family part 4

It had been six weeks since Crowley's prayers and she still felt like everything was the same.  She had noticed that Aziraphale was slightly more attentive than usual, if that were possible, but that was all.  She couldn't tell if anything had changed.  And there had been no signs, nothing that told her she needed to stop trying.  At least nothing obvious.  Sometimes she didn't pick up on hints so she wondered if maybe the sign had come and gone and she'd missed it. 

They were spending the day in London again.  Aziraphale always seemed to get a bit antsy if they'd gone more than a month without visiting the bookshop.  He trusted Anathema but he just missed his books.  And of course Crowley wasn't just going to sit in the cottage by herself.  It would lead to a great deal of moping and she wanted to avoid that.  Moping never did anyone any good at all. 

Newt was the one to greet them as they came into the shop.  A firm handshake for Aziraphale and a quick kiss on the cheek for Crowley.  He treated them the same way he treated his parents.   It was kind of sweet. 

"Anathema's in the back."  He said, pointing toward the back room. 

"I'll go say hello."  Crowley said with a smile.  She gave Aziraphale a quick kiss on the lips before heading to the back room.  She knew that Aziraphale would want to talk to Newt for a bit.

"Anathema, dear?  Are you in here somewhere?"  Crowley asked as she went into the back room and looked around.  Anathema popped up from behind a stack of boxes off to one side of the room. 

"Sorry.  I just...there's a lot to go through."  Anathema smiled and then walked over to give Crowley a hug.  "Ten boxes of books came in today."  She chuckled. 

"That is certainly a lot."  Crowley nodded.  "So, where are your lovely children?" 

"My parents are visiting.  They took them out for the day.  Give us a little break."  Anathema smiled.  There was something different about Crowley and Anathema couldn't quite put her hand on it. 

"Oh, well.  We'll be here for most of the day so perhaps I can see them later."  Crowley nodded.  "Not that I'm not happy to see you, dear."  She said after realizing how it all sounded.  Anathema chuckled. 

"It's quite alright.  I don't mind them getting all of the attention."  She went over to a bookshelf on the other side of the room to get a book that Aziraphale had asked for.  When she turned around, and got a full look at Crowley, she finally put the pieces together. 

"Oh my god, you're pregnant...."  Anathema said, the book now forgotten. 

"I'm sorry, what?"  Crowley's eyes went a little wide. 

"You're pregnant, aren't you?"  Anathema said a little more quietly before she came back over to Crowley.  "I can see it.  Your aura.  It's different.  And there's a smaller one.  Wow this is....oh wow."  She smiled brightly.  Crowley looked down at her stomach, placing her hand there gently. 

"Are you absolutely certain?"  Her voice shook a little bit.  Could it be true? 

"I...well yes.  There's no disguising auras."  Anathema was suddenly a bit concerned.  She put a hand on Crowley's upper arm.  "Are you.....okay?  I mean....."  She let it trail off.  Crowley sniffled and looked up at Anathema. 

"I'm very okay."  She nodded.  "I'd almost given up.  We've been trying for so long..."  She cleared her throat.  She honestly didn't think she could be any happier than she was right that moment.  The only time that had come even close was their wedding day. 

"Well, congratulations."  Anathema squeezed Crowley's arm gently.  Crowley pulled her into a tight hug, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks.  That was the moment when Aziraphale walked into the back room, now suddenly very confused. 

"Is everything alright, dear?"  There was no missing the concern in his voice.  Crowley let go of Anathema and went over to give Aziraphale a kiss on the lips, holding his face in her hands. 

"Everything is absolutely perfect, my love."  She said and kissed him again. 

"I have no idea what's going on."  Aziraphale admitted with a little bit of a chuckle.  Crowley took one of his hands and placed it on her belly, smiling brightly at him. 

"You're going to be a father."  She said as more happy tears spilled from her eyes. 

"I....really?  You're sure?"  Aziraphale looked between Crowley and Anathema. 

"Auras never lie."  Anathema said with a nod. 

"That is absolutely brilliant."  Aziraphale grinned before kissing Crowley again.  His hand stayed on her belly for a moment.  They were going to be parents.  It was both wonderful and scary at the same time but he truly couldn't have been happier. 

Comments

Popular Posts