Crowley may have been older than the stars, older than planet earth, older than…older than dust for that matter, but even so, he tried his best to be relevant with today's modern language, slang included. However, "Sw- swirl?" He mentally searched his "language folder", "Um…you mean…erm…I'm not quite sure what you mean."
Sitting opposite Crowley, Cassi tried to understand as well. She was definitely younger than the stars but surely, she kept up with today's slag. "Essentially," Maggie leaned in and cleared her throat, "you get sperm from both parents, clinic swirls them together, that way there's no telling who is the biological parent. No bickering on who 'the real parent' is, if you know what I mean. All one needs is an egg donor."
Cassi's eyes met Crowley's shades as they turned to look at each other. Who knew getting a pastry and some caffeine while waiting for Aziraphale to finish, whatever he needed to round up in the bookshop, meant they would be assaulted by human medical advances. "Ho-how do they get the sperm?" Cassi innocently asked.
Maggie turned to her side to face Cassi. "Well, in a cup really."
"How does it get into the cup?"
Maggie eyed the girl inquisitively and before she could reveal how exactly one donates sperm, Crowley sat right and waved dismissively, "Err, Cassi, go on and order something for Aziraphale, he should be wrapping up soon."
Waving bye to the small cage next to her where Hex currently slept, Cassi did as told, although she was definitely going to ask Aziraphale how does one's sperm get into a cup. Did entities have such a thing? There had to be a book about said topic. Cassiopeia was indeed close to a hundred years old, but back in the 40's, no one spoke of sensitive topics, especially not an elderly couple. The only reason she knew where babies came from was from a blessing she had performed back in the 70's where a young lad wanted to get "lucky." All too innocently, Cassi assumed luck at a casino or something like that, but the man raised an eyebrow, and it was there, at a dingy pub in Port Talbot, where Cassi learned about how exactly one gets with child. Regardless of the information she had gained, Cassi thought the act was all too odd to even fathom but who was she to judge humans and their needs.
"I can't quite tell if she looks more like you or Mr. Fell. I felt as if I was looking at both of you when you introduced me." Maggie's eyes followed Cassi to the counter. "The whole block is talking about it. Mr. Fell's secret daughter."
"Nothing secret about her really, she was simply misplaced. But don't go spreading her whereabouts."
The shop's bell rang as Aziraphale walked in, immediately bee lining to where his partner sat. "Maggie." He greeted as he took the seat opposite of Crowley.
"Oh, Mr. Fell, I was just telling Mr. Crowley how your daughter is the talk to the neighborhood and about the swirl of course."
"Is that some kind of ice cream?"
"You take a cu-"
"Don't you dare explain it to him. Bad enough I had to hear about it."
"Oh, that's not good, I think she asked Nina." The three turned their attention to the counter. "She asks an awful lot of questions." At that moment, Nina glared at Maggie from across the room. "Excuse me." She cowardly said as she stood.
"You don't want to know, trust me." Aziraphale had opened his mouth to ask but Crowley thought it best to move on. "All done then, whatever it was you had to do at the shop."
"Managed to find the key to the cottage and I packed up some books and other essentials."
"Angel, the Bentley is packed enough as it is already with Cassi's books and her own essentials. We are only going there until we figure out how much heaven, and hell for that matter, know of…well her. We are not moving in permanently."
Aziraphale guiltily smiled. "Oh, I don't know. I did make it cozy enough to live there for quite a while if need be. I have some of my books there as well, a nice garden for you, plenty of room for our daughter and her cat, spacious living area, and a decent kitchen for our family meals."
"We can't play house, angel. It's bad enough that we had to swing by the shop. The more time we spend in this area, the more we, Cassi is, in danger. We nee-" Crowley practically kicked the chair as he stood in alarm. "Where did she go?" He swiftly made his way to the counter, asking Nina and Maggie about his miracle's whereabouts with Aziraphale following just as alarmed.
"Take the cat with you!" Nina yelled behind them as the lovers left the shop and hurried outside.
Crowley knew how dangerous it was to have Cassi around the area. Aziraphale knew as well and that was the reason why Aziraphale had made Cassi promise not to leave Crowley's line of vision as he went to his shop. Dangerous it was, and that danger sometimes came in the form of the new lord of hell, Shax.
"Crowley." Shax greeted as she circled Cassi out in the street.
Aziraphale grabbed Cassi's wrist and pulled her behind him as Crowley stood protectively in front of them. "Shax, up on earth again? Is hell getting boring? Wouldn't blame you though," he sucked air through his teeth, "all that paperwork, ugh."
"Isn't that the girl from yesterday?"
Crowley turned his head slightly. "Nah, different one, I believe. I wouldn't know, all humans look alike to me. Aziraphale keeps picking them up like lost puppies."
"She feels odd. Makes me feel…gross."
"Fe- I haven't the slightest idea of what you mean. Earth can play tricks on you when you don't walk it much. Uh, it could be that…maybe…"
Aziraphale smiled innocently as his grip on Cassi's wrist tightened. "Come Cassi, let's get Hex and wait in the Bentley."
"Going somewhere?" Shax asked when the angel and the mysterious girl were inside the coffee shop. "What is your obsession with giving that angel lifts? He has wings, he can fly long distances."
"Er, that's tiresome. Have you ever flown so far? I…mean I have…since…since I too have wings…I would know what I'm talking about."
"Whatever." Shax dismissed. "We have more news on that little thing I mentioned yesterday. We do not think your angel friend is in on it but someone up there is making big plans for the humans. They captured one."
"One what?"
"One halfling. It was part demon and human." She leaned closer. "They did horrible things to it. Things we could not even have come up with."
"Wha-what did…happened to it?"
"They destroyed it. Nasty death I was told."
"Crowley?" Cassi called from behind as she held Hex's cage and as Aziraphale still had a grip on her. Crowley turned to his little family. Aziraphale led the girl to the car, trying his best to not make it seem at all suspicious.
"Listen, Shax, I promised to take Aziraphale somewhere, he's helping that girl, I don't know why but I'm his only friend so…"
Shax eyed Aziraphale and Cassi as they moved towards the car. "Ah, I understand."
"Pardon?"
"She looks like you. That's why he's invested in her."
Crowley clicked his tongue. "Er, you think so? I see nothing that resembles me. The hair maybe but…listen I have to go but I'll find you if anything comes up." He practically ran to the Bentley, locking the door behind him. "Fuck! Shit! Shit! Shit!…shhhhhiiit!"
"Crowley?" Aziraphale eased him by placing his hand on the demon's arm.
"We need to go…now!" He started the Bentley and tried his best not to run over pedestrians as he sped away. "New development."
"What do you mean?"
"Right. We are staying at the cottage indefinitely until we can figure out what to do. You, Cassi, are not allowed outside whatsoever, unless one of us chaperones you."
"You can't seriously be thinking of practically grounding me. I'm 82 years old." Cassi protested from the backseat.
Aziraphale turned to face her. "Ground? I don't think we have the capability of grounding you, my darling girl. I'm not quite sure if you even have wings for us to do so."
"Nononono, angel, not like that and believe me, yes we can." Cassi crossed her arms and sat back into the seat. "It's for your own good, Cassiopeia." Crowley's tone was eased as if trying to calm a small child after not getting what they desired. "That demon you met…she is not quite as…aggressive but there are more out there," he shuddered, "who are not as naive. Especially angels."
"But angels are the good guys."
"You would think." Crowley rolled his eyes and received a gentle nudge from Aziraphale. "Regardless, our mission is to keep you safe and away from heaven, hell…humanity."
Meanwhile, the drive to the cottage was relatively calm. Aziraphale and Cassi discussed books while Crowley tried his best to tune them out. He loved his angel dearly but for the most part, he was glad he had someone to talk to about books. Cassi thought the angel was indeed a person of interest, having had dinner with literature's greatest, watching Shakespeare's plays as they premiered, having had tea with royalty. On the other hand, she also thought Crowley was an extraordinary person. He had rubbed elbows with infamous people from history, met 80's greatest artist, including her favorite, David Bowie. What really astonished her was how the duo met Jesus Christ, the son of god. Cassi thought she had lived a life, but it was nothing compared to what her…parents had lived.
After an almost two-hour drive, the Bentley's wheels contacted gravel as Crowley parked the car. The cottage was isolated and Aziraphale's promise of a garden was true as greenery peaked from behind the medium stone fence, bird's songs were heard throughout and the air; the air was clam and welcoming. The cottage itself seemed well kept, at least from the outside. It was rustic, ideal and romantic.
"Wow." Cassi voiced as she stepped out of the car with her cat.
Crowley removed his glasses and placed his hands on his hips. "I'll say. You didn't spend much on this, did you, angel?"
Aziraphale opened the trunk and began taking out luggage. "Eh, not really, a small fortune compared to the bookshop." The gravel sounded heavy under his steps as he walked towards Cassi. "Here you are, my darling girl." He handed her the keys. "Why don't you go in first, go upstairs, and pick out any room you like for yourself. Afterwards Crowley and I will pick ours from there." Crowley raised an eyebrow and Aziraphale looked at him while he continued with Cassi. "I think you will be rather fond of the room to the left, lovely view of the countryside." He turned back towards her and cupped her chin. "Perfect for your telescope."
Cassi grinned all too enthusiastically and hurried inside. "Now," Crowley began as he helped Aziraphale with the luggage, "how do you want to do it? In the bedroom, I mean." Aziraphale halted and he could feel himself almost discorporate. Crowley halted as well and shrugged. "You told Cassi we would pick our bedroom from there. How many rooms does it have? Are we…we sharing one…or…I mean…"
"Oh…oh…oh…" Aziraphale began towards the entrance. "You know I do not sleep. Whatever bedroom you pick out," he gulped, "I'll be fine with your decision."
Crowley smirked as he walked inside. "Wha…what did you think I was getting at?"
"Never you mind." The angel placed the luggage down and as he turned to face the living space, Crowley surprised him with a quick kiss.
Crowley grinned ear to ear. "Sinful thoughts, angel?" Aziraphale pushed him away slightly, cheeks heated. "Do share them." Crowley whispered.
"Aziraphale?" Cassi called from upstairs.
Aziraphale's licked his lips and tried his best to find his voice. "Ye-yes?" Crowley leaned in and gave him another peck. "Behave." He whispered back. The demon smirked and walked more inside.
Cassi came downstairs, books in hand. "May I have these? I found them in the room."
The corner of the angel's eyes wrinkled as he smiled. "Of course, darling girl, this is your home as well." The girl jumped and ran back upstairs.
Aziraphale exhaled and placed his hands behind his back as he walked into the living area. Crowley had taken off his jacket and sat comfortably on the sofa, remote in hand, trying to find something decent to watch on the telly. The angel could hear Cassi upstairs and he could not help but to sigh in pure bliss. The feeling of love emitted throughout the cottage. It was better than he had imagined when he first purchased the cottage. He and Crowley were officially a couple, living together. No more days where he was left wondering what Crowley was up to as he could now witness exactly what the love of his life was presently doing. Yes, there was another person living with them, but to know the other person was their daughter made it all the better. Crowley had mentioned they were not there to play house but surely it wouldn't hurt anyone…would it?
I did not want to give too much detail on the cottage. You guys can imagine it however you wish it to be like because I believe everyone has a different idea on what the perfect space for them would be. Meanwhile, I got the swirl bit from Modern Family when Cam and Mitchell were thinking about surrogacy.
