the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

Eighteen weeks.

It doesn't seem like much when compared to the number of weeks left, but it's still hard to believe it has been that long.

The second trip to the doctor hadn't been nearly as nerve-wracking, and Adam and Alanna have a whole new set of pictures to examine at length. Everything is starting to look a little more human, which relieves them both, and the doctor had seemed upbeat.

Alanna is pouring over those pictures now, as Adam unlocks the front door to the bookshop. There's a book he wants to pick up, and she had been only too happy to tag along.

"Look, there's an arm," she proclaims cheerfully. "Do aliens have arms? Not like these arms, I don't think."

She sounds smug. Nope, she's never going to let him forget it.

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His attempt at a scowl is failing rather miserably as he pushes the door open.

"I never said they were aliens, simply that they resembled them in the pictures. Hurry in, or somebody will think we're actually open."

Snickering, she puts the pictures back in the folder and pokes his side as she enters, immediately stepping to the left so he can follow and shut the door.

"That's your story now," she teases. "However, I very clearly remember the look on your face."

Aziraphael sighs at the gentle tinkling from the bell above the door and shuffles out, scowl already firmly in place and cup of tea in hand.

"If you can't read that the sign says 'closed' I'm afraid you may well be in the wrong -

Oh."

He blinks at them, quite off balance.

"Hello."

There's something of a strangle choke as Adam hears the voice and stops in his tracks.

"Oh."

Awkward.

"Hello."

Alanna has very quick reflexes. At the sound of his voice, she drops both folder and jacket in front of her stomach and leans back against a bookshelf, striking a somewhat casual pose in an effort to look -- well, thinner.

"Aziraphael," is all she can manage to say, and it is accompanied by a relieved sigh.

She is relieved. For the moment. The nerves will set in eventually.

It takes a moment or two of blinking - he's not quite got his sleep patterns under control, yet, and it's only his first cup of tea - before his face breaks into a sunny smile.

"It's delightful to see you both. Tea, coffee?"

"Coffee, yes, thank you."

And though it was Aziraphael who offered, Adam sets into motion, nodding for Alanna to help if she likes, moving all the things back into place as he uses them, back from where he'd moved them to in Aziraphael's absense.

Aziraphael watches in some sort of musement, a- or be-... it's hard to tell because he keeps burying his nose in his cup of tea as though trying to bathe in the caffeine.

"I maintain that coffee is bad for you, my dear," he manages around a yawn.

"Hmmm. Tea, please."

The response is possibly surprising coming from a woman who had adamantly preferred coffee just a few short months ago. Entirely too busy studying Aziraphael to notice Adam's nod, she moves forward and takes a seat where she can, slightly more awkward now, suddenly weighed down by worry. She chances a quick glance at Adam and looks back, smiling.

"We missed you," she says simply. "Very much. It's ever so good to see you."

"But do you expect anything less of me?"

He gives Aziraphael an awkward laugh as he emerges with a mug of coffee for himself, and one of tea for Alanna.

There's silence as he shifts from foot to foot, trying to figure out what to say, if anything, before all the words come rushing out.

"When did you get back? Why haven't we seen you. We've missed you. Did you speak with Raguel?"

"Er - " he takes a fortifying sip of tea, before answering dutifully. He'd probably be ticking points off on his fingers if they weren't wrapped so tightly around his mug.

"Very very recently, because I only got back, er, very very recently, really, I missed you too of course, and yes. Yes, I spoke to Raguel. He hunted me down, rather," and he can't quite hide the small smile that prompts.

"He said he would," Alanna mentions, pleased.

Taking the mug from Adam, she tries to catch his eye and give him a reassuring smile.

He sees it and gives her a grateful look back, leaning back and coughing.

"We'd wanted to speak with you, but you weren't here."

Obviously.

Aziraphael looks at him sidelong, his smile turning a little mischievous.

"Why do I always get a feeling of such foreboding, when you say that?"

"Because you know him so well?" Alanna can't help but laugh.

The corner of her mouth continues to twitch slightly, almost as if she isn't sure whether to dissolve into outright giggles or bury her nose in her own mug of tea.

"However, I promise you there's nothing nefarious at work. It's good news."

If you'll let it be, she doesn't say, clearing her throat. The folder is placed gingerly on the table before her, and she gently drums her fingers on the thick paper.

"You missed our wedding-"

He swallows, realizing that came out more accusatory than he'd intended, than he feels at all.

"And Alanna's pregnant."

Quick. Like a bandage, right?

"I think I need to sit down."

"Adam!"

Scowling, Alanna squeaks, turns and lightly kicks her beloved husband in the shin.

"Goddess, we didn't even know we were going to get married, until we did, and it was only because Lucy was there," she babbles, rubbing her forehead. "I know that sounds a bit strange, given Adam's relationship with her, but she's a dear friend. We got married, and it was wonderful, even if you were very much missed, and we-"

She groans quietly and buries her face in her hands, laughing because she doesn't know what else to do.

"On the bright side, Lucifer is miserable about the fact that he's going to be a grandfather," Alanna announces.

Raguel, at least, finds it very amusing.

Adam smiles at the both of them weakly -- well, Alanna, anyway. He's determined (even if he's failing a bit at the moment) to be strong and proud in front of Aziraphael, as that's how Alanna makes him feel.

It doesn't help that, with a single look, Aziraphael can make Adam feel approximately four years old.

"We've missed you."</small.

"...didn't know?"

He sighs, and rests his head on his hand.

"I. Well. It's nice to know you didn't enter into this sort of thing lightly."

(or unadvisedly) Aziraphael thinks wryly (but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God.)

But - "I missed the both of you, too." And the truth in that is clear enough in his voice. "Congratulations, on both counts."

Regaining her composure, Alanna pulls her hands away from her undoubtedly red face and schools her features, looking the angel in the eye. Her own wide eyes are every bit as serious as they had been when she took her oath of chivalry. No matter what people may or may not say about Alanna, it's common knowledge that she doesn't make a promise lightly.

"We didn't think we needed marriage, Aziraphael," she explains quietly, solemnly. "But now that we have it, I can't imagine wanting anything more."

It sums up her views on all of it, really: love, marriage, children.

"I'd fight to the death to protect them."

"We didn't want you to find out from somebody else."

"I appreciate that."

He rubs a hand over his face, emerging with a faint grin.

"I'm really quite... taken aback, I suppose, is the most appropriate way of putting it. But I'm very glad that you're both happy."

The smile twists a very little.

"And I shall enjoy speaking to Lucifer about it, I think."

"Thank you," Alanna whispers. She looks a little stunned, like she's just emerging into sunlight after weeks indoors, and her eyes are suspiciously damp.

If anyone asks, she'll simply blame the hormones.

"It's quite entertaining, although I've allowed him to ignore the fact that I'm pregnant when we speak. And he doesn't even know-" Biting her lip, Alanna looks at Adam. "Can I tell him the rest?"

Adam nods at her, quiet, eyes falling surreptitiously upon the folder on the table.

Aziraphael looks faintly distressed.

"There's more?"

"There is," Alanna admits, biting her lip again.

She stands slowly, letting the jacket fall to the side, and really she's much larger than she should be for how many months he's probably expecting.

Brow furrowed, she glances worriedly at Adam again before blurting out,

"We're having triplets."

"I think I need to sit down," Aziraphael manages faintly, seeming not to take into account the fact that he already is.

"That makes two of us," Alanna replies hastily, doing just that. "I also suspect we will need more tea."

Lots and lots of tea.

"I'll make the tea."

Though Adam doesn't appear to be moving towards making any more anything.

"It seems that multiples... runs in Alanna's family."

Aziraphael really doesn't need to hear about Lilly's theory about demon sperm.

He doesn't, but Alanna can't help thinking about it anyway, an odd sound working its way up the back of her throat.

"I'm a twin, as you know."

It's quite a lot to take in, Alanna realizes. Awash in sympathy, she rolls to her feet and shuffles over to Aziraphael. There's only a slight hesitation before she kisses his cheek and hugs him.

Weakly, "welcome home?"

He winds his arms around her waist (and oh, he thinks, gosh).

"It's good to be back," he says, with all honesty. "And I really do - I mean, congratulations. Genuinely. It's - something of a shock, I'll admit, but. Well, gosh," he says, out loud this time. "Three."

"It was a shock to us, as well."

Aziraphael also doesn't need to know about Adam dropping Alanna.

"But it really is grand to have you back."

Someday, Adam, the truth will out. But Alanna is entirely too happy and relieved to tease her husband at length just now. Aziraphael is here and he isn't angry, and there's something in Adam's eyes and the set of his shoulders that hasn't been there in far too long.

"Aye, three. And they will be well-loved," she promises. Looking back and forth between them, Alanna smiles. "We were just stopping by to pick up a book, but we aren't in any rush to return. If you don't mind the company for a while longer, how about I get the tea, and you two catch up? I'm positive I won't burn the place down by trying to boil water."

Mostly positive.

"Don't even think about it. You two sit yourselves down and I shall do the proper host duties. We can talk more when there's tea, like normal civilised people."

It'll give him a moment or two to collect himself in the kitchen. And when he comes out again, he'll be smiling.

And Adam'll smile back, and he'll talk, and it'll be good. Because gone or not, awkward or not, Aziraphael is Aziraphael and Adam is Adam, and if nothing else, there's that.

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