For A Thousand Years Part 4

It had taken another thousand years before they would meet again.  Crowley, as he was now being called, wasn't searching for his angel.  He knew that getting a second chance with him was lucky enough, getting a third was near impossible.  He was very happy to have gotten the time that he had.  A second chance was better than nothing. 

He was in a market in Greece when he saw her.  This time she wasn't quite as out of place as the others had been, but she still stood out above the rest.  Her long, blond hair was pulled back into a braid and her bright blue eyes sparkled like the ocean around them.  There was no doubt in Crowley's mind at all that this was his angel.  He had to be careful, though.

She appeared to be a rich man's daughter, accompanied by her older sisters on the pier.  It would take quite a lot for Crowley to get close to her.  He usually tried to blend in with the locals, other than his all black clothing of course.  He didn't really go for looking like the rich man that he was.  This was a completely different situation, though.  A little suggestion and the sisters were busy while the young woman looked over some very fine fabrics that had just arrived from India. 

"They are lovely, aren't they?"  Crowley asked as he walked up, keeping his eyes on the fabric.  He smiled when the young woman jumped and then laughed. 

"Yes, they are absolutely lovely."  She ran her fingers over the nearest bolt of fabric.  It was more brightly colored than anything she'd seen before. 

"Though nowhere near as lovely as you."  Crowley said with a slight bow.  The young woman blushed and giggled.  It was beautiful.  There was a glow about her  that was almost identical to the one that had surrounded Asriel. 

"Why thank you, Mr....."  She started, giving him a look. 

"Crowley."  He offered her a bow. 

"Thank you, Mr. Crowley.  That's very sweet."  She went back to searching the fabrics to see if there were any that she liked. 

"Might I be honored with the knowledge of your name, dear lady?"  He asked as he watched her.  She was gorgeous and didn't look anything like her sisters. 

"Astraia."  She replied with a slight curtsey before offering her hand. 

"A beautiful name for a beautiful young lady."  Crowley took the hand and bowed as he kissed the back, though he kept his eyes on her the entire time.  Before either of them could say anything else, the older sisters came over and gave Crowley a dirty look. 

"If you wish to talk to our sister you will have to talk to our father first."  The oldest one said. 

"I was simply offering to buy her whatever fabric her heart desires."  Crowley said with a smile as he bowed yet again, this time keeping his eyes on the sisters. 

"Any fabric at all?"  Astraia asked.  Crowley looked at her with a nod. 

"Perhaps, my dear, something for your....wedding dress."  He winked at her and she giggled a bit.  Her sisters exchanged looks and then glared at Crowley, moving to be a bit more between him and her. 

"This one is so very lovely."  She ran her fingers along a lovely cream fabric with beautiful gold and silver designs on it. 

"It is very expensive...."  The salesman said as he watched the two of them.  Crowley nodded and motioned for the sisters to get out of the way so he could approach the salesman.  They reluctantly moved. 

"How much for the entire bolt?"  He asked and all of the women gasped.  Only the very richest of the city could afford that much of such a quality fabric.  When the salesman gave Crowley a price that seemed outrageous to those standing around, he paid it without batting an eye. 

"That is most generous of you, sir."  Astraia said as she curtsied once again.

"There is nothing in this world that is too much for you, my dear."  Crowley smiled.  The sisters spoke amongst themselves for a moment before looking back at Crowley. 

"You will be at our house this evening for dinner."  It was an order, not an invitation. 

"Of course."  Once again Crowley bowed.  He held the ladies load the fabric onto their cart before leaving them to head home.  He had quite a lot to prepare. 



"And what are your intentions toward my daughter Astraia?"  The severe man with the rather large mustache asked after a nice dinner and the women going to clean up the kitchen while the men talked business. 

"In no uncertain terms, sir, I plan to marry her."  He kept his eyes locked on the man across from him.  He was not going to show any kind of weakness. 

"And you can provide for her?"  He crossed his arms as he stared at Crowley.  He was definitely dressed like a rich man, and his daughters had told him about his stunt in the market. 

"She will want for nothing for the rest of her life."  Crowley offered in response before sipping his glass of wine. 

"And what is her answer to this offer?"  The man raised an eyebrow. 

"I do believe it is the custom to ask the father for permission before even mentioning marriage to the daughter?"  Crowley asked with a slight smile.  Though saying the fabric could be used for a wedding dress was a bit of a hint at least.  The man just nodded and then got to his feet, offering a hand. 

"If my daughter is willing, I give my blessing."  He said.  Crowley got to his feet and took the offered hand. 

"She's definitely willing!"  Astraia's mother called from the other room and Crowley couldn't help but laugh.  Of course they'd been eavesdropping.  Crowley wanted to stand on ceremony, though.  He went into the room and took Astraia's hand.  He got down on one knee and kissed the back of her hand. 

"Will you marry me, my angel?"  He asked as he looked up at her.  This took a little bit longer but soon enough, the recognition was there.  It was his Aziraphale all over again. 

"I will."  She said with a bright grin and Crowley got to his feet, pulling her into his arms.  They would have many happy years together before nature inevitably took its course. 

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