Bad Omens Book 4: Ineffable Part 1

Chapter 10

Crowley felt his heart tear in half as another bout of coughing erupted from Eden. "Unnnngh." she moaned as she drifted awake. "Ow." 

Aziraphale placed a gentle hand on their daughter's chest, "Easy darling...easy...." Aziraphale glanced at Crowley. "Love, I think she needs another blanket." Ever since this fever hit, Eden had been shivering nonstop. 

 "Papa...." Eden moaned. 

"I'm here my dearest." Aziraphale replied as he gently cradled Eden in his arms, making sure that she was still covered by the blankets. 

"It hurts and I'm cold...."

"I'll be back in a second." Crowley said tightly as he opened the bedroom door and stepped into the hallway.....

And was met with the sight of the Archangel Gabriel, sitting on the floor in the hallway with his back against the wall. The Archangel was hunched over, hugging his knees. He must have been here all night and most of the day, Crowley realized. 

"How is she?" Gabriel asked as he lifted his head,  his purple gaze filled with worry. 

"Not good." Crowley replied curtly. Crowley saw fresh tears in the Archangel's eyes. "When....when can I see her?" His voice was sharp with desperation to see the woman he loved. "I don't know. " Crowley replied honestly. "We've been trying to get her to rest but the blasted coughing keeps bothering her...and the damn pain isn't helping her either." Crowley barely finished his sentence as he quickly turned away and went to his and Aziraphale's bedroom to collect their extra blankets. 

As Crowley passed the Archangel to deliver the haul of blankets,  Gabriel rasped, "Please, take my blankets from the guest room and give them to Eden. She needs them more than I do." 

Gabriel gazed up at the amber eyed demon and added, "Tell her that I'm here for her." Crowley's expression was unreadable but Gabriel didn't want to bother trying to figure out what he was thinking. He simply wanted the okay to go see Eden if only for a few minutes. The last time he visited her she barely had the strength to talk to him or look at him with those beautiful eyes of hers.

Gabriel hung his head and hugged his knees when Crowley went back into Eden's bedroom. 

Gabriel felt something soft and warm being draped over his shoulders. It was a blanket. He looked up and he met the teary eyes of Crowley. "Come on in, she's been asking for you."