Author's Note: Thank you all for reading. I appreciate you all so much. Thank you for following and favoring. Also thank you to Ignissaltator and squidgy78 for being super supportive. I love you all bunches. Thank you all for being here!
Catt is in shock but does not resist. Finally, she pushes her lips back against Crowley's surprisingly soft and pink lips. "I didn't mean to make you cry, sweetheart," Crowley apologizes his lips still lingering by her's.
With another passionate kiss, Catt replies, "No harm done." Her arms hang around Crowley's neck meeting behind him to interlock fingers. He wraps his arms around her waist and kisses her again. Her Sara-like brown hair brushes into his face.
"I have to grab Haillie from upstairs. Catt, I'm afraid that I haven't really made up my mind about this whole situation. Maybe it would be best if you left. I'll give you a call," Crowley rushes the words out of his mouth. Sadly, Catt nods and leaves feeling dejected.
Rushing up the stairs, Crowley peeks into Haillie's room to see she is still sleeping. With that, Crowley sits down against the wall in his room. He sighs and puts his face in his hands. Crowley feels tears stinging his dark eyes. "Sara, I do not know what to do. You know I loved you, but this woman has these feelings for me that I may never come by again. I don't want to hurt you my love. Please, somebody, tell me what to do," Crowley says into the air on the brink of tears.
Nothing comes. Silence is the loudest noise. The tears drip down his cheeks. Crowley's head is drenched in paranoid sweat. The silence is only broken by Haillie crying. Getting up, Crowley rushes to her side. Tears are on her face. Haillie points at the closet fearfully as Crowley gently lifts her from the crib. "Daddy," she pleads like she is trying to convince him to investigate it.
Ready to attack, Crowley swings the door open. There is absolutely nothing in the closet except some little girl clothes that he had picked out. With a smile to Haillie, Crowley tells her, "There is nothing, sugar plum. I promise. Now let's get you changed into some day clothes. I think I'm getting the hang of all this."
Haillie giggles as Crowley changes her into a little pink dress with bright red cherries covering the checkered pattern. "Nofing," Haillie mimics Crowley. He looks at her shocked and pleased at the same time. "Nofing," she says again to make Crowley smile.
"Very good, Haillie. Nothing is in your closet except clothes. Let's go get breakfast," Crowley explains and kisses her pink cheek. His footsteps thud down the steps. Gilbert waits at the bottom meowing constantly. "Gilbert, we have to take care of Haillie first. She is the most important. Now scat!" Crowley yells to scare the orange Tabby Cat away. Gilbert takes of running in the other direction. "That's a kitty, Haillie. Can you say kitty?"
She scrunches her face up thinking. "Key? Key key!" Haillie shouts towards the cat. She looks up to Crowley for approval. He nods figuring it's close enough to pass for now. "KEY!" she shouts for Gilbert. As soon as Haillie sees the smile upon Crowley's face she grins.
Soon, Haillie is eating dry cereal by herself as Crowley reads the paper relaxing. "You know what, Haillie? I could really get used to this. Maybe I can even give up my post as King to someone else to run Hell, and I could just stay here with you all of the time," Crowley saying smiling to himself at the thought. Soon the thought turns to a very unpleasant one of demons taking over. "On the other hand," Crowley starts with a disgusted face, "I could hire someone I trust to watch you while I work. I can't not be the King. It's what I do. Haillie, there is this woman named Catt. She says she likes me. Maybe she will like you, too. She could stay here with you when I'm not here." Haillie grins as she eats her round dry bits of cereal. This brings a full white smile to Crowley's stubble full face. He comments, "You don't know what I'm even talking about, but I feel as if you are a better listener than half of the people I know."
Pulling out his cellphone, he dials Catt's number he stole while he had his arms around her waist. "Hello?" Catt answers sounding happy to get a call.
"It's Crowley. I need a favor," he tells her.
"Crowley," she starts sounding suspicious, "what kind of favor?
"Oh no, no nothing big. I need a babysitter for Haillie when I am not home. I was wondering if you could watch her for a few hours a day while I am doing my business as the King of Hell. It's something I cannot just up and walk away from. It would be a big help," Crowley practically is begging for Catt to answer with yes.
She sighs. Crowley's hopes begin to feel dash until she answers, "I don't see why I can't. I love kids. It wouldn't be a problem. I decided I am not fit to be on the road with the boys anyways. I could get an apartment nearby."
"No need. You could just stay here. I have several extra bedrooms you could stay in. It would be no problem. I get rather lonely anyways," Crowley tells her hoping he can coax her into being here even though he has not made up his mind yet about the whole "love" thing.
Catt sighs again. She sounds conflicted like one part wants to just submit, yet the other half of her does not want to fall in love and get hurt by someone who doesn't feel the same way. The moments seem to draw on for years to Crowley. "Fine," she states bluntly, "but I do not want you to say anything to me to a) lead me on or b) makes either of us feel uncomfortable. Got it?"
"Got it," Crowley replies as Catt hangs up.
Suddenly, there is a loud crash and glass shattering in the kitchen.