Bad Omens 8: Ye Saga Comes To An End

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Aziraphale found the Archangel exactly where he had left him. Except this time the Archangel was staring straight ahead blankly. Gabriel didn't even acknowledge him as Aziraphale stepped forward. "Any news?" 

When Gabriel shook his head, Aziraphale continued, "The children are here. Crowley and I thought they should be here so they could see their mother." 

Gabriel still didn't respond. "They want to see you too Gabriel."

Aziraphale sighed with relief when Gabriel rose to his feet and made his way to the barracks, casting one final glance at the infirmary door before he left.

A shadow fell over Crowley and a sleeping Mercury. Crowley looked up and met the grief stricken gaze of Archangel Gabriel. 

"He just fell asleep." Crowley whispered as Gabriel stepped forward to touch Mercury's cheek gently. 

"Do they know about their mother?" Gabriel rasped. 

Crowley nodded as he gently passed Mercury to his father. The Archangel hugged his son tightly to him. "I don't know what I'm going to do Crowley." Gabriel's voice cracked, barely able to choke back a sob. Crowley wrapped an arm around his son in laws shoulder. But before he could think of something to say, Mercury shifted as his eyes fluttered open.

"Daddy?" Mercury rasped, rubbing his eyes. 

"Hey little man." Gabriel rasped in reply. "I'm here." 

"Is Mummy okay?" 

"I don't know…." Gabriel replied, his voice tight. "I-"

"Daddy!" Gallifrey and Polaris had woken up. "Daddy you’re here!" 

Gallifrey and Polaris ran to their father and climbed into his lap. Gabriel hugged his other son and daughter close, listening to their voices as they talked over the other.

"We made you some cookies. We hope you'll like them."

"Koko's been crying a lot ever since you guys left."

"How's Mummy?" 

"When can we see Mummy?" 

"What happened to your hands? Did you get hurt too?"

Gabriel searched his mind for answers, only to be interrupted by Aziraphale entering the barracks. 

"Grandfather!" The triplets dashed to Aziraphale and nearly knocked the angel over as they embraced him.

"Gabriel, Crowley. I need to speak with you for a moment." Aziraphale rasped. 

"Wait here loves." Gabriel said as he and Crowley met Aziraphale right outside the barracks. 

"How is she?" Gabriel asked, his voice strained. 

"I spoke with Metatron just now." Aziraphale began. "He…..He doesn't think that Eden will survive the night."

Aziraphale had barely finished his sentence when the Archangel darted away straight to the infirmary. 

Aziraphale and Crowley turned when they heard Polaris say, "Where's Daddy going?" 

"I'm sorry Gabriel." The Metatron said sternly. "But Dr. Young said that no one is to come in while she is operating." Metatron had done all he could for now and was taking a short time to rest. 

"But I need to be with her. She needs me." 

"I can't let you in Gabriel." Metatron repeated. Metatron wasn't at all surprised when the Archangel tried to shove past him, only to suddenly slump to the floor.

"I apologize for my son in laws behavior." Aziraphale said. "Go get some rest Metatron, I'll see to him." The Metatron nodded gratefully and left, leaving Aziraphale alone with the Archangel. 

Aziraphale sat next to Gabriel, draping his coat over the Archangel to help keep him warm. 

It was going to be a long night.