Sorry this chapter took so long. I had some personal things pop up and my semester finals hit me. Hope you guys Enjoy! Happy Hols!

Holidays


Off in some other part of the universe a cloaked figure sat at his table, musing over a steaming cup of tea. Azrael tapped his fingers on the mug, still unhappy at the fact the skeletal appearance he was used to was now covered in teeming flesh, muscles, and nerves. He brought the cup up and gave it a tentative sip as his other hand occupied itself in petting a small orange tabby kitten.

He directed his attention to the new snow falling outside as the wind shook the windows. He licked his lips and stopped petting that kitten before getting to his feet and walking over to the window. He looked outside to watch a small bundled child carry a small plate of food over to alley. He could see the visible disappointment on the boy's face, finding that a certain kitten was no longer in its small box filled with tacky wool sweaters.

Azrael almost felt a twinge of guilt seeing the boy's eyes redden with tears before he rushed inside with the plate of now frozen food. The twinge left after a bit, seeing as that's why he even cared if the boy was still alive. Aziraphale had always had a fondness for creatures and showed them considerable kindness, so Azrael took care in showing a small bit of favoritism towards the angel.

The personification of Death sighed, clouding a windowpane of glass, "AND THAT'S WHY I'M STUCK BEING HERE ON THIS DREADFUL BALL OF DIRT," he muttered to no one really. "WE KNOW HOW KEEN YOU ARE OF AZIRAPHALE!" the man mocked as he strutted across the room over to a highly decorative mirror. "DO US A FAVOR AND MAKE SURE THAT HE FITS IN WELL IN HIS NEW FAMILY NOW," he said cheerily puffing up his chunky cheeks in the mirror. "GOOD GOD IN HEAVEN THIS MORTAL COIL IS UGLY," Azrael, or rather George Clooney, said as he messed with his face. Azrael shrugged before going back to sitting in the dark with his tea and the kitten snuggling up to his legs.

He hummed a small christmas tune as he closed his dark blue eyes to the sudden appearance of bright lights from the Christmas crazy couple across the street. "IT'S LOOKING ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS ISN'T IT ELMO?" he mused quietly.


Aziraphale fidgetted nervously as Michael O'Connor came inside the house and shook off the snow. Raphael patted his brother's shoulder gently, "Hello Father!" the red headed boy said with a bright smile. Aziraphale managed a small smile as well as the large man looked at them. "Hello boys," Michael said before glancing down at Aziraphale, "Unpacked your suitcase?" he asked before handing the boys his scarf and jacket. Aziraphale delicately took the scarf into his arms, "Yes Mr. O'Connor," he said politely before going to hang the item by the fireplace to dry. Michael rolled his eyes before slipping off his golashes and setting them close by the door. Raphael hung the coat on a rack before pouting at his father, "You think he'll stop calling you that soon?" he asked folding his arms. Aziraphale tried to ignore the two as he sat on a nearby loveseat with a small book to read.

Michael shrugged before sitting in his recliner. It had been about four weeks before now when the sister had brought the boy to his home. Although Michael wouldn't consider himself nuturing, he had wanted to initially take the boy in after Rebecca's death, but he was offended by the adultery commited by his wife and well, his temper got the better of him. Now as he looked at the boy, there was a definite resemblance between the lad and himself.

"It's all for the best," Michael muttered to himself as he lit his pipe and relaxed after a hard day's work at the docks. Raphael sat close to his younger brother with a beaming smile, "Hey Az want me to read the big words to you?" he asked reaching to take the book. The puffy eyed child shrinked away, "I can read them by myself thank you," he said turning his back to his eldest sibling. Raphael looked miffed as he crossed his arms and flopped back onto the pillow on the couch.

Michael took a small inhale of his pipe and crossed his feet at the ankles, it was going to be a long year ahead with him trying to keep dark influences away from his youngest. *Well we're far away enough from "him" to keep Aziraphale from being odd.* Michael thought as he opened his paper to read. *Though the Device-Pulsifers might be another problem with their crazy mother and her dark magic obsession,* he thought scrolling down the sports column. *But if the ineffable plan calls for Aziraphale to have friends, maybe the children won't be as odd as their mother.* He glanced at the huddled reading figure tucked into the corner of the couch, yes Aziraphale could do with some "good" friends, no matter the oddness of their ways.

Michael started a little as Aziraphale glanced up at him with his sorrowfull eyes before the boy gave a rare smile. The large man couldn't help but return it, maybe the years ahead wouldn't be as hard as O'Connor hypothesized they'd be.


Lilith wrapped Anthony in a big wooly blanket as the boy shivered by the fire. "Now sweety you need to rest up for tomorrow!" she chided lifting the boy up from the floor and carrying him with a bit of a struggle over to the stairs. She set her son down with a huff, "Come along child," she snapped grabbing his hand. She shivered as the chilled digits gripped her hand. She looked down at him before kneeling down and pushing the hood of the blanket off of his head. She frowned at the discovery of where her priceless shades had run off to before she plucked them off his face. "Dearest one are you feeling alright?" she asked feeling his head. The boy's skin was cold and he looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock and nap.

Lilith gave a frown, "See this is why mummy says stay in your nice humified room in the winter darling," she crooned in a scolding tone. "But mummy...I didn't...feel sick," Anthony protested weakly rubbing his eyes. "Well you inherited that icky disease from papa's side of the family remember?" Lilith said wrapping Anthony up in the blanket again. "Ohh...bother all for giving your nanny the day off," she muttered lifting Anthony and carrying him up to his room. She opened the heavy wooden door and gave a relieved sound as she entered the humid and hot room. A large humidifier that could belong in a reptile exhibit in a zoo was working in a far corner while the heating system blasted warm air.

Anthony slipped out of the blanket and stumbled over to his bed before climbing into it. He crawled under the covers and relaxed into the silk sheets while Lilith threw the wool blanket over his small form amid all the heavy comforters. "Night night sweety," his mother cooed before kissing the small patch of black hair sticking out of the top of the opressive bed wear. She went over to a knob near the door and turned down the lights before leaving the room with a soft thud as she closed the door.

Hastur leaned against the wall outside, "Little runt will probably sleep all winter," he muttered peeling a red apple slowly. Lilith rolled her eyes, "Probably so. He made it through half of december last time," she said waving her hand. "It would be sooo much easier to have named him Crawly," he said with a devilish grin. Lilith walked over to him and grabbed his twirled beard and tugged him down to her face level. "If you don't be quiet I'll throw you into a chapel in the middle of midnight mass," she hissed before letting the hissing duke go.

"Now...what did you get him for a present?" she asked walking on down the hall. "It better be something good," she warned before turning to Hastur. The demon straightened, "I was supposing a carriage that has a motor that is appropirate for a child to drive?" he asked brushing his coat. "That's fine but could you also pick up one more thing?" Lilith asked looking to her long nails. Hastur rolled his eyes, "What is it now?" he hissed between his teeth. "Get him a lovely pair of shades...I think you can get a decent pair from that store near Times Square," Lilith said turning her attention back to the duke.

Hastur looked dumbfounded, "But it's a blizzard out there," he said as his face reddened. "Well I suggest you get a hurry on then. I want Anthony to open his presents tomorrow morning right on time so we can entertain in the afternoon," she replied turning on her heel and walking down the grand staircase. Hastur smacked a clawed hand on his face and rubbed it in annoyance, "Bloody spoiled brat," he growled out before disappearing in a plume of smoke. The half peeled apple thumped to the floor in the middle of the smoke ring in the carpet as Lilith glared at the offending sight of it before calling for the maids to clean it quickly.

Meanwhile Anthony poked his head out of the blankets and gazed to his large window. He watched the snow fall outside before cuddling into his pillows. He closed his eyes slowly, watching the flakes twinkle and swirl about as his small hand clutched at the pieces of puzzle scattered under the blankets. He fell into a deep sleep with the content thoughts of the next day and the fun he was going to have with his new toys.


Disclaimers are the same

Good Omens characters belong to Sir Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

Original to me

Reviews are always welcome!