(A/N) ok a helpful hint the ii means that it switches people's point of views – just a heads up.
Cassie happily raked through the rack of yellow baby jump suits, humming Braham's lulluby as her maternal glow kicked in. She imagined herslef holding the little baby, softly stroking Malachi's hair as Azazeal fed him mushed up peas. She smiled to herself as she held up a little yellow hat.
"Isn't it darling!" Cassie squealed, showing Baraqiel.
He gave it a small glance and nodded. He repositioned the bags of baby clothes on his arm and continued to gaze outside to the windy rainy street, inspecting every face that went by. Cassie observed him for awhile, gave up, seeing as he would never tell her what he was actually fretting about – and decided that maybe light brown was a nice baby color.
"Baraqiel," she said and he followed her to the brown rack by the front door. Everytime the bell tinkled and someone entered the shop, Baraqiel would narrow his emrald eyes and inspect them.
"What is with you," Cassie asked as she rubbed her huge stomach, he glanced down and pointed at what her hand rested on.
"Just that!" he snapped.
"I'm not due until tomorrow - if that," Cassie said, she rubbed his forearm. He placed his hand on hers and smiled at her tenderness. "So please relax, if Ella shows up then I can always magic one of these coathangers to knock her upside the head."
"I don't think that would hurt an annointed one," Baraqiel said slowly, glancing at the black haired pregnant woman who had just waddled into the store.
"Yes, but it would be fun!" Cassie laughed as she put the clothes down. "Oh but I do look forward to seeing him again."
"Hmm?" Baraqiel asked, turning away from the door.
"Azazeal – I look forward to the smile on his fasce as I admit my undying love and wrap him in my arms." Cassie said, she began daydreaming of the way his lips would curl into a smile as he would wrap his long muscular arms around her – careful not to squash the baby that sat in her womb.
Baraqiel paid for her baby clothes and they stepped out onto the sreet, he put the creadit card back in his wallet then warpped his arm around Cassie's hauling her close to his 6.7 ft lean body, trying his best to keep her form the hard small cold droplets of rain that blew hard down on their heads.
"What's with this weather?" Cassie asked as she squinted down at her feet.
"God," Baraqiel answered. "He's forwarning Ella Dee to get a move on - and kill you before you give birth because you're untoucchable after that."
"Why?" asked Cassie.
Baraqiel went ramrod still and he suddenly shoved Cassie into a dark back alley. He whipped out his cell phone and punched on a few numbers. Cassie's heart raced with the fear she senced from Baraqiel, she let out a few quick breaths.
"Ok, put out the fake," he said – his heavy accent was even heavier as he spoke with an anxious voice. He ended the call then shoved his phone into his pocket. He turned and put his finger to Cassie's warm lips as he sidled in front of her. The rank alley was barely big enough for Cassie let alone Baraqiel and Cassie. He braced himself with his arms, his hands only centirmetres from Cassie's ears, Baraqiel hovered over Cassie like a sheild. She looked into his anxious eyes. She turned and looked out onto the street – what had made him so afraid?
ii
Ella strode up the street, she felt her blade pressing against her back, as if she needed more of reminder that Azazeal's toy thing, his tainted slut, wasn't dead yet... and the child too. The rain was enough to tell her that god was pissed! Thelma scurried behind her, and she wasn't helping Ella's mood.
"Come on, Ella, it wouldn't kill us to stop and eat!" Thelma cried, Ella rolled her eyes.
"The quicker I find Cassie and the baby – and deal with them – the sooner you have Azazeal." Ella replied.
"I know..." Thelma said, and they were consumed by some peaceful moments of silence. "But a little truffle wouldn't go astray..."
"Thelma!" Ella roared, spinning on her heels to glared at the pestulant ghost. "Shut the hell up, we won't be able to find them if you keep speaking about food!"
"You're right... of course," Thelma began. "I'll shut up if you just give me some money so I can eat. I think better on a full stomach."
"Fine," Ella growled – she threw a couple of pounds at Thelma then watched as she happily skipped off. Ella didn't dare go off with out her – Thelma was the one person who truly knew Cassie – and there for knew how to find her quicker. With a sigh she backed up against the brick wall of a cafe, right next to a long back alley.
Suddnely her magic sences tingled with warning, goosebumps travelled up and down her body – and it wasn't because of the fog that had consumed the street. Something was very near! Ella pushed off the brick wall and stood silently, she reached behind her back and began to slowly draw her weapon out of its holster as she searched the street for what was lurking, but it was incredibly hard to see through the fog.
Suddnely a femal figure appeared from the mist, she had long blond hair and deep blue eyes and she smiled absently at Ella as she rubbed her stomach, Ella gave it a glance and saw that it buldged with a baby - and Ella could guess who the father was.
"Hello, Cassie," Ella said, drawing the sword out and pointing it toward the ground, Cassie gave it a glance and shrugged. "It was foolish you of you to come to me."
"I can't kill me baby, but you can," she said in a soft voice. Ella eyed the girl and for a moment actually felt a little guilty – but she pushed it away. Annointed ones weren't meant to feel anything they were just meant to kill, and that's what she had to do. She had to kill this young mother and her child before evil leaked out into the world she strived to protect and keep clensed from Azazeal's wicked ways.
For a moment her mind flickered over the possible reasons (apart from her bloodline) that made him choose this particular girl - she had a lovely face, it showed her emotions well, and right now she looked heart broken, she was also very powerful – Ella could sense it. It was a shame Azazeal's blond beauty would die by a stab wound from the bottom of her womb to her heart, part of Ella considered picking up the body once she had killed her – to take her to Azazeal. But that was ridiculous, if the girl didn't want to die in the gutter then she wouldn't have fallen in love with that arrogant pig.
"Goodbye Cassie," E lla said as she drew back her weapon, preparing to stab her.
ii
Cassie drew in her breath, she watched as a fake copy of herself faced death. Baraqiel was smiling at the girl who was most likely Ella. She had dark red hair that framed her heart shaped face perfectly but Cassie was distracted from the girl's looks when she saw something truly horrific.
Ella withdrew her shiny silver blade and with a smile ran it up the twin's stomach. Cassie could swear she almost felt the blade as it pierced her skin and drove through Malachi before it finally cut through her heart She cringed and wrapped ahold of Baraqiel. The blood from her second body spilled out onto the street. Cassie watched on as her exact copy gaped and held to her wound as blood seeped from between her fingers. Ella ripped the sword back out again and blood spluttered onto the street. The copy of Cassie fell to her knees as she began to shake violently, blood flowing out onto the cobble stones, Cassie glanced down to the entrance way of the alley and saw the sickly sight of her blood coming towards her. Finally her twin stopped moving and the shine in her eyes dimmed as he head fell onto the ground with a thunk and as a small trinkle of blood began to fall form her mouth the fog moved over her and hid the body from Cassie's view.
"Who did Ella just kill?" Cassie asked in the quietest voice she could.
"Your exact double, I had a mate make you a fleshy twin," Baraqiel answered. Cassie drew in a gasp as the blood pooled even closser to her and splashed over her brown leather boots.
"That's gross," Cassie whispered as she clung tighter to Baraqiel's lean body.
"But life saving," he reminded her.
"Ella!" Cassie heard someone shout, Cassie recognised the voice almost instantly – it was Thelma! Part of her wanted to let Baraqiel go and run to her firend, but she knew better then to show the silly Ella that she had not infact succeeded on killing her.
ii
"I bought you a cornetto!" Thelma said happily. Ella subtly wiped the blood form te knife and crammed it into it holder. She turned around and saw Thelma as she presented Ella with a cone shaped ice cream. Ella smiled widely and stepped away from the dead body of Cassie McBain so she was closer to the ignorant Thelma. She was so glad that ghost was as thick as cement – if she wasn't then she would be aware of the dead body of her best freinds meters away that now lay under dense fog.
"I'm in the mood for something stronger then dairy, shall we go to the pub? My treat." Ella siad happpily, she felt like the cat who got the cream. Her heart thumped happily as she strecthed out her limbs, they were a little tense after she drove her knife through Cassie – but Ella found that always happened.
"Oh, I'm all yours!" Thelma said happily.
ii
Cassie watched in horror as Thelma happily followed Ella, a girl who just killed Cassie, down the street. Ella being a coward wasn't even goign to tell Thelma that she had killed Cassie! This infuriated her more, it was bad enough Thelma was with Ella but to follow the bitch blindly was another thing. Cassie felt hate swell inside of her as Ella directed Thelma down the street, making sure to lure her away from Cassie's decaying body. Half of her wanted to let Baraqiel go and run after her, but he pushed himself off the wall and held to her. It was just the thing she needed, She sobbed into his shirt as she realised just what was happening to her.
"I'm sorry, Cassie," he said as he patted her blond hair. Cassie sobbed harder as she thought of the danger she was in, of the hate that surrounded her self and her baby. Of the poison her love for Azazeal seemed to cause, but even though half of her cared about all of that – the other half of her mind didn't! It was the half of Cassie that knew she couldn't kill Malachi, and it was the other half of her that dragged her into Azazeal's world, it was the half that loved his kisses and the way his tawny skin moved against her own.
Baraqiel cupped her head in his hands and she looked up at him, he gave her a sad smile as she whimpered. "You're so innocent," he whispered. "And you're beautiful, I need to get you back to Azazeal before my incompetence ruins your soul any more then it has."
She nodded and he bent down and gave her a soft respectful kiss on the forehead, before she could say anything else he jumped back from her, his hands on his lips as smoke steamed from under his hands, he gave a painful groan as he staggered back up agaisnt the alley wall. The tattoo on Cassie's neck throbbed as she stared in horror at Baraqiel.
"What is this?" she cried to him.
"He's found you!" Baraqiel answered and Cassie gave a start at his small smile.
Five nephilim suddenly poofed into sight in a cloud of smoke and grabbed Cassie by the arms. They dragged her from the alley way and formed a tight circle with her trapped inside. She jumped around to try and see what was happening. The demons around her all began to curse at Baraqiel in an ancient language Cassie couldn't understand. The fog surrounded her suddenly and she coudln't see outside her protection circle, her breaths came out in icy clouds.
There was an earpiercing scream and suddenly Baraqiel was thrown out of the alley way as well and into Cassie's line of vision. She watched from a distance as a man approached Baraqiel's sprawled and moaning figure on the floor. The man wiped some blood off his knucles, he had his back to Cassie but she could still tell who it was from the ancient egyptian running down his neck. Baraqiel lips seemed blistered as if he had kissed a hot poker and his bottom lip was split open and bled down his cheek and dribbled onto his loose white shirt.
"You touched her," seethed the man who towered over Baraqiel. "I trusted you."
"Az – she was crying – I didn't -" Baraqiel stuttered as he crawled away, afraid of the man's anger.
"You knew how I felt and still you tried to get her! To sully her!" Azazeal delivered a kick to Baraqiel's ribs and Cassie could swear she heard a crack. She flinched away and spotted her dead body. "She was the one pure thing I had!" Azazeal screamed
"She still is," Baraqiel tried to yell.
"Don't lie to me!" Azazeal yelled.
"Stop!" Cassie cried from behind her guards. Azazeal swivelled around and met her teary eyes. Her heart thumped as she stared into the brown eyes of the man she though she'd never be able to see again, Malachi kicked from inside her as if trying to point out that it was a profound moment, but she already knew it. Her breath caught in her throat as all the words she needed to say to him came to mind – but none of them could come out.
"I tried to keep you safe," he said, his voice was torn and a tear ran down his cheek.
"You have," Cassie replied, as she peered over a slimey nephilim's shoulder. "Azazeal..." he searched her blue eyes for any kind of sign the he may have a chance to win her over. "Come here, I just want to hold you," she said quietly, though he heard her clearly.
He took wide strides toward her and the nephilim parted for a second to let him in before closing to form the tight circle. She looked down at his black suit and smiled at his 5 o'clock shadow. He looked down at her stomach and let out a cry of happiness as he laid his hand on her large stomach. He wrappped his arms around her and held her body close to him.
"I love you, Azazeal," Cassie said as she too wrapped her arms around him too.
"You shouldn't have been away from me, I've risked enough when it comes to you," Azazeal said. "You could have died!"
"I technically already did," Cassie said with a shrug. She pointed between the nephilim's legs behind her and Azazeal stared at her fake twin lying bloodily on the ground.
"Ella?" Azazeal asked, his jaw ticced.
"Spot on," Cassie replied, staring sadly behind her at the blood.
Why weren't they kissing? They both wanted to, they galnced at eachother with dark eyes as want consumed them – but Azazeal was a man of position and composure, he's already cried infront of his followers, kissing her probably wouldn't do much for his image. But Cassie needed to feel his lips on her own, needed to feel his love for her. She needed him to make it all go away, to tell her its ok, that it will all be ok if she just held on to him. He needed to tell her he loved her, it was all Cassie wanted and needed.
Tell him that! She internally yelled at herself. You are already carrying his child and risking eternal damnation for your love for him! All risks are behind you just -
Cassie grabbed the lapels of his jacket and brought him closer to her so he felt his lean stomach agaisnt her large pregnant stomach. Her eyes blazed as she stared into his wild brown ones, finding his passion for her that met her own. She smiled as he did as well.
"Tell me you love me," Cassie demanded as she refused to let him go – not that he ptrotested.
"I love you," Azazeal responded.
"What would you do to make me yours?" she aksed, it might seem weak and needy to others but to Cassie it was neesecary, she needed his love, his unquestionable need for her. His long crafted hands cupped her cheek.
"I'd walk through the fires of hell to make you my bride," Azazeal replied, he cocked his charming smile and dipped his head down so his lips were so close to her's she could already smell his rememberable spicy yet masculin fragrance. "What would you do to secure my heart?" he asked.
"I'd kill who ever stood in my path," Cassie replied, her eyes glazed over with desire as he looked onto him.
"No need," Azazeal whispered. "You already have me."
She pulled him closer and his lips hit hers and she felt her heart rise as his hands took hold of her hips and drew her into him, Cassie's arms embraced his neck, pushing him closer to her so they could be as close together as possible, she wanted to be welded to him, to never leave his peaceful embrace.
A pain engulfed her stomach, and she cried out, stumbling forward, Azazeal caught her before she fell onto the floor.
"Holy shit," Cassie moaned, she grabbed to her stomach and groaned as she felt Malachi push at her.
"Cassie! What's wrong," Azazeal asked as he turned her around so her back was agaisnt him, he brushed her blond hair from her red face.
"She's in labor!" Baraqiel yelled form his standing position on the outside of the circle.
"Ok, back to the chapel," said Azazeal. He held onto Cassie as she grunted, the pain was almost unbearable as she puffed along. She was lucky really – her pregnancy was too short to attend birth classes but watched enough Casualty episodes to know the gist of it all, but they never explained that it felt like her stomach was on fire that was quickly burning downwards.
"Let Baraqiel into the circle!" Cassie yelled and the Nephilim obeyed immedietly. She wanted this pain to end as soon as possible. And in a poof of smoke they were gone.
ii
"My lord," Baraqiel said, bowing as he entered the room Azazeal sat in. It had been a nerve racking ten hours as Cassie screamed the church down. Azazeal stayed up but wasn't allowed to go into the room where she gave birth. So he sat perched on his seat as he downed scotch, half laughing, half crying at his luck. Finally at 11 am Baraqiel enterred.
"Is she fine?" Azazeal asked, springing up from his chair.
"Perfect, you are now the proud father of Malachi, the prodigal son," Baraqiel said, smiling proudly. Azazeal let out a cry of happiness and wrapped his arms around his friend.
"Can I see them?" Azazeal askesd, wiping his damp eyes.
"Of course," Baraqiel said.
Azazeal ran past him and travelled up a sprial stair case until he reached the double doors Cassie had been pushed through as she yelled out in pain nearly ten hours ago. He stopped mid push and turned to see Baraqiel smiling behind him.
"Did everything go to plan?" he asked him.
"Yes, your Cassie is immortal now." Baraqiel said proudly.
Azazeal's heart thumped against his chest as he took a deep breath and breathed out, his ceheeks felt hot as happiness sweapt him again. He walked into he bright room and saw a flushed Cassie lying in white bedding as nurses bundled little Malachi off in a corner.
"Azazeal," Cassie sighed, her eyes finding him. "Come here."
He obeyed his love and swooped to her side, he crawled onto the bed and sat next to her, grabbing her hand and kissing her knuckled tenderly. She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Well that was fun," she said with half a laugh. She had such a peace and glow about her as she sat in the bed, her head against the wood back board, her blond hair was damp and sweaty but it had been pulled back from her youthful face. He took such pleasure in the fact it wouldn't be the last time he would gaze at that face – but rather it would stay with him for ever. Now not even Ella could touch her, but he would make that girl pay for technically killing his beloved, but that was for later.
He looked down at her neck and smiled at the two extra tattoos that had joined his just below her ear. One was Malachi's name in ancient hebrew and it sat at the base of Azazeal's name. But above both of theirs sat a small sidways figure eaight just behind her ear, it represented the never ending loop – immortality.
"Here is your son," The nurse said, bringing the little bundle into Cassie's arms. Her trembling hands pushed the blanket from his face and saw that blue eyes looked around at up at Azazeal and Cassie. Azazeal reached forward and loosened the blanket around his son so that his tiny arms could reach out to them. One hand reached for Cassie's blue gemed bracelet and the other grabbed Azazeal's pointer finger with a strong grip.
"Hello my darling Malachi," Cassie whispered, tears welling in her eyes as he looked up at the source of the voice. "I'm your mommy!"
"My son," Azazeal began, the boy's blue eyes found his. "I am so proud of you." Unable to speak from the knot in his throat he let Cassie begin to speak baby talk as he wiggled in her arms.
"He's so tiny!" Cassie beamed as she cradled her son in her arms.
An hour later, Malachi slept in a small nursery as the nurses fluttered in and out ot make sure he and Cassie were still doing fine. She slept like and angel on Azazeal's arm, her red colouring was slowly disappaearing as she lay almsot motionless next to him.
He never felt so proud of himself, he had been gathering an army for 2000 years and just let them all free, which had been his goal for forever. But for some reason, the fact Cassie trusted him enough to sleep soundly in his arms seemed the greatest achievment. He ran his hand over her sleeping face and she smiled in her sleep.
Baraqiel poked his head in past the door and motioned for Azazeal to follow him, he sighed and kissed Cassie's cheek, he dwelled in her bed as his heart swelled. He gave another sigh and drew form the bed. He straightened out his suit and followed Baraqiel from the room.
His heart gave a guilty pain as Baraqiel's speech was infected by his thick lip with two stitches. He gave a pained smile as Baraqiel filled him in on the mission Azazeal had given the nephilim while Cassie slept.
"Ella is under the hanging tree, the ghost isn't with her." he said.
"Oh right," Azazeal said, making sure his hair was slicked back. "All is ok right? No hard feelings?" Azazeal asked as he pointed to Baraqiels' split lip.
"'Course not!" Baraqiel said, giving Azazeal a friendly punch. "Cassie is a special girl, so pure and radiant. I would have killed me if I had taken her purity away from the mother of your child." Baraqiel seized Azazeal's hands. "I'm happy for you – I would give my immortality for a moment of what you have."
"It would be worth it," replied Azazeal before he popped off in a cloud of smoke to Medneham to spit on Ella's shoes and tell her of her failure – if she didn't already know.
(A/N) Of course this isn't the end of the story – more is to come! Much more Azazeal/Cassie things to go and Ella's failures and a few triumphs, anyway, review!