Crowley burped and rested his head on Aziraphale's shoulder as one hand played with the angel's bowtie and the other tried its very best to feel up the angel under the table, alas, to no avail. He also mumbled something or other regarding how he never received proper credit for inventing selfies. Sitting opposite them, Cassi had her eyes closed, swaying to the music in her head. "'Life is a mystery…everyone must stand…alone…home just like a prayer…'" she sang quietly.

Aziraphale sighed heavily and looked up at the connoisseur. "I do believe they rather liked the fifth option. Again, I apologize for my daughter and fiancé."

The connoisseur nodded. "Please, sir, it is not the first nor the last time we see patrons get drunk while choosing wine for their event. You mentioned, you also wanted to see wines from our 1941 collection?"

Cassi looked up at the woman. "I was…born in-in 194…1-1." Her words were slurred.

Crowley tried to focus his attention on Cassi. "That iss a coincccci…dence, I sss…ssnogged some-sssome pretty little an-angel that year."

The red heads stared at one another and after a moment of silence, they snorted and laughed.

Aziraphale smiled nervously. "Inside joke between them."

The connoisseur nodded and smiled. "I shall be back with some more options."

"Thank you." Aziraphale smiled and as the woman left, turned to his family. "Will you two stop drinking the full bottle? We are here to sample different wines for the reception."

Crowley's hand under the table was persistent. "I'd rat-" he burped, "-rather sample you-you." Aziraphale slapped his hand and pushed him away.

"Oooooh…" Cassi widened her eyes as a wave of realization hit her, "wa-wait…ewwww…tha-that's not…that's just-" she burped quietly, "-dissgusting."

"What is darling? The last wine?"

Cassi drunkenly shook her head. "You pu-pu-put your mouth on i-it? You get down…knees… but take them where, ex-exactly?"

Crowley grinned and leaned forward. "Yesss," he nodded agreeably, "Cas-Casssiopeia, they do…in-indeed put their mouth on it." He opened his mouth and made an "O" shape, and before he could gesture with his hand, Aziraphale slapped it away.

The angel sighed. "Cassi, darling, that's not an ideal topic of conversation to have out in the open. Let's all-"

"I'm not a child!" She whined and wiggled in her seat in frustration. "Te-tell me!"

The angel let out an exasperated sigh. "If I tell you, will you please stop asking and behave?" Cassi nodded at her angelic father who was not at all wanting to inform his daughter. However, in all honesty, the angel did not mind answering her curiosity, what he minded is how much she was like Crowley in regards asking questions that were meant to be answered behind closed doors and not surrounded by so many people. "The um, ahem, person gets down on their knees, well they don't ha-have to be on their knees, and um, well, um…" He took a sip of his wine as Cassi's drunken eyes were trying to focus on his words. "So, um, the-the person…well, mmm…okay, so…ahem, the person…ah, ye-yes, well… th-"

"They suck cock," Crowley interjected, "or eat pu-"

"Crowley!" Aziraphale nudged the demon. "You don't have to be so crude." The angel glanced around, wishing no one was eavesdropping on their colorful conversation. The Ritz was a dignified place after all. "But, darling," he started upon noticing his daughter's disgusted expression, "sex in general can be the most wonderful, romantic and pleasurable experience you may indulge in."

Crowley nodded in agreement. "Yess, like a meal. Ima-imagine eating an entire ox."

Thankfully, the hostess returned with more options for the couple to choose from before the little nephalem could ask any follow up questions. Cassi sat there patiently as her parents discussed wine, whiskey and all that good stuff for their reception. The love emitting from across the table made her feel warm and fuzzy inside although some of it, she presumed, was due to the alcohol. She tried to focus on keeping her eyes open long enough for her parents to finish. Cassi looked upon the dining room noting how most of the people were paired up; all throughout the white clothed tables were nothing but couples on couples. She then realized the romantic piano music in the background and could not help but feel a slight pang in her chest. She started to feel slightly annoyed but hadn't a clue as to why. It took her a moment to understand the sudden feeling and so, she retrieved her phone from her pocket.

Where are you?

Nowhere special

Witnessing an adorable nephalem get pissed

Cassi looked around the room.

I'm not pissed.

Clearly

I met a demon today.

Was it horrible looking

I heard they smell odd and have lesions

My dad doesn't not smell. :(

And neither do I

Relax

Your dad is eyeing you

Cassi whipped her head up from her phone, trying her best to look as innocent as possible. The connoisseur had gone, leaving Aziraphale to look through the wine menu once more as Crowley was indeed looking at Cassi with great curiosity. The demon leaned in and placed his elbows on the table. "Ah, jolly good." Aziraphale placed his hand on Crowley's arm, prompting the demon to lose interest in his daughter for a second. "Shall we be on our way? We decided on the wine for the reception, some whiskey for you and, of course, the champagne for our toast." The angel turned to his daughter across the table from them. "Ready to leave, hmm?"

Without answering, Cassi stood from her seat and began to walk away, her parents following close by. Cassi could feel her dad's eyes dig a hole through the back of her head. Even when she entered the Bentley, she felt his eyes on her through the small rearview mirror. The nephalem pretended to be engrossed with the people walking past the Bentley however, she tried not to show her tension as the song Liar began to sound through the car.


"Ah," the angel stacked another book onto the pile Crowley held for him, "definitely need this one. Oh, this one as well."

The family made a quick stop at the shop before returning home to their cottage. Upon seeing them, Muriel had questioned if they were being kicked out again. Luckily for the cheery angel, the family was only staying one day and night so there was no need for them to be ushered out.

"Angel, how many books do you need? You and Cassi already have a full library back home. If you want us to move back to the shop, just say so."

Aziraphale piled on another book and tucked a stray hair away from Crowley's face. "Nonsense. I love our cottage and privacy there."

Crowley blew air through his nose. "Uh, exactly what privacy? We have a daughter who's constantly home."

"Well, dearest, you keep grounding her."

"Ah-ah, for good reasons. She's hiding something, I can smell it." Aziraphale walked past him, piling yet another book. "She's been acting strange, using miracles so loosely, and are you sure she went to the library the other day?" He followed the angel. "Pfft, nonono, nope," he shook his head, "it's all a bit weird if you ask me."

Thankfully Aziraphale had his back turned as he pursed his lips. He had told himself he was not necessarily lying to his partner but more so bending the truth while helping his daughter, their daughter. He witnessed how unhappy she was when she was briefly separated from her friend and if she was anything like him, the separation was torture. The angel could not understand how Crowley was fine with denying their daughter to express the love she was feeling. For the last eighty some years, the angel secretly loved the demon and every single day, he had to wrestle with himself not to embrace Crowley and confess to him. Sure, Cassi had not yet confessed but knowing she was able to be at least in Elliot's life, well, that was alright for now was it not? On the other hand, Aziraphale understood Crowley's point of view in needing to protect their daughter, because he too wanted to protect her from the world's malice. So the boy was half demon, his daughter was one as well and Cassi was right, why be biased towards the boy when they did not know him all too well. From what the angel could tell, he was an alright lad.

Crowley's comment on Elliot tempting Cassi did pop in his mind every time he saw his daughter smile at her phone or leave the house, not to mention the guilt he would feel. "Erm, Crowley." Aziraphale turned around. The demon held his books and the angel's eyes went to the ring on his finger. A ring symbolizing the journey they were about to take, their commitment towards each other, their love, and the trust they held for one another. Aziraphale removed the books from the demon's arms and held his partner's hands in his own.

"Yea?" Crowley encouraged Aziraphale as the angel said nothing. Aziraphale opened his mouth, but no words came about. "You alright?"

Aziraphale licked his lips and smiled. "Perfectly." His thumb stroked the engagement ring. "Um, listen, I-"

Crowley gave the angel a quick peck. "I know," he sighed, "I know what you're going to say."

"Oh, yo-you do?"

"Yes, but I'll sort it all out and be back before you know it." The angel gave the demon a baffled expression. "This morning, remember? Shax? They need to speak to me and I rather go to them than them coming up here."

"O-Oh, um, are you still committed to doing that? Because if I recall correctly, you were in a mood at the possibility of me returning to heaven."

"Yes, angel but this reason involves our daughter."

Aziraphale's hands tighten their hold. "Ugh, but you can't possibly think of going, surely?"

Crowley placed his hand on Aziraphale's nape while the other embraced the angel's waist. "Nothing will happen to me. Trust me."

"But...what if you don't come back? Like when you recently went away…it seemed like forever."

"Three days, angel." Crowley chuckled.

Aziraphale whined. "Exactly. I'll go in your stead, it'll be safer."

"One angel against a room full of demons?"

"I've done it before, twice even."

"Uh, no, I wouldn't let you. I'll be fine, angel. You can wait for me at the entrance if you'd like but I'd rather you didn't bother with it." Crowley furrowed his brow. "Don't, ngk, give me that look."

"I have no idea what you mean."

"That adorable pouting look you always give me. It won't work this time." Crowley eyed Aziraphale for a moment. "You're infuriating." He pulled the angel closer and kissed his soft lips.

Aziraphale sighed into the kiss. "What if," he broke the kiss, "it's all a ruse and you'll get into trouble? I'll have you know…demons lie."

"Yes, angel I'm well aware." He smiled. "But I'm not lying to you, am I? It'll be a quick poke around, trust me." Crowley kissed the angel's forehead and checked his wristwatch." "Right. I should get going then."

"Wha- now?" He looked up at the demon, pleading with his eyes for him to stay. "But you…we still have yet to discuss some wedding details."

"And we will when I get back." Crowley kissed the angel once more, a long simple kiss to tie the angel over, afterwards, removing himself from the angel's space. He retrieved his glasses from the table nearby and was headed towards the door until he was pulled back.

Aziraphale had his grip on Crowley's sleeve and looked upon the demon with an innocent smile. "Um, I'm finding this difficult."

Crowley sighed softly. "Don't be silly. I've gone to hell plenty of times."

"Yes, only this time they know you are not on their side, you are with me, an angel, and we have a daughter. You said hell is not so forgiving and suddenly they want to talk to you about Cassi and…the other one. It's all a ruse. Please don't go."

Crowley removed his glasses and embraced a worried Aziraphale. "That may be, angel but…it's my duty to protect us and that us now includes our daughter. If I don't go down there, they might come up exactly like what happened months ago. The shop surrounded by demons while you and Cassi are inside? I won't have it."

Aziraphale shook his head. "But…ugh, you surrounded by demons without me by your side…I don't like it. Please, Crowley, don't go."

"Going?" Cassi descended from the stairs, book in hand. "Where are we going?"

Crowley withdrew himself from Aziraphale and placed his glasses back on. "We are staying here and by we I mean you and your father. Then we will head back home when I come back."

The nephalem shelved the book in her hand. "May I ask where we…aren't going? Seems odd papa is not going with you." Cassi eyed her parents carefully, noticing Aziraphale's tense shoulders and Crowley's pursed lips. "Does it have something to do with the demon from this morning?" Cassi gasped. "Dad, are you…are you going to hell?"

"Oh, um…dad i-"

"Yes I am." Crowley replied bluntly and opened the door. "No more questions, Cassi, uh, I just need you and your father to stay here while I'm gone, 'kay?" The demon turned to his fiancé and tried his best to reassure him.

As the doors closed behind the demon, Aziraphale let out a shaky breath. "Stay here, darling." He ran out after Crowley.

Cassi watched as her papa followed her dad, the loom of loneliness engulfing her for a second. She shook her head and followed her parents. To her surprise they were walking across the street, her angelic father desperately trying to convince her dad not to go and as her papa argued and her dad stood there, a bright green light illuminated the pub next door. "Doors opening." An automatic voice rang.

"Please, Crowley, I don't think-"

Cassi stood next to Aziraphale, slightly confused as to why her dad was heading to hell and as the doors opened, Crowley groaned in annoyance while seeing two demons waiting for him inside. Aziraphale quickly shielded Cassi by pulling her behind him.

Crowley stepped into the elevator. "Guys, please, can you not while the little angels are watching?"

One of the demons smirked. "That makes it more fun." The demon punched Crowley in the stomach, making him land on the other demon's arms; the demons laughed.

Cassi pushed Aziraphale out of her way and tried to run into the elevator. "Dad!"

"Doors closing. Going down."