John goes to Ireland

(By Deyse)

After filming the last episode of the season 7 of Touched by an angel, the cast and crew made a small party to celebrate the end of the season and it lasted until the beginning of the night. Then people started to bid farewell to their friends and co-workers and went back home. Most of them had planned to travel on their summer vacations, including Martha, Della and Roma. Like she always did every year, the actress and her daughter would go to Ireland to spend some time with Patty and Joseph, Roma’s siblings, who were looking forward to seeing their beloved sister and niece.

The Irish actress would leave on the following day and before she went home that night, there were two people she had to say goodbye to in private. One of them was Della, and after she had received a warm hug from her "surrogate mother," with wishes that she would make a great trip and have a wonderful time with her family, Roma went to look for John, and he offered to walk with her and Reilly up to the actress’ car. With his right arm permanently wrapped around her small shoulders, and holding Reilly’s little hand in his own, the blond actor was trying hard not to show how sad he was. John would spend over a month without seeing the two most important people in his life, his two "angel girls" who he loved with all his heart and soul, and the very thought of it was enough to fill his heart with endless sorrow.

Truth to be told, summer vacations had become nothing but a burden to him since he’d met Roma, nearly six years before. He’d fallen in love with her immediately and loved the little baby in her womb like a devoted father at the moment he'd seen her growing belly. Working with her day by day and helping to take care of her beautiful baby girl were way much better than any vacation, as that’s when he could love them in secret. Roma, for herself, was feeling a contrast of emotions in her very soul. If on one side she was happy to be back at the country where she was born, on the other, her heart was aching at not seeing her dearest friend for a whole month. She didn’t know when it’d started or if he felt the same, but the Irish actress had found herself completely in love with her co-worker and loving friend. His kindness and devotion not only to her but also to her little daughter, and his loving manners, proper of a true gentleman enchanted her and now all she knew was that his presence was as vital as the warm sunrays that shone across the sky.

"It was such a wonderful party. I was glad to see everybody here, you know," she said, pacing slowly across that parking lot.

"Yes. I’ll miss everybody during those two months to tell you the truth." He agreed, having in mind who he would miss the most.

Roma sighed deeply and nodded her head, "You’re right. I can’t imagine staying away for a long time, everybody has become a family."

They walked in silence for some instants and whoever saw the trio would certainly say that there goes a happy family.

"What time is your flight tomorrow?"

"At 8 in the morning. I don’t want to get there too late at night because of Reilly, the time zone would be tiring for her."

"I won’t be tired, mommy!" the 6 year old little girl said, with a confident face, making John and Roma exchange an amused glance. They finally got at the actress’ car and mother and daughter turned to face John with a sorrowful expression, "When are you leaving to Mississippi?" she asked, wishing it wouldn’t be so painful to say goodbye.

"I’m still not sure, to be honest... Maybe in a week or two, I guess..." the blond actor replied, sighing deeply, not really sure of what to do with his life once "his life" would be in the other side of the Atlantic ocean, in an island named Ireland.

"I’m gonna miss you so much, Uncle Johnny!" Reilly’s melancholic tone of voice, as well as the sad look in those sweet hazel eyes broke their hearts. Deeply moved, he reached out and raised Reilly in his arms, "Oh, sweetie... I’m gonna miss you very, very much too, honey," he said, kissing the back of her hand.

"I wish you could go with us... It would be more fun. Mommy and I are always happy when you’re with us."

"Well, maybe some day we can all travel together!" he tried to cheer her up, "But for now, I promise I’ll call you everyday so that you can tell me everything you did during the day, is that alright?"

A sweet and innocent smile appeared on her meek face as he said that, "You promise?"

"I promise!"

Roma felt a lump forming on her throat at seeing her daughter’s eyes sparkling with hope and joy, once he said that. He loved her little daughter so much that it brought tears to her eyes sometimes.

"Yey!" she exclaimed, clapping her little hands excitedly.

"And I want you to have a lot of fun with your mom, I want you to play a lot with your cousins and take lots of pictures there to show me once you get back, okay?"

"Okay! I’ll buy you a present too, Uncle Johnny!"

He and Roma looked at each other again, with a moved smile, "Thank you, sweetie. But you know what’s the best present someone could ever have? You!"

Although the compliment had visibly pleased her, the girl looked at her mother a bit anxiously, "And what about mommy?"

It was obvious that Roma was also included in the comment but he had elected not to voice it, as it wasn’t the appropriate moment. Reilly’s bold question, though, gave him no other choice but to blush deeply and nod his head, "Of course your mom is also a present, angel! You’re both a precious treasure!" he exclaimed, not missing his beloved friend’s smile at him – the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen.

Reilly’s giggling was music to their ears and it served to soothe their hearts for the impending separation, "Now give me a big hug and promise you’ll be a good girl to your mom!"

Reilly wrapped her small arms around his neck in a tight, affectionate hug that made the two adults even more moved, "I love you, Uncle Johnny."

"I love you too, my little angel. Very much!" he replied, returning the hug and overwhelmed with emotion. Then, he kissed her cheek and carefully placed her on the ground.

Roma watched with enchantment the connection between her daughter and the one she loved like a father. When he turned his gaze to her, the actress couldn’t hide the tears in the corner of her brown eyes and, without saying anything, Roma gave him a teary smile and wrapped her arms around his waist in a warm embrace, which John immediately returned.

"Reilly is right. I’m gonna miss you so much, you know..." the actress said, wish she could remain in those strong arms forever.

"Well... then I can phone you every day too!" he half joked, but truly meaning it inside.

"Then I’ll be waiting for it!"

He kissed the top of her head and caressed her auburn hair, treasuring its sweet perfume, never realising the hold on her.

"You deserve to have a wonderful time there, angel. I’m gonna miss you and our little angel deeply but I’ll be equally happy if you rest and enjoy the time with your family."

"I promise I will... even though a part of my family is gonna stay here..."

They spent a few more seconds holding each other but Reilly’s mischievous giggling made them aware they were not alone and that it was time to say goodbye. John reluctantly pulled away and, framing her face with both hands, he lay a gentle kiss on Roma’s forehead. "May God be with you both, baby..."

"Thank you, John."

***

Both John and Roma didn’t sleep much that night. Lately they had become aware that it was impossible not to think about each other. But fear and anxiety were together with the pleasant sensation of butterflies in the pitch of their stomach produced every time they met each other. They were afraid of being in love and not having their feelings corresponded.

The following morning was a bit of a hurry for Roma and Reilly, as they had to leave early in other to escape from some possible traffic on the way up to the airport. But there was someone who was permanently on their minds. John had seen the morning rise through the window of his apartment; he’d been considering lots of things while he was there and together with the sunrays came the courage he needed to act before it was too late. The blond actor took a shower, got dressed and, grabbing his car keys, he left in a hurry. He only stopped at a florist to buy a dozen roses and a card. Getting back at his car, he got a pen and wrote.

On the envelope he also wrote, "To my eternal angel"

Then, he startled the car and headed to the airport, praying that he could get there before the plane set off.

***

Roma held a permanent hold of her daughter’s little hand while she waited in the airport hall. The flight to Ireland would leave soon and, although they were going to spend their summer vacations together with the actress’ family, there was a hint of sadness visible on their faces. It was little Reilly who voiced what she was really feeling inside.

"Why can’t we take uncle Johnny with us, mommy?"

"Because your uncle Johnny has a mom, a daddy... he has a family and we have to let him spend some time with them too."

"But we’re his family too and he loves us, mommy, he said so himself!"

The Irish actress felt a lump forming in her throat not only because of her daughter’s sad little face but also because of the impending separation from her dearest, loving friend. The season seven of Touched by an angel had finally come to an end and, along with that, she had found herself completely in love with the blond actor. His loving words or the tenderness with which he treated her were vital to her and his presence had become second nature to her now. And lately, she spent her time praying for a sign that he felt the same about her, as uncertainty was killing her little by little. Sometimes the little actress would cry in secret, thinking about the possibility of facing his rejection, and nightmares of him telling her that he’d been dating someone else haunted her nights.

Trying to send those sad thoughts away, she knelt on the floor right in front of Reilly and tenderly caressed the girl’s curly hair, "I know, poppet, but don’t you think we can’t have uncle Johnny just for us?"

"Why not? That would be great! He’s my Papa Bear!"

Smiling, she took Reilly’s little hand and kissed it, "I’ll tell you what: as soon as we get there, you can phone him, okay?"

The little girl sighed deeply, with some resignation, "Okay..."

Roma glanced at her watch and sighed with equal resignation – and then a sudden and crazy thought came up in her mind: what if John appeared there, all of a sudden, telling her not to go because he couldn’t live without her anymore? She certainly would throw herself in his arms and confess all the love she felt for him. She certainly would kiss him deeply and tell him they would never be apart again. But a voice in the loudspeaker announcing the next departure took her out of her reverie and, with tears in the corner of her eyes, she and Reilly headed to the check-in counter.

*

Meanwhile, in another part of the city...

"Damn it!" John’s angry voice and the way he hit the car wheel certainly were a contrast to his usual gentle and loving manners. But the traffic jam that had kept him stuck for almost an hour was causing him to be more and more nervous, and, with a desperate expression on his face, he glanced at his watch for the tenth time in the last minute, sighing with discontentment. The streets and avenue leading to the airport were all crowded and there was no way he could pass or at least get a short cut.

On the passenger seat lay a bouquet of red roses and a card, where he’d written, "To my eternal angel." Finally, after almost eight years loving Roma in secret, the blond actor had decided to confess his feelings for his co-worker. Maybe watching her leaving, even if it was for a month vacation, gave him the courage to go on and tell her how much he loved her. Her sweet doe-like eyes, the tender way she would always look at him were constantly on his mind, specially now, when he was struggling to see them again. The possibility of her refusing his love had obviously occurred him, but this time he was decided to do it, no matter the consequences. Somewhere deep inside his loving heart he’d been under the impression he had seen love reflected in her eyes while rehearsing a dance scene, about a month before.

"Please, c’mon, I got to be there!" he whispered, impatiently running a hand through his short blond hair. But the car in front of him moved just a few meters away and stopped again. "Angel... please, wait for me..."

*

John parked his car in the airport parking lot and left it in a hurry, carrying the bouquet of roses in his hands, desperately looking for the Irish actress and her daughter in the airport hall. But as he saw the panel with the information about flights, his heart seemed to break into pieces when he realised that Roma’s flight had left about 30 minutes before. He still went up to the information counter but the attendant only confirmed what he had read there. John sighed and sat down on a nearby chair, shaking his head with disappointment and a bit of anger for not being able to get there in time.

Inside the airplane, the actress looked through the window and sighed, wiping the sudden tear that fell from her eye. Maybe that trip would make her think more clearly about what she was feeling inside; maybe it would show her that she and John had better remain good friends. Who knows there was someone already waiting for him back in Mississippi? Roma wrapped her arm around her daughter’s little shoulders and kissed the top of her head, loathing to think about that.

*

The trip to Ireland was a tiring one, and mother and daughter arrived there by the end of the afternoon. Roma’s brother, Joseph, and her sister Patty were at the airport to warmly greet their beloved sister and niece, and while exchanging warm hugs, it was Patty who noticed the slight trace of sadness in the actress’ eyes.

"Is it my impression or we have a lot to talk, huh?" she offered, with a friendly smile, while Joseph held little Reilly in his arms, always enchanted with her sweet and cheerful mood.

"I guess I cannot hide much from my dearest sister, can I?" Roma replied, also smiling.

They headed straight to Patty’s house and, once she and Reilly were settled, they spent hours chatting and catching up with everybody’s lives. By 7 PM, Joseph excused himself as he had his duties at church. And, after little Reilly and her young cousins went to bed, Roma and her sister had chance to talk, sitting at the kitchen table.

"Now tell me, there’s something different with you... I can see some happiness and yet some melancholy in your eyes... What’s wrong, Roma?" her sister inquisitively asked, offering her a cup of coffee that she’d just brewed.

"You’re sure you’re a housewife? You could make a fine detective sometimes!" the actress replied, with mock annoyance.

"No, I just happen to know my sister quite well, even if she lives far from me!" Patty crossed her arms in front of her and narrowed her eyes, "Is there someone causing this? Did you finally start dating again?"

The woman watched as Roma lowered her eyes and sighed, "N-no... I didn’t..."

"Roma... It’s been nearly two years now, I know how much you suffered with David, I know how painful that marriage was for you but you should leave it in the past."

"And I did. David... I don’t even know where he is now and I’m healed, Patty, I am... Thanks to both you and Joseph, thanks to Della... And..." now her sister watched as Roma blushed a little, "... and thanks to Johnny..."

"Johnny? You mean John?"

"Y-yes..."

Only then did the Irish actress look back at her sister, and on the following second a smile spread across the woman’s face, "Oh, my goodness! You and John... You..."

"No... No, we’re just friends..."

"Friends?"

"Yes..." not managing to resist to Patty’s inquisitive gaze, Roma sighed again and lowered her head, "I love him, Patty. I love John deeply, with all my heart, that’s the truth!"

"Oh, but that’s wonderful!"

"He doesn’t know! I never told him anything, I just found that out recently... Though... I guess I’ve been in love with him for... for some time... maybe longer than I thought..."

"And... you’re afraid of what you’re feeling?"

"I guess... I guess I’m afraid he’ doesn’t feel the same... I’m afraid he... he has somebody else..."

"Do you know if there is anyone in his life?"

"I... I guess there isn’t but I cannot say for sure... All I can say is that... I love him so much it aches. I... I cannot imagine my life without him any more; John is... he’s permanently in my heart now."

Patty reached out and took her sister’s hand, squeezing it tightly, "You need to be sure, Roma, before you get yourself hurt again. You’ve suffered so much already, dear, you have the right to be happy again."

"Thank you, Patty..." the actress shed some tears and her sister let go of her hand to give her a warm hug.

*

Roma woke up early on the following day. The time zone difference and the tiring trip on the previous day were stressing her and caused her to sleep very little. Patty had left for the mass, which would be celebrated by Joseph, while her husband had already gone to work. In the silence of the house, as the children were still fast asleep, the Irish actress walked up to the kitchen, wearing a robe over her pyjamas and with her hair tied up in a haphazard ponytail. She was brewing herself some fresh coffee when the doorbell rang, and she rolled her eyes, already knowing who that could be.

"What did you forget this time, Patty?" she spoke, as she turned the doorknob.

But it wasn’t her sister.

Her heart skipped a beat and her mouth dropped open when Roma opened up the door and saw John standing at the doorstep, with a suitcase in one hand and a bouquet of red roses in the other. From the exhausted expression on his face she could easily tell that he’d been travelling all night long, in order to get there at that time of the morning. Yet, his lips curved into a kind, always loving smile as he saw her.

"John? What... what are you doing here? What... what happened?" she wanted to know, trembling from head to toe, a turmoil of different thoughts running in her mind.

He placed his suitcase on the ground and gave a step closer to her, never breaking his warm, penetrating gaze, "I came here to tell you... that I loved you since the first moment I lay my eyes on you... Since the first time I saw your smile and looked in your eyes and heard your voice, Roma."

Love was written in the spark of his green pools and for a moment Roma doubted she’d really heard those words from his mouth. Her heart burst with joy and affection, and a multitude of other loving feelings as some tears quickly formed in the corner of her sweet doe-like eyes. "... And there was no way I could wait until you came back to tell you this." The blond actor added, giving her the beautiful bouquet with red roses – equal to the one he’d taken to the airport.

His heart was racing: in a matter of hours, he’d managed to pack his clothes and get the next plan to Ireland to go after the woman with who he’d been in love for eight years; he’d crossed an entire ocean to tell her that he loved her, even running the risk of facing her rejection. Relief and nervousness took over him once he’d finally voiced his true feelings, but then, on the following second, his previous worries seemed to vanish, as a tearful smile appeared on her meek face.

Crying with emotion, Roma took the flowers in her hands and, lost for words, she wrapped her arm around his neck and held him tightly, his arms immediately encircling her waist. "Oh, John... Johnny... I love you! Oh, God, I love you so much! So much!"

The blond actor lifted her from the ground and spun her around, his heart practically bursting with joy and pure love. "Angel... baby, I waited so much to tell you this... to finally tell you that I love you!" When he placed her on the ground, John pulled away just a few inches, marvelled at the expression on her meek face and at the brightness in her sweet doe like eyes, "You’ve made me the happiest man in this whole wide world!"

"I love you so much, Johnny... but I was so afraid..."

"Afraid? Afraid of what, angel?"

"I thought that... that maybe you didn’t feel the same... That you could have someone..."

A small laughter escaped him as that statement sounded way too absurd, "Roma... angel... Nothing could be farther from the truth. I’ve been loving you in secret for all these years we’ve been working together." John gently admonished her, tenderly caressing her cheek, "You’re my everything, my eternal angel. I don’t think I’d be able to tell you everything that I feel for you, baby, but if you give me this honour, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to do so... I’ll spend the rest of my life loving you more every single day."

"That would be the best present I could ever receive... And you’ve given me so many already..."

All the love in his heart was reflected in the way he looked at her. Overwhelmed with tenderness, John cupped her face in his hand and ran his thumb across her cheek. Roma smiled up at him and they remained hypnotised by each other’s loving gaze for long moments until he broke it to turn his eyes to her rosy lips. She slowly felt his hand pulling her face towards his and closed her eyes as their lips met. Suddenly all of her senses seemed to be heightened, the soft feel of his lips on hers, the musky smell of his cologne and the easy way his arms wrapped around her waist as their kiss went on. Her hands automatically went up his arms to his chest, then travelled to his neck and then back up to his face.

John held her firmly and yet so gently, as if was holding the most precious treasure in all the universe – which was exactly what she was to him. He made her feel like she was in the loving, protective arms of an angel, where no harm would happen to her, and his loving kiss caused pleasant butterflies in the pitch of her stomach; a set of wonderful sensations she would never forget.

As their lips parted and they paused for breath, the couple of actors gazed into one another's eyes. She had taken her hands away from his face and settled them back down to his chest but he took one of them and then placed it to his cheek, brushing his sweet lips to her fingertips, trailing soft kisses over her palm.

"I'm so happy... I love you."

He heard her saying, his heart pounding, his pulse racing. It had been so long ago that they had first met... And now, she was his. She bit her lip as he smiled and leaned down; his warm breath blowing softly against the delicate curve of her neck, causing pleasant shivers down her spine. With a soft sigh, John placed a warm kiss on her smooth skin and whispered against her ear, "I love you, too, angel..."

He gazed at her one more time and lay another kiss on her palm, "... Forever..."

A loving smile crossed their faces and only then did Roma realise they were still standing at the doorway and that she was wearing sleeping clothes and no make up. "Oh, my goodness, don’t you stay there! Come in!" she took him by the hand and made him enter the house. Glancing at his handsome face once again as he did so, "How come you got here only one day after me? When did you leave Utah?"

"Well, just after I got at the airport and realised I’d missed your flight, I brought a ticket to Ireland and went back home to grab a few clothes and the plane left by 7 PM."

"You’ve been to the airport? Oh, John..."

"Nevermind, I got here anyway, didn’t I?"

"You must be exhausted..." she tenderly caressed his cheek, not missing the tired expression on his face. Smiling, he covered her hand with his kissed her palm, "It was worth every single minute! I’d do it all over again!"

Roma closed the entrance door and took John’s hand, "Come with me, you must be hungry too!" She guided him along the corridor up to the kitchen, "Please, have a seat, I’ll prepare your breakfast."

"Roma, I’ll be fine with a cup of coffee, really..." he protested, not wanting to cause her any trouble, "I still have to look for a hotel and-"

The Irish actress’ eyes grew wide at hearing that, "Absolutely not! You’re going to stay here with us!"

"But what about your sister, she..."

"She will love to have you here, John, I’m sure she will!"

He was going to say something else when a surprised and very happy little voice reached their ears and interrupted their conversation. "Uncle Johnny!!!"

With her curly hair dishevelled and still wearing her Winnie the Pooh pyjamas, the little girl ran towards him as if John was her daddy who had just arrived home.

"Hey, my little angel!"

All the hours he’d spent in a long flight and the night he’d been awake were worth the way he was greeted – both by Roma and Reilly. Like a loving father, he held the little girl tightly and kissed the top of her head, deeply moved when she wrapped her little arms around his neck, returning his warm embrace. "Oh, sweetie, I’m so happy to see you! I was so tired from the trip but now with your hug I feel really, really better!"

"I thought you couldn’t come with us!" she pulled away a little; her smile always broad and happy.

"I thought it too, angel, but you see... I missed you and your mom so much that I couldn’t stay away from you!"

"Yey! Now we can all stay together!"

Chuckling at her daughter’s excitement, Roma caressed her hair with tenderness, "Yes, sweetie, we’re all going to stay together but what about you washing this cute face, combing your hair and changing your pyjamas, huh? So that we can all have breakfast with uncle Johnny!"

"Yey!" It was not often that Reilly agreed to do those tasks so immediately and when she left the kitchen to fulfil her mother’s orders, the couple of actors looked at each other highly amused and John couldn’t resist in brushing his lips against hers one more time.

***

Patty and her husband returned from the mass a couple of hours later and, although they were surprised to see John in there, both were equally happy for Roma, as anyone could see they were deeply in love with each other. Patty was pleased to make a few arrangements in her house to for their new guest, who would stay together with Roma, while Reilly would share the bedroom with her two little cousins, Emily and Peter, aged 6 and 4. These little ones, by the way, also loved to have "uncle Johnny" playing with them in the park, later in the afternoon, teaching the three children how to fly a kite. As they all had the day off, the family decided to have a walk around the city and enjoy that beautiful sunny day.

While John and Brad, Patty’s husband, were talking and supervising the children’s work, Roma and her sister had gone to buy some water, and that’s when Patty got the chance to tease the Irish actress.

"And were you in doubt whether John loved you or not?"

"Well..." Roma lowered her head and smiled slightly.

"The guy is head over heels in love, anyone can see it!"

"Patty, don’t exaggerate!"

"I’m not exaggerating! He just crossed an entire ocean to tell you that he loves you! And he looks at you like a teenager who’s in love for the first time!" she went on talking, enchanted with her sister’s admirer. The Irish actress turned her eyes to John, who was at a certain distance from them, "Johnny is the kindest, most loving man I’ve ever met... He’s sweet and gentle not only with me but also with Reilly. He’s always been..." she said, her eyes bright with love.

Carefully studying her sister’s expression, Patty raised her eyebrows and chuckled, "And from what I can see, he’s not the only one who looks like a teenager in love..."

Blushing a little, Roma nodded her head in agreement, "I love him so much... He’s like a blessing... a present from God when I thought my life was falling apart. Johnny helped me in all the ways a human being can help another... He loved me even when I couldn’t love myself..."

Her eyes were suddenly moistened with tears and she felt her sister’s hand over her shoulder, "And you so deserve to be happy, dear! Especially with someone like John! I mean, look at the way he treats you, Reilly and everybody else! He’s not only a true gentleman but also has a great way with children! And I tell you: someone who can connect with kids so quickly the way he does can only be a wonderful person!"

"Reilly loves him. He’s been her father since... well, since I was pregnant!"

"I can see that just by watching them... And I’m so happy for you two!"

***

Dinner was filled with chatting and laugher, proper of a house where there are happy people living in. But due to a busy day, they all retired to their bedrooms early, after Joseph had paid them a visit and showed great enthusiasm to know that John had come all the way from US just to tell his dear sister that he loved her.

"I’m sorry about the accommodations..." Roma apologised, somewhat worriedly, lying in their bed and snuggling close to the blond actor. John immediately wrapped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him, and then stared at her in disbelief, "Roma, angel, you’re kidding me, right?"

"We don’t have much space left after Reilly and I arrived, I wish-"

He cupped her chin and gently lifted her head so that she could look into his eyes as he spoke to her, "Baby, I spent last night inside a cold airplane, with a bearded old gentleman snoring away sitting right next to me and now... Now here I am, in a cosy house in Ireland, lying in a warm bed, and most importantly with the woman I love right here in my arms... And she told me that she loves me too! What else could I ask for?"

Enjoying to hear her giggling, he bent his head and kissed her forehead tenderly, while she tightened the hold on him, "I love you very, very much, Mr Dye!"

"Funny how life can change in a matter of hours..." he said, resting his cheek on the top of her head, "Yesterday I felt like a loser when I got at the airport and realised your plane had already left. But then... lying here with you and thinking about the great day we had, I guess I never felt so happy in my whole life."

"It was possibly one of the happiest days of my life too, Johnny. I can hardly believe you’re here with me, that you’re holding me like this and telling me that you love me..."

"If it’s all right with Patty and Brad I’d like to stay with you and Reilly..."

"Of course it’s alright with them! They’re so happy to have you here, Johnny!"

"Then I have to confess something: I have no intention to move away either... All the most important things I have in my life are right here in this very house and I don’t want to be away from them anymore."

"Your staying right here with me is more than I ever dreamed of... And your being away from me is... unthinkable now..." she replied, tenderly caressing his handsome face.

He inched closer and kissed her lovingly, for a long, sweet minute. Then, he covered her face with a trail of tiny kisses that ended up in her sweet lips once again. When they pulled away, both remained in that warm embrace for some time, until Roma tried to stifle a yawn by covering her mouth with her hand.

John brought her even closer to him, kissing her forehead repeatedly, "You’re tired, angel. And it was quite a busy day, rest a little."

"You are the one who must be tired after all that trip..."

"I’d do it all over again a hundred times!" he joked, and then caressed her auburn hair, "Have sweet dreams, angel..." he whispered into her ear, and then brushed his lips against hers, in a soft, light caress. Although it had been a busy day, the blond actor couldn’t sleep so fast. After 6 years loving Roma in secret, treasuring every little moment they shared together, he had her in his arms, telling him the sweetest words he’s ever heard in his whole life. She loved. Roma loved him and now there was nothing that could keep them apart. He would spend the rest of his days together with the little actress and her beautiful baby daughter, who he loved as if she was his own daughter.

"Thank you, Father," he whispered, and after some more time drinking her beauty, he too fell into deep sleep.

*

The morning sunrays were shining through the window glass when Roma stirred in bed and slowly opened her eyes. As she remembered the previous day a content smile broke on her face, and John’s arm spread over her midsection told her reality was better than the sweetest dream she could ever have. But something else filled the actress’ heart with tenderness: she looked at her left and saw little Reilly lying next to her, holding Alice, her inseparable teddy bear, and snuggling close to Roma. The two loves of her life were there, close together with her and in her hometown – she only felt that happy when her little daughter was born.

Then, she looked at her right and her heart melted as she saw John’s handsome face still asleep. His boyish features and the constant protectiveness reflected even in the way he was holding her only made him even more adorable to her. The smile on her face turned into a mischievous one and, quietly, she inched closer to him. After taking in every detail of his handsome face, she brushed her lips against his for a few precious moments. But once she pulled away, surprise caught her as she watched a sleepy smile appear across his face.

"If I keep my eyes closed, will you do that again?" He joked, although his eyes remained closed, causing a giggle to escape her. He was going to say something else when he felt her kiss him once more. This time, he gently pulled her closer and their kiss lasted for long, pleasant instants, until they pulled away just a few inches. "Good morning, angel..." the blond actor spoke, treasuring every little detail of her face, still not believing he woke up in her bed.

"Good morning..." came her sweet reply. John bent his head and saw Reilly sleeping right against her mom and his smile grew wider, "Looks like we have a little guest..." John spoke, in a low voice, both turning to look at the little girl.

"Yes... we need to have a little talk to her, you know... About us." She replied, tenderly caressing the girl’s curly brown hair.

"You’re right..."

"Though I’m under the impression that it’s not gonna be a difficult conversation at all, judging by how much my little angel here loves you!" the actress looked at him once again, watching as his green pools sparkled with love.

"I so want to help you to rise her, to take care of her as if she was my daughter, you know... Because, to be honest, I’ve always felt like she was my little baby girl..."

Deeply moved with his words, she smiled at him. "I know that... and she knows that too, you can be sure that she has a father figure in you, Johnny... And I’ll be eternally grateful for all this love you have for her..."

"I’m the one who is grateful for having her love, your love, sweetie."

Reilly’s curly head moved and the couple watched as the little girl slowly opened her eyes and a sleepy smile appeared on her face when she saw the two most important people in her life lying right next to her and smiling back at her.

"Good morning, sweetie!" her mother spoke, removing a few strands of her from her face.

"Good morning, mommy. Good morning, uncle Johnny." She happily greeted them.

"Hey, good morning, my little angel!" the blond actor spoke, "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. Even better when I got here!"

"So you came in here to pay us a visit during the night, right?"

"Alice and I missed you and uncle Johnny, ya know? Then we came in here when you were both sleeping."

They exchanged a moved glance and their hearts melted to hearing that. With a mischievous smile, Reilly inched closer to her mother and whispered something into her ear, which made the actress giggle.

"Hey, may I ask what the big secret is?" John protested, with a mock upset face. Reilly’s giggles were like music to their ears, "I told mommy that you snore, uncle Johnny!"

Trying hard not to laugh at the adorable way she said that, John crossed his arms in front of his chest and narrowed his eyes, "Oh, really?"

"Yes!"

"Hum... And somehow I guess there’s a certain little angel who is gonna start laughing at something very, very soon..." he said, and then looked at Roma, who couldn’t keep her giggling either, "On second thoughts: there are two angel girls who will be laughing in like... three seconds!"

Joseph, Patty and Brad where in the kitchen preparing breakfast and heard Reilly’s and Roma’s laugher coming from their bedroom and their excited squeals, and smiled with contentment.

"Is it my impression or is there a really happy family staying on our guest room, huh?" he said, wrapping his arms around his wife’s shoulders.

Patty nodded her head in agreement, "Yes... And I guess they’ll remain as happy as this for the rest of their life, you know?"

"Amen to that!" Joseph added, with the authority to give his eternal blessing to Roma, John and little Reilly.