"So, you think of any baby names yet?" Angel asked. "Well… not yet," Hazel said, "We're still looking through a few baby books for options, but we have a couple of ideas that we want to keep to ourselves for now." Husk took a swig of whiskey and nodded, "Fair enough. I remember when my wife was pregnant… names were the last thing on our mind for a long while. Don't think about it too much; I'm sure you'll find the best name when the time is right. Frankly, I'd be fine with whatever names you pick. As long as you don't give 'em a name that they'll be rushing to get changed in about eighteen years."
"Ha! Yeah, no kidding," Angel chuckled, "Or like those crazy parents who give their kids perfectly good names, but spell 'em in a way that even the kid can't spell it until they're like fourteen years old." "Oof," Hazel flinched, "Yeah, I know what you mean. I knew a few kids in my homeschool group whose parents must've been on some serious drugs when they were coming up with baby names, because… oh, dear Satan."
"I remember," Husk chuckled, "Those poor kids." "You were homeschooled?" Angel asked. "Only after I turned fifteen," Hazel said, "Let's just say I had some… issues with some of my schoolmates. I don't like to talk about it much, but, I'm glad dad pulled me out of that shithole when he did."
"Better than waiting for you to go postal on their asses," Husk snickered, "And, after what went down with that one little rich prick, I wasn't taking any chances. At least you were able to get your diploma. Early. And with honors, I might add." Angel smiled, seeing Husk beam like a classic proud daddy as he gently nudged Angel's shoulder.
"Alright, alright. Come on, dad," Hazel scoffed, "I'm not that smart. The people who ran the homeschool league you enrolled me in were just… really fucking stupid. I mean… did you ever read any of the lesson materials?" Husk shook his head and shrugged, saying, "I might have… if Alastor wasn't running me all over Hell's half-acre almost every night at the time."
"Seriously, I don't understand why, of all the fat cats in Pride that you could've sold your soul to… why'd it have to be him? I mean… just… why couldn't it have been Rosie?" Hazel groaned. Husk groaned and shook his head, resting his face in his hands and said, "I ask myself that same damn question, sweetheart. Frequently. But… even though Alastor can be a complete bastard… I could've gotten stuck with worse."
"Oh yeah, definitely. I should know, I work for worse." Angel laughed, "Mista Valentino is… a lot. Just… he's a lot to deal with any time I've gotta share air with the man." "Damn," Bucky drawled, "Well if he works fer one of the Three Vees, and you don't… I guess you did sorta luck out there, didn't ya Mr. H?"
"Oh, I'm lucky, alright." Husk said, reaching over under the table to grab Angel's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, "I'm one lucky, lucky bastard." Angel smiled down at Husk, squeezing Husk's hand back as he wrapped his arm around Husk's shoulder before leaning over and gave the cat a soft kiss on his head. Hazel and Bucky laughed as Husk's cheeks flushed a light pink. "Ooh, our food's here." Bucky cheered as he spotted Cindy heading their way, wheeling their orders on a cart. "Finally, I'm starving!" Hazel sighed, "Let's eat!"
The rest of the night went off without a hitch; the group enjoyed their meals, had some desert, and by the time it was over, Husk was a bit more than a little buzzed. Luckily, Angel was more than sober enough to help Husk down to the street to meet up with the cab. "You sure you don't want us to drive you?" Bucky asked, "We could at least get you as far as the edge of your neighborhood." "Nah, it's fine," Angel waived, "We've got more than enough cash for the taxi. Thanks for the offer, though."
"I still can't believe… you're going to be parents soon," Husk hiccupped, "Damn! And here I thought me getting to be a parent was the highlight of my afterlife." Everyone laughed at that, nodding along as Husk sat down on the ground when he felt his head grow a bit too heavy. "I'd better get your pops into bed," Angel laughed, "The girls ain't gonna be too happy he drank this much tonight, but, they'll get over it. I mean, it ain't every day you learn you're gonna be a grandpa."
"I hear that," Hazel nodded, "Dad told me he'd been trying to cut back on the booze again. Said he's been making some real progress this time." Hazel knelt down, put a hand on Husk's shoulder and said, "Keep going, dad; you're doing great. I'm really proud of you." Husk smiled as Hazel wrapped her arms around him; he returned her embrace, holding her close for a moment before they separated and Bucky and Angel helped them to their feet.
"Take care of yourselves. Okay?" "You, too, kid," Angel smiled, "It was great to finally get to meet you, Hazel. I think Husk… as a dad… he did okay." Hazel smiled and gave Angel a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek before waving goodbye and heading off with Bucky to go find their car.
"Did you really mean that, Angel?" Husk asked, "You really think… I did okay?" Angel smiled and wrapped Husk's arm around his waist to stabilize him before hooking his other arm under Husk's arm while placing a third arm around his shoulders. "Yeah," Angel said, "Yeah, I did. I'm sure you weren't perfect; no parent ever is. But, Hazel… Hazel turned out great. She's a good kid."
Husk smiled at that, giving Angel a weak side-hug as the cab pulled up. Before Angel could reach out to grab the handle to open the cab's back door, Husk pulled Angel back, pressing his lips against the spider's for a soft kiss. "Whoa! Huh, maybe I should let you get buzzed more often." Angel joked, "Come on, Husky… let's head home. I'm bushed."