Summary: AU. Arranged marriages aren't really about whether the couple actually love each other, and in this case, they don't...to begin with. They're twenty-five years apart, but as time goes on, they actually begin to fall in love with each other. Please R&R!

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or its characters. I only own Allie Matthews.

A/N: Thanks for the support with the last chapter. Here comes a little angst that might overtake the next few chapters. I'm aiming for 30-35 chapters.

Hope you enjoy!

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Better With Time

-Chapter Twenty-Six: A Perfect Family?-

To Crowley, watching Allie and Mia lay together sleeping was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

Allie lay on her side with Mia tucked into her arm as the young woman held her close, and Mia made sweet newborn sounds in her sleep as she kicked her legs and wriggled the slightest bit. The baby's eyes opened and she huffed out little breaths, a frown crossing her beautiful face as she let out a soft cry. Not wanting to disturb Allie's much needed sleep, Crowley made his way over to the bed and knelt by his daughter, rubbing her belly gently before lifting her tiny form into his arms.

"Shhh," He soothed, taking her into the nursery and sitting in the rocking chair with her as she began to wail and hiccup in his arms, "Hush now, Mia. Shhh."

He began to rock back and forth, holding her little body closer to his and resting her close to his heart. He'd done the same when his cousin was a baby. He'd found that babies were lulled by the feel and sound of a heartbeat and he wondered if Mia would be the same. He let her rest above his heart and he rubbed her back as she squeaked and hiccuped softly against him.

"Shush now, my love." He whispered, "We don't need that crying."

He looked up to see Allie limping through the nursery door with a lazy smile on her face, watching him rock their little girl gently in his arms. She walked towards him and kissed his head gently, rubbing their baby's back as she whimpered in her father's embrace.

"Are you hungry?" She asked, Crowley passing the baby to her as she got comfortable on the window seat and unbuttoned her nightdress, "Here we go..."

Crowley stroked Allie's cheek tenderly and kissed her softly, smiling as she gazed down at their baby and looked at her with such love in those beautiful blue eyes. She was so perfect to him. Mia was perfect. His little family was utter perfection. Mia fed quietly and settled against her mother, Allie beaming down at her little treasure and stroking her face before bringing her hand down to hold the baby's.

"She's so tiny." She whispered, "And so gorgeous, I could just eat her up!"

She took hold of Mia's little foot and brought it to her lips, blowing tiny raspberries on it. The baby wriggled and finished feeding, Allie handing her over to Crowley who smiled and nuzzled her gently. Allie watched Crowley settle beside her and gently tickle his little girl's chin before he held on to her hand and stroked her face so tenderly.

He kissed her forehead, and Allie's eyes filled with tears when she saw the look of love shared between father and daughter. Mia reached up, Crowley leaning down to kiss her again only for Mia to touch his face softly. He pressed little kisses to her face and tickled her belly before he turned to his wife, giving her the most loving kiss she'd ever received in her life.

Allie's friends stopped by to see the baby, all of them having a cuddle with her for a little while. She was so beautiful and they thought that Allie and Crowley made the most amazing parents. As Castiel held her in his arms, he smiled up at Allie who sat watching him with interest as he kissed Mia's forehead. He supported her head as he held her to his shoulder, pressing little kisses to it before handing her across to Anna who was almost in tears.

"Allie, she's just so..."

"Amazing." Dean breathed, taking the baby into his arms and grinning down at her, "God, she's perfect."

Mia hummed and snuggled up to Dean a little, flexing her fingers as she stretched slightly and opened her eyes to look at all the new faces around her. She couldn't see her mother or father and she suddenly became very frightened and distressed. Dean panicked and looked to Allie as Mia began to cry and sob, and the nineteen year old approached and stroked her baby's head, taking her from Dean and kissing his cheek tenderly.

"Hey, baby, what's all that noise for, huh?" She asked, everyone looking up as Crowley entered the room with a glass of water for her.

He smiled at his wife and child, sitting beside them and taking in his baby's peaceful expression. He leaned down and opened up her onesie which puzzled Allie greatly, until he pushed it up to reveal the baby's bare belly. He leaned closer to it, watching as his baby girl reached forward to touch him before he blew little raspberries on the soft skin of her tummy, and she wriggled and made little sounds as he continued to for several seconds. He peppered her face with kisses, fastened up her onesie and took her into his arms to hold her and look at her.

"Good God, you're a little dream, aren't you." He whispered, "You're just like your mother."

He held her hand, the others watching with fascination as she patted the other side of his hand with her spare one, Crowley beaming at her and rocking her gently.

Something twisted in Allie's gut when she watched how Crowley was with Mia. The baby didn't seem to like her as much as Crowley and it broke her heart a little. Mia seemed so much more calm and relaxed with Crowley and it upset Allie to think that their bond was stronger than the one she and Mia had. As tears filled her eyes, she cleared her throat and excused herself, Crowley wondering what the matter was as she rushed out of the room.

"Shhh," Allie whispered as she lay Mia in her crib for the first time since her birth, rubbing her belly gently as she tucked her in, "Go to sleep, my love."

She kissed her forehead and continued to rub her belly, feeling Crowley's presence as he entered the room. She looked around at him and turned away again, continuing to pay attention to their baby.

"What's the matter, love?" Crowley asked, "You've been a bit...off with me..."

"Nothing." Allie replied, "Shhh, she's trying to sleep."

Crowley was a little taken back by that, but he figured Allie was just tired what with the birth the day before and her emotions were still everywhere. He went to watch over the baby, setting off her mobile which she watched with fascination before drifting into sleep under the touch of Allie's tender hand.

"Come on, let's leave her, eh?" He whispered, "You need some sleep."

He touched her shoulders and she edged out of his hold, climbing into bed beside the crib, watching Mia through the bars as she slept peacefully. Crowley climbed into bed beside her and went to wind his arm around her, feeling utter hurt when she pushed him away.

"Just...just don't..." She whispered, "Not tonight."

"Allie...?" He said softly, "What's wrong? Did I do something to...?"

"I just need space." She answered, "Go to sleep, Crowley."

Crowley kissed her gently and turned over, feeling a lump in his throat at the hurt he felt at her coldness. He just wondered what on earth he'd done to make her behave that way towards him.

-TBC-

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading so far!

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