Innocent Sin

Notes: Okay, before I speak forth my usual rant, I got people to thank.

KidKourage - Thank yous so much for reviewing both the prologue and the beginning of this story! YAAAAY! You shall get your wish, happy reading! (-L-)

Demolition Cat - Why thank ya for the review! The mental images ..utterly amusing aren't they? Mwahaha, thanks again and keep reading.

Lio - Thank you too. I'm glad to see you like my story so far. Keep reading!

Thanks so much to the reviewers above. They're special. Clap for them! Anyway, here we go with chapter three. Go read now.

Disclaimer: Johnny C, Devi, and all JtHM material copyrighted to Jhonen V. However, Nyx and all fan fictional characters belong to me.

Chapter Three: Weeks following & A Name

Other the course of a month, Devi had suffered from mild sicknesses, as well as back pains upon awakening. However, these were not known to last more then a few moments. The pains in her backside would sub-side, as well as the ones in her stomach. Her shoulders were tense most of the day due to nerves. However, this did not stop her from carrying out her daily routine during the hours of the day. The new way of life did not affect Tenna from knocking on Devi's door early in the morning, with a huge bag of cookies from the bakery a few blocks away for a wake up call. She knew had a child coming, therefore their had to be a lot more in the apartment. The spare room would have to be cleaned up, and re-decorated. Devi had put up a good defense against Johnny's wild protests; Devi had doubled her shifts at the local bookstore near her home.

With the cafe a ways up the block it was the idle stop for lunch. Being as she didn't have much traveling, getting to and fro work was easy. Many times when she took both shifts, she'd spot Johnny in front of the store doing what he did best -- terrorizing the stray cats that roamed the area in the afternoon. The morning sun was bright, and still kept the atmosphere warm, despite the chilling northern breezes. Devi fastened the strands of her apron behind her back carefully. She was still groggy, as she stepped through the door of the bookstore surprised to see Johnny for once not there.

The girl at the head of the register greeted her before taking off towards the back aisle of the store. Devi took the place, not cracking a smile. She was too tired, but feeling well. Light music disturbed the quiet air; Devi furrowed a brow, as it played from a ceiling speaker. She sighed and settled back, turning around to peer outside the window. The music had gotten louder, as more people began to arrive. Devi winced. This was sup post to be a bookstore. It dimmed again, at a soft rhythm.

"Excuse me?"

A small voice piped up, snapping Devi from her mindless trance. She turned around, but saw nobody. The small voice piped again, and she leaned over the counter to see a small girl looking up at her curiously. Devi studied her for a moment, then smiled calmly.

"Can I help you?"

"Do you have any children's books?"

Devi motioned towards a back row. "Right back there."

"Okay, thank you Miss nice lady!"

Devi watched the child scramble off and disappear around the row. Devi grinned smugly. Little kids weren't so bad.

"Aww, cute little thing, wasn't she?"

The cooing voice and the footsteps startled her, whom seemed to be slipping into thought more and more. Quietly she turned her head on shoulders, to spot a grinned Johnny leaning over the counter, eyes locked onto her.

"Johnny!" Devi called, reaching out a hand to shove him off the counter.

"Woo!" He fell backward and onto the floor with a light chuckle. Then sprang to his feet.

"How are you doing?"

Devi picked up a fallen book across the counter by its spine. Placed it back, right side up against a small stand.

"Just fine. You've been asking me that question too much lately."

"Well you sh--" He trailed off in mid-sentence, before pointing wildly towards the window. "CAT!"

"CAT! LOOK AT IT!!! IT'S THERE AGAIN!!"

Johnny was attracting the few heads to turn in his direction, with low muttering. Johnny flailed his arms, before rushing off towards the door again. Devi chuckled, as she heard the door slam, and Johnny's voice bellowing from in front of the store. Yep. This was a usual day at work. Seeing it as a slow day, Devi slipped from her place behind the counter and strolled up an aisle lined with rows of books. Curiously, she found a parenting section. She looked through the shelves before pulling forth a book full of possible names. Carrying it back with her, she trailed back to her place behind the counter. Johnny's voice was faint but still raving.

'Anything with the meaning of 'loud' behind it is a no-no'. Devi grinned, flipping pages through the book, stopping every so often to scan a page full of names. 'Abiba? People are strange now a day.' Devi's mind soon drowned out other sounds around her, and she began determined, as her eyes flickered in content, scanning each page meaningfully.

'Demented names in this damn thing.. Well, if it's a boy I guess John will do.' Devi sighed, and made a mental note of that. Yet she knew Johnny wouldn't have a big problem with the name. Considering, it was part of his name.

'A girl...but a girl..'

The nagging in the back of Devi's mind hinted that she indeed wanted a girl more then a boy. Girls were easier to deal with, and usually were best when influenced. Once again, her attention focused back on the opened book, fingertips tapping eagerly against the counter as she read.

'M..N...'

Scrolling among the characteristics that came with each name, one stood out. Her eyes refused to travel any farther. (Probably because it was the last one on the page) 'Goddess of the night..Nyx.' Devi pondered for a moment face had gone expressionless. She then grinned and closed the book.

'Night. That's one thing him and I have in common..'

"CAAAAAAAAATS!"

His voice shattered her debating again. Devi turned around, and banged on the window with a small fist.

"Johnny! Leave the damn cats alone!"