A token of gratitude
The shopkeepers of Whickber Street have decided to show their gratitude to Aziraphale and Crowley. With the help of Muriel and even the Bentley, they're preparing a little surprise for the angel and the demon.
The lovebirds should be here soon.
Nina couldn't help but smile as she watched the bookshop from the coffee shop. For once it was fun to be one of those in the know.
Then her gaze was drawn to the Bentley parked in its reserved spot. The strange car no longer surprised anyone in the neighborhood, just as people had gotten used to the kind bookseller and his equally kind, though he denied it, dark partner.
It had been easy to convince the other shopkeepers on Whickber Street to prepare this little surprise. They all had the same kind of amnesia about the night of the ball in the bookshop, but they all had the same impression.
They'd been in danger, and Crowley and Aziraphale had protected them.
There were often small disagreements among the shopkeepers, but they were all unanimous about this.
It was Maggie, of course, who came up with the idea.
Her incurable romantic Maggie, Nina thought fondly.
The two of them had talked to all the shopkeepers present at the ball and had met with no resistance; on the contrary, everyone had been eager to participate.
The record is on the gramophone and the bee will do the rest.
Mr. Arnold had seen to it that they found the record as soon as they knew what song it was.
It was Muriel who told them what it was. When Maggie and Nina been looking for the right song to make their two friends dance, Muriel had made a mysterious face and said they had a secret way of finding out. They returned to Maggie an hour later with the lyrics to a song that Muriel didn't know, but that Maggie found in the second. Muriel also said they would take care of turning on the gramophone and the light when the time was right.
Were you able to finish in time?
Yes, thank you for the wine and appetizers
Justine hadn't hesitated for a second to prepare delicious appetizers and fetch the best champagne from the restaurant's cellar, and had helped decorate the bookshop with Mrs. Sandwhich and Mrs. Cheng, but had had to leave early to open her restaurant.
Mutt had distracted Aziraphale by inviting him to the magic shop for a session of prestidigitation, and Muriel had managed to draw Crowley into one of their escapades, a story about duck and frozen peas that Nina hadn't quite understood, but the important thing was that the two heroes of the party wouldn't be around all afternoon, leaving the way clear for them.
Well, now everything was ready, and all that remained was to wait for the report of a certain bee when the time would come.
Aziraphale and Crowley each arrived at one side of the bookshop and came face to face in front of the door.
"Oh, Angel, you're here too? So how was it playing the amazing Mr. Fell?"
Aziraphale rolled his eyes and swatted him on the arm before replying, "Well, Mr. Cheeky Demon, I'll have you know Mutt was amazed at some of my little tricks."
Crowley replied with a smile on his face, "I don't doubt it. I too have been...amazed."
"What about you? Did you have fun with Muriel?"
Crowley opened the door and was about to answer him when suddenly the chandelier lit up and a banner came down with the words "Thank you" written in beautiful gold letters.
Both looked at each other in confusion and asked at the same time, "Was that you?"
Then they both shook their heads in unison.
They moved a little farther into the shop when all of a sudden Aziraphale tugged on Crowley's arm and exclaimed, "Look!"
He pointed to a small table where a tray of appetizers, a bottle of champagne, and two flutes were nicely arranged.
They approached and saw a small piece of paper leaning against the bottle.
Crowley picked it up and unfolded it before holding it up so that Aziraphale could read it with him.
A small thank you from the shopkeepers to the two guardian angels of Whickber Street.
Crowley chuckled, "The two guardian angels..."
He couldn't continue because Aziraphale had put a finger over his mouth and said gently, "Don't spoil this gift, just accept it, my dear."
Then he took the bottle of champagne, opened it and filled both glasses. After that, he grabbed the glasses and handed one to Crowley before continuing, "Let's toast and do as they wrote, enjoy ourselves."
Crowley didn't protest, reached for the glass and clinking it against the angel's, said softly, "To us and to the shopkeepers of Whickber Street."
"To us and to the shopkeepers of Whickber Street."
They each took a sip of champagne as the light from the chandelier suddenly dimmed and strings of lights went up everywhere, creating a soft, warm mood while music played softly from the gramophone.
Recognizing the music, Crowley smiled, "Looks like they've all been hard at work discovering our little secrets."
Aziraphale nodded before setting down his glass and holding out his hand to Crowley, he said gently, "May I have this dance?"
Crowley set down his glass in turn and took the angel's hand.
Aziraphale placed his hand on Crowley's shoulder, while the demon's hand naturally rested on his hip.
They began to turn gently to the sound of the music.
After a few moments, the angel's arms wrapped around the demon's waist, and he rested his head on his shoulder. In response, Crowley tied his arms behind Aziraphale's back and rested his chin on the angel's head as they continued to sway gently to the music.
The demon asked softly, "Is this how you planned to woo me on the night of the ball, Angel?"
Aziraphale laughed softly and replied, "More or less..."
"Oh... and what did you have planned after the dance?"
"I have to admit, I hadn't thought that far ahead."
Crowley pushed him back a little and took the angel's chin, lifting it toward him as he said softly, "A kiss, perhaps?"
Aziraphale smiled playfully and replied, "Are you the one wooing me now?"
Crowley brought his face close to the angel's and murmured against his lips, "Is it working?"
Aziraphale breathed, "Try it and you'll see."
Crowley closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to the angel's in a soft kiss that lingered as they continued to sway to the rhythm of the music.
At that moment, indifferent to what wasn't them, they didn't see a little bee lock the door to the bookshop, making sure the angel and demon wouldn't be disturbed.
Then they turned toward the coffee shop, gave Nina, who had been joined by Maggie, a thumbs up, and headed home.
As they passed the Bentley, they ran their hand gently along the car's body and murmured, "Thanks for your help."
Early in the morning, Muriel leaned back against the Bentley and with an air of nonchalance, they said quietly, "I know you can understand me, so let me in, I have something important to ask you about Crowley and Aziraphale."
They weren't quite sure it would work, but how did humans say it? Ah yes, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Muriel jumped slightly when the door opened and then immediately climbed inside.
They kindly said, "Thank you. I know there's something about your radio and music. I need to know, if you know, what song would be perfect for Aziraphale and Crowley."
As soon as they finished their sentence, music started playing on the car radio.
Muriel didn't know the song, but after all, they knew very little, so they jotted down the lyrics in their little notebook.
Then they said gently, "Thank you!" before getting out of the car and walking over to Maggie's.
When they walked into the record store, they immediately asked the blond woman, "Maggie, do you know a song about a nightingale singing in Berkeley Square?"
Still not my native language
Still hoping you'll enjoy this story 🥰
Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝
Ineffable Growing Love series : here (After season 2)
Ineffable Husbands masterlist : here (Before season 2)
