p style="margin: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley was in bed sound asleep snuggled next to Aziraphale, until he heard Eden scream from the nursery./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley darted from the bedroom to the nursery and froze with horror at the sight before him./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Hastur was holding Eden by the neck of her onesie. The five month old was struggling to get away from the stranger holding her hostage./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley tried to move, but he couldn't, he was frozen in place./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Hastur…you bastard….let her go." Crowley snarled through gritted teeth./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Can't do that Crowley, you see, I've been sent on a special mission to kill an abomination." He sneered as he held out Eden within reach of Crowley who so desperately wanted to yank her away from the Duke of Hell./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Eden was crying, her little hands reaching out for Crowley. Crowley felt as if he was dying./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Please, Hastur I'm begging you, let her go. Take me instead. She's done nothing to you. She's no threat to Hell." Eden was crying, and Crowley desperately wanted to comfort her./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""This thing most certainly is. An angel and demon hybrid, this child is an insult to demonkind itself and could grow into a powerful enemy of Satan. Consider this a mercy killing Crowley."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Without another word, Hastur conjured a fireball and touched Eden's head./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Eden screamed./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""NOOOO!" wailed Crowley. He could move at last but it was far too late./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley woke screaming. He was drenched in sweat, and he heard Eden crying./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Eden!/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley ran to the nursery, not realizing that the commotion had awoken Aziraphale./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley dashed into the nursery and there was Eden, crying, her arms reaching out for Crowley the moment she saw him./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley quickly scooped her up, tears stung his eyes. "It's okay. It's okay….I'm here….your safe…..you're okay…..you're okay….." He rasped as Eden continued to cry, his forehead touching Eden's./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Aziraphale flipped on the light. "Crowley, dear, what's wrong?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley didn't turn around. He was trembling. Aziraphale gently touched his shaking shoulder, and Crowley flinched away./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Crowley?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""M'fine." Was all that came from Crowley. Crowley was obviously too upset to talk about what was wrong./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Why don't we go to the family room? I'll help you calm Eden down and then we can talk. I'll put the kettle on." He said gently as he coaxed his husband out of the nursery and into the family room./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"As Aziraphale prepared the tea, Eden had calmed down. She didn't appear to need a nappie change or a bottle. She seemed to be trying to cheer up Crowley, who was still visibly upset./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Eden held out her arms and was wiggling her fingers, something that always made her Daddy and Papa smile, but Crowley was still crying, and still holding her close./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Aziraphale returned with two cups of steaming tea, which he set on the coffee table before turning to face his husband./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Dear, please tell me what's wrong; Eden is trying to cheer you up."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley was holding Eden's little hand and started to tremble again. Aziraphale pulled Crowley close and Crowley finally told him about his nightmare./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""H-He killed Eden….he burned her alive….I was too late…." Crowley finally finished, fresh tears spilling forth./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""She was screaming angel….It was horrible…..Hastur…."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Shhh, shhhh. It's over. It was just a nightmare. Eden is alive and safe. Hastur is not here nor will he ever be."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Ngk." said Crowley as Aziraphale hugged him tight./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""As you told me before, Eden's automatic defense ability will keep her out of Heaven and Hell's sight, and neither side check up on things."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Yeah." Crowley sniffed, wiping his eyes./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""She also has us to protect her. Hastur wouldn't even make it past the front door with a Principality here."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley kissed Aziraphale. "Heh, yeah. You're right."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Eden squealed, trying to get her father's attention. She clapped her hands, kicked her feet and flapped her wings, at last Crowley smiled./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Heh, and you would give Hastur hell wouldn't you?" he grinned as he tickled her belly. Eden grinned and laughed./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"The father's gasped with surprise and joy, Eden laughed for the first time!/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Oh well done Little One!" Aziraphale praised as Crowley started to cry again, but this time they were tears of happiness./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"She just laughed and smiled for the very first time!/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Wait a mo, let me get the camera!" Aziraphale rushed back to the bedroom and grabbed Crowley's cell phone and took several pictures of a still smiling and laughing Eden./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"When he was satisfied with the amount of pictures taken, Aziraphale held Crowley close as Eden continued to make them both smile./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"A little while later, Crowley and Aziraphale we're fast asleep, with little Eden snuggled in the middle, wrapped in her Daddy's loving arms, and covered in two layers of wings./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley darted from the bedroom to the nursery and froze with horror at the sight before him./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Hastur was holding Eden by the neck of her onesie. The five month old was struggling to get away from the stranger holding her hostage./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley tried to move, but he couldn't, he was frozen in place./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Hastur…you bastard….let her go." Crowley snarled through gritted teeth./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Can't do that Crowley, you see, I've been sent on a special mission to kill an abomination." He sneered as he held out Eden within reach of Crowley who so desperately wanted to yank her away from the Duke of Hell./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Eden was crying, her little hands reaching out for Crowley. Crowley felt as if he was dying./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Please, Hastur I'm begging you, let her go. Take me instead. She's done nothing to you. She's no threat to Hell." Eden was crying, and Crowley desperately wanted to comfort her./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""This thing most certainly is. An angel and demon hybrid, this child is an insult to demonkind itself and could grow into a powerful enemy of Satan. Consider this a mercy killing Crowley."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Without another word, Hastur conjured a fireball and touched Eden's head./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Eden screamed./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""NOOOO!" wailed Crowley. He could move at last but it was far too late./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley woke screaming. He was drenched in sweat, and he heard Eden crying./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Eden!/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley ran to the nursery, not realizing that the commotion had awoken Aziraphale./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley dashed into the nursery and there was Eden, crying, her arms reaching out for Crowley the moment she saw him./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley quickly scooped her up, tears stung his eyes. "It's okay. It's okay….I'm here….your safe…..you're okay…..you're okay….." He rasped as Eden continued to cry, his forehead touching Eden's./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Aziraphale flipped on the light. "Crowley, dear, what's wrong?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley didn't turn around. He was trembling. Aziraphale gently touched his shaking shoulder, and Crowley flinched away./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Crowley?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""M'fine." Was all that came from Crowley. Crowley was obviously too upset to talk about what was wrong./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Why don't we go to the family room? I'll help you calm Eden down and then we can talk. I'll put the kettle on." He said gently as he coaxed his husband out of the nursery and into the family room./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"As Aziraphale prepared the tea, Eden had calmed down. She didn't appear to need a nappie change or a bottle. She seemed to be trying to cheer up Crowley, who was still visibly upset./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Eden held out her arms and was wiggling her fingers, something that always made her Daddy and Papa smile, but Crowley was still crying, and still holding her close./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Aziraphale returned with two cups of steaming tea, which he set on the coffee table before turning to face his husband./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Dear, please tell me what's wrong; Eden is trying to cheer you up."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley was holding Eden's little hand and started to tremble again. Aziraphale pulled Crowley close and Crowley finally told him about his nightmare./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""H-He killed Eden….he burned her alive….I was too late…." Crowley finally finished, fresh tears spilling forth./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""She was screaming angel….It was horrible…..Hastur…."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Shhh, shhhh. It's over. It was just a nightmare. Eden is alive and safe. Hastur is not here nor will he ever be."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Ngk." said Crowley as Aziraphale hugged him tight./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""As you told me before, Eden's automatic defense ability will keep her out of Heaven and Hell's sight, and neither side check up on things."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Yeah." Crowley sniffed, wiping his eyes./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""She also has us to protect her. Hastur wouldn't even make it past the front door with a Principality here."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Crowley kissed Aziraphale. "Heh, yeah. You're right."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"Eden squealed, trying to get her father's attention. She clapped her hands, kicked her feet and flapped her wings, at last Crowley smiled./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Heh, and you would give Hastur hell wouldn't you?" he grinned as he tickled her belly. Eden grinned and laughed./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"The father's gasped with surprise and joy, Eden laughed for the first time!/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Oh well done Little One!" Aziraphale praised as Crowley started to cry again, but this time they were tears of happiness./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"She just laughed and smiled for the very first time!/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;""Wait a mo, let me get the camera!" Aziraphale rushed back to the bedroom and grabbed Crowley's cell phone and took several pictures of a still smiling and laughing Eden./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"When he was satisfied with the amount of pictures taken, Aziraphale held Crowley close as Eden continued to make them both smile./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"A little while later, Crowley and Aziraphale we're fast asleep, with little Eden snuggled in the middle, wrapped in her Daddy's loving arms, and covered in two layers of wings./p
