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

40

Sergeant Shadwell was pacing up and down the hallway of South Downs. The Scotsman was quite impatient. Master Crowley and his husband, the southern pansy, Mr. Fell finally had that long awaited baby and to say that Shadwell was excited was an understatement. 

The old witchfinder had seen many things, and even got quite a shock when Crowley and Aziraphale revealed the truth to him and Tracy, now his wife, but now both were eager for a quiet life.

Children was out of the question of course, they had considered adoption but they were getting up there in years. Although he and Tracy decided to abandon their hopes for a child,, it always felt like something was missing.

"Love," Madame Tracy opened the bedroom door and peeked out. "Come and meet our goddaughter." 

Madame Tracy and Aziraphale had become very close friends, so close that they were inseparable, even started a book club together. Shadwell wasn't that surprised when Tracy accepted the angel's request to be his midwife since she had experience in that line of work.

Shadwell was mostly surprised when he and Tracy received the news that they were going to be godparents. 

Shadwell wanted to dash into the room but Tracy warned him, "Be gentle, and be quiet. Aziraphale has been through quite an ordeal and the baby only knows her parents and me. She might be frightened by a brand new face." Shadwell nodded, forcing his impatience down.

"Wot did they name her?" Shadwell whispered as Tracy led him into the bedroom.  He only knew that the baby was a girl. They wouldn't tell him anything else and it was driving him mad.

Apparently they wanted to surprise him.

"That's for them to tell you." Tracy said with a grin. Of course Tracy already knew, and she wouldn't crack no matter how much Shadwell begged.

They stopped when they reached the foot of the bed and Shadwell met the gazes of two very exhausted parents. 

"Master Crowley, Aziraphale." Shadwell greeted politely. Crowley looked like a feather could knock him over, but the demon was smiling from ear to ear, tears of joy still streaming down his face. He had an arm wrapped protectively around Aziraphale, holding the angel close to him. Tracy said he had been like that ever since the baby arrived. Only holding the baby for a bit before quickly giving her back to her Papa. 

Shadwell glanced at Aziraphale, who looked absolutely drained, using his remaining strength to hold the baby who had been born less than a day ago.

"Hello Sergeant Shadwell." Aziraphale replied hoarsely. The angel was laying against Crowley, his head resting against his husband's chest.

"Shhh, angel don't talk. Rest." Crowley rasped softly before he turned back to the Sergeant. 

"Don't just stand there Shadwell, come meet our daughter." Crowley was practically lighting up the room and smiling through his tears.

Shadwell didn't need to be told twice. He approached the side of the bed and was immediately enamored by the sight of the cutest little baby he had ever seen. 

The baby's eyes were open and Shadwell gasped, "What beautiful eyes you have lass." Blue serpentine eyes gazed up at him with wonder and curiosity. 

"She likes you." Aziraphale rasped. "I knew she would." 

Aziraphale smiled even wider when the baby's little hands reached out towards Shadwell. "I think she wants you to hold her." Crowley tensed immediately. 

"Of course I will." Seeing the wary look on Crowley’s face he said, "I'll be careful Master Crowley, don't you worry." 

  

After a couple of moments,  Crowley reluctantly passed the baby over to Shadwell. "Support her head…like this…" Crowley fussed,  making sure her hand knitted hat was secure so it would keep her head warm. 

"Crowley, stop fussing. She's fine…" Aziraphale chuckled. 

"Although I fear we might not get our baby back." The angel smiled weakly as Shadwell smiled at the little baby, "Hey there lass, that's right I'm yer godfather,  Sergeant Shadwell,  but you can just call me Shadwell…" Shadwell thought for a moment. "Well, your special so you get to call me whatever you like but you got to learn how to talk first." Shadwell became teary eyed when the baby reached up and grabbed his index finger. "Yer smart as a whip aren't ya…" Shadwell gazed pleadingly at Aziraphale, "What's her name?" 

"Eden Alexandria Queen Fell." Aziraphale replied tiredly. Shadwell turned back to the baby. "A beautiful name for a beautiful girl."

Shadwell stroked a dark red curl that peeked through her little hat. "You were definitely worth waiting for my wee bairn."

 "She most certainly was…"Aziraphale agreed. The angel watched the Sergeant bond with his goddaughter until a sudden pain hit him, causing him to double over. "Shit, Aziraphale!" Crowley was at his side instantly. "Is he okay?" Shadwell asked as he moved out of Tracy's way. 

"Really you two I'm fine….just sore…" 

"If being sore is that bothersome then something needs to be done." Tracy replied sternly. "Crowley, help him to lay back down while I'll go prepare him some tea." Crowley nodded and did just that. "Here Master Crowley, I think she wants to come back to you." Eden suddenly became quite squirmy as soon as Crowley got Aziraphale settled.

"I'm here Queenie." Crowley said as he cradled the baby in his arms. "I've got you." Shadwell patted Crowley on the shoulder, "You're doing a good job Master Crowley."

Crowley smiled, "Thank you Shadwell."