship with the angel of death, Josef had envied him.  Andrew could still see and speak to those who were gone.  But standing there Josef realized that there were many ways to lose a person and Andrew just had.  It was obvious he was determined to face that loss alone.

Andrew reread the letter when he woke up.  He had hoped it was all a nightmare.  But there it was in the shades of blue JenniAnn's letters had previously been. 

Andrew wondered what could have changed so quickly.  Had her aunt's death really forced her to realize things JenniAnn had long kept hidden, maybe even from herself?  Had Missouri been more difficult than she'd let on and this was simply an "easy" out?  Neither option sounded at all like the person he'd known for nine years but nothing in those nine years could account for the letter in his hands.  Had he said or done anything to cause her to react so?  And did any of the others feel as she did?  Andrew felt disloyal for even thinking it.  Yet, the day before he would have felt disloyal thinking such things about JenniAnn and yet... there was the letter.  What if something had happened to her?   He thought of Nadia's anger at him the previous month and of his admission that some part of him wished his friends would never leave Dyeland and be put at risk.  What if now one of those things he'd feared had come to pass and pushed JenniAnn from love to anger?  The theories whirled around in Andrew's mind.  He prayed for clarity but none came.

Again the angel shoved the missive into his desk, hoping to remove it from his thoughts, as well.  Andrew was committed to going on as if everything were normal.  The rest of his friends deserved a good Valentine's Day and he would do everything in his power to bring it to them.  The first task was to finish the interviews.  He glanced at the schedule JenniAnn had written up.  "Mick and Beth re: optimistic love.  Thursday at 8:00 AM so Mick can get to the freezer in time for bed."  Andrew couldn't help but chuckle despite not being in the mood to interview that morning.   It was already 7:45 so he got Fawn and Lulu inside, made sure they had food and water, checked his appearance in the mirror, loaded up the camera bag, and disappeared.


Andrew reappeared in a service stairwell in Beth's apartment.  He quickly made his way to her door and tapped lightly.  Mick answered, holding a mug.  Andrew stared at it, trying not to wrinkle his nose.

"Coffee.  For Beth, I'm just holding it because I miss the feel.  I may not be able to drink it but I'm told I brew a good cup.  Can I get you some?"

Andrew smiled sheepishly.  Of course it was coffee, he could smell it.  "Sure."

"Black?"

"Right."

"Beth will be right with us.  She went to get you two some bagels.  She said you could set up in the living room," Mick called.

Andrew proceeded to unpack the bag and set up the cameras.  "Beth shouldn't have done that.  I'm fine."

Mick reappeared with a second mug.  "She had to.  Turns out when you're dating a vampire you don't keep your fridge as well stocked as you might otherwise.  It was either gets bagels or make a breakfast of Cheerios and expired milk for herself."

"Delicious," Andrew responded with a look of distaste. 

"She doesn't know what she's missing.  So did Josef show up last night?  I offered to come over but he told me no." 

Andrew peered into the lense, ensuring that Mick was in the shot.  "He did.  Unfortunately, our interview got cut short.  I thought I might stop by after this to see how he is."

"He's at the office."  Mick rolled his eyes.  "You'd think if you owned your own company you'd give yourself leave to take personal days but not Josef."

Before Andrew could respond, the two heard the door unlocking.

"I'm back!  I hope you like blueberries, Andrew."  Beth walked in and handed Andrew a bagel slathered in cream cheese.  "I wanted the cinnamon but they were out."

"Blueberry is great.  Thanks, Beth."  Andrew smiled appreciatively at her. 

The three chatted as the angel and woman ate their breakfast and sipped their coffee.  Afterwards, Mick and Beth settled onto the love seat together.

Andrew looked with fondness at the couple.  He admired their bravery and their commitment to each other despite the odds.  The love that radiated from them reminded Andrew of his interviews with Yva and Sir Sven and Vincent and Catherine.  It put him at ease and brightened his mood. 

"What gives you the most hope about your future as a couple?" he started once Beth gave him the cue.

"I think, for me, it's the honesty we have in our relationship.  We've had to trust each other so much from the beginning," Mick answered. 

Beth nodded.  "We don't kid ourselves about the obstacles we're going to face.  We know there are going to be difficult times... there have been difficult times.  But we got through them together and I know we'll keep getting through them together.  Of course, the support system we have is enormously helpful.  Josef, Paula, Dyeland.  It's really great."

Andrew smiled, glad to think he and his friends had made an impact.  "So was there a particular moment when you decided you would do whatever it took to make your relationship work?"

Beth got a dreamy look in her eyes.  "Something had happened that made us doubt if things would work out and... and we almost broke everything off right there.  But Mick came back and he described exactly what I was wearing the first time we met... again.  Right down to my bare feet."  She blushed.

"It was the moment I fell in love with her.  Of course, I remembered everything about it."  Mick intertwined his fingers with Beth's.

Andrew looked on as the two smiled at each other.  They looked so serene.  He considered skipping his next question, not wanting to cast a pall over them.  Between the letter and Josef's sorry state, the angel didn't want to think anymore about separation.

"Andrew?  Are you alright?"

Andrew snapped back to attention at Beth's voice.  She and Mick were both looking at him with concern.  "Sorry I was just...  I'm not sure whether to ask my next question."

"Reporters don't shy away from the tough stuff, Andrew," Beth encouraged, knowingly.

Andrew nodded and smiled sheepishly.  "You're right.  My question is: what qualities do you think you’ll need the most to face whatever challenges come your way?"

"We're not deluding ourselves about the challenges we'll face, Andrew, so don't worry about that."  Mick put his arm around Beth.

"We know that, one way or another, we'll have to make some very big decisions.  If Mick finds the cure then he'll have to make a decision and if he doesn't... then I will."

Mick buried his face in his girlfriend's hair for a brief moment. 

"When that time comes we're going to need each other and love and wisdom and... faith.  Faith in our relationship, faith in ourselves, and the faith that no matter what God will see us through," Beth continued.

"He will," Andrew murmured.

"I know."  Beth smiled and brushed a tear from her face.  "So what's the last question?"

Andrew drew in a deep breath and relaxed.  "If you could go back in time and tell yourselves something right after you met… again… what would it be?"

Mick chuckled.  "You're a very, very lucky man, Mick St. John."

"Aww."  Beth hugged him.  "And I would say... fear not."  She winked at Andrew.

The angel of death laughed, glad that the interview was ending on a positive note.  "Thanks.  This was... really great.  I hope you all know that everyone back in Dyeland is pulling for you two."

"Thanks, Andrew.  We need all the support we can get and we've found it from Dyeland since the beginning."  Mick yawned then.

Beth rested her hand on his shoulder.  "You better be getting home."

The vampire nodded.  "I know but first, have you heard anything from JenniAnn?"

Andrew turned and began to dismantle the cameras.  "Not really.  Catherine talked to her most recently."

Beth and Mick looked at each other, confused by the apparent lack of communication between the angel and JenniAnn.

"I'm sure she's busy with the arrangements but really looking forward to getting back home," Mick hypothesized.

Andrew nodded.  "I'm sure she is, too, but you need to be getting back home yourself."  He gave Mick a stern smile.

Mick held up his hands and grinned.  "Okay, okay.  I do make a point of listening to my elders when I meet them." 

Beth giggled and helped Andrew get the rest of the camera equipment put away.  "So we'll see you Saturday?" she double-checked.

"Noon at the Café.  I hope this," the angel tapped the camera case, "lives up to everyone's expectations."

"You know it will, Andrew," Mick assured.  "You'd have to screw up pretty bad for the Dyelanders not to love it."

Andrew chuckled.  "Thanks for the encouragement.  I'll see you soon."

"We can't wait!" Beth called as Andrew left and made his way to the stairwell, a smile on his face as he could hear the indistinct murmur of the couple lovingly saying farewell for the day.


"Great."  Andrew smiled at his old friend and started the cameras rolling.  "Adam, you chose 'celestial love' as your topic.  I asked Henry something like this and I'd be curious to hear your answer, too.  How would you say the love you feel for your assignments and our human friends differs from the love you feel for us angels or do you think it doesn’t differ at all?"

Adam bit his lip as he thought.  "I don’t think there’s really a difference.  Perhaps a better descriptor would be ‘Universal love’ as that not only exists between romanticists, but it also exists among friends, whether they are celestial or earthbound.  This reminds me of the evening when we were watching movies at Soaring Spirit, Yva was showing the movie Starman.  If you recall, it was about an alien who came from the stars to earth and he had to learn all the aspects of life on earth, including love.  He had no idea what love was, but he learned that it was the most profound thing in the human experience that exists."

Andrew nodded, recalling that and many more movie nights in Dyeland.

Adam continued.  "I never really believed that love is something simply found on one place as that story somehow implied, but I do think that there exists a great many words used that might define the very same emotion.  Oh and please don’t tell me that all of this sounds like I have been sitting in the Tunnels with Father, sweating over a hot chess board and discussing the meaning of life."

Andrew chuckled at the notion.  "I wouldn't dare, buddy."

Adam winked.  "Perhaps I have, but I think you know what I mean.  Everything, whether it is a love between angels and angels, between humans and humans, or between angels and humans is ‘Love’, not the romantic love that Vincent and Catherine or Yva and Sir Sven share, but a universal concept that connects us all to one another, and perhaps that is what really connects us all to the Father."

"I love that idea.  Thanks, Adam.  So let's see..."  Andrew glanced at his notes.  The gorgeous weather made it difficult to concentrate and he was once more relieved that he'd started writing the questions down after the first day.  "Is it ever a struggle for you to love your assignments?" he asked.

"Yes, but it is also a struggle to love you, especially when you behave in your walking wounded way."  Adam grinned and nudged Andrew playfully.

Andrew looked at Adam, alarmed.

Adam grew serious, surprised by the reaction.  "Just kidding, buddy," he explained.

"Right.  Of course."  Andrew chuckled.  "You can always make me laugh, Adam."

Adam looked at him, doubtful, but continued.  "Actually, what really is hard for me is to love them when I feel as though they have been acting in a manner that is less than beneficial to their understanding my presence here.  I know that nothing they do should be taken personally, but it is during moments such as these when I might take something personally.  I generally discover that, contrary to what I intended, I have a hard time loving them in the same unconditional way the Father does.  There have been moments when I have gone into the mode of wanting to bite their heads off, to trying to pray: ‘Forgive me for not forgiving them.'"

"It can be really, really tough," Andrew agreed.  "But we're still on the job so the Father must think we're doing okay," he added with a smile.

"I have a feeling He'll be keeping us on for a long time to come," Adam responded with a grin.  "So what do you have next?"

Andrew ran his hand through his hair before addressing Adam with the next question.  "Do you ever feel upset by the idea that… I mean sometimes we’re with people at their darkest hours and we really come to care about them and then we just move onto the next assignment. I guess what I’m trying to ask is how do you cope with loving someone and then having to leave and maybe not seeing them again for many, many years?"

Adam looked out at the ocean as he began to answer.  "I think that is the hardest aspect of the job, and I haven’t yet learned the fine art of coping."  He turned back to Andrew.  "When you have that one mastered, old buddy, do feel free to let me know so that I can apply that technique."

"I'm afraid it hasn't come to me yet."

"I didn't think so.  It’s not easy all the time.  I am not happy with having to say good-bye to people, in fact, I am as prone to dragging my feet about it as any angel." Adam confessed.  "For instance, I didn’t see Willy for a long time after I was sent to help him in the 1960s.  In fact, after I came to Dyeland, I was wondering if I would ever see him again.  Part of me figured that when I would see him again, that it would be when he would come Home.  Then out of the blue, he showed up in Dyeland and I was happy, I mean genuinely happy that he was here."  Joy came to Adam's eyes as he recalled that day.  "I knew at that moment, for better or worse, sometimes the Father brings people together to make them happy, but sometimes things just happen.  Willy called it pleasant surprises, and I tend to agree with him on that.  Somehow it just made all the difference in the world."

Andrew was cheered by the idea of such reunions.  "I can see that.  I think it's great we've all become friends now.  We've been very blessed to have so many friends around, to have them care for us and to be able to show them we care.  But do you think most humans know how much we love and care about them, Adam?"

"I think somewhere deep down inside they do, but sadly, many do not feel they are worthy of the love and care that we wish to share.  That is why I believe that many are not always aware of the extent that we do.  It’s difficult, I know, but I think that in time they will come to embrace it.  Just look at how Yva embraces Nigel or Lady JenniAnn embraces you.  That’s the silver lining, don’t you think?"

Andrew nodded automatically.  "Yeah, I do," he agreed, relieved that his voice came out as even as it did.  "Thanks, Adam.  I've enjoyed this and..."  Andrew tilted his head as he looked past Adam's shoulder.  "Is that a tie?"

Adam turned around then bolted up from his seat.  "Ted!  You put that down right now!  No!" he shouted as he ran towards the turkey.

Andrew laughed as he watched the riotous scene for a moment.  After a flash of inspiration, he grabbed a camera off the tripod and caught the chase on film for the benefit of all of Dyeland. 


Andrew settled comfortably onto the swing on Tess' porch.  She was occupying a chair across from him.

"How are you, baby?" she asked.

Andrew smiled.  "I'm fine, Tess.  I'm having a great time doing these interviews.  How about you?"

"Oh just fine, Angel Boy.  I've been thinking a lot about you ever since we left Missouri."  Tess eyed him with concern.

Andrew shrugged.  "It was tough, Tess.  There's no getting around that and I can't say I don't still think about it.  And... and I wonder if maybe it had more of an effect on some of the girls than they've told me."

"What do you mean?" 

"Do you think maybe we could do the interview and then talk about it?" Andrew requested.

Tess folded her arms over her chest.  "Andrew, if you need to talk then I think that takes priority."

"I *do* want to talk, Tess.  I just want to make sure this gets done because... because it's important," Andrew insisted.

Tess peered at Andrew.

"Really, Tess!" Andrew assured. 

"Alright then... let's get started."

Andrew flipped the cameras on then shot Tess a wide smile.  "I have to admit, Tess, I was intrigued when JenniAnn told me you’d chosen 'tough love' as your interview topic. Why is it so important to you?"

A pensive Tess rested her head against her hand.  "Well, Andrew, I suppose because I've learned over the years that sometimes love has to be tough.  That's not always easy to do or realize and it's often misunderstood by the one on the receiving end, but sometimes it's simply the kind of love that's needed at the time."
 
"But how do you know when it's needed?  How does a person know where the line is between tough love and, well, just being too tough?"  Andrew looked at Tess, truly curious about what she'd have to say.  This was something he'd wondered long before the interview had ever come up.
 
"They don't always know that and that can make things even more difficult.  It's also different for each person. What may be enough tough love for one person, Angel Boy, may not be true for the next; some people need more of a push than others do.  But tough love is exactly that.  It stems from love and it is tough, on both ends.  Though if you ask the Father," Tess paused and indicated the sky, "to guide you and that toughness is coming out of love, rather than anger, then that line should be easier to see."
 
Andrew smiled, satisfied with the answer.  "Great.  So that being said...  Has there ever been a time you used tough love and it didn’t work out quite like you thought it would?"

"Yes, there has been and more than just once, I'm sure.  Most of those times probably happened because I let my temper and impatience get in the way.  There have been incidences, involving you too, baby, where I thought I was using 'tough love' and I was only just being tough."  Tess reached to him and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from his face after the wind had blown it astray.

Andrew bowed his head and reached for the supervisor's hand.  "Wh-when was that, Tess?"
 
Tess kept hold of his hand and sighed as she recalled that moment of regret.  "There was this one time many years ago, and you had only just come off of a very hard assignment.  We went directly into another one and you seemed very discouraged and even a little defensive throughout it all.  So eventually I lost my patience and I called you on it; telling you to get your act together, act like an angel, and drop your bad attitude."

Andrew nodded, remembering the occasion very well.  His cheeks burned red at the memory.

"As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them," Tess continued.  "Your face clouded over and I saw you flinch as if I had just said the worst thing to you imaginable; though I suppose that at that moment, maybe I had."  Tears welled in her eyes.  "You had been hurting and I hadn't noticed until it dawned on me at that moment.  My intentions had been to get you to 'straighten up' as I saw fit.  But that's not what you needed then.  Sometimes, such as at that moment, all you've really needed was a hug and a little extra love and attention.  I still don't always see that as often as I should, baby, but I am trying and with the Father's help, I'll get better about doing so."

"Tess," Andrew started, his voice quiet.

"What baby?"

"I think you already are," he assured. 

Tess moved to sit beside Andrew on the swing and hugged him.  "Thank you, baby." 

Andrew nodded.  "Maybe I don't need to ask my last question," he suggested after a few moments.

Tess patted his hand and returned to her chair.  "No, I think you should go right ahead, Andrew." 

"Okay," he smiled at her then glanced at his notes.  "Well, how difficult is it to show tough love to someone you really care about?"
 
"It's not easy."  Tess shook her head vigorously.  "It may not always seem that way, but I don't always want to be so rough on you babies.  However, I have to remind myself that it is for your own good.  I wouldn't be truly loving you if I didn't give you the correction you need when you're wrong.  Though trust me, Angel Boy, despite how often my temper gets in the way, there have also been plenty of times where I would've preferred to hug all of you close to me, rather than be stern and scold you.  But, in the end, just remember that I do it because I love each one of you so very much."  She beamed at the younger angel.

Andrew smiled back at her.  "Thanks, Tess, for a great interview."  He flicked off the cameras then and turned back to her. 

"What is it, baby?" she asked.

Andrew shrugged.  "I don't know.  I've just been thinking, I guess."

"Nothing wrong with that, Andrew.  You want to talk about it?  Here, sit back down with me."  Tess moved to the swing.

Andrew obediently returned to his seat.  "This whole project has been really great but... there was something Willy said that really stuck with me.  And I was thinking about it when I interviewed Josef and Adam, too."

"Yes?"

"Willy said these documentaries were like time capsules.  I guess it just made me think about how much can change and how quickly and how many people come and go out of our lives," Andrew admitted.

Tess hugged him.  "I know it's difficult, Angel Boy.  And I know that for all the blessings Dyeland has brought you... it's brought you some concern, too.  But you know better than most that nothing and no one is ever truly lost.  It's like our Taylor says: 'What we do in love is never lost.'  And I know you love these babies and they love you.  That's gonna see us all through whatever comes.  You'll see, baby." 

Andrew felt peace wash over him at Tess' words.  He looked out at the setting sun.

"Now isn't that beautiful?" Tess murmured. 

The angel of death nodded.  A smile spread across his face as a dove landed on the porch railing.