Good Omens: Our New Beginning (Bad Omens Prequel Novella)

25

Crowley had just begun pouring the tea when he heard Aziraphale cry out, "CROWLEY!"

Crowley knew that tone of voice anywhere.

Aziraphale was in pain.

Crowley dropped the glass teapot and ran to his husband, ignoring the sound of shattering glass.

Crowley ran to the back room with his teeth bared, ready to tear in to whoever had hurt his angel but came to a stop when he met the tear filled gaze of Aziraphale.

"Aziraphale? Love, wot's wrong? Where are you hurt?" Aziraphale was still sitting on the couch, gripping his stomach tightly, drenched in sweat.

"Crowley....."Aziraphale rasped, "Crowley, it's the baby.....I think it's time....." Aziraphale broke off as another contraction tore through him. It hurt so much that it made Aziraphale tremble. Crowley was at his side instantly, "Shit. Fuck. Damn. I mean, that's fantastic! Not this though, you're in pain, my poor angel, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." Crowley reached out and clasped his husband's hand. He flinched when Aziraphale squeezed his hand so tightly his knuckles turned white. Aziraphale had read about how painful childbirth was going to be, even talked to Anathema about it.....he knew it was going to be awful but this.....

This was more than awful.

"Crowley, it hurts so much.....why does it hurt so much? Make it stop...please make it stop I beg you....." Crowley's head spun. Finally, after six months, their long wait would finally be over! But this was indeed quite unexpected, the baby was supposed to arrive in autumn not in the summer!

Crowley shook the pesky thoughts away. Aziraphale was starting to panic and if he didn't think fast, he would too.

"Aziraphale, angel, I need you to look at me." Aziraphale's blue eyes met Crowley's amber orange gaze and despite the pain, it calmed the angel.

"I need you to just breathe, just like in those videos that Tracey gave us to watch so we could practice for this very moment. Remember what the instructor in the videos said?" Crowley demonstrated by taking two short breaths followed by two long ones. According to the instructor, it would help the mother, or in this case, father, through the pains and help keep him calm through each contraction as it was crucial for him to keep breathing as he worked to bring his child into the world.

Aziraphale managed a weak, "Yes, I remember." He had to stay calm, for the baby and Crowley sakes. Aziraphale took two short breaths then two long ones.

Crowley sighed in relief as the breathing exercises seemed to calm Aziraphale. But Crowley felt a flash of concern at Aziraphale's appearance. The angel was drenched in sweat and his pants were damp, which meant that his water had broken. He had to get Aziraphale cleaned up and somewhere more comfortable and prepare for the birth.

"Aziraphale, we need to get ready for the baby's arrival. Wot do you want to do?" Crowley's mind was whirling. It had only been six months. The baby wasn't supposed to arrive so soon. Baby's weren't supposed to come until after nine months.....but Crowley had to remind himself yet again that only applied to human baby's. This baby wasn't a normal baby.
Not in the slightest.

Crowley was brought out of his thoughts as Aziraphale moaned through another contraction. Aziraphale doubled over in pain only to slump against Crowley's chest with relief when the pain faded.

"Aziraphale?"

"I want to go home." Aziraphale rasped.