Final Preparations
Crowley picked up Warlock outside the townhouse his parents kept in town and drove to the entrance to 'Headquarters'. "I need to check on some precautions. I don't think there will be a problem, Hellspawn, but I will not let this day be ruined for our Angel." They left the parked Bentley and walked to the glass entrance to the escalators. The apprentices were checking Up and Down.
Eric waved at the pair. "I checked Downstairs – they're planning to ignore the whole thing. Shax has threatened anyone who mentions either of you by name or even the word 'wedding' with a 72-hour nonstop ride in the Small World teacups at EuroDisney."
"Whoa, wicked." Warlock responded.
"That should squelch any good will." Crowley smirked.
"Almost. Rictus sent this as a "gift", although he used the term "warning". Eric handed Crowley a gift card.
He read it to the others - "'This card good for a one time, one hour curse block for a 100-yard radius.' Perfect!" Crowley smiled, "and we should be out of range beyond that."
Muriel and Raph were coming down the escalator from Upstairs. "She just sent a memo upstairs congratulating your union and reminding them that you are not to be disturbed without Her permission." Raph reported.
Muriel handed Crowley a small picnic basket. "Your friends in Switzerland sent this." Crowley opened the lid (engraved with the sun and moon), to see a note from Jesus and Mary "the Chalet is ready and this is for the trip" – a small bottle of wine and some stuffed grape leaves, olives, cheese, bread, and honey cakes.
"Mary knows how to keep our Angel happy." Crowley showed the contents to Warlock. He looked at the apprentices, dressed for the occasion. Eric in a slim gray suit, Raph in navy, Muriel in a pale green floral dress and fuschia hat. "Thank you for checking. Let's get to the garden."
"I'm driving!" Warlock declared. The apprentices looked surprised, but that changed to shock when Crowley responded, "Very Well, Hellspawn. Mind the crosswalks."
...
At 11:00 AM, Maggie and Nina knocked on the book shop door. The limo was coming in an hour, and their job was to make sure Aziraphale was ready. Maggie's China-blue silk dress matched her eyes, and her upswept hair made her look even more like a 50's starlet. Nina's persimmon pantsuit was topped with a long teal jacket. Aziraphale opened the door and beamed at the pair. "My, you both are wonderfully colorful today!"
"Mr. Fell, you look positively modern, but still so you!" Maggie responded. He had not put on his topcoat yet, but the tailored outfit already made him look like he belonged in the current century.
"I'm trying to change out this watch fob with my gift from Crowley." A statement that showed he was still a century behind.
"On it." Nina took the watch from his hand and started replacing the old fob with the new one. "There." She handed it to Aziraphale; he put his watch in its pocket and threaded the fob. The old fob was put in the giftbox on the desk. He paused to reread the engravings, then let the girls read it.
"Oh, how lovely!" Maggie declared. "We're so happy to be helping you on your special day."
"What else needs doing?" Nina asked.
"I was going upstairs to brush my coat one last time and read over my vows again."
"I'll go up and brush, Maggie will fix you a cup of tea, and you sit at your desk and read in peace." Nina gently pushed past the angel and headed up the stairs; Maggie went to the kitchenette. Aziraphale looked like he wanted to protest, but instead, he shrugged and walked to his desk, taking a seat. The glass teardrop holding water from the Garden swung slightly. The angel picked up his vows from the desk, and started to read "Crowley,"… He was finishing his final edit when Maggie brought him a cup of tea, plus one for her and Nina.
The girls sat with their tea and smiled at each other, afraid to spoil his moment. Nina finally spoke. "You look different, but it's more than the suit. You look unusually ….calm."
"I am." Aziraphale smiled and nodded. "I was in quite a spin this morning, but I called Crowley and he talked me down." He gently brushed his thumb over the engraving on the fob. "We've been a pair for almost always, and today we make it 'official'. We don't have to be afraid anymore." The happiness swam in his eyes.
"Free to love. Something humans are discovering too." Nina and Maggie took each other's hand. Nina's phone pinged – "Our limo will be here in 10 minutes."
"I'll wash up." Maggie reached for the cups.
"Nonsense." Aziraphale waved his hand and the cups returned to their spot in the kitchen, clean and dry. Nina brought down the jacket and he put it on and looked at his reflection in the mirror. "My, it is modern, isn't it? Maybe I should adjust…"
"No!" Both women exclaimed. "For once, you are going to be more 'au courant' than Crowley." Maggie demanded.
"Will he like it?" Aziraphale needed reassurance.
Maggie placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sweetie, it's going to make him swoon. He'll love it, though I doubt he can love you any more than he already does."
Nina turned and smiled, taking Aziraphale's hand. "Agreed. The limo is here. Do you have everything?"
Aziraphale tucked his vows into his jacket. "I feel like I have the whole world in my pocket. Thank you both." He giggled a light "tee hee". "Let's go ladies."