"May I take you to him? Or do you have your car?" John asked, tucking an unruly curl behind Angelique's ear.

She hesitated. He knew he was asking much but thought perhaps he could give a little back, but mostly he was just being selfish. He wanted to keep her by his side for however long she could stand him.

"Okay," Angelique agreed, not knowing why but feeling like it was the right thing to do.

He helped her to her feet and stood facing her. "Thank you."

"For what?" Angelique asked.

John shrugged. "For allowing me to help you."

Angelique smiled. "You're welcome? I guess."

They left together for St. Joe's and to see her father. It was a long trip, so John insisted on takeout for the road, knowing Angelique needed some food. He called it in and picked up the Chinese food on the way.

Angelique devoured her sweet and sour chicken with vegetable fried rice. She couldn't remember anything tasting as good, but food always tastes better when you're hungry.

"John?" Angelique began not quite knowing where to start, but she had to know. "May I ask...how did your father die?"

John's grip tightened on the steering wheel. She could see the white of his knuckles.

"I'm sorry. I just... I shouldn't have..."

"Why do you want to know?"

The question surprised Angelique. "I've only recently had to face the thought of my father's death. That I can lose him never occurred to me before now. I've taken him for granted. But that wasn't how it was for you, was it?"

John's shoulders slumped some as if the weight he bears suddenly got heavier.

"No. As you know, he struggled with depression. The possibility of losing him seemed like an everyday occurrence. I didn't know how to reach him and in the end, it cost him his life. You, in fact, were the only brightness in his otherwise dark existence. I don't know how you broke through, but you did. I always envied you a little for that."

"You envied me?"

"Angel, it's not a secret I'm not well-liked, and that is putting it mildly."

"Your intentions are good. Just not always well placed," Angelique told him.

John laughed. "Only you, Angel, would try, after all I've done, to still see the good in me, but I'm uncertain there's any good left."

Angelique reached out to touch his arm and felt the muscle underneath flex involuntarily. "You tried so hard, John. Your Father loved you and Michael so much. He always wanted what was best for you both."

"He gave his life trying to get a few thousand dollars from an insurance policy. He was a fool," John retorted. "His life was worth so much more."

"We can deem his actions foolish, but it's not foolish to love your child, or to give up your life for the ones that you love. There is no greater sacrifice."

John's eye momentarily met hers, and Angelique saw the raw pain shining through.

"I would have gladly given up my life to save him. My father was a good man. No one worked harder to provide for his family. It's all I've ever wanted. To be a provider, a father like my father was, but I can't."

"Why can't you?"

John scoffed at this. "Let's just say it isn't written in the stars."

"I don't believe that," Angelique said with conviction. "John, I may not have been in your life these last four years, but there is an undeniable truth that I know. You are a man worth loving. You deserve to have love in your life. Don't give up on that idea. Never give up on that idea."

John smiled a sad, weak smile. "We're here."

Angelique gasped as she turned and took in the charred remains of the church. There was little to resemble the once beautiful structure. In a daze, she unsnapped her seatbelt and stepped from the car. She walked in a haze of bewilderment. How could one such small action cause so much devastation?

The lead stain glass windows were smashed most likely so they could get to the fire to put it out. It's interior gutted. Angelique walked down what she knew should be the center aisle, but nothing remained. The beautifully carved alter, a pile of splinters and ash. 

Angelique's eyes filled with unshed tears. She jumped as a pair of strong arms wrapped around her. He turned her around so she could face him. He did not care for her accusatory gaze.

"Gabriel said you knew about this. Did you, John? Did you know they hired teens to burn down St. Joe's?"

"No, Angel. I only knew what they were capable of. I was not privy to any plans that they had made. It was the reason I showed up at your doorstep. I feared they might try to harm you."

Angelique's heart felt as if it were bleeding. She wanted so desperately to believe him, but there was something he was holding back from her even now. She knew he was not giving her the complete truth, yet she let him hold her. To her ever-loving shame, she needed him, needed his strength.

"Angelique? John? I thought that was you."

Angelique pushed away from John the moment she heard Mrs. Duncan's voice. Quickly swiping at her face so Mrs. Duncan wouldn't see her crying. John just took a step back, although he wished he did not need to let Angelique go.

Mrs. Duncan gave Angelique a hug. "I know," she said looking around. "It's awful, isn't it? I used to love looking at the church through the kitchen window as I did the dishes but now...?"

"I know...," Angelique agreed. "It really is more than one can stand. How's Father settling in?"

"He's a bit of an ornery patient, but I've dealt with worse," she said with a smile. "Come on, he'll be happy to see you both. It will do him a world of good to see his Angel."

Angelique followed Mrs. Duncan, but then stopped when she'd seen John hadn't followed. "Aren't you coming?"

"I thought you would want time to see him alone and I doubt Michael would want me around?"

"Michael isn't here, dear," Mrs. Duncan said, as she continued walking back to the rectory.

"You heard her," Angelique said, "Mrs. Duncan said it would do him good to see us both." And then held her hand out to him and he took it for the lifeline it was.

Angelique knocked lightly on the bedroom door.

"Confounded woman! Enough of your fussing. I've taken every pill you've pushed at me. Now just let me be."

Angelique pushed the door open slowly and stepped through. John was close behind.

The shock came across her father's features. "Angel!" Her name came out with a gasp of surprise, and Angelique ran to him, throwing her arms around him.

"Shh," he soothed. "It's alright. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

Angelique just burrowed a little further into her Father's embrace. "I've been so scared."

"The Lord isn't looking to bring me home just yet. It would seem He has given me a reprieve. I see you've brought company." Rev. O'Bryan smiled, noticing John standing back in the doorway, obviously uncertain whether he should come in.

"Don't be a stranger, boy. Step on in and say hello."

John smiled and stepped in. "How are you doing?"

"I'd be better if I could just get out of this darn bed," he confessed. "The confinement is the worst part."

"What have they told you about your heart?" Angelique asked.

"Looks like surgery may be in my near future."

"Surgery? When?"

"I'll know for certain sometime today or tomorrow," he told her.

"But what my heart truly needed to heal is right here," he said, touching her face.

"How did things go today?" he asked her.

Leave it to her father to remember the date the hearing was to be held. Angelique and John exchanged a brief glance. "I won a postponement," Angelique told him, not wanting him to worry about her, and not willing to lie.

"That's good news. And your firm was okay with this?" he asked John.

"Oh yeah. Mostly because they think she can't come up with the money, but they've never seen Angelique in action when she wants something. I know she'll prove them wrong."

John's vote of confidence in her obviously took her by surprise, and John grinned.

"That's my girl," Rev. O'Bryan said, patting her cheek.

Angelique stayed a few hours, chatting about nonsense while John just sat by the bed and waited for her. She could see her father was getting tired, as his head would bob a bit as his eyes struggled to keep open.

"Dad, it's okay? Why don't you get some rest and I promise, I won't disappear on you again."

He did not want to let her go but had no choice, for his body just wouldn't let him stay awake a moment longer. "Okay, Angel."

She kissed his forehead and said, "Sweet dreams, Dad. I love you."

"Love you, too."

She and John came down the stairs to some of the most wonderful smells wafting from the kitchen. John's stomach growled in response and Angelique giggled. "Hungry much?"

John laughed. "A little." It suddenly occurred to him he has not smiled or laughed this much in years. It's all because of her, he thought. God, I wish I knew how to keep her in my life.

Angelique looked upon the beautiful table set for two. Complete with a delicious meal. Mrs. Duncan came out of the kitchen carrying some warmed-up cornbread.

"Oh, good you're here," she said, placing the bread on the table. "Now I don't have to drag you away. I figured you two might be hungry. It's nearing dinnertime."

"But there are only two settings. Aren't you eating with us?" Angelique asked, suddenly nervous about being alone with John.

"Well..." Mrs. Duncan started timidly, "I was hoping to sneak away for a little while. Maybe an hour or two? I haven't had a moment to myself all day today and I need to pick up a few things at the market. Do you mind? I've moved in to take care of your Father. I've been on my own since Jack died, and well... I know he needs me. It will be easier for both of us if I am here full time, but I don't know when my next opportunity will present itself to get out again."

"We don't mind at all."

It was John who responded. He could not believe his good fortune. "Take your time. We'll take care of things here."

"I should be back before he has to take his next set of pills. I imagine he will sleep most of the time I am out."

"Go," Angelique said, "I'll look after him."

"God bless you both. I so need this. You are a Godsend." Mrs. Duncan took her purse and walked out the front door. 

Angel looked nervously at John. John smiled at her encouragingly and waved his hand toward the table. "Shall we?"